Relationship status: long-distance relationship changing to a short-distance relationship

People often say that they are willing to move mountains for love. Being in a long distance relationship (LDR) will cause you to consider the literal implications of this statement. The 1463km distance between me and my boyfriend has seen me Googling the theology department at Stellenbosch, browsing job adds or spending the evening with an illegal amount of chocolate, feeling sorry for myself and being irritated that the stupid lyrics ‘Tussen jou en my, lê daar ‘n berg, lê daar ‘n berg – Tafelberg’ is stuck in my head. Again.

Yes, LDR’s suck sometimes. But for the past 7 months I have had the most amazing time with the most incredible boyfriend. To the cynics and naysayers: we made it! To the supporters and positive friends: thank you! I guess the corny picture quotes are true: distance is not for the fearful; it's for the bold. It's for those who are willing to spend a lot of time alone in exchange for a little time with the one they love. It's for those who know a good thing when they see it, even if they don't see it nearly enough.

Many long-distance relationships may be doomed. It’s not easy. But it’s worth taking a chance at happily ever after if you are willing to rely on these not-so-secret keys: trust and communication. You also need an agreeable bank manager, loads of airtime and faith.

I have great news, our long distance relationship will change to a short-distance relationship on the 1^st of June. Instead of moving mountains, my boyfriend is moving to Johannesburg. Yeah!

I thought I would share some lessons learnt, some of the ups and downs, and some tips if you are considering a LDR or are currently in one.

Ek lewe nog!

Ek lewe nog! En ek het weer ‘n ou skootrekenaartjie… Maar laat ek myself nou nie vooruit hardloop nie.

Ek was vir so paar weke op vakansie en ek moet erken, tot en met die laaste week, was ongelooflik. Ek het soveel waaroor ek wil skryf en belowe om binnekort meer van my en my sussie se roadtrip Kaap toe en die ski in Lesotho te skryf. Vandag gaan ek egter net fokus op die laaste drie weke…

Na twee weke se vakansie saam die familie was dit tyd om bietjie met die vriendinne op te vang die laaste week – of dit was die plan. Die Vrydagaand is ek saam ‘n vriendin uit, maar sy het my net na 10uur gaan aflaai sodat ek nog pynpille kon drink (jip, ek kan toe nie so goed snowboard soos ek aanvanklik gedink het nie). Die Saterdagoggend lekker laat gelê en toe is dit Kempton Park toe om met my beste vriendin op hoërskool op te vang en die rugby saam ‘n ander vriendin te kyk. Die Blou Bulle het verloor en ek moes dit tien teen een as ‘n teken vat van slegte dinge om te kom…

Moving on up...

I’ve been a bad blogger. It has been far too long since I have last written a post. I have been busy though. I spent two weeks on what you can call an African safari, whitewater rafting the mighty Zambezi river, helicopter rides, exploring Botswana from Savuti to the beautiful Okavango Delta. Back home I spent my time packing and abusing the uncapped ADSL line.

Yes, I am way too excited to move out of this hell hole that is Kempton Park. Hate might be too strong of a word, but I dislike my home town a lot – way too many bad memories. I have lived in Pretoria before for 4 years when completing my first degree and I can’t wait to get back.

As every year ends I move into a mode of self-evaluation. I start questioning where I am, what I’ve accomplished, what I still want to do, what I need to change and the list goes on. I’ve been wrestling with the idea of “place” a lot lately. I’ve got this overwhelming feeling that God wants me somewhere else.