Hello Everyone, sorry it has taken me a while to updated you.
I will start with the weekend of 9th through the 11th
On Friday we were heading to Fort Hare University to attempt to attend class as it has been a chore with the internet not working with us. Well on the way to campus low and behold my phone was stolen from me. I was somewhat up set at first but then thankful it was not anything else. The only reason one’s phone is stolen is for airtime. Most phones used are pre paid minutes. The dirty little bastards caught me at the right time because I had just put about 50 rand on my phone, a little under $10 worth. I also realize I am lucky as a friend Ben, (mentioned below) was mugged and had 2000 rand stolen, $285. He also was yelling for help but no one would come help him. I have been told by others if you are mugged do not expect help. Everyone will mind their own business.
Justin was invited by some Bahai friends to an African wedding on Saturday. We were all welcome to attend. As we walked in it looked like a traditional American wedding. Needless to say it was far from it. It started an 1 ½ late but that is African time! The prayers and vows were said and then the bride, groom, and party danced up and down the isle and then the majority of the guests started singing, hooting and hollering through out the ceremony it was beautiful. After that some friends and family of the bride and groom got up to talk about marriage and the couple, while this was happening the guests were being served food…yum it was delicious African food!!!
Last week was rough, I was really hating work. Somewhat emotional, what Amber emotional I know!!! We have one car for about ten people and the CPS team gets the car twice a week, but I only go out once a week. I have been setting up meetings to meet with my clients and majority of my meetings I have to cancel because I can never make it. I was suppose to have a meeting on Thursday this meeting was very important as I was struggling to make this appointment with another social worker and finally had to sent a letter to her telling her to set up a time for us to get together or I was going to close the case. None the less she phoned me a few days later and we set up this appointment. My meeting was set for 9:30 am on Thursday. She phoned me precisely at 9:30 am and asked where I was. I had not yet left the agency because the car was out. She said she than had to cancel with me because they were short staffed and she could not wait for me. I was also frustrated because the resources here are very limited. For our clients, research, everything possible we are limited. I voiced my concerns to my supervisor as she tried to ease my frustration but she also stated I need to stop being so hard on myself. Possibly.
This weekend Katie, Justin and I went to Hogsback. Oh how magical it was. We were in the mountains and when we awoke on Saturday morning there was a mist in the mountains and oh how gorgeous. We decided to do some hiking. Ben a friend we ment on Friday night came with as well. We got a map of the trails and went to see some waterfalls. Oh how gorgeous! So gorgeous it took us 7 hours!! It was a fabulous workout! A lot of climbing, and pulling yourself up the hills as well as holding yourself up so you do not fall down the mtn. Well we felt as though the 7 hours of hiking was not enough so we went along to see a secret water fall and then the sunset. The secret waterfall was not as beautiful as the scenery around it. We were basically on this cliff that had a beautiful panoramic view! It was wonderful. Then we did some more climbing and went to a different location for the sunset all I can say is “breath taking”, absolutely stunning.
Work on Monday was better, I defiantly needed the weekend away. I now understand why social workers or any body in that case can never get anything done. I have been working on a case to remove a child from a hospital for a safety placement. The hospital said the child needed to be out by Monday. Ok, so I had a placement and everything set up, went into the hospital on Monday to remove the child they made us wait for three hours before someone came in and said that they did not know what was going on! Talk about communication problems. I talked to the woman and explained the situation to her and she was like, ok I guess that works. Ridiculous!
I hope everyone is doing fine and having a wonderful time. Keep me posted on life when you have time!