Being Stupid

Aside from my lovely new colour, read below, I am also hosting a teen group this week. The kids are from a poorer area of Capetown and are really energetic, love the tuckshop, and are freaked out by the puff adder we caught on camp. The teacher gave them a strict lecture, all in Afrikaans, last night after dinner; so of course I understood very little, except for my name, which I heard, then had seventy kids swing their gazes to stare at me intently. I must learn Afrikaans! Thus far, this group from 'B' have broken two windows; and the week is young. Please, no first aid, that's all I ask!

Also, had class today. No drama. Much gazing out the window because it looked so nice outside! (I do actually pay attention in class, don't worry; I'm a Hane--we over-achieve in everything!) There's only a few more classes left before the final and in-class presentations. Hmm. What to write my paper on? So many options...

I turned over last night to snuggle into fresh duvet covers, only to experience the dull pain of a colourful sunburn--thanks to the awesome power of the South African sun! I suppose this is what happens when working on the pool's paving all day with merely a vest on (and shorts, don't get to excited!). You probably know the story: a gentle ting; a slight reddening of the skin; a major colouring of the skin; a pain so severe I re-think my vow to never have children, because surely a sunburn pain is the worst pain ever! Yes, Americans are naive--seriously, I am now in the southern hemisphere--did I not learn anything from that painful experience in Goa, India?

Paddy thinks the red could fade to a lovely brown, which is great, except for the interesting tan lines that make it seem as though I am now wearing a white vest with coloured arms--not a good look when wearing dinner dresses--which isn't all that bad, actually, because I seldom wear dinner dresses, what with most of my life spent in jeans and hiking boots.

Okay, now I must go look energetic and alive for this group. Wonder what a short person's caffeine limit is???