As a grad student you’ll begin to learn that time is constantly in fast forward. I don’t know where the last two months have gone, and as I sit here now, a slow Sunday taking the first break to pick up my book and continue from where I last left off in June (!!!!), I realize that I have actually got to learn to take a break every now and again. I love reading but due to all my commitments, I haven’t had much time to dedicate to it. Although I never thought I’d ever do this (as I truly appreciate a well-written book) but I am ashamed to say, I have recently invested in a series of audio books. When one lives life in fast forward, you have to minimize time and maximize effect. The only way I am ever going to read The Art of War, or have a chance to broaden my knowledge on American History is if I purchase the audio book versions, which I can listen when driving to and from work and class. I am so ashamed that I have lowered my standards to speed reading. The only step down from this is speed dating!

At my graduation get together, my grandparents who were unable to fly to the USA for the ceremony sent an email congratulatory speech to be read to me after graduation. A similar poem was once quoted by Mother Teresa. The following words are words of advice from my Grandfather to me, and are words of wisdom we should all keep in mind, and perhaps a list of rules we should live our life by:

LIFE IS A CHALLENGE, MEET IT
LIFE IS A GIFT, ACCEPT IT
LIFE IS AN ADVENTURE, DARE IT
LIFE IS A SORROW, OVERCOME IT
LIFE IS A TRAGEDY, FACE IT
LIFE IS A GAME, PLAY IT
LIFE IS A MYSTERY, UNFOLD IT
LIFE IS AN OPPORTUNITY, TAKE IT
LIFE IS A JOURNEY, COMPLETE IT
LIFE IS A SONG, SING IT
LIFE IS A PROMISE, FULFILL IT
LIFE IS A BEAUTY, PRAISE IT
LIFE IS A STRUGGLE, FIGHT IT
LIFE IS A PUZZLE, SOLVE IT
LIFE IS A GOAL, ACHIEVE IT

In South Africa there is a national game reserve called The Kruger National Park. I have spoken about it in one of my earlier posts. In my opinion, The Kruger always promises to be an amazing holiday, as you get to see animals in the wild. They are untamed, and are left to fend for themselves. Recently, a real video posted on Youtube won an award for over 27 million views. I have watched this video several times as it is just so amazing. It is unedited and is an actual event. It’s really worth watching! So, if you have some time, sit back and press play.

Well, I’m speechless. No, seriously, for the last two days I have been completely without a voice!

Have you ever thought about what it would be like to be unable to speak? I have begun to realize how vital one’s voice is for everyday activities.
The worst is when the phone rings, I pick it up and say ‘hello’ - yet nothing comes out… not even a squeak. So, I don’t even bother… unless I have someone with me who can translate what I am miming. I’ve seriously considered learning sign language, but I don’t know anyone who knows sign language, so I wouldn’t have anyone to communicate with. On the bright side, my acting skills are getting better.

I went to class this evening, but I left early as I wasn’t well. When I was in class, I wanted to contribute to the conversation… but couldn’t. However, all my classmates were extremely helpful in translating my muted speech. And my boyfriend, Thomas, has really enjoyed the last couple of days… I haven’t complained or ordered him around once! But, I promise I’ll make up for it when I get my voice back.

I have just been reviewing the last blog I wrote before flying home and realized that although I didn’t have an opportunity to do everything on my list, I did many other things that make up for the missed activities!

Where to begin? Well lets refer to the list:

1. Go to Moyo (this beautiful restaurant on a wine farm. You have your meal in private tree houses!

TICK! I went to Moyo, although I didn’t sit in a tree house. My family and I packed a lovely picnic and sat under a willow tree on the river’s edge. It was so peaceful and the farm was exquisite.

2. On the Wine farm, they have cheetah cubs that are part of a rehabilitation center, and I can play with them!

TICK! I didn’t play with cheetah cubs as I favored the risk of playing with an adult cheetah. It was an amazing experience. I wasn’t at all frightened, as they are very calm, lazy animals. A handler came into the cage with me. I sat down next to ‘Enigma’ - the two year old cheetah. The rehabilitation center is part of the Cheetah Outreach Program. If you remember, I wrote an earlier blog about the woman that came to campus and spoke about the cheetah outreach program in South Africa; well this is part of her organization. You can actually see Enigma as a cub here.

