This month's update is simply AMAZING!!!!! It is video of pictures of Kimberlie from the day she came to GLA (at 1 1/2 mo) through my recent trip to Haiti to meet her .
I have watched it at least 10 times already this evening and cried elephant tears for first couple times- you can ask my niece Megan. What a gift Susie has given me today (on my Mom's 70 ish birthday)!
This Christmas was hard to be without my little sweetie pies, Kimberlie! How I wished she was with HOME to celebrate Christmas with me, beginning family traditions with her that she very may do with her children as well. All day long I was thinking,"I wonder what she is doing now?" My family was razzing me about it quite a bit (surprise-surprise). I know she is being well cared for, loved and safe, but I sure do wish she was here enjoying Jesus birthday is MN and not in Haiti.
Above are Kimberlie's future babysittters, aka her cousins!
Here is the whole gang- all 8 of them!
If you are wondering how the big kids at GLA celebrated Christmas, check out this blog post- titled Joyeux Noel. It is WELLworth a read! More proof that GLA is an amazing place!
My trip to Haiti was for two reasons- one to meet Kimberlie and the other was for some required appointments in order to continue in the adoption process to bring my beautiful Kimberlie HOME!!!
This is basically what happened on the day, 12-12-12, as we (Jenn, Wendy and myself) went to our appointments. Thank you Wendy for writing this on FB - I also added some details:
We left the guest house about 6:20 am because my US Embassy appointment was for 7:30 am. The only thing I could bring in the Embassy was my passport and other paperwork required for the appointment. No food, drink of iPhones allowed! Magaly,
who works for GLA went with us (Jenn, Wendy and I) to the Embassy. We sat a waited I was called up to the
window twice. I am assuming the first time was a registration or checking in of sorts.
A woman asked me a few questions and then I sat down again to wait some more. The second time was more of an interview. He asked me my address and I started giving him the address of my house I grew up in =). The man had a form
he completed as he asked questions about where I was at with the
adoption process, if I had met my child yet, etc. He was nice. I just stood at the window and answered the questions through the glass. There
was about 28 windows and the room was about 2/3 full with primarily
Haitian people that were waiting for interviews as well. The Embassy
took about 3 hours total for all three of us that were there for our
adoptions counting waiting times, registrations and interviews.
The next stop was the civil court. Upon arrival to the court building, Mr. Terriot (from GLA) led us
to a small waiting room and gave some files to the assistant at the
desk. We sat in the waiting room for about an hour or so. Then a man
came and apologized that it was taking so long, and letting us know the
judge was very busy. A short time later he came back and asked for our
passports. About 10-15 minutes later he came back with our passports.
That was it- yep, seriously, that was it!
At this point in the day we were all getting really tired but wanted to try to go to our final required appointment for the trip so we could spend whole next day with the kids. The final stop to see Judge Bob.
So, Mr. Terriot drove us to Kenscoff for the last appointment with Judge Bob. Kenscoff is town higher up in the mountains beyond GLA. When we got to Kenscoff, Mr.
Terriot made a phone call and a bit later a man (not Judge Bob, but from what I could gather, it was his assistant ) came out of a house with
a big book. He put the book on the hood of a vehicle and then he wrote
some stuff in the book had one of us sign it and write our passport
numbers in it, (each of us also wrote the date and printed our names as
well as signing them just to make sure that we had all the right info in
there if US Embassy ever sent someone to check out the information)
then he did the same thing on the next two pages for the other two
adoptive parents to sign. That was the local court appointment.
I have been procrastinating writing this blog post about my trip to meet Kimberlie. I am really not sure why, it was a great trip for so many reasons!!!
This is right when we first met- just few minutes after I first set eyes on my beautiful daughter!!!!! I absolutely LOVE this picture. I will never forgot the moment (although it's hard to describe) all long as I live- when Kimberlie is walking down the isle on her wedding day- I will remember this moment!!! God is sooooooooo good and picked the PERFECT daughter for ME!!!!
It's hard to put into words what I was feeling and thinking... I do remember, as tears filled my eyes, thinking how blessed I am to be HER mom! I also felt a PEACE...a peace that can only come for God! It just felt right with her!!!!
I kept telling my momthroughout the whole trip, "SHE IS REALLY MINE!"
