Report from Texas through Oklahoma, courtesy of Sandy Tsunekawa

Wednesday, July 18th: 1st day of Tour – Everyone arrived safely in Dallas. The surprise of seeing our tour buses sporting the official “Mandarins” logo was a real treat for all the members. The display really made them feel official.

Our accommodations at John Horn High School are excellent, and the staff is friendly.

Several Mesquite High School marching band students heard the corps practicing and stopped by to watch a practice and the run-through.

Mara, one of our drivers, shared a “road story.” The drivers decided they would stop at a real Texas steak house for dinner. They sure did all right. The restaurant came complete with a cattle yard in the front. They ate their steaks listening to those cows mooing throughout the entire meal! Although one of them insists he had chicken.

Thursday, July 19th : 2nd day – Driver Mary Thoman, made a beautiful picadillo which is a beautiful stew-like dish full of vegetables. It was paired with a gorgeous salad. The food was so colorful that we decided to take pictures. Someone made the comment, “That’s what Mandarins cooks are all about: the visual!” (Kitchen staff would also like to think they are about the nutritious and delicious as well!)

A big shout-out to those Mesquite High School marching band students! Apparently after they left our rehearsal yesterday, they returned home to bake 30 dozen chocolate chip cookies for the corps! What a treat! (Rumor has it that one chaperone stuffed three into her pocket.)

Members got to sleep until noon. Of course they didn’t get to bed until 6 a.m., but hey, it sounds good.

Weather was very rainy with lighting, so the corps had to practice mostly inside. And the humidity! If you wear glasses, one step to the outside and this is what you see. Don’t they look happy? … Whoever they are?

“Chef” John Chow made his famous meatloaf (recipe is in the Mandarins’ cookbook – purchase price $10.00). We also served mashed potatoes and gravy, rice, salad, and fruit. One member said it was like having a holiday dinner! Thanks John!

Our drivers all went to Wal-Mart and bought matching bandanas in order to play a prank on one of the kids. Turns out, for a bunch consisting mostly of over 50 year-olds (and one only 40-something) they looked pretty cool! They may decide to keep the look unless corps members decide to talk them out of it. (Probably a given on that.)

Today is driver Lewis Wilhelm’s birthday. We’re getting ready to surprise him with a cake in about 20 minutes. Pretty sure he doesn’t suspect a thing. Thanks for the help and support Lewis!

Sunday, July 22nd -- Our drivers arrived at 5:30 a.m. and were met by Mark, a custodian of Waller Middle School. He’s staying with us for the duration and is so helpful and kind. Don’t think the man has a mean bone in his body.

The rest of the corps arrived about 8:30 a.m. and were greeted by Julie, an Enid High School parent who just loves DCI. Apparently, not knowing for sure what time we’d arrive, she got out of bed at 3 a.m. to let us in! She is so cheery and friendly, and has already driven us to the store. She finally left to get some sleep at 11 p.m. We wish we had a Mark and Julie everywhere we went!

Chef John Chow made his famous chow mein. This of course involves chopping vegetables into little tiny pieces which kitchen crew did so happily and without complaint (yea…right). Cutting those little bits of food is always followed by nightmares of julienned carrots chasing you down the street.

Monday, July 23rd – Started out the morning with beautiful weather. Everyone’s in great spirits and ready to go. This town seems to energize us.

Stay tuned …