Life doesn’t pause during the nine months I’m away from home. Although sometimes I wish it did and it would just resume when I get back, it doesn’t. My friends and family are still living their lives and going about their days — and I’m going to have to jump back in as if I was never gone.
With the end of the Race coming near, so many of my squad mates are talking about plans for when we return. Most are still unsure of their future plans but for me, I have a set plan for I return. I will be going back to Penn State to finish the 2 years I have left of nursing school. I thought having a definite plan of my future would make the Race stress free – a break from reality where I don’t have to worry about any “real world” things until I return – but I was wrong.
Throughout the entire Race I have been dealing with the “real world” and have been in constant contact with my advisor to make sure I have everything in order for when I return to Penn State. I’ve to find an apartment and roommates, sign and submit a lease and numerous forms, schedule classes, declare my psychology minor, complete yearly compliances for my nursing program, and apply for scholarships all from across the world. I’ve also been writing blogs and searching/applying for internships and jobs to unhappily but necessarily jump back into as soon as I return. This has not been as stress-free and easy as I had thought by any means.
Doing these “real world” things on the Race means going to get WiFi during your one hour break or after a long day of ministry, using your off-days to write essays, week-long searches to find printers/scanners to sign and send back documents, waking up at 4am to have a phone interview at a time convenient for them because you’re across the globe, and having to submit and resubmit because the connection gets sketchy and deletes all of your work. And then you throw in distractions like constantly being surrounded by your boisterous squad, wanting to use your limited time on WiFi to catch up with friends and family, adventure days with your best friends, exploring foreign countries, sleep, lack of motivation (because you’re on the World Race so why would you need to worry about anything), a bacterial infection, Dengue Fever and several cases of lice – it’s pretty much impossible to get anything done.
It really is hard to think about and plan for your future when you return to the “real world” when you’re so present in where you’re at and all the new opportunities that the World Race surrounds you with in the present moment. But I am certain God is using this to teach me about balance. He is teaching me how and when to choose to work and when to play. Although my first choice is always play, God has shown me I can have a healthy balance in my life that will allow me to be productive and make things happen, but to enjoy myself while doing so. The World Race has been an adventurous time to explore and experience the world, but I have to remember my life back home hasn’t stopped just because I’m not there.
Doing “real world” things on the World Race IS NOT EASY, but it’s about finding balance.