He just purred and cooed as I stroked his beautiful coat. Did you know that a cheetah’s stride is 7-8 meters! There are only 10 000 - 15 000 left in the world! So, the cheetah’s survival is truly dependent on programs, such as Cheetah Outreach.

3. There is a lion rehab. near to where my grandparents live, so we’re going to have a picnic at the lion rehab (I hope we aren’t their picnic!)

HALF A TICK! So, we didn’t have a picnic (and nor were we their picnic) but I did go to the rehab with my grandparents. I have never been that close to a lion before. The lions are all rescued from zoos, circus’, and various other cruel environments. There was a flimsy fence between the lions and us, so this was rather daunting. They are beautiful creatures, Kings of the Jungle. I got some beautiful photos of them, although I wish they had been in the wild, rather than in a rehab center.

4. I am a pathetic South African! I have never been to Robbin Island (where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years). So, I have to do that. It’s very historical and Mandela’s artwork is showcased there. The tourguides are all ex-inmates! You have to take a ferry out to it though.

TICKLESS! I am still a pathetic South African I have no excuse!

5. There is this fantastic beach club called La Med. It was the highlight when my parents were in their early twenties, and still is today! It pretty much dies during the winter, but during summer, on Sunday nights it makes up for all that it lost in the winter. It’s view is what makes it what it is. I have never seen as beautiful sunsets as seen from La Med.

TICK! TICK! TICK! So, I may have spent a little too much time here, but it was well worth the sunset after a long day on the beach!

6. I always go to Greenmarket Square, it’s basically a huge outdoor market in a square in the center of town. Many of the African’s (from all over, esp. from the Ivory coast and Zim.) sell their artwork, sculptures, carvings, and innovative designs here.

TICK! I bought/bartered the most beautiful African carving of a Maasai man and woman. You can read more about the Maasai here.

All in all my trip was unforgettable. I spent New Years with my grandparents and parents on the beach.

I went to my favorite band that was playing in the valley I live in. The concert is a tradition in our valley, it is very small (with about 70 tickets sold) and hosted by our local beach bar. The club is mostly outside and the ground is all beach sand. It’s very casual, and everyone knows everyone. Afterwards, the band socializes with the audience. I even got to chat to the lead singer, Art, after the concert. It’s an amazing experience - nothing like any concerts you’d see here. It’s nice to know they haven’t forgotten where they came from and who their fans were in the beginning. And the band, Just Jinjer is now really famous, and they now perform in the US. You can listen to their music here.

(That’s the band behind us)

Well, that was my trip! I hope you all had a wonderful vacation too!

Right now I am sitting at the airport, waiting on my 26 hour journey back home! yes, 26 hours! I fly to Washington, then down to Joburg, then connect to Cape Town! How do I do it? I have no idea! I suppose it’s just one of those things you have to do. I have taken this trip 8 times (one way).

I am looking forward to going back home. I am going to see my grandparents, parents, and friends. I have a whole list of things I want to do. I must confess that every time I go home, I have a list, and barely get through the first two or three things! But this trip, I am going to:

1. Go to Moyo (this beautiful restaurant on a wine farm. You have your meal in private tree houses!

2. On the Wine farm, they have cheetah cubs that are part of a rehabilitation center, and I can play with them!

3. There is a lion rehab. near to where my grandparents live, so we’re going to have a picnic at the lion rehab (I hope we aren’t their picnic!)

4. I am a pathetic South African! I have never been to Robbin Island (where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years). So, I have to do that. It’s very historical and Mandela’s artwork is showcased there. The tourguides are all ex-inmates! You have to take a ferry out to it though.

5. There is this fantastic beach club called La Med. It was the highlight when my parents were in their early twenties, and still is today! It pretty much dies during the winter, but during summer, on Sunday nights it makes up for all that it lost in the winter. It’s view is what makes it what it is. I have never seen as beautiful sunsets as seen from La Med.

La Med

The sunset from La Med… seriously.

