A milestone

6 months. Half a year. 182 days. That is how long I have now been in Johannesburg.

Here is how I spent my half-year anniversary: I worked in the morning. Answered emails, read a proposal, worked on converting a masters thesis into a journal article. You know, work. Then I got haircut. Then I met my lovely friend Sarah for lunch. I visited my favorite drug store where I stocked up on meds to help me through my current cold and/or allergy attack. I took a nap on the couch. I ate refried bean straight from the can (my first refried beans in 6 months, oh how I loved them!!) I opted out of joining Gabor for quiz night at a local bar in favor of nursing my cold and watching Mad Men. In short, I had a totally normal day.

My totally normal 6 month anniversary is a great indicator life in general. I feel settled. I have a job (I am working for these guys), I have friends, and in spite of this week’s cold, I am happy. This is now officially the longest I have ever been away from home. I just surpassed my previous record set in Bolivia way back in 1998.

It’s good to know that I can do it, that I can go this long and still feel happy. But since I’m not trying to prove anything, I will be spending my 7 month anniversary at home! I am heading back to the good old USA soon for a 3 week visit and I could not be happier. Life here is awesome and I’m settled and happy and challenged, but there are so many people, places, and things that I am pining for, and so I will be giving them to myself as a 7-month anniversary present. See you soon.

6 months in and no worse for the wear.