Friday, February 29, 2008

Leap Like A Frog



29 Feb 08

Happy Leap Year Day!



I know that doesn’t make any sense – but today is that weird day in February that only comes every 4 yrs or something. Since they call this year a ‘leap year’ because of it – seems you should celebrate the day that causes the confusion, right?

Anyway – good day; net connection has been up most of the day with only some outages here and there. We are out at the moment, but we usually adjust our course at night, and it is about 9pm now here. Got some of my end of cruise work done, but I still have a lot more to do. Basically we have to compile figures, credits, refunds, etc all into one report for the ENTIRE cruise. This one started on 17 Dec 07! As long as the net stays up, I will be able to get it all done by the time we hit Madeira on the 6th. Only 5 more sea days to go LOL There is a lot of effen water out there!

Got beeped by the Muppet tonight at a few minutes after 7 and was like ‘oh shit - what did I do now?’ But it was actually GOOD news! I have been nominated by the CRUISE Committee for the Employee of the Month CRUISE award. HOLY CRAP!!! That is the biggest compliment with the company. Basically anyone can get nominated by a pax or a fellow crew member – then the committee meets to discuss all the candidates and nominates 5 people for the award from all the candidates. I am one of them!! I don’t even care if I don’t win – I am chuffed just to be nominated .. and on my first month of my first contract!! I must be doing something right :P Here is the ‘speil’ (as we call them) from Captain that is in the paper every few days:

CRUISE Programme Message from Captain Peter Philpott

CRUISE is our Customer Service Programme and is all about the way in which we interact with you, our customers and the way we work with each other. During your
time on board if you receive ‘Outstanding Performance’ in customer service from
any one of us, we ask you to nominate that person using an ‘Outstanding Performance Award’ card which can be found in your cabin folder and which are also
available from the Reception Desk.

These are reviewed each month by the Senior Officers on board and the ‘Outstanding Performer’ plus Runners-Up are selected in view of the standard of their service effort.

The Ship’s Company use a similar process to nominate fellow crew members for outstanding service. Those nominations are also included in the same selection process for the monthly award. The winners are honoured on board, receive awards and the ‘Outstanding Performer’ each month is introduced to our passengers at the Captain’s Welcome Onboard Cocktail Party. We attach great importance to our CRUISE programme and are grateful for your nominations.


Pretty cool huh? I will keep you posted after the awards tomorrow :) I am so excited, I have been bouncing around all evening (leap like a frog!)

Tonight is Bingo Night in the crew bar – haven’t been for one yet, so it should be a hoot. Convinced Cat to go out and my new friend Jill (she lives between Cat and me and just got on in Ft Lauderdale) along with my usual crew – Amie, Clare, Tanya, Reggie, Ash, David, Bruce, etc.

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Ft Lauderdale, FL

26 Feb 08

Ft Lauderdale, FL
(aka Port Everglades)

Now I really feel at home! Ft Lauderdale is very familiar to me, with Mom and Guy having the Beach Place timeshare there. Not to mention I was just there in Jan when I went to MTN before I left for the ship.

Anyway, I spoke to Mom at about 7.30am and she was so excited – she had been out on the balcony of the room (facing the ocean) and she had seen our ship come into port! I think she was chuffed that she just happened to catch it – especially knowing her “baby girl” was on it, coming in to see her :0)

She was due to meet me at the port at about half 8 – but when I went to go down to meet her, I was told crew couldn’t get off till half 9! I went to see if I could get the exception, being that I had MTN “work” to do (going to the Coast Guard office in Miami) but I was told NO (not by the ship – but by US Customs!) The effers .. hello?!?!? I am an American you dummies. Hey-ho .. so I went up on the Promenade (Deck 4) and went to see if I could see her .. turns out she was waiting with some other crew guests so I saw her! It was funny .. here we are 100 yds from each other .. she behind a fence, me stuck on the ship and us waving frantically at each other.

About quarter past 9 I went down to Deck 2 to the crew gangway to start a queue – I was going to be one of the first off dammit! A few others had the same idea, but I was about 3rd in line. 9.30 came and went and then Captain decided he was going to “pull rank” and find out why we still weren’t off :) He really is a cool guy! A few minutes later, we were walking down the gangway – woo hoo, go Captain! Mom was waiting for me on the other side of the fence where they were letting us off. So of course, hugs and kisses and then off we went to Miami. I had to go and submit my MMD application with the Coast Guard (MTN would like me to work on the NCLA ships, so I need this card to do so) After we stopped at Walgreen’s to get passport photos, we got down to the office in Miami at about 11am. I had to queue just to get in the building – yikes! Turns out it is a Federal building, so you had to go through security. Anyway, got upstairs and started the process; was done in a little less than an hour and then we headed back up north towards Ft Lauderdale again.

I needed to go shopping to a Wal-Mart – I knew I would be able to get everything there. Mostly I needed toiletries and some bits and pieces but I also wanted to look at shoes (found nothing I liked) as well as tops (same). However, Mom brought me (from home) quite a few tops and 2 prs of shoes, so I think I will be ok. After we finished there, we headed back into Ft Lauderdale and met up with Cat (who was at the Galleria mall) for lunch. We went to PF Chang’s – yummy!!! Mom and Cat had never been and they were impressed!

