Another Busy Week Full of All Things Czech! (Continued)

Wednesday is usually the night that I have accordion lessons. I get off work at 7 and quick run to mom and dad's house to grab some food before going to Brad's house. My mom has me and my brothers come home and also has my grandparents over for dinner. It's great to get all of us together but usually I'm in a hurry to get to Brad's house to practice so I don't get to spend much time with everyone. Mom invited Brad over for dinner and to practice at their house. She thought my grandpa would enjoy it since he hasn't made it out of the house much since his surgery. Grandma and Grandpa Bowen are a big reason why I got interested in Czech music. I used to stay at their house quite a bit (mostly when I was mad at my mom and dad. HEHE!) They would listen to the polka shows on the radio and we would put on old records and dance to them in the living room. Having him over was a really great way to let them listen to me and see me learning when they were such a big part of me getting interested in this aspect of my heritage. We had fun as we always do! Mom thinks we should start practicing at her house every week. HA! :) I think we may be able to fit it in once and a while.

Friday was another performance with the Czech Choraliers. This time we sang at Holmes Lake Manor. I took my accordion to this performance and got to play for everyone. The group even sang along. I didn't do great but I survived...and Brad wasn't even there to keep me going! LOL We had some punch and snacks with some of the residents and one of the ladies told me that I stole her crown. :) It went really well and it was fun to spend some time with everyone. Right after that was over I had to head to Saratoga Elementary for their fun night. Best Buy sends volunteers to it every year and I usually make it. I told them I could be there but I would be in kroj! They were totally for it (the people at Best Buy are pretty supportive of me...if you couldn't tell!) We had 2 rooms of people. One where they played video games and one where they could sing karaoke. I sat in the room with the karaoke for a while and listened to the kids sing. I got some funny looks walking through the halls but I'm telling you...you wanna get elementary school girls attention...just wear a tiara! HEHE! I also talked to the principal and the 4th grade teachers and may be going to speak there at the beginning of June. I'm excited to have one more possible opportunity.

I'm excited for this weekend. It will be the beginning of PARADE SEASON! :) Laura (the Wilber Czech-Slovak Queen) and I are going to Superior, NE for the Victorian Days parade. I had been trying to get ahold of them for a few weeks and they got back to me and said they would love to have us. I've been trying to get to some of the places I haven't traveled before to get information out there about the Nebraska pageant because it seems like some chapters are struggling more and more to get girls to compete. Just like I say about all of the other Czech things I'm involved in...if we don't carry on the traditions...who will? I'll write more after the parade this weekend.

Na Shledanou
Stefanie Vocasek
2009-10 Lincoln Czech-Slovak Queen