love love love

Here's what I loved this week:

My friends have been amazing this week - Sal, I couldn't have said it better!

I love so many things that I might loose track!  Never fear!  Pinterest is here!

I learned about a man name John Newling and his Miracle Tree called the Moringa.

What exactly makes an otter so ridiculously cute?!  This one is dedicated to OtterPopLon:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNd4_Cy-1D4&feature=fvst

I rocked out ALL week to GIRL TALK!  Pure GENIUS!  (I have no idea how this guy isn't getting in trouble but who cares because you can download his latest album for free on his website - works for me!)  Maybe best for people who like hip hoppy kinda stuff....but I say everyone should shake their booty while cleaning house...or working out...or going for a drive....or studying....name a time when shaking your booty isn't a good idea!

I love flowers - no, seriously.....I LOOOVEEE flowers!  Everywhere I looked this week I found flowers!  Mainland flowers (yes, Aunt Judy I'm still obsessed), Cornish Flowers, and Tulip Magnolias!

I also loved:

beer by the pool on my lunch-break...

the little white poodle being wheeled around by a cute old lady at the swap meet...

my toes on the pavement walking to the bus stop...

how helpful the 5640 line is on a 500mb chart (psych!)

Aloha for Aotearoa

New Zealand is on my mind.  Travelin' Tootsies got me thinking about some of my epic voyages (doesn't epic voyage sound cooler than travel experience) - at the top of my list is New Zealand (NZ) - it was my first solo trip.  A few hours after posting Travelin' Tootsies NZ was majorly on my mind when I heard about the large earthquake that hit Christchurch.  I spent the next several hours waiting for word to make sure my cousins were safe (and they are). While in NZ I really felt a kinship with the Kiwi's.  The people of Hawaii and the Maori's of Aotearoa (or New Zealand in Maori) have always had strong ties.  My most formative years were spent sailing aboard the Makali'i - a polynesian voyaging canoe.  The Maori's share a maritime history as rich and unique as Hawaii's.  On one of my first day's in NZ I was in a gallery when I ran across a series of quotes from the Captain of the Makali'i (Uncle Clay) and Papa Mau (who helped Hawaiians resurrect the art of wayfinding) - both men truly changed my life.

"The canoe represents family.  It's about sharing - history, values, culture, kuleana [responsibilities], kokua [help]."

"Sailing a long distance the canoe becomes our island.  We have to learn to live and work in harmony.  These are values that are translated to land.  On land, think 'canoe'."  -Uncle Clay

"To navigate you must be brave and to be brave you must remember.  If I am brave, it is because I remember the words of my fathers...When I voyage I forget everything else and think only of what my Grandfather, Father, and Master taught me.  Then I am not afraid."  -Papa Mau

One of the beautiful things about the canoe is that it really does translate to land - when I'm feeling lost and need to remind myself where I'm from I think about the canoe.  Sometimes at work I'll hum or sing some of my favorite 'canoe songs' - it wakes me up and helps me realize that my love for the ocean matters.  It helps remind me that we are connected by the people who have come before us - and that our actions and attitude matter.  One of my favorite songs is Ia Wa'a Nui and when I was in NZ I heard a maori woman sing this song.  Hearing her sing a song I knew so well - a song that reminded me of Makali'i - a song that speaks of ensuring you've built a strong foundation - made me realize how interconnected we all are.

When I finally got word that my cousins were alright I tried to go to bed and I just laid there wide awake...I was so upset with myself!  It bummed me out that it took an earthquake to make me reach out to my girl cousins but what really bummed me out is that while waiting for word I literally thought through and pre-planned my response for every worse case scenario.  For example, I had decided that if they had been hurt or killed I would finish class this week and then fly directly to NZ - when my business was complete there I'd fly back to Hawaii and then go back to work for my normal rotation...I'd have to finish classes next vacation.  So when I was lying in bed not only did I feel bad that I'm not a good keeper-in-toucher I felt bad that I had planned for the worst instead of hoping for the best.

Uncle Clay and Papa Mau gave me a strong foundation.  They taught me to remember my ancestors, how to gain strength from the people around and me and most importantly how to give strength to the people around me.

