Home, where my music's playing

Cups of strong, black coffee.
Putting my feet as high in the air as I want.
Driving.
Never hearing the word farang.
Hugging, running, laughing, and eating with friends and family I have missed dearly.
Banishing quick dry to the depths of my closet.
Bounteous supplies of toilet paper.

O, the creature comforts I have reveled in this past month since landing in the US of A! But as I emerge from the glow that hangs over the first few weeks after a traveler's homecoming, it seems I'm not fully back. These six weeks are the longest I've been home in two years, and time has re-shaped people and places here in Virginia as much or more as it has me. So this is a re acquaintance as well as a reunion.

Processing has barely begun for my time in Thailand; I want to share a few of the reflections that came out of our final official meeting as a program and were heartily affirmed in the endless "toast off" of the naksuksa (students).

*What does Thai culture have to teach American students?
generosity
the value of communal meals
dressing as a sign of respect for others
tact
reverence to older people
importance of being with family members
keeping your cool, saving face
living in relationship to the environment, natural world
greater accessibility to being self sufficient

*What will we do after this experience?
ask questions and listen
understand the history of a place - both of its people and its ecology
garden - grow at least some of our own food and connect to seasons and natural processes
vermiculture - step one to saving the planet
use alternate transportation to cut down on fossil fuel use and emissions
write and talk about our experiences
live simply by using and buying less
practice hospitality - because we've been the weird foreigners who can't speak the language
seek out like minded people so we don't lose momentum
visit the Amish!

These are the things that are on tumble cycle in my mind as I plan for school in the fall and beyond that into jobs and apartments. So much of what I have learned while at Houghton and even in high school has strayed outside of the lines of formal education. When I think back to times of growth I see people, relationships, things I have looked at and touched. I can point to the girls I lived with at Mustard Seeds in WV, everything about Buffalo, friends I have known for 5 to 10 years, family (even ancestors!), and now what I have come through in Thailand and trace much of who I am spiritually, intellectually, and socially.

Anyway, a full head, late night, and a few cups of coffee produce 'musings', as Teepa would call them, like this one for me. I appreciate so much those of you who have followed my scattered postings and encouraged me while I was away.

Ok, tata for now!
Melissa

- If you have any Thai friends, I would love to talk to them. Right now I am listening to recordings and going to Thai restaurants because I miss speaking Thai!