Photos To Walgreen's

Here is a great photo of "Lizard Boy". Jake is asleep right now or I'd know his name.

For everyone who want so share...and I'm hoping it's everyone so we can all get pics of our kids...you can upload your kids' photos by going to Walgreen's and signing in. Username and Password will be emailed shortly.

If you have film that needs to be developed you can off your photos at the 135th & Blackbob in Olathe, KS and put it under the name of CLPHOTO @ 913.782.8442 and you will get the discount. You might want to put in a "sub name" like your last name so noone gets too confused. All uploaded photos will be under my account so the discount will kick in.

Of course film does not have to be delevoped at this or any Walgreen's. But you will still have to have CDs to get the digital files to upload.

To upload the photos to the Walgreen's website you will first need to have your film transferred to a CD and then transfer the CD to the Walgreen's site.

All digital files can be uploaded to the Walgreen's site. You just sign in under the right username and password and then select the PHOTO tab. From there you can create an album. Please use something to distinguish yourself. We used J Lengquist P2P 2006 for our label.

Anyone is welcome to browse anyone's photos. And from there you can email and print photos, as well.

Please make sure everyone knows about this! I don't have everyone's email because I didn't save it. Silly me.

I know Janis L has everyone's email. Can you send out a mass email asap? Thanks. Call me or email me first for the username/password.

Of course, if you read this before the email you can email me for the username/password.

It sure is good to have the kids back!

Kids On The Ground In Hotlanta

Sorry I was not able to post. I actually was working. Man, I hate it when that happens. This email is from Holly Murray.

They have landed in Atlanta 23 minutes ahead of schedule!

Holly

Reception tonight

I personally think we should all decide on some song, either silly, a “welcome home” or “how much I missed you” song, and sing it nice and loudly as they all deplane. They will ALL be embarrassed, none of us will be ‘in trouble’ any more than any others, and it will be a greeting they will never forget… their parents ARE cool and they don’t mind making a ‘scene’ in front of the entire airport. What do you think????

Janis Lieberman

EDITOR'S NOTE: Kathy Flood said she didn't care about the weather/time widgets anymore now that they are back. But there they will stay. :)

Also, the Lengquist contingent will be happy to bring a sign and possibly a balloon or two. But I don't do signing in public. That is reserved for the car when I can crank up some 'Stones or Linkin Park. I don't mind embarrassing those driving next to me, just not standing next to me.

Calls Coming In: From Emma

We just got a call from Emma at the airport(I think she used Katie's cell so let us know later if we can pay you for the calls) We hadn't heard from her since Fiji. She sounded excited, had lots to say about the schools, Olympic stadium, and things she bought. It sounds like she is having something shipped so it will be interesting to find out what that is about. She thought she had probably taken 600 pictures but then said she only had a few left so who knows. She also asked if we could bring her Dog to the Airport when we come.(I know someone else has that request-let me know if you are going to leave yours in the car or bring yours in-I am thinking car but she also said how much she told everyone about her dog). We will probably bring a sign or something too. (Rumor has it that some of the kids may know or think we are going to do something at the airport)When she asked if I was going to do something and I asked if it would embarrass her she didn't sound like it would (or at least didn't give me that mom don't you dare)so I think what ever we do will be OK. Sounded like they had some time to eat and shop. She said there was a CD she wants so I don't know whether she is looking there or when she gets home. We may need to check the Visabux card one more time.

Meredith Christian

Welcome Home

Toni just left this comment on the previous post:

Laura Diskin mentioned that, when the P2P group got to KCI last year, parents had balloons and signs to welcome home the kids. I would not have thought of this so thought I would mention it.

So I thought I would post it here in case anybody wanted to be spontaneous about it.

Back On American Soil

According to Flightview the plane landed at 8:36 am - our time. Thanks to Holly Murray for bringing the website to my attention since the LAX airport site stinks!!!

Now all they have to do is "hang out." Maybe more phone calls will start shortly?

The Kids Are In Flight

According to the Sydney International Airport the kids are on their way home! Qantas still shows estimated. But the airport says gone. So we'll see them very soon.

