Life After Jo'burg

So, after just over a month down we're back up online, and life in Cape Town begins in earnest.

A quick update on the practicalities of our life: I have started tutoring at SAEP, an outreach organization where I am teaching English to post matrics. Johno retains his unfathomable job as a web developer, but now he's working two jobs, like a slave, and comes home at 7.

Our flat is very cute. Its lovely and spacious inside and we have a proper OVEN – yes, a whole one, all to ourselves! The only downside is that the house tends towards the shady side, making it chilly ... oh, and there seem to be a surplus of random children running around and making a racket. I swear, back in my day children were quiet and well behaved, seen and not heard ... also in my day pies didn't cost R11 and politicians spoke the truth! ;)

So what have Johno, Woof and I been up to? Well Johno I have been out cruising round Cape Town while Woof has been alternatively locked up and then beaten up (he seems to be on the smaller side amongst the local male kitties). Johno and I on the other hand have had better luck and have been having great fun checking out the local sights and sounds.

So far we have:

• Ridden up Table Mountain in a cable car (next time we will hike)
• Checked out some penguins and cousin's house in Simon's Town and Fishhoek
• Eaten fish and chips in Houtbay
• Eaten at the Old Biscuit Mill (so hip and vibey but usually packed with people)
• Made friends with our neighbours
• Had my parents over
• Unpacked a few boxes
• Caught flu
• Bought a R350 exercise machine from Parow

Thus from the above evidence you can surmise that life has been rather hectic, and fun. My gorgeous Victorian tub (complete with feet) has come in rather useful to soak away the babalas and tired muscles! Our most worthwhile purchase so far has been a large bottle of bubblebath!

All this being said ... is life better in Cape Town compared to Johannesburg? It is definitely prettier (might have something to do with a BIG mountain in the way) and a lot less chilly. I do miss the friends and family we left behind. All in all however, I reckon the move was for the best. I mean, who can really compete with an unlimited red wine supply and a great big mountain in your backyard! 

In the next episode: hopefully some pictures for the blog!

Exam Blues and Packing Phobia

What do you get when you cross a mad artist with packing, an exam and moving (besides the obvious allusion to the popular joke format)? A three day tension headache and a grumpy girl!

So the last week or so has been a little on the stressful and mildly hectic side. Many thanks go to strong prescription drugs and my husband who have seen me through! My final exam in order to qualify for my PGCE (Post Grad. Certification in Education - in English this means teaching qualification) has come and gone at last! Let us cross fingers that all goes well, but I am fairly confident that I have passed.

I have rediscovered the joys of my favourite university staple ... Grape Fanta and Niknaks. There was a vending machine in my residence (Beit House, Rhodes University) and I made the break-through discovery, sometime in my first year, that this is the best exam snack ever. I'm a firm believer that copious quantities sugar and red dye in the Fanta actually focus your attention. Be warned however ... copious quantities may be hazardous for your health.

And thus with the end of exams endith the three day tension headache (with a three hour nap) and welcome Mrs. Brandt, teacher extraordinaire! All I need now is to find myself a pair of scary horned rimmed glasses.

On other fronts, Johnathan (my fantastic other half) has arrived in Cape Town and is set up in our new apartment (blow-up mattress and all, minus his pillow)! The packing in Johannesburg begins now in earnest and a cleaning company/ demolition crew may be required thereafter. The real question of this whole enterprise is ... exactly where do I put my 1 piece art collection, my large Creepy Bear (CB) made out of culled antelope skin? Johno's answer I know would be a garbage dump! I have also developed the hypothesis that random bits of crap you really didn't know you had actually sneek into dark corners and multiply while you aren't looking!

Saturday begins our (Johno's second) two day road trip to Cape Town and a whole new chapter begins, very exciting! I am told the circus training school is about 50 m down the road from our new apartment. Look out world , a new trapeze star may soon be born!

Let There Be Blog!

On Thursday the 26'th of May I finally overcame my phobia of technology, grabbed my laptop by the horns and set up something I've long been meaning to do ...dum dum dum (with added drum roll) - THE BLOG! Unfortunately for me it is now 1:24 am on Friday morning and I still haven't quite got the hang of all the fiddly bits. Hubby has long ago abandoned all pretense of enthusiasm as I peruse page after page of blogs and has hit the sack (although I'm sure he will be very proud of what wifey has accomplished).

Thus the blog is born, and where exactly this shall lead is an entirely different question, and one more suited to a brain refreshed by a night of sound slumber.

Gina and Kate, I dedicate the first post to you two as it was your recent entries that inspired this lazy bum to in fact get off her bum :)

Thus without further ado , the newly initiated blogger bids all a good night!