What’s this, another blog?? Gasp!
I know I typically only blog once a month, but since this year is passing WAY too quickly, and I’ve just surpassed the halfway point, I figured I’d benchmark this milestone with a little bonus blog. Here are 11 things I miss after having traveled for half a year… written from my top bunk at 2am as I drip sweat, one leg out the 4th story window here in the Philippines where I should be sleeping 🙂
**Disclaimer: this list is not intended to be extensive or ignorant, I am obviously EXCEEDINGLY grateful for the many, MANY blessings I have in America— opportunity of all sorts, finances, religious and political freedom, clean water, education, safety, and countless other things. This is just a list for fun of the little things I’ve noticed myself missing a little extra this year!
11 things that I’m more grateful for after traveling for half a year:
- PEOPLE: My family and friends, spending actual time with them— although I am so thankful for technology even when WiFi is scarce or sketchy.
- Bronzer that isn’t in 10 million pieces. Skin that doesn’t have 10 million zits. Skin products that don’t contain 19 kinds of bleach.
- Hobby Lobby and Target. My therapists, regardless of whether or not I ever purchase a thing.
- Sleeping without headphones and baby white noise apps and a pillow over my head. 19 girls in one room. Need I say more?
- Ranch dressing. Again, need I say more?
- Costco with my mom. Quality time, samples, stuff I don’t need in mass quantities, giant carts that I always manage to drive straight into displays… what more could you want?
- Independence: having absolutely any control over schedule, food, clothes, community, income, etc.
- Driving. Being able to get in my car and go anywhere to do anything. And in full disclosure I sometimes get in a taxi and try to remember what side is the “American side” of the car and road to drive on…yikes.
- Church. I 100% take for granted “American-style” church and church community. It has been such a blessing to be welcomed into so many different churches, but wow are they different! You’ll never see bigger speakers than in international churches, on average 5 hours long, not in English, and we are typically preaching.
- Currency. $1 USD to 14,000 Rupiah? $1 USD to 584 Francs? $1 USD to 31 Baht? Give ya girl’s brain a break, jeez louise!
- Consistent health and/or predictable illnesses. Like, will today be the day I poop my pants, get tested for malaria, have an ear or lung infection, bed bugs or lice, twisted ankle or pulled tricep tendon.. the possibilities are endless.
It really is eye-opening to think about all of the different blessings and conveniences that we have in America, and this year has taught me more than ever about the incredible land of opportunity I was born into. The land of freedom, air conditioning, and ranch!
I hope everyone had an incredible 4th of July celebrating the blessing of America! Of course I miss these 11 things, but I’m beyond excited to see all that God has planned for the rest of this amazing adventure! Stay tuned for more updates:)