I think one reason I really didn't want to write this post and post pictures is by writing it means it really did happen.... and I have to admit I
won't see Kimberlie again until I go to Haiti to bring her HOME!!!!! GLA is saying expect 8-9 month wait from after your have traveled. That brings it August-September.
I am praying like crazy for 2 things: (please pray with me ) * Kimberlie comes home before her 2nd birthday (Sept. 13, 2013) * I don't have to start with kids next fall for becuase I will be on my ADOPTION LEAVE !!!!
Dear Kimberlie- Today, Dec 11, 2012, was the first time we ever met- I will never, never forget that day. I bet the day you get married or have your first baby I will think about this day too. Ever since I found out who you were on Aug 9, 2012, I have thought about the first time I would met you. It was good day- for the most part! I wanted to tell you about the day from my perspective (from what I was thinking and feeling). The night before Nana and I stayed in hotel and I did not get much sleep because I was so excited about meeting you. I remember landing in Haiti and thinking this is where my daughter lives =) After we landed we got our luggage and found the driver that would drive us to GLA. The drive to GLA was very bumpy and Nana was covering her eyes for most of the time. She was kind of scared that we would get hit by a car, but we were in a big van so I was not worried. I knew from other friends that I would be meeting you right when I got to GLA- as we drove up into the mountains I remember looking for the GLA sign on a gate and was hoping we would get there fast, I was getting really excited and a little nervous. First, we stopped at the guest house where we will be staying to drop off of luggage and then we got in a truck to drive to the Main House where you live. I remember when we drove up to the GLA gate and I recognized the Main house from pictures. I then started getting butterflies in my stomach and was taking deep breathes.... we walked in the gate and looked up and saw all the babies on the balcony. They were making lots of noise. We walked in and they said you were upstairs on the balcony. When I heard this I got SUPER excited and still a little nervous. I got the camera out because I wanted Nana to take a video of when we first met, I started running up the stairs but Nana was going slower, so really didn't get me going up the stairs. That's ok- she tried her best =) I hurried up the stairs and when I walked in the door onto the balcony I saw you sitting on the floor on a blue mat with your friend Lensley. At that moment I felt so peaceful- like you were my daughter my whole life. I walked over and saw all the stuff around you from your special box. All the gifts I had sent you so far, you were eating your 1st birthday card. Your hair looks so cute, it had barrets in it, you also had a striped dress on and pretty white sandals. I thought to myself- " she is really mine!!!" I gave you a kiss on the forehead and sat down. You looked so soft and sweet- it's really hard to write exactly what I was feeling, but I knew I already loved you and would love you FOREVER! I was your MAMA and you were my child!!!!! I will always remember how soft your skin was too!
Next, I wanted to give you a toy monkey so I gotit out and I think you got kind of scared because you started crying and screaming! I didn't know what to do, I didn't want you to get even more scared, but Susie told me to pick you up. I picked you up and you continued to scream, but then I rubbed your legs with the little blanket I gave you and you stopped. Then I gave you many, many more kisses on your head!! As you sat on my lap it felt so right and natural, I knew then that God definitely knew what he was doing when he gave me you!!!!!
I love you soooooooo much, Kimberlie, my little sweetie pies!!!!! I can not wait to be with you everyday and give you kisses everyday!!!
I will meet daughter, Kimberlie, in approximately 90 hours (as of 12-7-12 @ 5:30 pm)..... I can not believe I get to meet, hug and kiss her in 90 hours!!! This is definitely getting real!!!
While in Haiti, I will go to three different appointments that are required for the adoption process. There are two court visits and an US Embassy visit.
One thing that continues to amaze me through my adoption process is all the support I get from family, friends, co-workers and other adoptive parents. Saying I feel blessed doesn't even seem to cover how I feel about all the support! What a amazing privileged blessing to be RIGHT in the middle of God's PERFECT plan !!! The perfect plan to begin the Haugh family! God is good! Bondye Bon!
I would appreciate any prayers for my upcoming trip- here are some specific requests:
For safe travels for my Mom and I- that all our flights are on time and we make our connections
That my mom and I stay healthy (we are both feeling fine now)
That my appointments go smooth and fast- so I can spend the most time possible with Kimberlie
For sweet times with Kimberlie-that I focus on the time I have with her and not on when I have to leave
That Kimberlie will start walking when we are there-- that would be such a great memory!
