tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52148738356125772912024-03-06T00:15:14.816-08:00Going Rural... Comm Service 101!Jess Trolliphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08056612464302704252noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5214873835612577291.post-88977325447704214882011-01-16T05:18:00.000-08:002011-01-16T06:51:39.573-08:00Saying Goodbye PART 1: an update on Nov-Dec 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSUq571PbWP9EncXWtqCjouiBzXDWq3d8k0OL3wRdlZhyxCUbX_lSq-O9jYv62Z_INdvrD99wRyatDSiL2cy_cB2Zoznnpgxv_R-hRDYqLleZP4T1FumsdHN-naPF3VOy5zDOy22CVYfQl/s1600/IMG_2010.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSUq571PbWP9EncXWtqCjouiBzXDWq3d8k0OL3wRdlZhyxCUbX_lSq-O9jYv62Z_INdvrD99wRyatDSiL2cy_cB2Zoznnpgxv_R-hRDYqLleZP4T1FumsdHN-naPF3VOy5zDOy22CVYfQl/s200/IMG_2010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562773277987810386" /></a><br />Wow, it's been just about 3 months since my last blog post... The problem is, it takes AGES to upload all the photos, so blogging ends up taking like 5 hours. and let's be honest, who has 5 hours to spare!? But, I haven't blogged in 3 months. The guilt is eating me up, so I decided to fill you all in on my life before Kayleigh or Lisa start sending me hate mail again :)<br /><br />IT'S 2011!!! And it's already half way through January, wow. A lot has happened since last time I wrote, too much to actually fill you all in on, so I thought I'd just put on a few photos with captions, and that will pretty much sum up the end of 2010:<br /><br /><br />1) BULUNGULA WEEKEND AWAY<br /><br />So, a group of us from the hospital decided to go away for the weekend to a backpackers about 90min down the coast, called Bulungula. It is a great place! Beautifully situated right on the beach, and very environmentally friendly. The toilets are all compost toilets (no flushing, just put sand in the loo after you are finished), the showers are run on gas (you light your own shower and get 7 minutes of warm water), and all kitchen waste gets put in various bins for compost or recycling. We ended off the weekend with a 5 hour hike back to the hospital :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRcvKdSD1eybT7peJAW2A9SvoS4gc3eZJj0GSFgPhrNtJIwS4M5Ileu2gojjkAGdPFJsDIhHrLwWdoO_Ys4EmmjBSazgg61yHU0Xjxd0pgwB0aBNE8SJkElGbeWxwTZA69rIIp1kgI5ZSD/s1600/IMG_2137.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRcvKdSD1eybT7peJAW2A9SvoS4gc3eZJj0GSFgPhrNtJIwS4M5Ileu2gojjkAGdPFJsDIhHrLwWdoO_Ys4EmmjBSazgg61yHU0Xjxd0pgwB0aBNE8SJkElGbeWxwTZA69rIIp1kgI5ZSD/s200/IMG_2137.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562775790985566082" /></a><br />SPOONS: In the evening we all played a card game called "Spoons"... This is the common room, sitting area. A very chilled, friendly atmosphere with couches, books to read, and a help-yourself-but-put-it-on-the-tab bar and snacks counter.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidAmyjc2SmVaHQ51Y4tH0Bf2Egxi2VgP6TI8so6fdV4YXiZoQ8tFsCmOsSyR4gDtz_B56Eduxo885j6lINYkNARFN1jlr6JwDV3DcRyP7iaQiMvEza95kHlkC5f_g5gjFjo18-YePU1c7H/s1600/IMG_2091.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidAmyjc2SmVaHQ51Y4tH0Bf2Egxi2VgP6TI8so6fdV4YXiZoQ8tFsCmOsSyR4gDtz_B56Eduxo885j6lINYkNARFN1jlr6JwDV3DcRyP7iaQiMvEza95kHlkC5f_g5gjFjo18-YePU1c7H/s200/IMG_2091.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562775775610275858" /></a><br />Me, Gillian, Katy, Uncle Tony and student Karl decided to go canoeing. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3e3HjeLtuOMocvD11U8lTueSAqZI7PzQnOVl9DJHzHO-_1IBkeEcZbT86PiDMdnVVJLYjBgI0jB45De2ogFJQ9YPT4Cv76IBhTN2jUkOzYgEmoMYFdroRGAfbKuwZlbM5LL1_wmZw5AZp/s1600/IMG_2113.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3e3HjeLtuOMocvD11U8lTueSAqZI7PzQnOVl9DJHzHO-_1IBkeEcZbT86PiDMdnVVJLYjBgI0jB45De2ogFJQ9YPT4Cv76IBhTN2jUkOzYgEmoMYFdroRGAfbKuwZlbM5LL1_wmZw5AZp/s200/IMG_2113.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562775783966737202" /></a><br />After canoeing we had to hike up to the "town" for lunch... The locals have business initiatives in connection with the backpackers, and in this instance, a lady made pancakes in her hut and we then sat outside on mats eating after the long canoe trip!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXcYTwkh4AYKZRWGUBkiT3intExEMyV3_T-m0hybaJtegdv5DxGrq7Tb0TyC_i90kvLfIjWbwHyeubY6XOCqvG6snE95FweEW-S1J2vDgzIuCbY0gZuqXZG2eJXZNT2D8jhJHoYJtc2TO5/s1600/IMG_2145.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXcYTwkh4AYKZRWGUBkiT3intExEMyV3_T-m0hybaJtegdv5DxGrq7Tb0TyC_i90kvLfIjWbwHyeubY6XOCqvG6snE95FweEW-S1J2vDgzIuCbY0gZuqXZG2eJXZNT2D8jhJHoYJtc2TO5/s200/IMG_2145.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562775789871520466" /></a><br />BULUNGULA BACKPACKERS... student Karl and Project Trust volunteer Katy are racing outside to pick up a spoon and be crowned "King" of the card game.<br /><br /><br />2) MDUMBI WEEKEND AWAY WITH THE CHURCH SINGLES<br /><br />The singles and students from church went up the coast for a weekend away at another backpackers called Mdumbi. This backpackers was also right on the beach, and we had a great time playing volleyball and soccer, swimming, eating together, having a church service and relaxing! Angela, Gillian, Katy and Asanda came with, and we had a lot of fun exploring and trying to make Zithulele famous :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGv27I02aQbxJWckHGxBmY83cWGMzEfq_CldeQsVXt87q3cgsddtGtcPUXVCPzobJZTNF4m4P6axmHia_LF4GdeTjN4dmYAMFGMIlsFVO7OKJ_iUqubHKWPpk9Y2oCPfkGDxWa_4wscqX/s1600/IMG_2151.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGv27I02aQbxJWckHGxBmY83cWGMzEfq_CldeQsVXt87q3cgsddtGtcPUXVCPzobJZTNF4m4P6axmHia_LF4GdeTjN4dmYAMFGMIlsFVO7OKJ_iUqubHKWPpk9Y2oCPfkGDxWa_4wscqX/s200/IMG_2151.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562785264975658194" /></a><br />The beach :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4mzRV4ZmnoJy1t91HDsgDNX32bg-BqqMMIcBNxkLX1VV_x9WTzNRht_kHDrFxEQh14ENIPitrZue_fENWiMPTQ4kFNdBKhto1ZrYi-mG1Wq8EAbfINhudKrqnR014cGqj5cbpNJfHhBZM/s1600/IMG_2208.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4mzRV4ZmnoJy1t91HDsgDNX32bg-BqqMMIcBNxkLX1VV_x9WTzNRht_kHDrFxEQh14ENIPitrZue_fENWiMPTQ4kFNdBKhto1ZrYi-mG1Wq8EAbfINhudKrqnR014cGqj5cbpNJfHhBZM/s200/IMG_2208.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562785258491170658" /></a><br />Gillian, Angela, Me and Katy outside our chalet<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVIUSffabUX1-ta0igOq1XJQXO3FpbWJ7xKEMtzPw1foaNWmy52aXZ8ZZwWCKe3syl7J85r0zMiOJBA2KQdPsHj3thJXD2IVR04g4caehrG1v4-Oqc0GJ_Cvjgb592b9m_wRMmxtGNQ20/s1600/IMG_2167.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVIUSffabUX1-ta0igOq1XJQXO3FpbWJ7xKEMtzPw1foaNWmy52aXZ8ZZwWCKe3syl7J85r0zMiOJBA2KQdPsHj3thJXD2IVR04g4caehrG1v4-Oqc0GJ_Cvjgb592b9m_wRMmxtGNQ20/s200/IMG_2167.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562785249880503170" /></a><br />Katy, Angela, Me and Thabs on our way to the beach<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8DdH8tKBCxldD_E6QrJYfeXwRAPBqHtS5ObjBHeFRIyQojeOsefrK3-CsObip1QBxGCZUusbXjvkO-440QuMD0tAD34ERTZkR2qyrFDLRTjDd900WI6sWjjTspXaTU6u0UfadXOwRoL6/s1600/IMG_2162.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8DdH8tKBCxldD_E6QrJYfeXwRAPBqHtS5ObjBHeFRIyQojeOsefrK3-CsObip1QBxGCZUusbXjvkO-440QuMD0tAD34ERTZkR2qyrFDLRTjDd900WI6sWjjTspXaTU6u0UfadXOwRoL6/s200/IMG_2162.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562785250243287890" /></a><br />Cooking in the kitchen...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJIOleoQ3vk90SODQOy1NM1xqO0EvQ4pUN33nx02Wh3hhZxdH-IsRteZ-ovS02quV1ktPCyAOjRfo8UKNAjWHCrd669odMGM5vMejQHza2M5ORYUggzABynMj66sJzt_KVjSdwyBNDE-s/s1600/IMG_2170.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJIOleoQ3vk90SODQOy1NM1xqO0EvQ4pUN33nx02Wh3hhZxdH-IsRteZ-ovS02quV1ktPCyAOjRfo8UKNAjWHCrd669odMGM5vMejQHza2M5ORYUggzABynMj66sJzt_KVjSdwyBNDE-s/s200/IMG_2170.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562785270290394578" /></a><br />Fun and games on the beach...<br /><br /><br />3) WORK<br /><br />I took and few wheelchair guys to play a basketball game against Madwaleni Hospital. It was a very wet trip, and we got stuck in the mud more than once, but it was super fun and the guys enjoyed it loads... Mute even got his first imprompto driving lesson so he could reverse the car out of the mud (with one foot and one crutch) while me and a few locals helped push!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhys2cz6QMy69LvyoA2N0isiLv_3hYkO1K-HsInUtmYuj2X163V0_0R3N0ixgwQEU10Zdjcr51p9oOhZwgxBMtkCaPbV4MA-fImJosHrJ45pBAO1n1CBgA_H35p3fvMCILqvTZSCNRDCy3z/s1600/IMG_2288.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhys2cz6QMy69LvyoA2N0isiLv_3hYkO1K-HsInUtmYuj2X163V0_0R3N0ixgwQEU10Zdjcr51p9oOhZwgxBMtkCaPbV4MA-fImJosHrJ45pBAO1n1CBgA_H35p3fvMCILqvTZSCNRDCy3z/s200/IMG_2288.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562787098667101730" /></a><br />Phew, just after we got out of the second mud pool! Note my incredible wheelchair stacking abilities in the back :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptew5r3tKjy5nYd9nUrp2IKlJLVLFxMgn_Mhj4ZO43u9wbJQglg7hhl_fFyOu6jkKo4R2N35-7ChH7hjuqnpiB1adek7iTAc5u2m4ue9XnHmDY_sOm3Gs-GFq23Me_66dMMEhIhyEmtx4/s1600/IMG_2285.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptew5r3tKjy5nYd9nUrp2IKlJLVLFxMgn_Mhj4ZO43u9wbJQglg7hhl_fFyOu6jkKo4R2N35-7ChH7hjuqnpiB1adek7iTAc5u2m4ue9XnHmDY_sOm3Gs-GFq23Me_66dMMEhIhyEmtx4/s200/IMG_2285.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562787092516964210" /></a><br />Some of the basketball guys.<br /><br /><br />4) LINDS AND THE AIMERS CAME TO THE TRANSKEI<br /><br />Towards the end of December Shoni, Linds and the AIM team (Baron, Trev, Ariel, Moriah, Kalen, Schwenn, Susan) came to Hole in the Wall for a few days holiday. It was so great to show them my playground and I'm glad to say that a couple of them left with a new-found love for my little South African Eden and it's residents :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZJP-TlRCNU11tQPbYcvBrt3itHlMFXQhy45U0GkuyEOMZS96W2ZRq4wg2lpakbj8j0aI4AgGpZEl7ibB-mUsPTrbiffDB8sdy5MhOzwbwm9CP2lqGHrly_pT7rs2CPmupP8Ika1jeOhA/s1600/IMG_2332.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZJP-TlRCNU11tQPbYcvBrt3itHlMFXQhy45U0GkuyEOMZS96W2ZRq4wg2lpakbj8j0aI4AgGpZEl7ibB-mUsPTrbiffDB8sdy5MhOzwbwm9CP2lqGHrly_pT7rs2CPmupP8Ika1jeOhA/s200/IMG_2332.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562790162951203042" /></a><br />Of course, me and Linds took them on our favourite nearby hiking route to coffee bay...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUb1La0hyphenhyphenb7Sd7dnzL2PlHybFMQs1gddlwHJchE5_5T8f3ctuDY8AY7xfHGsj-GA4XRW0713tCrpNSCdlhl_rTGu61S27IVu3UiFWoFAbvRNP9VyVCIbozRflAGfQ2MAu-bJ2x1xNv3Aaf/s1600/IMG_2366.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUb1La0hyphenhyphenb7Sd7dnzL2PlHybFMQs1gddlwHJchE5_5T8f3ctuDY8AY7xfHGsj-GA4XRW0713tCrpNSCdlhl_rTGu61S27IVu3UiFWoFAbvRNP9VyVCIbozRflAGfQ2MAu-bJ2x1xNv3Aaf/s200/IMG_2366.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562790168827002386" /></a><br />The team, just outside Coffee Bay<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFp75jYFvi-Sqz9mi_2-P9cnLLAqPeCaZ9lOElo1PC_xAD5XTivD8PDkCnwOmH78TqJS_i__CIyamsRYFKAteyNzxTu40J94rqX_Np29sqKh7Uxpc625m3tOa1s2ITfkgP96F15ki19p1/s1600/IMG_2376.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFp75jYFvi-Sqz9mi_2-P9cnLLAqPeCaZ9lOElo1PC_xAD5XTivD8PDkCnwOmH78TqJS_i__CIyamsRYFKAteyNzxTu40J94rqX_Np29sqKh7Uxpc625m3tOa1s2ITfkgP96F15ki19p1/s200/IMG_2376.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562790175469713154" /></a><br />Pizza at Pappazellas in Coffee Bay<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXDDRs-c8upJ57suglYzsfyMdXzjH2RqEwV4tnFWTXihNpVLoGQ4NqKpSfx-1M1r9g63gJklsRAehD0mYjkwih3fmsUtNJI9Ynq5gi13zW-52dHx_EY95CfJgSygz8Xoeli9-p1LkT_hYx/s1600/IMG_2380.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXDDRs-c8upJ57suglYzsfyMdXzjH2RqEwV4tnFWTXihNpVLoGQ4NqKpSfx-1M1r9g63gJklsRAehD0mYjkwih3fmsUtNJI9Ynq5gi13zW-52dHx_EY95CfJgSygz8Xoeli9-p1LkT_hYx/s200/IMG_2380.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562790174827797138" /></a><br />The long walk back...<br /><br /><br />5) CHRISTMAS, NEW YEARS, AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN<br /><br />Me and the AIMer crew went to the Lambert's for Christmas. Jean was kind enough to invite us despite our big crazy presence and it was a really great weekend. This year was my first Christmas away from home, and I was quite sad to be spending it away from my family, but The Lambert's Christmas made me forget all about that and I was so grateful to be included in their celebrations. It was a fun evening with amazing food, about 10 different desserts, great conversation and an incredible Christmas vibe :) JEAN LAMBERT DID IT AGAIN!!!<br />The next weekend me and Linds went to the Lambert's holiday house for new years. Getting there was interesting because it had been raining a lot... we drove through about 5 rivers and slipped and slid all over the place - high 5 for new adventures! It was an exciting trip, and that pretty much set the tone for the weekend... good food, good company! We celebrated the new year by playing poker, 30 seconds and darts, and just really enjoyed meeting new faces (there were loads of people there), exploring new beaches, and eating a lot of gooooood home-made pot bread!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidpLOj4KmoOWjdwLY0-CkcJUxaOLTluP4O1ihKsDcnaWIxXUntCX-hYV-BnfB36JBxFZu9qpwY5BFghhUs8dE7kKViacTtYekmYxp34RJrByOKeCywMpNGe3sTt8I8XVPdQLjRlPmnWAgw/s1600/IMG_2471.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidpLOj4KmoOWjdwLY0-CkcJUxaOLTluP4O1ihKsDcnaWIxXUntCX-hYV-BnfB36JBxFZu9qpwY5BFghhUs8dE7kKViacTtYekmYxp34RJrByOKeCywMpNGe3sTt8I8XVPdQLjRlPmnWAgw/s200/IMG_2471.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562794434259934834" /></a><br />HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8Vb5s9K5_pzSYiyDtaSQ9kEd1n509huZ91xUNrqvl0I6FGHS5kWIx03-GREs7pTCXqkkxhmp82uGkbjax6umJN9ExFvsqwqosh6QJALW73mDfAWWcoyZsbBar43tbio7w171KVdwhe2B/s1600/IMG_2463.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8Vb5s9K5_pzSYiyDtaSQ9kEd1n509huZ91xUNrqvl0I6FGHS5kWIx03-GREs7pTCXqkkxhmp82uGkbjax6umJN9ExFvsqwqosh6QJALW73mDfAWWcoyZsbBar43tbio7w171KVdwhe2B/s200/IMG_2463.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562794427961291410" /></a><br />The couch potatoes, struggling to make it to midnight!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMssm1WFaWDRvz0wjAlMJAVMvLGS4L9zUMXCUExFeaslCcbpkyWJ65gtj_tFAv46EDmK2G7yiqq284aEUeZGxK_y16pom0NWVgQq0fqGGh3t2wRkW2Y30JZ0UG0XYXU4j4nQeR8njF5WBw/s1600/IMG_2466.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMssm1WFaWDRvz0wjAlMJAVMvLGS4L9zUMXCUExFeaslCcbpkyWJ65gtj_tFAv46EDmK2G7yiqq284aEUeZGxK_y16pom0NWVgQq0fqGGh3t2wRkW2Y30JZ0UG0XYXU4j4nQeR8njF5WBw/s200/IMG_2466.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562794425834750674" /></a><br />The serious poker players... I chose to leave the game - I couldn't handle the heat! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNjfdv3MUOsgN2dn78BcpWybMJBeirgzcqCB9iJ5znBt7QUCLqIXJCw3DJBz8y6EULR6trcZrxzjn1D378OgfywTWoYoC24zXyWGE375Re6mZtwU_tJJMvBQB8K_M6QPb5lIdf7yacg5W5/s1600/IMG_2442.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNjfdv3MUOsgN2dn78BcpWybMJBeirgzcqCB9iJ5znBt7QUCLqIXJCw3DJBz8y6EULR6trcZrxzjn1D378OgfywTWoYoC24zXyWGE375Re6mZtwU_tJJMvBQB8K_M6QPb5lIdf7yacg5W5/s200/IMG_2442.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562794416701864370" /></a><br />Random people marching and singing down the road!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY70e_tX2Pm69F3GiSbafZKZG3q11oHa7djpfCfGrSHB1ygWbqjwTHKQkuMT9FoaG6dwGpNIKr1aVn3_d3i90Zm_VMPlIL8ZDIbBlQWRNSeWqruUyF4xDR6Lb1udmE_cv0OnbAiyKLxAqN/s1600/IMG_2426.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY70e_tX2Pm69F3GiSbafZKZG3q11oHa7djpfCfGrSHB1ygWbqjwTHKQkuMT9FoaG6dwGpNIKr1aVn3_d3i90Zm_VMPlIL8ZDIbBlQWRNSeWqruUyF4xDR6Lb1udmE_cv0OnbAiyKLxAqN/s200/IMG_2426.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562794411890280946" /></a><br />Hmmm, too deep to cross? I think not! Although, coming back, the nose of my car did take a dive, literally.<br /><br /><br />6) OTHER RANDOM STUFF AT WORK<br />The last few months of work went buy so quickly. The department was busy, and when I had a few minutes to spare I was on my computer writing reports for my projects so that they could be continued in 2011. As always, God worked through the chaos! I was able to really invest in some patients, particularly a man in the wards who I spent a lot of time with, speaking about his family, himself, praying etc... It always amazes me how God is able to work and make Himself known. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Lvw6OmQLIu7ZGolnb6cBUQTF-VZZs1wXS8pnyEV6u-_zYSaoX09KWmLH5ewM6y8In5RJYifsUHCUQmggs9iV4Ipwhvx3jK2Em7ALNF5FlCtNcq7xgwWeLUphsLxr_Zpgt6_KLZGzJl5a/s1600/IMG_2406.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Lvw6OmQLIu7ZGolnb6cBUQTF-VZZs1wXS8pnyEV6u-_zYSaoX09KWmLH5ewM6y8In5RJYifsUHCUQmggs9iV4Ipwhvx3jK2Em7ALNF5FlCtNcq7xgwWeLUphsLxr_Zpgt6_KLZGzJl5a/s200/IMG_2406.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562796036187623346" /></a><br />Oh, and, we ate fried Chicken feet!<br /><br />Well, that's all I have time to blog about now, all in all, it was, as usual, an incredible last few months... God is so good. I'll blog a "Part 2" soon, about my trip back to PE and life back here (for those of you who do not know, I am going to be working in PE for the next 6 months). I am starting my new job tomorrow, please pray that that goes well :)Jess Trolliphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08056612464302704252noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5214873835612577291.post-81720891411970503062010-10-31T12:03:00.000-07:002010-10-31T13:28:43.351-07:00All we can do is keep breathing...and seeing patients, A LOT of patients :/!