The
times they are a’changin’...
Hello out there Dear Reader! Yes, it’s
me. I’m back again after another one of my dreadfully long absences. But I
promise that I have a good reason for neglecting you... I’ve been going through
a period of great change, the biggest of which is my big move to Joburg!
It’s true I left a huge piece of my
heart in Pretoria – the Jacaranda city of my heart – but it was a move that had
to be made. Yes, I was afraid to pack up and leave everything and everyone I
know and love in Pretoria but I knew that I couldn’t let my fear of having to
start a new life on my own hold me back from all the wonderful opportunities
that lay ahead in Joburg. In fact, I chose to look at the big move as a
wonderful opportunity in itself. After living in res and house shares for a
good six years I was eager to have my own space that I could decorate the way I
wanted to and keep clean the way I wanted to and do what I liked to do in. And
I have to say that it really is a lovely change to live that way.
But, like anything in life, living on
your own has its draw-backs. For instance, I am lonely. The Greek makes a solid
effort to come and see me when he can but, with our schedules being what they
are, we still only manage maybe one visit during the week and then weekends.
With the exception of one or two close friends who live close by, most of my friends
are back in Pretoria so it isn’t exactly convenient to get together on week
nights when there’s work the next day and a long drive in between. But what I
miss most is my fabulous sister, her wonderful husband and my two gorgeous
nieces. After living next door to them for the past three years I have become
accustomed to hearing the muffled cries of a newborn baby, the giggles of a
toddler, the dinner-time songs and dances performed in an attempt to get the
girls to eat their veggies and the long conversations through the walls that
separated us. Now, although I have a lovely new neighbour, the noises I hear on
the other side of the wall are different and I can’t help but feel a little
lump in my throat every time I think of my old neighbours. But I soldier on and
remind myself that they aren’t that
far away.
I see much more of my folks now that I
live in Joburg which makes my heart happy. Most of their visits to my new place
have been for repairs or hanging up picture frames and most of my visits to
their place have been for crafty business like using my Mom’s trusty old sewing
machine to make couch cushion covers from scratch. But I like to think that we’re
all happy about the move closer to one another.
I’m definitely happy about the move
closer to my place of work! Spending all of seven minutes in my car on my
morning commute sure as peas beats the hour or more drive from Pretoria. Sure,
I miss hearing more of what Gareth Cliff has to say but that’s what audio
steaming is for, right?
Furthermore, I’m loving my job. No, it
isn’t what I planned to do after all my years of studying and it isn’t even in
my field of expertise but I work with amazing people in a great corporate
environment where I’m gaining experience and learning so many new things about
myself and my capabilities. That’s what your first job is meant to be like, isn’t
it? More good news on the job front is that I was offered a one year contract
which began at the end of July. I’m in the same department with the same
fabulous team; I’m just doing a new job now, learning new things and gaining
more valuable experience to add to my CV. All in all, things are going well.
Writing this while snuggled up on the
couch in my new home I feel proud of the big changes I’ve made recently. Looking
at the smiling faces of the friends and family in my picture frames on the wall
helps me feel less lonely. Everything has its place in my little house and I
have every confidence that I’ll have made it my home in no time. But in the
mean time, I’ll enjoy my new adventures... and be happy to accept any sweet
house-warming gifts that come my way *wink wink, nudge nudge*.
