Pouts, Poses and Photobooth Fun

Being back in Redding means being back at the monthly 'Love Lounge' open mic night which is never complete without it's famous photo booth. This year, I am living with 3 girls Haley, Krista and Destiny,  and we've named ourselves 'The Bachelorettes' and our townhouse 'The Bachelorette Pad.' Highlight of the night at Love Lounge was attacking the photo booth with my gorgeous room mates, and the end product above will definitely be framed and hung in the Bachelorette Pad. 
Here are some more money shots from the evening. 

Back.

My feet are finally on Californinan soil after a 36 hour journey that felt like it stretched on for weeks. If I never see another airport again it will be too soon. It feels strange to be back here. It's a foreign country yet so much is familiar. A sort of home away from home.
I'm missing my family and friends already, and after sleeping in my new and empty apartment alone last night, I was this close to wanting to go back to South Africa and just call it a day, even if it meant boarding another deathly long flight. I know this year is going to be even better and more adventure-filled than the last, but I guess I just need to have patience with myself as I make the mental transition. My body is here but my mind is still making it's way over. It's familiar here, yet still a foreign land and right now I just need some home comforts, so I will sit here with my rooibos tea and know that South Africa is always right here in my heart. 
I'm excited for the year ahead, and although I'll be in the same place with many of the same people as last year, I know it's going to be a vastly different experience. New surprises around every corner and bucket-loads of fun, no doubt. 
Right now I'm just trying to get this new apartment furnished and kitted out so it can stop echoing. Bare walls and empty spaces aren't so inviting at the moment, but I have many ideas and this place is a great canvas to for a creative mind to work with, so I'm excited to see what we'll make of the cute 2-bedroomed space. 
8pm and my eyelids weigh a ton. Jet-lag is luring me to bed. Goodnight California and I'll see you tomorrow for another sun-shiney day.

A view from above

After over 30 hours in transit, I arrived in the USA on Friday afternoon. *relief*

After months of planning and anticipating this trip, to actually live it out, was a very surreal moment. I still pinch myself every now and then just to make sure this isn't just a really good dream.

Above are some images that I took out of the plane whilst flying over Canada, Oregon and California. The beauty of this country from above was absolutely breath-taking, especially because I have a weakness for snow-capped mountains and pristine lakes.

I am finally on the mend from a nasty case of jet lag, and now that the nausea and severe exhaustion is starting to ware off, I am starting to settle in quite nicely.

America is different from Africa, my home, in every way possible; from the people, to the landscape, to the food and the cars, it is all very unfamiliar. Everything is foreign to me, and am still trying to find my equilibrium. Although this will be my home for the next year or so, it still feels very much a foreign land, and wherever I go, I must look like a total deer in the headlights as I try and take in all my surroundings.

I am currently living in a town called Redding in Northern California, and although I am an ocean girl, I find it incredibly beautiful here in the countryside at the foot of mountains and in-between trees. It is as hot as hades here, and I can't wait to jump in one of the lakes and get me a Californian suntan. 

The home I am living in is absolutely beautiful. It is nestled at the end of a cul-de-sac in one of those adorable American neighborhoods that you see on movies. I have the loveliest group of room mates, and we are all new to Redding, so are having fun exploring (and getting lost) together. 

A breakdown of a few American things according to me {a South African}:

The people: Friendly, confident, love saying the word "awesome"

The food: Sugary, fatty, pre-packed, ready-to-go, processed

The weather: hot and dry

Walmart: Ghetto