What a great way to start off 2011..storming into a South African club 25 people deep, singing Dynamite, owning the place and as a group connecting and experiencing such a unique opportunity. All of us we didn't think would have imagined our study abroad experience to look like this so far. We created our own community, something extremely emphasized here, in such a short period of time. We had our own lived- experience on New Years living in the moment and realizing and reflecting upon this bodily experience later.
It was such a positive thing when all of us celebrated an important and emphasized holiday without our family and outside our element in a completely foreign environment. It was during New Years we felt like we shared these discomforts together. It felt as if we were just going with whatever was to come and enjoying eachothers company. We realized that we wouldn't have come together like this if this trip hadn't been put in place. That night all of us branched out of our comfort zones, let loose and allowed ourselves to enjoy the moment we were given! And believe us when we say South Africans can celebrate New Years!
Throughout the night we were our own community, watching out for one another and really feeling like guards were let down. Each day some more of our genuine selves are exposed to one another and that just draws and brings us closer together for as we learned a true community is built through the vulnerabilities and honesty within one another. We cannot wait to continue to celebrate our happines, but also show empathy for ones vulnerabilities, and admiration in the strength for openess. Bring on 2011 because we goin' light it up like its dynamite!!!
Aurora and Emily
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpGgBYeOgi0
