First day on the job

So today was my first day at Girls High School Paarl. I slept really badly last night because of the excitement and tension(just a little). This morning my alarm went off way to early (06:15) and I had an hour to get ready. Granddad took me to school in the 'bakkie' and then I waited at the reception till Mrs. Grindlay came to fetch me.

I was then introduced to all 33 pupils. Most of them are 8 ('turning 9' like they kept on reminding me') and they really look so cute in their uniforms. Today was the first day that they could wear their winter uniforms, but some of them decided to mix winter and summer. Mrs. Grindlay was not at all happy about that!

I was put to work and my first mission was to locate the photocopy machine and make copies of their maths assignments. Wasn't too hard (luckily).

Then they had a spelling test (gown,flower,crowd etc) and you could really see them concentrating. I was responsable for correcting the English spelling and the other teacher corrected the Afrikaans.

By then it was already 10:00 and they class had to go to art. So I tagged along to see what they were up to. The art teacher was friendly, but really strict! Even stricted than mrs. Grindlay. There is really a no nonsense policy at school and even the little ones have to work really hard. It's all about discipline.

After art we had a 20 minute break and I chilled with the grade 3's on the stairs. They are extremely talkative so I just listened. After a while, one of my old friends came to look for me and said I should come sit with them. It was a little bit awkward at first, but when we started talking the conversation just flowed.

The break was over and we went back to class (IN NEAT ROWS!!!!) and then it was time for a maths 'test'. I had deja-vu because when I was in grade 3, we had exactly the same tests! Shame, some of the children had forgotten to learn their 4 times table and you could see that they were panicking. Luckily mrs. Grindlay said that even if they made mistakes, it would be okay. You could see the relief on their faces!

The rest of the day went by so fast. The last 30 minutes of the day I was allowed to play 'teacher' and I sat in the special teacher chair. I told them all about my life in the Netherlands, but they were only interested in the fact that I can speak French.

The day was lots of fun and I am allowed to sit in the teacher's lounge tomorrow morning before school. Cool beans :)

I will write again soon!

PS. They call me teacher. How cute is that?! :P

From Cape Town to Paarl

Dear Blogreaders,

Today was another brilliant day! The sun was shining (again!!!) and it was 23 degrees! I really hope it stays that way but the weather lady has a different opinion...

This morning I woke up at 7, but the rest of the house only woke up at 10. Today is a public holiday in South Africa (Freedom day) and it celebrates 16 years of democracy. Go them!

At lunch time ouma and oupa van Niekerk came to pick me up and we went to visit ouma Anna (great grandmother van Niekerk) in the Strand. She is turning 95 this year and she is still going strong!

When we were driving back, we passed through some of the most amazing landscapes. The mountains, the green, the houses... everything is just so pretty!

Ouma Rikie made us meatballs and mash for diner. I am being fed so well here. :)

Tomorrow is my first day at Paarl Girls High and I have to get up really early. I am excited and nervous at the same time. Tomorrow I will also be able to write all about my first day on the job.

Greetings,

Jana xoxo

Safe and sound!

Last night I arrived in Cape Town in one piece! I was exhausted after the 11 hour flight. I forgot how killing an eleven hour flight could be! Luckily KLM is great and they provide you with lots of movies etc. I watched 2 movies (Fame and Oorlogswinter), listened to 5 CD's and read a little. Luckily I was also able to sleep, because I was actually exhausted!

When we were about 200 km away from Cape Town, we could already see the city lights. An amazing sight!
The whole trip went very smoothly and I was so happy when I saw my grandmother waiting for me at the airport.

We went home, had something to eat and talked a little. By half past 12, I went to bed and when my head hit the pillow I was out.

This morning I slept very late and when I got up, the sun was shining!
Picture this: A clear blue sky, sunshine and Table Mountain in the background.
Well that's what I saw when I looked out of the window! You don't hear me complaining!

After breakfast, my grandmother and I went to a shopping mall, but we only got a few little things. The real shopping will happen another day...

So my first day has been very relaxed, but hey,I am on African time now!

nog 4 nachtjes te gaan

nog maar 4 nachtjes en dan vlieg ik naar zuid afrika! ik kan nu echt niet meer wachten!

only 4 nights to go and then i am off to south africa!