Day 13 “CLOSING REFLECTION”
Student Trip Blog
Hey everyone! My name is Xavier Gardner, and I go to Urban Assembly School for Law and Justice, Downtown Brooklyn. I’m African American, but I also speak and understand some Spanish by teaching myself. My favorite hobbies are skateboarding, learning Spanish, carpentry, and flooring. I’m excited to go to the Dominican Republic to see how the African diaspora there connects to Black American culture and Caribbean culture, plus to practice my Spanish. I’m also excited to meet new people on the trip, learn about Dominican culture, and hear Bachata and maybe some Bolero!!
Comments (38)
Auntie Bibi
Xavier!!!! I am so proud of you ?. You are the most dedicated kid I know especially when it comes to Spanish. I am so excited that you get to visit my home country!!!! You already have everything down packed down to the cooking my boy!!!! I hope you have the most amazing time and you can come back and tell me everything that you have experienced. I know you’re going to love it!
Elvia Chery
Hey X, it’s me your mother, I’m missing you already and it’s not even 24 hours lol. So yes you were right, you already knew that I would. I’m grateful that you have been blessed to have an opportunity like this. I want you to enjoy your time there learn as much as you can while there and also have fun. Make great memories with friends and staff. Mommy loves you very much and I’m extremely proud of you.
Erica
Hey Nephew, it’s Auntie E. I’m glad you and your team made it their safe. I tracked your flight all the way and kept your parents updated. I’m super proud of you and hope you enjoy this time in your life and make good connections. Your grandma said HI and she loves you, she thanks God you all made it their safe. Talk to you later
Auntie Karen
Hey! Hey! Thanking God for your safe flight into DR. Remember to keep God first. Have fun and maintain your positive and curious spirit. Stay observant and forever grateful. Much love and continue to follow your life’s process. The future is yours.
Barbara Chery
Hi Grandson, I thank God you arrived safely. I know you are soooooo excited ?? I am happy for you. How’s the weather and how did you like the airplane ✈️ ride?
I love ❤️ you and enjoy yourself and be safe.
What time do your go to bed?
I will email you tomorrow
Erica
Hey Nephew, it’s Auntie E. I’m glad you and your team made it their safe. I tracked your flight all the way and kept your parents updated. I’m super proud of you and hope you enjoy this time in your life and make good connections. Your grandma said HI and she loves you, she thanks God you all made it their safe. Talk to you later
Ricardo Chery
Hello Xavier. This is grand pa Ricardo That’s good you and your team make it safe . I’m so proud of you and hope you enjoy it .Stay focus .. love you
Que Dios te bendiga . Cuidarse
Jessica
Hey Xavier, I hope you have Wonderful trip and experience many different things , the food and learn about the culture. And advance in learning Spanish.
Elvia Chery
Hey son it’s me, I’m missing you but I know you have to go on your life’s journey as you are a young man now. Sending you off let me realize that. I thank GOD for watching over you and your fellow Glimpsers and staff. Continue to enjoy yourself and I already know you’re enjoying the food. Mommy loves you ❤️❤️
Sheryl
Bu Xavier,
Erica just informed me of your trip. I am so excited for you and your classmates. God bless you in your journey to adulthood. You are making great decisions. Keep expanding your horizons and you are sure to see the benefits. Have an amazing time. I am proud of you cousin ❤️.
Auntie Karen
Hey Hey! How was your first couple of days?
Elvia Chery
Hey son mommy’s missing you real bad. Although I’m sure you’re occupied and not missing the states lol. Each day that you’re away on your trip I realize just how much GOD is in charge of your life. Keep doing what you’re doing, continue to follow your passion for learning new things. I’m so very proud to be your mommy I love you so much ❤️
Randolph Gardner
Hey X, hope you are enjoying your first over seas trip and you are have a great experience. Take care of yourself and have a great time. Love you Papa
Victoria
Hey there my boy just know I’m forever proud of you are blessed to have this opportunity to experience another country and I know you will leave a mark there with your name continue being you and always go higher me and the girls love you.
Barbara Chery
Hi Grandson!! How was your day? I am missing you and your jokes. What did you have for breakfast and dinner.
I pray you are enjoying yourself and meeting nice people and have good memories of this adventure.
I have you and the team in prayer.
I love you ?❤️ I talk to you tomorrow.
Elvia Chery
Hey X, everyday I wake up to see what you all have done for the day. I see that you had the chance to dance Bachata. That looked like a fun experience. I’m so happy you are experiencing these moments. I hope you were able to try some new snacks and foods at the grocery store continue to enjoy and have a great time. Mommy loves you son. ❤️❤️❤️
DAD
Como estas mi hijo…. espero tu tiene un bueno tiempo en D.R. con tu companeros… aprender todo tu puedes ….tu madre realmente te extrana …..ella llamame todo los dias… ?? de todos modos papa te ama y esquia el limite por ti…. todo la familia habla de ti en esta gran excursion…..
Victoria Rivera
Hi Xavier!
So excited for you! Hope you are enjoying your time there. Erica told me you are learning to dance bachata and eating great food. Looking forward to hearing about your trip when you return. Have ? fun!
Elvia Chery
Hey son I see you’re learning a lot and having a great time. I can’t wait to hear from you about all of your great experiences. I know it’s going to take days before you can tell it all. Continue to keep your eyes and ears open to learn all that you can. Don’t forget to thank GOD daily for blessing you with such an experience.