It was now 3.30 and we wanted to get back to the ship so Mom could get onboard and I could show her around. I took her to my cabin first so we could drop off the shopping bags as well as the 2 carry-all bags she brought of things of mine from home. She couldn’t believe how small my cabin was! :) I then took her on a tour through-out the ship – from top to bottom (skipping decks 5, 6 and 7 since they are only pax cabins). She enjoyed it I think. Actually she might have been overwhelmed that there was so much on a cruise ship :P Funny, since I am on a smaller ship than I will be the next contract. (or probably any other contract ever!)

Unfortunately, it was time for Mom to leave :( So at 5.15 I walked her down to the gangway (the wrong one according to the Port Officials) and then I walked her into the terminal. We hugged and kissed goodbye and she said “ Get your life straightened out, get this out of your system and come home!” Well that made me cry .. it still makes me cry just thinking about it. I do miss home – but as I think about it, I love what I am doing. I think I would love it even more if I was on a fun ship – I love some of my pax, but when I think of cruising, I think of Carnival or Royal Caribbean. Young people, kids, etc. So I definitely want to give it another try on another line. My first choice in Norwegian. Just have to see what is going to be available when I am done with this contract.

That’s it for now – I will write again soon :) Net is supposed to be “ify” at best on the Atlantic crossing, so if you don’t hear from me for a few days – that is why!

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Key West FL

25 Feb 08

Key West, FL


I’m “home”! Well, FL is like a second home anyway – and honestly, I did feel more comfortable being there and I could just tell I was in the states. It was another great port day too. Jenny and I went ashore just about as soon as they called for crew leave. None of the ships company could go ashore until ALL of the crew had gone through immigration. What a pain in the ass! And the officials were grumpy too – luckily they still moved everyone along at a decent clip.

Anyway, we took the shuttle into town – we were not on the pier that was in town, but the pier right below that, so we couldn’t walk into town. We were dropped off right in the square where we proceeded to find a cash machine for Jenny while I consulted the map for either Sloppy Joe’s or Hog’s Breath – 2 very popular well known bars there. Sloppy Joe’s was only a block up from where we were (turns out HB was only a block in a different direction LOL) and so we went there for some lunch. Yum – margaritas, cheese fries and burgers .. I love America! :P

After lunch we just wandered up and down the streets, in and out of the shops. I picked up some fun knick-knacks .. things that will make the East Coast Girls proud! I will take some pics … you will want these at the next tailgate :) We wandered around till about half 4 and then headed back to the ship.


http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=bf232dhz.254idqh3&x=0&y=-ydzs7b

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Passing By Cozumel

23 Feb 08

Cozumel, Mexico


It was fun while it lasted .. which was about an hour. We pulled in and tried to drop anchor but where they wanted us was too busy to “park” and where we tried to go was too deep. We tried to just sit and use our engines to keep us in place, but since we don’t have the thrusters the newer ships have, it was very hard and caused a lot of waves. The port tenders tried to come and moor along side us anyway, but after trying to get them along side us for about 30 mins, the port authority said they were not allowing us to use them. We asked to try to use our own tenders, but they refused time and time again. We begged to let us have the open berth on the dock, but were told no. Captain kept coming on making announcements – poor guy was furious with the port! I was supposed to have lunch with some MTN managers; Marshall (who I was at training with) as well as the girl from Carnival Holiday and also Penney (my Pres of onboard products) and Livio (VP of IT) So I had to email them and say I couldn't make it :(

So here we are, drifting towards Key West at about 5 knots. They also tried to get us into Key West early as well as see if we could have 2 days there. Supposedly the Americans said no, but I doubt it – I think P & O wouldn’t front the money to pay for the ship to be in port for 2 days! (I have found that this company can be very cheap sometimes!!) I think Key West would have been more than happy to have a ship in for 2 days – that means more money spent due to the overnight; people going to dinner, bars, etc. Who knows what the truth is – they only tell the pax what will keep them calm. So if they can blame the Americans, they will :P

Anyway, so nothing else doing. I had my hours in the paper and then since we then became a “sea day” I still took a few hours off – its not like anyone was going to look for me. Besides, I told the Muppet (Comms Mgr) that it was what I was doing. He really is a pain in the ass – micro manages everyone. He was supposed to get off today in Cozumel b/c he doesn’t have a C1D visa for the USA. Obviously he didn’t sign off – I was hoping for a few days of peace and quiet from him. (He was getting back on in Nassau) Oh well, at least he gets off for good on the 10 March.

Nothing more to report on this end .. for now :) No crew bar tonight - its bedtime!

Belize

22 Feb 08

Belize City, Belize


Wow, another brilliant port day. The weather is glorious! I love the Caribbean – have I mentioned that yet?? :) I wasn’t going to go ashore – we are at anchor, so it is always more complicated to do so; but Cat wasn’t having it. She got someone to cover her IPM duty this afternoon and told me to get my bag, cause we were going – end of story! She knew I was still mad/upset/annoyed about the whole Ajay thing (more to follow on that **) so she said she wasn’t going to let me stew over it. And that whenever she was feeling bad, going ashore always seemed to help. We took the high speed tender over and just as we arrived we ran into Jenny who got separated from her group; so she asked to come along with us.

