It’s the final countdown, unfortunately we only have 4 days left of this expedition & we are heading back to port. I can honestly say that I’m going to miss all of the wonderful people who I’ve met along the way. This experience has been life changing & I can not wait to share my journey with all of my friends & loved ones back home. I’m so grateful that i had the opportunity to be apart of such an enjoyable eye-opening cruise. There hasn’t been a single person aboard this ship who has ever been negative about anything. Everyone is so optimistic & friendly which makes for a great cruise with a fantastic crew. 

     I could say that I have taken full advantage of living on land. I was accustomed to jumping in my car driving where I wanted too, eating what ever I wanted when I wanted, having no problems shaving my legs, showering, walking 300 feet in a straight line & even sleeping! Living aboard a boat from a month you realize how good you have it because the simplest tasks turn into such difficult ones. Eventually you get used to everything and you learn to love it. You start to make daily routines which become simple over time. For some people life aboard the high seas isn’t for them. I could say that I would love to do this again just maybe aboard a boat that works with ROV’s next time.

     My mentor was extremely helpful throughout the entire trip as well as the other scientists. They taught me the functions of the magnetometer, the Knudsen, the multibeam, the gravitometer , & so many other machines that we have used to collect data. Launching XBT’s was always one of my favorite activities, other than going on the deck in ridiculously high seas.

     Hopefully this is the first of many trips for me. I would love to dive into other trips; this expedition ignited a fire that I don’t think I will be able to smolder. I would love to go out & explore more areas of the world as a scientist collecting data or aboard a ship that works with ROV’s. Reading other peoples blogs also makes me thirsty for another opportunity to dive into the world of oceanography. What’s possibly better than having fun doing something you love? Nothing !

      I can’t express how thankful I am for such a life changing opportunity. Hopefully this isn’t the last time I blog as a MATE Intern. Also I will post photos once I get back to New York since my computer won’t cooperate with me right now.  

Signing off

Ashley Paradiso