Isaac free dives during patch reef research

On Wednesday, we had a much-needed sleep in (till 7:30) since we were all exhausted from the day and night before. We enjoyed a breakfast of oatmeal from the day before as well as magic muffins. The groups split up for Scuba and work projects. The Scuba divers took the Cobia (the Island School boat) out to Tunnel Rock to complete their certification and saw some amazing fish. Work projects stayed on campus building stairs to girls dorm beach (which Kendra quickly broke), putting bracing on the Institute bridge and collecting mulch for the conch circles. We all met for a quick lunch before splitting up again into our Community Outreach groups. Many of us went to Deep Creek to meet or do activities with our partners while some of us stayed on campus, swimming, playing games and doing art projects. We’re all enjoying getting to know our partners and spending time with them. We returned early for free time and had a normal evening of frantic study hours.

Sarah enjoys a SCUBA day

The next day, everyone started off their mornings with a run to High Rock, and to our pleasure this run felt easier than the last time. After morning chores we had a hearty pancake breakfast and headed off to a full day of classes.  In Art class we began our interruption pieces for art, making projects that included man-made materials. Many of us spent our “free” time doing homework and during study hours we worked on our Omeros papers as well as many other assignments. During free time we got MAIL! And packages, which is always exciting (keep up the good work).

Abby works diligently on her art project

We did an intense “psycho” led by either Christian or Farrell on Friday morning which involved sprinting, frog hops and a visit to I.H.O.P (International House of Pain) for some intense abs. We returned for chores and a breakfast of poached eggs and toast. We had a normal day until after dinner when we started hearing thunder. Girl’s dorm had a very productive dorm meeting, which ended in a group hug, and watched the beginnings of a storm in the darkening sky. During study hours thunder, lighting, and pouring rain interrupted us.

On Saturday morning we split into our run and swim groups for morning exercise.  Swimmers had a difficult swim against the current in the cut, while runners ran the loop with some sprinting variations at the end. During chores we discovered that the rainfall from the night before had accumulated in a two-foot rise in the cisterns. We have more water than we started the semester with and are all very excited! The morning was spent in our research groups working on our introductions, which were due on the on Thursday. After lunch we loaded onto the bus and rode to the Rock Sound softball field. We cheered on the Farrells and some of the institute guys in an intense championship against teams from South Eleuthera and Nassau. Sandy and Jeremy stepped in and showcased their talents and although we didn’t win the final game, all had a fun time. We watched a beautiful sunset over Rock Sound and sang songs on the bus ride home. Back on campus a pasta dinner was put out and we watched “Almost Famous” with an amazing cookie break intermission.

Sunday was a big work day, because everyone had to catch up for midterm week.  After a nice sleep-in, news rocked the campus that one of our beloved smart students had to head home for a couple days to receive medical treatment for a spider bite.  The whole schoo misses you Nina!  Later, many a student ventured off campus to search for a querencia.

On Monday the school woke up at a ripe 6:30 to watch the sun rise and do our respective training. The swimmers swam from the triangle cut back to school. Meanwhile, the runners ran the four-mile loop with a little beachside scenery thrown in. In Science class we hit up the vans and walked around the side of the road and looked at grass after a fire. At Community Meeting the second Hug of the Week between Nick and Travis left nary a dry eye in the house.

On Tuesday everybody woke up to water polo/yoga.  Amazing, the Isaac-Ben-Nathan super swimming triumvirate lost to Melissa and her fellow amateurs.  We came back to a rousing breakfast of grits and eggs.  Then it was time for normal classes.  The Humanities class got an intensely graphic look at the middle passage slave trade with a viewing of an excerpt of "Amistad."  After a lunch it was research project time! There was a mad scramble to edit all of the research paper introductions before we had to turn them in for a grade.  At free-time there was yet another scramble to finish our art projects, and some of the boys became kings (of a raft). After a dinner of lasagna, the school took their natural history quiz on astronomy and learned all about plankton. After a very enjoyable class, Nick and Peter began typing the weekly Update for Sunday-Tuesday.

Shout-Outs:

Nick: To my family, Mom, Dad, Emily and Ollie (Sorry I missed your B’day). Thanks for the letters and sorry I haven’t been writing. Also, Kelsey, I know how much fun you had now and I want to thank you for getting me to apply here. Too all of my friends at the Hill, I’m not sure If you will be  reading this but here’s a shout-out to you guys anyway (Can you see the floor in my room?). Also to thirds lax, sorry I couldn’t be there (don’t get too raptorized). And to anyone else who I’ve forgotten or don’t feel like writing to, don’t feel bad, cause this shout-out’s for you. 

Peter:  To the Qcrew, I miss our white knuckle rides, the good food, and the good times.  Weeple-best of luck at nationals! Go Unit2! Al + Tay- Awesome care package! Jenn- Illini L , KristenP- UNC J.  I love you all family (esp. Mom/Dad/Liesel/Haley/Hanna/

Gow/Cameron/GrpGmaMeijer for mail!).  Happy birthday Haley!  Hottkar-hope 18 bday was a blast! Petey-see Hottkar.  Tri- RAINIER!! To my Republicans: so long.

Petey / Kiki / Steff / Constance / Alyssa / Augustin / KTTP / Tri / Jenn / Jenny / Michelle- Thanks for mail!  If you didn’t get a shout out, WRITE/love ya’ll!  Come home Nina! 

Abby: Hey everybody back home!! Ryan I hope all is well you’re almost done!! M and D miss you guys and thanks for the package. Amanda – I miss my daily dosage of you and thanks for the pictures. To the rest of the family, thanks for checking up on me and CCCC thanks so much for the letter and drawing. Mary Jane – I did eventually get some candy for Easter, so thanks! To my Tafties – Seniors: good luck with everything (meggy, tracay, wopat, wes, Patrick, Parksy, AD, Jason, Shak, Hana, Besty, Rei Rei, jess… everyone!) Everyone else – K-fizzle, Em, Ewing, Fierberg, Laura, Kirsten, Alex….everyone, miss you guys so much and I hope Spring Concert is AMAZING.

Sarah: To everyone at home I love and miss you all! Katie, Anna, Brianna and everyone else (I’m not going to name but know I’m thinking of you!), I can’t wait for summer…its going to be awesome! Mom and Dad, thanks for the letters, love and support and have fun in Italy! I am having an amazing time and I’ll see you all in June! I love you!!