EDITOR's NOTE: According to the airline they departed at 17 minutes late. Excellent by their previous experiences...

The Last Meal :: Don't Worry - It's Not That Serious

Well, I decided to make one last call to AJ to tell him to have a safe trip home! It was 645 there and I think I may have woken AJ and his roommates up! I actually thought they may have left already. I had to pull a mom move and remind to check for any left items etc. He said he packed Alex's suitcase because he was asleep. So I apologize now if any items are missing. :-) He too said he bought another bag "just in case" because they were so "cheap" but good quality. HA! We will have to see about that! They were supposed to be at breakfast soon. He wasn't excited about the LONG flight home for sure. But I guess that is the least they have to go through after being in Fiji, NZ and Australia for 19 days! Oh well. I am going to miss this blogging for sure! Chris Thanks!

Kathy Flood (aj's mom)

A Day At School and Dinner In The Harbor

The kids got to go to school today and dissect a fish. You know that is always good fun. You can read the Sarah Henderson post previous to this for details.

Then the kids got to go on a dinner cruise around the Sydney Harbor. Romantic comes immediately to mind. But with this many teenagers wondering which fork to use I doubt there was much romance. Shhhhshing because of the noise and nervousness over using real silverware probably was paramount.

And by the way. While my son is floating around a very cosmopolitan city's harbor on a dinner cruise...my wife and I along with three of our kids and a guest had our own well prepared dinner at Taco Bell. So there. Take that, Jacob.

Sadly, the trip is winding down. These will be tired kids when they get home. We will see them again soon and soon they will be eating everything in the refrigerator, again. Jacob being gone may have paid for itself in groceries alone!

***

REGARDING PHOTOS & WALGREENS: I will bring printed instructions on where and when to post your photos to the Walgreen's site so that everyone can pick and choose which photos they would like to download and/or print.

The memory cd instructions should come very soon. Possibly on the same sheet.

Sarah Henderson Is A Fish Killer...And A Shopper

We couldn't help it, we had to talk to Sarah and called her this morning. She was excited to talk to us and we talked for 20 minutes, our longest conversation with her. She said the dinner cruise was great, good food, and they had a dance? School in Sydney was fun. They gave the kids buddies and Sarah was in a class with all boys. Good thing she is 13 and was okay with that. She said they dissected a fish and after they were done the kids were allowed to continue to cut up the left overs. Boys were cutting out eyes, cutting off heads, and bringing them over to show Sarah. She said it as great.

They went to a market today also.She said she was by herself at her homestay and had a really good time. She bought an extra bag at the market today but thinks she may not have bought big enough. It sounds like she bought a few jackets and hoodies.She did say everyone is sad the trip is over, sad to leave friends. She does not think they have a lights out time tonight or she doesn't remember hearing if they did. Maybe because of the long trip ahead of them.We are so excited that she will be home tomorrow night! See you at the airport.

Toni Henderson

We got to speak with Jonathan yesterday. He too cannot get the phone cards to work. You have to pry information out of him so i don't have much to add. He has liked every where they have been and is enjoying trying new foods. His favorite so far was the lamb at the home stay. He didn't sound home sick at all. He was shocked to learn we had seen the pictures from Full On. He didn't even tell us his roommates or if he was with anyone at the home stay. Hopefully we get more out of him at home.

The Hargett's

"Honey, Taylor is on the phone."

Editor's Note: Sorry no graphics. I'm not at any of my computers.

I just got off the phone with Taylor V. I called her as her phone card has not worked. They were just getting up to get ready to go to school. She is rooming with the other Taylor. She has had an amazing time. Her home stay she said was her favorite part. The family has a 13 year old girl and a 15 year old boy and they lived in a huge house on the beach! They also gave her little gifts to bring home.

She likened Fiji to Jamaica, NZ to Colorado and Sydney to Wash. DC (all places we have been). She said she needed another suitcase because hers will not close now. She did say it has been raining. Laundry has been no problem. She spend $225 at the Hard Rock gift shop. I guess we are all getting T shirts.

See you all at the airport Saturday night.
Kristin Vaughn

Janis Gets To Speak To Abby!

