International Student Trips Powered By Discovery Education
South Africa Student Adventure

Tuesday, June 16, 2009



I have a baby brother!!!! He weighs 7lbs 4oz. and is 20 inches long. He was born at 2:30-3:00 this afternoon...and even though I made it back to the States in time to see him.....I missed it!!!! I had to leave for a job interview around 1:00pm. The interview lasted 2 hours. I ran through the maternity ward just in time to see them wheel Landon Greg Marshal Jones into the nursery. We went in today with all the intentions of having a baby through normal labor and procedures. However, we weren't so lucky when after a period of useless pushing, the doctor recommended a C-Section. It wasn't any emergency he just wasn't going to come naturally. Landon is beautiful, he has huge blue eyes and a great smile. He's dark headed and a very natural pink color.
Well since my mom didn't get around to having the baby, I'm going to update everyone on here!!!! This morning at about 4 am she got up and got ready to head to her inducement appointment at 6 am! I am about to head to the hospital. Let's all pray that she has it today!

Kelby

Penguins!!!!

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Today we visited boulder beach. It is a natural habitat for the south african penguin. It also called the jackass penguin because of the donkey like sounds it makes. After 30 or so minutes of observation we headed to SANCCOB, a penguin rehabilitation center. There we went hands on, and I found a soul mate! Rocky, a rock hopper penguin, had caught my eye. Rocky looks exactly like those off of Happy Feet! He is not native to South Africa so he can't be released. At this point in his life he has become pretty well tamed. I offered to help out and take him.....good luck gettin that across customs!

---
Powered by NetMobile.

______________________________________________________________________
This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System.
For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email
______________________________________________________________________

A quick change of plans.

Today instead of going to the aquarium we decided to go out to the ocean. It was very chilly, but the wonders we were about to see were definately worth the cold. It was a two hour drive to our destination. We were heading out to the opposite side of the bay to board a boat equiped with a huge seven person cage. After a brief presentation about the great white shark with a local marine biologist, we finally made our way toward the docks. The water was extremely choppy....but it was just like a huge natural rollercoaster. After a long bouncy ride we finally made it to shark alley. It was a while before they could get the boat ready, but once it was done they called for volunteers. I was one of the first! I got into the cold wetsuit and headed down. It wasn't long after they had thrown a seal shaped decoy and a giant tuna head out in front, a shout from above told us "DOWN TO THE LEFT!!!" Quickly we dove down and watched.....just when I was about to head back up I saw it. It was a baby, but it was still at least five foot long. After twenty dives or so it was time to go back up. In that span of time we seen three sharks: a baby, an adult, and a very large specimen, said to have been about 4 meters long.

---
Powered by NetMobile.

______________________________________________________________________
This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System.
For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email
______________________________________________________________________

South African Adventure Day 1

Friday, June 5, 2009

Well today we had a blast! The weather is going to bad for th rest of the week, so they were going to cancel the shark diving, but instead they arranged for diving lessons! So tomorrow, we are going to a nearby aquarium to swim with them there. Also today we visited a couple of the townships. It was a real eye opener. These people live in buildings worse than what our vehicles are parked in. It has been very rainy, therefore most of the homes had puddles of water in the floor. We visited an amazing woman named Rosie. She cooks for 200-300 people per day. Her dream is that one day no South African child will go to bed without at least one meal. What is most remarkable is her working area. She cooks for and feeds lots of people each day out of a small 7x7 shack. We theb went to a church in the township where we were fed. The food was amazing! I enjoyed it very much.

We are currently working on our pictures for upload. After we have worked everything out yall can see the remarkable things we have seen.

Talk to you tomorrow, after I have swam with sharksb!!!!

Kelby

---
Powered by NetMobile.

______________________________________________________________________
This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System.
For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email
______________________________________________________________________

South Africa!!!!

Thursday, June 4, 2009

We just landed in Jo'Berg! We were warned that the weather is terribly cold and that our jackets wouldn't be enough before leaving the plane.....it is 48 degrees. Lol. We are about to exchange currency and get on our plane.

