South Africa week's end
Day 5
Just back from epic night out dancing and dining in Mama Africa's with True North and Pearson colleagues from Cape Town, after a tough morning at the creche during a power cut. It also involved a few mopping incidents in the 'baby' class, for which intervention I am now officially JoAnn's hero :)
Had a tour of the lovely Cape Town office and some small-group time in discussion with several members of that office. Amusingly, it really made me think of a golf course house! What a beautiful place to work - and they've really made the branding work. Followed on from last night's mega bbq outside at Faye's, which ended in a lovely evening of sing-songs, after a rich discussion of the values and benefits of the program. Amazing just how quickly fellows from the world over have bonded so quickly and readily. It was so rewarding to have such relaxing and really enjoyable recharge time.
My creche buddies, 'Team Sunshine', are just simply awesome - we discovered we are all youngest siblings of two, and we get on famously, working together and supporting each other throughout the day - and in the thick of the fun and playfulness come the night-time!
Day 6
The Shovel King is back from renovation, and at least 3 truckloads of sand to mix into cement, the Duracell bunny-battery still ticking despite the hot African sun. And I got to play with a Compressor. I've have never appreciated an ice-cold Cola so much in my life! (A surprise from our friends at True North brought to the site mid-shovelling.) Took a lot of showering to shift that sweat and dirt! Amazing how quickly it's all coming together, and all this on a budget of $3,600 - all from donations by Pearson employees across the globe.
The morning in the creche was Music and Bubbles day starring my awesome creche-mates and me, Team Sunshine - JoAnn (Canada) and Anthony (Sri Lanka, on guitar). And most rewarding it was too, teaching the kids new songs and them teaching us. I also finally had time for a decent-length chat with Sasha, my teacher, who told me that she had really enjoyed working with me this week and that she thought we made a great team. Lovely to hear after a rollercoaster week. Tonight, after Pizza, I expect we'll all flop early ready for Robben Island and the Waterfront tomorrow... next week, Team Sunshine are full of ideas to top our efforts with the kids thus far.
Just back from epic night out dancing and dining in Mama Africa's with True North and Pearson colleagues from Cape Town, after a tough morning at the creche during a power cut. It also involved a few mopping incidents in the 'baby' class, for which intervention I am now officially JoAnn's hero :)
Had a tour of the lovely Cape Town office and some small-group time in discussion with several members of that office. Amusingly, it really made me think of a golf course house! What a beautiful place to work - and they've really made the branding work. Followed on from last night's mega bbq outside at Faye's, which ended in a lovely evening of sing-songs, after a rich discussion of the values and benefits of the program. Amazing just how quickly fellows from the world over have bonded so quickly and readily. It was so rewarding to have such relaxing and really enjoyable recharge time.
My creche buddies, 'Team Sunshine', are just simply awesome - we discovered we are all youngest siblings of two, and we get on famously, working together and supporting each other throughout the day - and in the thick of the fun and playfulness come the night-time!
Day 6
The Shovel King is back from renovation, and at least 3 truckloads of sand to mix into cement, the Duracell bunny-battery still ticking despite the hot African sun. And I got to play with a Compressor. I've have never appreciated an ice-cold Cola so much in my life! (A surprise from our friends at True North brought to the site mid-shovelling.) Took a lot of showering to shift that sweat and dirt! Amazing how quickly it's all coming together, and all this on a budget of $3,600 - all from donations by Pearson employees across the globe.
The morning in the creche was Music and Bubbles day starring my awesome creche-mates and me, Team Sunshine - JoAnn (Canada) and Anthony (Sri Lanka, on guitar). And most rewarding it was too, teaching the kids new songs and them teaching us. I also finally had time for a decent-length chat with Sasha, my teacher, who told me that she had really enjoyed working with me this week and that she thought we made a great team. Lovely to hear after a rollercoaster week. Tonight, after Pizza, I expect we'll all flop early ready for Robben Island and the Waterfront tomorrow... next week, Team Sunshine are full of ideas to top our efforts with the kids thus far.