Stephanie at Sea, 2010

It is summer once again. This time last year I was eagerly preparing to take the trip of a lifetime. I knew then, as I can still confirm now, that I would never be able to recreate the emotions, understanding, and appreciation for life that I had while on the ship. I just caught myself trying to find writing samples for an internship and ended up reading though all my old blog posts. It is amazing what a few words and a picture can spark in the brain. I can still remember tastes, smells, and feelings of each place. I think of the ship often, I think of the people I met and the experiences we shared. I think of the times I had alone to self-reflect and grow. Now, looking at the trip in retrospect through old posts, memories that had filed themselves in the back shelves of my brain have surfaced. A looming guilt fills my subconscious because I have started to betray my philosophy and life goal of living in the present…It is hard now to cope with reality. I am so thankful for the opportunity I had and I would be no where near my capacity as a human being had I not attended. With that being said, I can’t see myself anywhere else in the world right now than back on that ship with the great ocean rolling underneath my bed. I have taken up surfing as a coping mechanism for my nostalgia towards SAS. Anything to be close to the ocean, to see the horizon and bring back a magnitude of memories. Missing the MV.

Sleeping on land, going to school in a building, and driving a car are daily experiences that I have not become fully accustomed to since the MV Explorer docked in December. I think about the world every day. I wish more than anything that I could be hiking up a mountain or eating with my hands next to locals on the other side of the planet. Acceptance of reality has come slowly but I have gained a powerful longing of hope with the finding of a new internship in Panama this summer. I have never felt so strongly about a position than I have about this one. Isla Palenque is offering a month on an island in Panama this summer for an intern to explore and blog about the resort’s offerings, its sustainable efforts, and cultural and ecological sensitivity. These topics of sustainability, ecology, and cultural awareness have come to the forefront of my mind since my return to San Diego. This opportunity gives me a chance to see more of the world, explore new areas, learn new ideas, and advocate for a company that promotes a better planet while still offering something to the economy. My career goals are beginning to bloom and I think a month working for Isla Palenque will really help my future grow into reality. I know that I will be an excellent candidate for this position because of the education I have received at Chapman, the understanding of cultures and global awareness I have acquired from traveling, and my passion for new places, ideas, and excitement. I want this opportunity more than anything right now. It would be appreciated if you took the time to watch my application video and give it a “thumb’s up!” so I can get an interview with a panel of judges. There is nothing more I want right now than to experience more of the world and share new insights through social media outlets. We live in a society confined by pop-culture and social norms and it would be an opportunity of a lifetime to broaden these ideals and see what else lies beyond our borders, geographically and intellectually. PLEASE click on the link @stephROYYY for #islandintern and click on the “thumb’s up.” Help give me a chance to show Isla Palenque that I am the intern best suited for them. THANK YOUUU.

We survived bungee jumping and the night life in Hong Kong and took a flight the next morning to Beijing to meet up with China Guide (a company that many SAS kids decided to go to the Great Wall through, independent from Semester at Sea). Once we met up with the guides, we headed straight for the KFC in the airport for a taste of home after a long haul through the other side of the world. Not necessarily the most cultural thing to do, but that spicy chicken sandwich sure did taste good after pho and snake in Vietnam. A long day of travel took us to the Red Roof hotel where we exited the charter bus delirious and bought out all the ridiculous panda hats from a vendor at the door. We were ready for our adventures in Beijing Beijing (said in a singing voice).

The ship ported in Hong Kong and we were all eager to get off as soon as possible. New land meant fresh air and new beginnings. Customs took longer than expected, so when they cleared the ship, we hurried down the gangway and raced to the ferry station. This day was meant for an exhilarating thrill ride. As we went through customs, again, we got our passports stamped to get to Macau. Today was the day to jump off the highest bungee jump in the world (from a building). I was surprised with how clean everything was in Hong Kong and Macau. I was expecting a completely different atmosphere, dull, cold, and dirty, but the sun was shining and all I could see were tall sky rises and industrialized buildings. Our group thought we would be the first to jump (because we had the first reservation) but we ended up waiting NINE hours to have our 30-second turn. I ended up missing my friend Olivia’s 21^st birthday party that her dad, who lives and does business in Hong Kong, held for her. What can you do? By the time we jumped it was dark outside and you could see the city lights. It was a peaceful dive off the building, very quiet, the wind rushing through your hair, a calming feeling of weightless energy as you free fall like a bird without wings, only to pull back up in flight when the cord reaches its full potential. We went out in Lang Quai Fong that night. My friend Paul was jumped in an alleyway and left for dead. Thank God my two of best friends Lauren and Tall Bri saw him walking like a zombie with blood rushing down his face and took him to the hospital, staying the entire night to comfort and support. The first night of so-called “get away from reality” didn’t really turn out as peaceful or cultural as planned but I am just thankful to be alive and to have been on the other side of the world anyways.

