Attending The Barbie Movie Premiere

    Last summer, I was fortunate enough to attend the world premiere of the Barbie movie in Los Angeles. Like many others, I grew up playing with Barbies, so watching the movie alongside all the stars in attendance was a dream come true. The energy at the premiere was incredible, but the set design was even better. The event took place at the Shrine Auditorium, a venue that has hosted many other famous Hollywood blockbuster premieres. As I approached the theater, I was surrounded by a sea of pink. Fans, influencers, and celebrities embraced the color, and I was proud to be one of them. Before leaving home, I made sure to dress up and feel like a Barbie.

    I saw many celebrities, the first being Flo from Progressive, accompanied by the Duolingo mascot. As the time for the movie screening approached, I spotted even more celebrities and influencers. While waiting to enter, I was thrilled to take a selfie with Sky Jackson, known for her roles on the Disney Channel. I also managed to meet and take selfies with two other social media influencers, Steven Lim and Benito Skinner. 

    The premiere was truly for everyone; many adults attended, and I only noticed a few children who came with their families. It was amazing to see the cultural impact Barbie has had over different generations, especially in celebrating her first feature film.

    Before the movie began, the director and cast were introduced. It was an honor to hear Greta Gerwig speak about how special the movie was to her and how excited she was for us to see it. It was also incredible to see Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Simu Liu, Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, America Ferrera, Michael Cera, and other cast members on stage. Watching the movie with the people who created it felt truly special. As a huge fan of Nicki Minaj, I was incredibly excited to be in the same room as her, witnessing this historic moment.

    The movie was phenomenal and even brought tears to my eyes. I kept my tickets saved in a pink envelope, along with the complimentary pink popcorn that was handed out to guests. On my way out, I was lucky enough to grab a quick picture with Simu Liu, one of the Kens. I had an unforgettable experience that day, and I will cherish those memories forever. 

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: Meaningful Ways to Honor and Support the Hispanic Community

Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 to October 15, is an important time for me. As someone who is Hispanic, this month holds special meaning. It’s a moment to reflect on the rich cultural contributions of my community and show my pride in the heritage that has shaped me. Each year, I try to find ways to honor and support the Hispanic community, whether by attending events, shopping locally, or simply sharing our culture with others.

One of my favorite experiences during Hispanic Heritage Month was a trip I took to Disneyland California last year. The park was beautifully decorated in honor of the month, with colorful tributes to Latin American cultures and amazing performances by Hispanic artists. I especially enjoyed the live folklórico dance shows, which brought a piece of my heritage to life in a vibrant and fun way. Being surrounded by so much cultural celebration made me feel proud and connected to my roots.

 

Beyond personal enjoyment, there are many ways we can all show support for the Hispanic community during this month. For example, attending a Los Angeles Dodgers game can be a fantastic way to participate in cultural celebrations. The Dodgers often host Hispanic Heritage Night, where they honor Latino players and fans, creating a sense of pride and unity through sport.

Another great way to support the Hispanic community is by shopping at local Hispanic-owned businesses. From family-run restaurants to artisan shops, these businesses are the heart of our communities. Not only do they keep cultural traditions alive, but they also contribute to the local economy. Every time I visit my favorite taqueria or buy handmade crafts from a local shop, I feel like I’m doing something to uplift the community.

For those who want to make a more lasting impact, donating or volunteering with Hispanic-focused organizations is another meaningful option. Whether it’s helping fund scholarships, supporting social justice causes, or providing resources for immigrant families, these organizations play a critical role in uplifting the community. Hispanic Heritage Month is about more than just celebrating—it’s about supporting and uplifting the community in meaningful ways. As someone who feels deeply connected to my heritage, I try to show my pride and support where I can, and I encourage others to do the same. Whether through attending cultural events, supporting Hispanic-owned businesses, or simply learning more about the history and contributions of Hispanic people, every effort counts in showing appreciation for a community that has contributed so much to society.

Swallows Day Parade Returns for 2023

Students from Mission Basilica School holding swallow kites. (Photo by Olivia Morales)

San Juan Capistrano, California's Swallows Day Parade and Festival has returned for its 63rd Anniversary on March 25, 2023! This year's theme was "Back in the Saddle Again", appropriately named so after this being the first year with horses and horse-drawn vehicles since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic due to pandemic protocols and believe it or not, because of a highly-contagious equine virus called equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM) that was being spread!

