The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go. -Dr Seuss

What a beautiful thing to remember and realize how much you are like the ones you love. Having my family here has been such an incredible blessing. They remind me of where I come from, who I am and why I am the way I am. I see the love they have in their eyes and know they’re falling in love with these kids the way I have. To be here is to love this place. Tonight my dad said, “Now your blog makes total sense.”

Today we spent the day at Tae Kwon Do with the kids. We rode the song tao, a truck with benches in the bed, from Mercy to Emporium with them. As we walked into the building, two of the boys grabbed dad’s hands and led him upstairs. Their trust for me transfers to everyone I love, and these kids, respectively, trust and love the ones I’m with.

I am so happy. And as Aunt True says, “You’re never leaving this place.” While I may physically have to leave some day, this place will never leave me. Want to feel it? Come to Mercy. I promise you will leave inspired and jai yen.

Tomorrow we're headed to the beach for two days. I promised Sean some quality time with sand, jetskis, cold beer and foot massages. But for now, a few pictures...

Diane was in town from China. Having a beer at Cheap Charlie's with the girls.

Singha at the weekend market.

Leanne and the monk.

So much love.

ABA

Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. -Dr Seuss

I can't believe it's been three and a half months since I arrived in Bangkok! I have had the most amazing adventures from Cambodia, to Mae Sot, to Koh Chang and Pattaya with a little Bodyslam and waterfall seeking thrown in. But the pinnacle of all awesomeness is about to happen in less than 12 hours when I get to share all the beauty of Thailand with the people I love most in this world - my family!!! I just got an email from my mom that my mom, dad and sister are currently in Tokyo awaiting their connection south to Bangkok. This feeling might be comparable to all of those Harry Potter fans anticipating the final film, I wouldn't know because I don't watch them, but I've seen the faces and I recognize the excitement.

All week I've been making lists in my head: what I want from my closet at home, what I want to show my family, where I should take them, what they should eat, who they have to meet, when we will fit it all in... Everything will have a renewed sense of awe because "nothing of the soul is depleted when shared." This is the longest stretch EVER that my sister and I have been apart and I can't wait to have her by my side for the next 8 days.

I'm most excited about having my family meet all the outstanding kids I work with. In addition to my mom, dad and sister being here, my Aunt True and counsin Sean will be here on Saturday!! What a special, incredible group of people I have coming; how lucky I am...

Today is also a very special day because it is dear Pop's birthday!!! You're getting up there old man and I know it took A LOT to get you to fly to the other side of the world to see me, so I want you to know how much I appreciate it.

Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You. (Dr Seuess)

Isn't that the truth. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD.

Fortunately we'll have a professional photographer on hand this week so there will be some quality pictures coming soon...

And on a random side note - I made all the 'kids' I live with Mexican food (inspired by Amy) this week. What a hit. They always think what I eat is weird, but I have now discovered they are all lovers of avocados; who isn't?? We're making round two of mexican again tonight, followed by "The Fighter" with Thai subtitles... Andrew Smith, I'll be keeping an eye out for you!!

Teaching my roommates, the 'kids' from southern Thailand, how to make pita chips in a country without pita chips...

I found a new favorite park to run in: Benjakiti Park. There is a massive lake in the center, lined with these stunningly magenta flowers...palm trees abound and the landscaping is inspired! I can't wait to take the family :)

The sun is shining bright today!

ABA

These are the days of miracle and wonder. -Paul Simon

Mae Sot

Maybe it was breathing in exceedingly fresh air, or the five hours riding through the Thai country side, looking out on to Burma (now known as Myanmar) in the back of a oversized pick up truck or the fact that the novelty of 'Thai green' just doesn't wear off, but Mae Sot went and exceeded everything I had hoped it would be.

Saturday was spent bouncing around in the back bed of a World Education pick up truck, weaving through the steep mountain roads of Thailand's expansive greenery, in search of commanding waterfalls and hidden temples in natural caves. We were greeted by seven headed serpents carved of wood, moss covered roads laid out like a royal forest carpet and monks clad in their Buddhist orange robes tilling the land.

