Something new..

Dear readers.

It's that time of the week again...the START!

On Monday we started our day off with feeding the babies their bottles and we cleaned the cages. We did unpacking of unit standards, specific outcomes and assessment criteria. This is basically an explanation and understanding of what you are going to do and what you should do when encountering a specific situation.

And the worst part of my week.. Ahh yes, Tuesday and Wednesday. I don't know where and I don't know why but somewhere along the line I picked up a stomach bug keeping me away from my studies and forcing me to make a new best friend... The toilet!

We also do pre-assessments where they test you on your practical and to check if you know how to do bottles and food prep. We learn't that they starve the lions some days and then give them big chunks of meat because they do not use much energy throughout the day and their hips will become deformed when their bodies are too fat for the bones to carry them.

 Brown hyena found trapped in wire around its neck. Now healed and released on Sondela.

 Max all grown up and getting his mane.

 White crossed eagle now in our care because of poisoning.

 Feeding the giraffe becomes difficult if they want each others milk.

We went into all the cages and learn't how to asses the behavior and how to approach an animal. Like in any business we did stock take counting every single thing in the wildlife center.

We also have a lot of did you know moments! Did you know that a duiker eats meat??

And did you know that zebras and rhinos must get skim milk because they only recieve 4-5% fat in their natural milk??

Now you see me, now you don't...     

*Species care*

Dear readers.

It's that time again where we all scatter to the welcoming points on Sondela and we greet our new guests. I worked in the wildlife center this weekend, feeding milk to the baby animals and cleaning cages. It is a lot of fun learning about them as you feed and see their natural behavior everyday.

The weekend has passed and we have all started in our new courses. I started with species care, which includes the feeding, caring and cleaning of animals. I absolutely love the fact that we get to go into the cages with them, it's very nerve wrecking to think that the animal can grab you at any time but there are some that are just so loving... Yes, until they turn on you!

The mongooses, juliet and ratatouly are like kids! Always running around under your feet, climbing your legs for a little attention. Trigger the cheetah , is of course the main attraction with the two lion cubs Lex and Max. The bush baby is of course  all the girls favorite, Dobby, she urinates on her hands to make them sticky so she can climb on to anything and everything! Scrat the baby squirrel is the adrenaline junkie of the bunch as he can never sit still.

I love the interaction with all the animals because by having this you learn how to handle them one day if you encounter them. High paw!

In the workplace..

Hello fellow readers,

Today we slept late and woke up with no worries.. I don't know when last I have said that but I love the feeling!

We woke up at 9, ahh, and started getting ready for our long day. We are working at Piccininis restaurant because there is 180 people coming for the ambulance function and they don't have enough waiters. We have been helping with the preparations since one o'clock and we will be busy with the function until ten o'clock. The hours are a bit steep because we have to wake up early tomorrow morning for welcoming but we have realized that the workplace is not always sunshine and roses.

I went for my interview today with the principal and it was not as bad as I thought. He asked me if this is what I have always wanted to do and that my test results please him...YAY! I really love being in the workplace instead of  university. Yes I miss my friends and family and yes I am missing out on all the tuks parties but in the end it's all worth it because life isn't about the alcohol, it's about what you make of your talent and the choices you make in life.

Happy reading followers, it's off to work with a little play!

All good things must come to an end...

Hello fellow bloggers!

Isn't it sad how all good things always come to an end just as soon as you get the hang of it?? This is our last day of the WOP-course, really chilled actually. A lot of us want to start with our courses that we chose for the year but there are still some that love the WOP because we got to know each other better and we learn't how to react with guests and other people professionally.

At the girls house we set up a list for washing and we sorted out our house because when we heard the boys house looks better then ours we had to do something about it!! Ironically a few of us girls have to go to their house and help them pack their cupboards, set up a washing list and pack their groceries... Kan 'n man dan nie??

Us girls are really chuffed with our new flat-screen TV and DSTV we received but I can see a few arguments on the horizon about the movies and shows we want to watch. Our house mother, Heidi, has finally settled in her new house outside and the other girls living in the extra house are also happy with the place they call home.

All is well that ends well... We will be doing interviews with the principal  for the rest of the week and I am one of a few students that will be waitering tomorrow at the ambulance function. I can't wait! We get to wake up late and only pitch at one o'clock, we will have no class and we will be gaining experience first hand. Good evening sir, can I fetch you something from the bar perhaps???

Happy blogging!

 

WOPPED!

So after the lovely weekend we had off it's back to reality.. Gawsh!


This week has been really interesting and we absorbed a lot of information. We did CPR and first aid level one as well as fire fighting... A few of us were really scared to think we would have to put out a life size fire one day, but when working in a team you can accomplish anything!


We did telephone calls and a lot of teamwork where we had to secure an egg and build towers as high as the sky.. The aim of the excersize was to ask a lot of questions and to never underestimate the task, and as far as that goes...we were all marked as suckers by chef Edward!

As far as socialising goes we are having a blast! We are planning the managers evening for the next week and we just got the news that we are having a valentines sokkie tonight witch is going to be a blast!!!

See you on the flip[side] and happy valentines day!

I'ts the weekend!

Dear fellow bloggers..


Ahh, how lovely it is to relax at home, not having to wake up at six in the morning, socialising with your friends in all the usual spots..If you haven't guessed yet, it's my first weekend off!

Don't get me wrong, I abselutely love Sondela but I love being at home too! I only realised how much I missed my family when I saw them again. The old house traditions and the way things are done became a part of me and when I'm at Sondela I feel kind of lost.. But I know I'll get the hang of things and create my own way of living based on what I was tought my whole life.

It was so much fun seeing my friends again! How I adore each and every one of them for who they are and for what they add to my life's meaning. They are all in university and loving it, I'm really happy for them. We spoke about my experiences the whole night though! They are so interrested in what I have been doing and how we do things at Sondela. Their appearances haven't changed much and I like that because it feels like nothing has changed, the same old Woerie gang!

Isn't it weird how you can find a person in another person?? I love finding my home friends in my Sondela friends, like their personalities and way of saying and doing things. I have my home away from home. Sondela, come closer!

My first move..

Hello fellow bloggers.
My name is Moira and I'm currently a student at Sondela academy in Warmbaths. To be truely honest I was totally terrified when I came here! I have never moved in my life..Yes, yes I know I'm one of the lucky ones that can say that, which made it so much harder to move to Warmbaths to study. Although sad about not seeing my family as much, I was so psyced to meet my fellow students and to learn more about the working environment hands on! My expectations were that we would learn things at Sondela that we wouldn't learn at university, and as usual..I was so right! I love the overall setting of the lodge, the goats on the way home everyday wanting a marula, the fantastic food and just the setup of the place gives you a calming feel of relaxation.

We are currently busy with the WOP course where we learn to communicate with our colligues, how to treat guests, SMILING when giving a presentation, how to work in teams for succes, how to use the different personalities in the group, first aid level one and fire fighting. After our three weeks of WOP we will be starting with the hard work and study in our different directions.

A lot of friends made..Although we still struggle to get to know each others names! Thus far I am very happy to be here and I thank my dear parents for helping me to persue my dreams.. Thanx Mom and Dad!