Check out the videos!

QUICK WARNING: Just for those who will be reading this blog in the near future that don't know me THAT well: keep in mind that I'm pretty sarcastic, so you'll probably be noticing alot of that in my writing. Plus I'm just writing much of this without constant revision, so I guess it's not only a travel blog, but also a chance for me to practice my snappy stream-of-consciousness writing. So remember...sarcasm...just a warning.

That being said, check out these encouraging videos I stumbled onto today (mom DON'T watch them):

http://galletta.business.pitt.edu/galletta/videos/SemesterAtSeaWave2.mpg

http://galletta.business.pitt.edu/galletta/videos/SemesterAtSeaWave3b.mpg

"Good morning ladies and gentlemen. This is your captain speaking. The ship is not going to sink." I actually found that pretty funny.

Weekly update: 2 weeks left!

Commencing countdown engines on.

I’m writing in this because I’m bored—not necessarily because I have anything important to say…but it’s my journal, so I’ll write whatever I want. :)

Slight nervousness is starting to set in—mainly for two reasons. First off, I hardly signed up for any SAS trips. For your info, SAS trips are trips offered in each country through the Semester at Sea program. Even though I’d probably see more with those trips (many seemed awfully touristy and overpriced), I’ll hopefully experience more in each country by roaming independently with a few others. I’m just nervous about planning these kinds of trips and meeting all the right people, but I’m sure it’ll work out. The other thing that’s making me nervous is getting sick. Sometimes my immune system takes a bit of a snooze, especially lately it seems. I just don’t want to get too sick at times and miss out on awesome some experiences… understandable, right?

Now for some good news. I recently realized that I’ll be away on my birthday, which is remarkably refreshing. Birthdays are depressing to me for some reason, and I haven’t enjoyed celebrating my own b-day for awhile. So at least I’ll be away from home with a bunch of others who (hopefully) have more important things to worry about than my birthday. :)

In closing, I think I’ll be considering trying to convince the ship’s crew to blast the David Bowie song “I’m Afraid of Americans” over the boat’s outside loud speakers when entering each country. Why? I don’t know; it just be pretty funny…maybe…maybe not. I’m sure the customs people in each country would appreciate the originality...maybe not...but it's a funny thought.

Ummmm...so yeah, obviously I'm bored (I warned you), and will hopefully update again sometime next week. thanks for reading.

Rick

Pre-Trip part 1

Ok, here we go! I’m Rick, and this is my blog for the Spring ’07 semester.

Now what’s the big deal about this semester? Well I’m going to be embarking on a voyage around the world via the Semester at Sea program (a program run through the University of Virginia). I’ve created this page as a resource for my friends, family, and other acquaintances to read as I’m traveling and see what I’m up to. I've been told that pictures help keep people's interest...so...

I’m leaving (Pittsburgh) within the wee hours of February 2nd via an (airplane...obviously) and will travel to (Nassau, Bahamas) where I will meet up with the ship and the 600-700 other students that I’ll be journeying with. I’ll be away from the USA until May 14^th, when I’ll (hopefully) be arriving in San Diego. My shabby itinerary looks alittle something like this:

04 Feb to 14 May

Nassau, Bahamas
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Salvador, Brazil
Cape Town, South Africa
Port Louis, Mauritius
Chennai, India
Penang, Malaysia
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Hong Kong
Qingdao, China
Kobe, Japan
Honolulu, Hawaii
San Diego, California

Pretty sweet if I do say so myself. Pleeease don’t call this a “cruise” or a “vacation.” I have college classes every day on board the ship, so it is indeed a semester of school. Here's a picture of the ship I'll soon be calling "home:"

(obligatory ship photo)

Now you may be wondering WHY I’m doing something like this. Hmm...well to answer your question:

#1 – Why wouldn’t I? This is an opportunity of a lifetime!

#2 – I honestly haven’t really been too happy in Pittsburgh lately…I don’t know why. It’s waaay too late in my college career to transfer somewhere else, so I might as well study abroad for a semester and get away from everything for awhile.

#3 – I’ve wanted to study abroad for awhile now. Though I HAVE wanted to travel to England for many, many years, my school offers no study abroad programs in England that correspond with my major (of course); but hey let’s face it, this is even better!

#4 – I’ve always been interested in different countries, cultures, religions, languages, etc. I’m sure I’ll learn more about the world, other people, and myself in this one semester than I have all my other years of school.

#5 – I just LOVE accumulating debt it seems!

I’ll be honest and say that I’m incredibly excited, but I still have a lot to do before I leave.

Feel free to comment on this page (probably the easiest) or e-mail me while I’m gone: rick.moslen@gmail.com. At least comment or something so that i know that a few people are actually reading this thing :)

-Honestly I don’t know how often I’ll be able to check e-mails or update this thingy, but I’ll try to log on at least once a week (we have veeerry limited internet hours).

Now if you want more info on the Semester at Sea program itself you should check out www.semesteratsea.com or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semester_at_Sea. Any other questions, definitely ask me if you like.

Alright, well I’m kinda sick at the moment, so that’s all for today.

rick