Just a thought....
Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

Monday, 30 May 2005

2% social calendar

That's how A described my social life.... 2% LOL Hers is 1% more due to official engagements. She came over today - subject: padded butts and boob jobs

Weather was remarkably perfect today. Bright sunny skies, gentle breeze, occasional candy-floss clouds. Warm, not hot. Mild in the evening. And I'm going to get me a kettie and shoot that yapping dog!

Spent the evening on MSN messenger with T, who, btw, is sitting no more than 2 meters away from me. What fun. We had ovamaltine.

I'm off to wash the dishes and get to bed. Have another 'confrontation' with the law tomorrow morning. Fingers crossed (for that matter... everything crossed, even my eyes)

Sunday, 29 May 2005

A Saturday night

T and I are sitting at the pc's. She's on messenger and playing with graphics - manga, to be precise. She's just made us our nightly cup of coffee. Its just after midnight. I would love to put my headphones on the way she does, but then I miss the action in the street. There's a huge group of 'jovens' going around causing mischief. They seem to be associated with the crowd in the appartments across the road. I'm worried that they'll do something to the dogs. The were heading to the gate earlier when I showed my face. Then there was the idiot who had to stop his fancy car to go to the toilet against our post. I said something to the effect of, "hey dog, don't you have toilets in your house?" I was fortunate this time... he was suitably embarrassed and moved off after apologising profusely. They're not all like that. I have on occasion 'washed the filth off my sidewalk'. It frustrates me that we have to switch the water off at night, but its no good trying to sort out the leak under the house when we'll be moving in a few months.

A came over today. We listened to music and told stories of when we were kids and when our kids were little. It was pleasant. J went across to get beer and stayed there. He hates these all-female gatherings lol

I'm glad A came over. We were both, J and I, feeling very depressed today after yesterday's letdown. A makes me laugh... that is good

Saturday, 28 May 2005

A brush with the law

Hm... I'll still get the hang of this darn blog thing. I had typed reams (felt like it) when I decided to do a spell check. All my typing was promptly wiped out *rolls eyes and would like to swear but good sense says it won't achieve anything*

We went to the Federal police today to get my Brazilian residency. To give them some credit, the whole place was clean and gave a good impression, unlike my 'fond' memories of Home Affairs. I wish their efficiency matched. J has been there countless times to check that the documents we are presenting are correct. A year ago, they said I need a police clearance certificate from SA. I have one, but its expired now. Apparently they're only valid for 2 years. After a year of really struggling to get that darn certificate and not succeeding (a very long subject for another day when I'm calmer about it), they tell us it isn't necessary. Ok... so we only delayed a year... what's the fuss??? *mutters a few choice words* This morning early, Jorge went in, presented the whole pile of documents and heard what we've been waiting for: "perfect". Woohoo! So we all traipse in looking like a picture of 'happy families' with smiles that would charm a dragon off its egg (gee, that's corny!). We present this 3 inch thick wad of papers. Everything is perfect. Then she asks for proof of payment and Lo! We're gonged out! The proof of payment is in J's name, not mine. I ask you.... ! Now we have to pay again (in my name, of course), then apply to the Federal police for a refund of the original payment, which is a process in itself requiring proof of address, proof of ID, proof of mother, father and grandparent's ID's, proof you wash your underwear regularly... and so on. Six months later, we might see the money. Hope we get it before we move on for greener pastures.

Can I say 'deflated'? I was so hyped up at finally getting this far, only to be stumped at the end. We got home, I thrashed the dog for digging, went into the bathroom and cried. Ok, so I'm soft, but 6 years of waiting has taken its toll.

More on documentation. My very dear friend is using her contact at Foreign affairs in SA to get the police clearance certs, which we need for Canada. I think we had better apply for local ones too - wonder how long that takes. I'll do it as soon as I have my RG in hand.

By the way... I mentioned www.sacanada.org... Its wonderful! The people are super and the help and support is invaluable!

Tomorrow morning, I'm going with A to do some shopping. She needs fencing to keep her dog from digging in the garden. Then I want to take her to a clothing shop I just heard of. She may be able to impress the new CG by taking her there lol Hope we don't get lost! hahaha!

Monday, 23 May 2005

Grey Day

Republishing an old'ish' post

Its been raining rather enthusiastically this afternoon. Every little pin-hole in the roof has decided to show its true colours by opening up to the heavens. I'm on bucket-rotation-and-mopup duty. Oh for a house that isn't falling apart!! How does the song go? "O-oh, oh no don't let the rain come down. My roof's got a hole in it and I might drown..."Seems I'm no better at blogging or online journalling than I am at keeping pen-and-paper diaries. Too bad. Here is a rather irregular instalment anyway.I found a really nifty site - http://www.sacanada.org/.

Loads of immigration info there! Might even meet a few worthy folk. Its reminded me again of my quest. I need to focus on our plans. We gave our copy of our police clearance certificate to Anne today. She's going to send it on to her contact. Hopefully, this time will make a difference. Considering I'm probably one of the most unpolitical people I know, our lives seem to be ruled by politics lately. I will not let politics ruin our dreams!!Seems everyone is affected by this grey weather. I'm loving it because its cooler (at last), but the mood around here is grey... all the way through. We're trying though.My current desktop:"To believe is to know that every day is a new beginning,It is to trust that miracles happen and dreams really do come true"I'm putting together quite a collection of desktops. I may even put them up on my site for download when I can work up the enthusiasm. Till tomorrow then... or whenever!