365 days in America

I can still remember our last day in Australia like it was yesterday …..sort of . I had to ask Emma where we stayed on our last night before we left for the airport . We both can’t remember . How bad is that ? I wanted to get all mushy and sentimental but how can I when I can’t even remember my last day in Mornington . That scares me , maybe I’ve become detached a little more than I thought . I can remember having doubts ; is this really happening ? Gav and Vanessa had said goodbye and left for Inverloch , then it was the Murrays and i’l always remember Tara’s uncontrollable crying as she got back in the car . That was the moment I swallowed and realised it was real . Before that it was giving up our beautiful dog Choccie , the best one we’d had . The driver arriving to pick us up , asking if we were going on Holliday’s . “No mate we are moving to Los Angles for real .” A beautiful sunny day as I look over my shoulder and visually say goodbye to our home and the best of neighbours , trying to photograph the image and imprint it in my memory bank . It worked . Staying at the airport hotel and having a Carlton Draught on tap and listening to the working class language in the sports bar . Boarding , looking out at the runway remembering the days I actually spent out there on my hands and knees with Kim , caulking away . I remember typing a message to everyone we knew to look up in the sky cause the Howard’s were about to fly over and say bye one more time . ….. Landing , getting through the harsh surrounds of LAX . I ‘l never forget the 1st time I had to drop the kids off to school , driving the opposite side in school traffic , almost literally shitting myself as the nerves had loosened my bowels , realising that even the shortest of trips can take longer than expected in LA traffic . Denver , Estes Park with its beautiful snow covered mountains , Palm Springs and it’s 45 degree heat, Santa Barbara , Long Beach , Downtown , Malibu , Orange County , Leguna Beach and a host of others . We’ve been there . Add Yosemite , SanFran , Indian Wells , and SanDiego from our previous visit and you can say we’ve given it a fair crack . NBA basketball , cheap American beer ( the best stuff) , ridiculous sunsets and crazy long summers . A years gone by and I have to say I miss Australia as badly as I ever have, but we’ve been true to our word . We are throwing ourselves out there , the kids have become acclimatised . Tex has a strong American accent ,Leroy is baseball mad ( and bloody good at it ) , Emma is doing what what we always knew she would …. killing it . Me well , I’m surfing more and trying my hand at something totally new . 1 YEAR down already .We’l be back , but for now this is Home ( can’t believe I’m saying that )