A Night of a Million Stars

It feels like I have been constantly busy while I've been here, but a lot of what I was doing was all leading up to one night: A Night of a Million Stars. It was a talent evening put on by Centurion Stake, for the East Region. Technically I'm not in the East Region, but a friend of mine has his records in one of those wards, although he attends on the West side, which means that he could participate... and drag his family and friends in with him! So there were five of us singing A Thousand Years, by Christina Perri: Dom, Jonathan, Cayla, Sarah and me. Dom also played the piano, and we had Luke on the guitar and Tyler on the cello. It produced an amazing sound, even if I do say so myself!

In practising for the performance, I got to know their family pretty well, and have become a bit of a permanent fixture at their house... They've become my new family while I've been up here! So I am being well taken care of. Their family is just as crazy as my own, so I feel like I've slotted in without too much difficulty...

On a different note, I decided not to accept the offer which was given to me by the school I mentioned previously. Unfortunately, none of the other schools have been able to give any offers, but I have another interview on Monday morning in Centurion, which is where I have decided I would really like to live next year.

I've still not attended my own ward, because I've been ward hopping a little, but I'm going to be there this Sunday... I figured I should probably make myself known to my poor bishop, who has been sitting with the records of some unknown person for the past three weeks.

Other than that, I can't really think of much else to say! I'm having a great time, and I feel like I really belong here... I guess that's what's most important :)

Plunging into my new life

Who'd have thought that I would ever leave Cape Town? Surely nobody in my family thought that this would happen, since they have spent the better part of the last year trying to figure out why I was doing it. But the truth is, that I have always been drawn to Johannesburg. It is a city that is full of life and beauty, albeit a different kind of beauty to what I have experienced in Cape Town. There is no mistaking that I am happy here, and perhaps this is because I chose to come here, while many others who do not like it have come not of their own free will, but rather due to business obligations or other unpleasant reasons. It may be because I like the liveliness of the city, or because I like the huge amount of church activity. It may be because the Temple is here, or because I have so many friends up here, or because the people just seem so friendly. It may also be because I love the weather up here, and the lack of strong wind (for the most part). But whatever the reason, I absolutely love it here, and I am so privileged to be able to live here.

Since I moved up a week ago, I have had four job interviews already at different high schools, and I have even received an offer. I still need to hear the details of the offer before I make a decision, but I'm feeling pretty good about things. I am discovering that I actually really enjoy being interviewed. I enjoy talking, especially when I am an expert on the topic being discussed... and let's face it, who is more of an expert on me, than me? In any event, I feel pretty confident about my ability to find a school where I will be happy teaching, and near which I will be happy living.

In the meantime, I am living happily, getting as involved as I possibly can. I have joined an Institute class, in which we are studying Teachings of the Living Prophets, and sung at a missionary fireside for Weltevreden Ward... There are a few other things in the pipeline right now, but that's yet to come!

I have realised that one of the great things about being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is that I can go anywhere in the world (seriously, almost anywhere!) and immediately have a group of people with the same beliefs as me that I can fit into. I can immediately get involved with Institute, with church, and I can make friends quickly. I am so blessed! Honestly, I couldn't ask for anything more!

Well... maybe for a teaching post at a good school. But we'll see what happens there! :P

Cape Town Carnival

Last night, I had the opportunity to go to the Cape Town Carnival. This was after a great deal of deliberation, due to the fact that there was also a Ballroom Dancing social last night. However, I eventually decided that, since there are a number of socials I can attend, and only one carnival, I would rather go to that. After all, who knows when I'll be in Cape Town for another one?

It was tons of fun! It was wonderful seeing so many people participating -- young, old, male, female, black, white, and a whole lot in between. I missed the first few floats, because I was standing in a ridiculously long queue to get some food (Note to self: eat before the carnival next time!), but I could still see a little bit from where I was. It was absolutely amazing! There was a humongous flower, a weird voodoo looking float, a pirate ship, a praying mantis, and a lot more that I honestly couldn't figure out. The costumes were bright and imaginative (and some a little scary), and it was clear how much effort had been put into the event.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get any photos -- I'll need to get a camera sometime, and then I can really capture all these moments! But it really was a great night, which was topped off by a dinner with the YSA at Quay Four at the Waterfront. Overall, it was a great night! Thanks to my Institute class for persuading me to go! :)