Well, folks, this is my final full day on the World Race.
I never thought this day would come.
I’ve had the chance to read different blogs that my fellow squad mates wrote on what it’ll look like for us to transition home and many things they said rang true. However, it’s also going to look a little different for me and I’m excited about it. You see, this is my third time coming back to the States after being abroad for an extended period of time.
Both times I came back from Europe, I spent a few months on the mainland, then moved back to Hawaii for my studies. Not the most ideal situation for me at the time. Going from traveling to different countries every week to driving 45 minutes and reaching the other side of the island….it was a shock to say the least. Living in Hawaii was a train wreck for everyone involved. (Shout out to my family for putting up with me during those seasons.)
I know what works and what doesn’t work for me. Third times the charm, am I right?
I’m looking forward to traveling this coming August and doing life in Michigan come September. I’m ready to be with people, explore different states, and enjoy what the mainland has to offer.
Many of you (most of you) I won’t see until December. For all my family and friends in Hawaii, here are some things to know about me and what our relationship can look like between now and then.
Yes, I’ll have WiFi/data, but please give me grace in responding to messages or FaceTime requests. I’m used to being off the radar for long periods of time and enjoy staying in the present. But, I’ll have (hopefully) much better WiFi, which will make FaceTiming that much more appealing and enjoyable!
I’ll continue to blog after the race is over. I hope to create an awesome blog site in the future, but please be patient as I transition into this next season and have the time to gather my thoughts. This will be my main form of communication with everyone near and far.
Also, I LOVE snail mail and would love to hear from you all! If this is something you want to do, my address this year will be:
138 Fortune Lake Camp Rd.
Crystal Falls, MI 49920
I remember both times I came back to America, reverse culture shock hit me hard. What are taxes? And large food portions? You mean I have to tip? I can’t barter for this t-shirt? I have to wear a seat belt? I don’t have to use charades to explain what I want to eat today? It’s not an adventure/chore (depending on the day and my mood) to go find coffee? I can drink water from the tap without having the fear of getting sick? You mean you speak English?
I struggled with not wanting to start every sentence with, “This one time when I lived in Spain/Denmark/(insert country here)…” I did realize though that so many of these experiences make up me—it’s an innate part of who I am. I don’t want you guys to assume I’m trying to make my life sound amazing or anything, I’m just sharing my life with you.
For those of you who I will get to see (woohoo!), be prepared that I will be a mix of emotions. I’m beyond excited to see you, please know that, but I honestly have no idea how I’m actually going to take leaving my family of 11 months, to transitioning to living in Michigan. Please give me time as I process through everything. I’ll be “same same but different” as we like to say here in Asia.
I’m definitely sad this season is ending, but I’m also at peace in the midst of the chaos of transitioning from one season to another. I know that whether I feel ready or not, God feels I’m ready to move forward. If not, I’d be gone longer than 11 months.
So yes, I’m not looking forward to saying goodbye to my loved ones here, but I’m stoked for what’s to come.
Let me leave you with one of my favorite quotes (shout out to Courtney for the find!)
“If nothing ever changed, there’d be no butterflies.”
