Its the new frontier.

At this moment I may happily and joyfully tell you that the change has finally come. My aunt said that she didn't vote for Barack Obama because she wanted something out of it. She voted for him because of what it will mean for my generation and for those who will come after us. She said this doesn't really hit her because her country of origin always had a black president. I don't think that this blog needs much explanation. At first I was not totally convinced that I would be voting for the former senator. I am glad to say that I changed my mind about this man here. He truly is the super man of the people and hopefully he can address the crisis going on in Haiti.

January is the New.

Touissant-L'Overture was the most important leader of the Haitian Revolution. He overthrew the French commissioner and made strides to reestablish the economy in Haiti. He is important because he helped to make Haiti the first nation that was bound by slavery to gain its independence on January 1, 1804. I always found that it was interesting that this day always coincides with the beginning of the new year for most people around the world. I am proud that Haiti was the first enslaved country to gain its independence. It gives me hope that things will change in the country. Haiti was occupied by both the Spanish and the French at one point in history and this has impacted the unique culture it still has today. Even the British occupied Haiti when it was considered an important part of gaining power in the Carribean. Being from a diverse country such as Haiti is sometimes confusing because there are traditions that I do not understand. One tradition that I've recently learned more about is the tradition of eating squash soup on the Haitian independence day. My mother told me that the reason for this is because the slave owners would not allow the slaves to eat soup which was considered the most luxurious of foods at that time.


To learn more about Haiti and its extraordinary history, the best website I found is Discover Haiti

Fast Car Fugees.

In one of my previous blogs I wrote about one of my favorite artists Wyclef Jean. I discovered that my father knew Wyclef's family when he lived in New Jersey many years ago. I admire him because he gives hope to all people not only those who know him personally, but for all the Haitian immigrants and their children. During the massive floods in Haiti, Wyclef had a personal hand in improving the situation even if it was in the most minimal sense. People like Wyclef are important. Haiti is seldom remembered because of all the problems that are going on around the world. The one thing that I can say about Haitian people is that they never forget the hardships that the ones they left behind are going through. Wyclef's music gives me hope that one day the world will turn its attention to Haiti. Many people when they think about those in third world countries, they think of places like Africa and Ethiopia. Haiti is another country that is in need of the help of places that give aid to countries in need.

Say Uncle.

The current president of Haiti is a man named Rene Preval. The Presidency in Haiti in the recent years has been difficult because of the insurgents and because of the former President Aristide's removal from power several years ago. The government was attempting to elect a new Prime Minister to aid Preval in his endeavors to restore the people's faith in the government. The person they were considering is a man named Ericq. This man was unsuccessful in his attempts to become the Prime Minister in 1997 and once again in 2008. His nationality came into question because he was unsuccessful in providing the birth certificates for his grandparents and because of his economic plans for the country. This man is my uncle. Ericq Pierre, one of my father's older brothers. He currently lives in Maryland where he works for the Inter-American Development Bank. He has been a big influence on me when it comes to politics just as my father has been. My uncle stayed true to who he was and he was not elected because of the corrupt government that was put into place when Aristide was in power. His influence on Haiti would have been welcomed by the people because he wanted to begin to build a better system and he wanted to help those who were most in need which accounts for most of the Haitian population. The government in Haiti does not have the system of checks and balances like the U.S. does. I believe that if the Haitian government took a little bit of what our government has, I think that he would have been a very effective political official.

Time Travel.

Leaving the country that you call home is always hard and I knew that it was hard for my mother to leave Haiti. When she first came to this country she was miserable because not only was she homesick, but because she wasn't used to the weather. She still isn't used to the weather but she's adapted fairly well. In Haiti the weather is hot and muggy as opposed to the clear seasons in New Jersey where my family settled. She's been in this country for many years, but she hasn't lost her Haitian upbringing. In Haiti when people leave the country, they are seen as virtual strangers when they return. Living in the U.S. is at times hard for immigrants because many of them are misunderstood. The balance between the old world and the new world is really difficult because people mistake wanting to preserve the culture with hating the way things are in the states. This photo is a photo taken of the countryside in Haiti.

