It is crazy to think that in just 3 short months I will be returning home after this crazy 11 month adventure called The World Race. As you might expect with being gone from home for so long, sometimes my mind turns to the things I miss the most about home (like trash cans). Today I took a bit of time to compile a list of the most common things I’ve noitced myself missing over the past 9 months. Here ya go!
Trash Cans
One question I get often: “What is something you didn’t think you’d miss about home?” Here is your answer: trash cans.
Everyone on my team agrees with this answer. Literally a daily struggle. Trash cans have been a surprisingly rare sight on the race. I never thought I’d miss the luxury of knowing where a trash can is. Now my eyes have been opened.
Are they in malls? Grocery stores? Nope. City streets? Not really. It’s not uncommon to carry trash around in my pocket for hours until I find a place to get rid of it. Normally it looks like asking one of the local people or vendors if they have a place to throw stuff away, which is always awkward when you don’t speak their language.
Fellow Michiganders
I’m just one Michigander living with a bunch of people from the south (and a few people from Ohio but I don’t count them). They like to boast about their good football teams, warm weather, and abundance of Chick Fil A’s.
Meanwhile I’m saying “‘ope!” every time I bump into someone at the crowded night market, then asking them if I can “just sneak by ya” like they understand what I’m saying. It’s also been a difficult transition from saying “pop” to “soda” or “coke.” Gross
Surprisingly we have met more people from Michigan than any other state while traveling. Somebody that we’ve met in every country has had some kind of connection to Michigan. My teammates also appreciate my yooper accent.
Breakfast Foods
I LOVE breakfast foods. Here’s just a small list
- Cereal and Milk: Corn Pops, Frosted Flakes , Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Honey Bunches of Oats, Honey Comb, Lucky Charms
- Blueberry Muffins
- Pancakes with Syrup
- Bagel and cream cheese
- Toast with Grandma Flick’s strawberry jam
- French Toast with powdered sugar
- Breakfast burritos
Food
Don’t get me wrong, I have loved the food abroad. But sometimes it is nice to spend a little bit of personal money on something we’d consider “normal.” Unfortunately ordering something like mac & cheese or pizza or a burger is a bit different abroad. You don’t usually get the same tastes from home. So here’s a list of foods I’m looking forward to having back home!
- A good hamburger
- Chicago style pizza
- Steak
- Lasagna
- Mac & cheese
- Spinach alfredo dip
- Blueberries
- Chick-Fil-A
- Chili
- Homemade tacos
Family/Friends
Of course I miss all my family and friends! Board games and card games with the fam during holiday season. Nightly Legendary games with mom and sis. Listening to any of grandma’s stories. Fishing with dad. Golfing with Debbie. Decorating eggs for Easter…
I also miss the Monday Wednesday Friday fitcamp group and volleyball Friday nights with Phil! Chilling at Vince & Michelle’s place on Sunday. Golfing with Hunter, board games with the JFM young adult guys, chatting with Megan, yooper accents and photography with Justin, hanging out with Steve… Let’s just say I’m looking forward to seeing you all!
Honorable Mentions
Here’s some random ones that didn’t fit any specific category but are still honorable mentions:
Driving (on the normal side of the road)
Towels (clean towels… I will never again take them for granted)
Frieda’s cat (my teammates cat, she made me put it on the list)
Essential oil diffuser (help me sleep while covering a lot of the stink? Perfect!)
Meijer/Publix (it really is nice to buy your own food and cook for yourself)
So that wraps up the list. I’m still loving the race and I’m a bit sad it is ending soon, but I know God has great things planned for these last three months. Thanks for reading and God Bless!
Question for the comments: What do you think you’d miss from home if you were on the Race?
P.s. If anyone wants to see me when I’m home or throw me a welcome home party (Hunter, Justin, Megan, Vince) you might find some good hints on this list. All of this is hypothetically speaking though 😉
