With a little help from Mom

So, here is the thing. It takes sooo long for bandwidth while using blogger, that uploading pictures is much easier onto Facebook. So, if you are on Facebook, then go and check out the albums on there ( there are 4 or 5).

This entry is being written by Mom with information received in emails and during phonecalls.

School is out for Somerset. All the students are preparing for exams and so Katelyn has been volunteering at a playschool. Anyone who knows Katelyn knows that she is in her element if there are children involved and/or teaching. She has madly fallen in love with all of the little darlings, but has a special spot in her heart for Elam.She is trying to work out how to leave all of her clothes behind and pack Elam. She works every day and can't wait to go and see them each morning.

It is colder there than Katelyn expected, and as such she is having to but new clothes. You know how much Katelyn loves shopping and so this really isn't too surprising. What is surprising to her, is that she has to buy all new jeans because she has lost quite a few pounds chasing the pups through the vineyards.


Technology is a great thing. Katelyn called home this morning to ask for a recipe. Yes, that's right from Africa. Moreover...she called to get a recipe for a chicken dish which she actually ate. I don't know whether I should be more surprised that she called for a recipe or that she ate chicken.

We are very lucky to have the Bingham's as her host family. She has been blessed by their love and opportunities. She is happy, healthy and hopeful that this is just the beginning of a lifetime affair with the continent and the people who live on it.

Photos of Africa....Beauty in everything

Cactus found while walking
View from the cricket field
Gatsby Gadabout. A 20's style jazz night for New Frontiers. Katelyn sang Norah Jones and enjoyed dancing. Tessa and Amalie on either side


Elam....Katelyn is in love!!! More on that, next post!

Lots of time spent walking in the vineyards and through the gorgeous countryside. Never a boring view.

Cheetah farm!

Today we went to Spier to visit this awesome cheetah park. It was really amazing. I got to sit with a cheetah and pet it for a while. It was really cuddly, and purred really loudly. They were really soft and so cute!

Now if that isn't a typical Kati pose?!?!



More photos for updating on quick internet. I assure you, Kati is still alive. I MSNed with her today....
She is busy with school and has lots of new chums to share time with. She's looking into a short trip to Namibia this next week.

Pictures: Kati's first play in the ocean

pictures......

These are pictures that Kati has posted. The time it takes to upload them is very long and uses up allocated time that each household has. So, I thought it might be wise for me to do it for her.
The pictures of of a vineyard they walk the dogs in. The dog is Scratcher....he is old, and he is adorable. The mountain range in the back of one of the photos apparently got snow for the first time in forever the other day. The flower is outside in the garden. The beach/coast is amazing, it is rumoured. A photo of the school with some mates in front. We are awaiting a picture of Kati in said uniform.

The beach!!

Saturday

The weather today is absolutely gorgeous. There is no wind and the sun is shining beautifully in the sky without any clouds. It is quite nice. I got a nice sleep in today, and then Susan took me shopping for a while, and yep you guessed it, I had to buy the cutest pair of shoes I've ever seen. Then we bought another sweater in case it gets colder. That and it was so nice that we decided I needed it. We went grocery shopping and bought some really yummy fruits. Then I had this amazing fruit salad with papaya and guava and bananas and awesome other fruits. Tonight I am going to the school's play Alladin, which Im pretty excited for, it should be really fun.

May 12th.

Today was my first day of school. I got my super stylish uniform. Its actually not that terrible. I went to classes today just to get used to the time table, but I dont have any personalized classes yet. Im so excited for it though, the music classes sound really exciting. I also had a nice afternoon nap which helped me feel alot less exhaughsted(sp?). I got to go to siyacula after my awesome nap and we worked on some really beautiful music. It was really nice to meet everyone. They are super nice people. Later the Binghams and I went on a sunset walk with the dogs throught the vineyards. It was really really gorgeous. Anyways its getting close to dinner now.

Arrived:

Just to update: Katelyn arrived in Cape Town at 9:07 and was most happy to see Robbi and his dear mother. Then the trip was gauged a success when Katelyn's luggage arrived with the plane.

She is going to rest most of the day tomorrow and perhaps Friday, and then has a Siyacula rehearsal Friday afternoon. I am sure she will be ready to begin writing in the next day or so. But, for now...she is safe and sound....with many thanks to the Binghams and all the prayers that have been offered.

This is the beginning of an adventure I'll never forget....or maybe I will if the damn malaria pills don't stop messing with my head.