Excerpts from my written journal (October 2, 2010)…

I have just left the San Diego airport and I am sitting on the Southwest airplane. We are way above the clouds. I ordered an apple juice and it tastes great! I am on my way to Florida to compete in the IronKids Nationals.

I am very excited and proud. My Dad is proud of me too. My mom is at a conference and my sister is at her friend’s house, so it’s just me and Dad.

(later..)

We are about to land in Phoenix and then take off on another plane. The next plane I board will take longer because it will go to Florida.

I have just boarded the next plane and it’s another Southwest plane. It’s going to be about five hours until we arrive. I can’t wait to land in Florida and see what it looks like!

I just ate some Ritz and chips ahoy cookies and boy, it was phenomenal! I had some apple juice also.

In about three hours, we will arrive in Florida.

I just finished a couple of courses in Mario Kart and I won almost all of them. I was Luigi for every single course. I played Figure 8 circuit, Yoshi Falls, Cheep Cheep Beach, Luigi’s Mansion, Dessert Hills, Delfino Square, Waluigi Pinball, Shroom Ridge, Mario Circuit 1, Moo Moo Farm, Peach Circuit, Luigi Circuit, Donut Plains 1, Frappe Snowland, Bowser Castle 2, and Baby Park.. in that order.

We will probably be in Florida in two hours and thirty minutes. When I get there, I will be begging for food!

I have just woken up from a LONG nap and there is about 45 more minutes until we land. Then, I’ll be in Florida!

Yay we are in Florida! I just got into our rental car and it is a silver Hyundai. We are driving across a lake on a bridge. My Dad got off at the wrong exit so now we’re headed to the right exit so we can find the hotel.

We have just arrived at the hotel.

to be continued…