trials and tribulations...

I've had an eventful week. Last weekend I did a tree identification course with Lisa. We were accompanied by the Grey Hairs and the additional bonus of some racist Afrikaners. On Saturday afternoon I found a flat - in Northcliff. A lovely 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom place (why on earth does the place need two bathrooms when the second bedroom looks like a broom cupboard!). I'm not really complaining. It has great light and a wonderful balcony. It's only two years old and it has that luxurious 'we have too much money' look. Sunday was spent with Priss - trying to find an open bed or fridge shop. We failed.
I had the usual preparation and teaching on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. It was also my Mum's birthday on Wednesday - Happy Birthday Mum!!! I went and saw Tropic Thunder on Wednesday night. Yesterday, my old Head of School gave a paper on campus - which was great. The less exciting aspect of yesterday was discovering, via Craig's List of all places, that my moving company has gone in liquidation. Hurrah. So all of my worldly possessions are now somewhere unknown to me between Melbourne and Johannesburg - I hope. I've been trying to contact the liquidation firm, but they haven't returned my calls as yet. My Dad is suggesting I contact my local state MP from Victoria... It might yet come to that. Anyway, I suppose what doesn't kill me will only make me stronger...
Except the heat. The heat is just plain nasty. We had a heat wave this week, with three out of the last four days with a max temperature over or on 30 degrees. And I only brought winter clothes with me - thinking I would have my stuff here by late August. Ah, the dreams of youth - how naive! How foolish!
I am still waiting to hear whether I have the flat yet. Although, happily, the kids were only up until about 11.30 last night. Or, at least, that's when I ceased to be conscious to hear them yelling up the corridor anymore.
The missing of Melbourne and of people in Melbs and Perth is really starting to kick in. Especially since two sets of friends are getting married in the next month or so and I won't be there for the parties... I think that's the bit that sucks the most. To not be there to celebrate with them.
Still, it could be worse. And I'm mostly just annoyed with myself that I chose an incompetent moving company...
Please excuse my whingeing. Things aren't really that bad. If the real estate lady gets her act together I should have a really lovely flat to move into! Wait until you see the photos - the place looks like a country club! And it has a pool! Start putting in your reservations for my tiny spare bedroom for 2010! It also has an amazing balcony which I intend to take full advantage of in the splendiferous Jo'burg weather. Especially if we hit summer weather in mid-September every year! They tell me it's going to be warm and barmy (if not downright hot) from now until early June. People think I'm crazy that I miss Melbourne weather, and they're probably right. I get less work done when it's warm and sunny. Still, if I have to live in the perfect climate, then I will do my best to have a stiff upper lip, lie back and think of England, and drink cocktails with the little umbrella's and floating fruit in them every night.