Four Weeks Down, Four Weeks To Go
We finally made it to the half way point. I cannot believe there is only four more weeks until we leave on our amazing voyage. At this point I feel more comfortable with the girls. Some of us have even given each other nicknames. But I still think I need to reach out and get to know a couple girls. Well this week we also had our first progress report check-ins. It was better than what I was expecting. Growing up, progress reports were something I was scared of. It was different here at Tall Ships though it was an actual conversation back and forth rather than just Molly and Ann telling me right from wrong. They made me feel very good about myself, and I could tell they care because they asked how I was feeling and asked my opinion on the Progress Report.
This week we also met Caitlin Schwartzman, the founder of Tall Ships Education Academy. She is also an artist and a full time mother. She shared her story about how she began sailing. I could really tell how passionate she is about sailing from the way she spoke about it. She showed us some of her pictures from other sailing voyages. She also gave us some very creative pointers and ideas on how to take pictures while we are on our voyage. One that stood out to me was the one where she said to try to capture a silhouette. The ones that she showed me looked very pleasant.
After this week all I can think of is that we are do close to leaving but I am so excited and afraid at the same time but I sure know one thing I will not miss it for anything.
Iris Galvan
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Week 3: February 2-6, 2009
In the third week of the semester, we as girls became close. Our communication class with Vincent has helped us get to know each other even better on a different level and out of our comfort zone. For example, during the time when we were still getting to know each other, Vincent had us do exercises where partners had to learn and then tell stories about each other.
In other classwork, Molly helped us understand the economic and social development of the Caribbean and the important aspects of the cultural imprint of colonialism. As we get deeper into reading In the Time of the Butterflies, we’re anxious to know what happens next and know more about the Mirabal sisters and their personalities. We're still trying to understand Oceanography with Ann yet we are so excited to learn about the water quality, tides, and more. Our time with Coach Ann and swimming with Molly continues its course and we believe it’s working its way to get us in shape for our departure day.
Overall Tall Ships is very challenging for me because I came from a school that is project-based. There, we do not have homework and have fewer hours at school. That did not prepare me for a program like Tall Ships. Now, coming to Tall Ships I have homework every day and the school days are much longer. Also I have to participate in book discussions and stay on top of all my work. Being organized is something I didn’t have to do at my old school. However, making it to school on time is some work in progress.
By Cathy Ortega
In other classwork, Molly helped us understand the economic and social development of the Caribbean and the important aspects of the cultural imprint of colonialism. As we get deeper into reading In the Time of the Butterflies, we’re anxious to know what happens next and know more about the Mirabal sisters and their personalities. We're still trying to understand Oceanography with Ann yet we are so excited to learn about the water quality, tides, and more. Our time with Coach Ann and swimming with Molly continues its course and we believe it’s working its way to get us in shape for our departure day.
Overall Tall Ships is very challenging for me because I came from a school that is project-based. There, we do not have homework and have fewer hours at school. That did not prepare me for a program like Tall Ships. Now, coming to Tall Ships I have homework every day and the school days are much longer. Also I have to participate in book discussions and stay on top of all my work. Being organized is something I didn’t have to do at my old school. However, making it to school on time is some work in progress.
By Cathy Ortega
Week 2: January 26-30, 2009
This week was the first week we got a feel of what a regular school schedule was like. We had our first test on geography and oceanography! I'm hoping we all did good at remembering the names of islands and the different fault types. Vincent also came in to lead the communications class.This time we did a walking activity that helped me think about a lot and get to know more about my classmates.First the classroom was labled true and false on each side and the middle of the room was considerd sometimes. Then vincent would read out facts that may describe some people and we would silently walk to the part of the room that was our answer to what he read out. If the statement was true about us! thats the part of the room we would go. Once we got there we took turns to tell why we went to that part of the room. This activity let me know what type of a person they were and how much i have in common with them.
The highlight of this week would definitely have be the crazy ropes course that we did Tuesday. First we all met at Fort Mileys ropes course in the morning and did some fun partner stretching and trust exorcises. Then we were put to the test to see if we could work together and complete there challenge in 20 minutes! After we did that we got to what I thought was the fun nest stuff. one at a time we all got almost 30 feet in the air to walk across a single wire! It was great to see everyone go through with it and to see everyone cheering each other on! That day everyone connected and enjoyed themselves. this brought us a whole lot closer and I couldn't believe this was just the second week.
Gwen Fincher
The highlight of this week would definitely have be the crazy ropes course that we did Tuesday. First we all met at Fort Mileys ropes course in the morning and did some fun partner stretching and trust exorcises. Then we were put to the test to see if we could work together and complete there challenge in 20 minutes! After we did that we got to what I thought was the fun nest stuff. one at a time we all got almost 30 feet in the air to walk across a single wire! It was great to see everyone go through with it and to see everyone cheering each other on! That day everyone connected and enjoyed themselves. this brought us a whole lot closer and I couldn't believe this was just the second week.
Gwen Fincher
Monday, February 9, 2009
Week 1: January 20-23, 2009
This week was a very exciting week! It was our first week of classes. It was pretty intense at first because we did not know each other so we barely talked. It felt kind of awkward but by the end of the week, we all had at least talked to each other and spent time with different people.
On Tuesday, we did a lot of activities that helped us engage more with each other, and we got a lot of information about our semester.
On Wednesday, we began our classes. We talked about the book, A Small Place and discussed it. We began our navigation class which was very fun because we did an activity outside! We had our first communications class with Vincent which was also very fun.
I was really looking forward to Thursday because we started boot camp, and I like to work out! So that was my highlight of the day. Although it was very cold, we all did very well.
On Friday I was also eager about taking my first swimming classes ever! I was really cold, but I got through it!
To sum this week up, I just want to say that it was an emotional week for me because I had lots of mixed emotions and I bet I am not the only one. It was just different. I felt excited for being in a new environment and meeting new people and learning new things, but at the same time I felt sad because I miss all my friends and I do not get to see them as often as I did before. However, I look forward to the rest of the semester, and I'm willing to be open to anything to make this a memorable experience.
By Celina Lopez
On Tuesday, we did a lot of activities that helped us engage more with each other, and we got a lot of information about our semester.
On Wednesday, we began our classes. We talked about the book, A Small Place and discussed it. We began our navigation class which was very fun because we did an activity outside! We had our first communications class with Vincent which was also very fun.
I was really looking forward to Thursday because we started boot camp, and I like to work out! So that was my highlight of the day. Although it was very cold, we all did very well.
On Friday I was also eager about taking my first swimming classes ever! I was really cold, but I got through it!
To sum this week up, I just want to say that it was an emotional week for me because I had lots of mixed emotions and I bet I am not the only one. It was just different. I felt excited for being in a new environment and meeting new people and learning new things, but at the same time I felt sad because I miss all my friends and I do not get to see them as often as I did before. However, I look forward to the rest of the semester, and I'm willing to be open to anything to make this a memorable experience.
By Celina Lopez
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