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fooDslu5omoKeCGG01CoMUCX_ufWB2x1IJCXHhyphenhyphenkBfcw8KYucE9pIMatxHTDZty0IQQab8Dit48PDoXxsaY0OwMB5HJkTFnuJd_9Bfe4hYy6_bDiz4zo36hUvQ07be5s5xlPF8QvOaZS/s1600/October+2010+-+family,+East+London,+Gonubie+014.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fooDslu5omoKeCGG01CoMUCX_ufWB2x1IJCXHhyphenhyphenkBfcw8KYucE9pIMatxHTDZty0IQQab8Dit48PDoXxsaY0OwMB5HJkTFnuJd_9Bfe4hYy6_bDiz4zo36hUvQ07be5s5xlPF8QvOaZS/s200/October+2010+-+family,+East+London,+Gonubie+014.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534307901866325138" /></a><br /><br />Wow, work has been CRAZY! Tomorrow marks my last 2 months of community service, which is quite an unbelievable thought... time is such an odd thing, at times it seems to go so slowly (like when you are waiting in the "Customer Service" line at Game), at other times is goes so quickly you barely have time to take it all in (like the perfect ultimate frisbee game on a warm, still day) - if you ask me, I don't think time is constant, it's relative to the situation :) Hehe, anyway, ok, so here goes a quick summary of the last few weeks:<br /><br />HIGHLIGHT!!! My family came to Hole in the Wall for a week! And when I say "My Family", I mean "MY FAMILY"! My dad, mom, brothers, Linds, and my 2 grans... And can I just say that it was possibly the best family holiday I can remember! Granted, I was working, but I enjoyed the evenings with them so much. I am blown away by my family and feel so blessed (see, using a "charasmatic" word like that just proves it)... I love my family a lot. It was so nice to sit outside and sing along to Dean playing guitar, with Byron and my dad braaing, my grans sitting chatting and drinking wine,and the humorous imprompto 30 Second games which seemed to go on in between everything! I think I hope I will remember that holiday for a while to come - thanks family for visiting me; for the bike rides,good chats, loud laughs, great dinners and much appreciated quality time. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGllQBYk9pQq4-SM-9Cke1EWS8dlXUHAmzrqCDj7ayD1_AEYb26M46hXFeVSYXtLgFzvoPsCTkgbf_06uW2REOr6tzdJaHds5YxUK60yzQKV3leMpYP1WEtsLKOb0fpXb4FyH0XQhaUBO/s1600/October+2010+-+family,+East+London,+Gonubie+008.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGllQBYk9pQq4-SM-9Cke1EWS8dlXUHAmzrqCDj7ayD1_AEYb26M46hXFeVSYXtLgFzvoPsCTkgbf_06uW2REOr6tzdJaHds5YxUK60yzQKV3leMpYP1WEtsLKOb0fpXb4FyH0XQhaUBO/s200/October+2010+-+family,+East+London,+Gonubie+008.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534304365305157202" /></a><br />Liz, Sion and Laura came for the last night... So it was my grans hanging out with the "young-ins"<br /><br />Me, Liz, and Sion went to East London for a weekend. Of course, we went straight to the movies! Linds met us there and the first evening was so cold and rainy... we stayed in a tiny little backpackers chalet, hehe, is was a fun experience! The next day however, me and Linds decided to find something a bit sturdier, so we stayed in a very cosy bed and breakfast, and had some great chats, and as usual, lots of fun exploring :) <br /><br />Actually, I've had 2 weekends in East London since I last blogged... Last weekend I drove to East London and Linds met me there again for some good Bud-Time. It was a quality weekend! We stayed in Gonubie, and although it rained the entire weekend we still got some good exploring in! We walked around the town, getting lost a bit, walking through peoples yards to find the road, and after about 3 hours popping out a block away from our accomodation, haha fun times! We also went driving around the farm land, and it was beautiful... Gonubie really is an incredible little town. I could very easily settle down along the outskirts I think - anyone interested in being a housemate? Of course, Hippotherapy would be a part of it though so you had better be prepared to earn your keep :) So, it was fun... We also saw a movie, got to stay with Britni for an evening (which is always great), etc. It was a really good, relaxing weekend.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy38DTRn1OL-DhYmHSBcx3XiUSNFfEWJ4e5wOuGEBGxPm1L2SE8iXH5M3svUwcl5JJ1r0mWiWabT2DtLht03A-sDRDZh1ElmI5Z9jM0BosVh-YmrzysMF-jwLAumFeXd0xbaAwT9VOISMr/s1600/October+2010+-+family,+East+London,+Gonubie+039.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy38DTRn1OL-DhYmHSBcx3XiUSNFfEWJ4e5wOuGEBGxPm1L2SE8iXH5M3svUwcl5JJ1r0mWiWabT2DtLht03A-sDRDZh1ElmI5Z9jM0BosVh-YmrzysMF-jwLAumFeXd0xbaAwT9VOISMr/s200/October+2010+-+family,+East+London,+Gonubie+039.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534304380851186754" /></a><br />Beautiful Gonubie farm roads :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9j0Sb0866XUBYOBCBLwL6GVzM0Qi3D16ms_DyB603cT5dGdEXwku-HkDpCUa4SNslqi1p-NeXOTVeYoZ6LNHO1qoVMjHKQVwyrMuQYOghf0_DArK1sUHx7wfR7EaN5N3_ts_wfrXEzVA/s1600/October+2010+-+family,+East+London,+Gonubie+034.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9j0Sb0866XUBYOBCBLwL6GVzM0Qi3D16ms_DyB603cT5dGdEXwku-HkDpCUa4SNslqi1p-NeXOTVeYoZ6LNHO1qoVMjHKQVwyrMuQYOghf0_DArK1sUHx7wfR7EaN5N3_ts_wfrXEzVA/s200/October+2010+-+family,+East+London,+Gonubie+034.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534304382676115666" /></a><br />We found the Gonubie BOARDWALK! Not quite like PE's, but hy...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXAHu2T1O_o1so_Ly_Y2BazfSTckUrMVlRCfDEnuaYsR70jS5vAI-n9g70OX4eACllW7_la20rvCnsbLjbqsudKIKvWNwuTgkN1COtqZU-4nm_GKpIgbln2QBgYsv9wKEDmz9TXh3c3kc/s1600/October+2010+-+family,+East+London,+Gonubie+028.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXAHu2T1O_o1so_Ly_Y2BazfSTckUrMVlRCfDEnuaYsR70jS5vAI-n9g70OX4eACllW7_la20rvCnsbLjbqsudKIKvWNwuTgkN1COtqZU-4nm_GKpIgbln2QBgYsv9wKEDmz9TXh3c3kc/s200/October+2010+-+family,+East+London,+Gonubie+028.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534304371742718450" /></a><br />Making supper, stirfry, and the next night home-made pizza... goooooood food!<br /><br /><br />So in between all of that, work has been INSANE! For both the doctors and the Therapists. Marlie and Megan had a car accident, they weren't hurt too badly but both took some leave for a bit after that (it's hard to work as therapists with a broken finger and whiplash). Laura has also been away, so for a week and a bit me and Karen were the only Physios, and WOW, it was hard work! It also happened to be a Clinic week and we had an annual outreach day in there on top of that... let's just say we definately earned our pay in October, and probably for the rest of the year! But, as you know, we also party hard, so amongst all the hard work, we have had a good time braaing and all that :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc1HlTdTuzzN_13JsxHTQGPN2W9GcxaMQx8x65_swm_p_EZySAFZ3TJ7okxS323zMj4ZhX8Z_c6nKpHnYYP2ay8lzsyQxr1yBeA7ncgpueEqw_PAdgAMCalihTjFfBZ6Yw6-mqHANGSzLf/s1600/October+2010+-+family,+East+London,+Gonubie+002.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc1HlTdTuzzN_13JsxHTQGPN2W9GcxaMQx8x65_swm_p_EZySAFZ3TJ7okxS323zMj4ZhX8Z_c6nKpHnYYP2ay8lzsyQxr1yBeA7ncgpueEqw_PAdgAMCalihTjFfBZ6Yw6-mqHANGSzLf/s200/October+2010+-+family,+East+London,+Gonubie+002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534307927660993922" /></a><br />Me and Jess stayed in the Pirottes house while they were away, and, ummm... made playdough people. Meet our sad little grandpa.<br /><br />Hmmm, that's about it. Oh, in other exciting news, our road is looking great! We have signs to the hospital and other numerous near-by holiday destinations (very official looking), with lines on the road and everything! The Coffee Bay road is still under construction, but some of it is now pothole-free, for which we are greatful. Also, me and Asanda are staying in the Le Rouxs house for a week and a bit because they are away, so it's really nice to have my own bathroom and kitchen, and sitting area! Moving is always a mission, but definately worth it :) <br /><br />So, that's about it. Actually, i'm sure it's not, but that's unfortunately all my limited memory can recall.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2959UPKZL6uVwX9AwSyGja_Sb4TP5c0Hrzn7zg1Nl3Xqs31xvZWEJKFcLgzHjmxbBGPfjHU5folLsVtmuJEkKw5p1uY9y1YSZbTtmYyeCjEcwO6XJl8JwDt83bdTIofXpzWjvkPYd5Y2P/s1600/October+2010+-+family,+East+London,+Gonubie+024.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2959UPKZL6uVwX9AwSyGja_Sb4TP5c0Hrzn7zg1Nl3Xqs31xvZWEJKFcLgzHjmxbBGPfjHU5folLsVtmuJEkKw5p1uY9y1YSZbTtmYyeCjEcwO6XJl8JwDt83bdTIofXpzWjvkPYd5Y2P/s200/October+2010+-+family,+East+London,+Gonubie+024.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534304369172005906" /></a><br />A typical Sunday afternoon at the Lamberts :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pvCbs2MOrzudMgpjYovn_twY8NmID0Uclw_R5HzFZ8k7ZHj_UDIyK3JLQX19iFz-YpJPrw_UtBgeMfoxpumFHx2azsUZPJmeZ29y-auyULJca3PfHJuFHOxqCNIYnY_S5IA5DoM3f2Ms/s1600/October+2010+-+family,+East+London,+Gonubie+060.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pvCbs2MOrzudMgpjYovn_twY8NmID0Uclw_R5HzFZ8k7ZHj_UDIyK3JLQX19iFz-YpJPrw_UtBgeMfoxpumFHx2azsUZPJmeZ29y-auyULJca3PfHJuFHOxqCNIYnY_S5IA5DoM3f2Ms/s200/October+2010+-+family,+East+London,+Gonubie+060.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534307919396252258" /></a><br />The Coffee Bay road... note how many cars you can fit along-side eachother on one lane of pot-holed road - approximately 1 million.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRbnvAK8g17LWUvN1MOaUZ2aTBZvbuFqEeliCcyExMxabIdUUpvoa6P6peuqfVqiY0HneCl_HRSux1ep3ybDPlOEVMY5TSIALWcn0T1LvLk9YLPlRW-41jNHKkH2UIHPmlw5zyDTsDCmNt/s1600/October+2010+-+family,+East+London,+Gonubie+022.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRbnvAK8g17LWUvN1MOaUZ2aTBZvbuFqEeliCcyExMxabIdUUpvoa6P6peuqfVqiY0HneCl_HRSux1ep3ybDPlOEVMY5TSIALWcn0T1LvLk9YLPlRW-41jNHKkH2UIHPmlw5zyDTsDCmNt/s200/October+2010+-+family,+East+London,+Gonubie+022.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534307916440382210" /></a><br />Memo to me, do NOT leave my car outside the hospital property overnight.<br /><br />To my Christian friends:<br />As this year comes to an end, I need to make some very serious decisions about next year. The plan is still to go to the USA in June, which means that I need a job for the first half of the year (which is a tough ask of potential employees). Zithulele is currently trying to open up more Physio posts - there are no free ones for next year, and I am in the process of being interviewed for a job in PE... There are a few other options, but I am not sure where God wants me to be. Please pray that He continues to open and close doors as he sees fit, and that I open my eyes to see these doors and take the opportunities He gives me.Jess Trolliphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08056612464302704252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5214873835612577291.post-54501552227323635082010-09-16T09:57:00.001-07:002010-09-16T13:26:09.595-07:00Life is GOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqUJZ6t3S7KpljFVYtAA3hc8Yh32Ex_TGXJ3RRPC6GarCrZBhYdHVZkf3pR0SN7jXZd1vIRIODBTHAowVuMq2YqUyItcKu3rdKwzBtjQiQ0XM6vFC36BkwMfgeHXFvWt1z4m-zVr84D1Eb/s1600/Epic+weekend+away+-+September+2010+143.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqUJZ6t3S7KpljFVYtAA3hc8Yh32Ex_TGXJ3RRPC6GarCrZBhYdHVZkf3pR0SN7jXZd1vIRIODBTHAowVuMq2YqUyItcKu3rdKwzBtjQiQ0XM6vFC36BkwMfgeHXFvWt1z4m-zVr84D1Eb/s200/Epic+weekend+away+-+September+2010+143.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517592185256526178" /></a><br />God has been incredible, I feel like this year is continuing to fly by and I can barely keep up, but the last few months since I have blogged have been great :)A lot has happened, as usual, and I have barely had time to sit down and take it all in, let alone Blog! There have been many highlights, and of course some lowlights as well, and through it all God has continued to grow me as a therapist and a Christian. I think there are a few lessons I have learnt over the last bit: 1) It's worth really getting to know your collegues - especially if you are living within 100m of eachother 2) Never turn down an opportunity to get out of the Nurses Res (my 1 room palace) 3) When the opportunity arises to do something out of the ordinary at work, do it! <br /><br />So, of course we have had our usual braais and cell group evenings, DVD nights and random dinner dates. We actually had a very entertaining braai at the Le Rouxs, which ended up being a house party with all of us eventually "Walking like a Egyptian" around the kitchen table before we all went off to bed and exchanged embarrassed looks the next morning at work! We have also had some great rugby and braai evenings - complete with locally bought lobster and chilled guitar vibes by moonlight (Bernard and Marlie make a great 2 person band). <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Nk_foGiuiHkvKhZiHwuiv-dXEVmdr_UptLG__fPHV5ZKQbl2FzgjjPFcbkwSyacx45kJa1CX4uIXxqwRN5Qs_6k-x5eABJbCJdZ0M-Qeq-9iF6hN6FKuO1aE2CYzLp3Qs9HDtyhjlBtz/s1600/Epic+weekend+away+-+September+2010+013.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Nk_foGiuiHkvKhZiHwuiv-dXEVmdr_UptLG__fPHV5ZKQbl2FzgjjPFcbkwSyacx45kJa1CX4uIXxqwRN5Qs_6k-x5eABJbCJdZ0M-Qeq-9iF6hN6FKuO1aE2CYzLp3Qs9HDtyhjlBtz/s200/Epic+weekend+away+-+September+2010+013.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517559891216094178" /></a><br />The kitchen party crew - Liz, Jess, Kayleigh, Karl<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRyg9ODX3yqNL6yyDoBfTRLrgMlmsY6IECAuhwouPNMH3U4oyPkBOoEHhQwSTJ93Io1ceDl90Kv6UhrOigN8xaAQlQwZir0gXU7MbbwI-ZM2OR61ACF4JHQ-DhtFGUDebYxXH2DGGeITo/s1600/Epic+weekend+away+-+September+2010+006.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRyg9ODX3yqNL6yyDoBfTRLrgMlmsY6IECAuhwouPNMH3U4oyPkBOoEHhQwSTJ93Io1ceDl90Kv6UhrOigN8xaAQlQwZir0gXU7MbbwI-ZM2OR61ACF4JHQ-DhtFGUDebYxXH2DGGeITo/s200/Epic+weekend+away+-+September+2010+006.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517559884809867890" /></a><br />We have the kewlest dance moves this part of the Transkei :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYocHHE_pfBIIBepjf5hAt3fzP_zHqawQE2fqPbpK3cPJLvNg-K2SkwjrlOi5g5dV2fu0rq_khMS7452bGX1cTNhgK4zM0VORT0_dhgyWwl5z4csa95a2Zvi5KoOeQezil1BTODPDQtZeX/s1600/Sept+2010+015.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYocHHE_pfBIIBepjf5hAt3fzP_zHqawQE2fqPbpK3cPJLvNg-K2SkwjrlOi5g5dV2fu0rq_khMS7452bGX1cTNhgK4zM0VORT0_dhgyWwl5z4csa95a2Zvi5KoOeQezil1BTODPDQtZeX/s200/Sept+2010+015.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517593660131433282" /></a><br />Christening our newly bought "communal" DVD player - Ian (pharmacist), Jess (OT), Liz (Doctor), Gillian (Scottish Volunteer), Katie (Irish volunteer), Kate (project OT), Lisa (OT), Angela (Mthatha Doctor), Laura (volunteer PT)<br /><br /><br /><br />I also took some leave at the beginning of August which was great as usual :) Linds met me and we drove down to East London to stay with Britni - a friend of ours who is doing her Internship there... she took us to a beautiful little spot called Lavender Blue for breakfast. It was so nice - it had a farmers market type of atmosphere! We then drove to PE, and I spent a week or so at home. It was my Birthday so it was good to spend it with my family. Me and Linds made a "Pink Hut" Birthday Cake - it was so kewl! Clearly I don't ever get enough of seeing those little houses spotting the hills surrounding me...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwNZbNURpcTfRGZ8j5Cj1CZ3_CgmqAxzn4acdqKxidBhOYn8aA3IE33I8RE6dl9c7JgYj9-g0z1dgUE5qsDI3Kk3LCFGOM1_BkXbVBV5vxGM4bmAsi6hBbQsmrmZq5eAlANlZK33gFkz6c/s1600/Epic+weekend+away+-+September+2010+041.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwNZbNURpcTfRGZ8j5Cj1CZ3_CgmqAxzn4acdqKxidBhOYn8aA3IE33I8RE6dl9c7JgYj9-g0z1dgUE5qsDI3Kk3LCFGOM1_BkXbVBV5vxGM4bmAsi6hBbQsmrmZq5eAlANlZK33gFkz6c/s200/Epic+weekend+away+-+September+2010+041.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517593663431588674" /></a><br />Us at Lavender Blue- we were excited about the cake!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKWrwTZpG5YIcJAsDnOOdfxC2yVRo_z3j4GGoYgpgIIjHoE7QcvI-Js5IpvjgjTaK5k6Gohc58n9G3nlrSi_rFJh7MyEoaDuvhaTR0g9ZOQcrltc13FMvgmXyqAjqoSX82cFr4WdoJjIp/s1600/Epic+weekend+away+-+September+2010+032.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKWrwTZpG5YIcJAsDnOOdfxC2yVRo_z3j4GGoYgpgIIjHoE7QcvI-Js5IpvjgjTaK5k6Gohc58n9G3nlrSi_rFJh7MyEoaDuvhaTR0g9ZOQcrltc13FMvgmXyqAjqoSX82cFr4WdoJjIp/s200/Epic+weekend+away+-+September+2010+032.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517596564213434386" /></a><br />Britni, Linds and Me<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZL1ayWypYKSe06Bx1pgWkzGlXFAztEz4maTVGFSmIn02Xur4cyyOeZ1dvMhGvlMKTquNcQSJbqIjzpOex0KVPC_-y9ES9CEpXA1pjLcuhwUkdnKUXCYmrgsJd48x5aw2kW7B8u2bh8Fg/s1600/Epic+weekend+away+-+September+2010+056.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZL1ayWypYKSe06Bx1pgWkzGlXFAztEz4maTVGFSmIn02Xur4cyyOeZ1dvMhGvlMKTquNcQSJbqIjzpOex0KVPC_-y9ES9CEpXA1pjLcuhwUkdnKUXCYmrgsJd48x5aw2kW7B8u2bh8Fg/s200/Epic+weekend+away+-+September+2010+056.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517598402753687762" /></a><br />The most amazing birthday cake in the history of the WORLD!