6. I always go to Greenmarket Square, it’s basically a huge outdoor market in a square in the center of town. Many of the African’s (from all over, esp. from the Ivory coast and Zim.) sell their artwork, sculptures, carvings, and innovative designs here. You have to barter the price down…as they like to take tourists for a ride. So, I generally speak to them in the little Xhosa (Cape Town’s tribal language) I know, and then they realize I’m not a tourist and I get a more reasonable price. In the past, I have purchased the most beautiful masks, carvings and drums from this market.

Well, my flight is about to board! You unfortunately will not be hearing from me whilst I am in South Africa, as we have prehistoric dial up, which costs an arm and a leg per second, but I’ll be back in the first week of Jan. I promise to have tons of great pictures and lots of exciting news.

Happy Holidays and best wishes for the new year…

You’ll be hearing from me in 2008!

On Sunday, I went to the National Horse Show in Wellington. I have been a rider almost all of my life, except when I came to the US, as it was too expensive here. I rode for the South African Team and spent every weekend at horse shows, and most afternoons training. It was so odd going to the horse show this weekend and being on the ground! I half wanted to put on my jods and steal a ride!

Well, I dragged my poor boyfriend there, who says going to horse shows is like watching paint dry! Anyhow, he endured it, and luckily we ended up sitting next to another South African Family. The show was amazing. It’s incredible to think of the amount of money that goes into that sport. I think most of it gets consumed by traveling costs, vet costs, and general fees! My dad always used to say you should never invest in something that eats while you sleep.

I went to watch the Finals, which was an international event. It was incredible.

So, I recently wrote a story for the Ipulse about having a green holiday (and I’m not talking about the adjective).

I thought I’d post it as I really think its something every one should think about. This holiday season, I decided that instead of having a christmas tree, I’d decorate my potted tree (Rather pathetic looking tree as I always forget to water it… which reminds me!).

A Green Christmas
By Ashlea Evans

The holiday season is a time for giving, so why not give back to the environment? When you set out to celebrate the holidays this year, consider going green. Christmas takes its toll on the environment, with tons of extra garbage, millions of chopped-down trees and megawatts of flashing lights. But, it doesn’t have to be that way. When you set out to celebrate the season this year, take a little time to consider how you can make your Christmas a green Christmas. “Most countries produce too much waste,” says Bernard Londoni “It is only through recycling that we can help diminish the waste amounts. Many of the plastic products we use today are either recyclable or made of recycled materials.”
Before you rush out to pick your Christmas tree, there are a few things to keep in mind. Fake trees are non-recyclable, while real trees can be recycled and used for much more. The best option would be to have no tree at all, and rather decorate a potted tree. Wrapping paper and gift boxes can be recycled, as well as all the glass and plastics collected over the holiday. Why not replace your old string lights with low energy lights, such as LEDs? The U.S. Department of Energy completed a study and found that if everyone replaced their holiday lights with LEDs, in a month two billion kilowatt-hours of electricity could be saved, that would be enough to power 200 thousand homes for one year.

So, on Saturday it was the Rugby World Cup! England against South Africa…
Tom and I made our way down to Neighborhoods where they were showing the rugby…
There were quite a few people from Lynn there and somehow there was an obvious division: South African supporters on one side and the English supporters on the other. The game was quite close and unfortunately South Africa didn’t score any tries… but we won! For the first time since I’ve been in the USA, I experienced the patriotism of a mass group of South African’s abroad. Every one wore their rugby shirts, and we even brought our flag along. It was great fun and South Africa is now the champions of the 2007 Rugby World Cup! I am so proud!

Bridget and Ashleigh Fowles singing the Anthem

Dean Walters

Moment of glory

An extremely happy president - Thabo Mbeki

There’s a saying in South Africa, ‘my blood is green and my heart is gold’.

So, I am writing a story for the Ipulse on where Lynn alumni are now. It’s rather fun getting in contact with everyone and seeing what they have done since graduating, where they are living now, and what they miss most about Lynn. I think it’s a fantastic idea, as students can get a picture of what they should appreciate at Lynn, and what sort of opportunities a degree at Lynn may present.

So, keep your eyes open for this new Ipulse feature - it should be coming soon!