**the long and short of it is - he tells me he has been hearing gossip and comments about us hanging out and he didn't like it, so he didnt want to continue seeing me because he didn't want to be with anyone. HOWEVER he has been publically pursuing Sam, and making a fool of himself to be honest. Many people keep coming to me asking why he is giving her flowers, chocolates, etc. After yesterday I told everyone - I don't want to know. To me, he is just playing games and I have no time for that. Not to mention I am too old to start 'high school' all over again

We went for lunch first, as I was starved! I over-slept (no I wasn’t partying too much – I was just tired and I didn’t snooze my alarm) So I ran from my bed to work in 10 mins flat – go me! LOL Anyway, went to the Wet Lizard for lunch. Yummy food and a smashing Pina Colada. Probably one of the best; and everyone knows I am picky about my pina coladas J After a leisurely lunch, we walked around the town for some shopping! (what better therapy than retail therapy!) Ha ha

We came across a camera store – I always check any electronic or camera shops for a zoom lens for my camera. I had Kevin research the lens I should get and pricing for it – we had found a place in Ft Lauderdale with a great price on the perfect lens so I had planned to go there when Mom and I were out shopping. However, this place had the same lens for almost $100 cheaper – what a deal! When I told Kev later on, he was bummed he didn’t know earlier or he would have gone ashore to get one as well. I was also able to get a 3 pack of filters for $20! Pretty cheap.

Walked around some more – it was amazing how different it was since I have been there. It was quite nice there with the shopping, the bars/restaurants and cute little boutiques. We wandered into Diamonds International since Jenny was looking for an Emerald ring – we found some nice things and I found this GORGEOUS peridot and diamond ring. The price was a little steep, so I said forget it. While Jenny was sorting out what she wanted to do about her ring, one of us said something about work and the guy said “wait, you guys are crew?” and we said we were. He said he would be right back and went to speak to his manager. He came back a few minutes later and gave us each a steal of a price. Then he said if we both bought, he would give us an even bigger discount. Wala – sold! We had Sateesh (the onboard jeweler) look them over when we got back and he said he would have priced them for over $1000!!! I paid nothing near that!!!! Woo hoo

Ok, so I told the girls I was done shopping :) Would still wander around with them .. of course. We were in this one shop and Jenny saw this 3 ft frog that has the Velcro on his hands and he was hanging from the top of a window. Jenny bought it for me – she wanted to get me a little something the other day to cheer me up but didn’t find anything so she bought it for me. It is hanging from my deadlight cover in the cabin now. And then we were looking at sarongs/wraps for the beach and cat bought me a pretty one with browns and lots of colors in it to match my swim costume. I was being spoiled!!

We headed back for the tender dock at about 3.15 as I had to work at 4 (which is stupid since no one is ever here at that time – I am going to talk to the new Comm Manager when he gets onboard 10 March) I truly had a wonderful day .. it was just what I needed .. another day with just the girls.

Here are some pics:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=bf232dhz.2b1eg5nb&x=0&y=-dphye7

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Back to Skool Disco Party

Thurs 21 Feb 9.00am

Roatan, Honduras


Last night we had a disco party in the crew bar - it was interesting to say the least - I had fun, but there was a lot of Ajay drama .. which I don't want to talk about now since I was too sad/angry about it then and I don't want to re-hash it or else I will get sad/angry all over again!

Amie and I are heading off the ship right at 10am when I am done and going to the beach - I can't wait! Roatan is supposed to have some beautiful beaches! I love the caribbean :)


Here are the pics from the party:


http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=bf232dhz.8kzjn5g7&x=0&y=-1pnl48

Holy hell

Its a helluva day at sea!

Well the last 24 hrs has been a roller coaster ride .. last night I was dumped! I have no idea what happened to be honest with you; I am still trying to figure it out. There have been rumors, but he swears they aren't true (anything around here causes everyone to gossip on a ship) However I can't get a straight answer out of him. He asked if we can be friends - I said no. I also told him that if he was dumping me to go after someone else, it better not be one of my friends - because my friends wouldn't shag him out of pure respect for me! Of course I was upset, I do like the guy. I know it has only been 3 weeks - but in "sea life time" that is about 3 months!!! But I am over that part now - no guy deserves my tears and I am generally just pissed off now. So as Garth Brooks sings in his song "Two Pina Coladas":

" ... I’m tellin’ you ~ That science has proven ~ That heartaches are healed by the sea"

Amie and I went to the beach today - it was glorious! I have seen Roatan beaches on The Travel Channel and I have said since Day 1 that I wanted to go to the beach when we got here. When we arrived at the beach (about a 10 min cab ride from the ship) I had a headache, was feeling crap and was still upset. I saw Ajay on the gangway and held my head high and looked right through him - didn't give him the time of day - the effer. Anyway, within an hour of laying on the beach .. I was already starting to feel a whole lot better. I do love the islands - no matter what - the caribbean always relaxes me. So after last night (oh did I mention I was off my trolley last night?) and all the drama .. it was the perfect day for me. Thank the gods!