As I suspected, when we tried to call her last, Abby had had a less-than-stellar day. We decided to try again at 6:00AM today and finally got through after Lauren got done talking to her sibling who ALSO is in Australia this week! Abby & Lauren and 1 other are roommates now. She was actually happy to talk to us and I was on the phone with her for an hour and 40 minutes! (and for less than $3.50!!!) When I tried 4 times to get off the phone, she had ‘just one more thing’ to say! Her phone card – AT&T – never would work. She and another girl were responsible for the banana incident…part of a prank they pulled 2-days prior, but was not discovered until going through customs. Ooops! Apparently there are a myriad of ‘inside’ jokes going around the group about a variety of fruits, and Jacob Lengquist - the self-proclaimed ‘buddy killer’, etc. Many of the kids have nick-names and I suspect if we ask about those, there will be more good stories revealed.

She was alone on her home stay, and it was fabulous. Her family was wonderfully nice, and lived on a 215 acre farm. Abby and one of the other P2P girls and both host families had dinner the second night. She has to buy another bag Friday because she has bought too much stuff and her host family sent home gifts for ALL of our family in addition to her, so her luggage is over limit. She even remembered to buy a gift for her Grandfather in FL who has cancer!

When they hiked to the mountain top, she was the ‘leader’ because she has pretty serious back issues and they wanted her to ‘set the pace’. Her back was killing her, she said, but when they made it to the top, it was all worth it. It was amazing. When they snorkeled, she hated it. Said all the coral was dead and ugly “because of all the salt water”. I didn’t understand that. They didn’t swim in the Olympic lap pool but in the ‘fun’ pool at the complex. They got to stand on the podiums where the Olympic athletes received their medals. Australia has spiders the size of your hands and 10 of the most poisonous snakes in the world. She just HAD to make sure I knew that. Thanks! They had a professional photo taken of the group, I where the incline and gondola were, and she said that “they” (I assume People to People) bought a copy for each of the kids and will send them to them at home.

She eats big breakfast, selecting carbs often, as usual, eats little or no lunch (by choice). Reports her pants ‘fall off her’. She LOVED the Hard Rock. She said “Mom, I had a hamburger and it was SOOOOOO GOOOOD! I haven’t had a really good hamburger for SOOOOO long.” For my daughter, hamburger withdrawal is a serious thing! One night they had ribs and said they were really good too. Have had laundry at just about every hotel. This one is in the parking garage so all the kids say they’re going to do laundry and are playing kick the can, etc in the garage. Some of them bought these little ‘guns’ that shoot some sort of an umbrella-shaped thing. One hit a car in the lot and set off its alarm. Too funny. They are having so much fun!

No surprise some of the cliques that have formed are pretty strong, although most of the kids kind of move around from one ‘group’ to the other depending on whether they need silliness/cheering up, quiet time, gossip, game-playing, intelligent conversation(?) or something else. “Couples” formed, and ended, friendships came and went. Abby really is tightly connected to a few of the girls and says one of her closest friends on the trip is a guy. I’m glad. She needs some guy friends!

The kids are all upset that the trip is drawing to an end. She said there will be lots of tears at the airport when they all say goodbye. Can’t wait to see how differently they interact at the ‘reunion’ party than at the ‘bon voyage’ party. I hope we can help encourage and provide ways these kids can stay close. This is the first time in years that I’ve seen her develop these kinds of ties and they can really build nice relationships from it if we help remind them to include P2P friends in other events, and plan events where either the kids, or kids and families can spend time.

Janis Lieberman

A Day In Sydney :: What A Day!!!

Okay, the kids must have had a very busy and fun day yesterday. Check this out from the itinerary;

• A visit to the Australian Museum to learn Aboriginal culture
• A visit to Lady Elizabeth Macquarie's Chair
• A visit to someplace that polishes opals - the national gemstone
• (This sounds like fun - maybe I can see a former relative's bed) A visit to the Hyde Park Barracks
• A visit to the world famous Syndey Opera House complex
• Dinner at the Hard Rock - Sydney (Be sure to check out this website!)
  
  

Who doesn't wish they were there?

