This week hasn't been very exciting and I don't have a lot to report. I have spent most of my time tidying and organising things either for going away or for things that need to be taken care of while I'm away.

I spent Wednesday morning moving furniture from my flat that I am hoping to rent out and taking things to my house. It was a great reminder to why I like being able to park next to my front door; it really makes carrying things to and from the car a lot easier. The day was completed with a trip to the local tip, to drop off all of the cardboard and glass bottles from my garage.

Thursday I had a few friends and family call by and the rest of the day was spent packing. I think Friday might have been the nicest day weather wise since I got home in August and I spent it driving to Manchester, typical. I stayed in a hotel across the way from the airport so I didn't have far to travel for my 9.30am flight on Saturday morning.

Saturday was a long day, I was standing in line for the airport shuttle bus just before 7am and was amazed how there is always one person who ignores a queue and thinks that the bus was waiting for them only even though there were five people in front of them! My flight to Newark was just over seven hours, I spent the flight playing on my new Nintendo DS, which was an early birthday present. After I arrived in Newark I had a five hour drive North to Verona that isn't to far from Syracuse. The Turning Stone Resort hosts the tournament this week, I am staying at the hotel which has a great casino and spa, I haven't been to either yet but I'm sure I will go and have a look.

Sunday was my 30th birthday, I woke up early with the time change and watched some TV before going out for some lunch. On my way out of reception I noticed a big electronic count down to the start of the tournament. A birthday cake was delivered to my room from the tournament organisers as I was watching the end of the Tour Championship, which was a really nice touch, luckily there were no candles!

I'm looking forward to this week's event, the weather is forecast to be like home and the course has a fantastic reputation. I hope to have a good run over the next six weeks and this would be a good week to start with a high finish