Note: front of the ship=dizzy

Hey everyone.  Yesterday I began my journey!  My mom came to see me off, but sadly couldn’t really see me because of how far away she was since security is so high right now.  Just like most important things in my life, there were bag pipes.  They stood on the docks and played songs that I have heard thousands of times and don’t know the names (except Scotland the Brave).  My room is small, as I suspected, but my roommate seems nice.  We haven’t really spent much time together.  I doubt I’ll spend much time in there anyways.  Sat out on the deck yesterday for a while talking to people and am already sure that I will be able to find a niche here on the ship.  The librarian on the ship works at my college (Jim Huff) and so far has been a great friendly face.

 

I have not gotten sick yet, but the waves do make certain things difficult.  Like walking in a straight line, trying not to run into people or poles, showering, and putting on pants while standing up.  When sitting out on the deck you don’t realize that the boat is rocking so much, but once you go inside, it’s so weird.  I have run into multiple poles and not any people yet…but give it time.  Sleeping last night was a bit weird since we were in a rougher patch at the beginning of our sleep.  My roommate and I stayed up late (not on purpose) occasionally saying “whoa!” due to the rocking.

 

Today we had to talk about the book that everyone on the boat was supposed to read.  My group leader seems very nice.  He is the poetry professor onboard and looks like he dropped right out of the late 70s.  We had a meeting this morning in the union before heading off to our designated groups.  The union happens to be in the front of the boat and therefore the bumpiest.  Today the seas are rough, so when we were all standing up, the bow came out of the water and slapped against the waves making everyone scream and sit back down or grab onto something.  My group meeting was on the deck above which meant it was just as bumpy.  Many are feeling ill, so we ended it early.  I did, however realize that my room is really near the front which is why it is so difficult to walk in our room.

 

It is beautiful though.  Last night I sat with some people at dinner and we watched as we slowly could no longer see land.  This morning I sat by a window during breakfast and watched the rough seas go by underneath.  It’s too cold outside to spend much time out there, but we are assured that it will get warm soon.

 

I’m going to go try to take a nap before we have another meeting.  I hope you all are enjoying life on land.  The sea is a bit dizzying and makes an intellectual conversation difficult.  I miss you all!  I hope to post back again soon.  Bye.