yes, today, Tuesday 28th August 2007 marks my 12 month anniversary of arrival here in the US of A! what a year it has been! time has flown by!! i’ve endured sub-30C temperatures in the heart of winter here in the northern hemisphere, i’ve attatined my full USA drivers license, visited many places around the country (so many more to go …) and am currently enjoying the sunshine and heat of a northern hemisphere summer, albeit humid and sticky here in Houston!
seems just yesterday i jumped on the plane and left my home in Australia … it’s been great, learning new things, meeting new people, experiencing the USA for all it has to offer (sometimes over-indulging), and also missing everyone back home and really appreciating some of the things back home that the USA do not have … and vice versa mind you!
38 days and counting till i am back home … can you handle it?! 
your ads here (468x60) - after 1st post.
well, i was getting a little tired of the old theme, so did a bit of digging around and came up with this one … with a few minor customisations to add that Texan touch! as you may have seen in the news, Hurricane Dean headed west and ripped through parts of Mexico, and never really made it up through the gulf so nothing major to report! no alot else to report either, to be honest. work is busy, but life is good. been trying to keep consistent in the gym lately, have to work off my Americanised body shape prior to returning home … i can’t have people thinking the US of A has had an ill effect on my health and lifestyle!
anyway, hope you enjoy the new theme - it’s a little less colourful than the previous one so who knows, i might change it again …
43 days till Oz … let the countdown begin!
Hugh Cobb, a hurricane specialist … “I wouldn’t rule out Dean could hit the Texas Coast as a Category 5. It’s still a long ways out to predict, but given the ocean’s warmer waters and low wind shear, conditions are ideal for it to strengthen”!!
current projections
well this could be my first hurricane experience! too bad it wasn’t going to happen in October when i’m not in the country! yes, that’s right people, i’ve confirmed my tickets for my flights home … my itinerary is thus:
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CONTINENTAL
Depart: 07:41am Thu Oct 4 2007
Arrive: 09:19am Thu Oct 4 2007
IAH > LAX
Flight: CO495
** 3hr 41min LAYOVER **
QANTAS
Depart: 01:00pm Thu Oct 4 2007
Arrive: 08:35pm Fri Oct 5 2007
LAX > SYD
Flight: QF8
_______________
QANTAS
Depart: 10:20am Wed Oct 24 2007
Arrive: 06:40am Wed Oct 24 2007
SYD > LAX
Flight: QF107
** 2hr 35min LAYOVER **
CONTINENTAL:
Depart: 09:15am Wed Oct 24 2007
Arrive: 02:35pm Wed Oct 24 2007
LAX > IAH
Flight: CO1594
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i went for the safety option of longer layovers between flights mainly cause due to the weather in Houston delays are frequent into and out of the area … so if you want to come and welcome me on Friday 5th October in Sydney as i step off the plane (well, out of customs) you’ve got the details!
just a quickie to link you up with the pics from my trip back to Pittsburgh … had an awesome time, i do miss everyone there! sadly i didn’t get to see everyone but i think i’m going to have to make it a quarterly thing so if i missed you this time, i’ll catch you next time!
and for the pics, click here!
update with run-down on the weekend to follow …
thats right people, tonight i fly to Pittsburgh (for the weekend) to catchup with some of the old crew from the Cork Factory, and former work-mates for the weekend! i’ll also be going to see Dave Matthews (whom i have very little knowledge of) with a big group from the Cork … should be interesting! i’ll surely have pics from the weekend so it would be in all of your best interests to check back after the weekend for an update!
in other news, i am less than 2 month out from my trip back to Australia … i plan to arrive Friday 5th October for 3 weeks returning back to the US on the 24th October … all three weekends are booked, and much of my time between said weekends is also booked! so, if you want to catchup, you better contact me ASAP so i can schedule you in! i’m excited!!