TansEmpire

April 07

April 28th, 2007

Well time is starting to fly but unfortunately there has been no change in regards to the crime. An attempted break in, stolen bike and above all 2 young guys sitting in their car in the carpark smoking dope who were arrested after a call to the police from Andrew. It was nice to see some action for once, and to know that at least that will help to deter them and others from hanging around our carpark. We also had a crime awareness meeting with the local police but it was disappointing that only half a dozen residents turned up - it seems everyone has given up caring. So the discussion continues on about whether we stay or move. I willl spend some time this summer reviewing other apartment complexes and we will make a decision. I will keep you informed.

The other bad thing that happened this month was a reoccurance of my reactive arthritis around 3 weeks ago. Andrew was due to go to New York but had to cancel to help look after me. The first few days were excruciating and we spent nearly a day in the doctor’s office where I was given an IV steriod infusion which followed a previous steriod injection into my joints. So I am on bed rest and told to minimise walking and being on my feet for the next month plus I am taking large amounts of steriod tablets and pain killers. It isn’t fun and meant I wasn’t able to join Andrew in New York this week as planned due to not being able to walk around - a must in New York City.  

Earlier in the month we spent a date night at the local mini golf course (see the photos) which is a part of the Columbia Association we just joined. It manages all the local pools, gyms, golf courses etc so for a fee of only $69 per month we have access to every facility there is. There are several therapy pools also which will be good for my arthritis. So I was pleased to hear about the mini golf course as I love to play and it’s great to know we can go whenever we want for free. They also have a batting cage there which will be interesting to try once I am feeling better.

Andrew had a couple of trips this month including a return to Miami and a trip to Memphis. In May we will be travelling quite a bit with a week in Buffalo, New York where we will go to Niagara Falls and drive to Toronto Canada. Then we travel back down towards home to spend a week in Malvern near Philadelphia where I can spend a few days touring Philadelphia. I just hope my ankles are feeling well enough to do some sight seeing, so I will rest up for the next 2 weeks to make sure I can make the most of it. We will drive the 7 odd hours to Buffalo so that we have a car to enable us to cross the border. I am really looking forward to a few days in Canada.

The timing of the reactive arthritis flare up means we missed the anniversary dinner & show for Aspect Security. Andrew was flying in from a trip and I was originally meant to meet him there but with no-one to help me shower and get ready we were unable to make it. Now with the timing of the 2 week trip it means we will miss a get together at one of the bosses house but it doesn’t make sense to drive 7 hours and back for an afternoon do.

This month saw the arrival of Luke Thomson, Laura’s husband (Andrew’s friends from uni) who was still based in Australia. We have caught up with them for brunch and other things so it’s great to have an Aussie couple who are our friends. They have moved out of the apartment complex and living in a small farm house about 20 minutes south of Columbia.

This month we both had our physical’s at the doctors. No major problems for me at this stage other than dealing with the arthritis and for Andrew the main concern is his high blood pressure which is being managed by medication right now. He is also required to have a sleep study test performed as it’s quite possible he has sleep apnea which would explain a lot of little problems he is experiencing. So time will tell.

So no doubt everyone heard of the Virginia Tech tragedy where 32 people were shot and killed. Virginia is the state below from us so a lot of people around this region were affected by the shooting. It was major news for a long time on the TV  and in magazines and once again started debate about gun control, something I don’t think will ever be resolved in this country whilst their constitution is in play. Another shooting which happened that frightened and worried us more was a local 7 Eleven attendant was shot and killed at around 3am. It was the same 7 Eleven that Andrew was at only a few days before at a similar time getting me some food.

Spring has certainly settled in with the weather consistently around 25 degrees each day although the humidity is quite high signalling a daunting summer to come. Thank goodness for now we are living where there is a pool only a few hundred metres away from me, I think I will be chilling out there every day during summer.

I don’t think we will arrive home with an accent of any sort as it’s quite a hard one to pick up. We have substituted many words already such as trash, faucet etc but as for an accent I don’t think even our children will have one as I would like to think they will learn pronunciation of words from Andrew and I and will therefore not have a chance to “Speak American” which will be good for when we return home for them to go to school.

So that’s all for now. Hope everyone is well and happy.

Entry Filed under: January 07