Reflections

Well I’m in india now and I just showed my whole family all the photos we’ve taken and really it brought back a whole lot of memories.

So really first week was hard for me and I was still wondering how I’m gonna make it through totally out of my comfort zone and with no particularly close friends but I made it through! And enjoyed it as well.

Firstly, I learnt to take initiative to get things started especially since I was expected to lead the programme committee. Previously, I was quite laid back and waited for instructions to get things done but I learnt from others in the team how sometimes you have to take the first step in getting started. I really learnt how to be a better leader, not to be afraid to designate and I think my committee came together quite well and we managed to do our individual part to come up with the programme. So thank you to my wonderful committee!

Then I think a lot of us leant how to appreciate what we have cause like Elizabeth said it was also my first time going to the market, washing clothes and definitely building toilets and wells! Secondly, after we learnt to accept that we weren’t able to teach the children much English, I think it was good that we changed our plan. The joy on the children’s faces as they played with us and did the origami activities indeed made it worth it. So that comes to the lesson of “expecting the unexpected” since all plans were changed but we managed to fit our plans into the time we had! However, I really found this a rather hard concept since I like things to be clearly planned before setting off but this trip forced me to move away from that.

Of course I have to say something about being the one with the “condition”! It was quite the event of our trip, but skipping details it really taught me a lot. I think it was truly admirable of our team that everyone came through for me when I needed it the most. I guess I can never be grateful enough for what everyone did cause no one knows what would have happened if the guys didn’t push the van, no one realised how I was breathing or if the people at “home” weren’t praying and the list continues! So one last big THANK YOU to the 23 people who have made it possible for me to be happily typing this in india!

There are a million things I’m gonna miss so I feel the need to list some so here goes: Little terror/Miss Cambodia!/BRIDGE!/ washing clothes/pumping water/walking through the cesspool/ the sunset/sunrise (that I can only imagine thanks to the clouds)/ LUCKY supermarket/ cooking and taking photos after that/ market trips to buy Taurus slippers/ the ultra friendly school teacher/ the welcoming villagers/ the pre-trip colouring sessions/ my glamorous hospital/the regular HAPPY EATING! and since everyone is waiting expectantly- the wonderful friends I’ve made on this trip! I miss you all since waking up alone still needs time to get used to!

Anyway since I’m going to be back rather late, I'll miss the gathering on the 26th but I hope you all have a great time and also enjoy the rest of the holidays!