England, 9th February 2019 – Day 7
Well, hello there! This is my very first post from England! I thought I might combine this update with a Weekend Coffee Share. Join me in having a hot beverage, or if you are reading this from the Southern Hemisphere, grab yourself a cooling drink and join me.
This first week here in our new country has been a whirlwind of catching up with family and adjusting to the total contrast in weather. We left South Africa in heat in the upper 30 degrees (Celsius) and arrived to thick snow on the ground in the South of England. It was magical! After living in a drought-stricken part of the world, it is disconcerting to see so much water and in so many different forms!
Friends in South Africa: how are things, drought-wise? Has Grahamstown reached Day Zero yet?
Settling in…
I have a bedroom to myself in my “adopted” mother’s home and I have slowly been unpacking suitcases and arranging things so that I can access my stuff in the way I need it. It has taken all week, in amongst the social engagements.
That’s ok. I have all the time in the world.
There is no need to rush.
I am not on holiday.
I am on my own version of an academic sabbatical.
I think of it as a creative sabbatical.
Yesterday, I came to the point where the room was sufficiently organised and I thought I might unpack the small treasures from my “goodie box“.
This is a pretty cardboard box that I packed with a selection of items from each of my bigger collections that went into storage: a few of my favourite crystals, rocks and stones; some small beaded creatures (geckos and an elephant); my tiny glass vases and small spoons; some photos in small frames, etc.
When we were packing the suitcases to bring over, I almost discarded this goodie box because it weighed 3.5kgs in the end! A whole 15% of one suitcase’s precious weight allocation.
But I’m so glad I decided that it was an important thing to bring over. It has enough in it to make me feel at home for the next 6 months before I ship over my much reduced household items and make a permanent home for myself somewhere.
Everyday Delights memories
This small collection will be the “Everyday Delights” that remind me of Africa.
If you had to pack a small box of items to represent your memories. what would you pack? Let’s start a conversation in the comments. I’d love to hear what you would pack.
Now, I need to work out a schedule of posts and get down to some serious writing.
I also hope to catch up with your blogs soon, so I can find out what has been happening in your worlds!
This post of part of my Transitions series, documenting the changes that take place during my immigration to the UK.
Sometimes the things in the goodie box are just as important as the clothes we wear in terms of mental health. Glad you are settling in nicely.
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What an insightful way to look at it, I’ve never thought of it in terms of mental health.
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Oh my yes!
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Enjoy your new place – and the new weather.
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Thanks Colline.
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Oh what a lovely idea. We always bring a few items to our short-term rentals here in Portugal, and it helps so much with creating a home for our winter sojourns. Not thought of creating a box though, think I might next year 😊
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PS glad you are enjoying the weather. I’ve been looking at forecasts and just relieved we’re not there at moment!!
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I must admit, I do enjoy the crisp days with blue skies more than the grey but I am enjoying abundance of water. I’m sure the weather in Portugal in winter is much better than it is here. 😊
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Well there’s always water in England!!
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Hi there. I’m amazed at how many people think this is a good idea. I thought it was just me being sentimental. I’m so glad others like yourself do it in various ways too. 😊
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Definitely not sentimental. A lovely lovely tradition, and so good for you too xx
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Gosh, I would not survive without a goodie box! I am the most attachable person you can find. I get attached to cups! One came all the way from Ukraine to the U.S. with me, my cherished possession. It’s nice to find kindred spirits here 💓
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I’ve been amazed at how many people have goodie boxes! Yes, it is good to find kindred spirits. Oh I also love cups and have my favourites packed to come over with shipping!
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