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Stumbled upon my blog…thinking about writing in it now since I have some free time…we’ll see.

Birthday!

My birthday was spent relaxing on a beach in the Bahamas then going out to eat and relaxing by the pool.  It was amazing.  Myself, E, and a few others didn’t have to start work until 3:30 so we all got together and relaxed.  It was amazing.  Later that night we then celebrated up on Deck 5 until 2:30am.  I worked until 1, but still, my birthday was a blast.  Below is a picture that was taken of me on the beach that day.  But this post is short because I’m finishing up some stuff at starbucks then heading back to the ship.  Au revoir!

Sailing away…

Life is good.  I’m currently sitting in a very comfortable and padded lounge chair outside of the Cove Cafe on Deck 9.  I am facing out on the Port side and watching Nassau float by.  We just left port and are now sailing through the small channel into the open sea.  I also just finished my Chocolate banana smoothie and am listening to some amazing music.  Can’t complain.  In an hour a couple of us are going to go watch Toy Story the Musical stage show.  I’ve been on the ship for over 2 months now and have yet to see it.  We have the #1 rated entertainment in the industry so I expect this show to be just as good as the others.  I am on “Early’s.”  This means that I work from 8am to 6pm straight.  Of course I’ll sneak away for lunch and such, but no big break in the middle.  But now I am off and I can relax until tomorrow when we’re at Castaway Cay.  I signed up to go Jet Skiing tomorrow but unfortunately they couldn’t accommodate due to scheduling conflicts.  Oh well.  My birthday is also coming up on May 11th and we’ll be in Nassau…it’s a good coincidence that we also have a Late-Night that day…meaning we don’t leave port until 2am.  This is (I think) our 5th late night we’ve had since I’ve been on the ship.  But, since it is my birthday what I think I’m going to do is rather than ask to get off early to celebrate I want to have a big break in the middle of the day.  I’ve already been out a few times for late night and Bambu and Senor Frogs will always be there.  So both E and I are asking for a big mid day break and then we’ll find something to do – relax on the beach, go to a fancy restaurant, and who knows.  So Happy Birthday to me!

We are now in the open waters and what a beautiful view.  The sun will probably be setting in the next 30 minutes and it’s hidden behind a thin layer of clouds causing the rays to shine down onto the Atlantic.  It’s very peaceful and tranquil.  I am definitely excited to come back to do another contract.  Yes there are long hours and hard times, but it’s moments like these where it all makes up for it.  I feel lucky to be here…considering there are only ~50 americans who work on board and it’s considered the #1 cruise ship in the world.  Apparently if I sign up for another contract then my next contract will be during Dry Dock…this is where we’ll be docked and a ton of repairs/housekeeping occurs for 2-3 weeks.  2-3 weeks of cleaning the ship and hanging out.  The last dry dock occurred in North Carolina I guess, but rumor now is that it will ocurr on an island in the bahamas.  Also with dry dock, I guess our shifts will never start before 9am and end no later than 6pm or so.  And we can get off the ship at night and have fun.  Apparently it is just a TON of fun.  I’m excited for that experience as well.

I still miss all my good friends from OSU and Bend and I wish they would come visit, but I also know I’ll see a lot of them come June.  June 21st is when I fly back to Oregon.  Hang out in Oregon for a bit then E plans on coming to visit after she’s done backpacking Europe.  Then maybe head to Orlando to hang out with my current roommate here on the ship…his vacation coincides with mine so we hope we can plan a trip to Disney world and live in a hotel for a week or two and just have fun.  But who knows, time will tell. I really don’t see myself staying in Bend for the entire 6 weeks of my vacation.  But I’m going to go ahead and logon the internet and update the blog with this post and head back down to my room to get ready for the show.  Hope all is well in the states!  Cheers!

Pictures!

Here are a few pictures of some of the latest happenings.  First picture is from the beginning of the night on our “Late Night Nassau.”  Following this picture we walked (forever) to Outback Steakhouse for dinner, the Green Parrot for drinks, then of course to Senor Frogs.  Second picture is of well, my home.  Third picture is all of us dressed up for a Martini night…note to self: next contract, pack more formal wear.  Lastly, the fourth picture is us at the Hollywood Studios.  Enjoy.

It’s been a while…

Don’t worry, I’m alive everyone.  Just been extremely busy.  Not just with work but also with my social life.  It seems as if I’m rarely actually in my room anymore.  Working obviously takes up the most time as we all work approximately 70 hours a week.  Then the free time I do have is spent mostly with E.  I really don’t know where to begin when explaining what I have been up to.  I’ll just bullet some of the cooler things I’ve done recently…

• Spent a day with E at Atlantis, ate at a restaurant called Anthony’s and walked around enjoying a nice morning/afternoon off.  Sat around on the beach for a bit and just talked and watched the people walk by.
• Went on a walk up to the Queen’s Staircase and an old fort on a hill in Nassau.  Waterfall wasn’t running at the staircase but it still was a great time and enjoyed every minute of it.
• Went snorkeling at Castaway Cay and saw a stingray and burnt my back.
• Went to the Magic Kingdom early in the morning one day with a small group and, of course, had a great time.
• Went to Hollywood Studios for a Recognition trip because our department scored amazing on the cruise survey.
• Have had many late night Nassau’s because our scores have been ridiculous.  The last late night was just a few days ago and went to the Outback Steakhouse and then out to a few bars, ending on Deck 5. 
• Saw the premiere of the Disney movie Earth in the theater on the ship.  Interesting movie, great cinematography.  If you saw the Planet Earth series then it’s just like that.
• Was on the Crew Olympics Dodgeball team, which we took Silver…should’ve been Gold, but…well, oh well.
• DJ’d a night at the Crew Bar.  It was a “Back To School” Party featuring 90’s songs…however, after the 3rd song a guest in a stateroom complained about loud music from below his room, so we had to stop.  But luckily we are having another night to makeup for this in a few days.

