Miss Daisy has made her way safely from Korea to Singapore. She landed about 3 hours ago. The crate probably won’t be delivered to the Millennia Institute for a few days due to customs inspections and the Singapore National Day celebration.
But she will be there waiting for us. Just thought you might like to know.
Hi Al:
Is the team planning any meetings this week or are you guys good to go, just packing and hanging out?
It’s a relief to know Miss Daisy is there and will be waiting for you.
Jane
We had a big meeting about two weeks ago which covered all of the major points mention previously. Honestly, we are doing so much to get ready that we don’t have time for another meeting. Our presentation at the Science Center has turned into a 2.5 hour seminar. :ahh:
Also we figure that we can catch up on things while we travel together for 24 continuous hours. (ouch!)
Talk to you soon.
Al
There will be an article about Team 341’s upcoming trip to Singapore in tomorrow’s Philadelphia Inquirer.(Thursday 8/10/06) The Inquirer will also publish an online article with pictures and audio attachments.
As we prepare to leave for Singapore, the Philadelphia Inquirer is also setting up a Blog site to be used as an online trip journal, so that the kids and coaches can relay thier thoughts about the trip as they occur.
( We will still post on Delphi as well)
We will forward link information for the online article and Blog site when we recieve it.
So please check out the article and online content on Thursday.
Thank you as always for your support. It means so much to our team!
What an awesome opportunity, please make sure you keep us all in the loop.
Hi all, looking forward to meeting you guys on the 18th 
I’m from Singapore and only took part in FRS(Singapore) for 3 years starting in 2004.
Not sure when are you guys touching down here, but wish you guys a safe trip ahead!
James:
FRS looks like a great competition. I would love to learn more about it.
We are leaving the US on the 14th and will be doing a variety of activities at each of our partner schools, Millennia Institute, Temasek Secondary, and CHIJ Secondary. We will also be touring your amazing country and meeting with business and community leaders.
Please introduce yourself to the group during our presentation at the Singapore Science Center. We would enjoy speaking with you.
The article was delayed one day and should be out on Friday.
The article was held, because world events required more paper space.
Anyway, according to the Editor of the Inquirer, the story will run on Monday. He also said that, “… Monday is the day that most Robots read the newspaper anyway.” (very funny) 
Hopefully those going to Singapore can read the article on the way to JFK airport.
Talk to you soon.
With all of the crazy events going on in the world we have been advised to leave early, early, early for our flight.
On strong recommendations from our airline and bus company, we are going to leave at 3:00 PM for our 11 PM flight. :ahh:
We just added another 3 hours onto our 24 hour journey! Then after 27 hours of travel we get to unpack our robot and chill for a few hours. Right the next morning we start the first of 6 presentations we will do while in Singapore.
We are doing 3 at area high schools, the big one at the Science Center and then one for the US Embassy and finally one more for the US Chamber of Commerce of Singapore.
Should be fun!
Al:
Are you expecting any ‘delays’ in the Singapore airport when you land as well?
Jane
You have probably reviewed the local laws with your students, but you should definitely keep on reminding them as the laws in Singapore are some of the strictest in the world. Their culture is very different, and some things that would seem OK in the US can be considered crimes in Singapore.
No littering. No chewing or possession of gum is allowed, no smoking in any public areas, and definitely no drug consuming or dealing (these offenses can result in big fines and imprisonment). Tell your students not to bring any knives/weapons in their luggage as it is illegal to bring any weapons into the country without permission.
some information about local laws in Singapore:
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Singapore#Local_Laws
the whole gum issue was blown out of propotion.
The sale, import, or distribution of gum was banned, and that announcement came on the day a US president visited Singapore, so all the world media scurried to report that.
However, to bring a “reasonable amount for personal consumption” from other countries has always been allowed.
Since the US FTA, gum with therapeutic value has been allowed, ie nicotine gum (by prescription) or “gum that is intended for use in promoting dental health or oral hygiene”
If you are interested, we will be doing an online diary for the Philadelphia Inquirer about our journey.
I put up an introductory post. I am sure the kids will have much more interesting things to say later. We will arrive in Singapore Tuesday around 11PM US time, so there won’t be too many posts to start.
You can check out the diary here:
Thanks to everyone that wished us luck.
While 341 travels for more than a day, the Philadelphia Inquirer has published the article and supporting media about the trip:
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/living/education/15267600.htm
http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/15226311.htm
Awesome coverage! The article does a great job of explaining the trip, FIRST, the team, everything! (Did Singapore SMART win the FVC Pilot in 2005? I know they’re the reigning world champions, saw it with my own two eyes, but I can’t seem to find any information whatsoever about the pilot.)
I just hope the robot crate clears customs soon! :ahh:
What a great opportunity for all involved. Have fun, safe travels and bring back lots of memories!
SMART won either the vex think award or the create award in the pilot. I forget which one it was though.
Well the Singapore group has been gone now for about a day and I must say that I feel a certain abscense in the Blue Bell/Ambler area. I can’t wait to hear the first words from them from abroad and hope that everything lands safely. I especially hope that Miss Daisy V is cleared by customs and reunited with us!
For those of you in Singapore:
How was the trip/flight?
What did you do to amuse yourself on the plane?
Did you meet any interesting characters on your international flight?
How were the cities that you stopped in (I believe Vancouver and Hong Kong)?
How tired are you right now?
Well I hope all is well my fellow teammates and I hope you post here soon!
another question:
what is your first demo? and how much time do you have till then to rest/get settle, and of course, put Miss Daisy back together?
enjoy the trip and make the best of it!