It's Relative

I think I’ve come to see that pain and suffering is relative. Your own problems always seem to be magnified when you look at them through your own eyes only. Not saying that all personal problems need to be looked at from a holistic view, but sometimes when you look at them that way, your own problems seem to be smaller. I’ve had plenty of discussions with different people while I’ve been here. Hearing their stories and how they grew up, their goals and visions, and their challenges. I just listen. I’ve become a better listener I think. Because to speak about my challenges back in the US don’t even seem like challenges compared to what some people have gone through or are going through. And it’s not like I can provide any type of solution. Sometimes hearing and trying to understand the stories is all that can be done. A response is sometimes not what people need or want to hear. Sometimes people just want to talk and express themselves, have someone hear their story without any added commentary.  I know I’ve been around people who always have a response to something, even when one isn’t asked. And I know I’ve done it myself before...providing advice when the other person wasn’t really looking for one. I’m conscious of that now. At the same time I don't want to be one of those people that ays "I went abroad, saw all the struggling children and now I feel better about my life back in America." There's nothing wrong with that but personally I'm not looking at people's lives here as a way for me to feel better about my life back in the states. I'm grateful for what I have back in the states and I shouldn't have to elevate my life compared to people here to realize that. So to my family, friends, and those who make a difference in my life if you don't know it already, i love you all.

What being abroad has shown me so far:

1. The human race is very similar. Even all the way across the world, I still see the same  basic types behavior, emotions...
2. Non verbal expression is stronger than any words spoken. How we appear can be very offensive to other people, especially in social settings. 
3. When in rome act as the romans do
1. but don’t lose yourself in the process
4. Learn from the locals
5. Don’t be defensive about little things...its another country with a different culture
6. Money comes an goes--but mostly goes
7. People let you down
8. There are moments where it seems like no one understands--then there are times where you barely have to explain yourself
9. Love can come easy
10. A smile is the same everywhere
11. Don’t impose on others culture, learn instead and accept it, cause seriously its theirs and not yours and you don’t need to try and change it
12. A walk on the beach brings peace to the body
13. There isn’t a simple solution to everyones problems
1. i can’t always help someone out

Enkutatash--Ethiopian New Year

12 September

“The Julian calendar is still used in Ethiopia, hence, New Year is celebrated on 11th September, the 12th for Leap Years. The festival coincides with the end of the rainy season in spring. Gifts of flowers are usually exchanged, as well as cards and gifts.”

I celebrated the Ethiopian New Year with some people that I had met about a month ago. The Ethiopian food was a mixture of meat, vegetables, and a injera which described as "sourdough pancake-like bread." And the food was spicy which I loved the most. One time I ate with them we ate from one big platter with our hands, but this time we each got our own plate. Besides eating for yourself, you get fed and have to feed everyone in the circle. It was quite an experience. But I enjoyed it, it was something very new to me. Afterwards one of the girls made Ethiopian coffee, but I only took a sip because its said to be really strong, and plus I'm not a fan of coffee at all. We also listened to Ethiopian music, got to see some traditional dancing and of course listened to them speak Amharic, their mother tongue. So I get to celebrate two New Year's this year...no complaints to that!

E. Coli Breakout

So thankfully I don't drink out the tap anyway, I just found out that there has been confirmed E. Coli found in a Port Elizabeth Hospital.

Read about it here.

I've noticed that I got on the internet less and less each day. One reason being I have to pay by the Gigabyte so I don't like wasting it and two, I'm getting use to not being so readily available on social network sites and phones.

But I wanted to dedicate this post to my my dad since it was his birthday yesterday (11 september). I got to talk to him, but only for like 2 minutes on the phone. For some reason he when he calls with the calling card, it's hard for him to hear me. So bonne anniversaire to him!

Also, in remembrance of  the 10th year since 9/11. It's one of those things that I along with many others can never forget. Remembering exactly where I was that day and what I was doing.

Blattodea (Cockroach)

If there's one thing I hate, its bugs. All types. Anything that creeps and crawls. And what will I be dealing with the most while I'm here?...

Cockroaches.

Just saying the name gives me chills. I've never seen so many cockroaches in my life. We saw one in our kitchen one day and I killed it quickly but after that we got bug spray the next day. And just today one was in my room. I wanted to scream, but didn't want to scare the roommates, so I went into kill mode. I thought to myself 'its about to go dooown'(Kevin Hart voice). I grabbed both insect killers I had bought (multi-insect and crawling insect) and literally drowned the cockroach in it. Then I was too scared to pick it up even though it was dead. I tried pulling it out with the broom and didn't succeed. Ended up actually pushing it back into the crevice where it came from. So I hope it's really dead or I'm screwed. Because if it has a family thats looking for him/her, they could be angry.

So of course after that I had to read up on cockroaches in SA and how to prevent/get rid of them. So I guess it's not easy to get rid of them since they crawl into tight spaces and they are nocturnal. Great. So they only come out at night and they know how to maneuver in tight places. I don't think I will be able to get use to this.

I will be DEEP cleaning my room tomorrow and buying more bug spray. And I will also be talking to off campus accomdation to see about getting the apartment sprayed. If they won't do it, I'll find a local company. I don't feel like living with those creepy crawlers while I am here.

21 Years Young

I was really bummed about not being home for my birthday at first, but it all turned out nice. I went to get my hair done in the morning, which was only R250 (approx $39). My roommates surprised me with a restaurant voucher and a whole thing of cheesecake, which I have come to love while I’ve been here. Also got a home cooked pasta meal which was great. We then had a mini party before going out with a group of international students. So no worries, I brought in 21right, South Africa style. There was another guy from Germany whose birthday was on Saturday so we all celebrated together.