Lebron had “The Decision.” Michigan and Ohio State had “The Game” (yes, I said had… let’s be real with ourselves at this point). And we, well we have unofficially declared ourselves copyright-but-not-really-copyright owners of “The Move.” For those unaware of our impending departure to the Rainbow Nation of South Africa – Yes, this is a thing that is happening. For those who have been aware and have chosen to ask very polite, yet passive aggressive questions about our sanity – Yes, this is a thing that is still happening. And finally, for those who don’t know who we are – Our parents need hugs. In approaching this blog post, I contemplated multiple techniques for sharing the reasoning behind… our reasoning. Should I utilize a basic paragraph by paragraph approach, which would bore most readers into apathy? Or maybe do a video anthology, utilizing scenes from different Saved by the Bell episodes from years past? (e.g. our pre-trip anxiety video). In the end, a decision was made, and an FAQ format was deemed most appropriate. Enjoy! "The Move" FAQs: 1. Wait, what?
Yes, this probably is the most frequently asked question we have received. It’s pretty specific.
2. Where are you going?
Cape Town. South Africa. The Motherland. The Rainbow Nation. Mzansi. It kinda has a lot of names. Like that kid you roomed with in college, who's actual name you never really knew. Despite being around said person 24/7 for 4 entire years.
3. Why exactly are you moving?
This one is a bit tough to unpack. So I will break it down into a variety of reasons:
4. Why exactly are you moving to South Africa?
You must not know us very well.
5. Are you moving permanently?
For the sake of those closest to us (family, friends, lazy/inefficient co-workers who have had our workloads added to their own for no additional pay increase), no. The plan is to go for a year so Lincoln can start Kindergarten in Austin next August. We are good parents like that.
6. But there’s a chance you will stay longer?
I mean, there is always that chance. “Mericuh going to Mericuh” if you know what I mean? In which case, we can be demoted to situationally good parents.
7. Are you aware that you are leaving a country that is all but “opened up,” and going to a country that is Basically in lockdown?
Yes, very aware. Been pointed out several times.
8. Are you also aware South Africa just had massive riots and looting after their ex-president was put in jail?
Sounds enticing. We can have a go over here?
9. So, you would rather live in a country being decimated by COVID, is far behind on vaccinations, and is going through political upheaval?
Wait, which country are we talking about again?
10. Seriously though, aren’t you concerned?
I mean, kinda? Let’s go through the various concerns you mentioned:
11. Politics aside, why would you do this to your parents who have barely seen their grandchildren over the last year?
Now THAT is a valid question. Best answer is, we frankly aren’t the best children. But at least we can still FaceTime!
12. Not the same
This feels less like a Frequently Asked Question, and more of a Frequently Provided Comment.
13. OK, this segment is starting to get long, and we’ve already passed the “Millennial Attention Span Limit” – What are you doing with your House? Dog? Cars? Stuff?
Renting. Lending. Storing. Purging/donating-the-sh*t-outta/storing
14. For those of us still struggling to digest this decision, can you think of one video clip that could accurately depict what life has been like for the last 18 months? That maybe provides a visual reasoning behind your move?
Wow, what a great question. I surprisingly DO have a clip in mind -- Life Over the Past 18 Months
Next Post: The Voyage – If At First You Don’t Succeed, Trying Again Won’t Work Either
Editor's Note - Please feel free to leave a comment below. It does wonders for Mark's self-esteem, confidence and skin complexion. Which really has been struggling lately thanks to the whole, having-to-wear-a-mask thing.
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PRIOR BLOG POSTS: Year Abroad Intro: • Welcome to our Newest Blog! Again! • The Move - Dissected, Probed and Then Probed Some More • The Voyage (Part 1) - If At First You Don't Succeed, Trying Again Won't Work Either • The Voyage (Part 2) - The Layover to Rule All Other Layovers • A Personal Life Update - Establishing Our Shallow Roots A Guide to South Africa: • How to be an Expat When You Aren't Technically an Expat (Part 1 - Bank Accounts) • How to be an Expat, When You Aren't Technically an Expat (Part 2 - Health Insurance) • Load Shedding - Keeping the Lights Off in South Africa Since 2007 • 195 Ways to Fight a Pandemic - The South Africa Edition • Halloween in South Africa - Playing Catch-Up Since 2016 • SnapScan - South Africa's Glimpse into America's Future • Thanksgiving in South Africa - Where My Turkeys Be At? • Life at the Epicenter of Omicron - A Different Type of Cancel Culture • Playgrounds - The Starbucks of South Africa • Cost of Living in South Africa - An Exploratory Journey of Everyday Expenses Trips: • Namibia Roadtrip (1 of 3) - Driving a Shake Weight to Sossusvlei • Namibia Roadtrip (2 of 3) - Searching for Souls in Swakopmund • Namibia Roadtrip (3 of 3) - Getting our Safari on at Etosha National Park • Weekend Getaway in Robertson - A Trip Down Pleasantville Lane • Summer Holiday Trip (1 of 3) - Glamping Without the Glam in the Drakensberg Mountains • Summer Holiday Trip (2 of 3) - The Historical Chronicles of Kruger National Park • Summer Holiday Trip (3 of 3) - Searching for Whales and Spare Tires in the Overberg • Visitors Round 1 - The Woodmans - An Expedited Exploration of Everything • The Great Wildebeest Migration - 15 Years of Waiting Decided in 15 Minutes • Ngorongoro Crater - A Pre-Migration Layover Inside an Inverted Volcano • Ndutu - The Safari to Rule All Other Safaris • Serengeti National Park - Seeking Out Simba at an Abandoned Pride Rock • Zanzibar - The Island of Sugar, Spice and Most Things Nice • Visitors Round 2 - Let's Ignore Our Sanity & Do All The Things • Wild Coast - A Little Tatse of the O.G. South Africa Cape Towning: • Spring Break in September - Just as Strange as it Sounds • A Day in the Life of a South African Expat - The Visual Edition • A Wrinkle in Our Spare Time • Our Final Week in South Africa - A Bittersweet Symphony of Bucket Lists The Other Stuff: • This is 40: The South Africa Version |