Something Somthing, yeah October Something, I need more guitar in my headphones...

Hello hello, I hope you all enjoyed the last 2 blogs! I would love to hear from you guys after you read them so email me or facebook, or comment me :). I totally forgot that I told you guys earlier that I would talk about a couple of things for example, life at work and on residence. I hope that you have all decide to forgive me for not updating you on these thing. I guess sometimes you think because you do something almost everyday that everyone already knows about those things.

Alright so I teach a class of 43 students. It has been really fun stepping into a lecturer position here at CPUT. I have been teaching Current Affairs for Radio Journalism. It is funny how the things in life that you say. “Oh, I will never need that again” always come back to haunt you except for math... I still can't say that I have had to assist Jenny in her predicament of finding the unknown angle of her triangular sandwiches using the SIN< or COS< !
Right so Current affairs, the students are currently finishing up their year end assignments (5 minute current affairs stories) and thing are turning out nicely! Unfortunately I know that some of them read my blog and so I cannot say anything embarrassing about any of them until I get home :P
Aside from the fun I have preparing the lectures I love the practical side of the class. This is where I am able to work with the students in the recording/radio studios. In the main studio we work on most production elements that will be essential for the students to understand before entering the field next year. Even to this day I get made fun of for my “accent” but I get the last laugh when I take my lunch at Canadian time 12:00 instead of 1 or 1:30. I just cant wait till then, I GET HUNGRY :). My class is weekly and the practical side of things usually consumes at least 3 days a week so, I have been staying quite busy as of late.

The staff has been quite nice and accepting of myself and Trish in the Journalism department and Im sure that it is the Same for Sarah (working with the Aids Hiv unit). I have been invited out by many of the staff and I have had the opportunity to represent the school and department to big figures in the media and journalism industries which is really fun because I love meeting new people. I have had that opportunity on almost a daily basis!

The people that I have met whether it be at the school or outside of the school have been really awesome I mean minus a couple street muggers (who in some cases were actually quite pleasant) the people have been great. You see the people of S.A are very inviting and love to talk an hang out with perfect strangers, very much like me so it makes things very fun. I also have many international friendships that I have made. Many of these people attended the Canadian Thanksgiving Celebration that Trish, Sarah and I put on!

So before I tell you about each person I will tell you an amusing anecdote...or at least it is amusing to me though I cant say that I have read it yet....for all I know what sounded amusing in my head could be utter fools gold to you. Well the idea was conceived after we the Canadians got together to discuss a farewell party for our good friend Marius (he is back in Germany now). The 3 of us decided that it would be a great time if we treated 10 friends to a Canadian T-Giving Party and Farwell party all in one. Now we are serious about these things and a party such as this does not mean a trip to Nando's Chicken where we will ask the server to claim the chicken is actually turkey or pay them to try and convince our guests that Chicken and Turkeys actually are the same animal. Nono, we the Canadians decided that it was imperative that we provide an authentic Thanksgiving for the first timers.
When I talk about detail I;m talking about raiding fields for plants that had Thanksgiving type colours. I am also taking about a full out meal. This meal included a 7kg turkey, a mash potatoes extravaganza, veggies, cranberries, stuffing, pie (hot and freshly made by Trish), Ice cream, appetizers, Optimus Prime Helmets and Snowmen. Ha just checking to see if you were still reading (for anyone who is lost, the last 2 items mentioned were not actually part at this wonderful Festivus).
The girls flat was our selected location for this partay and was dressed up with the dried plants from our bush adventures and autumn coloured fabrics which decorated the once blank and pale ceiling.
I am happy to say that Thanksgiving in S.A went extremely well and included live entertainment, a great meal and a “What I am thankful for” activity. Which was relatively successful, for every silly response there was always a counter offer of thanks for something serious to be said next. This night will always go down in the books as a memorable one for all and I am happy that everything worked out before Marius had to stop back at home this month.

