6 Months In

Sitting in the office waiting for the boss to come back for a meeting, and I've actually done everything I needed to today. It occurred to me recently that this month marks 6 months for us here in Kupang, so it's worth reflecting on that for a bit.

6 months in Kupang. 6 months with Gulf. It's been quite a ride so far, and in general, a good one. Work has been both rewarding and frustrating, much like life here in general. The company really had no idea about mining before I got here. Yes they had sought out some potential sites and partners, and signed MOU's with them. But it really seems like the MOU was somehow supposed to magically transform into ore on a stockpile somewhere. The reality is nothing like that. There has been no mining here for so long, and so many false starts from other smelting companies, that nobody wants to do it themselves, not without a lot of help anyway. Luckily we have progressed that, and have a few ready to start, with a lot more to follow hopefully. Plus we're starting our own mine next month - assuming I get the funds I need. I have been promised them. So the next few months is going to be interesting and challenging, but I am looking forward to it.

On the home front things have been pretty good too. My baby and I are getting along really well. She has new-found interest in discovering herself and the mysteries of life, and the journey is both rewarding for her and strengthening her. The kids are doing well too, although they do tend to get bored from time to time. They love toys so much but seem to struggle to play with them for any longer than 5 minutes sometimes. On days off when we want to have a quiet day that can be challenging. But it's not really a big deal. Soon we're off on a family holiday for a week, which is going to be wonderful. A chance to relax and enjoy, on a scale that we have not managed since we went to Penang last, way back in 2015 I think. We've had a couple of short breaks here and there in the interim, but not what you'd call a real holiday. Plus now that we're more stable financially (at least without the constant woes) it's easier to enjoy when you don't have to count every penny three times.

So all in all, after 6 months I'm happy. Work is hard and it does cause me angst from time to time, but I am enjoying it, and I think I am really contributing well to developing mining both in this company and NTT as a whole. Family time is always wonderful, even when kids rebel, fight and moan. I feel lucky, I feel blessed and I feel comfortable. Content is a goal, and I think it can be achieved here, but that one will take a little longer. But we're getting there. Kupang is a pretty cool place for a live-in mining job. Compared to Kal, Texas, West Wyalong, it's a frigging mile in front and then some. Good experience for us all. We initially said we'd do this for 5 years, and I am still keen on that goal. And if we need longer to set ourselves up to go live a simpler life in Barooga, then so be it. But who knows, I am always keeping an eye on Malaysia and am hoping that one day a return there might be on the cards too. I love Australia, and it's a wonderful place to raise the family, but it's not the be all and end all that I once thought it was. Anyway, we'll just stay open-minded and concentrate on the now, as that's where we're living.