The first week was hard. I’ll admit it. So I decided this week that something had to change. I would have to expect less from this and go with it. Like I said, consistency isn’t strong here. I have to expect that to have a “normal” new life here and to get normal things done, it’s going to take time.

So, the plan of action… Gain independence. To do this I need a car. I cant buy  a car until I have sold my car in Ireland, have obtained a social security number and a bank account here. None of these things have happened and all take their own time so plan b, lease a car. This is an expensive option. For two weeks for a small car it’s going to be $500. But that’s the price of my sanity at the moment. I can’t do another two weeks at home without having the option of running out for milk. Being at home for 14 hours of the  day on my own with Michael was never going to be easy but I need to be able to get around.

Next problem… I’ve never driven an automatic and they drive on the right hand side of the road. Which just all feels wrong. Rob brought me out on Saturday in his car so I could try and get used to it. It was ok but so nerve wracking. They drive like lunatics here so that doesn’t help… Red lights mean nothing. That’s  when the lights are actually working! So Tuesday will be the day that we go and pick up a car and I get to do it on my own. Honestly, feels like I’m starting to learn to drive for the first time again. Scary.

The mosquitos haven’t gotten bored of me yet. I had another trip to a pharmacist on Saturday as my leg was so swollen I could barely bend it. I’ll spare ye the details but it aint pretty. I think I’ll be wearing long skirts for a while to cover the scars. I’ve an amazon delivery on the way with everything you can think of to attack the feckers so I’m hoping next week will be better.

We are also learning here that everything is expensive. Unless you only buy processed food on sale then your groceries are ridiculously expensive. $25 yesterday for two steaks… I was shocked! So that’s not an option. On a recommendation we have now ordered our meat online. Omaha Steaks online. You basically bulk buy and it comes packed with ice in a cooler. Delivery is expensive so you need to be buying a lot! We ordered enough for a month, chicken, sausages, burgers, steaks, pork chops, ribs… everything! Almost $300 worth. At least we know its good quality and we can pick and choose whats on offer. Supermarket meat here would turn me into a vegetarian and that’s saying a lot!

Also, we think there may have been a positive development on a house! We went to view a property today having no expectations. And we were shocked! The house was lovely. And just what we were looking for. So we are hoping to make an offer tomorrow to negotiate on the rent. Which by the way is also crazy expensive. You can expect to pay between $3,000-$5,000 per month in the area we are looking in.. And it doesn’t feel real.. You’re paying  for living in a secure gated community, the upkeep of the grounds, the communal pools and playgrounds… Rather than your own house. So fingers crossed they will except our offer and we will soon have a home to go to!

Michael is getting bigger by the day and his personality is coming through all the time. On Thursday he got his third tooth, learnt how to clap hands and play peekaboo with himself all on the one day!

So this week has all been about progress… taking each day at a time and trying to get one more thing organised so that we can start to call this place home! Hopefully next week we will at least have a another thing ticked off the list!!