Update

Hi all,

We have just returned from an amazing welcome BBQ held by the parents of the SMCHS pupils at the Bowen household. The food was first class, as was the company. It never ceases to amaze me how fortunate our boys are to be shown an authentic US experience by such inviting and enthusiastic families. I'm sure you will have much fun upon our return hearing of the numerous moments of enjoyment your sons have had in billeting situations.

Now, onto the day's highlights:

Tues 2 Oct
An early wake up (between 5-5:30am) for all of the tour party to be at SMCHS by 6am. The beautiful part was watching some of our boys have to do push ups for the local coach as their billets had arrived late to the warmup and thus made our boys late as well!! - never hurt nobody)
6am run for an hour through the desert (no snakes this morning, followed by a swim in the school pool)
8am Breakfast at a local Mexican food bar- can't say you do that everyday
9:30am Arrived at Laguna Beach for a day of sun, surf, swims, shopping, singing, sensational volleyball, spectacular basketball, (s)etc
3:30pm Arrival back into the loving arms of the SMCHS hosts - some then went out shopping, while others watched the various sports teams train in the school facilities
5:30pm Welcome BBQ held at the Bowen's house- lots of time in the pool
8:30pm Off home for a sleep

Tomorrow sees another early start for a 6am interval session on the track with the SMCHS team, followed by Knotts Berry Farm theme park and the traditional pizza and coke outing at a local restaurant for both squads. Very excited!

Points of note:
1. Yes, round of applause to several team members. This morning after training the most organised squad members ventured down early into the locker rooms for showers. Grabbing towels they headed towards the running water, then all hell broke lose. Stunned that the local squad/ all SMCHS boys / and in fact all US students, shower naked ( not an unusual practice unless you are a kiwi boy ) members of our team acted in the following way . . . T Batts followed suit (in his birthday suit), A Meltzer showered but in kiwi fashion by wearing underwear, M Wallace and G Kilmister ran and locked themselves together in a single cubicle and took turns at looking at the wall while the other got changed). We as staff found this hilarious when they all returned to the swimming pool to tell us of their experience. This also happened back in 2008, but we didn't pre-warn the current lot as watching the facial expressions upon return and the lack of willingness from our boys to become culturally immersed still continues to be a great source of humour.
2. Yes, Mr Jordan visited his first shop today. It was a second hand book store where he purchased a book for a quarter of a dollar. Wow, he has been living up large!
3. Yes, Kirk "Scotty" Madgwick led Team Saudi Arabia to victory today in the Volleyball Championships - please read Hamish Barclay's account further on in the blogsite for detailed analysis of how this happened. "Great work Scotty"
4. Yes, Mr Jones continues to play Mr Money Bank, Mr Bus Organiser, Mr Vocal Specialist and Mr Tour Accountant with absolute class. Is there anything this man cannot do?
5. Yes, the challenge has been thrown out by H Barclay tomorrow to drink as much milk as possible before riding the roller coasters at Knotts Berry Farm
6. Yes, Sung-woo Baek has two new friends, both are under 7 years old and both followed him everywhere in the swimming pool at the Bowen's house tonight. Very cute.
7. Yes, A Meltzer is indeed the worst captain in the history of the Distance Squad. He speaks so perfectly at the BBQs held for us, so professionally paying tribute to the hosts, that consequently Obama looks like a young child learning to speak when shown on the election news.
8. Yes, M Wallace has in fact surrendered and agreed to be part of Mr Skeen's team after several squad members were called to act as hit men and throw him in the sea as young Matt attempted to attack the unassuming Mr Skeen with a handful of sand, whilst poor Mr Skeen was meditating on the shores.


Clearly the days are long, but the boys are taking everything in their stride. We are having many laughs and are thoroughly enjoying your blogs back in return- please keep them coming.

Enjoy the 'goodnight kiwi' before long.