Happy Belated Birthday!!! Hey lady!! I'm such an awful friend. I'm glad to hear that you had a fantastic birthday.... Happy Belated Birthday!!
I send my well wishes from Tejas. :) I totally identify with your realizations. Keep me posted on your return to the States and what they may hold. Can't wait to see you again. XOXO!!!! Erin :)
iii'll be hoooome for chriiiistmas! Hey hey! Can't wait to see you and to catch up in person. Looks like you've been up to more fun. Your research project sounds very interesting. Also... we need to talk about Christmas weekend plans! I'm getting in around 1am on Friday night. Let's definitely catch up on Sat, Dec 23rd! Doug Barnbrook has his annual Christmas party that night... but was thinking a group of us could do our own thing and then stop by and then ??. Thoughts? Call me when you get to the States!! Can't wait to see you!!!!! - Erin
Evanston Rotary is proud of you! What a great adventure. To me it looks really hard. The Lighthouse Rotary in Evanston was glad to support you. I will try to figure out how to send this info to everyone. Thanks to Harvey for getting it to me. Ann
Another soon-to-be study abroad student Hi Lauren,
I am a senior at SSU in CA, and from Feb-Dec of 2007, I'll be studying abroad in the UKZN's Community Development program! It's been so helpful and awesome to read your blogs, My school system has never sent anyone to Durban before, so they literally have NO information for me. I was scared to read that the student housing was gross, I probably have to live there at first. It sounds like you received an excellent scholarship, you got to go everwhere! It was really great to read about your community work, I will be looking to secure an internship with a development program while there, and get trained how to design them. School sounds tough, I've already written my senior thesis and was hoping that would be the end of my huge papers! Anyway, thanks again, and maybe when you return and have recovered a bit, you'd be willing to give me some more pointers? My e-mail is kristine_rae@hotmail.com. Take care, I can't tell you how much you've helped me!
Kristine
I'm such a delinquent friend!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I hope you had a grat South African birthday, as your pictures show. I'm glad that you are feeling settled over there as it totally takes some time to ge there and you probably go in and out of that feeling sometimes. :)
Looks like you are really getting to do some pretty cool things and I wish you luck in all of them (as well as safety... I'm sure you're safe, but I just feel like its necessary to say when ppl are out of the country!)
Take care, hugs, miss you!
Erin
Linguinie is all talk I, on the other hand, am definitely hitting up South Africa asap! Lauren that hike sounded awesome, I'm so jealous. Have you heard anything of the Gallo industries yet? I think little Gallo is going to be at our friend's wedding coming up. Anyway, take care over there!
WOW I want to go to South Africa!!! Lauren, if you decide to become part of that ex-pat midwestern colony, stick an extra cot in your house cause I will def be stopping by!!
wow! Hi, Sweetie!!
I don't know what you did this time but we got all your pictures!!!!! Maybe its because you put them with your words.. Anyway, they are really nice and it makes me miss you and be excited to see you and this area...... Hope your not stressing our too much!!!
XXXXXXXLove, MOM and DAD
You don't know me, but I just want to comment.
Cape Town is also the real South Africa. Enjoy Durban, but try and get to as many different areas in South Africa as possible, and mix with as many different cultures as possible, including small town and city folk. It truly is a rainbow nation. We are also still a very new democracy, and have a lot to learn, but I think we are getting there, perhaps a little slowly.
You seem very open to new experiences, which is really great. I hope you have a really great year.
Lauren, Wow!!!! I am so excited for you but will also miss you. Thank you for setting this site up. I feel better knowing that I can still get in touch with you.
Have a very quick and safe flight. I know you will be in a fog for the first week or so but please let us know as soon as you can, that you made it.
I will keep you constantly in my prayers. I know this will be such an amazing time for you.
Keep your eyes open for all the new and fun things that will soon fill your days.
Love you,
Marie
Rotary Club Wishes You Bon Voyage! Lauren - Your sponsor -- the Rotary Club of Evanston Lighthouse -- wishes you a safe and smooth trip to South Africa, and a rewarding experience as a Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholar. We look forward to reading about yout achievements in Durban. - Harvey Newcomb
Ever in need of a new adventure, I have set off for Durban South Africa for the year. I will be attending classes in Development Studies at the University of Kwazulu-Natal, volunteering, traveling, and hanging out with monkeys. Hopefully, I'll find some time to surf, safari, and perhaps climb Kilamenjaro. We'll see.... For now, you're invited to enjoy my stories, nonsensical musings, and pictures from the African continent.... full info
Erin
non-member comment
Happy Belated Birthday!!!
Hey lady!! I'm such an awful friend. I'm glad to hear that you had a fantastic birthday.... Happy Belated Birthday!! I send my well wishes from Tejas. :) I totally identify with your realizations. Keep me posted on your return to the States and what they may hold. Can't wait to see you again. XOXO!!!! Erin :)