I have finally come to terms with the necessity to finish blogging before I forget the memories that start to become more of a distant dream each day I awake and continue on with my life. As I can recall, China as a port came just at the right time for us on the ship. We had been overwhelmed with the beauty and poverty in India, we had seen the pristine streets of Singapore, and had just lived in adventure in Vietnam. The end of Vietnam came with a very difficult tribulation for all of us on the ship and for many at home. A student on our ship, a peer from our close community, passed away in the last days of our stay in Vietnam. This unfortunate situation put a blanket of eerie darkness on our ship for the next couple of days at sea. I remember lying in bed not being able to sleep. For some reason I noticed the creaking of the ship more that night than ever before. A dissonant atmosphere filled the walls, the rooms, and the endless sea around our small floating community. Although I didn’t know Andre Ramadan very well, his death brought our community together and made each of us reflect on life, people we knew who had also passed, and our own purpose in this world. At sea, when someone passes, there is a beautiful ceremony led by the captain. We remembered our fellow shipmate and followed the captain in silent, single file lines from the front of the ship to the aft. Each of us held a carnation in our hands as we walked though the halls to the back of the ship and out to overlook the vast and beautiful ocean. As we said a small remembrance or prayer silently, I remembered my friend Jacob Herbertz who passed away a few years ago, my loving and humble Grandpa Collins, his sister Judy, and my Grandma Haney. Thinking of these souls as I looked out over the infinite ocean gave me a calming feeling; knowing that they were with me in spirit, helping guide our solemn ship safely to China. Respectfully, as we ported in China, we were ready for some lighthearted recovery.

We have finally arrived in San Diego, California. It is odd to sit on the ship while we wait for the ship to clear customs and know that my family is only a few hundred yards away anxiously waiting with a bright neon orange welcome home sign. The last few days of the voyage have been filled with thoughts, recollections, and intense emotions. Desmond Tutu wished me a safe journey and a welcome home today as I was leaving breakfast. I am looking forward to having copious amounts of free time to blog about China and Japan AND Hawaii…still. I wish I had been able to finish my thoughts before I returned to California but I didn’t have time to sit and delve into the amazing past and experiences that I encountered. It is going to take time to readjust to reality, I’m sure. The world is still here, it always will be. I will always cherish the experiences I was fortunate enough to have, and I will never forget what I have seen. Looking forward to sharing experiences in a few days when I am settled down. Christmas cheer, family and friends all await. I thank God for life, because I am still living and I am alive. I am happy to do more than just exist. (I also have In-N-Out waiting for me on the dock….woooo!!!!!!). Until next time, signing out from California. -Stephanie

I am back on the ship from Japan. The weather is very rough and we have been rocking harder than ever. I didn’t really sleep last night because every other second the bed falls out from underneath me and I am airborne for a few seconds. Everything that once was sitting on the shelf is now all over the ground with a loud crash. Welcome back from the last port and back to the rolling waves of the ocean for ten more days. We have projects, papers, and finals in the coming days with no break. I wish I had one day to sit down and reflect on my travels through China and Japan but there is no time between classes and work. I am very thankful for the time I have spent across the world but it is hard not to cry when I think about the fact that it is winding down. I have seen my last country and I am heading back to the States. I am going to miss the world and I have definitely caught the traveling bug. I wont be gone for long, the world awaits and I will return. I’m hoping to survive the ocean for the next few days and get everything done. My computer battery died so now it will only work if it is plugged in, and everyone’s computers are crashing from the rolling of the ship. Hoping that this won’t conflict with my studies. Looking forward to writing about Asia. Sending my love from a small ship in huge waves.