Chicago to Seoul

SOOO in an hour, I fly out from Chicago to Seoul, South Korea.

That's a 14 hr flight, followed by a 12 hr layover, followed by a 6 hr flight to Bangkok. We then get picked up by fellow intern Alvin's cousin and hang out in Bangkok for a day or two. Then it's a 7 hr bus ride to Khon Kaen.

AHH I am so ready to be done traveling and settled in one place. Even if that place does have a lot of bugs and no toilet paper. I'm really gonna miss the western toilets.... I bid thee adieu.

Lexington, KY--plus photos

This is an update, as well as an expansion of the previous blog entry.

I'm currently sitting in the Third Street Stuff cafe in Lexington, KY. It's a funky little place with free wireless, some sweet sandwiches, and caffeine. All of which are very important after finding them less and less available the closer I get to Thailand.

We just finished our training, pictures of which might be randomly interspersed throughout the blog. (I can't quite figure this blogspot thing out, it's kind of a pain.)

But some explanations: the picture with the globe in the middle and the whiteboard is from the ENGAGE Leadership meeting with the Board of Peers, Steering Committee, and Network Coordinators. The one of a bunch of people in a room is from the CIEE-Thailand program facilitator training that took place over the past few days at Morehead State University in Morehead, KY. Then there should be one of us all piled on top of each other while standing on a cloth. Now this is the gem of the whole training.

Our group (Alvin, Lukas, Allison, and Sam) had to stand on a small cloth and flip it over while not touching the ground. This is a part of a contemplative education activity designed to help a group work more effectively together. It can also be a way to break a group by bringing to light problems in the process like a dominating voice. It was INTENSE and took us hours to do. I won't say how long exactly because this is an activity we want to do with the CIEE students and they might find this blog (and then try to compare themselves to our time)....

But yeah, needless to say it took a lot of formulating and reformulating to figure out. Although when we did it, it was the best feeling of accomplishment. Sam and I were the ones who had people on our shoulders, backs, and everything else... we felt it the next day. My back was so sore. BUT: for any of you CIEE students reading this-- don't think that this photo is evidence of our solution. We tried MANY things.

At this point, Sam has left us to go on a 100 mile bike ride for a class (yeah, ow) and Josh will fly out tomorrow. Josh will be the intern coordinator, meaning that he serves as our go-between with the CIEE-Thailand staff. He will also be helping us with our group, encouraging us when we're down or giving us tips on how to work together more effectively.

I fly out Saturday and can't wait at this point. No need to drag this one out-- if I'm in Lexington, KY, I might as well be in Khon Kaen. Although I really will miss the bread.

For now, much love and good thoughts. I miss everyone already!!

Time in Kentucky

Hello all! By this point, I have officially said a face-to-face farewell with everyone but the group that will travel with me to Thailand. I'm feeling somewhat relieved to have that done, but also sad to know that all the wonderful folks in my life will be out of it for at least 5 months. (Until Christmas). The goodbyes were really hard yesterday and left me a sobbing mess... But it is all a part of the process of leaving. I'm feeling better today and also excited to dive into the specifics of my job next year.

We're still at Morehead State University in KY. This is where the ENGAGE Convergence was held. It went by sooo fast!! I was really busy with several sessions and just the incredible opportunity to be around so many old and new friends. I ended it with a corn cob metaphor that, while perhaps one of the weirdest things I have ever done, felt right and satisfying. Now we're onto training for the next year with the previous intern group (Shayne, Miles, Josh, and Sarah). We will go to Lexington and stay in the house of a former CIEE student (who will actually be at the Social Forum, ha) on Thursday. Then we'll fly out on Saturday!! Ah!

Today we went over the program facilitator guide and will continue to do this over the next few days. My role is to plan and run the semester for the 17 students that will be coming to Khon Kaen in the fall. With this comes the challenges of planning something so big and also making it personal and tailored to the students.

I have great hopes for our p'fac (easier to write than program facilitator) group. I am really looking forward to working more with Allison, Alvin, Sam, and Lukas. And Josh, the intern coordinator. He'll be our go-between with CIEE-Thailand staff, among other things.

Sooo, to end this first post of the real journey, I miss you all and look forward to seeing you again! :) Pictures to follow, once I re-find the cord.....

(Especially a shout out to Allyn, Phil, and Cash--keep the blue house rockin!!) And sit on the porch for me!