Thought I would do an update blog...
I am volunteering full-time at the Wheelchair Project at the hospital, 5 days a week. Then on the weekends I am at the dog shelter. The WP fixes, fits, and distributes wheelchairs throughout Thailand and surrounding countries. When we aren't traveling, people come to us everyday to fix their chairs or get new ones. It is a really interesting and unique experience. I'm pretty much thrown into it and expected to learn through watching and doing. Luckily, I am good at that! I've learned how to become quiet and observant.
If you know me, you know I love tinkering with tools.
But I love connecting with people most of all. Even though my Thai is still very limited, connecting with someone through looking into their eyes and sharing laughter is extremely powerful. Heaven knows, I love to laugh! And the Thai people love it.
I can't believe 2 months have passed but also that I have 4 more months to go! I'm interested to see what happens!
Lessons of Thailand:
1. If there is a sidewalk and a sidewalk higher to it, take the higher one. Expect motorbikes to sneak up on you otherwise (or come straight at you on the damn sidewalk).
2. If is safe to assume you aren't being understood and should try to explain further.
3. Never buy anything full price.
4. Drive like a Thai person or you will be hit.
5. Learning a dance to a popular Thai pop song is a good way to get approval.
6. Sharing rice whiskey makes friends.
7. Smiles/laughter are worth more than gold.
8. Exploring who you are without cultural, societal, relationshipal boundaries is a big mind trip. I think everyone should do it by themselves at some point in their life.
9. Cuddling is one of the best things in the whole world and I will appreciate it 1000x more when I get back.
10. I loathe the phrase "getting back to real life". Everything is real life, you have just created a sad reality that is shackled in boundaries.
11. Never underestimate the power and wealth of freshly laundered clothes, a hot shower, and drinkable running water.
12. Sharing poetry, sharing my voice has been of the best ways to break down walls and connect to others. The power of vulnerability and creativity is incredibly huge.
Last thought...
Lots of debates about Gay Rights intertwined with Freedom of Speech.
I want to be clear--
I love that we can say whatever we want (but know that the NSA is and can monitor everything that you say AND you can be detained indefinitely without a trial... I don't see many or enough freaking out about that..) Duck Dynasty man, Westboro Church, you, neo-nazis, hippies can all flap their traps and that is a beautiful thing! Keep flappin', let's get somewhere!
My question though is, when did we become picky choosey over which rights we believe everybody to have vs. the rights we think only some should enjoy?
I've been writing pro-gay editorials since Jr. High...
I'm pretty damn proud of Utah right now.
I still love all of you,
Jeni Peni
^Typical Thai ad