Didn't take many pics - would have if I had the good camera - but wasn't going to bring it to the beach. The sand is so fine I just know it would end up inside it somehow, not matter how careful I was. But I took a few and they are good enough to show you how beautiful it was there. (it reminded me of Magens Bay in St Thomas a little bit)

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=bf232dhz.bi6yvnyv&x=0&y=-7qld4k

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Limon Costa Rica / Hair Cut

Here are some pics from Costa Rica - didn't do too much, just walked around the town (I think I already mentioned that LOL)

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=bf232dhz.6rqydcyv&x=0&y=bk4tz


Also - the pics of the new hair 'do; I am not keeping it like this, since it is too much work (and would require me to get up WAY to early) But many people have liked it. I have gotten so many compliments I think I will save it for special occasions, etc. I didn't wet my hair today, so I am still sporting the straight hair.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=bf232dhz.aabkgl5z&x=0&y=6v3rhp


We have a disco tonight - it is Back to School night - a party thrown by the Salon girls. I will take my camera (the old one) with me. Tomorrow is Roatan and Amie and I (and who knows who else) are going to the beach - YAY!!!

Another Fashion Show!

We had another Fashion Show hosted by the shoppies last night - I was the official photographer, so of course I brought out the big gun to take pics with. Amazing the difference in the pics from the new one - most of the ones from the old one didn't come out even, because the delay on it is so slow.

Anyway - so here are most of the pics:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=bf232dhz.an0hgief&x=0&y=-uba9ll

And oh gosh, how handsome does my man look in that dark suit and pink/blue tie set?? I love it :)

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Limon, Costa Rica

Oh how I love the caribbean islands!

As soon as I walked off the pier, you could tell we were in the Caribbean. The shops, the people, the scenery .. heck, even the humidity!

Cat and I went ashore about 1.30 - "town" was right outside the gate and we could walk there (not like some of the bigger cities where the gate was a mile away and town was even further) We walked through the street vendors; selling everything from tee-shirts to jewelry and wooden carvings. Picked up a few bits and pieces - a recycled card made from bananas with a frog on it, a painted feather and some earrings. I think I spent about $15 all together - the stuff is cheap! And guess what else I got!?!? SHOES!!!! I *finally* found ballet flats that had a rubber bottom on them with a bit of cushion .. AND in my size! Yahooooooooooo! They were only $20 US so not a bad deal .. YAY! I was so happy I practically skipped out of the shop. :)

Took a few pics and walked around some more then headed back to the ship - it was so humid out my hair was frizzing. Oh, I had my hair done today - cut mostly, but Reeva (the stylist) wanted to straighten it as well. I think everyone was sying to see what my hair looked like straight. It came out pretty cool and I have gotten lots of compliments on it. I had to use Shanessa's straightener to touch it up when I got back from being ashore because of the humidity. I was able to snap a few self-pics for you guys - since you will ask me for them. :)

Tonight we have another Fashion Show put on by the shoppies. Ajay is in this one, wearing a nice suit from the shop and escourting a pax .. so of course I will be there. (Would have been anyway, but now I have more of an excuse to go LOL) Will take my camera as well.

Tomorrow is a sea day .. then we are in Roatan, Honduras on Thursday, Belize on Friday and Cozumel on Saturday. When we get to Cozumel, I am meeting up with Marshall from MTN. He and I were at training together in Jan before we went to our respective ships. We figured out we will be in Cozumel on the same day so we agreed to meet for lunch. We have an Instant Messenger program on our MTN server that allows us to talk to any of the other MTN ships, so we touch base with each other and see how we are doing. (its the same program I added the Yahoo and AOL plug-ins to so I can talk to some of you also)

Will get the pics of Limon, my hair and the fashion show up tomorrow.

Panama Canal Pix!

Well I tried not to bore you all with over 125 pictures of locks .. so I got it down to about 70. :) I know it probably doesn't do the same justice as being here, but bear with me LOL

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=bf232dhz.2v7afeef&x=0&y=-bjx3es

Enjoy!

Monday, February 18, 2008

Panama

18 Feb 08

Panama Canal


I have to say – this has to be the highlight of the trip thus far; it is just so cool how this all works. We are only going through the first set of locks right now and I have already shot over 75 pics. It is amazing how the gates, the water and even the “mules” work. This was probably one of the top places on my list, so I got to tick it off :)

Course, the wanker Purser “yelled” at the Comms Mgr (my boss) and said I haven’t been in the Cyber all day. So then I got yelled at! (My boss is an idiot – I am sure the purser didn’t YELL at him either) WHAT-EVER! I came in at 8, left around 9 and put up a sign that said I would be back shortly. There isn’t anyone in here.. BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL OUTSIDE. Stupid shithead. I can’t wait till 10 March when Zac gets back!!! (the previous purser) I seriously think this new guy gets his jollies off of being a prick. Whew .. ok, I need to shake it off. I will be fine in a min :P

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ok, so I had lunch and a bitch-session with Cat and felt better about it; then after lunch I went up to the Wardie (Deck 7 Wardroom – Officers Bar) for some air. The Purser was holding a party on one half for Suite Pax, so I left. I didn’t want to look at his ugly face. So I went down to the Promenade (Deck 4) and just walked around and around. Saw some neat cargo ships pass us.. They are so close as the channel is pretty narrow. We even saw a submarine! All the guys were on top and waving.. Poor things haven’t had real air or seen women for a long while :) Got some more great pics; god I love my camera. Had some nice chats with some of my pax. Most of them are so nice; always asking about me, my job, where I live – etc.

