Location: Underway to the Azores
WHAT IS UP!!! Today was another epic day crossing the Atlantic. I honestly have no idea how many days it’s been since we left the BVI and started sailing because, well, time means almost nothing out here (I couldn’t tell ya what day it is), well, except for the fact that Flo made it very clear to us all that today is Canada day. To which many of the other students responded with an eagle screech and a babble in a southern accent about how it’s Merica’s birthday in three days. This morning, my watch team and I had the 4-8 am watch, my favorite watch. There’s something so unique and special about the 4-8 am watch. You get the dark, starry night for the first hour or so, followed by the pink and orange glows of the sunrise and ending with the beautiful blue skies and blue waters of the Atlantic. Ah, I just love it! This morning on watch, as we all took our turns helming, we had lots of fun conversations about all kinds of random things, such as how stale the Reeses puffs I provisioned for everyone are and the best way to wake Mac up for his watch. The sunrise today was beautiful. There truly is nothing quite like starting your day out here in the deep blue. Our head chef today was Miss Lucie, and DANG, did she crush it! She made us ratatouille for lunch and veggie lasagna for dinner, and they were both so delicious… well… at least most of us thought so. We have a solid five male shipmates that basically refuse to eat a veggie, so it’s been quite comical to see them attempt to eat (attempt is a strong word) the meals. To their mamas back home… don’t worry, I’m working on it with them. But yeah, Lucie absolutely smashed it today, as I knew she would after tasting the meals on some of her sous chef days.
For classes today, the students had Navmaster and Leadership. In Navmaster, Mac and I taught them how to solve for things like a true compass and compass when they’re plotting points. We also went over dead reckonings with the students. In leadership today, Dan and I had Mr. Ruffles (Runyon) give us his presentation on understanding yourself as a leader. He crushed it! When I was a student, I did my presentation on the same subject, so it was fun to see his perspective on it all. He had us do a coloring activity where we drew a picture of where we hoped to be after completing this trip. It was super fun and exciting to see everyone’s pictures at the end. After those classes were done, it was time for watch team three to get back on watch. Nate helmed a whole bunch, and he crushed it! After watch, those of us that are taking PSCT had class with Tom before having dinner. For squeeze tonight, I had everyone bring something for a show and tell. It’s always so fun to see what people bring out of their back pockets in moments like that. Highlights include Zoe’s recorder, Runyons handmade embroidered name tag, Ara’s ballet flats with a crazy story attached to them, and Mac’s teddy bear (thanks, Dan). And that brings us here! Everyone is cleaning up and getting ready to head into their night watch schedule for the night. I have 12-4 tonight, so I am eager to crawl into bed and get my three or so hours before my watch. To my family back home… I love and miss you so much! Sending you all hugs and love, and I can’t wait to call you when we get to the Azores. Good night, everyone!