the one with the sentimental musings of a SASer...

The drawers are empty
The flash cards thrown away
America is on the map… even in the close up
The last noon report is said
The deans have sang their final song

We'’ve traveled the Mediterranean, and still have trouble spelling it. We’ve met people who have changed our lives, and our perspectives are forever altered. God has blessed us with safety in our travels and we come into port in the morning.

I’ve said it before, but it really is bitter sweet. I have grown to love this ship that I once thought I would never be able to navigate. The community here is like no other, everyone, even those who you don’t have the slightest idea who they are, genuinely smile at you in passing. The staff that works day and night still go out of the way to bring you juice.

I have made one of the best friends of my life, and I am tearing up even thinking about leaving her. We have shared experiences that I will never have the opportunity to share with even my family. She was with me when I was told the family I had hoped and wished existed and dreamed of meeting was gone, and she was with me when we proved that statement false. We traveled together through every port, eating the best meals of our life together, not to mention drinking fabulous wine. We sat and talked for hours over delicious food, something I could do with no one else. We shared a cabin that is the size of some peoples closet never once arguing. We challenged each other to work harder (well more her challenging me). She sat patiently while I made 200 flashcards for one biology test. She played music through every evening, not to mention morning. We dined together at 7:30 every single morning. In return for the music she shared with me, I blessed her with night after night of star trek. I will never, ever, ever forget the memories that we shared and I will miss her so much when I go home.

Tomorrow we swipe our cards one more time, but I hope it will not be our last. Someday I will be back on Semester at Sea, maybe not until I am a professor but it will happen.

Until next time,
Cris