Journals 2006/2007

Gioya DeSouza-Fennelly
IS 143-Eleanor Roosevelt Middle School, NY, New York

"Conducting an East-West Atlantic transect to investigate the coupling between atmospheric and oceanic organic pollutants" R/V Endeavor June 20 - July 9, 2006

Journal Index: June 20 - 21 - 22 - 23 - 24 - 25 - 26         27 - 28 - 29 - 30 July 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 Additional Resources

July 7, 2006
Keeping ones balance

It was almost impossible to sleep all night. The ship was pitching very badly, I thought I would get tipped out of my bed. No one got much sleep. When I went to the bridge in the morning, the waves were hitting the bridge with immense force. It was difficult to keep our balance while we walked around the ship. I had no idea how Mike cooked and served a regular breakfast. Today were the worst conditions so far. There are no signs of Eric.

It was impossible to do the air filter change. I retrieved my sea salt experiment from the rear deck. Almost all the water has evaporated. It is not possible to measure the mass of the salt on board. I transferred the crystals to a zip lock bag and will do the measurements when I get back to school.

Sea salt crystals obtained from 8 cups of salt water

I spent the day making sure I have all the data I will need after I get back. Reviewed all the e-mails and logs I sent while on board. Printed out any relevant information before my sea wave account will be closed.

This research trip has allowed me the opportunity to be a student. Observing the different ways in which I learn from others will help me better address the individual needs of my students. As the crew shared their personal experiences as students in school and college, it gave me a better understanding on the way students perceive their teachers. This reinforced what the crew repeatedly told me, sailing is a great time for introspection.

Dave and I worked on the salinity analysis samples. The equipment is very sensitive and the calibration is recorded to 4 decimal places. The results did match those recorded in the main lab.

Wallis gave me a R/V Endeavor crew T-shirt as a gift. It was interesting to observe the crew's reaction when I wore it to dinner. I was proud to wear it.

Eric and I have been informed that any unusual behavior displayed by people on board as we neared shore, could be chalked up to "Channel Fever". Most of the crew were up beat, and were busy checking to see if their cell phones were fully charged or trying to get on their land Internet accounts.

Mike was busy getting rid of any food items that would not be allowed back into the US. Each of us had to fill in the required FDA, immigration and custom forms.

Tomorrow will be our last full day on board the Endeavor and a very busy one since we will be making our 12 hour pumping stop, 20 miles of the US coast.