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />It was Karen's Birthday at the end of August, so Rog organised for us to go to Hole in the Wall for a weekend, so off we went - about 12 of us; either walking, driving or cycling, to suprise an unsuspecting Karen! It was really an amazing weekend... Me and Laura (a physio who is volunteering for 3 months) rode there - it is a perfect ride, hilly but rideable (which is a novelty here). A whoe bunch walked along the coast, and a few drove so we would have cars to get back in! That evening Jack (Kate's canine companion and the resident Plaza guard dog) tried to eat a sheep, successfully breaking it's neck and thereby providing us with meet for a potjie the next day :) After getting there, we braaied and spent the evening laughing and enjoying eachothers company. We woke up early the next morning for a beach frisbee game, and then we spent the rest of the day lounging around in the sun, exploring, or doing pilates! We watched an exciting game of rugby, then ate the sheep - and it was goooooooood, thanks Jack! Apologies to the poor owner of the sheep - he did get reimbursed for the damage and trauma caused though. The next morning me and some friends woke up and sat on the hill to watch a beautiful sunrise, complete with dolphins and whales playing in the waves. After a lazy afternoon me, Laura, Karen and Lisa rode back to the Hospital, with the rest of the guys driving past hooting or stopping to chat before leaving us in their exhaust dust! All in all a great weekend... Good conversation, good memories, good food - The best weekend yet this year! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaz9NEPmtAhkFm4rGkhjDS89ht0U2arimax6Wa-9AGvFlxtGiye7kbeKtEibTH9Tpyiow68QfazVjvVfPsDsCTrtdJTELkKcF5Rvdb6tkp3ZjedvwD0PvIFmgzHFZs6LNbw-tsZrYCNhJ1/s1600/Epic+weekend+away+-+September+2010+162.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaz9NEPmtAhkFm4rGkhjDS89ht0U2arimax6Wa-9AGvFlxtGiye7kbeKtEibTH9Tpyiow68QfazVjvVfPsDsCTrtdJTELkKcF5Rvdb6tkp3ZjedvwD0PvIFmgzHFZs6LNbw-tsZrYCNhJ1/s200/Epic+weekend+away+-+September+2010+162.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517603708356966754" /></a><br />Karen, Emma and Gracie taking a ride on Anna<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjINbo2xh1Gq2Tdv9S1n8AYwcNqsX5UXG6yniODyXjHeBf9fYnlcQ6vdPPRfW7oJQ7VA8Y1aqSsABDdDB_yXEUd-W9l5LMK4qSq09Nq8I1p-WYSXnioaNjXYX4BiLgHnjfyTB4YYHFN0RD0/s1600/Epic+weekend+away+-+September+2010+158.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjINbo2xh1Gq2Tdv9S1n8AYwcNqsX5UXG6yniODyXjHeBf9fYnlcQ6vdPPRfW7oJQ7VA8Y1aqSsABDdDB_yXEUd-W9l5LMK4qSq09Nq8I1p-WYSXnioaNjXYX4BiLgHnjfyTB4YYHFN0RD0/s200/Epic+weekend+away+-+September+2010+158.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517603697337263954" /></a><br />Jess, Sion, Liz and Kate chilling out, catching a tan<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholYSIMwaWVQ8n_cO7cbC9y246TGDTpiDed94WeZvgoS8W4lKHMN2pfwzWzXdvVVjCwx7kRhi3_pZ0NjXdLGyb7Kn6N68fp0026z-F2vFFp-2bviNhoE5EcXRta9REAz5C4DP5b7__P5KW/s1600/Epic+weekend+away+-+September+2010+137.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholYSIMwaWVQ8n_cO7cbC9y246TGDTpiDed94WeZvgoS8W4lKHMN2pfwzWzXdvVVjCwx7kRhi3_pZ0NjXdLGyb7Kn6N68fp0026z-F2vFFp-2bviNhoE5EcXRta9REAz5C4DP5b7__P5KW/s200/Epic+weekend+away+-+September+2010+137.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517603692779543234" /></a><br />Sion, Me, Liz, Jess and Kate watching the sunrise... Laura is behind the camera :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyirh9FWOB9v4CoTBE5VJUDwMV1xm8feXi8fxsLL0znvHzs70cZUZ36sSHNKzONTMZQ0uEzc6_s_sddRmbOUISK0hwUq4IzhBCJ8ZstRzky6ccRFXcnqTOGmab9HFg8C_Da1_CBiUTn9Wv/s1600/Copy+of+Epic+weekend+away+-+September+2010+112.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyirh9FWOB9v4CoTBE5VJUDwMV1xm8feXi8fxsLL0znvHzs70cZUZ36sSHNKzONTMZQ0uEzc6_s_sddRmbOUISK0hwUq4IzhBCJ8ZstRzky6ccRFXcnqTOGmab9HFg8C_Da1_CBiUTn9Wv/s200/Copy+of+Epic+weekend+away+-+September+2010+112.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517603677967936082" /></a><br />Karen with her Birthday Cupcakes - she is unscrabbling the conundrum "DRINK THY PAPAYA HERB" - HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAREN<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqNJS8DNEr8oWVvwGcVMuA1orS2vo-GIIwdYP4qAb3-eyjq4Ww2oZNBwiRaXCGUw_go0CC8s4JDgGKK_2G4b8BK1OFl6VCdWmnKlpIGtvivMgFmR6cXgbwYF8ot3P6WZIog_t2t4nh6DL/s1600/Epic+weekend+away+-+September+2010+099.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqNJS8DNEr8oWVvwGcVMuA1orS2vo-GIIwdYP4qAb3-eyjq4Ww2oZNBwiRaXCGUw_go0CC8s4JDgGKK_2G4b8BK1OFl6VCdWmnKlpIGtvivMgFmR6cXgbwYF8ot3P6WZIog_t2t4nh6DL/s200/Epic+weekend+away+-+September+2010+099.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517603670327350610" /></a><br />Fun on the beach - the waves were HUGE, we nearly died!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh59YXONqPX8EdPT3IF5jKXUY183MqQ7gdtSoq_fKyw-aP6ieATzhh4L3fgURuOqSXl21edGJ5GJVN0OhL3FzjegtQCw_32tIpg1Qxv4ashy29-5GYK_N6j8RxOSkKFAD9SKsuL36ASkrIU/s1600/Epic+weekend+away+-+September+2010+148.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh59YXONqPX8EdPT3IF5jKXUY183MqQ7gdtSoq_fKyw-aP6ieATzhh4L3fgURuOqSXl21edGJ5GJVN0OhL3FzjegtQCw_32tIpg1Qxv4ashy29-5GYK_N6j8RxOSkKFAD9SKsuL36ASkrIU/s200/Epic+weekend+away+-+September+2010+148.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517607526460742322" /></a><br />Karl marking out our Ultimate Frisbee court :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2KeWrbVY5PCJ1EJCWl_TubgvTWhoKlSlFDaXY720kPe_fiAs9ZbyG9ttpxES4lC-sXLiOsGPzSojD7NrGmPv4TXw59iwhlnrtrZnlhGRaoLXHibT-obPyp9IwfovhWW9rM8YqptWkPPA/s1600/Epic+weekend+away+-+September+2010+173.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2KeWrbVY5PCJ1EJCWl_TubgvTWhoKlSlFDaXY720kPe_fiAs9ZbyG9ttpxES4lC-sXLiOsGPzSojD7NrGmPv4TXw59iwhlnrtrZnlhGRaoLXHibT-obPyp9IwfovhWW9rM8YqptWkPPA/s200/Epic+weekend+away+-+September+2010+173.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517607531296036562" /></a><br />A hard ride back...<br /><br /><br />Since then me and Laura have gone on some great runs and rides :) On the note of exercise, I am proud to announce that our Wednesday running club has expanded! It is now 5 people strong, sometimes 6, and it's so nice to start off the middle of the week with a bang! On another exercise note, earlier this month I sort of impulsively decided to run White Clay - a 21km race over the hills around this area... it's VERY hilly, but it was so much fun! I was so lucky to have Lisa, Megan, Marlie, Shannon and Jess driving along encouraging me at every possible opportunity! They made a huge sign saying "Go JT" and stuck it on the back of their car, so by the end of the race I was pretty famous! Haha :) <br /><br />I have been learning so much work-wise this past month. Despite the strike looming again and again Zithulele has continued to function (although somewhat stretched). This week I went to Mqhele Clinic. It's about 45-60 min away and is serviced by the therapy department in a neighbouring hospital, Madwaleni. They only have one physio though, so she is incredibly stretched, so I went to her clinic instead to help off-load her a bit, and it was great - it was refreshing to work with different therapists (even though I really enjoy my collegues)and see different patients! I have also gone on some fun home visits and outings, including one today. I drove a huge 4x4 bakkie over what can only be described as multiple goat paths :) It was fun, yip. <br /><br />So, in summary, as I am sitting at the table in someone elses house, with Jess skyping in the room next door (we are house-sitting for Bernard and Sarah), and people constantly popping in and out to say HI or borrow margarine, I have realised again that despite the challenges and sometimes loneliness, I am continuing to learn a lot, laugh a lot, and grow a lot... I feel so lucky to be here at this time... GOD IS SOOOOOO GOOD! <br /><br />To my Christian buddies: God has blessed me. He has provided me with amazing friendships and opportunities to speak with and learn from people. Cell group is so big now that it has split into 2, and it's been great! Laura and I have been forming a close friendship, we are trying to meet once a week during lunch time to have "Bible time" together. Asanda has also gotten a group of young singles who work at ARV Clinic together (4 or so) who are interested in doing bible studies, so we have started a bible talk on Tuesdays during lunch times... God continues to show me that He cares about Zithuele a whole lot, please keep this incredible hospital in your prayers!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifahJEGQnCJzGFkdS1he0iQveCBh3e9kVyVRUSZqDBGaROpOtCvmdSw-Mz2H8cZhgIeoap8EjDPINb-MHIcGXGuTniY4oVvjCzwwzOJS4XD19r0vWeuqsclzucwydTQX8a8g285wopdZVz/s1600/Epic+weekend+away+-+September+2010+175.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifahJEGQnCJzGFkdS1he0iQveCBh3e9kVyVRUSZqDBGaROpOtCvmdSw-Mz2H8cZhgIeoap8EjDPINb-MHIcGXGuTniY4oVvjCzwwzOJS4XD19r0vWeuqsclzucwydTQX8a8g285wopdZVz/s200/Epic+weekend+away+-+September+2010+175.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517607534561856130" /></a>Jess Trolliphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08056612464302704252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5214873835612577291.post-59263349351604240232010-07-20T04:03:00.000-07:002010-07-20T06:20:14.344-07:00June and all the adventures that went along with it!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhneANHpk-eRYY0Wy9R2xy1QXn5AAaWQQDZJw8aTIAI_siof0syddjObeHjW760xa0qxHz4V1Oyp1Q_OkKoWw5JqSmmeVjfny4ud62rJVAnff58KG2Ud9Z_jFAOMH4EcODqnyYsH3hGThf4/s1600/100_5792.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhneANHpk-eRYY0Wy9R2xy1QXn5AAaWQQDZJw8aTIAI_siof0syddjObeHjW760xa0qxHz4V1Oyp1Q_OkKoWw5JqSmmeVjfny4ud62rJVAnff58KG2Ud9Z_jFAOMH4EcODqnyYsH3hGThf4/s200/100_5792.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495952162089126722" /></a><br />This entry is dedicated to my OT friend Lisa - your sarcasm towards my previous "blog entry" has been my inspiration to write this PROPER one!<br /><br />So, i'm sitting on my bed with an empty coffee cup next to me, listening to the Parlotones... I'm supposed to be at work today, but my Sinuses have been quite blocked up lately and after 5 consecutive days of headaches under my belt, I decided it was time to take some time off to recover. Although, I had organised a wheelchair basketball practise for today, so I ran that for about an hour or so earlier, and after many collisions and falls, bloodspills and near foot amputations, I am back in my room, thinking in hindsight that perhaps I need to invest in a Medical Aid Kit for my players!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6D-Yokb5U1G-mM6no5DOqWTY0xtI1kLMzJRUj6Asg6caDJIJbrJ6kshognrdFtXDZNK5qL0D-XRqCkzbk9HtuM_pYXE0bllU9gm85cEB_X3yL9715ouk4B5HM1Do57A_0gDmU87Nei_rJ/s1600/100_5763.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6D-Yokb5U1G-mM6no5DOqWTY0xtI1kLMzJRUj6Asg6caDJIJbrJ6kshognrdFtXDZNK5qL0D-XRqCkzbk9HtuM_pYXE0bllU9gm85cEB_X3yL9715ouk4B5HM1Do57A_0gDmU87Nei_rJ/s200/100_5763.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495952154063566562" /></a><br /><br />It has been quite some time since I last blogged, although this is becoming my usual trend. It's funny, when I first got here nearly 7 months ago I thought I would have ample time to blog... In fact, I thought I would have too much time on my hands! I now see that I was wrong, very wrong. It's amazing how busy you can be out in the bush! There are so many movie nights, suppers, frisbee games and bible meetings to attend, I feel like I need an 8th day of the week to recover. No, actually, it is perfect :) As I reflect back on this year, I actually can't think of a better community service placement for me... Admittedly, I have days when I crave the comforts of a city - going to watch a movie at the cinema, walking to Spar to buy a desperately-needed chocolate, driving to the gym for a easy work-out, going for a relaxing stroll down the road without being looked at strangely or attacked by rabit canines! But all in all, sitting on the steps this morning I was reminded again that it is SO worth it... To look over the beautiful hills, to see the people working their land, to hear the birds singing, the sheep "bleh"ing (Ummm, if that's what sheep do), to hear the constant hum of the construction vehicles uprooting the old road and replacing it with a new tar road and the promise of something better... To see the blue-roofed schools, the newly thatched huts and to watch as life continues here, I have realised time and time again what a priveledge it is to work in the Transkei, to be allowed into these peoples lives and onto this land.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMh0uv0Tu_XmNZUKVba0UJm8oEKMD6vjrHCBKu4yw5dpoCtU-zeEpkOIfAzgVx1tBOufQ6s3yRJ-pszPFBykrWuAkSUgr8C53EClu58Se1DT-P4QjmCjasTXi26GghBgsrs2ED0ArkmSj-/s1600/100_5760.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMh0uv0Tu_XmNZUKVba0UJm8oEKMD6vjrHCBKu4yw5dpoCtU-zeEpkOIfAzgVx1tBOufQ6s3yRJ-pszPFBykrWuAkSUgr8C53EClu58Se1DT-P4QjmCjasTXi26GghBgsrs2ED0ArkmSj-/s200/100_5760.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495952140526584210" /></a><br /><br />Anyway, enough of that! It has been a busy last 2 months, there have been some soaring highs and terrible lows... But I'll just touch on a few highs for today :)<br /><br />BROOKE AND LINDS CAME TO VISIT<br />A friend from the States, Brooke, came across to SA for the World Cup. She has come to SA a few times before, including about 6 months in Cape Town to study. She and Linds know eachother from Cape Town, so they came to visit and we had a great time hiking to Coffee Bay! It seems like that's my favourite pass-time when friends visit :) It was great to be out on the hills again! We stayed at a backpackers in Coffee Bay, Coffee Shack, and then headed off to Durban the next morning. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtql9Cgfru4GD6RwSsJNAPINYHO_1rNszrE7MuuUFP1dD-rBcMymIQ-nuLtomhEC6JxboSLEEZgMVKt1FKBPxK7JU4_o4DNZG25_gFV-y_yplQ4FWXqrwVnKydKKOdjjeoFfsVI38AefV7/s1600/100_5788.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtql9Cgfru4GD6RwSsJNAPINYHO_1rNszrE7MuuUFP1dD-rBcMymIQ-nuLtomhEC6JxboSLEEZgMVKt1FKBPxK7JU4_o4DNZG25_gFV-y_yplQ4FWXqrwVnKydKKOdjjeoFfsVI38AefV7/s200/100_5788.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495957396365902290" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkJ_CXn89HNiIK7BIuIkZPkrCX5JfaxVxju5C8Sx6_miFmhyykUw4BtzvsytWQWsHSiJk_38HyqZ6EAPWTLdMJTf7l52NlUtd4iUa0llCZewDO9Sh4YQRjI-PPWDvlb8uFkbI6C82ZfHo/s1600/100_5786.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkJ_CXn89HNiIK7BIuIkZPkrCX5JfaxVxju5C8Sx6_miFmhyykUw4BtzvsytWQWsHSiJk_38HyqZ6EAPWTLdMJTf7l52NlUtd4iUa0llCZewDO9Sh4YQRjI-PPWDvlb8uFkbI6C82ZfHo/s200/100_5786.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495975265031774034" /></a><br />We braved the water to get across the path at high tide :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWMG39K7S7fp3LNs36oeh74g4cpK6GtMwMHE9MtbgDCVJgo90GlgD4RCZYxeYJS5Rugg-VK_O38NxdlMeHVbzZz7TJTSipvbp8IvRbYXzfZd832eyIXJJNf830ELwaxf9az6DD2aSk5ax/s1600/100_5770.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWMG39K7S7fp3LNs36oeh74g4cpK6GtMwMHE9MtbgDCVJgo90GlgD4RCZYxeYJS5Rugg-VK_O38NxdlMeHVbzZz7TJTSipvbp8IvRbYXzfZd832eyIXJJNf830ELwaxf9az6DD2aSk5ax/s200/100_5770.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495957382835433714" /></a><br />Me, Linds and Brooke hiking through the little forest just after Hole in the Wall<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDFRKnCXfiIh13wRLNy5X5gfuumQvnVZ-JPN0Mr8xjZW05vbJ_XdkwcnltaOo8-8U0BnhhN6bO9ZAHaIZDCIyzKYZ9qKfWH1mLJM7lYz26fCxt_cdESFD7aww0GRuHknqQFSt5ZC4VDpo9/s1600/100_5797.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDFRKnCXfiIh13wRLNy5X5gfuumQvnVZ-JPN0Mr8xjZW05vbJ_XdkwcnltaOo8-8U0BnhhN6bO9ZAHaIZDCIyzKYZ9qKfWH1mLJM7lYz26fCxt_cdESFD7aww0GRuHknqQFSt5ZC4VDpo9/s200/100_5797.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495975267664064354" /></a><br />Me, Linds and Brooke somewhere between Zithulele and Coffee Bay!<br /><br />On the way to Durban we saw snow!!! It was amazing, so cold outside. At one stage the temperature gauge read 0.5 degrees! At that point, I rolled down my window and drove with my arm stuck out, I love the icy bite of really cold weather, it makes everything seem so fresh and alive! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9xZy7YSaUgmmX7bGSqhUsq3_zrd-5BhdTZBny7FiEQx2EnxLW3hwEYMqz_buZj8J95F-HsvMRQTW4Wv93-1ZRGPXNCI86izJtXSm1aY1STfcBNLmLblU9y-QZ7Nn68KUA1K_c0PFZX5jM/s1600/World+Cup+fever,+Durban+057.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9xZy7YSaUgmmX7bGSqhUsq3_zrd-5BhdTZBny7FiEQx2EnxLW3hwEYMqz_buZj8J95F-HsvMRQTW4Wv93-1ZRGPXNCI86izJtXSm1aY1STfcBNLmLblU9y-QZ7Nn68KUA1K_c0PFZX5jM/s200/World+Cup+fever,+Durban+057.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495957403317631298" /></a><br />SNOOOOOOOOOOW!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTz2trpmkBzWDj-3-12hcjZlW-_uxfTxMbDJNGPtGbzqN2dKKD3qKMDsH4Paafbb5wqBpEPfRAIf_8c4UZwfXpO2ZYzPIhuougtFsyYE1hx1IcHn2xvly5Evsip2Ek6zX3nfoccTZ19RP/s1600/100_5860.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTz2trpmkBzWDj-3-12hcjZlW-_uxfTxMbDJNGPtGbzqN2dKKD3qKMDsH4Paafbb5wqBpEPfRAIf_8c4UZwfXpO2ZYzPIhuougtFsyYE1hx1IcHn2xvly5Evsip2Ek6zX3nfoccTZ19RP/s200/100_5860.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495957378511687778" /></a><br />Our putt-putt team: Panda, Carrot Top, Pun Intended and Myself; Bushwacked.<br /><br />BROOKE, LINDS AND I IN DURBAN<br />Me and Linds have a habit of not planning trips very well. We headed off to Durban not knowing where we were going to stay, or how long we were going to stay for, and not having World Cup ticket but convinced that we were going to attend a game! So, to cut a long story short... God is good. We stayed with a great single from our Durban Church, and then with a family Brooke is friends with and whom we had just met. AND we ended up watching a game live - Spain versus Switzerland! