1, 2, 3 . . . . JUMP!
Namibian Salt Pan
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Friday, December 18, 2009
Happy New Year
Hello ,
Just wanted to send a bit of holiday cheer and wishes for peace and prosperity in the new year! The best to you all!! Also, I wanted to know how the transition home is coming along for some of you. It has been a little hectic here; there were senior activities Amsara attended this week. (She's been to school every day, even though the jet-lag has kicked in.) Besides that, she's very quiet, observant and seems to truly be in the midst of culture shock. I'm thinking it'll be a slow, gradual process. The look in Amsara's eyes when speaking of her new "sisters" and "aunties" is priceless. She has formed life-long bonds with your daughters and I look forward to the continued blossoming of their friendships. I must admit that I too, have grown fond of your daughters over these months just through blog posts and photos. I appreciated watching them grow together. And as for TTS staff...In-cre-di-ble!!! Let's all keep in touch.
Many blessings,
Carla Holly
p.s.- I'll be sending photos from the airport.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Coming Home
Hello All,
Thank you Marsha for the wonderful song. I downloaded it on ITunes! I am counting the hours and will likely not sleep much tonight! Mariel will be 16 one week from tomorrow...it seems impossible but it is here. I am so excited to meet the new person she is when she gets off the plane tomorrow.
Mariel wrote an article about Zambia which was just published in the Big Timber Pioneer Newspaper here in Big Timber, MT. The community has been so supportive and so many have commented on what a wonderful adventure and opportunity this has been for her...all asking how does such a thing happen here in MT only to find out the school is based in Bozeman!
I wish you all joy, blessings, great beauty, and family fun for this Holiday Season! Thank you for sharing your daughters with mine! That is the most incredible blessing of all!
Many cheers,
Kim Colvin
Thank you Marsha for the wonderful song. I downloaded it on ITunes! I am counting the hours and will likely not sleep much tonight! Mariel will be 16 one week from tomorrow...it seems impossible but it is here. I am so excited to meet the new person she is when she gets off the plane tomorrow.
Mariel wrote an article about Zambia which was just published in the Big Timber Pioneer Newspaper here in Big Timber, MT. The community has been so supportive and so many have commented on what a wonderful adventure and opportunity this has been for her...all asking how does such a thing happen here in MT only to find out the school is based in Bozeman!
I wish you all joy, blessings, great beauty, and family fun for this Holiday Season! Thank you for sharing your daughters with mine! That is the most incredible blessing of all!
Many cheers,
Kim Colvin
Under African skies
I was putting together a cd for Sarah’s return and came across this song by Paul Simon. It definitely sums up very nicely the African experience. I encourage you all to put it on the loud speaker in the office today as you tie up loose ends.
We got the envelope today and it is on her pillow.
Can’t wait.
Marsha
“Under African Skies”
Joseph's face was black as night
The pale yellow moon shone in his eyes
His path was marked
By the stars in the southern hemisphere
And he walked his days
Under African skies
This is the story of how we begin to remember
This is the powerful pulsing of love in the vein
After the dream of falling and calling your name out
These are the roots of rhythm
And the roots of rhythm remain
In early memory
Mission music
Was ringing 'round my nursery door
I said take this child, lord
From Tucson, Arizona
Give her the wings to fly through harmony
And she won't bother you no more
This is the story of how we begin to remember
This is the powerful pulsing of love in the vein
After the dream of falling and calling your name out
These are the roots of rhythm
And the roots of rhythm remain
Joseph's face was black as night
And the pale yellow moon shone in his eyes
His path was marked
By the stars in the southern hemisphere
And he walked the length of his days
Under African skies
We got the envelope today and it is on her pillow.
Can’t wait.
Marsha
“Under African Skies”
Joseph's face was black as night
The pale yellow moon shone in his eyes
His path was marked
By the stars in the southern hemisphere
And he walked his days
Under African skies
This is the story of how we begin to remember
This is the powerful pulsing of love in the vein
After the dream of falling and calling your name out
These are the roots of rhythm
And the roots of rhythm remain
In early memory
Mission music
Was ringing 'round my nursery door
I said take this child, lord
From Tucson, Arizona
Give her the wings to fly through harmony
And she won't bother you no more
This is the story of how we begin to remember
This is the powerful pulsing of love in the vein
After the dream of falling and calling your name out
These are the roots of rhythm
And the roots of rhythm remain
Joseph's face was black as night
And the pale yellow moon shone in his eyes
His path was marked
By the stars in the southern hemisphere
And he walked the length of his days
Under African skies
Friday, December 4, 2009
Thanking and Giving...
