Day 18: Just the sea and me

11/23/2015

Good Evening!

We are getting to that point in the trip where tired is setting in. The science team has worked incredibly hard. The physical and mental endurance required, to keep it all going, has me thinking Energizer can ditch the pink bunny and use the NAAMES crew instead.

I sat on the deck today thinking about home. Wishing that the roll of the ship would stop for a moment--just a moment. My body feeling heavy from the constant struggle to maintain my equilibrium. Then gratitude set in. I KNOW I will miss this. When I am sitting in Atlanta traffic, where nothing rolls, I will think about these waves. I will remember this day. A moment, when this rainbow painted the sky with its brilliant colors. I was outside, alone, in the North-Atlantic and it occurred to me I might be the only person in the world to set my gaze upon it. What a magical reminder of how special this moment is. What a gift!

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Nicole Estaphan

I love surprises, they give us the opportunity to dive into the unknown with unquenchable curiosity. Two years ago, I made the decision to leave my job as an Atlanta television reporter. I moved home to Massachusetts and found myself on Cape Cod with no job and no idea of what was next, no idea about the pure magic that was about to enter my life. A friend of mine called and asked me to do a favor for a small radio station where she had just taken a job. All I had to do was go to Woods Hole, MA and interview a scientist about a mission called the NASA_NAAMES project. That scientist would end up changing my life and perspective in ways I am still trying to find the words to fully explain. After a discussion about their impending journey at sea--an invitation to join them. Though, Mike Behrenfeld and I still disagree on who asked who we DO agree on the result--a fantastic partnership was born. With less than twenty four hours notice I was on a ship headed to parts of the North Atlantic that few ever see in winter AND for good reason!! The conditions can be intense! At the time, given the challenges at sea and my video equipment being limited to one tiny little camera .
(RE: 24 hours notice) this blog became a way for me to communicate with the family members whose loved ones were so far away. Giving them an onboard look at the fascinating work at the hands of those they call family. Fast forward we are at it again!! This time as the scientists dive deeper into all that is unseen in our oceans--we will dive deeper into their research, the incredible sacrifices that come with that and the love that fuels their mission of discovery. The journey continues March 20th.....

JOURNALIST AT SEA