People are saying that joburg skipped summer this year because it's been unusually cool. I think winter usually starts around May but I guess it's come earlier this year? fine by me! there were only a handful of unbearably hot days...the rest cool and breezy and rainy. that's my ideal weather so I have no complaints weather-wise about joburg.

security-wise though the situation is still a bit unsettling, thankfully I'm not as pananoid as before so I'm enjoying it here again. I used to hate the nights but the fear is not as intense as before. I relapse sometimes and start checking out the windows every few hours to see if there's anything suspicious out there.

I'm being irrational I know, considering that a bathroom light started all of this. I just have to keep reminding myself of that!

anyway, it hailed today - they were the size of skittles. luckily I missed the hail by mere minutes! I got inside just in time. I wonder though what it's like to be caught in hail.

something to add to my existing list of nicknames - Dr. Phil :)

I always thought I gave too much advice, now I know I do...thanks Tebello!

Four jobs I've had:
1. Pizza maker
2. Summer Employment Officer
3. Communications Assistant
4. IT Trainer

Four movies I can watch (and have watched) over and over:
1. A Bronx Tale
2. Matilda
3. George of the Jungle
4. Aladdin

Four places I've lived:
1. Gabiley, Somalia
2. Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
3. Ottawa, Canada
4. Johannesburg, South Africa

Four TV Shows I love:
1. Law and Order, SVU
2. Backstage
3. Pilot Guides
4. Passionate Eye

Four places I've vacationed:
1. Veradero, Cuba
2. Niagara Falls, Canada
3. Cardiff, UK
4. Grand Rapids, US

(I don't recommend the last two places as worthwhile 'vacation' spots)

Four sites I visit daily:
1. Yahoo
2. CharityVillage (job hunting)
3. canada.com
4. acdi-cida.gc.ca

man I had a good day. I originally planned to take it easy and run some errands (grocery shopping, laundry etc.) like I do most saturdays but somehow I got suckered into coming into work early to meet the ngo's board of directors during thier meeting.

I didn't stay long so instead of running back home I went downtown into the guts of joburg and walked around for a few hours. it was insane, 'bustling' doesn't even begin to describe the atmosphere! I loved it. It was the first time I went there without a vehicle...

Anyway, I took a detour to Museum Africa and Oriental Plaza which was pretty great. Unfortunatly I didn't bring much money so I couldn't buy any of the neat things I saw. But I'll go back next weekend, oh yes, I'll go back with a shitload of cash and finally get around to buying the gifts I was ordered to buy for friends and family...mostly family though; friends were coy about asking for things but my family outright threatend bodily harm if I didn't get them stuff.

yeah so today was a good day, even the minibus driver yelling at me didn't dampen my spirits. (note for anyone coming to S.A.: don't tap the driver on the shoulder when you want to get off... they're pretty sensitive about that)

hm, less than a month left here. amazing how time flies. I miss Toronto though, I'm keen on going back.