Hello! Thought I would just give a quick update! Today marks the end of my first month here and leaves me both happy and sad. Sad because the time is going way too fast; happy because it is incredible all the things I have done and learned already.

Anyway, summer has struck with vengeance here. The past two days have been ridiculously hot... I'm not complaining though since it sounds like there has been a lot of snow back in the states. There has been an outbreak of fires nearby due to the heat and lack of rain (I seriously have yet to see a drop of rain since arriving a month ago!). Since Stellenbosch is situated in a valley of sorts, the heat from the fires is just sitting over us making it even more unbearable. From what I hear, February is supposed to be the hottest here but then it cools off and March is perfect.

Last weekend I attended my first rugby game in which the Stormers of Western Cape won. The game was held in the new 2010 (World Cup) Stadium in Cape Town. Rugby is huge here and it was great to join in on that part of the culture! Besides that, I have just been taking advantage of the casual student lifestyle here. I have actually enjoyed going to class. Last week I got both an Afrikaans name and an isiXhosa name. My Afrikaans name is Francien Fourie and my isiXhosa name is Nomaxabisa which means "many prices." The names were random but I guess mine is sort of fitting! I have learned how to have basic conversations and I have had so much fun trying to use it with the locals. Afrikaaners are very proud of their heritage and thus are reluctant to use English even if then know it. They are much more welcoming to people who at least try to use their own language so I am very glad I took the language class. Between classes, I go to the gym and pool regularly as well as sit at local cafes and enjoy a coffee or two with friends. Getting coffee has been a good time to sit and chat with friends I have met here. It's a time when we can all discuss how we're feeling and doing with the whole experience. We have pretty much all reached the point where we realize we aren't just on vacation but actually living here. That has been a rough point for many of us and so it has been nice having a support network of people who know what you are going through and feeling. While living here has been and will be so much fun, it will also be quite challenging. I think we are all excited for the challenge though. I have recently made it a goal of mine to try something new each day. For example I tried seared tuna and mussels for the first time this week. This may not sound like a big deal to many people but I am not usually a very adventurous person! I am so excited to say that I have actually liked everything I have tried so far! Also on the list of things to try include cage shark diving, surfing, and bungee jumping!

So to sum things up, I am still having a great time and am thankful everyday for this experience. I think I am only now realizing how bit of a deal this is. I still catch myself proclaiming, "We're in Africa!" multiple times a day because it is so weird to me!

PS Continue to check for new pictures!