Hola!!

Sorry about the slow posts! I'm busy and as of right now there is no internet at my home!
On Monday I visited my school. I got a tour of the place and picked out my classes. I'm taking english, afrikaans, trig :( , geography, biology, history, and life orientation. Also, I attened my first South African Rotary meeting! They go from 6pm- 7pm. No earlier, no later, no exceptions! haha (oh!! and they don't sing!) After the rotary meeting, I went to Debbie Smutts' lovely colonial home for pizza. There I met my next host mom, Pauline. Les was unable to make it. I also got to meet some other rotarians. They are a very funny bunch! Dad- you'd love Debbie's husbad Izak.. you share the respect for a fine glass of wine! :)
The Green's are some of the kindest people I have ever met! They bend-over-backwards for anything I need, want or would maybe like. They are so welcoming!
A few things you guys might like to know:
1. Tomato sauce DOES NOT taste like ketchup!
2. A "jersey" is a sweatshirt.
3. Parrots bite- HARD.
4. There are about five white girls in my school. (not bad.. but a good perspective change!)
5. It's freezing here. It almost snowed this morning :(
6. You do not pronounce water with a t sound... you say it "wader" haha
7. I love and miss you all! Thanks for the prayers!
I hope you enjoy my little entries- Bye for now!

I'm Here!

The journey from london to Jo Bourg was a very long flight.. about 12 hours. I tried to sleep- sadly i didn't get any upgade! It was a full plane! While going through the airport in Jo Bourg..I had placed a small neck pillow on top of my bag between the handles...Well that bag is now gone. It was most likely stolen. This is VERY unfortunate because my ipod and retainers were in that little bag. A quick (crying and fearful) call to mom was the first thing i did. :( So I learned a little lesson.. Maybe Santa has a new girt idea for Alison?!? Let's hope! Luckily i didn't have to sit in saddness long at the Jo bourg airport.. My flight to PE left soon after. When flying, I wish you could've seen the mountains and beautiful water.. GORGEOUS! (Much better than a flight from Minnesota to Chicago!) As I landed in PE, I thought it was the wrong place.. The airport looked like a large garage! I asked the man next to me what it was and he chuckled! As i got my luggage and walked through the door where people were to greet- I saw some familiar faces!! :) It was great to be welcomed so kindly- Suzette and George are very kind! I also got to meet Ivan (their son) , his wife, and their younger son Justin. After they picked me up, we all went out to eat. Don't worry guys- the food here is very "normal". I had a BLT! After we ate, me, Justin, Suzette,and George started our journey home- PE is about one hour from Grahamstown. Driving is soooo weird!! It's not too bad sitting in the backseat- but the front is scary!! Also on our drive I saw some wild boars, monkeys (hanging out on the side of the road), and some other Southafrican animals I can't remember their names.. The Green's home is absolutely beautiful. the drive would have taken your breath away. They call their yard, or lawn- a garden. So everything is the garden! It's gorgeous. I will be uploading photos probably later this week..on facebook that is. I'm sort of living out of my suitcase bacause I will only be staying here for two weeks. I'm taking my vitamins (Dad ;) ) and doing very well! I went to church today with the Greens. It is a smaller church- but very active and doing wonderful thins for Grahamstown. Tomorrow I will go to school and purchase a uniform/get to know the school. After that around 18:00 I will go to the rotary meeting with George. Then on Friday, Debbie Smutts (a Rotarian) is having many people over at her home to meet me! Oh- it is actually VERY VERY chilly here!! Who would've known!? It's about 45 deg. F in the house at night when the sun is down- But during the day it is very beautiful.. feels like our sprong in MN. I used an electric blanket last night and without it- I don't think i could make it!
That is all I have for now-
Take Care & God Bless!!
-Alison

First International Flight!

Laving family and friends was cery though- and not fun one bit. As I approached my gate, I heard my name called out on the intercom... It was very good news! I got upgraded to business class!! More foot room, better food, bigger bathrooms, socks, blankets, pillow, personal movie screen!! It was great! And i even got a little cosmetic bag with a toothbrush, comb, chapstick...oh the sweet free stuff goes on and on! :) I sat by a kind brittish man. Thank goodness he was a quiet sleeper!!! When I woke up breakfast was served- not as good as my dad's.. but yummy for airplane food!! London is interesting.. a little dirty, a bit smelly, but all around fantastic!! I'll be sitting here for 8 hours.. :( But my next stop: SOUTH AFRICA!!
-Alison

Time is Up in the US!

At this time tomorrow night i will be walking through the airport to my gate. It is amazing how time flys and my exciting year abroad is finally here... I'm pretty much feeling every emotion possible! It hasn't quite hit me yet. I hope to keep you guys as up to date as i can! If you could keep my mom in your prayers, that would be great. Thanks-
Alison