Monday, January 25, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
THE END
So I've officially been home for a week and I think it's about time I wrote my final post. These past 7 1/2 months have FLOWN by (just as I suspected they would!). I am so thankful for the experiences I have had over the past 7 1/2 months. I have gotten to see so much of the world, truely experience living life in two different countries, and have really gotten to know Donovan's family. There hasn't been a single second that's gone by where I regretted quitting my job and going on this adventure. Unfortunately, my thirst for traveling has still not been quenched but beings that half of my family is in South Africa (and I'm spending my life with Donovan), I suppose that's a good thing!
Leaving South Africa was bittersweet. Leaving Donovan was difficult but I know I'll see him soon and I know we'll be together forever. Leaving his family was a bit harder because I don't know when I'll see them next! Especially leaving his niece and nephews who will grow so much between now and the next time I see them. Being back in NJ, it's nice to see my family and friends and get started on "real" life AKA interviews, jobs, blah blah blah. But the lifestyle and people in South Africa is definitely something to be missed. Even though they work so hard, their lifestyle is just more relaxed. I guess with the sunny weather and the maids, it's bound to be a party!
So what can I say to wrap up my travels? There is really nothing to say but I've met so many stunning people, and had so many amazing experiences. I've climbed the Eiffel Tower, saw the Colluseum, been to a German concentraion camp, slept on a park bench in Venice, partied in London, went on game drives in South Africa, saw the pyramids (yes I saw the pyramids from the plane during my stopover in Cairo!), and gotten a frieking TAN! And I've gotten to do all this with my wonderful fiance (and my crazy cousin, respectfully).
Most importantly, I've gotten to know Donovan's family and friends and seen where he grew up and what shaped him as a person.
I can't wait for Donovan's family to come here and everyone to meet each other. But most of all, I can't wait to see what the next phase of my [our] life encompasses. One thing I know: it will be an adventure in itself.
Well, how else can I end my blog than with this simple truth: "There's no place like home." (but it's not so bad leaving it every now and then if you know you're coming back!)
Leaving South Africa was bittersweet. Leaving Donovan was difficult but I know I'll see him soon and I know we'll be together forever. Leaving his family was a bit harder because I don't know when I'll see them next! Especially leaving his niece and nephews who will grow so much between now and the next time I see them. Being back in NJ, it's nice to see my family and friends and get started on "real" life AKA interviews, jobs, blah blah blah. But the lifestyle and people in South Africa is definitely something to be missed. Even though they work so hard, their lifestyle is just more relaxed. I guess with the sunny weather and the maids, it's bound to be a party!
So what can I say to wrap up my travels? There is really nothing to say but I've met so many stunning people, and had so many amazing experiences. I've climbed the Eiffel Tower, saw the Colluseum, been to a German concentraion camp, slept on a park bench in Venice, partied in London, went on game drives in South Africa, saw the pyramids (yes I saw the pyramids from the plane during my stopover in Cairo!), and gotten a frieking TAN! And I've gotten to do all this with my wonderful fiance (and my crazy cousin, respectfully).
Most importantly, I've gotten to know Donovan's family and friends and seen where he grew up and what shaped him as a person.
I can't wait for Donovan's family to come here and everyone to meet each other. But most of all, I can't wait to see what the next phase of my [our] life encompasses. One thing I know: it will be an adventure in itself.
Well, how else can I end my blog than with this simple truth: "There's no place like home." (but it's not so bad leaving it every now and then if you know you're coming back!)
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
I still owe a "final" blogpost...but here are some videos in the mean time...
Jordan (4) and Joshua (7) on the morning of their first day of school!
Natalie (Donovan's sister) and Janine (her friend) swinging on swings at the strawberry farm.
And again!
