Wednesday, December 10 ("Ambassador's Ball"/ sailing to Miami): Tonight the entire shipboard community dressed up and had a fancy smanchy dinner; I sat with Curtis, Becca, Shalina, & Nikki. After dinner we danced in the faculty/staff lounge. Thursday, December 11 ("Panama Canal & Academic Gallery"/ sailing to Miami): It was great to go through the Panama Canal! The concept of the canal is pretty amazing. Basically Panama Canal consis...

Friday, November 28 ("The Captain's Dinner"/ sailing to Costa Rica): This morning I woke up and had several pieces of snail mail (thanks Nadia & David W!) on my cabin door. It's late in the voyage, but I still get excited about mail. Well, maybe that shouldn't be a surprised, because I also love getting real mail (NOT BILLS-lol) on land. My day was filled with a little bit of this and a little bit of that, but I most anticipated the captain's dinner...

Wednesday, November 19 ("Travel Questions"/ sailing to Hawaii): You know, traveling with other people has its pros and cons. Based on my collective travel experiences during this voyage, I can whole heartedly say that it's not where you are, it's who you're with. Okay, yes, place helps but not the most critical factor. Sure, you can be in Italy with the grouchiest person who dampens your experience. Or, you can be in nowhere Kansas, laughing it up with ...

Tuesday, November 18 ("Japan Saves the Day"/ Japan): Japan may have saved my Asia experience. After my dismal experience in China, I was not looking forward to traveling in Japan. But good news, good news, Japan wasn't so bad. There were tons of friendly people wanted to help us. A few people may have starred here or there, but as soon as I looked at them they discreetly looked away. Also not one person grabbed, tried to sell us something we didn't need...

Monday, November 10 ("Uncomfortably Different"/ Beijing, China): It's probably poor etiquette to admit that I disliked an entire country. I had a disturbing experience in China, and at this moment in time, I can confidently say it's not a place I plan to return any time soon. Gosh, I am absolutely disappointed by my experience!! The Olympic Games were just there, so I expected people would have been more welcoming and multiculturally aware. Okay, scratc...