is "Alot to Learn", which is what I have done while I have been here.
I wanna take the time to reflect on the things that I have learned so far and add to this post as I go...

Personally:

1. I don't make friends easily....intentionally. I would rather observe people's actions and see the positive and negative qualities of a person before I try to call them a "friend" or think of them as "ride or die". This process takes different amounts of time in various contexts. For example, at WU it took some years....in SA, I'll just say I know my place.
2. It is always good to find atleast one good quality about a person that you really like. I realize that I tend to do that for about everyone that I get to know, although I usually do not tell them. Even if we are not the best of friends, I notice the little things and can appreciate you for them even if my attitude towards you isn't the friendliest all the time. You should ask me one day.
3. In conjuction with the point above and a conversation that I had with Audrey last year....I have high expectations for almost everyone I meet. In the past, this has been detrimental to potential/current relationships because I don't always have high patience and people feel that I am judging them. But I am working on that...especially my initial reactions to pple that I feel haven't lived up the my expectations for them (which is another issue Audrey is schooling me on, lol). I am constantly working on this quote - "You can't have high expectations, and low patience."
4. When I first meet you...I will always be quiet and a 'loner' willing to do my own thing and not reveal alot about myself. If others don't want to go on my 'adventures' I usually don't mind doing it on my own...my philosophy is that my fun/experience is not dependent on you.
5. Taking after my father, I'm  not a big pple person unless I tell myself that I'm going to be that day. Seriously, I'd rather dip out the back of a crowded space. I don't like alot of people touching me close spaces...but if you see me at WILD I'll be the one protecting my friends from the 6ft drunk pple that are hammering over them or the one squeezing through the crowd to get in a jammie (shuttle).
6. After a while, I get complacent with who I am friends with. I think I have done this some in STL...and especially in Dallas. But this quality has come out here in SA where I have noticed it more...I have taken less efforts to get to know more people and have retreated to myself for the past few weeks. I'm not sure if this is because of some issues I had with pple I met here, because I'm leaving in a few weeks, or just because I'm too comfortable....regardless my overall actions of shown apathy and complacency. BUT I am making an effort to change this as I type this.
7. My actions in a group of people really depends on the dynamic of the group. At home (Dallas), I am the quiet respectful person because my friends are OUTRAGEOUS and I love it!! At WU....my friends are less 'out there' so I take a more 'crazy' personality than I would at home, yet I am still myself, respectful and consciouse of my situation.
8. I realize here that I need to question/challenge Christianity more than I do right now.

Reading this you are probably thinking I am flaky, strange, confused...but that's alright. You probably know more about me than you should, but I also think it has been good for me type these up and hopefully reflect on my progress in the next month.

Other lessons coming soon....

___________________________
OH...and last night I went to REALLY intriguing event on Zimbabwe's independence. Hopefully I will take some time to speak on this.

My fbook status says "Maggie P has officially been initiated into the story of international students in SA - pickpocketed while tryna do the stank leg (jk), but still its not cool. :/"
You don’t have to understand the different sayings, just the term PICKPOCKETED! So last night I was pickpocketed at a club, after this AMAZING fashion show that I went to. Guys...I was balling and probably threw the biggest hissy-fit that I have had since, before college. My $$, US and SA debut cards, University ID, and TX state ID were stolen out of my pocket. One nice thing (yes nice!) the perpetrator did was return the pouch and keys to the bartender. Which meant I could get into my room last night (and still have my flash drive) and call both my banks to cancel ALL my cards. While all of this was happening at the club, everyone was doing their best to comfort me but it was not really working. I had to call my dad...crying! Initially he was frantic himself...his daughter calling him crying from South Africa, but we got through that part. After a few minutes of both of us calming down, we worked out a game plan and made sure everything was taken care of. So I am straight until I can go until the bank tomorrow and see if I can get another debit card, as a I have 100 rand (about 15USD) on me right now.

So as I am reflecting on this experience...I can really only blame myself, because I was an easy target. The ONE night I didn’t take my wristlet to carry my valuables, I get pickpocketed. So I have learned my lesson....which was stop tryna look cute and be safe! (Seriously though, my dad tells me this ALL the time when I travel, but I'm not going to tell him he is right...especially now, by wearing that green pouch!)

However, the irony of this situation is crazy because my program leader just sent an email about being safe in CPT, and not acting like you are invincible. Since I had not had anything happen to me yet (ie pick pocketed, robbed, assaulted, attacked), I felt that I was invincible and that all of my cautious tactics in the past were adequate, but weren't always necessary. Last night, I found out why I need to remember that I am no one special and am still a target. hmm...just another international student in SA.


