Well I made it back into the USA safe and sound.  The flights went smoothly for the most part.  I had an hour layover in the Houston airport.  With immigrations and another security screening it proved to be just enough time to get to my gate.  I got a decent jog in down the airport hallways.  There is nothing like getting a good sweat in before a flight.  I felt bad for the lady next to me.  I probably should have packed an extra deodorant in the computer bag.  Oh well, you win some you lose some.  I was just happy to be there.  Luckily all of my bags made it to Tampa.  One of the main problems with flying out of Mexico is that they do not let you carry-on your tennis bag.  Tennis rackets are apparently a form of weaponry down there.  Tennis players generally do not like to check their tennis bags.  I personally don't trust the airport to get it there on time.  If they lose your tennis bag you are in pretty bad shape for tournament time if you know what I mean.  Also the extra $40 isn't much fun to hand over.  Airports these days right?  Luckily they came through this time so props to United Airlines.

     My brother from another mother Jordan Cox (Old school picture of he and I below) picked me up from the airport.  I roomed with Jordan and his brother Brad for three and a half years in the dorms here at the IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy before I went to Ole Miss.  Anyways we went straight to the beach from the airport.  We played a little beach volleyball mixed with some frisbee action.  It was a little cloudy, but overall a pretty nice first few hours in Florida.  We had a incredibly nice home cooked meal afterwards courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. Cox.  We had a little steak, lamb chops, sausage, potatoes, broccoli, and an incredible salad.  I enjoyed the heck out of it.  It was a great first meal in the USA.  I couldn't have asked for much more. 

     I got a good practice in on the clay courts with Jordan today.  It is always interesting going from altitude back to sea level.  It feels like the ball weighs about ten pounds.  In a couple of days I will be feeling normal again.  The 10k futures tournament in Tampa, FL is starting tomorrow.  Luckily I have a Wednesday start for singles so I have an extra day to get acclimated.  Jordan and I are playing doubles together this week.  We are playing our first round not before 3:00pm tomorrow.  I am looking forward to a good week of clay court tennis.  This will probably be one of my only weeks of the year on clay so it will be a short clay court season this year. 

     Anyways this will have to be a shorter post since I do not have much to report.  On Wednesday I will have some results to report though so be ready for some good action then.  I hope that you all had a great day.  I am off to Carrabba's to get myself some good Italian food.  Don't forget that comment questions are welcomed.  Also a few of the other pages have had some updates so check them out when you get a chance.  Thanks for stopping by. 

All the best,

D Britt