32 hours Part Seven: You came all the way from Arizona??

The Proud Family

 This entry is one of many detailing what occurred in a few short hours.  Get your popcorn ready.
Tons of pictures were being taken in the auditorium.  Everyone was so happy.  Cameras flashed with pictures of friends and strangers alike.

Naysia was approached by several people in the auditorium, not only congratulating her award-but amazed that we came allllllllll the way from Arizona to receive. 

I, honestly, was still a little fired up that her name wasn't called.  What I learned later was that most of the kids were from California.  Naysia was the only one from Arizona.  There were 2-3 others from New York, and 1 from Virginia.  The assumption was that out of state students would not be present.  Their names were on the screen but weren't called.  Many apologies were given.  It ended up being to our advantage that she was announced that way.  She met many students that will be on the trip, family members and members of the program that wanted to hear about our road trip.  Had that not have happened we probably would've not been so social. 

Dinner was on the second floor.  We stood in line a chatted with those nearby.  As we made our way into the room we could see several buffet tables, L shaped.  And about 20 round tables that could seat about 10.  The room looked like it served as a dance studio during the day.  The food was catered by a well known LA Korean restaurant.  I couldn't possible tell you all that was served-here's a very generic list.  Rice, fish, sushi, beef, kimchi, stuffed crab shells, wings, and mussels-that's what was on my plate.  There was plenty more food that I did not try. 

We got to the table and there was not a fork in sight.  Sure I've had plenty of time to learn to use chopsticks, but why.  We were seated with 3 families.  It took some time to warm up for conversation.  Although all the students at our table had gotten scholarships, Naysia was the only student at that table going on the trip.  All the families were Korean-Americans so they talked lovingly about their home country and praised Naysia's ambition.

Most of the food we selected was new for us.  Naysia, who is generally a picky eater dove right in.  Kimchi isn't as bad as it's made out to be.  She thought it was hilarious that I could hardly eat with the chopsticks.  Our plan was to quickly eat, get back to the hotel and get to bed since we'd be leaving in the morning.  At this point it's 7:30pm.  All I wanted to do was get one more picture.  Two hours later we were still there.