July 4th in America

The day started with a hometown parade.  

My mom, sister, and I watching the parade together. 

My niece is decked out for her parade too. 

Good old American pie!

My parents and I visited waterfalls in the area. 

We finished the afternoon with a picturesque visit to Lake Michigan and a lighthouse. 

Couldn't miss the fireworks at night either : ) 

My Summer Language Study Program

The class was located in Wisconsin's capitol city. 

Practice language at the weekly farmer's market.

Poetry night. 

Visiting a dance performance at a SE Asian style garden. 

Picnic!

Work in the classroom. 

Scrabble in Hmong...(didn't work so well; need more b's and v's!) 

A "Lao" style house...kind of strange to see this in Wisconsin!

Eating pho...yum!

Final project...present a folktale. 

Nomination for outstanding student award. 

Our performance at end of class banquet. 

40th Birthday in America!

My family planned a surprise 40th birthday for me a couple days after I arrived in America. 

I had absolutely no idea!  (not to mention a little jet-lagged : )

My mom, the party planner, holding the cake. 

Some of my relatives who came to celebrate.