May Journal Entry

Here's the latest installment of my monthly journal.  Theoretically this and all my other monthly journal entries will also be posted on the OWUSS page, but don't hold your breath.

Journal Entry: May 2008

            May began with my first real trip as the North American scholar, a weekend drive up to Gloucester, MA to do some dry suit diving with Vin Malkoski and DUI.  Every year the North American scholar is fortunate enough to receive a special DUI drysuit.  This year DUI also invited me to one of their dog day events to learn how to properly use and care for my suit.  Vin and his family graciously agreed to host me and take me diving while I was up in Massachusetts.  Even Brenna decided to get in on the action.  Friday the 2^nd I drove up and visited some relatives in the area.  Saturday we dove all day and afterwards Brenna and I visited some friends of hers in Brookline.  Sunday we were back in the water and I even managed to have dinner with my brother at BC before driving back to school.  Even though it was cold and raining the entire weekend, everybody stayed warm and dry.  After learning all about the particulars of diving dry on Saturday, I got the chance to help Vin introduce some relatively novice divers to their new suits on Sunday.  Seeing as I’ll be working on my divemaster certification next month, it was a good opportunity to observe a terrific instructor at work.  I was really impressed with Vin’s patience and thoroughness.

            Unfortunately, after the weekend was over, I had to head back to Long Island and face the reality of grad school.  The next three weeks were a blur of last minute assignments, final exams, papers, trying to plan my summer, and moving out of my apartment and into my parents’ house in Virginia.  I somehow managed to escape school and Long Island in one piece, and made it down to Virginia in time for Memorial Day, and my little sister’s birthday.  Besides getting a chance to catch up with my family, I had a giant pile of packages waiting for me from Aqua Lung, Halcyon, Light & Motion and Sony.  It was like a second Christmas!  Although I love spending time with my family, as I write this I am chomping at the bit to hit the road.  Tomorrow morning I’ll be tossing the final bits of gear into my van and heading down south.  First stop: Wilmington, North Carolina for some diving with Doug Kesling!