i love you, positive or negative

Wola Nani: Xhosa for "we embrace and develop one another."
A non-profit organization committed to providing a caring and developmental service that enables people living with HIV to respond positively to their status. Through counseling, home care, income generation opportunities, support groups and HIV/AIDS awareness and education, people with HIV are empowered to take control of their lives with confidence, dignity, and hope.

aka: My home for the next 4 months.
I accepted my internship with Wola Nani because I knew I wanted to get a more hands-on look at the non-profit sector, especially of one that specializes in an epidemic that impacts so much of the human race. South Africa has the fastest growing infection rate in the world. I am blessed with this opportunity to do my share and contribute as much of my skills as I can to further promote awareness for this cause.

Today is my first day of work.
It started off with an introductory meeting with the executive director. We sat and talked for a little bit about ourselves and the organization. She then gave me a tour of the office. It was definitely a lot more modest than my last co-op with CSN, but I like it. It's nice, small, and cozy. The employees here are very friendly and open. I was a bit nervous with how they would react to my Asian complexion (seems to be the case that everyone loves to stare at whoever looks different. oh well, at least I intrigue them), but they are all great. I have no clear job description, which is AWESOME. I love the fact that I can have all the flexibility I want to do whatever I want. My main goals are to: give the website a complete makeover, create an online catalog, work on product development ideas, help with design & sales of the craft shop, use photojournalism at the program/counseling sites to make brochures/newsletters, and whatever other help they need. It seems a bit ambitious, but hey...this is my first day of work and I tend to be too ambitious for my own good anyway. It's good to set goals, no? "Shoot for the moon: even if you miss, you'll land among the stars." [ha. ha. ha. gotta love the cheese]

Anyway, take a look at their website.
And look: they have a few products available at Anthropologie

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Yesterday's dinner was at this trendy sushi place called Tank. (Cape Quarter)










-Pink mojito (traditional mojito with added raspberry for flavor)


-Eel crunch roll (mmmmm, soaked in oily tempura batter)

Prices were great - for the ambience and awesome food, it only came out to R100. aka $13. I bet anything if it were the same exact restaurant in the states, it would've come out to well over $20. Gotta love the favorable exchange rates.

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Tomorrow's plans include: work & then drinks with Connect-123 interns @ La Med (Clifton) & clubbing at Hemisphere. (ABSA Centre)