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdEMKN05-kshnPAqVfv2G4SglcRe5HM8dCmOO9_h3PT0xVEaZL3IR8t5LLi8moGgVRGTfa9EczSnv9E8mMf6Bjes9CWMN1O2-C_q8vQDQrMEaMAyDhAPvA07ePheP6j4kU5gzKPqkZKva/s1600/World+Cup+fever,+Durban+131.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdEMKN05-kshnPAqVfv2G4SglcRe5HM8dCmOO9_h3PT0xVEaZL3IR8t5LLi8moGgVRGTfa9EczSnv9E8mMf6Bjes9CWMN1O2-C_q8vQDQrMEaMAyDhAPvA07ePheP6j4kU5gzKPqkZKva/s200/World+Cup+fever,+Durban+131.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495962563489729266" /></a> The Durban Stadium<br /><br />It was a real adventure... spending a day waiting in the ticket line, paying an arm and a leg, each, making new friends, wandering around the beachfront amongst the stampede of tourists. By the time we got to the game I was so tired and, possibly suffering from heatstroke, ended up not paying all that much attention during the game, but it was a great experience! That, coupled with driving around searching for laundromats, walking around Shaka Marina not sure if or where we were supposed to pay, being homeless for the last night (until some Saints took us in), playing extreme indoor golf, and strolling on the beach... it was a great trip :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo99fmFK2-OtPvfaW9KrcHXnCCs6Suj1mWa-nrMNHMFjyyY6agSLUmDTk5Ohb1sgFxypBdRBF4Yz9OGAloplsCoAQ6erJXRaODq013HpWV4ngMIQUsXJtYChqFXH0j984776tww4brXYN6/s1600/World+Cup+fever,+Durban+138.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo99fmFK2-OtPvfaW9KrcHXnCCs6Suj1mWa-nrMNHMFjyyY6agSLUmDTk5Ohb1sgFxypBdRBF4Yz9OGAloplsCoAQ6erJXRaODq013HpWV4ngMIQUsXJtYChqFXH0j984776tww4brXYN6/s200/World+Cup+fever,+Durban+138.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495962559126448994" /></a> <br />Me and Linds in our BOX SEATS at the game, Spain vs Switzerland<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-7bgSEkNWYoJyW-M3acG-g9FCEv7vhKMWRcL7ItmG_BbJLWYbgJohU2Fg3OFWObwZlKMMC0wFdtW1-LXhUZXWyIcUJdILkbnBJEsjYLQaJp6pMPId3M3EwjEA7TgtrgiiXeGdMYI4-_k/s1600/World+Cup+fever,+Durban+117.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-7bgSEkNWYoJyW-M3acG-g9FCEv7vhKMWRcL7ItmG_BbJLWYbgJohU2Fg3OFWObwZlKMMC0wFdtW1-LXhUZXWyIcUJdILkbnBJEsjYLQaJp6pMPId3M3EwjEA7TgtrgiiXeGdMYI4-_k/s200/World+Cup+fever,+Durban+117.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495962544813308418" /></a><br />Durban World Cup fever baby!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7itkGasgXVvUDtsMyVlbndo1qQZ4NpHyuGqZw6T-H0WUm876RALobQisduf26jm-Z0Vb8lcHhfQSgqf-oHMnXgIm-RSynSntyCi2uCfFv2xe1VerEGn9dfLbYYrowbtM3LhQxL-Up8n2/s1600/World+Cup+fever,+Durban+102.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7itkGasgXVvUDtsMyVlbndo1qQZ4NpHyuGqZw6T-H0WUm876RALobQisduf26jm-Z0Vb8lcHhfQSgqf-oHMnXgIm-RSynSntyCi2uCfFv2xe1VerEGn9dfLbYYrowbtM3LhQxL-Up8n2/s200/World+Cup+fever,+Durban+102.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495962538935856578" /></a><br />I got to drive in a kewl sand car! There were some amazing sand sculptures on the beach - including stadiums, the big 5 and to Lindsays excitement, a horse!<br /><br />NEARLY EATEN BY A TARANTULA<br />Again, God is so good. I wasn't eaten... but i could have been! Here's how it went down: I was in bed, lights off, drifting to sleep when I turned over and noticed a big dark shadow on my ceiling. I thought to myself "Gee, I don't remember seeing that big moth on my roof". I got up, turned on my life, and froze in terror. Now, those of you who know me, know that I'm not a fan of spiders, in fact, it's safe to say that I have a bit of a phobia. Luckily, I had Jess. I went and knocked on her door, yes, at 10pm (which is well past Zithulele-midnight), and she came to help me remove the 8-legged murderer. When she saw it, she was quite stressed out too. So there we were, the 2 comm serve Jesses, staring at this hairy tresspasser in horror, wondering how we could make it dissappear. Here's a hint... hitting the roof next to it, throwing a tennis ball at it, shouting at it, turning of the light and trying lead it out with a line of torch-light, and blowing a fan directly onto it DO NOT WORK! But, in a moment of ingenius and once our laughing had subsided enough, we built a spider catcher using a broom stick, plastic container and knife. Jess trapped the spider, and dragged in along the ceiling towards the door, she was a real trooper. Unfortunately we hadn't figured out how we were actually going to get it out the door yet. So we took turns shakily holding the trap to the ceiling with Maximus (an appropriate name I feel like)crawling around inside the container frantically. After what felt like an eternity and me telling Jess that my arms were getting really sore, Jess bravely lowered the trap and rushed outside into the corridor, both of us hoping that Maximus would stay calm and in the bowl like a good spider. He did. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYf6yHFQjY25s29D86fihw_LXfZ4Y-9nl-Z9xz6bchIzH27ywducLoTN5Vmt7MftRDPDsFkq4U4Vd4MdyzVAY7bBRvgZ6-BL-RD_NnFtkUTtiowz9IVzglI-EgKJnJjZNlbIWg00Px_GJV/s1600/World+Cup+fever,+Durban+216.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYf6yHFQjY25s29D86fihw_LXfZ4Y-9nl-Z9xz6bchIzH27ywducLoTN5Vmt7MftRDPDsFkq4U4Vd4MdyzVAY7bBRvgZ6-BL-RD_NnFtkUTtiowz9IVzglI-EgKJnJjZNlbIWg00Px_GJV/s200/World+Cup+fever,+Durban+216.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495963469271167906" /></a> <br />Jess, using her impecable dexterity and courage to trap Maximus<br /><br />At that point we didn't know what type of spider he was, I just knew that he definately looked poisonous and I didn't want him coming back into my room! I apologise to all the spider-lovers out there, but we decided to, like Hitler, take the safe and cowardly way forward... we gassed Maximus. He died. The next day we found out that he was in fact a Baboon Spider, and not the poisonous one - only the small Baboon Spider is poisonous - but I don't have any regrets! And so, that is the story of my very terrifying encounter with The Arachnid... I have come a long way since running away from little pinky-nail sized jumping spiders in Cape Town.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgai7wBvIsH4y1cAI9zO4DpQ-vgh_JUVinGo77u08dJPwdrv4tEoe5ZICmS5y1Yoi6bqRddXmLCQzqFcx7bO-IbHR4AD0q8j2igk_EA4TJgQNP5-r0Jm7n3W77UIzFSD_24VXHL0TzzM9EW/s1600/World+Cup+fever,+Durban+220.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgai7wBvIsH4y1cAI9zO4DpQ-vgh_JUVinGo77u08dJPwdrv4tEoe5ZICmS5y1Yoi6bqRddXmLCQzqFcx7bO-IbHR4AD0q8j2igk_EA4TJgQNP5-r0Jm7n3W77UIzFSD_24VXHL0TzzM9EW/s200/World+Cup+fever,+Durban+220.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495963465523174050" /></a> Maximus.<br /><br />To my Christian Buddies<br />God has been fruitful at Zithulele! A friend from the hospital, Asanda, got baptised this weekend :) She is a great girl, she has such a pure and child-like heart, and she is reaching out to her collegues in amazing ways... We have started studying with another guy here, and are hoping to start a bible talk during lunch time with at least 2 other girls here. There are so many open hearts, please pray that God continues to use Asanda as he is doing, and that he continues to grow and strengthen me, giving me wisdom in approaching people. And that He continues to expand his Kingdom out here!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHbYGJHVKm7hSRdEDZIjeyeFOLjlTDIHwJ7_6cKk83jBBQs-TCSxIMTilOF2Z2QGHgU3JyM3FPoguQajiy-m1fD6WXB4VjneaS7BWpWW1Mw037xEsF-0zsXRz4c9XDpkcEeVVy6Vjh5q3/s1600/100_5759.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHbYGJHVKm7hSRdEDZIjeyeFOLjlTDIHwJ7_6cKk83jBBQs-TCSxIMTilOF2Z2QGHgU3JyM3FPoguQajiy-m1fD6WXB4VjneaS7BWpWW1Mw037xEsF-0zsXRz4c9XDpkcEeVVy6Vjh5q3/s200/100_5759.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495957388872646466" /></a><br />A friendly reminder :)Jess Trolliphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08056612464302704252noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5214873835612577291.post-79462392660421301212010-07-13T10:37:00.000-07:002010-07-13T10:49:40.122-07:00Hmmm, I know you are all waiting expectantly in your millions for my next blog entry... To hear about my near death experience with a Tarantula and my World Cup Fever! I just wanted to let you know that I AM PLANNING on blogging by the end of this week, I'm sorry, I must make it more of a priority I know, but so long, please be patient with me :) Have a great week further!Jess Trolliphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08056612464302704252noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5214873835612577291.post-27397484179993808522010-05-18T05:57:00.000-07:002010-05-18T07:11:03.572-07:00Coastal Adventures!<em>This blog is dedicated to my friend Kayleigh, who for the past 2 weeks has given me many dissaproving looks and muttered under her breath "Still nothing happening on the Blog front, Jess".. guilt has won over!</em><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4w9hvCOxRz76TpuRv32dLcBap5Fks1eUJOPbvE8YoDoUkqpnfGWB63mbVb1iWpb5BlZhGCfwcruzRZmtX2ji1cKl-CrE_uLWoadXlgUn5Hlz18ugwh63dr8jndpAd6zn5vs3IhSlpAv2/s1600/Transkei+work,+pizza,+Dwesa+holiday+194.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4w9hvCOxRz76TpuRv32dLcBap5Fks1eUJOPbvE8YoDoUkqpnfGWB63mbVb1iWpb5BlZhGCfwcruzRZmtX2ji1cKl-CrE_uLWoadXlgUn5Hlz18ugwh63dr8jndpAd6zn5vs3IhSlpAv2/s200/Transkei+work,+pizza,+Dwesa+holiday+194.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472608422818167522" /></a><br /><br />So it's been an exciting past few weeks :) Since I last blogged I have managed to swing a trip to East London and home (AGAIN) for a long weekend... That was really fun! Linds, Ken and I managed to meet with the Traditional Leaders of the East London area about working with them in the future, which was a great networking opportunity and experience. A friend from here, Asanda, came with to PE, and we went to a movie - which she has never done before. It's crazy how much us "city bred" kids take for granted. We watched Alice in Wonderland... it was such a fun movie to see with her - all colourful and exciting! Since then we have regularly and publically been calling eachother "fat boy" and "Queeny" :)<br /><br />Last week a whole group of us from the hospital went to Coffee Bay for pizza at the local restuarant - Papazelas... we were a huge group! Well, about 17, which is big considering, hehe. The pizza was good and the company was great... I travelled with Shannon, Mhla, Asanda and Kayleigh, and we had a good time in the car taking pictures and singing (this is why I don't need alcohol), it was fun! The pizza evening sort of served as a "farewell" party for 2 British Students who had come down for 4 weeks to do their medical electives - Sarabi and Priya. We seem to have a quick turn-over of visiting staff here. In 2 weeks Megan and Joff (the doctor / physio couple who arrived a few weeks after me) will be leaving. But we should soon be joined by another couple and more students! Oh, speaking of work, we have a new pharmacist, which is really great for the Hospital, considering we haven't had one for about 3 months. And more great news... We have our Mobile Clinic back! So the therapy department is back doing clinic outreach - I went to Mapuzi Clinic to treat patients just yesterday in fact :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqH6-2JRPYFTIBsXthV6C7RylnJAiEwBzB6h8qY08sQgKGMHZK3d8fvG4zsqAYVcWESFxLBPbcLB1KdVqQf9v6AJaFp_xlNAPiWvGc1M7AMKuK_xgElgRq6YmwTdVCDiMX7xVeE5i7fBna/s1600/Transkei+work,+pizza,+Dwesa+holiday+029.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqH6-2JRPYFTIBsXthV6C7RylnJAiEwBzB6h8qY08sQgKGMHZK3d8fvG4zsqAYVcWESFxLBPbcLB1KdVqQf9v6AJaFp_xlNAPiWvGc1M7AMKuK_xgElgRq6YmwTdVCDiMX7xVeE5i7fBna/s200/Transkei+work,+pizza,+Dwesa+holiday+029.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472596716267692690" /></a><br />Kayleigh, Asanda and I in the car to Papazelas... before I started feeling car sick!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMOX92ngAerQIHlwzOk-STP-rVVBXXw9IGvKFWSD2Zz_oF8Eav5ynAbC_39TChjlMIk7o8FMlb1DQmFbpf-nulP4tnNXLkmRi8z8BTtwDRGvC2jaa4QrVAekEZ1ikGEacVd9w1O1URgfgO/s1600/Transkei+work,+pizza,+Dwesa+holiday+034.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMOX92ngAerQIHlwzOk-STP-rVVBXXw9IGvKFWSD2Zz_oF8Eav5ynAbC_39TChjlMIk7o8FMlb1DQmFbpf-nulP4tnNXLkmRi8z8BTtwDRGvC2jaa4QrVAekEZ1ikGEacVd9w1O1URgfgO/s200/Transkei+work,+pizza,+Dwesa+holiday+034.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472596718354133538" /></a><br />Some of the staff at the pizza evening... Priya, Me, Bernard (Dr), Sarah, Jess S (OT), Shannon (OT), Megan (OT).<br /><br />This past weekend was really great! Linds, Byron, Kuda and Nyasha decided to come visit my side of the world for the weekend seeing as Nyasha is heading off to Brazil. It was a long drive to come for the weekend (from PE), so I was very grateful. Jean and Don very generously let is use their holiday house, which is about 2 hours from my hospital and in a game reserve called Dwesa. What a great time we had! Getting there was quite eventful... wrong turns and poor cellphone reception make for a poor combo. We eventually got there on Friday after dark, and found that we couldn't start the generator, so we were without light or running water that evening. A lady who works there, Elsie, was incredibly helpful and showed us where everything was and prepared our beds etc :) Saturday was cold and rainy but it was great weather to just relax. We sat on the veranda, chatted, read, and just generally relaxed. Me and Linds went exploring for a bit too, which is always fun! The Lamberts have a beautiful spot on the coast. That evening us girls made a very nice candle-light dinner for us and the boys (and ate some very good home made bread thanks to Elsie), and just relaxed more otherwise. By this time we had both water and electricity, but the water was cold, so we still elected to boil water and bath out of a big bucket! Sunday morning me, Linds and Nyash woke up early to watch a beautiful sunrise, and after more relaxing we headed back to the hospital for a braai! On the way back my car got a flat tyre - it only took me 4 months hehe! The boys did a great job changing it, and then we were off again! As we were driving I realised again what a beautiful part of the country I live in and how lucky I am... God is so good. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEcfiK1HidAFRfe1DU0sFLTP9hAp7_e2SX1bRnaQ5MQwbnslSSqZDXJxHFt1gLcYb2AUUXDnIbray0-QmHnyWwkjWuEpePNRKYP8nZqs46nriO57qdIFI3ItkqyxX7fLCpcYalyuDYx_sx/s1600/Transkei+work,+pizza,+Dwesa+holiday+083.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEcfiK1HidAFRfe1DU0sFLTP9hAp7_e2SX1bRnaQ5MQwbnslSSqZDXJxHFt1gLcYb2AUUXDnIbray0-QmHnyWwkjWuEpePNRKYP8nZqs46nriO57qdIFI3ItkqyxX7fLCpcYalyuDYx_sx/s200/Transkei+work,+pizza,+Dwesa+holiday+083.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472608415287999346" /></a><br />Just chilling on the veranda, watching the kids play, the cows walk past and listening to the waves. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAUUVAH3hJMh6XBRmjc65JjDoiJd_BOBaCK_h2jFsSvW7sYhFWfWkLGZAe3J1qiZiUA2BfKDcPoFjccSlF5MTonSVHxI8P4_s-NZeS8v9fwT0Po-G9x0iwh3sO1Ex4wIFgYEhBpaSS9N4M/s1600/Transkei+work,+pizza,+Dwesa+holiday+066.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAUUVAH3hJMh6XBRmjc65JjDoiJd_BOBaCK_h2jFsSvW7sYhFWfWkLGZAe3J1qiZiUA2BfKDcPoFjccSlF5MTonSVHxI8P4_s-NZeS8v9fwT0Po-G9x0iwh3sO1Ex4wIFgYEhBpaSS9N4M/s200/Transkei+work,+pizza,+Dwesa+holiday+066.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472596729392116434" /></a><br />Linds feeling right at home with her beefy companions... on the beach!?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPa-ttSyh4LmU8qw_E84RxcNj-m6DWSRgp9xjm1mTojQDPSsV-gDp3POoFhHNimR-7tUkaQSEez7-MmoWr13KlWX7fPT0WTUY0kcpIXAGHzZRwqcb8vDW-58h9Jgbg9QfExbdkiX1ttRO-/s1600/Transkei+work,+pizza,+Dwesa+holiday+120.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPa-ttSyh4LmU8qw_E84RxcNj-m6DWSRgp9xjm1mTojQDPSsV-gDp3POoFhHNimR-7tUkaQSEez7-MmoWr13KlWX7fPT0WTUY0kcpIXAGHzZRwqcb8vDW-58h9Jgbg9QfExbdkiX1ttRO-/s200/Transkei+work,+pizza,+Dwesa+holiday+120.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472596733018172978" /></a><br />Our lovely little dinner - mood lighting was ruined by a very strong flash.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwy0ZEc-qAcFgGBpI1DBA7J92yZvKpghFtAcjh4odeVgmziyfehc9ybaamMJ1XgSQPIi7tiFDPhPe0o1_T6fK82tEdxFTMEimsTKXTnmLfUIVOj4bKE3CRoIUaHGGnmUwj2M73J0oyu5a/s1600/Transkei+work,+pizza,+Dwesa+holiday+135.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwy0ZEc-qAcFgGBpI1DBA7J92yZvKpghFtAcjh4odeVgmziyfehc9ybaamMJ1XgSQPIi7tiFDPhPe0o1_T6fK82tEdxFTMEimsTKXTnmLfUIVOj4bKE3CRoIUaHGGnmUwj2M73J0oyu5a/s200/Transkei+work,+pizza,+Dwesa+holiday+135.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472596741763626338" /></a><br />We watched a beautiful sunrise over a very powerful sea!<br /><br />Anyway, so that has been the past month in a nutshell; minus the Ultimate Frisbee mishaps, Scottish dancing evening, home visit wanderings and Body school laughs :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKomZrLkEWuKGABu2v9W5CDn4K04O6-JQ6TkEvsvsXgkKUrVYtIeWvBD-XNlrKqwdKj30cIjKijonZCOoJFcEze6sJvTa21DDE5pcrHCms1tM2h3oV57czKGCNyNzX011zQDSXP4xIvPv/s1600/Transkei+work,+pizza,+Dwesa+holiday+197.