The Thailand team finally reconvened last night for our first meeting of the new semester after a glorious three weeks of winter break and relaxation. We started off the meeting with a little bit of story time, sharing our holiday experiences and rating each other’s wacky relative stories. Thirty minutes or more passed away in this manner as each time someone started telling a story it became mandatory for someone else to top it. At any rate, after numerous digressions, a bathroom break, and snack time, we all put on our game-faces and came to a semi-astute focus.

After I collected a couple of donations from the team, I announced our current balance of $11,365.32. I am very pleased with our current financial mark and happy to say we are right on schedule with previous years’ progress. The first semester is always a bit slower than the second due to the increased planning and organization that goes into larger events. I recently mailed our first $1000 check to Global Village (the international Habitat affiliate with who we are coordinating the Thailand trip) and also spoke with several of the leaders. Our next important milestones will be scheduling traveling arrivals and departures and trip logistics for our stay in the country.

More importantly, however, our meeting mainly consisted of more furious brainstorming on how to fund raise the remaining $12,000 or so. We have already lined up some paid-work in cleaning the basketball stadium after games and some other odd jobs in the area. In addition to these smaller events, we are organizing some larger blockbusters, including a comedy show featuring Chapel Hill’s improv group CHiPs, a Valentine’s Day date auction, a couple bar nights, and possibly an a capella concert in late Spring. Thoroughly refreshed from our three week fundraising respite, we are very enthusiastic about the final stretch of months coming up until our departure. The team is working very hard in just about all of their extra time to advocating and spreading awareness for the trip. Donations have still been coming in and we couldn’t be more thankful for the continued support. Thanks!