Hong Kong tomorrow, Hong Kong tomorrow, Hong Kong tomorrow

Well as you can see, we are almost in Hong Kong~the seas have calmed down, the community has begun to form and life is finally settling in as much as it can on a ship going around the world. I have had some up days and down days in the past 4 since Kobe and mostly up...it just amazes me how I can get thrown off by one little incident versus trying to always keep the larger picture in my minds eye...and yet, I am at ease most of the time, enjoying the students, staff, adult passengers and especially the crew! Clearly the gift of this tough job is the connection to the crew and of course mostly the Captain and his officers...but I have grown to be close to our Chief Purser, Anna Maria, and her assistant Anna who are both sweethearts...here they are... they live across the purser's square from me in our mutual offices...
Last night we had cultural preports and we are fortunate to have an interport student from Hong Kong who got on board in Kobe and will leave in Hong Kong as well as an International student from mainland China who is sailing the full 100 days. They did an interview type format about their lives and the contrasts of 2 women's lives in different parts of China was fascinating! Here is a picture of Lin Wing Lok and Inga being interviewed by the Academic Dean~and Fil is another one-so hilarious and just catches you off guard most of the time with his humor and questions... oooh, a little dark, but ya get the idea... and finally another introduction to someone you have already met, but have not met her significant other, JB-they just got married days before the trip started-a great story in and of itself-they have known & been together for over 7 years...these 2 are a hoot and have clearly becomeand will be close friends on the ship and beyond...here is series at dinner that will give you an idea of how things go around here...T is crazy and JB just goes along for the ride-of course, this was after JB stole a huge piece of ice cream cake from some birthday party at another table and T ate most of it...and then Kate who ended up getting the last piece and being very happy about it~take a look...Tonight is logistical pre ports and it looks like I get the afternoon off~although cloudy out, I think I will go and get some fresh air and then I need to pack for Guilin, as we leave tomorrow after the ship clears for a 3 day whirlwind (it has been reduced from the 5 day trip. I must say, it was nice to have the extra 2 days at sea to get ready to go again!)...see ya in China!!!
love, ro

p.s. Tim just walked in with an apology letter from a student who told me it was "fuckin ridiculous" that he could not drink his beer as he was coming up the gangway as we were trying to get everyone on board to leave early to avoid the typhoon...of course in my "not so calm" way, I told him that he needed to think again about what he said and then he said it again...ah, yes, those teachable moments sometime are fleeting...but 3 days later is not bad to get it after you meet with Assistant Director of Student Life and get disciplined for it I suppose...trying to keep my expectations in check at all times!

Good day maties!