Well folks, it has finally happened. My visa has been approved!!! It has been almost two months since I applied for it. Yikes, I was becoming a little nervous about whether or not it would ever come through. South Africa's Home Affairs office can be a bit of a nightmare. Since my visa has come through, I was able to go back to work at the Sports Science Institute today. :)
I am really excited for the winter Olympics! I hope that I can find someone who has the proper channels so I can watch Team USA kick some butt! I have many friends competing in Vancouver and I wish them all the best of luck. I hope that they are able to take a breather from training and competing to remind themselves of where they are. To be able to compete in the Olympics is an amazing accomplishment, and certainly not something many people can claim to have done. I am very proud of each one of my friends and their accomplishment of qualifying for the Olympic team, no matter how you place, in my mind each of you are gold medalists. I am going to have a fun time trying to explain the rules of all the different winter Olympic sports to people who have never seen a real snowfall in there life. It is going to be an interesting two weeks. Someone still needs to explain the rules of curling to me though.. can you use a regular kitchen broom? Or is there a curling specialty store that sells hybrids? Hmmmm.... I think I want one.
I'm outta here for now. I hope everyone is doing well.. remember to set your TIVO's cuz there's sure to be a lot of action coming out of Canada!
Much love,
HP
Friday, February 12, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
All Aboard
Hello again,
I don't really have a lot of exciting stuff to talk about. But something scary did happen to me on the train this morning. Apparently there are three different class compartments on the train. I normally ride in the first class compartment, but this train did not have one. I accidently ended up riding in the third class compartment. All I can say is whoops, and that will definitely never happen again.The train compartment was packed and I was standing close to the door because my stop was coming up. I had my backpack in front of me and my arm was over the pocket that had my wallet and phone inside of it. As I was getting ready to get off I looked and a giant scary man had opened one of my pockets and had his hand inside of it!!!! Luckily this pocket had nothing valuable in it.. but still I felt very frightened and violated. I pushed his hand away, closed the pocket and got off the train. The entire walk to work I was afraid this man might be following me. I was walking very fast and stuck with a group of people. Tomorrow I will be purchasing pepper spray.
I was looking at photos of all the snow in Lake Tahoe, I also have been reading people's Facebook statuses which have been full of skiing and snowboarding updates. I am currently sitting in my office sweating. I am feeling a bit homesick and reading about my friends powder skiing certainly does not help. So please, out of consideration can you talk about how crappy the snow is and how you did not have a good time on the mountain. Thanks, I appreciate it. If you keep it up, I might just have to talk about how warm it is here, how tan everyone is and how much I enjoy spending time on the beach drinking cocktails. :)
On Friday night I went to a local high school's performance. My friend Mel (an alumni of the high school) was asked to play a few acoustic songs in it. It was awesome! I don't remember having that many talented people all coming from my high school (no offense guys). I really think that they put something in their water. Some of those girls are definitely going to make it big. What made it even better for me was listening to everyone sing broadway songs with a South African accent. Haha.. I think I am the only person in the audience that found the show even better because of it, being that I was probably the only person watching without a South African accent. :)
Here is a travel tip. If you are feeling homesick do not.. I repeat.. DO NOT lie on your bed, in the dark and look at photos of what your friends are doing without you at home. You might find yourself sending soppy "I miss you soooo much" messages. Not that there is anything wrong with that... cough.. for anyone who recieved one.. cough. Instead, look at photos of fun times that you and your friends (and family) have had.
Lots of love,
HP
I don't really have a lot of exciting stuff to talk about. But something scary did happen to me on the train this morning. Apparently there are three different class compartments on the train. I normally ride in the first class compartment, but this train did not have one. I accidently ended up riding in the third class compartment. All I can say is whoops, and that will definitely never happen again.The train compartment was packed and I was standing close to the door because my stop was coming up. I had my backpack in front of me and my arm was over the pocket that had my wallet and phone inside of it. As I was getting ready to get off I looked and a giant scary man had opened one of my pockets and had his hand inside of it!!!! Luckily this pocket had nothing valuable in it.. but still I felt very frightened and violated. I pushed his hand away, closed the pocket and got off the train. The entire walk to work I was afraid this man might be following me. I was walking very fast and stuck with a group of people. Tomorrow I will be purchasing pepper spray.
