Neptune Day

So....how many people out there can say they've crossed the equator on a giant ship with 700 other college students? We can! Today was Neptune Day, which is a celebration that takes place when a ship crosses the equator. It's sort of like an initiation process- anyone who's never done it before is called a "pollywog" and everyone who has is called a "shellback". The point is to have a ceremony so we can all be officially inducted into King Neptune's Royal Court!!

It all started this morning at about 7:15. We are getting ready and hear these drums and bells coming from down the hall. When we look outside, we see a ton of the crew wearing toga-like outfits with face-paint and headdresses marching down the hall yelling and banging on the doors (and pots and pans). I got it on video tape, so if you can't quite imagine it, I'll show you when we get back! After a good breakfast with Stephanie, Victoria (our wonderful new twin friends....it's like we gravitate toward each other, I don't know, but we get along great and have been spending a lot fo time with them!!), Pat, and Rachel, we went up on deck 7 to where all the festivities were going to take place. Every single person was out there, crowded around the pool and wearing bathing suits. Luke (the Asst Dean and "The Voice") started the ritual and while he spoke, almost all the faculty, staff, and their children who had crossed before came out wearing the most ridiculous costumes! And the best part was that Captain Jeremy (King Neptune) came out, painted entirely green and wearing a grass skirt, a huge headdress, and an obnoxious blue ring.

We had to say an oath and swear to King Neptune that we were worthy enough to cross into his territory. Then, the ritual began. We stood by the pool, had fish guts dumped on us, walked over to kiss a fish, and then jumped in the pool. And when we were finished, we were knighted as shellbacks. It was hilarious and I'm so glad we did it! After you completed the ritual, you had the option to shave your head...a tradition that dates back to merchant ships....and guess what! We did it!

No, just kdding....did I scare you though? haha. There's no way we would look good bald! There were a lot of girls (students, faculty, and lifelong learners) who shaved their heads, and some of them don't look all that bad. Quite a few boys did, as well, and now we have a lot of bald people walking around the ship. It's an interesting sight to see!

After all the ceremonies were over, we took showers to clean up, and went to eat lunch. It was actually good today and I'm still full. It was no Taco Day, but the food was decent and we got to just sit and hang out. Then the best part of the day....doing nothing. We laid out on deck 7 (with everyone else and their mom) and tanned/listened to music/napped. It was awesome! Don't worry, Mom, we wore our sunscreen (thanks Aunt Maureen!) No one had classes today, so everyone's in a good mood, just hangin out playing board games, tanning, or napping. But, you know, doing nothing can be very exhausting, so after watching an episode of Friends...with our friends...we took a nap, and then I had to go to work. Tonight is going to be much of the same. We might watch Hotel Rwanda with some people, and possibly splurge on some frozen yogurt from the pool bar! Hey, it is vacation after all. haha. Bottom line- we are enjoying our time in the sun and relaxing. I can't wait to do it all over again tomorrow!

Miss you all and Love youuuuu!

K & S

P.S.- Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Julia, Happy Birthday to you! I can't believe you're 5 today...you're such a big girl! Have a wonderful day, and let us know if you get that Unicorn you were asking for! We love you!