Whilst in D.C. I met up with Lynn alum, Nelson Lewis. Nelson works on Greta Live Wire at Fox.  He achieved the Mary Henke Excellence in Communication Award from Lynn, the same award I won last year. Nelson has really done extremely well, and I have every faith he is going to go on to achieve many great things.

We met up for lunch and a “4 questions for” interview by the Capitol. The interview came out wonderfully (so keep checking the website for its launch). Nelson gave me a tour of the very impressive Fox newsroom. And, I of course left him with one of our Lynn Bobbleheads: Lynn Knight (who is not only well-traveled, but an avid enthusiast of surfing, the arts, and politics). You can request to be Lynn Knights friend on facebook, and if you have any great photo ideas, send him a message and he may visit you.

I actually interned at the Forum, and was a member of the media team. It was such a wonderful experience, and it was quite testing balancing my two passions: media and world affairs. Willie Mitchell, who was the media team coordinator was the most interesting of characters. I must say that I learned more than I imagined from him. One of my tasks was to interview the speakers… what a fantastic opportunity.

It was phenomenal to meet with students and young professionals from all corners of the globe. I developed lifelong friendships with people from China, Uganda, Korea, Greece, and many other interesting countries. Who would ever imagine that two-hundred unique individuals from all places of the world could come together for a common cause of making a difference in their world. This forum gave students a platform from which to present ideas and visions, to receive feedback which suggests the success of these proposals in different countries. Ultimately, the forum is a launching pad, from which young people can enjoy the networking benefits, the knowledge and experience of world leaders, and ultimately follow their dream and succeed.

The worst thing about the Forum was that it had to come to an end.

Aniela, Carlos, Armen (Founder of Athgo), myself, Roberta, and Isha.

Myself and Elle – The Media Team interns

I just got back from Spring Break. I had such a wonderful time. A college peer, Laura, convinced me to go to Langerado with her. I had never even heard of anything like Langerado before, however, after much persuasion I bought my ticket and packed my bag! For those of you who are as clueless as me, Langerado is a hippie/music fest. It was held in the Big Cypress Indian Reserve (30 minutes from Fort Lauderdale). It was so relaxing to get away from my computer, facebook, TV, and basically civilization in general! The festival was in the everglades (close to Alligator Alley) and the only things surrounding us were water, alligators, and hippies! We camped for four days… luckily, one of my superiors lent Laura and I a tent (which protected us greatly from a torrential downpour that left many campers blown away!). We grilled our dinner, had to use baby sanitary wipes to bathe (as well as a gallon of water over the head to wash our hair), and had to walk a good 15 minutes to the closest ‘Porti-potty’! I must admit that I had probably only heard of three of the bands playing (REM, The Whalers, Beastie Boys). However, after hearing groups like Citizen Cope, and Spam All Stars, I discovered that I actually really really liked those genres of music. My favorite was REM, I was able to get right up to the front of the crowd… about four people away from the lead singer. I have always loved REM though.

It felt so good to take a warm shower and eat a proper meal though! But I do think that it is important to get away every now and again, get in touch with nature, and remind oneself not to take day to day utilities for granted (i.e. running water!).

From the minute I arrived, I couldn’t help but stare at all the different people. I had never been exposed to this side of America before! There were ‘cowboys’ everywhere, donning their hats and boots! There were all sorts of booths with food ranging from pretzels, burgers, hot dogs, BBQs, and much more. We sat down on the grass amongst the field of camping chairs and blankets. It was actually really fun, but I found the people much more entertaining than the music (although there were a few I actually knew the words to).

When we left the Chili cook-off, I suddenly realized that I hadn’t actually had any chili. In fact, I hadn’t even seen any chili at the event. So, they took me to my first visit to Chili’s to have my first bowl of Chili. It was delicious! For the past three and a half years I have seriously been missing out!

The photo below if of the Gianni Versace House!

