I Wander: notes from a restless graduate: April 2008

Everyone has special moments from their childhood that they swear they'll remember forever. For me, one of the most special moments of my past, was a night spent with my aunt and uncle aboard their 35 foot liveaboard sailboat. I was five years old, and, although the memories have faded a little with time, they're still in the back of my head somewhere, reminding me, not only of how much I love sailing, but also how much I love the little things that owning a sailboat affords. Things like looking back at the shore just because you can, eating breakfast in the cockpit as a water-colored sunrise beckons a new day, listening to wind in the rigging, spending a lazy afternoon reading in the cabin or on deck, and being lulled to sleep by the sound of water on the hull. Things that I've missed. I got back into sailing because I love sailboats, sailors, the wind, and the sea, but I always hoped that someday I would get a chance to experience, once more, the joys that just being on a sailboat brought me as a child. Last Friday I found my chance.

Above: My sister and me on our uncle's sailboat, Why Not III.

The Waterfront at USF St. Pete, where I sail the J/24, is taking a "sailing trip" from May 5th to May 7th. It's only two nights and three days, but it's time spent messing about on a sailboat. Aside from living on a boat for three days, the trip offers two other thrilling things - well, thrilling to me. First of all, I actually get to sail to a different port. I've always just gone out for an afternoon and then come back in to my homeport. I've never gotten to go anywhere. And secondly, in order to get out into the Gulf of Mexico we have to sail under the Sunshine Skyway (the I-275 bridge that crosses the mouth of Tampa Bay from North to South). I know that to many people this probably doesn't sound that exciting, in fact, being on a sailboat for three days probably sounds horrific, but to me, it's exactly what I've always wanted - to travel in a cramped sailboat and to see the bottom of the Skyway. I'm strange, I know.

Above: The Sunshine Skyway and I-275 connecting St. Pete and Bradenton.

I don't actually know much about the trip - only that it's two nights and three days. The waterfront is taking their two cruising boats (30-37 ft.) and maybe a third one that was just donated last week, and I'll be going with several strangers that I haven't met. In fact, I don't even know how many other people have signed up for this little (mis)adventure. At $85 a night, including most meals, it's really not a bad deal. Three days on anyone else's boat would most likely cost me at least $300, not including food, and I probably wouldn't meet any new people. The current course, which is weather dependent, of course, takes us heading to Gulfport and the ICW on the 5th, then out to Egmont Key at the mouth of the bay on the 6th, and then to Longboat Key in Sarasota or the mouth of the Manatee River in Bradenton on the 7th, and then back to St. Pete by approximately midnight. It isn't long, and it isn't far, but I'm more excited than a kid at Christmas.

Above: Egmont Key and the entrance to Tampa Bay - taken spring break of 2006.

I must admit that I'm a little apprehensive about such an undertaking. I've never spent three days in close quarters with people that I don't know, but I have spent four years living in apartments with randomly assigned roommates, so if I can do that and survive then three days on a boat shouldn't be too bad. Having only spent one night on a boat a long time ago I'm not sure what to expect there either, but I'm sure it will be fun. I'll probably be too excited to sleep, but when has that ever been a bad thing? Mostly I'm just afraid that I won't have fun, but then I remember what my parents said to me when I called and told them about it, "You're going to have a blast!!" I'm sure they're right - it is me and a sailboat after all (see excited/happy smile in above picture).

Above: The St. Pete pier, my homeport is just to the left.

I signed up for the trip today so there's no turning back now, and I'm fine with that. Even if the wind dies and I only end up floating to the Skyway and back, or if we get caught in a storm and I get drenched it will still be better than most things that I've done recently. All that's left now is to pass my finals, move out of the dorm, pack for my trip, and make it to the dock on time. That sounds easy enough. I can't wait for the 5th to get here, but at the same time I want it to stay where it is, just over the horizon, always waiting for me. It will eventually come though, and I will go with it beyond the Skyway. That will be in ten days - until then I have dreams. Ah, the good things in life: a roof over my head, barefeet, and something to look forward to. I can't complain.

Above: A random picture I found on the internet, but in ten days that will be me.

