Lots to be Thankful For

Neighbors to the right in the midst of a huge coconut-drying operation



Sporting my rice-farmer's hat

No one tells you that the cool season is a bout of highs and lows of chilly weather mixed with a few erratic legitimately hot days. I resolve to wear the same attire I have since I arrived in 100 degree + weather. In hindsight, if I were to trade the cool season for the rainy season, I'd definitely choose the cool season. There is more consistency at night with clammy, refreshing breezes and I find myself only using my fan to drown out noisy, drunken neighbors. As my dad used to say during autumn and early spring, it's good sleeping weather.

An update on my health: Like everything, the sickness, too, has passed for the time being and I'm enjoying good health once again. I was hit twice with flu-like symptoms of which, a friend of mine thinks could have very well been H1N1. It remains a mystery. Apparently, taking freezing bucket showers while the weather is 'cool' does not help ward off sickness. This change has prompted another adjustment.
Like we used to do when the power went out during a nasty snow storm, I've grown accustomed to boiling a couple pots of water for my daily bucket shower. It works quite nice actually. I relish in the lukewarm water.


A Budgetary Commitment

As fate would have it, I've captured the attention and commitment of my new supervisor, the Nayoke. Even though, I'm not completely convinced he understands exactly what I'm doing here and what I represent, he believes in me and my ability. It's quite nice to feel this sentiment. In a meeting last week while reviewing the proposed budget for next year I was pleasantly surprised to find that my projects had found their way in as a line-item on the SAO's budget. Maybe it was all those project proposals or my CAT Report or my thesis project design. Whatever the case, the SAO has reserved 50,000 Baht (about $1,500) of their budget for my projects and though it's still just on paper, (yet to see the hard, cold cash) it makes me feel ecstatic.



Harvesting

Lately, I've been doing an array or random activities. Last week, I spent a good two days out in the rice fields with some villagers to get the rice harvesting experience. When ripe for harvesting, rice looks like wheat. At least to me it does. Like with replanting, harvesting is still done by and large by hand. This is the case, at least, with the first stage of separating the rice from the plant. The rice is then husked with a machine and further processed. We started early and went until dusk. Through these two days, I learned to respect this tried and true, meticulous method of harvesting. I love the solemn, peaceful sound of the rice wisping as you gather it up with the harvesting tool and slice it with one long jerk. I love the chatter and laughter of the villagers gossiping in Khmer as they work. And most of all, I love the sense of accomplishment when looking back at all the rice we harvested. My friends were obliged to teach me this seemingly mundane task and no doubt, happy to have the free labor. Note: the going rate for hired labor such as field work out here is about 150-200 Baht/day ($4-6)


Many hands lighten the load




A 'Rot Thai'--Thai tractor used in the country




Site Visit

At the end of the week, I had a visit from my Peace Corps Program Manager. My Program Manager has a way of evoking a renewed and upbeat attitude and making my burdens seem few and far between. She's wonder woman. In one day, she helped me get a commitment out of my landlord to resole the termite problem and put bars on my windows. She conveyed messages to my counterparts and supervisors more clearly than I've been able to convey in months. She met with members of the organic fertilizer group who will attend the upcoming PDM training and explained to them in detail what they can expect from the training and how they should prepare. Then, she treated my counterpart and I to a fabulous lunch at a nice restaurant. In the afternoon, we met with Health Clinic Personnel and school teachers to discuss projects in the works. By the time she left, I was whole-heartedly re-dedicated to my work and exceedingly excited for the future. It was just the boost and support I needed at the time.

Tutoring English

This week, I was asked (with persistence) to tutor some students in preparation for an English competition. I acquiesced for two days to tutor. This was my official first time teaching at this particular school and I enjoyed it. The teachers and children we're very kind and welcoming. Surprisingly, the students I worked with were much more advanced than I anticipated. I marveled at the 11-year-old's ability to recite and write down more than 700 English words. This experience made me look forward to beginning an English Club/Youth Group and working more with kids--which, aside from the Youth Conference, I've had little opportunity to do.


Giving Thanks

That brings me full circle. A lot of random things have been going on and I've managed to keep a lot on my plate. Upon approaching the American holiday of Thanksgiving, and given my experience thus far, I realize I have a lot to be thankful for.
Including...

Good health

Supportive family

Lukewarm bucket showers

Line-item budgetary commitments

A french press that brews amazing, real coffee

A plentiful rice harvest

Kind, compassionate neighbors

Steaming bowls of rice

A place to lay my head at night

Laughs

Patience

Spicy eggplant curry

Peanut butter in Thailand

Amazing friends

Graduate degrees

Watermelon

Peace in my heart


On a youth field trip standing at the border on Laos overlooking the Me Kong River