40 things to remember

I completely blog-lifted this one, but I really love it and think its so appropriate! When life gets hard, sometimes you gotta remind yourself to keep focused on the little things:



1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day

3. Buy a DVR and tape your late night shows and get more sleep.

4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to __________ today. (Love this one...works for me)

5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.

6. Play more games and read more books than you did in 2008.

7. Make time to practice meditation and/or prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.

8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.

9. Dream more while you are awake.

10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured IN plants.

11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon (not sure how well that will fit into the budget!), broccoli, almonds, & walnuts.

12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk, and let new and flowing energy into your life.

14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, or issues of the past, negative thoughts, or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.

15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class, but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime. (LOVE LOVE LOVE that one!)

16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the NEGATIVE BLUES away.

18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

26. Forgive everyone for everything.

27. What other people think of you is none of your business.

29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

31. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful.

32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

33. The best is yet to come.

34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.

35. Do the right thing!

36. Call your family often.

37. Each night before you go to bed, complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.

38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

39. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life, so make the most of it and enjoy the ride. [I LOVE that]

40. Share this with those you care about. I just did. May your troubles be less. May your blessings be more. May nothing but happiness come through your door!

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Baaaaad Blogger!

Shoooo its been a few days since I updated!

5 days to go!!

The past few weeks have been an absolute flurry of excitement, tears, family, friends, and morning sickness!

I wont go into detail right now - instead I will just update with the last 2 days.

We went to see Rock Circus last night which was brilliant. My brother came up from Knysna to say goodbye - so hard. Anyway, Rock Circus was AWESOME with lots of great music and great acts too. Unfortunately, my morning sickness had gotten the better of me - I hadn't managed to keep anything down the whole day, and dinner came out during intermission (quite funny actually - had beef chow mein last night and washed it down with a fanta grape. The toilet bowl was basically filled with a purple chow mein, which my dad has been happily singing today to the tune of "Purple Rain" which was in the show last night!!).

Had to say goodbye to my brother today which has so far been the HARDEST thing to do. Its not like I see him often, but its just the thought of being so far away that had me sobbing so hard I couldnt breathe and had to lie down. Eventually I fell asleep on the couch while I was crying and at least that stopped it. When I woke up, I felt TERRIBLE and realised that I was extremely dehydrated - 2 days of not keeping anything down and crying about 10 litres will do that to you. Went to the chemist to get some lucozade and rehydrat and feeling on top of the world again!

This is a pic of me pretending to vomit down my brother's shirt. Just love his face in this one, he found it too funny

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01 Jan 09

29 Days to go!!!





And some very very exciting news:

Although you cant really see it, its a line!! I tested this on Sunday night, and first thing on Monday morning went to the doc for a blood test to confirm, and its definitely positive!! We are so excited! It looks like I am about 6 weeks pregnant, but will be going (maybe tomorrow) for my first scan to confirm the date!

In other really good news, on Monday morning (after the doc) we went to the Uk Visa Application center in Sandton to submit our supporting documents for Marc's EEA permit. The wondeful man who helped us said that we may not have enough evidence of a relationship prior to marriage (we got married in May 08) and said that he would keep our application open. We ran home and quickly gathered up photos (and scrapbook pages!!) confirming our relationship. We managed to get back to the offices at about 14:30, which is a half an hour before they close. Marc had his fingerprints and retinas scanned, and we left expecting it to take about 10 working days, if it was approved. I was all ready to appeal if need be!

The next day, casually checking emails, I came across one sent at about 1pm, by an unknown address. This is what it said:

Your application has been approved and the visa has been issued.

I was so excited!! This is less than 24 hours after we submitted the most important application of our lives! So now its definitely all systems go for the UK!! Yay!!!

