Life must go on
BY JENIECE TORANZO "GIDGET", MESA, ARIZONA, USA - I don't know why I am sad but I am. Then I realize that I am no longer in Africa with the crew. I must say, it feels really weird to back in reality. It felt very awkward to drive again and eat whatever I wanted. The first place I went to was Jamba Juice. Yum! It meant a lot to me when my sister kept telling how much she is glad that I am back and how much she missed me. When she said that she was sad and cried a lot, it made me wonder if we had that twin thing, if she cried when I cried. I know I was very homesick, but I had no regrets going.
I had to go to work the next day and boy did that feel weird. It felt like I didn't fit in at all. I didn't really know what to say or how to act with some of the co-workers. It will take some time to get back in to the normal routine. But it is very hard to talk about my experience with other people. They wouldn't really understand. I miss talking with the crew members because they can relate and have a better understanding. (Who else could understand this photo of me and Cyndi talking to the neighborhood kids under the lodge gate??!?)
I know that life must go on and everyone will go on their own separate ways which makes me sad. There will always be a special place in my heart for certain crew members that have touched me in a way that I never thought they would. I am truly grateful for them and the friendship that has developed with them. I cannot say that this experience has not changed me in any way because it has very much. Despite everything that has happened, I would do it again in a heartbeat. I wouldn't want to give back the memories that I have gained because they're priceless. I hope no matter what, that we will keep in touch with each other. I will truly miss them and I wish the best and only the best in all they do. I hope that maybe down the road, we can all work together again or at least have a crew reunion. Words cannot express how grateful I am of Cyndi Greening and the experience that she has given me. She is a wonderful and talented person and I wish her the very best in life because she definitely deserves it. To the crew... I miss you all!