Well, I am officially in Springfield Massachusetts now. I haven't written until now because I've had my ass majorly kicked by Madame Jet-Lag. Oh how I hate her.

Gore just conceded defeat this evening (well, last evening, it's after midnight) and Bush mentioned God and prayer about five hundred thousand times in his acceptance speech. How can I move back to this country in the state it is in? ;)

I just checked e-mail for the first time today! Craziness. I was totally determined to just not have jet-lag...I thought I was way too cool for that, but apparently not. Jet lag has completely whipped my ass! I feel like I've been run-over by a train, but I'm gearing up for a wild weekend in Boston...hopefully :)

So far it's been a non-stop ride of visits and phone calls from the Shea clan. The major guilt-trips have begun and I actually had to come out and tell my aunts that "There will be no guilt-trips allowed this year, thank you". They were a bit taken aback, but it was necessary. Much to my dismay, my 12 year old cousins are nearly my height, so by next year, save the 3 year old, I will be the shortest one in my family! Dammit!

Tonight I had dinner with my grandparents and tomorrow there lies a daunting all day "shop till you drop" expedition with my nosiest aunt who will be sure to grill me on any and all guys in my life. Maybe Owen and Matt should just send over a list of my "Top Ten" :)

This weekend I'll be going to various Chrissie parties, meeting up with old friends, visiting my Uni and seeing how it got 100x better and more beautiful as soon as I left. I'll also be checking in to see how that documentary I was working on is going--it's almost done and I reckon I'll be doing a lot of work on it during my "holiday"--doing last minute revisions and stuff on the narration with my old profesor. We have to make it "perfect" for miss *secret actress here*, dah-ling ;)

The weather is bloody cold here. It's about 28 degrees Farenheit right now, which is...(I just looked it up, -2.222 degrees Celsius. )That's a lot warmer than yesterday--there were 70mph winds and it was less than 15 degrees Farenheit, which is like -10 degrees Celsius. BRRRR! Anyway, it's cold, but I should shut up because it gets a lot colder here.

No snow yet--there was some a few hours before I arrived in Springfield, but it melted right before I arrived! We're due for a mini-snow storm tomorrow and then another one on Saturday. People are obsessed with the weather here and talk about it ALL the time. How sad. But I guess when you're in Springfield, what else is there to talk about?

Guess what? I just got "lost" 30 e-mails today --about 20 from November 24th and about 10 from November 15th. Ooops. . Lovely!


So far, being back home is really, well, WEIRD! I can't believe I haven't stepped foot in my old house in over a year! Yet, at the same time, I feel like I've been gone for years! And my parents haven't changed at all--they fight and complain about all the same things as when I left ;) Ah, the ever predictable fam ;)


It's really bizarre hearing nothing but American accents. A bit boring, really ;) And american money feels frickin' weird to touch. Anyway, I'm really excited to visit Boston Uni this weekend and to see all my old friends who are still around, but honestly, I'm already starting to miss good ol' Sydney.

It's weird, thinking about going "home." I feel more and more like this is home. I feel like this will be a big test. As soon as I booked my tickets, I started getting excited about Boston, getting all nostalgic and starry-eyed and romantic, remembering everything and everyone I've missed. I do miss it. So, when I am away, will I miss Sydney even more? I just remember being in Boston and pining away for Sydney--I missed this city so bad it hurt. So, basically, I've realised that no matter what I do, I will always be missing people who are 11,000 miles away. Will I miss Boston enough to move back or will this strengthen my desire to stay here? Next update, Springfield, Massachusetts!

Yeah, baby, yeah!

9.30am. Less than an hour to go. Still no damn Opal!!!
I know it is somewhere in my apartment. It has to be. But it's hiding from me. Bad Opal. Bad BAD Opal. I have a bit more to pack up and then I will have one last look around the whole apartment. Lordy!

I have to be careful, as if I even sit for a second, I'd pass out into a sleep coma!

8.45am and still no opal!!!

It's nearly 7.30am and I leave for the airport in less than 3 hours. I am still not packed and I still haven't found the opal necklace I bought for my mum in September. DOH! I remember, as soon as I got back from Melbourne, I took the little box it was in and hid the necklace...well apparently I hid it SO well that now that even I can't find it! I suck. I really really suck.

I know, I should have started looking for it so long ago, but I thought I knew where it was. Anyway, I am officially a dork and I didn't go to bed at all, cause I wanted to be able to sleep on the plane. I am wrecked. With my luck, I'll actually sit next to an attractive/ cool person, looking like complete crap :)

Need sleep, but must stay awake!

Must pack.
Must find necklace...
Think good jewelry finding thoughts, people!

In 3 hours I'll be at the airport. In 5 hours I'll be in the air, on the way from Sydney to New York, then New York to Hartford. I'll arrive around midnight on Monday, US east coast time, or 4pm tomorrow afternoon Sydney time...

Back to the opal hunt...