Well thats all for now. I love each one of you and please hit me up with more messages. I quite enjoy hearing what you are all up to.
Jared

Mood: Lovin' life and music...yes music
Eating: Cadbury chocolate “fuit and nut”
Listening to: Vultures by John Mayer

Hermanus

Wow!!!!!!! ... alright I have now described Hermanus, I guess I dont have to say anymore. But, I will
I just returned from a lovely weekend away in Hermanus (2 hours South East of Cape Town). Let me begin by telling the story in a logical progression (start to finish).

Well Friday morning came and slapped me in the face with the reminder that I was leaving for Hermanus later on in the day and the I had alot of work to finish before that time along with packing. I dont know why but, I have always been a last minute packer...even in the sleep over days of old I would be packing at the last minute.
My job was to make sure that my students handed in their assignments for my class and that they were able to get some studio time before leaving for the weekend... long story short, that went well!
Next up was the visit to the IT centre where I had to fix yet another internet roadblock that I had come across (the internet situation is very ... different here). Alright so those things done it was now time to pack and pack I did; in ten minutes and with style I might add. However, I had planned to do my laundry on that day...big mistake. In a rushed decision I decided that I would buy my socks and boxers for the weekend when we got to the backpackers in Hermanus aptly named...now get this... “Hermanus Backpackers”, Brilliance itself isnt it. Back to the trip.
Edwin, Sander and myself left early because Marius had to finish a project before he was able to depart (he left later with Trish, Sarah and Paul). So we were off...to see the many wonders that lay before us, in the form of sea dwelling mammals (Whale Festival). Along the way we stopped at various view points which overlooked the vast and ridiculously blue ocean.... have you ever noticed that people always use the word vast when describing the ocean. I would hypothesize that it is because of the feeling of , “Man, maybe this world doesn't revolve entirely on me.” It could also be simply that most of us are too lazy to think of another word to describe the ocean.
Around 5 we arrived at Hermanus and put our stuff in the 7 person dorm room. Supper was not for 3 more hours so the 3 of us took a walk down to the water. The waves were beautiful as they smashed violently against the jagged shore line...sounds lame but, you werent there. The 3 of us took a quick walk through the town which was already buzzing with people, all of them there to see the Whales and enjoy the festival atmosphere.
Back at the Batcave...Backpackers ..sorry. We had a delightful steak braii and washed it down with some Red wine and coke...not together Though I dont think the stomach would mind, cause it all mixes eventually! :P I unfortunately had a headache from my lack of sleep from the past week, and so I went to bed only to be awoken by a party of 7, now if you have been counting then you would say something like, “Hey Jared, werent there only 7 people in your group.” I would then say “yes but, like me you forgot to account for the torso of a mannequin that the guys had found on the ground and had decided to clothe and use to wake me up.”

SO 3 AM and there is a mannequin in my room, I dont know how but, I fell back asleep.

Saturday morning we woke up early...well I did. There was a make your own free breakfast policy. So I had some lovely bread and jam..I only saw the toaster after the fact. This day was spent just looking around the town, and stopping in at the various shops. (music stores). No mom I didnt buy anything this time. After a long day of walking around and enjoying the weather (20 degrees and sunny) Edwin, Sander and I went to have a full meal at the Spur in which we joined in in all the fun, By the time we left the restaurant we were seen as the foreigners who sing the birthday song with the staff! Unfortunately there is not much career in that so we headed on up to the backpackers and then out to catch some live Rock music (Blues Rock) it was stellar and the band was actually staying next door to us in the backpackers.
Sunday was the adventure day. Another early morning met us. Waking up at 8 has become my favourite pass time or challenge depending on the day :D For we the jolly 3 it was time to drive to a lovely spot 45 minutes outside of Hermanus and through Gaansbai to a place called Kliensbai. We were going SHARK CAGE DIVING! I think I will write a whole entry simply to deepen the reader experience of this Shark diving trip but, here is the sum up in 3 sentences. This shark diving company focusses on shark preservation and is a favourite of Actors; Leo Dicaprio and Brad Pitt. And the experience was totally amazing, they said that I actually attracted more sharks to the boat. Case being Times under the water 3, times puking 4, Sharks before puke 1 sharks after puking 3. They said they may have to hire someone of my skill set! lol but seriously. The trip was amazing just wait till you see the footage (They put together a dvd for us).

