On the race this is the new "normal"…..
Picking organs out of your meat no longer bothers you.
You and your teammates have daily poop conversations.
You can go to the bathroom anywhere.
There is no such thing as personal space.
Smells no longer bother you.
It's no biggie seeing your dinner killed in front of you.
You can fall asleep anywhere.
The phrase “that will make a good blog” is used at least once a day.
The 15” computer monitor is the teams “big-screen”
You take tissue from public bathrooms and stuff it in your bag.
Baby powder is your new perfume.
You laugh so hard you almost pee on yourself and sometimes you actually do.
You gain ten lbs.
You freak out when you see a white person.
You don't care about wearing make-up or what you look like. You will even go days without looking in the mirror.
You forget the last time you showered.
Changing ziplock bags gives you the best feeling ever.
Airline flights are luxury days. Coach class feels like first class: Free drinks, coffe/tea, and dinner!
You steal toothpicks and sugar packets everywhere you go.
You have 5 different currencies in your backpack.
It takes less than 5 minutes to get yourself ready in the morning.
You take the airline pillow.
You celebrate when you see a toilet.
You celebrate even more when you see toilet paper!
Baby wipes are your way of bathing.
Your fingernails grow ridiculously fast.
You keep peanut butter in your backpack.
You lose it when there is warm water!
It no longer phases you when you get peed on.
When traveling in a bus or cab there is ALWAYS room for one more wait I mean ten more.
You learn to play the guitar.
You give your stomach a name.
You cry… A lot.
You look at old pictures of yourself on facebook and reminisce on what you used to look like.
You share music and movies with everyone on your squad.
You have the most ridiculous and unbelievable stories.
You can make 20 different outfits out of 4 pairs of clothes.
Travel days with the squad become a sweet reunion.
You want to go home if only for one day to sleep in your own bed, eat the meal of your choice, and see your family.
You get called out on your crap.
It's no big deal to have mice, spiders, and roaches living with you.
You realize that you can't do anything in your own strength.
Falling on your knees is a daily occurrence.
You no longer desire the things you once did.
You want to go home because some days are just too hard.
You get joy from the smallest things: warm water, candy bars, sunshine, running water, a washing machine, American restaurants.
You cut ties with people from your past.
You miss your family so much it hurts.
You find out you have gifts you never knew you had.
You fight… With yourself, the devil, and God.
You have the most amazing day and think it's all worth it.
You want to kidnap some of the kids and bring them to America with you.
Your eyes begin to open to what's really important and how you want to spend your time wisely with those you love when you get home.
You get pumped thinking about how sweet and crazy and good God is.
As days go by you realize how far you have come, how much you have grown, and how you will never be the same.
