Ok so I'm not dead! HONEST! Well not the last time I checked anyway. Sorry for the lack of info about my 'so called' life, but I've been crazy busy planning my trip for next year. So it's all go - here is the rundown:

Day 1: Fly to Chicago
Day 2: Chicago
Day 3: Chicago
Day 4: Travel to St Paul, Minnasota
Day 5: Mall of America (spending money central)
Day 6: Travel to Minot, North Dakota
Day 7: Travel to Glacier National Park, Montana
Day 8: Travel to Seattle
Day 9: Seattle
Day 10: Seattle
Day 11: Travel to Portland, Oregan
Day 12: Travel to San Francisco
Day 13: San Francisco
Day 14: San Francisco
Day 15: Travel to LA
Day 16: San Diego
Day 17: LA
Day 18: LA
Day 19: LA
Day 20: Fly Home!!!! Awwwww

So what do you think? Ok, so I know it's a LOT of travelling (that's an understatement cause it's 79 hours) but hey, we're young (well kinda) and fit and healthy so I'm sure we'll be fine. Besides I hear that the long distance Amtrak routes are a great place to meet people. And that's what backpacking is all about.

So the flights are all booked - we got such an amazing deal! And the train is all booked! All we need to do now is book the accomodation. Hmmm, this is where the fun begins! I have stayed in some RANDOM hostels and motels in USA before (ok scrub the word 'random' and put in the word 'freaky' or 'scary' til you get the idea), so we'll need to be careful when deciding where we are staying.

So what else has been going on since I last graced this board? Well one of my American mates didn't realise that we Brits are only half way through Season One of 'Lost' and told me a HUGE spoiler by mistake. STILL not forgiven him!

I've been watching the new season of Crossing Jordon and am blown away on a weekly basis at how awesome this show is. And I believe I am the only person in the world who LIKES Jordan and JD together.

On another note altogether - the new CDs by Madonna and Anastacia hit the stores tomorrow so I guess that means I'll be up early!

Ok, enough rambling.....

Caz
x

I had my 2006 vacation planned and was all ready to pay for it when a friend of mine threw a spanner in the works. You see I was all set fly to Chicago and go on a bus tour across the northern states and then fly home from LA, but my friend decided that she wanted to tag along. Now I'm a bit a of a traveller (done all of Australia, New Zealand, about half of USA, and bits and about a third of Europe) but I always go on my own. Dunno why, I just prefer it that way cause i'm pretty independant and like doing my own thing - besides you meet the most awesome people when you're travelling on your own. Some of my best friends are people I met whilst backpacking over Oz in 2002!

ANYWAY, Emma (my mate) aasked if she could come along. I had a long hard think about it and said it would be fine (after all the hotels would be half the price ) However, yesterday she discovered that her cousin is getting married whilst we would be away and she said she couldn't miss the wedding! Panic ensued, but we have FINALLY come up with a plan!

We are buying an Amtrak USA Pass and then we're flying into Chicago travelling overland for about 3 weeks then flying home from LA. BUT there is a small problem - I really want to visit South Dakota but Amtrak don't run there! What's THAT all about? How random! You would think they would have stations in every state. So I'm not sure how happy I am at missing out on Mt Rushmore and stuff

So anyway, this is a call out to all Americans - I'm looking for suggestions for places to visit between Chicago and LA. We are definately doing St Pauls, Seattle, San Francisco (cause I loved it last time I went) but other that that we're pretty much open to suggestions!

So feel free to give us some tips!

Caz

As many of you know I teach drama to children for a living. Now I have been doing this for 5 years now and not had so much as one problem. However, in the UK there are new child protection laws coming out at the end of this year. Basically it means that anyone working with kids needs to be registered with a Central Body called Disclosure Scotland. I'm all for protecting kids, so of course I don't have a problem with this . . . well that is til I actually found out what their role is! If I commit a crime of any nature (whether is involves kids or not) that it goes on my Disclosure Record and then my employer gets informed of it. Ok, so far!!! Well, yes, but the thing is I am run my OWN business and have NO other employees working with me. So if I commit a crime then Disclosure Scotland inform ME!!!! Now is that not just the DUMBEST thing you EVER heard? It would be funny, only I have to fill in 16 forms, write policies and statements....AND pay £150 (around $280) for the pleasure! I have called every possible organisation I can think of to ask if this is right, and all I get in return is...."well, yes, sorry I see your point but it's really intended to protect large companies. But yes it's still a new law and you still have to abide by it." OMG it's the legal system gone mad!

Ok rant over!!!

Caz