I was looking at photos of all the snow in Lake Tahoe, I also have been reading people's Facebook statuses which have been full of skiing and snowboarding updates. I am currently sitting in my office sweating. I am feeling a bit homesick and reading about my friends powder skiing certainly does not help. So please, out of consideration can you talk about how crappy the snow is and how you did not have a good time on the mountain. Thanks, I appreciate it. If you keep it up, I might just have to talk about how warm it is here, how tan everyone is and how much I enjoy spending time on the beach drinking cocktails. :)
On Friday night I went to a local high school's performance. My friend Mel (an alumni of the high school) was asked to play a few acoustic songs in it. It was awesome! I don't remember having that many talented people all coming from my high school (no offense guys). I really think that they put something in their water. Some of those girls are definitely going to make it big. What made it even better for me was listening to everyone sing broadway songs with a South African accent. Haha.. I think I am the only person in the audience that found the show even better because of it, being that I was probably the only person watching without a South African accent. :)
Here is a travel tip. If you are feeling homesick do not.. I repeat.. DO NOT lie on your bed, in the dark and look at photos of what your friends are doing without you at home. You might find yourself sending soppy "I miss you soooo much" messages. Not that there is anything wrong with that... cough.. for anyone who recieved one.. cough. Instead, look at photos of fun times that you and your friends (and family) have had.
Lots of love,
HP
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
A few more photos of my friends...
This was taken at my first South African Braai (BBQ)
This was taken at friends birthday party.. even the men were wearing dresses.
Happy New Year!! I hope that your 2010 is filled with love and adventure.
NEW!!!!!
Hi Y'all,
Yeah.. it's been a while. I know.. I've been a bad blogger. I apologize.
Sooooo.... where to begin? I have had the last 3 weeks off of work so I have been filling up my days with fun activities such as: lying by the pool, going to the beach, doing touristy things, running, theme parks, boat rides, hunting penguins, etc. I start at the Sports Science Institute again on the 14th. And I can honestly say that I am looking forward to it. I love it there.
I have mastered the train system here since my initial troublesome encounter. I have been told that I no longer sound "American".. so I guess I am picking up the accent. I am finding it difficult to differentiate between a South African and American accent now. Which is strange and slightly embarrassing. I have settled into a wonderful group of friends. They have become my South African family and are constantly looking out for me and making sure that I am having a good time. I really like them. :) I have applied for my yearlong "volunteer visa" and will apply for a work visa once this one goes through. Baby steps.
My friends have introduced me to the show Little Britain. I am hooked, it is hilarious! If you enjoy British humor, please check it out! There is even a Little Britain USA. Brilliant. I have been quoting the show for the last two weeks.
Cape Town is a beautiful place in the summer! The other day it was 38 degrees celsius! That was unbearably hot. I even considered diving into the ice cold ocean in Hout Bay. Unfortunately this water was contaminated by a local squatter camp's waste, so I didn't go for a swim. Ew.
Yeah.. it's been a while. I know.. I've been a bad blogger. I apologize.
Sooooo.... where to begin? I have had the last 3 weeks off of work so I have been filling up my days with fun activities such as: lying by the pool, going to the beach, doing touristy things, running, theme parks, boat rides, hunting penguins, etc. I start at the Sports Science Institute again on the 14th. And I can honestly say that I am looking forward to it. I love it there.
I have mastered the train system here since my initial troublesome encounter. I have been told that I no longer sound "American".. so I guess I am picking up the accent. I am finding it difficult to differentiate between a South African and American accent now. Which is strange and slightly embarrassing. I have settled into a wonderful group of friends. They have become my South African family and are constantly looking out for me and making sure that I am having a good time. I really like them. :) I have applied for my yearlong "volunteer visa" and will apply for a work visa once this one goes through. Baby steps.
Merry Christmas (a bit late) This photo was taken at Carols by Candlelight.
My friends have introduced me to the show Little Britain. I am hooked, it is hilarious! If you enjoy British humor, please check it out! There is even a Little Britain USA. Brilliant. I have been quoting the show for the last two weeks.
Cape Town is a beautiful place in the summer! The other day it was 38 degrees celsius! That was unbearably hot. I even considered diving into the ice cold ocean in Hout Bay. Unfortunately this water was contaminated by a local squatter camp's waste, so I didn't go for a swim. Ew.
Another reason why I didn't go swimming... there was a shark attack today in Fishhoek. And if you want to know more about it apparently there was a witness giving Twitter updates shortly after.. and possibly during the incident. Yikes.
I promise to give more blog entries shortly. Thanks for being so patient over the last few months!
Much love,
Hilary
Monday, November 16, 2009
Pull Harder?
This morning I took the train to work for the first time. This was a bit of a mission because I had to figure out where the train station is and which train I needed to get on.
After I figured that out, I bought my ticket and hopped aboard. It was a nice ride and things were going well.. that is until I got to my stop and tried to get off the train. I couldn't open the doors to get off. I wasn't quick enough and ended up not being able to get off at my stop. I was embarassed, but the people who were on the train helped me out and told me I need to pull extra hard to open the doors. I got off at the next stop and then rode a train back to the station close to where I work. Haha, I am still laughing at myself for not being able to open the doors. I must have looked like a complete moron. Live and learn.