For my Mom, the video-grapher and photographer, that she is able to get good footage of when I first met Kimberlie
For when I have to say goodbye Kimberlie...... which will either be Thursday night or Friday morning. Please pray for that goodbye.... For those of you who really know me, you know this will be a major "push in my eyes" moment and there are no sombreros in Haiti =) .... I pray that I can feel a peace at that moment that only can come for GOD !
Quick rundown of trip:
We leave Monday Dec. 10th and get to Port au Prince Tuesday morning Dec. 11th
Wednesday is my Embassy Appt (7:30 am) and most likely one of the other court appointments
As I have said before, each month (usually the last day of the month) I get a update from GLA updating me about Kimberlie.
Here is part of Kimberlie's November Update:
This month we took
hand and foot prints of all the kids at the Main House. I do my best to have this done about every
three months so you have an extra treasure to take home with you when you come
and pick up Kimberlie. Each child reacts a differently to having
their hands and feet painted and then pressed against the paper. Most of them are intrigued by the different
feel and will closely examine it while others will want to eat it. Kimberlie was not pleased about having the
paint spread in her hands at first but she was content to allow her feet to be
painted and stamped.
Developmentally
Kimberlie is advancing well. She is
still not walking completely on her own but she is more steady when holding
herself up on furniture and she is able to walk behind a push toy without any
problem. She is starting to take a few
shaky steps on her own but she still prefers to get from place to place by
crawling but we are confident that she will be walking on her own within the
next month.She just needs a little more
confidence in the ability that she does have. She still takes her time to observe what the
other kids around her are doing before she will join in with whatever they are
doing.
I am praying that she will be start walking when my mom and I are there next week... We arrive at GLA on Tuesday, Dec. 11th and return home Friday, Dec. 14th. I will write more about the trip later!
I have A LOT to be thankful today because yesterday was a VERY good day !! I found out I exited IBESR !!!! The average wait time in this 1st step is 3-6 months and I got out in 2 1/2 months. That's what I am talkin' about for a time frame!!! Let's keep it up..
The best, I mean BEST part of exiting IBESR is I get to travel to HAITI and MEET KIMBERLIE!!!!! This is getting real =)
On my first trip to Haiti, I will meet Kimberlie =) =), meet with two different judges and file some papers at the US Embassy to continue in the process. I will be in Haiti for 4-5 days. I am hoping to travel in December.
God continues to be faithful through this whole process!!!!!
Each month GLA sends a monthly update with information about what and how Kimberlie has been doing the last month. This was my first "official" update =) and Susie wrote about how Kimberlie spends her days at GLA. I feel so blessed to receive the updates each month- adoptive parents who adopt from GLA are pretty spoiled!!! The VERY best part of the updates are the pictures!!! TRULY PRICELESS!!!
Here is a day in the life of Kimberlie.......
Kimberlie’s day
starts between 6:30 and 7 am when the majority of the kids in URG B (the room she is currently in) start to
rise. From 7:30-8am is breakfast
time. The kids will have anything
from cereal or scrambled eggs to spaghetti, depending on the day. After breakfast they get changed and
bathed for the day. The rest of
the morning is filled with playtime on the balcony either in the nursery with
their nannies or on the third floor balcony for one on one time with their
volunteer. They get a snack with juice around 9 am and then they will have a
naptime. Lunch is served at noon
and after that they are changed and around 1 pm starts the main naptime for
everyone. If they are not napping
they will go to the volunteer balcony for an hour in the afternoon. By 3pm most
of them are awake and they get a snack and juice. More play time on the nursery balcony before supper is
served at 5pm. After supper they
are bathed and dressed for bed.
This process will often last until 7:30 pm and after that they will wind
down and visit with each other from their cribs until the nannies tell them they must lie down and be silent at 8:30 pm.
(FYI......Kimberlie is not in any of the pictures of the areas of GLA- they are the rooms where she most likely spends your day =)
I wish I had some really good news to report about my adoption... but I really don't, everything is going how it is suppose to be going. I am still in the IBESR step and have been since Sept. 6th, I am praying like crazy that I exit by November and I travel to Haiti before the end of the 2012. The picture above is the IBESR building- this is where our file is now. Not really what I expected- but that goes for this whole adoption journey =)
What to do while I wait.....well, for the time being, I have decided to start knitting Kimberlie sweaters to wear in the cold MN winters.... BRRRR!!!!! Knitting for an adorable Haitian girl presents itself with it's own unique challenges...... I don't know what size Kimberlie will be when she gets home, so I am knitting big sweaters !!
