Time: 2357
Nothing like a little ‘red-eye’ flight to commence my journey as one of this summer’s Marine Advanced Technology Education interns. Time is one of the first things given a different face at sea. We are expected to reject the classic comforts of a daytime routine based on ‘morning tasks’ being different than ‘night tasks.’ It may very well be possible that I may be brushing my teeth at 0300 or dead asleep at two in the afternoon. The ship makes its own time bubble, where we will operate separately from land, twelve hour shifts and no days off- Here we come! I am wearing my new lilac waterproof watch, it seems to be lacking military time so I am hoping I will get good at adding twelve hours to all my times.
With a small hiccup in my travel plans from west coast California to east coast Delaware I maybe taking ‘plane, train, and automobile…’ and ship of course! In fear of misplacing my luggage during the itinerary change, the airline suggested I carry my bags with me. So here I sit with my one 48 liter backpacking pack, a small bag, a water bottle, my rain boots, and my laptop; all I am bringing with me for six weeks. It still sinking in that I am on my way, not only to greet the Sharp as my summer home, but on my way to the Atlantic Ocean. While I have been to the East US before, I have never been to Delaware.
Oh! My airplane to Houston is boarding now- What a grand landmass lies between me and my final destination. Looking forward to this opportunity and blogging again soon. I’ve included a quick “eye spy” photo that I took during packing.
~Maia
P.S. Thanks Jesi for your help getting me out of town!