So, I have not done an excellent job of blogging. I’ve been kind of waiting ‘til the spirit moves me (not the actual Holy Spirit, but the general spirit of motivation). So far, that spirit hasn’t done so, but I’m finally sitting myself down anyway, to edit and complete a blog which has sat minimized on my desktop for the better part of six weeks.
For those of you who did not know, I spent the month of May in Korea, teaching part time and visiting old friends. I decided to use the opportunity as a World Race practice month. So I brought my 65 liter backpack and a normal sized backpack. I also brought a carry on suitcase which I will not have on the Race. That was filled mostly with clothes, since World Race dress standards and normal life dress standards differ dramatically. This gave me a bit of an overwhelming picture of what I was getting myself into. Even though I was packing for a month, it was an entire suitcase more than I am supposed to have for 11 months! I am generally not an overpacker, but it still did not feel like an awful lot of space. I also got my first taste of carrying all that stuff around. I did use packing cubes for the first time and they were really helpful. I would recommend them for people travelling in general, not just on World Race!
I also brought my tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, and my hiking shoes, since Korea is very mountainous and outdoorsy. When I lived in Korea for three years I rarely hiked or camped, but this time I had a World Race fitness test looming over my head! As a first test, the day after I landed in Korea, my friend asked me if I wanted to go for a hike. “Do I want to go for a hike…immediately after a 24 hour travel day…Uh, no?” But, in the spirit of mental and physical preparation for the journey ahead, I consented and it was actually fun! This was maybe the first time I have considered hiking to be “fun.” Nice scenery, sure. Good exercise, yes. But objectively-speaking enjoyable to voluntarily walk up, and up, and up? I think my practice walks and hikes in America paid off 🙂
I also had the opportunity to camp three times. Two times were on flat wooden decks with easy access to clean, non-squatty potty toilets. The third was on the beach, still with clean toilets and running water nearby. I even camped and hiked in Pennsylvania when I got home, at Rickett’s Glen with some family friends. That was my first time camping on the ground where I had to hammer the stakes in the ground.
My last World Race prep story for now: I went with my dad on one of his trips to Rio! The same morning as we landed off the 10 hour flight, we hiked to the top of Dois Irmaos. My frequent stops were driven by the desire to take pictures, not out of exhaustion, though he will tell you otherwise. There’s some truth both ways. The next day, we didn’t hike, but took a bus to the Christ the Redeemer statue. It was amazing to see it in person! At the end of the trip, on the plane ride home I got food poisoning. And in fact, horrible as it was, I took it as preparation for World Race, where I am sure not everything I eat will agree with my stomach. That is the attitude I am trying to keep with most things these days.
Anyway, that has been my life for the last two months, thank you for reading my update! And thank you to everyone who has supported me so far! It means more to me than I can easily express. I am so grateful for all of the friends I have made around the world and that so many of you are willing to give to me even though we are far away!
My first financial deadline is $5,000 by September 23! Please pray that I will make this deadline so that I can attend Training Camp with my team in October. We have started talking on Facebook and using an app called GroupMe. Go Brute Squad! (It is some Princess Bride reference that I do not get but will soon catch myself up on). And if you feel led to give, please do so knowing you have a part in everything I will do in the year to come. Not only will I be really grateful but you are making a difference around the world through me and my team! 🙂 More fundraising details to come. For now, have a great last week of June!
