Workspace

I’m not sure why I’m fascinated by workspaces. I’ve taken pictures of my various workspaces over the years starting with boarding school. I’ve taken pictures of my offices and school study spaces. I find it interesting how they’ve changed over the years. I suppose it isn’t that much different than taking pictures of our houses or living rooms considering how much time through the decades we spend with various types of work. Snapped this one last night when my frustration level was high. My technology problems since I’ve been in South Africa have been well documented. I’ve experienced everything from my entire USB drive being wiped out to my iCloud refusing to stay on which makes working on documents impossible in the evenings. Other minor issues in between like slow internet have also hurt productivity. So, this picture from last night expresses many of those feelings. But at least I had a really good bottle of red.

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20 days and counting down

1June2014 and we leave in 20 days.

There is plenty of doing left in these 20 days. In addition to the school work we have to do there will be hugs, drinks, and maybe a few tears before we get back. And probably all of those things once we get home too! I’m also making time to reflect and plan. Reflect on my semester here in South Africa and plan for what’s next.

I’ve never had a year like this before. Its funny because even when we have things planned, we don’t always know how they’ll turn out but we take security in the plan. Sometimes security comes in the planning too. I say that I don’t know what I’m doing not because I don’t have a plan but because I’m full-on honest with myself that this time, I really don’t know how I’m going to “make it happen.”

To-do list:
work
see friends
catch-up with friends
file all the correct paperwork to graduate
finish packing
defend thesis
find a place to live in Fairfax
figure out how to pay for a move
clean old house
Move
Set-up new place
Go through orientation for school
Actually orient myself to the area
Plan syllabus for class
Get books and such for classes I’ll be taking
Unpack
Walk dogs
Empty cat box
Don’t panic

In January I didn’t know how things were going to come together for my time here at NMMU. I wasn’t sure where I was going to live, who I would be working with, or even the people I was traveling with. When I got on the plane I didn’t know what I would be doing next. Then I didn’t know what my plan was when upon returning to the States. Each of these unknowns have unfolded nicely. This is the first time that I have really embraced the fact that what I plan and what happens do not always match up. And I’m ok with it. Each moment has its own requirement and I just need to stay mindful and respectful.