we're a group of 24 students ....

we had our first "other americans in namibia" encounter- meet ben and adam, graduates of the university of georgia who now lead a life of travel and documentary making all over southern africa. um hi? they generally come through windhoek for about a week every month so i'm looking forward to seeing them pretty regularly. it is surprisingly refreshing to meet people with similar senses of humor! everywhere else in the world hasn't quite caught on to the beauty of sarcasm.

besides them oftentimes creeping around the house, it has been a fairly uneventful couple of days. friday night we went out to eat at "joe's beerhouse," a *TOURIST MUST.* it was a restaurant set in the outdoors, very cabana-like, with a stream full of koi running through the middle and gravel for a floor. it was absolutely covered in jagermeister bottles, obviously some german owns the place. they even used the bottles as candlestick holders, which brings me to my next point- CLASS. haha. it was actually a pretty cool atmosphere, next time i go i am getting a sampler kabob with crocodile, kudu, oryx, gemsbok, and zebra meat! and then i'll probably vomit, and/or break out in a rash, whatevz.

we went DANCING on friday night- it was long overdue. there is nothing like going out with your friends and leaving your cares at the door. dancing here is alot different then dancing back home- i am convinced that namibians have an extra bone or are missing a bone because their legs and hips shake like no other, all the time! clubs crack me up really, all the lights and lasers and smoke. i think i want my house to have a club room someday (complete with bouncing floors).

saturday we had an "international picnic" with some finnish students and namibian students. it was set up by Taura, who I had heard so much about from Kim Haugen and Bret Hassler- it was nice to finally meet her! I have never met a young woman with such a unique and free spirit who wants nothing more to glorify God in all that she does. Her heart is about the size of Namibia! I am looking forward to spending more time with her this semester.

we had a silly pool day and played marco polo and did chicken fights. everyone came out with ambitions to read and be productive poolside but were suckered in, mwahaha. wasn't even mad. there's that good feeling about just jumping in thats hard to find elsewhere! we also ate ice cream out of the tub and had a bonfire with smores. let it be known, this place has the most wonderful assortment of marshmallows- including banana flavored. its true. it was definitely one of those days that you wished could go on forever.

i got to talk to my dad on the phone and wish him a happy birthday! it was so good to hear from him. he is having an okay time at the academy, and my brother is joining him this week. i guess june and carla have a shopping date in the meantime (i am so jealous!)

the highlight of my weekend was when we went to a place called "the funky lab" and the music video for "the boy is mine" by brandy came on. talk about a quality throw back.

this week should be a peach because we only have class til wednesday then we are traveling to the western coast, in swakopmund and walvis bay. i am excited to put my feet in the atlantic (since i have never!) and kayak with SEALS. fosho.