Wonderful Weekend, Wonderful Start to the Week

    On Friday evening I attended that Piano Man concert that I had mentioned earlier. It was great! The view from the Monument is spectacular at night and the architecture inside was just beautiful. The ‘Piano Man’ himself was very funny which was nice because he did play quite a few classical pieces in the beginning. The pieces that they played were from different time periods and focused on the piano’s place in music concert since the piano is celebrating 300 years! And yes, he did end with Billy Joel’s Piano Man.



April and I with the lights of Grhamstown in the background

    I woke up very early Saturday morning and walked to Kingswood with Leah and April. We got on the bus (a fifteen passenger van) with a bunch of 5-7th graders and headed to Port Elizabeth for their Swimming Gala. The facility that the pool was in was very nice. The pool was 50 meters and had touch pads so they did not really need too many volunteers. The three of us mainly cheered and kept the girls busy while they waited for their event, reminding them to not eat too many Wine Gummies before they swam! These wine gummies are basically gummie candy that tastes like different adult beverages like vodka, cider, and wine-not something that we would find in the U.S. I don’t think! At Interval (halftime/intermission) Leah’s coordinating teacher took us to a nearby shopping center so that we could experience the South African retail scene. The shopping mall was very similar to that in the U.S. though a whole level was dedicated to banks and a post office. I tried South African cream soda which is called Spar- Letta and it is bright green! Instead of a vanilla taste it kind of tastes like lemon-lime. I’ll be excited to have a Faygo Cream Soda when I get home. We went into several clothing stores which had a lot of the same kind of clothes you would find in Michigan in the summer. Mom and Dad you would be proud, I have not bought one piece of clothing yet:)
    On Sunday evening we went to Rhodes University for the opening night of a conference Jean’s students are having. Jean teaches a research methods class for pre-service teachers like us and they are presenting their big research projects this week. The event was kind of like a “Congratulations, you’re almost there!” type party. We met several of Jean’s students and had a great time talking to them about their teaching programs in comparison to ours in the U.S.

       Play practice has continued and I am very much ready for opening night! Today one of the grade two teachers asked me to choreograph the boys song that they go to center stage for. They were originally just standing in a straight line, and everyone thought that it needed a little something more. The second grade boys are called the Litter Louts and they sing about littering. It was fun to think of different hand gestures and dance moves, as well as hear and consider the boys suggestions. When they got on stage to practice with the rest of the group I was so nervous that they would not remember anything causing me to look like the incompetent American Student Teacher. That was not the case at all, they definitely need some more practice, but I have confidence that they will do great come next week!

     

       This afternoon Leah, April, Lauren and I headed to Grahamstown to explore and get some groceries. We went to a store called Fruit and Veg (I won’t tell you what you can get there) and then we stopped at Wimpy’s for milkshakes and smoothies. No matter where we go Leah always gets a milkshake, and she drinks them down like nobody’s business. Lauren leaves in a week and we discussed what she was going to do for her last weekend in South Africa. It was nice to just sit and talk about our school day and our experiences with teaching thus far. I feel very fortunate that we all get along and enjoy each other’s company. Lauren has been here since the beginning of August and she has been our little information and advice source. I am really going to miss that Southern Bell!

              Tomorrow is a very busy day with School, Sport (swim practice with the Whales, their team name), Grade 5 prep, and working out with some teachers!

                  For those of you wondering how the weather is…tomorrow is supposed to be 81 degrees:)


I got so excited when I saw this Christmas Display!

Beautiful flower we saw on the way into town