Hello all!
First I'd like to thank anyone out there who has stuck with this blog this far along. I hope my writings have been interesting and not too monotonous! I very much look forward to sharing my experiences with all of you firsthand and not through the text of these pages. In the meantime, I'd like to update you on life aboard the MV as we make way towards Boston, USA.
We were informed by our noon bridge report today that we are within 1000 NM of the United States! We had about 895 to go at that point so now, about 8 hours later, we are probably looking at 730nm or so to go. Finals are in full swing and the past few days have been spent doing various papers and presentations. Global studies wrapped up this morning with an exam so tomorrow, after two more finals, I will officially be an alumni of Semester at Sea. About time I join the rest of the Aschieris family! In celebration of classes ending we will be having the Alumni Ball tomorrow night, so it's finally time to break out the blazer and tie. We are gaining an hour of sleep about every other night as we move backwards through time zones, which is a nice change from our last trip east across the Atlantic. Today while I was sitting in the shade on deck 7 working on a marketing study guide trying to keep my eyes off all there is to be seen out there, it started raining! Tons of people gathered up their stuff but myself along with a few others hopped right into the pool. Finally after 62 days of SAS, we have seen rain! It only lasted a minute but was still fun and made for a good study break.
Today we had a pre-port for Boston which they structured just like every other port arrival but made a pretty funny parody of the dangers and what-to-knows of America (i.e. please drink the water and eat freely without worry of the lovely TD). It was not all comedy though as they did begin to prepare us for our re-entry process which is rapidly approaching. We have received our instructions for packing to clear customs and I will probably begin that project tomorrow afternoon after exams. The ship is expected to be piloted by 7am and fully docked, starboard side, by 8am on August the 18th. I'm pretty sure that I will, along with lots of other kids, get up around 6 or earlier that last morning to watch the sunrise as we reach our final port. In the ship's auction that was held recently our group of friends bid hard on the privilege of raising the Ensign as we entered port but unfortunately lost out to a girl who was willing to throw some serious money at it.
What a ride it has been thus far! Expect one last post just before arrival into the United States.
Jeff
p.s. Mom, I have a haircut scheduled…but may cancel the appointment. You'll have to wait and see, on Saturday!