Went back to work at 2 and just was in here and watching the scenery from the window. We lost the connection to the net at about 4.30 ( ha ha – when we pulled up anchor ) so I waited a few mins, and when it didn’t come back up, I closed up shop and put up my signs out that the net was down. That way if Mr Big Wanker came by, I covered my ass.

Anyway – I am still going through my pics, deleting dupes and not-so-good ones, so it is going to take some time to get these posted. Right now I still have 158 pics! I am going to start uploading the first bunch that I already went through; hopefully will get them all done by tomorrow night. Be on the lookout for the post with the link! (they got out of order some how when I started to upload – sorry! You will figure it out!)

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Crossing The Line

Today we crossed "the line" - the equator! At about 3pm or so. There is usually a silly ceremony and you are supposed to battle against King Neptune. So there were 5 pax picked for Neptune's team and 5 crew picked for the Artemis team. Obviously, we wanted the ship's team to win, or else we were doomed to go back to Antarctica :(

There were fun relays in the pool - numbers games with plates, synchronized swimming competitions and a quiz too! Here are the pics; they are out of order and just silly altogether, but it was a good laugh and good fun!

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=bf232dhz.9kx6xq1z&x=0&y=-py1x93

Manta, Equador

16 Feb 08

Manta, Equador


Nothing much going on; was planning to go ashore with the girls – but a few pax and several crew had gone out early and had come right back because there was nothing to do. The “shopping mall” the shuttle was taking us to, was nothing more than a supermarket and a few useless stores. So we skipped going ashore on that today.

We had full crew drills today – we have them about about every 7 to 10 days, but the one today and the last one were long ones (where they are actually evacuating us to the life boats) Today we had Muster Station A, move to Muster Station B and then we took them out to the life boats. I was actually picked as a crocodile leader – GREAT! :P (the crocodile is the way we walk them out – everyone holds onto the strap of the life vest in front of them) And this time we actually were loaded into one of the pontoon boats. It was actually pretty neat to do and I think I did it right (well, the Purser didn’t say anything BAD, so it is a good start) and Cheryl-Ann (the bitch) wasn’t there to comment. The only bad thing was that it was so humid this morning and there wasn’t a breeze – so 145 people in the life boat was stifling! Poor Cat even felt claustrophobic L Luckily, once we were all packed in there, the Sr. 1st Officer (Simon) said a few things and then immediately started getting us back out.

Other than that – went to an early lunch (I only have a cereal bar for breakfast on port days) and then went to see if I could lay down since the sun wasn’t out. Watched the end of The Break Up (Pip – I still hate the end of that film!!) and just then the sun came out around 2, so I went up on Deck 4 Fwd (the bow) and got a deck chair. Shortly after I got there, several more people came up too – including Sam, Clare and Amie. I stayed there till about 3.30 and then left to get dressed for work, which is where I am now.

Net is down at the moment, so I am just playing with my music and putting together a folder on my hard drive for Jonathan – who is the Day Finance Officer aka our Crew Bar DJ :) He needs some of my music that I have … so he can listen to it and use it with his mixes at our next party (I think it’s the 22nd) Ajay just came in here to visit – so funny how the more you ignore them, the more they come to you. I hate playing that game, but sometimes I feel like I chase him and I don’t like that either. So I hadn’t gone looking for him at all yesterday or today – no beeping him, no stopping by his cabin .. and wah-lah .. he comes looking for me (and wonders where I’ve been)! And he asked if I was going out to the crew bar .. I said of course I was and asked if he was and he shrugged and said “let’s see what happens later” I gave right back to him and said “no worries – whatever – if I don’t see you, have a good night” I won’t make any bets, but chances are I will see him :) LOL Dumb boys!

Valentine's Day

15 February 2008

At Sea
En Route to Manta, Equador


Last night’s party was FUN!!! The music was awesome – unfortunately it got started late because we were going to a code RED first thing this morning (I will explain it in a minute) so all the bar/wait staff had a lot of things to do before being dismissed from work for the night. But we were able to have the party extended due to that – so the bar didn’t close till half 1 and then the disco didn’t end till 2.

Code RED is for health and safety – we are currently at a level RED because we have had many cases of Acute GastroEnteritis (AGE) and when more than 2% of the pax have it, it is considered an “outbreak” and we go to red. They think it is salmonella picked up from those pax on the Macchu Picchu overnight tour. Only about 3 crew members have it at the moment, which is GOOD! The Dr thought Amie had it, but since she was only sick once this morning – they now think it was just a hangover LOL.

When we go to a Level RED – basically anything that is “mass handled” is either taken away or done for you. IE: you can’t serve yourself at the buffet lines (someone from the wait staff will serve you), there won’t be salt and pepper shakers on the table (they will give you the individual packets) nor will they have a water pitcher out (they will get you whatever you want to drink) Its quite the pain-in-the-ass, but it is for the health of the whole ship, so you want to make sure it is clean. Speaking of clean – I have to wipe down my café several times a day then log the info onto a master Sanitization Log. My hands are so dry from using the wipes and stuff – ick!