To all my family in friends out there, wondering why I am not trying to turn someone in...or are even blaming myself....You have to take a look at the culture of SA and of international students that frequent it. Realize that everyday almost 50 people are killed in the entire country. No one walks around at night…even around campus for fear of being assaulted. SA is the rape capital of the WORLD. Careless and often drunk international (mostly American) students are in the midst of a country filled with crime. People know that we bring a lot of valuables and are only here for a short time…so a HUGE target. So my 4 cards and little cash that were stolen have been nothing within the list of things that could have happen to me. So while it is extremely inconvenient and unfortunate what happened to me...I must continue to protect myself and not take the time to blame a person and/or people that are invisible to me.

If you can do one thing for me though...please pray that I remain safe for my last few weeks here.

MY GRANDPARENTS would watch me on a YouTube video!! I definitely did not! From now on, my videos will be LESS foolish because I was not expecting so many people to watch them. Really it hasn’t been a lot, but I was thinking 5 hits not 22! LOL...


So here is an update....

1 --- I feel so disconnected from the world without having a computer! I can't use Skype to call anyone from home. I'm sure my grandparents think I have abandoned them. I am realizing how much I am addicted to being on the computer and being instantly connected to everyone through the telephone and internet. It’s like I have this itch if I don’t check my email or Facebook everyday because I know someone is trying to get in touch with me. It’s kind of crazy.

2 --- Along with being disconnected, I am a bit worried about this summer and my plans. Time is passing by very quickly here in Cape Town and I feel like I have just arrived. I am so carefree here...my mind relaxes and time just evaporates into thin air. Really though...how is the world is it already April?? I am failing to comprehend this idea at the moment.

3 ---- To more interesting news...I just came back from a week vacation in Mozambique. I must say this trip was AMAZING!! Definitely worth the 2days of travelling both ways and the money spent. Some of the highlights include....FRESH caught seafood (huge crab and prawns) for $10 USD for the crabs....secluded beaches next to lovely rivers...Mud baths in the river (something you would pay for at a spa, but FREE)...a Safari in Kruger National Park (THE place to go for a Safari in SA)....a live concert in an alley...and many other adventures that shall remain in Mozambique (smile). Overall, this trip was simply amazing!

A few things did surprise me though...There is a vast difference between South Africa (Cape Town at least) and Maputo (the capital of Moz). Mozambique is definitely a poorer country than SA and does not have the same regulations as SA does. For example, the streets are filled with a lot of debris and people openly use the street as their trash can. There is also ALOT of stagnant water both in and out of town. Similarly, there is a lot of smoke and dust around because there aren't any regulations for vehicle maintenance. This makes for a 'dirtier' city, in comparison to Cape Town. This took me a while to get used to, but a conversation with some friends from other areas in African (Swaziland and Ethiopia) I realized that development in African cities is different. For some areas debris might be a major issue, but their city streets are paved and accessible (which was the case in Maputo) while in other cities, the area might not be as 'dirty' but the driving system is incoherent and the city maybe overpopulated. So while Maputo may have been drastically different than Cape Town in terms of how clean the streets were...I also believe it was safer at night. While in Cape Town, once it is dark most women and children are off the streets. However, in Maputo women and children of all ages are running about at all hours of the night.

Another thing that blew my mind was seeing people living in grass huts. I came to Africa, thinking that this notion of people living in huts near a river without electricity was a thing of the past. I would be foolish to think this still existed. However, this was not the case. I saw with my own eyes (no picture though, as to not take advantage of people's situation) people that lived in these conditions, making fires every night for dinner and salt drying their fish to preserve them for the long-term. So I must say, the media's view of Africa is somewhat true, but is NOT the absolute truth. Within this continent, there are diverse living conditions that really span every type of living style on earth. It should be appreciated and questioned at the same time.


Along the lines of how people live...I passed through Johannesburg (the biggest city in SA) on my way to Maputo. This place looks like any major city in the US. The skyline was very unique and the metro train was more extensive the in STL. I actually felt like I was in Houston, or others said Philadelphia. It was kind of mind blowing to get that feeling on the other side of the world, but made me think about the vast inequalities of living conditions and the different personalities of cities just within South Africa.


........

That's all for now.
Peace and LOVE.

1. My computer died on Tuesday.
2. There will be no more videos due to the above fact.
3. I'm sick in another country, which is never fun.
4. My parents wont answer my emails. They have abandoned me!
5. I'm going to Mozambique on Sunday. Should be fun if I'm not sick by then!!


Probably the worst week of South Africa, but altogether not even that bad.

