These are a few of my favorite things...
- the decks of the ship/watching sunsets and eating meals on them
- the crew - they are from all over the globe and super friendly
- the staff and faculty ROCK!
- the seagulls that land on the railings
- did I mention the staff?
- the seventh deck
The ship is so peaceful right now - I'm excited for the students to come on board, but I'm going to miss the serenity.
Yesterday my boss (Rick) told me that we were getting the equivalent of a $200 bonus! Yippie...this comes in the form of 720 internet minutes vs. the 250 we originally thought!!! It's amazing how happy that made all of us! You can expect to hear from me a bit more often as a result and responses to e-mails! You might also receive an e-mail from studentlife@semesteratsea.com. We're allowed to use that to send e-mails, but when responding keep in mind that 10 other people check that account as well!
Miss you....really do wish you were here with me!
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
oh happy day....oh happy day-ay.
Well, today's the day. We board the ship in just a few short hours. I'm very excited and less nervous now than I have been for weeks. I met the other RD's (all but 2 of them) last night and I'm so excited to be working with these folks. We all got along very well and I can see us getting very close as time passes!
I'm posting picts of the ship now! I haven't been able to get on yet, have just seen it from the outside. Looks pretty small compared to all of the Naval ships in the same harbor!
Well, today's the day. We board the ship in just a few short hours. I'm very excited and less nervous now than I have been for weeks. I met the other RD's (all but 2 of them) last night and I'm so excited to be working with these folks. We all got along very well and I can see us getting very close as time passes!
I'm posting picts of the ship now! I haven't been able to get on yet, have just seen it from the outside. Looks pretty small compared to all of the Naval ships in the same harbor!
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
oh my darlin, oh my darlin, oh my dar-lin Clementine...
Have you ever had a Clementine orange? So good... oranges have been my favorite fruit for a long time and I've never tried a clementine - thank you Megan! I had to get some more yesterday after trying them at my cousin's house!
Can I just tell you? I love So. Cal - this place rocks! I'm now in San Diego and loving it! I'm staying in a great hostel (yes, there are hostels in the states and no, it's not just a European thing). I've met new people from Japan, Saudia Arabia, Germany, England and Australia now!
I'm heading off to the San Diego zoo this morning and then I'm going to rent a bike later this afternoon. I'm supposed to meet some of the other RD's for dinner tonight - these are the folks I'm going to be working with for the next 3 months and I'm excited to meet them! We board the ship tomorrow at 1pm. zoiks! I can't believe it's actually here. It wasn't until I walked down to the harbor last night and saw all of the ships that it hit me!
Have you ever had a Clementine orange? So good... oranges have been my favorite fruit for a long time and I've never tried a clementine - thank you Megan! I had to get some more yesterday after trying them at my cousin's house!
Can I just tell you? I love So. Cal - this place rocks! I'm now in San Diego and loving it! I'm staying in a great hostel (yes, there are hostels in the states and no, it's not just a European thing). I've met new people from Japan, Saudia Arabia, Germany, England and Australia now!
I'm heading off to the San Diego zoo this morning and then I'm going to rent a bike later this afternoon. I'm supposed to meet some of the other RD's for dinner tonight - these are the folks I'm going to be working with for the next 3 months and I'm excited to meet them! We board the ship tomorrow at 1pm. zoiks! I can't believe it's actually here. It wasn't until I walked down to the harbor last night and saw all of the ships that it hit me!
Sunday, August 20, 2006
little surfer girl...
Well friends, the trip has officially begun. I am no longer in the mid-west, rather enjoying some time with my cousin and my cousin in-law(?) out in Newport Beach, CA.
I arrived yesterday and Megan (my cousin) and her husband Tom have been gracious enough to open their home to me for a couple of days. I now understand why all of the Californians that I've met over the years really miss CA when they move to the mid-west. Meg and Tom live less than a block from the beach, and close to the boardwalk. I'm loving the sun and the relaxed atmosphere - this place is amazing! I just got back from a walk along the beach and loved seeing all of the surfers out in the early morning hours. I'm not sure, but I don't think my graceful self would be too great at surfing! Yes, I know you're all picturing this right now and getting a good chuckle.
Yesterday we went for a bike ride along the boardwalk, it was beautiful! We stopped at an arcade and played a bit of skee-ball. Later we rode back down to the pier for dinner at a great little restaurant called Sol Grill. It's so fun to see all of the beach cruiser bikes out on the boardwalk, as that is the mode of transport out here. I had one incident riding home last night where I almost ran into Tom's back wheel. I ended up putting my feet down and doing a "Flintstones" type of run on my bike. We all got a good laugh on that one, but I did avoid running off the boardwalk and into the sand!
