Visit with Panther

Today I woke up in Panther's village with his people singing. The hut I stayed in was very comfortable, although small. Then, I had a Sudan dish called Moroccan Cuisine. It was interesting, but I am not complaining. Then, we spent some time in the village singing songs and then Panther took me to his school. The school was truly amazing, the difference that Panther was making for those kids was extraordinary. The smiles that those little kids had were priceless. Then, we went back to the camp and I just listened to people's stories. Although right when we got into camp Panther introduced me to his wife. She had me help her make a basket. Then, I walked around the Village with Panther. The togetherness of the village was astonishing. They would wave and say hi, I can't even tell you how many times I had a person ask if I was visiting, if I needed help and many more. That day in Sudan I wouldn't give back for anything. The children's smiles, the accents, the food and the love is a memory I will have forever.

Panther gave me a shirt from his school as a souvenir. I didn't need anything from him, but the shirt was a pleasant surprise. It has a child smiling and says Sudan Freedom, No War No Problems. That saying has so much meaning in those six words. I will never forget this Experience!


Thank you Panther!!

Visit with Panther Bior

I have decided to visit Southern Sudan with Panther Bior. His home village is Bor, Sudan. Here is a map of his village.


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Santa Barbara

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Emmanuel's Last Day

Today is Emmanuel's last day. I know he will take back many memories. He will remember the ocean and the soccer field. I will remember those two, we played soccer and shared many smiles and laughs. As we surfed you could tell it was a new and amazing feeling for him. I know he enjoyed being in the water as much as being on the sand listening to the waves. I know he will remember the food he got to eat with me as well as the conversation and emotions we exchanged. As well as memories I want him to take home a camera that will show the memories digitally.

The things I will take away from this time are extraordinary. I hope Emmanuel had a great time here and saw and got to do many wonderful things. But for me I see all this stuff a lot and have the pleasure to live by it, so what I am going to take away from this is more than the visuals and experiences it's the emotions. Emmanuel was determined to stand-up paddle board, it was hard for him but his determination overpowered the difficulties. Another emotion I am taking away is a smile, Emmanuel is like a ball of light. He was the sun in someones cloudy day almost every day I was with him. He was always more concerned for other people than himself. I think his motto is they>I, which is great but he deserves a lot of credit for that! I hope Emmanuel will never forget me, I will never forget him because he has changed me forever!

Emmanuel's Visit Day Eight, Nine and Ten.

Before we go off to Tahoe. Emmanuel and I played some soccer and surfed. We went down to city college and passed the ball, just messed around and had fun! After we went and surfed it up!"Shakabra!" He really enjoyed the waves they were perfect for him and I. After we headed home and the car was all packed up with stuff for Tahoe. We went to Tahoe for Christmas to go be with my family. He really enjoyed being in the snow! I think his favorite part was to have snowball fights and sledding. My grandparents live on a golf course in Lake Tahoe so we have to be kind of careful where we sled. But one day, we were there for three days, we took Emmanuel to the 18th hole. The 18th hole has a great sled hill. It is super long and steep. We even took snowboards over, he really enjoyed the snowboards. He also loved being with my little cousins outside and inside my cabin. Throughout the things we did in Tahoe like snowmobile, snowboard, have snowball fights and sled I think his favorite was snowball fights. I really enjoyed those too especially the laughter that came with it. Tahoe was a memorable experience for me as well as one for him to, I hope. But good times don't always last forever. So we had to say goodbye to the cousins and grandparents and head on home.

Emmanuel's Visit Day Seven.

Today I took Emmanuel to see some National Parks. We took him to Yosemite first. We walked through  the trees. He was in complete aww the whole time. He probably the time with his mouth open, the other half he was saying, "wow!" Then on the way home we stopped in San Francisco, we walked around the city for a little while. He really enjoyed getting to see the golden gate bridge. Then we headed to another national park called John McLaren Park. It was the first time I had been there so all the emotions Emmanuel was having I was having too. The wildlife that lived there was astonishing and I as well as Emmanuel loved it! After being there for a while we headed home. It was a long but wonderful day. I hope Emmanuel will go and visit more parks when he gets a chance!  I hope he gets to see them all because they are all so amazing. He truly deserves to see them.

Emmanuel's Visit Day Six.

Below the picture are of my parents, Mark and Luisa.