Alright...its been a month. I have failed to update you on so many things!! So i'm gonna cheat and try to post videos of the following topics. While it will probably cost me a BILLION internet credits to upload, I am doing this for the benefit of you and also to remember what I've been up to! Alright so here are the topics:

1. Classes - SAVideo - Classes
2. Climbing Devil's Peak - SAVideo - Devil's Peak
3. Personal Space in SA
4. Homesickness or lack thereof (family, folders)
5. Homestay with coloured family
6. Random Moments in SA (The Lion King, wine tasting, Rugby, Netball)
7. Thoughts on USA/SA  (idk if I'm ready to go there yet, we will see though) (apartheid/Africans wanting to leave)


This will take time, but I will just continue to update the post. Oh, and I got braids...so don't be shocked. :)

Not alot has been happening, I guess. But in actuality alot has happened. I'm just gonna list things that have been going on:

    -Mekhi's baptism...one reason i'm SAD not to be in the US right now.
    -classes started Monday...can we say, MADNESS. Each of my classes meet 4x per week PLUS a tutorial which = 19 class meetings a week!!! AH!
    -I have readings/hw, EVERY NIGHT. Due the next day.
    -been meeting ALOT of pple (not Americans) and it has been really nice.
    -learned so much about African politics. SA and other southern nations
    -I'm in love with the topics/themes of my classes. I couldnt get this array of understanding/perspective anywhere else.
     -learning that white = $$ around here. and that is evident through recent happenings in Zimbabwe (as of 10-15 yrs ago)
    - history/apartheid is so recent around here. its kinda scary. This week will only mark the 20th anniversary    of Mandela's release. (and I'm just 21)
               +I went to Robbin Island. This place is real...and intimidating definitely. History in the present, forreal.
       -I've been to District Six Museum - commemorating the destruction of black (coloured, African, Indian, etc) neighborhoods.
       -visited the Castle of Good Hope - initial "fort" in Cape Town
       -visited Table Mountain - most AMAZING view ever
       -saw some African penguins as well as seals
       -went Ice Skating with my residence (dorm) - funniest things ever! Never would I thought that so many pple would be horrible at ice skating (I even looked like a pro). Put Africans on an ice skating ring and the first 30 mins will be comedy hour.
      -been to plenty of Braai's
      -had a get-together at my suite - met alot of pple.
      -attended the Big Bash - concert (mainly freshman) but pure craziness/fun. Its like a WashU W.I.L.D. but better.
      -found the cheapest/most amazing Ethiopian food place. Its a a woman's house across the street, yes its sketchy but who cares, lol.
      -bought some FRESH/cheap seafood. (calamari for $10 American) that can feed a ton of pple!

So SA is good. Eventually I want to give some thought provoking posts on:
    -what is apartheid?
    -what does the southern african struggle say about white/black relations world-wide?
    -what do the above topics shine light on African-American struggle and context?

Plain and simple. That's who I am in SA.

Today, I learned to have respect for blacks from rural areas who attend UCT. These students often come from some of the worst education systems in the area, and jump tenfold to the best university on the African continent. Some have never even seen computers... this tells you about their perserverence to not only attend this school but also graduate..but also the marginalized quality of education in SA.

Today I was also reminded of the value of listening. While these students were telling me about the real SA (not the one UCT puts before us) I dearly wanted to compare US tactics of discrimination, expecially when it comes to education. However, this was not the time. I needed to listen and not compare, because how can you compare the poverty of SA where they let thousands of pple live in tin houses of the townships, RIGHT NEXT TO beautiful gated homes. You can't compare, one shouldnt even try. I just had to listen.


Today, I knew I was coloured. Which I already knew before I came on the trip, but it was affirmed today. My skin makes me apart of a class that is in between. I am not among the most marginilized individuals (the blacks) and would be thought of as near white by them. However, I am still not white at would be treated similar to blacks from a white perspective. All of this is true, until I open my mouth...then I am American again.


----------------------

Pics coming soon!

We have FINALLY moved into our perminant spots as of Saturday. So I am staying in the dorms, although farther from upper campus, they are really nice and alot of upperclassment live here. I'm definitly excited for the next few days as we have a free week before classes start. WHile those that are living in the houses are traveling around SA, other pple living in the res (dorm), including myself, are stayin in cape town to participate in our own orientation week for the res. It should be really fun and hopefully we will get to meet alot of pple!

Besides that, everything has been pretty chill. Maybe a little too chill, bc i'm ready to get out there and see what's going even more! So far the highlights have been going to the World Cup Stadium opening game...it is going to be WILD come June (and I will def be there), I also went to the beach which was simply georgeous and so relaxing. Hopefully when I go back, I can take a surfing lessen.

For the most part, everything has been really pleasant. I have a few concerns...

