What’s good it’s Misa đ ! Wassspoppinnnn it’s Briyana!
We out here in the Dominican Republic living it up with the locals. Now we’re going to give a recap of our interesting day. Today we prepared to meet with the Haitian community from Colonial Kennedy. We spent our morning preparing snacks (guacamole, sandwiches, melon juice, fruit kebabs) and choreography (Footloose) in order to interact with the Haitian community. Thanks to Abby and Leilani, we were able to learn the choreography in under an hour!
After arriving at the community, we learned about their lives through questions about their families and work. For some of the community members that we questioned, they talked about working in the Dominican Republic in order to provide for their families back in Haiti. It was a great experience that allowed us to learn about the harsh realities regarding citizenship laws in the DR, especially those negatively impacting Haitian immigrants.
Afterwards we enjoyed some time out in the sun dancing and eating with the community. It was great to see the Haitian people opening up to us despite our differences and we all really enjoyed our time together. After spending time at Colonial Kennedy, we went back to the hotel and had a self reflection on our day with the community. Our program coordinators, Fabi and Silvi, facilitated a great discussion which encouraged us to have an open mind and to not settle on preconceived notions of people and their cultures. We finished the day with some free time followed by dinner.
Overall, we reflected on not only our own lives, but the lives of other people in different situations. The question of the day was: How can culture, politics, and history impact immigrants’ identities? Through our discussion, we came to the conclusion that history impacts present politics and culture, and that it’s important to remember not to judge based on the past, and rather focus on the present.
P.S. wassup Misa’s family + Rania, you better comment because I’m not feeling enough love. Make them funny for bonus pointsâ don’t disappoint!! If you’re not any of the people listed above, feel free to leave funny comments anyway :D. Kiyomi- yes I would like a souvenir thanks. To Bri Drizzy’s crew, I hope you write more. I love y’all.
Alexa,
Glad to see you guys are learning a lot and experiencing new culture. Enjoy every moment and donât be afraid to keep trying new things, itâs all worth it in the end. Keep having fun! Will be waiting to hear more all about it soon.
-Lorenzo <3
Such a great post tonight and well actually, every night! I hear there are some great artists in the group. Would love to see some pictures of your groupâs sketches in the blog. Love seeing your smile Lani Bear!! You would have laughed at Ash and I today as we spent 45 minutes outside of Home Depot today trying to get 6 gigantic bamboo plants in our car. At one point I went to see if we could rent a truck and we even called Maddie to see if she could bail us out. People laughed at us and someone even took a picture. But with new resolve and a we can do anything attitude we figured it out. Canât wait to show you the end result.
Cheers – Allison
I went and watched toy story 4 today and I cried like a baby. I put fake nails on and now Iâm really struggling to type this. Also the TikTok pressure is getting to me ugh Iâm honestly a mess. I donât think Iâm really cut out for this lifestyle, Iâd rather just be a couch potato and play video games all day (as if I wasnât already doing that). Who am I kidding, IM A FRAUD. If youâll excuse me Iâm gonna go eat a whole pint of ice cream and watch YouTube.
What a wonderful experience and opportunity to interact with the Haitian community and to hear about their experiences.
Leilani we expect to see the dance moves when you get home! đ Grace has her tap taps ready to roll. Loving you and sending big hugs and kisses!
I imagine that it must have been such a pleasure to present such hospitality to those with whom you met. Certainly it must have been such a pleasure to have received it! Well done Glimpsers! Well done Leilani! What a beautiful and proper way of being cohort. We are so proud of you and so happy for you! Love and cheers, Leilaniâs Papa, Buzz Renda
Honestly Mis, Iâm feeling kind of offended right now. You didnât comment for me ONCE when I was in Ecuador. Not. Once. Oh but just for a little update, Mariko fell off a horse at the horse show and I think she was a little loopy after that, but mom said sheâs gotten better at riding.
And funny?? With what context? Youâre not funny.
And since youâre not being specific Iâm going to get you a toe from Korea.
Hope youâre making lots of friends and you come back less paranoid â¤ď¸
YO YO YO HOLLUP IS THAT MY WORK HAT? BROO IF THATS MY HAT IMMA B MAAAAAAAD
What an amazing day and so important to understand the complexities surrounding immigration. Your great grandparents immigrated to the United States from Japan and faced intense racism. Your grandparents and Aunts and Uncles were all interned during WW2 even though they were US citizens, and yet they all went on to go to college and to make their lives successful for themselves and future generations. Immigration is likely a part of many of your fellow Glimpsers history. We love and miss you and are delighted you have the opportunity to see other cultures and perspectives.
Dear Cynthia and Tara
What a great experience to understand first hand how human migration works!
Hope you are both well. Hope that you are getting these notes, been writing every day almost.
Miss you very much but glad you are having a great experience!
Love
Mummy
hey ABBY, I am so excited for you to come back and see our new place! I can’t wait to hear all about your trip, and see your beautiful face. Come back safe!<3
Hi Abby,
I love you so much, and I am so proud of you!! I can’t wait to see you soon and hear all about your experiences and learnings after you get back from this amazing trip. Again I miss you more than you know, and I am excited to hug you!
Love Natalie. <3
Briyana,
So wonderful you all are learning a lot of new things and new culture!
Miss you Briyana! Your brothers misses you. Cant wait to see you in the next few days! Until then take care.
Luv mom
Hi Abby,
Everybody cut, everybody cut footloose! What fun! So cool that you and Leilani choreographed a dance.
Miss you so much đ Love,
Mom
I see you Bri Bri! You better show us some moves when you get back! Plus other stories! Quinn and I miss you! <3