Reflections on the last few days

After we returned from the monastery, we have a chance to catch up on reflection. Jeanne and Chloe prepared the following reflection question:  What made the biggest impact on you today (even if it was something hard and challenging) and then what did not make a particular impact on you or was a challenge.

These were the responses of the whole group, including Chris:

Most impactful:
Sleeping on the floor (5)
The Finished Fish farm (sustainability) [3]
Meditation with the Monk (3)
All dressed up (in temple attire) on the way to the monastery
Lantern release at the stupa after meeting the monk
The bathrooms (you'll have to ask)
The Overnight (how much the monks and nuns sacrifice)
Planting seeds
This is not a vacation

Challenge/Not impactful:
Listening to the monk (hour of day, too long, language barrier) [4]
The Fish Farm (too hot in the middle of the day) [2]
The language barrier (2)
Rice
Bugs at night (monastery)
Heat/sun (2)
Thorn in the foot
Dressing for the monastery
The Overnight (uncomfortable)
Lack of Control - the first time for fish farm, temple and hands in the dirt.

Following our reflection on Wednesday, Gabby and Nikoo had us reflect on the current day's experiences.  They distributed numbers to everyone (1, 2, or 3), and asked us to reflect on the following questions:

1). Someone that made an impact on you today (the 1s interpretted this as "something" that made an impact on you today).
     April, Micaela, Madelyn and Chris all reflected on the group in some way (and yes, it was good and meaningful, so they got a break).  Sarah actually responded that Jeannie made an impact on her today.

2). Something you learned that you can apply to life back home.
     Chloe and Clare talked about the monks, Jerri about Buddhism, Nikoo about passion and Gabby about being more welcoming.

3). Something that challenged you and how you over came it.
     Jeannie said embracing the culture, Shannon said getting irritated, Sabrina said waking up in the monastery, Gretchen said keeping her energy up, and Judy said the language (but not over coming it, yet).