Dr. Baxen has arranged for us to stay with a lady named Wendy and her husband, Ron. This definitely makes me feel more comfortable ... and they have a pool too! SWEET!
I emailed Wendy and her response made me so excited! She assured me that we would be taken care of while we are there. Apparently the time I am coming is one of the hottest times of the year, though it is bearable and pleasant Wendy tells me. Looks like I'll be lesson planning on the weekends by the pool :)
She also assured me that "My house is your house." We should help ourselves to breakfast which will consist of cereals, yoghurt, juice, toast etc. Food will also be available for lunch and we are to pack our lunch for ourselves. Dinner will be cooked for me in the evening. As Wendy quotes, "I promise you will not starve!" ... It doesn't sound like I will, eh? (thank god for that though, you know me and food).
Wendy will also make sure our "adventure" and "social" needs are met through friends and young people in the neighborhood!
I really hope I will still be able to run as much as possible. I know there are parts of South Africa that aren't too great, i.e. the townships, but hopefully Wendy can key me in on some good running spots.
This adventure to South Africa is going to be an unforgettable experience. I'm excited for the weather, the people, experiencing a new country, experiencing a new continent, and TEACHING!
I am not excited for getting the home sick feeling, the 'uncomfortable' feeling because I'm in a new place, or converting everything from USD to Rand. aah!
I really need to start reading and learning about the country and its life it has to offer.
That's my goal for this week: read at least one of my Cape Town books and make a list of the "things-I-want-to-do-in-South-Africa-before-I-leave-and-if-I-don't-do-it-
I'll-regret-it" :)
Ready... go.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Plane ticket!
I've got my plane ticket, now I'm ready to hit it... well... not yet really.
I still have so much I need to do. My priorities this week are to get my visa stuff rolling, check out vaccinations, and start making a list of things I need for SA and things I need to do before I leave.
By the way, I'm leaving on January 9th and arriving in Cape Town on the 1oth... coming home, I will be leaving March 27th and arriving in Ohio on the 28th. I really didn't feel like spending my 22nd birthday in a plane, so we're leaving a day later! :-D
It's getting really close. The month of December is going to fly by, I just know it.
I still have so much I need to do. My priorities this week are to get my visa stuff rolling, check out vaccinations, and start making a list of things I need for SA and things I need to do before I leave.
By the way, I'm leaving on January 9th and arriving in Cape Town on the 1oth... coming home, I will be leaving March 27th and arriving in Ohio on the 28th. I really didn't feel like spending my 22nd birthday in a plane, so we're leaving a day later! :-D
It's getting really close. The month of December is going to fly by, I just know it.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Plenty of things to do before I even go...
Everything is coming together.
I have been looking at some South Africa stuff here and there. I still have much to do before I leave. Some of this entails: working out my visa, contacting the school I'll be teaching in, figuring out what all there is to do in South Africa, buying new clothes, checking out what sort of vaccinations I need to get, etc.
While this will be a very exciting time in my life, it is hitting me more and more everyday. Yes, I am absolutely nervous... who wouldn't be? I have never been out of the country by myself, nor for that amount of time.
The good news is I will be with other Americans while I am there which will help acclimate me to South Africa with having Americans to fall back on to talk about the cultural differences I will see.
I know in my heart that everything will be okay... and I hope everyone has faith in that.
Thanks for everyones continued support. I appreciate it very much... more than you will ever know.
I have been looking at some South Africa stuff here and there. I still have much to do before I leave. Some of this entails: working out my visa, contacting the school I'll be teaching in, figuring out what all there is to do in South Africa, buying new clothes, checking out what sort of vaccinations I need to get, etc.
While this will be a very exciting time in my life, it is hitting me more and more everyday. Yes, I am absolutely nervous... who wouldn't be? I have never been out of the country by myself, nor for that amount of time.
The good news is I will be with other Americans while I am there which will help acclimate me to South Africa with having Americans to fall back on to talk about the cultural differences I will see.
I know in my heart that everything will be okay... and I hope everyone has faith in that.
Thanks for everyones continued support. I appreciate it very much... more than you will ever know.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Keeping in touch!
Skype - I have learned of this program from others who have traveled abroad.
Skype is a free program very much like AOL Instant Messenger. Although the cool thing about this program is we can talk computer-to-computer for FREE if you have a microphone and speakers. I can also call others from my computer for a small fee per minute. I believe this is cheaper than if I were to call you phone-to-phone while I'm in SA.
Go to http://www.skype.com, create an account and download the program.
Once you do, let me know your username so I can add you! I also have AOL Instant Messenger. My username is EMsweetgrlOU. I hope to have internet access where I will be staying. Feel free to e-mail me at emily.a.daughters@gmail.com
Also, in order for you to leave comments, if you so choose, you must become a member. It's free and would be a great way for you to keep in contact. Plus, it allows me to see who is reading my posts!!! I want to keep in touch with everyone and I feel having this blog will allow me to do so as much as possible. :)
Here is a link I have created for pictures:
http://picasaweb.google.com/emily.a.daughters/
I hope to hear from all of you while I am in CT.
