It's the end of the world, as I know it and I feel fine?

Some thing that is very interesting about living a lifestyle that is so very focused and different from that of what you have had before and one that is drastically different from the rest of the world, you aren't really sure how you exactly you are going to adjust to the way you used to live. Even when it has only been a short time of living like this, you still begin to wonder how living like this will have changed you, or if it even will; you wonder if you will snap back into normal life, or if even 2 short (well not that short) months on the sea have left a lasting impression. I think I really started to think about this when we were riding on the bus in Ecuador. For the last 2 months I have gotten used to going from one country to another, spending a little time sailing the ocean, but in a few days, everything will be back to normal and this life that I have been living will be all gone away. As I get closer to returning from this little journey of mine, I have begun not only counting the days, but other things like classes, meals and watches. I am very excited to return back to Newport and see everyone but I will definitely miss the traveling, but I have plenty of time to continue that, so I really. When I look back at the places I have been, I feel truly blessed. With Mexico sinking below the horizon my current country count is at a nice 11 countries.

But how about some change of pace, so we picked up our new Commandant of Cadets (in Mexico (haha that sounds really funny) and he is a retired Marine Corps Colonel. He seems pretty legit, he is wearing his desert digital camouflage with the blacked out birds (the insignia for Colonel), but instead of the name tape over the right pocket saying U.S. MARINES it says CAL MARITIME. He addressed us at quarters today and when he walked up and the Captain gave him the megaphone, I totally guessed he would not use it and just talk and have everyone be able to hear him, which is exactly what he did. He said he would be learning from us more in the next year than we would be learning from him and that he looks forward to working with us, which is basically the end of the Casual Maritime Academy.

We also got word passed on to us that due to our rapid exit stage left from Puerto Vallarta, we possibly could be getting into Long Beach a day earlier than planned. Now this is a possibility, and it is still being discussed with "the highest authorities" But I will keep y'all update as to the sit. rep.* of that.

Feel free to still email me even though I only have 3 classes, 1 essay, 1 final, 164 pages of Clive Cussler's Navigator, 1 security watch, 16.5 meals (I don't count continental breakfast as real meals) 12 hours in the gym and exactly 6 days 10 minutes (2050zulu) until I am off the USTS Golden Bear.

Stay frosty,

Something Really Snappy

* That is Situation Report for those of you who haven't seen Generation Kill.