I anticipate that I will be trying a lot of new foods in the coming months. And I'm sure there will be some I like and some I don't! But, last night I had a couple of new things that I really enjoyed and would recommend. I've now tried Tuna Tar Tar (yum) (chef boyre Tom made this as an appetizer) and Swordfish with pasta, capers, broccoli and marinara - ordered this at dinner
Well friends, the trip has officially begun. I am no longer in the mid-west, rather enjoying some time with my cousin and my cousin in-law(?) out in Newport Beach, CA.
I arrived yesterday and Megan (my cousin) and her husband Tom have been gracious enough to open their home to me for a couple of days. I now understand why all of the Californians that I've met over the years really miss CA when they move to the mid-west. Meg and Tom live less than a block from the beach, and close to the boardwalk. I'm loving the sun and the relaxed atmosphere - this place is amazing! I just got back from a walk along the beach and loved seeing all of the surfers out in the early morning hours. I'm not sure, but I don't think my graceful self would be too great at surfing! Yes, I know you're all picturing this right now and getting a good chuckle.
Yesterday we went for a bike ride along the boardwalk, it was beautiful! We stopped at an arcade and played a bit of skee-ball. Later we rode back down to the pier for dinner at a great little restaurant called Sol Grill. It's so fun to see all of the beach cruiser bikes out on the boardwalk, as that is the mode of transport out here. I had one incident riding home last night where I almost ran into Tom's back wheel. I ended up putting my feet down and doing a "Flintstones" type of run on my bike. We all got a good laugh on that one, but I did avoid running off the boardwalk and into the sand!
I anticipate that I will be trying a lot of new foods in the coming months. And I'm sure there will be some I like and some I don't! But, last night I had a couple of new things that I really enjoyed and would recommend. I've now tried Tuna Tar Tar (yum) (chef boyre Tom made this as an appetizer) and Swordfish with pasta, capers, broccoli and marinara - ordered this at dinner
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Reality Check.
Well...I made a trip to Wal-Mart today (8/17) to get some of the last minute "needed" items. This actually means a 3 month supply of anything that I normally use (and pay for over the course of 90+ days). My pocketbook (and head) hurts.
I made it to the school supply section (one of my favorites) and went to pick up some crayons and markers to bring with me. My special assignment on the ship is working with the Students of Service and alternative groups. There will be a number of opportunities for me to get to participate in service and meet a lot of locals at the ports. The Institute for Shipboard Education (ISE) recommends bringing school supplies/kids stuff/small gifts with us as many of the kids we will meet are unable to get these things. Some are even able to attend school because they can't get the supplies they need. Really make me re-evaluate what are the "needed" items and how much we often take for granted in this country.
Well...I made a trip to Wal-Mart today (8/17) to get some of the last minute "needed" items. This actually means a 3 month supply of anything that I normally use (and pay for over the course of 90+ days). My pocketbook (and head) hurts.
I made it to the school supply section (one of my favorites) and went to pick up some crayons and markers to bring with me. My special assignment on the ship is working with the Students of Service and alternative groups. There will be a number of opportunities for me to get to participate in service and meet a lot of locals at the ports. The Institute for Shipboard Education (ISE) recommends bringing school supplies/kids stuff/small gifts with us as many of the kids we will meet are unable to get these things. Some are even able to attend school because they can't get the supplies they need. Really make me re-evaluate what are the "needed" items and how much we often take for granted in this country.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Mastercard, Discover, American Express or VISA???
Guess what? I finally got my passport back with Visas for both China and India securely in it! Ok, ok, it's only been about 2 weeks but I've been worried that I wouldn't get it before I had to leave. I took one look at it and realized that this is real! Also realized that I just paid $300 for two stickers. Geez.
Guess what? I finally got my passport back with Visas for both China and India securely in it! Ok, ok, it's only been about 2 weeks but I've been worried that I wouldn't get it before I had to leave. I took one look at it and realized that this is real! Also realized that I just paid $300 for two stickers. Geez.
"I'll never let go Jack, I'll never let go."
So, recently I have made a list of movies that I should not watch before I set sail in just under a month. As you can probably guess, at the top of that list is "Titanic," followed closely by "Poseidon."
After returning to my hotel room tonight (I'm working a leadership conference in MO right now) I flip on the T.V. and lo and behold what movie do you think is just beginning? Yes, "Titanic."
