Nearing South Africa

Sat 16 Feb. @ 3:15
As I was compiling the Dean's Memo today, an article was handed to me to publish: "Our ship's Internet connection strength will continue to lessen as we travel to S. Africa. Problems may occur while accessing the Internet and the speed will be slower." The voyager's response was "What? It can't get any slower!"

Sooo. . . I thought I'd get on my blog before the Internet gets any slower. The ship continues to rock, but not as badly as in the recent past. We can easily deal with gently rocking now -- we all have our seas legs. A curiosity to me was that they closed down the elevators during the most severe rocking.

We are feeling a little sleep deprived. We are losing the 4th hour tonight, with one more hour to go (I think) before we reach S. Africa. Thank goodness my cabin is not near the students, so I can sleep when I need to. Since my roommate is the nurse, I am awakened by phone calls in the middle of the night (for her emergencies when she is on call), but I can usually go back to sleep.

Today is one of my 'adopted daughter's'-- Megan--birthday. We are having a 'family dinner' for her in the dining room at 6:00. I ordered a birthday cake, so I think she will be surprised.

Last night we had a wine-tasting party in the Faculty Staff Lounge. We tasted four South African wines. All were quite good. Tonight there will be 'Coffee House' in the Student Union Room. Students who want to play an instument, sing, read poetry, etc. will have a short time to display their talents.

I am looking forward to the 4-day safari in S. Africa. We are staying in a lodge (others are staying in tents) so I am hopeful that I will get some rest. I think there are 53 of us that are going.

Better get back to work. I may not be able to access blog until after we leave S. Africa.