I’ve been here for almost 3 weeks now, and it’s strange that it honestly feels like it’s been months! But at the same time, the weeks are flying by! I’m settled into the volunteer house – have got to know the people I’m living with really well, and they’re all so lovely! I love doing big sightseeing things like going up Table Mountain (planning to do so next week sometime) and also just having chilled nights with everyone, like last night when we hired 2 DVDs and watched ‘Burlesque’ then ‘Silence of the Lambs’, all crammed onto various sofas and chairs around the TV in the living room. I love the community we’ve created; the mismatch of people from different backgrounds and countries who’ve come together in this house and spend 20 minutes learning from Katie how to dance the zumba version of ‘burlesque’ on the patio at night, inspired by the film, then go inside and scream about the fat cockroach in the middle bathroom…
Things are a little more difficult at Bap (orphanage I’m volunteering at) – the baby house has decreased in size so massively that I don’t really feel useful some of the time (although I adore the babies and have fallen in love with them after the 3 shifts I’ve done so far) and, as a result, 2 people from my shift have switched to ‘Home of Hope’. I’ve asked a couple of times about doing the same but it doesn’t seem to be happening, so I’m accepting maybe I’m supposed to be there (Romans 8:28 and all that) and embracing that. And with children so loving and beautiful, it’s not difficult to do…
I’m keeping up to date with everyone at home okay (although Skype’s playing up a lot, it’s so nice to hear Josh’s/Maddy’s/my parents’ voices), mostly via facebook and email. Have written some letters but I still need to find international stamps, and there’s no sign of the things people have sent me so far… Homesickness has only just begun to set in a little bit – but I’m dealing with it fine and loving my wall of pictures of the people I love from home. I also skyped IMPACT! on Sunday night which was really nice…they interviewed me and everyone waved etc – good idea from John Harper there!
Foodwise, I’m still doing well. As is to be expected, there have been a few difficult moments – with the totally new environment and the stress of all the change, I’ve been extra careful to keep an eye on my eating. I’ve actually put on weight since I’ve been here I think – the first week in particular I just ate what I wanted (including mcdonalds, burgers at restaurants, chocolate etc) and didn’t really worry at all about the consequences. There are scales everywhere in the house (for weighing luggage as people come and go) but I’ve not weighed myself still – and don’t intend to. A couple of people know about my ED and have been really supportive, but mostly I’m just enjoying being normal… Sasha, Sharon and I have been getting cheeky Chinese takeaways (we keep trying to be healthy then giving up)…which is really good because I can find myself being ‘too healthy’ (verging on restricting) with the social support for dieting… But overall, all is well. I’m looking forward to toast with peanut butter and banana for breakfast soon (lazy day so far).
I’m going to go and get my breakfast now, but will try to update more regularly!
Lots of love from South Africa! xxxx
