Summer of Service

Yes, it's October and it's been over a month since we've concluded. I have absolutely no excuse to writing a final entry in the blog except that I have truly been reflecting on this summer's experience for just that long. But, the time has come dear friends, and I'm sorry that most of you at this point have lost patience waiting and won't read this entry, for I want to add the translation of one of our guides' entry in our Journal. Claire writes:
PiA - the dream of travel
-for my dawgs
Today is 7/4, America's Independence Day. It is also my last day with PiA. When I was asked to write an entry in the journal I also realized it signified my separation from you all.
Dear friends, I have complex feelings right now and I don't know how to express them, so I will just write this letter for you:
I want to thank you for the cool words you've taught me. These words are more practical than the Shakespearian English I studied in University. It makes me feel much cooler, more confident, but I hope the next tie I converse with a stranger or old lady she won't be shocked by the phrase, "Let's Bounce!"
Thank you Rory for giving me the opportunity to bestow Chinese names on those who had not had them before and to solidify our relationship. To know each other so closely has made me more comfortable.
Thank you Dan for providing medicine for me when I was sick. I should take care of you guys, but I am only human.
Thank you Leslie for having a heart-to-heart conversation with me and understanding me completely for the entire time. Perhaps if you live in Beijing we can become close friends.
Those are my thanks...next is what I most want to do:
I want to listen to more American music so that next time we're together we can all sing songs together.
I want to share "s'mores" with my Chinese friends. They are yummy!
The thing I never want to do again is the 7 hour hike up that mountain. Even though it's good exercise for the body, it is not good for the skin (makes you too tan!) I hope I can recover soon!
Lastly, I want to give you all Chengyus [Chinese phrases] to describe your personalities. They are not necessarily definitions of your character, but they match fairly well. This is how I will remember you:
My favorite dawgs:
Leslie: smart, quirky and clever
Andrew: (a.k.a. T-shirt Boy) mature
Jean: nice heart
Ashley: smart, clever, serious
Mike: active and outgoing
Chris: lazy
Betty: gentle, nice and beautiful
Francine: hot, helpful, enthusiastic, and full of zeal
James: intelligent
Lisa: beautiful like a flower
Dan: musical maestro
Rory: keen and sharp

Finally, I hope you have a great time in Jishou. Rock Jishou!
Have a trip that is a dream, a party, and a heaven.
Love,
Claire (Zhong Fan)
2006.7.4

I wanted to include this letter because to understand our experience you must look back to the beginning and follow the whole journey. (Also, Leslie wanted a hard copy). As you can see from her entry, in just 10 days Claire felt a certain bond with the group. Now, imagine spending 2 months with these people, living with them and working with them - and then having to say good-bye to the them. I don't think it was until the last day when everyone except for me and Francine left that I realized what a relationship all of us had formed together. The summer was successful and I truly felt that we gave back to the worldwide community. It's hard for me to formulate how to express exactly how profoundly this experience has affected me, so I won't even try. It was an experience that has shaped my life.
Ashley
P.S. Chris isn't as lazy as Claire makes him out to be.