TR May 2010-An Aussie's Journey - California Here we Come

[SoonerGirl]

Thanks for the reminder though - I need to call the lady that does my hair today and make an appointment for next week........

 

[franandaj]

Males....

That's all I can say, speaking of which I have to leave in half an hour for my haircut...but I've had this appointment for over six weeks!

 

[PrincessInOz]

7 days to go!

This time next week, we should be flying over Tahiti or Hawaii. It's ONE WEEK TO GO

 

[SoonerGirl]

Yippee!!

 

[PrincessInOz]

6 days to go!

This weekend is the final weekend we have at home before we fly out on Friday (Thursday your time).

I'm already exhausted thinking about having to cull my wardrobe. I really should be doing this a lot more regularly than I do but seem to have gotten into the tradition of clean-out the weekend before a trip to the US.

I'm planning on shopping whilst I'm in the states and am clearing out to make space ... and also to work out what I should buy.

This culling will also be happening in for my DS this weekend.

Oh - You know how we weren't doing a countdown because we didn't want to overexcite DS?
Well, he woke up this morning and told me today was one day to final countdown day.....I asked him what he meant.
He told me that tomorrow we could start the final countdown...5...4...3...2...1...blastoff!
So much for "no countdown" in this household

So here's the 6 day countdown....

 

[cdotla]

All caught up again!

I *completely* know what you mean about the last 2-3 weeks flying by. I definitely want to stop the clock. There are so many things I wanted/needed to get done before the trip that won't be getting done.

However, on the same hand, I am very, very excited! Like you, it is hitting home. And the single digits don't hurt!

Yay for the Aussie dollar! You are right - the Cdn dollar is really rockin'!!! We were actually ABOVE parity briefly last week, although I think we are around the 99.5 cent mark now. Basically we are at parity. Love it!!! I think this is the highest the dollar has ever been for any trip I have taken to the States. I have come in some years getting 70-some cents on the dollar. This is heaven!!!

Too funny about your men and their haircuts!!! But at least the countdown fever has hit your son! Good to know they are getting excited too!

Not long now!

 

[TokyoDina]

Gah! One week left! Are you almost ready! I can't wait 23 days for me! Getting very close to the single digits here! Wow! I hope it's soo much fun. Did DH get his hair cut?

I know my DH will want to grow his out since he can't for his job. Haha but he'll want one as soon as we get back.

 

[PrincessInOz]

All caught up again!

I *completely* know what you mean about the last 2-3 weeks flying by. I definitely want to stop the clock. There are so many things I wanted/needed to get done before the trip that won't be getting done.

However, on the same hand, I am very, very excited! Like you, it is hitting home. And the single digits don't hurt!

Yay for the Aussie dollar! You are right - the Cdn dollar is really rockin'!!! We were actually ABOVE parity briefly last week, although I think we are around the 99.5 cent mark now. Basically we are at parity. Love it!!! I think this is the highest the dollar has ever been for any trip I have taken to the States. I have come in some years getting 70-some cents on the dollar. This is heaven!!!

Too funny about your men and their haircuts!!! But at least the countdown fever has hit your son! Good to know they are getting excited too!
Not long now!

I've been watching the CDN as well. It's fantastic for you!!

Gah! One week left! Are you almost ready! I can't wait 23 days for me! Getting very close to the single digits here! Wow! I hope it's soo much fun. Did DH get his hair cut?

I know my DH will want to grow his out since he can't for his job. Haha but he'll want one as soon as we get back.

We're in final countdown mode in this household. Yes, DH did get his hair cut; as did DS.

 

[PrincessInOz]

5 days to go!!

I cannot believe how quickly this countdown is progressing. We're now down to 5 days and will be finalising our packing today and tomorrow.

I have 2 days of work this week (Tues, Wed) and then Thursday booked solid with beauty and massage appointments. And then we fly out on Friday.

One thing that made this trip real for my son was the arrival of the free character photograph from Disney.
Did you know that Disney offered this service? My TA told me about it.

I would expect that this one applies to anyone irrespective of whether they are travelling to Disney or not.
Disney will send your children autographed photos of their characters at no charge. Send the request for your favorite character to:

The Walt Disney Company
Attn: Fan Mail Department
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521

Limit: one photo per request. Delivery: 4-6 weeks.

I wrote a letter requesting a character photo (Mickey) for DS with name and address in the letter. I also popped his name, address and character request at the back of the envelop for RTS purposes.

