Friday, March 13, 2009

Back in Business

(This was the title of this post before all that crazy "Photobucket" stuff happened to our blogs. I guess there's a limit on how many photos you can upload on Photobucket, which is what I use, and I went over by .5mb so they shut it down for 2 days. But now we're 'back in business'! Ok onto the post that you can NOW READ!)

Ok. Let's be honest. So far, I have pretty much been a weekday-widow and a weekend-wife. We've had a lot of fun on the weekends, but the weekdays have been pretty tough. Ben has been working a LOT. And with no friends, no family, no cell phone, opposite time zones, new country, new culture, etc...it's been rough.

We've learned that things in Africa take about 4 times as long as the States. And we've also learned that there seems to be a trend of flakiness here. I applied to over 15 jobs...nothing. No responses. I've had a lot of success with marketing my photography business, but besides a couple of portrait shoots, all the weddings aren't for another 10 months. A few weeks ago though, I felt hope when a big photographer here had an add for an assistant. (Richard Simmonds is his name. No, not Richard Simmons, there's a 'd' in there. His site is www.videotech.co.za) I was super excited because it would be the perfect job. I'd be able to do what I love, and also learn a lot from him about photography and the area here in South Africa. I applied and he quickly responded telling me he loved my work and wanted to hire me. I told him I was available anytime to meet and then 3 weeks went by and nothing. I even wrote to ask if he was still interested and that I was available blah blah. Nothing.

After a bit of a breakdown, a long shower, and some heartfelt prayers this week, I got a call Wed morning from Mr. Simmonds asking if I was available the next day for a photo shoot! Uh...ya! I was super excited and went to meet him. He's way cool! He resembles Mr. Clean. He "heads all projects as Producer, ensuring productions are planned and executed to the highest standards." He told me the shoot tomorrow was from 7:30am till about 2pm and was an event for the Miss Earth South Africa girls. They were going to go to a school in Tempisa, very poor township and teach the kids about helping the environment and plant trees and stuff. They also got a tour from their sponsor, Console (a glass making company) of their glass factory. I was to kind of be a journalist photographer and photograph everything going on.
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It went SO WELL! I loved it and I had a blast. You can see some highlights on my photo blog. This is the perfect job for me! The weather was beautiful and the kids were adorable. And the glass factory was fascinating. I had a photo shoot after in Pretoria:

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and I have one tomorrow too here in Joburg. (Go to my blog and read this guy's story, it's amazing. What a great guy). I'm also meeting with a teacher tomorrow to see if I can teach some poorer schools Math on some days. Also, I'm joining an orphanage, Princess Alice as a volunteer to feed the babies 3 hours a day. What could be better!?

Life is good people. I'm back in business. Africa rocks. I'm so happy to be here. We leave for our big 8-day trip next Friday! We're going to the Okavango Delta and Chobe Game Reserve in Botswana and Victoria Falls in Zambia & Zimbabwe! WE CAN'T WAIT!

11 comments:

Steph and Brady said...

Hey congrats on the new job! That is awesome! I am glad you have some things to do to keep you busy! Oh, you might already know this but your backgrounds are all little photobucket squares that say "bandwidth exceeded". I don't know if it a distance thing or if you can see this too. Good luck with your new job, I am sure you will do great!

Jalayne said...

So my situation is not exactly like yours, but I can totally sympathize with you. When I was in Spain I went crazy because I didn't have anyone to talk to that could understand me. Being in New Zealand I kinda feel the same way. I spend a lot of time with my host family, but I am going crazy not being able to TALK to any of my friends or anything. That's difficult. I hope things get lookin' up for you in that respect!

Corinne said...

It looks like you are having a great time on the weekends. And I am so happy you got a photography job. You ARE SO talented. But we miss you guys. Benjamin is constantly asking if you are home yet. (He wanted to invite you to his b-day party next week)

Kendell's Crusaders said...

Amazing! Your life is like a fairy tale, you have been able to do some amazing things!

Chelsie said...

yeah! i'm so happy i can see your pictures now! what an awesome opportunity to work with this photographer, you must be livin right girl!

Unknown said...

I'm glad you aren't giving up on your photography over there! And i totally know how you feel... with Brad gone all week i TREASURE the weekends. Thank goodness for blogger which keeps me busy when i find myself lonely or bored :)

Kelsi said...

I am so glad you got such a good job!!! I bet you will have such a blast photographing all over South Africa! What a fun experience. Love your photos by the way. And thanks for all those book recommendations. I can't wait to try them all out!

Tawnya said...

You truly are living a dream life. So cool!

Jordan said...

Hey! Congrats on the job that sounds awesome! I really had a lot of fun taking Kelsee's pics I don't know a ton but I designed their announcements on adobe it was a
lot of fun!I can see why you like it!

Sara said...

Congrats!!! That sounds like it will be the perfect job for you and a good way to keep yourself busy/see all of South Africa!
Have fun on your safari!!

Lacie said...

You will have to let me know how the trip goes! I am planning to go to Zambia on a volunteer trip this fall...can't wait! Hope you both have fun!!!