The 'Bon Voyage'...

Hello friends and loved ones :-)

Well, time has been swiftly ticking along and now it's just 2 days until we take-off... just 2 days!!! Even as I type this I still can't quite believe it though.. we've just had so much going on, and so much 'stuff' to organise prior to our departure (we still do!) that we've not really had the chance to stop and actually allow ourselves to get excited yet. I've been saying for a while now that the excitement probably won't hit us until we're at the airport... boarding our first plane... but to be honest, reality probably won't really hit until we've actually arrived in Fiji, our first destination, and are sitting in the local bar with our first tropical cocktail! Ok, I lied... I *am* starting to get excited after all!! hehehe. We've timed it perfectly so we actually arrive in Fiji in time for happy hour! Could that be more awesome! This wasn't intentional though; merely coincidence... or perhaps... perhaps the universe is sending us a message??

"You must drink and be merry my friends!!!" ~ something like that...

Anyways... the point of this blog is: We had an EPIC Bon Voyage party on Friday night!!!!

It was touching the amount of our family and friends (in Auckland) who came along to party with us and to wish us a good trip. It really meant a lot to us and we want to thank you all - it will be a night we'll remember forever. Gosh, there were just so many of you there, we only wish we'd had more time to spend with each of you!! I found myself bouncing all over the place from start to finish, so I apologise to those that came and who I barely spent any time with, but it was a great night to just let my hair down and drink and dance and laugh and joke, and be surrounded by lovely people. I hope you all had as much fun as I/we did.

For those that couldn't make it, and for those who want to repeat the evening (we do!!) - we'll have a welcome home party not long after we get back... maybe at the same venue... so watch this space! Not much reason is needed for us to organise a party, let's be honest! ;-)

Well, I better get back to the packing now. This was really just a brief note to send out my love and gratitude to you all. Everyone has been so positive and excited for us, that we just feel so blessed to have so many amazing people in our lives... and we PROMISE we'll do you proud by having a legendary time ;-) hehe It'll be tough, but together I think we might just manage it ;-)

I've created a facebook group (please join!) for you all to post us messages whenever you feel like it... we'll be posting photos and videos there along the way, and I'll also post links to this blog...

So - see some of you soon, and some of you later... and the adventures of which you'll be able to read about here... with one exception: what happens in Vegas, will stay in Vegas...! hahaha

Take care all of you,

~ Comet xo

The bubble...

So, we are currently in that bubble place. That place where you are nearly there, but where you can’t quite get excited yet as there is still so much to do first. That place where things could easily start to get overwhelming and stressful, but you can’t let them. So we’ve got our heads down and bums up and are bobbing along through the days this way; in our little bubble. It won’t be long now before those conversations of “we could” turn into “we are,” and that fantasy bubble bursts and we are flung into the exciting, and wonderful reality that is travelling. A reality where time and freedom are synonymous. There really is nothing like it...

The housework is coming along – still heaps to do, but we have no choice but to have it done in time! Karlos is working really hard as always. To be honest, my motivation for all things paint-like has really fallen below the radar – but my guilt at seeing the other half crawl into bed at 1am after working hard alone (in order to let me sleep off a migraine) is kicking me hard in the butt, and so I will be there helping him with a new found determination tonight, and tomorrow, and all weekend, and until we get the effing bastard renovations finished once and for all. Office, bathroom, and toilet/laundry room left to go. Watch this space.

Karlos’ best mate James is going to stay living in the house whilst we are away, and he'll get himself a flatmate to help with bills etc. So that’s really good news for Karlos, especially – someone who he trusts living in his house. James has actually been living with us since November already, and it’s been nice having him around.

On the travel preparation front, we’ve had our vaccinations now; which, by the by, was extremely painful – on the wallet! We both had really sore arms for a few days (I couldn’t even look at Karlos arm without him flinching ;)), but seriously – at more than $300 EACH, the biggest pain was in our bank accounts! Sheesh. We also bought a medical kit to take with us, which contains all kinds of pills in case some foreign bug give us the squits. And it also (most importantly) includes some anti-histamines, just in case Karlos inadvertently eats seafood off some back alley Vietnamese food cart. I like to worry about him.

At work I now have just 8 days left. Which is great; apart from the realisation that I have just one more payday, and still heaps of shiz to pay for before we head off. Eeeep. (Ah well, I’ve got the Visa card ready and waiting; “it’ll be fine.”).

My ‘replacement’ started today, who is lovely, and I’m enjoying the transition phase so far. I’ve actually surprised myself with how competent and ‘on the ball’ I am here. I’d always assumed with the amount of time I spend faffing that I’d likely be behind with my work. But nope! Hah! Awesome day. Am feeling very proud of myself :) Coincidentally, on sorting through some old emails today, I came across a beautiful Maori saying from someone who wrote to praise me for my recent performance in The Bellbird:

“Kia kaha i tou mahi - Keep up the great work.”

I love this saying, and it really sums up my last few months. I’ve been doing pretty well, actually ;) And why shouldn’t we all toot our own horns every now and then!

Well, I think I’m going to have a lot of fun blogging along the way.

It’ll be nice to share our stories with anyone who is interested…

Kia kaha i tou mahi!

~ Comet and the Legend xo