"Believe me, my young friend, there is NOTHING - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats." ~The Water Rat - from Kenneth Grahame's, Wind in the Willows

Above: Me, the water rat, dreaming on an afternoon sail with my parents in Tampa Bay.

See you out there, in the thick of life.

I know that I said I would blog frequently and I've done everything but that by ignoring it for the past seven months. I apologize for my many shortcomings but life happened...and fast! I'll try to keep this short and just give you the basic excitement of the past two semesters.

Above: Sunset on Honeymoon Island. Yes, it's a real place, and I even saw three weddings on the beach in one night, crazy! I come here a lot to think and yes, Chris Brown, to do homework.

1) Sailing: It happened, and I have loved every second of it!! After spending the better part of a lifetime trying to learn how to sail and hoping to acquire a boat, all of the dreaming, reading, and hard work finally paid off. I have been sailing and kayaking at the USF Waterfront in St. Pete (St. Petersburg) for the past seven months. I have sailed through a lightening storm, I have learned how to replace the safety on an ornery outboard engine with a zip tie, I have spent two hours floating (absolutely no wind) to nowhere and back with good friends, I have learned how to reef a mainsail (after the storm, naturally), and I have sailed through a fleet of dinghies that decided to practice racing tactics in front of my slip. Oh, and I've almost backed into a seawall because the same ornery engine got stuck in reverse and would not go into neutral. On the upside though, I haven't run aground yet! I have also taken several friends on their first sail in the same waters where I learned to love sailing a long time ago, and most of those people are still friends and are willing to go sailing again. Now that's success! Oh, and I've seen more dolphins and wildlife critters than I can count. Overall it's been the experience of a lifetime, and sailing has given me more friends, excitement, and memories than I ever dreamed that it could. I owe it most of my happiness. Thanks, Uncle Andy.

Above: A Pearson 35 that was sailing by us when Chris and I took my best friend, Sara, sailing when she came to visit in March while on spring break from school at Northwestern in the frozen tundra that is Evanston, Illinois.

2) Friends: I've made a lot of them. Fall semester most of the people who lived on my floor were exchange students from Europe. I became friends with almost everyone on my floor, but many of them left when the semester ended which is always sad. It was great though to get a small taste of the European life that I left in Wales last year; I've missed it. One of my friends from Germany is attending USF next year for her masters degree and has been visiting for the past three weeks. We've had a great time, and I'll miss her when she flies home on Tuesday, but it's been fun.

I've also made a few friends outside of the dorm. One of my closest friends here has turned out to be Tiff, the girl that I met on the my keelboat check ride. We both needed a sailing buddy and, as is often the case with sailing, it led to a good friendship. Tiff in return introduced me to her aunt and uncle who are also sailors and are now good friends as well. She also introduced me to one of the only other Southerners I've met since I've been here, her friend, Summer. The three of us have had some crazy times on boats and in bars, but that's how it's supposed to be, right? Thanks guys; you've given me the time of my life!

Above: Tiff, sailing buddy and friend extraordinaire.

3) Boyfriend: I know, this category didn't exist when I left to come here, but like I said, life happened. And isn't it time?? One of the only other Americans to live on my floor in the dorm was a mechanical engineering major from New Jersey who lived across the hall - convenient, I know. We've been dating since October, and we've had some crazy good times. I got him into sailing, and he got me into cooking, sports cars, and apparently, Yankees (not the baseball team, sorry). I have no complaints. Thanks, Chris, for saving me from myself and an exciting (it's getting better all the time), but lonely, life.

Above: Chris and I by the statue in the middle of the Franklin square that was given to the city to commemorate the Confederate soldiers who died in the Battle of Franklin during the Civil War. It was given to the city by the Sisters of the Confederacy. Chris just wants to make sure that everyone knows who won the war - the damn yankees. We were in Franklin for spring break, it snowed by the way, and we were in downtown for Franklin's second annual Irish festival. It was cold!

