Since I won't be here for Thanksgiving, I thought that it was only appropriate to take a moment and reflect on all of the things that I am thankful for.
-I am thankful for my family. I don't know where I would be without them and all of the support that they have given me. I know that it's hard for my mom to spend so much time away from me, but I thank her for believing in me and giving me her blessing, as well as her excitement, for this time away. Kevin inspired me to take this risk and step out of my comfort zone in this crazy, developing country. Hearing about his experiences in Peru and Ecuador and seeing how changed and confident he came back really solidified my desire to spend such a long time away. He gave me the confidence to go and the tools I needed to get here- like my steripen, which I have used more times than I thought I ever would.
-I am thankful for my friends. Everyone gave me such support coming here and takes the time to listen to my stories and long skype sessions. I miss everyone like crazy, but know that three months will fly by so fast.
- I am thankful that I get the opportunity to explore this country and see so many different walks of life. I get to go up to the mountains in Rishikesh, the deserts in Jaisalmer, and come January, the beaches of Goa. I get to see the poverty in the slums and the rich in Gurgaon. I get to smell the scents of curry, cumin, and masala, see the colors of the women's saris, and hear the crazy traffic and wild dogs at night. I get to meet so many amazing people that I never would have known. I get to learn how to do yoga, endure 5:30 am classes, and do dance meditation with a room full of strangers. I get to travel and spend time alone before meeting more amazing people, even if only for a day or two. I get to come back to this amazing school, which brings me to my next point...
-I am thankful for Tender Heart and all of the children that I have met there. Quite honestly, I think that they have changed me more than I have them. Their kindness and sincere delight in seeing me each day motivates and excites me for school each afternoon. Seeing the change in them, what a little attention can do, and how it affects everyone around them, baffles me. Seeing a boy, who two months ago wouldn't look me in the eye as I asked him how his arm was feeling, reach out his hand and saying "good afternoon" instantly brings a smile to my face.
-I am thankful for all of the traveling I have done in my life that has prepared me for this country and allowed me to really enjoy my experiences here.
-I am thankful for this opportunity to travel to Australia and see the opening ceremony for the Special Olympics. I have always wanted to go to Australia, but I never thought that I would be able to go to my sixth continent on this trip.
-I am thankful for spending 10 days in the western world, having real showers and eating fresh salads, walking along the beach, reading, and enjoying a drink or two.
-I am thankful that my mom and brother are coming to India in less than a month, and that I get to spend Christmas with them and our good family friends.
So, no turkey or stuffing for me this year, just the day spent in the air between here and China, before touching down in Sydney at 9 pm, almost 24 hours after I depart from Delhi. It makes me a bit sad that I won't get to spend the holiday with my mom, stuffing my face with blueberry pie and binge watching the Walking Dead, or some equally inappropriate show for the holiday season, but I cannot wait to explore Sydney and Byron Bay.
See you December 11th, India!
-I am thankful for my family. I don't know where I would be without them and all of the support that they have given me. I know that it's hard for my mom to spend so much time away from me, but I thank her for believing in me and giving me her blessing, as well as her excitement, for this time away. Kevin inspired me to take this risk and step out of my comfort zone in this crazy, developing country. Hearing about his experiences in Peru and Ecuador and seeing how changed and confident he came back really solidified my desire to spend such a long time away. He gave me the confidence to go and the tools I needed to get here- like my steripen, which I have used more times than I thought I ever would.
-I am thankful for my friends. Everyone gave me such support coming here and takes the time to listen to my stories and long skype sessions. I miss everyone like crazy, but know that three months will fly by so fast.
- I am thankful that I get the opportunity to explore this country and see so many different walks of life. I get to go up to the mountains in Rishikesh, the deserts in Jaisalmer, and come January, the beaches of Goa. I get to see the poverty in the slums and the rich in Gurgaon. I get to smell the scents of curry, cumin, and masala, see the colors of the women's saris, and hear the crazy traffic and wild dogs at night. I get to meet so many amazing people that I never would have known. I get to learn how to do yoga, endure 5:30 am classes, and do dance meditation with a room full of strangers. I get to travel and spend time alone before meeting more amazing people, even if only for a day or two. I get to come back to this amazing school, which brings me to my next point...
-I am thankful for Tender Heart and all of the children that I have met there. Quite honestly, I think that they have changed me more than I have them. Their kindness and sincere delight in seeing me each day motivates and excites me for school each afternoon. Seeing the change in them, what a little attention can do, and how it affects everyone around them, baffles me. Seeing a boy, who two months ago wouldn't look me in the eye as I asked him how his arm was feeling, reach out his hand and saying "good afternoon" instantly brings a smile to my face.
-I am thankful for all of the traveling I have done in my life that has prepared me for this country and allowed me to really enjoy my experiences here.
-I am thankful for this opportunity to travel to Australia and see the opening ceremony for the Special Olympics. I have always wanted to go to Australia, but I never thought that I would be able to go to my sixth continent on this trip.
-I am thankful for spending 10 days in the western world, having real showers and eating fresh salads, walking along the beach, reading, and enjoying a drink or two.
-I am thankful that my mom and brother are coming to India in less than a month, and that I get to spend Christmas with them and our good family friends.
So, no turkey or stuffing for me this year, just the day spent in the air between here and China, before touching down in Sydney at 9 pm, almost 24 hours after I depart from Delhi. It makes me a bit sad that I won't get to spend the holiday with my mom, stuffing my face with blueberry pie and binge watching the Walking Dead, or some equally inappropriate show for the holiday season, but I cannot wait to explore Sydney and Byron Bay.
See you December 11th, India!