Holdies My Coldies!

I guess I'm being punished for my complaint the other day that it was too hot because now it's cold!!! A cold front has come in from Cape Town or something! I've had to bust out my long sleeves that I've kept in my suitcase, my closed-toed shoes, and my jeans! And this cold is supposed to last until early next week! And it doesn't help that I have horrible circulation (I think I've inherited this from my mom). My hands and feet are always cold (well, when it's cold outside, anyway!). I've come up with a saying that I always say to Donovan: "Holdies my coldies!" (haha lame I know) And being that Donovan is always hot and protruding heat, it works out quite nicely, although I don't think he appreciates the icy hands as much as I appreciate the warmth. I've forgot to mention that we have been playing poker maybe about once every 2 weeks. We played in Sun City and I came in second! The boys play poker every Wednesday night at a different person's house. Donovan came in third once and lost the other time. I wish girls could play but I don't like playing with a lot of people for big money anyway. I also forgot to mention that I did this run around the estate called a "time trial" and also came in second. I am doomed to second place! Oh, well I haven't run in nearly a month so I'm sure if I keep it up I can beat the guy who got first....maybe. At some point in my life, I would like to run in some type of marathon. If anyone would want to join me, let me know and we can run/train together when I get home. I've also started eating dates...they are so good! Well, now I am just blabbing on and on. Have a happy Wednesday everyone! Hope it's warmer there than it is here!

Living in SA

Hi everyone! Friday night was a lot of fun. The bar was half outside/half inside and afterwards we went to a 24-hour pizza place and got home at 3am! On Saturday night we just stayed in and watched "Star Trek" (the new movie). On Sunday, Eagle Canyon (the golf estate we stay at) had a Christmas fair where people set up booths and sell crafts and stuff. I got a pair of Ed Hardy flip flops for like $10, a pair of Soviet sunglasses, some African spices, and a bag. That night Brandon's brother, Damon, his wife Chantel and their little girl, Alexandra came over for a braii.

In December, Donovan's uncle is letting us stay at his holiday house for a week while he is in America. He is visiting America because his son is currently going to school there (I think at Columbia). The house is in Zimbalie (probably totally spelled that wrong) which is apparently a great vacation destination. And in South Africa, after like mid-December, all offices close until like mid-January (including schools!).

Joshua (Brandon and Natalie's son) got his school uniform for next year's grade 1! He was so excited and put it on and I took some pictures which I will upload later.

Well, that's all for now. Will write again soon! xoxo

What I do etc

There has been a request for me to further explain what it is I do at work...

Donovan's sister, Natalie (who we are staying with) and his brother-in-law, Brandon own a gardening/landscaping company called Four Seasons Gardens. My job is to call different golf/residential, estates, casinos, etc. to see if we can come give them a quote to do their gardens. When estates go "up for tender" it means that a bunch of companies go and get a tour of the estate and what needs to be done and then all give a quote for their services. Then they would sign a contract for a year or 3 years work. So even if an estate isn't up for tender right now, I am creating a calendar so we will know when to call to get on their "tender list" whether it be next year or in 2013!

Other than that I keep forgetting to mention that Donovan quit smoking! He hasn't smoked for 2 months now! Congrats to him!

We are going to Oumas' (grandmas) for lunch today. Tonight we are going to Central Grill which is like a hip bar place. Tomorrow we are going to dinner and a movie with Donovan's friend, Greg, and his girlfriend, Donna.

It is SO hot today--only 85F but feels hotter. I took a spin class yesterday and was the only one that showed up so it was so scary just me and the instructor. I still need to put up pictures...will do that as soon as I can. but here is one below just for a teaser...have a great weekend everyone...I miss you all soooo much! Will probably be home around January 10th and I think Donovan will be heading to Canada for 2-3 months but we will see...you know how the plans always change...

us at Sun City:

South Africa

Well, I have been here for nearly a month now and it has just flown by! The weather has been absolutely gorgeous minus the occasional hail storm :-). I don't even know where to start since I haven't written in so long. Last week, we spent the week in Sun City and it was AMAZING. We stayed a week at the Vacation Club which is like a self-catering family part and then the weekend in the Cascades/Palace. We layed out in the sun everyday and went to the Casino and ate out and relaxed and swam and drank and did what anyone would do on vacation. I got a bit of a tan and would have more if it weren't for my constant re-application of SPF 50. I got a little burnt on my stomach and I got a bee sting on my arm the last day which is swollen since I didn't get all of the poinson/stinger out.

One morning we had breakfast at The Palace. It is rated one of the best hotels and breakfasts in the world. The breakfast is 180 Rand each which is like $25 but well worth it! They have every kind of juice (including smoothies), every kind of cheese, meat, cereal, danish, someone making omelttes, someone making "pancakes" (crepes) and waffles, a sushi bar, oysters, every kind of fruit you could think of (I got to try lots of new ones!), etc etc etc. I ate so much that I wasn't even hungry until dinner! Had to get my money's worth!

We divided our time between 3 pools: the pool at the Cascades, the pool at the Palace and the pool at the Vacation Club. On our trip was of course, me and Donovan, Natalie and Brandon and Jordan and Joshua. Also, Natalie and Brandon's friends' Janine and David came with their kids, Dana and Dillian. The Cascades pool and Vacation Club pool are gorgeous pools but nothing compares to the Palace. People bring you towels and lay them on the super comfortable lounge chairs...they bring you drinks and people go around giving massages. I didn't get one at the Palace but I did have a back/neck/shoulder massage at the spa one day.

Donovan and I have started to learn Roulette so we have been playing that. I only play black or red and I'm up like 400 RAND and Donovan is up like 1500 RAND because he plays for real.

I've met some more of Donovan's friends. We went to his friend Sheldon's farm which is cool because he has like 10 dogs, horses, chickens, ducks, etc etc.

I have been working half days at the office searching for estates, casinos, etc to try and get a landscaping/gardening/maintenance contract there. The kids here don't have to wear shoes to school! Can you believe it?! Well at least while they are young...

I will post my many pictures up later on....

xoxo