Monday, January 11, 2010
I'm sorry I suck at blogging
I've done so well for the most of my trip and now I have no excuse...I've just been slacking...and I'm sorry! Today was my last day of work. Through my work I've actually created a new position in the company and I trained the girl today. On Friday we drove 12 hours back from Mussel Bay. It was a great holiday. We were there for 2 and a half weeks! Our villa had a beautiful view of the ocean and you could hear the waves crashing at night. We spent nearly everyday at the beach (including my birthday--it was the first time I ever got sun burn on my birthday!). Other days we went shopping and we went to a strawberry farm one day (Red Berry Farm). We ate like pigs though! Every night we had spaghetti and lamb and steak and chicken and salad and garlic bread and oysters and snails and prawns and fish and champagne and vodka and on and on and on. I don't even like lamb but once I tried the lebanese dish (Kibbeh), which is made of raw lamb and I LOVED it! I also tried snails for the first time which I also loved. My birthday was very nice. They got me cupcakes and sang to me and I got a watch, a cute pink ladies poker set, and Donovan gave me my official engagement ring! It's a trilogy of diamonds that are kind of in the shape of flowers. Needless to say, it's gorgeous! We played poker nearly every night. The first night I won and the last night I tied for first (well, me and donovan split the pot) which was like $150 each! Thank God because we needed to pay for gas to get home! I am enjoying my last week back in Joburg and am flying out as planned, on Thursday. I think I mentioned that I had a phone interview...well I had another one with the account director while I was away and now I have an "in-person" interview on the Monday when I get back! Wish me luck! I can't wait to see everyone! But I am dreading the cold! I will probably upload all my pictures when I get home and do a final blog entry. I can't believe how quickly these past 7 months have gone but I am anxious to get back to "real life", but I'm sure that will pass after like a week of being home...well, anyway, what's everyone doing Saturday night? (LOL I waste no time)
Monday, December 14, 2009
New Moon
So last night we finally went to see New Moon. I'm not a huge fan of the Twilight series (never read it or anything) but Donovan has been dying to see it. So anyway, it was my first experience at the movies in South Africa. And I approve. the movie was 40 rand which is like $5-$6 and the pop corn was under $2! The catch: you have to put your own butter/salt/etc on it...and the butter is in powder form. Hmm well it was still good! We also got a free butterscotch milkshake--some promotion for New Moon viewers only. During the previews, an ad came on that said "Now drink your milkshake". Interesting. It was SO hot yesterday--like 110! Today it's freezing like 85! On Wednesday it is a public holiday here and we are having our Christmas lunch and a grab bag. On Christmas day we will have a breakfast and watch the kids open presents since we are going away the next day.
Last Thursday I had a phone interview. The position sounded awesome but unfortunately it's in White Plains and the lady doesn't know if the manager will wait until Jan 15th to hire. I had the interview at MIDNIGHT (2pm PST) so it was quite interesting to go to sleep, then wake up, have an interview, and go back to sleep.
ONE MONTH until I arrive back home! I am SO excited! Happy Hannukah to all my Jewish friends (make that FRIEND haha) and family....xoxo
Last Thursday I had a phone interview. The position sounded awesome but unfortunately it's in White Plains and the lady doesn't know if the manager will wait until Jan 15th to hire. I had the interview at MIDNIGHT (2pm PST) so it was quite interesting to go to sleep, then wake up, have an interview, and go back to sleep.
ONE MONTH until I arrive back home! I am SO excited! Happy Hannukah to all my Jewish friends (make that FRIEND haha) and family....xoxo
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Howzit
Howzit? This is a South African "Hi how are you?". On Friday we went out to the Rusty Hook with a bunch of Donovan's friends.
On Saturday night we went to a birthday dinner for Donovan's grandfather who is turning 80 or something. Unfortunately, he is getting alzheimers or dementia or frontal lobe something or other so his wife says it may be the last birthday he can remember everyone. It was a nice dinner though at a restaurant. Everyone here eats chicken livers---YUCK! But they also eat chesey cauliflower and peppermint tart which is really nice.
