Big steps and updates ...

My big news for the day is that I got my visa! Yah Yah Yah! So it is official, I am going to America!!!

Chris is doing well, work is going well…one of his best mates Angus is here (from England.) It’s amazing how it always coincides with my departure from the country, it happened when I went to India as well, am I slightly suspicious, maybe just a little! But it’s all good; at least he will have company when I leave. They play squash together quiet often, so Chris is getting fit, good for him! Of late I have not been the most energetic person alive!

Chris and his two best mates

Rebecca is doing well at the moment, she is going to be in a play that their school in producing, it’s called RE-peat and is based on the Peter pan fairytale. Originally she was casted as a “district 6 member aka a homeless hobo” hee hee, now she is being recast as a larger role as the teacher has noticed her enthusiasm and her commitment! Go girl! Now she is nagging me to help her with some school projects…ahh the joys of school!!! I can just see my skype conversations with her…

“Hi Robs, how are you?”

“I’m good I’m having a blast…”

“Good, please help me with my ……….. (* fill in arbitrary subject here *)”

Rebecca and I at the beach

Little Miss Riley is also doing so well (I think I need a new word other than well…suggestions?)

She is loving school and is becoming quiet the little artist! She is dancing her American awards at the end of the month, unfortunately I will miss it as I will onboard a plane heading for America, but will think of her…c’mon gold distinct this year!!!

Pretty miss Riley

Roic is…so cute! I know I always say that but in truth he is. Little boys are just the best! He is loving school, although he always gets shy even I quiz him (and I do) about school and his friends. I mean I am his big sister I feel like I have every right to know EVERY detail about his life.

Riley, Roic and I

Rayson is, believe it or not I actually know what is happening in Rayson World (for a change)! He is learning lots at work and working hard, but playing even harder, he is really getting into his whole Dj scene thing, he recently brought a new thing for Dj thingy-um-a-jiggy, shows how I know. He has a new girlfriend, Zoe, she is a journo, she seems really lovely, and Rays looks really happy, so good times!

My mom, Rebecca, Zoe, Rayson and my stepdad

Since I am backtracking with these emails they are a little outdated so I figured I would do a quick update. Chris and I continued to date for 6 months while I was in the States before we decided to “set each other free” and continue on our paths as friends rather than as a couple. We still chat and I wish him the best of luck, he truly is a great guy.

Rebecca is enjoying school high and becoming prettier and prettier each day (back of boys!) and I am enjoying learning about her life as she is now the big kid at home as well as the “only” child.

Riley is dancing like a star and recently preformed as Flicker the Fire Fairy in a production of Jack Frost.

Roic has officially started, wait for it…Grade one! Way to make me old, bro! He is looking super smart in his school uniform. Man that was a long time ago for me!

Rayson has decided to learn keyboard/piano instead of DJing, and I hear he is pretty good (he must have gotten Dad’s musical genes, well I, I guess I didn’t) He is also no longer dating Zoe and they have decided to rather remain friends. So it single time for big bro, watch out ladies!

Well I’m all typed out, big challenge to all of you out there…let me know what happening in your world! Please free to leave some feedback, I would really appreciate it.

Small steps to a big adventure...

Finally my new drivers’ license has arrived - Yah! That’s how you know you are getting old by the way, when things you had issued as a teenager expire and you are forced to face the (sad?) reality that you are now in fact an adult, even if you chose to not act that way. I am waiting for my criminal record check to come back, it’s taking so long I’m a little worried that maybe just maybe there is something in my past that I have repressed and they have found it - Oops! (Okay, for those of you that knows about the stop sign…DON’T JUDGE ME! For those of you that don’t know what I’m on about…it’s better that way!)

(Borrowed image)

I am managing the salon at present while Lucy is on leave, so I’m the “acting” manager…it’s quiet fun, but considering I am managing a staff of one being me…there is no one to even boss around! No fun.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sensasia-Day-Spa/200997518997

I will be in Durban from either the 27^th or 28^th of May because I have my pre-departure orientation in Durban. Then I’ll stay there till the 30^th and I will fly from Durbs to JHB. Annelize my mate that used to stay down here that moved up to JHB has happily offered to allow me to spend the night with her…ha ha I think she has an evil plan to show me JHB by night!!! I’m scared! (If I don’t get on the plane come looking for me – please!)

Annelize and I

I have some more good news, get ready to be proud…I am officially a voter! Yes, I have a big black mark on my left finger nail. I have heard many repeat and new voters complain about the “ugly” mark on your nail, to me that mark is a sign that empowers me each time a look at it. It reminds me that I care enough about my country and the future of my country to stand in a queue (okay, it was only a 5 min Q in Margate plus we got free Wimpy coffee) and be counted! It reminds me that *certain political parties* do not have a 2/3 majority, and I now have a right to have my say about going-ons in my country! I’m quiet attached to spot now…it will be sad when she finely fades. Now all of you that didn’t vote, don’t you wish you had??? (uhm…Rayson, pretty sure mom has been nagging, I mean suggesting you vote for a while now!)Right so I’m finished naming and shaming  (sorry bro, gotta make an example out of someone, you the nostril today…always being picked on!)

A thumb (not mine) with the voters stamp in their ID book (google image)

While writing I must let you know I am coughing, sneezing and blowing my nose. My body has decided to take a sick day, which means my voice has gone on holiday, my nose has spend the better half of the day wrapped up in a tissue and my nose is now a closer shade to Rudolf red that alabaster, not cool! But never underestimate the power of Sinucon, Vitamin C, Multivitamin and varies other make-you-feel-better-remedies!!!

I thought this may be more inspiring than a picture of me looking sick :)

*Hi-lighted words are explained in the glossary page

My newest adventure ...

So I have decided to pursue a long time dream of mine of travelling to a foreign country to look after somebody else’s children. This may seem like a strange dream to have, but I can remember as a child my mom would have young girls coming and working at Paddington’s (her pre-school) to earn their hours so they could apply to au pair in America…since then I had thought that it would be such an amazing adventure to partake in. Finally it’s time for mine…

My first USA flag drawing

The good news is that I have chosen a family…They are both pediatric cardiologists (I know it’s a mouth full right?) They seem super nice and fun! They live in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in a really beautiful (looking) town called Whitefish Bay. Dave and Amanda have a girl who is 2 and a half and twins, (how were born on the 25^th of March) that are now a month old. They are the cutest looking kids ever!

Finn and Braden

So what do the next few weeks hold me? I am still working at the salon (Sensasia Day Spa) and really having fun. I will really miss this place when I leave! It’s so great with for (or as Lucy always says with) someone you not only respect as a boss but really have a good time with as a friend. I will always remember yellow shirts and chocolate milk days J

Lucy and I at a friends birthday party