Settling in (finally!)

This is a bit overdue. Can’t even remember what I’ve been doing! The Americans left last Wednesday, so pretty much had the house to myself. My father-in-law works from home, he’s a mechanic and his garage is across the road from the house, so I don’ t feel completely alone during the day. On Friday I decided to go on my own adventure, just to get out of the house a bit. Got a lift with a friend to the nearest town, Ballymena, and went to poundland. I love that place! Bought a few baskets to hide all my hairdryer, ghd, brushes and jewellery in, just so that our room doesn’t look like a bomb hit it (hey, we are in NI afterall!). Got bored of the town and decided to catch the train to Belfast. Got directions to my brother-in-law’s office and dropped all my shopping off with him and then headed into the city. I must say I’ve been walking around a lot more over here, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Anyway, after stuffing my face with the most amazing double choc cupcake ever, I made my way to PRIMARK! Bought 11 items of clothing for £50 (R550). It might not last till next year, but the clothes are pretty J I found a PERFECT pair of jeans for £8, perfect length, perfect colour and perfect around the waist. After walking around for a few more hours, I went back to get my baskets and got onto the train to Antrim, where Karl works and he picked me up from there. He works till 14:30 on Fridays so we usually plan something just for the 2 of us. 

On Saturday we went back up to Belfast to stay over at Barry (brother-in-law) and Harpinder’s (his gf) place. Christina (other brother’s gf) booked dinner for us at an Argentinean restaurant and the 6 of us hopped into a taxi. I had an awesome chicken fillet stuffed with prawns, it was delicious. Forgot to take pictures tho! We also ordered 2 bottles of dark chocolate wine! I think between the 3 girls and Mark (other brother-in-law) we finished 5 bottles of wine. We came to the conclusion that we can’t continue to drink like this. I guess its because previously every time the 6 of us were together it was a special occasion, and since we’re here for good, it needs to stop. We eventually went to bed at around 1am. The next morning Harpinder and I went to watch Smurfs in 3D, which was really cute and Karl and Barry went to watch Rise of The Planet of the Apes. After that we had an another 2 course meal and then Karl and I headed back to Glenariff. 

The girls in the cab on the way back from dinner

Yesterday I was on a mission to finish my final draft submission, and I did. So I’m awaiting the final comments and then thats that. Its really such a relief. I usually work in the lounge, and rest my computer on the window sill with the most fantastic view.

View from my "office"

After sending that off I moved us downstairs. We’ve been in the room upstairs because some of the Americans were in the room downstairs. So spent a lot of time running up and down and trying to make sense of all the mess. Finished late last night, but feeling more settled now that everything is unpacked and I’m surrounded by my own things. We ordered a king size mattress on a groupon special, and thats only being delivered some time next week, but we had to buy a king size base too. So at the moment we are sharing a double bed, which isn’t much fun at all! Loving having a TV. DVD player and the Wii in the bedroom :)

Our room

Our entertainment centre :)

I made 2 litres of soup yesterday! Went around looking for a soup mix, but I guess since its summer they don’t have them. Had to cut up all the veggies myself! My arm is still aching! Also made chicken korma for supper last, which doesn’t have too many calories, apart from the cream.

Homemade soup mix a la Tarrin

Decided to treat myself and sleep last and watched Million Dollar Baby, really enjoyed it, and then did a bit of laundry, the life of a house wife! Because the sun only sets here just before 10pm, I decided to go to bootcamp up the road. It was a 3 hr session! But I didn’t stay that long. Only stayed for the first hour. They were gonna play games and have oranges and then start all over again. It wasn’t too bad to be honest, but it has been a month since I’ve done any weight training, so I might feel it tomorrow. What did irritate me though, was the smell of manure! Because we are in the countryside, there are sheep and cattle farms all over the place, and the sports complex is right next to one, and the smell was killing me. There were people that were sweating even more than I was (which is crazy since I sweat bucketloads while exercising!) because its was 18.5 degrees and everyone was complaining about exercising in the heat – WHATEVER! Didn’t sleep too well last night, but I know I’m gonna pass out tonight for sure! 

Bootcamping

Worst exercise in the world!

Still not feeling terribly homesick yet. Guess we’ve been too busy for me to sit around and feel sorry for myself. We just need to get a second car sorted and then I’ll have gained my independence back again. We’re probably gonna buy another astra just to get me going. Not too nervous about driving here in the countryside, but not looking forward to driving around in Belfast, time will tell. Karl’s friend is around trying to fix his rally car for a rally next weekend, so I’m going to see what I can learn about cars outside. Counting down the days till I come home. Here’s hoping that the weather will be good and I can catch an awesome African tan.