I (Bri) thought after all my years of face painting experience, I was a pro. So, when asked to help with face painting at the Kayamandi Creche end of year picnic I was pretty confident I would have the kids lining up around the block. In fact, I was starting to pity the other face painters and their soon to be empty lines.

But, what that old saying? Something like “pride comes before the fall”?

Turns out the tikes here don’t really go for a butterfly on the cheek or even a extra glittery flower. No, they want tribal. Perhaps, dare I say, modern tribal? (the most demanded was by far spider man!) They want their whole face covered with paint. I had to quickly turn in my brush and let the REAL pros do their jobs. I obviously still have a lot to learn in this arena (and many others).

I think it was all for the best, I am really an excellent swing-pusher/mud-pie maker and was definitely able to show off my skills there. It was really a fun day, and I think the kids really had a great time. I have some video from the day, maybe some day I will have enough internet power to load them … until then, I hope this suffices:

Oh yeah, we forgot to mention in our last post that earlier this year we made an attempt to become extras in the filming of Invictus here in Cape Town.  We got word that they were filming portions of the Rugby scenes in a large Rugby stadium in Cape Town.  So, after learning that our Cricket match was sold out, and left with time to kill, we (along with our friends Bruce and Ali) made a mad dash to try and get our 15 minutes of fame.  Unfortunately, we could only get close enough to get a few glimpses of some the make-up trailers.  Oh well…

From director Clint Eastwood, “Invictus” tells the inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman) joined forces with the captain of South Africa’s rugby team, Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon), to help unite their country.  

Newly elected President Mandela knows his nation remains racially and economically divided in the wake of apartheid. Believing he can bring his people together through the universal language of sport, Mandela rallies South Africa’s underdog rugby team as they make an unlikely run to the 1995 World Cup Championship match.

Josh and I are entering our 11th month here in Stellenbosch and recently realized we have acquired a whole new vocabulary. Below is our South African/ Texan dictionary. Any input and additions from our South African friends is greatly appreciated. Also, please forgive my spelling, some words I have heard but never seen written, so I am being a bit creative.

Boot- Trunk of your car

Sweetie- Piece of candy

Pudding- Dessert (any kind, even cake or pie)

The Bib- The library

Now Now- Later

Stop Street- Street with a stop sign (used when giving directions)

Robot- Traffic light

Spun Spec- Cantaloupe

“Fetch You”- pick you up (in a car)

Rubbish Bin- Trash Can

Sort- Figure out (also used as “sorted” for “figured out”)

Keen- Like  (I know this is used in the states, but not as much and not in the younger generation)

Braai- Grilling/ Cook Out

“Pleasure”- “You’re Welcome”

More (sounds like “mora”)- Morning, a casual greeting when passing someone on the street

Chinas- Friends

Pavement- Sidewalk

Buckee- Truck

Biscuits- Cookies and Crackers

Scones- Biscuits (like the kind you would have for biscuits and gravy)

Pancakes- Crepes

Chips- French Fries

Cackies- Markers

Lekker- Good/cool

SMS- Text Message

“Kind Regards”/ “Warm Regards”- Most used way to sign off an email

Sister- Nurse

Chemist- Pharmacist

I am sure there other words that I will think of and I just use without thinking. This happened without me knowing with “fixin” after moving to Texas. I would have sworn that I NEVER used such a country phrase, that is until I did and was busted by some South African friends…

You rarely see a two story in Kayamandi (the township outside of Stellenbosch), but when you do, it looks like this:

Do you have plans for Friday the 30th of October yet? Well, you should!

If you follow the Hamoreh blog, then you know:

“Afrizo, a student choir from Daystar University in Nairobi, Kenya, will present a concert on Friday, October 30th from 7:30-8:30 PM in the Chapel at Houston’s First Baptist Church. The concert is free of charge.”

You don’t want to miss out on this taste of Africa right in your own backyard! You can find more information about the event on the Hamoreh Blog.

Everyone-GO! (and then tell me all about it!)

Props to my boy Charl for this one!

As many of you know, Bri and I have had to move flats in order to keep within our budget.  Thankfully, we were able to move into a larger flat just down the road for literally half the price.  For the last few days we’ve been enduring the moving process (we’re on the fourth floor!) and we’ve just about settled in.  So, we thought we’d share a few pics.

View from the entry way

View from the kitchen

View from the window/balcony door

Bedroom

Bathroom

View as you walk out the front door