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I've been back in Singapore for about a week and I'm convinced that I'm suffering from MOP withdrawal.
I play african music a lot.
I developed pictures and mailed it back to them.
I just finished making them a video which I have yet to burn.
And I think about them all the timeee!

It was a very tearful goodbye too which I think might have defeated the whole purpose of the trip because my being there left them more happy and sad.. so I feel quite guilty about that..
other than that it feels good to be home I guess :)
I've been sleeping loads so I think I needed this time to re-cooperate.
This has been by far my FAVORITE June.

I put pictures up on facebook :)

xoxo
me

There are too many stories to tell and I leave tomorrow and I’m not going to tell them right now.
So instead of sitting in front of the computer for 2 precious hours, I’m going to spend the time with the people I’m going to miss like crazy.
They’ve become my friends you know? And it’s something that I didn’t expect coming into this.
I thought I’d love them in the day, recharge my batteries at night and love them the next day and so on and so forth.
But it’s not like that at all! I think I need them as much as they need me, which is why it sucks so much to leave. I really love them sooo much.
Anyway, that’s all I’m gonna have time for.

4 weeks is too short.
It's way way too short :(
I finally feel like I've settled and now I'm saying goodbye.

Anyway enough of that.
I have more fun facts about South Africa, or at least about Mother of Peace..
Beyonce's Irreplacable
Rhianna's Umbrella
and that song by Akon.. "nobody wanna see us together, but it don't matter no.."
are HUGE hits here haha you'll hear them at least 3 times a day and everyone is singing to it all the time :) I'm gonna miss that
AND while i was doing the dishes the other day.. which I found is really theraputic for me because dishes help me sort my thoughts out! and i'll write them down in my diary which has depressions in it now from my wet hands...

We had the weekend off last week.. which I have to admit, made me feel quite guilty.. but anyway 4 dutch girls and I drove up north for about 4 hours and stayed at a backpackers lodge. During which we went to a SAFARI!!!! for 12 hours!!!! and a boat cruise! I've attached pictures so you can enjoy the madness with me :)
I never expected to do any of this when I got here and I just feel so blessed :)
ALSOOO... I would like to update you on the recent events at Mother of Peace
Firstly, in appreciation of the hard work the house mothers have been doing for the children... (they run the household of about 6-9 children).. we took them out for a surprise night of bowling and bumper cars! they had sooo much fun. We hope to make it a monthly thing.. to create something out of the norm you know? Something they can look forward to and bond over!

ok, so I don't have much time at the computer right now.. so I'm just gonna tell a few stories.
I was at the daycare center a few days ago playing around with the kids outside and this little boy (whom I will refer to as Adam) was lying on the grass daydreaming.. it was very cute :) Anyway another boy who was feeling a little like roughhousing went over and pinned Adam down on the grass. It was all very normal childs play, but Adam started to cry.. sort of a moan. He wasn't in pain or anything, he kinda sounded like he was pleading for the other boy to get off and when he did, Adam just kept sobbing. I've seem kids cry before, but this was totally different..

There's a massive strike going on at the moment so school's been closed and I suppose it has happened at an opportune moment because we've been given the chance to REALLY spend time with the kids who range from babies - 18 years old.
I've been trying to learn zulu as well as everybody's names and failing miserably :) (no big surprise to those of you who know my skill with second langauges) :)
And I've been feeling really guilty about it too! They know my name , but I have to keep asking them for theirs and people feel important when you remember their names you know? So I've been getting them to introduce themselves on video so if I can drill it into my head at night!

I'm leaving in less than 24 hours and its really nerve wrecking..
I'm quite afraid!

Hey everyone,
My name is Joy. I'm 19 and just wrapping up my first year at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. I'm from Singapore and I'm unbelievably psyched to be going to Illovo with Be More and Mother of Peace!!!!
I've been really overwhelmed with school lately.. exams and such and saying goodbye to friends who are leaving AND working on all that fundraising.

BUT I'M EXCITED!