Changes of Faces and Places

It is a glorious sunny day. We are currently in our second day underway to Charleston, South Carolina. I have not gotten seasick in a solid weak. Success! Sunday the seventh will mark out third week. It is odd how fast time flies and also how slowly some days seem. I am finally starting to get into the routine. Change has made its mark. We all have calloused hands from hailing lines and blisters from our Tevas and Chacos. Everyone’s skin is either bronzed or lobster red.

I hear fewer and fewer complaints about getting up for midnight and dawn watches. Students jump to orders confidently. Though it has only been three weeks, I see subtle changes in all of us. New friendships have formed and old friendships have been tested.

We all miss home and our old routines but for now, we make the most out of these sunny days. On the ship, schedules are always changing. One of the biggest realizations I have had is to not worry about the past or yearn for the future but to savor the moment I am in now.  The sunset melting over the horizon, the pods of dolphins swarming the boat, the hysterical laughter in the forward cabin before bed all make every day worth coming aboard.

-Amy