Who are we?

This blog is an agglomeration of the thoughts and experiences of two American girls who packed up and moved to South Africa on a whim. Caz from Fairfield, Connecticut and Mandy from Milwaukee, Wisconsin first met as roommates in 4127 on Semester at Sea in Fall of 2010.
In the interim, Caz returned to finish her Bachelor of Science with a double major in Biology (concentration in Microbiology) and Geography with a minor in Chemistry at the University of Miami in Florida, while Mandy took a hiatus to rediscover her real passion working with pregnant women, advocating for home birth and delivering babies outside of a hospital environment. We reconvened to follow both of our fields of study (read: hopes, dreams, asiprations, life goals, etc.) outside of the United States. Hello South Africa?

We are both here for at least a year and a half, though the more time we spend falling in love with South Africa, the more we'd like to think it'll be longer. We are both starting jobs in November/December: Caz working with infectious disease at a hospital clinic and Mandy beginning her training to become a certified midwife. Before then, we are both writing a book about our experiences leading up to this adventure as well as the multitude of serendipitous happenings that led us here.

As always, feel free to comment or ask questions. If you have an interest in a topic, let us know and we will surely oblige you (within reason). Enjoy!

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

How I Sexted My Best Friend

Let me just say that I have the greatest boyfriend in the world! He is truly the most supportive man out there. Not only was he 100% behind me chasing my dreams in Africa but reminds me what my goals are when I'm too stressed to do so, but he's faithful, funny, and keeps me grounded. Being a couple thousands of miles away and 7 hours ahead of him is definitely a struggle, but one that's well worth it.
What a handsome man! <3


Here's some tips we've found useful to stay close and connected despite the distance.

1. First and foremost, Calendar sharing. Know one anther's basic schedule. It will avoid many many headaches and irrational fears of strip clubs parties and hookers when you're 7 hours ahead and wondering why they aren't responding or aren't being super engaged in a texting conversation. It also helps the feeling that we're still engaged in one another's lives.

2. Email dates. A new one we've implemented but one we're finding super useful. Even though we have iPhones and can text nonstop, we've committed to 1-2 lengthy and painfully detailed emails to get down anything and everything we wish we could share and talk about with one another. It adds fuel and conversation topics to phone calls and texting.

3. Phone calls. Not incredibly plausible with international rates, but if you can get a calling app, DO IT. Even a quick 5 minute phone call of HEY OH MY GOD I LOVE YOU I MISS YOUR FACE YOU'RE AMAZING can really make a difference and shorten the distance. But it's nice to pencil in a block of time every other week or so to sit and really talk when neither party is too distracted (do not play video games during these calls. It won't end well).

4. SKYPE! What a great invention. I can see you AND talk to you! Same rules apply as phone calls.

5. Have fun! This website Loving from a Distance is really cute and at least a good conversation topic full of things aimed towards couples that have to deal with distance. I've sent my man a telegram with a cute photo of us which was cheap and thoughtful! They also had a link to ad lib erotic fiction which was honestly the funniest thing I've ever seen in my life and I was sending it to all my friends. 

6. Be supportive. If you spend every interaction complaining how you're not together you're both going to be miserable. Identify positives and build on them. Like, THANK THE UNIVERSE FOR iMESSAGE!!

6. Last but not least, be VERY careful who you're sending sensitive material to.

Learn from my mistakes.

I love you Brandon! Thanks for being wonderful!

-Mandy


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