Padre Junipero Serra Riders: Las Tortugas. (Photo by Olivia Morales)

The Swallows Day parade and festival is a yearly celebration of swallows migrating from all the way from Goya, Argentina to the city of San Juan Capistrano. This is one of if not the largest non-motorized parade in the United States.

Mission Basilica Students dress up as swallows. (Photo by Olivia Morales)

Hundreds of people participated in the parade and even more sat on the sidelines and watched the parade go by. A mercado was also open throughout the day filled with nearly a hundred vendors in the nearby Historic Town Center Park.

A re-enactor from the nonprofit charity organization the Hole in the Wall gang strikes a pose for the camera. (Photo by Olivia Morales) 

The parade made its way down Camino Capistrano passing by landmarks like the San Juan Capistrano Mission a.k.a. "the jewel of the California missions", the Mission Basilica, Los Rios Street, and El Adobe restaurant where former president Richard Nixon frequently dined when he visited his "Western White House" in San Clemente, California.

Residents came all the way from San Juan Capistrano's "sister city" Capestrano, Italy! They all held flags of all 20 of Italy's regions. (Photo by Olivia Morales)

The Swallows Day Parade is 100% community-funded from over $130,000 and run by the San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association, which also hosted the San Juan Capistrano Kids' Pet Parade this year this past February. One of the parade's announcers was Jim Taylor, who also announced for the pet parade. Taylor is the president of the San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association. Lots of other schools and nonprofit organizations marched in the parade.

Ballet Folklorico dancers with Gupo Folklorico Nuevo Amancer: a dance group based out of Lake Forest, California. (Photo by Olivia Morales)

The winners of the Kids' Pet Parade made a returned appearance in the parade! These were Lily Brazil and her dog Tilly, James Glynn and his banana ball python Split, Lily and Beatrice Marquina with their ducks Waddles and JoJo, Dominic Pule and his dog Zues, and Margo Kutner and her dog Skylar.

Best costume category winners Dominic Pule and his dog Zeus. (Photo by Olivia Morales)

Bird category winners Waddles and JoJo. (Photo by Olivia Morales)

Domestic pet category winners Lily Brazil and her dog Tilly. (Photo by Olivia Morales)

Exotic pet category winners James Glynn and his snake Split. (Photo by Olivia Morales)

The Kid at Heart category winners Margo Kutner and her dog Skylar. (Photo by Olivia Morales)

It was so nice to see so many familiar faces from the pet parade: both winners and the organizers. Even the horse therapy nonprofit organization Mini Madness made another appearance!

Two miniature cows from Mini Madness representing their organization. (Photo by Olivia Morales)

There were lots of amazing contributors in the parade this year, but there were some who definitely stood out from the others. This included performers, re-enactors, and animals alike!

Buccaneers of Tortuga is a historical re-enactment group portraying pirates that attacked Mission San Juan Capistrano in 1818. They re-enact battles with authentic weapons of the age with mischief and merriment.

A riderless horse solemnly strolled down the street to honor fallen cavalry deputy Brian Haney, who was tragically killed in a traffic collision in February. The riding boots are reversed in the stirrups represent a fallen leader looking back on his troops for the last time, and his horse is the one to carry him.

The Mormon Battalion and its re-enactors dress in authentic clothing from when people of the Mormon religion came to California in the mid-1800's.

Re-enactors from the Code of the West Old Repertory Company mourn death of former Los Angeles sheriff James Barton, who was assassinated in 1857 by the Flores-Daniels gang when they invaded San Juan Capistrano.

There were multiple animal rescues and nonprofit organizations including the Great Danes of Orange County, the Canine Companions, the Shea Center, and the Goods and Goats Market.

Representors of Disneyland even made an appearance since Disneyland helped fund this year's parade. Two horses from Disney's Circle D Ranch named Bert and Chief pulled their horse-drawn wagon.

The Buccaneers of Tortuga walking in the parade. (Photo by Olivia Morales)

A riderless horse honors fallen deputy Brian Haney. (Photo by Olivia Morales)

The Mormon Battalion re-enactors walking in the parade. (Photo by: Olivia Morales)

Code of the West Old Repertory Company mourn death of James Barton. (Photo by Olivia Morales)

The rescue organization Great Danes of Orange County. (Photo by Olivia Morales)

 

Disneyland horses Bert and Chief of Circle D Ranch. (Photo by Olivia Morales)

** A special thank you to everyone who made this year's Swallows Day Parade possible! **