Two days ago the Loy Krathong festival happened in the part of the world I will be living in come March. Going to the Loy Krathong festival in Thailand is probably number 3 or 4 on my bucket list. School will still be in session in November but hopefully I will be able to use some of my leave time to slip away for a few days.
I feel especially nostalgic watching fall color the woods. I want to find a good way to remember the green rash of bamboo by my parents' house with deep orange leaves caught in their delicate branches. Also how the leaves fall around the trees in golden pools. My dad and I have been exploring the vast track of wooded land behind our community this fall for the first time. I can't believe we've just stuck to the trails for 18 years. Two days ago we explored the "hidden valley" as he calls it: the low point of two ridges that this old farmland was named after (Kenny Ridge). It looks like this:
My dad said to me at one point, "I could worry that I won't get to experience the beauty of these woods with you for the next two years or I could appreciate the time I am spending with you right now." I suppose that about sums it up.
I feel especially nostalgic watching fall color the woods. I want to find a good way to remember the green rash of bamboo by my parents' house with deep orange leaves caught in their delicate branches. Also how the leaves fall around the trees in golden pools. My dad and I have been exploring the vast track of wooded land behind our community this fall for the first time. I can't believe we've just stuck to the trails for 18 years. Two days ago we explored the "hidden valley" as he calls it: the low point of two ridges that this old farmland was named after (Kenny Ridge). It looks like this:
Among the things we talked about were how to spend the next four months before I ship off to Indonesia. I want to spend as much time as possible with my friends and family of course. I don't feel the impending deadline as poignantly with my older friends than with the people who have recently come into my life.
With everyone in my life right now, I feel like I need to continue as normal.
I know who I hope will be in my life beyond the Peace Corps and that's the best I (or anyone) can do. That being said, it is difficult when you meet someone for whom you know you will put in that special effort to stay in their life and are tested on that point almost immediately. My dad said to me at one point, "I could worry that I won't get to experience the beauty of these woods with you for the next two years or I could appreciate the time I am spending with you right now." I suppose that about sums it up.
