Alright I have wrapped up my first week of work. Sorry it's taken me so long to give an update...we've been dealing with internet problems and such. On Monday I met with my supervisor, Arnelle, for the first time and I started work full-time on Tuesday. Needless to say, I am stoked. Here are the specifics of what I'll be working on for the next 11 weeks:

1. Racism and Xenophobia Project: They have a dialogue (a town hall meeting of sorts) coming up on the 23rd. I will be working with others to create invitations and finish preparations for the event, including developing a theme. I will also be interviewing refugees, asylum seekers and undocumented migrants to hear their stories in preparation for the dialogue and the 16 Days of Activism.

2. 16 Days of Activism: This is an annual event (or more accurately 16 days of events) that is focused specifically on gender issues. It begins November 25th (my last day at SAMGI), so for the duration of my internship I will be assisting everyone with their projects surrounding 16 Days.

3. Making Waves: SAMGI has a quarterly publication that has, well, not been so quarterly lately. I will be working with another intern, Lisa, on completing and distributing the June issue as soon as possible and developing a September issue. We've already been hard at work on this and it is coming along swimmingly.

4. SAMGI Coffee Table book: Apparently, this has been a two-year work in progress. Unfortunately, it hasn't really moved past the "concept" stage (we were told to ask one of our co-workers for anything that has already been done with it...he responded with saying there isn't anything). Arnelle told us if we could get this done, it would be incredibly awesome. So we will. :)

Obviously, this is everything I hoped for and more. I love the organization and everything they stand for. My co-workers are awesome. If the following statement from Arnelle near the end of our intro meeting is any indication of how my time here is going to go, it will be absolutely amazing: "when you come in tomorrow, you will not be an intern. You will not be a temp, someone who is lower than us, whatever. You will simply be a Samgian. And you will be treated as such". Bring it on. :)

Now for some personal stuff: The homesickness is slowly ebbing away. The first few days were incredibly rough. I think that once I started work, I was reminded of why I'm here and I feel much better. I still can't wait to come home and see everyone, but I know that I am incredibly blessed to have this opportunity and I'm going to cherish every moment of it.

One of my personal goals coming down here was to eat new things I encounter like a champ. I'd say I'm succeeding. :) Thus far, I have eaten ostrich (in burger form at a place called Kauai, it was delish), Thai food (at Simply Asia, I had the Ba-Mee Phad Gai, also delish), and tried an avocado and mint smoothie (Café Royale, I didn't buy one, but I drank off of someone else's. It was surprisingly good, very creamy). And then we come to the Old Biscuit Mill. It is a staple here in Observatory. It is this incredible Saturday Farmer's Market and apparently, all the interns go every weekend. And so will I. Last week I got an amazing sandwich called the Chicken Delight at a stand called Gourmet Panini. Gourmet it was. Chicken, avocado, bacon, spinach, Feta, and tzatziki (a Greek sauce) on a sandwich so big they have to fold the paper plate around it. Feel free to go on over to my pictures and marvel at it. And the best part? It was only R50. Which is like $7.00. It was honestly the only thing I ate all day. Today I got a potato pancake topped with a poached egg, raw salmon, hollandaise sauce and chives. Forgive me, I completely forgot my camera today, but I'll make sure to get a picture of them next time. It was also incredible. I do have to say though, the greatest thing about the Biscuit Mill is all of the samples. To be honest, if I had an ounce of self-control, I could be satisfied by the samples alone and walk out of there full and content. Alas, I completely lack this elusive control and I eat to my heart's content (and my wallet's discomfort.) :p But it's worth it, I'd say. If nothing else I have these stories to now share with all of you.

I'm starting to get into the swing of things here. Electricity is pretty expensive since the energy crisis hit in 2007 (the country ran out of electricity because the electric companies misjudged the growth rate of the population and failed to plan for more power plants. As of now, the next new one won't be built until 2014). Here you pay for electricity like you do a calling card in the states. We have a meter number. You take that to the grocery store and tell them you want to buy electricity. You give them however much money you want (we do it in R200 ($30), R150 ($22.50) or R100 ($15)) blocks and they give you a confirmation number. You go home and enter the number into the meter and watch it fill. There are eight people in the house and R200 lasts us three to four days, depending on how carefully we use the power.

Our transportation to and from work is the minibus taxis. These are minivans that are private, but they run on set routes, like the public buses in the states. Needless to say, they are an adventure. They like to cram you in if possible. They yell out the windows ("Hey lady! Cape Town?"). And of course they drive like crazy. They are much safer than the trains, though, and decently cheap. There is always music playing, usually good music too. Plus, you always get a good laugh from how much they try to get business. They are intrinsically South African and an essential part of the experience.

Well I'm sorry this is so long. It's incredible that so much has gone on in a week. I will make sure that from now on I will post more often so everyone can stay updated and I don't have to write as much all at once. :) Again thanks for your continued support and prayers.

P.S. The picture is the incredible view that I have of Table Mountain from my room. From apparent consensus by the other girls, my room is the best in the house. I've never claimed to not be blessed beyond belief. It's just another way that God's never-ending glory is displayed. Waking up each morning to such a stunning view humbles me in unimanginable ways. "'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'". Jeremiah 29:11