2012 :: I Choose

I believe in resolutions especially ones that welcome in a fresh new year. Last year I jumped on the blogging band wagon and chose One Word.  One word that summed up what we wished for the year to come.  A resolution in a neat little package.  I chose the word create - and then I morphed it into more than word:  Create Productively - Produce Creatively.

As 2012 rolled in and I reflected on my 2011 I felt a little disappointment - mostly because I felt like I had neglected my words.  Did I produce?  Did I create?  Was I creative?  Were things accomplished productively?  I think maybe.  I managed to pass my Chief Mates exam - which is pretty effing productive.  I blogged through the process.  I got a new job and my new ports inspired some creativity on the blog - I had fun on a few photo safaris. 

The problem is, 2011 turned into a bit of a mess towards the end.  There were (and are) a lot of loose ends.  I'm having to make decisions that bum me out.  The kind of decisions that aren't fun and certainly aren't easy.  I'll have to let things go before I'm ready.  It means I'll have to do damage control before things get any messier.  Which means that this year I need to put on my big girl panties and pull up my bootstraps!  Chin Up Buttercup!

I struggled to put my desires for 2012 onto paper.  Should I concentrate on being responsible?  Should I wish for whimsy and magic?  Could I pick creativity two years in a row?  How do I make things happen.  How do I welcome in 2013 feeling like 'TA DA!  I DID IT!'? 

Then the interwebz saved me.  I read so many blogs written by so many amazing ladies (it does seem like most of my most loved blogs are written by ladies).  There were so many examples of New Year Awesomeness!   I picked some of my favorites and did what they told me to do - and then I wrote down my thoughts in the exact format that they wrote down their thoughts. 

Gala Darling said that we should write mission statements and provided resources.  So I did.  I used the link provided to create a mission statement - and then I switched it up just like her.

I was now on the right track.  I had a mission statement.

But I was missing my One Word.  I did not want to ring in the new year without a Word!!!

In comes Elise.  I copied her word.  There, I said it.  I couldn't even think of my own word.  I felt a little bad at first and then I decided 'screw that!  This is the best word EVER!'.

There is no shame in my game (well maybe a little shame in my game) - I'm a total copycat (just ask Baisey I've bought the same car as her TWICE). 

With my new word came a modified statement.  It turned out to be a little fruitier than I imagined but I'm loving it.  I think I could use a little fruitiness in my life - maybe it will balance out the jet fuel staining my boots.

In 2012 I will CHOOSE.  I can't think of a more powerful word. 

I am planning on making choices that are good for me.  That propel me forward.  That make me happy.  That are responsible.  That are courageous.  That promote self reliance.  I will CHOOSE. 

I will choose passion, adventure, and love.  I will choose to take my camera with me and capture life's finest.  I will choose to look on the bright side - to hang on like a little tomato and shake it out (someday I'll explain this one).  I will choose to stay hungry and foolish.  I will choose sweat, tears and the sea - they have never failed me.  I will CHOOSE.

Without further ado please help me welcome in this years mission statement:

Passion.  Adventure.  Love. Kai: Sweat, tears or the sea. Have less.  Do more. Take your camera. Ho'ihi.  Kuha'o.  Koa. Shake it out little tomato! Stay hungry.  Stay foolish. CHOOSE.

I'm entering 2012 with slight trepidation.  Can I do it all?  Can I make the choices that need to be made, have fun and stay true to myself?  I can only hope! 

Here's to fresh starts!  Here's to the word CHOOSE!  Here's to 2012!

Nautie Friends, what are you looking forward to in 2012?

Eye Of The Storm

It feels great to be back in calm waters.  Despite the seasickness and the exhaustion I have to admit that heavy weather is strangely exhilerating. The sun popped out for a few minutes - just long enough to make a rainbow.  Loves it.

 I took a series of photos using a 'quick burst' feature on my camera.  It allows me to snap away while the camera stays continuously focused.  It only kinda works.  It did however allow me to take a set that show a complete 'evolution'.  Getting smacked in the nose by a good wave riding it up and then back down.

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Here are a couple of shots that I liked.  Again, so frustrating that it doesn't look like terrible.  I'm hoping you look at some of the streaking on the waves and recognize that it's far greater than gale force winds!

