It is one amazing and intriguing sight to walk out on the deck and be surrounded by 360 degrees of water. It is daunting yet liberating. It has been three days and yet I am still in awe of this unfathomable experience I am having. I will most likely never cease to be obsessed with this adventure and am excited for the next two months.
Every evening on the ship they hold seminars to further prepare us for this larger than life embarkment. Tonight was a seminar on how to maximize your trip. The main thing I took from this lecture, besides to maxamize, was to not be a tourist, but to be a traveler; To live in the moment, talk to the natives and take your time to breathe, smell, and simply be in these amazing worlds that we are blessed to be in. I will take the pictures I must and then pack it away so that it can be my bare eyes (besides my contacts of course) witnessing the wonders of the world. They also placed emphasis on the relationships that we will make during this special time. One of the alumni recently was married and one of her friends that she met on the 1996 voyage was her matron of honor. Everyone reacted with endearment. I am already traveling with one of my favorite people, but the others I have met such as Kevin, Bo, Shannon and more have already been a joy to be around; full of life, energy and a great sense of humor that lends itself to some fun times.
Today started with a sickly morning. I felt great last night, but every time I wake up I seem to have to readjust to the motion of the boat once more. (I say boat but I guess some are particular that it is a ship) The ship was actually more steady today. The sky was clear unlike the cloudy, grim covering we had yesterday and the temperature a lot warmer. Bo and I had breakfast this morning with the Doctor and his wife. They were a pleasure and she tried to make us eat chocolate scones, but I unfortunately wasn’t up for it. After a run (full of twist and turns due to the rockiness of the ship) I headed to my first day of classes. Overall the classes weren’t much different than classes held at any other university, however with a glance out the window that all changes. It is always rewarding to be able to learn but lets be honest, I am too excited to think about reading and papers. Even though I have been keeping up on my work and have even jumped ahead thanks to the motivation from Erika. The main thing is to keep up on the work and not fall behind.
Global Studies is a class to understand about the Mediterranean and the entirely separate world it represents. The entire student body takes this course at once in the large meeting room called the Union. Many of us have to take seats on the floor and the teacher has a wireless microphone as he teaches the class, along with his four teaching assistants. He is energetic and bubbly, but at 9:20am not many of us are on the same page.
Global Music is learning how to observe and appreciate the different music of the world though the people living it. We watched a clip from David Letterman of a Tuva Throat singer named Ondar who could sing 4 notes simultaneously. I have a feeling we have some interesting things ahead of us.
And my business class about the European Union is perhaps my favorite. The professor is witty and interesting and the course is about the different life styles of the Europeans and the creation and foundation of this new governing system called the European Union. (I say new but it has been in the works for decades). He gave us a Wall Street article today which talked about how Europeans are allowed 35 sick days, and on average workers took 11.5 sick days throughout the year. Americans only take about 4.5. What!? That’s some crazy stuff. Maybe we should move to Europe?
Erika and I are in all the same classes, so after Global Music we had lunch together with Bo and some other girls. (I forget their names)…o Becca annnd …nope I forget the other one. Anyways during lunch, which is usually an overload of carbs and salad and some sort of meat, an announcement was made by the Assistant Dean, but it was absolutely hilarious. First she said it was Wednesday. It’s Thursday and second, she said that all Bridge Tours were cancelled due to navigational issues. Now I’ve never driven a boat before (ship rather) but how hard is it to navigate? Did they lose their Map Quest directions? Were they supposed to take a left at the next stop sign? Well at least my tour isn’t scheduled until Saturday, hopefully those issues will be cleared up by then. After lunch it was time to READ! I read. The end. About 60-80 pages later it was nap time.
Dinner was interesting. Bo is taking a human sexuality course so some of the conversation lent itself to that topic. We also found ourselves discussing Tape worms. I was beside myself. Yuck!
There was a meeting for the Special Events Committee today. We made many suggestions including a film festival, capture the flag (that was mine!), dances, and other fun activities that we can incorporate during the voyage. I hope that capture the flag is a possibility. Stay tuned for that development.
With the warm weather, it made for a wonderful night on the top deck where the bar and pool is; almost everyone was there and ready to socialize and of course drink. I again, didn’t have anything. It doesn’t interest me that much. But Erika, Shannon, Kevin and I were having an enjoyable time, extending ourselves to meet others and trying to remain standing as the ship rocked from side to side. Shannon these past couple of days has expressed her strong desire for a burger, I too joined her in that indulgement. (Is that a word?) So we had a burger. It was just what I needed. Not that I don’t love my pasta and potatoes but nothing replaces some ground beef.
Planning doesn’t seem to cease. We are still finalizing our plans for Spain and other ports such as Greece and Turkey. It is exciting because you meet people along the way with either new ideas or the desire to join your plans. Bo and Kevin might be joining us on our excursions in Spain as well as Greece. I really like them! They are so easy to be around. Lucky me, I get to live with them. Conserving money while doing all these trips is the challenge. But the faculty seems to be very helpful, as I said, in preparing us for these road blocks.
We lose yet another hour tonight. At least it is gradual and not all at once. I pray for a healthy morning.
5 days.
Explore. Dream. Discover.
~ Michael-Anthony
P.S. I bought a Semester at Sea sweatshirt today. $50.00 bucks. Mom don’t have a heart attack. It is nice, nicer than my NYU one, and its worth it. Remember: Once in a lifetime.
