bye bye Asia (maybe)

today we went around the southern tip of Sri Lanka, and you could see the mountains and little boats off in the distance. it occured to me that, not only was that the last time we were going to see land for awhile, but it was also the last time we were going to see Asia.

then later it occured to me that we were going to Turkey (yes we ARE going to Turkey, despite rumors to the contrary, including but not not limited to: we're diverting to Greece/we're diverting to Italy/Cape Town/Australia (Australia?! have you LOOKED at a map recently?!) (though other rumor has it that the Resident Directors strated that one)), so (depending on who you ask), i guess we'll be back in Asia after all. well, phew.

also, apparently the little boats were hunting whales, and this time i believe it, cause...this morning during breakfast, while feeding Ellie her chocolate croissant (they were trying to potty train her yesterday, but they seem to have temporarily aborted the mission after she peed all over a chair at dinner) i saw whales spouting! it was so cool. i haven't seen more than flying fish, frigate birds or giant dragonflies (yes, Leslie Bishop, ODONATA) (oh and giant disgusting-looking jellyfish in the port of Chennai) since those dolphins way back on our bridge tour. i didn't actually SEE the whales, per se, but they're out there.

and tonight, something amazing happened (besides when Nikki said that for awhile she thought Bob Cecil and Ellen Fitzpatrick seemed to be getting MIGHTY close, only to realize that they were both with spouses on the ship and 25 years different in age...i know that's not funny to you but it is to me and will still be when i go back and read this later; sorry guys). anyway, we had another talent show. there was singing and incredible dancing and stand-up comedy that no one had to kick off the stage and the performers had actually rehearsed. the very good reason for all of this was that it was, in fact, the CREW talent show, and it was brilliant. for one, it's always fun to see people having a great time and it's definitely always fun to see the see the crew out of context (including Perry in his civvies, a very enthusiastic drunk, running around 7/11 in Hong Kong at 11 o'clock at night with his Cup Noodles). and let me tell you, they are some FANTABULOUS dancers - we had a true rendition of Thriller, In the Navy performed by the cabin stewards in full Navy getup, and two big group dances of various housekeeping, deck and galley folks that were pretty unbelievable (though put it this way - we won't be telling their wives). Solomon, earlier referred to in my blog as "the indian guy who looks like Gandhi" (and, oops, is actually from St. Vincent and the Grenadines - i should correct that) told jokes, and then, in the post-show raffle (drawn by the Captain), was the lucky first to win a free haircut. we'll see that he gets a good head shine. the whole thing concluded with a rousing rendition of "We Are the World", performed by the entire housekeeping and laundry crew waving whatever country's flags they could scrounge up.

things like this actually make me proud to be a part of this community - there are times when i, and like-minded friends of mine, are disappointed in our fellow SASers, but not tonight. tonight people went all out, crowding out the Union, making signs for their stewards and favorite dining-hall guys and contributing to the crew fund that helps to give them Christmas gifts, keep their public quarters clean, and bus them around in port if there isn't anything to do within walking distance. i don't think there's anyone on the ship who doesn't personally know and, i dare say, truly appreciate the work of at least two (of 197) crewmembers - and most of us know more. i only wish there were a way that we could personally recognize all of those folks who we don't know, who work in the galley or the engine room or swab decks and things (though they do all come out of hiding when we come into port - there's always a whole throng of people on 4 aft in all white wearing big chef hats whenever there's something exciting going on outside - coming into port, man overboard drills, etc.) - on any given day, we only see about 60 crewmembers. anyway, that's what i have to say about that. it was fantastic.

today i felt rather lonesome because i've been studying like crazy for a test, and then i have another one next B day, and then i have to work on some papers. so pretty much all i do is sit around alone and make my back sore from leaning over books and computers. there are a few people that i haven't seen in awhile that i really want to just sit down and talk to, but i don't have time, and i can never find them when i do (i still don't understand this concept - we do all live on the same ship, right? how do people just...disappear sometimes?!) but tonight lots of people ate peanut butter and honey toast with me, including a friend i had thought was mad at me for quite some time (she's just moody, it turns out) and my new friend Jamie. it warmed my heart. and my tummy.

sorry, i really am working on that post on india. turns out it's a long-term process.