Things to remember...

Things I am recalling from a (not too) distant memory:
- leg cramps directly follow long flights (!)
- light switches go down for on
- not too much beats Vogelbread toast and a cup of tea for brekky
- walking to places is so easy - with footpaths!
- public transport in sprawling cities can definitely be effective and efficient (and pleasant!)

American consulate visit went mostly ok this morning...stand in line to get in another line to get fingerprints taken (have my fingers changed in the last 4 years???) to sit and wait - lots of waiting required. Observation: waiting with no electronics = much longer than waiting with electronics ( and that, ladies and gentlemen is the full extent of my algebraic brilliance!) Time to hit the streets- don't have ALL day to drink lattes you know! Ka kite!

Ask me NOW how long the flight is from OKC to NZ -the answer is 28 hours! I did sleep about 6 hours on the LA - Brisbane flight so that was a plus. Spent some time at Brisbane airport reacquainting myself with lollies and chocolate - pics to come! Travelled all the way in my shorts - chilly here but not freezing. Big adventure tomorrow as I head to the US consulate to get my visa so I can actually get back INTO the US in July. Staying with friends, Linda and David and kids here in Auckland. Linda and I have been friends since high school - that's a looooong time. Very cool to be talking kiwi with kiwis!

Today's the day! Packing, last minute shopping, and probably time for a Starbucks along the way.  Airport by 4:45...leaving at 6:20...watch this space!

...and then there's the visa...but only required to get back IN to the states...nothing like the surge of adrenalin when you realise you need to get all THAT organised! (4 days til lift off!)

Not long now til I leave - 8 days and counting!  Stay tuned in for adventures to come!