168 days ago we started counting down to when we would arrive in Dallas. And here we are, less than 13 hours from departure time. I have about four things to pack before we’re ready to go, not including my laptop, which I’ll be doing at the end of this post - Thanks Lizzie for the lend of the laptop bag! It’s a gem, and Geoff, I promise it’ll be returned on April 5 in one piece. *GRIN*

Hockey update before we get onto other things - Right Winger Bill Guerin (#13) is currently out on injury. In the game against the Canucks, Billy took a highstick to the right eye, causing him to incur a fractured orbital bone - which is located at the top of the eyesocket. Billy is scheduled for surgery on Thursday (US time) and is expected to be out for a week. Here’s to a speedy recovery Billy!

And onto other things… today was long and fun, but exhausting. I got up at 7am, unable to sleep, and started to pack the suitcase since all the clothes were now dry. Sam got up at 7.45am, and while he cooked breakie, I continued packing. I’m sure I’ve got everything - and whatever I’ve forgotten, we can buy over there. I’ve got the carry on packed - complete with gifts for Mike Modano and Jere Lehtinen, Sam’s Finland jersey in case he gets cold, our tickets, and the food, glorious food that we have to declare in LA. I just hope that the Vegemite will be allowed. It’s in tubes instead of jars. We’ll see. No biggie if they’re not. We spent most of the day with our friend who is probably going to be moving to the UK while we’re away. We’ll miss him, and very much enjoyed the 6 or 7 hours we spent with him today!

Our lovely friend, Rhonda, is going to meet us at the airport in Dallas! I can’t wait. It’s going to be great to see her and catch up! After following her to our hotel (I think this is the plan) we’re going to go to her place to watch the Stars play the LA Kings - the game that is playing while we’re actually flying from LA to Dallas ironically. Should be a good game, and one we desperately need to win, if for no other reason than the psychological need to beat them. We’ve lost all except for the first game against the Kings this season, though we should have beaten them in the last game before the Olympic break in February, but we got arrogant when we were in the lead and left our defense in the locker room - and the Kings came back to win by one goal after being down 5-2 at the end of the second. It was downright disgusting the way we played. We need the win in this game!

Anyway enough of my hockey ramblings. Tomorrow is another exciting day. And the next time I post on this blog, we’ll be in the U.S. of A.!! Until then…

~ Wendy