“Sometimes it’s good to eat.” She said. My kid. As she sat down to a hot bowl of buttered noodles after a long cold walk with the dog in the woods.

“A hot meal an amazing thing, isn’t it?” I said.

“Yes, but I’m really hungry today.” Uh oh. I thought.  Am I a bad citizen of the world? That my kid doesn’t know how miraculous it is to sit down to a hot, delicious meal in a warm house, while the wind blows the last leaves off the trees and the dog – literally – sleeps by the fire?

So this is for her.

When we asked people to tell us why they’re thankful this year, many told us about their personal blessings: babies, travels, friends, challenges overcome. And I can tell you all the little wonders of my life: my mom hit 85 this year, my daughters are fascinating and strong human beings, the fish tank bubbles nicely, and my dog. Well. She is a miracle of dogness.

But the structure holding all that up? The absolute wonder of living in this country, at this moment.

Here, then, my list of the big things that make life a pleasure, and a possibility – and which everyone should have…  While all of us humans have so many of the things that make us lucky and happy – shared meals, family and friends, sunsets and animals – so few of us have the things that make life easier and more possible.

Please add your own!!

• Antibiotics: My kids probably would be gone by now without them.
• Clean water. Coming out of the tap. Cold AND hot.
• Universal, free, good public education. For boys AND girls.
• Public transportation.
• Public parks. And gardens. And playgrounds.
• Shoes. Sneakers. Boots. And that I rarely see someone without them.
• Telephones. Computers. Televisions.
• Abundant (perhaps too much so) food. That I simply bought in a store, carried home, and cooked.
• Washing machines. Vacuum cleaners. Blenders.
• Newspapers. Magazines. Free speech.
• Shampoo. Soap. Lotion.
• Jobs. Jobs that actually work to build a better world.

And this job, at United Planet. Because we recognize that sharing our wealth, building community, recognizing the vitality and dignity of every person, no matter where – is something to really be thankful for.

It’s good to eat buttered noodles. It’s good to lie down with the dog in front of the fire. And it’s good, really good, to work to enable people to open their hearts and their minds to the wonders of the world.

We wish you the best of this season of thanksgiving and celebration. Let us know what’s making you happy and thankful this year!

It's a big world, but we all live here.

United Planet works very hard to make sure our volunteers get the most out of their time working on projects in their countries. So we take pains to prepare them for what’s to come: culture shock, preconceptions about Americans, health and safety precautions, and more!

This year, we gathered the incoming crop of Long-term volunteers (they’ll head out in January 2011 for either 6 months or a year) for a weekend of training on a beautiful lake in New Hampshire. We had a great time getting to know them, and engaging in lots of fun activities.

A few highlights:

• Matthew, a seasoned international traveler and volunteer (and a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer), will be one of four UP volunteers heading to Australia for our first time there!
• Harold and Erin, in their mid-20s, are going as a couple to Ecuador.
• Teijna, who was raised by parents who speak Finnish (but doesn’t herself), is heading to Finland to explore the land of her ancestors.
• Dilpreet, a young man whose parents are originally from India, is heading to Uganda.
• For the first time, United Planet is sending Long-term volunteers to Australia, South Africa, and Indonesia; we can’t wait to hear how it goes!

Thanks to everyone who participated; we’re anxious to follow their stories.

United Planet shirts go out into the world

I guess this is what you'd call "team building."

However you spell it, it comes out "Volunteering is awesome."

United Planet Vice President Theresa Higgs had a wonderful time in Mongolia this month. She was traveling and training and making connections in the capitol and the countryside, along with Anindita Dutta Roy of iEARN.

See several photos of their travels on Flickr.

Here’s a sampling…

United Planet and iEARN training Mongolian students on using computers

United Planet Vice President is the princess of United Planet

Theresa with Sarantuya in front of a traditional ger (yurt)

How cute is this little Mongolian girl?

One of the joys of working at United Planet is hearing from volunteers currently working in other countries. Their stories are vibrant, funny, touching, and inspiring — and make us want to hit the road!

This week we heard from Ben, who’s in Nepal on a Long-term Quest; and from Michelle, who just returned from a four-week Quest to Cambodia. Both have been working in orphanages and maintaining lively blogs. Great reading, touching stories.

• Michelle’s blog from Cambodia
• Ben’s blog from Nepal

A few excerpts. From Michelle on her first day:

You just gotta go with the flow in Cambodia...

“I’ve learned from the flights here that I can manage by myself and by doing so, I’m on the road to growing up. I also really miss everyone at home already. This is going to be a huge adjustment, I’m not sure how but I think I’ll be able to handle this… but it is going to be a long month…”

And several weeks later: “This whole thing has been an  indescribable experience… Everything is so different from home and even though I miss home like crazy, I’ve gotten to be so comfortable in this area. There isn’t any structure, there is a general routine that I follow, but everything is just so laid back and carefree.

“I appreciate Cambodia and everything in it so much more every day. I can’t believe there is only one week left until I come home… I feel like my life is going to be so much more different now that I’ve done this and this has undoubtedly been the best decision I’ve ever made.

“Tonight showed me how much of a difference that I and all the other guests and volunteers make… I wish I could bring a piece of everything that is good, happy & enjoyable home with me…. so every single one of the kids … but pictures can suffice. This is really an experience that has to be personally experienced and lived for one to truly understand the magnitude of realization, appreciation and gratitude that it instills in someone. This has not, in the least, been a depressing experience. it has not been at all what I thought it would be but that is far from a bad thing, I’ve loved every minute of it… the cons are outweighed by the pros enormously.”

That’s how much you can change and grow from stepping outside of your comfort zone, challenging yourself, meeting new people and living in a completely different environment.

