Officially 1 Week

As of today, around 3pm here (it would be about 8am at home), I have been in Grahamstown for exactly one week! Admittedly, this has not been the easiest of weeks, but it has definitely been a good one. I'm learning a lot about myself, some good things and some bad, and I can feel myself growing a lot. I've met some really cool people and have really been blessed with their kindness, patience, and generosity.

There have been many times when I've reminded myself of John, my little brother, when he was really young. He would ask so many questions that it was difficult to listen to the radio if he was in the car. Well, I've also been asking a lot of questions this week. Questions like, "What is that? What did she say? What language was that in? What's your name again? How do you spell that?" and so many more. It's all a learning process and I'm doing my best to be a sponge.

Thursday I went on a picnic! Unfortunately, I didn't understand that this was supposed to be a hike/picnic and I was woefully unprepared and overdressed for the occasion. I got sunburned, but I made some really good friends. We went to a dam a little ways off campus and then walked around and saw some of the landscape. It was a warm day but it had a nice breeze. We ate an assortment of foods that everyone shared like pineapple, plums, apples, sandwiches, chocolate muffins, etc. It was healthy and delicious!! The area that we were in was really pretty. A local South African went with us and she gave us some insight on the land and nature around us. Apparently, the lovely trees that we were sitting under are not native to this area and were brought over by settlers. Many of these trees actually disturb the natural environment, some ways, and the government has been cutting down the invading trees to make more of a grassland type of landscape. We actually saw some men cutting down trees on our hike, and it made me sad because I love trees.

Later that night, I went to an interdenominational christian group called 268, it is an international group that uses Isaiah 26:8 as it's focus/aim "Yes Lord, walking in the way of your truth, we wait eagerly for You, for Your name and renown are the desire of our souls." It was the O week kick off and they were having pudding (desserts) and games! We played human fooseball, which was very interesting and fun. It was really cool to meet some people and have that christian connection with people.

Friday, I got to go shopping! It's weird being so far from home because most of the things that I shopped for I would normally already have. Stuff like school supplies, water, snacks, and tissues, were somewhat easy to find. Lucky for me, one of my friends went with me and helped me navigate the city and the stores because they are set up a bit differently from US stores. I also had to go shopping on Sunday for some more basic supplies and I think I'm going to have to go again soon. It's weird trying to live my "normal" life, my life in the states, without the stuff that I normally have at my fingertips.

Friday night the school hosted a street party! Once the rain stopped it was so much fun! The school had some bands and DJs come to perform and they had beer and other drinks for sale and everyone just partied in the street. Everyone got so excited for the last DJ to perform, DJ Club. He was pretty good, I'm just not used to thinking of DJs as performers because they don't play an instrument and they don't sing. Anyway, it was fun and I got to hang out with some of the international students that I went on the picnic with!

Saturday I met the US missionary family in Grahamstown that I talked to before arriving. They are soooooo awesome. They had me over for lunch and served barbecue and chips (real chips not french fries) and then for dessert, Mrs. M made PEACH COBBLER!!! I was so excited, I can't even tell you. It was such a God moment because that was exactly what I needed after a week of adjusting to new foods. It seriously made my week. And as if that wasn't enough (which it definitely could've been), they let me use their skype to call my parents! It was the first time that I had heard their voices since I left Atlanta and I can't tell you how exciting that was. It was so overwhelming that I started to cry when Mom answered the phone. After talking to the fam for over an hour, they invited me to stay for dinner and watch rugby with their family and the Pastor and his family from the church that hosts 268. I had one of the best days of the week on Saturday. They took such good care of me, introduced me to rugby and explained it to me, fed me South African food like biltong (a type of SA beef jerky but different from US beef jerky), a butternut squash with chakalaka (sp?) dish, and gave me some ammenities like a top sheet for my bed, a cell phone, and an adapter for my room. They also said that I could go with them to the Addo Elephant reserve nearby, volunteer with their tutoring ministry, and attend a rural church with them one Sunday. I feel so blessed to have met this wonderful family.

Today, I went to an evening church service at the Grahamstown Baptist Church, where 268 is held and where M family goes. I ended up walking there by myself, which turned out to be a good thing and a bad thing. I felt good about it because I was able to find my way around this small town, but I did walk by myself and it is not always safe when it starts getting towards dusk. When M family and the Pastor found out that I had done that.. well they didn't like it. My parents should be happy to know that I have a lot of people looking out for me and taking care of me. Anyway, the church is really pretty with lots of wood inside and history. It was a contemporary, very meaningful service and we had communion which was very special for me. Afterwards, they had tea and cake socializing time. I met some really nice people, this seems to be a theme for South Africa, and got to really experience the family atmosphere of the church.

I'm beginning to feel a lot more comfortable with my surroundings and with the people here. Classes start tomorrow and I'm pretty excited about them. I'm taking

History 101: Africa and the World
History 201: Representations of the the 20th C.
Ethnomusicology
isiXhosa (one of the native languages in South Africa)

They all seem like they will be very interesting and challenging, especially the isiXhosa class. IsiXhosa is the clicking language that many of you may have heard about. It seems intimidating but the professor says that some of her best students are international students and that she has faith that we will do well. I plan on practicing a lot with some of the girls in my res. Also, the tutoring that I may be doing will be for native isiXhosa speaking children and I bet I'll be picking up a lot there.

Well this was a really long one, I'll try to update the blog more so they don't get quite so long. I love you all and I hope you all are doing well! If you have any questions or want to email me, use
g09e7489@campus.ru.ac.za. You can also send me letters at

Elizabeth Embler
Olive Schreiner House
Private Bag 1032
Grahamstown, 6140
SOUTH AFRICA

if you want to.... ;)