A NEW POST.

I must begin with an apology for falling off the face of the Earth over the last several days.


YES. I am okay. I survived the fall, suffered a few minor injuries, but I am fully recovered and have returned to inform you about everyday life aboard the MV Explorer. (Hope the illustration helped you to understand what occurred during my absence from the blog-o-sphere)


Have you ever thought about what is would be like to live on a cruise ship? If you have taken a vacation in the deep blue sea on board a rather large, impressive vessel, think back to the delicious meals, extravagant entertainment, and a life without a care as to what the time might be (unless you wanted to make it to the napkin folding class at 2:30) Keep those eyes closed and continue imagining here with me – feel the warm breeze, taste that sweet pina colada, smell the salt in the air.

Now. Get rid of that entertainment staff in your mind, make that meal taste sort-of bland, and set your watch to military time. Throw in 520 college students, academic classes, and a library. Listen to the “Noon Announcements” that highlight the new schedule change, the mandatory pre-port lecture at 2000 hours, and give a friendly reminder to set your clock forward an hour yet again! Imagine the piano bar as a quiet study sanctuary and the disco lounge as a lecture hall. Wake up at 8:20 to make sure you can get breakfast before they stop serving at 8:30 and don’t forget to grab your textbooks on the way out the door.

Come back after class in the afternoon and take a look at the glowing sight gleaming into your confined room. Contemplate the arguments and facts shared in Global Studies lecture just hours earlier. The ocean is in danger. The water splashing by outside the cabin window is in trouble. 90% of the large predatory fish are gone, and only 5% of coral reefs are in their original pristine condition. And somewhere spiraling out in the Pacific Ocean is a gyre of plastic waste larger that the landmass of the United States of America.

Turn away from the rushing waves outside your window. The rapid rise and fall of the horizon line reminds you how lucky you are not to have felt any seasickness while crossing the Atlantic Ocean. Glance at the collage of photos on the magnetized wall – homemade magnets that evoke a bit of homesickness as you stare at grandparents, sisters, parents, cousins, and friends. There beside images of those held closest to your heart hangs a map of the vast world that we call home. This is what you are here for: the WORLD.

Open your eyes. Even though I am currently living on a cruise ship like I wanted you to imagine – this is no “cruise.”

This is a VOYAGE.

A voyage of discovery. Discovering the world. Discovering one’s self.

Here in this intimate community of Semester at Sea students, professors, and life-long learners, we are thriving. Together we are not only giddy and excited about seeing the world and its people, but we are also thrilled to discover how we can personally contribute to the creation of a better future for the 6.8 billion people around the world.


Though no pina colada rests in my grip as I soak in the sun rays on the top deck, I sit here knowing that any cruise I go on after this adventure will never measure up. This cruising experience is not to escape the worries of the world for rest and relaxation. It is a place, instead, to surround yourself with the overwhelming realities of the world, and to seek personal growth and inspiration.

10 countries. 109 days.
8 days down. 101 days coming my way fast.
I’m buckling up - this adventure calls for it!

__________________________

OH! ONE MORE THING!

If you are reading this, I am currently in CADIZ, SPAIN!
We will be pulling into port here in the next several hours! (Wow, I need to go to sleep!)
Goodnight :)

I’m sailing on a Ship that’s bound for JOY!

And they are OFF! Rockin’ and Rollin’ across the Atlantic Ocean is the name of the game for the 520 students aboard this 100th voyage of Semester at Sea!!

These last 2 days have been filled with hand shaking (don’t worry Mom, I’m using hand sanitizer several times a day), name exchanging (and forgetting), bag unpacking , and meeting attending. I have managed to arrange the contents of my two large duffels in every crevice of the room.

The greatest surprise of the first two days was finding out that my roommate is a girl from Mississippi that I met the night before at the Westin! I’m so excited because we get along great! It’s funny how even just being from the south helps the two of us immediately understand one another!

