Cassandra Tracy A unique young lady full of volunteerism and creativity.

I was in the process of writing a big post on all the issues I've been facing but then it was deleted however here's a quick list. If you wish to hear more about certain challenges comment below and I shall elaborate further, but for now I don't feel like venting. I'm staying positive!

Negatives
1. Power Outages
2. Laptop Cord Failure/Breakage
3. A Cold (Sneezing/Running Nose)
-Running out of tissues.
4. Cockroaches and Ants
5. Migraines
6. High Priced Electronics
7. Working in the field/Mental Fatigue
8. Bug Bites

Positives
1. Sunshine
2. Smiling and incredibly nice staff
3. Friendly Locals
4. Popularity of English and learning ease of Kiswahili
5. Actually being in Africa
6. AC, water, safe housing
7. International Friends
8. Flora and Fauna
9. Fresh sheets every 3/4 days

While in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, the other studet, Paul and I are staying at the Passionist Father's house.  It's a compound with one side consisting of a building similar to a small hotel and the other side which has two little houses. Paul and are are staying in one of the two houses currently. Our bedrooms and bathroom are upstairs and we have a kitchen/dining/living room downstairs.

No matter where you are in the world, you always have neighbours. Some of our neighbours are wonderful. Such as Manda, Kat, Olivia, and Akina.  These wonderful ladies cook, clean and correct our kiswahili when we greet them.  The Father, looks after everything and is always happy to see you.  He is incredibly honest and will always answer your questions.  There's also a domestic cat which seems to enjoy following me around.  She has feral markings and I haven't thought of a name for her yet.

One pet that I am not happy to see is the cockroach. I've named him George.  He lives in the bathroom and comes out only at night to drink and eat soap (I think).  Only last night he gave me quite a fright when I went to check on him I lifted my facecloth slowly and he scurried out startling me. I let a small yelp of fright escape and then lept away. After, I proceeded to laugh and scold "George".  All this caused quite a raquet and our new neighbour in the third bedroom came out to grumpily tell us he had to get up at 3am.  Now ordinarily this would not have been funny except that our new neighbour a middle aged man was in speeo-esque underwear.  Paul and I then quietly proceeded to our rooms trying to stifen our silent laughing at the entire situation.  It just goes to show some neighbours are nicer than others.

Jambo!

I can't believe I'm finally here in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.  My journey started two days ago at YVR airport in Vancouver when I boarded my first flight to Heathrow, England.  Then a 5 hour layover followed by a 9 and a half hour flight to Dar.  Our Visas proved to be awesome and we entered Tanzania with no hassles. Then we met Idd, our awesome Taxi driver and he drove us to the Passionist Fathers House. Currently we're bunked in one room with a bathroom attached but we were told that "later" we would move into a little house once it was cleaned.  After we had breakfast in the main building of the compound. I had white toast with pineapple jelly and a homemade doughnut that was the same size as a timbit. I also had tea.  Next it was time to skype home for the New Years dount-down and begin blogging.

The weather here is hot and humid. The thermometre in my room is currently at 31 degrees. All I can say is, it's a great day to be wearing a skirt. Later this evening we will be figuring out more scheduling, journaling, blogging, what to buy, customs, swahili lessons and many other questions.

Badae (Bye) for now,

Cassandra.

All right everyone! SuperCass is back! In grade 9 I got straight A's worked, took 10 courses, played volleyball and rugby and was in 2 plays. That Cass is coming back! I shall be blogging/working/getting in shape/looking good/having a small social life/taking management training/ and doing well in school/blogging/emails/ being a Beaver Leader/Rover/ DCC Youth Membership/ and whatever else gets thrown my way.  And it's starts with a new Rule. Go to bed at midnight and get up at 8am unless otherwise specified.This includes face-washed and teeth brushed.  The picture isn't necessarily related, I just wanted to post something that was cool. I went to Vegas in May. More on Vegas Late will I shall post my entire trip + pictures. :) Anyways I'm off for now. To bed and cleaning up!

Yesterday in my education class my Prof. read a story. The title was "Everything I ever needed to know I learned in kindergarten" and Man was it right!

Here's Some suggestions.

Take a nap, paint, dance, share, clean up your messes, sing and be silly every single day. So ask yourself, have you been Silly today?

I've started an idea book. It's a little notebook I write all my thoughts down that I want. NO bad ideas.  So things to do, things I want, things I ought to remember, drawings, anything. I love it.  I never feel like my thoughts escape me.

P.S. Another thought...If you really want to know if you can stand kids, try being a Beaver Leader at a sleepover. Especially when there's children of all abilities.

