Thank You

Well, folks, it is time. We have reached the end and thus the time for reflection. And boy, do we have a big mirror. This trip has changed a significant chunk of each of us. Steph has quit smoking, started eating well and, I think, moved one step closer towards figuring out true maturity (Yes, that is a compliment). Kelsea has opened up in a world of psychotic, older people (ie me and Steph), and though still flexible, she has become more confident and outgoing outside of her element. And I…well, prior to this trip, I was the poster child for Type A neuroticism. Now, call me Buddha Baby; I chit-chat with strangers, focus on the present and breathe and assess before flipping out because someone will be 30 minutes late to dinner. I hope, more than anything, that each of us can hang on to what we’ve gained.

But as I found myself lying on my living room floor watching Law & Order reruns, I realized this might be a bit trickier than it sounds. 

I think the secret to success lies in recreating the conditions of the road trip in the real world. Every day for the past two months, we did something new. We pushed ourselves, relied on strangers for direction and discovered incredible things hiding all over the country, whether it be the Grand Canyon or 3 ft. long beef jerkey in a gas station in Arizona. It was a world of wonder and excitement, almost like reverting to childhood, and I know that this is what I have to do to help my new self transition into my old world.

So, in this spirit, I have started a blog called Type7, a chronicle of my loose attempt to do or learn one new thing every day for a year. I say loose because I don’t want to make false promises, and I also don’t want to pigeonhole the blog. Expansion, cultivation and growth are half the fun. But I can tell you it will revolve around adventure. Around enthusiasm, curiosity, learning, lifestyle, travel and culture. It will document my attempt to live up to a Type Seven personality, looking at things from a child’s observant, inquisitive eyes and attempting to really participate in life rather than just let it fly by me on the bus. And though a big reason for the blog is my own personal accountability issues, I also hope I inspire others to live to the point of obnoxiousness–to always ask questions, to always try, and not to ask “Why?” but rather “Why not?”

Finally, and most importantly, it’s time for some thank yous. For everyone who donated, put us up, wiped our tears and filled our tanks. We couldn’t have done it without you.

Jasmine Au   Alice Christian   Norma Rankin    Sheila Thompson   Chris Yam   Sam Edgemon  Susanne Losch  Andrew Keith Cathy Chessin  Elliott Garlock  Dot Oaks  Chris C. Froehlich  Pam Boaz  Kristina Daoust  Shelley Rose   George Vieth   Steve and Norreen Pecsok   Maxine Levy   Rita Wuebbele   Stephanie Steiman    Maggie Hall    Laura Wickwire    Daniel Osit    Betty Woomer  Jan Roberts   Bruce Newell   Brenda Ross   Kelley Wittbold   Kurt Hill  Joanne Adler   Laura Riley   Lindsey Mundt   Wanda Albritton   Meredith Rose   Anita and Rob Headrick   Angie   Jennifer Davis   Wendy Higgins   Lorraine Pecsok   Nancy Pecsok   Marji Cyrul   Suzie Icaza   Joel Alsup   Catie Icaza   William O’Riordan   Fran Hickman   Larry Title   Kim Thompson  Zach Hollis  Tonya Orcutt    Mardelle Gundlach   Carmon Smith  Darlene and Jeff Whitaker  Ron and  Tina Hickman  Glenn Rockowitz  Gary Legg   Judy and Carl Mundt  Braden Roberson-Mailloux   Laura Bennett   Donna at Rodney Strong   Damon in Austin   Butch and Lonnie in Nebraska   Rachel Lipman   Jana Harrington   Lota and Bob Alsup   Milton Artis  Kristina Bradford  Chuck Lemaire Sarah Engelke    Every Manager at the Best Buy in Santa Fe   The Carvilles   Anthony Campo  Angela Hiatt   Anis and Tripp Trevarthan

A special thanks to our sponsors–Whole Foods, Best Buy and FOX 61

And of course, thank you to the houses–for everything you do.