Another Katy Conversation

Since Katy has been the frequent caller throughout this and last year's trip I was a little surprised -- ok flat out insulted -- that she hadn't called since 4:30 Saturday morning. Tired of listening to me whine about wondering what she was doing, was it fun, who had dropped what into a body of water and what goofy things had been done by her travel mates, Doug called the hotel to check in. She was very pleased to hear from him. Surprise!

Apparently, the hotel has blocked all outgoing calls from the hotel rooms allowing only room to room calls. There are couple of pay phones in the lobby (really, I think like two) and the kids have to have a leader to with them to make a call. So there have been very few calls going out.

So our update: The Maori are amazing, if they had tryouts Kate would want to be one. Yesterday's activities were really cool and . . . she took a lot of pictures! They are having a great time and still seem to really like each other. Everyone is having a great time and she can't wait to get her pictures developed on Sunday morning (good thing I'm not headed to work) so we can go through them right away!

Kate suggested that we call her again tomorrow at 6:00 AM since that would be about 9:00 PM there. The kids will most likely be back in their rooms and it's before lights out. (That said, I take no responsibility if your child is out messing around when you call!)

Anyway, sounds like all's well on the other side of the world.

Talk to you soon.

Denise

World's Steepest Incline Railway Australia

The kids rode this yesterday

A Day In The Blue Mountains

On Wednesday, which as you know is today but actually for them it was yesterday which for us was Tuesday while we were still thinking about Wednesday, the kids got to go to the Blue Mountains.





Some of the highlights of this trip, for me, would have been the Flyway over the Jamison Valley (pictured above with the Three Sisters in the background), the Three Sisters, the worlds steepest incline railroad and koala bears. (By the way, the koalas out at the Kansas City Zoo are really cool.)


Lastly, I'm posting a YouTube video of the incline railway ride. Not sure when it will show up. But soon. So look for it!

Keep It In The Family?

Hi Chris,

Hey I'm Kristina Knight's mom and I am a photographer and have access to the types of programs we would want to use for this and I would be willing to come up with something that everyone would enjoy and could keep the cost down. After the kids get back and they get all of the pics done they would just need to get me the four or so they want and I can do the rest with music and captions and so on. I just need the photo's from the parents and the music that everyone wants to hear. It's up to the group. I would be more than happy to do this.

Just let me know what you think,

Shelly Knight

Editor's Note: I for one would rather use someone who is part of the delegation. And/or we get the kids to do it as a project. But that would probably turn into a logistical disaster...

First Day in Sydney

After being greeted by the Parramatta City Council the kids were to head on over to the location of the 2000 Olympic Games. They got to tour the Olympic Park and according to one phone call swim in an Olympic Pool.

I also saw where they were going to possibly tour Telstra Stadium. Telstra not only hosted the 2000 Olympics but has been home for one night to U2 and The Rollinig Stones.

Groovy, eh?

More On The Photo DVD Proposal

Okay. So here is what I found. You can leave your comments below to let me know what you are thinking.

Something Different can make the DVD from our photos anywhere from $1.00 a photo to $3.75 per photo. The $1.00 per photo is just a photo to a photo to a photo. No music, no transitions. $3.75 is top of the line with transitions, zoom ins and music.

I suggest something towards the top since we'll have so many ways to divide this and it's a great trip that deserves some quality. If we settle in at the $3.55 per photo mark and put in approximately 164 photos (a donation average of 4 photos per delegate) the DVD would last about 15-17 minutes. Plenty long enough in my mind.

So 164 photos x's $3.55 = $582.50 + $30.00 rip charge = $612.50 for production, plus tax.

Each DVD would then be $5.50, plus tax. (I'm gonna work on this price a bit and see if we can't get a little better price...but I doubt it.)

There are 38 families on the calling tree but I'm not sure if that includes the leaders. But should not everyone decide to participate we might have the leaders "take their place" in the numbers. In any case, I'm figuring the cost of participation, production and 1 DVD would be anywhere between $21.50 - $23.95 per person.

Additional DVDs would cost the $5.50 mentioned above. Those might be good for grandmas, future storage and contributors to the trip.