Remember,

you are beautiful!

I am so stoked for this November. There's just so much going on! First of all, I've returned to my beaver group.  I can't believe this is my first meeting of the year!  So these are my goals for November...

1. Don't Buy any food (exception- Going out with the cast (must pay in cash) and pre-meditated(i.e. Save-On Stuff)

2. Don't Drink Pop

3. Memorize all the countries in the world (Just the names to start with)

4. Keep up with my fish oil pills. (I'm in competition with my bf on this one)

Other things that are happening this November... I gave blood for the first time on the opening night of the musical, A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to The Forum.  I got kicked out of the McDonald's PlayPlace (It was after the show on preview night and well worth it.  I will also be presenting my Theatre For Young Audiences version of Rumpelstiltskin with my group on November 30th.

Inspiring things for me...

1. (500) Days of Summer- It's Bitter Sweet but I love the message at the end.  I watched it on Nov. 1st.

2. Katy Perry's Firework.  It may be played on the radio a lot but I love the message behind it.  I want to be the type of person that is a firework.

3. The people around me.  I love being different and memorable.  I think of those people who I love being around and who always brighten my day.  These are the people I aspire to be like.

I love months that start on a Monday.

Hello Everyone!  Wow what a weekend! 46 amazing girls, 7 titles, 3 other awards, 2 amazing directors/co-ordinators and more volunteers than I can name!  So here's a basic layout of the weekend:

Friday

9:00- Arrive at the Chief Sepass Theatre for Talent Show Rehearsals

11:30- Lunch at the Little White House restaurant in Fort Langley

12:30- Meet all the Girls

1:00- Heart and Soul Event ( All the girls shared their stories and inspirations.  At the end we voted for who inspired us most.  Jennifer Narayan won the heart and soul plaque)

2:00- Orientation in the theatre

3:00-4:30- Self-Confidence workshop-(The basic ideas behind this workshop were how not to be passive and aggressive and how to be assertive)

4:30-6:00- Modeling Workshop- (How to walk in heels, turning, smiling, basic model stance)

6:00-6:45- Dinner (Bunwiches, potatoe Salad, desserts and more)

6:46-Get ready for talent show.

7:00-Talent Show(I performed my monologue from Paper Wheat.  My favourite performance was Cynthia Bjalek singing the song she wrote called, "Daddy's Girl"

9:00- Rehears opening number

10:45- Home time!!!

Saturday

8:30-9:00- Opening Number Review

9:00-10:00-Self Defence Workshop (My favourite part.  I found I already knew a lot of what was taught but I also learned some new techniques for getting an aggressor off of you)

10:00-12:00-Speech Workshop (The ladies leading this workshop were extremely well spoken)

12:00-1:00- Lunch (Salads provided by McDonald's)

1:00-2:00-Interview Workshop

2:00-3:00-Etiquete Workshop

5:30- Dinner (Lasagne, Caeser Salad, Garlic Bread)

6:30-10:30- Choreographing the Show (Practice, practice, practice!)

Sunday

8:00- Breakfast at my house for Kimberley and Me (Waffles and Bacon!)

10:00-Hair and Make-up (Mellissa Lynn Kibsey was amazing and did my makeup)

12:00-Dress Rehearsal (This was my first chance to practice rollerskating onstage)

2:30-Private Interviews Begin (These were done speed-dating style. One girl, one judge, one question, then we rotated.  There were 7 judges.)

5:30-Sponsor Fair

7:00-Show Time

1st-Opening Number-interview outfits

2nd-Introductions-Sponsor Costumes (My sponsor was Armada Mortgage and I wore a Marie Antoinette style dress with a boat in my hair)

3rd-Sportswear (I roller-skated and then hula-hooped.  I wore khaki shorts, roller skates, an orange t-shirt, and my Scout Scarf)

4th-Evening Gown-(I wore a Brown Satin Cross-strapped Gown)

5th-Top 20 Announced

6th-On stage question for Top 20

7th- Heart and Soul Award-Jennifer, Most creative Sponsor costume- Sam, Miss Congeniality-Cassandra (Me)

8th-Miss Charity BC- Courtnee, Miss Interior BC-Sam, Miss Northern BC-Jayme, Miss Vancouver Island-Rakiya, Miss Fraser Valley- Vanessa, Miss Lower Mainland-Raman, Miss Greater Vancouver-Dionne, Miss BC-Tara

9th-Thank-you's.  I made Darren and Christy each a book that I got all the girls to sign and write a special message.  I also had thank-you cards for all of the amazing volunteers