So I'm leaving today. I can't believe it. And I don't really want to. It'll be great to see Ivan, and the dogs, and I'm really looking forward to my trip to Illinois and seeing everyone, but after that I know me, I will hit a wall and be like, "now what?" I'm sure after a few weeks I will be back in the daily grind and living exactly how I did before I came here, but I hope I don't. I hope some things stick with me and that I've changed a little.
1. I've talked about this with my coworker Nan before, but I hope I live a little bit more "in the moment." Hard to do when you're planning trip after trip and having something to look forward to, but at the same time I need to learn to enjoy what I have, the time I have, and the people around me. In general I think we all need to do this, but if there is one thing I saw while I was at Vicky's that just stuck out to me, was that it seemed like people just lived life. It wasn't a rush to get one thing done to move onto another and just talking with your neighbor was a good time...it wasn't the idea of, "Oh I don't have plans tonight so I just talked with my friend all night." That was the plan. And it was enough, and it was good. And the act of making dinner and cleaning wasn't something they seemed to just be trying to get done. The people were singing and chatting away the whole time. I just don't want to feel like I always need to be doing something. And on the other hand, there's a part of you (me) that says, "yeah, but I don't want to waste a moment either." I guess like with anything, it's about finding a balance...
2. I hope I'm less materialistic!! Even in all my souvenir shopping I did when I first got here, a few weeks later I'm looking at it all going...I didn't need that! I'm sure I'll appreciate it when I'm home and can look at it and remember where I was and what I did that day, but overall I've lived with less here, and survived, and seen how little other people live with, and are happy. Plus I'd rather save my money for more trips and experiences than furnish my house and have expensive clothes. I like to think I'm not that materialistic anyway...but I've been known to go one some shopping sprees...haha
3. I don't want to forget that anything's possible. In everything I've ever thought was impossible or difficult at least, and then did it...I learn that I can do so much more. Before the marathon obviously I thought that I could never do that, I did, and now I know I can do anything if I really want to. Coming here...I used to think, "oh someday when I'm retired" well I've been here now and know that I can go anywhere and do anything if I really want to. It's doing the things you think you can't, and the people you meet along the way that show you anything is possible. One of the girls here (now one of my favorite people in the world) is travelling the world for 2 years!! Just going where she pleases, volunteering or just vacationing. If you're like me you're thinking..."how can she do that? I could never do that." She sold her house and is living her dream. So...it is possible. ANYTHING is if you just want it bad enough. Where there's a will there really is way, it's not just something people say, it's true. I say this all as a reminder to myself and because I have a lot of friends who tell me all the time about the marathon, moving away from home, traveling here--"I couldn't do that!" Yeah ya can. And as soon as you do you'll realize how much more you can do.
This trip has been amazing. I've seen, learned, and done so much stuff! The people I've met along the way have been the best part. Lately it's been a never ending slumber party here as a group of us have just clicked really well. I haven't laughed so much and so hard in a long time.
So, when I get home I hope to just take with me everything I've experienced here, try to live it everyday, and figure out where to go (literally and figuratively).
See you soon.
