Since booking my flight, I'm becoming obsessed! I just scheduled my remaining time off work for the year, and then I decided to count how many days I'll be at work during my last 3 months in the States.

If all goes according to plan and I don't get laid off in the meantime, (please, God, don't let it happen I work in the construction industry and things are grim) I'll probably be quitting my job on Feb 15th to give me a little over a week to prepare for my move. With the time off around Xmas I have booked, and weekends all included, I only have to work another 49 days! What is wrong with me?

I also booked my dog in for her spay during my time off so I can be at home to watch her, so that'll keep me occupied as well. Very very scared about it, though, I've never taken care of a spayed dog before, and she bounces up and down like a kangaroo all the time, so hopefully she'll be smart enough to realize that will cause her pain, and she won't do it.

Both my dogs have had the same surgery this year...a 2 yr old Chihuahua and 9 yr old Cav. King Charles Spaniel. I was a little worried about my Cav. because of her age but both dogs were absolutely fine. A little sleepy the day of the op but the next day they were more or less back to normal...even jumping on and off the sofa.

I used to do that before trips home - actually kept a chart up on the white board on my desk from about 3 months out with key dates and weekends marked.
I know it sounds a bit crap, but it helped. My last trip home totally crept up on me, but the next one (at crimbo) I have been looking forward to, as much for a break from work than anything else.

Hi Kate,

No you are not obsessed. Ive been through this and its now coming to and end in two weeks time - thank god. In the next two weeks I am going to the Gold Coast then having two leaving barbeques, seeing two concerts, going to the cinema, out for a dinner with friends, and making the most of the good friends I have made here in Oz. Its good to plan things ..to be honest thats what has kept me going through the last few months, otherwise I would have gone mad Its all about enjoying the last few months you have here, saving the best till last etc etc .. of course for me that is returning home for christmas - just cant wait.

Enjoy your last few months, and try not to get angry and irritated with things like I did. I found all the things which irritated me about auz really annoying over the last few months, and I know its cos I know I am relieved to be going, but god its been hard. But I have achieved what I set out to achieve and to me thats such a plus.

Enjoy enjoy

Sounds like you'll be having a nice send-off, that's a good way to leave and remember good feelings about the place.

Getting angry with things is part of my problem. Now that I've got my flight booked, I try to tell myself off for getting mad. It's still hard, but easier than before. I've had a really crappy weekend, as I had to give up my car that I can no longer afford to pay for, but luckily I don't really go anywhere, it's just a pain having to rely on others to get to work and it was very upsetting to let go of the best car I've ever used.

Also, 2 more people were laid off on Friday, supposedly there was meant to be another one, so everyone was scared stiff it would be them. I think that was just a rumour though. It was like laying on a guillotine waiting for the blade to fall. I'm exhausted today, but I still went to bed with a semi-smile on my face last night because I know it won't be forever. I'm done, and I'm going home very soon.