We have decided that, as a group, this is the phrase that best describes our adventures here. Whenever a project you are working on gets dropped, changed, or forgotten about, only to be restarted, changed again, or remembered aft the most inopportune time, this phrase is what you say to calm your nerves. I’ll use today as an example, haha:
8:45:00 am. So, despite the past few days’ welcome of new found direction and hope, we got to work today to discover that now they wanted us to put our project on hold while we worked on a side project. Without going into any details, it will take at least a week, perhaps two, to complete this project. As we are already on a time crunch, with only six and a half weeks remaining, this is unwelcome news. Oh well, we were told to be prepared to wear many “hats” when we took on this jobs, and if anyone knows me they know that I love hats.
10:00am. We have been approached again and our project is back on! Woohoo! It even sounds like we can get started tomorrow or Friday on actually going out to the townships and documenting what we see. Once again, excitement is in the air, and a sense of purpose has been attained. Matt and I have begun the first wave of our project, which is to help Ikamva become more organized. As we go through each township and site, we will document its location and then gather all the files regarding that site to keep them all in one safe, organized place. I’m sure Brianna is rolling her eyes at the thought of me being organized, but I promise, it’s true! We are on a mission to get them in gear, and get them able to expand their portfolio! Do, or do not, there is no try! And we will do this! Thank you!
So, today’s example had a happy ending. As Matt and I can attest, every other day thus far, has not. But, what can you do? Just gotta remind yourself that you are here to help them make themselves better, and roll with it. As I said, Helen Lieberman advised Matt and I to be able to wear “many hats” and thus far we have the hat hair to prove we can.
On a less work related note, we bought rugby tickets today. Rugby is, apparently, the sport of choice in South Africa (right ahead of cricket and soccer, er, futbol). ESPN, oh how I miss you. Can someone please tell me any, and I mean ANY, news about ND Football, Arkansas Football, or the Carolina Panthers? Hell, I’ll even accept some Michigan State news at this point. So long as it doesn’t mention a whicket, scrum, or red card.
That aside, we are ecstatic to go to the match. It will pit the British-Irish Lions (their all-start squad, ie: best players from the two countries) against the South Africa Springboks (the national team). Dag and I will be wearing Springbok jerseys and waving a flag as we do not wish to die. Their fans are like soccer hooligans, except without any of their charm.
Tomorrow, Matt and I are scheduled to meet with Helen again to discuss actually going back out to the townships on Friday to start documenting our work. The sooner we get out there, the better. We’ve calculated it out and we only have 6 more weeks left of work (we’re missing next Tuesday because it’s a national holiday and two days later on in June for our Safari). Don’t worry everyone, there will be more safari information coming soon, just as soon as we book it.
Last, but not least, I downloaded a program called Picasa. It is a photo-share program made by Google, so it should allow me to share the pictures I’ve been taken straight through my site, for those of you who don’t have facebook (ie; parents, girlfriend’s parents, relatives, rando creepers who use StumbleUpon and find my blog and are now hooked, etc.). As soon as I get this program sorted out, I’ll let you know and you can start viewing my pics to your heart’s delight. Keep reading, everyone, things are about to get interesting.
Will Coburn organized? I don't believe it. Prove it :)
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