the pepsi exhibit

With an arena of lions behind them, of course the boys were both more interested in the 'Pepsi Exhibit' - a refuge for Pepsi Cans which would otherwise face certain extinction if released into the wild.

family fun

On Sunday afternoon Woz, Nate and I met up with Andrew, Vicki and Elliott at the London Zoo which is in Regents Park, and handily, within walking distance for us. It was a very hot and sticky day, due to high temperatures and humidity, and so in between chasing excitable toddlers and lugging buggies and gear around, the four of us adults were exhausted by the end of the day, and would quite happily have collapsed in the shade, leaving the boys to break into the tiger pit or play with the lions. Thankfully common sense prevailed, and so, by late afternoon, with energy spent, Woz and I started the walk home. The very long, long, very hot, walk home.

making waves

brace! brace!

enjoying the waves

brighton beach

Yesterday after a lazy morning sleep in, Lindsay and Delilah phoned asking us to join them for a day at the beach. The five of us drove down to Brighton and we had such a good day - a lovely unexpected escape from the heat of the city.

Woz has always been game for a swim at the beach, regardless of temperature. Me, give me at least 35 degrees and a hot north wind and I might dip my toes in. But here we were, in temperatures barely reaching the high twenties, swimming in the mercilessly cold English Channel and loving every minute of it.

new toy

After months of not having a computer Woz and I have finally bought a new laptop and we're in love! It's so good to have speedy wireless internet, not to mention a place to finally download all our videos and photos. We're way behind on posting videos we've taken in the last 6 months or more but hope to upload some soon. Perhaps when the move is out of the way?! Then again it might give us something to do while we're waiting for our visas.

i can see clearly now

We had our induction conference call on Friday and it went really well. They answered loads of our questions regarding the set-up of the company, working conditions and the living conditions. What we have decided to undertake seems a lot clearer now and we are better informed.

The call was conducted with two further expats, one in Canada and another in the UK who are also waiting on their visas! The English expat will be taking his wife and child over so we're keen to talk with him before we go and have exchanged details. He's travelled to Libya three times now and will head up the security in Tripoli so we have so many questions for him. The fact that he is directly related to security, has travelled there before and experienced it first hand, and is willing to take his wife and child, is of great comfort to Woz (and to me of course!).

We did ask him about the safety in Tripoli and he said that we would be more likely to die of boredom than through terrorist activity as there really isn't anything to do. Alcohol is officially banned and there aren't any clubs or pubs to speak of. Not being the clubbing types we're not too concerned about having quiet nights in but will have to look into what options there are on the weekend. He also said that we would find it very difficult to buy any English literature so to take plenty of books to read. Licence to buy books! I love it!

in days gone by

Over the history of this blog I have made a conscious decision to make all posts observational and to steer clear of local or international politics or religious issues. Of course I hold opinions relating to religious and political issues, in many ways they shape who I am and affect the way I view the world, but I write on behalf of not just myself but Woz, and now Nate too. On top of that it has not been my intention that this blog be used as a soapbox, but as a way for our family and friends to keep up with our day to day life and to feel some inclusion in it.

But now, with the impending move to Libya taking centre stage it seems that avoiding politics is impossible, particularly as our friends and family voice their concern for our welfare given the country we have chosen to live in.

The number one question people ask us when we tell them of our move to Libya is 'Is it safe?' and I have to admit, that was my first question too (right after 'Are you serious?!'). We've been talking about Libya for about 3 or 4 months now and during that time we have researched the political situation in Libya, (therefore our own personal safety), as heavily as we've been able to. There's not a great deal on the internet and not too many people have actually travelled or lived there that we have come in contact with. The Lonely Planet guide has really been our greatest resource as it seems to present a frank view of the history of Libya without sensationalising it. We all know, Libya has had a colourful history but it does seem that it is well behind them with Tripoli taking many steps to disassociate itself from its terrorist past and the US lifting its sanctions and restoring full diplomatic relations with Libya as a result.

