The Happiest Place on Earth

UPDATE: James has his photos from the trip up. Here's one:



I just finished up a very quick weekend in Disneyland. It was a trip down to see my sister and her family. Trying to see people before I do the big move. I think I timed things just right. The weather in L.A. up until the weekend was rainy and cold. Saturday and Sunday were both warm and Sunny. Of course, with the weekends come the crowds, but we did very well with the rides and did several E-ticket rides multiple times.

It was great to see the world of Disney through the actions of an almost 4-year-old. Cait had things she really liked (Alice in Wonderland!) and things she didn't ("Cait, do you want to go on Pirates of the Caribbean with Uncle Bill?" "No!"). It was nice having four adults (James' sister Mandy was a very nice fourth 'adult' addition) to wrangle the kids. This let the big kids hit the "Mom, that's too fast" rides in turn.

Some new things for me this time. The highlight would be the the new Hollywood Tower of Terror, a very fun drop ride. Also, the Winnie the Pooh ride was new. Last time I was there, it was the now-gone Bear Country Jamboree. A lot of the attractions are currently closed to get spruced up for the big 50th, but it was still a very fun time.

There are pictures in Jamey's camera and when they are posted, I'll edit this post with a link. Caitlyn made sure that we took a picture with each other so we wouldn't need to be sad when we left each other. I can't wait to see it!

Well, this is posted from around 40,000 feet as I head for Spain. I'll be there for a week, then it is on to Turkey for a week. Both are for work, but I'll have a few days in Izmir to start my search for a residence. My camera is with me, of course...

Preparations

I am trying to get my life in order to move. Sure, there are the
big things like the house, but a lot of small little details
too. Jeans. Am I stocked up enough? Mail. Where will it go?
Toothpaste. Should I stock up at Costco or just buy the local
stuff?

I have done three lessons now with Tugrul. Tugrul is a Turk and
an engineer. He works down the street at Mentor. He actually
went to collage in Izmir, so he knows the area. We have been
working on the 'mathematics' of the language. For instance,
while I know almost no vocabulary, if you give me a verb, I can
put it in me, you , we, they past and present forms. Ah, the
basics!

Photography is also something I am concerned about. I am doing
heavy trading right now. Selling off stuff I don't think I'll
need and acquiring new stuff that I will. This is being slightly
accelerated by the trip with Kevin to Arizona and Utah in March.
Anyone need a 70-200 f/2.8L (non-IS)? Didn't think so...

Welcome

Well, this is my blog. I decided that it would be good to have a way to post to the world my ramblings and happenings while I travel. As most of you know, if I can't communicate digitally, I probably won't communicate... Such is the way of the engineer.