So 10 months into the World Race, I really wasn't sure what I would be doing once it was all over. I mean, what exactly is the norm after 11 months of country hopping, sleeping on the floor, and playing charades to haggle over prices for a chicken? Too much really happened for me to just be okay with picking up right where I left off as if nothing happened. So 10 months in, I was feeling lost.
Month 11 roles around and an incredible opportunity arrises for me post-race. Big enough that I was seriously considering the pursuit of moving out of the country indefinitely for this opportunity. Within a few weeks though of getting back to the US, that door had effectively shut itself and I was back in limbo wondering what the heck I was going to do.
So Project Searchlight rolls around and I come down to Georgia to see everyone from my squad again and maybe get some direction for what's next. The one thing I knew though I wasn't interested in was CGA down here in Gainesville. When someone spoke about it, things went in one ear and out the other. But towards the end of the week, a couple of insightful conversations took place and within 36 hours I went from being adamently against coming to CGA to applying to be here for the next year.
I haven't had a single regret since. This week, my friend Robin (also in CGA) put the finishing touches on a promotional video for CGA. It gives a better look at what's going on down here than I could ever put into words. Every day I wake up with the realization right now that this is my life. These are the people I'm surrounded by. This is the community I get to live in. And I love it!
