Watch...

Well last night… er well early this morning, I had my first watch of this 2 week old cruise. It lasted from 0000 to 0400. It was a security watch, and the point of the security watch is to look for the 3 F's – Fire, Flood, and Fornication. Luckily the second one was the only issue that we had to deal with. One of the fan rooms (a roomed filled with- are you ready?- FANS!- its used to circulate air from the chillers to different parts of the ship) had flooded. Now when I mean flooded I mean there was a significant amount of water on the floor. We removed 100 gallons on my watch alone and hardly made a dent in it. Other than that the watch consisted of roaming the ship closing water-tight doors and wasting time. Our fearless trio of security was lead by a senior who told us many great stories and helped pass the time. Now the lack of sleep that this midnight adventure caused (the same lack of sleep that caused me to delete the first version of this post by accident) is going to make carrying out another watch tonight quite interesting. ( oh yeah, they just changed the watch bill today (after it had been "set in stone" to since the beginning of cruise) and I now have the 0000 – 0400 watch again "tonight" , the night before my first midterm. I will leave out my feelings about this change and the reason for the change.)

But all is not lost, for there is one soul aboard this who goes the extra mile ( its really more like 500 miles) just to make the late night watch standers smile. She is known as "Mom". Mom is the baker both while at sea and also while at school. She makes all the deserts and calls to all of her "sons" to come get one of her goodies. But she truly shows her true colors by waking up EVERY NIGHT, to bake fresh food for the 0000 and the 0400 watches as they come. She does this every night stormy seas or fair weather. I cannot even begin to describe how great she is, it is really something one must experience.

In other news…. After many boiling days on the route south, the staff has finally okayed the cadets to wear Khaki shorts with our uniforms, which means I can get started on that farmers tan that has been long in hiding since last summer ended.

Peace easy.

SS

P.S. feel free to leave comments; it would be interesting to see what you felt about what I wrote when I get back

is it hot in here or is it just me?

Today, when I ran up the stairs to the 0-4 deck (otherwise known as the helo deck) to line up for daily "quarters" I was hit by heat of the unprotected decks. It was then when I truly realized how south we had really come. Only a few days ago I remember standing on the quarterdeck looking at a pod of humpback whales off the port side talking about the nice cool weather. But I must say that was quite an experience to see. It is sights like those and the sunsets that make being at sea so special.

Other than that not a whole heck of alot has happened. I stand my first watch tomorrow from midnight to 4 am ( it is still considered part of tomorrow even though technically it is on Wednesday (some cadets have yet to figure that out)) During that watch the security of the great TS Golden Bear will lie in my hands, and it will be up to me to fend of the pirates that plague these waters.... (ok so Ive been reading the "Corsair" by Clive Cussler and it might not be that important of a job..) We'll see how it goes

peace easy,

Esteban

(were in Latin American waters... why not?)

Well its not Swine Flu, but it sure felt like it....

A common stomach flu has been ravaging the ship, condemning many Cadets to a 24hr bed rest. Last night I too fell vicitim to this very flu, and let me tell you, it is not a pleasant experience. But I am sure it will pass by tomorrow, and I will be back to doing what I had been doing before, which wasn't much.

The past few days have been interesting even without the Flu. Two days ago I got the chance to work with a team of Engineers on the Port engine, which is probably as big as my house. That same night we had Bingo night... yes bingo night. I didnt have very good luck that night so hopefully that will all improve by the next one. I never knew you could be bad at bingo...

Yesterday word was passed on to us that the ship no longer has State Department clearance to enter Mexico, and as of now, the ship will be reverting to San Diego.... which is a drag seeing as that is where I will be spending all of July. But who knows alot can happen over the next 6 weeks, but I will keep you updated...

later days,

~S

Though We Roam the Seas...

Probably on of the most amazing things that I realized to day is the fact that I was learning about international trade policies while enroute to then Panama Canal on a merchant Vessel (the T.S. Golden Bear is owned by MARAD... (This stands for something that involves Maritime Administration and Department I believe...)) Now if that's not hands on training, I know not what is. It's quite an outstanding feeling when you are sitting in a class room that is not only cruising across the ocean, but also rocking back and forth.