I love you ❤️
Erica
Hey Nephew, Auntie E here in the hot apple. It has been 1000 degrees for the 800 day ?? I hope the weather in DR is not too bad. I see you’ve been doing a lot of interesting things, can’t wait to hear about them when you get back. Keep enjoying yourself and meeting interesting people. Love you X ?
Bibi
Hi Xavier! Happy Tuesday! I hope all is going well and you are enjoying your trip. Have you had any foods that have been a highlight?! Any fruits? Apples ??? Hahaha or some 3 leches care ?. I hope you’re having fun and if you are able to go to a store, colmado, local bakery don’t forget to bring ya momma some nostalgic Dominican snacks.
– Hojuelitas de queso
– galletas con queso geo
– dulce de coco con leche
We are hoping to hear from you soon!
Elvia Chery
Hey son I’m so excited to speak to you soon. I miss talking to you, and your jokes and you looking for my reaction ??. I love that you are doing a lot of team work and having the opportunity to experience life in the DR. Continue to have a great time and enjoy your experience there. I love you Xav. ❤️❤️
Elvia Chery
Hey X I was happy to hear your voice today. Everyone was happy to speak to you I can hear in your voice that you’re enjoying your time there. Continue to enjoy your trip and keep learning. Gain as much knowledge as you can. I love you very much and can’t wait to see you. ❤️❤️❤️
Barbara Chery
Hi Grandson, how are you doing? Fine I hope. ?❤️ I was so happy ? to hear your voice on Wednesday, you sounded real good. Hearing the way you sounded let me know you are enjoying yourself. I am missing you but, I will see you soon.
You have a birthday coming up let me know what you want for your birthday. I will talk with you later. ???❤️❤️❤️
Erica
Hey Nephew, how is it going? Looks like they are keeping you all active both physically and mentally. It was great hearing from you the other day. I hope it’s not that hot and humid in DR. When you all return back here the weather will be cooler. Keep learing and enjoying yourself young squirrel. Love you much ❤️ Auntie E
Elvia Chery
Hey son I’m missing you so much this is the very first time I won’t be with you to spend your birthday with you. That is hard for me, but I’m thankful you have been blessed to spend your birthday in DR. It’s a blessing because it’s a place that you have been wanting to go to for a really long time. So I hope you get to celebrate your 17th birthday while there. Know that I love you and I miss you and I can’t wait to see you and hear your jokes and laughs.
Just know I’m screaming Happy Birthday Son at 2:27am!!!! I love you son and we will celebrate your birthday when you get back.
I love you very much ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️???????
Felisha
Happy Happy 17th Birthday Xavier!! I hope you’re having a blast over there, meeting new people and doing community work… Can’t wait to hear all about it when you come back… So proud of you! Enjoy your birthday today I know this one goes down in the books! Lol ?
Barbara Chery
HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDSON!!!
I am still up it’s 3:05 AM July 15, 2024. I did not want to go to bed until I tell you HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
May God continue to pour His Blessings upon you ?. Continue to enjoy yourself, I pray that you meet new friends. I can’t wait for for your return so, I can hear all about your trip.
I love ❤️ you
DAD
Happy birthday X-MAN …. wishing you the best birthday in D.R. ….. YOU KNOW WE GONNA BE LIT WHEN YOU GET BACK TO THE US…. THEY SHOT OUR GUY DONALD TRUMP ☹. BUT HE TOOK IT LIKE A REAL SOLDIER. ON ANOTHER NOTE… IM PROUD OF YOU & ALL THE GLOBAL GLIMPSERS THE HUMANITARIAN RELIEF, AID IS COMMENDABLE, JOB WELL DONE, REMEMBER WE USED TO GET UP BRIGHT AND EARLY ON SATURDAYS TO HIT UP SEO, IT PAID OFF FOR YOU, TO HAVE AN EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME THAT YOU AND YOUR GLIMPSERS WILL NEVER FORGET… LOVE YOU SON. SEE YOU SOON . GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR TEAM
Dad
HAPPYBIRTHDAY XAVIER
Auntie Karen
Happy Birthday!!! Wishing you all a best. Wow what a birthday celebration. Spending it on your first international trip!
So happy you decided to elevate. Now you see what I mean about leaving those 4 corners. ??
?????????????❤️❤️❤️❤️
Victoria
Screaming all the way to DR wishing you the happiest birthday ever hope you are enjoying yourself out there and having a wonderful time enjoy your bday me and the girls love you ????
ERICA GARDNER
HAPPY BIRTHDAY NEPHEW!!!?? He’s 17 and looking clean ? I know that was corny. But I hope God blesses you with more life and all the love your hands can hold ❤️ love you always Auntie E ?
Felisha
Happy Happy Birthday Again Xavier, I hope you’re really having a blast today you get to spend it internationally wooohooooo ????? Enjoy!
khloe your god sister
Happy birthday day xavier ??
Love you enjoy your vacation and birthday
Kalisha Small
Happy birthday Xavier….hope ur having fun, being safe and enjoying every bit of this experience. I’m so proud of the respectful young man you are. Skys the limit for you. Love u
Elvia Chery
Hey X Happy Happy Birthday Son! I’m happy that you will be able to look back on this birthday and Thank GOD for such a blessing. Continue to enjoy and I cant wait to see you. I love you ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Happy 17th Birthday Again and Again!!! ???????????????
ERICA GARDNER
Hey Nephew, your last full day in DR!! Make the best of it!??. I see you were a leader of the day for Cap Day 2! Congrats, can’t wait to hear everuthing! Safe travels to you and the Global Glimpsers. Love you always Auntie E ❤️❤️