Thoughts On A Transit

I wrote this out long-hand while we were transiting. Enjoy. Or not. That's fine too :)Bear in mind that I am writing exactly what I wrote. I took care to not edit. SO I apologize in advance.

"We've been on the ocean for a day or so now. I've been on watch at the magic time of 4am to 8am. Starts at night, the sun rises and suddenly it's day. I've been on the 12am to 4am slot. Less magic, but still beautiful. I was furling on the yards as we sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge. I saw two different pods of porpises from deck. I'm long-handing this, listening to chatter of my crewmates and basking in the sun. Slightly rolling seas, temps in the high 50s to mid 60s. Glorious. I haven't showered in a long time, but no one has, so it's ok. I also steered, or manned the helm."

Quote on top of page regarding me hating manning the helm, but being told it was good for me, like brocoli. This lead to Chris saying "Cauliflower-brocoli's evil cousin." Back to the rest of my post.

"I haven't thrown-up yet, but there have been a few close calls. The most memorable one was while furling in the Bay, getting ready to go under the GGB on the lower course. Got my foot stuck in the sail because it was blowing towards my footrope. I was lashing the clue-the end of the sail has to be tied up to the end of the yard-got my foot stuck -stepped out onto the horse-little loop for feet at the end of the yard-and nearly threw-up onto the course and the deck. There is a rule that if you drop something on deck you buy the boat a round. I dropped the Open For Tours Sign, so I already owe."

Note-at this time, I have paid my debt.

"My queries about vomit and if this had the same effect got me one of my favorite quotes-'They tell you to vomit in your shirt. But I say, f'em, since it's their fault I'm up there in the first place.' Thank you Egan. Luckily, I didn't vomit on deck. Not even when Kyle, our captain, sent me up to unfurl the upper and lower yards while on the ocean. I was so scared, it was ridiculous."

Note, Chris also unfurled the upper and lower, and he and Eric unfurled the course.

"The boat was rocking and going crazy sideways. But I did it. Pardon me as I speak sailor-Hell yeah I did it! And it was noted and commented on by my captain. He congratulated me."

Note, here in my journal I have drawn a picture of what it felt like to be in the rigging while at sea that first time. Sometime, ask me and I'll show you.

"Rocked it. Ok, that might be a slight exageration w/the picture. But it felt like that. Also, went over the fudock. Rocked it.

So, yeah. I've heard transits are usually more terrifying.

So, to sum up my thoughts on transit so far, I smell. I'm slightly nauesous most of the time. I'm terrified of screwing up and having to leave. I'm terrified of climbing the rigging-but it was awesome and in a strange way, kind of fun. Frankly, I'm having a blast. And that is why people still sail. Because despite all that, it's an amazing experience. Nothing like the ocean to remind you how small you are. How insignificant. And yet critical. As Egan said, on board we're a small organism.

And then I think about how grateful I am for God and His unfailing love and mercy and grace. I mean, the ocean could swat me like a gnat. God made the ocean. God calmed the ocean in rocking swells. God flooded the world. If He tells the sea to dry up, it will.

Wow.

I sometimes forget when I'm talking to God just how huge He is. That I'm talking w/GOD. All mighty. All powerfull. All loving. It's nice to remember the all-powerfull and all-mighty, because that makes amazing grace all the more amazing.

Because if He wanted too, He could replace us. I'm really only significant because I am letting God work through me and in my life. God chose to offer grace to someone who otherwise might not have known she was lost. And that's why it's grace. Undeserved. Desperatly needed. A gift from God, who-in the words of song-can calm a storm with His hand. And keeps this mountain dweller from getting too sick on the sea.

Those are my thoughts for now. Bailey out."

And that, dear readers, if my journal entry for my first transit.