I hope in the future to continue to write about our time in Tripoli in the same manner as I have in London, reserving political issues for private conversation and merely commenting on our day to day life. Time will tell whether that is possible.

you've no idea how long I've wanted to write about this ...

So, I'm about to rock your world a little here, and I'll cut to the chase because I hate suspense. I can barely write it let alone you read it. So, here goes ... Woz and I are moving to Libya.

Yes. Libya.

Had you asked me ten years ago, five, or one even, in fact, let's say 4 months ago ... "How do you fancy a stint in Libya?", I can safely say that my answer would have been a resolute, "Not at all".

The job offer comes from a client Woz worked with in the past, who has since gone on to head up the project in Libya. Woz and he had kept in contact so when Woz casually mentioned to him that he was going to look around to see what other projects were out there, he was offered a job on the spot, however, unlike the other positions we'd looked at, it wasn't in London, but Libya. What followed was months of emails and verbal conversations with staff members in Libya, Boston, Dallas, LA and now, finally, a contract.

Although it's been a long process, and I've been dying to record some of it in writing, we were reticent to announce it to the world on our blog just in case a work colleague read it. Stranger things have happened. But this afternoon, Woz broke the news to his boss and formally resigned from work.

So, now, with the freedom to write I barely know what to say. From the moment Woz was offered a position, he has never questioned going. I however, have been on the proverbial seesaw, one minute excited by the adventure and opportunity, and the other frightened by the unknown. For this reason, Woz left the decision entirely with me and so over the last few months I have been weighing up the options, thinking through the impact of my decision on Woz, Nate, myself and our families in Australia, who have been understandably concerned over this new possibility.

I concluded this; I am a wife, who wants the best for her husband, and who would find it very difficult to deny him such a career opportunity, I am a mother who wants to give her son stability, but opportunity at the same time, I am a daughter, who wants her parents (all four of them) to forgive her for such a decision, and deep down, amongst the fear of the unknown, I am a woman who wants to explore and know every inch of this awesome globe and it's people.

So, moving to Libya we are, and it could be in as little as one month. After an induction conference call we will sign the contract this week which means that we have agreed to be there in 30 days, however as we're waiting on a visa, this time could be extended. Now that we're able to blog we'll keep you all posted on the process, each and every exciting and terrifying detail.

'Look out Libya', it has a certain ring to it don't you think?

sad

Okay, I now officially have Seasonal Affective Disorder (by self diagnosis). Let me take a few moments to explain. The first two years Woz and I were here we enjoyed beautifully mild Winters with a touch of snow, and stinking hot Summers. We laughed in the face of those who said that we'd hate the weather here.

Unfortunately, last Summer that all came to an end, when our mild Winter continued into Spring and then Summer, and then the rains came. Summer was a complete washout but for a handful of warm days and so in September we braced ourselves for another Winter having had no respite over the last few months. This year, as Summer approached we lived in hope, each day looking at the forecast hoping for change. A cool May turned into a cool and wet June, which has now turned into a cool and wet (at times torrential) July. The grey wet days have done nothing for my mood, and added to the combination of no longer working my precious two days a week, I'm finding it difficult to say the least.

Living in a hot country at this point in time seems a no brainer.

bubble boy

Last night Woz, Nate and I caught up with my cousin Gemma who is travelling the globe with her friend Claire. She and Claire were in London for just a few days (they're now running with/from the bulls in Spain - ouch!). They're fresh from extensive travel in Asia and now plan to do a little travelling in Europe before settling in London where they will forge a new life for themselves over the next two years.

We met up at Regents Park for a picnic tea. London put on a spectacular show for us as we lounged about on the grass and chatted long into the warm Summer evening. Nate loved the night too, running around with the vast amounts of children who were also out with their parents. Nate had a trail of children following him most of the time as he was sporting a new bubble gun which was sufficiently broken in.

When he wasn't decorating the park with bubbles he stood, much to our amusement, on the path, waving 'Hies!' and 'Byes' to all the passers by.