I was at the party till 2, then since Ajay didn’t come (he was sleeping, the bum! He said he was too tired from being out the night before in Lima till 7am!) I decided to ring him up and go over to his cabin ~ I wanted at least a Valentine’s Day kiss :) He answered the door all smiles (amazing what 6 hrs of sleep can do for you!) and I got lots of XOXOXO’s. YAY! B) After that we just talked for a bit and then fell asleep (as usual ha ha – you will find out that crew members will sleep anytime, anywhere – if you aren’t working or partying, you are probably asleep!)

Here are a few pics from the party:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=bf232dhz.3o4h5m53&x=0&y=12o74t

Panama Canal - Tomorrow!!!

We are going to be going through the Panama Canal on Monday the 18th of Feb – so for those of you with internet access at work and can jump online to check it out, be sure to take a look at the ship’s web cam: (as often as you can!)

www.pocruises.com/webcams/artemis

There you can watch us go through the locks – I am really looking forward to it! I have never been there and it has been on my “Must See” List for a while now. Woohoo - Check!

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Lima, Peru

13 February 2008

Lima, Peru
(docked in Callao - which is a dive)

Spent the whole day with my dear old friend Ana, from grade school. She is currently living in the area and we had re-connected a few months back through Facebook and when I saw I was going to be in Lima, I emailed her right away!

We made arrangements for her to meet me right outside the port at 10.30am. I had to take the shuttle from the ship to the gate, then waited about 15 mins for her. First we went to the center of the city of Lima, to a hotel called Grand Hotel Bolivar. It is very famous in the area and just beautiful. Then we walked up the mall to the main square in the city; has the church, the palace and city hall. Was able to catch some of the changing of the guard as well. Even ran into some of my pax, including my Nan and Pop :)

From there we went to Ana’s house in Mira Flores. It is a great neighborhood up on the cliffs, overlooking the water. I got a tour of her apartment, which is lovely. Her parents had come to town as well, so it was great to see them – it has been years (and years!). We all went to lunch at an archeological dig for the ruins called Huaca Pucllana. It was really neat to see it as it is still considered an active site. Lunch was lovely too – we sat out on the back porch overlooking the site and just had a nice time all around.

After our leisurely lunch, we walked around a little. We didn’t do the tour as we pretty much saw it all anyway, but we went into the info center and little shop just to look. When we were done there, we headed back to Mira Flores to the shops and wandered all around there. Again, it is really pretty – the whole mall is outdoors (it NEVER rains in Lima) and is built into the cliff. While we were there I kept running into pax, and it turned out that the shuttle bus that was leaving from the ship was dropping the pax at the Marriott right across the street from the mall. So at the end of the day, instead of Ana taking me all the way back to Callao (its about 45 mins in traffic) I just told her I would take the shuttle back to the ship. I got the last shuttle back at about 5pm. It was such a nice day and we did a lot of walking around, so I was pooped! I actually snoozed on the bus on the way back :)

I took some fantastic pictures, especially of all of the beautiful flowers ( here you go Mum, flowers for Valentine’s Day)

Here they are:


http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=bf232dhz.8foqbmk7&x=0&y=9dunft



Lima ~ Day 2

Not too much today .. went to bed EARLY last night (was in my bed by half 11!) and got a good nights sleep :) After work this morning, I went up to Deck 9 ½ to get in my sun-time. Cat stopped up and said she would be done work at half 12 so we could go ashore then and get some lunch. We were on the bus by about a quarter to 1 and on our way back (well, back for me) to Mira Flores. We were planning to go to the mall to get lunch, but we happened to have passed a Pizza Hut when we were arriving at the Marriott – and we both said “oooh, Pizza Hut!!” It was yummy – I miss pizza!

We sat for a while waiting for a table, then waited again for our food (time is not a concept to a lot of S Americans I have come to find out). We sat and chatted and by time we were done, we had to head back since I had to work at 4 and the bus ride was about 45 mins. Of course we hit traffic, so we got back about 10 after 4 and I had to bolt up the gangway, not even stopping to chat with Ajay, then back downstairs to get changed for work.

Tonight is our Valentine’s Day Party – I am really not into the V-Day part of it, but I am looking forward to a good party! Too many times over the last 10 yrs I had been disappointed (other than last year with Erik) I have just tried not to give it much thought anymore; so I have no expectations for a rose or anything like that. LOL



However, I got a call about an hour ago from Ajay - he had been looking for me in the cafe, but I was with pax the first time and the second time he said I wasn't there. He wanted to wish me a Happy V-Day and that he would see me later (he won't make it there long tonight - he was out all night in Lima, came back to the ship at 7am for work at 8!!)

Anyone want to dog-sit? PLEASE

Well once again, I am back to square one with Mugsy. Seems my (ex) MIL has been sick and her Dr said it is from Mugsy - so she can't take care of him anymore. My Mom is going to go pick him up this weekend from her, but she too has told me she can't keep him. So I don't know what to do and now being already gone and wont be home for a while, I feel helpless.

