Megan the Nautie Mermate
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF A LADY SAILOR
Apparently Mercury is in retrograde. This means that everything that can go wrong will. It's been an awfully long few days.
I'm still in my first load port. In addition to cargo We also have inspectors aboard, welding projects going on, fire inspections, bunkers...the list could go on.
I miss you guys!
A little view from the cranes...
...I'm strong to the finich. Cause I eats Me spinach.... It always seems that right before I go back to work I invent a HUGE project. Sometimes (case in point) I thought up the project months ago but dilly dallied around until I'm due back to the vessel in mere hours.
Meet my latest project.
I decided to blend up a bunch of spinach and freeze it in ice cube and muffin trays so that I could still have green smoothies.
I went out yesterday and purchased six huge tubs of baby spinach.
The process is easy. I simply blend one large handful of spinach with 1/4 cup of water.
Originally I was using my mini food processor - then I switched to the blender - and finally I ended up using a bullet style blender. It was easier to work in small batches and I could shake it around.
Next I simply poured it into the muffin tins and ice cube trays. I normally put one large handful of spinach into my smoothie - this worked out to be two muffins or four ice cubes. (Please note: the muffin tin idea would have worked FAR better with silicone!)
I definitely needed assistance getting the spinach out of the tins - I let them sit out a bit and then used a butter knife. Also, the spinach separated a bit during the freezing process but, I don't think this matters one iota.
There you have it Nautie Friends! Hopefully this spinach really WILL keep me strong to the Finich!
Nautie Friends, if July suddenly tanks its okay. Because Sparklers. Morning Glory's to be exact.
Want to know what I learned about Houston yesterday? They're not into fireworks in Harris County.
Burn bans. Firework bans. Crazy rednecks...
Lucky for me, I know people...who knew some people...who hooked me up with a sparkler.
Just to set the record straight I lit my sparkler after it stopped raining. Burn ban - schmurn ban.
My go back to work date is fairly approaching. This means that for the next few days I'm going to be focusing on waking up at a decent hour (this is sleep training for adults), getting some laundry done and, reading as many trashy romance novels as I can.
Enjoy your weekend friends!
My least favorite part of the 'go back to work hustle' are the physicals.
I swear that Mariners get their pee collected more than any other profession. (The only exception I can think of would be airline Pilots.)
Here's the thing. Sailors are notoriously unhealthy. Shipping companies (and the USCG) now have stringent medical criteria and require extensive medical testing.
As I lay there in my little hospital gown getting an EKG with sticky pads all over my chest, arms and legs (ahem, Sailor Gentlemen you should be happy you don't have boobies) I thought, 'maybe the maritime community is going about this all wrong'.
Since turning 18 I've had more EKGs than I can count. I mean, in twelve years I've had at least eight. I've also had copious amounts of other tests done. Blood drawn, shots given (I've received a small pox vaccination which is rare for someone my age...I've also had four rounds of Anthrax), and peed in more cups than I can count.
What's weird is that when I was able to bend over and touch my toes today the nurse seemed genuinely surprised. I mean, are mariners THAT out of shape?! Is being able to touch your toes no longer the norm?
Recently, I had a mariner who was so morbidly obese that his legs were bowed.
The increased physical standards are certainly warranted. Can you imagine having to provide emergency medical care at sea? Can you imagine being medevaced with West Africa being your nearest medical facility?
Where exactly do you think we're going wrong then, you ask? I think we need to remember how logical, how simple, and how cost effective preventative medicine truly is.
How much did my EKG cost today? I couldn't tell you. But what if I was allowed to take the money spent on my EKG and supplement my food budget or what if it went to a training program to help provide Stewards and Cooks with food science courses to promote more healthful menu options.
What if during this rotation I ate quinoa and fresh vegetables? What if for breakfast I was offered a Vegan green smoothie? What if carrots and hummus were available for a snack?
Nautie Friends, I do apologize for the rant but can I please tell you how stupid it feels to lay there getting an EKG when you know the likely hood your first shipboard meal will either be Chili Dogs or Mac & Cheese is incredibly high?!
You know how you hear new music and you think, 'yes! this! times a thousand!' and then you secretly feel really cool because no one else is talking about it yet? Or like how you'll be listening to a musician for a really long time and then they blow up and that strangely competitive part of you is pissed? Because no one knows that you knew them first darnit! Well, there's a way around that. When I stumble across something I love I'm going to post it. Everyone loves a good jam, right?! Meet Lorde. She's 16 from New Zealand. She basically rocks and being from NZ is like the icing on the cake.
The songs I can't get enough of are: Royals and Bravado.
I'd also like to encourage you to pay for this shiznit....I mean come on...she's 16....we have standards! No stealing from Minors!
Enjoy!
http://youtu.be/LFasFq4GJYM
Back in the air! I'm headed for Seattle today! I'm very excited to see all my Lovelies in the Pacific Northwest. Can't wait!! Aunt Kay, you're the bomb! It blows my mind what a reliable book club member you are. I heart you so hard. This is what Aunt Kay has to say about May's Nautie Book selection The Orchardist:
I just have to say that I really enjoyed "The Orchardist". Since my grandfather was a manger in the fruit warehouses and since I grew up in Yakima, I could "see" the places and events in the books. Although I was astonished at how the women were treated. It just never occurred to me - sometimes I feel so ignorant. Off topic, but there you go!!
My Ash & Anchor scarf is truly the best airport accessory ever. I needed to state that for the record. It's jazzed up my outfit. Rolls into a tiny ball and is way more practical than a large pashmina. You can take that to the bank!
Go Cousin Rhiannon! Cousin Rhi begins her ride today. I'm here to let the interwebz know that our family is incredibly proud of you! I'll be waiting for you at the finish line! xoxo. (Also, a little more shameless hustling...if you feel like donating its not too late! Click here to read about Rhiannon and donate online!!!!)
Nautie Friends, have an AMAZING weekend and don't forget to treat your Father's well!!!!