Day Nineteen

2 September 2006
I'll start this post with a picture of my Honey tearing apart our house while I'm away! He's hoping to have a new kitchen done by the time I return.

I just finished watching Bettlejuice (spelling?) with some of the other officers in the ward room (the officer “cafeteria”). Every Friday and/or Saturday, someone will pick a movie (usually along the lines of The History of the World, Stripes, Animal House, Caddyshack—real winners) and the galley will make popcorn. That is the real reason I love those nights. All you can eat popcorn and it isn’t the lowfat stuff either. My favorite! I usually come away full and thirsty because of all the salt I intake! Tonight I had no intention of staying for the movie after I gorged myself with popcorn, but the movie brought back some fun memories of when I was younger. It is such a goofy movie and the music is funny too. I think that we actually owned the CD (or tape at that time?). Caleb and I loved it. I cannot remember exactly any specific memory in particular; it just brings back good feelings of fun with my siblings, especially Caleb. Do you still have the sound track, Caleb?

Anyway, I have not written a daily for a couple of days. Those episodes of tiredness continued to the point that my malaise was getting the best of me. I could not believe that I felt to wiped out! Everything was sore and my low-grade fevers began to run me further into the ground (aka the “deck” here). Where was my friend Sharon who took care of me during my last cruise when I was sick? I missed you this time! I am doing better now. My arm still looks like it was possessed by something from a horror movie and my head still thinks it needs a motrin IV—other than that, I am so much better. I know the smallpox vaccine does not effect everyone the way it did me, thank goodness, or sickcall is going to be a nightmare! The whole ship is now immunized—perhaps a few sensitive ones like me will now get some empathy and SIQ (sick in quarters, aka “a sick day”). Ha!

Today was unique because we transited the **** (this is also why I have not emailed anyone—outside communication was temporarily suspended). It was amazing! I am sure that it brings in that country billions of dollars! The whole area was so desolate, though. Hot, dry, and every shade of light brown. I could not see the horizon—it was all one hazy shade of tan. And the sun was so bright! My eyes hurt even wearing sunglasses! I did not get to go outside too much, but every time I did, there was something interesting and different. That was a definite experience I will only have on this ship! Now that I feel better, I can resume my interest and excitement for where I am at again (it sure did wane when I was so tired!). I am now going to resume a novel that I just started yesterday. I sure do enjoy reading! Until later…


****I often need to refrain from mentioning our area. Thus the stars. Also, I will write about our port stop once we are a bit further away. It was a good one, though!