If anyone wants to dog-sit - or knows someone who would - I will pay for his expenses (food, grooming, etc) I just don't want to have to give him up for adoption. Just thinking about that possibility now has me crying at the pc ... I just can't stand the thought of it.

I am pleading with my Mom to keep him until I get home from this contract - either June or November and then to see where we go from there.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Pick Up Party

Last night there was a disco in the crew bar; the "Pre Valentine's Day Pick Up Party" :) We have a huge bash for all the ship's company on V-Day in the crew mess so last night was coined the "pick up party" so you could find a mate to bring to the party tomorrow night LOL

Got some great pics .. and yes, the pic some of you have been asking for is in there :P

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=bf232dhz.awh5mhyv&x=0&y=-ub1ddf

Pics are:

Nash, our crew bartender
heads on the bar
Me and Amie
Amie and Jenny
Me and Sam
Evan and Donna
Clare and Jacqui
the girls again
Jacqui and Jonathan
Lloyd asking Donna to dance
Amie Jenny and Me
Me and Lauren
Me and Reggie
Clare and Amie
Lauren Clare and Amie
Me and Kevin
Me and Donna
Clare Me and Amie
Lauren Jenny and Ajay
Toby
Kevin
Dom, Will, David and Bob
Lauren Jenny Me and Ajay
Dancing
Amie Matt and Clare
Dancing
Me and Ajay :)

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Pictures!

From Arica, Chile:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=bf232dhz.56jvaop3&x=0&y=kac8n6

Pics around town; Sam (the photographer); local musicians and a performer; messing around with the exposure/aperature; Donna and her new shades


From our Sea Day:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=bf232dhz.1kc5oc5j&x=0&y=z7vpm7

It is called a Nimbus; it is ice crystals in the air and then the sun beaming down through them. It is fairly rare to see and usually only in certain parts of the world!

Monday, February 11, 2008

Arica, Chile

11 February 2008

Arica, Chile


If there is such a thing as perfect weather, I am witnessing it! The last 3 or 4 days have been glorious; a few times in the morning it would be foggy and seem like it would be a nasty looking day. But the locals say when that happens it burns off at 12 noon. And you could set your watch by it! Today I was finished at 10 so I went up to Deck 9 ½ to spend some time in the sun. The sun was perfect, hot and breezy (but not like desert hot – in the 80’s I would say) Around half 12 I went back downstairs, had some lunch and then went to meet Liz and Donna (Spa girls) at their cabin to go ashore.

The town is quite cute really; much nicer than a few of the past ports we have been to. Was more like Ushuaia (except its hotter LOL). We wandered through the shops and the street vendors, then stopped at one of the restaurants to grab a snack and a drink. We sat outside in the shade and just people watched. Course more often than not, it seemed someone we knew strolled by – guess that happens when a whole ship of people dump into one tiny town. We each had a beer – I was dying for a nice cold Corona! It was probably one of the best tasting beers I had in a long time :D

Last night was the Talent Show – it was quite good! It wasn’t an open show – you had to audition for the Entertainment Dept before you could go on it – so obviously, they weeded out the bad stuff. At the end of the show, the crew from the Ent Dept did a skit called “If I were not on a cruise ship .. “ It was hilarious!! Martyn was dressed like a ballerina, so you can imagine it was a scream. I didn’t know it would have been that good, so I didn’t have my video camera. I talked to Lizzie tonight (another Lizzie – not my mentor Lizzie) and she said they will most likely do it again on this cruise b/c they will get requests for it. So I will be sure to bring my video camera with me then!

Afterwards I was not in the mood for the crew bar, so Ajay and I went to his cabin to watch a movie .. we actually finished it too! LOL We were watching Pirates of the Caribbean (on tv) and I was half asleep when he got a call to go check on a cabin complaint. So he left me to sleep while he went out. To be honest, I have no idea how long he was gone. I think I completely passed out :) He woke me up around 4 to go “home” (he doesn’t want me to get embarrassed leaving his cabin in the morning when people are up – getting comments on the “walk of shame”. Ha ha, me? Embarrassed? LOL He obviously doesn’t know me well enough yet! Though it is a very considerate gesture) So I shuffled back to my cabin (he is forward, I am mid ship but we are both on Deck 1 – so it isn’t too far) got right into bed and promptly fell right back to sleep.

I have some pics from today in Arica that I will get uploaded tomorrow.

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Achievements

10 February 2008

At Sea
En Route to Arica, Chile


Well today has been quiet, yet productive! The net is ON again, thank gawd!! I was going to wonder how I was going to pay the car payment .. LOL. As I write this, we haven’t had any major issues for the last few days even; a few hiccups yesterday but today has been smooth sailing – ha ha!

