At Sea to Spain and beginning of reflections

We are on day 3 on our way to Spain and have 2 more to go. The seas, until today have been almost like glass and the weather warmer and unseasonale, according to the Captain. But, today we woke up to to some pretty big swells, white caps and lots of wind...although again we have not experienced really any "serious" weather since the beginning of this voyage...of course minus the typhoons in Japan, monsoons in China and storms out of Egypt~but again minor compared to what was to be expected...
The sea is really beautiful though when you see and experience her power...I will include some pics that may not mean or seem like much just looking at it, but it really is something else to be out here in the middle of her power and beauty with no land in sight!

Last night was also the infamous Auction...here are some shots of the amazing committee in their room of goodies before the event...the final dollar tally is not out yet, but the figure is looking like somewhere around $25,000 raised for charities of the communities choice by selling of items like, raising the flag into Florida, steering the ship for 5 minutes to the navagational map with the Officer's signature to first off the ship in Florida! Many summer homes and cabins were also part of the auction-I think the biggest ticket item was $3700 for a stay in a condo in Bend Oregon for a week! The list of items were immense, but it also included silent auction items as well as raffle tickets, where many more folks could have a chance at winning...actually I think they sold $6,000 worth of raffle tickets alone! Anyway, the funniest part was that "being the voice and me" for the day raised $600! We almost got 2 people to give $600 each, but the second gal came to her senses and backed out...so this gal will follow me around for the day and be able to make annoucements, go to meetings (of course meeting the officers), and going to the bridge! I thought I might start a little side business here on the ship to pay for my expenses by allowing people to be the voice for the next 17 days and make some money...at least possibly asked for a higher stipend anyway! But, it always amazes me that these students are willing to pay so much money for some of these items...it really is an evening where the money they come from is VERY apparent and pretty amazing to watch! Thank God it goes to charity-otherwise, it would not feel as ok to me! The other great part was JB and a student doing the auctioneering-wait until you meet JB-he is just naturally hilarious...I think he is missing his calling in life...he must look into being a comedian~he does not even try and he is funny!

On another note, the alumni fund drive that I am heading up is also in full gear-we have raised about $10,000 so far with a goal of $30,000...but we have a couple of folks within the adult passenger group that are challenging each other on giving...we have one who has already given $5000, another just about to give another $5000 with a matching of $2500 from another couple and $5000 more from the balance of the adults...so we will be at 22,500 pretty quickly...and will just need to make up the balance of $7500 from the rest of the community to beat the all time record of $29,500!!! We are up for the challenge and I think we may make it! Stay tuned!

I am starting my end of the year report and some reflections have started flowing into my mind as I have had to evaluate how this voyage has gone...so in the next couple of days, I will do some of that here on my blog, alongside the evaluation I turn into SAS...so here are some thoughts...

some things I am going to miss from my 100 day journey...
...waking up to the swaying of the great blue and orange ship underneath your feet
...having Sunny carrying my tray every morning, and Ismael bringing me tea, orange juice & my english muffin perfectly cooked
...sitting with the Officers every morning at 0830 talking about all the great things that happened, are about to happen and plan to happen in the future to make this the best voyage it can be
...waking everyone up at 0917 to a bing bong wake up call and knowing that a smile is on their faces as their morning alarm for the day
...being up in the bridge everyday, talking to Jesus and Guiseppe about the weather, life and what's happening on board from the crew perspective...and being able to be in the bridge and looking out into the wide blue ocean from a birds eye view
...working with the work study students and the 2 of ours who I love and adore so much~Carmina who is at San Diego and Ryan!

...the many opportunities for social gatherings with some of my current favorite friends...here we are at the last sea social with students in the Faculty/Staff lounge

That is enough for today...I am actually getting a bit nostalgic and teary eyed right now...must go and get my workout in for the day...the alarm was not set this morning, as I stayed up and watched the Michigan State/Norte Dame game that Tim had received from his sister AFTER the Auction until abou 1230 this morning...long day

much love for now...and pictures to come...
ro