Generation Haiti.

With every generation comes new and advanced ways of thinking. The generation of Haitians that I've been directly involved in has been no different. The advanced ways of thinking has not been drastic in my family. My mother values everything that my grandmother valued and what her mother value before her. The relationship we all have with each other is unique because the love we have for one another sometimes amazes me. We are connected by blood though at times it seems as though we are worlds apart.


My mother had a drastically different upbringing than I did because of the country she lived in and because of the financial situation. I feel as though her view of the world is old fashioned because of where and how she was raised. I have a unique connection to her because I understand this. I also have this connection to her because of the love I have for the country where all my family is from. I was lucky enough to have lived with my grandmother for all the years that I did. During my youngest years, she raised me and I got to know so much about my family's background. I could only speak Creole to her so that boosted my understanding of her. I also had a chance to know my great-grandmother fairly well and the connection that we all shared is something I hope that it is not unique to my culture because their hardships gave me a better understanding of myself and of them as women.

Chew on this.

Since my last blog was about clothing, naturally this blog has to be about food. Just as clothing was once only thought of as a necessity, food is now treated in the same fashion. We no longer eat to live, we live to eat. Gluttony, once viewed as a sin, is the basis of our existence. In my speech class, I delivered a speech on the importance of eating healthy foods. Even though I made this speech, I am more than guilty of eating foods that have been clearly proven to be harmful to my body. In Haiti, food is not always eaten because of necessity just as in all parts of the world, but food has a different significance.

My mother always tells me stories about my grandmother and how generous she was. Food meant more than the momentary fullness it provided. My grandmother would have huge pots of food made on a daily basis to feed not only those living in her household, but also those who happened to stop by for a visit and sometimes even strangers. This was her unique way of connecting to not only the people around her, but to give back to the community that helped raise her. My mother has developed the habit of cooking in large quantities because this is how her mother showed her how to cook. My mother has failed to realize that she is not cooking for nearly as many people because she only has to cook for 4 instead of the 12-15 people my grandmother cooked for every day.

Change Clothes and Go.

Clothes today make up who a person is in this day and age. I for one have had a taste of what different culture value and only Americans put so much emphasis on a person's clothing.

In Haiti clothes are worn because it is a necessity in society. Only babies are allowed to run around without clothes on. Haiti being an impoverished nation, has limited options when it comes to fashion. When I visited Haiti this past summer, I was instantly pointed out as the "diaspora" or American who has come to visit the country because of what I wore. In the U.S. women are more susceptible to the scrutiny of society because there are so many clothing lines dedicated to finding the newest and most acceptable fashions of the modern times. Being superficial is now acceptable because it is seen as having good fashion sense. Clothing is no longer worn seen as a means of protection from the elements, but it is a part of who we are and where we've come from.
Growing up, my parents wanted what was best for me. What was best for me was to have clothes on my back, a roof over my head, food in my stomach, and a good education. These things were in their reach, but they never really paid attention to the latest fashions because of how they grew up. The nicest clothes we worn to attend school and to church on Sunday. I still hold some of the values they instilled in me but growing up in American society has crippled me in regards to clothes. I do not have the passion for fashion as some call it. I wear the clothes that I think are appropriate and that are comfortable for me. Even though I am dictated in some part by what society and the media thinks about clothes, I am not totally in bondage when it comes to clothes.

Discipline.

• When people think of discipline people think of parents going to their local store, buying a whip, and flogging their children. I'm not going to tell you to beat your children or not but I am going to tell you my experiences with discipline.
• When I was younger I wouldn't say that I was a misbehaved child but I am sure that I got my fair share of the warnings from my parents. They would give me the look or obligatory I don't want to have to punish you. At the time I didn't understand what they were trying to convey. I learned through my younger cousins how much this discipline helped to guide me.

