It was a good thing that I asked Sam to email our travel agent to ask about our luggage transfers for our trip because there’s been a change to our flights both to and from LA, as well as our flight to Dallas from LA. Now we fly out at 11.15am, instead of 12pm, and we’re going via Sydney not Auckland. Our itinerary has been updated to reflect this change. It also means that the flight to LA will be 13 hours instead of 16 which is great news in light of the medical concerns we had for Sam and his ability to fly. At this stage, everything is still a go, so we’re crossing fingers and toes that it remains that way.

I haven’t fully packed yet, as resetting up my laptop after Sam formatted it for me today has taken longer than expected, but I’m now back up to max capacity… I think. I’m pretty sure I’ve remembered everything I need while we’re O/S. Browser - Check. Word - Check. Photo editing software - Check. That’s basically all I need to do the journal so I’m happy.

Site update!! - Check the Dallas Stars page under the heading Contents Of The Stars to see pictures of the players we’re talking about!!

Hockey update!!
Stars have just played their last two games against the Vancouver Canucks, on March 11 (US time) in Vancouver and today, March 13 (US time) , at home in the AAC (American Airlines Centre) in Dallas. We won on March 11, 2-1. Mike Modano, our fearless leader and my all-time favourite player, scored our two goals, was first star of the game, first star on Hockey Night In Canada, and second star for NHL.com! It’s great for Mike to get acknowledgement of his achievements.

In today’s game, Mike had two assists and the game winning goal, leading the Stars to a 4-2 victory. Again, he was named first star, with linemates Jussi Jokinen (You-see Yo-kin-en) and Jere Lehtinen (Yair-ree Let-hin-en) second and third star respectively. Mike’s goal was actually given in error as he was offside when he took the shot on goal, but the ref’s awarded the goal before a review could be done so there was nothing they could do. He lead by example in today’s game, and by all accounts had a formidable presence on the ice.

There are no words that are able to express exactly how I feel right now, knowing that in less than two days, I’ll be in Dallas - the home of my favourite sports team. I have had this dream of watching the Stars play live since I first discovered ice hockey all those years ago when I was a mere thirteen year old and I saw a 22 year old Mike Modano, wearing my favourite number - 9 - on his jersey, billowing behind him as he streaked up the centre of the ice, weaving and outskating his opposition before potting the puck into the net. A simple arm raised in the air in celebration as he skated around and back to his teammates before being enveloped in celebratory hugs showed just how modest he was about his talent and skill as a hockey player. Mike was the one who ignited my passion for hockey. Still, I can’t believe that in five days, I’ll finally get to see him flying up that ice with my own eyes and not via a taped coverage. A truly special day indeed.

I’ve tried to follow his career, and my beloved Stars over the years, and thanks to the Internet it’s easier than ever to keep track of them now. Those early years, though, were impossible and the year we won the coverted Stanley Cup over the Buffalo Sabres was a year that I had no access to Stars coverage at all! This trip will certainly make up for that!

Enough of my rambling. Tune in tomorrow, same bat time, sam bat channel!

~ Wendy

2 days, 12 hours, 53 minutes, and 10 seconds left until the plane departs Brisbane!

We had a big scare today with me almost being unable to fly! To make a very long story very short, i’ve been given the all clear, so it’s Dallas here we come! Wendy mentioned in the previous update that we were going to go camcorder shopping. We did that on Thursday just gone. After hunting around a vast number of stores we eventually found a Hitachi DVDRAM video camera we liked. After wondering why it was so much cheaper than the rest of them, we noticed it was 50% off due to being the end of the current line of that model! So, we ended up getting a very pricey video camera for next to nothing! DVDRam simply means the video is burnt directly onto a mini DVD disc, removing the need for tapes.

It’s Wendy’s last day of work tomorrow so while she’s busy there i’ll be at home making sure we have everything washed, dried and ready to be packed! It’s very exciting!

~ Sam

Friday morning and there’s less than a week to go before we jet off. After a few minor issues with funding, which have now been sorted, we are actually above budget and set to have a fantastic trip. We’ve even been able to replace our old Panasonic Lumix digicam for a Canon Powershot S2 IS, and we’re shopping for a camcorder this weekend. So look out for some interesting photos in the weeks to come.

Now there’s not much more to do than pack, get my nails done (tomorrow), and fly out. I’m a little nervous about going through LAX because everyone has a LAX horror story to share. I’ve never been on a 16 hour flight before so that will be interesting and I know that Sam is going to drive me nuts unless we medicate him with either alcohol or drugs - neither of which would probably be a good idea in a confined space.

Other than that… we’re doing just fine. Everything is done. Now it’s just a waiting game… and everyone hates waiting. Still… this is a trip worth waiting for!

~ Wendy