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKomZrLkEWuKGABu2v9W5CDn4K04O6-JQ6TkEvsvsXgkKUrVYtIeWvBD-XNlrKqwdKj30cIjKijonZCOoJFcEze6sJvTa21DDE5pcrHCms1tM2h3oV57czKGCNyNzX011zQDSXP4xIvPv/s200/Transkei+work,+pizza,+Dwesa+holiday+197.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472608428041405842" /></a><br />It was a hard day at the Mapuzi clinic. Must... have... food...<br /><br />On a quick side note, I have been sick for the past week or so - I have a painful tooth infection and irritating sinus infection - please pray that I am back on top of my game soon! Have a great week... make footprints that matter!Jess Trolliphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08056612464302704252noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5214873835612577291.post-45056094997899148672010-04-13T10:43:00.000-07:002010-04-13T13:06:29.843-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim8c9ptPa-SIZMaPH5T1UMtfOuL0gzBNtRjxWDzwuNMrzU7AShR1jDtsTTKDVXnF0E_mShhd0Hw9bQ5f5gR3LWTmlx5quma7UyYPWPNKisoVU9u3Spwj-hT7ixJWn4xbfff_MXK__FMQ7f/s1600/Transkei+April+-+hike,+holiday+at+home+086.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim8c9ptPa-SIZMaPH5T1UMtfOuL0gzBNtRjxWDzwuNMrzU7AShR1jDtsTTKDVXnF0E_mShhd0Hw9bQ5f5gR3LWTmlx5quma7UyYPWPNKisoVU9u3Spwj-hT7ixJWn4xbfff_MXK__FMQ7f/s200/Transkei+April+-+hike,+holiday+at+home+086.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459704499394748354" /></a><br /><br />Wow, it's 13 April 2010 ALREADY! I'm nearly 1/3 of the way through my Community Service year... it is <em>definately</em> time to blog again! Well, there is no way I'm going to be able to tell all of you about the past 6 weeks, so instead I will mention a few of the high-lights, low-lights, and lessons learnt:<br /><br />THURSDAY 18 March my brother and Lindsay arrived at Zithulele. We stayed at what is called a "Home Stay" (basically a rural B&B) and headed off to hole-in-the-wall and then Margate with Nomfundo and Asanda (my friend here at the hospital studying the Bible)the next day. That weekend we had a singles retreat near Durban with the Durban, PE, Mthatha and Joburg Church of Christ singles, it was so great to see old friends, make some new friends, and enjoy a weekend of good lessons, good fellowship and good competition :) The theme was "3 G - Good to Great with God" and the speakers' really just encouraged us to get to know God and spend time with Him. We had some good time of sharing as well, and it was so nice to hear that we often all struggle with the same things and are therefore not alone in our desire to seek improvement in our relationships with God, so it's was great to brain-storm and offer advice to one another.<br /><br />So the next week 15 - 19 March I was back at work. I had leave planned for the following week so Lindsay stayed with me. It was SO GREAT to have her here! It's really nice to be able to show those you care about back home what life here is like... Linds played Ultimate Frisbee (and got a super nice gaping wound below her knee to prove it), run the hills of my home-turf (and her Asthma nearly killed her - haha, sorry bud), see beautiful Lubanzi beach (and walk along it and play on the rocks with me) and meet all the people I keep speaking about! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWgZpIMQ4DQBY5FtUVPQ6JmnEL9mQVJPshp3q40lADFkOkmFd5w5_4QYY5GRbsST9hK6pp2qpYTDSL2HFxra0r4iXroSP8A6faIh99IjA42kQ2274l3nF8-9wdVSOWEtQmGDvI4TaByFf/s1600/Transkei+April+-+hike,+holiday+at+home+015.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWgZpIMQ4DQBY5FtUVPQ6JmnEL9mQVJPshp3q40lADFkOkmFd5w5_4QYY5GRbsST9hK6pp2qpYTDSL2HFxra0r4iXroSP8A6faIh99IjA42kQ2274l3nF8-9wdVSOWEtQmGDvI4TaByFf/s200/Transkei+April+-+hike,+holiday+at+home+015.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459713464529316962" /></a><br />Lindsays KILLER wound, hardcore! <br /><br />The REAL HIGHLIGHT of that week was the weekend though. After work on Friday me and Linds packed our backpacks, including a few snacks, about R400 and a few changes of clothes and headed off towards the sea, veering left (those were all the directions we needed, apparently)! The plan was to hike to Hole-in-the-Wall and then Coffee Bay, stay over, and hike back the next day. Wow, it was truly a beautiful walk! It also turned out to be extremely eventful... we hiked to Hole-in-the-Wall without any problems (besides the endless array of young up-and-coming entrepreneur kids who fancied themselves tour guides - although they were EXTREMELY helpful, we just couldn't pay them), had a very fun swim in a beautiful gully - it seemed so far removed from civilization we could have skinny dipped for sure! (but we didn't, don't freak out). Anyway, then we got to the Hole-in-the-Wall Hotel around 5:30pm, with an hour of daylight to spare, and thinking Coffee Bay and our already-booked accomodation was just over the hill! I was wrong. Very wrong infact. It turns out that Coffee Bay is a further 3 hour walk. Wow, oops. So, long story, but basically we ended up staying at the Hole-in-the-Wall backpackers which cost R240, eating supper which cost R140 (we did a huge amount of Maths that night to make sure we had enough money to survive the next day), eating breakfast which cost R4 (toast :D), and then headed off to Coffee Bay along a beautiful, serene and untouched coastline. Once there, we dipped our feet into the Coffee Bay beach water, turned around, bought Bar Ones and water for lunch, and headed back to the hospital, with 4 hours of daylight, R12 and an adopted dog, who we lovingly named Finn. It was an incredibly fun adventure, I cannot describe the freedom we felt, hiking up and down those incredibly steep but amazing rolling hills, with nothing but untouched beauty surrounding us and the bags on our back. We could have walked those hills for days.<br /> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFWm42HmMRNi_EHIZ6c16iqLLEdyhzEz0pQoKbpTxwOZPsSScJdBQfCQuYhRUMd2oxcp3eCLZkoH7OUCfoXd-MukrgPAyMaO_emIO4V4M2ou1RgjetQ0iJTbE46PMbdURbzlMqzb93Nop/s1600/Transkei+April+-+hike,+holiday+at+home+016.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFWm42HmMRNi_EHIZ6c16iqLLEdyhzEz0pQoKbpTxwOZPsSScJdBQfCQuYhRUMd2oxcp3eCLZkoH7OUCfoXd-MukrgPAyMaO_emIO4V4M2ou1RgjetQ0iJTbE46PMbdURbzlMqzb93Nop/s200/Transkei+April+-+hike,+holiday+at+home+016.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459704511373629778" /></a><br />Me and our first set of really cute tour-guides, I don't think this bunch asked for any money, just photos :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IxpwbTf7fLrPLzgyJ8EmQ37LZX5G5UrMEmC9-NOS_0zd-m6A4K8PHDGdNVjJ8ZH6_wQ3ZGBgJQZS1KGhivi6KrPgKsOFcAA2OznnspG0a-zk6030bePZAPB3M35_EBw8QS-zqoM-rHwl/s1600/Transkei+April+-+hike,+holiday+at+home+028.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IxpwbTf7fLrPLzgyJ8EmQ37LZX5G5UrMEmC9-NOS_0zd-m6A4K8PHDGdNVjJ8ZH6_wQ3ZGBgJQZS1KGhivi6KrPgKsOFcAA2OznnspG0a-zk6030bePZAPB3M35_EBw8QS-zqoM-rHwl/s200/Transkei+April+-+hike,+holiday+at+home+028.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459704517342816578" /></a><br />Me and Linds, just a downhill away from "Hole-in-the-Wall" beach<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH50LCeNHX-rKislonAtSoY76YChTZG4EcwHqgPyHWmuivsShgjMdSAI33DKWLM2Aa03nFEJNeWpWrUCAWuPJKexS_SZqG_juYSwAxqrgtsuRgQab3Y9ILrjy8s7kVBOnDBX13PY5pHu7-/s1600/Transkei+April+-+hike,+holiday+at+home+053.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH50LCeNHX-rKislonAtSoY76YChTZG4EcwHqgPyHWmuivsShgjMdSAI33DKWLM2Aa03nFEJNeWpWrUCAWuPJKexS_SZqG_juYSwAxqrgtsuRgQab3Y9ILrjy8s7kVBOnDBX13PY5pHu7-/s200/Transkei+April+-+hike,+holiday+at+home+053.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459704531059763890" /></a><br />The view from a VERY windy hill!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-sNV01i86TKSaCiy66Y0CubeR4Q5TsgBsv7_xLAR8Q7oTWzgGpw6JgAMrOUcR2xb3a0PcMpA6bsZByuWCSc9WUiE6N_OknR3thXl9LbxLkttnrLacNlD4-lHgRPHr2MnZjiUBFmp4NtbQ/s1600/Transkei+April+-+hike,+holiday+at+home+131.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-sNV01i86TKSaCiy66Y0CubeR4Q5TsgBsv7_xLAR8Q7oTWzgGpw6JgAMrOUcR2xb3a0PcMpA6bsZByuWCSc9WUiE6N_OknR3thXl9LbxLkttnrLacNlD4-lHgRPHr2MnZjiUBFmp4NtbQ/s200/Transkei+April+-+hike,+holiday+at+home+131.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459704536134013442" /></a><br />We didn't really know where we were supposed to be going... so we just walked and took pretty photos :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6djnI73K1jFCpO4EwdR8rWuYNbg0yRWZpaow90OOPHWddQ-GRCTj-pp0YArUTRjEA-gjJOmGRJXWoLtps40ETpxAcQDSxcQoDHf7a5HTwphhCtaxomkSxr3zJFlDZbjByqcaT593dAhzo/s1600/Transkei+April+-+hike,+holiday+at+home+116.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6djnI73K1jFCpO4EwdR8rWuYNbg0yRWZpaow90OOPHWddQ-GRCTj-pp0YArUTRjEA-gjJOmGRJXWoLtps40ETpxAcQDSxcQoDHf7a5HTwphhCtaxomkSxr3zJFlDZbjByqcaT593dAhzo/s200/Transkei+April+-+hike,+holiday+at+home+116.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459709454956992274" /></a><br />(see comment above)<br /><br />That Sunday we headed off to PE to pop by my family for a week-long "suprise visit" - they were suprised all right! That was a great week, I enjoyed it so much! I got to meet some VERY extended family in Jeffreys Bay from my mom's side - the Worsleys are a really good spirited bunch, I like them a lot :) It also happend to be over the Easter weekend, which means... no, not Easter Eggs... it was the Splash Festival at the beachfront. What a great vibe! One evening me, Linds, Byron, and Ibs headed down to the Pier to watch the fireworks display, then wandered around through all the stalls and concerts, went and ate some pizza and gambled our R12 at the Casino left over from me and Linds' hike... We won R10! But then we gambled that away too. Sigh, I should have listened to the signs, "Winners know when to stop." and we could have bought soft serve ice-cream with our winnings, oh well! All-in-all, it was a really amazing week at home with my family and friend... and as a bonus I got to watch a movie, and crank it in Guitar Hero :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigSDWOfFBUltQZIDQTDLMoxtPYYkpO4QnGcaumBzLx4BrrdOtliuVwAKIgggp9p4NqSl7BitIPc6k631QzfHFfJP5dqEdVoEUSmwH8lfJEFqnkkQlvH_xv9JBL-1ZC5w03anBIN8Rgc080/s1600/Transkei+April+-+hike,+holiday+at+home+148.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigSDWOfFBUltQZIDQTDLMoxtPYYkpO4QnGcaumBzLx4BrrdOtliuVwAKIgggp9p4NqSl7BitIPc6k631QzfHFfJP5dqEdVoEUSmwH8lfJEFqnkkQlvH_xv9JBL-1ZC5w03anBIN8Rgc080/s200/Transkei+April+-+hike,+holiday+at+home+148.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459709465368053746" /></a><br />A great time with my family in J-Bay! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImYeuEAOQQB75t1_vS0bxX3Jnz-niVgC8uVPnT2OjuurzNlhjWBR05fYXWn8R6RgPlBUNryyY4X2vBVZSvh4zqB5bdo4dlSAGI7Qx9GBz4wN18iBxa-KSA2AeNdIgSU3pVzSZ88w5l5oG/s1600/Transkei+April+-+hike,+holiday+at+home+166.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImYeuEAOQQB75t1_vS0bxX3Jnz-niVgC8uVPnT2OjuurzNlhjWBR05fYXWn8R6RgPlBUNryyY4X2vBVZSvh4zqB5bdo4dlSAGI7Qx9GBz4wN18iBxa-KSA2AeNdIgSU3pVzSZ88w5l5oG/s200/Transkei+April+-+hike,+holiday+at+home+166.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459713440794368578" /></a><br />Us down at the Pier just after the fireworks<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqT5rKbqNUYWzgMbv2_pFQWAnBFdqmVWG_k-hLViXcy1W3rIv9GUk0m4JRb4skJ2cew2_Pq1pk2y4xkZ94jd0kMzOVpypDQe4QHdP4pCbGC4gbnBrxWKPjtusFboiBl68frUxZNjoSFo36/s1600/Transkei+April+-+hike,+holiday+at+home+167.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqT5rKbqNUYWzgMbv2_pFQWAnBFdqmVWG_k-hLViXcy1W3rIv9GUk0m4JRb4skJ2cew2_Pq1pk2y4xkZ94jd0kMzOVpypDQe4QHdP4pCbGC4gbnBrxWKPjtusFboiBl68frUxZNjoSFo36/s200/Transkei+April+-+hike,+holiday+at+home+167.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459709472287711394" /></a><br />Ibrahim had drunken too much coffee, I apologise.<br /><br />So this past week I have been back at work. Our usually 7-strong therapy department was down to 2 therapists, me and Shannon, so we had A LOT on our plates! It was great though, I learnt so much and had lots of fun being stretched actually, upon reflection, hehe. I enjoy being busy as it makes a usually-long work day go super fast! Me and Linds went to the Lambert's over the weekend, and it was Linds' Birthday on Friday so we had a great time making and eating cake, watching TV, and chatting to Don and Jean - I am so greatful for their ongoing hospitality! I dropped Linds off at the Bus Stop on Sunday, and headed back to the hospital... sad times.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHYaZux0xyn5ydA8vzlYE_3wF2RNB02GmUn8pufeNPVGRYoxOdJej4dLOg_iXEMeG24TjnJR-YxOgQL2rz8-iqsBvzaQL_BdI0V1cN4UmG-fF91xjBAL6dasE_EZfiju9afzvW7lIqzaX/s1600/Transkei+April+-+hike,+holiday+at+home+185.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHYaZux0xyn5ydA8vzlYE_3wF2RNB02GmUn8pufeNPVGRYoxOdJej4dLOg_iXEMeG24TjnJR-YxOgQL2rz8-iqsBvzaQL_BdI0V1cN4UmG-fF91xjBAL6dasE_EZfiju9afzvW7lIqzaX/s200/Transkei+April+-+hike,+holiday+at+home+185.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459709483951329362" /></a><br />Linds' Birthday Cake, decorated by... ME! yes, I am now open for business.<br /><br />So that's been the last 3 weeks in a nut-shell, it has been a time of great fun, companionship, deep conversations, good laughs, hard work, and growth, and I am so looking forward to the chance to have more adventures and meet more people (old and new)!<br /><br />To my Christian Buddys<br /><br />1 Peter 5:8-10<br />Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. <em>Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. </em><br /><br />I have been thinking about this scripture a bit lately... It is interesting that our resistance to Satans' schemes should come from our knowledge that we are not alone, that other disciples are standing firm too - power in numbers! I am so greatful for all of you and the role you play in my life. It's because of you, that I am able to withstand Satans schemes! We are all spread out across the world, but let's remember this... We all serve ONE GOD, through our Faith in Him we are Unified.<br />Ephesians 4:4-6<br /><em>There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope when you were called — one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.</em><br /><br />JUST A FEW RANDOM PICS:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZC8WitWJsWs5Mwjmyo9gTNNRDb2VwadTlVaSD05HJkwvQjBgKekyjqcjPN6hE8vUXnqFhBzSOsGb6ndLaSXzo18B2HiPuna1H9hvcgTj9epxXjoHU8fnrAiZ1pOz0rjevF0cPlLZdZUH/s1600/Transkei+April+-+hike,+holiday+at+home+179.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZC8WitWJsWs5Mwjmyo9gTNNRDb2VwadTlVaSD05HJkwvQjBgKekyjqcjPN6hE8vUXnqFhBzSOsGb6ndLaSXzo18B2HiPuna1H9hvcgTj9epxXjoHU8fnrAiZ1pOz0rjevF0cPlLZdZUH/s200/Transkei+April+-+hike,+holiday+at+home+179.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459713457651479474" /></a><br />A really pretty "driving-in-the-car-so-let's-keep-busy" photo on the way to Mthatha :)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQv0JQT73wlQ5NaIezFkOOFFjMhXsRZ4Bo5hLduyD3fQMMK0N1L5SQzFY30QxT9Pwp01EVBunSoWgCSXCJV_DIMzrogzYGjwGcV2m7uT5m5CDSQF7RnkswGKB7nqo_5GUaNbnzJLJ_RX6X/s1600/Transkei+April+-+hike,+holiday+at+home+147.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQv0JQT73wlQ5NaIezFkOOFFjMhXsRZ4Bo5hLduyD3fQMMK0N1L5SQzFY30QxT9Pwp01EVBunSoWgCSXCJV_DIMzrogzYGjwGcV2m7uT5m5CDSQF7RnkswGKB7nqo_5GUaNbnzJLJ_RX6X/s200/Transkei+April+-+hike,+holiday+at+home+147.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459713451360395794" /></a><br />The showers on my floor at the hospital accomodation have been taken over twice this past month by bees who come in by the hundreds and then just die... wierd.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJep4TKe942aVYen9N_QvJQ-_AjYs7AKTNxikAcsYBytQWucI3C7JgkVmyg5ws8irivi4b6SwuQJZOqCjNymRc5OICx6AmKcyhqnxKbg_aj4U8NzI99Db5kIfAOw_bqUVQuf6aDEK42mg/s1600/Transkei+April+-+hike,+holiday+at+home+005.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJep4TKe942aVYen9N_QvJQ-_AjYs7AKTNxikAcsYBytQWucI3C7JgkVmyg5ws8irivi4b6SwuQJZOqCjNymRc5OICx6AmKcyhqnxKbg_aj4U8NzI99Db5kIfAOw_bqUVQuf6aDEK42mg/s200/Transkei+April+-+hike,+holiday+at+home+005.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459713445072175682" /></a><br />We cleaned and re-arranged our therapy department in March, clearly Jess was working hard in this picture;)Jess Trolliphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08056612464302704252noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5214873835612577291.post-3950895032212637992010-02-28T11:04:00.000-08:002010-03-04T11:55:04.532-08:00George, Lubanzi, Mountain-biking, and a few odds and ends.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFJPu3-aPQxcntIagZSW57Cg2zpie7tWYl-NFa-9HeAjWMl02H0_lwkUpx8fSHhdQQjbxm02gHlJPuhhoOpAT-L-MUyA9nY7hUxn-KlHOJt9I5A3I3ifQYx1jytf-ZlplweGhl0HGNyC3f/s1600-h/Church,+beach,+CT+visit+084.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFJPu3-aPQxcntIagZSW57Cg2zpie7tWYl-NFa-9HeAjWMl02H0_lwkUpx8fSHhdQQjbxm02gHlJPuhhoOpAT-L-MUyA9nY7hUxn-KlHOJt9I5A3I3ifQYx1jytf-ZlplweGhl0HGNyC3f/s200/Church,+beach,+CT+visit+084.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444861749154454226" /></a><br /><br />NOTICE: This blog entry is Courtesy of my mom, because she guilted me into blogging! Hehe. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-qce40uQddwaXwpvINU8C85_w5fWBvUqvPqSAhFPzY4-n4PIeSAnpzCs_JIiyBOgEVdDX0WvveBIhPdvbnRkrJ1biMt0uPxxCSWKQSHhXMLJyA6s4Ol-11NyiOEz7MeYXr904bEAX5t7/s1600-h/Church,+beach,+CT+visit+034.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-qce40uQddwaXwpvINU8C85_w5fWBvUqvPqSAhFPzY4-n4PIeSAnpzCs_JIiyBOgEVdDX0WvveBIhPdvbnRkrJ1biMt0uPxxCSWKQSHhXMLJyA6s4Ol-11NyiOEz7MeYXr904bEAX5t7/s200/Church,+beach,+CT+visit+034.