Here is my first one.... I envision her wearing this vest with some super cute leggings or jeans. =)
Each month they have a birthday party for all the children who have birthdays that month.. so Kimberlie got to celebrate her 1st birthday with all her September friends. Here are some photos from the party (I know, she is adorable)!
Also, each month adoptive parents get a update of their child written by Susie from GLA- she does an amazing job of keeping families connected to their child.
This is Kimberlie's update from September:
"As I am sure you know this month was
Kimberlie's 1st birthday!! We had a little birthday celebration for the
kids who had birthdays this month. Kimberlie had just woken up from a
nap so she was a bit groggy but she enjoyed the attention she received.
She tasted the cake and frosting but was not overly impressed. She
preferred drinking the juice in her cup to tasting the cake. I gave her
the gifts you sent on the day we took photos."
This, I knew would be coming sooner or later-because Haiti has signed and ratified The Hague Convention. Big words, but basically, the adopting process will be changing. The changes, eventually, will be good for children and families, but, could also present a real big bump for Kimberlie and I. The challenge is no one really knows what the "changes" are going to be in the process.
Here's more pieces to the puzzle..... IBESR has informed the U.S. government that it will process adoption
cases submitted prior to May 7, 2012 under pre-existing adoption
procedures. IBESR has also informed the U.S. government that they will
review new cases submitted up to and including September 15, 2012 to
determine if they can be processed under the old procedures.
Mine dossier (aka case) was submitted to IBESR on Sept. 6, 2012...so PLEASE pray with me that my dossier case will be able to processed under the old "pre-existing" adoption procedures.
This time I want something old......
One more thing I would appreciate prayer for is to be able to stay with my agency, Bethany Christian Services, through the duration of my adoption. Haiti will be only working with certain agencies and agencies need to apply to be one of the certain agencies. Please pray Bethany will be chosen !!
Thanks sooo much for your prayers, last time we prayed together I got my referral in four days!! Prayer is powerful....and God continues to be GOOD!!!!!!
I prayed for this child, and God gave me what I asked for. 1 Sam 1:27 MSG
Today, Sept.13th, close to Petionville, Haiti (at the Main House at GLA) Kimberlie will wake up and start her day like any other day. She will hopefully get the chance to go play on the balcony with her other friends, eat lots of good food and get cared for my some amazing nannies who love her so much ! But today is a very SPECIAL day... today, Kimberlie turns 1 !!!!!!! What I would give to spend the day, her birthday, with her this year- to give her kisses and hugs all day long. I would tell her how much I love her and how much I want to bring her home!!!
As I fall in love with her more and more each day, I think about how we will celebrate her birthdays throughout her life.
Will I wake her up early with a happy birthday song, like my friend Anne's mom did each birthday morning? (I copied that tradition with my BFF)
Will I make her a pancakes with sprinkles in the morning, like I do at my nieces and nephews birthday sleepovers? Will I make her a dinner she chose herself, featuring something like mac & cheese, jelly sandwiches and chocolate milk? Will she get to go with Nana for her birthday shopping trip to the MOA? What will her cakes look like?
I don't know what birthday (or other holiday) traditions Kimberlie and I will celebrate in our house, but I can't wait to to find out!!!! Kimberlie- I hope as you read this blog post when you are ready, you will see how much you were loved even at 1 years old!! Happy Birthday, my little sweetie pies!!!! (pretend that is underlined a whole lot) I love you soooooooooooo much!!! Can't wait to celebrate more birthdays with you!
Got some GREAT news today, Sept. 6th--- I OFFICIALLY entered IBSER!!!!!! (First step in the Haitian process and # 6 on the Haitian Adoption Process page)
This is huge step and I soooo happy I am finally in the rat race- so to speak!
I posted this on a FB this morning: "Don’t
worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you
need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s
peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard
your hearts and minds as you live in Christ" Jesus. (Philippians 4:6, 7
NLT) Today I have a bad case of the worries... I just want to know I am officially in IBESR!!
