A night of good music.

I had the privilege to go to a live Josh Groban performance last night. I did not expect to enjoy it as much as I did! He is so much "more" than I expected. I guess I haven't really heard him talk much, so just expected him to be the quiet and deep musician type. Did he surprize me! He is alive, and funny! And he rocks on the drums! Who knew?

The audience could text questions to him to answer on stage. He got over 300 texts! Answered about 4. One lady asked if he would do a duet with her. He asked if she was serious, she said yes. He then got down from the stage, went all the way over to her seat and dragged her to center stage to do a duet. I thought that was a pretty awesome (and unexpected) thing for him to do. They sang Happy Birthday to a girl that texted that going to see him live was the most awesome 17th birthday present she could have received.

The opening act was also quite extraordinary. It was a guy called Elew, an amazing pianist. As Josh said later: the things he does with a piano are probably illegal :) He seems to have 6 hands when he plays. I can't help wonder how long a piano lasts when he gets to it...

Once again I wish I had taken a proper camera, but didn't want the schlep. *sigh*

I always wonder how something like this started.....

This tree is along the way going up Stone Mountain, Atlanta. Near the top there are a few huge boulders with the alley in between them covered with gum. We named it Bubblegum Alley (yeah I know, very creative). It would be interesting to know who started it...and how long ago? My son (like any 11 year old I'm sure) could not resist leaving his mark in the alley :) I had mentioned it before the time, and he made sure to take some gum up there with him to do so.

First glimpse of Florida

Just two pics from a very quick and basically unplanned roadtrip over Memorial weekend.

Wednesday afternoon stroll along the Chattahoochee river

Seven weeks and counting...

Actually its a few days more than that. Gosh so much has happened. Feels like we've been floating.... Yesterday our container arrived, and while they were unloading it, it felt like Christmas! Not that there were many things in there that I really wanted, but having stuff in your house (oh how I missed a chair!) makes quite a difference actually :)

Now I'm unpacking, and finding places for everything. I LOVE the unpacking part of a move. That whole "oh yeah, I forgot about you!" thing :) And no one should dare tell me where to put anything. Sure, make a suggestion. But I make the decision. Yes I'm bossy that way.

We went to a Bon Jovi concert on Saturday night. Oh wow how awesome! One of those little things you don't expect to get the opportunity to do when you live in other parts of the world. We bought our tickets months ago....before we even moved here. It was really great. The man has so much personality. And energy! Gosh.

I didn't have a really good camera with me. Just a little thing we got while travelling 10 years ago (I didn't want to lug a big camera around). Didn't really expect much, but got a few OK snapshots. Only pain was, the battery died 20 minutes into the show!!!

Sunrise this morning

Well we have past our 1 month anniversary in the States, and it has been really hectic. If we hadn't been through this kind of move before I'd probably have gone mad by now. So many hassles and complicatons. But we're happy and settling in slowly but surely. We found a lovely house, and looking forward to our container arriving. The thing I miss most is a chair!

This was amung the first pics I took at the new house. The tree was in full bloom when we moved in. A nice welcome.

Wow things happen so fast here. Yesterday afternoon we went back to meet with our new landlord to pay the deposit, etc., and he even gave us a key already! We're moving in on Thursday! *phew* So this week consists of shopping, cos our container will not arrive till next month sometime!


Oh and a little side note: Even though I'm running around like a chicken without a head, this damn hotel food is making me fat! Ugh.

click....

OK so looks like we'll be moving out of this hotel sooner than we thought! Awesome, since the rooms are starting to become rather small sharing with 3 kids. We found a house today...actually quite by accident (seems to be the way things happen for us). Viewed it, and made the deal right on the spot. Amazing spot and great house. Things are falling into place.

I LOVE house hunting. I love viewing a possible home and seeing all the possibilities. When we bought our last house 4 years ago it all happened by accident, and I almost felt cheated that I didn't get to go through the whole "hunting" process. Houses (and neighbourhoods) here are so different to what we're used to. Even with all the frustrations that go along with it (especially since we're aliens with no credit score), I'm having a ball!

It begins.

Gosh, jeglag. At 2am this morning we are all staring at the ceiling. The little (well not so little anymore) one says: "I'm bored, what can I do?". What the hell do you do in a hotel at 2am?

At 5am we gave up and got up. There was a nice thunderstorm outside. Its still raining now. We haven't done much since then except jump tv channels and eat chocolate. I guess now we can all shower, go have breakfast, and get ready for the day. First thing will be going to collect our rental car. Gosh this is really happening!

