ZoO nD FaRm

Today we went to the Zoo. I got the chance to see animals i never thought i would see in a million years; Bears, a Leopard, and the American Symbol the Bald Eagle. Gilbert and Mukiza both seemed to be enjoying themselves. Then when we went to the Farm. I seen GOATS!!!!! LOL, Cows, Roosters, and Donkeys. Then we went to pick Fresh Strawberries straight from the ground. I Stole Aimee's Strawberries shhhh LOL. While eating Mukiza and I were Talking and he gave me a Logical Math Question, i couldn't get the answer, he is very smart LOL. But in All seriousness Today Gilbert and I were waiting on the car to pull up in the parking lot and i asked him "What are some bad things about Rwanda?" and as he looked deep into the distance, he explained to me the hate and hard feeling that exists due to the pass genocide. He told me that he just wants everyone to be happy. Then we spoke about the Bad things about both of our neighborhoods then we laughed it off, but some how i think we both had a mutual feeling that its in Gods hands and we can only due our parts as humans. This Day was Fun So Far nothing less than i expected, going Bowling in a few minutes can't wait..

Ya Boy O aKa Oliver {{Oliver + Kuleba = Best thing that has ever Happened to Me}}

Day One

Well has the day came along I was excited to meet both Gilbert & Mukiza and start our two week journey on what I call a road trip. Day one was the best, it was well planned out and Igot some time to spend with them, just talking over breakfast and about there lives back home in Rwanda. Mukiza is a big fan of football (the American football) he wanted the chance to see a game but due to the season not footbal but he got to play some football with the guys in Dana's backyard. By the way I would like to mention that Dana is Yael's cousin and how much I thank her for planning out some great trips around New Jersey that not only will I remember but both Gilbert & Mukiza are enjoying there stay. The smiles on there face tells that they are enjoying every minute. The day ended with some dinner cooked by Dana's husband Ayton who barbecued for us and it was good. And some smores which didn't come out so great but the camp fire just brought everyone togethere.

There was a moment in the day that we all got together to do an activity that i thought was really cool. Dana had an idea to make a memory box that we can put things in about our trip, if it was a picture or something from the hotel. But I thought it was cool because I know I will remember these days but having something to look back at will help me tell the story about my trip and how much it meant to me.

- Nori*

Thoughts.

This experience is so surreal. I cannot believe the wonderful things I am experiencing here at the beginning of our journey together. What makes me more happy is the smiles my new friends Gilbert and Mukiza carry with them throughout the entire day. All the things we have done together from making smores by the bonfire and picking strawberries at a farm are new experiences for Gilbert, Mukiza and I. I'm just so grateful that we get to share them together and enjoy them. They are both so genuine and they carry such positive attitudes anybody can feed off of. It truly is a blessing to be part of such a wonderful opportunity and I'm making the best of everyday I have here. I can't wait to see what happens next!

- Edwin Alejandro.

FIRST DAY IN JERSEY

On the first day in Jersey I had a lot of fun. We got the chance to play football with Mukiza; and ran a relay race. Gilbert and Mukiza are two fantastic people, they are very fun and caring. When we arrived at Dana's house we ate then we went into the backyard to use our journals and had a discussion. I got the chance to play chess on a 100% wooden chess board, which i enjoyed. I was just overwhelmed by Dana's neighborhood alone; the big houses and huge backyards. I actually seen live Deers roaming in Dana's backyard, and take pictures of them. i am having a whole bunch of fun and every time i get the chance to see Gilbert or Mukiza smile it makes my day that much better. i cant wait to go to the zoo.

__OLiVeR__ =)

Kuleba Exchange Day 1 (great day)

Woke up at 5:45. Took a quick shower, got dressed and i was off to Penn station in Manhattan. There we would meet up with the rest of the Kuleba Exchange buddies. New experience for me, taking the NJ transit was really nice. Amy came with us. Aimee, Yael, Mukiza and Gilbert were waiting for us in Morristown. The day was extremely nice as if Mukiza and Gilbert wished up the perfect day for our (whole day) together. After that we arrived at Dana's. She's so sweet and I remembered her from the Kuleba Exchange Fundraiser. We ate some Great Breakfast and answered questions from slips we chose from a basket. Those questions led to other questions, and those led to wonderful conversation. I felt like i knew more about Mukiza and Gilbert now. Mukiza's favorite music artist is Eminem and Gilbert can dance like Usher. A little while after we made our way to the yard and played a relay race. It was so fun! plus i got whipcream on my face. What could be better than that. Well i washed my face but still felt like the smell of whipcream was following me around. Then came golf! That was so fun. Mini golf to be exact, i think it was the first time i've ever golfed and by the look of it everyone else's. Afterwards the group ate lunch and laughed. Sweet combination. We drove to the Hotel, showered, napped and then went back to Dana's for a BBQ. the food was Delicious. But before the food we made some really cool memory boxes. We decorated our boxes with stickers and other memorabilia. Mukiza and Gilbert were really dedicated to those boxes. I hope to be that dedicated one day.Their will power amazes me.

Jenny =) Kuleba Exchange 2009

dream comes true

i am in usa for me is a miracle i don,t understand how i am here i think that i am sleeping in rwanda and then i am dreaming in the bed for me i don,t know how i can explain life what i have now ,i see all things which i need ok j,ai la confiance de la vie future moi et ma famille mentainat je vit avec la bonne famille nous sommes 12 personnes dans notre activites je vois tous les choses si mon pere existe qui peut me montre ici dans notre groupe je suis avec amy est sociable,yael est courrageuse et obeiscente ,aimee est intelligente,oliver est sociable,axel est sociable ,aurelio est un serieux ,edwin est un romantique ,maria est une dynamique et romantique ,jenny est intelligente,nori est une sociable,dyna est une active dans les choses ,gilbert est sociable,mukiza est un comedien , yael's parents est un soveur et dynamique ici en usa tous possible ,encore est un pay organise dans tous les choses .je fais le pratique en beaucoup de science suivant geographie ,histoire,biologie,technologie,........ et experience de vivre avec les autre pour moi je les mercie tous les organisateurs et en general tous les ameriques paece and love