Apologies

Well, I guess I'm still figuring out the little glitches, so you now have two posts from the same (general) topic.  The more the merrier? Enjoy them both? haha.  O well, hope all's well!

-mason

Update For Y?all on the Mainland?

So this is my second attempt at writing this second update.  I had written a pretty lengthy one last night, but unfortunately my email had timed out and it kicked me out without sending and OF COURSE without saving.  I am now copying and pasting from Word, so as to not run into this problem again.  Here goes. 

        I am currently sitting on the ship in San Juan, Puerto Rico.  We are not able to disembark though as this stop is for refueling only.  O well.  For those of you wondering if this is just some pleasure cruise, we did have a full day of classes today.  My oceanography course will be very hands on and I am greatly looking forward to some of the activities that will go along with that.  The professor teaching my religion course is interesting to say the least.  He’s a die hard Star Trek fan (kudos there, right?) and a practicing Zen Buddhist.  I am looking forward to the various topics and speakers I will be exposed to on the voyage.  I just got out of my digital storytelling course.  When a poll was taken of our class to see who had ever edited video before, only 4 out of the 23 of us had, so I’m not too concerned with the expectations here, though I am looking forward to further developing my creative technique.  My sociology course will be especially interesting because I have signed up for various service projects in the different ports led by my professor.  What better way to grasp the socio-economic needs of a country than to get in and serve the people in need? 

        Aside from class, I’ve been meeting a ton of new people and introducing myself to more at each meal.  I’ve been hanging out with a guy named Benson, who’s from Palos Verdes and lives across the hall.  We have a class in common and have been meeting friends together.  The thing I miss and will certainly continue to miss the most is the familiarity of a best friend, of being surrounded by people who know me best.  But I am also looking forward to this experience to grow and stretch my ability to represent myself and my God.

        I’m still getting used to walking up and down the halls, and last night got pretty rough, so I may have a few bruises.  Ha ha.  We will be arriving in Salvador Brazil in one week.  I do not have any trips planned for Brazil, but I have found others who are looking to explore independently as well. 

        Can’t wait to share more of my experiences with you all.  And though blogging is very therapeutic, its nice to know there’s an audience out there somewhere;-) So thank you all for your prayers and thoughts, I appreciate the support more than you know.  “The lives that have been the greatest blessing to you are the lives of those people who themselves were unaware of having been a blessing.”-Oswald Chambers

-mason

PS- Email me at mtschroder@semesteratsea.net...its free!!!

Update For Y'all On The Mainland

So I just figured out how to post blogs up here WITHOUT using up my internet minutes! (hopefully this is as exciting for you as it is for me).  Anyhow, things are going well so far.  We had a full day of orientation today including class schedules, field program information, activities clubs, and some necessary safety tid-bits.  I am now very familiar with the ship and navigating the various decks and halls.  We are currently en route to San Juan, Puerto Rico to refuel the ship but unfortunately will not have an opportunity to get off.  O well, in another 7 days I'll be in Brazil!  Classes begin tomorrow, so I am greatly looking forward to meeting my professors and gaining a perspective for what this semester will look like academically.  I'm meeting all kinds of people from all over the country, though many of them are fellow Californians.  I'm not feeling sea-sick (and hopefully won't), but definitely feel the ship moving beneath me.  My friend Benson and I (Also a Californian, from Palos Verdes in fact ;-) were commenting on how hard it is to walk straight as it is, just imagine the kids who drink!  There are certain familiarities I am excited to learn to live without for this extended period of time including cell phones and unlimited internet minutes.  And, though it will be tough for the next few weeks to go without people who truly know me and appreciate me for who they've known me to be, I am excited to be stretched both in my ability to represent myself and to represent my God.  Thank you for all the feedback so far, I really appreciate all the little comments from those reading.  Though blogging is very therapeutic, its nice to know there's an audience somewhere;-)  Thank you all for the prayers and thoughts, I'll be keepin you posted!

-mason

Ready, set, go...

Hey all! Welcome to my blog for Semester At Sea. My ultimate goal is to be able to keep up with a few postings per port, including journal entries and photos. Only 8 days to go until I leave for the Bahamas and only 11 days until disembarkation. Thanks to everyone who has supported me financially and otherwise, all the encouragement is appreciated more than words can express. I recognize that this voyage will play a significant role in my life and cannot wait to share my experiences with you. Until later, "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, and be constant in prayer" Romans 12:12.