Well, we are approximately half way between Hawaii and Japan. We are 1,400 miles from Hawaii and 1,500 from Japan. If anything happens to the ship we are seriously deep do do. We have had beautiful weather lately. Clear blue skies and warm weather. After the Global Studies class, I went to the top deck in front of the faculty lounge to write my blog but the sun and wind quickly lulled me to sleep and it felt wonderful. I don’t get outside often enough and need to remind myself to do this more often.
It’s been a really slow day in the library today. We are rather baffled by the lack of traffic because we have been getting overwhelmed with questions each day. It’s kind of nice to get a breather though.
I organized a meeting with our work study students this evening. They were all excited about it because I ordered a plate of cookies. Apparently, this is the key to cooperation and good will on the ship. We had a good conversation about projects to work on and ways to promote the library. They feel very possessive about the library which makes my job much easier.
We lose a day tomorrow. It is supposed to be Friday, September 7th but we have crossed the International Date Line and have to skip it. We are going straight to Saturday, September 8th. Freaky! There is one person on the ship who will be denied her actual birthday since it is on the 7th – and it is her 21st birthday. Some of the staff members are planning a celebration for her so that she doesn’t miss out on anything. Can you imagine the bragging rights though? How many people can say they didn’t get their 21st birthday because of the International Date Line?
We had a faculty meeting tonight. I like these meetings because they are held in the faculty lounge and the waiters come around and take our drink orders while we discuss issues. I can sit through any discussion with a Guinness in my hand! I think this policy needs to be instituted in the UVa Library system. Participation in meetings would sky rocket.
Much of the meeting was a discussion about the mess of boarding the ship in Hawaii at the end of the day. All participants in the voyage were required to return to the ship by 9:00 pm. Unfortunately, there was a huge group of students that showed up around 7:30 and it caused a ginormous jam because most of them were trying to smuggle alcohol on board or they were drunk. What should have taken ½ hour took 1 and ½ hours. It was an ugly scene. As punishment the inebriated students get 24 hours of dock time in Japan. They can’t get off the ship for 24 hours after we dock. Given the limited amount of time in each port, that is a severe punishment. Although it is a much better punishment than getting kicked off the ship and sent home. Everyone is keeping their fingers crossed that we won’t have this problem in Japan.
Tonight, the astronomy professor has arranged to have the ship’s outside lights turned off so that his class can view the stars. Anybody who is hanging around is welcomed to join his class and enjoy the night skies. I did this the other night and it absolutely stunning. There is very little light coming from the ship so the stars really stand out. It is an awe-inspiring sight! Definitely one of the unique perks of this voyage.
For those of you who have a September 7th have a great one. See you on the 8th.
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