Calm before the storm

Friday

• We had our first day of our Service Learning and Theology classes.
• Seeing as we are college students in a new city, we had gone out Thursday night to check out a gay club (which was pretty poppin', but not nearly as great as the Castro), so we were all fighting sleep when we got to school, it was rather brutal. Plus it was raining like no other. Solid sleeping in class weather.
• Our Service Learning class is called Leaders in Grassroots Organizations: Community Development and Social Analysis. Essentially, we are going to be learning through experience with our service sites (I'm finally visiting mine tomorrow morning!) how to create a sustainable empowerment of the community. Right now, I think that I know what that means. I have a basic concept in my head that I am confident about. But of course I really know nothing, so we shall see how much my opinion and views change by the end. I'm excited to let you all know what an idiot I was way back at the beginning of this semester. 
• Our Theology class is entitled Theology of Apartheid, Liberation, and Transformation. The professor really liked to talk a lot, and his classroom was actually warm. He told us a lot about the University's personal history and involvement in Apartheid as it was one of the major social forces. 
• Our assignment for this week includes us reading The Belher Confession and it's accompanying letter. Originally, Apartheid was advocated for by the church as following religious doctrine. Later, upon review (1982), the theologians began to question the fact that they preach unity and togetherness by promoting separation. So this document is an acknowledgement of the Dutch Reformed Mission Church's part and an attempt of reconciliation. Good stuff.

Saturday

• Manchester United was in town to play the Ajax!
• We went to a sport's bar on Long Street to watch the game, eat some greasy food, and play some pool. The game ended as a tie, 1-1, and there was about an even number of fans for both sides. Naturally, we were supporting our fellow Cape Townians.

This is some of the crew. It takes a lot of coordination to get sixteen people to gather for a photo op.

Sunday

• Officially NOT the day to go to the super market. It was so busy, someone must have told everyone it was the last chance to ever buy food ever. And they don't sell wine on Sundays.
• We went to Mimi's restaurant down the street and I had a beastly good chocolate croissant and we saw our friend the waitress, who told us about a masquerade party this next weekend!
• I also finally saw the movie Invictus! Took me long enough. I am feeling so inspired, I think I'll go take on the All Black's single handed.
• Tonight is family dinner night at K House. It will never take the place of Oregonian family dinner, but it should be tasty. Stir fry. It feels good to have some traditions from home carry over (we are going to do high, low, learn, but we are voting on naming it either Pits and Peaks or Happies and Crappies)