Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Countdown to Moving Aboard:


Slumber Party Night:

What Did Marisa Get Herself Into Reality Check Night:


So as my friend is packing up and getting ready to leave, it was decided that I should spend some time on the boat getting used to the systems, making sure I can cut it, tying knots, literally learning the ropes, boat stuff.

So to start slumber party night we're both a little incapacitated. And I'm hungry. So my friend goes to teach me how the propane stove works. And we're all out of propane. So we go topside, in the dark, cold, rain. And we switch out the empty propane tank for the other tank. To bad that was empty too. 

We were in luck though. My friend pulls out a camping tiny cooking stove and dinner is served.





The next morning though, that stove peters out of gas right after cracking the eggs into a pan. 

And while my friend is mortified at everything running out, I can't help but be amused; Murphy's law right? 

We ended up with a delicious breakfast after getting propane refills and me learning how to operate the stove. 




I thought for sure I'd get queasy at night. But as I lay below decks, hearing the soft pitter patter of the rain, the light tap tap of lines against masts, and the lapping of the waves, I felt fine. More than fine, peaceful and protected, cradled in the arms of the ship. 


I think I'll take to this liveaboard life just fine.

Thanks for reading, 
Marisa

Monday, December 22, 2014

14 Days

In 14 days I'm moving ONTO A BOAT! Not a houseboat, a 30 foot long sailboat. I'm as excited as kids on Christmas morning! Those 14 days cannot come soon enough.

Ok for a little back story. Nope I've never lived on a boat before. Nope I've never lived in a small space before. Nope I've never lived alone. So needless to say this is going to be interesting. 

I haven't really spend much time on the water. And when I was little out in my Dad's boat in the San Francisco Bay I always got seasick. But you know what's more important than both those facts? I freakin love the ocean to bits. I'm crazy in love with boats. And you know what, caution be damned I wanna have some adventure in my life. So when my liveaboard friend got her dream job up in the Pacific Northwest, and offhand said she needed to find someone to sublet her boat for 6 months, well I almost jumped straight up, hands in the air screaming "Me! Me! Pick me!" I didn't because we were below decks and I would have banged up like everything if I had. Either way I took my friend by surprise. 

Seven days later my friend said "I'm sorry Marisa," dashing my hopes to the ground, bottom of the sea floor? And then she continued "You're gonna have to move out of your Mom's place, and onto the boat." I dig this girl's sense of humor so much. 


So there you have it. I'm pretty much a landlubber and I'll be living aboard a sailboat for 6 months. And I'll be trying to record as much as I can about this amazing opportunity. 

Thanks for reading, 
Marisa