I will start this entry with this warning; I have never been out to sea for more than an afternoon. Never cruised or sailed beyond the bay in Clearwater, Florida (and even that was only once, a very long time ago). I was totally unprepared for the crossing of the Atlantic. Unprepared for the constant motion of the sea, unprepared for the seasickness, unprepared for the beauty, unprepared for the insecurity, unprepared for the sheer magnitude of the experience. There are no words to describe how you feel when you look out in any direction and see water, water as far as the eye can see. You feel powerful and weak, but mostly you feel small. The sheer amount of water is almost overwhelming if you think about it too long. Yet, there is something magical and beautiful in feeling that small- like you could disappear into the water and essentially disappear into another world.
Life on the ship is a surreal experience. I wake in the morning to a pitch-black cabin. With no windows or lights on- you can’t see anything. I feel my way down the bunk ladder (I’m on the top bunk to break a fear of heights) and rustle myself over to the shower. Thirty minutes later, I’m up in the Dining room, wet hair and little makeup, eating breakfast before I have to report to work at the campus store. It’s strange to think how freeing it is to simply be liberated from blow-drying my hair every morning.
Work and classes are the same; you have to fight the rocking waves. The waves rock against the ship, seducing your mind into thinking one thing; it must be naptime. The gentle waves rock you back and forth, making sleeping on the ship easy- I have yet to have an issue falling asleep. The waves do, however, act as a sort of sedative during class. They make you feel like the most import thing you could be doing at any given moment is napping. My professor’s classes are very interesting, and yet I feel like I have eyelids that weigh 70 pounds each. During the day as you fight sleepiness; you also have to fight the waves walking around. I’ve been told our seas have been uncharacteristically calm, but even still, walking around can be hazardous. Students and faculty (the crew seem to be the only people immune) can be seen at any time, walking around looking slightly drunk. Like, not drunk enough to be wasted, but drunk enough to be feeling warm and fuzzy. We must look like a ship full of drunken people.
Some students are here to be a serious student. You can tell who they are after talking to them a few minutes. Majors, home institutions and course loads can tell you lots about a person. But even the not so serious students who are along for the ride and opportunity to get drunk in every port are nice. The community, all in all, is friendly and accommodating.
On a somewhat house keeping note, you will not see pictures accompanying my post while I am blogging at sea (I will try to post pictures in port). I have super limited internet access and loading pictures is impossible.
I hope you all are doing great. I miss you all more than I can articulate, but know you are all in my heart.
Also- should you feel inspired to email me (which you should!) you may email me at mlharrell@semesteratsea.net
Until Morocco!
Mal
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
The Overwhelming Ocean
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Bon Voyage! (0 Days!)
Well... here we are.
Boarding the MV Explorer in a matter of hours.
It's been a long road here, full of the ups and downs that the passage of time generally holds. It has been a long journey, but it has also been a spectacular one. It's unnerving to know that this first chapter- the waiting , the stress, the endless planning- is coming to a close. The voyage is beginning. Stepping onto the ship is the first of many steps into a new life, a new understanding, and a new Mallory.
But mostly I can't believe it's real.
Seriously, someone should pinch me.
New York City and Montreal have felt unreal- more like a very vivid dream than my actual life. Both cities have been wonderful.
a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTcPbWIuk1poEB7surrLdRZcG68ba-S27Dr3VaGM41cBPHnzqTMKTvkR_qCUMYVpHTQSIwwTy_B-ziUsH13bTwMcOydArK2EUElLbxagO0wCLmv0SpAcQpXL5Q6mYSa6tXxhMqY64e0RI/s1600/IMG_0563.JPG">
A friend of mine once sang "NYC, what is it about you? You're big, you're loud... I'm spinning" in my middle school production of Annie as he spun around in a desk chair during a rehersal. We laughed then, but it turns out that is not far from the truth. New York City was larger than life. The lights, the sounds, the smells, the people, all too much for my imagination to have created- but there they are. The city moved and ebbed and flowed in a way no place I have ever been to in my life has. I loved the city, and saying goodbye to NYC to board my train was more like saying 'see you soon' to an old friend. I feel like my life will lead me there again, and probably soon.
