Take me out to the ball game..

On Friday night we went to a Braves game. I love being under the lights, the greasy food, and the cheering fans. Although the Braves lost, we still had a great time!

Summer in the South

We are loving our time here in Georgia.  Jake and I forgot how pale we are and didn't use any sunscreen on our first day at the lake house. We were hurting for a few days and decided to spend the next day seeing a movie instead. Jake was nice and we went and saw a chick flick {something borrowed}. It happens to have my girl-crush kate hudson in it so I loved it--Jake, not so much. lol

We did a little boat cleaning before we headed went out for some tubing and wake boarding. I confidently told Jake I could do a 360 on the knee board and he didn't believe me. He promised me a back massage if I could deliver. Well, all I got was sore arms but no back massage, dang. Luckily no one took a picture. lol

One lovely morning I was reading a book on the patio when I dozed off. Jake was on the water bike fishing in the lake. I must have dozed off because I woke up to a plop on me that I thought must be jake trying to get my attention. I looked around, didn't see him, then I looked down and saw a big bird doo doo on my shirt. I yelled out, "Jakkkeee..!" Turns out bird poop isn't deadly and I survived.

We had a lot of fun fishing, boating, grilling, playing games, and taking a little sunset cruise.

Jake got his fill of smoked gouda, crakers, and apples. Life is good. lol 

We also had a super yummy dinner at a nice steak house in Atlanta. Ooh ya.



A perfect sunday.

On our last sunday{last week}, we headed to church outside of Maputo. We passed out toys and bracelets to the kids. At first it was very orderly and all the kids got something one at a time. Then, someone asked for something for their brother at home. So I sat down and searched for it in my big bag. Suddenly I was swarmed by a bunch of kids all putting their hands out and speaking to me in Portuguese. Since I cant understand them I started handing more stuff out, but even that got crazy, so I guestered that they could reach intp the bag and that turned into caos. I was calling out to Jake for help, but he said I was beyond help lol. In about a minute I was cleaned out, including my scented hand sanitzer that was never meant to be given away, but thats ok. Jake said some little boy asked him what it was for and Jake replied, "it's to clean your hands with, but it smells really girly." The boy relpied, "ok cool," and stuck it in his pocket. lol

After church we went to a spend time with a wonderful family, the Castanherias. They just had a little boy born a week before, but they still managed to make us a feast! There was so much yummy food! I can't remember everything we ate but I remember "mayonaise salad" (potatoe salad), coconut rice, brown rice, fish, curry steak, and cake. After dinner we went for a walk around the area. It was so beautiful and peaceful, it seemed like a scene from a movie. Sad I didn't bring my camera on the walk, but we took some fun pictures when we got back. What a neat family!

at first these two little cuties wouldnt look at me because my scary blonde hair lol, but they eventually warmed up : )

And We're Back!

Well, we are finally back in the US after our amazing adventure in Africa. I had such a wonderful time there and met some incredible people. It's hard to describe how much being there has changed my perspective on the world and on my own life. It really gave me perspective and helped me realize what's important in life and what isnt. Jake and I are working on setting up a shelter for women who suffer from domestic violence in Mozambique, and I can't wait to help some amazing women.

Before we left two of Jake's friends (Denis & Vivaldo) came over for a pancake breakfast.

I sent Jake to get some fruit to eat with our breakfast. Turns out fruit stands weren't open yet, but he did pick up some coke for us to drink with our pancakes. LOL.

We got to hang out in the air france lounge for a few hours in Johansberg. So much yummy food and drinks!

eating pastries and watching tv while waiting for our flight

Getting some yummy guava juice

I don't think I've ever been excited for a plane flight, but our first class flight from South Africa to Atlanta was exciting! I watched 3 great movies and ate amazing food and tried to pretend that I was as classy as the rest of the passengers, although I think the picture taking proved I am not!

The seats layed all the way flat, but I was loving the movies too much too sleep much lol

We are now spending a few weeks in Georgia! First stop--Rita's Gilati. It's one of Jake's favorite places to visit when he comes home. Its a mix of frozen custard and fruit icey stuff. Ok bad description, but it's delish!

I was sad to leave, but it's sure great to be back!

Learning how to cook--Mozambican style

A couple days ago, we spent the day with some of Jake's Mozambican friends, learning how to cook (and eat) their food and playing with all the neighborhood kids. It was so much fun I didnt want to leave! To prepare a meal here takes a lot of time and effort and it's amazing how hard these woman work! It puts a whole new meaning on "made from scratch!"
First I learned how to cut yuka root. It's tough and I was a slow poke, but I tried lol..

Then they taught us how to use a pilador. Basically you use a really heavy piece of wood and smash it over and over into tiny pieces. Every couple minutes you take everything out and  put it in a basket. You sift out the pieces that still need to be broken down, by tossing the basket up and down lightly. Then you repeat the process over and over until what you were smashing looks like flour (or at least I think that's what the goal is.. lol). For many meals this can take hours.

We also learned how to shred coconut using this cool little bench with a metal piece attached to it. Let me tell ya, it's hard!

I didn't even come close to preparing an entire meal and it was a ton of work! It gives me so much respect for the awesome women here!