A Crazy Beginning

Well, my semester abroad through Semester at Sea has begun!  I arrived in London mid afternoon on August 22nd and explored the city with Nicole and Tommy, two other students in my program.  To be honest, I am not a fan of London.  It's extremely similar to the United States, boring to walk around, and just plain expensive!  One British pound is equal to $1.54, so the exchange rate was pretty bad.  However, I was able to ride on the tube (which is like a subway in NYC), see Big Ben, get the classic tourist photo with a red telephone booth, visit Buckingham Palace, and take a stroll through St. James Park.  However, while all of that may sound cool to you (I hope at least one person is reading this!), my favorite part of London was the Patisserie Valerie.   The Patisserie Valerie is this super cute patisserie and sandwich shop, and their food was the best!  I got a sandwich that was covered in melted cheese with ham in between.  AND, people from London make their french fries differently!  In London, the salt is mixed with some kind of spice that makes the fries taste AMAZING!   Or maybe I just thought they were better because I don't have french fries very frequently.  After exploring, we then headed back to the hotel to crash for the night.




       

The next morning, I had to get up pretty early to catch the shuttle that would take myself and 26 other work study students to the ship a day early.  I loved being able to get on the ship early because I was able to unpack and pick a side before my roommates came the next day.  My room is like a quad, meaning there are two rooms connected to each other by a door.  Our bathroom is in one room and the large desk is in the other.  I chose the room without the bathroom because the inside room has more closet space, and you can't here the shower or toilet in it!  I was also able to explore the ship before everyone else arrived!  It is SO nice.  There are 7 decks on the MV Explorer, which notably includes a swimming pool, workout room, spa, campus stores, and about 4 dining areas counting the outside tables.  It's huge!  I still haven't figured out how to get around!  Once I was done working the parent reception for the parents of students attending, I had the rest of the night free.  Most of the work study students headed out to a bar/club, but since I'm not into that, I hung around the ship talking to a few girls, finished unpacking, and then headed to bed since I was still pretty jet lagged.   The next morning was embarkation day, and my job was to welcome all the new students to the ship and explain the check-in process.  It was really cool because I got

to meet pretty much everyone on the ship, even if I still can't remember most people's names!  But once embarkation finished and the boat sailed away from our port, the whole student body went to convocation to be "inspired" by a guest speaker who works with the government.  After that was over, pretty much everyone went to sleep.  And yesterday was literally orientation after orientation for like 8 hours.  It was exhausting!  Oh, and to top it all off, I got REALLY sea sick so I missed some of the orientation.  I mean, my options were to lay down in my cabin or get sick in the middle of orientation.  Needless to say, I chose to rest on my bed, where I put on my sea sickness patch and fell asleep for like 5 hours.  However, that evening was the activity/club fair, so I woke up to sign up for the extended family program, a service/volunteering club, passport to leadership, SAS money savers, a women's Bible study, and a co-ed worship/Bible study.  I'm excited to find out how I can participate in all of those clubs!  But until then, I'll just have to wait... just like you all are going to have to wait for another post about my first day of classes and work!   So until that time, here's to hoping I don't get sea sick anymore!  Prayers are definitely appreciated! 

 

Fun Fact: There are no stop signs in London. Weird.

Ready, Set, Go

This is it. I leave TODAY to study abroad on Semester at Sea for 4 months!  To say I'm nervous is definitely an understatement, however, I would be lying if I didn't say I keep getting more and more excited by the hour, which started with the packing process. Yesterday, I desperately tried to figure out how I was going to fit everything I needed for 4 months into 1 suitcase, 1 backpack, and 1 laptop case.  After 6 hours, I caved.  So, I am now bringing 2 large suitcases, 1 backpack, and 1 laptop case with me to the MV Explorer, the ship that will become my home for the fall semester.  Here's my packing list:

Clothes
o   3 jeans
o   1 pant
o   5 capris
o   6 shorts
o   5 lounge pants
o   2 sweatshirts
o   2 PJ Pants
o   3 PJ Shorts
o   4 PJ Shirts
o   5 Regular Tshirts
o   5 “Dressier” Tshirts
o   5 tank tops
o   3 cardigans
o   8 dresses
o   2 skirts
o   1 belt
o   4 scarfs
o   All underwear
o   Bras
o   1 pair of flip flops
o   3 sandals
o   1 pair of boots
o   1 pair of sneakers
o   1 pair walking shoes
o   1 formal dress

Toiletries/Medicine

 

o   Shampoo

o   Conditioner

o   Shower Soap (2?)

o   Loofa

o   Razor/Razor Blades

o   Hairbrushes (2)

o   Hair Ties

o   Bobby Pins
o   Toothbrushes (2)
o   Toothpaste (2)

o   Floss
o   Retainers o   Deodorant (2)  o   Foundation/Brush (2?)

