* After 2 years of God preparing me for some changes in my life, 1 year planning this specific change, here I am at the start of this 'next thing'! (Check the itinerary here: http://picasaweb.google.com.au/bec.kimpton/BecSItinerary/photo#5027523744344956754 )

It's been fairly emotional saying goodbye to people (and places: see the pic of my fave Sydney beach Tamarama) for the last month or so but also wonderful to spend the time with friends and family.

And on Thursday the 1st of February 2007 it finally came: the final packing of the bags (and suprise, suprise, some of it was still happening on the morning of the flight) and the trip to the airport. I had a pretty good flight (here's a tip: on the sides the last couple of rows of the plane there are only 2 seats (instead of the normal 3) and extra leg room if you have the window seat (which I did) - it was great!). I sat next to a fellow Monty Python/Musical theatre/TV fan (funny since I was reading some Monty Python that Erin had printed out for me) so we got on well.

And at the end of it all were Alex&Steph (friends from Sydney), waiting to pick me up at San Francisco. We had a great day (which forced me to stay awake - very helpful in changing time zones) seeing Fisherman's Wharf (including heaps of seals and a view of Alcatraz),

buying a new digital camera, a cable car ride through the steep streets of San Fran and a little sleep in the car on the way back to Rob&Alex's place. Most pix here are self explanatory but I just had to take a pic of the 'Shoe Pavillion' sign - most of you know my 'thing' for shoes - I managed not to go in - aren't I strong! You can see more pics here: http://picasaweb.google.com.au/bec.kimpton/SanFranDavisCalifornia_1207