Bloon Away » Blog Archive » Bottle 20

June 20th, 2007

Bottle 20 - Denmark

Vancouver to Singapore… Singapore to Poland… Twenty three thousand miles, under the sun and free.

~Excerpt from the Class Afloat Song

To say that this trip is over would be jumping slightly ahead of myself. Instead I prefer to think that it’s slowing down for the summer, hibernating in a way, preparing to return in full force after a couple short months. I then realize that when it does return, the crew will change and I will find myself devoid of a ship, and in university.

It’s been an interesting year for sure, full of priceless experiences and great friendships. We have been a long way and have pushed through countless challenges as a crew and as individuals. Everyone has changed for the better, and will leave the ship feeling like their leaving a family and a home. Its sad that this will end, however every good experience has an end, and its time for us to embark on our next adventure: life.

What have I learned during my journey around the world? What will I take away from Class Afloat? How have I changed? These questions have been floating about lately and so I will try to answer them for myself…

Learned: Apart from becoming excellent at cab-driver-bargaining, I have learned that there is more to life than the surface. An interesting way to realize this is when you stop taking pictures of scenery, and begin to try and capture someone’s personality. It’s an art that allows you to see inside their soul and notice who they are. That is something I learned. I also think that I have learned more about myself, and who I want to be in this world. Class Afloat has shown me that it doesn’t open doors, it opens eyes.

Take: Goals, Ideas, Reinforced Morals/Values, Experience, Friendship, Knowledge, Opened eyes…

Changed: I am stronger, physically and mentally. My values are mine, and although many have tried to morph them, their attempts simply encourage me to reinforce them. I believe in myself and I will do what I say I will do. I am much more honest to myself, and to others. I have realized my strengths and weaknesses. I am a me that I like more than my last me.

So… I hope that wasn’t too corny or slow for you… Perhaps it was inspiring. Ha-ha, that’s a joke.

Well, I guess, lots of love to everyone and thanks for reading… It’s been a pleasure… No seriously, it’s been a pleasure. Like I’m not even kidding. Its been this blog that has inspired me to write my thoughts out when otherwise I might have let them stew. And thoughts in a stew never tasted any good.

So without further adieu… Thank you friends, family, readers; you have been my base, my home, my retreat…..

Signed, The Irate Pirate

6 Responses to “Bottle 20 - Denmark”

Pirate Long John Says:

June 22nd, 2007 at 1:09 pm

enjoyed your blog / trip / voyage, can not wait to see you soon on the West Coast. Look forwad to you coming down to the Caribbean and checking out the pirates / islands with me in the many years ahead. Pirate LJ
oxymoron Says:

June 24th, 2007 at 12:27 am

I’m going to cry!
Hannah Says:

June 24th, 2007 at 11:30 am

I’m going to cry tears of joy. Carl sighting soon!
Jace on Says:

July 2nd, 2007 at 2:59 pm

Carlllllllllllll come visit us. We all love your me no matter which me it happens to be!
…in or off the sea? Living free? Hi hum diddly dee?
Ok, I’ll stop now.

By the way, you can live in my house whether I’m there or not says my parents. And we should both be in town with each other for at least three days, so yeah. Cool stuff.
Hannah Says:

July 3rd, 2007 at 5:10 pm

YAY! Sex with Jason AND Carl… now that’ll be some fun shit for those 3 days
Winged Knight Says:

August 4th, 2007 at 2:05 pm

Hiya Cap’n. Sorry it’s been so long since my last post. I’ve been getting ready for college and all. Wow, everything has gone so far since we last met. We’ve both grown, though I think you grew more. What a fascinating experience it must have been. Honestly, I’m kinda envious of you.

University, our future. I would be lying if I said it didn’t seem daunting. In all honesty, I’m afraid it’s going to eat me alive. Reading your blog, however, has helped me. To see you going into the future with such enthusiasm makes me feel foolish for being so frightened. You have inspired me to grasp the future by the horns and make it mine. I will own it, it will not own me. I thank you for helping me realize this.

It’s coming so soon, college. I’m going to Missouri on the thirteenth, so it is unlikely that we will see each other again. I would enjoy it though. Who knows? It’s not as if the future is set in stone.

June 20th, 2007

Bottle 20 - Denmark

6 Responses to “Bottle 20 - Denmark”

Recent Bottles

Where is the Irate Pirate?

Mailing List

My Photos