It is good to be on our way again, because though I have a deep love for Catalina Island, circling it just isn't that exciting when you know your on your way to Panama. Last night apparently we had some rough waves, however I would not know, because the rocking motion of the boat just tends to lull me into a deeper and deeper sleep. This is good for my future career.

I must announce that people of my major (well the males at least) are beginning to grow mustaches and I am joining in the effort, so we will see how it goes, I guess it is something to make the days go by faster. I'm sad to say that I have already watched the entire Generation Kill series (I highly recommend it to anyone that is a fan of Band of Brothers) as well as the entire Horatio Hornblower series (recommend it to fans of Master and Commander). That is a total of 22 hours of entertainment and it hasn't even been a week. But have no fear I still have all 10 Seasons of Stargate SG-1 and The Lord of the Rings extended editions, and these things called books which I am learning all about... hmm what a novel concept...

Later days....

Very Respectfully,

Cadet 3/c Schiesser
sschiesser@csum.edu

Catalina HO!

Well the past few days have been good under way. Monday morning we passed under what I am told was the Golden Gate Bridge, hard to tell for sure however considering we could barely see it from the helo-deck on top of the ship. The PJ exercise went from being an awesome C-130 HALO Boat drop from high altitude, to the boring task of raising a black Zodiak in and out of the water with our crane. Currently we are off of Santa Catalina Island do maneuvering drills. I have to say it is a pretty odd feeling being so close to Catalina, yet knowing that it isn't our destination. So after we do circles around Catalina for a day or so we'll be off on our way back down southward towards Panama.

Things I've learned so far:
1.) I would've been an engineer if I wasn't a Global Studies major. (they get to fix stuff (deckies break stuff alot))
2.) You can always find fun even in the most annoying jobs.
3.) Never tell a bunch of meat heads and work-out junkies the gym won't be set up for 3 weeks, because then they'll put it together in one night just to spite you...
4.) Getting lost is the best way to figure out and remember how to get places.

Mission 1: Successful:- retrieved 2 bags of Costco Trail Mix (hopefully will laugh)
Mission 2: Come up with third mission...

with all due respect,

MDPN* 3/c Schiesser
sschiesser@csum.edu

(*MDPN- acronym for Midshipperson, for Midshipman was found to be not politically correct)

We have lift off... Sorta

At approximately 0800 Vallejo Standard time, the Training Ship Golden Bear departed after sitting dockside for 4 days. The past few days have been filled with Marine Survival Training. On Friday morning we had fire fighting training which involved 1980's videos and spraying some fake ducks with hoses. That afternoon, we practiced our survival skillz by playing coastguard rescue swimmer (I'm like Ashton Cutcher now, just better looking..) with life jackets and an emergency life raft in the school heated pool. This was a blast! we had to do different task such as crawl in and out of the life-raft from the water and climb down into it from a ladder, all while being hosed down with icy water. It was quite the memorable experience, though I question the strength of my skill that I acquired that afternoon in the pool should the need actually arise to use them... I'm sure being an Eagle Scout and a Sea Scout will come in much more use than playing around for an hour an a half in the school pool.

The next day all the non-licensed cadets (like me) were given liberty for our last day in port and I was fortunate enough to have the Dods/Stewart clan from San Jose come up and rescue me. After a wonderful BBQ lunch at Gracies, (where the great Navy Damage Control Expert Chris Dods taught me all I need to know about firefighting in about 2 minutes) we headed off to Costco where they treated me a final supply run. (which I am so very appreciative of and can not express how much I meant to me). After that, we caught some cold stones and an afternoon showing of the latest X-men movie. After the movie and tour of my campus (complete with some hilarious/dirty pictures with Keema the school's bear) the merry band returned me to the ship (which has been quarantined due to the Swine Flu).

But finally today after leaving the beautiful city of Vallejo, we did circles around San Fransisco Bay through Richmond harbor and the Port of Oakland. Tonight there was a a reception for alumni and Faculty on the bear as we are dock along one of the countless piers between the Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate. Tomorrow we get underway for Balboa, Panama (via Catalina). It should be a great first real day, filled with Golden Gate Bridge passing, classes, day work, and USAF PJs (that's United States Air Force Pararescue Jumpers for you all "un-cultured" people)

later days...

Very Respectfully,

Cadet 3/c Schiesser
Squad Leader, 1st Squad
GSMA,Division III
Blue Company
California Maritime Academy
sschiesser@csum.edu