In the air over the Pacific!

I write these words while flying at 32,000 feet over the Pacific Ocean. It is now 4:48pm Sydney (& body time). The plane left the ground in Sydney at 1:49pm – right on time. We are flying at 594 miles per hour toward Los Angeles for the almost 14 hour flight.
Amazingly enough, we will arrive at 10:07am Tuesday morning! This International Dateline stuff is fascinating! It has been a fine day which started with breakfast and tearful good byes at The Centre.
All the staff bid their farewells as Marty, Maureen and I drove away in a taxi loaded with my 15 weeks of luggage (2 bags, 2 carry on’s) and their five weeks (4 bags, 4 carry on’s). I should explain. I only had to look presentable and be comfortable; they had to have fun clothes, and formal dinning attire as well as business wear.

Our passage through Customs and Security was unremarkable and surprisingly smooth. We spent our final Australian Dollars in the Duty Free Shops and ate our way through the food court. Luncheon conversation revolved around how good it was to travel together for the last two weeks and that we will all be re-committing to Weight Watchers upon return to Monroe County. But Maureen pointed out that they will have a five week jump on me! Good, I’ll need the inspiration!

We are picking up a car at LAX and going to Beth and Doug’s home in Brentwood where M & M will observe the changes in new born Nathan Douglas since they last saw him two weeks ago. I look forward to seeing Nate for the first time. Since we well seasoned child care providers are in town, Doug and Beth are going to go out together for the first time since Nate made the scene ex utero. I can’t wait.