Isara Volunteer - Jen

[PK]

In April, 2007 Isara was proud to welcome it's first volunteer, Jen from Seattle.

Isara conducted a short interview with Jen after she settled into the life of a volunteer and had some experiences to share. Read the interview here: http://www.isara.org/content/view/296/79/

[thartley]

I especially like the last question and answer!   

I'm glad you've been able to be over there and have such experiences so young. 

[Ginafish]

Thanks Jen and PK for the interview!

I was most interested in your culture shock question b/c it was something I have never thought of either. Even different parts of the States smell different. Near the ocean smells way different (and more fishy) than in the mountians. And thanks for the smellivision of all the humidity, people, and um...odiforous things.

[Ming]

Sweet, I love this interview.
I felling Jen said from her heart, from her real experience.
 

[KitKat]

Jen, I loved your interview!

I liked your answer to the question about what you've learned since coming to Thailand. Your answer, doing the best with what we're given, was exactly what I discovered too. It's wonderful that you've mastered these amazing experiences at your age.
Jen, it was a pleasure meeting and working with you on the learning center in Nongkhai. You're an extraordinary young woman. 

~KitKat~

 

[melindah]

Love the interview! Your perspectives and insights are great to hear. And you're right the smells are SO different, at times I'll get a small sniff that sends me right back there. Yay for going back to school! Love you!

[JMB13]

Sweet! I'm glad you all read the interview.I think those of you that have been here know a little about the things I talked about, and for those of you that haven't been here, now you know a little more about Thailand!
 

[Soulessaint]

Your interview was very good. You have learned a great deal while being in Thailand and you'll be able to share with so many people your experience. Awesome!! Take care and have fun. Gbya

[ZeroG]

I couldn't find the Spicy Papaya Salad at the Thai restaurant I went to for lunch, but I did find the recipe.

[JMB13]

That recipe looks about right! The places I've gotten it put a few other veggies in there, and this boiled fish sauce stuff, but I know there are a few different ways to make it. I'm sure if you make that you'll love it! I can't imagine that you actually have a "ceramic mortar & pestle" though, lol.

[anabud]

Jen - once again you have rocked my sox right off my feet.  missed you really bad @ blue lake this year.  cant wait for you to come home and cant wait to expereience thailand with you sometime.  love you.

[PK]

Jen, Isara's first volunteer, is about to complete her 6 month stay and leave to go back home to Seattle. She helped with a lot of projects while here, including: REnovating the Isara Learning Center, volunteering at two government schools (and the ILC), participating in five clean-up projects, and the Song Kran helmet donation ceremony. She really helped A LOT and made many friends while here.




Thanks for all your hard work and dedication during your 6 months stay with Isara in Nong Khai. We will miss you very much!



Have a safe trip back and keep in touch.
-pk

[JMB13]

THANKS ISARA! 

I had a great time in Nong Khai! I'm just about to catch a train into Bangkok and then I'll be heading back home to Seattle early on Tuesday morning. I'm so happy to have had such a great opportunity here, and I'll miss Thailand a lot! Hopefully I'll be able to come back soon!

Bye Nong Khai!
Thanks PK!!!
 

[Ginafish]

Wow! 6 months flew by! Jen, You've set up quite a precedent for other Isara volunteers to follow. Take it easy getting settled back into real life and keep Thailand and Isara in your heart. {{huge hug}}

Personally, thanks for the Isara pose out on the street for the webcam! I've got it saved in my webcam stash. Under my bed.

[KitKat]

Jen, It was great meeting and working with you on the ILC project. Have a safe trip home to Seattle and keep in touch with us on the Isara forum.  Take it easy your first week home, the jet lag's a whopper!   Thanks again, you've done a great job!

 

[PK]

Ming and I just got back from taking Jen and her family to the train station. It was a sad goodbye but I'm sure we'll all see each other again.

[Soulessaint]

Jen, you have been such a great help and blessing to Isara, THANK YOU!!!! Hopefully, when you go back, I'll be there with you guys You have a very safe trip home and keep in touch, ok. Be safe. Gbya

P.S.
Let us know, you and your family made it home safely.

[Ming]

No words can explain the feeling, Jen is our first volunteer.
She is a wonderful young girl, she did a great job and learn
about Thailand very quick. We had a beautiful and adventure
experience together. Jen has a lot of friends here. It was a
fantastic 6 months volunteering for her. We wish you and your
family back home safe and continue your dream. And we know you will
come back again. Thailand always welcome you.

We will never forget you, Khobkoon kha Jen. 

[Jane]

Congratulations and thank you Jen for volunteering out there! It must have been an amazing experience and we're all excited to see that you had a great time.
I hope the jet lag isn't too bad and you adjust to life back in Seattle soon!

[JMB13]

Hi everyone! 
I made it back to Seattle safely yesterday afternoon, it feels good to be back to see my family!
The flight wasn't so bad. I think I'm out of the jet lag phase already b/c luckily my older sister kept me awake visiting until late last night so I slept around the same time as her and woke up at a decent hour today.
It's a little strange to be back though b/c I feel like not much here has changed (except that my 2yr. old nephew could practically write a novel with how much he can talk now!), it's amazing to see what can be done in just 6 months volunteering! Now I know- there's no denying that with the right attitude anything can be done, you just gotta say "now's the time!"   

Thanks everyone for your support, I'm super excited to have been a part of amazing Isara in amazing Thailand and to have had amazing people like you all cheering me on along the way.
I'm sure I'll be back!
I'll keep you all posted...

Personally, thanks for the Isara pose out on the street for the webcam! I've got it saved in my webcam stash. Under my bed.

Ginafish - glad you like the webcam shot, but do you really think under the bed is a good place for it? You should probably get it blown up and framed to hang in your entry way. 

[Ginafish]

I decided to rent a billboard instead...

[Ming]

That's so cool Ginafish.
I'm glad you all back home safe Jen.
How is "Night" ?
We looking for you to comeback again.
Good luck.

[Soulessaint]

I'm happy you and your family are home safe and sound, Jen. Take care, hun. Gbya

[Na Kalasindhu]

Thank you very much JEN
You are the most beautiful English teacher.I learned a lot of English words.All students at ILC miss you so much. We still study English at ILC.
Take care
P.S. I hope your mother and your sister are fine.
 

[KitKat]

   Ginafish, Your billboard for Jen was amazing! Very clever! LOL

Jen, is Night experiencing culture shock, do dogs suffer jet lag?