After I figured that out, I bought my ticket and hopped aboard. It was a nice ride and things were going well.. that is until I got to my stop and tried to get off the train. I couldn't open the doors to get off. I wasn't quick enough and ended up not being able to get off at my stop. I was embarassed, but the people who were on the train helped me out and told me I need to pull extra hard to open the doors. I got off at the next stop and then rode a train back to the station close to where I work. Haha, I am still laughing at myself for not being able to open the doors. I must have looked like a complete moron. Live and learn.
Friday, November 13, 2009
No snow for me
Hello,
After a few worried text messages from my parents, I have decided to delete my last post. My parent's think thought that it was "unprofessional." I don't want to look bad, I just wanted to be honest about what was happening to me. I think that people can learn from the situation that I was in, it was certainly a learning experience for me.
Other than that hiccup, things are going well. I am very excited because Tish is back in South Africa. She is currently in Johannesburg, but will be in Cape Town in December. I am counting down the days until I can see her! She called me yesterday, it was great to hear a familiar voice. Finally, a friend from "home" that is back in her homeland. If that makes any sense at all... it does to me. Another friend of mine from college, Rhaea, is coming. She will be here in January, she is busy trying to plan a trip for the three of us. She is quite a world traveller.
Time has been flying since I have been here. I can hardly believe that I have been here for two months already. It feels strange to not be packing my ski bags and getting ready to head to Colorado for a Thanksgiving training camp with Olin/Lacasse Ski Racing School and other training camps with Sierra Nevada College. I am missing the snow and skiing already. I knew that I would miss it, I just didn't expect that it would happen so soon. I wish all of my ski racing buddies and the kids that I have coached the best of luck this season. Remember, skiing is supposed to be fun! Sometimes it is easy to get caught up in training and forget why you love the sport. Keep smiling! And take a few runs for me! :-)
Since I cannot ski here, I am trying to find new hobbies. I have been practicing the guitar and I am trying to write my own music. It is a difficult process, and I have a newfound respect for professional musicians. I also just met someone who plays indoor soccer. They need another girl on their team, so I will play with them sometime next week. All of you know how much I love soccer, so there really is no need to go into detail about excited I am to play. Haha. If anyone has any other suggestions on healthy, let me repeat, HEALTHY hobbies, please let me know. I think I will become obsessive about my diet and excercise again. Why not. It is bathing suit (or "costume" as the South African's like to say) season here.
I hope everyone is doing well. Please keep in touch, I love hearing about what you all are up to.
Much love,
Hilary
After a few worried text messages from my parents, I have decided to delete my last post. My parent's think thought that it was "unprofessional." I don't want to look bad, I just wanted to be honest about what was happening to me. I think that people can learn from the situation that I was in, it was certainly a learning experience for me.
Other than that hiccup, things are going well. I am very excited because Tish is back in South Africa. She is currently in Johannesburg, but will be in Cape Town in December. I am counting down the days until I can see her! She called me yesterday, it was great to hear a familiar voice. Finally, a friend from "home" that is back in her homeland. If that makes any sense at all... it does to me. Another friend of mine from college, Rhaea, is coming. She will be here in January, she is busy trying to plan a trip for the three of us. She is quite a world traveller.
Time has been flying since I have been here. I can hardly believe that I have been here for two months already. It feels strange to not be packing my ski bags and getting ready to head to Colorado for a Thanksgiving training camp with Olin/Lacasse Ski Racing School and other training camps with Sierra Nevada College. I am missing the snow and skiing already. I knew that I would miss it, I just didn't expect that it would happen so soon. I wish all of my ski racing buddies and the kids that I have coached the best of luck this season. Remember, skiing is supposed to be fun! Sometimes it is easy to get caught up in training and forget why you love the sport. Keep smiling! And take a few runs for me! :-)
Since I cannot ski here, I am trying to find new hobbies. I have been practicing the guitar and I am trying to write my own music. It is a difficult process, and I have a newfound respect for professional musicians. I also just met someone who plays indoor soccer. They need another girl on their team, so I will play with them sometime next week. All of you know how much I love soccer, so there really is no need to go into detail about excited I am to play. Haha. If anyone has any other suggestions on healthy, let me repeat, HEALTHY hobbies, please let me know. I think I will become obsessive about my diet and excercise again. Why not. It is bathing suit (or "costume" as the South African's like to say) season here.
I hope everyone is doing well. Please keep in touch, I love hearing about what you all are up to.
Much love,
Hilary
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