blogging break

In the midst of my busyness, I'm heading to Cape Town for a few days to attend a women's retreat for American missionaries in Africa. Although in some ways the timing feels bad (too much to do!), I know the timing is actually just perfect. God's always thinking ahead like that...

It's not often that I get to just attend events like this. We are constantly planning, organizing, and running ministry events. It's a blessing to be able to enjoy one as a participant and not as a host! I'm really looking forward to the time of refreshing...

the dweeb

"The Dweeb." That's how my Dad affectionately refers to Judging Amy, a TV show that my mom and I have come to really enjoy. They're running re-runs on TNT between 12:00 and 2:00 each afternoon. When I was home for a few months, part of my and my mom's routine was to break for lunch just in time to watch an episode (or sometimes two...) while we ate. Then I left to come back to South Africa...

Thankfully, I came home with the entire show on DVD!

Last night I popped a disc in, and ended up watching 7 episodes! It's not quite the same without my mom. Although, I must admit, it was much more enjoyable without all my dad's rude remarks about how stupid the show is. "The Dweeb?! You're watching the Dweeb?!" I can hear him now...

Granted, it actually would've been nice to hear his comments...

kitchen therapy

This past week has slipped through my fingers. I could almost tangibly feel it seeping out, as though I were trying to hold a fistful of sand. My time, which I already considered precious, and my schedule, which I already considered overcrowded, both just got hijacked. There were times this past week it felt as though I were drowning. So deep, I couldn't even see the surface of the water.

The director of our internship program abruptly quit last Sunday. Turned in her resignation on Sunday evening; Wednesday morning was her last time in the office.

We have 11 interns this year; almost 4 times more than we've ever had at one time before. Because I've been in the States for 7 out of the last 8 months, I haven't been very involved in the actual running of the program. (It's been "redesigned" from past years.) As Niel and I have now stepped back in as the internship directors, I've had to try to piece together the little bit I know and fill in the blanks with all the many things I don't know so that we can keep the interns' year and program running smoothly.

The interns and the rest of our staff team have been wonderfully supportive, helpful, and flexible, stepping up to the plate and offering assistance however they can help. Niel left with the interns for their mission trip to Botswana yesterday morning. They will be gone for 12 days, which gives me some "bonus time" to get everything ready for the start of the new term, which begins right after Easter weekend.

After a very full and overwhelming week, I spent the weekend in my kitchen. I cooked new recipes. I made extra meals to put in the freezer. I baked cookies and made extra dough to save for later. I cleaned and reorganized my cabinets. I hung pictures and plaques on the walls.

It was like "kitchen therapy". After spending long days and nights in the office this past week to try to get on top of everything, I needed time away from my computer and the stacks of things I need to do. I chose, instead, to spend hours doing things completely unrelated to my urgent lists.

This break, I can tell on this Monday morning, was just what I needed.

we're not the only ones

Some of you have heard me use the expression "T.I.A" before. I've written it in blogs. I say it. My husband and a small group of our friends say it. T.I.A. -- This is Africa. It's our way of shrugging off the myriad of things that seem to happen here in Africa and almost nowhere else in the world!

Last week Niel and I had the chance to see a movie in Johannesburg. We watched Blood Diamond, which, although quite intense, was an excellent movie. Based in Africa, the movie was full of African expressions: Lekker. Eish. Ag! Howzit, China? We smiled as we heard these, knowing that the majority of the audience watching this film around the world won't understand or appreciate them.

But when we heard, "T.I.A. -- This is Africa!", Niel and I both looked at each other with a funny expression on our face: "We say that!!"

Apparently, we're not the only ones...

superbowl monday

This week was our annual Superbowl Monday Party. With the time difference, the Superbowl starts at 1:00 AM here, so we tape it and watch it the next night. The main problem with this is that it is nearly impossible to avoid finding out the scores before we watch the game. Simply signing into instant messenger, reading a news email, or opening a web browser can ruin the surprise...

I had the job of transferring the taped game to a DVD, which required that I see the end of the game. I didn't mind too much since every year I've come to know the outcome prior to seeing it anyway. Finding out that early in the day relieved the pressure of trying to avoid discovering it some other way.

This year we had the largest Superbowl Monday Party we've ever had. With over 20 Americans joining for the big event, it was time to move the party out of our home and up to the conference room. We projected the game onto the big screen and there was plenty of room for all.

A wonderful benefit of our growing staff is having great cooks around. The spread of food this year was way better than anything we've had in the past, which is great for me since the food is my favorite part of the whole party!

Of course, it wouldn't be an African Superbowl if the power didn't go out at least once. Midway through the game we lost power for about 10 minutes. Thankfully it came back on and we were able to finish off the evening as planned.

It was a great night -- good game, good food, and good fun! I quite enjoy our Superbowl Monday tradition.