Group 134 Staff Writers, YinD and TESS
To the Editor in Chief,
“Sticky Rice What Now?” was likely the first reaction you had from many of us, dear Editor in Chief, when you started the revival of this 50+ year-old publication. As many of us were finding our place Serving on the Other Side of the Pandemic you brought us on as your staff to carry on this wonderful tradition. Leaving the Trodden Path Behind is a scary thing for any Peace Corps Volunteer and having an outlet as meaningful and influential as Sticky Rice gave us a chance to settle in and realize that we were Far From Home and Right Where [We] Should Be.
Over the last year and a half, we’ve been your Fresh Batch, figuring out our way through service by taking Pride in Saying NO, trying our best to be American Sports Fan[s] Abroad, while staying active with Running, Badminton, and Volleyball, Oh My! You’ve kept us in check, reminding us that even if we don’t understand something, like Mr. Bpong Neng, Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Cheuu Len, we can always find a way to find [Our] Sunshine.
You are continually giving us a chance to flex our creative muscles, making us feel fluid and malleable like Snake Snake[s] Fish Fish[es], encouraging us to provide a perspective to readers about our new home via Thai Fact Check[s], and even inspiring us to ask ourselves “What Do You Believe In?” as we reflected on 5 Moments from Year 1 and our other service experiences.
We know that this has been a labor of love for you, chief, as you’ve navigated us through Wai Kru Day, The Big Cleanup, Winter in Thailand and so much more. Surely, you are running on Chaa Thai most days and nights. You have Take[n] [Us] To new heights and left a legacy of Leadership and Growth.
Know this, your, “real sweet spot[s] for those simple [things] that touch on what life is like day-to-day here” matter to us because you made us find them. Thank you for letting us all see service Through Your Eyes.
Sincerely Yours,
The Sticky Rice Staff from Group 134
Sticky Rice 