23 September, 2001

September 23, 2001

A Light At the End of the Tunnel

The journey that I embarked upon several months back has been extraordinarily wonderful. There has been much to learn and much work to stay focused on while here. However, with the light at the end of the tunnel I'm finally allowing myself to dream of home. I can now let my mind wander and think about the many things that I have missed.

The things that I have missed the most are the simple things. Of course number one on my list is family and friends. It has been difficult to be away from them for such a long period of time.

There are many other things that I miss very much. My pets, my comfortable bed, my favorite dress clothes and shoes, and fresh vegetables top the list. Having been on a 420-foot long floating island has made me miss the freedom of driving a car. I want to head down mountain roads and admire the colors of fall. The community festivals where apple harvesting is celebrated keep popping into my mind, too. I want to go jogging and join my favorite aerobics classes. I want to channel surf on the television and radio. I can hardly wait to make a call on the phone and be able hear the person on the other end (and to speak for more than 5 minutes before being cut off), and yes-I want to return to teaching and meet my new 7th grade students. I want to get my hair cut, my feet massaged, and go to my favorite Mexican restaurant.

These are ideas that are being discussed by many of us in the science party as we move closer and closer towards our final dredge. To be a part of this incredible journey of science has been a dream come true, but you know how the saying goes-- there's no place like home...

An empty Mustang suit lays over buckets and buckets of rocks. We are near our final dredge and beginning to dream of home!