More Orientation

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We have had orientation meetings for most of the day today.  I have unpacked my stuff and my cabin feels pretty big...then again, I do have it all to myself so I could fill up the closet with all my clothes and put any extra junk I have on the extra bed. I'm surprised that there are so many faculty members who are able to bring spouses/partners...you'd think that job obligations would preclude this for some, but I guess the spouses/partners reorganized their lives to be able to come on this trip too.  There are several people who have their children with them too...one person brought his wife and 7-month-old baby, several people brought school-age children and there are even a few who brought a college-age child too who are participating in the program (ie. taking classes for academic credit).

These are the meetings I attended today:

0900 – 1030  Faculty/Staff Meeting:  Introduction to Support Services

1100 – 1200  Faculty Meeting:  Courses and Teaching on SAS

1300 – 1330  Overview of Global Nomads Group

1330 – 1430  Faculty/Staff Meeting:  Field Program and Trip Leadership

1500 – 1600  Faculty Meeting:  Registration, Drop/Add

I've gotten a chance to talk to about half of the professors on board so far and some staff.  As of right now, there are probably 100 or so people on board the ship and we are docked in Nassau.  Tomorrow the ship departs to anchorage for most of the day so another ship can come in and dock.  After we dock again, my parents are going to come from their hotel and be allowed to board the ship to get a quick look-see.  The ship is really nice - apparently it gets the highest ratings by people who do inspections, etc.  Everything is clean and the meetings are very well organized.  They are addressing any and all questions we could possibly have which, considering the massive undertaking of this entire voyage, it's pretty admirable for everything to be so well-run and organized.