Sad to say this but if you do things long enough it becomes normal, today is just another normal day in London.
I was saying to my friends this week, I see living in London as a relationship. Like any relationship London has been good and it has been bad at stages.
1. Friends vs Friends leaving
2. Summer vs Winter
3. Independence vs Family far away
4. Public Transport vs Sharing small spaces with strangers
In 2012 I sent out an e-mail to my friends, listing highlights of the past 8 years, today I have updated a few more to highlight 10 years of living in London.
| 2012 | 2014 |
| The last 8 Years in Bullet points | Added highlights for the last 2 year |
| Became a Christian | |
| Stayed in 5 different houses | Stayed in 8 different houses |
| Lived with 38 (+-) people | |
| Shared a room with 7 different roommates | |
| Worked at 5 different jobs | |
| Gained about 18kg and managed to lose only 12kg.... :) | Gained about 18kg and managed to lose only 12kg and gain another 2kg since :( |
| Made many great friends | |
| Paid off my study loan | |
| Applied for Indefinite Leave to Remain | Dual Citizen to South Africa & Great Britain |
| Been to 9 different countries not including Wales | Been to 10 different countries excluding Wales |
| Been in Wales 7 times | Been to Wales 10 times and the annual 11th trip is being planned right now. |
| What have I not been doing... | What I've started doing |
| Not looked for my dream events mgt job | Started Tango Cycling |
| Saved a nestegg | Started saving for this! |
| Still not eating baked beans (Anel de Jager has still not given up trying) | |
| Lost my accent | |
| Things I've done that I never thought I would! | |
| Learnt to manage a budget/my own budget | Did my first stage race, 3 day Black Mountains in Wales Got attacked by a cat - true story I can swim now, thanks to Stephné van Niekerk |
| Dived in the Red Sea (those that knows me, I don't like swimming & cringe for sand) | I've done a Triathlon |
| Started running | Started road riding and even bought a road bike |
| Ski | Pay with a wireless bank card - Wow! |
| Started mountain biking (now my only true love) | Volunteered at the Absa Cape Epic - it was a blast! |
| Went coaststeering (again I can't hold my breath under water) | |
| Speak to Transvalers let alone speak to Souties or Zimbo's | |
| Run a 1/2 marathon | |
| Eat Chinese & Indian food | |
| 3 Things that would be hard to change | |
| My love for people | |
| My tendency to suffer under peer pressure :-) | |
| My love for chocolate milk |
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The thing I've been saying the most this year is, "Life is about choices, every choice has an outcome, good or bad and you have to carry the consequence." I chose to live in London, I carry the consequences gladly and are looking forward to the future!
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| My first ride ever - what an amateur? |
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| First Road ride EVER! |
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| First Triathlon ever! |
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| The beginning of something I love! |