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444862852545208114" /></a><br /><br />2000km, driving fatigue... I want chocolate. <br />So laaast weekend me, Linds, and 4 other guys from this side went to George (yes, that far away place near Knysna), here's how it all went down: <br /><br />Thursday 18 February, a.m., Lisa and I loaded 4 wheelchairs into my Bakkie. Thursday 18 February, p.m., myself, 1 athlete and 4 wheelchairs securely fastenend in the bed of my little Corsa Utility (the chairs, not the athlete) headed off with 1000kms ahead of us, it sounded do-able :)<br /><br />So we left on Thursday and travelled through to PE, staying the night with my family, which was so great! Then me, Linds, Sbu (assistant) and Nomasamaria (athlete) headed off to George to pick up Mute and Guguletu (more athletes). Why would we make this trip, you ask? Excellent question. There's a huge wheelchair race in George every year in February, and this year it was that weekend. Some disabled people from the Zithulele community went last year and wanted to go this year again, so me and Jess S (more Jess S than me) made it happened... I went along for the ride!<br /><br />It was a great weekend and the athletes and Sbu really enjoyed it. I found it super stressful, but it was worth it in the end to see how much the others enjoyed the experience. I got to see my family and to spend time with Linds, so those were huge bonuses for me :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPZ4rWHCkYtHWhwyeQ3Y_WE-1nClvediHy7n9JO1ye8-pXJDkqraCYH35QnxE4lnsA8bBaejq8wUMQp804RryB7XGAJqbNl0I3YKnprjjv8H2hfoLBuXMpdiDbGZNvqQ2_xszJWGdvpbG/s1600-h/Church,+beach,+CT+visit+052.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPZ4rWHCkYtHWhwyeQ3Y_WE-1nClvediHy7n9JO1ye8-pXJDkqraCYH35QnxE4lnsA8bBaejq8wUMQp804RryB7XGAJqbNl0I3YKnprjjv8H2hfoLBuXMpdiDbGZNvqQ2_xszJWGdvpbG/s200/Church,+beach,+CT+visit+052.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444863696012044002" /></a><br />THE DREAM TEAM: Sbu (assistant), Mute, Guguletu, Nomasamaria<br /><br />I got back one the Monday evening, and was exhausted (although not too tired to squeeze in a game of frisbee, I'll admit it). My collegues gave me the Tuesday off - yes, I work in THE BEST place ever - and I spent the day relaxing, watching DVDs and doing a bit of work prep. Thank goodness I had that day off, because since then work has beed crazy!<br /><br />So last weekend (the weekend after George) was the first weekend I didn't go in to town, and it was so great, I think I really needed the time to relax. On Saturday evening a whole bunch of us here had a braai. Sigh, it reminded me of camping! It's so quiet out here, we were all sitting around the fire on logs chatting and eating and soaking in the rural life. It gets so dark here at night... that night the stars were bright and there was an awsome full moon. Add that to the sound of frogs and crickets, and you get the perfect evening outside! <br /><br />Sunday was my highlight though. I borrowed Karl and Sallys' mountain bike, and off me and Karen went! Man, I had a shakey start, clearly I have not been on an actual bike (the spinning ones don't count, they are stationary) in a loooong time! It was really great though, I was quite terrified of breaking bones a few times - the dirt roads are really bad in some places, and very steep, but my pride and desire to keep up with Crazy Karen prevailed! We rode down to beautiful Lubanzi beach, and the crew met us there for a swim and good game of beach Ultimate Frisbee. Then me and Karen rode back, which took about 3 times longer, as it was mostly up-hill! It was really fun, I'd love to get a bike, something I will save up for for sure.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSYQ9IOfvx-jdhyphenhyphencMDq2pOKiQSf5QfdyS4L09Ghib6mmA4DgLrKMVFK2RQbFDbhfmsayCYqe8_QfRWykZ5jBANuUfeQ0LO0GEgO8Wz2gWeybUz-wdQhXO1DoBnpsoLL_vjbn9PTrGECIX/s1600-h/Copy+of+Church,+beach,+CT+visit+085.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSYQ9IOfvx-jdhyphenhyphencMDq2pOKiQSf5QfdyS4L09Ghib6mmA4DgLrKMVFK2RQbFDbhfmsayCYqe8_QfRWykZ5jBANuUfeQ0LO0GEgO8Wz2gWeybUz-wdQhXO1DoBnpsoLL_vjbn9PTrGECIX/s200/Copy+of+Church,+beach,+CT+visit+085.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444865197262394946" /></a><br />Karen, the machine mountain biker! (That's her, ummm, trademark move)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkCTlR3EeSwf6POn3VExlIi7CHWwIP_-gW4oYFgOAwAFfYehI6VUyY3LqN0WtLEk9uiLgKXg8bZ4SNR73j_UrssrocdARMkTnA8lC-gc9jg0aQHMecoFNz2RWxE8F-Jf8RivHXk_Sqex4j/s1600-h/Church,+beach,+CT+visit+088.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkCTlR3EeSwf6POn3VExlIi7CHWwIP_-gW4oYFgOAwAFfYehI6VUyY3LqN0WtLEk9uiLgKXg8bZ4SNR73j_UrssrocdARMkTnA8lC-gc9jg0aQHMecoFNz2RWxE8F-Jf8RivHXk_Sqex4j/s200/Church,+beach,+CT+visit+088.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444866222756400866" /></a><br />The little Le Roux family: Baby Johan, mom Sally, toddler Emma, dad Karl in the background, and random not-related britt Kayleigh! <br /><br />So this week has been busy as usual, I have worked over-time a few days to finish up with patients, and have skipped some breaks. You see, we did a presentation for the doctors on conditions to refer, and as a result they have upped there game on the referrals! Along with that, last week was the end of the month, which is when we award various Doctors prizes for that months referrals, so they are all keen to start REALLY well I think :) The winner for the most referrals gets a CUP, who wouldn't want that!? Hehe, it was really fun, we also read out some entertaining referral notes they have sent us, we definately have good humoured staff that's for sure! I also have had some very intersting patients this week, and was stretched as a professional today because I was overseeing the monthly O+P clinic (never mind, it's complicated)... so to all of you who think I'm having way too much fun, I am working hard too!<br /><br />Hehe, anyway, so that's it for now. I am so glad tomorrow is Friday, I feel like this week has been extrememly demanding, and I am also feeling under the weather, so I think a Saturday sleep-in is in order :)<br /><br />Have a great week, remeber to take some time out to do something you REALLY REALLY REALLY enjoy doing, live life, and remember the God we serve!<br /><br />Isaiah 40:4-5 (New International Version)<br />"Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level,the rugged places a plain. <br />And the glory of the LORD will be revealed,and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."Jess Trolliphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08056612464302704252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5214873835612577291.post-82318109076820176552010-02-16T10:44:00.000-08:002010-02-16T12:46:12.177-08:00Runs on the Beach... This is the life!<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCi5_GcbVJMONxCc6feiZorOysJYVssimxA1Mk1DJVTTYoSfp9IMFnNI6g_coM9FvxR_dmHXL-ruitLiY8J6EJco6e8H-p9amfrgPXhFHuOuaVPzyf2pkvPIRW4K6OsvjsYfp9iz4CytYi/s1600-h/Church,+beach,+CT+visit+010.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438917789235385026" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCi5_GcbVJMONxCc6feiZorOysJYVssimxA1Mk1DJVTTYoSfp9IMFnNI6g_coM9FvxR_dmHXL-ruitLiY8J6EJco6e8H-p9amfrgPXhFHuOuaVPzyf2pkvPIRW4K6OsvjsYfp9iz4CytYi/s200/Church,+beach,+CT+visit+010.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />It's been over 2 weeks since my last blog entry, aaaaaah, i am asham-Ed! So much for my "once a week" plan. Oh well, better late than never. I find that as the unblogged days accumulate, so does the guilt... hence, tonight it has reached a plateau and I am blogging.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div> </div><div>So this has in fact been an awsome 2 weeks! I went to Cape Town for a Seating Course, which was really great, and helpful, and interesting, AND fun... but for the sake of my non-therapist friends and family I will not blog about it. It was a great week, I stayed with Sarah-Jane, and got to see Hanco and most of my friends quite a bit, which was so nice. Unfortunately, I had serious stomach problems on the flight and drive back home (food poisoning).... that was by far the WORST trip I have ever had to endure (Mom, I think it was worse than when I travelled to USA alone and passed out, and when I was sea-sick on that cruise). Man, if we weren't driving along one of the most remote road routes <strong>on this Earth</strong> I would have asked Lisa and Jess to leave me on the side of the road to walk home. But thankfully I made it, and after a day "in bed" I was back at work, Tuesday 9 February 2010.</div><div></div><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438920955364097922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFRYGEB-GFWEAlwt6yY13C98ZOUFZvOzZIISYd6qdk6ou1DqjGtTZxI3Hsjul_A9GwV4hmTtAiHOkcA1Uj5EMGxc2Ama5-pJu5XeHS5ywS1rcmhYs6O8YkhR-VNV5pttGAm8TDK_Ey1e8/s200/Church,+beach,+CT+visit+002.jpg" border="0" /><span style="color:#33ff33;"><span style="color:#33ff33;">Sarah-Jane and Marley, the 2 Crazies i stayed with in The Strand while I was doing the Seating course in CT... I love those girls!</span><br /></span><span style="color:#000000;"></span></p><br /><div><span style="color:#000000;">So, it turns out, I picked an excellent day to come back to work! A patient of mine arrived with a puppy for me. It was a very cute puppy, all white and fluffy... i couldn't take it though. At this point, I know many of you are asking WHY! Don't judge me as a heartless human being, hear me out. 1) We are not allowed to keep pets where I am staying 2) I am working close to 10 hours most week days and 3) the only thing i have managed to keep alive is a cactus, and that's because it's staying in PE with my Mom! So really, it's for the puppys' own protection! Anyway, this patient is very sweet, he comes in with minor injuries so it's not like I ever save his life or anything... but he also gave me buscuits and chocolates (the man knows his Physio), plastic flowers and a series of other things, including what we deduced was something similar to weed. Someone took that from me though, to, ummm, dispose of it as they saw fit! Today he came in with a papaya for me... I convinced him to keep it though. This patient is also clinically Crazy (that is not my professional diagnosis), haha, but it's kind of kewl to have others refer to him as "your crazy guy", he's really sweet!</span></div><br /><p>Anyway, so it's been an interesting last week... 5 new staff members arrived, including Megan, a Physio from England. She and her Doctor husband (Joff) are working here for 4 months, so our rehab department is 8 strong! Well, a few people will be on and off leave quite a lot, but hy. </p><p>Last week a bunch of us went to Lubanzi, a beautiful beach a 7km drive away... it was great fun! We swam, and a group of local kids randomly asked me to "uyajima" (gym) with them, so for about half an hour we were sprinting up and down the beach, it was great, I enjoyed interacting and having fun with them, and I'm telling you now, there is some serious running talent hidden in these hills :)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJUPv36gjHpIRYAJT43RblamVjo6Ja_Ozli-kcwMOnQ5Mrqh39gzfJ-ef4gTZD6Mc8u5ETgwvg6g8OnPR5fkQJdTIp0gHfc9X1aNK81bA3zNJrZcWqy_u9sbiDesZw2hxBdCmqmVHjkkzW/s1600-h/Church,+beach,+CT+visit+008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438925895581794034" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJUPv36gjHpIRYAJT43RblamVjo6Ja_Ozli-kcwMOnQ5Mrqh39gzfJ-ef4gTZD6Mc8u5ETgwvg6g8OnPR5fkQJdTIp0gHfc9X1aNK81bA3zNJrZcWqy_u9sbiDesZw2hxBdCmqmVHjkkzW/s200/Church,+beach,+CT+visit+008.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color:#33ff33;">Sam (acting "Natural"), Kayleigh, Kate and Jess sitting on the grass just above Lubanzi Beach.</span> </p><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHdlk7SRNJVesBOyyF0luCmJRqY4JIj4n2uVby6mHRyBN7wAdMmv-vasSRoBXZt-z_y0PgPYBgjTlpyyiCgScpKAL6Mk1YpEK53mF2q04gIHzk8ZtzRvIb9byzL8CEtdrTPQwLeI9XjsXh/s1600-h/Church,+beach,+CT+visit+011.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438928522948231954" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHdlk7SRNJVesBOyyF0luCmJRqY4JIj4n2uVby6mHRyBN7wAdMmv-vasSRoBXZt-z_y0PgPYBgjTlpyyiCgScpKAL6Mk1YpEK53mF2q04gIHzk8ZtzRvIb9byzL8CEtdrTPQwLeI9XjsXh/s200/Church,+beach,+CT+visit+011.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><span style="color:#33ff33;">Tom in the kayak being pushed into the sea by the little kiddies... hmmm, they started maybe too far from the water (over eager), Jo is trying to coach them, maybe.</span><br /><br /><br /><p></p>On Sunday me and Asanda went through to church. The church had a Valentines Banquet afterwards which we stayed for. There was entertainment and <strong>really</strong> good food, and it was so great to spend more time with the church members, the Mthatha COC is such an encouragment and so welcoming - a great group of disciples!<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438931502971878690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD3T-C_7oKWZJ0AgEafp7OgIKnYtxDb2jcLmoD00A7kbNonVAqEfquIYflJ7rWWOZGb5hyRk_HgI0n1D9XaCNrqvGXjDsLg3jCP0OR1X_sYrXusL5rf5-ZwYppg4duXYn4XGRLJEVsVFDv/s200/Church,+beach,+CT+visit+026.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438930782968298050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJ4kDHYN6W9V8hmmXVKfSE3cAwLb3gqUQGbDaL2PCz_pVfCQrRh7E9g6T2HoZDhhHpP-NiI1CrPecVPIIS4HmSDTOiXNAJlGp2U4Gy3yYTTIQwpqTV7zXALpnFCjt3Tf1c3BPtYqs35CP/s200/Church,+beach,+CT+visit+021.jpg" border="0" /> <span style="color:#33ff33;">Mthatha Valentines banquet... This is where the party's at!!!</span><br /><br /><p>This week has started slowly. There haven't been many outpatients, but I've been organising our trip to George, so the free time has been good (that will be in next weeks blog) - me, 3 patients and an assistant are going to George Thursday to Monday for a wheelchair race! Yesterday after work me, Karen, Karl, Megan, Joff, Tom and Jo ran to the beach and met some other staff for a game of ultimate frisbee... it was great! It was a beautiful evening, me and Kayleigh rode on the back of the bakkie back to the hospital... it reminded me of trips to my holiday house :) The air is so fresh out here, and there are no bright lights so when it's dark and clear the stars are beautiful, it is very easy to be content out here, I can see why people come for a year and end up staying! </p><p><span style="color:#33ff33;">So, my Xhosa has been slipping a bit :( I'm learning to count though, not an easy task!</span></p><p><span style="color:#33ff33;">Inye - 1 </span><span style="color:#33ff33;">Zimbini - 2 </span><span style="color:#33ff33;">Zinthathu -3 </span><span style="color:#33ff33;">Zine - 4 </span><span style="color:#33ff33;">Zinhlanu - 5 </span><span style="color:#33ff33;">Zithandatho - 6 </span><span style="color:#33ff33;">Zinxhenxhe - 7 </span><span style="color:#33ff33;">Zibhozo - 8 (i may have looked that one up) </span><span style="color:#33ff33;">Zithoba - 9 (i may have made that one up to) </span><span style="color:#33ff33;">eShumi - 10</span></p><p><span style="color:#33ff33;">Like I said, I'm LEARNING! hehe...</span></p><p><span style="color:#33ff33;"><span style="color:#ffcc00;"></span></span></p><p><span style="color:#33ff33;"><span style="color:#ffcc00;">To my Christian buddies: I listened to a great sermon on CD today about THE MISSION of Evangelism... the preacher said something challenging but great -</span></span></p><p><span style="color:#33ff33;"><span style="color:#ffcc00;">"If we want to save the world, we've got to pay the price, we have got to be willing to become comfortably uncomfortable"</span></span></p><p><span style="color:#33ff33;"><span style="color:#ffcc00;">2 Corin 11:23-29 = Paul was comfortable with living an uncomfortable life for God, and the gospel spread because of it!</span> <span style="color:#ffcc00;">Let's be people who can say we have given whatever has been required of us to spread Christ's love... every encounter is someones eternity on the line.</span><br /></span><br /></p><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p>Jess Trolliphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08056612464302704252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5214873835612577291.post-73714335568037206532010-01-30T09:53:00.000-08:002010-01-30T11:40:48.227-08:00A good week, yes.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXaKzgXRvuC_2pj3H8JQFF5vWQpUNGEGI3cYFvIP2zG36lNQMY1qXt2ujxFO4Ci47w4x5DQkuxt0cJEb2vJcWDr8mx_qex9vuVbFHWI_uIT9pDNqNI5x1_iDAhzgaM1lmKNdvOOASITNO/s1600-h/Roadtrips,+Thanksgiving,+Transkei+798.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432610116387715282" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXaKzgXRvuC_2pj3H8JQFF5vWQpUNGEGI3cYFvIP2zG36lNQMY1qXt2ujxFO4Ci47w4x5DQkuxt0cJEb2vJcWDr8mx_qex9vuVbFHWI_uIT9pDNqNI5x1_iDAhzgaM1lmKNdvOOASITNO/s200/Roadtrips,+Thanksgiving,+Transkei+798.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><div><br /><div>Wow, what a great week it's been! It has gone so fast, and now I'm in CAPE TOWN for 10 days, good times :) So, it's that time of the week again... reflection time. Here are a few kewl things that have stood out this week, again, I left it a bit late, so despite my efforts to remember, I may still have forgotten what has happened in the last week and a bit. I'll break it down day by day as best as I can though, just because!