At points on our trip I found myself alone, reading "An Open Heart" by the Dali Lama, looking out from my guest room, into leafy palms, florescent green patty fields, with the looming Burmese mountains emerging from a low, dense fog off in the distance. Mae Sot was quiet, there were few cars, and the people were beautiful and always smiling; faces marked with the traditional Burmese Thanaka, a yellowish-white paste, made from bark. While sitting on the bank of the river that separates Burma and Thailand, under the closed "Friendship Bridge" border crossing, I had a man stop in his tracks, stare, then ask me how I was. He was convinced he knew me and when I told him I was visiting from Bangkok, he sheepishly smiled, apologized and walked on. When I saw him again, later in town, I smiled and waved; now we were acquaintances. Children walked the market with large, clear plastic bags filled with even larger snakes, tied to the ends of the bamboo beam balanced across their still forming shoulder muscles. We perused the repeating stands, my favorite one selling hair driers, DVD players and oversized calculators, riddled with Engrish. We marveled at the antique stores, filled to the brim with old grandfather clocks, vintage cameras and assorted ancient knickknacks.

On Sunday, Ben, Amy and I were invited to the house of World Education's in country deputy director, Sarah's house. Sarah, a Mercy Centre alum, was hosting Kin, the director of World Ed in Burma, who happens to be an SIT alum, as well as Anuja, who works on development projects in SE Asia out of World Ed's Boston office. Here in this brightly colored living room, in northwestern Thailand, just minutes from the Burmese border, were the most interconnected group of people. Sarah, volunteered at Mercy over 10 years ago and used to live with the most adorable 13 and 14 year olds, Pui and Pung (my current, amazing roommates) and Kin and I were able to talk about our favorite professors at SIT, while Anuja spoke of her first winter in Boston. Kin made a delicious Burmese dish, while Amy cooked up a special Mexican recipe - all Alex safe - and we relaxed with glasses of lime soda in the heat of the Thai afternoon sun. As the afternoon winded down we all reflected on our favorite moment from the weekend. The temple, the waterfall, the multicultural meal, it was so difficult to choose.

In the back of the pick up truck on Saturday's outdoor adventure, Ben, Amy and I spoke of choices. We discussed the luxury of choice and how incredibly lucky we all were to be exactly where we were in that moment: covered in mud, sunburned and in Thailand. Perfection.

These truly are the days of miracle and wonder.

Thank you Amy for being the photographer this weekend:

Starting the day off in the back of the truck. P E A C E

No camera will ever do this view justice. Climbing hills.

Sarah, getting lost in the flowers.

Luke and I make it to the top of the waterfall.

The water's coming down a lot faster than you realize.

Ben continues the climb.

From below.

At the bottom of the falls is a lake, the local boys fill the tree and soon test the branches strength as they catapult themselves into the water.

The novelty never wears off.

Kin in the temple.

Moss covered streets.

Monks till the land on route to the temple.

Packed in the back of the truck, loving life.

A room with a view.

Take more pictures with your eyes and your heart.

ABA

All men, by nature, desire to know. - Aristotle

Today I've been feeling a little under the weather, with a head cold I'm pretty sure I can trace back to Lauren's seven year old students. I resigned to spending the day in the office working on various projects and starting the daunting task of my RPP (Reflective Practice Phase) writing, aka my thesis.

My first piece: My professional bio statement.

I figure I may as well post it, even though it's quite rough, to get some feedback. I realize it's quite conversational, as most of my writing is, and wonder if it's too 'comfortable' as an opening piece for my thesis.

Would you hire me?

I have always had a passion for working with children, but it wasn’t until I moved to the Czech Republic to become TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certified, that I realized my enthusiasm for education. I firmly believe that education is the answer to many of societies ills. This includes health education, job skills training, life skills workshops, and basic primary education through higher education; the more you know, the better equip you are to handle what life throws your way.

Upon graduating with my Bachelor of Arts in English and Philosophy, I moved to Prague to teach English. My first six months were spent teaching the CEOs and Bank Presidents of the capital how to write proper business emails, use correct grammar and master their Board Meeting rapport. While recognizing the importance of this job, in a growing and ever expanding economy, the passion was missing, so I left to teach three and four year olds at an International School. Their ability to soak up and retain a new language so quickly astounded me and their drive to learn inspired me to further my learning.

After a year with the kids I knew I had reached a glass ceiling; I needed to continue my education to better serve the children I was working with. On a chance encounter, I bumped into one of my father’s friends shortly after returning to the States. He knew I had been living abroad teaching English and that I was looking at graduate programs, so he recommended I visit the SIT Graduate Institute. The Masters in International Education’s reputation proceeded itself and I was thoroughly impressed by the school’s mission and dedicated staff.