Thanksgiving Day, 2009
* From a remote and protected stretch of coastline in South Africa where Loggerhead and Leatherback turtles come the lay their eggs every year, and where the TTS14 is fully immersed in inspiring academics and ocean-based adventures.*
Dear Parents,
Thanksgiving dinner was full of conversation about the midnight walk along the beach searching for Leatherback and Loggerhead turtles, the boat ride to snorkel in the Indian Ocean, and time spent napping on the beach after boogie-boarding in the waves. Thanksgiving in Rocktail Beach with the visiting parents was full of adventure! There were also stories of home and Thanksgiving traditions with families who were missed. One dinner tradition the TTS14 family enjoys is sharing our rose, thorns and buds of the day or week. A rose is a favorite, special, amazingly beautiful moment. A thorn is, well, an experience that may not have been so pleasant. A bud is something that we are looking forward to. Below the girls have shared their roses, thorns and buds from the second half of the semester. We have also included a little bit about what we are Thankful for. The visiting parents also shared their roses, thorns, buds and thanks with the group.
Enjoy the messages from your incredible girls!
-Genevieve, Leah, Shannon and Chrissie – who are all so thankful that you have shared your inspirational, strong, fun, and intelligent daughters with us this semester!
Allegra:
Although I still bare the traces from the blisters, I really enjoyed our Tsitsikama hike. Even though the days were long and hard, Tsitsikama showed me how far I’ve come this semester. Over the course of four days we hike over 30 kilometers in the heat of the African sun. My thorn is that this trip is nearing the end. My bud is that I am looking forward to the Drakensburg Mountains. Coming from Montana, I’ve missed the mountains.
I am thankful for being with a group of 15 other strong, independent women.
Amsara:
My roses have been sleeping under the stars and sticking my head out of the window to get a better view of the various landscapes. I have also enjoyed visiting the Sangoma (spiritual healer) and getting some great advice from her. I also enjoyed Ngwe’s (Chrispen) wonderful food and Ngwene’s (Japhet) insightful and hilarious talks. I have overall enjoyed Africa as my home. My thorns were the body aches and blisters from the Tsitsikama hike and the struggles of dealing with computers that cut off. My biggest bud is Thanksgiving! I anticipate the next few weeks and the joyful experiences that are to come with it. But over all I am anticipating to spend my seventeenth birthday on December 12th right here in Africa.
I am thankful for spending my Thanksgiving in Africa! I am thankful for the support from my friends and family. I am thankful for the beauty of the stars.
Kendall:
My rose was the Tsitsikama hike with all of the girls. I can’t say I have had any thorns. My bud is to rock climbing in Waterfalboven. I am thankful for our incredible cook, Chrispen, and all of the good food here. I am also thankful for all of the girls here.
Laurel:
My rose has been walking barefoot in the sand under the starts searching for turtle tracks by moonlight. My thorn has been thinking about how fast this trip has gone by and how little time I have left to see Africa. My bud is enjoying my time here in this amazing place with these amazing people and making every single second count.
I am thankful for all the memories I will have forever from my TTS14 adventure.
Mariel:
My rose from our time since Cape Town has been being so close to the ocean – it is gorgeous! My thorn was when, in Eshowe, our dorm flooded and Buddy got wet. My bud is all the wonderful things we will be doing for the rest of the semester.
I am thankful for the opportunities I have been provided with in my life. I am thankful for every moment of each day that I learn something. I am thankful for the people who push me to do great things. And I am thankful for all the people who love me.
Phoebe:
My rose since Cape Town has been everything! Today was one of the best days of my life, but then again, yesterday was also one of the best days, too. Last night we went on a three-hour turtle walk along the berach and I got to see a mommy leatherback turtle head out to sea after laying her eggs. Watching her disappear into the waves was.... ahhh! I’m at a loss for words. This morning we went snorkeling which was so much fun. I really enjoy snorkeling and seeing all the different fish. A thorn since Cape Town has been missing my family, of course! I can’t wait to stop hand washing my clothes and I am excited to come home for Christmas and ski. I hope it is snowing at home! My bud is soaking up the rest of the semester and coming home. I have had the most enlightening, challenging and inspiring journey.
Margo:
Since Cape Town I have had so many roses with a few thorns. One of my roses was definitely surfing in Jeffery’s Bay and getting to play in the waves. I have also enjoyed the rain – we had a lot last week and it was awesome. But overall, just all of the fun we have had together since Cape Town has been great. I also had a great time with all of the activities we did in Eshowe such as the Sangoma visit, Shakaland, our village tour, and our AIDS talk with Paula. My thorn was probably the Tsitsikama hike because it was very long, tiring days of hiking which isn’t really my thing. But otherwise, no thorns, really! My bud would have to be going to Kruger. I am super excited to see animals again!
