http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org Anne Walcott - The World Race 2007 en-us Thu, 7 Aug 2008 19:38:52 GMT 30 http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=happy-new-yearright http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=happy-new-yearright After being away from blogging for two months, I've decided to do a couple more blogs, just as quick updates. When I first got back from the World Race, a friend approached me and asked if I'd be willing to talk about my experiences in Asia for a women's Bible study.  The theme for the night would be ringing in the Chinese New Year. So, last Thursday, I celebrated the Chinese New Year with over 40 women of all ages.  We had a awesome Chinese potluck and then after dinn Thu, 14 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=then http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=then After reading through my journal, I found that I had started a list called, THINGS I'VE LEARNED...OR WON'T FORGET.  I thought it might be kind of fun to share with you.  Some of them are pretty random, but I thought post, pre, and racers now might be able to relate, can add onto or see what they can look forward to.  So, here there are in no particular order... -Skype and animal crackers are wonderful, cheap things -"mine" no longer exists -best things to take...lots of Thu, 14 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=and-now http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=and-now So, here' a update on what's happened since my last blog in December. Christmas was wonderful and I had a great time with my family.  I got my sisters a little something from almost every country and gave it to them while a little slide show of my pictures played.  We then went a spent the rest of the morning at the beach..even though it was only 35 degrees!  I enjoyed being able to see my extended family for Chrismas this year as well in Michigan. the Walcott girls and soakin Thu, 14 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=readjustment http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=readjustment I've had quite a few e-mails, phone calls, text messages, etc welcoming me back home and asking how is it to be back.  To be honest, it's a mixture of emotions and it's something that I haven't fully thought about, because I haven't really fully debriefed myself yet.  The first things that come to my head to describe it is sometimes I just want to cry.  Or I do break into tears after looking at my pictures, listening to a song and putting together a slide show in my head.&nbs Thu, 20 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=hong-kong-pics http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=hong-kong-pics These are from our debreif times before and after China in Hong Kong and on the way home... Hong Kong Disney bbq dinner with January and June racers worship on the roof-Hong Kong Michelle, me, Tana in the subway flower market in Hong Kong despite my year with birds, I went to the bird market- Hong Kong This is Finding Nemo... I visited the goldfish market where there are tons of little baggies full of fish, hanging on a wall and you just pick one and pay for it.  Much easier th Wed, 5 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=oops-i-missed-my-deadline http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=oops-i-missed-my-deadline Aghhhh!!!!  This is coming out a lot later than I told most of  you it would!!  I promised some of you that I'd blog a couple days after getting back.  Sorry about that!!  However, here are a couple of photo blogs!!!  One is of our ministry time in China.  While there, we were ministering to the missionaries that lived there.   We also checked out some places for them to tell their backpacking friends about, at the restraunt they owned.  (hence t Mon, 3 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=uhohits-the-big-30 http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=uhohits-the-big-30 Here are some pics from my birthday!!   my "birthday bed" with balloons all over  birthday cake! cake #1  cake #2  Michelle, me and Tana Plus a trip to Disneyland in Hong Kong today!!! Just to let everyone know, I WILL NOT be able to have any internet access in China.  So, I will not be back online to post blogs, check e-mail (both address) or anything else till November 14!!!  Don't worry, we are okay, but you won't hear from us till then.  I'm also Fri, 12 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=cambodia-pictures-part-2 http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=cambodia-pictures-part-2 Pictures from the proviences CEH staff and daily activities Our roommate Annette Wed, 10 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=flaming-lips http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=flaming-lips No, this isn't a blog about the band...it's really about my lips. I think at this point, I might be in the lead with weird health issue this year.  At least with this one, I got to visit the best hospital in Asia! It all started on Friday when i noticed little bumps on my lips.  It kind of looked like a white film in the corners of my mouth.  I thought it might be a allergic reaction to something I ate and hoped it would go away.  However, by Monday the little bumps Wed, 10 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=my-story-why-im-on-the-world-race http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=my-story-why-im-on-the-world-race October 12th is a day of celebration.  My big plans for the day are to get my haircut and wear some make-up.  This may sound like a ordinary thing to most, but for me, it's something different. This year God has really been showing me what true beauty is and where it's found.  At home, I could spend hours in the morning getting ready for the day.  I was so focused on how I looked outwardly, that I forgot what was on the inside.  