Before The Weekend...

I want to get a post out there before the start of this weekend. I will be travelling to a farm this coming weekend with my group to experience the African frontier. I will get to milk cows, sheer sheep, explore waterfalls, and much more. This weekends excursion is going to be very fun and everyone is excited for it to start.

Marimba time!

This past week was a good one, like all weeks in Africa.

For music class on Monday we all went to a local high school to learn and play the marimbas. This was very cool. We learned multiple songs and a little bit of marimba history. Then the high school
band members took over and showed us how it was really done ha. Watching them play was great.

Tuesday's, as well as Monday's, service at Pendla was great. The entire school is getting to know each one of us now. On Monday, Shannon and I taught the 4th graders some prepositions which I thought would be difficult but the kids slowly picked up on it. What a great feeling it is to teach someone something. It is amazing to see the light bulb go on and for it to all click into place. On Tuesday, the kids had a large test that seemed to be similar to what we would call the "MCA's." Oh, what a joy those tests were. The kids seemed to be in good spirits after it, though, which was nice to see. For my politics class we had a lecture on the African electoral system. Next week I will have to present to the class about the differences between the African and American electoral systems.

Wednesday morning brought along my Peace Studies course which was great. I don't mind spending three hours in this lecture because the topics we debate are extremely interesting. It's also very good to hear everyone's opinion and thoughts, even if it gets others a little riled. (That's always a little entertaining too.)

Recess with some of the Pendla kids

My seminar course was today and every flat had to present a part from Nelson Mandela's autobiography "A Long Walk To Freedom." My flat presented parts 5 & 6 which involved the Sharpeville Massacre of 1960, Nelson Mandela's first trial that accused him of high treason which lasted 4 years, and his life underground and in hiding.

The weather here is mimicking paradise. It has been 75-80 degrees, sunny with clear skies all week. Not going to lie, it's made even better when I hear about the snowfalls in Minnesota.
My free time is spent planning future excursions, prepping for class, spending time on the beach, playing pickup games of basketball, working-out with my friend Jordan, and going out with both friends from the US and South Africa. We had some fun last night when we found a pizza deal (buy one and get the next free) at Barney's, one of the local bars. After, we all went out to sing karaoke, play pool, and dance.

Now, onto the weekend. I am sure I will have many stories from these new and exciting experiences and adventures.