On Sunday we went Christmas shopping for the kids. And then everyone came over that afternoon for dinner and a poker game. I didn't do so well. And Donovan and Brandon left for a real poker game where Brandon won 4,000 RAND. Donovan didn't play.
Donovan hit his final target for the year so has earned both of his bonuses! Plus he and the ladies from his office went in for a blood test because Paul (Donovan's boss) is give 5,000RAND to everyone who quit smoking because he wants a non-smoking office. It's great because both the ladies in the office and Donovan have quit now...it's only Morne left! Morne is Donovan's co-worker, by the way, who spent a lot of time with us in the US. He is back from America and is off to Greece on Friday! He has one meeting and then a week to hang out--lucky guy! After that, he is going to Mauritus!
Hmmm who else can I write about? What about Martha?! She is coming to NYC for 4 months living in a fantastic apartment--PAID for by her company. She will be in training here on a computer program or something. Most weekends she will probably fly home to see her boyfriend but some weekends she can come visit or I can go visit her! Well, let's be honest...I will probably move in and be her roommate/freeloader...
Well that's about all I can rustle up to write about today....will write again soon!
On Saturday night we went to a birthday dinner for Donovan's grandfather who is turning 80 or something. Unfortunately, he is getting alzheimers or dementia or frontal lobe something or other so his wife says it may be the last birthday he can remember everyone. It was a nice dinner though at a restaurant. Everyone here eats chicken livers---YUCK! But they also eat chesey cauliflower and peppermint tart which is really nice.
On Sunday we went Christmas shopping for the kids. And then everyone came over that afternoon for dinner and a poker game. I didn't do so well. And Donovan and Brandon left for a real poker game where Brandon won 4,000 RAND. Donovan didn't play.
Donovan hit his final target for the year so has earned both of his bonuses! Plus he and the ladies from his office went in for a blood test because Paul (Donovan's boss) is give 5,000RAND to everyone who quit smoking because he wants a non-smoking office. It's great because both the ladies in the office and Donovan have quit now...it's only Morne left! Morne is Donovan's co-worker, by the way, who spent a lot of time with us in the US. He is back from America and is off to Greece on Friday! He has one meeting and then a week to hang out--lucky guy! After that, he is going to Mauritus!
Hmmm who else can I write about? What about Martha?! She is coming to NYC for 4 months living in a fantastic apartment--PAID for by her company. She will be in training here on a computer program or something. Most weekends she will probably fly home to see her boyfriend but some weekends she can come visit or I can go visit her! Well, let's be honest...I will probably move in and be her roommate/freeloader...
Well that's about all I can rustle up to write about today....will write again soon!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Sorry I haven't written...
Hi everyone! Sorry about the huge lack of time in posts. I have a little over a month over here now and getting ready for the holidays and vacation and everything and quite frankly, I've just gotten LAZY! I have lots of videos to post but don't have my camera cable with me right now. Anyway, I am officially arriving home on January 15th....a friday....at 3:15pm...at JFK! Not the greatest time to land but was the lowest fare I could find. I will be taking off from Joburg at 9:45pm...arriving in Cairo at 6am and taking off for NY at 10am! I'm going to be all sorts of messed up...won't know what time it is...my body will probably go into cold shock....but anyway...by now you have probaby seen my pics on facebook from the lion park. It was so cool! Especially putting the cubs and having the lions jump on our truck! I have some awesome videos I can't wait to post. After that we went to the Sterkfontein Caves, which are located in the "Cradle of Human Kind", where they found some of the oldest human ancestor remains. The caves were really cool. There is an underwater river and anyone who has ever tried to scuba dive to see how deep it is, has never been found---like not even their bodies! Creepy!
Donovan has joined water polo. Apparently he used to be like some amazing water polo player so when we went to watch his friend, Greg, play, all of the guys were begging him to join for the month so he did. I love watching sports when I know the people playing (personally).
