Group 129 Yearbook: Taking and Leaving
Peace Corps Thailand Group 129When I used to go on longer camping trips, we'd always end the last night with a special little ceremony. We'd each have a couple minutes to ourselves to reflect on the trip, the lessons we'd learned, how much we'd grown as people, and what it would be like to go back. During that time we'd each go find a small rock and a leaf. We'd come back together as a group and share something we had learned that we wanted to take with us - something we wanted to keep afloat from this moment on: our leaf lesson. Then we'd share something we were letting go of, to let remain and leave behind as we headed back, represented by our rock. That's the central idea behind this prompt - what are you taking back with you and what are you leaving behind? - Megan Cindric, Senior Editor
I’m taking the mortar and pestle and leaving the dried seasonings.I’m taking the spoons and leaving the forks.I’m taking the nam prick (chili paste) and leaving the Tabasco.I’m taking the rice and leaving the “rice causes bowel issues” myth.I’m taking the Thai smiles and leaving the American scowls.I'm taking everything I bought and leaving everything I brought. - Tiffany Fitzgerald
Something that I'll take with me back home is my Northern Thai cookbook. I've been collecting recipes from my friends and family over the past two years and have complied them so that I can make the foods I know I'll miss once back in the States. The something I'm leaving behind is more a someone: Michael Marano. I plan to never speak to him again once I get on that plane back to Oregon. Good riddance. - Alex Cotrufello To be honest I thought this prompt would be easier to answer, but my mind just ultimately drifts into an infinite amount of answers, so I don't know even know where to start. I guess I am taking back with me an almost second life's worth of experiences. Of what could have been simply if I was born in a different place or time. I hope I can leave behind the impression of a bigger world for my community. That there is so much more geographically and culturally beyond this community. - Nathan CaballeroI will take away with me the memory of Thailand’s magical sunsets, the sounds of the birds as I wake up, the endless croaking of the frogs during raining season, the sweet taste of coconut ice cream and the warm welcome I received from my students every day. I will leave behind a piece of my heart. - Diana Garcia
I’m leaving spicy intolerance in Thailand, and I’m taking superior bathroom hygienic technology with me back to America. - Jordan NiemoellerI’m taking back an embracement of vulnerability and leaving behind fear of failure. - Kat Giannini
I am leaving behind a competent, confident, compassionate coteacher and amazing students, who are eager to learn and take care of each other. I am taking with me the self-love acquired throughout my service as a result of being loved by my school and my community without expectation or reason. - Natalie GarroWhen I leave Thailand, I’m taking with me the knowledge that I am capable, competent, and adaptable. I’m leaving behind a community of new friends that have shown me what living outside your comfort zone with love and acceptance can look like. - Celete Kato
I'm leaving a second home with a group of people that have become my family. The love that you all and my site have given me has touched me forever. What I'm bringing back is love for different perspectives. I used to be really close-minded to ideas being thrown, but Peace Corps has opened my eyes and ears to try and understand as much as I can. - Romil PinedaI'm taking home something I never imagined to be leaving with: a passion for teaching. My students in Thailand taught me that trusting and loving relationships built between teachers and their students are the foundation of true change. I'm leaving behind an official World Kickball Association kickball (thanks for the donation, Mom & Dad!) and my students' newly discovered love for the game. What started as a last-minute lesson idea turned into the school's new favorite sport! - Carly Allard
Leaving behind expectations from my service and taking pain and love with me. - Quincy CloweI'm taking with me a condensed milk sweet disposition and leaving a part of my heart with my family! - Pablo Doster RoperoPablo Doster RoperoI’m taking away the comfort of knowing how similar humans truly are - our desire to laugh, to be loved, to learn something. This underlying bond transcends language and cultural boundaries...While I look forward to taking this idea with me, I’m equally pleased to be leaving behind my need for a constant supply of anti-diarrhea pills. - Christina BeynonI plan on taking a more complete understanding of what it means to be a volunteer and I hope to leave my students with a burning curiosity to explore the world around them. - Dalton Striedel
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I’m leaving spicy intolerance in Thailand, and I’m taking superior bathroom hygienic technology with me back to America. - Jordan NiemoellerI’m taking back an embracement of vulnerability and leaving behind fear of failure. - Kat GianniniI am leaving behind a competent, confident, compassionate coteacher and amazing students, who are eager to learn and take care of each other. I am taking with me the self-love acquired throughout my service as a result of being loved by my school and my community without expectation or reason. - Natalie GarroWhen I leave Thailand, I’m taking with me the knowledge that I am capable, competent, and adaptable. I’m leaving behind a community of new friends that have shown me what living outside your comfort zone with love and acceptance can look like. - Celete KatoI'm leaving a second home with a group of people that have become my family. The love that you all and my site have given me has touched me forever. What I'm bringing back is love for different perspectives. I used to be really close-minded to ideas being thrown, but Peace Corps has opened my eyes and ears to try and understand as much as I can. - Romil PinedaI'm taking home something I never imagined to be leaving with: a passion for teaching. My students in Thailand taught me that trusting and loving relationships built between teachers and their students are the foundation of true change. I'm leaving behind an official World Kickball Association kickball (thanks for the donation, Mom & Dad!) and my students' newly discovered love for the game. What started as a last-minute lesson idea turned into the school's new favorite sport! - Carly AllardLeaving behind expectations from my service and taking pain and love with me. - Quincy CloweI'm taking with me a condensed milk sweet disposition and leaving a part of my heart with my family! - Pablo Doster RoperoPablo Doster RoperoI’m taking away the comfort of knowing how similar humans truly are - our desire to laugh, to be loved, to learn something. This underlying bond transcends language and cultural boundaries...While I look forward to taking this idea with me, I’m equally pleased to be leaving behind my need for a constant supply of anti-diarrhea pills. - Christina BeynonI plan on taking a more complete understanding of what it means to be a volunteer and I hope to leave my students with a burning curiosity to explore the world around them. - Dalton Striedel
Read previous "Yearbook" entries.