So we've been at sea for almost 3 weeks now with just a 7-hour break on land in Hawaii. The waves are back up to 15 feet. It's getting cold outside, and some are going a bit stir crazy. We are all on this ship together, and sometimes there is Love Boat-esque intrigue and excitement. Little things become big things at sea.
Taco night, for instance, is a big thing. It inspires cheers from the student body and faculty alike. Even though the tacos are pseudo tacos, it doesn't matter. The shells may be a bit soggy and the green "guacamole" may bear no resemblance to its Mexican namesake, but who cares? We're eating tacos, and it puts everyone in a good mood. And taco night also had a special dessert -- fruit cobbler. Seriously, it was divine. People were practically selling their children for another serving. I thought there might be a brawl in the cobbler line. I actually saw one woman get a 10- inch plate full of it, then return for a second plate. As one friend said, "The cobbler is not just ship good; it is life good." An important distinction.
Then there was the peanut butter scuttlebutt. They serve peanut butter every day, and there's great debate over what it actually is. Many claim it has no relation to peanuts whatsoever. Some say it's dehydrated nuts mixed with water. Whatever it is, the consistency is that of mortar. If I ever see a brick out of place, I know where to come.
Yesterday several of us were discussing the peanut butter during lunch, and as we were walking out, I noticed that the said peanut butter looked more ... smooth. I quickly grabbed a piece of bread and slathered some on. I tasted it. It was indeed smooth! It was as creamy and overprocessed as any Skippy from the States! I reported back to my friends, and there was great rejoicing. Though we had just finished lunch, we all celebrated with peanut butter sandwiches on the spot.
Last night was the first night I stayed up past (dare I say it?) 9:30. It's true. This ship is like a giant rocking cradle, and the minute I lay down, it's curtains for me. Anyway, last night was different. Perhaps the delicious warm chocolate chip cookies I bought at the snack bar gave me a sugar high, but I had plenty of energy. It's a good thing because our family entered into a ping pong tournament that started at 8:00 p.m. Charlie, the 11 year old, was up first. He played a 6-foot-4 guy named Jake who's been playing a lot. Jake is good. He yelled, "Charlie, let's do it!" with great fanfare. Charlie stepped up and proceeded to have Jake on the ropes the entire time. Jake prevailed with a score of 21-18, but it was a great game. He told us afterwards, "I was so excited to play a kid! But I had no idea he'd be that good!"
Then it was payback time as Kerry played Jake's twin brother, Matt. Kerry beat him soundly. Next I had to play Simon, my good friend's 11-year old son. My boys both pulled me aside ahead of time and whispered, "Hit to his backhand." I thought, "I'm not going to exploit a child like that!" Well, Simon was ahead from the beginning, and I was about to call it a wrap when I started winning some points. Shocked, I kept at it until the score was 19-19. All decorum flew out the window, and my bloodthirsty competitive spirit kicked in. I hit it to his backhand once. Twice. Three times. Let's just say, I'm going to the next round.
Finally, my 9-year-old Austin got up to play. You just have to picture him. He's so skinny and small with this crazy blond hair that is like an afro out in the sea breeze. He was playing against a tall, brawny guy who's going into the Marines. Austin steps up and gives him a run for him money like you've never seen. After a few minutes, there was a huge crowd cheering for Austin. At one point he switched paddles, and everyone started cheering even more. The college kid prevailed, but Austin has a whole new set of fans today. Even the dour security officer on her watch came over and patted him on the head afterwards.
Speaking of dour security officers, last night was Pub Night. This an evening when the college kids can buy up to 3 drinks between 9-11 p.m. from the pool bar. I, of course, have never attended Pub Night because I am always nestled in my bed at that hour, but last night I was up. As you can imagine, Semester at Sea is very careful about the college kids and alcohol. While it's legal since we are at sea, they don't want students to abuse it, and they go to great lengths to ensure that. They have security guards in crisp white uniforms standing guard all around the pool area. They confiscate all backpacks and water bottles (so kids can't smuggle alcohol out.) Then they sell individual tickets for each drink, and kids cannot share the tickets. Finally they have other staff standing guard like plain clothes cops. It's like partying in a police state.
Needless to say, things were pretty calm when we left.
That's the Love Boat update for today.
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