It’s hard to express how it feels having people take away your most precious things, even though you know you’ll see them in 10-12 weeks. We made a decision that this time we would travel as light as can be (hard, when you’re moving one person’s life entirely to another country, at least for the time being). This means that my signed photographic prints, my Ruth Reichl autographed Gourmet cookbook and my personal correspondence is all going to be at sea, literally, for a while. I don’t know why this is making me nauseous per se, but maybe it’s all the stress of getting everything done finally seeping out from where it’s tensely been held.

Tonight I sit here in our near empty apartment, on the floor in front of a borrowed heater, surrounded only by our open suitcases and plants we’re leaving for the next tenants (by request). Last night a friend pointed out to me that this time next week I’d be in the airport. That, alas, only served to make me feel more wobbly, as I am not a lover of the aircraft. A week tonight, however, I will be sitting in San Diego, hopefully warm and dry. That does feel good.

It’s amazing where your instincts can take you. I felt like spending a little more time in London, and soon we will.

I passed the weekend standing among cardboard and pondering aloud that I now understand why folk who move around a fair bit don’t bother unpacking. By the end of listing each individual item for shipping purposes, my hand resembled an malfunctioning claw that could barely grasp the pen. All the same, the sense that movement is coming and that change is upon us is sending a growing smile to both our faces. I have also been dealing with a surprisingly forceful city water supply and the resulting clean up, become so familiar at the post office that they no longer require me to lick my own stamps and noted that the house we live in is beginning to slide. We have a relatively minor ravine opening up in the garden and two large cracks in our kitchen wall. Time to move on, for sure.

I have now started to temper my days of packing and doing the vital things with more fun things such as considering our upcoming vacation time in the US. We will be in four states, and every time I ponder it, I want to extend the trip for months longer! However, knowing what we know now on how to save a dollar or two, we will hopefully be able to get back there more often once we have picked up work in London City. After re-watching Marley and Me, I have also become mildly obsessed with the coastline of Florida. There was an interest there already, but it’s presently blossoming at a fast rate! As you’ll have seen here, I have also been wanting to get to Tucson for a while, and this time next month I will have finally experienced it!

This afternoon, I feel like putting my feet up and having a margarita already!

The days are going by like one long stream of consciousness. I do nothing but prep our departure for the most part. I may watch Weeds, or have Marley & Me on in the background, but my mind is on the packing of towels and bedding, the listing of books and cd’s, the stacking of that which we’re keeping versus that we’re selling or throwing. On top of that comes the changing of address on my subscription magazines, the booking of travel insurance, the arranging of our final supper out.

Truth is, the weeks are going by and they’re not looking anything like I planned. I can’t complain though. I’ve learned it’s best to value your time, however it’s filled.

I have taken many photos these last few days, but the below are the only ones you can’t see on Trade Me!

I have been so busy lately! Whereas in the office I used to find that it was almost painful waiting for 12noon, these days I’m more likely to say “Are you home already?!”. No complaints though, that’s for certain. I work five days a week selling what we’re not shipping, mailing things off to our highest bidders and taking coffee or red wine with friends. It’s definitely a good life!

On the weekend we consciously took time out from working, sitting in front of our respective computers and got out of the apartment. It was wonderful. The photo above is where we sat drinking our espresso’s on Saturday morning. To say I am looking forward to having New Zealand in my life forever may be a mild understatement. When the sun shines, this place is beautiful.