The Thanksgiving Nazi

So had I written this post in my state of insanity yesterday, you would have heard about my mid-afternoon sweet potato breakdown and furiousness over the 15 casseroles (whatever the hell those are) I will have to see other's eat at my  Thanksgiving dinner tonight!
 But today I am in a much calmer state, with a handle on this feast and a relaxed and hopeful state of mind about this whole shing-ding.
Today is Turkey Day, probably the most American holiday after July 4th and I will be attempting to recreate it here in Rondebosch, a lovely suburb of Cape Town, South Africa.
Somehow I got deemed in charge of this 30 person dinner at my house. Somehow I signed up for 3 dishes and was assumed to be everyone's assistant on attmepitng to recreate their mother's classic dishes with completely different brands of ingredients and substitutes on substitutes.
Classic Thanksgiving foods they do not have here in SA:
- Turkey- perhaps the most important part (we have 2 5-kilo turkey that is really just a plump chicken- each person will enjoy a sliver)
- Yams or orange sweet potatoes- so here's to the green, merky color the white variety I purchased and cooked turned out like.
- mini-marshmellows- only coconut covered or strawberry pink ones. yuM!
- Fresh cranberries, I found 3 boxes of frozen so I will enjoy serving everyone 1/2 teaspoon of my delicious orange and cinnamon scented sauce
- Pumpkin for the pies
- just a shocking amount of on hand ingredients you wouldn't think twice about at home but here do not exist- also we live in a frat house, therefore no mixers, trays
Also another thing I have had to keep close to my mind is that everyone's Thanksgiving is different. A few years back I made a Thanksgiving dinner for my mom's birthday with a crowd I do not eat my annual Thanksgiving with and learned just how different people's traditional dishes can get. Well I have relearned that this week. Some weird ones- jello salad? (Apparently it includes both carrots and whipped cream) Again I ask- what the fuck is a casserole? We are having 4 varieites at this meal. I'm just perplexed by the concept and purpose of covered perfectly good ingredients in canned shit and baking it in the all mighty casserole dish.
So I have been deemed Thanksgiving Nazi, only letting the boys out for 2 hours to go hike this morning and demanding their help this afternoon- even though I know they will serve no purpose and should probably just stay out all day. Also keep in mind that everyone is homesick on steroids right now, wishing they were with their families and friends. I certainly wasn't thrilled to miss my friends coming to chill with my fam the other night or not see the Upper West side experience its annual mayhem last night or eat MY traditional Thanksgiving dinner, but I'm doing the best I can here people!
At 4 o clock this whole thing will go down and I will either be a happy camper, enjoy everyone's dishes or alone in the corner hoarding my own delicious sweet potatoes watching the rest of em fight like our ancestors did so many years ago on this very holiday!

peace, love and turkey. enjoy the parade for those of us without cable TV.

Racism 101

2 nights ago I went with a whole crew to a comedy show in Obz, Gaby is doing her ISP on comedy in Cape Town so I have been to a few shows and had a ton of fun. As we are all packed into this small bar, I standing in the back with the latecomers, one guy who was just laughing with everyone else makes some casual, comment back to the comedian, as many others had been doing and is common of comedy shows. Immediately after the non-offensive, controversial or anything comment, the owner walked over and demanded 10Rand from him to see the show. I had come with 10 people and had been there for nearly an hour and none of us had been asked to pay once. The man, upset and refusing to pay turned around and left. His friend was then asked to pay and refused and was thrown out physically by the owner. Of course being in South Africa and living in the home stays I have lived in I have seen how some people can be racist and use race to inform decisions and judgments, but never as blatant as this. The owner was a colored man and the two men he kicked out were both black and a bit older than most of the students in the bar that night. However the fact that he asked them to pay, and did not request it of anyone else is absurd. And the fact that he threw one of them out for no apparent reason, besides their race i'm assuming, is even more absurd. The owner was not ashamed or thought twice about this decisions he made. And although I was livid, confused and shocked at this entire situation that happened a half a foot from me, I did not say anything, which I feel awful about. Its shocking that it happened, and that there are still people who unfortunately feel such a way towards people based on their race, but it is even sadder that it was acceptable behavior and no one stopped him and that the black men felt that they had to comply with his ridiculous orders. 

I would not say this is superrr common here, but there is definitely times when things like this happen and it just shocks you. South Africa is of course racist, because the government trained and forced people to be racist, but the fact that people are still believing and implementing racism 18 years after apartheid is disgusting and unfortuently acceptable here. Just a look into some daily things I see here on the other side of the universe. 

