a little mini safari...

For fun I decided to take my little South African sisters on a mini safari in Krugersdorp. It was awesome to go on horseback to go on horseback because you can get closer to the animals. We didn't see the giraffe and the lions so much because they were hiding from the lightening, but I still marvel at the beauty of the animals in Africa. A reason to go back again and again (not that I ever needed one). I had a great time with Katlego and Nompumelelo. They have been such a strength to me all four times I have visited Africa. We have such a special relationship and I just love em to pieces. My shwang sisters in Mzantse!

sun city

So towards the end of my time in South Africa I decided to get spontaneous. I woke up on a Thursday and called my other spontaneous friend Andrea and we headed to Sun City for the day. This is a beautiful resort in South Africa! Although it happened to be closed for some stuffy private golf tournament, we ended up taking a cultural village tour and had a ton of fun dancing and getting to know some more about the different tribes in South Africa. We of course also enjoyed the sun and a little dancing. The people of South Africa really know how to jive, I love it!

thanksgiving in south africa...

I absolutely love Thanksgiving. Just because I was half way around the world I wasn't going to let that stop me from partaking of a little turkey. I invited my close friends in Johannesburg over to celebrate with me and we had a great time. I am so thankful for all of thier friendships. When you are away from home there is nothing more comforting than good friends. The cooking and the food was a little intense since all of the sudden I was using celcius and stuff but we came right and over all it was a success. Angeline and Carel gave us a very nice FHE message. Thanks everyone for coming, I miss you already!

christmas tagged.

It's the most wonderful time of the year! And to start celebrating I was Christmas tagged and don't mind it one bit since I get to think more about this super holiday!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Definatly wrapping paper, although my mom is the queen of the last minute gift bag! love you mom!

2. Real tree or Artificial?
It's a toss up. With the real tree you get the awesome smell, but the fake trees are most definatly easier and less messy and you always get a perfect shape.

3. When do you put up the tree?
The Day After Thanksgiving

4. When do you take the tree down?
This makes me want to cry cause I LOVE LOVE LOVE Christmas trees, but usually around the 1st of Jan.

5. Do you like eggnog?
Only Home Made, spare the spices!

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
I am going to have to say my cabbage patch doll I recieved at age five. That was the big thing that year. She had a green dress on and the yellow yarn hair and I remember my mom had to wait for hours in line to get her.

7. Hardest person to buy for?
Employers. I always work for people that already have everything!

8. Easiest person to buy for?
My Dad. He loves books, games, and electronics and he's not afraid to just tell you what he wants which is great! Saves the time guessing.

9. Do you have a nativity scene?
Yes, Martianne found an African Nativity and gave it to me last year for Christmas, it was really special!

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Mail

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
Ha, it was a white elephant gift so was supposed to be funny anyway, but it was a cement mold of someone's foot. Feet just gross me out, Eww!

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
The Chrismas Story

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
All year! I love finding creative gifts to give to people!

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
Ummm....ok you got me! But it was a nice one!

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
My mom's Christmas Casserole and Cinnamon Rolls

16. Lights on the tree?
Who has a tree without lights?

17. Favorite Christmas song?
Still Still Still
Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire
I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas


18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
I have traveled the past two Christmas's and it so isn't even nearly the same. I like being home in Salt Lake with the snow and Mom's brunch! Can't wait for that this year!

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
Absolutely

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
Well I have been doing a big bow - but I bought a star last year from Pottery Barn for $5.00 - reg $50 - so I'm excited to have a star this year.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Pajamas on Christmas Eve and the rest on Christmas Morning

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
The Excessiveness. I like my Christmas's to be about tradtion and meaning rather than lots of gifts and sweets. Sometimes it's a struggle to keep everything simple.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color?
Red Red Red

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner?
Ham and Potatoes

25. Favorite family Christmas tradition?
The Harris Family Nativity Sing Along. Our whole extended family gets together. We have awesome costumes and act out the Nativity and sing our favorite carols and eat yummy food. It's usually pretty hilarious, but a great way to remember the birth of our savior and spend time with family!

A Very Merry Christmas Season to everyone.

As for the tag...I am tagging anyone who reads this entry. Can't wait to see how you celebrate!

i'm so thankful for....

so many things! This thanksgiving I just wanted to list a few of the blessings I have in my life, ok or many in no certain order.

