Wow, we've got a winner - 12 February 2009

There was a running gag at my job that I wouldn't be able to take a year off without going crazy.  I assume it was a joke that they were going to start a pool to bet on when I'd start going crazy.  On the off chance it wasn't a joke, though, February 12th is the winner.

It's not so much being stir crazy as it is being homesick for the first time.  I mentioned it to Jen and she admitted that her first bout of homesickness happened before we got on the boat during a phone call with her mom.

There are several factors making me wish I could be home right now:

• All the people on the boat are gearing up to go back to their jobs and lives.  They're talking about their blackberries and all of the stuff that's piled up while they've been gone.  We're not really part of that.
• Due to popular demand the chef on the boat gave a cooking demonstration today.  I expected that we'd tour the kitchen and see how they've managed to feed 200 people for nearly 3 weeks.  Instead, he made gnocchi and gave out the recipe.  Of course I don't have a kitchen (and won't for several months) and watching him cook brought home our absence of a home in a very real way.
• The whole Antarctic experience has been incredibly intense.  It's hard not to gush about it, and there's a definite let-down to realize I won't be landing on an island tomorrow and walking around with penguins and seals.

Oh well, I'm sure it will pass soon enough.  If anyone did win, congratulations!