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The Nautie Guide to Conquering Mal de Mer!

Most Sailors will never admit they are seasick.  They'll curl up in a ball on the floor and blame it on galley food before they admit that they're feeling a little green around the gills.  I announced to my watch that I was feeling a little queasy.  They were horrified.  AB:  Mate, I don't think you should admit that...

ME:  Why?

AB:  It might make you seem a little less....

ME:  Ummm....manly?

AB:  Yeah, manly.

ME:  Riiiight....so, will you please go down to the galley and get me some saltines?  (For the record - I only said riiiiight - I didn't make the 4-8 fetch me saltines - I had already had the 12-4 fetch them.  I thought it made the encounter sound a bit better - ha. Oh, and the numbers indicate what hours the individual stands watch and, it's how we refer to the ABs sometimes.  As in, 'did you call the 4-8?'.)

I normally bring dramamine with me to work.  It usually makes me feel better lickity split.  Remember how I got fancy new luggage for work this time?  Well, I had to pack much lighter.  I normally have a navigation bag and a ditty bag - this time I combined the two into one slightly larger bag - the ditty bag got left behind.  Big mistake, huge......the dramamine was in the front pouch.  (Aunt Pooder, this is the hot pink ditty bag you gave me when I joined my first ship.  It will never be left behind again!  Lesson learned!  Like Aunt Gene said, 'everything has a place and every place has its thing'!!)

Because I didn't have the trusty dramamine I had to take care of things the old fashioned way.  Some of my remedies are slightly 'no duh' worthy - even if its only a mental remedy it's still worth it if it makes me feel a little better! 

Here's what I do:

• Drink lots of water.  Water feels fresh and clean as it goes down.  I avoid drinking anything that might make me feel 'sluggish'.  Go easy on that dairy!
• Double up on vitamins.  This way, if I get sick my body is slightly less depleted.  I have no idea why I think this.
• Saltines.  They seem to be the perfect 'stomach coater'.  They keep your belly full without over-stimulating.
• Keep cool.  Literally.  I've never passed out but, I feel like I've been close.  You know that feeling you get where you start to feel overly warm and slightly woozy?  Avoid it.  Crack a window and let in some winter air.  Turn down the thermostat in your stateroom.  Don't over bundle.  Wash your face with cool water.  You get it.
• Let your hair get a little wind blown.  Otter left a message that I should enjoy a little fresh air (thanks Pops!).  It gets a little tricky when it's blowing 50 knots and raining - but we'll pretend that conditions are mellow - in which case - Get some fresh air!  It will do wonders!
• Now bring me that horizon!  Jack Sparrow was on to something.  You'll be amazed how much better you'll feel by just looking out a window - the results are even better if you can manage to be out on deck while looking at the horizon.
• Take a little cat nap.  Laying down and closing your eyes sometimes provides instant relief.  Sadly, we can't stay in our racks all day long.  If you are at sea for pleasure (i.e. a cruise or a fishing expedition, etc.) then you really don't want to stay in your rack all day!  I find that even 20 minutes of horizontal relaxation can do the trick.
• GINGER.  This probably should have been first on the list.  I can't stress enough the miraculous power this little root contains.  I asked the Steward (he's in charge of the galley) for two chunks of ginger.  I mostly prepare it in the tea form.  Just slice up a bit (or a large chunk) and pour hot water over it.  If you are able to bring it to a boil even better.  Lots of times I add lemon and honey just to trick it out a bit.  If I'm really feeling yucky then I chew on a bit.
• Don't pull the trigger.  Being seasick is not the same as being hung over....although it does feel a little similar....you will not feel amazing after one good yarf.  I do my ultimate best to not throw up.  I have found that once I vomit I won't stop.  In all seriousness, this can be dangerous.  It can very, very quickly lead to dehydration and a whole slew of other issues. 