All for now.

Catch ya kids lata

Send off the search mission..as Celine Dion would say "I'm alive"

I know I know I know I AM SO SORRY I HAVE DISAPPEARED

But let me assure you I have been collecting stories and tales to share with you all and living the life I thought only possible in dreams.

A week ago I regained full control back over my life after having given it to the big, bad SIT for the 2 previous months.

Thus far I cannot say enough how much I love having independence and planning abilities back in my life.

So what have I been doing with my time? Well I moved into my house, fraternity, last week and am loving having my own room, own closet, semi full length mirror and window with a view of Table Mountain to lock myself and watch tv in by myself, like real college again!

As for the 4 boys occupying my kitchen constantly, it hasn’t been what I would call neat, but it is definetly tolerable and a small sacrifice for such great housemates.

This past weekend we had a braai, barbeque, and all hung on the couches in our expansive courtyard/ parking area, outside the steps to each house.

Some personal highlights of the past weeks events:

Watched American History X- a movie on my to watch list for the past 5 years, finally got around to. Some fucked up shit if I do say so myself, but honestly so fascinating I had to watch it all- yes all, even that scene, yes, horrific.

Back to cooking which has been fantastic.

Starting watching United States of Tara- loving it thus far, unbelievable that such a disease exists and Toni Collette just kills it.

Shower all the time- we have absurdly incredible water pressure in this house and I just want to shower every second of every day now, which has not been something I have EVER wanted to do!

Also summer is officially here! So beach days will soon become a thing...I know- what is my life? sorry i'm not sorry.

So that pretty much sums up my daily life these days- shower, cook and watch movies all day and then for the nighttimes….

Well now that you ask! I will finally tell you what my independent study is on.

So if you don’t know the way this program works is that after the past 2 months of having every second of every day planned for us, we now have a whole month on our own to study a topic of our choice and fill our days as we please and see best fit for our ISP. I have chosen to study music in Cape Town by going to concerts all around the city and suburbs and seeing how the genre of music correlates with the demographic of the crowd by looking at their race, gender, age, etc. So I began this that excellent night I had in Stellenbosch at Bohemia, remember that post?, and since then just going to as much live music as I can find out about. Last night I went to an open mic night in Obz, as Gaby says “as close as you’ll get to a liberal arts community in Cape Town” and my favorite neighborhood by a far. Some good acts, some not so good but still very interesting to see who was there and what people were singing about. I also saw Searching for Sugarman yesterday and if you haven’t seen it yet, GO SEE IT! An unbelievable, like actually unable to be believed story about a singer named Rodriguez. And yes if you have already seen it, I plan to visit the record shop immediately and have already emailed Sugar to set up an interview/ life talk. So that’s basically what I get to spend this month doing, apparently we need some academic support, but ill probably not do that part knowing myself. It has been a bit challenging to motivate myself to do this project and not just go to karaoke as a form of live music on some nights (last night I did a performance of Macy Gray’s famous I Try that had the crowd clapping along, a beautiful moment for me). But now I’m really into and just excited to see as much music as possible in my last 5 weeks, I know I cant believe it either, here.

I really feel like I live here these days also. Like to get to wake up and just transport yourself to a lunch spot of your choice, with one person is such an underrated reality and something I have not been able to do for so long. I also think I just appreciate and need my independence much more than others on my program and thrive on using public transportation to a small event, that I found out about through word of mouth.

i'll put some pics up of my frat house soon as soon as I take them. go play in the snow for me northeast friends!

Working Girl

Had a lovely, semi-uneventful, crazy weekend.
Saturday was spent at the Biscuit Mill, obviously, then at my first event for my new internship. Sunday was spent sleeping until 12, avoiding homework and drinking with dinner, pretty average.
Back to the internship! http://showme.co.za/cape-town/interactive/fun-things-to-do-in-cape-town-expo/
Thats the link to see what I did, if you click on the pictures you will see that my name is on the pics. Prettyy cool!!! My next assignment is on Saturday when I will attend the Cape Town World music festival where I will be that girl taking pictures of all the drugged out hipsters and handing out flyers to "check out your pic online tomorrow! rock on!"

all for now blog readers...happy monday!

