monday.

Memorial Day. All I see is grey sky and mute colors as raindrops blur the scenery outside the vast window. The weather is definitely living up to its dreary Monday stigma. I’m glad I’m not stranded in a town due to failed plans of attending a parade, or at home looking for the neighbor’s dog that ran off under my family's watch because he was spooked by the thunderstorm that came through this morning. I’m glad I’m here, at Gerald R. Ford International Airport, watching my flight get delayed, and wallowing in the fact that I am about to embark on this adventure. It will be interesting... passing through security with no problems was a really big achievement for me, if that is any indication of obstacles and challenges to come, haha. The only thing I can do now is wait, and see when my flight leaves. Right now it has been delayed from 3:45 to 4:30, meaning I will miss my flight in Detroit but can catch a later one that will put me in Amsterdam 45 minutes before that flight leaves for Johannesburg. I kinda hope flights get really delayed and I have to get put up in a hotel in Amsterdam, or connect in London, fly to Amsterdam the next day, then fly to Johannesburg. –Ahh I am dreaming. I start to think silly things when I am deprived of sleep. I only got 30 minutes of shut eye, because as much as I believed my conscience to be relaxed and mellow about this trip, I can’t deny the sporadic moments where my whole body tensed and my toes sprung me off the floor in excitement, keeping my adrenaline running and me awake. Finally after falling asleep at 6:30 in the morning, a loud thunderstorm rolled through and my Dad incessantly yelled at me to get out of bed. So much for sleep! Well, it seems like we are boarding, so I’m going to get going. But Happy Memorial Day to everyone, ~Love You Grandpa Raymond, Rest in Peace and Thank You for your service.

5 days!!!

So, where did the past month go? This far into summer, school seems like a distant memory. But when I try to remember what I have done for the past month, all of my days run together. I can hardly differentiate yesterday from a week ago.
In part, I believe I feel this way because everything I have done in the past month is all the same. I wake up, and get on my computer. I check Facebook to see if there are any new posts on the message walls for SIT or messages in my inbox from others going on the trip. Once I finish that, I galivant around on the internet, searching for cheap travel and lodging of which I am responsible for the first couple days after I arrive in South Africa. Then, I add to the crazy relaying of information between the other students going on the trip. 
This is harder than it sounds, as not everyone is constantly checking fb, and even if they are, you have to constantly bombard the message boards with questions of where people are flying from, when people are arriving, where they are thinking about staying, if they would be interesting in boarding up together and the like. Then, once plans are somewhat set, of course there are questions that arise and answers that are communicated from various sources to various people on fb. One thing I have discovered: different countries have their own way of running things, creating stress and uncertainty about the arrangements for the couple days prior to the beginning of the trip. Of course I could've taken the easy route and stayed at the hostel like the program suggested, but I have a keenness of making things difficult for myself.
When I finish my computer duties I run errands -whether that be going to the library to pick up books about Africa and soccer, or to Salvation Army to get some shabby clothing for the trip. Getting back home I check the internet again, and by that time my siblings are home, and I either take them places, play with them, or go to work. Then, at night, I try to get some of the required reading (there were 2 books that were assigned for the trip) done. Throw in some zumba classes, play dates with friends, episodes of Glee, and eventful weekends, and I've got myself 3 full weeks of non-stop craziness that have lead up to this point.
Would I have it any other way? Heck no. Bring it WC2010, I'm ready.

what in the world is "Ke Nako", you ask?

Ke Nako is the title of my page. Translated, it means "It is time". The phrase is derived from Sotho, one of the 11 official languages spoken in South Africa, and the national language of Lesotho. It is a part of the slogan for the World Cup- Ke Nako-Celebrate Africa's Humanity. 

In my opinion, this slogan could not be any more correct. Africa has had a rather troubling history plagued with chaos, incivility, war and destruction that seems to overshadow the slightest bit of accomplishment that has been achieved. It is time that they show the progress and  development that has occurred, using South Africa as an international stage. By hosting the world's largest event, the African continent will be able to prove that they are a land rich in eagerness and humility, not a barren one that is so often portrayed by the media. K'naan's performance of the theme song Wavin' Flag is so awesome, and I truly believe that this sort of passion, pride, and energy is going to be evident everywhere I go over there. I wish I could "blue skadoo" right into that video, haha.

Another reason why I thought Ke Nako was fitting was because it just felt like I was in the right place at the right time when I stumbled upon the opportunity to go abroad. And although the caliber of this trip is intimidating and a bit nerve-racking, I think that it is time that I push past my comfortable boundaries to officially open my eyes to the rest of the world. The more I learn about South Africa the more I come to realize that this girl isn't going to have the security of an "Ada bubble" hide in while overseas. -But that's life, and I need to accept the truth for what it is. And so be it.

SIT: South Africa

Well, it's been about a week since I last posted, but I've been really busy! It's like school got out and life decided to throw a few extra things on my to-do list and time has just flown by. But I absolutely couldn't wait any longer to blog again! Let's start with the basics:

who: Me, duh -and according to a facebook group, approx. 30 other college students

what: study abroad through SIT (Student International Training)

when: leaving May 31, getting back July 17 (actual program is 6/4-7/16, 6 weeks)

where: in and around Durban, South Africa

why: I am a sports management major, and am really just looking for experience in the field. I am really drawn towards sport because of its ability to connect people from all different backgrounds, and what better experience than one that takes place in the presence of the world's largest event? (The World Cup!!)

I suppose the best way for me to relay information without writing a novel is sharing the website. So here is the first link --> SIT: South Africa. This directs you to the main page where you can navigate the many different tabs to explore the program. I have to be up in a couple hours so I'm gonna cut this short. Goodnight!

where i was then...and where i am now...

Yup, that's me. This pic was taken at the beginning of the semester of my sophomore year on a football Saturday that consisted of losing my voice, easy livin', and bliss. I didn't really know what to expect for that year, and plans for the 2010 Summer were the last things on my mind. Fall term faded, and winter term brought nothing but a whirlwind of opportunities. I applied to a summer camp, but wasn't offered a position. I applied to several internships, and they didn't work out. I contemplated devoting a majority of my summer to a leadership training in Ann Arbor, and more important plans were revealed. So, being my usual self who manages to stay awake into the wee hours of the morning, I was dinking around on my computer when I came across the perfect plans for my summer.

And so here we are, the bare beginnings of Summer, 2010, and I have a plane ticket that is valid for a May 31, 2010 departure. Destination: South Africa. All my life I have only known one kind of football . But now, a different kind of football consumes my mind - fútbol. Please join me as I share the moments leading up to departure for South Africa and my experience while I am there. I am very excited to have this opportunity, and I cannot wait to post again telling of what exactly I will be doing!