We eventually got home (I fell asleep in the car as it was way past my usual bedtime). We had every intention of waking up around 7am to drive to Orlando to visit Universal… but it didn’t quite happen like that. I could blame it on the alarm clock – but I would just be lying. We eventually got up and decided we’d do Universal on Sunday. We headed down to Fort Lauderdale and took a stroll down Las Olas BLVD. We peaked inside the boutique stores and walked right the way down to the ocean. The Intracoastal was beautiful and the boats were amazing. This is a photo of Thomas and Nadine in front of the Intracoastal backdrop.

We returned home for a Barbecue (which in South Africa we refer to as a braai. This technique is handed from Father to son, and is the basic survival skill that every man has to know and have mastered. It really is an art). The next day we had the same intention of rising early and heading to Orlando… but this time it was the weather. So, we instead went to Fort Lauderdale (again) where we visited The Bodies Exhibit. It was so interesting! They actually use human bodies that they preserve through a process of placing the dissected specimens in acetone, which rids it of body water; then they place the specimen in Silicon or Polymer and store it in a vacuum. During this stage, the acetone leaves the body as a gas and is replaced by the polymer. After which, they coat the specimen in some form of catalyst, which hardens the specimen. I highly recommend seeing this exhibit. They have several all over the world, but the closest one to Lynn is obviously in Riverfront, Las Olas, Fort Lauderdale.

That evening we went home and lazed around the house. In the evening we made sushi, which I now realize whilst writing this, sounds rather disgusting after visiting the exhibit.

After visiting China in August, I have really become more interested in Asian cuisine. For Christmas I was given this exquisite Chinese tea set. So, we had an Chinese/Japanese evening. We rolled our own sushi and made hand rolls. We then sat down to a wonderful meal and fantastic tea… all the way from China!

This morning Nadine flies back. I’m back at work and ready for a busy week. It was great to arrive on campus to the buzz of students returning from their holidays, excited to see their friends and catch up on holiday news. The campus has such a wonderful vibe when the students are here. The only way I can describe it is an array of opportunities making their way to or from classes, the whole day ahead of them.

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!

Thus far, everything has been terrific. After reading all my fellow bloggers blogs, I realized I had better update mine. It takes a while getting used to the internet, as I haven’t used it in ages. My parents have finally ordered high speed internet at our house in South Africa. After living in the US for the last 3 years, and enjoying the luxury of wireless internet, my father is struggling to get used to twiddling his thumbs for 20 minutes while waiting for a page to upload! So, he has ordered high speed, which takes over six weeks to install! (TAFY: That’s Africa For You!).

I have many plans for this upcoming year, both as a Grad. Assistant and in my personal life. I have many great ideas that I can’t wait to get the ball rolling on. On a personal level, I have started swimming in the morning. I also have a list of things I want to do… and I’m going to actually do them. This year is all about lists and ticking things off one at a time.

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!

Do yourself a favor and watch this… I promise you won’t be disappointed. For those of you who know me, I think Anderson Cooper is the luckiest man alive… his job is my dream job! What more could you ask for: traveling around the world, visiting remote and untouched places, and at the same time making a difference (in his case, a significant difference).

I vote for Anderson Cooper’s return to Lynn University! To anyone arranging the upcoming May Graduation, may I just say that I think Anderson Cooper would be a fantastic candidate for guest speaker (again). He has achieved so much more since his last visit to Lynn University, and I think, given his international knowledge of global warming (keeping in mind our university is a very diverse and international melting pot of cultures and people) (and also how important environmental awareness is), he is the perfect match! Additionally, for all those English majors, his recent book – Dispatches from the edge – was a phenomenal success. For all those Fashion Majors, his mother is Gloria Vanderbilt. For all those Film students, his father was a Hollywood Actor. For all those Biology and Science students, Planet in Peril (need I say more). For all those International Relations students, he’s been throughout Africa, throughout the Middle East etc. And most obviously, for all those Journalism students.

And if he is unable to be a guest speaker at graduation, then he is most definitely a fine candidate for Dively Frontiers! But I would settle for Sanjay Gupta or Jeff Corwin, if push came to shove!

 http://www.cnn.com/video/#

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’.