Welcome Home!

Welcome home everyone! Wherever your home may be, I hope you all had a safe journey back. Although it's always exciting to get home again after a journey like this one, I know that it takes time to "recover" from the amazing experience we just had. Even though it's my third time, for the past few days I have still felt like I didn't know where I was! It's natural. Just some tips for any strange feelings you might have after the ship, as this is my third time to deal with it:

1) Still feeling like you are at sea? This is normal. I always feel dizzy for a few days after getting off the ship. It's normal for your body to take some time to get used to being back on land! Just accept the strange feeling. It will go away soon.

2) Feeling a little empty? This is normal too. After meeting so many amazing people, I know how strange and lonely it can feel to suddenly be without them. Don't worry. This is natural and this feeling is also temporary. I always feel a little empty for a while after the ship, but then this is replaced by a very good feeling--the feeling that I have new amazing friends all over the world...the feeling that I have made the world a more understanding place by learning about others and getting over my stereotypes and fears...your feeling of emptiness will soon be replaced by a warm feeling that will last for years. Trust me.

3) Hate going back to work? Hmmm, maybe this is the most difficult part. But, as I told people on the ship many times, SWY always makes me feel better about what I do. As a teacher, the SWY gives me more energy and enthusiasm for what I do. Put the energy of SWY into your work and you will feel better. After SWY, I think it's better to be busy than to have nothing to do!

Anyway, just wanted to give some pointers for anyone feeling strange or down after the ship. Any bad feelings are temporary. But the great feeling from SWY is NOT temporary!