Today was my first full day of teaching at sea. Very interesting. Like any new teaching job, I haven't yet figured out how to switch from the desktop projection to the video feed, to go to the projector. All in good time. No video today. More interesting is the fact that today was the first full day of classes and also the first full day of waking up at sea and being at sea all day. I'm fine. I've been taking my meclazine, which makes me very calm and mellow in addition to feeling no sea sickness. However, a few students had to leave regularly for a trip to the head, to heave. One student finally just left and didn't come back. One is trying to scam me, maybe, with the field trips requirement. So normal for students ;) There are so many logistics. I had to find a way to stand without staggering around and being a distraction in myself, finally just leaning my back against the teaching podium, which is firmly affixed to the floor. However, the overhead projection screen kept dancing around which I think made motion sickness worse for some students. The field program is creating a few challenges for students who tried to put off signing up for mandatory field trips until they were sure they wanted a class but now can't get into the field trips that correspond to a class; and they must have the field experiences to pass the class. So all in all, a regular, normal chaotic first day of teaching :) The food is fabulous. Glad I'm not sick. I’m looking at 15 pounds. Forget the read and feed in Kansas City (AP readers know what I mean); this food is good! on top of plentiful.
The schedule takes a bit of getting used to. There are no weekdays versus weekends in that all days on ship are teaching days, no matter if it's 2 or 10 in a row; all days in port are non-teaching days, no matter if it's 2 or 10 in a row. As we all know, students tend to let things slide until the weekend but the weekend on ship (or, rather, off ship) is a time to learn about new cultures for most students (yes, for some it is experiencing new and different hang-over episodes). There is no studying or catching up on school work when you are in Rio, or on safari, or at the Agra, or walking the great wall. So it will be interesting time management. Also, we lose an hour about 2-3 times per week and this accumulates slowly but surely until we reach the international date line. So Friday April 20th occurs twice for us! A true groundhog day experience The gradual loss of time means a gradual increase in sleep deprivation. One does not expect students to give up social time. Our email feed is horrible. I've asked Bill for assistance in getting set to digest because watching paint dry while one email opens is better than watching paint dry while 10 open up. We have 50 active lines through 2 satellites but there are nearly 1000 students, faculty and staff on board. After my first field experiences next week in Brazil, I should have more to say. Annette Annette Kujawski Taylor, Ph. D. Professor, Psychological Sciences University of San Diego 5998 Alcala Park San Diego, CA 92110 [email protected] --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=15557 or send a blank email to leave-15557-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
