If you're anything like me, you've been looking forward to this trip since it was announced months ago. It took weeks upon weeks of grueling school work and hours of extra-curricular activities, but I think it's safe to say that we've reached a point where full blown anticipation and excitement are completely justified. With only about two weeks to go until the plane takes off, China has increasingly been wandering around my mind. I wonder what it'll be like to walk along the streets of Beijing, or enter the Forbidden City with its ancient legacies, or see in Great Wall in person rather than in countless photos. I wonder if I'll be able to be adventurous in sampling ethnical foods or participating in certain customs. Most of all, I wonder whether I'll be able to connect well with the Chinese students we'll visit, and whether finding similar interests will be a challenge or surprisingly easy.
            Knowing the people that participate in this band, however, I have full faith that we will be as respectful and enthusiastic as possible. I am part of an absolutely outstanding group and there is no doubt in my mind that this will be a fantastic trip, one that will cement itself in our minds and remind us of memories made for years to come.
Welcome to the Valley Christian Marching Band 2012 China trip!