Today is Sunday and I move to South Africa on Thursday.

Friday was my last day at work. I had this job for five years and it changed my life. My job brought me to Africa in the first place, and now I’m leaving my job to move to Africa.

So my last day was kind of momentous. Unfortunately I spent the better part of it recovering from my farewell happy hour the night before.

At said happy hour, I drank copious amounts of cheap white wine and regaled my colleagues with embarrassing confessions and anecdotes, many of which were caught on tape. I cringe to think about when and how that video footage will someday resurface. Continue Reading

Today I sold my car to a lovely young woman who saw the ad I posted on craigslist. It was a relatively painless, even pleasant, transaction. Unloading the car was the biggest hurdle I had left and I’m relieved to have crossed it.

But I feel a bit strange. I’m not a “car person” — my identity isn’t wrapped up in the vehicle I drive. In fact I hate driving and have always dreamed of a car-free existence. But this is the first time I haven’t owned a car since I got my driver’s license 20 years ago. And deep down, I loved and respected my 10-year-old silver Mazda sedan. It had power seats and a sunroof! So I guess I’m a little sad.

Also, I own almost nothing now. No house, no car, no furniture, no books (or very few). No cookware. No TV. No garden tools. No tchotchkes. Continue Reading