1. opportunities to travel.
2. freedom.
3. family.
4. second chances.
5. the gospel.
6. children.
7. smiles.
8. clean bathrooms.
9. water.
10. sunlight.
11. music.
12. chocolate.
13. guitar hero.
14. friends.
15. camera's.
16. pen pals.
17. health.
18. airplanes.
19. books.
20. flowers.
21. stoves and ovens and braais.
22. food in general.
23. sting.
24. parents.
25. temples.
26. internet.
27. holidays.
28. frisbee.
29. sunday suppers.
30. cupcakes.
31. life.

yep, I am still the luckiest girl in the world!

football vs. rugby?

So I'm an American, and...I'm a Ute through and through which means that I cheer for red and I absolutely love American football in the fall. But, now I am living in South Africa and tis the season for Rugby, which is also awesome. The South Africans are asking me to choose which is better and the answer is that I'm not going to. I love them both. Football is fun, it's our culture, it's Utah culture, my families culture and yes, they wear helmets and you can fumble the ball in football etc but it's still such fun to watch and be a part of.

It's funny because I get asked questions like, "do you even know what Rugby is?" It's great cause I get to explain that I attended Highland High School and our Rugby team takes Nationals and kills everyone almost every year and my little brother played etc etc. It's nice to have that claim to fame so that atleast the questions stop hey. I must admit, Rugby is a heck of a lot of fun to watch, especially when you are watching the World Champion Springboks of South Africa masacre England etc. Steve, you would love it here, there is Rugby games and Braai's almost every week and the girls even watch and understand this game, it's great! However, I have to admit I was pretty jealous of my fam and friends watching Utah beat BYU yesterday, would have loved to be at that game...but I was busy here watching the Rugby!


Alas, this is just a choice that I can't make and I guess my friends both South African and American will just have to deal, I'm a fence sitter, I enjoy em both! Go Utes, Go Bokke!

sho, this place is stunning...

K, so not to make you even more envious that I get to be in Africa (I can't help it) , but if you haven't realized yet from my pics and my constant blogs about it's beauty, South Africa is absolultely one of the most spectacular countries in the world and its why I keep coming back. My friend Christine and I packed up and took a roadtrip to hike the Drakensburg this week. The Drakensburg is located in the Natal region of South Africa and is the second largest canyon in the world. I betcha didn't know that was here. It was unbelievably green and lush and we had quite the adventure, hiking waterfalls and down "The Crack" which was a forbidden trail. I am a nature girl, I love love love to be outside and camp and build fires and even be dirty sometimes, although I also enjoy the shower afterwards but anyways. We even got to eat guava rolls, yes GUAVA rolls which we don't have in the states and also coconut marshmallows in our s'mores. So delish! I am already planning my trip back to these parts, it's absolutely amazing! Come and visit, come with me...come to Africa!

standing in a holy place

I was so grateful for the opportunity to visit the temple this week. I don't know how much you know about Johannesburg, but with all it's beauty there is a lot of danger here. I am constantly getting warnings about where I should and shouldn't go, and to watch my back as I travel around this city. The temple grounds here are beautiful and as I walked around this week I felt at peace, safe, a shelter from the outside world. I am all to grateful for the comforting spirit that the temples of this world offer and to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I don't know what I would do without the gospel in my life. The Church is the same wherever you go. The members here in South Africa are so good and are examples. I have been fortunate to participate in numerous family prayers, witness baptisms, and to visit the Johannesburg temple often as I have been here. The temple here is stunning and is lucky enough to be one of three in Africa.

durban

I love roadtrips! So a few friends and I decided to get away for a weekend and head to Durban, South Africa. First of all, Durban is beautiul and I loved it there! We had an amazing time just talking in the car, enjoying the scenery, swimming in the Indian Ocean, jumping off the pier and just enjoying not caring about anything for a couple of days. Love you girls, thanks for coming with me!

this is why south africa will never leave my heart

There are so many reasons I have loved my time in Africa, each time I have visited or lived here. Too many really to name, but I wanted to highlight a few just in case you don't know already why I am smitten for this part of the world!

Children: The children I work with are survivors and the most precious things to my heart, they've changed my life!

Elephants: graceful, loyal, strong, basically all that I am striving to be.


Waterfalls: a vivid reminder that God exists.

Jacaranda's: Nuff Said.

Braais: American BBQ's just don't cut it anymore, we need to take lessons from South Africans regarding spices and the way we grill. I'm very serious about this.

Cape Town: The most stunning city in the world.

Diamonds: A girls best friend and most of them come from this part of the world.

Sunsets: At the end of the day, despite the hardships of Africa she is blessed with the glory of a sunset. Spectacular!

Friends: I have met the greatest of people in Africa and I am so grateful for the role each has played in my life over the years. Some I know will be lifelong friends. Love you all!