...And so begins attempt number two.  The difference is usability and focus.  This is a place to share pictures.  New problem:  We need to take more pictures!

It's probably a little bit obnoxious right now, but I just uploaded a bunch of pictures without any obvious relation besides a time line snapshot.  Moving forward, hopefully we can stay a little more on top of things.

Last night we had the privilege of experiencing Soweto Gospel Choir live. It was of course great fun.  You can listen to a sound sample in the video section.  There is no actual video, since they did not permit cameras, but we decided to be a little sneaky. ;)

So, I finally have gotten my act together and joined an indoor soccer league. I am actually a little late in the sign up, (I missed a game) but my first is tonight. I am practically bursting at the seams! Whenever Elisa comes along, she can document some of the action packed excitement! :)

I sat waiting for over an hour as “guests” arrived into a separate room for the official ceremony to begin.  An enthusiastic white, middle-aged American woman sat next to me and asked me my country of origin and how long the process of naturalization had taken for me.  I politely explained that I was actually a guest for my husband’s naturalization ceremony.  Without hesitation, she was overjoyed to welcome both of us.  She was genuinely thrilled to witness another group of people choosing to become Americans.  After the ceremony was over and the 40ish persons were officially granted citizenship, she publicly gave a speech exclaiming that she would, “ like to welcome all the beautiful people into the beautiful American family” and she encouraged everyone to live there lives, “in the most beautiful way they could”. 

I’m not quite sure how I completely define myself as it keeps shifting and evolving, but I know that I’ve never felt the same kind of pride as the woman next to me for our country, for any country.  My head was spinning with questions of identity, especially since the decision Rafael had made many months earlier was actually here.  Maybe I haven’t, yet, arrived at the level of my ceremonial neighbor, but I have felt numb/neutral towards nationalism all my life.  Ironic that on the day that Rafael was choosing American citizenship, I was reminded that I define myself in many ways, but rarely by my nationality.  I think my neighbor would be disappointed in me. :)  See pics below.

Brad Hoffman. Family Friend

Daphne Hollinger. Cousin.

Raul Monfort. Friend.

David Oliver. Brother-in-law.

Andrew and Sarah Burkhalter. Family and Friends.

Me and Obama!


DC!
We arrived into DC the day of the concert but couldn't make it because we had to be at one of the youth dances that night.  We cheered the TV and jumped on the beds!

Concert


One of the 3 dances
Preparing for about 2,000 kids...

Dance


Dance


Pentagon City Mall
I had to be on hand to give out extra tickets at this food court.

Pentagon City Mall
Decked out in the Patriotic decor.

co-worker
My co-worker came and visited me!

The day of
Wake up call at 3:00 am - didn't think of documenting it till later.

O
Obama!  My co-worker and I had to make our bus duty fun.

Our bus parking lot (one of 2)
We were there at 5:00 am and then all afternoon to say goodbye to the groups.

Security





Crowds!
On our 2 mile walk into town from the bus parking lot.  strangers were yelling "yes, we can"; "yes, we did" to each other.  There was general good will toward each other; striking in a city where strangers do not talk to each other.

During the prayer





more crowds


me
I had about 5 layers every where and body warmers! still couldn't get warm.


The scarf Mary Laura made for me saved my life!




unbelievable











I'm a rock star!
Got up on a camera crew station







co-worker
We had airport duty the day after the Inauguration.  We helped check groups out all day.

Signing documents
Everyone had to file through to sign the official documents.

Signing


The pledge
All participants had to say the pledge that was written on the program.

Judge
The judge was particularly warm.  He welcomed everyone in a very friendly manor and wanted to take as many pictures as the families wanted.  He kept saying, "This is a special day.  This is YOUR special day!

Family
So I jumped in the picture as well.

Closing remarks
The judge had a few other remarks to make and we were done!

New York with WorldStrides
Ellis Island


New York with WorldStrides
Statue of Liberty


New York with WorldStrides
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New York with WorldStrides
Ellis Island


New York with WorldStrides
Matt Lauer up close


New York with WorldStrides
:)


New York with WorldStrides
On Empire State Building


New York with WorldStrides
Co-worker Corinne


New York with WorldStrides
we look like a couple!  fancy red stairs in times square


New York with WorldStrides
Times Square


New York with WorldStrides
Seeing Little Mermaid on Broadway with group of 8th graders


New York with WorldStrides
Corinne and I in front of the Liberty Bell in Philly


New York with WorldStrides
Liberty Bell


New York with WorldStrides
In National Constitution Center in Philly


New York with WorldStrides
National Constitution Center


Saturday Walk
Heritage Trails by our house in Fluvanna


Saturday Walk
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Saturday Walk
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Saturday Walk
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Saturday Walk
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Saturday Walk
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Saturday Walk
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Last Gig with Bridgeland
Live at Maya
Charlottesville, VA.
2008-09-27


Last Gig with Bridgeland
Y esa zampoña!

Live at Maya
Charlottesville, VA.
2008-09-27

Last Gig with Bridgeland
Feeling it.

Live at Maya
Charlottesville, VA.
2008-09-27



Last Gig with Bridgeland
You make me wanna jump and prance!

Live at Maya
Charlottesville, VA.
2008-09-27

Last Gig with Bridgeland
Staring at the floor...

Live at Maya
Charlottesville, VA.
2008-09-27

Last Gig with Bridgeland
Now look to the side!

Live at Maya
Charlottesville, VA.
2008-09-27


The New Hotness
So, so fly

The New Hotness
Don't be jealous!

Our Gardening Adventure
This is some hard work I tell ya!
2008-09-27


Our Gardening Adventure
Cheeser
2008-09-27


Our Gardening Adventure
Hard at work
2008-09-27

Our Gardening Adventure
Tight.
2008-10-06

Our Gardening Adventure
Ooh so pretty
2008-10-06

Our Gardening Adventure
Loving the garden it seems.
2008-10-06

Virginia Beach
Clearly the wrong day to go to the beach...
2008-10-18

Virginia Beach
Crab is friend
2008-10-18

Virginia Beach
Neptune is ripped
2008-10-18

Raf and Elisa
Celebrating our fall anniversary
2008-10-15

Raf and Elisa
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Raf and Elisa
Fall Anniversary
2008-10-15

Raf and Elisa
Har har har
2008-10-15

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We love Amos Lee (elisa)


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Amos Lee - "Arms of a Woman"

 Live at the Paramount Theatre.

Over the Rhine - "Ohio"

Live at the Gravity Lounge

Over the Rhine - "Drunkard's Prayer"

Live at the Gravity Lounge

Posing for a Picture

Beware! When someone tells you to "be silly" for a picture, it can turn into this…

Soweto Gospel Choir

 (sound only)

11/10/2008 3:14:57 AM - 001074707338
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