Haitian customs are much different than some American customs that I've witnessed when it comes to discipline. Some kids are allowed to talk back to their parents or some kids even try and discipline their parents. I was raised to respect my elders no matter how much I think they are wrong. This teaching followed me to the classroom as well. Even though I'm in college, a certain level of respect should be given to all professors no matter what subject it is. Others apparently were not raised on the same principle I was. People act as though they were raised on the barn, hooting and hollering whenever they think its necessary while the professor is attempting to teach. I don't know if this can be contributed to poor home training or just adolescent rebellion, but we're all college students and to me this is where our maturity level should be growing not decreasing. I think that if the respect for your elders was enforced was when your in elementary school that it would hopefully carry on to college life. I guess those lectures my dad used to give me came in handy after all.

Take Care with...

When I was 11 years old my grandmother died in Haiti. I never got to go to her funeral and sometimes it creeps up on me when I'm not looking. I've been to funerals...thats not the problem. I've been to wakes and receptions so I'm used to the whole funeral procession you could say. What I'm not used to yet is the grief and the skill it takes to get through those first few days or weeks or months after the death of a loved one. Today my mother gave me advice on how to deal with tough news and things in general. DEAL. Some people turn inward for support and others are the opposite. I've dealt with these tough situations by turning to my family. Disfunctional as we may be we always come together in the time of crisis. Praying together bonds us with each other and the one that we've lost.

Usually the "death proceedings," go as follows. The immediate family of the dead take in mass amounts of phone calls from friends and family offering their condolences. The person has one full day to grieve and think about their loved one. Then they spend most of the week helping to make prepartions for the wake, funeral, and....reception. The first two parts are ordinary to me now but the reception always has me thinking. Many Haitian people offer a big reception for everyone who came to the funeral mass. This consists of at least three courses and drinks. This is so strange to me because the people who attend the funeral expect those who've lost their loved ones to spend even more money on filling their bellies when I expect those who've come to support to sponsor such an event. This is a time for people to be together and to share stories of their common bond. At least that is what I consider it to be.

A.P.

Instead of Theology

Yesterday I took my first Theology exam. The night before my friend Mike and I were supposed to be studying for this exam. We were about to begin studying but he came up with a smart way to really bug me. He wanted me to speak Creole or Kreyol. Its difficult sometimes to just say a phrase or sentence without the need to say it. So I told him that he could listen to me speaking on the phone with my cousins so he could hear me speak. After he listened to me we began studying but I was still thinking about what he had said. He said that he wanted to learn how to speak this language and I knew that I could not even begin to teach him even the basics without knowing how to write it. I know how to read fairly well in this language but writing would take me an eternity. My cousin actually sent me this on facebook a few months ago.


CREOLE - ENGLISH
* * * * * * * * * * *
Bonjou! - Good morning!

Bonswa! - Good afternoon!/Evening! (used after 11 AM)

Komon ou ye? - How are you?

N'ap boule!/M'ap boule (most common greeting and response) - Good!

Wi - Yes
yo - they, them
Non - No
Mèsi - Thanks
Anmwe! - Help!
Non, mesi - No, thanks
Souple - Please
Merite - You're welcome
Pa gen pwoblèm - No problem
Oke - OK
Eskize mwen - Excuse me
Mwen regrèt sa - I'm sorry
Gen... - There is/are...
Pa genyen! - There is/are not any!
Mwen pa genyen! - I don't have any!
Sekonsa! - That's right!
Piti piti - A little bit
Anpil - A lot
Gen anpil... - There are a lot of...
Isit - Here
La - There

Tout bagay anfòm? - Is everything OK?
Pa kounyè-a - Not now
Toupatou - Everywhere
Anyen - Nothing
Prèske - Almost
Atansyon! - Attention!/Watch out!
Prese prese! - Hurry!
Dife! - Fire!
Rete! - Stop!
Kounye-a - Now
Nou ap chache... - We are looking for...
Souple, ban mwen... - Please give me...
Separe sa ant nou - Divide this among you
Yè - Yesterday
Jodia - Today
Demen - Tomorrow
Maten an - This morning
Aprèmidi a - This afternoon
Aswè a - This evening
lendi - Monday
madi - Tuesday
mèkredi - Wednesday
jedi - Thursday
vandredi - Friday
samdi - Saturday
dimanche - Sunday

