July 15th

Today marks the one year anniversary since the potential of Mr. Deep taking a job in South Africa was first mentioned.

I remember when I heard about it I was in my office in White Plains, NY, probably about to jump on a conference call when I got a text from Mr. Deep. He said an opportunity had come up within his company and that we would discuss it that night at home. I was surprised that he was being so vague about the whole thing. I had told him a bunch of times that I was very interested in moving if he felt the right work option came along for him. What was there to discuss? Call the moving company!

I did what people often do when they only have a piece of information. I filled in the blanks. I figured there was something about this that was making him hesitate. Maybe he didn't think it was the right job for him. Or maybe it meant moving within the U.S. to a place that he didn't think I'd be particularly excited about. Like a city that has a big arch in it. Or maybe he was just trying to do what you're supposed to do when you're married, make decisions together. 

I never ever imagined South Africa.

When I got home he told me.

"Cape Town?" I said excitedly. Not knowing anything about Cape Town except it's supposed to be very beautiful and they have vineyards there. 

"No, Johannesburg." Nothing came to mind so we starting googling it. Not a great topic to research if you want to get excited about a relocation. 

Crime and violence.

Then I remembered, Oscar Pistorius. Although he he didn't live in Johannesburg, he did live in South Africa. Didn't he claim that he shot his girlfriend because he thought she was an intruder? I remember a reporter on TV saying that the crime rate was so high in the country and there were so many break ins that it seemed like a plausible defense.  What?

We then tried to figure out how bad the crime was. I can't remember our exact formula but in reviewing it now I think our data was flawed. We thought we figured out the crime rate in Joburg was similar to that of New Orleans and Detroit. In reviewing now, I think the rates in those places are worse.

So I based my decision on bad data and fun memories of Bourbon Street.

"I'd totally move to New Orleans, " I said.

And so it was a yes for me. 

Mr. Deep still gave it quite a bit of time before he officially threw his hat in the ring. Maybe he was waiting to see if I'd have a freak out and change my mind. Maybe he was waiting to see if he'd change his. 

And here we are.  Happy Anniversary! 

The Air Shipment Arrives

The air shipment is a package of select personal items that we were able to have shipped to us by air (you probably figured that out) rather than putting onto the slow boat. The thinking is that the items in the air shipment arrive much faster than anything on the slow boat (which takes seven weeks - it's really slow) and you don't have to carry everything in luggage on the plane. 

We were allowed to air ship up to 400 pounds of stuff. Luckily we did not! Right now we are living in a small studio apartment at the guest lodge. We already have filled our closets with clothes and hidden the smaller empty suitcases under our bed. The large empty suitcases are just propped up along the wall. The air shipment is four big boxes which are now stacked up in the kitchen area. 

Our belongings were packed up on January 28th, the day we moved out of our house. I really can't remember exactly what we put into the air shipment. The only things I know that are in there that I have been missing are some extra contact lenses, a yoga mat and our running watches. I could check my nifty inventory list and see what else we put in the shipment, but instead I decided to open the boxes and see. 

It turns out that yes, I did put a yoga mat in the air shipment. I was apparently under the impression that I'd be starting a yoga school within two weeks or arriving here because I put four yoga mats in the air shipment. Hmmm!

Namaste!

It also seems that we put the entire contents of a Walgreen's Drug store into the air shipment.  I guess we can store the extra supplies next to our Q-tip stockpile in the bathroom.

There were some useful items in the air shipment. Extra shirts that Mr. Deep can wear to work, a flashlight with batteries in case the power goes out which can happen a lot around here, some East Armageddon hot sauce that we like. You know, important stuff!

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Leaving on a Jet Plane

It's a long flight. Fourteen hours and 25 minutes was the flight time announced from JFK to Johannesburg when we took off yesterday. In case you're curious, here is how I passed the time.

Supplies
2 magazines
2 books
several downloaded movies on Ipad
Ipod
noise cancelling headphones
candy and snacks galore
This all in addition to the many movie and television show options available on the flight

Seating
The last time (and the only time) that we flew to Johannesburg Mr. Deep was seated in business class and I...well, I was not in business class. Keep in mind he was traveling on business and I was not. Or at least that's how the company policy viewed the situation. This time, we were both seated in coach. Why it's different I'm not sure but I do think it's good for him to see how the other half live.

The plane rows had two seats, four seats, two seats and was not full so I tried to spread out to a vacant four seat row but the flight attendant stopped me and said she was moving a family into that row. So I ended up sitting with Mr. Deep. It was actually good to sit by him because even though he really doesn't like to speak at all while on planes, I got a little sad as we were getting ready to take off. I was just thinking about my parents and friends and all the people I will miss when we leave. So I moved my seat and Mr. Deep held my hand and I felt a little better. 

Activities
As pre-planned I listed to Toto's Africa upon takeoff. The flight departed at 10:40 a.m. from JFK. Soon after takeoff lunch and wine were served. What's weird about the flight is immediately after lunch, at around noon eastern time, they act like it's nighttime. Everything is dark, the flight attendants never come around and it seems like most people sleep. I noticed this the last time too and I find it strange that all the other passengers just kind of fall for the trick and fall asleep for hours in the middle of the day. Maybe they stay up all night in preparation?

12 hours til landing
Watched 2 episodes of Modern Family. Thought about how it is a great show. Wished I had watched more of it when I had the chance. 
Watched Shawshank Redemption. Cried a little at the end when (spoiler alert but if you haven't seen it by now are you really going to? ) Red met Andy down in Mexico.
Ate a snack (I know we just ate lunch!)
Walked around the plane to prevent blood clots.

9 hours til landing
Read Self Magazine. Thought about how much more I can work out now that the weather will be nice. Felt inspired.
Watched Mr. Deep sleep. 
Watched Whiplash. Was excited to see it because it was the last Oscar nominated best picture movie I needed to see. Not that I will be able to watch the Oscars but still. Got annoyed that the swearing was dubbed over. Found it funny that when Mr. Deep started watching it about a half hour after I did that he said he found it annoying that the swearing was dubbed over. 
Wished I had popcorn. Especially during the scene in the movie when they eat popcorn.
Walked around the plane and drank a bunch of water.
Hoped that my parents would remember to drink a lot of water and walk around when they fly over to visit.

6-1/2 hours til landing
Realized that is the length of time of a flight from NY to California
Realized that it's 7:30 p.m. back in NY
Thought about all of the great beauty products I read about in Self Magazine. Assumed they are not available in SA and tried to forget about them.
Tried to sleep. Instead wondered if I am making the biggest mistake of my life. Played a game called "What If" 
Wondered what if I hate SA, what if I'm homesick, what if I don't make any friends, what if it's not good for my relationship with Mr. Deep to have this added level of change and stress.
Tried to think of ten positive things about the move. Forced myself to make a list:
1) the weather 
2) having a pool
3) more free time
4) new experiences
5) the challenges will bring Mr. Deep and me closer together
6) we will make new friends
7) friends and family from the U.S. will visit us
8) this is a great professional opportunity for Mr. Deep
9) it's good to step out of your comfort zone in life
10) could only come up with nine!

5 hours til landing
Fell asleep. Slept on and off for a while.

3 hours til landing
Woke up and noticed that it was light out. Thought that three hours is the equivalent of a flight from NY to Dallas.
Ate the breakfast they served. 
Watched Modern Family episodes again. Thought about not watching the episodes so that I wouldn't have to admit it in the blog. Decided to watch anyway.
Brushed my teeth and tried to wake up. 
Landed!