I had no idea what to title this end-of-year blog until “A Whole New World” (Aladdin) just came on my iPod. AND it seemed to fit perfectly with the fact that as a team leader, I nicknamed all of the other leaders of The Q by Disney characters in my phone (Abu, Buzz Lightyear, Tinker Bell, etc). Go figure ;]
Anyways….
Yes, it’s true. It’s the end. The end of The World Race. The end of everything that I have known and grown accustomed to over the last 11 months of my life.
I currently just finished packing up my 75 liter Osprey pack for the very last time on the WR. Oh man. Yeah tell me about. See if what I am going through doesn’t give you anxiety attacks too.
A little over one year ago, I was just meeting the other 33 family members of The Q. At that point in time, I didn’t even know their names. Now, I probably know most of them better than I know some of my close friends back at home. We are family. I have been around them more than I have ever been around anyone else in my life…from sleeping to using the bathroom, I never [get to] leave their side. I am actually quite dependent on them as well. ‘Do I want to go to the grocery store on the way home from ministry today?’ …well hopefully everyone else will agree that it’s a good idea too or else I’m out of luck.
Hephzibah on the beach in the Philippines (Sept ’10)
But it’s that time… I am going home and will soon have to make all of my own decisions. I can choose if I want to run by Starbucks on the way home, and/or even spend an hour in the aisle at Target picking out what type of shower gel I am going to use without anyone else caring how long I take. ;] Sounds amazing. But it also scares everything out of me.
These people have walked through some of the hardest times of my life. This year has been the best yet worst year of my life. Who will ever understand that? The people that do won’t be next to me for the rest of my life. I finally understand why so many WR alumni end up living together after the Race.
Cambodia (Dec ’11)
I feel that going home is almost scarier than when I left on The World Race back last September. Back then, I knew that I wasn’t supposed to have any expectations. I really had no idea what this year would look like for me. Yes, I should probably take that same advice and not expect anything of going home. I could dream of the party that will be happening when I arrive at the airport, what my room looks like at home (mhmm), and how things are going to play out for me over this next season of my life.
The Q. Final Debrief (July ’11)
I am leaving all that I know.
I’m not really the same Carmen that left on the WR last September, yet I am totally the same Carmen. I have just been through some tweaking and revising sessions for the last 11 months. Hopefully I came out a little better than when I went in.
But still, just bear with me. Be patient with me. Don’t have expectations of who I will be when I get home.
Thailand (Nov ’10)
Other than that, I’m coming home tomorrow!!! Until then…
ENJOY THIS VIDEO OF THE SQUADMATES THAT I HAVE COME TO LOVE SO MUCH MORE THAN I EVER DREAMED I WOULD!!!……
See you sooooooon! :]
