Spring and Fall

I'm back!

The work here is really starting to pick up!  In an half hour I have a map reading test, tomorrow I have a paper due and a presentation, and on Friday I have another test!  I am trying to remain calm, but after a semi relaxed semester this work is feeling overwhelming.

All semester I have been feeling a bit out of whack, with routines and I haven't been able to figure out why.  Now I am starting to think that it has to do with going through the seasons backwards! The flowers are really blooming here now and they are so beautiful! I will have to get some pictures soon.  It's really strange to be heading into summer again, especially when I am getting excited for my birthday and seeing halloween and pumpkin spice posts on facebook.  There are Christmas displays up in stores here!!! Already!

This Friday we had our fist final dinner for my program.  It was pushed forward because one of the program directors is going to a conference in the Chicago, and because the UCT students are now done with classes.  The dinner was held at a very nice hotel down by the water front.  Here is  picture of the girls and Lovemore and Veronica (two of our RAs) before the meal.  We all ate so much, we couldnt bring our selves together for an "after" picture.

i am hiding in the back.  

My finals schedule has been released and I think I totally scored.  The finals schedule starts on the 1st of November and ends on the 19th.  I have one final on the 14th, two on the 15th and one on the 19th, so I will have some time to relax in Cape Town before I buckle down.  I'll let you know how that goes for my information retention. 

That's all for now!  

It feels like it's been forever

Hello from Cape Town!  If any of you are still hanging in there, I'm impressed!  Sorry for my long absence. Here's a quick rundown on what I've been up to and some pictures:

I went to a Springbok game! 

this was our view of the field.  not a great position, but SO close!

The game was against Australia and WE WON!!!  It was not at all a close contest.  This weekend we lost to New Zealand.  nuts!

I made donuts with bacon

 Two Tuesdays ago was Heritage day!  Rachel and I tried and failed to climb Devil's Peak.  But even from only half way up it was beautiful.

I can see my house! 

we  decided to give up before we got lost

Rachel being a ham

Heritage day is a new (three year old?) national holiday in South Africa.  It is basically an day to have a nice Braai (bbq) and hang out with friends and family.  We didnt have a grill, but we still made some meat centric food.

for heritage day we ate hot dogs (american heritage)

and tried pork trotters (not a fan)

and Lolu dyed Emily's hair (HAIRitage day!!!)

A week ago we had our first really beautiful, hot day.   I only had one early morning class so I took the chance to go to Clifton beach.  It was So pretty and nice to get off campus

Clifton beach! 

There are a disproportionate number of attractive people in Cape Town.  I think the rugby is helping the men. Haven't figured out the women's secret yet.   

walking from Clifton beach to Camp's bay. 

This weekend I went to my first music festival, Rocking the Daisies.  It was really fun!  The first day was a bit cold, but I still managed to get a bit sunburned.  Alt-J and the Hives were the big groups and they were realllly fabulous.  The really cool thing was getting to hear South African band I hadn't heard before.  And eating some amazing food!  (I had so many samosas)

Rocking the Daisies!!!

Jules hydrating

Tent city

At the mainstage

It's crazy how little time is left in Cape Town!  The semester has just flown by!  Luckily, the weather is getting much nicer, and I am excited to try Devil's peak again and make it up Table Mountain.