Kelby

---
Powered by NetMobile.

______________________________________________________________________
This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System.
For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email
______________________________________________________________________

From Germany to Jo'berg

Here's a quick update onour travels! We boarded our Lufthansa flight to Jo'Berg at ten pm. It is now 2 am and we still have a few hours to go. Today was amazing!!! We met some great people, our German tour guide (taught me how to count in German), the Dallas crew, the Iowa crew, and our crew from the DSA office!!!!! These people definately make the trip better! Well I'm going to sign off! I didn't sleep on the plane last night and I sure need some.

Kelby

---
Powered by NetMobile.

______________________________________________________________________
This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System.
For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email
______________________________________________________________________

Blog issues

I have been having issues with my phone and I haven't been able to blog. But, I did write out several blogs and I will be resending them so you can see them. Ignore the times they won't be correct.

Kelby

---
Powered by NetMobile.

______________________________________________________________________
This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System.
For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email
______________________________________________________________________

We are just about to enter the uk. Its still about two hours before we get to Frankfurt. I didn't sleep at all so wish me luckn I have a huge day ahead of me!

Kelby

---
Powered by NetMobile.

______________________________________________________________________
This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System.
For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email
______________________________________________________________________

My first plane ride!

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Well it was definately an experience! The trip from Little Rock to Dallas lasted about an hour. When we first got to the airport they had delayed our flight twice! As we waited at the nearby pizza hut we heard our names over the intercom. Hurridely, we went to our gate's desk. They had noticed our awesome shirts and asked our story. We told them and they we're so good as to place us on another flight to dallas so we wouldn't miss our connecting flight to Germany. Thanks Mrs. T and Mrs. Clark for the shirts, they really helped us out! Now we are waiting in Dallas for our Lufthansa flight to Frankefurt, Germany!

Until then,
Kelby

---
Powered by NetMobile.

______________________________________________________________________
This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System.
For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email
______________________________________________________________________

South Africa here I come!

I didn't get to sleep last night until 2 this morning. So at 5:45am I woke up, took a shower, and checked my bags. After I said my goodbyes my dad and I headed off to the school. There was a quick meeting explaining everything we need to know for today. It wasn't long until we were headed down the road to make the hour and a half trip to the Little Rock airport. This is ny first time on a plane so wish me luck!!!!

Kelby

---
Powered by NetMobile.

______________________________________________________________________
This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System.
For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email
______________________________________________________________________

Friday, May 29, 2009

Test

---
Powered by NetMobile.

______________________________________________________________________
This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System.
For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email
______________________________________________________________________

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Hey just thought I'd try out the Blackberry.

---
Powered by NetMobile.

______________________________________________________________________
This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System.
For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email
______________________________________________________________________

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Our video is here!!!!


Midland High School Bio Video!

Monday, May 18, 2009

Hey!

This is Kelby again! I have finished the Midland High School's bio video and I am currently uploading it to YouTube. If you would like to view it please go to http://www.youtube.com/user/KJonesDSA after today. This is my youtube channel. Check back frequently between June 2 and June 16 for video updates of my trip to South Africa. 

Seeya!

Kelby Jones

A little about me!!!

Hey,
I know we haven't left yet, but I wanted to introduce myself. I'm Kelby Jones and I'm a senior at Midland High School. GO 'STANGS!!! I am very school spirited, and I love to have a great time! I am on the Annual Staff, I serve as Student Body President on the Student Council, and I am a photographer for the Beta Club. 

I am really interested in Filmmaking. When I grow up and become a big boy I would love to make feature films and/or become an actor!

I love to travel!!! I have been to Florida, West Virginia, and everywhere in between. I have traveled by boat to Cozumel and Progresso, Mexico. 

There isn't a day that goes by that I don't worship and love my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He's an amazing friend and I never have regretted giving him my life 4 years ago. 

I love all kinds of music! Well...all kinds but polka and folk. YUCK! 

Thats just a little about me! I can't wait to start doing a daily blog in June. Wish me luck and I'll start again in two weeks. 

Til then, 
Kelby Jones