The first week is over!

Wow, its hard to believe i have been here for over a week. I knew that when I walked out of the airport and into the muggy hott Florida heat I was in for quite an interesting trip...

And it sure has been.

I live with 8 guys and one girl. Its a little overwhelming at times (I currently sleep on an airmattress in the living room with 3 other guys) but I instantly bonded with all of them and I feel like they are all my brothers. And they treat me like family (sometimes too much... a girl can only handle so much wrestling and nerf gun attacks) but its fantastic. Floating Doctors seems to attract an ecclectic mix of people, all with the same goal of helping people. I know I am creating friendships and memories that will change my life forever.

The first day on the job I had no idea what I was in for. I didn't realize how much construction on the boat had to be done and how hard I was going to be working. 5 minutes after I had walked on the boat I was handed a saw and instructed to finish making a floor on the "bridge" (a term for the upper most part of the boat where the captain is). 15 minutes after that, I was bleeding all over my tank top because i cut the tip to my thumb off. Nick graciously helped me with the rest of the floor, showing me how to cut, how to angle pieces in, and how to screw them in. Since then I have been dubbed "Nick's assistant" because he's the one that has the patience and guidance to help me. So far I have built vents for an AC system, built a floor underlay for linoleum, painted and degreased the engine room, painted the hull and the cabins and made, sanded and grinded down parts of the editing suite and storage compartments.

I have a new respect for construction workers. When I was working in the bottom part of the boat its like working in a 100 degree sauna. Sweat pours off of you in bucketloads and you have to drink powerade to restore the electrolyes you lost. The one day I just drank water I got so dehydrated and was barely able to move when I got home.

We also experienced our first tornado. All of a sudden we heard a huge boom from the sky and a giant gust of wind and the hardest rain I've ever seen. It was an incredible storm, so much thunder and lightning. We had to lock ourselves in the boat because we couldn't go outside...the storm was right above our boat and with so much metal on the boat, if one of us got electrocuted, it would be all over. It was exciting and frightening at the same time. We have had 2 more storms since then, not as bad at all, but we are heading right into hurricane season, so I'm sure it will get much more interesting.

I'm getting darker by the day (the sun is sooo hott here) and my legs and arms are covered in mosquito and other bug bites. Speaking of, the nature here is incredible. I'm seeing armadillos, manatees, all sorts of fish, frogs, lizards, turtles and snakes. And Ben, being the incredible teacher that he is, is able to tell me all the species and what they do. It's a beautiful area here in Florida I have to say, but its unlike anything I have ever seen. It's very country, and the people are all characters, but I feel completely at home and happy here.

I finally feel like I have found my place in the world. Ben is an inspiration and I know he is someone that will have a profound impact on my life (and already has). The work that I plan to do with floating doctors is something that is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Ben informed me that I would be practicing medicine while I am in the clinics in central america, belize, and the french polynesia. I get to start practicing sutures, wound irrigation and dressings and my diagnosis soon! I can't wait! I am also currently working on the world health survey with Ben, and its fantastic to get to connect with him and work together to create such an important tool for our medical mission, which is the spectrum of prevention and assessing the health of the world, while identifying what to do next to make a healthier future.

I couldn't feel happier right now and I truly believe my dad sent this opportunity to me. thanks dad! I can't wait to see what adventure is thrown at me next!

Me and Ben, the founder of FD

The Southern Wind-our beauty!

Working hard!

Me and nick, when we all finally left the boat and went to dinner!

More pictures to come!!!