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

Wednesday, 28 September 2011

Finally!



I write daily, sometimes a little... sometimes pages full. I carry a little notebook around with me for just that purpose. The trouble is that much of my writing lately has been about something I couldn't share... yet. Jurgis made me 'sign' a pact of silence until we had confirmation. We've had too many false alarms in the past.

We've, once again, been in a mess of paperwork. I applied for a visa and was rejected. I can't tell you what a blow that was. I went around for a day quite literally not able to breathe. It seemed as though I was doomed to spend my life dreading red tape of any sort.

Being stubborn and determined, I reapplied. Until the moment the passport and related visa was in our hands, I had no idea if I was approved or not and we were running out of time. It was monumental. I had to take the risk and buy our tickets in advance (what if I wasn't approved??). I had to prove conclusively that I had no intention of living illegally in England. That is not as easy as it sounds when you have no 'real' job and no real family ties to keep you in a country. Luckily, my wonderful students came through for me with letters of reference and confirmation of my work - some were even really flattering. I'm saving them all, of course! Some are in a position to pack quite a political punch.. whew! They were brilliant! I will miss them terribly. Just when I had the nicest group of students a teacher could wish for, I'm moving on.

I've been approved! The visa arrived today, delivered by DHL. Thank goodness the crowd at the British consulate used their heads. We've been terrified, as the local postal service has been on strike for more than a month now and the visa... with all my original documents... had to be shipped from Rio de Janeiro. Talk about nail-biting. To get to Rio, 6 hours drive away, took more than 2 weeks and our flight is booked for next week!

We're going up to the UK, specifically Wales. Yes, I imagine we'll spend quite a while trying to pronounce the place we're in. The farm is in the beautiful Brecon Beacons National Park in South Wales. Green. We'll be surrounded by green and we laugh that the worst traffic we'll have to deal with is a tractor blocking the road. Ah bliss!! The photos above are taken from the farm house. We'll be in a log cabin near the farm house. It's brand spanking new. We've watched the building in photos. Those who've known me long will know my longing to live in a log cabin.

Tatiana has taken some time off and will be with us for the first 10 days of our stay there. I'm beyond excited. I've missed that girl so, so much!!! We'll be together at Christmas too... and New Year... and... I'm getting all worked up again!

So... we fly on Sunday, October 9th. Our trip is already planned down to the last detail... except for the piles. I'm surrounded by piles of STUFF. Where did all this stuff come from??? We have a couple of cases packed. This weekend, we'll finish packing. This week is my last week teaching before I go. I'm excited beyond words... but at the same time a little heart-sore. As I said, my current students are amazing. I'll miss them. I hope they'll stick around as friends. I have an idea they might just do that. For now, I go down streets and think, "This is the last time I'll.... "

Ends and beginnings... changes...

33 comments:

  1. Wow! That is wonderful news! How exciting! I am happy for you both!

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  2. Oh my word!!!! Im crying tears of joy for you Tint! Ive been praying so hard for you and am so, so, sooooo excited and happy for you, Jurgis and Tat!
    I can just feel the tranquility that will surround you as you describe the log cabin and farm {sigh}. Happy days!

    I hope the next few weeks go well for you both, that you manage to sort through your mounds of stuff, get sleep when you need to and still have time to catch your breath :-) {happy hugs}

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  3. Sounds like a wonderful place in Wales! Peaceful and beautiful countryside. Enjoy !

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  4. *big, big smile* I didn't realize you'd be going to the original place ... that's even BETTER, Tint! WOW! Dreams finally come true, and you get to hang out with your best friend for the holidays! What in the world could be better, right? Awesome, awesome, awesome. And of course, we'll be expecting a mailing address from you, soon after you get settled. :D Congratulations, my friend. We are toasting you tonight!

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  5. *GRINS* I cried by the time I got to reading the comments, lol...
    I CAN'T WAIT!!! SOOOOOO excited! =D

    It's gonna be awesome, ma! =D

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  6. Make sure, when you reach Wales, that the first thing you buy - is an umbrella. It rains in Wales. A LOT. :) Well, all that green has to come from something! LOL I love Wales and the area you'll be in is very lovely.

    We won't be so far away, as we're in Dorset. Think South of Wales and one county down. We're on the South Coast, above the Isle of Wight. :)

    Here's wishing you the very best of luck with the move, with settling in and having everything happen just how you would wish it to.

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  7. Thanks Debbie! You've been around for a long time now, so you'll be familiar with our attempts to leave here : )

    Kerry, Thanks! We're also 'feeling' that tranquility. I have a photo of one of Coity's waterfalls as a desktop... it helps me deal with the 'now'. Next few weeks??? We're leaving at the end of next week!! =)

    Cheryl, thanks... it is, I think : )

    Kippy, yes, it's the original place. We're so happy! I have the mailing address already, but will get all that out when we get there. Right now, I'm not sure if we'll be online when we get there. Oh we will... Tat will have her laptop with her, but when she leaves, we'll have to decide how we're going to get online.

    Tat... =) Love you!

    Jenny, we have rain here... lots! An umbrella is permanently fixed to my arm... ok, not that dramatic, but I do permanently carry one in my bag. Up there is just a different kind of rain, I think. Thanks for the wishes!!

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  8. OH-MY-DEAR-LORD! I'm choking with excitement for you!!! It sounds so perfect now that I bet it sure makes you forget about all the struggle and hussle in the past eh! It's just a few few short days to go!! Wahoo!! Reuniting with Tat.. Are you taking your four-legged kids with you? I cannot wait to hear more and more!!!

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  9. That is fantastic ! Hope you'll have lots of fun in Wales. Will you be meeting up with Mitch at all?

