In touch

Recently, someone told me that my friends would always be there for me, even if I never talked to them. Maybe they'll stick around for all my blog typos too...

In touch, Somedays I think I've lost it. Somedays the kids call me crazy... and somedays, I wonder if they're right. Especially when I'm teaching third graders english vocab, or picking up desks and saying, "desk! desk! desk!" Or when I was at english camp leading the hokie pokie with a bunch of high schoolers saying, you put your hips in, your "put" your hips out - and trying to keep my composure while singing that into a mic. Then later doing the "cha cha slide". On stage... Don't ask.

In touch - with that side of me that kind of says "screw what those people think of me". I think that is what confidence is based on a little... I also happen to think insanity is also based on that same attitude of not caring about what normal is. Luckily it's not exactly a fine line... insanity is way out there. Thank goodness.

So - I could tell you about going through a cave with 2 flashlights and 10 people. About my fellow volunteers nearly burning there hut down - and managing to burn the compost heap - to the ground. Learning how to put a machete together and all kinds of other random crafty stuff I never learned at home. To dealing with someone saying they'd kind of like to kill me - and bonding?? because of it...

In touch - I came to Thailand to serve. To serve God, in the end, but I think the people were on my mind quite a bit more... I mean kids talk, laugh, and play. Whats the difference between serving God and serving the people around you? Whats the difference between preaching God loves you and you need to obey what he said... and simply, loving people and striving to be an example. I've received so much more than I've given - and that has been humbling beyond what I ever would have guessed.

In touch? I've lost touch with people at home - there is no question about that. When you are away from people common ground is so much harder to find. Not only that, but when your busy - or are convinced you are busy, focusing on people and not tasks is a trick.

I'll call who I can - and write the people I can. Maybe I'll even send a post card or two. Thank you, for trying to be in touch. Life is full - And, it should be. Live it

-Nick

Just the usual

The usual?

Sometimes, I forget about how Bamboo School life isn't really that different from life at home. Then I remember how crazy things really are here.

Momochore got kidnapped the other day by an ex- student with no legs. Now, normally, that would be unusual the fact is this isn't the first time the jerk with no legs has tried to take Momochore, it's just that this time... he had some help. I was also on my back suffering from some kind of gnarly stomach thing.

The police are involved so hopefully we'll have him home soon.

The usual - kids snuck out after they weren't supposed to last saturday night - after - being told they weren't ok'd to go to kick boxing because of their bad behavior. Momo has sent them all away.

The other a couple guys trucked up the drive with a friend that had a 4 inch machete cut on his face. I jumped into the ambulance without shoes with Koala, and we wrapped the poor guy up and kept pressure on while momo drove the 25 minute trip in 12 minutes to Sai Yok hospital.

Drama, drama, drama- If we don't actually have it we make it up. We're addicts here in at the bamboo school.

It's all about your perspective. I was running kids to school with an Australian guy one morning who was so stoked that we ran out of gas and were riding the motorbike around. He was like, this would never happen anywhere else! He was new, and probably still in awe of the buffalo and bathing in the "river." I remember looking back at him... and thinking... dude, this is like every other day...

HOW SAD IS THAT???

Whenever where your at looses its flavor, check your perspective. Chances are it has potential.