To date I have completed all of my required on campus courses for my Master’s in International Education, which include:

Theory and Practice of International Education, Issues in International Education, International Education Policy, Practitioners Inquiry, Financial Management, French I and French II, Intercultural Communications, Organizational Behavior I, NGO Leadership, Social Change, Design and Delivery, Design Evaluation Concepts, Youth Program Leadership and Initiatives in Peace-Building.

I am three months through my six-month practicum with The Human Development Foundation (HDF) in Bangkok, Thailand, which is a non-denominational, non-profit organization, established in 1972. In short, HDF serves the poorest of the poor, living in Bangkok’s slums with 25 preschools, 6 orphanages, an AIDS hospice, a street children outreach program and many community development projects.

My work at HDF varies every day, but focuses on working with the children HDF sponsors to study in International Schools in Bangkok. Their curriculum is in English and they study with other children from South East Asia. In conjunction with my work with the kids, I have been working with the Communication Manager and Executive Director, on a variety of projects ranging from preparing oral presentations and visuals for HIV/AIDS conferences, editing PR materials, writing staff bios, communicating with donors, reviewing grant proposals and creating project presentations for potential benefactors. Most recently I have been asked to sit for an interview with Price Waterhouse Cooper, which is overseeing HDF’s new business plan. I will be talking about the strengths and weaknesses of the foundation from a volunteer’s perspective.

My time and experience here has been rich. Living in Bangkok’s oldest and largest slum, I am completely immersed in the culture. Spending every day with people from every tier of this organization has given me insight into the workings of this every changing machine. This is a well-versed lesson in intercultural communication and a look into the many ways to target urban poverty, particularly through education.

Here's to hoping I can get a job once this degree is finished!

Anyone have any organizations they could recommend in the States? Who knows, maybe I'll come back...

PeaceLoveEducation

ABA

The house, the stars, the desert– what gives them their beauty is something that is invisible! (The Little Prince)

Upon arriving in Bangkok I went out and bought a new book: Ox Travels. It is a collection of “remarkable meetings” or encounters, put together by some of the world’s best and upcoming travel writers, to raise money for Oxfam. Reading Michael Palin’s introduction I was struck by how he articulates what is at the heart of good writing: “the personal illuminates the general”. Palin notes, “I’ve relied on human encounters to bring to life the places I’ve visited.” Mercy is Mercy because of the people here and the relationships I’ve developed, so this is my attempt at explaining what Mercy means to me.

Tonight during homework help, Ann asked me to listen to her play a song on the piano. Rather, she didn’t just ask me, she quietly pulled me aside from the group and whispered, “I want to show you the song I am learning on the piano.”

I was honored. Living at Mercy can sometimes feel like a zoo, with over 200 children in six Mercy homes, the kids don’t usually get quality alone time with an adult. They constantly look to Ben and I for positive reinforcement, showing us their high test scores or art class sketches they’re proud of. I’ve found nothing encourages them to try harder than reminding them of how proud we are. It seems pretty obvious, but for those few hours after school every day, we are home and we are family.

Every minute of every day I am reminded of how fortunate I am to have supportive parents who constantly encourage me and remind me of how proud they are; my mom and dad have shown me through their actions what it is to not only be a great parent, but a compassionate person.

I promised Ann I would come find her once I finished homework with the other kids; it was good to feel the warm, smooth concrete of Mercy under my feet, as I climbed the steps to Mercy 3. Ann was teaching the younger girls at Mercy 3 English, in the few free moments she has between homework, dinner and bed. The courtyards palm trees looked stronger and appeared taller tonight against the cotton candy clouds.

We walked into the makeshift chapel, which is a small tiled room on the 3rd floor of Mercy where Father Joe says mass on Saturdays. I pulled up a chair as Ann uncovered the worn black piano. She sat confidently and posed, as if she had been doing this for years, and opened her dark, floppy notebook.

“I’m learning the song from The Little Mermaid,” she said, calculating where to rest her fingers.

She played slowly and precisely, carefully reading the notes she had written on her paper. “I just started learning this yesterday.”

The room was still illuminated by the natural light of pre-sunset flooding in large glass windows in the back. It was just Ann and I and the piano. I felt overcome with emotions; I felt proud in a way I had never felt before. I felt privileged that she had wanted to share this with me and that she trusts me enough to show me what she cares about and is working on. Not only does Ann excel in her schoolwork, but she is currently in piano, swimming and tae kwon do lessons as well. This girl, along with all the kids I work with, is incredible.

