“I have learned, that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”
Henry David Thoreau
Today marks March 1st.
Today marks 6 months since my return to the States.
Today is what we make of it.
Today is what we are guaranteed.
Today is the start of the beginning of what we make out of life.
Upon arrival back in September, my first couple months were spent learning how to transition back into living life in America. This somewhat basic concept has been quite hard for me. Many days I am quite satisfied living my life but in waves I am reminded of my past year, the people I met, and all that I have seen. It is during those waves that I am broken once again when I think about all I have and am blessed with, compared to the want and need people live with all over the world. It has been a struggle learning to allow myself to accept and take part in what Americans consider normalcy when I know people in Cambodia and Uganda would think it all excess.
It has been a continuous learning process. It has been hard living outside of community. This was always one of the areas I struggled with most on the race, but now it is what I miss the most. I learned that honesty and vulnerability in relationships is what makes them genuine and lasting. I always knew that but relationships had failed in the past so it was not until the race that I practiced it and saw the benefit. It has been hard to form relationships with people who understand me and who I can have this honesty and vulnerability. Life compels us to have relationships where we can be ourselves, to be honest knowing the other person will accept us for who we are. I had that on the race, but finding it back home has been hard. I found the following quote and love, love, love it.
“Oh the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are.”
Since returning home I have had the opportunity to return to school as I desired. While on the race I saw the need for health care, in the hospitals, villages and tribes we traveled to. The Lord placed it on my heart to return to school and pursue a second degree, this time in nursing. So I am enrolled full-time taking my science prerequisites in order to enroll in an accelerated nursing program within the year. It is hard being in college all over again after being out for so many years when all I want to do is travel but I have always loved learning and believe education is a gift. It is a gift not everyone is given so I am taking advantage of this opportunity. I have also been able to use my education degree by teaching in the local public school which has been a joy through it all. Children cease to amaze me and they show me just how much we take for granted in life some times.
My heart yearns to return overseas, I officially have the travel bug. My passport sits on my dresser waiting to be used again. But right now I am focusing on school and teaching. I know I will return to the world at one point and I look forward to that day, but now is not that time.
As many of you know leaving my family and friends behind on this trip was one of the hardest parts for me. Well I have been able to spend much time with my family over the holidays as well as a few trips with my friends. All of which I am truly thankful.
Until Next Time
Love You Guys
Annalisa
(Christmas morning…..Sarah, Andy, Me)
(Pupusas (my favorite Central American food) in Boston with a friend)
(Thanksgiving minus Andy)
