Finishing up one thing and starting off with another…

Elephant photographed over the last three months while guiding

Its that time of the year when one looks back and reflects over what one has achieved and what one has not. I am glad to say that I am in a position to say that I have achieved what I set out to and gearing up to set out to achieve the next thing…

Achievements

The Thesis

I achieved handing in my final draft for my thesis and handed it in to U.J. on the 10^th of December 2012. I also achieved the best presentation award for a M.Sc presentation at the U.J. colloquium. So not only did I achieve, it seems that I have achieved well… something unexpected but perseverance and hard work pays off.

I have finished up fixing the house I stayed in the last 2 years and managed to even fix the outside plumbing the baboons had ripped off before I got there. It all looks so good and now live able that it is sad to be leaving the place.

Leaving trails for the year is a sad point as they have been great. Times spent on trail is incomparable to anywhere else and although I will not be conducting trails I will definitely be looking for similar options elsewhere in Benin during my free time. Just being in a new area, I am sure will present great excitement.

Gearing up

Passport "Check" and Yellow Fever Vaccination "Check"

I am now gearing up and getting ready to leave for West Africa. I have my passport ready, yellow fever vaccination done, air tickets brought and all I need now is to get to Benin. The finer arrangements have been fun and exciting as I plan for the year ahead. Yet prioritizing is a necessity! Although I have many things planned for next year I have to make sure I get the important things done. I headed off to farming Gods way program in Lesotho towards the end of November to learn how to disciple people and teach them good agricultural principles and to be stewards of God’s creation. All very exciting and Benin being very different to Lesotho will have its own physical and cultural challenges. All of which I am looking forward to tackling.