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  10. Did I get this right? from Tat.... You're moving to Wales ? Wow, that's great. I'm sure you're going to be thrilled with the move. Kinda like a new life.
    We've been out of town a lot lately, missed out of a lot of net stuff... and Lisa is coming here from Cancun in a few days to Minnesota to visit us for a few months so have been VERY busy getting ready for her... lots of plans, trips, events, etc.
    After writing that earlier (above) I had to come and see your posts... This is it. Yes you really are moving... I'm SO very HAPPY for you... and excited Too. ( I think you're really going to LOVE it... a whole new life). (Picture Bert doing the "Chicken Dance" for you)
    Hey... maybe now you can get some CHICKENS... (smile).
    I'm just so very excited for you. I can't wait to read your future posts.. and hopefully you'll have time to keep us up to date on preparing to move, the actual move, and the arrival (but I know you'll be very preoccupied). How far will you be from Tat?
    Now I'm going around shouting "They're moving to Wales" and nobody understands and they look at me strangely.....? ? Anyway... I'm very happy for you and your family too.

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  11. Dani, to be honest, I don't really want to forget. I think the change only happened once I decided to be happy where I was. Besides, the struggle will help me appreciate what I'm going to. The animals will be cared for by old, dear friends.

    Annette, I have no idea where Mitch lives, but I rule nothing out as impossible :)

    Bert, you have us grinning here! Yes, Jurgis read your comment over my shoulder. There are chickens there... lots! Yay! Actually, now you mention it, I've been getting some strange looks too. Must be the grin plastered on my face =)

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  12. *doing my happy dance* she did it, they got it , they done it !! Juuhuuuuuu !! Finally all is in order, oh I am so very very pleased for you.

    no chance of popping past OR Thambo on the way????/ *begging whine*

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  13. This is amazing! I am not sure of all of the backstory going on here but I am very excited for you and the fact that you will be so close to your daughter is a huge gift :-) I can feel the adrenaline through your words and the pictures are lovely, I smile as I think what a totally different winter you are going to have this coming year compared to last year! And you will eat it up!
    I know that there are sadnesses to leaving good people behind but ah the adventures ahead :-) Very good news! Hurrah!

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  14. Very happy for you. A new life. You can stop dreaming and start enjoying. My beste wense!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  15. wow, this sounds exciting, even though I don't know all the story behind this, why you've wanted to move, but Wales is indeed a lovely place and it sounds like something you've been really wanting, so I'm very pleased for you!

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  16. Oh my dear Tint, I am SO happy to see this! I was half expecting you to move to the Baltic.....How long do you get to stay? Tell us more when you arrive there, please please....Have a wonderful time. You have so earned this. I felt my guts churn just READING about the nail-biting wait.....

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  17. I am sitting here having a little weep for you - I am so thrilled at this news. I cannot think of anything nicer to hear from you. You have waited so long and worked so hard. Hugs to you and Jurgis.

    Oh I can't sit still - I'll have to do a little jig to celebrate for you.

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  18. This will be fantastic, Tint!

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  19. Oh Tint! Finally. My heart is bursting for you all ...the green! Actually it will be Autumn there as well. Falling leaves on green fields then. ..and holidays with Tat. ..and peace and quiet! Snow and April rains and a log cabin, wow.
    A new leg of the journey begins and well deserved.
    Chickens yes, and Lemon Balm and Lavendar and....Hugs.

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  20. just 9 more sleeps............

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  21. Marianne, we did it! Yes! I'd dearly love to stop over in Jhb for so many reasons. Next time I will =)

    Marty, ever since we arrived in Brazil, we've been trying one way or another to leave. We came here for a purpose and that purpose has long since been fulfilled. I do believe that we had a secondary purpose of some lessons to learn first though. Adrenaline is an understatement. My mind is whizzing 24/7 right now!

    Dankie Theo! We won't stop dreaming though. This is the first step on our journey :)

    Meirav, as I said to Marty, this has been a long time coming. We've wanted this so so much! Thanks!

    Ien, the Baltic is still out there. One of the reasons for this step is so that we'd be closer to a Lithuanian embassy to organise our Lt papers... that is a blog all of its own. Trust me, waiting for papers is gut churning!

    Ah Lois... you've watched us hope for years, haven't you? Way back on 360 even. haha! This restless jig is catchy!!

    Thanks Amalie!

    Jules! Yes! Finally! Green... a Real autumn and I can't wait to plant herbs again! We got it all! I'll come to you for winter gardening advice ; )

    Annette... *laughing* You and your sleeps. 7 more sleeps now *grins*

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  22. Don't tell me I missed THE MOST IMPORTANT news of the year???You're moving to Wales? For how long?

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  23. Yup, Riete... very important news! How could you not have heard me yelling and whooping?? We're out of Brazil for keeps, but the rest is still in the making. We have a lot to do still.

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  24. I hope you all will enjoy living in beautiful Wales. And as you're be much closer to Lithuania, chances are you'll also come to visit here.
    Safe journey and many wonderful moments in your new home :*

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  25. What a beautiful place!

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  26. Thanks Asta! There's no 'chances are' involved. We're definitely visiting in a few months!

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  27. I'm sitting here bawling like a baby!! Omg omg omg..this is such awesome news!!!! Now we can meet up for coffee and wine next year!?

    I'm so sorry I missed this post, thank you for the kick in the pantsxxx

    Love you darling girl...love to Jorge...I'm sooo happy for you xxx

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  28. We can meet for coffee and wine next year? You coming to visit??? Awesome! Now that would be something!!

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  29. I am coming to visit..!!!!

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  30. *hopping with excitement*

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  31. oh Tint..this is soo exciting...jeeesh

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  32. Didn't I comment here? I must be losing my mind.

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Tint~