Well.

As you have probably guessed, I've been just a little bit busy settling in here.

And while I really wanted to vlog from an airport or at least film some in-transit moments, I was pretty much rushed from gate to gate, or talking to the lovely people I met along the way.

The trip over was surprisingly easy: pleasant airport staff, pleasant transitions. My bags were not lost (well until Edinburgh where we discovered my smaller suitcase hadn't been loaded at Heathrow), my FedEx boxes weren't delayed nor had they fees upon them, and my reunion with Dave was a surprise to the point where he was left speechless and hugging me, murmuring "..how are you here?"

Proper post/vlog to come on Wednesday, my first day alone in my new town. Now that all of my stuff has arrived.. well, I live in Edinburgh now.

xx

Kat

Farewell

My original intention was to post a final vlog with a big farewell montage and love for everyone, but it just all ran away with me and now I'm almost out of here and I won't be able to do anything before I actually go.

Just know that I love you, New Zealand. You are a fabulous country, despite what anyone says to the contrary (ie. Kiwis sometimes). You're small and far away and backwards in some ways, but I love you and I can't wait to come back to you, preferably with a gorgeous tall Scotsman. Or Dave. (Hee).

But mostly, I love the people in it. There's something special about New Zealanders and the way we see the world; there's something about the way we treat everyone like a friend we've always had and (mostly) have a Can Do attitude. Yeah, I sound like Air New Zealand marketing here but it's true.

And sometimes it just hits me: the enormity of what I am doing. I'm not going to change my mind and decide to stay, but the idea of taking off on this big adventure, mostly on my own, is such a move and somewhat baffling. But wow, what a story I'll have to tell.

Wish me luck, kids. I doubt I'll get a chance to post before I take off outta here. But when I get there? Kat in Edinburgh really begins.

xx

Kat

FedEx, leaving work, and getting close

Filmed when there were 8 days until leaving..



Of course, now there are 3..

♥

Kat

Ohhhh yeah.

My new Ray-Bans? totally boss.

Vlog to come.

Packing packing packing.

I still have stuff everywhere. It's doing my head in. Okay so that's not that different from how I normally live up here.

But I've finally come up with a new technique for this move! (This doesn't necessarily mean it'll work out but it's a start).

So. Clothes get divided into Yes, No But I'll Keep it Here, No So My Sister or Sallies Can Have It, and Maybe.

Shoes are divided into Ooh Yes, Maybe, Too Damaged But Boy Do I Love Them (A No. Sigh.), Where Oh Where Would I Wear Them (another No), and Wait I Still Own These? (A Maybe).

Then of course the next step is to very carefully walk around all of these piles and check everything out.. and to storage box the Nos, pack the Yes items into the suitcases and continue to despair over the Maybes.

But I keep discovering more stuff in wardrobes, boxes, nooks and crannies. I know people keep telling me to take less, but hey. This is relocating my life, not some trip. 

Fingers crossed that I can actually get it to a reasonable level. The suitcases are going to be weighed a few times I think!

(2 weeks to go..)

Packing, kids and the pup.

A bit non-linear, but hey, it's a vlog.



♥

Kat

Hopelessly hopeful.

I am an optimist. And it bugs people.

I try not to be annoying about it. But I've kinda had a strange life. Not all of it good. Quite a bit of death. Painful rejections. Failed relationships. Lost friends. You know, like everyone else's. Just a little more at times.

But I decided a while ago that I wasn't going to let my experiences define who I am, only shape me and teach me. And as new-agey-omigod-gag-me as that sounds, I was going to be happy. I was going to stay content with who I was, work on what I didn't like, and expect the best from life.

Positivity surely brings positive things. So far so good, though I have my doubts like everyone else.

Some days I wake up and wonder what the hell am I doing quitting a job I like, leaving my family and moving to Scotland in 18 days to live with a guy that I've spent all of 3.5 months with in person. Well I'm nuts. Young. Adventurous.

In love.

And lately the wake up (and day-to-day living) has been underscored with little, fluttery, soft butterflies, tickling my stomach and throat and making me squirm every now and then with a silly little smile and internal (mostly) squeak. It's so so close now. The light is there at the end. 

I can see it.