"And all you touch, and all you see...." You know. That old chestnut.

Well, I leave in nine days for Thailand! Besides conference calls and emails with my future fellow volunteers, my preparations find me seeking out bug spray with a proper amount of DEET (according to the nfp I'm traveling with, Cross Cultural Solutions- hereafter known as CCS- the bug spray sold in Bangkok legally has to contain such low levels of DEET that it becomes rendered useless) and trying to figure out just how many Emergen-C packets I am going to need to smuggle into my suitcase. (I've settled on 21, so everybody knows.)

Because so many people have asked how I will document the trip, asked to see pictures upon return, or given me a journal as a Christmas gift (thanks EJ!)- I decided to create a blog to share the journey with you. It really is important for me to share the adventure, as so many of you contributed to my fundraising goal and really, TRULY, made this trip a reality for me. I couldn't be more grateful, and am happy to provide the venue for you to see the good that your donation is going to.

I apologize in advance because I know cameras are not allowed until the end of our volunteer placements- for the sake of maintaining a level of respect for those we are working with, and ourselves. (Oh hello papparazzi fest first day at the volunteer site- incorrect!) I am sure there will be pictures towards the end of the placement- just likely not until then.

I've been placed at the Kositsamosorn School, where another volunteer and I will be teaching English as a Foreign Language. We both lean towards wanting to work with slightly older students, so I imagine I'll be spending most of my time with students between the ages of 8-14. We will design lesson plans meant to teach small topics- colors, numbers, geography, etc. We're also meant to act as ambassadors- most of these students will likely never leave Thailand or even Bangkok, so the inward flow of visitors is how they garner "worldly" experiences. They're encouraging us to bring photos or momentos of America to share with our students and explain what our lives are like. As my photo collection is weak here in California, it looks like they're getting their pick between Carla and I in chinese robes at the Fairmont Hotel (ages 3 and 5 respectively) or Kristen Vetri with a rainbow in Kensington Gardens, London. (No, really, these are the pictures I have here. Don't ask why.)

The fun part is that in a week, I get on a train Thursday morning at 8am in San Diego- and get off a plane at 2pm Saturday, in Bangkok. In between is a twelve hour layover in Taipei and one hell of a time difference :)

Thanks again to everybody who donated to CCS and ultimately to this awesome experience I'm about to have. Your world expands only as far as you are willing to push it- I'm so excited (and a little scared) about stretching it to new limits.

yours,
di