I have been back in the states for a little over 3 weeks. I arrived at the JFK airport from Dublin, Ireland on Septermber 3rd, and as I was departing from my WR family, I was 
greeted by my real family at the terminal gate. Yes, I was an emotional wreck! I spent the first week back with my parents in the Big Apple- it was filled with family/friend reunions, shopping!, alot of eating, even more walking, and an ample amount of sight-seeing which included The Met, Central Park, and the Botanical Gardens.
Ironically, the first meal I had back in America was… chinese! I found myself on the streets of China Town reminiscing over the smells, sights, and sounds of Asia. Yes, Asia was definitely my favorite stop on the race.
The hotel wasn’t too shabby either- a king size bed all to myself; hot, steamy showers with an outrageous amount of water pressure; a mirror that allowed me to see what the bottom half of my body actually looks like; a sweet smelling aroma that was intoxicating to my nostrils; and aircon that was so cold I needed a sweater to keep me warm. Needless to say, it was glorious!
One of the highlights of NY was having lunch with my friend Bethany who lives in Brooklyn. Yes, I was thrilled I got to see her, but it was the experience we had that made it so memorable. We decided to go to a restaurant that I would say is pretty upscale that’s located in a pretty posh area. I ordered tuna salad, and it was oh so yummy. Something happened though as I was lifting a forkful of tuna.
I have started helping my friends Holly and Kyle out with their 3 amazing kiddos: Lily (3.7 years), Cecil (23 months), and Emma (6 months). I love that I can help serve my friends and play with their children as my job!
One of the highlights of NY was having lunch with my friend Bethany who lives in Brooklyn. Yes, I was thrilled I got to see her, but it was the experience we had that made it so memorable. We decided to go to a restaurant that I would say is pretty upscale that’s located in a pretty posh area. I ordered tuna salad, and it was oh so yummy. Something happened though as I was lifting a forkful of tuna. All of a sudden, as if I was seeing things, I saw this huge brown object, larger than the size of a quarter, crawling out from underneath the tuna. As quickly as I could blink, this thing that could only be described as a creature that was half crab- half spider, was sitting atop my tuna, staring back at me, as it pinched it’s little claws.
And this is the defining moment I knew the race had forever changed me: I didn’t scream, get up, or knock half the table over in fear of this foreign looking freak of an insect. Upon telling my waiter of the situation though, he proceeded to jump 5 feet back! Our whole meal was comped, and that’s when I knew I really wasn’t overseas any longer (but judging by the weirdness of this critter I could have been). Good times for sure. Sadly, no, I don’t have a picture of the little guy.
I am now home, and transitioning back to life in Saint Augustine… and everything has slowed down a lot.
[My first stops were Chick-Fil-A (oh glorious sweet tea, how the rest of the world should know of your goodness), the beach, and Target!]
I have started helping my friends Holly and Kyle out with their 3 amazing kiddos: Lily (3.7 years), Cecil (23 months), and Emma (6 months). I love that I can help serve my friends and play with their children as my job!One of the top questions I get asked is, “What’s next?” It’s asked so often, I am starting to believe people know that once you decide to do something that will radically change your life, you can’t ever go back to OK.
I knew ending the race that I couldn’t ever go back to what the world calls normal. Yes, the race has ended, but this journey God has me on is only the beginning. I come home with a passion in my heart that is so big it could only be from God. The plans He has for me is far from over, and now I have to pursue this God-sized dream in order for it to become a reality.
More to come . .
