By: Kaitlyn McCarthy
Coming into the trip to China, I was uncertain – as anyone would be – about if and how the group would work together. Looking back on it now after finishing the first week of the trip, it seems totally crazy to think that we wouldn’t get along or that there would be other issues with group members. Even since the first minute of travel, we have had an instant connection as a group and I feel like we’ve been able to build upon that initial team chemistry. From the travel difficulties we faced during the first leg of the journey to the two-hour car ride together to the nunnery – or even simple things like laughing while we work out together, we’ve been able to find harmony in every activity that we’ve done as a group.
My favorite memory from the trip so far started while we were in town, exploring the city of Shangri-La. We were headed from the gym to the supermarket to pick up some snacks when a few of us popped into a cosmetics and beauty store that caught our eye. We were actually on the hunt for dry shampoo when Amanda said that we should all do a purifying face mask together. I never thought that everyone would want to do the face mask, but I was quickly proven wrong when I walked outside to tell the rest of the group about Amanda’s idea; everyone eagerly found and purchased a single-use face mask – even Brandon and Max.
The beautifying spa treatment sat around, unused, for the first few days after we bought them. We had been doing something together every night – whether that was playing Cards Against Humanity or just talking – in the glass gazebo near the main house after we finished planning our lessons for camp and after-dinner lectures. Since we hadn’t even brought up the face masks since we bought them, I was dubious that we would end up using them – especially since some of the group had never tried a face mask before. Even still, I felt more connected with everyone on the trip with every day that passed and could feel the group as a whole getting steadily closer.
Three nights post-face mask purchase, I was completely surprised by the group. Talk of face masks had reemerged and it was happening tonight as our post-planning activity. Everyone gathered in the glass gazebo with their face mask after the day was done; we threw on our face masks haphazardly and laughed for almost twenty straight minutes while the face mask started working on our skin. I’m extremely glad that the group followed through on Amanda’s idea because it ended up being really fun and, even better, one of the fondest memories I’ve made with this amazing group of people.
Coming into the trip to China, I was uncertain – as anyone would be – about if and how the group would work together. Looking back on it now after finishing the first week of the trip, it seems totally crazy to think that we wouldn’t get along or that there would be other issues with group members. Even since the first minute of travel, we have had an instant connection as a group and I feel like we’ve been able to build upon that initial team chemistry. From the travel difficulties we faced during the first leg of the journey to the two-hour car ride together to the nunnery – or even simple things like laughing while we work out together, we’ve been able to find harmony in every activity that we’ve done as a group.
My favorite memory from the trip so far started while we were in town, exploring the city of Shangri-La. We were headed from the gym to the supermarket to pick up some snacks when a few of us popped into a cosmetics and beauty store that caught our eye. We were actually on the hunt for dry shampoo when Amanda said that we should all do a purifying face mask together. I never thought that everyone would want to do the face mask, but I was quickly proven wrong when I walked outside to tell the rest of the group about Amanda’s idea; everyone eagerly found and purchased a single-use face mask – even Brandon and Max.
The beautifying spa treatment sat around, unused, for the first few days after we bought them. We had been doing something together every night – whether that was playing Cards Against Humanity or just talking – in the glass gazebo near the main house after we finished planning our lessons for camp and after-dinner lectures. Since we hadn’t even brought up the face masks since we bought them, I was dubious that we would end up using them – especially since some of the group had never tried a face mask before. Even still, I felt more connected with everyone on the trip with every day that passed and could feel the group as a whole getting steadily closer.
Three nights post-face mask purchase, I was completely surprised by the group. Talk of face masks had reemerged and it was happening tonight as our post-planning activity. Everyone gathered in the glass gazebo with their face mask after the day was done; we threw on our face masks haphazardly and laughed for almost twenty straight minutes while the face mask started working on our skin. I’m extremely glad that the group followed through on Amanda’s idea because it ended up being really fun and, even better, one of the fondest memories I’ve made with this amazing group of people.
To me, this little piece of the trip in China exemplifies everything that we have going for us as a group: the ability to joke around, to try new things, and to be open with each other. All of these things, plus many more, have played a part in the creation of what I like to call The Dream Team… and I can’t wait for another two weeks with them.