That night we had a braii at Grotto Beach and it was the perfect place to reflect back on the weekend what with its never ending beach and sand dunes. It was lovely and made for some excellent photo opportunities! Well we got home safe and sound. I just have to get over feeling gross when I think of “the boat times” :)

Take care,
one luv

I Counted to Five! And oh boy it's a doosie :P

So It has been a while since I wrote because I forgot the old password! Get to many of them floating around in my head. Luckily I have been writing down blogs so here are 4 of them!

Bit by the Surfing Bug:

I knew it was coming for me! not the fact that I had to write this news article before a certain deadline, no no I'm talking about the infamous “cape town surfing bug and it has bitten me with a passionate love for the sport. Honestly though that is the feeling I have right now, only two days since my last surf and I have the itch again. You know that kind of itch that usually leads itself to those ever popular words, “My name is Jared Boucher and I have a problem, it has been two days since my last surf and I find myself thinking about sea salty goodness and me paddling for dear life, trying to catch the next wave”.
I guess it is my own fault that I have been infected with surf-iosis. I mean not having warm water in my shower for 10 days straight was the perfect preperation for the Atlantic ocean because, as soon as I splashed into the 12 degree Muizenburg water I remembered those cold showers where I stood there shivering and telling myself, “Don't worry Jared. Suck it up because the ocean will be colder”. Those few words of self encouragement could potentially be my downfall.
So let me explain the day that will be marked in my calendar for many years to come as, “The day Jared decided sports injuries are all right to receive, as long as your having fun”. Well it all started with my new room mate here at CPUT (Cape Peninsula University of Technology) a young Dutchman named Edwin who said he would be gracious enough to drive with me and 3 other guys to watch us learn how to surf together (fall with style into cold, unforgiving waves of the Atlantic ocean). However, looking back, if he had of used my description then I may have passed on what turned out to be an amazing life experience with multiple energy rushes and fun experiences.
Alright so the surf day started with an Ellen from Siegnfield type dance routine which is often referred to by surfers and humans alike as “putting on the wet suit”. Though this sounds simple, the truth is that it is anything but.
So after I had successfully danced into my wet suit I began the 2 hour lesson, or should I say 1 hour lesson because, after one hour of learning how to pop up on the surf board my teacher left me alone with the perfectly forming ocean waves to pursue greener pastures (in the form of a couple of young ladies). If I may refer back to what I said about the wet suit. I just wanted to say that now where in movies such as Lord of Dogtown do you ever see Emilie Hirsch, or Heath Ledger having problems slipping into those body traps of embarrassment.
Alright so, it was my turn, I had to take what I was sort of taught about surfing and apply it to these reasonably sized South African waves. Off I went belly down on my board and arms moving at 100 miles per hour to try and catch the next good wave, reminding my body of muscles that I hadn't used since I was in swimming lessons. I think I was a starfish or yellow or level 12 or whatever. Note to all lifeguards and pool administrators, please stop changing the names of these swimming levels. Do you know what that is like for a kid to deal with? So I'm lying on my board facing the beach thinking, waiting, wishing that a wave will come fast and hard but, not so fast that it will pass me by or hard enough to cause me to wipe out in front of all the other surfers. I should mention at this time that if you or someone you know has a problem with and has never surfed before then surfing will be the best step towards humility for you. All of a sudden I felt this rush hit my feet and consume me from all sides, here I go, immersed in this perfect wave I used my newly acquired abilities to pop up on the board and feebly succeeded in balance myself as the waves drove me forward towards the beach. The rush is only one that can be experienced by doing and I must say that I highly suggest surfing to all my friends back home as we head into this summer...oh wait that's just me. Enjoy fall and the approaching winter.
Sorry I'll stop.