Week 1: 14/8-21/8

I can't believe I'm back in SA....I am a totally hopeless wannabe South African and really, really, want to find a way to make myself pick up the accent!

Loving:
waking up every morning and seeing Table Mt on my way to placement

moments that make me say 'T.I.A' (for example) travelling on a coach carrying at least 2x the number of people it was designed for with the steering wheel column being held together with rope...
'oh yea these are the parts which fell off earlier' says the driver *waving some metal and plastic items in the teachers general direction*

Newspaper headlines on the side of the road which say 'Vuvuzela now an official word'

where we're and who we're staying with 

having a hire car, even if its not the greatest starter in the world!

MONKEY GLAND SAUCE 
and
SPURS :)

Disliking:
cold mornings

early nights and early mornings - it feels kinda good but soo isn't my comfort zone!

frustrated with re-adjusting to Africa-time and being patient with the time it takes to integrate into a new placement

Placement:

Will the role of an OT (occupational therapist) ever be clearly defined!?

I hate to love finally seeing the MOHO model applied in practice!

I'm nervous about how I'm going to make this placement into everything I need it to be

Feeling overwhelmed by the work to do; lessons in the school, afternoons in a adolescent drug rehabilitation centre (opening in September), a day or so being spent in a disability home in the
community where only 2/20 wheelchairs are of the correct size/support, the residents have little stimulation and interaction, there is a massive range in ability level, physio only comes once a month (ish) and there is very little motivation for change.

Ant looking at an anthill Table Mt....I think so! 

Any experiences that any of you OT readers might have had with activities with disabled clients greatly appreciated...any suggestions welcome....to inspire me somehow! I will be able to get hold of some creative/craft supplies and resources...

Adapting to a different culture:

I've noticed that being in a different culture is like holding a mirror up to yourself.

Not a normal mirror; but one which draws to attention intrinsic values, bias and thoughts that you didn't even know you had.

Looking in the mirror is mesmerizing and somewhat uncomfortable as you figure out what unifies humans as a race, why you hold some of the values that you do and whether you will ever be able to fit in considering some of the differences that you find with those around you.

In my experience, with time and effort the contrasts that you see in the mirror will fade. As you spend time immersing yourself in the culture, and more importantly, building relationships; the differences matter less.

The unifying elements that you discover win through.
Most of the time.

I mean, no-one every understands each other fully anyway do they!?

Can't wait to:

Go to Mugg&Bean (yes this entire trip IS centred around food :P)

Mugg&Bean is a coffee shop chain, for those of you not educated in such delicious things!

Find a routine and working timetable

The winter finally getting out of the way so we can get some sun (but 17 C is the predicted high for next week....so maybe that won't happen so soon :S)

Hope you enjoyed reading, I plan on posting weekly, the format will probably change over time and Gail might be adding some thoughts too!

Peace out x