Programs Blog

Author: Mya Williams, C Watch, Eckerd College

Ship’s Log

Tuesday, April, 16, 2024

Noon Position (Lat and Long): 39 24.6’S x 152 17.1’W

Ship Heading (degrees): 040 degrees

Ship Speed (knots): 5.6

Taffrail Log (nm): 2136

Weather / Wind / Sail Plan (from 1300 Watch Change): Sailing on a port tack
under the four lowers; JT, deep reef in the mainsl’, c/o 045 degrees psc,
winds NxW, force 4, visibility unlimited

Description of location: Southern South Pacific Gyre

I know people typically write these as blog entries, but I’ve decided to
write mine as a letter to my family!

Dear family,

In case you didn’t know, today was my birthday. It started
off on evening watch, the most perfect way to start the day underneath the
stars. I was in lab, my favorite place on the boat, and at midnight my watch
sang happy birthday to me. It was so sweet and Megan, our mate, brought out
her fiddle to play along with the song. Obviously not the normal happy
birthday song, but the Waldorf Birthday Song. That is Amelia’s favorite way
to sing happy birthday to people now. The rest of the day went great as
well. I have never been sung to so many times before in one day. Being able
to spend my birthday in the middle of the ocean is definitely not how I
imagined I would be turning 20 years old. This new decade of my life has
started off as one big adventure as I hope the next 9 years will go. I am
sad to not have been able to spend it with you or hear y’all call me today.
I feel so grateful for the life y’all have given me and the support you show
me every day and through all the different adventures I want to go on, such
as one like this. I know at the end of each day (or 6 week trip to the
middle of the ocean) you’re waiting for me and cheering me on to chase my
dreams. I miss you very much and can’t wait to tell you all about the things
I have learned and all the amazing people I have met. I feel so lucky with
the people I am trapped in the middle of the ocean with. Everyone here has
such a good spirit and brings their own unique personality that fits like
puzzle pieces. I feel as though I am growing more than I could have
imagined. The people here make me want to do my best and try to always see
the positive in everything, even if I feel there is nothing positive to look
at. I love hearing all these different stories of people’s past, families,
and adventures. Sometimes I think it is crazy how all of us ended up here
coming from so many different places and with so many different goals for
life. Yet somehow, here we all are. My new 37 closest friends and me and we
must all be a little on the crazy side because who does a program like this;
that may just be why we all get along so well, because we all have a shared
loco side. Any who I just wanted to say hi and that I miss you very much!
Love you infinitely!

Love,

Your favorite daughter

Mya Williams, C Watch and Eckerd College

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