We were collected from the airport by 2 friends in 2 separate cars. It was such a beautiful spring morning in Atlanta driving out of the airport - quite chilly, foggy, and blooms everywhere. I felt at peace for the first time in a while.

phew

It was a crazy hectic trip, but we finally made it. We're all in one piece, even if only barely sane. I can't believe how many things can go wrong on such a trip! That seems to be our theme lately anyway. A delayed flight which causes a little concern, then another delay which would mean missing the connecting international flight, then having to try and organize another flight earlier so we can make the connection, being on standby for like forever and then not getting it, and having to throw a tantrum to get on another flight. Arriving only just in time for the connection flight, but having to run from the domestic to international terminal...with loads for luggage and 3 kids. And in between trying to exchange our local money to usd, but not being able because we do not have an utility bill with us as proof of residence. What the hell!? Who carries a utility bill with them? And that's not even the half of it.

Now the rollercoaster ride begins! But first a shower!!!

The dogs went into kenneling today. They'll stay at the kennels until we find a house on the other side. It was quite an emotional moment for me when they were collected and closed up in their travel cages...and they were both so confused and upset. They annoy me often (Max chewing sticks and making a mess on the carpet, or Emily pulling something from the trash), but feels like something is missing without them around. Hope they'll be OK.

It will be a miracle if I'm still sane by the time we get on that plane!

Can't believe its almost time......

The final level

We're reaching the advanced stages of the game....and we're playing it hard. The shipping container is packed and waiting at the harbour for paperwork to be finalized and then it'll be shipped. I am exhausted. I can honestly say this has been the worst packing up experience I've had....ever (and I have quite a lot of experience in this game).


I'm really striving towards a simpler life....less "stuff". We got rid of a lot, but we still filled a container. *sigh* Its really annoying though to find things that was left behind, but worse than that is realizing how many things slipped in that I planned on leaving behind! Grr...

30 is too far...

So we had our little mini reunion this past weekend. And what a blast! Our 10 year reunion was definitely not this much fun, at all. I guess back then we were still too young and holding on to issues. This time round was just plain awesome.


Way too much wine, and lots of laughter and reminiscing sent me home lightheaded. Can't wait for next time..... The 30 year mark is just way too far!

20 years

What is it about old school friends that make them so special? Even after life has changed for us all, we've all got new friends, and we have little in common anymore. Maybe its just me, but there is just something about these people. I guess its because those friendships formed when we were still young and ...innocent? ...stupid?

I finished school 20 years ago this year. Not sure how it happened, but I got the job of arranging a reunion...and its happening tomorrow! Everybody can't attend (as they're spread out all over the place), but we are a good sized group getting together. Its really exciting. Can't wait!

Gosh, what the hell am I going to wear?

Counting down...

Wow I can't believe how busy I am! I am so busy I can't slow down and can't get to bed at night....I don't even get tired anymore! And this really causes me to get frustrated with everyone else that is not as productive and on the go as I am at the moment...

Apart from the sorting and packing, I am still selling lots of stuff (and have lots left to still sell), I'm painting the house (OK not all on my own, but now my handyman is ill and I'm on my own for now), still arranging and finalizing the move arrangements, trying to keep the kids out of my hair, arranging an 11th birthday party.....and on top of that organizing a 20year school reunion (not even sure how I got that job)!! And then of course normal day-to-day life still goes on...there are still meals to prepare, dirty dishes that pile up, and laundry.

I hate being behind schedule. By now everything should have been done and ready so that we could have time to visit with friends and family. So many people I want to see before we leave....

I've now finally taken the last child out of school. So while I now have less driving around to do (which is good since we have one less vehicle) I now have one more under foot.

I can't believe how fast time has flown by though. Its almost time....mere weeks left. *phew*

End of an era....

Many things are coming to an end as our time here is rapidly running out.

Juané had to return her clarinet this week, and I got a few minutes to "play" a bit. Not sure why I hadn't thought of this before! Hopefully this isn't an end, and she'll be able to pick it up again where we end up.

Then last week's cricket match might have been the little one's last one.He's quite fond of the game, and we even got him a new bat for his bday yesterday. I sure hope this was not the end of that for him. Maybe he'll just have to be content to play baseball from now on, and casual cricket games with the family in the park (wonder how I always end up doing fieldwork!!).