Yesterday was THE day long, informational meetings. Here’s the deal. We talked about everything from why it is important to NOT rest your hand in the door jam (amputated thumb = NO BUENO) to why you should not leave your laptop on the deck (ship turns sharply, the pool becomes a tsunami, stuff is ruined). Very informational. I struggled to keep the big blue eyes open. But I managed and made it through the day.

Last night there was a fair of different activities that you can join around the ship. I signed up to be adopted by a life-long-learner (a.k.a. an old person who will spoil you by hopefully taking you out to dinner one night), yoga (along with the other 519 students on board… holy moly), religious/spirituality group, students of service, and student ambassadors. This leads me to a question. Why the heck am I ALWAYS sucked in by “involvement opportunities?” So, I am not necessarily in these groups, I’ll just receive e-mails. Maybe my goal should be to CHILL OUT. Which I think I will soon enough.

Today CLASS BEGINS. Daunting. Intimidating. Rocking. Rolling. I’m excited! I have documentary film in less than an hour, and U.S. South following right after.

Last thing before I go. CHECK OUT THE SAS BLOG!!! Mom and I are featured! Well, at least our photo! The only shot up on the blog so far (unless they have updated it.) Mom is rockin’ the SAS sweatshirt! I just think this is HILARIOUS because I know Mom likes being “behind the camera”!!! Check it out!

MacKay Bridge.

WE ARE IN HALIFAX, CANADA!!!

After a long day of travel, we have made it. With one hour of sleep under my belt and a mother who pulled an all-nighter, we drove into the Birmingham airport at 5:00AM Tuesday morning. Good thing our flight from B’ham to LaGuardia was not even half full because my checked luggage weighed as much as a human being. Seriously.

Looking through my mother’s old photos, I came across one in particular with little Louisa with her pile of suitcases ready to set sail. I laughed and thought there was no way I would take that much stuff! And while I did not take as many bags as her – two heavy rolling duffel bags does seem excessive. Thank goodness that once I get it into the cabin, I’m good to go for 109 days!


So, the LaGuardia airport was frustrating. We came in on a small plane, exited the plane down stairs onto the runway, boarded a bus to transport us to a building, walked around asking every person in a uniform where the Air Canada terminal could be found. We were directed to hop on another bus. Once we reached the main terminal, we had to pass through security again – which I must interrupt myself to ask a question. When we take our shoes off in security to walk through – what fungi on the ground are we stepping on? All I know is from here on out I’m always wearing socks to the airport.

Okay, well once down the terminal, which is not air conditioned but decorated nicely with huge commercial fans – mom notices all the people sneezing, and we both start to feel like we are surrounded by the swine flu. I talked and laughed with Caroline on the phone for a while, and then thank goodness boarded the plane and off to Canada!

Now we are in Nova Scotia. Which is beautiful by the way! We squeeze my extra human body (luggage) into the car and drive away ready to reach the hotel and SLEEP.

Now that I'm going to share a little secret with you. I have no sense of direction, so why my mother trusted me to get us to the hotel is beyond me. But, I sat up straight and buckled-up determined to get it right. Everything was going great. I was feeling so good about it that I talked to Paige on the phone for a bit and was looking off enjoying our lush surroundings. Well, I was supposed to get us to the MacKay Bridge. Here is what I was looking for:


Seems like it would be pretty manageable for a 20-year-old to find, right? WRONG.

We missed the exit without knowing. End up in a shopping mall, ask random guys how to get to the Westin. Attempt to follow directions, but because the little symbols on Canadian road signs are impossible to read unless you have 20/15 vision – we miss it AGAIN. End up in another shopping complex.

This time Mom takes things into her own hands. Goes up to a random man waiting outside a steak house. This time with a map – she is taking notes. Back on the road, we finally get it right. Hit a toll – don’t have Canadian money. Mom uses our default excuse – “WE ARE FROM ALABAMA.” He laughs and says to toss 3 American quarters in the bucket.

