I Bring Tidings of Great Joy! (Classes, Longstreet, Classes)

Hey!  Things are still going well here.  Today is a little rainy and pretty cold.  I am reallllly cold right now.  all bundled up and sitting as close to the heater as possible.  WHYYY did I not bring a blanket? I could get back into bed, but I just can't let myself do that or I may not ever get out again.

But I think the sun is going to come out soon!    This morning we had an interesting adventure, but I will write about that maybe later today.

But anyway, Classes!  take one:  So IES has classes that are taught by UCT or UWC professors that focus on health or development, require 60 hours of community service, and culminate in a final project which is graded by an outside examiner and is presented to the rest of the IES students and the IES staff.  I chose the class on development because I loved the professors presentation, outfit and aura.  She was articulate and knowledgeable and I trust her to navigate some of the potentially problematic situations that could arise doing service in high poverty areas.  So yeah, the class will meet Wednesdays from 4:30 to 6:30, first at the UWC campus and then the UCT campus.  I am excited but overall a bit apprehensive about my workload in the coming semester.  

Last night we went out to the bars for the first time since arriving.  It was a bit overwhelming, but very safe.  Most of the bars and clubs are on Longstreet in downtown Cape Town.  Some people were saying it was a bit like Burbon Street in NOLA, but I can't really attest to that I guess.   I didnt come here to have a party abroad experience, and I don't think I will often be back, but it was definitely an experience.  Anna and I got a lot of attention as American girls.  

The last few days we have been able to explore the city a bit more and discover how beautiful it is.  Yesterday we went to the National Museum and a botanical garden both were very nice.   I hope I get a chance to do the "city thing" while I am here, maybe coming in on Saturdays to study or sit in a cafe.  We ate at a little restaurant and excellent potencial study spot. 

CNN was interviewing the guy who designed the boards on the wall.  

The menu is different everyday so that they can use local and fresh produce.  

The museum had a mix of South African and international artists, and a lot of photography.  One gallery had clusters of paintings of various styles and artists grouped by theme.  It was really cool!  They ranged from being as loosely grouped as a large blue abstract and a victorian era woman in a blue dress to being a large group of seated portraits.

A cluster.  I think the theme was Spain.   

After dinner we caught the sunset on the beach!  

This is Lion's Head!  (what I climbed the other day) 

So Classes Take Two:  I had a registration miracle!!!  I thought I was going to be held to prerequisite standards, but I wasn't  hoorah!  So I am registered for a 100, 200, and 300 level Geography class, 100 level statistics, 300 level Philosophy and 300 Women's and Gender.  

DON'T WORRY

I'm not going to try to take all those classes.  

Really what I am going to do is go to all of them in the first week and then decide what I can handle.  Hopefully I will be feeling comfortable with all of the Geography courses, and then decide whether or not to add the Statistics class.  It's what I dont want to take, but it is a requirement for my major that would be nice to get out of the way.  We'll see.  I'm registered for the Philosophy and Gender courses so I have some options  if I think the upperlevel Geography courses are like wayyy to hard for me.  Classes start on Monday. 

okie.  that's all! 

Soon I will stop posting on such boring things, but right now everything feels new and exciting.  Eventually (soon) things will normalize.