Tuesday, February 7, 2012

krob kruwa means family.

And family means nobody gets left behind. Lilo & Stitch reference, anyone? I know Em Waye understood that. But seriously. Stitch is HUGE here! I'm pretty sure I've seen more Stitch stuffed animals than I've seen slices of cheese. Oh and did I mention cheese isn't existent in Thailand? Thank you to my new friend Brenna for bringing me Brie cheese all the way from the Central Plaza last night after I got out of the hospital. I had a brief stint in Khon Kaen Ram Hospital with severe gastroenteritis, but thanks to some IVs and antibiotics, I'm feeling better than ever now!

Last week, I spent 5 days living in a railroad slum community called Theparak Nuhng with the sweetest little brothers and sister in the world. Despite the language barrier, we formed incredible bonds through drawing, laughing, and playing charades in order to communicate :)



My 12 year old brother (nuhng chai in Thai) named Kim, 5 year old sister named Po Neem (nuhng sow), and my other nuhng chai Hok Seh, who is 26 months.

I don't know that I can even fully explain everything that went through my head over those 5 days. First of all, this homestay challenged me to deeply analyze the way I view slums and poverty. If you said the word slum to me in the States prior to this trip, my pre-conceived notions would have been VASTLY different than they are now. I saw in this family so much love, SO much hard work, and an unbelievable sense of community with their neighbors. Poverty isn't faceless to me anymore- I've seen a human side to it. Considering how much I want to work in the non-profit sector in the future, this lesson is invaluable.

Believe it or not, my host meh (mom in Thai) was the community librarian at this brand new book hut! I loved it, especially since my Mom- shout out to Vicki :) - is a first and second grade reading teacher. It was precious seeing Eric Carle's "A Very Hungry Caterpillar" and many other childhood faves in Thai.




There was this one moment where I FINALLY realized I'm in Thailand. Huddled on the back of a Honda motorbike with my host meh, little sister, and baby brother. Nighttime and lanterns strung across the street with a festival blaring on nearby. Wind whipping my hair and I look up at this huge moon, realizing it's the same moon all of the people I love back home in Missouri and Texas are seeing too. And that's when it hit me. I'm living in Thailand, and I want to soak up every moment. Every single moment.


This photo is of us on our way to go fishing (hah pblah in Thai) and yes, it WAS the first time I've worn a PFG while actual fishing was involved. Go Frogs.


The day we left Theparak Nuhng, my little brother Kim cried, and so did I. As an only child, I've never had a brother. Each night when I went to bed, I would always wait at least half an hour to change into my PJs because Kim would come up without notice at least 3 times to tell me something or show me something. I remember being a kid and stalling to go to sleep, and it was precious to be on this side of it. The very last night, he came upstairs and invited me to watch a movie with the whole family. The whole family sleeps in the same room and this was the first time they had invited me to join them there. We spent a few hours laughing at the TV (ummmm... Trey Songz music video?? What?!?!), using the Thai-English dictionary to communicate, and playing with the baby. By the time I left, this family had welcomed me not only into their humble home, but also into their hearts. In the free days to come, I fully plan to go back and visit my new Thai krob kruwa- I won't ever forget their smiles, their warmth, and the way they always pronounced my name Mah-leee. It's still ringing in my ears.

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