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Published: December 13th 2006
Well I haven't written on this in ages, so I guess its deserving of an update.
I don't even know where I last left off.
Erik came to visit me in October which was the most SPECTACULAR of spectaculars. We chased wild animals through the bush, chilled with overly enthusiastic backpackers, ran through preserved wetlands, went bat-hunting, and had a generally phenomenal time. Best of all we went to a Sangoma ( traditional healer) ceremony, which was super cool, and I think Erik has found his true calling in life.😊
Since then I've been trying ot chill a bit after a quite busy three months. I finished up coursework in November, so thats all done. Just the thesis left now. I'm going ot be taking a look at women who have received redistributed land through SA's Land redistribution for Agriculture Development program and the livelihood strategies they are using. Little to no research has been done 10 years in to see if redistribution is actually making a difference in people's lives, so thats where I jump on the boat. I've been doing alot of research and hope to have my proposal in in January.
I've also started working part
Croc
Erik and I saw him on our river boat. This is immediately before Erik jumped out and preceded to wrestle it. time-( well more like full-time lately) at a place called Development Research Africa. I'm a research assistant, so I help analyze all the data they get in and find the significant findings and write up reports. Not the most glamourous sounding job, but I actually get to work on some pretty intense, government funded reports, so thats cool. Plus, its keeping me from begging for bread on the streets.
The low-point of the last month has to be the process of trying to get my visa extended till next july, which was like trying to wint he lottery. I think I stood in line for like 18 hours total for this thing. the department of home affairs is a debacle reserved for me apparently. Put that on my list of never to do's again.
The high point is that we have acquired our 3rd blessed vehicle Midge, a 323 Mazda, who've we've been told NO ONE wants to steal ( our #1 criteria) which probably means she'll be gone in about 3 weeks, keep your fingers crossed. She's stick, which means I don't get around to far in her as of yet, considering Durban is the hilliest town
in the world, and I live at the bottom of a hill, so actually more than 5 feet away from my house is, as of yet, a monumental challenge.
Mostly though, ive just been getting super pumped about coming back to the states for a month! A whole month! Swweeet. For those of you I haven't already hunted down, I get home on Dec 20th, and will be around until January 28th. I'm hitting up Denver for NYE, and will be in and out of Chicago and DC to visit wonderful friends as well. I hope to get to see all of you and hear about what has been going on in your lives for the past year. What a trip, it doesn't seem like its been that long already.
I would also appreciate if everyone I see could kindly donate one blanket to the "keep lauren warm" foundation as I am going to get totally kicked by the snow and cold.
Please let me know if you will be around during the holidays so we can make plans to meet up!!!!!! I am so much looking forward to it! Also, please send me your addresses so I can
send you all a bit of African christmas cheer.
Have wonderful wonderful holidays and a great new years and see you on the front side of 2007.!
Lauren
PS-Enjoy the picks of Erik's visit, and the great American-Durban Thanksgiving spectacular!
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gbitsko
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a proud teacher
wow, what a wonderful adventure But nothing you do would surprise. Mr. B