“Nominated for Award” and Girls are off

What a nice way to start a day seeing that you’re nominated for a meaningful award that you can’t enter in, you’re nominated based on work you’ve done.

No individual is bigger than their team, and this ‘honourable mention’ is the culmination of a great vision by A21 who do the most incredible work globally to abolish slavery and visionary Christian Elliott who birthed the CAN YOU SEE ME campaign. Then of course the crew and cast who all bring their talents and knowledge to the concept birthing the first step in the film. Directing takes a monumental amount of time, planning and passion so recognition for doing justice to your craft is highly rewarding and encourages one to push that little extra on each film to achieve excellence. They say you are as good as your last project.’

Anyway, back to the Blog, seeing the girls drive off was both a happy and sad moment, it signified that they are growing up and leaving us behind even of its only a few months, you dream of this and when I comes you’re never really ready to let go, but this is the progression of life.

Into our convertible – Destination Vila Real, – off to UTAD University at last.

Getting into the University was tough and took many calls and much planning, – but to see them smile and be excited makes every call and all the effort so worth it. We live for our kids don’t we?

The girls have their first apartment, a very grown up moment in anybody’s life.

The apartment has 4 bedrooms and we rented two with a cost per room of EURO 200,00 , so we paying EURO 400,00 for accommodations for the girls. Thankfully the apartment has free WIFI.

Although the rooms were advertised as fully furnished there was no bedding, which we had to go out and purchase. The Landlord also requested 3 months rental upfront, so cashflow is being eaten up quickly as so many expenses are being paid in advance.

Wikipedia cost of living is such a helpful tool to see or anticipate costs and budget, the girls monthlies are :

1. Rent EURO 200.00
2. Living costs EUR 400.00
3. Monthly bus ticket EURO 22.00
4. Ticket back to Porto once a month EURO 22.00

Cost of living for one student per month is EURO 644,00 This won’t break the bank, thankfully.

Their walk to UTAD is 3 km, and there and back gets them their 10,000.00 steps per day, so they have opted to walk and stay fit. They say the area is so similar to Noordhoek. Its quiet, beautiful yet its a ‘student town’

Uni starts on Monday, looking forward to updates and news.

Portugal is certainly very beautiful and diverse, lots to explore and discover.