Had it been an isolated incident, I would have brushed it off. But, since it seemed I'd been forgetting emails, callbacks and meetings all week, this only added to my list of forgottens and misgivings. I don't want it to seem like I'm that busy or important of a person--things definitely get done without me. However, I'm usually on top of things so it's a bit frustrating when you reach for your current read and discover you've mailed it to America. What's the deal? What's the rush all the sudden? Well, truth be told, it's been a little more than hectic here--not all in a bad way either. Time is running out and the to-do list appears to be getting bigger rather than smaller (which may or may not be due to all those idle days-gone-by I sat around saying "It's hot" and accomplishing nothing else but eating my fair share of mangoes for the day...but, who can really say?!).
Over a 2-day period (last week), my community started and completed phase 1 of the daycare flood remediation project (big woo hoo, but no sigh of relief just yet until all the receipts and reports are in). I was thoroughly amazed and inspired by how the community came together and put a new drainage system surrounding the daycare in 2 days flat. The first day we had over 20 volunteer workers. Every available, able bodied person came and helped--if only to improve the infrastructure of their community and ensure the health of their children. Men came mostly to dig trenches, implant the concrete beams, and seal the drain with cement. Women came to care for the children, cook meals, clean, and do additional manual labor. Aside from food expenses, these folks dedicated their time and energy to completing this project in-kind. As a Community Development Volunteer, this was what I (and all my constitutes) hope to see happen in our two years of service. Visual results. I know it sounds very Western but, I'd be lying if I said we all didn't come here to see some visual results along with instilling many other catalysts that wouldn't become visual for years to come. Not that I don't think all the training's and conversations and camps I've led do not have value. But, there is something very satisfying about seeing physically visual results of a project.
(see pictures below)
Phase 2--running water & sinks installation will be completed at the end of this week or the next. It's a rush to the finish!
After 3 exhausting days at the daycare, I excused myself for a respite in Ubon Ratchathai to bid adieu to a few fellow volunteers who planned to close their service earlier than I. A whirlwind weekend of fun, mixed emotions, and altogether exhaustion ensued. Then, on Sunday I set out for the long journey to Bangkok for #2 of 5 root canal procedure appointments. While in Bangkok on Monday night, I sat in the dentist chair watching as the doctor prodded and probed into my unusually curved root canal for two hours. It was not so much the pain as it was tediousness that tired me. Afterward, I crashed in my hotel room--bracing myself for the next days adventure of seeking out the Chinese Embassy, going to Peace Corps, picking up a picture, and sending a package. I found my errands to be easier and harder than I expected--with the book blunder being the only real setback. On Tuesday night, I boarded the public transportation van back to site. Now we've come full circle.
Back and forth, forth and back, up and down, round and round. That's how it's been lately and my head spins at the speed of light as I think about the week to come. Having just finished reviewing a proposal (I keep telling myself to 'let the role goal' and let the new committee members take over--which, is easier than it looks), I bounce back and forth as to what there is left to do on the Project Review Committee (PRC). Meanwhile, I scurry around my house to throw this or that out, pile up the 'save' and 'send home' items as I separate the 'giveaways' Then, some new Peace Corps Trainee calls me interrupting my thoughts of whether to keep or throw out a certain dress to ask me about how to get to my site. I try to pull myself together. Uh, "take this bus, no wait, that van"... "meet me here at this time"... "don't worry we'll figure out your new site when you get here!"... "you'll be fine!..." I say in the most reassuring voice I can muster. Off the phone, my thoughts fall back to myself 2 years ago--how fresh, exciting and scary things were. I sit and take a deep breath. Oh, how far we have come! Then, I look around at the mess and remind myself it's not over just yet ;)
Mrs. S (fellow 121 volunteer) and I decided to combine site visits from PC Trainees because it's easier and I fear my house will have a lack of running water. This will take place Friday and Saturday then the newbies will board buses and part ways off into the real unknown... their own sites. Sunday day or night, I'll prepare myself for another (becoming increasingly infamous) trip to Bangkok for root canal procedure #3 of 5 on Feb. 28. Then on Feb. 28 night or March 1 morning (depending on when my appointment is finished), I'll rush back to site to be ready to fulfill my local farang duties to welcome Japanese visitors to a local school on March 1 & 2 and be their impromptu guide/interpreter--the school director asked so nicely, how could I refuse. Then, after all that...I might sleep!
People keep asking me if I'm ready to leave or if it's 'hit me yet'. Honestly, my body and mind are so rooted here right now, I don't believe it's truly hit me yet. There are still things to do and probably until the day I leave, I'll be doing them!
But really, I wouldn't have it any other way.
Pictured Below--working on the daycare flood remediation project. Enjoy the Visuals
In case you're wondering, he is eating "seuk lek" or fresh meat (below). That's right, raw, bloody pig meat. A delicacy! (no, I don't eat this!)
With the head daycare teacher--the original lady who brought the flooding/water sanitation issue to my attention
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