If New York City were to have a cleaner, smaller younger sister it would Montreal. The people move in similar ways, but the french speaking and distinctly Canadian relaxed vibe of the city makes it less stressed- more like a fancy Parisian lady who is running late, but stops to have a drink anyways.
Last night, my last night in Montreal, I hiked to the top of a mountain (I use the word mountain liberally... it is more like a large hill). Up at the top, the view of the city was beautiful, lights as far as the eye could see. It was one of those moments in life when the world seems to stretch out before your feet, just waiting for you to answer its beckoning call, and all you have to do is move your feet and be open to the universe of possibilities.
As I prepare to drag my super large suitcases down the flight of stairs to check out and then into a taxi, I would be remissed if I didnt take a moment to thank the people who have made this voyage a reality for me.
Thank you Mom for pushing me to continue to work hard even when all I wanted to do was sleep in. Your support has meant nothing short of the world to me, and as I head out into the world, know that I take you with me in spirit everywhere I go.
Thank you Mamaw for making this voyage a reality. Your help has assisted in so many ways- I could not be here without you.
Thank you to Matthew and Christine Quiat. Your kind words, guidance, and help has opened my mind to the wiser possibilities of the world (and inspired me to read Lord of the Rings again).
Thank you to my Dad, who has contributated to getting me in ways that have been a huge help.
Thank you to DR. Reed and Dr. Ammon of ASU. You guys have opened my mind to ideas I had never considered before.
Thank you to all my friends- there are simply too many of you wonderful people to list by name. I will miss you tons and can't wait to see you come Christmas. Start listening to Christmas music in October for me ;)
See you soon!
Boarding the MV Explorer in a matter of hours.
It's been a long road here, full of the ups and downs that the passage of time generally holds. It has been a long journey, but it has also been a spectacular one. It's unnerving to know that this first chapter- the waiting , the stress, the endless planning- is coming to a close. The voyage is beginning. Stepping onto the ship is the first of many steps into a new life, a new understanding, and a new Mallory.
But mostly I can't believe it's real.
Seriously, someone should pinch me.
New York City and Montreal have felt unreal- more like a very vivid dream than my actual life. Both cities have been wonderful.
a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTcPbWIuk1poEB7surrLdRZcG68ba-S27Dr3VaGM41cBPHnzqTMKTvkR_qCUMYVpHTQSIwwTy_B-ziUsH13bTwMcOydArK2EUElLbxagO0wCLmv0SpAcQpXL5Q6mYSa6tXxhMqY64e0RI/s1600/IMG_0563.JPG">
A friend of mine once sang "NYC, what is it about you? You're big, you're loud... I'm spinning" in my middle school production of Annie as he spun around in a desk chair during a rehersal. We laughed then, but it turns out that is not far from the truth. New York City was larger than life. The lights, the sounds, the smells, the people, all too much for my imagination to have created- but there they are. The city moved and ebbed and flowed in a way no place I have ever been to in my life has. I loved the city, and saying goodbye to NYC to board my train was more like saying 'see you soon' to an old friend. I feel like my life will lead me there again, and probably soon.
If New York City were to have a cleaner, smaller younger sister it would Montreal. The people move in similar ways, but the french speaking and distinctly Canadian relaxed vibe of the city makes it less stressed- more like a fancy Parisian lady who is running late, but stops to have a drink anyways.
Last night, my last night in Montreal, I hiked to the top of a mountain (I use the word mountain liberally... it is more like a large hill). Up at the top, the view of the city was beautiful, lights as far as the eye could see. It was one of those moments in life when the world seems to stretch out before your feet, just waiting for you to answer its beckoning call, and all you have to do is move your feet and be open to the universe of possibilities.
