Originally written for Friday June 29th 2012. Posted today due to lack of internet access.

Our first week in Thailand has finally come to an end. I think I can speak for the entire team that we are excited for a much needed break from the daily grind of classes, clubs, and sports every day. After five classes a day we are usually ready for bed by the end of the night. Besides developing the conversational english of each cadet in our classes, our greatest accomplishment has been developing friendships with each cadet we meet. I have found it easy to talk to the cadets here since they are full of questions, answers, and plenty of humor.
Each member of the team has attracted the interests of Thai cadets here who simply want to talk to and understand the American Culture. Befriending new cadets and developing the ones we already have has helped us to understand the rich Thai culture and its people. Personally I have been able to befriend specifically two cadets who have similar interests as I do. These cadets approached me one day this week about weightlifting and body building. I was impressed by their knowledge and experience of weightlifting and agreed to workout with them the following day. It has been an amazing experience lifting with these cadets each day this week. Although they lift in a gym no bigger than my living room back home, there is more energy and excitement in that small area than an entire Golds gym in America. Through the daily weightlifting sessions, I have been able to engage and develop an awesome friendship with these cadets. I am excited for this weekend but am more excited to see each one of us develop our friendships with the cadets as we gain a greater understanding and appreciation for their culture.
-Cdt David Winne