Mwen grangou - I'm hungry
Mwen swaf anpil - I'm very thirsty
Nou ta vle manje - We would like to eat
Konben/konbyen - How much?/How many?
Poukisa? - Why?
Kote? - Where?
Kisa? - What?
Kilè? - When? a kilè? - What time
Ki moun? - Who?
Kijan? - How?
Kilès? - Which?
èske gen...? - Is/Are there...?
èske ou gen...? - Do you have...?
èske ou ka ede nou, souple? - Can you help us please?
Kote nou ka achte...? - Where can we buy...?
èske ou ka di mwen...? - Can you tell me...?
montre - show
ban - give
Ki moun ki la? - Who is there?
Kisa ou vle? - What do you want?
Kisa ou ta vle? - What would you like?
Kisa ou ap fè la? - What are you doing there?
Kisa sa a ye? - What is that?
Sa k'genyen? - What's the matter?
Kisa pou nou fe? - What must we do?





The list above is condensed to a few short phrases. Since he was born and partially taught this language he has a much better understanding that I would ever have in the language. My mother and father can read and write in this language and they are fluent in French. Even though I can't do what they can I can understand and read it so I guess that is a pretty good thing for me.


A.P.

"L'Union Fait La Force" or "Unity makes Strength"

Some of you may be familiar with this photo and others may think that this is just some old building.
In actuality this is Ellis Island where over 12 million immigrants were processed by the U.S. government. Many of those of the Irish heritage have had family members that went through Ellis Island to enter into the United States.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

I don't know your view on the immigration policy trying to be passed in this country, I will let you know a portion of what some legislators want to happen. The Quota System is one option where they have a number and limit on how many immigrants are allowed into the United States each year. I guess this is one way to deal with "illegal" immigrants. In truth which one of our descendants came to this country by the standards set these days? My parents and grandparents came from another country....Haiti. There are over 200 immigrants who have come from Haiti in New Jersey this past year. Not many of them gained access the legal way. Will they deport the illegal immigrants?

Sweetest Girl. Ever.

Wyclef Jean is one of my favorite artists because his music varies. Not only is he an exceptional artist but he is also a humanitarian and has received many awards for his work to help Haiti. As stated in the blog about the hurricanes, yelehaiti is a website that he created and an organization dedicated to helping the island country. If you visit that site and click on the link that says photos you will see a picture of another famous star: Matt Damon. You may know Wyclef recent musical success with his single Sweetest Girl. Well do you know the actual meaning behind that song? Have you seen the heart wrenching video?

[Verse 1: Wyclef Jean]
High school she was that girl that make me do the hula hoop around the gym
(Just to get a peek again, she's a 10)
High school she was
That girl that make me do the hula hoop around the gym
(Just to get a peek again, she's a 10)
Never thought she would come and work for the president
Mr. George Washington (where my money at?)
She thought he'd call (where my money at?)
She had a good day, bad day, sunny day, rainy day
All she wanna know is (where my money at?)
Closed legs don't get fed, go out there and make my bread
All you wanna know is (where my money at?)
She ended up in a road car, bruised up, scarred hard
All you wanna know is (where my money at?)
She thought he'd call (where my money at?)

For this blog this song was the only one that I knew mostly anyone who is a true music lover would appreciate. Sometimes we are so into the beat and the repetition that we don't understand the meaning behind some of the songs we love the most. This was a song that I fell in love with before I even had a chance to listen to the lyrics or watch the video.

A.P.

Education for the sake of it all.

