Omar just returned home this past week from a trip to Indonesia. Pearl drums sent him out there to teach a marching band clinic. The marching bands in Indonesia are modeled after American drum corps. They were thrilled to have an actual American drum corps instructor come and teach them. Omar first flew to Narita, Japan and met up with a Pearl representative. They traveled together to Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Here is a map of where he was:

He taught around 100 percussion students on the first day.

They were so impressed and wanted his autograph.

The next day the students played their instruments outside and put together a piece of music to perform later that night.

He was interviewed for a local magazine.

Part of the band rehearsing.

The next day Omar and the other clinicians were driven an hour out of the city to tour an ancient temple. He said the streets over there were very scary. The cars are really small and there are mopeds traveling everywhere. There aren't really any traffic rules and the ones that are there are merely suggestions.

Borobodur is a Buddist temple and is listed as one of the new 7 wonders of the world.
A view from the top of the temple. Inside of each of those bell shaped monuments there is a Buddha. It is said if you can reach your hand inside and touch the Buddha you will have good luck.

Omar was able to touch it!

I am sure this is against many rules and may just reverse that good luck.

Gamelan is a type of music that is popular there. Omar has studied and taught about this type of music. He was not able to see any ensembles play while he was there, but he was able to see their ancient instruments.

The Sultans palace in Yogyakarta.

This is where the Sultans are crowned.

Again, he flew from Indonesia to Japan. He was able to explore Narita before his long flight back to the US. This street leads down to a temple.

He thought these kids were really cute and got a kick out of their school uniforms.

The Naritasan Shinshoji Temple

He really enjoyed his trip and brought back a lot of goodies for me and the kids. We really missed him, but are glad that he was able to explore a little piece of our world.

Now for a family update:

Isaac is able to sit up for short periods of time. He looks so cute and enjoys seeing things from this new perspective.

For Isaac's 5 month birthday we gave him some oatmeal. Yum! He made some funny faces, but did manage to eat it all.