On top of that, I would often find myself Wed, 10 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=cambodia-through-my-eyes-a-picutre-only-blog http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=cambodia-through-my-eyes-a-picutre-only-blog \ Our entry The Killing Fields and S-21 Teaching First Grade Tue, 9 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=brooklyn-tab-part-2 http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=brooklyn-tab-part-2 Here's a couple more pictures from my time with Brooklyn Tab!  During these days we were based out of the church and worked with the families from the slums.   a precious little one  receiving treatment  a friend in the AIDS hospice- Cambodia  another friend (one of the most joyful people I've met)in the hospice that told us she couldn't wait to go home to be with Jesus.  working in the pharmacy!  Gabbie (from Brooklyn Tab) and me  big and l Sun, 7 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=ive-almost-made-it http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=ive-almost-made-it   I've had 2 incredible months in Asia.  I've found out what I really love and have lived in two countries that have given me more than I could have ever dreamed.  I'll show you more of what I've been doing, as soon as I finish uploading all of my pictures :)  We are now about to finish up this race and year by heading to China.  However, to finish out this race, I'm still in need of $1,200 with the need of $400 more by the end of this month.  If you can help Wed, 3 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=medical-mission-with-brooklyn-tabernacle-part-1 http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=medical-mission-with-brooklyn-tabernacle-part-1   When we came to Cambodia, to work with New Life Fellowship, the media team came to help their media team out.  Some of the media team members have been working with them, but I  chose to do some different things.  I've taught English, corrected letters written in English, and visited the proviences.  I've spent most of my time though with the medical team from the church.   My jobs with them have included sorting out medicines, taking inventory and preparing for Wed, 3 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=a-pulpit-and-some-shower-shoes http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=a-pulpit-and-some-shower-shoes This weekend was huge for me, in more ways than one.  It started out with thinking mid-week about how I hadn't preached all year and probably would not have a chance to.  At first, I was excited.  I freak out in front of crowds.  I hate talking in big groups and often feel that I don't have anything to really say.  However, then I thought about it more, I was kind of sad that I had never really felt called to do it.  I prayed that night that if God wanted me to prea Thu, 20 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=check-out-the-pictures http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=check-out-the-pictures   I'm not the best at doing picture blogs and I know it gets to be a lot to read all the blogs.  (especially for all those moms of racer's :)   So, I just want to invite  you to click on the word snapshots! to the left of this box.  That will take you into my photo album, where I've just posted a lot of photos of our time here.  Check them out!!! I've had a incredible month, probably my best yet! :)  I will post more sometime this weeke Mon, 27 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=can-i-really-live-in-exotic-places http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=can-i-really-live-in-exotic-places This is the blog that disappered, that I meant to post a couple of days ago...    On Sunday, I went to church and caught up with Becca and Morgan afterwords.  They mentioned that the girls were planning on going to the waterpark that afternoon and we were to meet up with them.  When we met up the girls, they decided to go to the concert instead.  I was exhausted, so I opted out and came back home to relax and just catch up on stuff.   I was thril Sun, 26 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=bringing-out-the-roots http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=bringing-out-the-roots   This morning was the first appointment for my root canal.  Katie came with me (it helps so much to have a friend join you!) and our experience in getting there went much better than the first time.  We talked with the dentist and deciced that it would be best to start the whole process today with a second appointment next Saturday. (I'm hoping to be able to get a bus from Koi Summit to Bangkok)  The place is really nice and when you first enter, you would probably t Sat, 25 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=i-think-ill-move-to-australia http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=i-think-ill-move-to-australia Have you ever had on of those really bad days?  One of my favorite books growing up was Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.  It's about a boy, who just has the worst day and at different points in his day, he states that he will move to Australia to escape it all.  I'm kind of feeling like that today and Australia seems like a lovely place.  :) I went to the dentist for a problem with a tooth that has been bugging me for 2 months... a Thu, 23 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=buying-a-person http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=buying-a-person Last night we took one of the bar girls that we've become friends with out.  Her name is Ann and is 32.  She has a daughter at home (up north) and told me that she works in the bars for the money and so someday, her daughter won't have to go through the same thing.  I met her with Candice on our second night out.  We went back last Wednesday and tried to take her out, but ran into some problems with the mamasung.  