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>LAST WEEKEND (haha, ok so I'm grouping the first few days) - I was in Mthatha again. On Saturday I met with 5 other comm service Physios who are working in the "Greater Mthatha Area". We had lunch and then went out for some drinks (for free), and it was so good to see fellow Physios! I actually knew 4 of them already, which was a super bonus! Oh, and did I mention I didn't have to pay for anything, hehe.</div><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivK7lqgwd4-U7E-I4mKlOEUVCWgRbCoPtwTMySjWHj_A-SxpXnl37zqHnGABL-Meci5czlyPt5ekI6KIHPBrsyPSpGAnRDycCJxlzKcOxTK_Cuyr4qGaq5_kbQswsp6oW64V6wizZ48riE/s1600-h/Roadtrips,+Thanksgiving,+Transkei+756.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432594244913199794" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivK7lqgwd4-U7E-I4mKlOEUVCWgRbCoPtwTMySjWHj_A-SxpXnl37zqHnGABL-Meci5czlyPt5ekI6KIHPBrsyPSpGAnRDycCJxlzKcOxTK_Cuyr4qGaq5_kbQswsp6oW64V6wizZ48riE/s200/Roadtrips,+Thanksgiving,+Transkei+756.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff6600;">All us "Physio Comm Serves" from Mthatha, Zithulele, Canzibe... And Eugine (a senior Physio from Mthatha) rocking Mthatha Spur baby!</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#000000;">MONDAY: This was a kewl day, I spent it running around adjusting Wheelchairs and Crutches etc. I LOVE being able to "fix" things, I nearly studied engineering you know ;)</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#000000;">TUESDAY: It rained. So, that means we didn't have many patients because it is miserable and sometimes impossible to get to the hospital when the roads are wet and flooded! It was an awsome day though, I ended up designing and building Push-Up blocks for the department, to use with our patients... It was great fun; sawing and nailing and painting and all that, I love challenges! Here's a photo, ja, I might be boasting a bit...</span></div><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfikxNl5Fm-o64kV7mGsk4oy322eQe17N3miMPcji4muxbOd7-eVSBtx3FqDeDfiMhNfK_JRhxHxSqeVqs8Be-YFFprYT7qG7LpFEw9p25RBK33E_8bz_O0mXkYE53hhBWZUuzfP0z8gFs/s1600-h/Roadtrips,+Thanksgiving,+Transkei+807.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432603865417329426" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfikxNl5Fm-o64kV7mGsk4oy322eQe17N3miMPcji4muxbOd7-eVSBtx3FqDeDfiMhNfK_JRhxHxSqeVqs8Be-YFFprYT7qG7LpFEw9p25RBK33E_8bz_O0mXkYE53hhBWZUuzfP0z8gFs/s200/Roadtrips,+Thanksgiving,+Transkei+807.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#ff6600;">These are my awsome-amazing-incredible blocks! Pretty impressive - Physio friends, APPRECIATE.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsl5aS9vh-4-rHZCu5Uq63_4eapvWW5zKDmIf76iqKbggrC3m15o9KXhxG7l_6p6Ogb43KJtwPiGmSyn0H5Y8cO0QmSjyjdDhJKIv0jNzp4QqXdOn0P8k2NxlUHLa3GZVp_OMIvsVbrjub/s1600-h/Roadtrips,+Thanksgiving,+Transkei+804.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432603868688702162" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsl5aS9vh-4-rHZCu5Uq63_4eapvWW5zKDmIf76iqKbggrC3m15o9KXhxG7l_6p6Ogb43KJtwPiGmSyn0H5Y8cO0QmSjyjdDhJKIv0jNzp4QqXdOn0P8k2NxlUHLa3GZVp_OMIvsVbrjub/s200/Roadtrips,+Thanksgiving,+Transkei+804.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color:#ff6600;">This is OT Shannon, she tried out my blocks... it's not that easy to "lift and hold" for a photo, it's true, especially when you are holding sheer awsomeness in your own two hands.</span><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEv_ZsOab_4ZMwJz-S4Tt7Nol6yGNT39pN5HB-0RsF1sEe3Jkrm2HKuM-KTvb-z43v0BloMghxt5U98CI5ug_VRdOcGSnRLQIZ7o4W6fFIr-bdluSBepGSqawKf6SkQpMl5KCJ7_Q3HmSy/s1600-h/Roadtrips,+Thanksgiving,+Transkei+776.jpg"></a></div><div><br /></div><div></div></div><div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEv_ZsOab_4ZMwJz-S4Tt7Nol6yGNT39pN5HB-0RsF1sEe3Jkrm2HKuM-KTvb-z43v0BloMghxt5U98CI5ug_VRdOcGSnRLQIZ7o4W6fFIr-bdluSBepGSqawKf6SkQpMl5KCJ7_Q3HmSy/s1600-h/Roadtrips,+Thanksgiving,+Transkei+776.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432608971391663490" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEv_ZsOab_4ZMwJz-S4Tt7Nol6yGNT39pN5HB-0RsF1sEe3Jkrm2HKuM-KTvb-z43v0BloMghxt5U98CI5ug_VRdOcGSnRLQIZ7o4W6fFIr-bdluSBepGSqawKf6SkQpMl5KCJ7_Q3HmSy/s200/Roadtrips,+Thanksgiving,+Transkei+776.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432608595612062706" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoBVqELiGTa0knHzsUS2_sLSV0uJQ79WcO09EDqiEQVtqYQRvFBu3z_xGNpRNPp1KQuFDcHu8nZXnEEYqRr9xthPtiZDuctwygaUUNl9li7n4-nWgimtNw73kB8pmO6rYZBSDt5INXQ32n/s200/Roadtrips,+Thanksgiving,+Transkei+796.jpg" border="0" />WEDNESDAY: I did home visits! Me, Lisa, and our rehab assistant Sandi went to 2 huts. And then me and Sandi trekked my poor bakkie over terrible terrain to a 3rd hut at the end of the day. Wow, what a eye-opener! The homes we visited were not on the side of the road, so we had to park our car and hike. It was so great to walk over those hills, so beautiful and green. That day I learnt a very important lesson... If you make effort to get to know the locals culture, they accept you and love you! By the time we left the first hut, they were asking us to come back and visit :) At the 3rd home visit, one of the girls was grinding mielies while I was doing my assessment of her grandmother who had a stroke... I asked if they would teach me how to do it, so there i was, on my knees, trying to grind mielies. It was priceless, the more I tried the more they laughed! And at one stage while I was grinding those rock/granite/steel-hard kernels, I looked up, to see about 15 little black faces crowded around and looking down at me laughing away! I must say, it may be my best memory and most embarrassing moment there so far :) We also managed to get our usual ultimate frisbee in after work (and it was all the "extremists" playing, so it was really fun) and Cell group that evening, which was incredibly encouraging!</span></div><div><br /></div><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432609261722287602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xSxptAZ5Mkil0ph7_D2UXK4hcGSPPRn51pzzSC55LJRgqeRykOVIi1Xga38EKdc0gwUwnGyQLERDQ6o95EImWieC2TBhZqcp6wAclNMCDBj0a_kI1_EzDW5EngWhz9cWmq-cHLeRZ_2l/s200/Roadtrips,+Thanksgiving,+Transkei+781.jpg" border="0" /><span style="color:#ff6600;">One of the homes we visited... note token chicken in the hut. It jumped up onto and pooped on EVERYTHING!</span><br /><div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#000000;">THURSDAY: So me and OT Jess are taking 4 guys using wheelchairs to a disabled-persons race in George next month, to participate (google OCC if you want more info, it is a great initiative)... In order to go though we needed funding. SOOOO, that's where me and Mute came in (Mute is, like, team captain for the basketball and the racing team). We spent a few hours in the afternoon driving around asking "businesses" for sponsorship. It wasn't going very well, until the last stop. It was waaaay over the hills in an area I had never been to (Tafelehashe), and Mute said that there was a "white man" there who had a huge warehouse type outlet who was very generous to everyone, and Mute was sure he would help us. Sure enough, Peter gave us a donation of R1000, my goodness, enough to cover all our expenses... a great success of a day yes, thank you Peter!</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUwCVbLpcvexfO1u7WXB-UIszUPrEr7CCCt0juhOA43i4XyHlm-EsWLF_36nuTcHtb6OhDrrIZh8tdmo7_Nocu8jEsCVE3eItB_gN9WfP0MEdaSDHhFJYsIrhWM2eEEWdhBu69vBI-SF1/s1600-h/Roadtrips,+Thanksgiving,+Transkei+759.jpg"><span style="color:#000000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432609696144986546" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUwCVbLpcvexfO1u7WXB-UIszUPrEr7CCCt0juhOA43i4XyHlm-EsWLF_36nuTcHtb6OhDrrIZh8tdmo7_Nocu8jEsCVE3eItB_gN9WfP0MEdaSDHhFJYsIrhWM2eEEWdhBu69vBI-SF1/s200/Roadtrips,+Thanksgiving,+Transkei+759.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff6600;">Mute, the man! He got us the funding to make their trip to George possible, whoo hoo, Outenique Challenge here we come!!!</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div><span style="color:#000000;">FRIDAY: This was a busy day; a prayer run with Karen before work, a Grand ward round and tea with the doctors, a meeting, and DGs (disability Grant assessment day)... So it was hard work. We had a meeting with 2 other therapy departments, from Madweleni (1 hour away) and Canzibe (about 2 hours away)... it was so great to touch base and build friendships with the hospital staff around us! We have some exciting possible group projects planned :)</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#000000;">So now I am in Cape Town for 10 days, attending a Wheelchair Seating Course and a friends' (Michele) wedding next weekend, but that's next weeks blog :) Oh, I let it slide with my Xhosa this week, I can't think of any new phrases off the top of my head now, I feel so ashamEd, i will do better next week!</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff6600;">I have really, REALLY been trying to meditate on this scripture this week... it has been a huge source of encouragement to me, helping me daily to try and live a life of godliness and righteousness.. A life that is "worthy of the calling" we as Christians have received, and what an incredible Calling it is, to love and serve God WHEREVER we are!</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff6600;"></span></div><br /><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#ff6600;">"1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."</span></em></div><br /><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#ff6600;">Ephesians 4:1-6</span></em></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff6600;"></span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Jess Trolliphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08056612464302704252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5214873835612577291.post-63557300825829264402010-01-22T11:30:00.000-08:002010-01-22T12:43:16.953-08:00When in the sticks... do as the locals do!<div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429661766159434306" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4gJXSS4auVWIAZC-GJ-p_c026-A4jSe9gqL4GPHQSqjuiYP6FL84lo3T2KCsyTdB5yDc6HE_bPIW8YU5Oy6PE91pk2Jb9v0xTHU83veZocjLgID2EKnoxz-5maaeWlsCIqbDbHLaOON9l/s200/Roadtrips,+Thanksgiving,+Transkei+450.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div>Well, this week's going to be a short blog entry - I left it too late this week, so I've forgotten half of the stuff I've done since my last post! </div><br /><div>This week has had a few interesting highlights:</div><div><br /></div><div>IRONMAN - My dad (some of you may have met him, he is crazy) competed in the Half Iron Man this past weekend in East London. It's his third one, and it has kind of been a tradition for us to go and support him. To off I trekked to East London last weekend, just me and my Corsa Utility (we made good time might I add). It was great to see my family, my dad had a good race, and my mom and I got to spend some good time together! It was nice to see my little brother Dean too... although he is not so little anymore, it seems that every time I see him he is so much taller, I think my dad's giving him Steroids under the table. </div><div><br /></div><div>I OFFICIALLY GOT RURALIZED - So those of you who have been following my facebook status updates will know this. On Wednesday morning we woke up to a very-quickly-diminishing water supply. By the time we got to work that morning, the hospital and all our accomodation had no water... How does a hospital cope without running water? Fairly well actually, they did it for a total of 5 weeks last year! I used plenty of De-germ, and avoided the Hepatitis and Pneumonia patients :) That afternoon we also had a power cut. So there I was in the middle of the Transkei, no running water, no power. It was a rural experience all right! I am happy to report though that we now have running water (and it's not too muddy at the moment either) and a constant electrical current... life's good!</div><div><br /></div><div>THE SOCIAL SIDE OF THINGS - It's been great to spend time with some of the staff here! On Monday night just after I got back from East London (yip, I have already taken a day off work, don't judge me) we had our usual Ultimate Frisbee game. We had 3 teams of 4-5 people each, so we played a round robin (cough-andwewon-cough), oh how I do love that sport! I then rushed off to watch Greys Anatomy at some friends - Shannon and Lisa, the OTs. Then on Wednesday night we played more Ultimate Frisbee, and we also had a Bible Talk (or Cell group), it was great. There is a really great group of Christian staff here, who want to make a difference to the community both spiritually and physically. It was so encouraging to be around like-minded people! It helped me re-shift my focus a bit :) Last night about 12 of us went off to Coffee Bay to the infamous Pizza restuarant there... It was really good pizza and really fun! There are 2 volunteer girls here from England, who are doing community projects around Zithulele for the year, so they were there. A group of 4 UCT medical students have also been here for 2 weeks, they are leaving tomorrow so it was kind of like their goodbye dinner. Then the other 6 of us were the "local" staff - doctors, pharmacist, community project OT, Jabulani (NPO) staff, and me - token Physio hehe. And then today, I went to Karen and Roger and chatted for a bit, then to Lisa. It's really nice, everyone lives here on the property so as you walk past peoples houses you inevitably stop and chat :)</div><div><br /></div><div>So, tomorrow I'm off to Mthatha again for a lunch with all the Comm Service Physios around this area (I'm hoping it's free hehe - who knows when I'm going to get paid, so these things are important) , and then it's church on Sunday - a Sister dropped by yesterday to say hi at work which was so sweet and encouraging - she was just in the neighbourhood!</div><div><br /></div><div>I will leave you with a few more Xhosa phrases i have learnt this week:</div><div><br /></div><div><em></em></div><div><em>Linda apha - Wait here</em><br /></div><div><em>Ndicela Tata - Please Father (refer to older man)</em><br /></div><div><em>Ndiyabona gomso - I will see you tomorrow</em></div><div><em>Bhuti, uyafunda iball? - Brother, do you want the ball? (random hehe)</em></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcI1QZIuZSYG_ewPmLjY52TtW3y0PKl53mOaQZ0yCPzDfckSXfZ4j-5yQovJRCT1Sai-r1Xv5xkAMTU9lG3JgE6B6ZwZ1T4opcPWW2hgD56ZPrDVNMSU4ZueVakv0-EMCz1uKPboFSpTmJ/s1600-h/Roadtrips,+Thanksgiving,+Transkei+446.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429661768903360258" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcI1QZIuZSYG_ewPmLjY52TtW3y0PKl53mOaQZ0yCPzDfckSXfZ4j-5yQovJRCT1Sai-r1Xv5xkAMTU9lG3JgE6B6ZwZ1T4opcPWW2hgD56ZPrDVNMSU4ZueVakv0-EMCz1uKPboFSpTmJ/s200/Roadtrips,+Thanksgiving,+Transkei+446.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color:#ffcc33;">Yes, this is still one of the most beautiful places in the world, it's so still in the evenings... you can hear people talking and children playing, the frogs croaking and crickets (ummm, "cricketing"), and watch the sky being painted orange over rolling hills, sigh.<br /></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZAZSPh_KntEs-yS3b-xDaYuVtmSU5bOmmY30y-TXePAe0LJqlvJTAzrNLV91rH0AqgkqroSGDOFAY0GqKjd69VQPzFPHThIFblobiA9K1LK6S1Cl2cEbIT13cNF1pWfuTW7hUptSSWza/s1600-h/Roadtrips,+Thanksgiving,+Transkei+435.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429661758919747922" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZAZSPh_KntEs-yS3b-xDaYuVtmSU5bOmmY30y-TXePAe0LJqlvJTAzrNLV91rH0AqgkqroSGDOFAY0GqKjd69VQPzFPHThIFblobiA9K1LK6S1Cl2cEbIT13cNF1pWfuTW7hUptSSWza/s200/Roadtrips,+Thanksgiving,+Transkei+435.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color:#ffcc00;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#ffcc00;">This was my extra water source when we had none in the pipeline, phew, what a precious commodity!</div></span><div> </div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqiy5PfEcUNwlCzFmyeD06gcTE3MD7qayBJ5CaeYCZJX7eskhLnIUMCD2j1m6YENbmDc1OxmeZmO9mAiEALfrs7BWkNhrYRO3hL4Cz0_SUyopUyXKbNvdukeaOTg55Z3EIoNyEPJWo2cKh/s1600-h/Roadtrips,+Thanksgiving,+Transkei+434.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429661755768359282" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqiy5PfEcUNwlCzFmyeD06gcTE3MD7qayBJ5CaeYCZJX7eskhLnIUMCD2j1m6YENbmDc1OxmeZmO9mAiEALfrs7BWkNhrYRO3hL4Cz0_SUyopUyXKbNvdukeaOTg55Z3EIoNyEPJWo2cKh/s200/Roadtrips,+Thanksgiving,+Transkei+434.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ffcc00;">Haha, Sarah-Jane, this picture is especially for you... there are some pretty huge flying things here :)</span><br /><em></em></div><br /><div><em>"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." </em></div></div><div><em>Galatians 6:9</em></div>Jess Trolliphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08056612464302704252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5214873835612577291.post-355122227763647382010-01-12T09:29:00.000-08:002010-01-12T12:05:27.060-08:00AAAAAAAh, it's sooo hot here, flip!It's week 2 at Zithulele Hospital and I'm feeling pretty "Ruralised". Hehe, so far we have had a fair amount of power failures (The Hospital I mean - the huts don't have power), I've been attacked by Mosquitos, Gnats, Moths, Cockroaches and more dogs have tried to eat me, and I have survived evening storms and temperatures of like 1000 degrees!