We can work out the details as we move forward. And I would probably ask for at least one volunteer helper. But let me know your thoughts on the costs and if you still believe it reasonable.

Postcard From Fiji

Bula! From Pacific Harbour, Fiji Islands. We recievedour promised postcard, only took a week was postmarkedJune 11.

Carroll's

Please Deposit Another $0.25 - AJ Calling

I just got off the phone with AJ! Kids-he called 3 times and we kept getting cut off—finally found out why-he was pumping coins in the pay phone!! I assumed his calling card wasn’t working but guess not…he just didn’t think of using the calling card!! So I reminded him to use the calling card which I already bought! See even if we show them how to do things, they still do it their way!

He sounds great. When he talked to dad they got to talking about Full On and something about tomatoes! Huh? I guess it was a “guy” joke! They loved Full On. They kayaked at the MERC and swam today at the Olympic Pavilion. Seemed like they had a lot of free time tonight…He first called at 630 their time and they didn’t have room checks till 930. Tomorrow they are going to EDIT: See Itinerary . They liked their Kiwi bus driver a lot. Well even after interviewing him I didn’t get a lot of info but it was nice to talk to him. I am going to head back to bed.

Kathy Flood (aj’s mom)

Landed

Calling tree is in motion. The kids are on the ground. Hurraaayyyyy!!!!!!!

Twila

Twila is in 251 & 252 of the full on pictures.

Holly

Weather in Australia

My cool little weather widget that I've been using has been down all day for the conversion to Australia. So I've had to find another one. But those darned Australians are using Celsius.

So to help those of you who are like me...

1.00000 Celsius = 33.80000 Degree Fahrenheit

A Conversation With Sarah

We had a very brief conversation with Sarah and she is having an awesome time. I get the impression that she participated in all of the Full On activities (we were able to see one activity in the pictures on line). We were very surprised because Sarah is usually tentative about any type of repelling, zip line activity. She left with an open mind about trying them and now we can’t wait to hear her stories.

We did have one piece of bad news, her camera was taken at one of the water parks that the kids visited a couple of days ago. The water park has our contact info and the tour guides contact info in case is happens to show up.

So, I am hoping that we can get copies of pictures from other students. Our plan right now is to bring our contact info and a couple of bank discs for each traveler to the airport on Saturday. If you have time and would not mind putting pictures on the discs and calling us, we will come pick them up. I hate to wait until our reunion get together to get copies since that won’t be until August.

Chris, this is Sarah’s first trip so I can’t compare our blog to other trip blogs but I can’t imagine that this is not the best one yet. I liked your map and recognized a couple of areas that we have relatives in that have been on the blog. How long after the trip will the blog be available? I want to print the blog for a scrapbook.

I don’t know about other parents but we are counting down the days and hours until Sarah gets back.

Toni Henderson

Photos: What To Do? What To Do?

Attention Parents of Student Ambassadors,

I will be publishing another update soon and the subject of photos has come up again. I have a very good relationship with a gal named Val who works the photo department at the Walgreen's at 135th & Blackbob. I only allow her to print my stuff because she has the best equipment available and she has a very good eye for color/density. I'm sure I can get a 15% discount locked in by the time the kids are home.

I would like to propose that when all these cameras come home that the digital photos be uploaded to the Walgreens photo site. I will provide you a link and a dedicated folder when we get closer to the time.

If everyone uploads their photos to that site then;

• You'll be able to look at everyone's photos and so will your ambassador
• You'll be able to find all the photos of your child that are available
• You'll be able to order any photos that you like from any Walgreens though the discount will probably only be good in Olathe
• And lastly, I might be able to have a "memory disc" made

There is a store not too far from my house at 135th & MurLen that can take a good many of these photos and turn them into a 12-15 minute slide show put to music on a DVD. I'm going to stop by and see how much a project like that would run and how much for extra DVDs.

Please let me know through the poll below your interest. Thanks

On The Road Again

At 5:47 am the kids hit the blue skies again. I'll let you know when they are back on land.

Brenda and ? at FullOn

Brenda - HANG ON!!!

You need to be taking care of our kids!

