Life begins at the end of your comfort zone

 This time last year ,  the idea of going to  South Korea was just a dream. Little did I realise that  a year later my room would be empty and my bags would be packed. Out of all the things  I have done in my life ( and I have done some pretty crazy things ) packing up my life and moving to Korea definitely takes first prize. Did I think this through thoroughly  , probably not , but thats pretty standard for me. . Im hoping that this decision  that was based purely on the need for an adventure and an excuse to get out of Cape Town will turn out to be one of the few good life choices that I make.

  

So I have felt like a bit of  a headless chicken yesterday. Between running to the shops to get the " oh shit I forgot " items and trying to gulp down my last Eggs Benedict breakfast  in Cape Town  I have had no time to just sit  and think and work through the emotions im going through. Then I had some champagne and that seemed to have got the water works going to the extent that my friends top will  now no longer need a wash.

I know that today is probably going to be one of the most challenging days I have ever had to deal with and saying goodbye to the people I love most is going to be heart breaking to say the least.

I am going to miss Cape Town dearly and the people that make it the amazing city that it is. Being on  beach in Korea without hearing " A lolly to make you jolly" just won't be the same  Not knowing which direction to go in because I won't have a Table Mountain to follow will definitely lead to "La going missing"  Thursday mornings just wont be the same without the homeless people and their highly sophisticated  pick n pay and woollies trolleys. They are true engineers!



Dr Seuss I hope you  are right.



Am I scared ? Yes , terrified to be honest . Terrified of all the things that could go wrong. But then I have to remind myself of the amazing things that could go right and so I will embark on this new adventure with an open mind , an open heart and faith that everything will work out as it should.

Tea , tampons and my life in 30kgs

Four days to go  and packing stress levels have been reached. Guys you have it so easy you have no idea. So if you stressing about your packing put your big boy panties on please because us girls have it far worse. I have a new found respect for anyone who has packed up their life into one bag and set off on a new adventure. Its all very well telling everyone you going to pack up and leave until you actually start packing to leave and realise you have to fit your entire life into 30kgs.To add to my stress levels I also have to take into account the fact that Im not anorexic  ( and never will be )  and im probably  going to be regarded as morbidly obese compared to the little Korean women and so finding clothes in Korea isn't gonna happen . I have  therefore attempted to pack my entire wardrobe into one suitcase. But the fun doesn't end there , I was also blessed with boats as feet , size 7 .If  I was Paris Hilton who could afford  to pay the overweight fees on my luggage  then yes this task wouldn't  be seen as stressful . However I am a poor teacher with a bank account that is quickly depleting and as a result I have had to play "Eeny Meeny Miny moe" with my shoes and a total of 5 lucky pairs out of the 15 have made the cut ( RIP beautiful shoes).

 To really top off the whole packing  drama  ( boys im sorry if you reading this but it has to be said) is  trying to fit in a year supply of tampons and deodrant  Yes , you laugh but tampons and deodrant  seem to be some foreign conecpt to the women of  Korea, despite their advances in technology ,  it seems they haven't advanced much in the way of basic hygiene and so lucky me gets to trek 200 tampons ( if my standard grade maths estimation  is correct) and 12 deodrants across the world.

Anyone who knows me will know im a bit of a tea  and chocolate whore  but a snobby one . There are only certain brands I will drink and Lipton yellow label and low grade chocolate  just won't do it for me in Korea. So yes , I am smuggling in large amounts or rooibos  and strawberry vanilla tea  and plenty of Cadburys chocolate.

So for those of you who were wondering what La is planning on packing ,now you know , and yes "presents" in the post such as  Tampons , tea and deodrant will be greatly appreciated.