Shout-Outs

Here's where I send shout-outs to all my peeps I met over the past year that made a positive impact on my life.  Apologies in advance, because there's no way I'm going to remember everyone.

First, my roommates:

Bende, thanks for being an easy person to live with, and an even easier one to talk to.  Sharing a room with you (and, at times, a few others) was a breeze.  You were also the person who I could always go to for information about South Africa and its people, since you have such a diverse South African background.  I learned a lot from you, and I appreciate the time you took to share your knowledge.

Elli, You made me laugh a lot at unexpected times.  I hope everything works out, regardless of where you end up after your term is over.  I'm sorry I kept you awake with my snoring at times, but it really couldn't be helped! 

Karim!  You were the dictionary definition of 'good roommate'.  You were the person I respected the most in our crazy house, and the person I knew I could always count on. 

Waweru, I always appreciated the fact that you were real.  You didn't pretend to be something you're not, and you usually were down to party (which isn't a bad thing).  I wish I could have kept up with you; I guess I'm getting old.

Arthur, you made the greatest impact on me during my first 4 months at the house.  We watched shows, read comics and discussed music - general geek stuff.  Those were fun times.  All the best, and good luck with 'married' life!

Hannah, you were one of my closest friends in the house for the 3 months you were around, and provided me with an incredible amount of unintentional comedy.  The house wasn't the same after you left.  I hope all is well in Deutschland.

Marieke, you were my coolest roommate -- but I think I already told you that.  I wish you had spent as long in South Africa as I did.  You were always easy to talk to, and I felt like we could hold a conversation about anything.  If I'm ever in 'Hollishland' (and at this point, I'm sure I will be) I'll definitely look you up. 

Terje, when you left the house it literally sagged without your presence.  You are one psycho Estonian, but you were also one of my closest friends.  If you get into any more bizarre situations, I want to see pictures.  Also, watch out for holes in the street!  I already miss you tons.  That isn't going to change.

Sindie, what up!!  You only lived in the house for a month.  When you arrived, I wanted to strangle you; by the time you left, you were one of my favorite people I met.  You always kept it real, and you are never afraid to speak your mind.  I hope you do eventually get to leave Botswana for work, and I also hope you keep in touch. 

Amelia...what can I say?  It's been a rollercoaster 7 months, both together and apart.  You taught me a lot about relationships, about what I need and don't want, and the intricacies of living with someone you date.  We took some spectacular trips (Cape Town, Mpumalanga, Pilansberg, Durban) that I will never forget, and we grew together.  Things were very complicated at times, but you helped me stay sane during circumstances that threatened to drive me nuts.  I appreciated your willingness to listen, and the fact that you did take the time to get to know me in a way that not many others really did.  I know we'll be in contact.  Take care of yourself. 

Otto, you are a guy's guy and I appreciate that.  I felt like I pretty much knew where I stood with you, and that you dealt quite well with some unfortunate events.  I have a great deal of respect for you.  Good luck with finally finishing that damn thesis. 

Saratu, you were usually around -- and very focused.  Aside from reading 500-page books in 15 minutes, you were always interesting to talk to when the opportunity arose.  Believe it or not, I learned quite a bit from you. 

Trixy, though we didn't talk a ton, you were a very stabilizing force in that house.  When you left, things just were not the same.  You were the person most responsible for getting me to South Africa; when we talked, you could sense that I had been traumatized by my previous atttempts to find a traineeship...yet you handled me very appropriately and effectively without being condescending.  Of all the employees of that worldwide non-profit student organization that I met, you were the one who I felt was the most professional as far as I was concerned.  I'll never forget the oasis you provided.  Oh yeah, and I heard you ended up going to the States after all!  So much for that promise! :) 

Camille, I didn't forget you either.  You always made me laugh, and since you've gone we have surprisingly kept in touch.  Take care, and I'll keep sending pictures.

Pipi, did you actually live with us?  You would pop in for a day or two, then bail again.  Aside from jacking my alcohol and getting caught looking at my ass funny in pictures, you were easy to live with and get along with.  I hope one of these days, you get used to seeing naked...well, maybe I shouldn't write that here.  It doesn't really have anything to do with me.  Just try to see a specialist about that issue, ok?

Jon, you're a good guy and I hope you get a lot done in Poland.  When I could understand what you were saying (and when you could understand me), we had some very intriguing conversations.  Take care, and watch out for Kristi when you get back.

Nancy, I'm pretty impressed at how quickly you learned to push some of my buttons!  Too bad for you that I was just as quick learning how to press yours!  I hope you survive Children of Fire and the rest of your time here.  If you need time off, take it.

Now, for my friends (again, there's no way I'm going to remember everyone):

Robby J, you were one of the first people I met who wasn't in AIESEC and I think we bonded almost immediately.  Like most of the people I cared about, you left before I did.  Unlike them, however, you ended up in New York.  I can't wait to see you there or in D.C. Keep keeping it real, bro.

Wendy, you might as well have been one of my roommates.  Thank you for always being professional, for managing expectations, and for prviding me with a fair bit of unintentional comedy along the way ("Another German tourist taken by a leopard!").  A lot of what I said to Trixy applies to you "AS well." 