God continues to be faithful in this adoption process, I just need to remember to not stress, but, instead bring my worries and frustrations to the Lord. Much easier said then done.....
And now for some Kimberlie News......
She was a little sick this week- but I think she is on the up and up! She needed a IV and that made me really sad...... but Dixie (GLA orphanage director and RN) took very good care of her! Thank you Dixie =)
If had a dollar for every time I heard the questions, "When will Kimberlie be home? And why does it take so long?" in the last week, I will be a pretty rich lady!!!! I really do appreciate all the questions and support and I LOVE talking about my adoption, I just can't give you a lot of answers about the time frame. Your kindness and support blows me away daily!
The quick answer is to when will she be home is: "Not for a while, maybe next summer??? But, I really don't know for sure, the Haitian Adoption Process is historically unpredictable and even more so with some changes that are just starting to come into play. I know it's frustrating to many (including me) that is takes SO long- but the process is the process and there is not much I can do about it. So, I chose to not focus on that, but rather, getting myself and my home prepared for the BEAUTIFUL Kimberlie to come home!!!!
The next step in the process is: IBESR (Haitian Social Services). Hopefully I will enter IBESR by the end of September. After I exit this 1st step, then I make my first of two trips to HAITI !!!!!! This step is when I first get to meet her and give her LOTS and LOTS of kisses and hugs!!!
Here is what happens in the 1st step: IBESR (Institute du
Bien-Etre Social et Recherches – Institute of Social Well-Being and
Research).
When your dossier is at IBESR, social workers will study it to see
whether yours meet the Haitian requirements to adopt a child. They also judge whether your referred
child is a good match for your family.
Your dossier needs 4 signatures before it can be released from
IBESR. The four individuals who
sign the approval are the director of IBESR, the IBESR lawyer, the head of
adoption services at IBESR, and the head of social services. If, for example, one of these
individuals is on holidays, there is not another individual who can sign
on his/her behalf, which will result in additional delays. Once all 4 signatures have been
received, IBESR issues a Certificate of Authorization informing Parquet
and the courts that IBESR has approved you to adopt your Haitian
child. Time varies from 3 to 6 months. You need to be aware of this as you go
into the adoption process. Haitian Officials are aiming to get dossiers out from IBESR in 2 months.
So, continue to hold on for this crazy ride to bring Kimberlie home !!!
My blog remains pretty quiet these days but I am hoping for lots of noise this week- PLEASE join me as I pray for my referral to come this COMING WEEK!!!!
A referral is definitely a possiblity this week (or real soon) ---- word on the GLA adoption front is there are referrals ready to be sent to families!!
Hopefully one is ready to be sent to the Haugh family-that's me and Baby Cakes =)
It has been a long time since I have posted anything to my blog- no posts means no news =(
I am still waiting (patiently at times, not so patiently at other times) for my referral from GLA. August 1st will be 6 months of waiting..... I did change my preference to either boy or girl, so hopefully I will get it soon!!
I am faithfully praying that I get my referral before I return to school the last week in August- hopefully sooner!!!
I know it's not much considering other blogs probably have 10,000 page views in a month, or week, or even a day but it is a BIG deal to me because it makes ME feel very supported in this marathon of an adoption journey!!!
Thank you for popping in once in a while and reading how God is moving and growing me through this crazy ride known as International/Intracountry Adoption from Haiti.
The picture is serving two purposes-showing the number, 10, 000 and wishing everyone in the
US of A a early 4th of July!
I am trying to eat healthier to prepare to be a mom to a busy Haitian child,
so a fruit/veg themed five seemed appropriate =)
Today, July 1st, marks 5 months of waiting for a referral (match with a child) from Haiti.
I did get some hopeful news from my adoption agency last week. Because I changed my preference to either gender, I should expect a referral in the next few months. I am, of course, praying for the next month =)
Yesterday I received a package- I do LOVE mail!!
Inside were aprox. 250 "upcycled" Haitian made bracelets that look much like this:
Wondering what "upcycled"means, check out the Apparent Project.
I found this amazing ministry/fundraiser opportunity through some of my adoption friends. It's called the Apparent Project- it is a program where Haitian men and women make jewelry to try and raise money to support themselves and their families in Haiti.
