clog blog: August 2013

'Bron, what do you think of going to live in Brazil for 8 to 10 months?' Justin asked. 'Uhm, ok. When?' she asked. 'I don't think it will happen but if it does, then soon.' 'Ok, put your name down for the project, let's see what happens. Probably we won't go, like all the times your name was down for other projects in cool places recently.'

This conversation was how it started. But we didn't think about it too much since Justin had indeed been offered to move to India for a year twice in the last two years and to London for a few months and other projects which never happened. But how do you say no, don't put my name down for a 10 month project in Brazil? Who doesn't want to go live in predictable and constant warmth and sunshine for 10 months while skipping the European winter at the same time?

Then we got the phone call to say that Royal Haskoning DHV has won the tender on the project and can Justin be ready to leave next week?

A lot of mixed emotions followed. Excitement for a new adventure and amazing travels that lay ahead. Happiness that Justin can be involved in this project, a wonderful career opportunity for him. Sadness that we have to leave the Netherlands just when we felt we were settling down and making friends. Pleasure at the thought of going into a 26 C Brazilian winter with Summer soon to follow and missing the worst of a European winter. But ready to leave next week? Are they crazy??

Bron gave notice as soon as the project was confirmed, a week after the initial announcement. Then we went to Switzerland for a week's holiday, which was wonderful and just what we needed at the time. The monday we got back Justin flew to Brazil, three short weeks after the project getting the green light.

Let the adventure begin!

First things first. Bron has to give 3 months notice at work, an apartment to pack up, vaccinations to get, and many other things to arrange. Justin has a project to start, a furnished apartment to find, a project management course exam to study for, another course to stay on top of (the two year ADP program), and other things to arrange such as a work visa.

In the end Bron worked 5 weeks after the Swiss holiday and took her remaining 30 days leave for the year for the remaining 6.5 weeks of the 3 month notice period. (Yes, that's a ridonculous amount of leave for 9 months of the year!) In that time she worked really hard to finish a lot of things on the projects she was working on and handed over all the projects to the new and amazing Theo who very fortunately started on my first day back from the Swiss holiday.

On the home front she sorted though an entire apartment of stuff in 3 short weeks while working full time. Relief when the movers came to pack everything up and take it away to storage where it will wait for us. Bron also had 8 vaccines in 4 weeks which left her feeling a lot like a human pin cushion but also with a primed immune system! Jabs administered include yellow fever, typhoid, hepatitis A+B, and rabies. Sore arms and feeling not so good usually followed.

But she made it to the end in one piece =) Work ended two weeks ago and I have been enjoying a much needed rest in London with Shell, Gaham and little Josh. Life has slowed down from break neck pace to very relaxing. The days are filled with nappies, puréed vegetables and naps! We have also done some very cool day trips and I have met up with some SA friends from Cape Town. It's been a lovely two weeks. More about my awesome London holiday next time!

Our new home town is Vitoria, 550 km North of Rio on the East Coast. It is winter there at the moment and a very agreeable 26 C. The project is to design a new harbour located between Vitoria and Rio and on paper is expected to take 36 weeks. At the moment the team in Vitoria consists of Justin, a colleague Mike from the Uk, a local secretary and some local engineers from the clients company. From time to time specialists will join the team in Vitoria for a few weeks at a time.

Justin and Mike hit the ground running in Brazil. For the first 4 weeks they stayed in a hotel while looking for accommodation. Decent furnished apartments are like hen's teeth but two were eventually found. In the mean time 10 hour days, six days a week became the norm with studying on the seventh day. Some report deadlines have already come up and been met. So far no time for fun or sight seeing. Bron is hoping that this will change when she joins Justin!

After 6 long weeks of working hard and studying, Justin arrived back in the Netherlands to take his project management exam this week. Well done for passing and doing so well Pookey! =) The rest of the week has been spent working in the Rotterdam office.

After 7 weeks apart, the Boibs will finally be back together this evening! It's been really tough being apart for so long and especially with so many things going on for both of us. But the worst is hopefully behind us and now we can look forward to the fun parts of this new adventure =)

This weekend we depart for our two week Summer holiday in Scotland. This trip was planned and booked in February long before we knew of the possibility of the Brazil project. We still really want to go to Scotland and with Bron having to work until the end of July and Justin having to come back for his PMP exam, it worked out that we could still go on our Scottish holiday. And after 7 weeks apart, a two week holiday together is a good way to start the time going forward =)

Apologies for the lack of blog posts in the last few weeks, understandably so given the recent craziness. But fear not! The blog will continue! London, Scotland and first tastes of Vitoria to follow as soon as we touch down in the Southern Hemisphere again.

A big thank you to all at the Bionanoscience Department at the TU Delft for a cool two years. It was really great working with and getting to know you. Extra special thanks to past and present members of office F088 for all the good times, long days and science advice shared. Thanks to the ND lab for good times and good science discussions. Thanks for all the farewells, thoughtful gifts and good wishes!

A few sneak peak pics of my time in London. Until next time!