Group to group; new people, new focus, new networks, new job!It has been a while since I wasn't part of some collective and going through group dynamics. I like individuals (whether they are part of groups or not) better than groups. I am united to my new Americorps co-workers by technology-related job experience and probably many other things to be discovered. I'm really...

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First I climbed mountains. Then I learned to weave. Then I ate squirrel. There's so much more to say, and too many words to express it. I'm not sure I'm cut out for blogging.Put simply, our entire group is in the air, my calves are stronger, I know some really neat Karen people committed to their villages, and a lot more about political...

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There are approximately 7 weeks left in my course here in Thailand. I have lived for anywhere from 1-5 weeks both in families of urban wealth and rural poverty and the differences have been striking. The rest of the time so far has been split between my apartment in Chiang Mai and the week on the Yom river, camping. Needless to say, we...

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Chiang Mai is beautiful.The city is in a valley, and on clear days like today,I can see the mountains on every side from the roof of my apartment. ...

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The country is in a state of stark contrast... and emergency, but in Chiang Mai, you'd never guess by looking outside. There is chaos everywhere across the country, taking very different forms. Chiang Mai is erupted in a country-wide water fight. And you're certainly not exempt for being a foriegner... I've seen kids whisper 'farang, farang' and dump water down the backs up...

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I'm at a hotel in transit between the village we stayed with for the last week and the last part of the trip, where we'll be checking out the river more and then camping and rafting down a section for a few days. There's so much to tell about it all, and hopefully I'll have time when I get back to explain more...

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This is me. Jahjaah.For the past five weeks, I have been staying with my Thai Family here:It is very beautiful. Soo-wayee.I go to school with some of these people.On Saturday, we left our host families and moved in our new aparments: This is how they do construction in Thailand:We started the Rivers course now, on which I plan to do my documentary. We'll...

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I was finally able to upload a video of me at the caves in the mountains outside of Chiang Mai, as part of our visit to Chiang Mai Rock Climing Adventures!The caves were huge, and at the end of my glide across the canyon, I transferred to another safety system and slowly rapelled my way down hundreds of feet, just dangling in the...

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I met my first elephant.I don't know her name.I also touched really big elephants and fed a huge elephant a baby banana then he grabbed the entire bunch when it fell on the ground accidentally and that ended quickly. Elephants are very snuffly and hungry. They know what money is; they don't eat it, but they take it. Also, Elephants can dance and...

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New things I love:my host familyThai Iced Teataking pictures with my host sisterscoconut ice creammarkets!!my money beltmy sneezes echo in my houseMangosteen!the Rot Deng (red car)The Thai WireAnimal Collective's My Girlscantelope bubble tea slushieNeko Case 2009,(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbjnS_RTj_o&NR=1 kajlkdfjkshe's so cool)Experiential Learninggood healthfull body traditional thai massage ...

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Here is a more collage-y summary of my life here.Outdoor classroom, Yoga, kitchen, rote deng, home, school, barbeque with family, school backyard.I will attempt to create a collage of pictures to show my life here. The first two are of our outdoor classroom where we learn as a group by lecture and Q&A about Thai culture. The bamboo screens behind the chairs of...

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Eat, Sleep, be a sponge. I am learning a lot.My family and I with friends at Doi Saket. ...

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This is my home! It's so beautiful.This is also the first glimpse of me in my student uniform. Jib is on her way to school as well. This picture was taken this morning, and today was particularly exciting because I took the "rote deng" home by myself, which is the "red car," Chiang Mai's bus/taxi. Everyone was suprised at how fast I was...

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To all those of you who are interested in calling someone overseas, I recommend Pinzoo.com3-5 cents/minute calling Thailand cell phones from the US. Its the best I've seen.Tomorrow I will be going to the market with school. I am very excited. I had dinner with my Mae and my sister Jang today. My family is all so nice. Hopefully someday soon I will...

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I now have three cute sisters !Jess (of course)JoobJib (bottom)Jang (left)My Thai nickname is JaaJah.In both of these photos, I am trying to brace my eyes from the flash and account for the major height differences. I made my first purchases here though other than food as you can see.It was also my first day of school today and I wore the traditional...

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I saw so much today, but didnt have my camera, so I can't show anyone. It is a memory.I went to the market and saw an elaborate Chinese dance where a small boy climbed up a very tall pole and was swung back and forth towards another pole covered in bigger men holding a huge dragon head with a long tail, twisting down...

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Mailing address while on the program: STUDENT NAMEISDSIPO Box 222PrasinghChiang Mai, 50205 THAILAND Shipping address while on the program: STUDENT NAMEISDSI48/1 Chiang Mai-Lampang Road (Superhighway)Muang, Chiang Mai, 50300 THAILANDSend me Mail! ...

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I've called many places home in the past month or two and I am excited to move on and find a new one to settle in for a little while.  Ultimately, I look forward to some permanence.  I have always wanted to travel, but never to be a constant traveller.  Tory and I said goodbye yesterday but we are as prepared as we'll ever...

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ME. ...

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I am ready to be active.I am ready to fly.I am ready to invest.I am not so ready to "blog."So we will see. ...

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