South Africa Eve

(When I went to start this entry I noticed I had 3 half written pieces in my drafts.  So lame.)

In two days, I will be on a plane to South Africa.

Me.

Any number of inspirational phrases about taking on life, or stepping out of your comfort zone, or about adventure, or about learning would fit here, and yet I can't seem to find one that is authentic enough to fit my thoughts and feelings right now.  I feel so much:  excitement, fear, happiness, anxiety, longing, even a little sadness.  It's a brilliant opportunity I am on the verge of here... I am teaching in South fucking Africa.  I have never been off the continent, and I signed up to fly for 18-hours to one of the poorest places on Earth.  I will be teaching 40 grade 7 students in a school that has virtually nothing in terms of resources (paper, pencils, technology, books....).  It's a little bit scary for me.... there are safer places than South Africa, let's be honest.  But my thirst to see the world, to experience eduction somewhere other than HERE tells me this is going to be the greatest experience of my life.  And it is.

Leaving St. Luke's on Thursday was tough.  In just four short weeks I had grown to love, inside and out, my grade 5 class there.  Every single one of them was amazing in their own way, and every single one of them taught me something about teaching or myself.  I was able to connect in  a special way with all of my 24 students, and THAT is the best part of everything.  For whatever reason, I am graced with an ability to get through to kids really fast, to find out what they like and how to approach them.  I don't know how I do it, it just happens.  I learned to love my class so quickly, that I felt like I've known them so much longer than four weeks.  And in this way, saying goodbye is very hard.  I was showered with homemade cards and pictures on Thursday, and every one of them is currently on my living room mantle.  These homemade gifts mean so much to me because so much thought and effort goes into their creation.  More adults should consider similar approaches when they give gifts.

I drove away from school on Thursday with a sad heart, but was on my way to our last group meeting for the trip.  Once I got there and heard that every one of the 11 other girls going to South Africa experienced the same, we shared our stories and started to take an inventory of all the supplies we would be bringing with us on our adventure. Holy crap we have a lot of supplies to bring!  Each of us is bringing along a hockey bag FULL of things, like school supplies, blankets, toys, materials to make jewelery, books, soccer balls, soccer jerseys... SO.MUCH.STUFF.!.  The people there are going to be so excited to receive our gifts, and I cannot wait to see their reactions!

I began packing on Friday.  Turns out that's a really hard thing to do!  I have to be thinking ahead for what I think I'll need for an entire month, and I am a self-admitted over-packer....   My travel bag for a weekend at the cottage can support a week and a half, easily.  I just like to be prepared, ok?!  But I am limited to 55lbs for this trip, and that means I have to cut down on some things that I've already set myself upon.  Ok, listen, I don't want to give off the impression that I am high maintenance.  I am not, AT ALL, high maintenance!   I think versatility is the name of the game in this.  I've never turned down a challenge.....

Today my grandma told me to not come home with a Zulu husband.

I'm nervous for the plane. PlaneS.  4 in total (2 there, 2 back).  Last year I made the brilliant decision to look up plane crash statistics a couple days before I left for Boston for the Boston Marathon.  You know what's NOT a good idea?  Anyway, it's a Boeing 747.  And they happen mostly in Europe.  I'm bringing Angel Miss Pastrak though, because she did a good job at keeping me alive during my car accident back in March.  I have to glue her wing back on first.


 I plan to spend my last full day in Canada with visits.  I'm starting at Parkview, heading to St. Mark, then to some family, and finally coffee with running friends after my last run before I leave.  What could make that day better?  Not a whole lot.

I am going to miss many things from home, but I can't help but recognize how worth it everything will be.  I know this experience is the best thing that could happen to me.  I am excited for everything, and for the effects it will have on me.

I am a lucky person. 

My life hasn't been easy, not by any stretch of the means. 

But at least it's good.