Yup, so I'm officially a "Missus" and it feels great!

Got back from the holiday part of our honeymoon on Thursday and today marks the last official day of the honeymoon. Uuuurgggh can't wait to get back to work....

I still sometimes can't believe I'm now actually married. It feels a little surreal, especially for the bit that we were on holiday, but now that we're home again (in OUR flat!!!), it's starting to sink in a bit. And of course the l-o-o-o-o-ng wait in Home Affairs on Friday to change my surname helped with that...

TheHusband has now moved most of his stuff across (well, the stuff he needs on a day-2-day basis anyway), but there are still some odds and ends left at his previous place - I don't know where we're going to find space for it! I've discovered that he has been hoarding a LOT more stuff than I thought. Example: While helping him pack up, I found 4 empty cooldrink bottles. Upon enquiring why this has been kept for so long (about a year), I was informed that he just never got round to exchanging it for money. I ask you! But in all fairness, I'm quite high up in the hoarding stakes myself, so I guess it is a little bit of the pot calling the kettle black!

And in the spirit of all the award shows that we've had recently, a few Wedding awards:

• Best part of the run-up to the wedding: The anticipation of the rest of our lives together
• Worst part of the run-up to the wedding: The squabbles over small meaningless things - yes people, it DOES happen, the stress starts to get to you in those last few weeks
  
• Best part of the actual wedding day: The vows - they were incredibly meaningful to me
• Most fun part of the wedding day: The dancing
• Most tear-inducing part of the wedding day: Just after walking up the aisle, standing in front of the pastor with my soon-to-be husband, the reality of the moment engulfed me...
• Funniest part of the wedding day: TheHusband and I were busy talking to some guests, arm in arm, when one of his friends sneaked up from behind and held his hand. TheHusband, thinking itwas MY hand, started stroking it, much to the delight of the table next to us
• Most surprising result of the day: The hook-up of my gothic cousin with TheHusbands long darkhaired cousin. Apparently they're together 24/7 now
• Best part of the honeymoon: Well.... use your imagination!
  

Well it's been my 3rd day back at the office and so far it's okay. Not doing much work, but that's to be expected in the first week back in Jan.

The cool news is that us clerks were moved around again, so I could finally move away from my super crappy old spot (it had boss-sneaking-up-on-me capabilities, what with my back to the walkway, which kind of puts a cramp in one's emailing style...), to my new improved private corner WITH a window, I might add. Lovely! And wonderful for my non-work pursuits...

Well we managed to find a lawyer, although may I just use this moment to object against lawyers that will happily charge you double what another one will for doing the EXACT SAME thing! But then, we knew lawyers weren't exactly stand-up people (apologies to all lawyers out there, but you know it's true!). So we proceeded to almost get lost in trying to find this guy's office and, upon getting there, almost wish we had. Got lost, that is. I've never met anyone who talks slower than this guy. Granted, he is close to retirement age, but geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeezzzz. I could've rattled off his whole spiel in 5 minutes flat, whereas he comfortably stretched it out to almost 45 minutes. In the end I was just glad it was over, as I was on the verge of clawing out my eyeballs.

Again proving that old adage - there's nothing like a free lunch. If you want to go for the cheaper option, you'll pay for your choice in some other way...

Aaahhh, it's absolutely wonderful to get all my admin schlep done in the comfort of my own home, with just the click of a few buttons.

Yes, people I've discovered (albeit somewhat belatedly, I'll admit!) the wonders of internet banking and I'm a very happy convert. Well, in my defense, I actually signed up for the service a while ago, but haven't really been able to fully appreciate it yet, since I didn't have internet access in my own home. However, since finally getting rid of my old crappy phone and logging on to the joys of 3G, those days are long gone. Mind you, I discovered to my shock today that my bank, my friend (ABSA) charges me R40 for this pleasure, but quite frankly, not even that knowledge is enough to dampen my mood today.