p.s the election is tomorrow ahhhhhh! please just don't vote for romney

ubuntu

Today we had the lecture that made this whole semester of semi-mediocre classes and general unorganized studies worth it. Sonja Kruse (theubuntugirl.co.za) came to speak and share her story with us today. Sonja is an Afrikanner, 40 year old women who has lived her dream. Her dream was to travel the country of South Africa with a backpack, camera and 100Rand (equilivant to $12.00) in search of “ubuntuli”. She hitchhiked, walked, and slept in stranger’s homes for just under a year. She did 114 home stays. Side note: I am on my fourth and exhausted and overwhelmed by the variety of culture. I cannot imagine more than 10. Anyway she traveled around, met people, shared her mission and story and changed her life. The entire three-hour speech was so inspiring I literally professed my love for her during the q and a. I had like 10,000 questions so picking one was hard, but I asked what was in her backpack. She said she left with one change of clothes, toiletries and a notebook. She collected gifts along the way, but literally had no possessions with her and told me I would be surprised with how little you need to live. Amongst many, one of the things that stuck out to me about her story was her emphasis on the lack of value in a monetary system. She made no income, spent virtually no money for a year and survived. Yes she was lucky to find a home to welcome her and feed her every night, but that’s possible. She explained how so many people would try to give her money and that she wouldn’t take it because she didn’t need it, she would rather gave a gift that matters- like a piece of art, music or meal. Something you will remember because of who gave it to you, not something you will spend and never see again.

The next big thing that stuck with me, and will forever was ubuntu. Ubuntu is a zulu word that has many definitions and no real English translation. It is a word that represents what Sonje found on her “African” journey- I say African in this case because she saw the incalculable amount of African cultures. South Africa has 11 official languages, but an immeasurable amount of cultures. Ubuntu means hospitality, plus love, plus open-mindness, plus sharing, plus caring, plus hosting, plus welcoming, plus learning. It is the concept that people cannot exist without other people so why not learn and accept the other people that exist because we do all coexist. This concept is so representative of how I believe I was raised in many aspects. I don’t know how many of you readers have met my parents, but they are notorious for opening our home to friends, family members, tour guides in Botswana, taxi drivers in France, people in a bar who share a sports team support, the list goes on and on. I grew up in an unofficial hostel and with the concept that taxi drivers know the best restaurants in foreign cities and that you can never have enough friends. Ubuntu. A word to what I believed was a wordless concept.

Ubuntu, I can’t stop saying it and loving it and being shocked by its existence.

So today was inspirational in that I boggled my mind with wondering whether I could live out of a backpack and go without the possessions and money I have depended on for the past 20 years and just fuel and fund myself from human interaction….still not sure.

Ubuntu is my past in that I believe I have seen it in some small way before, it is my present in that I am currently practicing opening myself to a new family each week and it is my future in that I strive to achieve it to the maximum level in my lifetime and world travels.

Also! After this great lecture I met with a lady and got an internship! Basically I will a photographer and journalist for ShowMe Cape Town (showme.co.za), similar to our Time Out NY. I will be going to events of my choice and taking pics and handing out flyers for people to check their picture online. I will also be doing write ups of the awesome events I attend, which can be anything from markets to concerts to beach days full of tourists. I am basically spreading the word about some of the things to do in this wonderful city and how you can be a part of that and who was at that today with me! I have my first events tomorrow and I’ll attach links to my website that they are setting me up with asap.

Party on cadets. i am bloated with inspiration

some of Sonja's most epic quotes:

"I am because you are because we are"

"Ubuntu = Exist, Extend, Expand"

"A person is a person through other people"

"My life is irrevocably tied up with yours"