There is this one story I remember my Dad telling me a few years back. Every time I think about it I smile. It goes a little something like this:

“I remember the day your mother told me she was pregnant with Leanne. I was terrified, I just thought there was no way I could love anything as much as I loved you. And then Leanne came into this world and I learned something, your heart just grows in ways you never imagined possible. All my love just multiplied.”

I thought back to all of the kids I’ve worked with in the past and how much I loved them all. But here it’s different. There is a reason these kids are here and for many, their parents are no longer a part of their lives. All my love continues to grow. I miss them when I’m not with them and I am genuinely happy every minute I am. I want to tell them how amazing their test scores are, I want to help them study and make sure they understand all of their homework. I love hearing about their days, their new crushes at school and what they’re learning.

I know how much I appreciate my parent’s emails, telling me how proud they are of me. And now I get it. That’s what these kids are for me. Their total trust is a precious gift. I would do anything for these kids.

I know it was important to Ann to have me come listen to her play and I hope she knows just how much it means to me that she asked.

Today, I am writing this post in honor of my amazing mother. Happy Birthday!! I love you so much and I can’t wait to hug and kiss you in just two weeks.

And I can’t wait for you to meet these remarkable kids.

My most beautiful mother, I LOVE YOU! Thank you for showing me the world.

ABA

"All men have the stars,” he answered, “but they are not the same things for different people. For some, who are travelers, the stars are guides. For others they are no more than little lights in the sky. (The Little Prince)

Quite a brilliant weekend, only to be expected when the sun in shinning, you're surrounded by quality people and you're exploring new sights. This weekend I learned/remembered/thought about a few things:

1. I am the luckiest person in the world right now.
2. My Thai does not get better after a drink.
3. My WHOLE family is coming to Bangkok in 2 weeks!!!! (Mom, Dad, Leanne, Aunt True and Sean)
4. From above, Pattaya's coast line sort of resembles Nice, France. However, they are total opposite cities.
5. The sound of waves on a shoreline makes everything better.
6. Strangers always want to know "bai nai?" (where are you going?)
7. I have adopted this trait...and now instinctively ask...
8. There's nothing better than going somewhere most tourists don't go.
9. Surround yourself with big, gold Buddhas and you will be calmed.
10. Ben and I are going to Mae Sot, on the border of Burma, next weekend to see Amy and to check out some waterfalls!

Now, on to what I know you want, pictures.

BODYSLAM! We were so close it almost wasn't fair.

The epic birthday book.

Cake, because what's a birthday without cake? Unless of course it's meat cake...

The sound of the gulf.

You know that Pattaya sign in the hills I've mentioned, yeah, well this is right under it. Pretty amazing.

Do not be satisfied with the stories that come before you. Unfold your own myth.
((RUMI))


ABA

Forget safety. Live where you fear to live. Destroy your reputation. Be notorious. -Rumi

As of late, I have been choosing to keep my music off when I write at night. I feel more clear-headed and it leaves space for the sounds of the neighborhood to come drifting into my room. I hear the splashing of water hitting cement and in the distance there is an old man loudly singing along to one of Bodyslam’s love ballads. Every night it’s a little different, some nights it sounds like the Hare Krishna’s are dancing inside my room; the chanting and beat of the drums makes me wonder exactly where it’s coming from. As to be expected with rainy season, the one constant is the pitter-patter of raindrops on my tin roof, which is like a nice omni-theater backdrop.

This morning I was up at 7:30am for a run. These runs are the only point in my day when my brain can fully relax and I find clarity. I get into the zone, the point at which your body takes over and the running becomes a natural movement requiring no thought, and it’s then that time slows down. Faces have more detail, the smoke from the charcoal grills feels hotter and the assorted and specific smells of the soi become intensified and defined. This is grounding time. This is get out of your head time. This is think about nothing and let it come to you time. And it’s 100% me time. Headphones in and I’m on the move, weirdly symbolic of my current life: always on the move.

Run fast for your mother run fast for your father
Run for your children for your sisters and brothers
Leave all your love and your longing behind you
Can't carry it with you if you want to survive

The dog days are over
The dog days are done

((Florence and the Machine))

My friends email me and ask, when are you going to stay still?

Sorry loves, I don’t know how.

ABA