USA | Sunday, 20 Apr 2008 | Views [375] | Comments [1]
after being back in the states for a little over a couple weeks, i have
had some time to put into perspective my trip and the effect it had on
me and my psyche. the hardest thing i had to learn in africa, was that
i - msjensmith - have limitations.... Read more >
SOUTH AFRICA | Thursday, 27 Mar 2008 | Views [523]
Upon arrival to this foreign land, I thought I had my whole life
figured out. I had plans and goals and I walked around with my head
held high because I knew who I was and I knew what I was capable of
accomplishing. It didn't take long to be blindsided ... Read more >
SOUTH AFRICA | Tuesday, 11 Mar 2008 | Views [515]
After last weeks upset about the people and culture here, I have finally calmed down a bit and am simply having to accept the things that I cannot change. Last week I spent my evenings with our nurse and volunteer coordinator who in the beginning of my ... Read more >
Tags: Culture
SOUTH AFRICA | Tuesday, 4 Mar 2008 | Views [892] | Comments [4]
From the US, it was easy to simply look at Africa as a whole - blame white people for the distress all the countries are in and then want to come over to show that not all white people are the same. Yes, this will be a bit of a racial blog with harsh ... Read more >
Tags: Misadventures
SOUTH AFRICA | Tuesday, 4 Mar 2008 | Views [517] | Comments [1]
Hello everyone, I am back from a week of rest and relaxation and even celebrated my 9 months of sobriety last Thursday at Kruger National Park! Some of you have asked how you can help from abroad and I just wanted to send some information your way.... Read more >
Tags: Friends
SOUTH AFRICA | Tuesday, 19 Feb 2008 | Views [463]
After a bit of a rough Valentine's Day I was in desperate need of something to restore my soul and what better way than to spend the weekend lost in the mountains in the province of Mpumalanga and enjoying fireside chats with my friends at Henrie's sheep ... Read more >
Tags: Adventures
SOUTH AFRICA | Friday, 15 Feb 2008 | Views [528] | Comments [1]
It's noon and I find myself sitting on a hard, wooden bench surrounded by strangers who are all waiting to have x-rays. I'm at Baragwanath Hospital, a.k.a. hell on earth. Amanda and I have been here since 9am and it looks as though we will spend the afternoon ... Read more >
Tags: People
SOUTH AFRICA | Monday, 11 Feb 2008 | Views [591] | Comments [2]
How it is possible to keep topping every weekend I have here, is completely beyond my comprehension. I can tell you though, that had I not met Henrie and Wessel, life would be a lot different here in South Africa. These guys put southern hospitality ... Read more >
Tags: Adventures
SOUTH AFRICA | Thursday, 7 Feb 2008 | Views [521] | Comments [2]
I don't quite know what to say or how to feel about this situation.
Oscar is a man who works here and has been around since Nkosi was
alive. He is one of the funniest, most sincere and kind hearted humans
I have ever met. Last Thursday, I went with ... Read more >
Tags: People
SOUTH AFRICA | Wednesday, 6 Feb 2008 | Views [552]
Okay, so it was more like lions and tigers and cheetahs - Oh My! You all get the hint though. So last Sunday, Henrie (a contact I have here in South Africa) and his frined Wessel (pronounced Vessel, although we now call him Weasel because it is much ... Read more >
Tags: Adventures
SOUTH AFRICA | Saturday, 2 Feb 2008 | Views [644] | Comments [4]
This week has been filled with fear, laughter, tears, sweat, and blood. The trivial highlights of the week consisted of the mothers here at the Village teaching me how to cook and I only needed two band aids after peeling potatoes and grating carrots ... Read more >
Tags: Friends
SOUTH AFRICA | Sunday, 27 Jan 2008 | Views [857] | Comments [3]
Yesterday, as we were walking to the mall and I was coming out of my cold medicine induced coma, I realized "Oh crap! I'm actually in South Africa!" It was followed with laughter by Roman and Antonia as they both simply looked over and said, ... Read more >
Tags: People
SOUTH AFRICA | Thursday, 24 Jan 2008 | Views [611] | Comments [1]
Due to the lack of working vehicles, we have been unable to go to the main Haven with the children since I arrived, so Antonia and I decided we would go to the local mall where I could purchase a cell phone and we could eat ice cream. At first, this ... Read more >
Tags: On the Road
SOUTH AFRICA | Thursday, 24 Jan 2008 | Views [380] | Comments [1]
0720858643 I think the country code is 011, but double check that if you call. xoxoxoox
Tags: Friends
SOUTH AFRICA | Wednesday, 23 Jan 2008 | Views [595] | Comments [3]
Once I finally arrived in Joburg, I didn't know which way was up or down. After being awake for 48 hours in cramped planes and airport lobbies, even the overcast, rainy skies of South Africa looked like heaven. Gail picked me up upon arrival and she ... Read more >
Tags: On the Road
USA | Monday, 31 Dec 2007 | Views [389] | Comments [1]
there is absolutely no possible way to put into words the growth i have
experienced in the past year. if someone would have told me at the
beginning of 2007 that i would finish up this year being sober and in
AA, i would have laughed in their face ... Read more >
Tags: People
USA | Thursday, 20 Dec 2007 | Views [428] | Comments [2]
Here I sit - in this surreal moment and am humbled that my life has lead me
to these crossroads. Never, in a million years, would I have thought I would be
a SOBER college graduate, completely in love with life, my friends and family,
my significant ... Read more >
Tags: People
