Delray Beach U18 ITF Grade 4, Day 4

Wednesday May 18th 2011- Last Day in Delray Beach

Hey soul sisters! Well, it’s the last day of the trip and we are both a bit sad to be leaving. The entire trip has been amazing! It has exceeded my expectations and I hope Rob’s.  Florida has treated us well even though at the start of the trip apparently Rob was abducting me and going to kill me. If the immigration officer who helped me is reading this ‘I am okay and still alive.’

We raise our glass to Florida and bid you a farewell! I thank Rob for dealing with me for three weeks and I think I should get some credit for dealing with Rob- only joking! We have had a ton of fun singing to some tunes, listening to the radio, going to the arcade, the movies and constantly moving from hotel to hotel. This trip hasn’t been anything but memorable. These are the moments that I’m going to remember the most! Especially, the Cruisin’ Café, I don’t think Rob or I will ever get over that meal. I think Rob is still snapping even though it was three weeks ago!

Hot and dangerous if your one of us then role with us! Rob and I have driven constantly so we must give a little shout to our reliable car Vince- a VW! He has been very loyal and been with us during some hilarious moments. Like today when our SAT navigation (Tina) decided to take us to a residential neighborhood instead of the airport- nice one!  Vince was also with us when we enjoyed a hilarious radio prank on 100.7.  Let’s just say that the word ‘jackass’ was thrown around quite a bit a long with ‘are you an idiot?’ I don’t think the dad was too happy that his son sold one of- a- kind comics for $250. Apparently, they are worth $18,000!!!

Things are looking up- we’re just getting started! The trip ended well – I played really well in my last match and I’m pleased with how I’ve done. Sure it would have been great to get some points but that isn’t always the most important thing. My game has improved since I’ve been out here. I have a better understanding of what I’m capable of doing and what I need to do to improve. Again, thank you Rob! Our countless hours have paid off and I’m glad. Sometimes you’re on court and you wonder when it will come together and no matter how positive your coach is you have doubts. In the end, it came together and it was so worth all the hard work!

It’s just not the same since I’ve been away, I bet I’ve lost my accent. Well, I know mine has only gotten stronger but Rob could be going between Australian, British and American now. Just depends what mood he is in! I’ve loved being back in America, nice to hear familiar accents. Finally it wasn’t me getting weird looks but this time it was Rob. Any time Rob would speak the person helping us would smile- I guess Americans love the British accent, especially the girls!

Girls don’t like boys girls like cars and money, boys will laugh at girls when their not funny. I guess I can’t write this blog without mentioning some of the amazing food we have had on this trip. Tim recommended some ‘legit’ food- Chipotle, which was amazing! The steak is super duper spicy so beware and to make your burning lips better don’t rub ice on your lips- it doesn’t help! Along with Chipotle I have to mention the Lobster that I had and Filet Mignon with my Uncle and Aunt. Let’s just say it was epic! Rob’s favorite meal? Well, Rob is part Italian so of course his favorite meal would be pasta from Vic and Angelo’s where he enjoyed a big portion of yummy pasta! For dessert Rob would pick frozen yogurt as his favorite and I can’t lie it was pretty amazing but for me I’ve got to pick something different. Benjamin Davies told me about Coldstone’s and how amazing it was so we went there for my incentive and it was ‘legit’ ice-cream. Sadly, we didn’t go there again!

I can almost see it that dream I’m dreaming. These 3 weeks have gone by so quickly. I guess that’s what happens when you’re training hard and having fun. It will be nice to get back into training and just be at home. However, Rob burnt me a CD of the music from this trip. Anytime I hear the songs from this trip I will think of Florida. Did you notice the trend through out the blog? To everyone reading this and have read the previous Blogs- thank you for reading! You’ve enjoyed this trip with us and I hope you guys will enjoy the next trip Rob goes on. I’m sure the next trip won’t live up to Florida- again only joking! Till next time readers, I bid you good-bye! Adios,

The American- Devan McCluskey