It was hard to leave her because you could tell in he Mon, 20 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=the-land-of-slurpees http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=the-land-of-slurpees I have loved living in Thailand for the last month!! Everything here is so much different than what I expected in coming here. Not to mention, things with me were different too. I spent my time here, in Bangkok, instead of with my team and stayed with the Salt and 61 girls and loved their friendships that grew over the month. The culture and just the scenery is different from what I've expected as well. We've been to both the urban and rural areas and there's so much of a differen Fri, 3 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=wrapping-up-africa http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=wrapping-up-africa This should have been written long ago, but I never really got a chance to type it out. My third visit to the hospital was my favorite. I took Telfer with me. The adventure started in getting there. We had a hard time finding someone going that way and then coming back. When we did, it was only a one-way ride and we didn't have any money to get home. I started praying that everything would work out and that we would have a ride back across town. Our contact ended up pi Sun, 29 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=check-in http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=check-in   Just a quick note to say that I've recently updated my photo page, so you can click on that to see various new photos from Nicaragua till now.     I still have more to post and will hopefully get the rest up soon.   I also wanted to give a quick financial update.   To finish out this amazing journey, I still need to raise $3,000.   If you would like to help me, you can click on the support me  link o Wed, 25 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=theres-no-place-like-home http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=theres-no-place-like-home This is on behalf of the media team.     When you first leave home, things can be very hard.   Adjustments all around you have to be made and one thing you really miss are things that remind you of home.   With the money the Yetti, the winners of the South African race, blessed the Media team with, we decided to use it to make the C-squaders feel welcomed to their new home.   During their training here, we decided to create a min Wed, 25 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=expectations http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=expectations I'm not sure why it hurt so much, but it did.   I've really felt called to visit the hospitals while we were here.   About three weeks ago, I really started to push that I go.   So, two weeks ago, on a Thursday, I went by myself.   I thought I was prepared.    I thought I'd be in with the worst case AIDS patients and instead, I was in the children's ward.    I'm not even sure how to describe it.   It looked like Wed, 25 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=my-little-sunshine http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=my-little-sunshine     Yesterday, I went back to the hospital and the kids ward.   It didn't seem as bad when I walked in and once again, I thought I was prepared.   Everything seemed better than the first time around.   There were A LOT more kids, the nurses were keeping busy and everything just appeared to be brighter.   I went with Chad and kind of showed him where to go and then we split and did our own thing.   I went to the back, Wed, 25 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=new-names http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=new-names The past couple of weeks, the media team has been playing...with little kiddies!!!!! Each day, we've headed out to a carepoint outside of Manzini in Swaziland. This particular carepoint runs everyday after school and kids from ages 4 to around 12 go there to get fed and to play. It's so much fun because when we pull up, there's a little group that runs up to us, with their arms wide spread and act as the official welcoming committee. We then walk down to the little buil Thu, 19 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=mozambique http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=mozambique This is a tough blog to write and one that I've wondered if I should.   Most of the time, you want to have fun, happy or insightful blogs or create blogs that state that you are alive and well and all is good.   I'm finding that as much as people want to hear about those times, they want to hear about the times you struggle as well.   Sometimes it's just hard to admit to those struggles.   For me, Mozambique is one of those times.   Mon, 25 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=swazi http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=swazi We arrived here 2 weeks ago to begin our debrief and it's been a time of healing and growing. We've been mentored poured into now more than ever. We've been knocked from operating as A, B, and C squads to becoming one unit. We've had serious times of teaching to fun rides through a safari. (I'll be posting new pics next week) And now we are heading our separate ways for the next 5 weeks. For us that means a whole new challenge. We've lost Megan :( and have decided to come back toget Mon, 25 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=ericka http://annewalcott.theworldrace.org/?filename=ericka I am so slow at posting these!!!  Sorry!!  This is a story about a little girl in the mountains in Peru.  We had a outreach one Saturday and I was standing by a bench talking with some World Racers.  Kim went to get our friend, Pilar some ice cream.  There was another little girl standing by Alissa.  I felt bad because it looked like we had left the girl out.  So, I asked Alissa what to do.  You dont want to treat one kid and not all of them, but at th Wed, 2 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT