Thesis status: complete!!

It was with a deep sense of satisfaction and gratitude that I submitted the final draft of my thesis on Friday 13 February. Those last days of putting the finishing touches on the thesis and preparing it for submission were quite exciting for me, not only because I was finishing my thesis but also because I was concluding my academic experience at UCT – the primary reason we came to South Africa in the first place.

In February 2008 I had but the faintest ideas regarding what I wanted to do for this daunting research thesis which was to culminate my programme. This faint idea, however, slowly evolved into a project which, for me at least, was very interesting to pursue and satisfying to complete. Having never written a thesis before, I look back at the research/writing process itself and realize that I have learned much. (Below: with my supervisor, Lucia Thesen)

Standing here at the finish line has also provided a moment to look back and reflect on the course of my academic experiences in this programme. I recall arriving in June 2007, feeling very right about the decision to come to UCT but also a bit skeptical and very curious to finally experience it firsthand. Would it be a good fit, or only so-so? I am glad to report – with deep gratitude to God for his provision – that it has been a fantastic experience. I feel that I’ve been pushed in new directions, my thinking stretched in new ways, my worldview expanded. My classes and professors and classmates, new ideas and theories, many papers and projects: I look back and am grateful for every aspect of my experience at UCT.


As for the cat: this is Pollock, one of the world’s friendliest cats! In fact, he’s too friendly. Now, some of you know that I am not a cat-person; I prefer dogs. But if this were my cat, I would love him to death: he always wants to be around, loves to be petted or picked up or just to sit at your feet; he’s constantly scratching his head again your leg; he comes running when you arrive home; he meows outside your window when he hears you get up in the morning; he runs, unbidden, into your cottage to say Hi...

However, as he is NOT my cat, all of the above attributes, perhaps so much desired in a cat of my own, become very annoying when the cat is someone else’s. Especially when that someone else in fact lives two blocks away from us while Pollock spends all of his time at our place.

I believe that God is using this cat to sanctify me.

30th Birthday Picnic in Kirstenbosch Gardens

On my 30th birthday (two Sundays ago) we went for a picnic lunch at one of our favorite Cape Town places, Kirstenbosch National Botanic Gardens. Capetonians DEFINITELY know how to picnic so we tried to follow suit with our fancy sandwiches (chevin, caramelised onions, cucumber, sun-dried tomatoes and lettuce). Once in the gardens we saw families and groups of friends lounging in every shady spot, with huge picnic baskets and provisions to last them the whole afternoon.

Every time we go to these Gardens we are amazed by what is blooming or growing, and we always see new things. Unfortunately it was incredibly hot and humid this day, so though we had brought our walking shoes for a hike up the mountain after lunch, we opted instead for a stroll around the gardens. The "oh let's just walk a bit" turned into my frequent comments of "I can't believe it's so hot" and "is there any more water in that bottle?" and "this is crazy let's go home and get in the pool". Oh we don't have a pool. Well let's spray ourselves with the hose.

These flowers are Agapanthus Inapertus and are unusual because unlike other Agapanthus the flowers droop. And they are a striking indigo color! Did you know that Agapanthus originate in South Africa?

The world's coolest tree - the Silver Tree - which only grows on the slopes of Table Mountain!

A crassula coccinea - trying to photograph the bright pink/red flowers was difficult in the harsh sun so Jim opted for black & white.

Hey Mom, this is a wild gardenia tree. Beautiful and fragrant! I'd never even knew it existed; did you? Also called white gardenia.

Some recent days

A visit to see little Wolfgang (he's not quite 6 weeks in this photo) - the weather has been pretty hot so keeping cool has been a challenge. Sweet hair, Wolfie.

Cupcakes for my 30th birthday, made by Robyn (from our church; runs her own bakery business). Amazingly the four of us - Jim, Jul, Randy and Heather - had no trouble downing 8 of the 12 in one sitting. Rachel, that face of exuberance is in your honor.

On a few sunny afternoons when I've gotten home from work early enough, I've been reading outside in our beach chair. I mean isn't that a gorgeous place or what?

Have you ever seen such a caterpillar?! This one was on the entrance mat and since we've found them in our curtains, on our outside table and on the bathroom floor.

A panarama of sorts of our little kitchen, recently refurbished with new cupboards and counter. Since we don't have a full oven/stove, we've been learning to use the little 2-plate stove and oven (on the right). Fortunately it's summer and we eat a lot of salad!!

Happy Valentine's Day, hubby!

Since the beginning I've always said you were a bit weird. And it's certainly true. I love you, Jim!

"Bring and Braai" at the Message (our church)

Last week we had a "bring and braai" with a big group of people from church, to kick off the start of the new school year. We had 2 large braais (grills) going, and everyone brought their own meat and more salads and breads to share. I've never seen so much meat on the grill at one time! It was a relaxing evening just cooking and eating and talking - South Africans love to braai, for sure. By the time all the meat got on the table everyone just dug in and shared whatever was there.

Table Mountain Hike: few more pics

A few more photos from our recent hike. Okay okay so we didn't get photos to actually show the height ascended and the 'tough' parts but believe me it was a serious, intense hike!



Below, on the top of the Table and headed across - the path was literally ON the cliff edge in some sections. At the right edge of this photo you can just see a few of our group.

The view now down from the mountain and into Table Bay: Lion's Head to the left and Robben Island, the "city bowl" and the Waterfront in the centre.

Table Mountain Hike: 2 Way Travel with foreign students

The new semester and school year begins...

Last week 2 Way Travel (Jul's work) took a group of 50 new American study abroad students on a full day hike on Table Mountain. It was a very sunny and warm day but the views were clear - such beauty that it wasn't hard to get up the energy to keep hiking and climbing! Jim joined too, along with eight other 2 Way Travel South African staff/volunteers to befriend these new students.

View down toward Constantia winelands, where we started.

Early in the hike...this part of the trail was actually paved! In the background you can see some overnight huts for hikers and beyond that the suburbs and another mountain range.

Yep that's a big group! (and this is just some of them)

Now at the top! The highest point on Table Mountain: MacLear's Beacon at 3,563ft, with False Bay and the rest of the Cape Peninsula in the background. Awesome! And I was pretty excited that my back felt good - this was the most physical exertion I've had in a while and I was able to handle it.

With Mike, my wonderful "boss." Don't I have a great job?!

More flowers of the Western Cape