Question of the Day: What are some ways you can organize yourselves to work best together as a group for the CAP days?
Quote of the Day: “Working hard and working smart sometimes can be two different things”- Byron Dorgan
Hey everyone! It’s Alena, Carly, and Lauryn! Today was the first day of our Community Action Project! We started off our day bright and early at 6:30am. We had a delicious breakfast of empanadas, bread, and fruit. We took the bus to San Juan De Lllullundongo, and were overwhelmed with support from the local community (over 40 people came to help paint). Despite facing challenges from miscommunication with the school administration, we were able to work together and complete a majority of our project on the first day.
The first hour consisted of organizing into groups and learning the painting techniques from the locals. Glimpsers divided into different classroom buildings (around 4 per building), plus the locals. We started with yellow paint on the top, and then brown paint on the bottom. We rotated using roller brushes (rodillo) and paintbrushes (brochas). Our unity led to success as we were able to paint almost all the buildings within the first two hours. When it was time for lunch, we ate our packed meals from Feroz, and this is when the fun began. One of our Glimpsers started singing, and then groups were quickly formed. We had a “pitch-perfect” moment as we replicated a riff-off. The three groups came up with categories and songs to perform and compete with each other. Some of the most memorable numbers include Baby by Justin Bieber, Party in the U.S.A by Miley Cyrus, and many High School Musical songs.
After lunch, the party continued as we had one main building to finish painting. Half of the glimpsers were on the second floor painting while performing several musical numbers. At this moment, the work did not feel like work, it felt like a group bonding. We were able to produce a great project while having a great time together. The locals were so impressed with our energy, and one even said that our scene (singing and painting) seemed as if it were “one only seen in movies”. One woman even requested that we sing “Hotel California”, and it was a great time for everyone.
After hours of hard work, it was finally time to go. All of us had paint all over our faces, but we felt so accomplished. We enjoyed free time at the hotel, most of us taking incredibly cold showers, and then heading to dinner. We had an amazing dinner of noodle soup and then headed back to the hotel for our nightly meeting. We had our regular meeting, and reminisced about our day. All of the Glimpsers exemplified the 3 C’s- courage, commitment, and compassion. It took a lot of courage to work with new people to paint the school. All of the Glimpsers and leaders were committed to the task, despite the long hours. Compassion was essential, as we all support each other day and night.
Some “Big Loves” we talked about tonight include
- Los, one of our kind and hardworking leaders who we love dearly.
- The locals who came eager to participate with great attitudes.
- The glimpser who started our singing contest
- All of our GG leaders and PCs for their continuous dedication and hard work
- To all the parents who continue to read our blogs and show your support. We love and miss you all! Thank you! <3 Tomorrow we have another full day ahead of us in Salinas. Good night and thank you for reading! -Alena, Carly, and Lauryn
Llullundongo Prep
Day 1 Completion
Hi Glimpseer,
I really enjoyed reading this post! What an awesome experience!
I love the new color so bright and welcoming!
By the way you guys are great singers, it’s so cool that the locals were requesting songs! I love it 🙂
Nava, I can just imagine you singing at the top of your lungs and dancing with a paint brush in your hand! LOL
Knowing that you are having so much fun while doing such great deed has brought a huge smile to my face this morning. Who would have thought, my Nava painting, and eating noodle soup and eggs!! 🙂
Miss you more and more with each day that passes but especially today. We have decided Father’s Day celebration won’t be the same without you so want wait and celebrate it next weekend with you. ❤️
Love you so much! xoxox
Way to go Kids! Start your day bright and early, it’s always good! I’m glad to see everyone working hard and having fun at the same time. We are so proud for everyone ?.
Apryl, Nicole says “Hi”, we went to Dim Sum yesterday for Father’s Day and everyone missed you so much! Can’t wait for you to come back.
We love and miss you everydays!
Mom, dad, nathan, Nicole and Bagel
Iana,
I know you were probably right in there singing your heart out. Wow the project you all took on was a big one! Looks great. Daddy and Gabe say hello!! Its going to really hot when you come back so enjoy the cool temperatures of ?? Ecuador. Love and miss you… see you soon !!!!
Love, mom
Hi Apryl , this is Maegan. Hows your trip ? I walked bagel for and Bagel misses you. from maegan
Hi Lauryn!
It’s so awesome to see you all working so hard but having lots of fun too while doing it ?
We’re celebrating Father’s Day/Audrey’s bday today and it’s definitely not the same without you… the family all misses you very much and are counting down til we see you in 4 days! ?
Take good care & see you soon!
Love,
Mom
We love it!!!! Keep up the good work everyone!!!
Alexia!! We adore you!!!
#californiagirls
hahaha, what a cute, fun post. Your smiles were bright and friendly. Your music made it more fun. And the painting job looks wonderful. Thoroughly enjoyed this post.
To my wonderful (insert several lengthy favorite terms of endearment here), love you. Miss you. Huge hug and several kisses to each cheek. Hope you have another great day tomorrow. Tell everyone you see that I say thank you so much for this trip and all these things you guys are doing. You must be growing up so much. Stay thankful, hopeful, and we can’t wait to see you soon.
Courage, commitment, compassion, and karaoke! ? Loving all the feels from this post.
Meia! We can imagine you stepping out of your comfort zone to live in the moment with your fellow Glimpsers. There’s nothing better than turning a task into a memorable adventure and what better way to do it than bonding with song and dance! That bond will only strengthen as each day comes and although you’re in the last leg of your trip, this is a unique experience to share and look back upon; so we only hope that when you all come back home, you’ll continue to strengthen that bond in one way or another.
Meia, this Father’s day without you just wasn’t the same. Today we had brunch with the fam and Grandma and grandpa at your favorite all you can eat sushi and it just wasn’t the same piggin out on all that sushi without you ? But don’t worry, we’ll make it up when you get back! ?
We also have a surprise to tell you about, but we’ll wait a few more days, hehe. Here’s a hint:
Counting down the days until we’re “reunited” and having fun with “everyone”, you especially ?
Love and miss you!!
Dad & Cat
Hi Kay,
Good job Kayla and to your fellow glimpsers! You all did a fantastic job painting the school. Nice color combination. What a great experience.
Tito Apollo and family were looking for you. We celebrated Marcus’s bday and Father’s Day as well. We miss you so much.
Love you much,
Dad, mom, Nikki,& Chai
Hi Lauryn,
Hmm… I don’t see my comment so not sure if it went through so writing again…
It’s so good to see you and everyone working so hard together and also enjoying the process 🙂
We’re celebrating Father’s Day & Audrey’s bday today and it’s not the same without you here. We all miss you and can’t wait to see you in 4 days!
Take good care & see you soon ❤️
Mom
Hahaha! That video was so entertaining. You guys rock! Meia- we like watching Pitch Perfect!!! Lol. Thanks for the smile everyone ?
Glimpsers,
We are all very impressed with your work. You can definitely get a career in painting! 🙂
The building looks really nice and welcoming.
Ashwin,
Naani and Alana are competing for the guest bed. Baba has been climbing all over the new roof and Maanasi is happy to join him. She says she’d already put the vacation mode before she left for Mexico. I’m eating all the different kinds of Mangoes I can find. Naanaji and Arun Nanu both say hello.
Miss you..
mamma
What a wonderful job! All of your hardworking are changing Ecuador for even better. Very proud of all of you!