My Journal - July 29, 1993

7/29/1993

Today is our last day in Bangkok. Tomorrow we travel to our training site in Ayutthaya, the Place of Ruins or the City of Gold. We have had quite an experience so far, hard to believe we only left home a week ago. The food is great, now that we are learning a few words. Thai people pretty much eat the same thing at every meal, something over rice.  Our group, after one week, is very close. A group of people that all really think alike and are basically “good hearted” people, like Disney on a larger scale, with a bit more of a commitment. Darcy, the Thai Country Director for the Peace Corps, said something really cool about it – Lisa and I are trying to remember… it was something like we all have the same “positive attitude of doing something good”.  Lisa and I both like beer! Since we have been in Bangkok, we have been to Bang Lam Po Farang Alley to go shopping. We tried the first day… we got on the right bus, #30, but couldn’t seem to communicate where we wanted to go – we ended up at the Royal Palace, then we walked a mile or so to the Chao Praya River, we had lunch, and it was fun walking through the markets. On our return trip we walked through Wat Po, really interesting. The rest of our time has been spent in class and getting shots, six shots so far. I still can’t believe we have only been gone for a week.

Lisa had these two poems that I want to save and remember:

Comes the Dawn

After a while you learn the difference between holding a hand and chaining a soul.

And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning, and company doesn’t mean security.  

And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts, aren’t promises.

And you begin to accept your defeats with your head up and your eyes open with the grace of a woman not the grief of a child.

And you learn to build all your roads on today because tomorrow’s ground who is uncertain for plans.

And futures have a way of falling down in mid flight.

After a while you learn that even sunshine burns if you get too much, so you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.

And you learn that you really can endure that you are strong and you really do have worth and you learn, and you learn with every good bye you learn.

A Loving Prayer

This morning when I awakened and saw the sun above, I softly said “Good Morning Lord bless everyone I love.”

Right away I thought of you and I said a loving prayer, that he would bless you especially and keep you free from care.

I thought of all the happiness a day could hold in store, I wished it all for you because no one deserves it more.

I felt so warm and good inside my heart was all aglow, I know God heard my prayer for you, he hears them all you know.