First off, Valerie, its the generosity from people like you that keeps UU up and running.
I hope by reading my reply that I don't get the impression of being an ignorant and selfish person, but I'd just like to put my entry into a story.
My friends and I carpool together on the way from and to school, and it was just a normal ride back home. One of my friend, got into the heated topic of playing guitar, himself being a guitar player. We were in a heated debate of why anyone should play it, and my head popped in the idea of playing the ukulele. It just popped in for some reason, I don't even know why. I thought about the idea of playing an instrument , how no one at school plays it and how the sound just appealed to me.
I went home and google-d "ukuleles" and it was like a whole universe that just popped in front of me. Millions and millions of searches came up and I was baffled. I stumbled across MGM's store, and was awed by how high the prices for some ukuleles were. I thought they were merely toys. Excited, and nonetheless intrigued, I told my parents that I wanted to buy one. They doubted my decision and told me that I had to focus on schoolwork and put my hobbies on the side until I get more time in the future. I didn't say anything but just worked hard until I could get their approval.
On the car one day from my friends house I told my dad that I felt I had more time to do something else rather than play games or just run around. He already knew that I had a desire to learn how to play the ukulele, and just replied "okay, when we get home, let's get one." I literally shouted in my head until my mind exploded.
He bought me the Kala soprano package from MGM. I thought it was the best thing in the world.
It arrived on Thanksgiving weekend, (great timing Mike!), and I quickly grabbed a knife and slashed at the cardboard box like a monster. Inside, the case smelled of Hawaii, and inside the ukulele smelled of paradise. I was suprised at how light and small it was, and the plinky strings sounded so funny to me. I carefully unwrapped the towel paper from the strings and put it aside to me. (I still have it, it came from Hawaii!) The uke itself was just.....amazing. I played piano before this, and let me say that playing the piano wasn't fun, it felt forced. Anyways, fast forward, bzzbzhzhh!
Over Thanksgiving weekend, I spent the days on the couch with the "Learn how to play ukulele today!" in my lap and began learning simple chords. Once I finished that, I found UU. I started going though the endless videos and lessons, and finally came across the forums. It felt like a great way to learn and I found the people to be awesome.
It's been about 2 years since I got the Kala, and it's still sitting next to me. UAS has already gotten to me for a while, and my dad still thinks that all ukulele are the same, and 500 dollars is to expensive for one. I still can't get any sense into him, but I still find myself going through MGM's store and ukereplublic's looking at the concerts and tenors and solid wood and koa and acacia and maple...
I'm starting a ukulele club next year at my school, gotten at least 5 friends to get the ukulele bite, and they already love it. Each strum brings a smile they say.
Sorry for the long reply, but I'm done, and let me just say that playing the ukulele has so far changed my life. I love learning songs from Jake's to traditional Honey Baby. I might even go to Hawaii when I graduate, but we'll see. Thanks again, and this is why I would like that KPK.