The half-way mark is here. . .
Everyone remembers that time in life when they were slapped in the face with a new reality, well, new to them. For me, it was in college. My first two years of school I was under the impression that everyones parents paid for their education. The idea of a student load was foreign to me. This not so foreign concept was soon revealed to me and I cannot recall ever feeling more foolish, and my appreciation for Tami [mom] was quickly re-evaluated.
I am finding myself more and more re-visiting this feeling of foolishness. Traveling the world has had it’s perks and it’s downfalls. . . I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything.
That being said. . .
I’ve compiled a list of things that I’ve developed a new
appreciation for both internationally and stateside, hopefully it will instill in each of you a new appreciation as well.
International excitements:
1. I am a celebrity [whether it’s my height or fair skin, I’m famous]
2. Un-Real experiences. [truthfully, you find yourself asking that question often, “Is this real right now?]
3. Things are often way cheaper than at home
4. Lack of entitlement
5. World wide network of friends and family
6. Openness to wild foods
7. Geographic landscapes of this world
8. Seeing tangible WORLD CHANGE through the work of my hands
9. Learning about different cultures
10. Feeling so far from home, but surrounded by family at the same time
11. Freedom to Live, Learn, Mess up, and keep going
12. Having more than 5 different currencies in my wallet
13. I am living out a dream
14. Simple living
15. Bucket showers
Stateside Graces
1.
Clean Water. [ Hygiene is simple, when you have
clean water]
2.
A Healthy Diet. [Living poor, means sacrificing
nutrition]
3.
The freedom to be alone. [Independence to just
go-to the gym, or store. . ]
4.
Clean air. [Or in a society where pollution is
even noticed]
5.
Enforced education.
6.
Free Will. [My family won’t disown me if I
choose a different religion than theirs]
7.
An effective/authoritative law. [Corruption
breeds so much disaster and division among nations]
8.
Awareness and Patience for others.
9.
Customer service
10.Being understood in my
culture. [I will treat foreigners with extended grace]
11. A home that’s always open
to me-Full of love and A/C.
12. Pavement [particularly roads]
13. Clean Laundry [ via washing
Machine and dryer ]
14. The ease and convenience
factor America offers
15. Equality of Men and Women [
I was slapped by a random man in India, it’s culturally accepted and seen as a
simple ‘degrading comment’]
The freedoms of life back home is hard to fully appreciate
and know when you’re blinded by your Starbucks and lunch dates; When days seem
too short and work seems never ending. When LIFE issues are which restaurant
to make dinner reservations for. .
Real Life Issues, it’s that same ‘slap in the face wake up call’