Every evening on the ship they hold seminars to further prepare us for this larger than life embarkment. Tonight was a seminar on how to maximize your trip. The main thing I took from this lecture, besides to maxamize, was to not be a tourist, but to be a traveler; To live in the moment, talk to the natives and take your time to breathe, smell, and simply be in these amazing worlds that we are blessed to be in. I will take the pictures I must and then pack it away so that it can be my bare eyes (besides my contacts of course) witnessing the wonders of the world. They also placed emphasis on the relationships that we will make during this special time. One of the alumni recently was married and one of her friends that she met on the 1996 voyage was her matron of honor. Everyone reacted with endearment. I am already traveling with one of my favorite people, but the others I have met such as Kevin, Bo, Shannon and more have already been a joy to be around; full of life, energy and a great sense of humor that lends itself to some fun times.
Today started with a sickly morning. I felt great last night, but every time I wake up I seem to have to readjust to the motion of the boat once more. (I say boat but I guess some are particular that it is a ship) The ship was actually more steady today. The sky was clear unlike the cloudy, grim covering we had yesterday and the temperature a lot warmer. Bo and I had breakfast this morning with the Doctor and his wife. They were a pleasure and she tried to make us eat chocolate scones, but I unfortunately wasn’t up for it. After a run (full of twist and turns due to the rockiness of the ship) I headed to my first day of classes. Overall the classes weren’t much different than classes held at any other university, however with a glance out the window that all changes. It is always rewarding to be able to learn but lets be honest, I am too excited to think about reading and papers. Even though I have been keeping up on my work and have even jumped ahead thanks to the motivation from Erika. The main thing is to keep up on the work and not fall behind.
Global Studies is a class to understand about the Mediterranean and the entirely separate world it represents. The entire student body takes this course at once in the large meeting room called the Union. Many of us have to take seats on the floor and the teacher has a wireless microphone as he teaches the class, along with his four teaching assistants. He is energetic and bubbly, but at 9:20am not many of us are on the same page.
Global Music is learning how to observe and appreciate the different music of the world though the people living it. We watched a clip from David Letterman of a Tuva Throat singer named Ondar who could sing 4 notes simultaneously. I have a feeling we have some interesting things ahead of us.
And my business class about the European Union is perhaps my favorite. The professor is witty and interesting and the course is about the different life styles of the Europeans and the creation and foundation of this new governing system called the European Union. (I say new but it has been in the works for decades). He gave us a Wall Street article today which talked about how Europeans are allowed 35 sick days, and on average workers took 11.5 sick days throughout the year. Americans only take about 4.5. What!? That’s some crazy stuff. Maybe we should move to Europe?
Erika and I are in all the same classes, so after Global Music we had lunch together with Bo and some other girls. (I forget their names)…o Becca annnd …nope I forget the other one. Anyways during lunch, which is usually an overload of carbs and salad and some sort of meat, an announcement was made by the Assistant Dean, but it was absolutely hilarious. First she said it was Wednesday. It’s Thursday and second, she said that all Bridge Tours were cancelled due to navigational issues. Now I’ve never driven a boat before (ship rather) but how hard is it to navigate? Did they lose their Map Quest directions? Were they supposed to take a left at the next stop sign? Well at least my tour isn’t scheduled until Saturday, hopefully those issues will be cleared up by then. After lunch it was time to READ! I read. The end. About 60-80 pages later it was nap time.
Dinner was interesting. Bo is taking a human sexuality course so some of the conversation lent itself to that topic. We also found ourselves discussing Tape worms. I was beside myself. Yuck!
There was a meeting for the Special Events Committee today. We made many suggestions including a film festival, capture the flag (that was mine!), dances, and other fun activities that we can incorporate during the voyage. I hope that capture the flag is a possibility. Stay tuned for that development.
With the warm weather, it made for a wonderful night on the top deck where the bar and pool is; almost everyone was there and ready to socialize and of course drink. I again, didn’t have anything. It doesn’t interest me that much. But Erika, Shannon, Kevin and I were having an enjoyable time, extending ourselves to meet others and trying to remain standing as the ship rocked from side to side. Shannon these past couple of days has expressed her strong desire for a burger, I too joined her in that indulgement. (Is that a word?) So we had a burger. It was just what I needed. Not that I don’t love my pasta and potatoes but nothing replaces some ground beef.
Planning doesn’t seem to cease. We are still finalizing our plans for Spain and other ports such as Greece and Turkey. It is exciting because you meet people along the way with either new ideas or the desire to join your plans. Bo and Kevin might be joining us on our excursions in Spain as well as Greece. I really like them! They are so easy to be around. Lucky me, I get to live with them. Conserving money while doing all these trips is the challenge. But the faculty seems to be very helpful, as I said, in preparing us for these road blocks.
We lose yet another hour tonight. At least it is gradual and not all at once. I pray for a healthy morning.
5 days.
Explore. Dream. Discover.
~ Michael-Anthony
P.S. I bought a Semester at Sea sweatshirt today. $50.00 bucks. Mom don’t have a heart attack. It is nice, nicer than my NYU one, and its worth it. Remember: Once in a lifetime.
Hi Anthony. I did not read your blog last night (Thurs 6/18) as I wasn't feeling well. Maybe I'm seasick (hehehe). Just a sinus headache. Anyways, your Mom called to make sure I got your email address but I did not. So I will call her for that.
ReplyDeleteGetting your sea legs, huh. I understand the funny walking that you must be doing on the ship.
I hope you are getting these comments from me. I will get the email address.
Talk to you tomorrow.
Love, Mary Ann
Hi Ant. I am not sure I am doing this right..let me know. I feel so bad that you have not been feeling well. Otherwise, it does sound very exciting meeting all new friends and just being on that big ship in the ocean!! I have been emailing you on the free one you gave me. Love, Nana
ReplyDeleteHi Anthony - I tried what Nana said and put my name in there - didn't work.
ReplyDeleteLove hearing about your crazy adventures with Erika - glad you have such a special friend.
We are all living this trip through you! Talk to you tomorrow.
Love, Mary Ann