Yesterday I decided to change my ways.  I made a conscious effort to pause several times throughout the day and hope for the best.  I sent as much Aloha (love) to Aotearoa as I possibly could in a few moments time.  I'm so thankful that my loved ones are safe.  I feel I owe a few moments of time for those who's loved ones aren't.

While I pausing I've been humming this chant - to remind myself that it is important and to help give strength to those who need it:

One: I ku mau mau! (Stand together!)

All: I kuwa! (Shout!)

One: I ku mau mau! (Stand together!)

I kü huluhulu! (Haul with all your might!)

I ka lana wao! (Under the mighty trees!)

All: I kuwa! (Shout!)

One: I kulana wao! (Under the forest trees!)

All: I kuwua! (Shout!)

I kuwa! huki! (Shout! Pull!)

I kuwa! ko! (Shout! Push!)

I kuwa a mau (Shout! Snagged,)

A mau ka éulu (Snagged is the tree top!)

E Huki, e! (Pull!)

Kulia! (Strive!)

M.L.I.S.W - Advanced Meteorology Style

This week is all about weather and weather routing.  Warm fronts, cold fronts, high pressure, low pressure - it's fun.  Here's the catch....my instructor (Mr. Weather - abbreviated Mr. Wx)  is super duper dry.  We crack jokes in class and they go right over his head!  Or, he'll say something we think is hilarious - when we crack up he'll stare at us with a totally perplexed look on his face.  While these moments aren't necessarily weird I felt they counted as My Life Is So Weird moments. *Please note:  there is a small amount of swearing* Episode 1

Mr. Wx:  There are many types of air mass classifications...Class, what does CP stand for?

Class:  Continental Polar

Mr. Wx:  How about MT?

Class:  Maritime Tropical

Mr. Wx:  How about in the Arctic? (Arctic would normally be just an A)

Classmate:  FC

Mr. Wx:  What's that?

Classmate:  Fucking Cold!

Mr. Wx:  OKAY.  Moving on...

(You guys - not even a crack of a smile!)

Episode 2

(We were discussing weather routing and diverting course for large weather systems and I just couldn't hold my tongue - surprise!  A classmate named Travis had just told the class that he is sailing on a cable ship that can't withstand anything greater than 6ft on the beam.)

Me:  Mr. Wx - can I be honest with you?  I have never sailed with a Captain who would divert for a developing gale.  Most commonly you would steam right through it - and if the shit hits the fan then you deal with it.

Mr. Wx:  But Megan, it all depends what kind of ship you're on!  Travis's ship is SENSITIVE!

(The class totally cracked up and he had NO clue why!  I should also say that the majority of us are tanker mates - we tend to think we are more rugged than most...)

Episode 3

(One of my classmates is slightly goofy - I'll call him Stover - for example he didn't complete his homework yesterday...after trying to create an answer when called on he finally shouts 'Okay fine!  I didn't do my homework!!!' Mr. Wx really didn't know how to handle this one!)

Mr. Wx:  Stover, why is that low pressure system moving to the NE?

Stover:  I don't know!  That was 8 questions ago!  Well....there was that blocking high.

Mr. Wx:  What blocking high?!  There is no blocking high!

(Everyone is chuckling...)

Stover:  Well....you got that thing there....

Mr. Wx:  Do you mean the meridional flow pattern?

Stover:  I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU!!!!

(The class was laughing really, really hard - Mr. Wx was still trying to point out the meridional flow...)

Pirates are NOT cool!

WARNING:  THIS POST CONTAINS VIOLENT AND GRAPHIC MATERIAL - AS WELL AS SOME VERY OPINIONATED POLITICALLY INCORRECT VIEWS!!! Alright guys - many of you know that nothing will fire me up quite as quickly as a discussion about piracy.  I have wanted to write about pirates for quite some time now.  I had intended the post to be an educational rather than opinion piece however, the recent increase in piracy activities has my blood boiling.

Here is what I'd like everyone to understand: Pirates are scary and they always have been!