There are quite a few pictures up now on Facebook of some of this stuff.  If you don’t have a facebook account then you’re just out of luck for now.  But I’ll try to upload some on here sometime too.  I’m feeling brain-dead tonight, so this post is probably boring and dry.  I’m struggling for material.  But all in all I can say I am thoroughly enjoying my time on the ship.  I’ve got a ton of new friends who are in the same boat as I am (no pun intended, har har har), and we are all so supportive of each other.  The 8-9 team is also amazing and we are all so different but yet, we fit together so perfectly.  Then on top of that I am so glad I have met the people I have and have gotten to know E and spend so much time with her especially.  Alright, well, I’m going to go grab some tea at the crew mess then head on out.  I’ll write more later when I’m actually in a typing mood.  Cheers.

Quick update

Currently sitting in the starbucks in Nassau right now and just finished my Iced Latte.  If you buy one drink you get two free hours of internet, which isn’t that bad of a deal.  Especially if you’re from the Northwest and are addicted to coffee in the first place like me.  But I’m refusing to buy internet cards on the ship now because in the first 2-3 weeks on the ship I spent $60 on them and I was wasting too much time on facebook/myspace when I could’ve been out enjoying things on the ship and on the islands.  So if I’m not updating things as much that is why.  I’ll still be able to write emails and such, but I won’t send them until I have internet (either while I’m in Port Canaveral or in Starbucks).  But things are going great here on the ship.  Meeting some amazing people and definitely have very little to complain about.  Miss all you Bendites I know, but I’ll be back to visit in June for a week or two.  I’m 99% sure I’ll be doing another contract after this one as well.  Rumors are going around about the new ships being built and they sound AMAZING!  It would be so great to get on one of those in a year or two.  But like I said, this is just a quick update to let ya know that I’m doing great, loving the life/job here and I’ll try to update again soon when I can.  All my free time is spent now hanging out with friends and enjoying ship life rather than online or in my room.  It seems I am rarely in my room anymore.  Alright, off I go back to the ship for a quick bite to eat and then work until 1:30am.  Cheers!

Pictures!

Sunburnt and loving it

Well, here I am, sitting on my top bunk, legs sunburnt and loving it.  Oh yes, my pale white Oregonian skin has not seen the sun for a few months and now it’s loving it.  I’ve been on board for 3 weeks now.  Today was my 3 week anniversary.  And quite honestly, it’s been a blast.  I truly enjoy it here.  I have yet to have a feeling of doubt.  The people I have met here are great!  The job has of course it’s ups and downs but so far has not been overwhelmingly difficult.  If anything I’ve enjoyed the challenges it has presented me and I try my best to seek for more.  I feel like I’ve made some great connections with the managers and HR.  I really want this opportunity here to open up the door for future opportunities.  Everyone who I’ve talked to about that has told me that right now is the time to step up because of the way the business is growing.  There are two brand new ships scheduled to set sail in the next year or two.  The rumor is that they will send 25% of the crew from each current ship to the new ships.  Positive for transitioning: New LARGER ship.  Negative: they would be taking over the current Wonder & Magic itinerary, thus my ports would stay the same.  It’s definitely way too soon to determine anything but it definitely keeps me motivated. 

Work is going great though, still learning all the responsibilities of the job and have had a few times to get off and enjoy the islands.  Last night I got off early and went to the theater on the ship and watched Bolt in 3D.  Then a few days ago I had a good 5 hour chunk of time off while in Nassau so I went on a walk around the town.  I didn’t have any cash on me so I didn’t buy anything.  But I just got paid and think I might go buy an awesome pair of fake Gucci or Prada sunglasses.  If anyone wants a fake Coach or Louis Purse let me know! The market is full of them.  I’m going to try to sign up for some shore excursions too (i.e. parasailing, scuba diving, deep sea fishing, etc…).  They are actually free for me!  Just have to book them and make sure the time of the excursion corresponds with time I have off from work.  Unfortunately though, the one excursion that still costs us is swimming with the dolphins.  But that would still be awesome so maybe some day I will splurge.  Tomorrow I have the ever so famous 10 hour shift…with no breaks.  8 to 6.  I’ll be able to eat, I just eat with the kids.  So it’s really not that bad.  And tomorrow is Late Night in Nassau!  So a few of us are going to try to get off the boat early and go out to a nice dinner and bar somewhere in Nassau.  Maybe at Atlantis?  Who knows.  No one plans anything in advanced here by the way.  We don’t get our schedules until the night before.  So I didn’t know my schedule for tomorrow until I got off work tonight.  Then during the day we make tentative plans like - "Hey, Hot tub on Deck 10 tonight?” “sure, maybe.”  And then you just wait until you get off to see what happens.  I don’t mind, it’s just the way things are here. 

But I’m heading off now I think, it’s late and I need to sleep.  But to sum things up, the people here are amazing, the locations we go to are great, the kids are a blast and ship life is quite different but also really fun.  I’ll write more later…Cheers!