Halloween in the Bo Kaap

What a great 24 hours it has been. Starting with getting out of class at 1 Wednesday, doesn’t sound like much but when every hour of every day is planned for you, it was a dream. After searching the corners of the city for a costume shop, I finalized my outfit and headed home to attempt to consume a meal. It was a pasta, chicken, cheese baked situation that was stomachable which was good, and I got to hang with my wonderful fam. We discussed how they believed my family to be sinking in NYC, as well as my Halloween plans. My mom had invited my friend to come over and get ready with me as she and her husband were going out for the evening. Before I knew it 15 kids were over and I was freaking out, didn’t wanna have another Langa yelling. They came up thrilled..yes thrilled! to see all my classmates in costumes and found it hilarious. We all took pics here before going out and it was all so wonderful. What a dream family- loves to host! Haven’t felt so at home yet. As we were getting ready my mom told me I am not going to school tomorrow because I have to sleep and go to the beach. She said she would call SIT and tell them I was sick….im sorry. Were we meant to be or were we meant to be? Does she know about my years of fake fevers, stomach aches and 6thgradehookies? I wasn’t gonna fight her, and although it is not a thing to skip class here, I went with it. We went out in all of our ridiculous outfits, had a ball- 2 for 1 at Stones, costume party for a little while and ended the night with Kareoke. Yes that’s right. Kareoke! On Halloween! Started with a little RIhanna “Hate that I Love You”, then a stellar rendition of “Barbie Girl”, leading into Tori and I’s crossroads esque duet of “I Love Rock N Roll” and closed the night with Adele’s “Someone Like You”- a bit sad, but when the whole bar sings together, anything is fun. Made my way back up the hill to the Bo Kaap and did NOT wake up at 8 am like the rest of my group. Slept til 12, was given a nutella sandwich and coffee upon waking up, and sat on the porch talking about life with my host mom. She really wanted me to go to the beach, but all my friends were at school and we agreed it wouldn’t be fun alone. She has such an appreciation for relaxing and enjoying life, its so wonderful and refreshing. She is the classic Cape Townian in that she is laid back and carefree and loves the beauties of life, but then is also the classic naggy mom always forcing people to eat when they say their not hungry and making sure their happy at all times. Not a bad morning. After a much needed shower, I hit the town and had the perfect Brenna day meeting up with friends at coffee shops on Long St and planning with trip for next week! (Grace, Tori, Lizaby and I are skipping town to do the famous Garden Route, basically a 3 night road trip where I will partake in as much adventure as financially possible). A great day. A great family. A great life here in the Bo Kaap.

Big Bird, Elmo and Cookie Monster

Oh what was I for Halloween! Well now that you ask! I was Elmo! I mean it may not be the most obvious without Big Bird and Cookie Monster along side of me, but I really did have a great costume, a little more vixen-like than the kid-loving, comfy Elmo. Enjoy the shots of the night.

Blowing in the Wind/ Rock You Like a Hurricane

First and formost- I am currently in class freaking out, reading articles, looking at pics and COMMANDING ALL OF YOU IN NYC AND AROUND TO STAY THE FUCK INSIDE. Just don't go outside, and you'll be fine.....right? Ok good! So thats settled, you're staying inside until the skies are blue and trees are firmly in the ground.

As for little ol' me- yesterday night I had my own version of a light Hurricane/ Tornado when some friends and I decided to hike Lion's Head Mountain for the full moon rising and Meredith's birthday. Of course I was dredding it, but there is no length I won't go to for a birthday. Packed my champagne and headed on up. Although most of our parents advised us not to go because of the high winds, and even at the base of the mountain we were nearly falling over- FULL SPEED AHEAD! LETS DO IT!

quick photo break
(oh yea I wore a headlamp...oh so hiking girl of me)

So off we went up the never ending dirt incline, to the rocks, to the ladders, to the chains that I grasped for dear life. With stops every 5 minutes to fight the sand flying into our eye sockets and wind blowing us into rocks, it took us a little while, but we eventually made it up some distance- we had no intention of reaching the top. Once reaching the metal bars where you rock climb up a straight incline, which is right before the final steep rock slimbing to reach the peak, everyone told us to turn around. It was nearly sunset and they said you could barely move up there and to find a nice spot to watch this sun down, moon up situation that had brought me to this location.

Sun setting
now turn around....

and Moon Rising! Crazy shit.

I don't know if you know this about me, but I can be a bit of a drama queen and tend to over exaggerate  but let me assure you that everyone I encountered on the mountain did. Those 5 minute stops due to high winds, were each met with high pitched screams and cries. Then shit started getting real, I literally almost fell of the mountain twice and decided I could easily see myself dying on this mountain. So i decided to make a video....a goodbye video...to everyone I have ever known, my family and friends advising them never to hike and that I have enjoyed my life and was peacing out on a mountain. Never a way I intended to go out, but hey shit happens. So thankfully that didn't happen as I am writing this blog and made it down, just a sprained ankle and ears full of sand. I am attaching the video because I need you to understand the gravity of these winds and get that I am really only partly exaggerating and really it was quite terrifying, but also thrilling. Ignore my screams and enjoy.

IN CASE I DIDNT SAY IT ENOUGH, STAY INSIDE EVERYONE IN NYC AND IN THE STORM! YOU CAN LOOK AT PICTURES ONLINE AND SAY YOU TOOK THEM, NO NEED TO HAVE AN IPHONE SHOT OF YOUR DEATH! STAY INSIDE!

some classic shots:

so you're thining "woah cool lighting"...my new obsession,
I call it headlamp photography. 

if you're not taking selfies at sunset
what are you doing?