Ben’s experience in Nepal has been great from the beginning (see an earlier blog post of his we published). Spending 6 months somewhere really allows you to get used to feel comfortable in a new way of life.

You just gotta wait for the right moment in Nepal...

Ben writes: “Here’s the thing about being abroad for long periods of time; after the first couple months, everything evens out and what once was your life of exciting travels and adventures becomes your life. This is a bittersweet experience. For one, you feel completely integrated into your new home and it’s like you had been here for years. On the other hand, you lose a lot of the wanderlust that once occupied your mind at every turn.”

Ben has traveled a lot around Nepal. Here is an account of a trip to Bhaktapur:

“Bhaktapur is a beautiful city full of temples and palaces that are still in near pristine condition. You could spend hours staring at one section of the roof and still not see everything the intricate hand-carvings have to offer.

“Bhaktapur is known for its temples, woodcarving and yogurt. This yogurt is honestly the best yogurt in the world. It actually tastes like yogurt should taste. If you have tried Yagoot, it’s like that, but better.

“Steve [the friend Ben was travelling with] and I had a great time exploring the city. We decided to wander out of the tourist area and see the area where people live. Steve took some great pics of the Nepali people, completely candid. It was a beautiful thing to witness. There were children on giant swings and old ladies sitting out on their stoop just enjoying life.

“What got to me most of all was how happy everyone seemed. Steve said that people here weren’t caught up with the craziness of the world like we are back in the US. They took time to just be and are much happier for it. No one could have said it better.

“After doing a bit of shopping we decided to head back to Thamel. We walked back to where we thought the taxis would be, but we must have taken a wrong turn because there were no taxis to be hailed. While we were walking we met this incredibly nice Nepali family. The oldest daughter spoke some English, so we were able to communicate. The father is a wood carver and he proudly showed us a picture of one of his pieces of work. The oldest daughter was very excited to meet us and asked us to write down our email addresses, so we could keep in contact.

“Steve took pictures of the family, which they loved and we then told them we had to turn back and find a cab. We said goodbye and headed back the way we came. Not five minutes later a taxi pulls up beside us. The daughter and her father had seen a taxi and brought it to us! This was definitely one of those moments that everyone who goes abroad to volunteer wishes for. It was such a simple thing, but it meant the world that these people would go out of the way to help a couple of foreigners that they had just met.

“When we finally reached Thamel it was dark and we had yet to eat dinner (although I was still pretty full from breakfast), so we went to OR2K, an awesome Israeli restaurant where you sit on the floor and enjoy good tunes and even better company.

“Steve and I ended up meeting a Sahdu from L.A. named Jay. He has been traveling between Nepal and India for 6 years seeking enlightenment and learning from gurus all over. His stories were amazing and definitely inspiring. We spoke for quite a while and towards the end he recommended that I travel to a meditation center outside of Pokhara for a 10 day meditation retreat. That night I hopped on the computer and applied right away! Now, on Oct. 31st I will be heading to Pokhara and participating in this retreat. I am so excited and I think it will be just what the doctor ordered.”

The wonderful exchange between public schools in Mongolia and Boston will take place in 2011. Fifteen students and teachers from each country will have their minds and hearts opened by traveling to the other country, living with families, touring historical sites, and exchanging information about media in a civil society. These folks will travel free of charge, thanks to a grant from the U.S. State Department Bureau of Cultural and Educational Affairs  – surely giving them a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

United Planet is honored to be the organization chosen to implement this program on the ground in Mongolia and in Boston, MA. But what a task! We have to train teachers, interview students, locate host families, consider translation challenges – and learn loads and loads!

United Planet Vice President Theresa Higgs, herself a returned Peace Corps volunteer and veteran traveler, has been in Mongolia for the past couple weeks – and it’s been an eye-opener, even for her!

Read on for some of her funny and touching observations; and feel free to contact us for more information!

Notes from Theresa Higgs, reporting from Mongolia…

My trip is coming to an end as I leave tomorrow morning, but this program is just beginning!  The first 2 days of the 3 day youth journalism/media training were terrific!  Doing trainings like this in a different culture is always nerve-wracking, as you are not sure how activities and information will be received and how your communication style will blend with or conflict with the local style. 

I’m happy to report that this training has been a success!  Aside from a few challenges with translation, the participating students and teachers from 10 schools from around the country are so motivated and focused on learning more about journalism and community action. They have truly inspired me!  I know that students in Boston and Mongolia will learn a lot from each other and will have the experiences of a lifetime on their exchanges in 2011.  Anindita, my colleague from iEarn, and I are so excited about the incredible things that will come from this program over the next 13 months!

As I am preparing to leave this wonderful country, I thought I would share with you the things I am thanking the Great Mongolia for…

Thank you, Mongolia, for:

• Showing me the power of family warmth and love, even in cramped quarters and with the most limited of resources.
• Filling my lungs with more cigarette smoke this past week than all of my previous 33 years.
• Warming me up during the cold Mongolian winter in the warmest of gers!
• Scaring the **** out of me every time I cross the street.
• Sharing with me your students who are some of the most passionate and motivated I have ever met.
• Filling me full of more red meat this past week than I have eaten in the past year!
• Providing me insight into the joys and challenges of a country in transition from socialism to democracy, and what that means in the lives of young people and ordinary citizens.
• Leaving me with wonderful memories and a special place in my heart just for the warm Mongolian people!

And thank you to the U.S. State Department, Bureau of Cultural and Educational Affairs, for creating this program and providing all the funds to make it happen!

Final words from the most famous Mongol, Chinggis Khan himself – “If my body dies, let my body die, but do not let my country die.”  Mongolia has only flourished since his death almost 800 years ago!