Translation of Kidnapper

I was on vacation for almost two months, so that I could not send you the learning files. In the coming days I will organize the tasks for 2012... Can I count on you for some translation work? Can you translate the following sentence?
Just last week a friend of mine showed me how to do these special effect, so I was focused about this word. I have been sleeping five hours a night for a week now and I am pretty tired all the time. Hopefully recovery will come soon.
Have you ever visited the U.S. before and if so, where have you been in the U.S.? I've been travelling in California, it was very amazing. We have traveled by car. Here are my corrections.