There is a very important distinction to be made between a sea gypsy and a pirate.  I know people who have chosen a nomadic lifestyle - who truly enjoy the wonder to be found on the ocean - they lead a simple but rich life and with time become salty old sea dogs.  Please do not confuse the romance of the ocean, the discovery of hidden treasures, and the promise of adventure with piracy.

Pirates are maritime terrorists - and they always have been.  Pirates profit from the fear that their very presence induces.  Whether sailing a tall ship or motoring a white skiff the effect is the same - on sight sailors realize that their cargoes and truly their very lives are at stake.  Piracy was never romantic.

I fear that movies like Pirates of the Caribbean which feature a swaggering and endearing character like Jack Sparrow have confused the general populace.  The commercialism associated with pirate memorabilia makes me sick.  If you go to a shop like Hot Topic you can buy:  hot pink skull and cross-bone post it notes; jolly roger t-shirts; pirate flag shoe laces - you name it.  On Facebook you can set your language to 'pirate' - show me a pirate who actually says 'argh' or 'aye matey'.  I made a personal vow that I would never buy anything that I consider 'pirate paraphernalia'.  You would never see a murderer or rapist's signature mass marketed and I don't considered piracy trademarks to be any different.

Recently four Americans were kidnapped and executed by pirates.  These friends were casually sailing through the Seychelles - and I have to wonder, what their personal risk assessment was prior to their tragic encounter?  Did they not understand that the waters of the Indian Ocean were teeming with pirates?  Were they unaware that pirate boats now carry RPGs and not canon's?  Anyway I look at it I come to the conclusion that no one told them exactly how scary pirates really are.

The reality is that piracy is now a shore based problem with a shore based solution.  We are looking at extremely impoverished war torn nations who have suddenly discovered that there is BIG money to be made.  I recently read an article that implied that there are now commercial entities 'backing' Somali pirate rings - they are providing them with weaponry, ammunition, better and faster boats, etc.  We are no longer looking at an organized and low key operation that may consider stealing the money from the Captains safe and leaving.  We are looking at an organization who have pre selected their targets and may have need for their cargoes.  Please also consider the money involved in ransoming crew members - on the flip side of that...there are hundreds of Filipino sailors currently being held hostage!  You don't hear too much about how many sailors are still being held because their governments and companies aren't advocating their return.

My ship is currently on a Persian Gulf and Horn of Africa run.  I have seen pirates.  I'm on a heavily armed vessel - this is not the norm - and it is still scary!  I can only imagine how terrified the four crew members were who recently lost their lives to pirates.  When warning shots are fired you have to take into consideration that you may in fact see someone be killed.  However, let me be very clear about something - I'm okay with shooting pirates.  If you attempt to board a vessel there can only be one conclusion drawn:  you mean to do me or my shipmates harm.

I've spliced together two video clips - in the first clip warning shots were fired and in the second flares were fired.  I'm only showing a few seconds of each incident.  During the second incident we were literally 'swarmed' with small boats - I could count 15 small white skiffs.  The incident lasted almost two hours before the skiffs made their approach.  In the second clip you can hear me saying that a boat is coming up on the port quarter very quickly - it came within 150 ft of our stern!  When you think that it takes miles to stop a tanker and that we could easily have a 1 nautical mile turning radius 150 ft is way too close.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3j6z_jrAr-g&feature=BF&playnext=1&list=QL&index=1

How can you dispute that these skiffs were up to no good?

I think that the British had it right.  String them up.  Make an example out of pirates who were caught.  The Somali pirate that was captured following the Maersk Alabama hijacking just received life in prison - totally unacceptable.  These days the people who have it right are the Russians.  This YouTube video is graphic - however, I think it is important to see the type of weapons pirates have aboard their vessels as well as how easily they really could be fisherman!  Again, the following clip contains blood, swearing and violence - but at the end they blow the pirate boat up...sweet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lXNbXR8qAc&oref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fresults%3Fsearch_query%3Drussians%2Bboard%2Bpirate%2Bvessel%26aq%3Df&has_verified=1&oref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fverify_age%3Fnext_url%3Dhttp%253A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%253Fv%253D2lXNbXR8qAc

Travelin' Tootsie Tuesdays!

