It seems like there is one word that is appropriate to sum up the last week or two of the race: surreal. It’s like I can’t keep up with all the changes and transitions.
It was so weird to say good-bye to 42 people that I have spent the year with. Some I will never talk to again. Some I will be friends with for my lifetime. Some moments in the last couple weeks have been filled with so many emotions that I don’t know how to handle them all; other moments have been filled with an utter lack of feeling anything at all. Mostly; though, God’s peace has transcended. At my last squad worship, my sister Kaitlyn Allen gave me an “adventure book” with picture, memories, and notes from my squad encouraging me through this crazy transitions I am doing: World Race to Medical School. I have felt so blessed and thankful for the support of my squad.
Vietnam was a great last month. It was really relaxing and just overall enjoyable. The scenery of Vietnam was my 2nd favorite of the race (Nepal was my top pick). We were in Da Nang, and then travelled back to Ho Chi Minh for a couple days before flying to Malaysia. Once we got to Malaysia, I had a day with the squad and then went with the squad leaders, Christian and Rachael, to Singapore. It was an absolute blast. We met up with my Uncle Moe, who has grown up in Singapore and is a well-known man. He was the best person to show us around the city. I saw more crazy expensive cars in one day than I did in the last 10 month combined. Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Porches, Jaguars…It was definitely a stark contrast to the 3rd world countries we have been travelling to.
After a great Presence of the Lord filled last worship and prayer time with the squad leaders, I began travel back to the States. Travelling alone is simple and easy for me. Except this time. Without going into too much detail, I will give you the basics: My flight was delayed flight from Singapore to KL (KL was where my original travel itinerary began). I complained to a lot of staff. I raised my voice once. I made lots of jokes with them in the non-stressful times. I got to talk about my trip. I swiped $1,000 on the credit card to book a last minute flight to try to pick up my original itinerary in Tokyo (which I really hope I can get the airlines or travel agency to reimburse). I SPRINTED to the gate. I still made a point to go out of the Airport in Japan despite only having a 3 hour layover. Boo-yah. Country #26. My flight from Dallas to Denver was cancelled and scheduled to a later flight, so instead of a 1.5 hour layover, I waited 4 hours in Dallas (It would have been longer if I hadn't made it on to a standby flight.
(With Christian in Rachael on a boat ride in Singapore wth the "cruise ship bar" we went to the night before in the background.)
And then there was seeing my family at the airport in Denver. I teared up as I embraced them—they are such a place of comfort to me after such an intense journey. We went back to Fort Collins, had a steak dinner, and things now seem not surreal but overwhelmingly normal and familiar. It's a really good familiar–I love my life here with my family. It's just been so….typical. I've eaten my mom's great food. I lifted weights at the gym our family goes to. We went boating. We are about to play my favorite card game (the name of which I can't bring myself to say). I played tennis with my mom. I went on a walk with my sister…just good old normal life.
I'm in this paradox right now of feeling like I have SO MUCH to process from the end of the race and all that has gone on…then there is this other part of me that almost feels like the last 11 months were a dream…
Overall: God is good and I'm stoked for this new adventure He is taking me on.
There are some perks to being home…what else would I do on my first morning back?
My sister!!!!! It has been SO good to see family.