I have only just arrived back from holiday and, for the time being at least, am in quite a good mood. This good mood can't just be ascribed to the last few lazy days of vegging at home, but also due to the fact that this year I actually received a quite decent bonus from my employer. What a winner! Otherwise I would've been quite screwed at the moment after the effects of holiday travel (the long trek to Durban) and Christmas presents for the family and TheFiancee. And then, of course, being on holiday it just seems much easier to swipe, swipe, swipe away in every other shop.

TheFiancee's cousin reminded us on Saturday that it was only 8 weeks to go until D-Day. Neither of us had actually realised, so that was pretty cool to know. We can now actually answer "next month" when asked when we are tying the knot! Must say the wait is excruciating... But I think the last bit will now go swiftly, what with all the last-minute things to organise (like his wedding ring, the marriage contract, confirmations with florist, DJ, caterer and pastor). Which reminds me, I have to go let my fingers do the walking in the yellow pages for the name of a (cheap, preferably non-dodgy) lawyer who will do the honours.

Okay, okay so I've been quite lazy in posting...

Anyway, here's a quick update on events that took place in the last 3 months:

1. My mom came to visit to help with the wedding plans. The visit started out on rough footing, but luckily progressed more smoothly and ended up really great. It was nice to have a bit of a woman's touch with the choice of flowers and table decor, because lets face facts, The Fiance's interest in these topics are somewhat limited. And I don't blame him for it. I mean, my eyes also glaze over rather soon after being dragged into Incredible Deception, so... what's good for the goose is good for the gander I suppose. Although I have to give kudo's to The Fiancee who spent no less than 3 hours (yes, 180 excrutiatingly long minutes!) wandering around in a fabric shop while me and my maternal unit shopped for material for The Dress. You might be surprised to know that there are literally millions of shades of white. Crazy.

2. All major plans for the upcoming nuptials are now officially organised. So the last 2 and a half months can be spent relaxing.... and wishing the time would pass by quickly!

3. I wrote my second board exam in November and thank heavens it's over...

4. It's just 2 and a half weeks until we go on Christmas holidays!!! The atmosphere at work is definitely no longer serious and/or productive. Even worse was when all the partners in the firm when 4x4 driving last week Thursday and us poor plebs had to stay at the office and (pretend to) work! They might need a lesson or two regarding motivating employees... but that's just my humble opinion.

Anywhoo, got some websurfing to catch up on.
Au revoir,

Well!!! Long time, no post...

Been busy working and studying for my test yesterday - 2 x 3 hour papers - always a winner...

I'm hesitant to say it went well, lest my words come back to bite me in the ass. But it was allright. Do-able I suppose. Anyway, I know I won't do very well, but I'm just hoping to pass. That's all that really matters at this point!

And now it's over!!!! Whooo--hooooooooo! It's a wonderful feeling not having that itching guilt at the back of your mind when you're doing everything but studying...

The next one is end of November, so plenty of time for rest, and believe me, I'll be putting that to good use.

Wedding planning is going well, as The Fiance mentioned in his blog... Couldn't believe it when my mom phoned me from Harrods the other day about napkins. I mean really! Was even more suprised when she asked for my email adress (my mom is afraid to even turn ON the computer, never mind use it). So it was quite nice getting an email from her all the way from London. If I can be soppy, it really warmed my heart that she would step out of her comfort zone like that to send a message to me.

But let me be off - my stomach is growling and food has yet to be made!

Well, I've aged since my last post. I am now the ripe old age of 24, and at times that fact is scarily apparent... Not so much in my state of mind, I actually feel rather ageless at the moment, I had to do a quick calculation when a friend asked me today how old I am now. But when I closely examine myself in the mirror, the lines around my eyes are starting to show. And you know it's bad when a friend comments on your grey strands! But I've made peace with that, as my mom says, it gives character - in which case, it seems I've got a LOT of character!