First Few Days

Aug. 30th, 2008
First full day on the ship is just setting off. Had a lackluster breakfast with some very preppy people (the only people awake at the horrible time I roused myself), now I’m back in my room hoping the grumblings in my stomach won’t develop into anything serious…I hope drinking the water doesn’t screw me over already! So classes start tomorrow, which I’m excited/nervous about. I have never seen so many girls in one space other than a maternity ward. Guys have like little crews of girls to pick from, it should prove interesting. My roommate is fine, we both like Weeds, but conversation sort of deflates after a minute or two. More reason for me to get out and make friends! I think I will finally be proficient at small talk by the end of this trip, since the questions are always the same, and the reactions too, for the most part. Not being negative, just noticing. Once you get past the formalities and have placed the other person geographically and societally, conversation is free to bloom and morph into something interesting. The girl that lives next door and her roommate seem really funny and nice, I think I will make a point of getting to know them better. Oh lordy, Margo better get out of there soon, icky icky tummy!!
The rest of my day was good, I got over the little bit of boredom/sadness I was feeling and talked to some people. I overslept because my room is SO FRICKIN DARK, but my teacher understood. My classes have been good so far, and the reading is interesting. I am trying to start all my work right off the bat and not procrastinate so that I can enjoy the ports. I miss my family and Nick and Joe and everyone, but I know I will see them soon enough. I can't wait for Brazil, and won't let the first unsteady steps of this adventure ruin the rest of it!
all of my love!!! kisses kisses kisses!
-Kelsey

Embarkation Day!

Oh lordy lordy, i have gotten myself into more than i expected and that elicits no complaints whatsoever! Everyone I have met so far I have really liked getting to know, my hotel is super nice and my roommates nicer, the weather spectacular, the water warm though extremely high in salinity, the bahamians intelligent and friendly, the plantains DELICIOUS!!!!!!!, everything is  absolutely wonderful. My bags were 'short-checked' and left in Miami, and it took until around 7 pm last night for them to get here, but just having them relieves a lot of stress I was feeling, however minor it was, seeing as i have been riding on a wave of elation since i stepped on the hotel floor 2 days ago. Everything is so exciting and new and in transition that all you can do is actively enjoy everything around  you, without worrying about things staying the same or going the way you want. It is so refreshing to be part of a group of very smart people. I got to just sit and listen and argue about free will and god and determinism for about 2 hours last night while watching Obama's speech. The bahamas is mostly a tourist town so i haven't done much adventuring, other than going to this place called Senor Frogs, which sounds as goofy as it is! More to come after boarding! Love love love,

Kelsey

How to reach me and to see where I am:

For a position report, go to:

www.semesteratsea.org/voyages/current-voyage/position-report.php

And to find out mailing dates, go to:

www.semesteratsea.org/voyages/current-voyage/fall-2008-staying-in-touch.php

I leave at 6 a.m. on Wednesday the 27th. That is 4 days from now and I am consumed with anticipation and trepidation. Mostly the former--to be scared of this trip would really be a felony!

Wobbly Legs

Unfortunately, my ineptitude at blog writing is not due to land or sea sickness, since I have not yet departed on this trip that has taken up about 78% of my running thoughts. This will be my first blog since the survey-clogged, self-pitying livejournal I foolishly created in 8th grade, so it will most likely start out pretty rusty (again, not an ocean reference, regrettably...i wish it were rusty from sea salt). I am still frightfully low on supplies, but will hopefully be purchasing them on Saturday this week (so interesting, right?). I want to bring a giant, initially inconvenient thing like a waffle maker with me on this trip.That way, all the curses and hateful remarks I direct at it while I lug it through Bahama's customs will be replaced with cooing, honeyed praise when it makes me a legion of steadfast friends as soon as the Great Waffle Shortage sets in. The fact that I hate waffles is immaterial, I'll thank myself in the end! Ok, this was mostly just to fill up space until I start having interesting, culturally illuminating things to say, so I will stop here.