The rugby has not been going so well for South Africa who lost to Ireland in all three tries. I finally drank a Savanna Cider and when I ordered a Malibu Bay Breeze, I got some strawberry cocktail drink but it was really nice anyway.
Work has been going well. I've started to get Brandon a lot more meetings. In fact, I have created a new position in the company. When I leave in January I will be training the new girl! I also made a new company profile powerpoint presentation for them which they gave to their digital guy to make snazzy.
The weather has been great. I improved by 4K time from 26 to 24:30 but take note that this trail includes HUGE hills so it's actually a decent time.
I can't believe I didn't have a Thanksgiving this year. It's strange to think about. It was just another average day here. The day after Christmas we are going to the coast to a resort called Pinnacle Point located in George (about 3 hours from Cape Town). We will be there until about Jan 6th. It is a 12 hour drive though! So this year, when you see me walking in the snow, you will actually be able to see me (until early February at least!).
The maid at our house, Gladys, has a daughter who was pregnant with twins. She gave birth at 5 months and unfortunately, the babies didn't make it. Gladys went home for a few days and brought back her daughter and grand daughter, Coquestso (Cynthia in English). So now all three of them are staying in Gladys' little room. I've never seen the daughter but the grand daughter plays with the kids and is around. It's an interesting situation because it mixes people who have horrible education (the grand daughter is 10 and can't speak English) and no money with people who...do.
On Sunday night, Father Christmas (there is no Santa Clause although Father Christmas is exactly the same thing) came to the golf estate and gave all the kids a present and we sang Christmas carols. Picture 200 people in the middle of a golf field at 8pm at night in tank tops and shorts singing Christmas carols! It's wierd (for us Americans anyway!).
Tonight we are going to Donovan's Mom's for dinner. I will try to write more often. I hope the weather is holding out (which I hear it is) and hope everyone is not too stressed with the upcoming holidays! xoxo
Donovan has joined water polo. Apparently he used to be like some amazing water polo player so when we went to watch his friend, Greg, play, all of the guys were begging him to join for the month so he did. I love watching sports when I know the people playing (personally).
The rugby has not been going so well for South Africa who lost to Ireland in all three tries. I finally drank a Savanna Cider and when I ordered a Malibu Bay Breeze, I got some strawberry cocktail drink but it was really nice anyway.
Work has been going well. I've started to get Brandon a lot more meetings. In fact, I have created a new position in the company. When I leave in January I will be training the new girl! I also made a new company profile powerpoint presentation for them which they gave to their digital guy to make snazzy.
The weather has been great. I improved by 4K time from 26 to 24:30 but take note that this trail includes HUGE hills so it's actually a decent time.
I can't believe I didn't have a Thanksgiving this year. It's strange to think about. It was just another average day here. The day after Christmas we are going to the coast to a resort called Pinnacle Point located in George (about 3 hours from Cape Town). We will be there until about Jan 6th. It is a 12 hour drive though! So this year, when you see me walking in the snow, you will actually be able to see me (until early February at least!).
The maid at our house, Gladys, has a daughter who was pregnant with twins. She gave birth at 5 months and unfortunately, the babies didn't make it. Gladys went home for a few days and brought back her daughter and grand daughter, Coquestso (Cynthia in English). So now all three of them are staying in Gladys' little room. I've never seen the daughter but the grand daughter plays with the kids and is around. It's an interesting situation because it mixes people who have horrible education (the grand daughter is 10 and can't speak English) and no money with people who...do.
On Sunday night, Father Christmas (there is no Santa Clause although Father Christmas is exactly the same thing) came to the golf estate and gave all the kids a present and we sang Christmas carols. Picture 200 people in the middle of a golf field at 8pm at night in tank tops and shorts singing Christmas carols! It's wierd (for us Americans anyway!).
Tonight we are going to Donovan's Mom's for dinner. I will try to write more often. I hope the weather is holding out (which I hear it is) and hope everyone is not too stressed with the upcoming holidays! xoxo
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