We got a response within 4 weeks (arrived on Friday) with the envelop addressed to DS. A Black and White 8" x 10" picture (thin'ish photographic paper) of Mickey in front of the Castle signed in texta "To My Pal (child's name) Mickey Mouse".

I can only imagine that they would send a photograph of any Disney character, should you request it.

 

[TokyoDina]

Wow that's sooooo cool!

Geez you guys leave on Friday then or Sat? It's right around the corner!

 

[franandaj]

So when you leave Friday it is actually Thursday here, right, then you get here Friday? We went to New Zealand, I remember it was something like that. It's getting really close, I'm excited for you. Will you have a computer on the trip and will you be posting anything or will it be blank while you're gone?

When you get back will you have a new TR location? So many questions! Make sure we all know where to find you!

 

[PrincessInOz]

When we leave MLB, it will be 10.50 am on Friday 30th April. We will arrive in LAX, it will be 7.30 am on Friday 30th April.

We aren't planning on bringing any technology with us. We normally travel with a laptop but have decided not to bother this time.

I plan on updating when I return and will let you know where I post.

 

[PrincessInOz]

4 days to go!!

I'm sitting here in a relatively tranquil and sane room that is my dining room. It's about the only room in the house where we haven't got a pile of clothes masquerading as the floor.

• Our living room has a pile of ironing in it.
• My bedroom is covered with clothes in 3 piles - cull out, pack back, take on holiday.
• DS's room is covered with clothes yet to be sorted into 3 piles.
• The family/rumpus room, the third bedroom and the study are covered with sheets and towels...we changed the bedding this weekend as well as had about 2 loads of normal washing. And then it rained it Melbourne!
• The bathrooms are a mess and don't even talk about the laundry.

But I don't care....it's 4 days to go before I'm on a jet plane. I might be swimming in clothes today but after this cup of coffee, I'm heading back into the bedrooms to tidy up. By the end of today, I will be mostly packed!!

Two days of work, one day of last minute running around and then on Friday (Thursday North American time) we fly out.

In the previous post to this, I posted that we fly out of Melbourne at 10.50 am on Friday 30 April. We will land in LAX around 7.30 am on Friday 30th April. One of the quirks and benefits of travelling in the easterly direction is that we cross the International Dateline and gain a day. Of course, we lose a day when we head back.

4 more days....4 more days

 

[franandaj]

I forget since it's been so long since our trip down under, but you folks are midway through your day as we are ending it and you are a whole nother day ahead of us. I think NZ was 17 hrs and you are 15 hrs? So really you're not just starting your day you are well into it. It's just about midnight here, so it's about 3-4 PM there? Well I don't remember anything from our trip it was so long ago!

Anyways! congrats on you're being to close! I hope you enjoy your time in Long Beach! Unfortunately, I'm going to be attending a funeral on my B'day before we head out to D'land, not what I expected, but what can you do?
I'll try to enjoy the rest of the time I'm there.

Good luck on your journey and I'll look forward to hearing about the trip.

 

[PrincessInOz]

I forget since it's been so long since our trip down under, but you folks are midway through your day as we are ending it and you are a whole nother day ahead of us. I think NZ was 17 hrs and you are 15 hrs? So really you're not just starting your day you are well into it. It's just about midnight here, so it's about 3-4 PM there? Well I don't remember anything from our trip it was so long ago!

Anyways! congrats on you're being to close! I hope you enjoy your time in Long Beach! Unfortunately, I'm going to be attending a funeral on my B'day before we head out to D'land, not what I expected, but what can you do?
I'll try to enjoy the rest of the time I'm there.

Good luck on your journey and I'll look forward to hearing about the trip.

Alison - I'm sorry to hear that you have a funeral to attend before going to DL. Happy Birthday for the day and thanks for all your tips on Long Beach.

 

[kcandbella]

That's so funny that you "go back in time" when you fly. We are only an hour difference from FL, so it's not really even noticeable.

FOUR DAYS!!!

 

[TokyoDina]

I love time traveling! Haha Geez it's right around the corner!! I'm so excited for you. I hope work doesn't make you crazy! I know when it's getting close for me I start to not want to work anymore haha!

 

[franandaj]

I know when it's getting close for me I start to not want to work anymore haha!

I don't want to work all the time!

 

[PrincessInOz]

3 days to go !!

I'm nearly packed....can I say that again? I'm NEARLY packed. Aside from the last minute toiletries, I'M NEARLY PACKED!!!

• Ironing all done
• Washing all put away
• Wardrobes sorted
• Bags nearly all packed

3 day to go dance

 

[cdotla]

Oh, you are so much ahead of me, girl!!

See ya real soon!!!!