Sawati Ka (Hello From Thailand)

After all of the preparation, goodbyes, and anticipation I am finally here in Thailand. It was an eleven hour flight to Tokyo (I didn't sleep for a single second) and then an eight hour flight to Bangkok (I slept through dinner). Once we landed we were greeted by the Thailand Peace Corps Staff who hung beautiful lays of purple and white flowers around our necks. We then headed out into the night and were loaded on to two double Decker buses. There was a three hour ride awaiting us and once we were finally to Chai Badan in the Lopburi Province here we were ushered to our rooms and allowed to sleep for a whole three hours before this whole thing began. We have spent every minute of each day in meetings, language lessons, bike training classes, and eating. It is exhausting and yet nice - the business keep the homesickness at bay.

I am amazed at the speed with which they have been able to teach us the language and am loving my bike. It is grey and new and beautiful - I love her!!!! I have already made a few good friends and am enjoying the time they are giving us here at the hotel, where we get to spend our days and night among other American volunteers. On Feb. 3rd we will be leaving the comfort of this place and heading to our homestays. It will be ten weeks of living in a village away from the other volunteers and with a Thai family. We bike each morning to what they call the Hub sight. I have a feeling that this is when the whole thing becomes truly "real." I have only been here four days and already it feels like months. They keep us busy and well fed - it's sort of a dream right now.

The weather is unreal. It has been between 85 and 90 degrees each day and "dry" - this is the dry and cool season. I can only imagine what the hot and wet seasons are like - I'm a little afraid; it feel really humid and hot here already to me. But I guess that's life in Thailand.

We were give time to go the an open air market today and shop a bit. I rode my bike there with a few of the other volunteers and found it interesting to see the Thai people's reaction to a blond haired, blue eyed, little American. Little kids were following me through the rows of exotic fruit, fired bugs, and piles of fish and meat wanting to have their picture taken with me and touch my golden locks. Vendors were pointing and smiling and everyone would stop and take me in. I was quite the anomaly. One of the children lead me to a vendor who made Pan Thai and I had my first experience with this Thai staple of a meal. It was supposed to be mild and still I had tears streaming down my cheeks. I guess my taste buds have some adjusting to do still . . . I think I'll make it work. So far it truly has been the land of smiles and I have to say Thai people are kind and generous. I think this will be a semi easy place to make home for a while . . . I guess we'll have to see.

Celebrations Galore!!!

Between Graduation, my Birthday, Christmas gatherings, the New Year, and Cody's Birthday I have been shuffling from one celebration to the next for weeks now. My parents, being the fabulous hosts they are, threw me a party I will be sure to tuck within my heart and pack along for the journey of a life time. It was so incredible to spend an evening surrounded by so many wonderful people - my accomplishments and pursuits are all a reflection of the individuals who have been a presence in my life. The gathering was a perfect representation of the sincere friends, loyal family members, and young souls that make up the foundation of my world. I felt deeply honored and supported to be among such generous, lively, and loving company.

Christmas was a plethora of dinners with family and friends, time spent with loved ones, movie watching, gift giving, and good eating. In my family this is not a one-day-affair - we have Christmas for a solid week and surprisingly it doesn't get old. There is something wonderfully comforting about spending time with people who always have your best interests in mind and want nothing more than to remain connected on a meaningful level. But the party didn't stop there!!!

I raced back to Fort Collins after all the graduation, b-day, and Christmas celebrations came to an end and packed up all of my belongings. I was shocked to see how much stuff I had collected over the past four years and found myself absolutely overwhelmed by the prospect of getting it all organized and hauled back home. It took hours, lots of help, heaps of love, and many reminders to keep breathing to get it all done; now I'm back and forth between Fort Collins and Fort Lupton and I'm living out of a duffel bag . . . I guess the adventure begins long before my bags are packed and my plane takes off.

With the moving taken care of I was free to bring in the New Year with enthusiasm for my journey, appreciation for the blessings of the last twelve months, and wonder for what is to come. Cody's birthday was a light-hearted celebration of the fun-loving character he has become. It's easy to enjoy acknowledging someone so willing to engage in the fun life has to offer.

Now I'm spending my days tying up lose ends, saying goodbyes, and reading. I'm excited to pursue my dreams of being a Peace Corps Volunteer, to travel the world, to share the love that overwhelms my heart, and to contribute to the education of all children - and in the very same breath I am apprehensive about the future and heartbroken with each goodbye. I have three weeks and I fully intend to spend them in a continuation of the celebration I have been living in for the last month; the celebration of my life thus far, the accomplishments of those around me, and the relationships that have lead me to this moment and this absolutely thrilling decision.