Here I sit, two and a half hours later watching the boat sink (after I tried to make myself turn the channel multiple times and/or just go to bed.) Blasted. Looking at the bright side, I'm picking up some pointers on what to do/what not to do should anything happen. =)
A few weeks ago, a friend of mine suggested that I bring along a piece of plywood in case I need to float. I promptly told her that I didn't think the crew would appreciate it if I showed up on the first day with a 2x4 strapped to my backpack. Additionally, I said that I would probably take a life jacket instead.
It is highly unlikely that we have any thing like this to worry about, however, should something happen, you can rest assured that I went down happy since I was traveling the world and that I went down having said, "I'll never let go Jack, I'll never let go."
So, recently I have made a list of movies that I should not watch before I set sail in just under a month. As you can probably guess, at the top of that list is "Titanic," followed closely by "Poseidon."
After returning to my hotel room tonight (I'm working a leadership conference in MO right now) I flip on the T.V. and lo and behold what movie do you think is just beginning? Yes, "Titanic."
Here I sit, two and a half hours later watching the boat sink (after I tried to make myself turn the channel multiple times and/or just go to bed.) Blasted. Looking at the bright side, I'm picking up some pointers on what to do/what not to do should anything happen. =)
A few weeks ago, a friend of mine suggested that I bring along a piece of plywood in case I need to float. I promptly told her that I didn't think the crew would appreciate it if I showed up on the first day with a 2x4 strapped to my backpack. Additionally, I said that I would probably take a life jacket instead.
It is highly unlikely that we have any thing like this to worry about, however, should something happen, you can rest assured that I went down happy since I was traveling the world and that I went down having said, "I'll never let go Jack, I'll never let go."
Monday, July 17, 2006
Come sail away...come sail away...come sail a-way with me.
Hello and welcome to my blog site. I am so excited to share this journey with you. As the case with many of my travel adventures I'm sure this one will be filled with funny stories and antidotes. For those of you that virtually joined me in Switzerland last summer - you know what you're in for! Eh- should be a good way to kill some time during your day. Get ready to set sail on your vicarious voyage!
To explain...
This semester I have the opportunity to live and work on a ship that is going to (literally) sail around the world. I'm ever so excited, yet there are a lot of anxieties as well. Most of my concerns are in response to recent world affairs and being on a boat for 100 days with 650 college students. If interested you can read more about the program and get ship updates on www.semesteratsea.com.
This blog will take you along as we venture from San Diego to Mexico, Hawaii, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Myanmar, India, Turkey, Egypt, Spain and then "home" to Ft. Lauderdale.
Please check back often as I will do my best to keep current photos and posts on here. I'll begin with some of the prep stuff this month and update until December. Communication on board will be very limited so this is about all I'll be able to do with my limited internet access, although I will respond to e-mails as soon as I can. There is phone access on the ship, but it will cost me about $1.50 a minute to call here and you about $4.00 a minute to call there, so I'm guessing that I won't be talking to any of you from late August until December. I'm not one to beg for e-mails, but PLEASE keep me up-to-date on your lives. I'm going to miss you all a lot and will look forward to letters from home. I'll be eager to hear from you.
Catch you on the portside.
Hello and welcome to my blog site. I am so excited to share this journey with you. As the case with many of my travel adventures I'm sure this one will be filled with funny stories and antidotes. For those of you that virtually joined me in Switzerland last summer - you know what you're in for! Eh- should be a good way to kill some time during your day. Get ready to set sail on your vicarious voyage!
To explain...
This semester I have the opportunity to live and work on a ship that is going to (literally) sail around the world. I'm ever so excited, yet there are a lot of anxieties as well. Most of my concerns are in response to recent world affairs and being on a boat for 100 days with 650 college students. If interested you can read more about the program and get ship updates on www.semesteratsea.com.
This blog will take you along as we venture from San Diego to Mexico, Hawaii, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Myanmar, India, Turkey, Egypt, Spain and then "home" to Ft. Lauderdale.
Please check back often as I will do my best to keep current photos and posts on here. I'll begin with some of the prep stuff this month and update until December. Communication on board will be very limited so this is about all I'll be able to do with my limited internet access, although I will respond to e-mails as soon as I can. There is phone access on the ship, but it will cost me about $1.50 a minute to call here and you about $4.00 a minute to call there, so I'm guessing that I won't be talking to any of you from late August until December. I'm not one to beg for e-mails, but PLEASE keep me up-to-date on your lives. I'm going to miss you all a lot and will look forward to letters from home. I'll be eager to hear from you.
Catch you on the portside.
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