When I finally arrived in Houston, I was nervous. The first thing I saw when I got off the plane were all these people holding signs to direct those they were waiting for. I daren't look, when I heard, "JULES!". It was Mum (-Gigem/Blue) calling me. I was relieved she recognised me as she stood waiting with her friend Jennifer :) We went to pick up my siblings. The first one I saw was my sister Casey. I barely recognised her from the photos Mum had sent me. Her hair was a lot longer, and she was shorter than I imagined her to be by now. I thought she was lovely though, as I did my brothers Cameron and Conner :) I couldn't sleep the first night no matter how hard I tried. I decided that when it did eventually hit me, I'd stay awake until a 'decent bed time' for fear of having another sleepless night. Little did I realise we'd be having company that Friday evening!! I just about managed to stay awake as I had my very first taste of shrimp and found it was GOOD!!! :) I slept well that night :) [Left-right Conner, Cameron, Me, Casey - siblings together]

I was a bit tired when I woke up Saturday morning. As we were to see Stevie Nicks that night, I was advised to take a nap. I did so that afternoon before getting ready. When they arrived, we (-Mum and Casey) went with Mum's Mum, her sis Julie~Jo and Julie~Jo's girlfriend Jean. Despite some bloke asking me to sit down when I was dancing, we had a good time :) [Left-right : Mum, Me, Jean, Julie~Jo, Mum's Mum, Casey]

By Sunday afternoon I'd felt a bit guilty about not being brave enough to venture into the pool. I decided as no-one was around and a couple of people (-ie Uncle Rupi and Todd) had hinted at me getting in, now was the time. I got a bit scared of getting in when Mum's brother Donny showed up with the same idea in mind, but I still managed to get in and play with him and the kids for a couple of hours.

Sunday evening we went to Mr Gatti's. As I'm allergic to cheese (shock, horror! Damn those people from Wisconsin!!) it cut my choice of food in half, but it didn't matter. I still fed well, after which I ended up on the Dodgems!!!! :)) [Left-right : Cameron, Casey, Casey's friend Heather, and Conner]

Monday I went to the club (Aerofit Fitness Center where Mum works) with Mum and the kids. We took our towels and swimming cossies. I decided I could be a bit brave in public! There were four outer pools. All I could taste in the water was sunscreen :o/ Needless to say with that and my dislike of swimming, I didn't stay in long. Instead me and Casey went for a hot-tub followed by a sauna :)

Tuesday I just communicated with people ;)

Wednesday I went to work with Mum. I played squash. The kids joined in, Then I worked out, even though I had no muscle to strengthen! When Mum finished her shift we went shopping in the mall, and then I went to aerobics with Mum. To finish off such a healthy day, we ate in Wings and More that night! :)

I made the most amazing discovery Thursday. I'd cleverly backdated the postcards I'd written to a date before I was even in the states!! Typical!

Friday I rested in preparation for Saturday when I was to meet Mal, Ozy, and a few others from IRC.

Saturday morning I got on IRC to try to calm my nerves. Ozy arrived in the process, but I was so nervous I got Casey to open the door to him!! I went with Ozy to 'pick up' Lexi (`Alexus) and Crunk from a petrol station, and Mal arrived a few hours later. The air conditioning went which I discovered is an absolute TRAGEDY to an American (though not as much to us English folk who are used to living in heat! lol), so the party went outside where it was cooler in the evening. Despite me and Lexi getting chucked in the pool, we all had a good time, and those of us that stayed the night didn't get to bed till 3am as a result! :)) (click here to see some party pics)

When I woke in the morning, I couldn't find the all-important Grand Prix on Casey's TV, and I didn't want to disturb Ozy and Mal, so I couldn't check the cable for it :( Despite my thoughtfulness, Ozy sneaked out of the house without saying bye to me! He says he thought I was asleep *sigh*. Luckily Mal left in the afternoon, so I got to say bye to him :)

Wednesday was a very important day. It was Beanie baby day. Casey is a collector, and a shop in the mall was to have some more delivered that morning, so we were all dragged to the mall! Afterwards we went to the club where I played squash and worked out again. I went to Texas to get FIT!!! :))

Monday Mum forced me into that pool again! She thought it would be good for me as we still didn't have the A/C fixed! It finally got fixed Tuesday to the relief of Mum and the others. After days of complaining about it being too hot, Cameron complained at dinner that it was too cold! Some people are so hard to satisfy!! [Left-right : Cameron, Me, Casey, Conner - siblings together!]

My last afternoon in Texas was spent in the George Bush Library. I found it quite interesting. I also managed to loose a few potential holiday snaps as my film wasn't in the camera properly, but you live and learn :o/

We ate at Golden Corral in the evening, after which Lane (Mum's hubbie) gave me a quick tour of A & M campus.

Thursday morning we left for the airport at 7.15am. I said bye to Casey as she was the only one awake at that time. It felt weird to leave them all after so long...... [Me and Mum say goodbye at the airport gate as I leave for Indiana]

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