In January, I kicked the year off with a list of five awesome destinations I wanted to visit before the end of 2017. But within a week, I was penning a totally different article, entitled I Cancelled my Travel Plans Due to the Executive Order.
Despite being labelled a “Muslim ban”, even US-born American citizens were affected by the order. Just last week, a verified story made its rounds online of a US-born NASA scientist who was detained after his trip to Chile.
America was upset. People marched. People protested at airports. Half an hour before 2.16.2017, a friend reminded me about an immigrant boycott scheduled for that day, and asked if I planned to participate.
Half an hour later, I was scheduled to take a vacation day for the first time in 18 months. Yes, you read that right – EIGHTEEN. So how did I spend this vacation day?
1. Cat Naps
He’s not dead – I promise you. This is what a successful kitten with an executive job looks like, when he hears he gets a day off from work to do nothing at all.
We slept in that morning for sure, and took yet another nap later that day. There is nothing sweeter than the sheets when you know you legitimately cannot adult for 24 hours.
2. Wine & Cheesecake
I bought an entire cheesecake the week before, so I made a meal of it that day. There’s only half of the cake left and I am not ashamed. It was worth every calorie!
Shadow also had his first taste of cheesecake – just a smidgen to lick off my fingers. I fear I’ve created a monster. He gobbled up that smidgen like it was a three course meal!
He washed his share down with some water, and I washed mine down with two glasses of sauvignon blanc.
3. Video Games
A day off is always a great time to catch up on video games, so I turned to my old love, The Sims. I purchased a new expansion pack a few weeks ago, and was glad for the opportunity to get lost in playing. It’s been a while. Unfortunately, one of my Sims died in the process.
4. Binge-watching Netflix
I have a hard time sitting through a movie, or TV show. Ten minutes in and I’m ready to Google the show and read the plot. That’s enough TV adventure for me! But… what’s a vacation at home without some TV time?
So Shadow and I caught up on a series I used to watch, called Penny Dreadful. We plopped down on our Lord of the Rings throne, and we made it all the way to the season finale!
It really sucks that this show was cancelled. If you haven’t seen it yet, and don’t mind some gore and explicit content, it’s a must-watch!
5. Jamaican Hangout
As if we didn’t drink enough wine earlier… we closed out the night by attending a Jamaican get-together put on by one of our clients – I.S. Enterprise. We had great food, old-school reggae, and drinks on the house.
I had more fun than I expected to, and was glad I talked Johnson into coming along with me. His background is Haitian, but he always has a good time getting into the mix with us Jamaicans.
It was a great reminder of the beauty of diversity at the firm and in the world at large. We’re always learning from each other, and always willing to try something new from each other’s culture.
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I can only hope the Administration and the people who gave them power, gained some appreciation for diversity during A Day without Immigrants. After all, even the President seems to prefer his women foreign.
If they missed the message, well… I had my first day off in a year and a half. I’d say that counts for something.
Did any of you participate in the protest? Maybe you know someone who did? How did you spend your Day Without Immigrants?
Since you had to cancel so many wonderful plans I’m glad you really made the most of your day. Just for myself I spent the day doing some research on what we wouldn’t have if immigration had been shut off at various times, especially immigration by groups often deemed undesirable. It’s quite a long list.
Thank you, Angela! That sounds like some very useful bit of research you did there. I did something similar at some point last year when the xenophobic sentiment hit a peak here. Are you planning on writing an article about it soon?
I probably will. Doesn’t really fit with my personal blog but I’ll find the right venue.
Obama deported 2 million illegal immigrants while in office. A day without immigrants? How about a day with clean water for the CITIZENS in Flint Michigan? Carry on.
LoL. Well, excuse me for being a LEGAL immigrant and wanting to support a positive movement that affects me.
There is no reason one cause should come at the expense of another. I have written many pieces for big publishing agencies supporting the Flint cause in Michigan.
But of course, you only came by to presume, assume, and troll. So by all means, you carry on.
I don’t get it, Alexis. If the President prefers his women foreign, what does he have against Muslims?
Well his wife isn’t Muslim, and it isn’t just Muslim immigrants he views as threats. Mexicans are also “undesirable” in America, to him. What does he have against immigrants in general? No idea. What does he have against Muslims? He views them as potential terrorists.
I saw the movie “Lion” about an adopted young man from India searching for his roots in India. Reminder we have roots all over the world, but America is our home and nothing will change even our present insane “emperor with no clothes”
That sounds like a great show to be watching that day. I’m not really sure what triggered this hatred of immigrants in a country only a few hundred years old. I hope we get pass this soon.
Historically, there has been anti-immigrant feelings for most of the country’s history when talking about anyone but the immigrants’ own group. The English against the Irish against the Portuguese against the Chinese against the Japanese(interned!)against the Mexicans against the Italians against the Greeks(in no particular chronological order.) It’s kind of been “close the door after you come in.”
You have a point there. I can’t imagine what would trigger that kind of reaction here though. It’s the total opposite back home. If anything, our expats and immigrants get special treatment.
The one immigrant group I would say Jamaicans were mad about was when Jamaica took in Haitian refugees. Jamaicans were upset because the govt refused to give civil workers raises, and we didn’t have any real social security benefits in place. We don’t have disability and all that in Jamaica. You’re on your own.
But when the Haitians came in, the govt gave them food, shelter, and even money to spend. Many poor Jamaicans saw that as a betrayal, and I can’t say I blame them. But the anger was never at the Haitians. It was at the govt for not doing the same for them, too.
I read a book “The Return” about a man returning to Libya hoping to find his father who had been imprisoned for many years for his role in the revolution.
That seems very fitting for the day, actually. Was it a good book?
Just a little ways in. It is heartbreaking.
Those are always the best books though.
Sounds like you had a great day. ‘Tis is good!
As far as immi-participation goes… um… no.
I suddenly find myself craving some cheesecake though 😉
I did have an awesome day. I should take a day off more often. It just never happens. I always end up working at some point.
I just had two slices of cheesecake. 😂
You just had to bring up the cheesecake again… Didn’t You! I have a feeling I’m gonna be going around stores today saying “Shhh. Be vewy vewy quiet, I’m hunting cheesecake… huh-uh-uh-uh-uh-uh-uh-uh” Thank you and enjoy your day 😉
LoL. Yes, I had to! I hope your hunt is successful!
I stayed at home in UK
Ah. So you did participate. A lot of people were fired for participating in the US. Amazing how many companies are so insensitive to their employees’ causes and concerns.
Awful
Shadow is a cutie 🙂 he looks very much like my cat Salem. Have a great day.
Yes, he is a handsome little guy. 😊 Do you have a picture of Salem online? I’d love to see him.
Have a great day as well!
I set up a Facebook page for Salem a while back, it’s been quite popular as well, which is great. The link is: https://www.facebook.com/salemthefelinecat/ He would love a visit from Shadow and yourself. 🙂
Oh wow! They look like twins! Even down to the facial expressions, my goodness!
You can find Shadow on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/shadowtheprcat and he runs the company’s instagram page at http://www.instagram.com/alexischateaullc 🙂
Yes indeed they are very alike 🙂 I have just followed Shadow on Twitter. 🙂
I’ll remind him to follow you back. He’s holding down the fort at the office without me today.
i got my eyes checked and bought new and overly due glasses.
Haha. So I guess you didn’t participate.
i guess. lol
The Sims is the shizzel… 😎👍
Yes it is. I’m a few expansion packs behind on Sims 4. But I’ll catch up.
Well in order to grow we all gotta crawl first…. Behind or not it’s still a good game. Have a great day.
Thanks Christopher. You too 🙂
Always😎✊