Cabin Fever!

Ok, so maybe I spoke, or rather wrote too soon when I said nine days at sea didn’t seem so long. Don’t get me wrong, life on the ship is pretty cool, it’s amazingly beautiful everyday, and everyone is pretty cool, so I’m with a lot of great people. But, anyone who knows me knows how easily I get bored if I am stuck inside, and I always need to be out doing things. I miss being able to ride my bike, go on long walks down to 3rd Street Promenade, jogging in the mornings down by the beach, and going out with my friends in the evenings. I am getting a little restless, and very much looking forward to Japan.

Between now and then, there is quite a bit to keep me busy (maybe even too busy – I brought several books that I am wondering if I’ll ever get a chance to read!) Yesterday was another crazy day for me. Took a yoga class at 6:30am, and spent the rest of the day in meetings, classes, and prepping for other meetings, including my “speed dating social” for my sea – that was pretty fun, though. There are two things about the job that I really don’t like. One is that we have to pre-sale tickets to the happy hours, and after hours parties that the students have almost everyday. The ticket sales concept is in complete disagreement with my philosophy that students should be permitted a choice of whether they wish to drink or not, and how much they would like to drink, on the day that the event occurs. The pre-selling of tickets is a waste of everyone’s time (we sell them for two hour periods each day, and students are stuck in a line, a day ahead of the actual “event”). I would very much like to see this changed. The second thing is the “chaperoning” out on the decks of these happy hours, and after hours. I suppose I am and will get used to it, but it definitely isn’t fun. We have to patrol the decks from about 9pm midnight each night that alcohol service is provided, basically making sure that the students don’t leave the area with alcohol. I try to make it fun, by hanging out with some of the students or inviting others to come and play cards or board games, but in the end, it often feels like babysitting, and it’s a bit of a pain. At home, I rarely ever stay up past 10:00 or 11:00pm on weeknights, so that is an adjustment as well. And to tell the truth I’d much rather be hanging out with the students inside who are doing fun things like playing cards and board games or playing their guitars, watching movies, etc, than hanging out with the drunk kids on the deck.

Honestly though I can’t complain. I have met some really wonderful students and faculty and they make this voyage truly enjoyable. I try to focus on those people, and spend as much time as I can with them. I know I only have three months with these people, so it’s an opportunity to learn a lot from them, and in general just have a good time! I think I need to remember to take a little time for myself, too. Instead of passing by the students who are laying out on the pool decks, rushing to another meeting, I’m going to try to spend a little more time enjoying the beautiful ocean breeze and the moments of calmness that are present each day when you are out in the middle of the sea.