Programs Blog

Hello everyone!

Today is April 30th meaning it is our one month boataversary on the Bobby C,
my 21st birthday, and my lovely parents wedding anniversary! It has been a
fabulous day full of sunny skies, smiles, and the bluest water I have ever
seen in my life. It also happens to be the first birthday I’ve had where it
didn’t rain! (knock on wood.don’t want to summon any squalls for our last
few days on the boat).

I also had my last afternoon watch with the B watch crew. It’s now hitting
me that this chapter of life on the boat (as well as being 20) is coming to
an end. While it’s easy to get carried away thinking about all the things
that come with having internet access again like class registration, job
applications, senior thesis etc, I’m definitely doing my best to be where my
feet are and savor every moment I experience.

In preparation to embark on this journey with SEA I remember chatting with a
friend about his SEA trip. I remember him smiling and telling me to have the
best time, but that life and myself as I knew it would change so much after.
While I appreciated our chat, there was a feeling of unease that I had as
someone who thrived in structure and stability while also having a strong
distaste for change. I now reflect on that chat and understand what he
meant.

During class today Captain Allison gave us some advice on how to transition
from this bubble we have made for ourselves on the boat. Part of this
activity was doing some self-reflection, both in terms of time we have had
on the boat and things concerning our lives after. We split a piece of paper
into four quadrants and addressed a different prompt in each one. The first
was gratitude, and inspired by turning 21 today I thought I’d list 21 things
I am so very grateful for (half from the boat and half from other areas of
lifeJ).

1.       My family

2.       My boyfriend

3.       My friends

4.       Mentors in my life

5.       Soccer

6.       The gym

7.       Food

8.       Lloyd St Beach in IL

9.       My home

10.   The ocean

11.   The Bobby C

12.   My 37 closest friends on the Bobby C

13.   Standing watch with B watch

14.   Sunset jam/art sessions

15.   The knowledge I’ve gained about sailing and science components

16.   Live music on the boat

17.   Weather, the SUN

18.   Going aloft

19.   Deck showers

20.   Nail painting sessions

21.   Friengineering

Our second prompt was emotions, the third was challenges or unexpected
things, and the fourth was takeaways, but instead of writing 21 things for
each I’m going to combine them all (both to make this blog a reasonable
length and because I am ready to go to sleep).

Before stepping foot on Bobby C, I was nervous about sailing. For those who
don’t know, I originally got into a different SEA program that was mostly
land and reef based, but it was cancelled so I switched my admission to
Marine Biodiversity and Conservation. Prior to that very split second
decision that was made while walking to class at my home institution, I had
no clue what a tall ship was, let alone how to sail one across the Pacific
for 40 days. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I LOVE sail
handling, marine biology, and all the lows and highs that have come along
with boat life. I have learned so much about myself as a person and realize
that the only thing that seems to be truly consistent is change. I realized
it’s okay to keep exploring who I am as a person and that I don’t always
need to have every single detail of my future figured out. I learned how to
sincerely be where my feet are especially without internet and social media.
I am reminded that, as my friend Megan Krussman says, “the sun will come
back out again” even when some days seem pretty darn cloudy.

I want to take a lot of things  I have learned during this time back with me
to land. I want to keep being creative (especially with my crochet and art
projects), spend less time on a screen, focus on savoring the present,
continue to remain curious and explore, and last but not least, keep in
contact with as many of these super cool people as I can.

These moments I will remember forever! Especially this wonderful 21st
birthday. <3

Notes to home:

To my family and friends back home, still missing you very much but I can’t
wait to share all my stories with you and see what’s new in all your lives!
I love you all very much. Mom, I can’t wait to see you in Tahiti for the
ultimate girls trip. And to my sister, Anya I still haven’t started your
crochet top yet but my excuse is that it will be cuter if I’m able to
measure you first so that it fits better.anyways I can’t wait to hear about
how the college visits have been!

To my boyfriend Brandon, I can’t wait to see you after the trip, hear about
your adventures and projects, and eventually celebrate your birthday too! I
love you lots.

To my childhood best friend Nora, not sure if you kept up with the blog
being the busy bee that you are,  but definitely missed our birthday call
today. I can’t wait to catch up so so soon, love you!

Keya Mookencherry, B Watch, Carleton College