I'm pretty sure I know which kid this is. But I don't want to screw it up.


Leave a comment and claim this kid.






Don't forget to order your photos from MagicMemories.

Matt Give A Shout Out

Got our second call from Matt last night. This one earlier (1:00 a.m.) our time and more informative. He said they are all having an "awesome" time...all the kids are great...and he really likes the leaders. Said their bus-driver in New Zealand was given the title of "The Best P2P Bus Driver in New Zealand" (wonder if he awarded himself that honor...lol...but it impressed Matt and he seemed to agree that he deserved the title). He was rooming with James and Charlie. Said they could either go kayaking or board surfing (I think) in Auckland yesterday. He said the Maori trip was fantastic and that the Full-On experience was all about pushing them beyond their comfort zone, setting and achieving goals, and team-building. He now loves Rugby also...said snorkeling was great. The only thing he has lost are his sunglasses (which fell in the river and sunk to the bottom before he could grab them)...sorry Chris...lol...I was so relieved that it was just his sunglasses.

He has felt very much at home in New Zealand...that the people are really friendly. He did say some of the kids are getting a little homesick. I figure it is probably good they are getting ready to move on to Australia for the final few days. Something new and exciting to experience will take their mind off of missing their families. They were suppose to get up at 2:30 a.m. to be ready to leave the hotel by 3:30 a.m. He sounded a little tired. I think they will be ready to be back on Saturday. Wonder how long we will be camping at the airport again. Thank you to everyone for the updates from their kids...it has helped make the days go by more quickly.

Tedi Posladek

FullOn Photos Are Easy To Browse

The FullOn photos are up and there for viewing and ordering. Please follow this link and put in the date of 6.15.2007. From there you can view! Some kids, like Jacob, already bought photos like the one you see below. Others chose not to. So you may end up with doubles if you cannot wait!

Jake hanging on for dear life!

Well, he doesn't look too worried.

Security, The Blog & Your Teenager

I've had several inquiries about non-parents, friends or relatives viewing this blog...some even making comments. In my opinion, I think it's great. It allows people to see what these kids are doing to let the World know that Americans are not scary, we are just like they are.

Having said that, I am very aware that others can check in and that is why from the beginning we've made a conscious decision to not put where the kids are but rather where they've been.

To put your mind further at ease, I do use a tracking device that allows me to see where visitors come from. Below you will see a map of the US. But also know that we have readers in New Zealand, Australia and Great Britain.

To further the cause of safety, I can also drill down on each push pin, all the way down to the block from where the server has connected to the internet. With that drill down comes an IP number. Law enforcement can also use those IP numbers to track down to the very house a computer is located.

As you can see, we have a reader located in the older downtown area of Overland Park.

None of this precludes bad people from doing bad things. But I don't think they will be able to use this blog to find our kids any more than they could have found out from travel itineraries posted on the P2P website or the airlines or the hotels or the people on the ground.

If you are a parent of these teenagers, please know that I am, too. Safety is the utmost concern and I would never do anything to put my son's life in harm's way.

If you are a guest reader, please know that you are welcome to continue to follow the travels of these student ambassadors. Their overall mission of Peace Through Friendship is a noble one.

Thank you. If you have any further concerns, don't hesitate to contact me.

Magic Memories

I just received this email. So email me for the codes of my son if you want and then you can play around those numbers to see if you find your kid!

Hi Chris.

I am Twila's sister and Brenda's Aunt so have been trying to keep up with what is going on also. I just went to the magic memories site and if you search by date, June 15 I beleive some or all of the pictures have been posted. It looked like Brenda in the one of the fist few pictures. Don't see Twila anywhere?

Starla

MERC - More Team Building

The photo below doesn't seem like it would do the place justice. I want to encourage you to visit the website of MERC. (Thank you Kathy.)

My personal opinion is this extended stay in New Zealand is very good for my son. The Kiwis are known for their environmental concerns and connectedness to their surrounding environment. Something we Kansans are not necessarily known for.

And of course, with all the team building going on they better be able to beat the San Antonio Spurs by the time they get back. After 19 days together they'll either be tight for a long time to come or won't be able to stand one another.