Before and After…the day that I left for the race, July 2011, and this morning, my bags packed…June 2012.
Well, my bags are packed. Today is the last day of the World Race.
You know it's the end of the Race when…
-You can't wait to unpack your backpack, and not pack it up in a month.
-You now have a fear of going anywhere alone….ever.
-You are also extremely excited for the freedom to go anywhere you want, whenever you want, without having to ask or tell anyone.
-You're not really sure what having your own room will be like. You're used to sharing it with 5 or 10 other people. For 11 months.
-You're going to miss being surrounded by the people you have been with for the past 11 months.
-You are excited about going home, but sad to say goodbye to your squad.
-You're already plotting out what you will eat when you touch down in the United States.
-You have heard the “what's next?” question more times than you can count already.
-You ditch stretched out, thinned out, worn out clothes, plus every other unnecessary item in your backpack that has seemed to hide itself in the darkest corners of your pack.
-You can successfully navigate any transportation situation in a foreign country.
-The idea of sleeping in an airport doesn't cause you to bat an eye-lash. In fact, you look forward to it, because it means air conditioning.
-You dress up for your final debrief, put on makeup, and feel like a normal, stylish person again….then take a thousand pictures with everyone.
-Your backpack (okay, well mine) now has half the clothes you came with, but triple the amount of paper because of journals, sketchbooks, and notes people have written you over the past 11 months.
-You can't wait to flush toilet paper down the toilet!
-The idea of a dryer for your clothes both excites and terrifies you…because you don't want your clothes to shrink.
-You're excited to come home to a whole new wardrobe. Which in actuality, is not a new wardrobe at all, just all the clothes that you have not worn for 11 months.
-You are perplexed about the idea of being able to understand what people around you are saying…and knowing that they can understand what you're saying too. No more awkward comments about the awkward things that people around you are doing anymore!
-You can't wait to cook food…normal food…with a normal set of pots and pans and recognizable food.
Oh I could go on and on. The World Race has been incredible. I wouldn't trade these last 11 months for the world. It's extremely surreal to know that we are headed back to the United States in less than 24 hours. It just feels like another travel day to another country. Which it is. But this one is different. It's much like the beginning of the race. You're excited, terrified, and every other emotion imaginable.
Thank you, everyone, for all of your prayers and support. You mean the world to me. I can't wait to share this adventure with you even more as I head home. Those of you in good old Tucson, I can't wait to see you in less than a month!
Bring on Month 12…Re-entry. Here we go!
My first team, Team Wrecked With Love…Month 1, Kenya, and Final Debrief.
Second team, Team Childlike Prophets, Month 4, Philippines, and Final Debrief!
My last team! Team TUFF (Together Under Fearless Faith), Month 9, Ukraine, and Final Debrief.
Oh Y Squad, I love each and every one of you! You all hold a special place in my heart.
Y Squad…May 2011, Training Camp. WOW!
Y Squad, Final Debreif!
Stay tuned for a picture blog of our time at final debrief in Bucharest, Romania, and a few pictures of our last bit in Transnistria!
