Life as it is and Godzilla Ice Storm

Before we jump right in, I would like to formally address the three week hiatus to which you, dearest devoted readers, have been subject. The fact is, sitting on couches, eating food, reading books and writing on the internet isn't my job anymore. Now, my job is to sit in a classroom and learn about things other than writing on the internet, like electrostatics and Catholicism.

I want my old job back.

Truthfully, though, being back at school is far beyond anything I was anticipating. I'm putting this down to the drastic change in environment. And by that I mean the company. Rory and I agree that Sacred Heart College, the school we attend, is plainly incredible! My classmates don't seem to realize how hard everyone is thinking, how fast the minds around them create new images and come up with fresh questions to ask.  I've been scooped up into the eager, inviting cupped hands of SHC, and I have the feeling that, bit by small bit, my outlook on this form of educating is being remodelled. Doubtless, I still have my complaints, as every thinking person should, but to put a fine point on my point, the people at this school are less... dumb. And I'm enjoying it.

You read the title. I know you did. You're thinking; "Alright Holly, we've heard about you're boring life. School, blah, people, blah, blah, fine! The only reason I'm reading this blogpost is because you began it with the word Godzilla." I understand your sentiment 126%.

Don't worry. No members of this family were fatally injured, just a few bruises here and there. Possibly a goose egg. But, much more than surface injury, the experience was traumatizing.

We were warned that after a very hot day in the summer (as in mid thirties) there would often be a short, but violent, thunderstorm, averaging at 10-20 minutes in length. It's easy to imagine the earth eagerly taking in gulps of it's stripped moisture, like we would cannonball into the lake, or maybe tip back a tall cool glass of water, dehydration turning it sweet as it rushes down our throats. However, this was not how our first South African storm played itself out. First of all, it was a coolish day (I have a deeply routed fear of morphing into an SA cold-wimp), and I was wearing full length pants for the first time in a very long time. It had been disturbingly overcast all day long. At around 6:30 PM, the first flash of lightning shot through the sky. A few minutes later, we began getting ready to walk to dinner. Ten minutes past, started our trek. In about two minutes it started raining. We all pulled our hoods up over our heads and walked a little bit faster, then-

"Ow! Did you feel that?"

"Is it raining teeth?"

"OW!"

Bethy, Dave and I hid out in a bus shelter with a pleasingly optimistic new friend, while Heather tried to keep on (we were minus Rory) and eventually found us, pounded, pummelled and soaked. We did not go to dinner that night.

Instead, however, we whipped up a massive, fresh salad and sliced a beautiful rye loaf! After dinner, we popped some popcorn over the stove (labour-intensive but worth it) and settled down to a movie.

It kept raining for roughly 3-4 hours after we got home. Just to supply you with a rough estimate, the hail stones were maybe a little bit smaller than ping pong balls. Insane, right? While there was minimal damage done to the three of us, Mum woke up thee next morning covered in big, round, bruises.

The most severe damage was done, not to a person, but to our lovely garden. If someone like, say, Christine is reading this, I suggest you brace yourself for the following pictures. Try not to burst into tears.

Shredded chives

Self-explanatory

Used-to-be swiss chard

Amazing Roddy

Thriving vines no more

Demolished flowers

Pitiful brocoli

Our gardener, Roddy, worked his amazing butt off yesterday to correct some of the damage. Our landlord, apparently has a gift card to buy some new plants, thank god and the herbs and leaves will grow back. Pray for the little guys :(

P.S. If you are interested in knowing something in particular about our journey, feel free to leave a comment down below! We love it when you doooo.

-Holly