Now we are cruisin’ down Barrington street – almost there! We are excited. Somehow miss the turn onto Hollis Street. One thing that is fascinating about these Canadian people is I don’t that they make mistakes when driving. Why you ask? There is NO WHERE to turn around if you screw up! Trust me. Mom and I know. Well, even though we are exhausted we get here. I make the bell boys at the front get the extra human out of the car.

Regardless, WE HAVE MADE IT!

EXPLORING the recycling bin.

A few days ago, I was emptying my recycling bin into the huge pile of paper at the office and a lonely looking catalogue caught my eye. So, I snatched it up, stuffed it under my arm, and sauntered back to my cubicle. Flipping through the pages, I discovered immediately that the catalogue was chalk full of those little necklaces attached to cardboard squares that have cute sayings on them. I had seen them before at Perspicacity in Seaside, FL. 

What I remember most about these adorable little gifts.... they were darn expensive, especially being SO TINY! But, I will say this "Dogeared" company does a great job on creating a product that women will want to purchase! I found two necklaces that I would love to have because they make me think about this adventure I am about to embark on!!!!!!!!

I cannot even begin to imagine what all I am about to experience out there in this big world --- but what I do know is that.... I CAN'T WAIT!

15 days.

Feeling the Pressure!

This morning, across the US, we are waking up, some of us are going to work, others are sleeping-in, and another 521 of us are freaking out because in 16 days we will be getting on a ship to circumnavigate a planet that is home to 6,777,160,439 people (or for a more exact number click this link: http://www.census.gov/main/www/popclock.html).

I started to pack last night. Seriously this time. Not just browsing Lonely Planet Forums or looking through old photo albums from my mother’s SAS voyage in 1978. Yes, last night I mustered up the courage to look that oversized bright green rolling duffel bag in the eye and say, “I’m not intimidated by you!”

Well, it didn’t actually happen that way. Instead, I decided to toss every piece of clothing that I am half-willing to wear in public on my double bed. This way I could not go to sleep until I picked up each individual pair of j.crew chino shorts or worn-out black leggings (or whatever it was!) off my mattress and decided whether it was going to be stuffed in that awkward duffel or be shoved back into my dresser drawer.

Mom – if you are reading this right now, I know that you are laughing. For the rest of you reading this, you should know that around midnight… I gave up. There now rests very large pile of confused clothing on the carpet at the foot of my bed.

In an attempt to remain an optimist, I shall make myself celebrate the small victories in life:

1.  I did make it through about ¾ of my Mount Everest of clothing!
   
2. Because my older sister is so full of wisdom from her own SAS voyage (summer ’07) – I have officially decided to make her bedroom my “packing room.” Her floor has become a collage of brightly colored t-shits, necessary footwear (yes, I caved – I now own Chacos), and several other (as SAS suggests…) “conservative, drip-dry, lightweight” clothing selections.
   
3.  After Mom and my Wal-Mart outing (that consisted of 2 trips because we ran into so many people we knew the first time, we had to go back several hours later to avoid familiar faces) – I am now the proud owner of the “compact leather case of any over-the-counter medication you could possibly need on a trip around the world.” I am very excited to be this prepared. If you are reading this, and will be on the MV Explorer with me – for any medical emergencies feel free to find me on board.
   
4. My supply of daily contacts arrived today. Thank goodness! I will now be able to actually SEE the world!

That is it for now. If you feel like listening to some really excellent music, might I make a suggestion? Yes. NEEDTOBREATHE is the name of the band; Washed by the Water is the song. Here is an acoustic version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYGhMGYPQYQ

Discoveries.

Mental Preparation.

O Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.

You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my every thought when far away.
You chart the path ahead of me
and tell me where to stop and rest.
Every moment you know where I am.
You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.
You both precede and follow me.
You place you hand of blessing on my head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to know!

I can never escape from your spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!
If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the place of the dead,
you are there.
If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
even there your hand will guide me,
and your strength will support me.
I could ask the darkness to hide me
and the light around me to become the night –
but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.
To you the night shines as bright as day.
Darkness and light are both alike to you.

Psalm 139:1-12