Renee, you also became one of my closest friends in Joburg.  You also kept it real, and I always knew where I stood with you.  I hope that, at some level, I helped you work through some of the issues you had at different points during the past year.  I'll also remember that you invited us to spend a very joyous Christmas with your family in Cape Town.  I'll miss you a lot. 

Julian and Ena, I was honored that you included me in your wedding.  Best of luck until 2030 and beyond!

Lesley and Brandon, I'll never forget the fun we had in Cape Town.  I'm only sad that I didn't get to know you sooner.  Thanks for driving us poor people without cars around, and for adding to every event you attended.  You guys are awesome. 

Ryan my fellow American, you were one of the first people I met and hopefully will be one of the last people I see.  You are one of the nicest guys I've ever met, and one of the easiest to talk to.  I wish you'd lived in Joburg intead of Pretoria, but your house was freakin' cool.

Nicola!  I know you're in the Netherlands right now.  You were among the first people I met outside of the house, and you remain one of the coolest, most genunie people I've ever encountered.  I want to keep up with your academic goings-on, since we're essentially in the same field.  Thanks for hosting the braai in the Cape.  I'll never forget.

To the Ungana house (Rudi, Toni, Andrea, Ryan): thanks for hosting some of the most fun nights I had in South Africa.  If you weren't in Pretoria, I'm sure I would have seen you more.  I aprreciated every night I spent there, every time I crashed in one of your beds, and the nights I spent sleeping on your roof under the stars.  Good luck with everything.

Sara, thanks for being my swimming buddy all those months.  I hope you keep at it, and remember all the big hugs we shared!

Charlotte, I wish you'd been in the house at the same time that I was.  Thanks for the lift down to Cape Town, and for helping me to pretend to drive a stick shift!  Christmas was fantastic.  Good luck finishing the studies. 

Kelly, you became my closest friend by the time I left SA.  You were always ready to laugh and hang out, and I was always ready to be your therapist.  I think we also helped each other get through very different (yet in some ways similar) circumstances.  There isn't much that we didn't share and didn't get to talk about in the short time we knew each other.  I hope you end up in my neck of the woods or I end up in yours, because everyone needs a friend like you.  Thanks for everything.

George, you were constantly making me laugh.  Aside from the fact that you were almost as hard to understand as Jon, I think we have very similar senses of humor.  Your ridiculous place in Fourways provided some of my most vivid (and outrageous) memories I'll keep with me.  I'll track you down one of these days, but in the meantime we'll have to settle for e-mail and phone cards. 

Sascha, my German nigga!  Thanks for hosting me in Pretoria in your parents' spectacular house.  I always got along well with you, and again I wish you'd lived in Joburg.  If you've still got capital in a year or two, maybe we can talk business.  We had some fun times that I won't soon forget.  I'll be sending out the RAG weekend pictures soon.   

Cecilia, I only got to know you well near the time you left, but you are proof that all those silly French jokes I make are just bullshit.  You are a very cool person, and I hope our paths cross again someday.

Jean, good luck!  You are inheriting one tough task.  I always enjoyed hanging out with you and the few conversations we had to chat between living in two different cities and drinking too much at parties.  I have a lot of confidence that you'll be able to turn things around. 

Julia and Kristy, thanks for coming down to Joburg to see me off.  I only met you guys a couple of months before I left, but you are cool cats.  Take care and keep in touch. 

Kathrin and Kajo, I only got to spend about a month hanging out with you, but it was a fun month -- especially the dinners at your place.  I hope I get to see you at some point in the future. 

Sue, we just met a couple of weeks ago, but for some reason I feel like we connected.  Maybe it's the fact that we are North Americans in this crazy city, I dunno.  Whatever the reason, you know how to get in touch with me (and hopefully you will, since I don't have any of your contact details).  Good luck.

Nathan, I hope things with the woman are going swimmingly in the Netherlands!  Keep in mind that I'm always available to chat about guy stuff. 

Jazz, I know quitting the organization was hard, but I'm also pretty sure you made the right choice.  I hope I helped, and I wish you luck. 

Bou, I have no idea what happened to you, but you and your amazingly large Dutch posse were fun hanging out with in my early days here after Mozambique.  Peace out. 

Gina and Jo, I can't believe how many times I s must have seen you at Unplugged before we finally met!  Kinda ridiculous, when you think about it.  It was fun hanging out with you. 

Mutodi, good luck with the businesses and with re-adjusting to South African life.  I'll let you know how things go on my end.  Leslee, good luck with everything.  It was refreshing to spend time with another American just getting used to southern Africa, and I hope you get through the experience with your psyche and good heart intact.  It can be hard here, but it can be rewarding too.   

Charlene, Zaheera, Wea, Siboniso, Meshack and everyone else I worked with: thank you from the bottom of my heart.  All of you literally made my experience.  I grew so much from a work perspective, was allowed so much freedom, and shown so much understanding.  Words cannot express how much your support meant to me over the past year.

Finally, to everyone I forgot, "Ach shame!"  My apologies.  There are a lot of people on this list, and just because you're not on it doesn't mean you mean you were any less important to my life for the past year.  Not that you'll lose any sleep over being omitted, but...well, you know.  Anyway, it's time to finish this madness.  I've got two days to be ready to go home. 

Peace and Humptyness forever,

--Jide

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