As I prepare to drag my super large suitcases down the flight of stairs to check out and then into a taxi, I would be remissed if I didnt take a moment to thank the people who have made this voyage a reality for me.
Thank you Mom for pushing me to continue to work hard even when all I wanted to do was sleep in. Your support has meant nothing short of the world to me, and as I head out into the world, know that I take you with me in spirit everywhere I go.
Thank you Mamaw for making this voyage a reality. Your help has assisted in so many ways- I could not be here without you.
Thank you to Matthew and Christine Quiat. Your kind words, guidance, and help has opened my mind to the wiser possibilities of the world (and inspired me to read Lord of the Rings again).
Thank you to my Dad, who has contributated to getting me in ways that have been a huge help.
Thank you to DR. Reed and Dr. Ammon of ASU. You guys have opened my mind to ideas I had never considered before.
Thank you to all my friends- there are simply too many of you wonderful people to list by name. I will miss you tons and can't wait to see you come Christmas. Start listening to Christmas music in October for me ;)
See you soon!
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Holy Smokes (33 Days!!!)
I just want to share this little tid-bit with all you lovely friends, family, voyagers and bored people out there in internetland; I will be on board a ship leaving Canada to circumnavigate the globe in 33 days. I will be boarding a train that will take me to New York City for a day before boarding my train bound for three days of Montreal exploring in 28 days.
Holy smokes.
I'm not even kidding. The major plans are made, the luggage bought, the lists written down and recorded, the vaccinations complete, the malaria, motion sickness and antibiotic medications in hand. The final plans are being made- what snacks do I want to bring with me? What items of clothing do I still need to purchase? What school supplies do I need to get for my classes? I'm beginning to work in the details and that is extremely satisfying. It feels like all the hard work I have been doing since the days of getting my application materials for the study abroad office of ASU in August of last year, and the endless parade of forms that I completed for both ASU and SAS in the snowy winter months since my acceptance into SAS in January are coming to fruition.
I feel like I am standing on the edge of a precipice- that moment of pure adrenaline and excitement you feel just before you jump.
I pulled my suitcases out from the back of my closet, where they had been stashed to avoid the inevitable layer of cat hair that will dawn the black fabric, to eye the space I need to keep in mind. All of my possessions- toiletries, snacks, school supplies, clothing, laptops, EVERYTHING I will need for the next 4 months must fit into these bags. And I have only 28 days to play the even more ludicrous game of tetris to fit my life into 3 bags. I simply cannot believe how much time has passed, and how close this whole thing is to beginning. My first blog entry was at 221 Days, and I began my computer countdown at 385 days. And now, a mere 33 days remain.
Holy smokes.
I just came back from watching the last Harry Potter movie with my mom (her first time and my third). As we were walking out of the theatre my mom said something that truly touched me. She said "You know, your trip with Semester at Sea will be like your own Platform 9 and 3/4. It is going to change your life and who you become". I think she's right.
Just as a sappy side note about Harry Potter- I grew up with the characters- each book coming out so that Harry, Ron and Hermione were roughly the same age as I. They were friends to me when I started a new school or had boy troubles or friend troubles. But mostly I think they have helped me become who I am today- and have built me up to be the person looking for adventure that led me to SAS.
Mischief Managed!
Holy smokes.
I'm not even kidding. The major plans are made, the luggage bought, the lists written down and recorded, the vaccinations complete, the malaria, motion sickness and antibiotic medications in hand. The final plans are being made- what snacks do I want to bring with me? What items of clothing do I still need to purchase? What school supplies do I need to get for my classes? I'm beginning to work in the details and that is extremely satisfying. It feels like all the hard work I have been doing since the days of getting my application materials for the study abroad office of ASU in August of last year, and the endless parade of forms that I completed for both ASU and SAS in the snowy winter months since my acceptance into SAS in January are coming to fruition.
