Happy Independence Day!

July 4, 2011

Happy Independence Day to all of you in the United States of America! I am so grateful to be a citizen of this country, and for the independence I enjoy here. I am also grateful to all who have sacrificed and are still out there sacrificing their time or possibly their lives for me to live free and comfortably in the USA.

On this Independence Day, we woke up early to participate in the Greater Geneva Grande Award Marching Band. Nalani and I joined the band and were marching in the parade in Geneva, Florida (a very small town). Check out the newsletter and article about the band.

Fortunately, the band had someone taking pictures, because Jason was with the children on the sidelines and wasn't around us to get pictures of us. Unfortunately, the music was difficult--and super fast--so Nalani decided not to march after all. She has only taken one year of band and struggled with the music. I told her to just fake it and march for the experience and fun of being in a marching band, but she was too discouraged. Even I had difficulty with the music and marching and playing, and I have had A LOT of experience with it. I practiced all the songs, but the director led the songs much faster than I had expected. We had only 1 hour of practice before the parade! Also, I had something clipped to my flute to hold the music, and I felt like it was pulling down my flute. It was hard to keep my flute up and keep my fingers on the flute since it was hot and I was sweaty. Overall though, I had so much fun!

A picture of the band before the parade:

The band in silly poses (I didn't know what to do):

Marching, marching... (I'm on the right with a white shirt and jean shorts). We performed 2 songs at intervals during the parade.

Still marching... (I'm second from the right, playing the flute):

I'm still on the right, but my music is kind of blocking my face this time. The band director is in the red shirt with a hat on. He was quite an interesting character.

After the parade we performed many more songs for the crowd who had gathered at the Geneva Community center. Can you find me with the black cap on?

A close-up of me! This was during the "concert". I could barely keep my flute up, because my fingers kept slipping from being sweaty. Ugh!

Later, we ate barbecue pork ribs, rice, and green beans for dinner. Mmm! I also made a patriotic fruit pizza that I found the directions to online (I did the cookie dough version, much easier). It was yummy!

God bless the USA!