Then I've also sold my beloved car, a whole lot of other favourite items (yes I have a lot of favourite things), and today a whole bunch of children's books that the children are too old for now, but have special memories. It truly feels like the end of an era.

On a roll

We've been sorting through the house, dividing everything into: what goes with, what gets sold, and what gets given away. Basically all appliances will be sold, and some given away, since the voltage in the US is 110V, and here (like most countries) its 220V.

I've never thought of myself as being a salesperson. Ever. And have not been looking forward to selling the stuff at all. But I started last week, and am having a ball! I'm almost addicted to it now, and get so excited by even the smallest sale. I now read listings of Wanted stuff, just to see if I don't have what people want, and I'm amazed how much I have sold that way. I've even sold stuff I would have just given away because I would not have imagined anyone looking for it...

Today I sold a bunch of toys, might have sold the gas stove, confirmed the sale of the refrigerator, bar stools, and a few others....and I got 2 cash offers for my car.

The car is a sore spot though... *sigh*

Steaming ahead....no thinking...

I'm having a little "doubting" moment about the upcoming move. Its way too late for turning back now - there is only one way to go now and that's forward. But its a big decision....I think I'm allowed a bit of doubt (even though its useless now and won't change a thing).

When I feel this way I go back and randomly browse through my Thousands of pics from my recent visit to the US. Remember. And then I'm OK.

Here are some random ones:

Kitchen Art

I'm quite good at creating disasters in the kitchen. And its a great source of amusement for my family (as long as they're not hungry and the "disaster" was supposed to fix that).

I had a stack of boxes in the garage that had been there for quite some time, and since we're moving soon I got into them to sort and get rid of them. Then I found this and had a little chuckle:



This happened years ago. In fact, I can't believe I still have it! The last thing I remember it being used for was mixing mud cakes in the garden (not much good for anything else after all). I don't remember what was in it the day this happened, but I remember whatever it was had to be placed out of reach, and the oven was (or rather Seemed) a good idea at the time. Of course...I forgot about it. And yes, at some point the oven was switched on....and art was created :)

I guess no one is going to mix mud cakes around here anymore, so time to say goodbye to it...finally.

We live next to the golf course, and most mornings we go for a quick walk to kickstart the day. We often take Max with, and he loves these outings. He is an absolute ball fanatic though, so that means the golf course has more than its fair share of Distractions.

We had some sports yesterday. There were two rather old (and grumpy) men playing an early morning game. Now what I've picked up about old men and golf is that their game seem to deteriorate with age, cos more often than not their balls go way off course.

So as we're walking along we suddenly hear them yelling, and the next moment a golf ball hits the tree next to us somewhere high up in the branches. Then for a few moments it plays a bit of pinball while we're anxiously waiting for it to drop. (Funny how slow those few moments seemed to pass....)

The second the ball hit the ground Max grabbed it and started running! My first thought was: Oh shit! Luckily I could get the now slimy ball, and then dropped it somewhere in the vicinity of where it dropped in the first place, and then had to drag the dog away!

I thought it was pretty funny, but I thought the two old grumps both had heart attacks right on the spot!

Ai...

As daar nou een ding is wat my grensloos irriteer, is dit hoe mense kla oor die weer. As dit warm is, kla almal. En as dit koud is, kla almal daaroor ook. As die wind waai is almal ontevrede. Almal wens dit wil reën wanneer dit vir 'n ruk nie gereën het nie. En as dit dan reën, dan kla hulle dit moet ophou!

Dit help nie om te kla oor dinge waaroor ons geen beheer het nie, mense! Trek nog 'n trui aan of koop vir jou 'n sambreel. Vat wat jy kry en kla eerder oor iets wat saakmaak....iewers anders...waar ek dit nie kan hoor nie. Dankie en totsiens.

For a while now we've been talking about the big move abroad, planning etc. But up to the moment the visas were approved it wasn't really real for me. Now I'm in first gear, and moving full steam ahead. I was hoping for that click in my head, cos its all been moving seriously and frustratingly slow up till now.

OK, so I'm sorting through all our stuff, trying to get rid of most and minimize what will be shipped to our new destination. Funny how a while back, when we first started talking about the move, I had thought there were just too many things we won't want to leave behind...and we'd end up with a huge load. But all of a sudden I couldn't care less about most things. There are a few things I'm sentimental about, but that's about it. Its actually quite freeing.

