I guess before you continue reading, I'd better warn those of you who might be well versed in the English language and it's proper use. Continuing to read my journal will only cause you heartache. I'm the kind of a guy who writes, like I think, like I speak. Those still interested...let's go!

In reflecting about our training week here, I thought it best to first reference who I am and what experience I have. I probably have the least diving experience of the group. In fact, growing up in El Paso, Texas, the thought of using water as a recreational medium sends shudders through the many cacti and yucca that populate the great Chihuahua Desert (not to mention many of its residents). I received my NAUI diving certification after I came into the astronaut program a couple of years ago and most of my dive experience is NASA related, although I have logged technical dives. That being said, I have also had the privilege to participate in several NASA sponsored training activities designed to prepare us for long duration space flight. This brings me to why I'm here. I won't go into the technical details of the program. I figure that information is already available on the NURC and NASA websites. Rather, I thought I'd try to fill in with personal reflections.

Through my training at NASA, I have been exposed to a wide array of training. Be it in Star City, Russia, Cold Lake, Canada, or Wyoming, USA, NASA has always insured that we train with the best in their fields. Again I would defer the details of history and the current program to the website, but the NURC facility is truly world class. Not only in the research they do but in the people who run it. Dr. Steven Miller is classy guy who has a genuine passion for the sea. The week included instruction on data collection that will hopefully help shed light on the condition of the coral and give the folks like Dr. Miller insight into the global ramifications of coral health. In general, all the people working here at NURC share in his passion. The dive training we received from Paul Masaki and Mark Hulsbeck is second to none. Their professionalism and skill, not just as instructors but also divers, were appreciated by the entire team. Incidentally, Mark goes by "Otter." I'm not sure why but figure I'll find out sooner or later.

I've been trying to recall over the past week what things stick out most in my mind. Perhaps the most memorable was our fourth day of diving where we had our first opportunity to see the habitat. Growing up in the beautiful desert, I was impressed while diving down. As I descended deeper into the blueness of it all, up we came upon this mechanical creature at the bottom...Aquarius. Living...breathing...an integral part of the reef! It's really kind of cool when you think about it. The purpose of the habitat is to study what is happening to the coral reef. Humans studying, in an unforgiving environment, the effect they have on the health of that environment. Rather than the sea rejecting the habitat and the humans who are possibly leading to her destruction, she has welcomed them, making them part of her. Almost as if to say, "Please, come. Live with me and the creatures that make me. Understand me and be my voice to those of your kind." I know is sounds kind of corny but when you see the way the sea has embraced the habitat, with the growth of coral and sponges and activity of all sorts of sea life, she seems to recognize the importance this vessel has in her future.

We continued past the structure to continue with our training when we passed one of the Aquarius view ports. From my vantage point, I could see some of the NURC dive technicians inside, readying the habitat for our upcoming stay. These dive techs (a dozen or so) dive to and from the habitat, flitting about underwater, like bees working in their hive. Each with a task, each watching out for the other. That brings me back to what impresses me most about being here. Passion. These divers doing what they do. Not so much because the have to, but because they want to. Talking to them, it's easy to sense their appreciation for the task they do and the important role they play. Not just in their own well being and dive partner, but also for the habitat and the work they do, from a bigger picture perspective. If the analogy for space is not apparent by considering the confined living quarters, daily activities, group dynamics and harsh environment, then the love that the workers have for the job they do definitely parallels that which I find in the space program. Relative to programs, these two are very much siblings whose deeds and results are difficult to appreciate, but whose contribution will help shape the destiny of our species.

It's Saturday afternoon and we are busy scrambling to get our last minute things in order before we head down on Monday. I greatly anticipate the adventure before me. While I miss my wife and children, they will go with me. I look forward to bringing back to them not only the memories of Aquarius but a better appreciation for the role we all play in this global community. The trinkets I picked up at "The Shell Store" here in Key Largo won't hurt either!