(the captain wasn't around, so they put me in charge)- Global studies tests aren’t difficult, but are pretty confusing. We took our first exam this morning. It’s the class we have everyday that everyone on board the ship must take. I heavily dislike it. It IS amusing to watch seven hundred students study for the same test around the same environment till the late hours of the night.
- Even though the ship’s ice cream isn’t bad, it melts VERY quickly and oftentimes makes a complete mess.
- Make sure you AND your roommate set an alarm for the early morning class (especially with an inside cabin). Enough said.
- Plan an African safari EARLY (we still need to start planning ours).
- Even though watching “City of God” in a cabin with fourteen people is fun, don’t watch it a few days before traveling to Brazil (everyone in the movie gets shot, multiple times).
- Signing up for trips in each country requires some VERY difficult decision-making skills. Luckily I got on almost all of the trips I signed up for, including a trip to Beijing (including Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall, and the Forbidden City, and it’s all hosted by university students). Unfortunately I didn’t make the cut onto the Operation Hunger trip in Africa, but I am sort of excited about visiting a Bollywood film set in India.
- Signing up for many clubs is cool, except now I must attend many meetings. I’m on the Sea TV crew, and I’ll probably be editing, shooting, and possibly writing some shows after we get back from Brazil. I’m also in the music club, and it’s pretty interesting so far (I think I’m the only drummer). At the first meeting about 10 to 12 people attended, and every musician comes from a completely different background. The guy who’s leading the group, Bob, has been playing guitar for years and years and he apparently writes for the Mel Bay guitar instruction books. Really nice guy and I’m looking forward to playing with him and all the other musicians onboard (we’re meeting every other day at sea I believe). I’ll also maybe get involved with the Environmental club and possibly help organize a few off-ship community service projects, and I also may write something or two for the yearbook if I can come up with some kickin’ poetry while on this voyage. I THINK there were one or two other clubs I signed up for at the Activities fair, but I honestly can’t remember what they were. I don't always excel at extra-curricular activities it seems.
- Spending hours working on an English Literature paper is useless if the professor doesn’t even bother to check the papers.
- The Equator isn’t all it’s hyped up to be, though it’s peculiar when a glazing sun suddenly transforms into harsh rain clouds and a typhoon suddenly hits the back deck (while studying).
- A tour of the bridge is awesome...but it’s pointless if Captain Jeremy isn’t there. I may have to keep signing up for tours of the bridge until I get a sweet picture with the Captain.
- Almost everyone on this trip is either from Colorado, California, or Pennsylvania (especially the Pittsburgh region).
- Movie nights are fun, especially when they consist of Eddie Izzard standup comedy.
- The rolls and desserts offered in the dining area are still delicious.
- I still haven’t “partied” up on the 7th deck during after-hours (when alcohol is served), and after getting to know some of the people who are generally up there, I highly doubt that I will anytime soon.
- Listening to the African drum ensemble class in the Union while studying generally helps my concentration.
That’s it for now. Brazil tomorrow! I’ll hopefully update late next week, because I’m sure that I’ll have some fascinating stories.