I feel like I am standing on the edge of a precipice- that moment of pure adrenaline and excitement you feel just before you jump.
I pulled my suitcases out from the back of my closet, where they had been stashed to avoid the inevitable layer of cat hair that will dawn the black fabric, to eye the space I need to keep in mind. All of my possessions- toiletries, snacks, school supplies, clothing, laptops, EVERYTHING I will need for the next 4 months must fit into these bags. And I have only 28 days to play the even more ludicrous game of tetris to fit my life into 3 bags. I simply cannot believe how much time has passed, and how close this whole thing is to beginning. My first blog entry was at 221 Days, and I began my computer countdown at 385 days. And now, a mere 33 days remain. Holy smokes.
I just came back from watching the last Harry Potter movie with my mom (her first time and my third). As we were walking out of the theatre my mom said something that truly touched me. She said "You know, your trip with Semester at Sea will be like your own Platform 9 and 3/4. It is going to change your life and who you become". I think she's right.
Just as a sappy side note about Harry Potter- I grew up with the characters- each book coming out so that Harry, Ron and Hermione were roughly the same age as I. They were friends to me when I started a new school or had boy troubles or friend troubles. But mostly I think they have helped me become who I am today- and have built me up to be the person looking for adventure that led me to SAS.
Mischief Managed!
Saturday, July 9, 2011
I HATE needles (47 days!!)
My life is beginning to feel like a sprint to the finish line, and the finish line is a marathon of its own. With a mere 47 days until I board the ship that will carry me around the world, and only 42 days until I leave my home for a 2 day train trip and a day in New York City, I am feeling as if I am closing in on my finish line- and that is a weird feeling.
I got my Yellow Fever and Polio vaccines yesterday- something that is both gross, painful and exciting. I hate shots, and needles. And not like people hate onions or country music. I mean I hate needles. They are the stuff that plagues my nightmares and makes me weep. I have, however, been working on my fear of needles (I did get acupuncture this past year that went swimmingly) but it's still something I hate. I still have 2 shots to go (TDAP and Hep A) and the Typhoid pills, but the truly horrible ones are over (and the 2 super expensive ones). I would like to thank my Mamaw for sponsoring the vaccines. It was very nice of her to do so (even if I hated them).
I also got my Visa's and Passport back in the mail earlier this week! I look at those three travel Visa's in my passport and marvel at how expensive they were.
My Mom and I will be setting out on a number of tasks today- the first is to start aggressively making lists of the things I will need to pack for this trip in one of the 3 rolling duffel's I have and to pack for the imminent move into my position as an RA when I return from Semester at Sea. Trying to make sure nothing gets overlooked for a nearly four month trip is exhausting and scary. The second task will be to clean up the house for the arrival of my best friend from Florida for my birthday! I turn 22 on Wednesday, and that happens to be the day that one of my bestest friends, Oriana, arrives to visit from the sunshine state! Which is very exciting. The very last thing that must happen today is catching up my mother in preparation for the VERY LAST Harry Potter Movie!! My mom hasn't really paid any attention to the 6th movie (despite the fact that I have forced her to watch it hundreds of times) and has never even seen Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1! And since the last movie comes out this next week, these two movies must be revued.
Until next time!
I got my Yellow Fever and Polio vaccines yesterday- something that is both gross, painful and exciting. I hate shots, and needles. And not like people hate onions or country music. I mean I hate needles. They are the stuff that plagues my nightmares and makes me weep. I have, however, been working on my fear of needles (I did get acupuncture this past year that went swimmingly) but it's still something I hate. I still have 2 shots to go (TDAP and Hep A) and the Typhoid pills, but the truly horrible ones are over (and the 2 super expensive ones). I would like to thank my Mamaw for sponsoring the vaccines. It was very nice of her to do so (even if I hated them).I also got my Visa's and Passport back in the mail earlier this week! I look at those three travel Visa's in my passport and marvel at how expensive they were.
