It's been a while.

Well, the last couple of weeks have been a bit busy.  Hence the not updating the blog-ness.  Sorry about that.

Here's what I've been up to:  (sorry for the lack of pictures, my camera is being mean, so the only ones I have are from my phone, and they're blurry)

• My first birthday in Wales!  I am super grateful for the friends I've made here that made my birthday fun even though I was far away from home.  I had some delicious Indonesian food in celebration, and it was definitely tasty.  
• Fake Christmas. Yeah that's right.  Christmas celebration in October.  Don't be jealous.

• Andie came to visit!  She hung out with me for a couple of days in Swansea while I worked and then we went on a little mini trip to Cardiff.  We got to stay in a super nice hotel for free thanks to Cathleen, almost eat Mexican food, see a fashion show, and stumble upon a Welsh Black History month celebration.  Good times.  

• I've been getting lots of pumpkin and other goodies in the mail from friends that are the BEST in the world.  Seriously.  You guys make me miss you more by being so nice.  
• Finding out that the Gong's are having a ____!!!  (I have no idea if I'm allowed to announce such information in such a public place, so I'm not going to.  I am so excited to meet this little baby in about 6 months!!)
• Kelly and Cherie's first trip to Mumbles.  The weather was great on Saturday, so we decided to head about 5 miles away to Mumbles.  We had lunch at a very tasty place called The Kitchen Table, then walked around for a bit, tucking into some great little shops along the way.  Don't worry, we made a couple of purchases.  

• Started my post-training work at my job.  Training finally ended, and I have started getting my caseload at work.  It is different than the social work I am used to, and there are definitely good and bad moments, but so far, so good.
• Started DRIVING.  On the left side of the road.  In the right side of the car.  That's right folks.  I didn't get the car from the last post.  After some consideration, Cherie and I decided we would share a car.  It is working out well so far, which is soooo good.  Here's our car.  A Vauxhall Corsa.  Sort of purpley blue.  We are trying to think of a name for her.  Suggestions are welcome. 

• It's been raining.  Everyday.  And it gets dark at 4:30.  Yuck.

Things are going well here, and the transition has been easier than I expected so far.  I think having people who are going through the same thing has been so helpful.  It would be an entirely different experience if I was all by myself.  Our house is starting to feel more like a house now.  Slowly but surely.  One new dish here, a plant and a new pot there.  Bathmats and pictures on the walls.  A couple of jars to make yogurt in and a cinnamon pumpkin candle that arrived in a package from home, and little by little this place is starting to feel like home.  I'm starting to be comfortable here.  It's good.  

But, I do miss home.  More some days than others.  But that's normal I suppose.  Otherwise it would mean that I never liked any of those people in the first place. :)