Skype is a free program very much like AOL Instant Messenger. Although the cool thing about this program is we can talk computer-to-computer for FREE if you have a microphone and speakers. I can also call others from my computer for a small fee per minute. I believe this is cheaper than if I were to call you phone-to-phone while I'm in SA.
Go to http://www.skype.com, create an account and download the program.
Once you do, let me know your username so I can add you! I also have AOL Instant Messenger. My username is EMsweetgrlOU. I hope to have internet access where I will be staying. Feel free to e-mail me at emily.a.daughters@gmail.com
Also, in order for you to leave comments, if you so choose, you must become a member. It's free and would be a great way for you to keep in contact. Plus, it allows me to see who is reading my posts!!! I want to keep in touch with everyone and I feel having this blog will allow me to do so as much as possible. :)
Here is a link I have created for pictures:
http://picasaweb.google.com/emily.a.daughters/
I hope to hear from all of you while I am in CT.
I GOT ACCEPTED TO CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA!
Monday, October 15, 2007
Well, it's official. My application was sent to South Africa and I have been accepted to student teach in Cape Town! Although I am rather excited, about 50% of me is nervous as well. My mom called to tell me the good news... I received a letter in the mail from the COST Headquarters with my acceptance letter and information about who to contact regarding where I will be staying once I arrive in Cape Town. SO exciting! I cried when my mom read the letter to me!
Monday, November 5, 2007
I contacted Dr. Baxen, the COST coordinator in South Africa. There are four students traveling to SA in January. Dr. Baxen is arranging for us to all stay in an independent residence where we would share costs and cook for ourselves or as a group. She is trying to place us close to shopping areas, malls, cinemas and theatres. This arrangement is also close to trains and taxi's. The cost of living is going to be about R2000-R2400, which equals about $290-$355 in USD.
Schools begin on January 14 for teachers and the 16th for students. My placement is from January 17-March 20 (or something along those lines), but tentatively I plan on leaving January 10. Terrez, another COST student from OU, and I have decided to travel together. Going that far is a long flight all by yourself. Dr. Baxen informed us that the first two days are spent planning, finalizing teaching schedules and rosters, etc. Leaving on the 10th will give Terrez and I time to acclimate and ease us into the life of SA.
Schools have a fall break from March 20-April 14. Dr. Baxen encourages us to use this time for travel outside of Cape Town. ABSOLUTELY! :) I.E. Kruger Park, Victoria Falls, Botswana, Cape Coast traveling, etc.
Lastly, I found out my school placement. I will be teaching at Rustenburg Girls High School. I am not sure what levels I will be teaching, but nonetheless, it will be an experience. When I first saw my placement, I was really intimidated because I have never set foot in an all-girls school. I am sure it will be challenging, but definitely a meaningful experience. I hope I can be a good role model and mentor to my students!
I have an exciting adventure heading my way!
Well, it's official. My application was sent to South Africa and I have been accepted to student teach in Cape Town! Although I am rather excited, about 50% of me is nervous as well. My mom called to tell me the good news... I received a letter in the mail from the COST Headquarters with my acceptance letter and information about who to contact regarding where I will be staying once I arrive in Cape Town. SO exciting! I cried when my mom read the letter to me!
Monday, November 5, 2007
I contacted Dr. Baxen, the COST coordinator in South Africa. There are four students traveling to SA in January. Dr. Baxen is arranging for us to all stay in an independent residence where we would share costs and cook for ourselves or as a group. She is trying to place us close to shopping areas, malls, cinemas and theatres. This arrangement is also close to trains and taxi's. The cost of living is going to be about R2000-R2400, which equals about $290-$355 in USD.
Schools begin on January 14 for teachers and the 16th for students. My placement is from January 17-March 20 (or something along those lines), but tentatively I plan on leaving January 10. Terrez, another COST student from OU, and I have decided to travel together. Going that far is a long flight all by yourself. Dr. Baxen informed us that the first two days are spent planning, finalizing teaching schedules and rosters, etc. Leaving on the 10th will give Terrez and I time to acclimate and ease us into the life of SA.
Schools have a fall break from March 20-April 14. Dr. Baxen encourages us to use this time for travel outside of Cape Town. ABSOLUTELY! :) I.E. Kruger Park, Victoria Falls, Botswana, Cape Coast traveling, etc.
Lastly, I found out my school placement. I will be teaching at Rustenburg Girls High School. I am not sure what levels I will be teaching, but nonetheless, it will be an experience. When I first saw my placement, I was really intimidated because I have never set foot in an all-girls school. I am sure it will be challenging, but definitely a meaningful experience. I hope I can be a good role model and mentor to my students!
I have an exciting adventure heading my way!
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