Open Work Day and The Bioluminescent Lagoon (01/17/15) - Ian
Today, we slept in, awoke late, and felt refreshed before the class traveled down into Falmouth so that we could work on our individual projects. Since I had been waiting to continue my experience with the Autocad computer program (automated computer aided design), I was able to work on that for the majority of the day. Along with Emily and Matthew, we took the rough sketches that were drawn for the house and transferred them according to the width and height measurements that were written for each section of the house. Instead of starting with the floor plan sketch (a bird's eye view of the house's interior) we decided to draw the elevation (the front of the house). Once we started, it seemed quite easy, and minutes felt like seconds, until we found that some measurements didn't add up to the over-all proportion of the house. Knowing that we didn't have much time to complete both this drawing and the floor plan, Emily, Matthew and I walked down to the house to re-measure the invalid measurements of some beams, planks and frames. Before too long, we finished the entire elevation sketch, leaving only the floor plan to be completed once we arrived at school on Wednesday.
After the long day of work, the class was treated to a swim in the bioluminescent lagoon. These organisms are labeled as such because of the shimmering aquamarine-colored light they give off when disturbed. It was nighttime, the air was very still and the stars were scattered across the sky like glitter. Shortly before boarding the boat, we were greeted with cups of sweet fruit punch, which slightly overpowered the sulfuric smell of the lagoon. Finally boarding the boat, everyone was instructed to sit along the left and right side, so that everyone had a clear view of the fantastical thing that was about to take place. The captain started the boat, and within seconds, we were making our way to the center of the lagoon. The water was so still and dark, that it looked like a glass floor one might easily walk upon. The waters stretched far into the distance, being eventually cut off by a horizon of shadowy forest. We stopped, and sat still for a moment, before the captain told us that it was okay to get in the water. The majority of the class jumped in without hesitation, except for a few other students (including myself) who accidentally forgot their swimming suits. From my view sitting on the boat, I could barely see my classmates' faces, I could only get a glimpse of their arms, which were covered in aquamarine colored bubbles. The bioluminescent glow pooled around each swimmer like clouds of blue paint, contrasting with a black canvas. These circled the boat until they all gathered on one side, giggling and splashing about. Being six foot three with long arms, I was able to swish my finger in the water while still aboard the boat. I made figure-eights and squiggly lines in the water with my index finger, causing the water to perform a miniature light show before my very eyes. Cupping some of the water in my hand, I flung the small droplets in the water, making the three-ringed ripples glow and fade away. After fifteen minutes of absolute amazement, the rest of the class climbed aboard the boat, and we sailed back to the dock, dreaming of shimmery blue bubbles all the way.
After the long day of work, the class was treated to a swim in the bioluminescent lagoon. These organisms are labeled as such because of the shimmering aquamarine-colored light they give off when disturbed. It was nighttime, the air was very still and the stars were scattered across the sky like glitter. Shortly before boarding the boat, we were greeted with cups of sweet fruit punch, which slightly overpowered the sulfuric smell of the lagoon. Finally boarding the boat, everyone was instructed to sit along the left and right side, so that everyone had a clear view of the fantastical thing that was about to take place. The captain started the boat, and within seconds, we were making our way to the center of the lagoon. The water was so still and dark, that it looked like a glass floor one might easily walk upon. The waters stretched far into the distance, being eventually cut off by a horizon of shadowy forest. We stopped, and sat still for a moment, before the captain told us that it was okay to get in the water. The majority of the class jumped in without hesitation, except for a few other students (including myself) who accidentally forgot their swimming suits. From my view sitting on the boat, I could barely see my classmates' faces, I could only get a glimpse of their arms, which were covered in aquamarine colored bubbles. The bioluminescent glow pooled around each swimmer like clouds of blue paint, contrasting with a black canvas. These circled the boat until they all gathered on one side, giggling and splashing about. Being six foot three with long arms, I was able to swish my finger in the water while still aboard the boat. I made figure-eights and squiggly lines in the water with my index finger, causing the water to perform a miniature light show before my very eyes. Cupping some of the water in my hand, I flung the small droplets in the water, making the three-ringed ripples glow and fade away. After fifteen minutes of absolute amazement, the rest of the class climbed aboard the boat, and we sailed back to the dock, dreaming of shimmery blue bubbles all the way.
By: Ian Williams
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