I am thankful for the opportunity to be on this amazing trip and to have spent the past three months with these wonderful girls. I am also very thankful for my friends, family and home in Kansas City, and thankful that everyone at home has supported me in this trip!
Morgan:
My rose was our hike at Tsitsikama. I was wonderful to get up in the mountains and do some good hiking with the girls. We also had a chance to witness some awesome awards and play some really good games. My thorn was the twelve hour truck ride in the rain. This was a long and tiring day and we were all very delirious by the end of it. My bud is our days rock climbing. This is something I used to do a lot when I was younger, but haven’t done in a while. It will be so exciting to be back up on the rock and make it to the top!
I am thankful for the opportunity to spend three months on this amazing continent, having classes in beautiful places, interacting with people here, and testing my limits. This has all been so much fun and has helped me grow in so many ways. I couldn’t have asked for more.
Alice:
My rose would be the Tsitsikama hike. We had a lot of fun up in the mountains and spending all day hiking. I also really liked having the parents come and visit us. My thorn would be how close the end of the semester is coming. I really don’t want it to end. Saying goodbye to Whitney was also really sad. My bud is that I am excited for Kruger National Park and having fun with the group for our last weeks together.
I am thankful for the ability to come on this trip and having the opportunity to experience what I have experienced.
Alexa:
My rose was the home stay in Cape Town. This was definitely one of the highlights of the trip. My other rose would be everyday learning something new. My thorn is being over stressed which has been making me sleepy. My bud is looking forward to the last weeks with the Traveling School and the last adventures we are going to have, especially the Drakensberg Mountains!
I am thankful for all of the support I have in my life at home and here. I am also really thankful to have had the opportunity to come to Africa. It has definitely changed my life.
Alexis:
My roses have been dance parties on the truck, Thanksgiving dinner and snorkeling in Rocktail beach. My thorns have been dirty clothes and the twenty-hour plane ride home leaving the girls.
My buds are rock climbing in Waterfalboven, completing finals,, and enjoying the rest of my time in southern Africa.
I am thankful for breathtaking African sunsets, great food and wonderful girls to share it with.
From the Parents:
Sarah Brookfield (Margo’s mom):
My rose is the opportunity to experience the beauty of the land, the history and people of Southern Africa. This has been like the bud of a rose as it opens and blossoms – unique, special and continually sharing its gift of joy. My thorn is the thought that there will be girls and parents exposed to the opportunity of TTS and will choose, possibly out of fear or discomfort of the unknown, to say “no” to participate in this unparalleled experience. My bud is the hope that I will always remember to keep my mind open to new ideas, cultures and people and to look at the world through multiple lenses.
I give unlimited thanks for the opportunity to spend Thanksgiving with my daughter in such an inspirational place like South Africa. Equally, I am thankful to share this day, and feast, with new friends which include the TTS14 girls and some of their parents and dedicated and superbly awesome teachers!
Shelly La Ferr (Allegra’s mom)
My rose is that I got to ride in the safari truck with the whole group and get an idea of what this semester has been like. My thorn is that it has gone by way too fast and soon we’ll be saying goodbye to TTS14.
I am thankful for the opportunity to be in South Africa, to be with all of the girls and to remember how fortunate each of us is.
Marsha Gaspari (Sarah’s mom):
Your daughters and their teachers and Crispen and Japhet are the most beautiful roses in the world. It has been pure joy to be around them and see them blossom. You should all be very proud. They are safe, curious, confident and having the time of their lives. The only thorn might be unexpected glimpses of snakes, lizards, overly hairy spiders and dung beetles. and I look forward to another long, hard, rib-cracking hug at the airport.
I am most thankful for the love you concretely feel all around these girls and this country of South Africa.
Mike Gaspari:
I am thankful for a daughter who has a wonderful sense of adventure and is willing to take a chance on what life has to offer. Like her, I had a dream of visiting Africa some day. Without her decision to turn her dream to reality, I may never have seen Africa. Thank you, Sarah, for making a dream come true for me.
Caroline (Alice’s mom):
As a parent on this trip, it has been an enormous please to meet everyone, be warmly accepted and feel part of the adventure and learning that TTS represents. I am so thankful that these girls have been able to be part of such an amazing, thought provoking and life changing experience and would wish that many others would have the courage and vision to do similarly in the future.