Here's what I DON'T do:

• I don't do dairy.  It just makes me feel mucous-y and gross.  That sounds disgusting...but it's true!
• I don't do sweets.  There seems to be a lot of downtime during rough weather - lots of 'waiting it out'.  Sweets need to be burned off and you won't be able to do that....you'll just end up with too much energy.
• I go easy on the coffee.  Too much caffeine on an empty belly makes you feel queesy on a normal day - why do that to yourself on a yucky day?
• I don't take showers.  Okay, I know this sounds weird.  For some reason when I take a shower I become completely disoriented and can't tell up from down.  If the ship is rockin' and rollin' and I let water pour over my head I suddenly feel like Alice in the Rabbit Hole.  If the weather lasts for more than a day then I sit on the toilet and use the shower wand to wash my hair only.  I don't stand in the shower in rough weather - ever. 
• I don't sit in front of the computer.  Think reading a book in a car - same thing.  It takes about two nanoseconds for your eyes to be exhausted and your stomach to be rolling.

For some reason I find it glorious that the french word for seasickness contains my initials!  Which only makes sense since my initials mean ocean in french.  Mal de Mer.  It almost sounds lovely.  Which reminds me of the quote:  'Merde.  Shit always sounds better in french.'.  Too true.

Storm photos are being sorted and edited and will be up soon!

The Motion of the Ocean

Sorry for the lack of posts BUT.... We're currently getting the shit kicked out of us by a winter storm.  We're exhausted.  Staying upright in heavy seas takes a lot of work and, trying to sleep when things are banging around and you're rolling around in bed just ain't easy.

PLUS, I'll admit it - I get a little seasick - staring at my computer screen just isn't on the agenda....neither is anything else that is yarf inducing.

I've been taking lots of photos and hopefully when things mellow out I'll get them posted.  I have a feeling that they will look incredibly mundane and you will all wonder what the big fuss was about!

In the meantime, I'm off to strap myself to my rack for a little cat nap.

January 4th

It's been an incredibly long few days. We've loaded, discharged, washed tanks, gas freed the tanks, entered the tanks to sump them, re-inerted the tanks and proceeded to anchor to discharge our slops.  Later today we'll head to the dock to load our freshly washed tanks (wait, we had to clean them just to get them dirty?!).

After a few days of less than necessary sleep I find it hard to even take a shower before crawling in the rack.  Sometimes I shower and don't wash my hair because I'm too lazy to raise my arms over my head - how ridiculous is that?  (If I'm not finding time to wash my hair it means I'm certainly not finding time to post pictures....sorry Nautie Friends!)

I'm on my fifth cup of coffee and I'm rocking out to some Florence + The Machine.  Florence has been my saving grace...she gets me moving.  I'm about to scrub my charts to get them ready for the next voyage and hopefully I'll find time today to replace my burnt out port sidelight (wait, isn't that what cadets are for?!).

Let's all raise our coffee cups to long days, good music and crisp Mediterranean winters!!

A Very Cretan New Years!

We pulled into Souda Bay, Crete on New Years Eve.  We were met with fog, rain and snow on the mountains.  It looked like winter!

Welcome to Crete!

After a watch full of hooking up hoses, commencing discharge, blabbity blabbity, I took a nap and went ashore to ring in the New Years!

It was back to Chania (I was lucky enough to get ashore here during my last rotation).

My favorite area is the old harbor.

 

 

I learned that Chania had once been under Venice's rule (from about 1212 lasting 4 centuries).  This certainly explains the Venitian architecture and artistic influences. 

After walking around the town for a bit I ended up in an alley that was strung with colorful glass lamps.  Every single lamp was a different design - some were quite colorful and almost all of them were fairly ornate.  I kept cruising around and ended up  finding an aparment that had its door wide open.  I'm not sure if it was an open house or if they simply wanted people to take a peek and wish to stay.  It was a studio apartment that was adorable. 

 After beeboping around for a bit it was time to have some food!  Lets order every appetizer!  Is there a better way to eat when travelling?  I think the Saganaki might be my favorite - tomato with feta warmed up and spread on bread ours had shrimp and prawns in it...yum-o!  (The stuffed grape leaves take a close second.)

Back to work after having such good food isn't easy!  It's also very hard to wake up at midnight if you've spent your afternoon ashore - ha!

Leaving Souda we watched the sun set behind her.  All in all it was a pretty lovely way to spend the New Years!

HOW DID YOU ALL SPEND YOUR NEW YEARS?!