First (Loooong) Day!

Okay, so I've done this trip with Eagle TV kids for 5 years now and you'd think I'd be used to it. The exhaustion I'm feeling is beyond words. It's the kind of all-consuming tiredness where you feel dizzy. Bloodshot eyes, headache, can't-form-words kind of tired. Yet, I'm exhilarated. We've had a great day. A few unplanned snags, but we've arrived with the same kids that we left South Cobb with (18 of them) and they are, at this moment, all in their rooms getting ready for curfew check. They are all talking about how excited they are about being here and learning something new, making new friends and, hopefully, bringing home an award or two.

After giving the kids the "don't pack too much stuff, don't lock your suitcase, don't bring liquids through security" speech yesterday, you just know someone is going to not be listening.

We got all the way to the last child at baggage check and all of a sudden I realize that there is a small gathering around her suitcase. Her bag weighed a whopping 60 pounds and we needed to redistribute her stuff into some other carryon to avoid the $25 fee. Simple, right? Not if it's LOCKED!!! Bolt cutters came out from the back and we were on our way. Hurdle number one!

Going through security...another speech, "make sure you have your ID out and keep track of EVERYTHING", says Watson. Ms. Medley is behind Jourdan McIntosh who is handing her boarding pass (with Kenya's name on it) to the security folks, just as Medley says Jourdan's name.

"Who's Jourdan?" asks the security guy who is holding that boarding pass with Kenya's name on it, as he looks up, his eyes narrowing. Uh, oh. Hurdle number two.

A gate change 5 minutes before boarding to another concourse, and an hour wait on the runway (we were # 30 in line to take off) before leaving polished off our morning, but we finally got here.

The hotel is teeming with high school students with every kind of tripod, camera, microphone and television tool you can imagine. We've started shooting video for our Eagle TV story about our trip. Of course, South Cobb students have already made many friends and have checked out the "digs" including a dip in the pool and the hot tub. And, yes Dr. Rivera, I've made the juniors log on to SkillsTutor already tonight!

Tomorrow is opening ceremonies with keynote speaker John Roberts from CNN, briefings for the competitions that begin and countless breakout sessions from 1pm - 6pm. Then a quick break to get ready for the Student Television Dance tomorrow night.

Time for curfew check. Sleep beckons.