Still on the Pacific...

Still on the Great Big Blue Pacific! The seas have been very calm and the sunsets gorgeous. Yesterday it was 77 degrees outside with a nice breeze-perfect weather! It feels like we’ve been at sea for much longer than a week! As I lay out on the deck with my book and ipod in hand, I find it hard to believe that all this is actually REAL (and its considered COLLEGE)!!!!

Classes ended two days ago and now we have finals. It is weird not having classes and a schedule. Yesterday was the dreaded Global Studies Final which surprisingly was not that difficult. I think every student onboard is glad that that class is over. Today is an A-day study day and tomorrow I have my Marine final followed by a B study day and then my Human Effects on Coastal Systems Final. I’m hoping the finals won’t be too hard. I have lots of studying to do in the mean time.

On April 25^th we had the Ambassador’s Ball. It was a really fun event where the entire shipboard community dressed up and had a fancy dinner followed by an “oldies” dance, regular dance in the union, pub night, and the biggest spread of desserts that I have ever seen. It was fun to dress up and have delicious food for a change.

On Sunday, the last day of classes, we had the much anticipated and widely talked about TACO DAY!!! I seriously think that you can get the student body to do anything when you use Taco Day as an incentive. Mason, Kelly, Kristin and I each had plates full of tacos and guacamole that went perfect with a bag a Have’a chips. I took pictures and didn’t eat dinner that night because I was so full. They are definitely the best, worst tacos I’ve ever had.

We arrive in Puntarenas, Costa Rica in four days. I’m going on a Canopy adventure on the morning that we arrive. I’ve heard that the zip-line course in Costa Rica is one of the best in the world. I’m really excited. After that I don’t really have any other plans. I do know that I want to find postcards, as always and some delicious food and maybe a nice beach.

It is hard to believe that this voyage is almost over. I’m kind of nervous about coming home. Like Hawaii, I’m afraid that it will be familiar yet foreign. However, I can’t wait to hug my family and talk to friends. I’m in the second to last group to disembark the ship in Miami. We arrive at 8am and I’ve heard that it is a pretty long process clearing customs, declaring purchases, immigration etc… Luckily, my flight isn’t until 7:40pm out of Miami. I’m sure we will receive more info in the four days from Costa Rica to Miami.

Ok, off to go find a quiet hallway and study.

Happy Birthday Dad (in a few days)!!!!

Again, thanks for all the awesome letters, thoughts and support.

-Megan