* From a remote and protected stretch of coastline in South Africa where Loggerhead and Leatherback turtles come the lay their eggs every year, and where the TTS14 is fully immersed in inspiring academics and ocean-based adventures.*
Dear Parents,
Thanksgiving dinner was full of conversation about the midnight walk along the beach searching for Leatherback and Loggerhead turtles, the boat ride to snorkel in the Indian Ocean, and time spent napping on the beach after boogie-boarding in the waves. Thanksgiving in Rocktail Beach with the visiting parents was full of adventure! There were also stories of home and Thanksgiving traditions with families who were missed. One dinner tradition the TTS14 family enjoys is sharing our rose, thorns and buds of the day or week. A rose is a favorite, special, amazingly beautiful moment. A thorn is, well, an experience that may not have been so pleasant. A bud is something that we are looking forward to. Below the girls have shared their roses, thorns and buds from the second half of the semester. We have also included a little bit about what we are Thankful for. The visiting parents also shared their roses, thorns, buds and thanks with the group.
Enjoy the messages from your incredible girls!
-Genevieve, Leah, Shannon and Chrissie – who are all so thankful that you have shared your inspirational, strong, fun, and intelligent daughters with us this semester!
Allegra:
Although I still bare the traces from the blisters, I really enjoyed our Tsitsikama hike. Even though the days were long and hard, Tsitsikama showed me how far I’ve come this semester. Over the course of four days we hike over 30 kilometers in the heat of the African sun. My thorn is that this trip is nearing the end. My bud is that I am looking forward to the Drakensburg Mountains. Coming from Montana, I’ve missed the mountains.
I am thankful for being with a group of 15 other strong, independent women.
Amsara:
My roses have been sleeping under the stars and sticking my head out of the window to get a better view of the various landscapes. I have also enjoyed visiting the Sangoma (spiritual healer) and getting some great advice from her. I also enjoyed Ngwe’s (Chrispen) wonderful food and Ngwene’s (Japhet) insightful and hilarious talks. I have overall enjoyed Africa as my home. My thorns were the body aches and blisters from the Tsitsikama hike and the struggles of dealing with computers that cut off. My biggest bud is Thanksgiving! I anticipate the next few weeks and the joyful experiences that are to come with it. But over all I am anticipating to spend my seventeenth birthday on December 12th right here in Africa.
I am thankful for spending my Thanksgiving in Africa! I am thankful for the support from my friends and family. I am thankful for the beauty of the stars.
Kendall:
My rose was the Tsitsikama hike with all of the girls. I can’t say I have had any thorns. My bud is to rock climbing in Waterfalboven. I am thankful for our incredible cook, Chrispen, and all of the good food here. I am also thankful for all of the girls here.
Laurel:
My rose has been walking barefoot in the sand under the starts searching for turtle tracks by moonlight. My thorn has been thinking about how fast this trip has gone by and how little time I have left to see Africa. My bud is enjoying my time here in this amazing place with these amazing people and making every single second count.
I am thankful for all the memories I will have forever from my TTS14 adventure.
Mariel:
My rose from our time since Cape Town has been being so close to the ocean – it is gorgeous! My thorn was when, in Eshowe, our dorm flooded and Buddy got wet. My bud is all the wonderful things we will be doing for the rest of the semester.
I am thankful for the opportunities I have been provided with in my life. I am thankful for every moment of each day that I learn something. I am thankful for the people who push me to do great things. And I am thankful for all the people who love me.
Phoebe:
My rose since Cape Town has been everything! Today was one of the best days of my life, but then again, yesterday was also one of the best days, too. Last night we went on a three-hour turtle walk along the berach and I got to see a mommy leatherback turtle head out to sea after laying her eggs. Watching her disappear into the waves was.... ahhh! I’m at a loss for words. This morning we went snorkeling which was so much fun. I really enjoy snorkeling and seeing all the different fish. A thorn since Cape Town has been missing my family, of course! I can’t wait to stop hand washing my clothes and I am excited to come home for Christmas and ski. I hope it is snowing at home! My bud is soaking up the rest of the semester and coming home. I have had the most enlightening, challenging and inspiring journey.
Margo:
Since Cape Town I have had so many roses with a few thorns. One of my roses was definitely surfing in Jeffery’s Bay and getting to play in the waves. I have also enjoyed the rain – we had a lot last week and it was awesome. But overall, just all of the fun we have had together since Cape Town has been great. I also had a great time with all of the activities we did in Eshowe such as the Sangoma visit, Shakaland, our village tour, and our AIDS talk with Paula. My thorn was probably the Tsitsikama hike because it was very long, tiring days of hiking which isn’t really my thing. But otherwise, no thorns, really! My bud would have to be going to Kruger. I am super excited to see animals again!
