They say that when convicts are released at the end of their sentence, they often have trouble readjusting to the freedom of “normal” life. They have become institutionalised. Without inadvertently comparing Logos Hope to a prison,
or myself to the dude who hanged himself in the Shawshank Redemption, I can definitely empathise.
They say that 28 days consecutive days of doing something forms a habit. If that is the case, then I am doomed forever to eating meals of crappy Dutch cheese and sticky rice (not necessarily always together) at precisely 07.30, 12.00 and 17.30, begin work at 8a.m. yet not end until 5p.m., and, of course, have a room-mate. This was something I was not particularly looking forward to, having had my own privacy since about the age of five. I’ve still not quite mastered the art of dressing under a towel (fortunately we have an en suite which solves those difficulties), but what I do really appreciate from the five different roommates I’ve had over the last seventeen months has been the companionship they have provided me with. There’s something comforting about chatting to a friend until you fall asleep; something that reminds you that you’re not alone in the world.
Which brings me to the latest development in my life on board: my most recent cabin-mate has gone on furlough for six weeks. Furlough is this holiday you have when you have already been on the ship for way too long, but are crazy enough to want to stay further. So you go back to your home and church, laze about watching television, get very fat as you eat all the foods you’ve been deprived of on board, and convince them all to continue giving you money. Anyway, while she’s living it up in glam Essex having roast dinners, I am left here with nobody to talk to at night. It’s disturbing, and even more disturbing that it actually disturbs me! So I shall return to my musings and settle down to read one of the books that I’m never able to read when there’s somebody else in the cabin talking to me all the time. Swings and roundabouts.
Your blog is interesting!
Keep up the good work!