Today Emmanuel meet my parents as well as my soccer coach. Emmanuel has seen my parents but hasn't really talked to them in depth. So today for the beginning of the day Emmanuel was with my parents. I am not quite sure what they did but they told me a little bit. My mom took him for a walk on the beach with my dogs, then they went to my store to one of the yoga classes. Then they had lunch together and talked and got to know each other. My dad took Emmanuel for a stand up paddle. He was challenged but really enjoyed it as much as my dad does. Then I got Emmanuel back and we went to soccer. He has seen my coach but not really talked to him so after practice we went to dinner. It was a good day in meeting people for Emmanuel. I felt it was important for him to meet them because they are a big part of my life. My coach Vince Thomas is a very important guy in my life. I know I don't give him much credit but he is amazing.

Emmanuel's Visit Day Five.

Today I showed Emmanuel my favorite sounds. I woke him up with waves and he really loved. I knew he loved it when we were at the beach but he thought it was so cool to wake up to it too. Then we had a quick breakfast and then my friends and my brothers friends started showing up. We were going to go to the islands for the day. We tubed and surfed behind the boat on the way there. Once we got there people were fishing, kayaking, snorkeling and jumping off the boat. Emmanuel wanted to kayak first, we took him through caves and we looked at fish and what not. Then he wanted to jump off the boat. We jumped off together first and then he went with a bunch of my friends and I just sat there in aw of how much he can do. Then we took him for a snorkel he was a little scared off some of the animals that were underneath him, but he got over it and had a great time. We saw many fish and even were lucky enough to see a dolphin and its baby. Then we went fishing, he didn't catch anything but it was a great and memorable experience for him. Then we headed home and we all took naps on the way back. We got back had some food in the harbor and then headed to my house. I think he really enjoyed the islands.

Emmanuel's Visit Day Four.

Today Emmanuel and I went for a nice beach walk at Santa Clause Lane in the morning. He was able to walk in the nice warm and wet sand! Then we went Cafe Luna. he didn't know what to get so  I ordered for him. I got him a chocolate croissant warmed up, a bagel and cream cheese and a chai latte. I think he really enjoyed it all but his favorite was the chocolate croissant. I think he liked it because it was so chocolaty and it was warm so the chocolate was melted. After the breakfast Emmanuel came to my soccer practice. Today we had fitness at practice Emmanuel had to sit out for part of it but he tried his best to get through most of it. He did most of the push ups and sit ups but the lounges and such were very difficult for him! It was very nice to see such drive in his eyes to get it done!! Then after practice we went to Los Arroyos for dinner he got tacos and he really enjoyed them! After we treated him to Wetzel's Pretzels he got a cinnamon pretzel and a frozen lemonade. All in all it was a great day!

Emmanuel's Visit Day Three.

Today Emmanuel and I decided to go to school. He really liked watching The Pursuit of Happyness. I think he really enjoyed the togetherness or my class just as much as I do. It was a good school day although I think school brings back memories of his schooling or lack of. He is really open to talking about it though which I really respect, because that would be really hard for me! Then after school we got a blenders and then I took Emmanuel to smell the gorgeous blooming flowers at Lotus Land. He really enjoyed walking around and seeing the beautiful flowers and plants all around! Then I took him home and we light a fire and I did my homework.

Emmanuel's Visit Day Two.

Today we had school again but Emmanuel and I skipped it. Instead we went to Sky High. He really enjoyed although he only has one leg I think the experience was something he would never want to change. Then we went to Ventura Ice Skating, this part of the day was very difficult for him. Then we went to lunch at CPK. Then I figured while we were down in the Camarillo area why not take him to my favorite mall -The Oaks Mall. I don't think he really enjoyed this part because shopping is more of a girl think but he was a good sport about it. For dinner we ate at BJ'S he loved the mozzarella sticks. Then on the ride home we watched footloose. He really loved the music in it. It was another great day with Emmanuel!

Emmnanuel's Visit Day One.

Today I took Emmanuel to see the sunset. While the sunset was happening we walked down Stearns Wharf. In the morning we woke up and my dad made my favorite homemade waffles. Then he came and checked out my school and went to classes with me. His favorite was either social studies or spanish. After school we went to backyard bowls and shared my favorite snack. He thought it was different but good. Then we went home and I did my homework and played video games with my brother. They had such a great time they were laughing and yelling at the TV. Then my family and Emmanuel went to Longboards and had a wonderful dinner and ate the peanuts they have there. Then we walked down the pier at sunset to go get ice cream! I think Emmanuel is really enjoying Santa Barbara. I really hope he is!