I am thankful for the opportunity to be on this amazing trip and to have spent the past three months with these wonderful girls. I am also very thankful for my friends, family and home in Kansas City, and thankful that everyone at home has supported me in this trip!
Morgan:
My rose was our hike at Tsitsikama. I was wonderful to get up in the mountains and do some good hiking with the girls. We also had a chance to witness some awesome awards and play some really good games. My thorn was the twelve hour truck ride in the rain. This was a long and tiring day and we were all very delirious by the end of it. My bud is our days rock climbing. This is something I used to do a lot when I was younger, but haven’t done in a while. It will be so exciting to be back up on the rock and make it to the top!
I am thankful for the opportunity to spend three months on this amazing continent, having classes in beautiful places, interacting with people here, and testing my limits. This has all been so much fun and has helped me grow in so many ways. I couldn’t have asked for more.
Alice:
My rose would be the Tsitsikama hike. We had a lot of fun up in the mountains and spending all day hiking. I also really liked having the parents come and visit us. My thorn would be how close the end of the semester is coming. I really don’t want it to end. Saying goodbye to Whitney was also really sad. My bud is that I am excited for Kruger National Park and having fun with the group for our last weeks together.
I am thankful for the ability to come on this trip and having the opportunity to experience what I have experienced.
Alexa:
My rose was the home stay in Cape Town. This was definitely one of the highlights of the trip. My other rose would be everyday learning something new. My thorn is being over stressed which has been making me sleepy. My bud is looking forward to the last weeks with the Traveling School and the last adventures we are going to have, especially the Drakensberg Mountains!
I am thankful for all of the support I have in my life at home and here. I am also really thankful to have had the opportunity to come to Africa. It has definitely changed my life.
Alexis:
My roses have been dance parties on the truck, Thanksgiving dinner and snorkeling in Rocktail beach. My thorns have been dirty clothes and the twenty-hour plane ride home leaving the girls.
My buds are rock climbing in Waterfalboven, completing finals,, and enjoying the rest of my time in southern Africa.
I am thankful for breathtaking African sunsets, great food and wonderful girls to share it with.
From the Parents:
Sarah Brookfield (Margo’s mom):
My rose is the opportunity to experience the beauty of the land, the history and people of Southern Africa. This has been like the bud of a rose as it opens and blossoms – unique, special and continually sharing its gift of joy. My thorn is the thought that there will be girls and parents exposed to the opportunity of TTS and will choose, possibly out of fear or discomfort of the unknown, to say “no” to participate in this unparalleled experience. My bud is the hope that I will always remember to keep my mind open to new ideas, cultures and people and to look at the world through multiple lenses.
I give unlimited thanks for the opportunity to spend Thanksgiving with my daughter in such an inspirational place like South Africa. Equally, I am thankful to share this day, and feast, with new friends which include the TTS14 girls and some of their parents and dedicated and superbly awesome teachers!
Shelly La Ferr (Allegra’s mom)
My rose is that I got to ride in the safari truck with the whole group and get an idea of what this semester has been like. My thorn is that it has gone by way too fast and soon we’ll be saying goodbye to TTS14.
I am thankful for the opportunity to be in South Africa, to be with all of the girls and to remember how fortunate each of us is.
Marsha Gaspari (Sarah’s mom):
Your daughters and their teachers and Crispen and Japhet are the most beautiful roses in the world. It has been pure joy to be around them and see them blossom. You should all be very proud. They are safe, curious, confident and having the time of their lives. The only thorn might be unexpected glimpses of snakes, lizards, overly hairy spiders and dung beetles. and I look forward to another long, hard, rib-cracking hug at the airport.
I am most thankful for the love you concretely feel all around these girls and this country of South Africa.
Mike Gaspari:
I am thankful for a daughter who has a wonderful sense of adventure and is willing to take a chance on what life has to offer. Like her, I had a dream of visiting Africa some day. Without her decision to turn her dream to reality, I may never have seen Africa. Thank you, Sarah, for making a dream come true for me.
Caroline (Alice’s mom):
As a parent on this trip, it has been an enormous please to meet everyone, be warmly accepted and feel part of the adventure and learning that TTS represents. I am so thankful that these girls have been able to be part of such an amazing, thought provoking and life changing experience and would wish that many others would have the courage and vision to do similarly in the future.
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