Lebanon , NJ , USA April 28th 2016

Long time with no post . 11 years .
Now have two kids . Moved to the US 5&1/2 years ago . Kids going to the small local school which is only 300 m away . We went back to live in Sydney for 6 months last year . Great experience for the kids . My daughter Elka loved going swimming @ Clovelly . Kieran still remembered some of his friends from Kindergarten . It was tougher transition for Elka . As they put her in to a higher grade & she had to swap classes after a month & it was like she had to start from scratch . We just left & she made great friends with Poppy . Kieran made a good friend in Alessio . They both loved Soccer & like most boys playing electronic devices .
The trip was great for me . As I was able to catch up with friends & family . Swimming every morning down @ Clovelly . We have decided to renovate our house . As it is only a two bedroom semi . Amy & I enjoyed not having to clean such a big house . But if we are ever going to move back we will need a bigger house . We have council approval & eventually have a four bedroom place . It will be a long time coming & costly .
I have not been running that much . In fact I had 15 months without running a step . I thought I had chronic Plantar Facitis . After spending a four tune on physio bills . We finally discovered that I had Parkinson's Disease . For the last three years . I have had claw toes . It is a cramping of toes . I tried running again with Amy one beautiful day in Sydney & my left arm was not swinging . A cardiologist twigged that I may have PD . So I booked to see a Neurologist @ St Vincent's . This all happened a few days before the family was due to fly back to the States . So I stayed back in Sydney for two months awaiting diagnosis . It gave me more time with Mum . Exercise is very important for the treatment of Parkinson's . So I try to run & walk 6k every few days . My claw toes still give me difficulty but struggle along . I go to the gym five days a week . Kieran actually took a class with me today which was a blast . I get on the exercise bike for an hour . I take various classes there . I have met some nice people there . One of whom went to Uni in Wollongong & we talked about Cricket a lot . We have the town 5k coming up in two weeks & the whole family have entered . So it will be good to run with the kids .
I get especially homesick in Winter . As I will never get used to the cold . The US health care system is frustrating . I saw a Doctor who was not empathetic . It is difficult to get my medication . As you have to call back a few times before they send the medication to the Pharmacy & despite asking still only one bottle is sent . I have since changed Doctor who is difficult to get into see . Hopefully he is a better Doctor . I have also had issues with Skin Cancers . Too much Aussie sun . So I have 25 stitches on the left side of my face that will leave permanent scaring . Also had a Skin Cancer removed from my leg .
Amy & I have booked tickets for the last two days of the USA Olympic Track & Field Trials .
So really looking forward to that . As always wanted to get there . Amy is off to Raleigh for a few days & the family has just come back from Wadshington DC . We had our first visitor from Oz . My brother spent his Birthday with me in town on his business trip .That was great .
I still miss Australia heaps but @ least with TV & internet I am able to still follow Aussie sport .
US election hotting up . They wouldn't elect Trump would they ?
Better go . Hopefully not eleven years between my next post .