I am selling them for $ 8 a piece to raise money for my Haitian adoption and Kids Against Hunger.
You can certainly buy more than one if you wish-actually it's strongly encouraged. They make great gifts for friends!
Also, if you are willing to come alongside in my efforts and sell some to your friends and family- let me know. We can work it out!
If you are interested in purchasing a bracelet to support my Haitian adoption and Kids Against Hunger- please email me @ shannyohaugh@yahoo.com or ask me about them when you see me at church, school or around town! I will have them with me!
There will be no cost for shipping in the US.- I do love addressing envelopes (or I like to say, "preparing the envelope). Little secret only a few people know about me =)
Questions- email me as well @ shannyohaugh@yahoo.com
I am excited to see what God does through this project =)
The last year of my life I have been thinking about this little Haitian girl that would soon be my daughter.... I have thought about names, adorable dresses, tea parties and dance classes.
But last week, God changed my mind....... and began to put thoughts of trucks, balls and Haitian hockey players into my head as well.
The big decision I made last week was to change my request at GLA from a GIRL to a GIRL or BOY!!!!!
My nephews are very excited of the possibility of having a boy cousin. So, now only God knows (and hopefully Dixie, the director of GLA) if I will have a boy Baby Cakes or a Girl Baby Cakes.
As I was talking to God about this decision, God gave me this verse....
"My grace is sufficient for
you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness" Therefore I will
boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power
rests on me ... For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Cor 12:9-10
This morning the Lord and I had a good chat- well, more like a good cry together. Lots is going on in the adoption world in Haiti. There is a possibility of many changes to the process....I will explain more when I actually know more.
Along with that, I am trying to make a big decision about something-I spent the last few days asking all of my wise friends, family and FB peeps for their advice about the decision. But, I had not spent time talking to God about it. that's where the chat aka.. cry came in. God is sooooo cool!!! As I prayed, read and cried, he gave me these verses:
But, he said to me (Shannon), "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness" Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power rests on me ... For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Cor 12:9-10
I discovered this song (thanks, Tom) from a friend on FB and it's real good!!! Like, I listened to it 5 times in a row good! We don't have to go through struggles on our own... the Lord will carry us through.
I am "borrowing" from the Livesay blog again this morning- they are a missionary family, who currently live in Port au Prince, Haiti. (and are also from MN- fun connection). Their recent post is about their son's blog (keep reading)...
Their son, Issac,who is adopted from Haiti, is fielding and answering questions from people around the world on his own blog, called: Ask Issac, over the summer. ( I know, lots of blogs) It is VERY entertaining to read a boy's perspective of living in Haiti.
He recently was asked this question, "The world can be a hard place (you should know, living in Haiti). How do you stay happy? ANSWER
God wants us to serve him through the gifts and talents HE gave us. Issac, reminded me of that this morning.
Also, I wonder I would be as joyful if I lived in the third world country of Haiti??
This month we took
hand and foot prints of all the kids at the Main House. I do my best to have this done about every
three months so you have an extra treasure to take home with you when you come
and pick up Kimberlie. Each child reacts a differently to having
their hands and feet painted and then pressed against the paper. Most of them are intrigued by the different
feel and will closely examine it while others will want to eat it. Kimberlie was not pleased about having the
paint spread in her hands at first but she was content to allow her feet to be
painted and stamped. 
I wish I had some really good news to report about my adoption... but I really don't, everything is going how it is suppose to be going. I am still in the IBESR step and have been since Sept. 6th, I am praying like crazy that I exit by November and I travel to Haiti before the end of the 2012. The picture above is the IBESR building- this is where our file is now. Not really what I expected- but that goes for this whole adoption journey =) 
This, I knew would be coming sooner or later-because Haiti has signed and ratified The Hague Convention. Big words, but basically, the adopting process will be changing. The changes, eventually, will be good for children and families, but, could also present a real big bump for Kimberlie and I. The challenge is no one really knows what the "changes" are going to be in the process. .jpg)
Will I wake her up early with a happy birthday song, like my friend Anne's mom did each birthday morning? (I copied that tradition with my BFF) 
He recently was asked this question, "The world can be a hard place (you should know, living in Haiti). How do you stay happy? ANSWER 