It has been seven months since we arrived in California.
In that time so much has changed. Read more about our move here
We said goodbye to my grandma (my last grandparent). My sister launched her book and then ended up in hospital. My dad had surgery. I celebrated my 40th birthday. My mom celebrated her 60th birthday. Each time learning to deal with these difficulties thousands of miles away from these special people.
Some things I have learnt in 7 months living in Roseville.
- That I check the weather app a lot! Partly to help me to plan (probably to do with my anxiety) but also because it’s an easy way to check what time it is in other parts of the world. In some strange way that seems to help me feel connected to my loved ones that are so far away.
- That when I call a bathing suit a ‘costume ‘ that people are going to look at me funny. I try use the ‘American ‘words as much as possible. Ketchup instead of tomato sauce, trunk instead of boot etc but costume seems to be the one that slips out 😜
- I still use Google Maps / Waze to go almost anywhere. Even though I can find my way to the kids’ school, Target and even Costco, having my Waze on gives me a sense of calm.
- The culture is so different. Even though English is the most spoken language, I often have to repeat myself because of my accent.
- That I love being in nature, walking, riding bikes etc. I think riding our bikes to school has been one of my favourite things about living here. (It’s the small things, right?).
- The admin never ends! From finding a primary care DR to a dentist, insurance and everything in between.
- Soo much mail! Paper and email. The amount of unnecessary mail I get is mind boggling. I feel like I am constantly unsubscribing to emails too.
- I love the sense of community where we live. Parents are a vital part of the school community and expected to help with events, sports coaching and field trips. It has been such a nice way to meet new friends.
- California is an expensive place to live but I guess that is what you get to have the beach, Disney Land, Lake Tahoe and Napa all within driving distance. (Seeing the snow-capped mountains in the distance will never get old.)
Although I miss my friends and family back in RSA like crazy, I really am trying to enjoy the moment. Living as intentionally as I can. Of course, I have bad days where I get homesick, but I know how lucky I am to have this amazing experience.
Have you lived in another country? What was the best part? What was tricky I would love to know. Get in touch.
I personally love adding little touches of South African’s living abroad to my day. Please share any insta accounts that I need to follow.
Here are some of my favourites on insta:
Tanya Kovarsky|Going Dutch (@tanyakovarsky) • Instagram photos and videos Tania has an impressive blog about her move to the Netherlands during Covid.
Jarryd Wentzel (@jay_chama) • Instagram photos and videos is hysterical,
And my personal friend Genie, Genie Javellana (@bottledupwellness) • Instagram photos and videos who I met in South Africa. She currently lives in Fiji.
M x