Mosquitoes and elephants...

I have already had too many encounters with mossies (mosquitoes) in this country, mostly at night. They somehow mannage to find their way in the dark, and they have NOT been invited! They leave marks like elephants, but I have yet to see a real elephant! I guess I should be glad they don't find their way in the dark... :) I will make my way, not in the dark however, but over Easter to a game park (safaripark, for dere nordmenn) a couple hours north of Durban. My parents come to visit, so I thought I should introduce them to some of the natives ;)

Since last time I wrote something on my blog, a lot has happened:

- Paul and Cecilie got maried :)

- Piet, a good friend, lend me his BMW

- I moved in with the Addisons, a WONDERFUL family

- I started working!!!

- I decided to move into the Jensen's grannyflat (at the end of Feb.)

- I decided to buy a Toyota!

Let me tell you all about it:

The Wedding.

It was a wonderful day, January 26. I put on my nicest dress, tried to get control over my hair, put on my stilleto's, and took off. Cecilie had spent even more time, and had professional help, and looked absolutely gorgeous!!! Paul didn't look too bad either! ;)

It was a wonderful day! The ceremony was nice, the first reception was also nice, with lots of nicely dressed friends and good food and good speaches, and the dinner reception was also nice. Even more good food! :D

Finally they are married, enough e-mailing between Norway and South Africa! Thank God!

The Car.

I am truly blessed! With good friends who have good cars! :D Only a few days after I arrived, I told my good friend Piet that I was picking up a rental car the following day. He said: "No, don't waste money on a rental car! I have an extra car sitting in my garage, waiting for some parts, and to be sold..! You can use that untill you get your own! It's a BMW.., I hope you don't mind?!" Who said missionary life has to be glamourless???!! ;)

The Addisons.

Because Cecilie's family was coming down for the wedding, Paul and Cecilie kicked me out of their flat...!!! True friends.. Ha-ha! Paul's mom, Rosemary, had found another place for me to stay, namely at the Addison's recidence! And to be totally honest, no offence Paul and Cecilie, I prefere staying here! :) The 4 Addisons have totally included me in their family, I can come home to a prepared dinner, I get my laundry done, they have a wireless broadband internet connection - and a puppy! His name is Bino! It will be a bit sad moving out at the end of the month..! :(

I started working.

My first day at work, at Waterloo Secondary School, was Tuesday January 15. I was told by the principal to meet up at 0730. That's when teachers are required to be there. Not being a mornig person, I dreaded the thought, but knew it was probably going to be like this... I'm there on time, but no-one else..., not even the principal. He shows up around 0900 :) That's African time for ya! He has now gotten SO much better, and I have started to slack...

The whole first week is, for me - a first-timer with SO many things there, totally caotic! The pupils were supposed to come before the end of lat school year, in December, to register (sign up for the school and the class), but most of them come now. And they keep coming the next week, as well... Yesterday, Friday February 8, I got another new pupil in one of my classes!

I have started to learn some names, or rather practice the pronounciation of names, but I still have no idea who these names belong to... I'm telling you, Zulu names are REALLY difficult for a Norwegian. The really cool thing about them, though, is that they all mean something. One means "Our family has increased", another "Mother of education", another "The one who brings blessing", and yet anohter " We have had enough"!

Discipline is close to non-existant. The kids are read the rules, and several teachers cary a stick, as is custom in rural Africa, but there is no consequence severe enough to make the children obey. I thought the children had much more respect for their teachers here, but oh, how wrong I was!!!

I am teaching English in grade 8 and Life Orientation in grade 9. The 2 grade 8, were suposed to be A, B and C. However, because we don't have enough rooms at the school for the amount of pupils, they merged and made A and B. This means I have (flippin') 75 kids in each class! I don't have to convince you that it becomes like a sauna in those classrooms! With 30 degrees outside, close to no wind blowing through and no fan in the ceiling, it is close to unbearable! Not so much for me as for the pupils, who sit as close as fish in a barrel! It is litterally PACKED in those rooms! Not at all ideal for teaching! So the kids struggle to concentrate, they start talking to each other, some fall asleep, some get a head ache, and it is boiling in my head! On top of that comes the fact that they don't know me, I don't know them, they are not at all used to hearing ONLY English in English class, and they have not learned to put up their hand if they want to say something! Need I say more..?

However, a few weeks have passed, we have had some cooler days, we're starting to get to know each other. I've also had the vice principal coming in to tell them, in a very authorative way, that they need to behave. (That was the short version!) That sure helps!

There are MANY things that are different. Some things are just that - different, but other things could very well change! I have tried to walk quietly (can u say that in English?), and not to burst out with all my wonderful ideas, but just go and have a little chat with the principal. And my contributions are "HIGHLY appreciated!" One thing that I have done, is to donate notice boards to the staff room, so that information can be given to all staff in a clear and easy way! Still waiting for the care taker to put them up...! ;)

My collegues have welcomed me in such an awesome way! I feel very safe there, like one of the staff, and I can ask them and talk to them about ANYTHING! It's a gratefull thing for a newly educated teacher, from a different culture, different climate, different language, different mindset... God is SO faithful!

New adress and new car.

I have decided to rent a little flat on the other side of the pool from paul's parents. It is perfect for a young, good looking woman like my self, and I will have my South African "parents" just across the lawn! It's even bigger than my own flat in Bergen... If I could have 19 people in my flat at home, I'll be able to invite at least 40 people to this one!! :))) We'll have a pool-party! As I mentioned, who says missionary life has to be glamourless..??!!!

I will also get my very first own car. it's a slightly scary feeling, but I'm a big girl! :) I need a car to get around here, and to get to and from work. I will show you a picture when I have it in my posession! ;))

Well, that was a long report.., but a LOT has happened! Read one paragraph each day, if it's too much at once! :))

As you can see, I am really fine! :)) Altough it can be tough at school sometimes, I still like it, and I'm not ready to quit just yet..! God is SO, SO faithful and loving! He REALLY is Jehovah Jireh, the Lord who provides! I have been taken SO well care of by so many people here. They ask me how I am doing, ask me over for coffee and lunch, and want to pray for me and my work! Being a child of God, I have SUCH a HUGE, HUGE family! When my own family and friends are far away, God provides! Glory to Him!

Alright, going out to get some food!

Have a good weekend everybody!

Love