So we’re here in Singapore and we’ve been here for about 24 hours now…and that’s about it, literally! They threw down the anchors at about 7:00AM and we’re just hanging out in the middle of the ocean stocking up on fuel and food. It is a bummer that the stop wasn’t incorporated into our voyage. Tonight I was standing on the 7th deck looking out toward land and was asked by a student, “So do you say that you’ve been to Singapore or not?” To which I replied, “definitely NOT! Now I’ll just have to come back here sometime on my own.” Apparently it is a great port, so I will just have to wait to find out some other time.
It’s funny because regardless of what is going on outside, shipboard life remains the same. Last night I attend a “special dining” event in celebration of one of my staffmate’s birthday and today I worked as usual around the ship meeting with students, etc. but one of the visible differences besides for seeing lights and land around us is that we’re not rocking one bit. It is actually pleasant but it is still unfortunate that we can’t see Singapore. What a tease! 
Today was National Coming Out day so the RD who advises the Diversity committee planned an entire day’s worth of events to spread the word and emphasize community on the ship. I volunteered to make an interactive bulletin board at one of the more central locations on the ship, which was received really well. We had “safe-zone” door flyer coloring all day in Tymitz Square, Rainbow stickers, and Rainbow ribbons for everyone to wear and show their support. Finally, tnight we had an open mic night which went exceptionally well. I was so impressed by the huge turn out from the student body and the wonderful stories that people shared. It was a warm and fuzzy type of event.
Each Sea gets a sea social in the faculty/staff lounge once throughout the voyage and it just so happens that there are 3 this week. As a staff member, I attend all of them to support my fellow RDs. Last night’s theme was “A Hollywood Affair,” tonight’s was a highlighter/black light party and tomorrow night’s is an 80’s theme. My sea social is planned for the passage between India and Egypt and I am very excited. Out theme is going to be the Adriatic Sea “All White Party”—think P-Diddy style! This is in honor of our sea color-white! There are actually a few exciting events coming up during that long passage including a Captain’s dinner (Captain Jeremy invites all staff and faculty to a special formal dinner once throughout the voyage-I can’t wait to wear my new pants that I had custom made in Vietnam) the Crew Talent Show, Crew Appreciation Day, and the much anticipated Sea Olympics! Once we get really close to Egypt, we also spend a day crossing through the Suez Canal, which is pretty cool. I have been to the Panama Canal and soon I will be able to say that I’ve crossed through the Suez Canal, too.
We’ll be in India in about 3 days! I am really pumped to go there.
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