Of Lifeboat Drills and Final Countdowns

This morning at 9:00, we had our fourth and last lifeboat drill of the semester. I never liked these drills because it's basically 20 minutes to half an hour of standing in complete silence out on the deck armed with our bright orange life vests while trying to keep our balance against the waves. The only time we were allowed to talk or make a sound is when our Resident Director (RD) calls on our cabin number to check attendance and we have to yell out "Here!"

Although today's drill went painfully longer than the previous three (we were standing for at least a good 45 minutes), it was this drill that reminded me how little time we have left on the ship. It was those 45 minutes of standing and staring out into the ocean when it really just hit me that our voyage is coming to an end. On August 24, 2013, during our first lifeboat drill, I remember thinking that our fourth one would be lightyears away. And yet here we are now, three and half months + four completed lifeboat drills later, storing our life vests back into their compartments for the last time. Today is the 2nd of December, and we officially have exactly two weeks left in the voyage. TWO WEEKS! 

Towards the end of each semester, I feel like I always say how fast time has flown by. This particular semester proved to be no exception; it sped by despite the long stretches at sea! Wasn't it just yesterday when I was stressing over the thousand and one visa applications I had to apply for in order to sail with this program? Wasn't it just yesterday when I flew into London with bags in tow and butterflies in my stomach? 

I'm almost scared to get off the ship and resume "normal life", but then again, I am coming back home to my wonderful family and crazy friends whom I am missing so much! And besides, we all know they make my days anything but normal anyway :) 

Here's to enjoying the last 14 days of my Semester at Sea once-in-a-lifetime adventure! Good news is that Seamester Shenanigans will continue to be up and running with more posts even after the voyage ends. As you know, I am really behind in keeping you guys updated, and with finals coming up, I can honestly say I won't be able to write more backtrack posts anytime soon. I am slowly accepting the fact that I probably won't get you caught up until Christmas break, when I am home and have free time.. AND WIFI! ;)