Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. ((Margaret Mead))

Again, woke up, no water; it is becoming a reassuring trend and I hope it stays this way.

This morning Mercy formed the Mercy Emergency Flooding Team (MEFT) to go out into the surrounding communities, assess the damages, collect statistics and find a way to help those in need. (Find them and like them on facebook!!) Tomorrow I will go with the team to these communities and my job will be to help translate all of the write ups into English. I love being a part of the work that is done here and I love sharing the beauty that makes up Mercy with the ones I love. I have received so many emails from people at home asking if there is anything they can do to help. I will talk with M.E.F.T. tomorrow to see what you at home can do!

Tonight, while Skyping with my Dad, he in his PJs and a leather coat (because it's so cold in Boston), and me, bright red and sweating from my night run, talked a little bit about my next move. With only 6 weeks left at Mercy, I find myself asking: Where did the time go? When will I be able to return? How can I help from home? And what am I going to do next?

Most of you know that one of my life goals is to write a book, a proper book, and every new adventure takes me one step closer to my first eclectic collection of short stories. But with every new twist and turn that life throws my way, I find new interests that become passions. While education has always been the most important thing to me, I realized, so is public health. I can't stop thinking about all the diseases borne from the stagnant waters in Thailand right now, and all the HIV/AIDS patients and diabetics in the community who, due to the floods, are not able to access their medications. What can I do and how can I help? These thoughts brought back memories of my class on NGO management with Ken Williams this winter, and meeting with all the different NGOs in New York City. I thought back to inspiring groups like Public Healthworks working in Burundi and GEMS in NYC and all the public health education they are providing. Maybe this is my nitche?

And thus the journey continues - here are some thoughts - fellowships, perhaps even applying for a Fulbright, write a book and maybe pursue a PhD in public health. But perhaps I'll try and stick around Boston, maybe apply to Harvard? All hopes and dreams for the future, but what is life without a few hopes and dreams?

However, the most important aspect of my life right now - to give back. This experience has been a game changer and I know now that no matter what I'm doing, volunteering with kids is always going to be at the top of my list. I can't imagine my life without the kids here and I will do everything I can so I don't have to, so that I may remain a part of their lives after I leave.

Service to others is the payment you make for your space here on earth.
((Mohammed Ali))

And with that it is time for bed. Hoping that when I wake up tomorrow and it is November, the rains will stop, the temperature will cool and the waters will recede. My thoughts and prayers are with the families whose homes and lives were lost in the floods.