Smuckers Goober - delicious sandwich spread, or communicable disease?

And good morning from Caroline, from the unbelievably beautiful home of Charles and Wilma and Chap.
You know you're in the USA when.... you have dawgs and beer at a ball-game.
Sarah related our ballgame adventure complete with pictures. I just want to add that it was truly overwhelming - the size, the colour, the noise, "Kiss Cam", Margarita Man, "GET your Cotton CANDY" man, the section where spectators watched from an actual swimming pool, the whole spectacle, the nearby child who shrieked "Llllllllllllet's go, Diamondbacks, let's go" in our ears all night.
The singing by a huge school choir of the National Anthem covered us all in goosebumps. My only regret from the night was missing out on an enormous pretzel, and not being allowed to take home a deaf and blind "Aussie" (Australian Shepherd) puppy (Sally has a cruel streak.... that's all I'm saying).
Also please note, while the rest of us had hotdogs, Peter had a 'brat'. Symbolic? I think so.
It's true our vocational experience has not officially begun, yet we have already learnt a fair bit - including how much Phoenix is affected by the current economic crisis. So, how important it is to be able to boast such events as the ball-game and also Nascar which is this weekend. Events bring visitors who spend money; events build community.
This morning I enjoyed going to church with Wilma and Charles and I even knew nearly all the hymns!
Then I accompanied them to Safeway for groceries. Charles was worried I might get overcome by the choices and colours in the cereal aisle but I was remarkably restrained.
And I did not buy the jar of Smuckers Goober, but I was tempted.
On a serious note, while we are having this Amazing Arizona Adventure, our thoughts are also with the people of Poland following the terrible news about the distaster that took the lives of their President, his wife and so many other people.

Let's Go Diamondbacks Let's Go!

What an eventful night last night was. We all experienced our first ever live Baseball game. Unfortunately the Arizona Diamondbacks lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates, but we enjoyed it regardless.

You cannot attend an American baseball game without doing what Americans do - so we indulged in hotdogs and beer. Mind you, the beer was the size of a longneck, so after 2, not a lot of sleep and too much excitement I decided that 2 was enough for me!

I had the opportunity to go to my first ever school prom last night...but unfortunately I was double booked. My host parents, Sue and Tom were attending their last ever Prom, as Tom is retiring from teaching in a matter of weeks (I think the calendar says 20 something days - not that anyone is counting haha). Had I have known, I could have packed a fancy frock and danced the night away with the kids. As the rest of the team was heading to the Baseball and we had planned it all previously, I opted for the Baseball instead. Will I regret not putting myself in the running for Prom Queen? Possibly, but the fun we had at the Baseball made up for it.

As you can see, Peter was having a wonderful time sporting his new hat and mini baseball bat. I am secretly (well not so secretly anymore) thinking that the baseball bat might be used to keep us girls in line on the GSE. However, should the threat of singing eventuate, then maybe we might need to use it.

Speaking of singing, I was treated to Peter and Caroline belting out 'take me to the ballpark' last night. If only I could upload videos to the blog...

 The team (minus Kirsty who didnt come on our adventure around the 'Ballpark')

 

This morning I went for a walk through the Desert, which is literally just outside Sue & Tom's door. I nearly got run over by a Quad bike and had a close call with falling down a hole, but other than that it was wonderful and finally nice to stretch my legs a bit. I think I am still getting over all the sitting on the plane.

Tom, Sue and Nico (Tom and Sue's Exchange 'son' from Equador) are hosting a big american style BBQ here at the house for lunch today and I get to meet their kids and grandkids. I can't wait! Tom cooked up delicious Eggs Benedict for breakfast this morning...yum! The hospitality here is amazing and it's wonderful to be staying with a family that have opened up their homes and their lives to let me be apart of it. Sue, Tom & Nico - thankyou from the bottom of my heart. You now have no excuse not to come to Australia so that I can return the hospitality!

 Sue, Tom & Nico's house - my home for four more nights!

As Peter has been saying all trip 'so far so good'. The experience so far has been wonderful and we havent even got stuck into our itinerary (schedule for the Americans) yet.

That's enough from me for now. Hi to everyone at home!

Much love xoxo Sarah

First night blogging party - and no alcohol!!! Early night for little chillies (and old ones too!)

Day One - The longest Friday ever!!

We're here! Made it in one piece, with a few added bonuses along the way:

*Being on the same flight as Alice Cooper (sans makeup) He is a Phoenix local
*Being met at the airport by Don, Craig, Lisa & Julie - familiar faces !
*First meals - All american hamburgers, and authentic mexican - traditional margheritas!!

These are the main things that have stuck in my jetlagged addled brain so far!
We're off to meet our host families tomorrow and will be taking in a baseball game - Arizona Diamondbacks vs Pittsburgh Pirates!

Peter adding a bit - it was great to see the team at the airport and Lisa brought Steve and her step-sonMatt along to dinner this evening for 'show and tell'. It was also greta to meet Mary (Craig's wife) and build on the 'skype' relationship.

The flight was relatively uneventful although we were able to pread out a bit (3 seats between 2) and at one stage I had all 3 seats to myself -didn't last for long tho. I sat with a Nigerian woman, traveling on a NZ passport, who lives in Brisbane and was on her way toNY to be with her daughter for a first granchild and she was celebrating her 50th birhday on 10 April - she nearly made it to the Australian10th but had to turn back her clok 18 hours at 11.15pm Aussie time!

That's about it - so far so good!

Only about 10 hours to go and nobody is very excited about this!! Have been in touch with our hosts in the US and all is in readiness for our arrival. They already have plans for our weekend before we begin the nitty gritty of the exchange itself and all sounds fantastic.
I've farewelled the grandchildren (Callum figured if I was going in a plane then I must be going to Cooma where his Dad has been learning to fly) and I'm sure that the younger ones don't fully appreciate it!
the next missive will be from the US!! - nw, we're not excited (much)

One more day. One day more!

Well, my last minute jobs are done. The bags are ready and many goodbyes said.
Lists and instructions left.
I just want to get on the plane now and start this wonderful adventure!
I am excited about this blog and I look forward to sharing our time this way.
Keep watching for more updates!

2 sleeps to go!

As we all try and zip up our bags and weigh them to make sure we dont get stung with an excess baggage fee, the excitement builds.

We have all had contact with our host families and are looking forward to meeting all the new friends that we are going to make over the next 6 weeks.

With a hectic schedule ahead of us, we are bound to come back to Australia with a whole new lease on life and the tourism industry.

Arizona...get ready, because we are on our way!!!