Day 1: Out of My Comfort Zone by Jonathan Moon

 


I've been utterly ousted and shunned from my comfort zone. While I was nervous about what the summer course would hold, today's activities exceeded my expectations in quantity and diversity. It has been a packed day, ranging from standard icebreakers to learning Hawaiian dances. However, despite all the missteps along the way(quite literally while dancing), I end the day satisfied by all the new friendships I've formed and my experiences. If I had to pick a specific "highlight" of the day, it would be the Hawaiian "Hukilau dance." While the prospect of having to dance was initially a bit terrifying, interacting with the Hawaiian elders, or Kapunas, and learning the simple movements that culminated in a full dance was surprisingly interesting. The Kapunas also gave us a taster of basic Hawaiian phrases and their meanings while dancing. Their love for the islands really stood out to me and made me reflect on my appreciation for my country. It made me wonder about my culture, which I am frankly unfamiliar with and motivated me to learn more about it. Of course, that will happen after this summer program, with the next week focused on Hawaii.


I look forward to more unique experiences, much like today's, that push me out of the comfort zone I usually stagnate in.

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