China here I come! On Tuesday, my journey will begin with a 16 hour plane ride to the other side of the world! All 50 squad members will be living together in a hostel. We do not know our job for the month, but should find out this weekend. I am so excited to return to China. In 2011 I spent two months in China. I will not be in the same places this time, but we will be in a city.
Preparing for the Race over these last few weeks has been a little hard. I spent lots of time with my family and friends and was in denial about all the things I needed to accomplish. I watched the entire Downton Abbey series, skyped with friends, and did not really prepare at all. I tried to do one thing a day to prepare slowly but in all reality was just dragging my feet. Well, that all changed on Saturday when I realized I had a TON to do! Throughout this past week, I was up by 7am and working all day. I ran errands, got my new computer ready, packed, and tried to make the smartest decisions about what to bring. In the end, I have a hiking backpack (55L) that weighs about 45 pounds and a daypack (normal backpack) for all my carry-on items. Everything I have for the next year will be carried into each country. My pack consists of clothes (not many), a tent, a sleeping bag and pad, tons of toiletries, face wash for a year, malaria pills for a year, a computer, electronics, pictures, journals, and a few odds and ends. My Mom helped me fit it all in my bag!!
As I say goodbye to family and friends I am filled with gratitude for great relationships and sadness for the things I will miss over this next year. My team leader, Will, wrote a great blog last week about leaving. Basically he says, if it’s hard to leave home, see it as a blessing. It means home is good. He writes really nicely so I’ll just let you read his words…
http://willboggs.theworldrace.org/?filename=winnie-the-pooh-and-the-world-race-too
Thank you so much for following my blog. Communication over the next year will mostly be through this blog. I will be able to update it every 2 weeks, unless I am in a village with no internet. The best way to get in contact with me is through email ([email protected]). I will also be trying to update facebook and post photos.
Thank you for all your support and prayers. Continue to pray for my team (the people you see on the left as you scroll down) and for my squad (all 50 people). Pray for safety, health, and friendships. God bless.
