Keepin' Busy

Our drilling crew has been working 24/7 and has been doing a fantastic job. Because of their diligent and hard work these past 4 days on site, we're already ~4 days ahead of schedule! Only have 53 days left in the expedition but it looks like we'll get to do everything on our wish list. (Knock on wood, of course - we all know Murphy is listening.) We're going to be drilling for the next couple of weeks or so and we won't have samples on board for awhile, so some of us scientists have been busying ourselves with other things. When we aren't working on some long overdue to-dos, we've been quite recreational. :) It's amazing how much you can get done when you're confined to a boat on the open ocean.

In addition to working on one of my quals proposals, I've been busy learning all sorts of new things. We've taken a few tours of the boat and we've all been involved in learning the ins and outs of drilling from the crew. We also have daily meetings (each with a different aspect of the expedition meant to educate non-specialists) which have been extremely informative. Recreationally, I've recently taken up crocheting so I've been practicing with just making a row then turning around and making another row. I'm getting better but I still get lost in the stitches around the 3rd row. Not sure what I'm doing wrong but my brain is certainly entertained trying to figure it out. Yesterday, I learned some Chinese characters and bits about the Chinese history and culture from a fellow scientist. And I've been studying my arabic and slowly working on writing it. :)

I've also been reading Robinson Crusoe - a fantastic book you should read if you haven't already! It strikes really close to home being out here at sea. When he discusses the difficulties they have with weather, etc, it definitely paints a different picture in my head now that I've spent some time on the open ocean. Very cool yet very strange sensation.

Other more group social activities so far have been playing cards, watching movies, our meetings, outreach lessons and a drawing class. Yes, a DRAWING class. Dinah (our onboard illustrator) taught us several techniques today using pencils of different hardnesses, different types of paper, erasers (plastic and moldable), a stump (a smudging tool) and our fingernails. She also taught us how to use these tools to create different textures and to shade 3D objects. And we're all pretty darned good at it. I think we have some closet artists in the bunch! We even have homework - to draw 10 different textures using the techniques we learned today and to pick an image that we'll use for future lessons in pen/ink drawing and watercolor. I picked a sunflower - no surprise there, huh? :)

With all these things to keep us busy, time has really been flying! Sometimes we feel like all we do on this boat is eat because every time we turn around, it's meal time again. Speaking of which, it's dinner time again! The key to being at sea, though, is to keep busy - if not with work then with recreation or with stepping outside onto the deck for awhile or working out in the gym. The goal is to avoid the "6th week blues". I'll let you know in 5 weeks if I was successful. Stay tuned! :)