First Day At Sea

*Date Written 8/28/09*

Well today was just about as long as yesterday. Had to be up and at the dock by 8am. We arrived a few minutes late but it wasn’t a problem. I had to sign a waiver that I didn’t have the swine flu and then got tags to attach to my bag for my room number. This way my luggage would be delivered to my cabin instead of having me lug it around which would be next to impossible. I went through check in handed my passport and was given my student ID card that will now be my way of getting on and off the ship. I then proceeded to go through security screening. There was time for a quick goodbye to mom, dad and Megan. I then took my carry on and boarded the ship. By the time I got to my room because of more check in’s my luggage had already arrived. At this point I began to get a little overwhelmed because it was all happening so quickly yet we wouldn’t leave the port until 5pm. There wasn’t much to do on the ship today but to explore on my own. The ship has multiple dining areas, a pool, a hot tub, library, computer center, recreation area, weight room, all the things a college has. It is much like a floating campus as they like to call it. In the afternoon, I took a nap to try and catch up on some sleep and then we had a life boat drill at 4pm. It took a half an hour and then most of the students went to the upper decks for the send off. My parents were at a park located not too far from the ship in order to see the ship leave the port. You could hear bagpipes being played I don’t know if it was for us or just something going on that seemed so cliché . As the ropes were untied everyone cheered and it was the moment we have all waited for. We were off to see the world. I saw the crowd of parents waving, but it seemed like little specks, you could see the flash of the cameras. Then, I went to get some dinner downstairs my first meal on the ship. It wasn’t bad at all, but I’m sure it’s something that’s going to get old. After, I began feeling some seasickness so I went and laid down before our 8pm meeting. We were introduced to all the faculty and staff on the ship and the 9am start tomorrow morning. I’m exhausted so I’ll probably watch a movie and head to bed.

 Real quick, Classes are divided into A and B days. The four classes that I am taking are; Sociology of Marriage and the Family, Deviance and Social Control, Globalization and International Law, and finally the required Global Studies. Most of these courses will be applied toward my major for Scranton. There are some field programs that are required for these courses and that will count for 20% of my grade by doing them. Examples include Operation Hunger and Working Women in Chennai, India. Classes don’t start until Sunday so I’ll update you after the first class.