Trip Down Memory Lane...

Today is my mom's birthday... in Thailand, that is. I think January 25 still has 2 hours to go in Iowa. January 26 also marks 2 years since the day I left Iowa to begin the long journey of being a Peace Corps Volunteer in Thailand. That day, which seems so long ago, is still vivid in my mind. I remember packing my bags until 2 AM, resting, then getting up at 3 to start the 90 minute journey to Eppley Airfield in Omaha, Nebraska where I would depart to San Francisco for staging (preparation to depart). I remember my mom saying... "You don't have to go, you can stay here if you want!" up until the moment I backed out of the driveway. I know, I know, what a horrible birthday present to give my mother! But, after all these 24 months, I would hope that she knows I am doing this for her as well and spreading every wonderful thing she has ever taught me through the years to the depths of my interactions here. And, knowing that, she has to feel good about me being here, right?!

Sweet Memories
I recently got back to site after another week-long hiatus. Last week I went to lead some sessions with the new Group 123 Volunteers. Which, in itself is hard to believe that Group 123 is here and training already... woah! When did I get so 'old'?! Believe me, it was totally surreal yet, awesome at the same time. I finally got to take my stance at the end and look back down the looong narrow climb and reconsider my service from start to finish in hindsight. It also made me realize that this really is the beginning of the end. Talking to the new trainees, I realize how much I've learned and grown.. and how much more I have yet to discover. I remember being in their exact shoes two years ago thinking... "What exactly IS community development?" ... "How on Earth am I going to communicate in Thai?"... "What is it that I am doing in the Peace Corps?!"... How do I decline an invitation to eat this nasty looking food?... "Where will I live and how will I survive when training is over?"..."Why can't I wear a sleeveless top?"... "What's that funny smell?!?!?" So on and so forth...

In a way, I envy them. They have a proverbial clean slate with infinite possibilities. Their outlook is fresh; every moment is a new experience and Thailand is a mystical/awe-inspiring place with friendly faces and warm hearts. Even the most seemingly insignificant encounter is sacred and recorded with fervor. Then again, there's the flip side to that which I don't envy; because, it simply wouldn't be the Peace Corps experience without the frustration, confusion, isolation, and altogether overwhelming-ness of it all. The good goes hand in hand with the not so good (or fun) times. That I do not wish to experience again. But, who knows what it will be like for them? Maybe an entirely different experience. And that's what I appreciate about being here and allowing oneself to get caught up in the moment--just for the moment's sake. When all you can do is take it one step at a time and hope you don't have too many mishaps along the way. I could romanticize about Peace Corps and Thailand forever... even after two years... even after the not-so-good experiences. After all, aside from Sioux City, Iowa USA, I spent more time in Thailand than I have anywhere else in my life which, technically makes it my second home.

While at PST (pre-service training), I led 1 informal & 2 formal sessions. During the first (informal) session, I introduced myself and gave an abridged recap of my service to date. What a trip down memory lane that was! I chose pictures from throughout my service and one by one explained the circumstances of each picture while segueing off into random anecdotes--all of which piqued the curiosity of my listeners. Eating it up, I relished in reminiscing of days gone by in Thailand and began to think of how I would probably be doing this for years to come. The next two sessions on Community Development in Thailand & the Thai Government Structure were sprinkled with theory, personal interpretations, & lots of q&a. Mostly, with all the inquiries, anticipations, and some frustrations, I wanted to give each and every one of them a big hug and say... breathe! You'll get through this training just fine.

Back to Business>
Following the surreal, fun, exciting experience at PST, I came back down to reality (that I still have 2.5 months to go) and went on to the North-central Province of Pichit to help out at my friend's 2-day English Camp. Still rolling off the adrenaline from PST, I picked right up and exerted as much energy as I could muster at the camp--singing and dancing and teaching English! All minor blunders aside, the camp was a great success and I was so happy to be surrounded by fellow volunteers once again. At Jenni's site we stayed at a brand new swanky house of a well-to-do Thai co-worker of hers and were chauffeured around like VIP's--this is not to say we went everywhere at our own will. As we were being treated like special guest, we knew that when it was time for us to put on a show, we had to deliver! And that we did.

After two days of non-stop English Camping and sleep deprivation, we went on to Nakon Sawan Province (just below Pichit) for some R & R. (see pics from camp below)

The Beginning of the End
I got back to site Sunday night and have been trying to (albeit very slowly) gather my bearings. It won't be before long that I will have to leave again. Next week we have close of service medical/dental exams in Bangkok and probably the last official Group 121 get-together. So, I am trying to collect my thoughts and remember what I need to be doing right now. It's hard to concentrate with so many interruptions. These last few months I'll be trying to wrap up projects (or implement those that haven't really gotten started--eeeek!), pack all my belongings/ send some home, attend parties, weddings (my landlord is getting married in March at my current residence), buy plane tickets, plan for post-Peace Corps travel, and start preparing for departure. I feel weird even thinking about that.

Just before I left for PST, I made some headway with the Daycare Flood Remediation & Water System Improvement Project. As of now, I haven't spent a dime of the funds I received in donations for this project. BUT, we have managed to rally support from the parent-teacher association and villagers have pledged to put in the labor necessary to finish the job. I've also been told supplies were ordered and on the way. The beat goes on. With the way things are going, I probably still won't have paid for anything before I leave for medical next week. Which means I'll have to wait until the week of 02/07-02/11 to really see where this is going. Time is running out and this project has been at the forefront of my mind. Receipts and reports must be turned in before I can close my service--less I have to return all the funds if my counterparts fall short to complete their tasks. On the whole, it's out of my hands now. I have faith that my community partners will pull through and put this together before I leave and somehow I'll get all the reporting done correctly and in on time.

What else? Bi Tiao (vacation) & aerobic dance season is just around the corner which means everyone is gearing up for community activities & get-togethers. Once again, I'm at a crossroads as to where I fit in here since I am leaving so soon. It's not like last year when I had time to jump in to all these activities and trips. It's crunch time to concentrate on the necessary. The two other main projects on my mind are the Hope Group Product Development and the School World Map--I still have hope of accomplishing this. For the Hope Group, there's really not much to do. We decided to map out a marketing scheme and product development plan for the future of their income generation efforts, give them the last installment of product development money and call it good. They pretty much know what they're doing and have done it well all along. For the world map, I don't have so much of a plan other than, I want to get it done! What will probably happen is that I will show up at the school one day, start drawing, and see if anyone wants to jump in. I'm thinking next month...

I had hoped for a 1 day life skills/English Camp but it seems that time is running out and that is unlikely. Though, I'll never say never until I officially close my service. As usually, I'm taking this marathon one step at a time, just like mile 1.

Remember that house I live in? It's exactly the same almost 2 year later!


Bathroom


'Workspace'


"Prayer/Chanting Space"--A newer addition!


Eating after a meeting with the parent/guardian association about the daycare renovations


Parent/guardian association (notice how most of them are grandma's?--because many young mothers leave their youngsters to live in the village with grandparents while they work elsewhere


With my supervisor & sub-district administrative head engineer discussing the daycare renovation details


English Camp-ing with friends!


Random drunk vagabond at the English Camp-- he all but blended in with the background! (you had to be there)


In front of the plush, Thai "Barbie Dream House" we stayed at



That's all for now, folks!