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwyy5D6_Tf2jXHAojx9qjpk8RvN0fovbuBu49OGEXIWQp5YXFe-IhbQLtRg-1fNUfVSWy306kwGEOSwYYkVz1ECKwSMLp28T0jZ34pG2_OMLn_QxXadpHZnTvv5MVYFwPl201V-3b5mLcN/s1600-h/Roadtrips,+Thanksgiving,+Transkei+147.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425924445677957522" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwyy5D6_Tf2jXHAojx9qjpk8RvN0fovbuBu49OGEXIWQp5YXFe-IhbQLtRg-1fNUfVSWy306kwGEOSwYYkVz1ECKwSMLp28T0jZ34pG2_OMLn_QxXadpHZnTvv5MVYFwPl201V-3b5mLcN/s200/Roadtrips,+Thanksgiving,+Transkei+147.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div>The work has been challenging but good, man this communication thing is turning out to be quite an inconvenience. It is difficult, most people do not understand English at all, so I have been forced to improve my very, <em>very</em> broken Xhosa! I've learn a few very important phrases this week though:</div><div></div><div><em>NdiThetha kanini isiXhosa - I speak very little Xhosa</em></div><div><em>Andivuya - I don't understand</em><br /><em>Uyathetha English? - Do you speak English?</em></div><div><em>Ewe (smile, nod, and say "yes" when you don't have a clue what they've just said, provided the look relatively happy. If they look like they are in pain, frown, nod and say "yes")</em><br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425926218075668674" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJDd5O5or5OnQwHgKtojrJEgR_CcO6l0niAoQlPPQV26Jcp3y4csPocEsAl8h0cF_8ENq82XFaFJNErNXkCx7XzHSEgPGEkoNE8ncFly656GeqXuV6MaOBD7R_yBwWFInHDlDvKGc6vzxo/s200/Roadtrips,+Thanksgiving,+Transkei+165.jpg" border="0" /></div><div></div><div>Haha, one or two people understand a bit of Afrikaans though funnily enough, which is great, now that's a language I'm more familiar with! So for those of you who may be interested, we get a big spread of patients... Quite a few TB Spines, Burns, strokes, HIV related neuropathies (also often strokes in the younger patients). Also some polio guys in wheelchairs, pneumonia, old-age wear-and-tear, CP and other kids developmental and intellectual stuff... loads of different things actually! The rehab staff here are really great - a well-oiled machine, more or less. 4 PTs, 3 Ots, and an assistant who, thankfully, is a excellent translator!</div><br /><div>So we have recently had a measles outbreak in the surrounding area and therefore hospital, which has been quite exciting! The rehab staff all went and got boosters yesterday - nobody's really all that keen to get Measles from our patients to be honest, especially seeing as 2 doctors were pretty unlucky and ended up flat on their backs in the East London Hospital.</div><br /><div>Besides work, things around here have been fun! I've played Ultimate frisbee twice with the Doctors and some locals and other volunteers - what an incredible game, I love it! On Friday a group of us went to Hole in the Wall Hotel to chill at their pool. I've run quite a bit - and i'm even starting to get the local kids to race me - I win :) Last week I ran with a pro Marathon runner... My word, never again, I was hoping a dog would come bite my ankle so I'd have a non-pansy excuse to stop. Haha, kidding! Kind of. And today I had my first Offroad motorbike lesson from Roger (Karen's husband - she's head of Physio but away for a week)... I am terrible currently, but I'll get the hang of it!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNHI05qYFhaKsQzQ6qgi1y71-DdArlPhyE59LwoOiKzEvrrwdiw4KUX1yE1nVKnPkPdIlKfT1lIMSrq_obhsAtU2hMcDnqluMDKOdjYiH391zLZ2bOqKdcoT8ARm7CzEEaaZosSWrQ2YX/s1600-h/Roadtrips,+Thanksgiving,+Transkei+162.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425927724449644514" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNHI05qYFhaKsQzQ6qgi1y71-DdArlPhyE59LwoOiKzEvrrwdiw4KUX1yE1nVKnPkPdIlKfT1lIMSrq_obhsAtU2hMcDnqluMDKOdjYiH391zLZ2bOqKdcoT8ARm7CzEEaaZosSWrQ2YX/s200/Roadtrips,+Thanksgiving,+Transkei+162.jpg" border="0" /></a> From a project point of view, I'm going to be working along side a local guy named Mute ("Moote") and OT comm serv Jess to get the wheelchair basketball up and running this year, they started it last year a bit but it's really something I'd like to invest my efforts in to. The court needs A LOT of work, but if we can get enough players, I have a big plans to get funding to fix the court up and make it more wheelchair accessible, and hopefully get some proper sports wheelchairs donated. There are also a few projects some of the other Rehab staff are doing that I'm going to get involved in, but those aren't mine to boast about!</div><br /><div>Last week we also went on a home visit to see a CP child, it was a real eye-opener. There were about 8 people staying in that hut... but all-in-all it was pretty well kitted out, very simple though, just the neccessities. This week we also tried to meet with a Chief here in the area to introduce ourselves because we are setting up rehab at one of the clinics, so we drove around for about 2 hours, but we ended up not being able to meet him, it was fine though, I got to see the area more, and got a tour of all the popular weekend spots - backpackers, pizza restaurant, etc. We also picked up a family who were pushing their very sick Grandfather all the way to the Hospital (we had been driving for ages) in a WHEELBARROW, on a dirtroad, up hill! It is insane to me that no matter how hard we try, in places like this, healthcare is still so inaccessible to some people... but they still go to incredible means to get to the hospital or clinic.</div><div></div><br /><div>Driving around here more has made me realise again and again what a beautiful part of the world I get to experience this year - what a privilege! I am so excited to do some mountain-biking and all that - I'm working on finding a bike, watch this space!!! </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSmNQ3iIhxRz1yrrkMSvSZCiDgeGg8kK7NcVavCMLbBbvCmMT_llGTTTkCpM26wbpPh3Bs9Vp7R3ujZJYF6VgV5sv5Z72-S-7E-SlNUdiKc-tTlWikgGd2m9RzgjgpPNUPlMWL-RX7198/s1600-h/Roadtrips,+Thanksgiving,+Transkei+159.jpg"><em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425929394701869010" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSmNQ3iIhxRz1yrrkMSvSZCiDgeGg8kK7NcVavCMLbBbvCmMT_llGTTTkCpM26wbpPh3Bs9Vp7R3ujZJYF6VgV5sv5Z72-S-7E-SlNUdiKc-tTlWikgGd2m9RzgjgpPNUPlMWL-RX7198/s200/Roadtrips,+Thanksgiving,+Transkei+159.jpg" border="0" /></em></a></div><div><em>Thanks to my Christian friends for all your prayers. Please keep them coming... it is beautiful here, and the people are friendly and great, but I still feel like an alien here a lot of the time, I am struggling to settle down - it is so different to anywhere I have ever stayed. But God provides, this weekend I had the privilege of staying with a Christian couple in Mthatha, the Lamberts. They spoilt me so much, and I also met with the Mthatha Church of Christ for Worship on Sunday morning - it was very encouraging! I am grateful for this year I get to experience God's beauty and Love for ALL his creations :) </em></div>Jess Trolliphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08056612464302704252noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5214873835612577291.post-11719592047865413442010-01-04T12:20:00.000-08:002010-01-04T14:45:46.377-08:00Arriving at ZITHULELE HOSPITAL - first impressions... is this the TAR road?!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1HGbpYWOU3wb4gRCwWhe1nqbVBcqJNL49-GWvtdTe3Q6wZ5ZfOabtKFGLIzV6glkqR3U0v83C9ANBI21fCz_rNdr6E8LZjfRp7oXddpPz9ubcQb-BqGJUe6MpHGGyMx0-COJVfQLvRtt9/s1600-h/Roadtrips,+Thanksgiving,+Transkei+104.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422993295531069346" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1HGbpYWOU3wb4gRCwWhe1nqbVBcqJNL49-GWvtdTe3Q6wZ5ZfOabtKFGLIzV6glkqR3U0v83C9ANBI21fCz_rNdr6E8LZjfRp7oXddpPz9ubcQb-BqGJUe6MpHGGyMx0-COJVfQLvRtt9/s200/Roadtrips,+Thanksgiving,+Transkei+104.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">So, I'm here. Zithulele Hospital, deep in the belly of the rolling green hills of Transkei... a 1hr30min (at least) dirt road drive off the N2, about 30 Km from Mthatha (before the dirt road turn-off that is)! Zithulele services Elliotsdale and Mqanduli area, including 14 clinics, and has a great team of nurses, doctors, rehab professionals and other allied health care workers!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I have only been here for 2 days, but I have already learnt so much! It is so different here to anything I've ever experienced. My missionary friends will know what I mean when I say this... I think I will experience some serious culture shock! It's strange to look outside and see goats walking around freely, and horses tied to the hospital gate. It's strange to have to greet people in isiXhosa, and to be in the vast minority. The closest petrol station, ATM and Spar is an hour away... so tough luck if you run out of food or airtime! But it is beautiful here, with green hills, and little pink and green huts everywhere... more-or-less untouched by Western civilization, really beautiful :) </span><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422996546667957906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1GM57s3VJXldXlkt64Bd9H9pKeIluulUxigYrOK0mdScc_QA3D07M3War8PNOz4lfRxub8Yt3lUWHeYPqNalpQswsJz5lF_TFU7ofCMVuPyxhDBjziakWe8VvL1h7jUS_cikPhKtTXcSL/s200/Roadtrips,+Thanksgiving,+Transkei+118.jpg" border="0" /></span><em> </em><span style="font-family:arial;">Hmmm, ok, let's talk about a few lessons learnt: DRIVING HERE:<br /></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_klau9B_RXA8VfSJCjR902sDNIsfVhElWp0BA8XOf6pOdGM5_ReKbkHuKJfyv8vPCeIj53-O-ypUDbzT6BoXoksaCCe7jq_RKGio-XrLr9A807hdXPzfWaNcIt9IcZzKXpOKl5zLpJ5R/s1600-h/Roadtrips,+Thanksgiving,+Transkei+143.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422999336558338978" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_klau9B_RXA8VfSJCjR902sDNIsfVhElWp0BA8XOf6pOdGM5_ReKbkHuKJfyv8vPCeIj53-O-ypUDbzT6BoXoksaCCe7jq_RKGio-XrLr9A807hdXPzfWaNcIt9IcZzKXpOKl5zLpJ5R/s200/Roadtrips,+Thanksgiving,+Transkei+143.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">1) The words "tar road" mean nothing in the Transkei! After a good hour or 2 of dodging massive crater-sized potholes on the "tar" road, i was relieved to hit dirt road, which lasted another hour or 2 :)<br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><em></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;"><em>I'd say the right side is the better option, personally. </em></span><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423001283259614658" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfjyWJ3ivweru2NPMz1PXCZPmDSXbUjSmRHdf6o0RVZK397Y8QYCekAmDgFEkANWI3RvgIpIZu0fioEpNjW9SnnG1EQAB4jWUYLjGqV5NBfWr3V7k0e9FA-7zrq1m7rGNSfA7PIGO8gD6/s200/Roadtrips,+Thanksgiving,+Transkei+128.jpg" border="0" /></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">2) Don't bother driving on the left-hand side of the road, it doesn't work, nobody does it here... rather take the right lane or the grass next to the road - there are less potholes there, for the most part.<br /><br /><br /></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNw6TgtY1kQ5VSPkl08RXJ6sX3c2yvfj28e332JieSTSsyR2-qqK9fC9ZfhfWlLJsHmVFdsFF-tlM1C707JF5TfVzAkrkq0XH9WTdDq7WtACUouthB8fgMXiEhzyCuFKrSqzA6Jq3X5pU/s1600-h/Roadtrips,+Thanksgiving,+Transkei+121.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423000638887893858" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNw6TgtY1kQ5VSPkl08RXJ6sX3c2yvfj28e332JieSTSsyR2-qqK9fC9ZfhfWlLJsHmVFdsFF-tlM1C707JF5TfVzAkrkq0XH9WTdDq7WtACUouthB8fgMXiEhzyCuFKrSqzA6Jq3X5pU/s200/Roadtrips,+Thanksgiving,+Transkei+121.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">3</span><span style="font-family:arial;">) Cars <strong>may</strong> drive on the road, but they certainly <strong>do not</strong> own the road - that right is reserved for donkeys, goats, dogs, mules, horses, and people only.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><em>Mmmooooooove!<br /></em></span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8itqrjPK7iCSQONG3lILVhqj5Gb73dZ5RChd6P10z_UCbLfkCi6MdcHCPrAoSpAMOry3ZJi2c1Gk99FzDH7DjlPCuDZhCeTzR4zy3FukIe5zq7zQvCQG3J4mzn-iz60TspmTCrbxvF0Qi/s1600-h/Roadtrips,+Thanksgiving,+Transkei+130.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423002407114304194" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8itqrjPK7iCSQONG3lILVhqj5Gb73dZ5RChd6P10z_UCbLfkCi6MdcHCPrAoSpAMOry3ZJi2c1Gk99FzDH7DjlPCuDZhCeTzR4zy3FukIe5zq7zQvCQG3J4mzn-iz60TspmTCrbxvF0Qi/s200/Roadtrips,+Thanksgiving,+Transkei+130.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">4) Although they are very friendly, the locals are not always waving at you to say hi, often they are asking for sweets or a lift!<br /><br /><br /></p></span><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><p><br /></span></p><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><p><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423003331060460338" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9aoCpxZDJjt_3u8IkO_ZSr8L5k1UtCOJtykcQAjFXwjLsKP1cNMnuJ6ZQ2SMCz-cD5wqBDr7Z2MyTnxLPg64kWTeipU1PF8TVuYB9YlqlowEhTmm2UPqm1ZlCmWfPilytaw4cyB1YGFA/s200/Copy+of+Roadtrips,+Thanksgiving,+Transkei+115.jpg" border="0" /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">5) Do not attempt to drive the road to Zithulele with eggs in your car, they will not make it.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><br /><br /></p><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">Today was my first official working day at the hospital... My hours are 7:3o-17:00, and Fridays we knock off at 13:00. Today we did orientation - my brain felt like one of the poor eggs I bought after a 2 hour bumpy drive - scrambled. Information overload! Me and the Comm Service OT (also named Jess) were introduced to the staff and shown around... I have A LOT of names and places to remember. The rehab staff are all white but are pretty good at basic Xhosa, well, good enough to sound impressive to a newbee English-speaking comm serve PT anyway! The locals really like it when we speak their language, so I've been trying :) I'm excited to learn more tho... <em>Uphilile namhlanje sisi?</em> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I also got given my weekly and year schedule, so confusing! I do 2 clinic visits a week, then a ward day, a project day, and a Disability Grant day... the rest of the time I will be in the Wards, or at Outpatients, or Driving around the area and Mthatha trying to get admin stuff sorted out; if you want anything done, you have to physically GO and get it done - that's seems to be the trend!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">My accomodation is great, if you like living in <strong>very</strong> close proximity to the entire cockroach ad mosquito population of the world! No, it is great. We live opposite the hospital, in a new complex... just about all the staff live here, in flats or houses; I have a single-room flat, it's cosy! The complex is secure and very safe.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">After work today I went for a short run... I was nervous because I didn't know how people would react, but I should have really been more afraid of the dogs guarding the huts, 2 nearly tried to eat me as I ran past! I was nice though, I got to practise my greetings <em>"Molweni Tata""Molo bhuti"</em>. Tonight we all went to the Chief Physio and her Husbands house (Karen and Roger) for drinks - to say farewell to a couple I had never even met!) - it was nice to get some social time in, it's like one big family here! Tomorrow me, OT Jess, and another OT Lisa are off to Mthatha to get our bank accounts sorted out - if we want to get paid some time this year we need to do this tomorrow... Roadtrip!</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhobMuvT2cHEZERnYk4DWj0eQjEdHHGx_TMvYD_xT3Us4EHS5-8vlf105NLpe2c7R8BbDyY5-ml9EgUgr2tPNcNRCCJp_FLn1RkfO1HIeQP2bwnNlFGm7MLCKMBY85ibWlDF0me8wAi3sF7/s1600-h/Roadtrips,+Thanksgiving,+Transkei+125.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423013643143058962" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhobMuvT2cHEZERnYk4DWj0eQjEdHHGx_TMvYD_xT3Us4EHS5-8vlf105NLpe2c7R8BbDyY5-ml9EgUgr2tPNcNRCCJp_FLn1RkfO1HIeQP2bwnNlFGm7MLCKMBY85ibWlDF0me8wAi3sF7/s200/Roadtrips,+Thanksgiving,+Transkei+125.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:arial;">So all in all, it's been an interesting first few days, it's crazy, I'm still not used to seeing goats and huts everywhere... but I wouldn't change my placement for anything else! This year is going to be so exciting, and I may even be involved in some wheelchair sports... but that's a story for next time!</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><em>As a side note to my Christian Buddies:</em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Please continue to keep me in your prayers - that I will grow as a health professional as well as in my faith... that I am a light in every dark corner, that i fearlessly live a life that is pleasing to the Lord, and that my discipleship is transparent to those around me!</span><br /><br /><em><span style="font-family:arial;">"It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation.Rather, as it is written: </span></em></div><div align="left"><em><span style="font-family:arial;">'Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.'"</span></em></div><div align="left"><em><span style="font-family:arial;">Romans 15:20-21<br /></span></em><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Jess Trolliphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08056612464302704252noreply@blogger.com4