o   Mascara (2)

o   Blush/Brush

 o   Eye Shadow/Brush

o   Powder Cover Up/Brush

o   Tweezers

o   Nail Clippers

o   Chapstick (2)

o   Contacts

o   Contact Solution

o   Contact Drops

o   Contact Mirror

o   Glasses
o   Pads/Tampons
o   Baby Wipes (2)
o   Hand Sanitizero   Nail Polish (1 or 2)

o   Q Tips

o   Sunscreen

o   Bug Spray

o   Bandaids

o   Tylenol

o   Malaria Medicine

o   Pepto Bismo or Ginger Chews

o   Sea Bands

o   Z Packs (Sea Sickness)

o   Zithromax

 

School Supplies (Because SAS is not a cruise!)

o   Textbooks

o   1 Subject Notebooks

o   Folders

o   Pens

o   Pencils

o   Highlighter (Pink)

o   Post It Notes

o   Calculator

 

Electronics

o   Laptop/Charger/Mouse

o   Backup CD/External Hard-drive? 

o   Camera/Charger/Memory Cards (2)

o   Memory Card Connection Cord

o   Flash Drive

o   Headphones

o   Outlet Adaptors

o   Movies?

o   Ipod/Charger

o   Phone/Charger

 

Documents

o   Passport

o   Copies of Passport

o   SAS Paperwork (Voyage Ticket)

o   Argentina Reciprocity Fee

o   Driver’s License

o   Copies of Driver’s License

o   Yellow Fever Certificate

o   Copies of Yellow Fever Certificate

o   Student ID

o   Copies of Student ID

o   Plane Tickets (Brazil, Home)  

o   Hostel Bookings (Brazil)

o   List of Family/Friends Email Addresses/Addresses

 

Miscellaneous

o   Bible/Devotional Journal

o   Travel Journal/Nick's Journal

o   Magnets

o   Pictures

o   World Map

o   Blanket

o   Flash Drive

o   Bed Sheet

o   Laundry Detergent

o   Travel Toiletry Containers

o   Gum/Granola Bars

o   Water Bottle

o   Cross Body/Day Bag

o   Hair Dryer

o   Hair Straightener with Automatic Shut-Off Proof

o   Sunglasses

o   Mosquito Net

o   Umbrella

o   Laundry Mesh Bag

o   Home Stay/Kid Gifts

So, that's it.  This is what I will be living with for the next 4 months.  It's almost scary, having my life reduced to a couple suitcases.  But, I know it's going to be worth it! While I alone may not feel ready or set, I do know that God will go with me wherever I travel to while on Semester at Sea.  And with that, I can say: 15 countries.  17 cities.  115 days.  Ready, Set, Go. 

 

P.S. If you missed my itinerary, check out my other post titled, "Say What" to see where I am going first! 

 

 

 

 

Speedos, Water Wings, and K-Love

As my summer is coming to a close, I realize how blessed I've been to have a job as a lifeguard on campus.  It's allowed me to live in an apartment for free, spend time with family and friends, and have my nights and weekends free from work...all while still earning money!  However, after spending an entire summer lifeguarding, I've learned just a few things about the pool, swimmers, and life in general.   And please note all statements are made in good fun and some may have slight exaggerations.


1) If you are a male and over the age of 25, you should not wear a speedo.  Actually on second thought, NO guy should EVER wear a speedo. I don't care how young or in shape you look.  It's uncomfortable to look at and since my job is to watch you, don't do it.  Just don't.

2) K-Love, Rochester's Christian radio station, has a playlist that is played on repeat every single day.  If you don't believe me, try listening to it nonstop 1:45pm-5pm, Monday-Friday.  You'll soon see my point.

3) Pool noodles were made for children.  They were not designed to be used as a workout tool.  If you try to use a pool noodle to workout, you aren't going to get a good workout.  You just aren't. 

4) There should be a rule stating that all children must demonstrate they can successfully retrieve just ONE diving ring from the bottom of the pool before being able to throw in the entire pool's supply.  Somehow, I'm always the one having to retrieve 20+ diving rings at the end of my shift. 

His smile won't last long.

5) Water wings are not a safe flotation device for children. I repeat, water wings are not a safe flotation device for children. The 3 year old who lost her water wings while being thrown in the air would agree with me.
 
6) Swimmers take advantage of every single second the pool is open.  If tell swimmers at 8:29pm that the pool is closed, they will proceed to tell me that they have another minute to swim since the pool closes at 8:30pm.  My mistake.

7) But some people waste their time in the pool.  So many "swimmers" come in, swim one lap, and then just stand in the water for another hour.  Whatever they're mulling over, they should save me the agony and awkwardness of having to stare at them just standing in one place and go stand in their bathtub instead. 