4) School: It was good. Okay, so it was awesome compared to last spring at UTC. I've learned that if I don't have a social life and friends I don't do well. I'm not meant to be kept indoors, it's just not my nature, and last spring I was cramped up in a dorm working my ass off most of the semester, and for what? This year has been the complete opposite; I've sailed, gone out on the town, spent time with the greatest boyfriend that anyone has ever had, and seen salt water at least once a week since I've been here. Now if that isn't an improvement then I don't know what is. School itself is boring, but that's what happens when you're in your fourth year on the five year plan. There comes a time when you just want to get the hell out of school, and for me that was three semesters ago. This year was exactly what I needed to recharge my batteries and get me ready to go at it again. Sadly though, to any of you who wanted to come down here on the same exchange next year, you no longer can. The National Student Exchange program at USF has been cut until further notice due to a "lack of resources." The school really just mismanaged the millions of dollars that they get every year from grants and tuition. Sorry, I know, it sucks - and it's probably ruined a lot of kids' dreams. At least I made it down here when I did. Thanks for the exchange, Hugh.

Above: The J/24 that I spent most of my Fridays on. We've had some terrifying times together, and some good times, but through it all she's been good to me. This is a racing boat and, having learned how to sail a cruising boat, (Catalina 27) sailing this one has been a learning experience. To say the least, this boat has taught me some of the more difficult lessons in sailing, and I am grateful to her for that.

To sum it all up, it's been one hell of a ride, and I have few if any real complaints.

1) The weather can get pretty damn nasty here. I love thunderstorms but sailing and walking to class in them can get a little old.

2) USF has a lot to learn about balancing check books and putting its students ahead of its research departments. The Moffitt Cancer Treatment and Research Institute does a lot of good things, as does the Florida Mental Health Institute, which is currently working on Alzheimer's research, but this is a university, and its first focus should be the people that classify it as that and allow it to continue its research, the students. If the USF administration could realize this and keep its students in mind it could go far.

3) College roommates need to learn that roommates are randomly assigned people that you are only forced to live with. You do not have to be their best friend or entertain them - you only have to be civil to them. If roommates could learn to be independent, mature, and considerate, it would do the collegiate world much good.

This has been perhaps one of the best years of my life. It's had its challenges and its moments, but that's life. This place has given me so much and has taken so little that it is hard to imagine. Seven months ago when I left Tennessee I wasn't expecting to meet the people that I have, sail this much, or have this life that I have dreamed of for so long. In fact, I have loved my time in Tampa so much that I'm trying to transfer here for my last year. So far it is looking good; I'll have roughly 36 hours to complete before I can graduate (approximately one year). I still have to get a loan to cover the $16,000 out of state tuition. I was paying in state tuition this year thanks to the exchange program. I had to reapply to the school as a degree seeking, transfer student, but I shouldn't have any trouble getting in. So again, I'm up to my old tricks. Other than school and friends I have very few reasons to return to my home university in Chattanooga. As for USF and Tampa, I have every reason to stay. That is how I got this exchange after all - I wanted to move to Tampa when I graduated, and my coordinator sent me here to help me establish roots. I guess my roots took hold when planted, like many that have gone before.

Lastly, I must admit that none of this would be possible without my parents' help and support. They have wanted this for me since I first realized that I wanted to come here over five years ago, and they have done nothing but cheer me on and help pay for it since, thanks. I am also fortunate enough to have a very dear, very charming, Southern aunt who lives here and who has opened her kitchen, and washer and dryer to me every week this year for my laundry and my half starved, weary self. She has been my saving grace during some of my rough moments here, what few there have been, and I am much indebted to her for her love and kindness. Thanks, Tia Brenda.

Above: This is my family, my boyfriend, and another German friend, Anke. This was taken at my aunt's house over Thanksgiving. My parents had made the 12 hour drive down from Tennessee, and they were kind enough to bring my two year old golden retriever, Caladesi (named after an island here) with them. Tia Brenda is the one in the black shirt and flip-flops.

So that's it, the best of my Floridays. I'm hoping to post some more of my (mis)adventures here in more detail over the next few weeks whenever I can find the time. Thanks for reading and, again, for putting up with my shortcomings. Wish me luck on finals! That's all from this studious vagabond. It's been fun!