My Mom and I will be setting out on a number of tasks today- the first is to start aggressively making lists of the things I will need to pack for this trip in one of the 3 rolling duffel's I have and to pack for the imminent move into my position as an RA when I return from Semester at Sea. Trying to make sure nothing gets overlooked for a nearly four month trip is exhausting and scary. The second task will be to clean up the house for the arrival of my best friend from Florida for my birthday! I turn 22 on Wednesday, and that happens to be the day that one of my bestest friends, Oriana, arrives to visit from the sunshine state! Which is very exciting. The very last thing that must happen today is catching up my mother in preparation for the VERY LAST Harry Potter Movie!! My mom hasn't really paid any attention to the 6th movie (despite the fact that I have forced her to watch it hundreds of times) and has never even seen Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1! And since the last movie comes out this next week, these two movies must be revued.
Until next time!
Monday, June 27, 2011
Great big beautiful tomorrow!!! (59 Days!!)
I just receive some AMAZING news from my wonderful Student Services Advisor, Kestrell. After an appeal, explaining my personal financial situation, the financial aid director has awarded me an additional $2,500 to my need based grant, bringing the total to $7,500!!!!! This leaves me with a balance of $1,385 left!
Dear readers, I cannot tell you how happy this has made me!! This voyage is real!!!! I am going to go Semester at Sea, it is no longer a leap of faith, it is an actuality! I am really going!
The first thing I say every time one of these wonderful occurrences has happened for me is this "I am going! I'm really going abroad!!" (usually while jumping up and down or hugging my mom to the point that she cannot breathe... or both). Every day this voyage feels more real than the day before. It's a feeling I never think possible, and then, like a miracle, it just gets better. The feeling pulses through my body and elates me even more than I thought it could just the day before.
More than anything, I want to say how wonderful the people who are at Semester at Sea are. They are truly wonderful and I cannot say enough nice things about them.
Just as a kind of side note, the title for today's blog post comes from a Walt Disney World ride called the Carousel of Progress that was a mantra for much of my middle and high school careers. I thought it was fitting for today's outburst of joy! Here's a youtube version of the ride in 2 parts!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3eJHvO83_s&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbFUggYn89E&feature=related
PS- Sorry for all the exclamation points in today's post. I just can't help it!
Sunday, June 26, 2011
2 months away!! (60 Days!!)
Semester at Sea is a mere two months away. I can't believe that. I cannot understand how time can pass so fast. Was it really only January that I got my acceptance after near death on the uphill slope of stadium drive? Did I really survive the semester? Have I really sent off for my Visa's and begun drafting packing lists?
Is this real life?
Yes.
Unfortunately for those people I live with, work with, or see on a regular basis, Semester at Sea consumes nearly all of my waking thoughts (and sleeping thoughts now that I think about it). I carry around a notepad in which I write down Semester at Sea thoughts; things to pack, forms to fill out, things to write about, or just words like '60 DAYS!!' or 'OMG EXCITED'. I'm afraid of talking to people, for fear of going into an over-excited, never ending explanation of what I am doing with Semester at Sea and how I am preparing and where we are going. It's a problem, but one I think all of the prospective voyagers are experiencing.
The really exciting things about my planning process are how it is quickly coming to an end. I am making final arrangements to get to Montreal! Which is great! I decided to take the train. It will be less than half the cost of flying, and I get to spend a day in New York City with my Big Brother from high school, Andrew! This news is particularly exciting to me since I have never been to New York City, and want to attend Columbia University for Law School someday in the future. Then I get to continue on to Montreal and spend a few days at a hostel and exploring a city that is has a very large french speaking population! Finally, a chance to immerse myself in a language I love!
As for the Diversity Abroad Scholarship, I am sad to report that I did not receive the scholarship, but I did receive a couple other scholarships and I think I have most, if not all of my voyage paid for. I am confident and excited.
Until next time,
Best Wishes,
Mal!
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