Sometimes its hard for me to picture myself living in a country that I've only ever visited. Its also hard for me to imagine not going to school day after day or having a computer at my disposal whenever I needed it whether it be for school or just to keep in contact with my friends. I can honestly say that one of the most important things for me is to get good grades this semester. I've never worked as hard as I have these past weeks at school. I find myself actually wanting to work and do well just for my self worth and I think that's a big improvement. My parents as most parents tried to stress as much as they could the value of a good education. Cheesy I know but it taught me a great lesson in life with them always pounding that one concept into my head. Now that I'm in college and on my own its easier to get into a relaxed state when it come to my school work.


Sitting in class is hard at times and it may be a bit boring at times. Sometimes I just have to make myself remember that some people don't have these opportunities. If you would like to learn more about education in Haiti this link will help. Education Maybe be its easier not to have to learn as much as we can while we can?

A.P.

HURRICANES GUSTAV,IKE, and, HANNA

• Have you ever looked out your window?

• What did you see?

• Could you find hope by just looking out at the beauty?

• What about others?

• What do they see when they look out at the world?

This isn't what I would want to see when I look at my neighborhood. This past hurricane season has left many people devastated by hurricanes Hanna and Ike. Haiti needs help during this time. Lives have been lost, homes destroyed and for a country already in pain this does not help the morale. We in the land of opportunity may help to repair the affects. Goodwill to men isn't dead yet ya know.




One of my favorite musicians is Wyclef Jean. In a later blog I will write more about him but he established an organization called yelehaiti. This site is worth visiting in helping the cause to save Haiti. There is a video on the page that is worth exploring and worth taking time out of your day and thinking. We consider so many things a problem now a days. Sometimes we forget that others in the world would love to have some of the small problems we have today. Just a thought. In the U.S. we've been hit by hurricanes especially in the south. New Orleans is the best example of the effects a hurricane can have on a place. Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and they are still in recovery as I write this. This example is only about that one state, but what about a whole country that has been destroyed by hurricanes? How long do you think it would take to repair it?

A.P.

Situate.

Being from a different background than your friends is more common these days than it ever was in the history of the United States. My family is from the island of Haiti as you may or may not know. My father was born in Jérémie and my mother was born in Saint-Marc which are almost at opposite parts of the country. Haiti is located in the Caribbean and is located on the same island as the Dominican Republic.


Haitian culture is very different from that of the United States. Haitian people speak what is known as Haitian Creole or simply Creole. Creole is a blend of different languages mainly West African, Central African, Portuguese, Spanish, and some English. Although Creole is the language spoken by mostly all of the people, French is spoken and is recognized as a secondary language. I speak creole fluently and I was taught French while in high school. I can understand , read and write in French, and I can read creole.

Family and togetherness is an essential part to the Haitian culture. Haitian families are usually close knit and live near each other. My mother has three sisters and two brothers. My father has five brothers and one sister. My grandmother had 11 brothers and sisters. My family is very big and its made me less selfish than I would have been. Being around these people all the time comes with a big responsibility because there are a lot of names to memorize. I have 9 first cousins and at least 20 second and third cousins. We do not care about last names since we all came from one person and that is my great-grandmother. This past summer we had a family reunion which resulted in a broken window (my fault), a broken chair, a broken door and no space at all to put anyone. Have you ever seen 12 fully grown people in the back of a pick up truck? I've been there and I've done that.


A.P.

Remember the rain that made your corn grow.

The title is a Haitian proverb that i chose for this first blog entry. This blog will focus on where my family originated: the Republic of Haiti. My name is Agnia and I'll be your blog master per say. My blog entries won't always be as structured as this one is so this is just a temporary set up. I am 100% Haitian by blood and American by birth. In this blog I will be tackling the issues of being American by place of birth, being American in other countries, music, entertainment, books, and funny differences between American culture and Haitian culture. Everything will be in good fun and hopefully I'll write about some things that you didn't know about. Hopefully. Since I've been raised in both of these unique cultures I have information that you can't find on the net, personal experience. I hope that these blogs will be light of nature and pretty informative at the same time.




Happy reading,
A.P.