August 28 2010 ? MV Explorer

I was still tired when I got up this morning at 0800, but I rolled outta bed to catch breakfast at 0830.  Breakfast apparently only goes from 0630 to 0830, so I almost missed it.  I will probably only eat breakfast on A days, when I have my 0800 class—otherwise, I am just not that much of a morning person.
The day is devoted to our orientation, so we had a lecture on just about everything.  There was a lecture on the honor code by the dean (I’ll have to cite everything now), a talk on library services, and computer tech services.  It was all pretty standard information, and I’d put on a seasickness patch on in the morning, so I was practically falling asleep, even while in the very front row!  The Global Studies professor, a Mr. Sanchez, talked to us about how Global Studies will be like, which seems to be really interdisciplinary and awesome.  I’ll have never been in such a large class before—if there are only two of the classes, I’ll have around 300 students in my class!
We then split into our A Small Place reading discussion groups, which are also going to be our post-port experience discussion groups.  I really enjoyed the discussions, because even though I really disliked the book, I liked hearing what other people got out of it and how it made them focus on not being just a tourist, but someone who is learning about different cultures and people and who want to improve the conditions of all.  I felt like I was able to write some positive things about it after all, though I didn’t disregard how angry it had made me with it with its cynical and bigoted tone. 
We got out early and went out on the deck, which was wet from an early morning rain.  Though foggy and completely overcast, it was warm outside and my reading group (Group 18) enjoyed talking until it was time for lunch.  For lunch I sat with a bunch of guys, a few of which were in my reading group, and we talked about independent travel for a while before I went to recharge back in my room.  Though I have been loving SAS so far, I’ve found that I definitely still need to head back into my room and regroup my thoughts—it appears I have not transformed into an extrovert.  A lot of times I just force myself to go out, which I’ve been pretty happy with so far.  This time, though, I just stayed in and wrote while my roommate did her zumba routines—they remind me of the dancing we would do for Once On This Island, it’s basically dancing that incorporates dances and music from all over the world.  I wish I could get the music from her, but apparently she can’t give it out because she’s an instructor. 
We went back out at 1330 for more orientation, which was MORE lecture and I was so bored I almost nodded off in my chair several times (and I’m not just saying that—I jerked awake a lot).  There was a presentation on health and safety, one on conduct, another on community standards, security… I only really woke p when the medical staff did a goofy dorky little rap (which was funny, because I’d met one of the psychologists at breakfast) to booming music, and even Desmond Tutu’s short speech had people laughing.  Apparently, Desmond Tutu likes people to address him as “Father” or “Arch,” so I’ll have to remember that when I finally talk to him!
Around 1600 we were free again, and I was in my cabin briefly before feeling so lame I went back out again.  In my boredom, I actually changed around the class schedule I have—now I have Women in Royal Courts from 0800-0915 and Global Studies from 0925-1035 on A days, and on B days I have WORLD POETRY!!! from 1045-1200, Anthropology of Tourism from 1215-1330, and Contemporary Social Issues from 1455-1610.  I know that’s a LOT now, but I hope that I can handle it—the guy at the registrar said I could drop World Poetry if it gets overwhelming by the time I get to Spain if it’s too crazy, but I hope it isn’t.  It doesn’t even look like I have time for lunch on B days though :(  Ellie did some more zumba, and after checking my email I decided to “rest my eyes.”  Apparently saying “rest my eyes” is code for my body to fall into a deep stupor, and I didn’t wake up until 1900, which I felt terrible for because I was supposed to meet Donna and Ellie for 1830 dinner so we could discuss how sea meeting tonight was going to go.  I found them anyway.  Donna has decided she does NOT want to do Four Corners, which I don’t really get—yeah, it’s provocative and controversial, but that’s how you really get to know people.  Four Corners is where you ask a question (Should marijuana be legalized?  Should the legal age to consume alcohol in the USA be lowered?) and there are 4 corners that people go to that represent whether they strongly disagree, disagree, agree or strongly agree, and then people go and defend their views, if they choose to.  Instead we’re going to do a bunch of “line up in the order of your birthday” etc style games, which I never found particularly engaging.  We’re adults, you know? 
After dinner there was the involvement symposium, which are the signups for all the clubs.  I was disappointed in that there was only one “artistic” club, photography, and no writing ones.  Some theater teachers really want to do a Cabaret show though, so I signed up for that—I’d love to do some acting or singing in musicals again.  When I walked over to classroom nine near the main dining hall, it was packed and I felt claustrophobic a little, so I decided to wait until I was walking over for my sea meeting. 
When that came, I scribbled down that I would be interested in yoga, kickboxing, and dodgeball, which lots of other people signed up for so I really hope that gets going soon!!
The sea meeting was just as unsuccessful  as I thought it would be, as Donna would get kinda angry that people were talking over her, and students got angry that they were expected to know people without socializing.  Still, I met some people, so I guess it went okay—I just wish Donna would trust that I would know what would be a little more engaging for students.
Off to bed soon.  Have to set my clock forward and wake up early tomorrow to start my classes!