Today, we woke up everyone up at 7:00 and gave them a 15 minute warning. As the leaders of the day, we helped the kitchen pass out food, pour drinks, and gave everyone hand sanitizer. For breakfast, we had cheese empanadas.
After breakfast, we took 2 busses to El Molino (a 45-minute drive). A lot of us were napping in the small bus, and in the big bus (aka party bus), we sang songs. On the bus, we had the chance to review the question of the day, which was “How does it feel to help others? What role do I have as a global citizen?”
We had a lot of time to think about this question today and ultimately said that helping others is rewarding and fulfilling. It’s intrinsically motivation because when you’re helping someone, you’re benefitting both us and them.
When we got to El Molino, we broke into 3 groups and started working right away! We were all in the mural group, but as leaders of the day, we got to walk around and help others. The communal house group is pretty much done painting inside and outside. The food storage group finished transporting all of the gravel and dirt onto the roof to build the wall. Tomorrow, they will mix the cement. What really impressed us was the food storage group formed an assembly line to systematically get the job done.
The mural group faced a lot of obstacles. When we first started, we found out that we had 4 tins of yellow paint and not enough of the right colors. We had 2 gallons of blue, but they were different shades. We also got some oil-based paints which made things more difficult. We found solutions to our paint problems by mixing all of the water-based-paints together. Adrian also helped by making a run to the hardware store with Emily to get more paint.
Despite all of the challenges, the mural group came up with our own solutions and did the best with what we had and still came up with a very beautiful project.
As LDDs, we also led the energizer for the day. We played human knots in two groups and raced to see which one would finish first. One group may or may not have cheated. After the energizer, we got back to work. The music helped the time fly and everyone dancing. Singing and the music uplifted the group.
At the end of the day, we were all covered in paint.
What was it like being LDD?
Shivani: For me, I was able to connect a lot more with the people in the group because I walked around and gave people food, water, and made sure everyone was OK. Everyone loved the Doritos! I formed a lot of connections today.
Angie: We would all feed each other too because everyone’s hands were dirty, so I fed people Ruffles. I went around to all of the groups to make sure they were taken care of. For the cement group that was using a hook to bring up the gravel, we hooked a bag of chips to the hook to surprise them.
Pia: I helped pass out food to everyone before we served ourselves. We also made sure everyone was hydrated and using sunscreen as well as making sure that the mural group took breaks. Taking initiative was a big takeaway from today.
We learned that putting others needs before our own was important. We made sure everyone was fed—even the community members—before we ate. This also meant we had to eat quickly because we were the last to eat. Also, being a leader isn’t all about bossing others around. It means helping them and motivating them. Teamwork makes the dream work! We helped use each person’s strengths to make the project better.
We ended the day by passing on the torch to Jasper and Jennifer.
Shoutouts
Shivani: Shoutout to Leonardo, who I miss more than my family.
Pia: Hey mom, dad, and Marc. If you’re reading this, I miss you and I’ll be home soon. PS I tried the guinea pig!
Angie: Hi mom, dad, Joe, Lisa, Nini, Cody, and Mocchi!! I miss you guys lots. I have so much to tell you guys. I’ll be home soon. See you guys later.
Thank you Glimpsers for an insight to your day! I would have to agree that “Teamwork makes the dream work”! Kudos to y’all for all your hard work and leaving your legacy with the El Molino community! 🙂
E-,
Obon weekend is officially over! We gave back to the Sangha this weekend and helped Mr. Mori with all the “gochiso” food that was prepared for the Bon Dance as well as the Otoki luncheon on Sunday. Mrs. Misaki was at the service on Sunday. It was so nice to see her smile in-person!
Love, Dad, Mom, and R-
Good job guys.
Pia mom and marc says theyre proud of you. Mom said you are becoming too skinny so try to eat more. Marcs birthday tomorrow. He bOught a nice flannel shirt just like yours. We walk mama in the evening. See you when you get back. I saw a video that you guys will eat worms cooked soon.