All right you guys - I have something really exciting to announce! We have a new mini series!!! I have some amazing girlfriends - and they've been all over the world! Some of them travel like gypsies and some f them travel like princesses but all of them travel with style. Sometimes when I'm in the shower I start to plan my next 'epic voyage' - I think about where I would want to go and what I would pack...what kind of sassy outfits would be appropriate to pack...what would go in my carry on...you get the idea. Then I thought: I don't have to imagine this - I know people who are getting ready for their own epic voyages right now! So I sent a note to all the lovely ladies in my life asking three questions: 1. what are the top ten things you can't live without while abroad 2. what is your favorite travel memory / destination / experience and why 3. do you have any photos?! I also asked them to let me know if they had any specific favorites so that I could share a link. I'm really excited about this mini series and I've decided to call it Travelin' Tootisies featured on Tuesdays. Enjoy! Our first guest tootsie is Little Miss Sunshine. She is is a frequent commenter at Nautie MerMate and a much loved friend - definitely one of my go to girls. I've also just learned that she's way more practical than I realized...check out her 10 - so utilitarian - wow! I'm impresed!

Top 10 Must Haves:

1. Coin purse- I always carry a coin purse with me when traveling internationally so when I go out I place just my ID, money for the day and a credit card, less bulk and easy to stash.

2. Jewelry Bag- I like keeping my jewelry compartmentalized.

3. EO Hand Sanitizer (Lemon)- I need clean hands, especially when I’m using public transport hours on hand and need to snack!

4. Emergen C

5. Mini journal

6. Camera

7. Headlamp (seems kooky, but you have no idea how many times this has been a saver!)

8. My personalized first aid kit: I add items I know I want on hand when traveling anywhere outside my comfort zone for simplicity.

9. Guide book- I like to plan and when things go awry spontaneously, I can always ask a local, but I also like to have a guidebook on hand of any destination to check lodging, transportation, etc.

10. Rubber slippers- Multi purpose, to use in public showers or to let your feet relax, easy to clean and easy to pack.

Tulum, Mexico <-- I don’t have a personal photo, this was before digital camera’s and my album is south so I can’t scan a photo for you. I love this place and this was a special trip because it was my first solo and I decided to back pack it through the Yucatan & Quintana Roo for a week. Mexico is magical and Tulum is gorgeous! I made my way down to Tulum with a couple gals ironically I had met on Isla Mujeres and had a more than a few run-ins with prior to our departure to Tulum so we figured, we might as well travel together! Suffice to say it’s a small, small world, especially when traveling. Tulum is tranquil, pristine white sand beaches, piercing aqua blue waters and pleasant locals with warm hearts. Our room had no toilet seat, no pipe below the sink and certainly no distinction between shower space, just a drain in the middle of the floor, however it was ocean front and we were the only guests. The food along my trip was simplistic and filling, frijoles negros, arroz, plátano frito, pollo asado and homemade horchata. I toured the Mayan ruins of Tulum, snorkeled in a Cenote and finished off my trip at an Eco-Lodge. Every trip has mishaps and oddities and this week long excursion had its fill, Federales removing my “cab” drivers license plates and telling me to hail another cab in the middle of nowhere and a pack of angry tourists at the Eco-lodge who didn’t quite enjoy the morning wake up call at 4am of a pig being slaughtered for a fiesta-go figure. Why was this one of my favorite trips, cause it was holistic with experiences and memories, ripe with twenty-something independence!

Big Tree

This weekend I walked through the art park. There was a huge Baobab tree that made me stop and sigh. There was lovely twinkly music playing around its base (I'm not making that up just to illustrate how magical the tree was). Someone had placed a rope garland around it's trunk which made it looked cared for and loved. What really made me sigh is I recognized this tree from my little kid days!There was a tree just like this at the Honomu park. It always cracked me and the neighborhood kids up because it had big sausage like pods hanging off it. There was a really pretty horse tethered under the tree. I spent many hours darting around the base of this tree. I stopped and snapped a bunch of photos with my iPhone - and then ran them through some filtering apps. Man I love my phone!