Lending a helping hand...

Thank goodness my brother decided to take my mom's car to use in New York. We put it to good use to help move around some donated toys and clothes with the goal to get all of it back to RSA. Chris flew into New York from South Africa for 24 hours so we could together bring back at least half of the 300 lbs of toys, clothes, and crayons. A log of the toy's journey: Ontario Cananda, Michigan, put on a Greyhound bus headed to Port Authority in Manhattan, via taxi to Brooklyn, 1/2 on to RSA and 1/2 stored in New Jersey. A crazy ride for this stuff all for the good to bless lots of little ones in Alexandra (the township that the church I attend works with extensively).

The Greyhound station and mid-town Manhattan outside of Port Authority.

I want to say thanks to Judy for entertaining me and helping me with the Manhattan portion of the leg! This is her lifting the bins out of the taxi in Brooklyn (where my brother lives).

Chris digging through the stuff.


All 6 bins, 300 lbs of stuff outside Jeff's apartment.

I (heart) America

I just got back from a quick trip to the US for work which gave me the chance to get together with old friends and see family. This time I stayed East and confined my visit to New York (direct flight to/from Joburg) and Boston (for work). Some things in America I miss: public transportation (trains, buses, subway), walking around the neighborhood on your own, food (good chinese, brunch food other than an english breakfast, Starbucks soy lattes, Dunken Donuts to name a few), running outside, long-time friends, and family. Thanks everyone. Especially to those who traveled from D.C (Tina) and Philly (Judy) to NY to see me!

View of Manhattan from Brooklyn

Mother's Day Lunch with the cousins, Jeff, Emily, Tina, and baby Stephen

Tina, Peter, and I at The Cloisters

Driving over the Brooklyn Bridge

Judy and I getting italian ice

Yummy cupcakes...

Cape Town beaches...

I took a business trip to Cape Town 2 weeks ago and our dinner plans cancelled so I took the chance to walk on the beach down the street from my B&B. Too bad I didn't bring my running shoes on this trip. It would have been an awesome run.

Public holidays are GREAT!

May 1 was the last of a run of public holidays in South Africa. In fact, last week was the first full week of work in a month! Cheryl, Annie, and a couple of girls and I went to the Magaliesburg mountains to hike. Unfortunately, the day started off overcast and rainy but we went anyway and took our chances. The sun eventually did show itself. It was great to just get out of Joburg and be outside.