Right before coming to Cape Town, on the annual trip to Casper and Lake Alcova, I came across a children’s book at my Gramma Marj’s house that I picked up to read quickly before bed. I can’t recall the name, but the theme of the story was to teach a young boy what was important in life... deep stuff. I remember reading If You Give A Mouse A Cookie! But the book hit home for me in a major way. So much so that I wrote the final quote on a piece of paper and have been carrying it in my wallet ever since to help me to remember what a privilege it is to be here. The quote reads:

Remember that there is only one important time and that time is now.The most important one is always the one you are with. And the most important thing is to do good for the one who is standing by your side. For these, my dear boy, are the answers to what is most important in this world!

Whether you are a five year old being read to sleep, a searching 22 year old, or a seasoned 85 year old these words should be lived always. It is imperative to live in the moment to fully experience and enjoy and appreciate where you are, what you are doing, and who you are with. The past couple weeks have been no exception, and I have so loved every moment I’ve enjoyed with new friends in new places. There is always something to do and someone to do it with- never a dull moment. This weekend was no exception (and I use the term weekend loosely because it actually started Wednesday)!

Wednesday: Dinner in Bo Kap at the top of the hill with a beautiful evening view of Table Mountain and Lions Head for some traditional Cape Malay food. The hill to walk up was quite the trek, but very worth it.

Thursday: Connect 123 drink night at Slug & Lettuce. Always great to get together with new people in the group and hear about everyone’s experiences. Then off to Sgt. Peppers for a folk concert. Definitely felt like I was back in Nashville with that hipster vibe (shout out to the Nash crew-miss you all! @santaspubinspirit)

Friday:Joined by my friend Ana, the German girl that I intern with, we hit the town for a long night of dancing and billiards! Some games I held my own, others you wouldn’t believe that I grew up with a pool table in my basement:/

Saturday: Clearly it has been a long and stressful week (I promise I work hard 9-5... Sleep? Not so much.), so obviously the best way to celebrate our friend, Lucy’s, final weekend in Cape Town with a bang was to go on a sunset cruise (no, unlimited champagne had nothing to do with it). An experience that basically sums up Cape Town- spontaneous, beautiful, serene, great company, smiles, unforgettable, thankful. Here are the pictures to prove it:

Sunday: Shark Cage diving is cancelled...again. It was cold and stormy so a lazy start to the day was in order. Modern Family + Cape Town Family = Spooning.

Monday (National Brai Day): We surprise Lucy with a farewell brunch and remind ourselves that there are no “goodbyes” just “see ya laters”. Then a spontaneous trips to Camps Bay to enjoy the afternoon outside, before I head off to Hout Bay to celebrate the national holiday with friends introduced to me by my friend, Brent. Such a generous family to invite me into their home on a holiday. Always great to meet new people, and I hope to do some work with Ali, who runs a pre school and teacher training program in the townships. Full of delicious food and tired from a long “weekend” I then headed back to my flat. I made friends with a cab driver my first week here who drive me to Hout Bay. But unlike my journey to there, I drove the taxi home! I don’t know what is more entertaining, driving on the right side of the car on the opposite side of the road or seeing the confusion, or should I say sheer shock, when at a red light he looked over to see a white girl driving a taxi!

Today: For the third time I randomly contacted a friend of a friend who lives here in Cape Town. So far I am 3 for 3 in meeting some of the nicest people. This time it was Anne Pope, a friend of my dad’s friend, and a Professor of Law at the University of Cape Town. A warm and welcoming women, with an infectious laugh who most clearly was an educator as she engaged me in thoughtful conversation on inclusive business/ social entrepreneurship and then challenged everything I said, making me consider all angles. I definitely enjoyed her company, and look forward to future outings with her soon.

Tomorrow: Work from 9-5 writing a case study and conducting research on how information and communications technologies (ICT) can be utilized to aid sustainable business model that include low income peoples in every element of the supply chain. Then I will go to the university to see a lecture by the man that coined the Triple Bottom Line (profit, planet, people) business model.

I had to end with some proof that I am doing more than just having fun....

...but to be honest it’s all good 🙂