Moving to Villiersdorp-- My first week

Wednesday 10th January 21:10

I seem to be rather bad at this "blogging" thing, but since this is my first year teaching, I figure it is worth another shot to try an document an important year. 

I moved out to Villiersdorp on Monday morning (as I write this it is Wednesday evening), and had Mom and Dad to help me unpack everything. There was actually rather little to unpack since the garden flat is furnished. Mom & Dad were more necessary for the driving bit, which I would not manage on my own just yet. Just driving the road to school is terrifying. I have never had to travel faster than 55km/h, so to suddenly have to travel in a 100 zone is quite a challenge! I did manage to drive it alone just fine this morning when I went to unpack my classroom though, so I suspect I will get used to it fairly quickly. 

Other than setting up my classroom, I have not been up to too much. I have managed some form of exercise every day I have been here though, and of that I am proud. Since getting new running shoes for Christmas, it is my goal to go running at least twice per week. Keeping that goal may be tricky when school starts and I feel exhausted, but I hope that it will be easier to stick to since I know running makes me feel better. 

Sunday March 30th 16:02

Reading this again I feel quite surprised, I thought I had at least written about having supper with the De Villiers family and my first church service too, but it seems I did not. 

I can say that my driving has improved no end. This term, I travelled to Stellenbosch around three or four times, and I even drove Sarah and I to Pinelands via Durbanville. I feel quite confident that I will manage driving myself to Equip. 

Being able to drive has been a massive blessing since I have found it so difficult to find community in Villiersdorp. After consulting Nienke and chatting it through with Mom, I have decided that for now what I need to do to survive is to go to Stellenbosch (and perhaps later even home) more often. 

It has been a tough first term. I have had a lot thrown my way, from curriculum changes, swimming and cricket, to Bible teaching disagreements and children with rotting appendixes. It really has been one of the loneliest and most challenging times I think I have gone through. There were tearful and mid-panic attack phone calls to Mom, Liesje and Dana. There was a week-long tummy bug that I just had to tough out. 

But there were many good times too. Playing in the sprinklers with my kids. Getting my first drawings and notes from them. Celebrating children's birthdays. Hearing them request the one praise song I taught them "God's love is big" over and over again. 

I have made so many mistakes this term, and not just at work. But I really am trying my best and I hope I can hang in there and it gets easier. 

Right now, I have come back from having the loveliest time in Stellenbosch and am sitting on Mom and Dad's couch with a full tummy feeling very grateful. It is so lovely to be home. 

Mom and Dad were standing out in the street when Sary and I pulled up. They waved and jumped up and down and did side kicks, it was the sweetest, most wholesome welcome. I could have cried I felt so overwhelmed with love from my goofy, kind, supportive parents. 

Oh but everyone's welcomes were so special. But I liked Talita's second best of all. I waited for her outside the education faculty to join her philosophy class. She saw me across the street and broke into a huge smile. She gave me the biggest hug and said "You did it! I am so so proud of you!" All of my friends said the same thing in one way or another, and I could not be more grateful for their support.