8) There is no power in having a lifeguard whistle.  No matter how many times I use it to let kids know that under no circumstances is "dunking" allowed, they always do it again in less than 5 minutes. 

9) Parents think lifeguards are babysitters.  My job is to maintain constant surveillance of swimmers and to provide emergency care in the event of an actual emergency.  My job is not to yell at kids when they refuse to get out of the pool or solve an argument between siblings. 

10) Kickboards are meant to be used to practice kicking, not to jump on.  Therefore, no matter what technique you use, if you jump on a kickboard, it will backfire and hit you in the face.   There's just no avoiding it. 

 

Panic

This picture sums up exactly how I'm feeling knowing that there are less than 25 days before I leave to study abroad on Semester at Sea.  While I try to smile when family and friends ask me if I'm ready for this adventure, deep down, I'm panicking.  Now, I'm not saying that I'm not VERY excited for this opportunity, but I certainly don't feel ready to embark for these reasons. 

1)  I just found out I owe Semester at Sea an additional $750 because fuel costs increased.  While this charge is unavoidable unless I want to sit in one harbor all semester, I have no idea how I'm going to come up with this money so close to sailing. 

2) I don't have my passport.  Currently, my passport is being passed around to the Brazilian, Ghanaian, and Russian consulates so I can get my visas.  I'm supposed to get my passport back a week before I leave, but that's cutting it way too close for my comfort. 

3) I still have a doctor's appointment, travel clinic appointment, and eye appointment to get all my vaccines and medication before being allowed to get on the ship in London.  If something happens where I can't make it to these appointments, I'm out of luck! 

4) I'm not entirely sure how I'm going to handle getting foreign currency for 15 different countries.  I think I'm just going to open a checking account with Charles Schwab and use an ATM card (since they don't charge any international atm fees) but of course, I haven't figured that out yet either.    

5) I have to pack for 4 months in just one suitcase and one carry on.  Enough said. 

6) I'm leaving my family, boyfriend, and friends behind for 115 days.  The longest I've been away from my family is 1 month, and the longest I've been away from my boyfriend is a little longer than 2 weeks.  And the longest I haven't talked to family and friends is probably one week.  I'm going to be gone for 4 months without the use of my phone and VERY limited internet access to stay in contact with everyone I love back home.    

However, I'm holding onto the promise God makes in Isaiah 41:10,  "So do not fear for I am with you, do not be dismayed for I am your God; I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."  While I probably won't stop panicking until I'm on the ship, it's a comfort to know God will be with me through this entire adventure.    

A Gentle Reminder

I have never been a fan of hiking (see left picture for proof). I don't like sweating, I don't like bug spray, and I don't like sneakers. I don't like getting muddy, I don't like falling, and I don't like how the estimated hike time is always wrong.  I especially don't like taking mile long walks just to get somewhere.  I don't understand how some people can enjoy dripping buckets of sweat just for a mountain top view or to stand in awe at a waterfall.  Now, I might enjoy taking mile long treks if when I reached the end, I could do something.  I would enjoy being able to jump in a waterfall and swim around for a bit, and I would enjoy being able to sled down a mountain in the winter.  But sadly, this almost never seems to be allowed.  What is allowed is another tortuous hike back down the trail. I mean, the least they can do is provide a shuttle back down!  Just kidding.  Kind of.  

But despite the fact that me and hiking will never understand eachother, I voluntarily decided to go hiking.  I volunteered to go hiking at Letchworth State Park on a Saturday, my one free day of the week.  It might have been the promise of waterfalls (that I foolishly thought I would be able to go in) or the fact that my boyfriend really wanted to go, but whatever the reason, I had a momentary lapse of judgement, and I was stuck with my decision.  Now, once we first got on our trail, I'll admit I started to think I had overreacted on past hikes. Ha. After not too long, the "easy" hike turned into a nightmare. There were about 200 stairs to hike down to get to the waterfall (that I thought I would be able to put my feet in) as well as many little hills.  And when I finally got down to the Lower Falls, I was disappointed.  The view wasn't that great, and I was certainly not going to be able to wade in the water. 

But then I heard a teeny tiny voice in my head (and no, it wasn't my boyfriend) that said something like, "You know I created all of this, don't you?"  Oops.  Just a second ago, I had thought what a waste of energy this was since I couldn't go in the waterfall and the view wasn't as phenomenal as the park had promised.  But after the gentle reminder that my God had created everything around me, the view became much more beautiful.  It was like I was seeing everything around me with new eyes.  Psalm 95 says, "For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hands are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land." Once God reminded me that He created all of nature, I could begin to appreciate the view.  So while I still may not enjoy hiking, I can now understand that sometimes, the view of God's creation can be worth the sweat, sticky bug spray, and suffocating shoes.