Okay, so I feel like it's time for some updates while I have the chance. Our current time zone is in Azores, which means it's currently 1926 here (7:26 for those who don't run on military time). And it is 3:26 where you are sitting. This is the first time in like 3 or 4 days where we FINALLY don't have to advanced our clocks by an hour. The ship is absolutely glorious, and I feel like I have been on it for days. You really lose track of things and the concept of days and times while at sea with no land in sight.
I love the rocking notion of the boat, as it puts me to sleep well.
My classes are pretty rocking'. I have 4 total, and they're all on A days (Brings you back to middle school with A/B days right? Or in Tolland Blue team's case, A-B-C-D days :p) Anyways... I discovered that with all my classes on one day, I'm only in class for 23 days this semester!!! :] How awesome is that? And my FDP's (field Practica) are mini excursions that you choose from while in port. So basically, snorkeling, and riding camels is a part of my participation and final grade.
I love love love my Medical Anthropology Class, it's hands down the best out of my 4 classes. Second, surprisingly is The US South... who would of thought I'd love that class?!?!? Then the other 2 are also good, but a bit dry right now, but they're slowly getting more interesting.
Yesterday was our first laundry day, and being the savvy person I am, I opted to do my own laundry in the sink/shower instead of paying 6 dollars to fill a small bag full of clothes. It was a pretty good success (plus we have a retractable clothesline in our shower).
My roommate Rachel is great! She's a crazy-hippie-Jew and I love her. The two of us together are unstoppable. My work study is really putting me to work and thus far has required me to attend meetings and events every night, but it is worth it so far, and I am having a lot of fun.
Everyone on the ship is excruciatingly nice; the workers, the crew, the teachers, staff, and students. My room is a good size, and very livable, and I feel like I could live here permanently.
Yesterday I went on a bridge tour, where you quite obviously tour the bridge. For those of you unfamiliar with the term, the bridge is at the forward (front/bow) of the ship, and is where all the controls are, and where the captain steers. (And no, there is no cool old-style Captain wheel :[ ). It was pretty exciting to see how everything works. And I even convinced the 2nd officer in command to let me sit in the captains chair, with a sailor hat! So then everyone got to. (I'm sure they let everyone do it, but I feel like I was the reason :p).
I also found out today that the ship generally runs on one engine. The energy from one engine burns 1.6 tons of oil an hour...an HOUR! And on top of that, electricity burns .8 tons of fuel per hour. That's 57.6 tons of oil a day we're burning, and that's only using one engine!
I am signed up for half my trips, and still have to figure out the independent trips I'll be doing...or as we call them "Indy" trips.
The ship has some pretty cool events each night, and even a snack time at 2200 hours! (10pm). I had 1 day to read a 26 page article and write a 2000 word response (about 6-7 pages). I feel like that's a little ridiculous for a first day load for one class... but I got it all turned in, so whatever, it's over.
I guess I should talk about my work study because that seems to be what consumes my life here. I am an Ambassador of the ship (there are 7 of us in total). And we basically run all of the fun of the ship. We're in charge of The Alumni Ball (Formerly the Ambassador's Ball) which takes place at the end of the voyage. We're in charge of the food, theme, ticket cost, etc... We also are involved in Interport liaisons- where we pick up special guests/ students that ride with us to the next port. We put together and run live and silent auctions...and in order to do so, we also solicit to get people to contribute items to the auctions. (Most things aren't tangible items i.e. eating dinner with the Captain in his private quarters, Spending a week in a teacher's private beach house, unlimited internet access, honking the horn while entering/leaving port, and so on...We also will be in charge of "goodwill" on the ship, where we welcome the community, get them involved, promote things, and join everyone together. On top of that we also have Marketing and Advertising. And a lot of other responsibilities. We all work on these projects together, but have each taken one over as "Head manager" if you will. I chose Goodwill. I am currently working with RA's to do special things for peoples birthdays on the ship, and I am also working on getting Ambassadors their own shirts. We held an involvement fair for all the clubs and activities you can sign up for, and I joined many :p I will be doing the Vicarious Voyage- where we get pen pals of children in classrooms, and share our journey with them. I am getting "adopted" by a life-long learner on board the ship (basically they bring you cool places in port, and tell great stories). And I am part of a leadership program, where through attending various activities, and sessions on ship, you get a certificate and a special seal on your diploma :] I'm pretty stoked. I also co-founded Sigma Alpha Sigma, (SAS- Semester at Sea). So I will be insanely busy on and off board. We will soon be giving tours of the ship to incoming guests of the ship, so I have to memorize the ship well (which I pretty much have).
I wake up early every morning and eat breakfast on the aft deck (or back) and watch the sunrise- which is absolutely breath taking (except today because it was covered by clouds).
Hmm what else. There really is so much to share. Most of my off port excursions are service projects such as Habitat for Humanity, and visiting orphanages and hospitals. South Africa is where I will surely be having the most fun. I have many crazy activities planned, but will leave those as a mystery to you all :]
Last night my roommate and I (being curious) found out that out ceiling is magnetic (we knew the walls were). And as per usual, I am psychotically organized school and work wise :p
I even made 3 copies of my offshore excursions in an excel spread sheet and color coded them by whether they were FDP's, SAS trips, or independent trips. Hahaha.
Jess is our cabin steward, and he's worth mentioning. Yes he. He is the sweetest guy ever, and they do an insane amount of work here for everyone. He changes our toilet paper, makes our beds, and replaces our towels. (We're pampered here!)
I have yet to go in the pool, but it's just the beginning of our journey, and has been really humid out lately anyways. Plus I'm insanely busy. Working out on board is crazy, but hilarious. Elliptical while ships are rocking back and forth = lots of awkward feelings and positions, but overall funny to be a part of.
Because Global Studies is a mandatory class for everyone, they not only have t in the Union (our auditorium), but they play it on flat screens across the ship, in the rooms on the TV, and in other classrooms that don't currently have classes. PS- There are 9 classrooms, and the Union stands as one as well...so 10. And 2 of the classrooms are literally in the union, and have those walls like we use to have to divide our gymnasium at school.
Part of me wishes something insane would happen that would make us get into the lifeboats because they look like mini submarines! But that would be bad... I officially no longer have my calling/texting capabilities in case any of you were getting weird text responses back from my number.
Oh, and they play pretty good movies on TV too, my roommate and I have yet to really watch one, but we plan on having a movie night tomorrow, it will be fantastic. Gnomie and Bill are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Spain (in 4 days) so they can be in some crazy photos :]
I suppose that is really all for now. Oh, and I'll be making a commercial for the ship to see, and I write for the Dean's Memo which comes out everyday.
Until then folks (I'm sure your eyes are straining if you read this all)
I miss you all and love you all dearly, and cannot wait until we hit Spain so I can share my first port stories!
-Sam
