a study in colour

My friend Anthony pointed me to two pages, linked to here, and here, that really depressed me. I certainly have my moments when I wish things were different. I hate that I have to take the long way around because I don't feel safe driving through the city center on my own, but I also love that I live in such a beautiful country. I love that I can walk around campus and see a view over a really green suburb, or blossoms on peach trees in the middle of winter, people in colour within the grey walls of the varsity buildings, and people who greet you in an elevator. I love walking out doors in what is technically still winter, with snow falling on the southern Drakensberg, and be approached by a beautiful woman wearing a pink floral dress with short sleeves and a hem-line attractively high above her knees. In winter. I love driving with my windows down through a leafy suburb. I love South African sunsets, and South African diversity. The diversity was what I missed most when I was in Argentina in 2003. I felt a bit afraid, looking so similar to everyone else. I like the contrasts. I like that on a school field, I can hear children singing, and at a political event, I can hear people singing, and when the supercare workers go on strike, you can hear them singing from the computer labs. I once stopped at a traffic light beside a car whose passenger dropped a cigaret packet out of the window. I opened my door, picked it up, and dropped it back in at their window just in time to pull away as the light changed. I couldn't see their reaction. In June, when I was travelling down to my parents house, the driver of the bus I was on opened his window to toss out a polystyrene cup. I took it from him to dispose of appropriately, and my reproach opened a rather interesting, and very friendly conversation. He was a good man. But no one had ever taught him any differently. You need to appreciate a place before you take responsibility for caring for it, and it is only through the upward gazes of others that we learn to look upwards ourselves.

Aftertaste

As promised, here is a link to my new roommate's film. Her name is Ceridwen Dovey, and her film is called Aftertaste. I can't wait to see it!

I spent a little time this morning teaching conducting, and I had forgotten untill now how much I really enjoy teaching. There is a real satisfaction in knowing that you can give someone else a useful skill, and when it is in something as fun (and challenging) as conducting, it is really satisfying. The excitement for my career that suffered a bit earlier this year is returning full force. I love what I do, and I can't wait to do more of it.

High tea

I had a really lovely afternoon today celebrating a friend's 21st birthday. We had high tea a the Westcliff hotel. What an experience! uniformed porters and waiters, silverware, and delicate snacks served on silver trays. It was absolutely beautiful, very romantic, and a really lovely excuse to get dressed up, visit a beautiful place, and feel special. What a life it is!

Back to my life

I am at Wits. Again. You would think that by now it would all be over, wouldn't you. But of course, it is never that simple. I shouldn't really complain, because I am here for two bits of really fun work, and I'm getting paid (on time, so far), for both. But walking on to the campus does feel a bit out of sync with my present state of mind, which is all on New York. I got the name of my room-mate last night. She is a South African visual anthropologist and documentary film maker, and I will link to info about her film once we have made contact, and if she doesn't mind me doing that.
I'm a little nervous about the terrorism on aeroplanes thing, of course, but as my mother says, you can't not live because something may go wrong. We simply take all the precautions we practically can, and then get on with it. I'm sure all the new security measures at the airports are a bit of a pain, and I don't like the idea of potentially being unable to carry books and work on in my hand luggage, but I would rather have that inconvenience than have a plane crash!
Oh, and I got all my innoculations yesterday, so both arms are a little stiff.
Last night we had a visitor to our choir who is potentially a new conductor, and there is another potential coming to the last rehearsal before I leave, so that is one more task out of the way. Making the choice between the two is up to the choir.
And my grandmother is out of the hospital. Yay! She is staying with us at home untill the end of the weekend, when we know she will be able to check her own blood sugar, and follow her new diet, and take her medication herself. She has type 2 diabetes, and probably has had it, though uncontrolled, for many years. On Sunday evening, she should be back at her retirement village with her friends, and the nurse who checks up on them every day, so all is returning to normal. That is a huge relief. I would have hated to leave knowing that she was still ill, and my parents were struggling alone to see to look after her.
And, and, and, and....
I sound like a herald, but there is a lot of news. My best friend's sister, who has been struggling to have children, gave birth to a healthy baby girl the day before my birthday, and another friend who has also been struggling told me last night that she is 5 months pregnant. I love babies, so all of this can only be good luck. I am seeing my best friend tonight after many weeks. And my dear friend Anthony has his birthday tomorrow, and another good friend is having her 21st at a very posh hotel on Sunday. I can't wait to get dressed up again. I love having an excuse.

Update

Well, my visa was granted today, and so this whole experience is feeling more and more real. I am getting so excited! And my grandmother is a little better today, though she is still in hospital, and may be for a while yet. I can't believe how pathetic her medical aid is, though. They only covered her hospital expenses for a few days, and after all the years she and my grandfather paid their fees... Still, she is alright, and that is the most important thing. And my car is still not going, but hopefully will be tomorrow. Hold thumbs...

back from holiday

Well, after a superb holiday, I am right back into the chaos! Our return was delayed due to car trouble, and now that I am finally home, I am without wheels, and my grandmother is in hospital. Tomorrow, somehow, I have to make my way to the American consulate for a visa interview, and then I have to sort out all of my work here. If I can't travel, I really am stuck. Ah well, a fresh start looms. It won't be long till I am in New York! I am looking forward to the break.

Soon to be published...

Click on the link above if you would like to download my soon-to-be-published paper on South African Choral Music and identity. It will appear in an anthology to be published by the Swedish South African Research Network, with whom I have been working since 2004. The network is the reason I travelled to Sweden, Stellenbosch and Mthatha over the past 3 years. It has been an amazing experience!