But now I'm having quite the struggle with the two girls. Things they haven't looked at for years are suddenly important to them, and they want to keep so much! *sigh* On the one hand I just want to chuck stuff away when they're not looking, but on the other hand I kinda get that... I've always been quite sentimental, and have many things from my childhood (though I'm getting rid of a lot now) and love going through them once in a while. Do I really wanna deprive them of that experience? Oh well, I guess I'll just find the midway.

Anyhow, here are a few pics from my recent trip to the US. I had such great fun shooting in NYC at night. There is just so much life there!

Okie dokie, its final. I have a new visa in my passport and am moving to the US very shortly! :D Up until now my mind has been like a roller coaster....over thinking and doubting everything at least once or twice a day. Now that all the thinking and waiting is over, and everything has been approved, I am SO content, and completely ready to go! *phew* Pity there is still so much to do on this end though...

I am exhausted after today's excitement, and on my way to bed early tonight. I actually have a mild headache...and yawning so much I might dislocate my jaw! Goodnight :)

D day.

Tomorrow is a big day. I'm not really worried, but I'm a teensy bit nervous. Its gonna be an early morning and I know I should get to bed, but I just can't settle. Grr.

Its Monday and I'm almost holding my breath for something to happen. It has already started not-so-great, and I am hoping the week's gonna be less eventful than last week.

On Monday we spent most of the day at the hospital - the husband had a procedure done which had us a bit restless beforehand, but everything turned out fine (well not 100% but nothing some meds won't fix anyhow).

Tuesday I took Max the wonderdog to the vet for his own little procedure - to have his jewels (mostly) removed. Actually, I did not really know what the procedure entailed since I haven't had male dogs before, and never really thought about it - only when he got home with little raisins(!) did I think to go read up. Anyhow, the vet's office called about 5 hours before his scheduled pick-up time to say Max really wants to go home and I can fetch him. I thought he was gonna be groggy and lay around for a while, but he came home with SO much energy and wanted to play the whole afternoon!

On Wednesday our power went out (and that while I was working on something for a client that HAD to be done within the next 2 hours). The mains kept tripping with no apparent reason. Even after I switched everything off and pulled out every plug in the house it kept tripping. So called around for advice and was told to get an electrician. In the meantime Max started fiddling with his stitches and it started bleeding. It seemed to be coming loose too. So had to make a trip to the vet to go get an Elizabethan (lampshade/cone) collar (gosh but are they expensive for a piece of plastic!). He did not like that much (duh), but it didn't keep him back. He kept playing and running around, bumping into everything and anything, and within a few hours it was broken.... Still worked though. (BTW, his raisins are kinda back to normal now).

So Thursday the electricians came. It was a father and son team, and they both had the most amazing blue eyes! Anyhow, they too couldn't understand why the power kept tripping even when everything was switched off and pulled out. The problem had to lie with the main distribution box, so they decided to open it up. So while I'm chatting to the dad the son removes the cover, then suddenly steps back and says: "Uhm....this might be your problem....".

There was a rat inside, lying across the live wires!! Then the dad started singing that old UB40 song: "There's a rat in my kitchen what am I gonna do..." and we all chipped in. It was sooo funny. And this was my birthday too...

Friday was less eventful, but I received bad news. Twice. It was our anniversary though, and we got to spend a nice evening out.

Saturday had a number of little frustrations, and by Sunday I just wanted to stay in bed!

But now its Monday, and I'm positive this is going to be a good and productive week (I'll just keep telling myself that).

*sigh*

So, the new school year starts again on Monday. I kinda knew it was coming, but life is so hectic at the moment that it snuck up on me very suddenly. And then I realized today: the little man needs new school shoes! Only one of his current pair is intact. The other acts like a duck when he walks...and its only about 3 months old!

And then he also reminded me tonight that he kinda needs a haircut too! He hates having his hair cut, so him coming to me to remind me (a big first) means it really is very bad... :-/

So guess what's on my Sunday to-do list...? *sigh*

Whooshhhh...

So in a flash the summer holidays, Christmas, and everything else that goes with it is just over. It happened so fast im still in a daze. Its the middle of January for crying out loud! When did that happen?

A highlight of the holidays was a trip to the other side of the country for a cousin's wedding. Seeing family and family of family that I haven't seen in many many years was absolutely awesome. It also made me realize how special family is and that I make far too little effort to keep in touch. That's gonna change.

It was a beautiful wedding btw, and it felt rather strange not working :) At first I had decided I was gonna leave the camera at home and just enjoy it, but in the end couldn't help myself and ended up taking more pics than I usually do at a wedding...and that just at the reception alone :)