Y'ello.

Hey loves,
Thanks for checking into my falling behind blog.

Want some updates?

1) I am happily overwhelmed at work. The product manager handed me over a month-long project while he is away for vacay, and also his AC-ed office (woohoo, no more sweating like a dog at work). 10 of the bowl samples came back, I set up a mini exhibition in the boardroom for the staff to choose their top 3 favorites, their top 3 dislikes, and other random questions. I narrowed it down to 5 bowls for this batch. Another batch is coming in tomorrow... and that means I need to get working on more designs for the last batch! The last will be the hardest because I need to graphically design it from our popular sardine label, while trying to stay on top of the trendy colors for the upcoming seasons. I also need to create a format for the new product catalog that we will launch on April 1. The website is lacking as much priority nowadays since it is really just a makeover for our "brand recognition" while the new product catalogs will bring in more income, which we desperately need. No complaints from me though - I like doing more creative things anyhow.

2) I ended up going to the Strandloper lunch on Saturday with Doug & Donielle. It was about an hour and a half drive outside of the city. It was located on Langebaan beach - the eating area was very rustic and quaint. Large ropes on the sandy terrain, chipped paint on random boats set up around the tables, benches set up on cement blocks filled with oyster and sea shells, and bugs everywhere ready to attack our yummy food. We arrived one or two courses late, but we still got to enjoy the mussels, seafood paella, endless bread with homemade butter/jams, braaied snoek with potatoes & sweet potatoes, and bokkoms. Oh, and also a cup of made-over-the-fire coffee to wash it all down. In between the courses, we ventured out to the beach. The water was unbelievably beautiful and clear, and the huge boulders were situated in just the right areas with seagulls perched on each of them. Sailboats could be seen from afar and the most gorgeous shells could be picked up along the shore. It was an amazing day.

3) I went to the one of South Africa's largest townships, called Khayelitsha. I went to one of Wola Nani's program sites hoping to observe another counseling session, but it was even better this time. I had to wait outside while my co-workers had a meeting, but I was surprised with a wave of school children. They were dripping beads of sweat from walking in the scorching sun, still dressed in their starchy school uniforms, and each of them had an indescribable glow. The girls danced for us, followed by the boys. They were so cute and funny. These kids are so strong. Despite all of the hardships they experience in life, they continue on with the most optimistic and hopeful mindsets. One of the girls, appearing to be the leader of the pack, was an orphan until her relatives took her in because both her parents passed away from AIDS. She was the best at English, and she wrote down all of her friends' names along with their meanings. Her name is Unathi, which means "God is with us." They inspired me.

4) I watched Blood Diamond last week and I felt like I was watching it with a new pair of eyes. After being here for a month, my sentiments about this country and culture have been changing uncontrollably. My exposure to how REAL and BEAUTIFUL this country is increases day by day.

5) I am stuck in a westernized world. Majority of my friends are American, I go along with the touristy activities, and I am comfortable... too comfortable. I would really like to branch out more with the locals and into where they live/how they live. And I would really like to start learning more about the history and framework of South Africa. Northeasterners will be going on a trip to Robben Island at the end of this month, so that gives me a lot of motivation to finish Nelson Mandela's, A Long Walk to Freedom.

6) Plans for upcoming trips are tentative, but they include the Garden Route roadtrip, a few days in Namibia/Botswana/Vic Falls, a trip up north to see baobabs!, and *hopefully* a trip to La Réunion. If all goes as planned, I will see my good friend in her home country (with active volcanoes!).

7) I am thankful for the weather lately. It is finally starting to cool down which automatically puts me in a better mood from when I used to be energy drained by the heat.

8) I miss home, inevitably. I miss the taste of my mom's cooking and the close presence of my family and friends.

I wish I could've reached 10, but I couldn't think of 2 more.
Sorry to leave y'all hanging there.

Until next time...
sending lots of love your way.