The supporting documents I gave were:

• Lawyer certified copy of my german passport
• 3 months bank statements for him
• 3 months bank statements for me
• last 3 payslips for him
• last 3 payslips for me
• letter from employer confirming employment for me
• letter from employer confirming employment for him
• letter and utility bill from friend saying we can stay at their house (THANKS HELEN!!)
• Letter from supplier saying he can help us to find a job
• Letter from me saying I support his application
• Marriage certificate
• Photos and scrapbooks showing our relationship

Doesnt seem so hard - don't know why I waited so long for it! Best of all, it cost us absolutely nothing as this is a free visa! Gotta love the European Way!!! I was absolutely gobsmacked when it came back so soon, and no need to appeal! Yay!!

28 Dec 08

33 Days to go!!

Today was a lovely family day! It started off with Marc and I doing our paperwork for his permit - I found out we can apply for it online! What an absolute pleasure! Tomorrow morning I will make an appointment with the Visa office to go through and hand in our supporting documents and get Marc's fingerprints scanned. Gotta love technology! It really makes life easier :)

In the afternoon we went through to Marc's brother for tea, and spent a great afternoon with the family chatting and playing 30 seconds! We decided that until we leave, we will spend every Thursday with his side of the family.

Here is a pic of Marc, his twin sister and his brother

And here is a picture of my niece wearing clothes we bought her for Christmas! (and a dodo teddy from Mauritius)

Hopefully have some other big news that I will be able to share soon!

27 Dec 08

Today was a really lovely, busy day! It started pretty early (at about 10am lol) where my family sat and chatted for about an hour... I mean really chatted! Lots of laughing, and I learned one or two things about my parents that I didn't know before! It was great being able to spend some quality time with them - I didn't realise how much I had missed it by not living with them (we are currently staying in a room in their house)

After the chatting, we got up and got dressed to go to the Brightwater Commons in Randburg to look at the fleamarket. Dad lasted about 10 minutes inside the flea market and then let my mom and I loose! I had to stop her from dawdling around the corners so that we had more time by the stalls! We landed up practically power walking where there werent any shops!! Neither of us bought anything which makes it really sad!

After our mad dash, we headed to a lovely Greek restaurant for a bite of lunch - it was really a fab place. Managed to get a photo or two of all of us!

Here is one of Marc and myself:

Then this evening we had a friend's birthday party in Rosebank. We had a really lovely evening, and as a bonus got to see other friends as well! In Particular, her brother and his wife who lived in London for a few years, so lots and lots of useful advice and tips!

Took more photos, and as I was uploading this one I thought it was hysterical! I didn't notice the sign behind us :)

And here is one of us and the birthday girl!! Happy BDay Nix!!

Fri 26 Dec 08

This is Jozi at dusk..

Image taken from HERE

Not a very eventful day. My brother came up to visit us from Knysna and it was really great to see him. In a way we are lucky because we already live far apart, so its a lot easier for me to know I am leaving him behind!

He has gone up to the Vaal Dam for a few days.. we have a house there. This is one of the things I am really going to miss about South Africa - I will try to upload pics soon so you know what I am talking about!

As far as the items on THE LIST goes, didnt do a single thing today!! Feeling kind of guilty, but at least we have the weekend to do most of the things, right? lol.

Ok, so day 2 of blogging and I have hit a bit of a wobbly! 36 days until moving day, and we have way too much to do! I think I need to write a list.

I'm definitely a list person - makes it a lot easier to make sure I'm not forgetting anything! I already started a 'what to pack' list (including number of undies I need to take! Haha) about a month ago and have been adding to it ever since!

Here is my to-do list for my move:

• Finish paperwork for Marc's EEA FAMILY PERMIT
• Finish paperwork for Lloyds bank account
• Submit both applications
• Sell remaining furniture etc on Bid or buy/gumtree
• Sell car
• Start saying goodbye to people
• Pack
• Pack a box to ship at a later stage
  Find a shuttle/taxi from airport to our house
• Buy more luggage if needed
• Load up all photos etc onto laptop
• Do filing - make sure important documents come with us
• Update our CVs

Thats all I can really think of now. I'll add to it or cross off as I think of things or complete them!

I'll leave you with this quote:

"Emigration, forced or chosen, across national frontiers or from village to metropolis, is the quintessential experience of our time."

John Berger