1. Finding good friends that will have my back and are willing to explore!
2. Spending too much money! (i haven't gotten used to the rand yet, 7 rand to a $1 makes it harder bc mental math, or any kind for that matter, is DEF no my strength)


Besides that...I feel like I'm learning alot of the culture so far...I've been reading magazines and the newspaper to try to get used to local events and sayings. For instance, I'm trying to stop sayin "Whatsup? and Yall" but say "Howzit?"

Another tangent...I realized last night at dinner, that just about all of the black girls in my program are NOT from the US. While most of them have lived there their entire lives(or at the least for college), they were born in another country. So why is this significant? I'm noticing that African-Americans...those of us with few ties to another country or continent...our pple are from Lousiana, Mississippi, Texas, or the Carolinas, we don't study abroad. We dont even fathom the possibility. I really think that's a problem....

Peace, from across the ocean.

Today… we visited sites for places to volunteer at. We rode through the townships, in our HUGE bright blue jammie (bus) with everyone staring at the tons of Americans glaring right back at them. We received various reactions...from children waking and dancing as we passed to adults cussing under their breath/giving us the finger as we drove by. I had a few reactions...

1. As I listened to the commentary of those sitting around me...all I thought was, these ridiculous Americans. All I could do was shake my head at some of the comments they made...one which included "some of these people choose to live here bc they did not want to pay taxes"...obviously this is taken out of context a little, but this was the gist. I just shook my head to myself, like What?..are you serious!?! But I have the same reaction to some people in the US and how they view minorities...so I'm not surprised I felt that way.
2. I felt American today. Not African-American, but simply American. Today in the townships, I was not Black and definitely wasn't worthy of the hyphenated African-....I had the same privileged lifestyle, mindset, and worldview as the white American next to me. This feeling will be explored a little more...
3. Usually when you see dire poverty, you supposedly get this feeling of guilt and say "aww" what can I do to help? I didn't get this feeling. I am not sure why....It's kind of troubling me that I didn’t feel some overwhelming shock. I almost felt that I wanted to shy away from it all and feel like it wasn't real, but it was real. Obviously all of this is blurry, and full of mixed emotions, but I have 6 months to deal with it.
enough of that...

OPENING OF THE WORLD CUP STADIUM TOMORROW! (if you didnt know...this is HUGE)


Adios

Yes, I am in Cape Town.

Things are still new and we have really only been doing orientation things, but overall its very nice! The weather is georgous...my campus is on a MOUNTAIN! Its just really beautiful, I hope to upload pics (once I take some) so I can show you how pretty everything is. I don't move into my dorm until Saturday, so I haven't seen my perminant accomodations yet, but I'm hearing great things!

Something interesting...driving from the airport late last night, I saw some of the townships. They are packed on to each other..and there are new homes in the neighborhood over. The contrast was vaste and definitely gets me thnking about what the racial relations in this country may be. Also about this 1st world, 3rd world notion...all in South Africa, all next door to each other.

Craziness, but awesome.

Alright, my internet is running out.

Peace.

I'm going to South Africa! WOO!

Yes, I think this is a fair tradeoff. Although I am not participating in a day of service, I am fulfilling a dream. Going abroad has been one of my goals for a long time, and today as I board my plane its happening all over again. It still hasn't hit me yet that I will be gone for so many months, but I hope it never does. I just want to enjoy every second of Cape Town. So hopefully there will be some fun stories coming your way.

So...this is probably a bad mindset, but I want this trip to be about FUN, FUN, FUN...yes, I'm actually going there for "study" abroad, not "fun" abroad..but when will I ever get this opportunity to go to school, taking the exact classes I feel like taking, with no extra activities and multiple jobs?? (Answer: NEVER AGAIN) So I'm gonna roll with the punches.

Some personal goals...
1. Personal growth...okay, thats typical but, shoot if I leave for this long and still act/think the same way?  Then FAIL, on my part. This is probably the first time that I've integrated into a new experience and I don't know anyone at all...so I hope to make some friends along the way and work on ME. In this process...I want to also grow in my relationship with Christ, that always needs strengthening!

2. AWESOME STORIES....I am very bad storytellar that I often just dont tell the story because I will likely mess up the punch line, BUT, I hope to have experiences so awesome that I can't help but tell everyone, and you think its funny/weird/exciting/interesting as well.

3. Marry an African man... HA, this would be the epitome of my trip. You have no idea how many people have told me not come back marrying "Kentakunte" (sp?). All I can do is laugh it off, but goodness...I might just come back married, just to see their face. (smile)


That's it off the top of my head...we'll see if I reach my goals come June?


Thanks to EVERYONE for all of their prayers, kind words, generosity, and LOVE.
Shout out to GOD, from whom all blessing flow!


-MJP

P.S. I apologize for the bad grammar, horrible spelling and atrocious punctuation. I tend to use alot of ellipses and commas when I am free writing, so you will have to forgive me in advance and in all future posts.