The following is a shared journal entry:
December 5, 2005
At Sea
Now that family and friends at home have slingshot their clocks four hours ahead it is almost comical to check our blog and read comments with questions that have not even transpired yet. The dinner with Professor Smyth and his wife went wonderfully, though at the time Cherylie Girlie questioned as to its progress without it even having occurred. Professor Smyth commented on our remarkable essays and the wonderful joy he had while reading them, sharing the “gems” with his wife who was equally impressed.
In his words, his comparison, we are the equivalent of talented athletes. Those searching to recruit these athletes would easily pay large amounts of cash and scholarships. We have excelled, and over-achieved, on each assignment. His comments again, “Masterfully written, easily publishable.” They both enjoyed our journal snapshots with photos we have printed out, many along the same lines of the solemn autumn leaves at Himeji castle that mom thought so beautiful.
We attended our last sea meeting on the fourth surprised by the appearance of a large cake that read, “Awoo, the Bearing Sea, I love ‘em, I love ‘em, I love ‘em. Eating baby seals and putting the Bear in Bearing Sea since August 2005.” We truly believe that our experience would have been greatly different if we had not been on this sea. And we do “love ‘em.”
We are nearing the end of packing, taking a break to eat lunch with Betty and Bob, our “new grandparents” as they have come to denote our relationship. Afterwards we went to their enormous, kingly cabin, to swap and share photos. Some of the pictures with Bob are absolutely adorable and I cannot wait to share them with everyone at home. They are attending a faculty-and-adult-passenger-only tea party. Boo-hoo. But before our departure for them to prepare for their event they showed us photos of New Hampshire in autumn. We cannot wait to visit them at their home both in New Hampshire and Florida. They told us they had brought a gift from home, knowing they would meet someone special on the voyage. Too bad they did not know that someone would be twins. We opened our present, a beautiful glass paperweight in the shape of a globe, a small arrow pointing to New Hampshire, the flat face of the front etched with Betty and Bob, Fall 2005 Semester at Sea. We love having this beautiful and perfect keepsake of them. We also know that we will print many of their photos to put in a frame.
Tonight is pre-port for San Diego and before the final gathering there will be a concert performed by the gamelan ensemble. Bob is in this group and we will save a seat for Betty with us in the front row and film Bob during the performance.
I suppose this is the final posting for mom and dad as we imagine you will soon be heading to the airport. We love you and cannot wait to see your faces, Betty and Bob prepared to look for Mr. Maryland. Love everyone lots and lots, missing home more than ever. Anyone else out their in this silent, sad void send a little love our way as we head into the final day.
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3 comments:
A wise man once said, It don't get any better than this! I am as blessed as a father could be and equally proud of my two wonderful daughters for the joy you have given me during your 100 day SAS. You have captured each and every experience in your writings that have have been so descriptive I could smell, see, hear, and feel each day as you traveled around the world. As hard as it was to watch my twin daughters and best friends depart on a ship to journey to many countries I can honestly say the experience was almost as exciting for me. It goes without saying your travels have made a significant impact on your lives and will remain with you to reflect back on as one of the greatest experiences you will ever have. It is now midnight and you know I won't sleep as the hours and minutes pass by my excitement continues to grow leaps and bounds. I thank God for the special friends you have become so close with and know that Bob and Betty will hold the bond of friendship with you both close to their hearts. It was great to hear how you mastered chop sticks and I am waiting to receive my lesson, yes singular! I am a quick study and no doubt you will provide great instruction. I remember when we would do back to back cruises and thought maybe a month might be fun and then again it may be too long. I can honestly say that after 100 days I know you ran your schedules on a very tight time line to be able to see and do all of the things you did. On top of it all your studies as always came first and your ending the semister at sea with honors truly makes your father so very proud. The hard part for me is that you have both been smarter than me for a long time but during the past summer your gourmet meals put me in as second best. As a parent I feel this program is one of the most rewarding and challenging experiences a student can take on. I have been impressed with each and every person aboard, from the Captain and crew, Staff, and of course the very special Ancient Mariner family and one day maybe your mother and I may have such an opportunity to take part in such a wonderful program. By the way I just wanted to say something to all those at University Of Maryland; GO TERPS! TERPS! TERPS! The Lundy Twins will be back for the Spring term and they represented UMCP with style, class, and made the presence of the TERPS seen around the world. As the ship comes in to port there will be a TERPS flag on the dock and TERPS Blanket and colors displayed on deck. I will be the only person dockside with a bottle opener which plays the UMCP fight song, I just hope I don't wear it out. One Last Time Go TERPS! Lundy Twins! with love Dad
I am afraid I fell asleep before the blog site returned but at 4:30 this morning I am grateful I had the chance to read one last time before we go. Dad pretty much said it all anyway, some how. It is not long now. I know our days and weeks ahead will be filled with looking at photos and reliving this experience over again and I can not wait as each picture will undoubtedly spark all new questions and stories. This time I can hear all the details without a time limit of 10 or 13 minutes. Happy graduation and congratulations on your successful completion of this educational experience. I am truly in awe of you and what you have accomplished. Love Mom
Hi girls!
Wow! You did it! Congratulations on completing your Semester at Sea!
What an amazing education you have gotten in the last 100 days. In fact, I thank you for taking me along on this adventure, for I have also learned much! Mostly, though, I have to say that I am even more impressed with your study habits and dedication to your learning that you have displayed on this voyage! Congrats on the excellent grades!
Your folks are leaving today to meet you in San Diego and I know that moment can't come too soon! Enjoy your reunion there and hurry home to all of us who are anxious to see you, too!
Welcome home!
With love, Miss Nan
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