Day one

Seeing the boat for the first time was amazing, but being able to step on it for the first time was mind blowing. Everyone around is so friendly and wanting to meet you. The January 9^th was my first day and it was jammed packed. Checking in, roaming around the ship trying to find everything, locating my cabin, and much more. Most everyone was on deck as we pulled away from Mexico to set sail for the first time. The ship rocks like crazy! More than I thought – good thing I do not get seasick! (Knock on wood). One of the coolest things that happened today was meeting Archbishop Desmond Tutu. I went up to him and introduced myself and eventually said. “I have been dying to meet you” and he responded, “You are now resurrected.” He is about my height and very gentle and has a sense of humor. We are asked to call him Father when talking to him and he loves to give “high fives.” Day one was definitely a blast!

Arriving in California

Goodbye North Carolina hello San Diego. I cannot believe the time is almost here. In just a few days I will be on my way around the world. The flight to California was great, it was a bummer to get up at 4:25 AM but it sure felt great to arrive. When we got to the hotel we started to spot out kid that I might be traveling with. The whole experience is so amazing and exciting. I was sitting in the lobby today picking out kids with two duffel bags, a yellow bandanna (on the Facebook page we decided that will be the way we can find one another), or a single kid with parents wondering around. I can hardly contain my excitement! 

Saying goodbye to the puppies 

My view from the plane 

The lobby of the giant hotel on the bay front

Bon Voyage

Last few nights in Greensboro so of course we had a Bon Voyage party! It was so great to see all my friends before I left for my trip! 

packing up a storm

How does one begin to pack for 7-month trip around the world where both winter and summer take place and two duffel bags is your limit? When you find a sane, organized way to do it, let me know because right now it looks like some kind of explosion has happened in my room. It is like hop scotch trying to find a spot where the floor might be. To make the experience of packing a little easier I created an Excel sheet that has a list of what I need, a list of what I cannot bring, and a list of what has been put in my bag thus far. Some might think that it is over organized to know where everything is located in your bag, but really its just procrastinating. Yes it is possible to procrastinate for packing, and I am doing it well because I have no idea where to start. There comes a point where you just need to start loading it in the bag and I’m getting to that point. With only a few more days left until go time, I am no longer able to just stare at the mess in my room and ponder the things that need to be packed. I actually have to put it all into motion.

6 Days till Ship take off. 

Puppies Helping pack 

Adventures away from home

My ultimate goal is to travel the world. Instead of just seeing places from photos on the internet, I want to have my own photos and memories. I have been extremely fortunate throughout my life when it comes to traveling over seas. I have a strong drive to see the world, but that became more intense when I decided I wanted to go to more places than my father has been. Since he has been to a lot of places on business, the rule is that we must leave the airport and experience what the country has to offer. so far this is my list:
1. France
2.England, (London)
3.Czech Republic
4. Ireland
5. Germany
6.Canada
7. Greece
8. Turkey
9. Spain
10. Italy
11. British Virgin Islands
12. Mexico
13. Austria

My list has been growing, and after this trip I will be able to add at least 10 more. My dad is way ahead, but I am catching up.

Classes on the seas

Registration for Semester at Sea happened not too long ago and was extremely successful!
Registration is a very nerve racking experience. One has to compete with hundreds of other students for classes that have limited spaces. For semester at sea, the students must have one lens course and three regular courses. Options for lens courses are limited, and for me there was only one that would benefit me. I went about choosing my classes on which ones would be best for my overall graduation. Before registration started I had made a schedule of classes I wanted and also chose classes that would work for back ups if I did not get my first choices. 

Lucky for me class registration was at 12:00 when I did not have any UNCW classes. When it came time to register I logged on at the same time as the hundreds of other students and was scared out of my mind. The system was extremely slow because of the amounts of people on at once. After all the heart pounding, freaking out, and terrifying wait for website loading, I was all registered and completely relieved. I had gotten all of my first choices! 

Classes:

Lens: water for the world:

Topic = Everything to know about water. 

Professor = Johnson 

Field Lab = singapore day one 

Why take it? I decided to take this class because it transfers back to UNCW as a science. For me to graduate I need two science classes and I have already taken one. By taking this class my general studies for sciences are fulfilled. This class was a good choice because I actually have a reason to take it rather than it being just a fun class to take that would not benefit me in the future. 

1) Introduction to drawing at sea:

Topic = Visual recording of personal expression.

Professor = McLeod 

Field Lab = Hilo, Hawaii, lava rock beach 

Why Take it? To graduate UNCW there are a certain amount of elective class you have to take for graduation. I decided to take this class because I love to draw but am not allowed to take art classes at UNCW because it is not my minor or major. By taking this class on the ship it allows me to have fun while abroad and fulfill elective credits. 

2) Consumer Behavior:

Topic = Creation of marketing strategy. 

Professor = Oliphant

Field Lab = Vietnam markets, day1 

Why take it? I wanted to take this class because it is a mandatory class to take as a marketing major. With this class I will be starting to fulfill the courses for my major and will get to use what we learn first hand in the countries we visit. we will be learning by seeing and being involved rather than from only a class room. 

3) Theory and practice of persuasion: 

Topic = How to be persuasive. 

Professor = Acosta-Lewis

Field Lab = Market persuasion techniques in Myanmar, & dinner with a United Nations representative. 

Why Take it? This class would also come back as an elective but the main reason I decided to take it, is because in the business world one needs to learn how to be persuasive without being pushy or rude. It is necessary to be able to communicate your opinions and why they would be beneficial. This class would give me knowledge that would be extremely helpful in the real world and give me a step up from possible future co-workers. 

*The four classes I chose I believe are very strong and enjoyable. I can not wait to get started! 

**For those of you who are not aware, Field labs are mandatory for each class and are faculty lead excursions that bring what we are learning into real life. Field labs are different for every class and the professor chooses which country would best represent the class material. 

song, and time for glasses

Viewer discretion is advised for this video; contains a few bad words. 

                                   

Words of Wisdom:  "Maybe its not my weekend but It's gonna be my year." This pretty much sums it up!

Ps. I got glasses. I can See!