As usual, we started the day at 0600, which is a time of day almost unknown to me. Just ask my family or friends. If I'm up at 0600, it's probably because I'm still up. However, as a team, we clearly have to function on a synchronized schedule. This has been an adjustment for me, but I haven't found it too difficult. I am still staying up a bit later than everyone else, and occasionally they've had to hit me with something to wake me up. But that's normal - I use three alarm clocks at home! Sleeping has been no problem at all on Aquarius. We are all very tired by the end of the day.

We only had one dive today - a planned period of "white space" in the schedule. Our main task was to disassemble our construction project, but we were to wait for the surface team to arrive on site. The next NEEMO crew, NEEMO-4, was going to visit us and watch us working together, as a preview of their mission to come. As such, we had some time for unstructured exploration, and we headed southwest toward the Ridge along an excursion line that leads to the Pinnacle Waystation. Conditions were great, and Danny and I did a wide sweeping tour of the deep water east of the main excursion line. Jeff and Jonathan joined us soon afterwards, and we found a massive Barrel Sponge, which became a team photo opportunity.

Back at the Hab we waited for the topside team to descend. Meanwhile, I went to check on my barberpole shrimp friends hiding under the unused diving bell. Eventually, one of these got so comfortable hiding in my hands that we were able to take him over to visit with the NEEMO-4 visitors. With all the fish around, though, I really didn't want to lose him to predation. Before we started our de-construction task, I brought him back to his hiding place on the diving bell.

We must have looked like experts to the new crew in-training! Our takedown of the construction project couldn't have been more choreographed. Of course, we had the advantage of underwater communication, but we used it only for a few quick phrases like "who's got the socket wrench?" But our teamwork, buoyancy control, and coordination were pretty sharp compared to how it would have been a week ago. I must say, that this is partly due to the nature of my crew-mates, who are all terrific dive buddies and conscientious co-workers and room-mates. At least from my point-of-view, it couldn't have been an easier group to live and work with. Everyone is being very considerate and helpful to everyone else. Addressing issues or minor problems has been a snap, because everyone is eager to get along and make it work. Similarly, it's been easy to take the lead, or to follow, on various activities during this mission. Everyone has assigned responsibilities, and everyone has had the chance to lead certain activities. A good leader is also one who knows when to be a good follower, and everyone on this team seems to know that instinctively.

Before we knew it, the topside team was gone - funny how those strange bubbling surface creatures never hang around for too long. Must be something to do with their limited air supply or something!

Back inside Aquarius we once again became the aquarium, as the fish continued to swim around and watch us through the viewports. They seem to be curious about what's going on in here, and there are always a few of them hanging out by each viewport. Strange to be taking a shower next to a viewport and feel like you're the one on display. Had a more relaxed afternoon and then a successful PR event with Sydney, Australia. Sounded like a lot of kids were there, and we were very pleased that it worked out well following a few communication problems. Just the idea of being able to have a video conference from under the Atlantic Ocean all the way to Sydney is an amazing feat of technology.

Another day gone already, and half-way through the mission. The time is really going fast, and we're starting to realize how precious the time we have left is to us here in Aquarius!