A Pefect Puzzle

**Note: Post Date is July 28, 2009**

This morning I awoke and outside my window was Turkey! No alarm we are making our way back through the Bosporus strait to head for Egypt. And as we inch closer and closer to the equator I can only imagine the degrees of heat we will be experiencing in a day from now. I’m already past my desired skin tone and now must reinforce with more sun block. As we leave Europe and enter the lands of Africa I’m ready to experience a culture and sight like no other.

Amidst my anxiousness to arrive in Egypt I am being extremely preoccupied with my duties aboard the MV Explorer. Besides classes and the homework, and essays and tests that are involved with such I have also been beckoned/elected/appointed or forced into the position of planning Casino Night for the entire Ship on August 5th, only two days after Egypt. Having a strong interest in event coordinating the task isn’t too overwhelming, but after expressing my strong dislike for gambling and my lack of knowledge in that area, this event is going to require a little more brain power on my part. The challenge has been presented and now I must deliver. I’m holding a meeting this afternoon and I hope to accomplish much in the short hour.

Along with that unexpected leadership role, I am also a member of The Ambassador Ball Committee, which takes place during our travels back home. Nevertheless hard core planning and finalizing is occurring as we speak and so I also have my hand in this event as well. I assure you that I am not stretching myself too thin. I, as well as many others, work better under pressure. With limited time I seem to be more effective, more punctual and even more creative in my processes. I can’t wait for the next two days to be over with, but I can’t deny my love for being involved and being able to offer my talents where they are of valued use. 

Today marks six weeks into the trip and it is getting harder to accept that this trip will eventually come to an end. I walked back to the ship yesterday with Kate and we reminisced of the first happenings of A.B.A. and even with our first adventure in Sevilla, Spain we were as close and as cohesive then as we are now. Of course we have grown to know more about each other and the love between us is stronger and unconditional but it is magical that we were already such a easy working team before all that came into place. The initial beginnings of our friendships stemmed from understanding, acceptance and just plain fun and we haven’t lost sight of that yet.

But we will inevitably lose this time together. After this trip we will never: the entire A.B.A. gang, be together all at once ever again. It seems pessimistic to say, but due to statistics, the variance of life and human error that calculation of a gathering is nearly impossible. This brings tears to my eyes and a smile to my face. I’m sad to know that this experience only comes once and that it is a section in my life that will always be cherished just as is high school and my childhood. I smile in thought that this is special. I’m lucky to be having such an amazing and unique experience. I’m lucky that I know these people and I’m positive that they will be in my life for years to come. It is a phenomenon. One alteration in the group, or in any other area of this voyage could have changed the experience of the trip all together. My happiness and my gratefulness is riding on an accidental chance. A chance that Bo would be my roommate, a chance that Kevin would be as sarcastic and as loveable as he is, a chance that Rachel and I would bond therefore adding another layer to the group such as Nicole and Nico, a chance that Kate would be a strong individual and leader and just happen to be Erika’s roommate, a chance that we would see Erik and Lauren at every port and eventually begin to love their company, a chance that Becca and Kevin come from the same school and same state and become good buddies, a chance that Nina and Shannon enjoy each other and happen to be roommates with other members of the gang, a chance that Lindsay met Shannon in Cadiz and has been with us ever since, and a chance that Erika and I would meet in 7th grade and be best friends ever since. All these things come together not because they are supposed to, not because we have no other choice, but by complete fate that I call magic. What would happen if one person was missing from the mix?

As me and Rachel sat on the deck looking into the deep dark Mediterranean we talk about how one person can alter your life completely. It is amazing that a person’s single decision or single act could change the course of your life entirely. The mere absence of someone is powerful all in itself. Without the people in my life I would not be where I am today. Not because they put me here but because one way or another their presence, their choices, and their attitudes were all part of the puzzle and I’m just the last piece.

I can’t believe I’m going to Africa.

One more day!

Explore. Dream. Discover.

~Michael-Anthony

P.S. I want to see a shooting star someday.