Dad
Realization that leadership is about helping your team and motivating others is such an important lesson that will take you a long way in your careers. E-hope you’re making the most of your time there and ‘breaking’ out of your comfort zone, realizing that you are more capable that what you think :). We had a very nice otoki after Sun service, but didn’t finish cleaning up till 2pm! Tomorrow is the first day going back to LAHS! R foot still hurts, but will be hang out the Christian tomorrow (frisbee & swimming that the house). Enjoy!
Hi, Abby (aka Angie)!!! Great job being Leader of the Day! We all miss you, too, and can’t wait to hear about all your adventures in detail! I hope you, and your friends, are having an experience of a lifetime!!! Stay safe and see you soon!!! Love you!!!
Hello GG Group,
Very proud of you all for the amazing altruistic work you’re doing. Definitely a lifetime experience! Love and miss you Adrian, counting the days for you to come home!!!
Jared,
I’m glad that you’re learning valuable life skills while you are out there. You have learned important lessons that you could use in the future such as public service, team work, compassion for others and problem solving.
Keep up the good work son. always remember that Mom and I are always proud of you and we will always support support you.
I love you J, Excited to see you again very very soon. Take care always.
¡Buenos Días Glimpsers!
Si se puede, si se puede!
Felicidades están haciendo muy bien en su proyecto.
Be safe, do your best y disfruten lo que hagan.
Gracias líderes del día y a los coordinadores.
Hola Julio Saludos de la familia.
Hi Debbie! So glad we spoke earlier. Really looking forward to when you return. I can’t wait to listen to your stories. Three more sleeps. Love you!
Hey Jared, nice seeing you work hard for once! Jokes aside, hope you’re having fun out there, ma and pa miss ya a lot, mayin does as well. Mom’s been cleaning out the office stuff from your closet so you can potentially have room for your stuff in there. Dad’s working with Eloy and mom to pick a color to repaint the house. Did you hear the new smash news yet? it’s great. Anyway, till next time.
Shivani, Leo misses you a lot too!!
Nice sweater!
Well Done Kate, hope you have some rest after a long day of work. So excited to see progress on the project. It changes every day. Well done everyone on the team. Looking forward to hear from you soon.
Love,
Mom, Dad and Caroline.
Maria! Dont forget my souvenirs babe!
How awesome Joseph! What an excellent adventure for you all, and so cool to be doing such great work. Rose Mary, Jadyn, Jordyn and I love seeing all the interesting photos. We’re very proud of you! Love, Uncle Mark
Your hard work is leaving a legacy for that community! The fruits of your labor will be enjoyed for many, many years. Well done, team! Jasper – we all miss you! Hmmm…we must have missed all those calls home you have been trying to make??? Just kidding. We will be excited to hear about your experience as Leader of the Day today. Everything is great here. We are expecting a visit from Serge, Donna and Nicolas tomorrow, I’m not sure if they will still be here when you get home but hopefully we will be seeing them in New York soon if you miss them. Granny and Gran Gran, Shelby, Daddy and I all send our love. Enjoy the rest of your time and savor your new friendships. We can’t wait to hear all about your amazing trip.
Maria!!! I hope you’re having the time of your life…. I know that you’ll have an open mind about everythjng you learned and will appreciate everything!! We miss sooo much and btw u didn’t call me :(.. AND (update) my lil sis is doing color guard w you AND I got a new boat Mobile!! We all love you and good luck you senior.. 😉
Viajadores,
Muy buen trabajo! Espero que higan aprendido todos in poquito de español!
PS. How is all of you Spanish coming along!
Miss P, great job, I am so glad you get to experience this wonderful adventure, can’t wait to hear all about it
Hi Bailey what a great experience you have had . Can’t wait to hear all about it and see all the pictures . We all miss you but know this has been a great adventure for you and you have lenjoyed it all I’m sure.