Ship Life 2-16-08

Hey all, it’s been a little while since I posted, and that’s been because of a few reasons. First off, the internet on the ship is agonizingly slow. So I try to spend as little time as possible on it, just out of sheer frustration. Also, I try to spend as much time as I can outside since it’s so beautiful. I haven’t spent as much time as I want, since I’ve been indoors completing school work or sleeping a lot, but I try to be outside as much as I can.


(Krystle, Ben, Blake, Me)

As for life on the ship it’s pretty simple. I wake up, go to class, eat, hang out with people, do work, workout (sometimes), sleep (most of the time), lie out, do some more work, eat, then hang out with people and then sleep. It’s a nice routine. I can’t complain. There are times when everyone gets ansy to get on land and explore and move around off the ship. But most of the time we keep ourselves occupied with each other. I’ve played more board games in the past month than in my entire life! But, everyone does it, so it’s not that lame…right? My favorites as of late are Balderdash and Apples to Apples. Mostly we play cards… get ready J… we constantly play Egyptian Rat Screw, which I always dominate (I kid you not Jeff, I have not lost a SINGLE game since being on the ship). I’m not bragging or joking. I’m dead serious. I think I’m cursed. In a good way though!)


(Group Dinner)

School is actually really good. It’s challenging for two reasons. First, it’s really hard to read when the waves are smashing against the windows of our library or Piano Lounge (where most kids do work). I have fortunately found a hidden spot on the second floor that remains pretty calm. It’s a big spot so I can spread everything out and get my work done down there. It’s also hidden from everyone, so it’s a nice little homework escape (much like the cages at Memorial, which I find myself missing in some weird way). The other reason they are challenging is because the content is new to me. Two of the courses are legal oriented. One is concerned with women’s issues from a UN perspective and revolves around the UN’s actions in the past few decades towards equality of genders. The other is an international law course on war crimes and crimes against humanity. While it’s my favorite course, and I’ve by far learned the most, it’s terribly hard. I have to read A LOT and understand a lot that I’m not usually challenged to understand. I like that though. The teacher is amazing and I hope to talk to her about connecting my interest in social justice and filmmaking, she has some contacts who produce documentaries on injustice in Africa and other areas of the world. I’m also in a fiction short-writing course, which is great because I get to practice story-telling from a new angle.


(Me and Erin)

As for other things on the ship, we just had Neptune Day, which we celebrated a little later than we were supposed to. Neptune Day is essentially the same as Navy hazing day, where when ships cross the equator they wake the g-d of the sea, Neptune. There are a number of rituals like pouring fish guts on each other and shaving heads that go on. I think 100 out of 700 people shaved their heads, 30-40 of which were girls! Crazy I know. I woke up for about 20 minutes of the festivities and then slept for the rest of the day. It was a really, really rocky day at sea and I took some pills and was knocked out all day.

We are just starting up the Sea Olympics. I should preface with the fact that my floor will undoubtedly win the Sea Olympics. I live in the “Red Sea” which is a section of the fourth floor. We have the best RD, the best kids, and are the most active on the ship. There is a noticeable difference from my sea to other seas. More on the Sea Olympics in future posts. I think I’m signed up to compete in the Flip Cup challenge (I’ll do my best to represent Wisconsin)!


(Zach, Me, Matt G, Ryan)

Lastly, I just wanted to let you know that Meggie and I want to try to make a video tour of the ship for everyone. We’re going to try to get that done before South Africa, but frankly we don’t rush things here on the MV Explorer. So keep posted for that.


(Me and Meggie)

Also, I wanted to wish a quick HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Tommy T (Feb 14th) and Jocie (Feb 16th). I wish I could be around to celebrate or at least talk to you both! Be safe and hope you have a great one!

Also, my condolences to those involved in the shooting at NIU. I wish a healthy recovery to those injured and a safe healing process for victim’s families.

Peace, E