We got our dept CSQ’s today – Customer Satisfaction Questionnaires – and I had upwards of 12 compliments. Now that doesn’t sound like a lot – but it is a stretch to basically get one or two compliments; mostly they end up being a sounding board for complaints. So to get that many compliments is awesome! Several Senior Officers have said some nice things to me about the CSQ’s; Even the wanker Exec Purser stopped me this morning at breakfast to congratulate me on a job well done. So I guess I am doing something right after all J

It has been a lovely day outside – the seas are nice and calm, the sun is shining and the air temp is in the mid to upper 70’s. I wish it was a port day darnit – I could be outside! Tomorrow is one and I don’t know if I will go ashore; I obviously will be on the 13th as that is when I will be in Lima and I will be meeting up with Ana, my old friend from grade school! It will be wonderful to see her and she is going to take me out and show me around.

Tonight is the Talent Show :) It is a mix of crew and pax, but mostly crew. Of course we are going, since it should be a hoot! Ajay is still working nights till tomorrow, so I will catch up with him later on after the show. I will be happy when he gets back on days – maybe we can finally hang out for real (go ashore to the beach, out for lunch .. something!) On Thurs night there is a disco for Valentine’s Day – so I will be sure to bring my camera to get some pics.

Coquimbo, Chile

9 February 2008

Coquimbo, Chile


Knock knock .. anyone home? ::waving:: Hello???

Well I hope no one has forgotten about me :( I know everyone has their own things going on, but I feel like I haven’t talked to some of you in ages! I guess it would be different if I had a job that didn’t include being in the cyber café (like if I worked at the Pursers Desk or Shore Excursions) but since I don’t, I feel like it has been forever! I miss you all lots!

Btw, I may have said this before – if you see me on IM, say hello! Also, if I am chatting to you and I seem to log off, it is only because I had a blip in my connection (which normally doesn’t effect anything, but it does affect the IM program I use) If I don’t log back on within 10 – 15 mins, then we lost our connection completely for the time being.

I didn't go ashore today - nothing was close by from what I heard and I couldnt be assed to take a cab into town. I was more than happy with doing some washing and then going up to Deck 9 1/2 and laying out. Need to get my tan back!! :) It faded whilst we were in the Antarctic, so I had to get back to my nice brown

Here are some pics I took of the area (from the ship):

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=bf232dhz.45mv7fc7&x=0&y=-ajqtri

Saturday, February 9, 2008

Valparaiso, Chile

Here are just a few pics from Valparaiso, Chile from yesterday (8 Feb)

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=bf232dhz.3x4kr9k7&x=0&y=okfu8e

We are in Coquimbo, Chile today - don't know if I am getting off or not yet. I have IPM Duty until 1300 so we will see

Friday, February 8, 2008

Finally - Ushuaia Pics!

With the help of one of my "pax friends" she converted my picture files to Jpeg's so I can actually see them and upload them. These were the first taken with my new camera.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=bf232dhz.9r0v5kzb&x=0&y=77kfjz

Cute town eh? Last pic is Shanessa, my cabin mate.

Ouch!

I probably haven't mentioned it before - but I have been having terrible pain in my heels. I had attributed it to being on my feet and in dress shoes - but then I noticed I was getting it when I was walking a lot, even when wearing my trainers!

So I was looking around online (I love WebMD!) and I found something called Plantar Faciitis; I am going to have the Dr look at my feet tomorrow. I am also wondering if it is why I have such swollen ankles. The Dr doesn't think the swelling is due to the meds, since the swelling is fluctuating (some days are worse than others)

I happened to be wandering into the Back Office (behind the Pursers Desk) and was complaining to Shanessa about my feet hurting again, when Lizzie (the PSM and my Mentor) started asking me all these questions - turns out she has it and she said it sounds like I do too.

First order of business in every port has been to look for shoes - once we get out of S America I think I will have better luck. Now that I know what I need (even if I don't actually have it - I am hoping the remedies still work) I am going to see about getting a pr of Crocs and getting some Ortho-Pedic shoes. I will also get the Dr Scholls heel cushions to help out in my current shoes.

Since I know at least the Mom's are going to ask - here is what WebMD says:

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/plantar-fasciitis-topic-overview

Its not chilly in this part of Chile!

8 February 2008

Valparaiso, Chile


So not much to report at the moment; and the net was down most of yesterday (for some reason unknown to me – nothing to block it; mountains, ice, etc) so I couldn’t get any of my pictures from Puerto Montt uploaded. I am having lots of fun with my camera, and the girls (Sam and Lauren) in Photography are giving me lessons and pointers. Most times I have it on the Manual settings – which is obviously the hardest to do with taking a good shot. Great thing it is digital so I can take the pic and make a correction immediately since I can see what the result was.

Let’s see .. an update on some random things. For those of you concerned, I did get my nails done and I have been wearing makeup again (though only in the evenings – can’t be arsed in the morning) So I am back to ME again J Ha ha

Last night hung out with the girls and then saw my guy .. did I mention his name yet? If not, it is Ajay. (If I did – oh well for you! LOL) Things are good with him, nothing serious – just like to hang out at the crew bar and then we usually will go (try) to watch a movie .. but we have fallen asleep the last 2 times! Ha ha .. One of these days we will have to try to start it earlier I think! (and skip the crew bar even – shock! Awe!)

Was planning to lay out this morning, but the weather was crap. So after I finished work, I took a nap till about 12.15 then had lunch and Cat, Kylie and I went ashore. Just walked over to the mall which was across the street from the port terminal ( some of these ports are so big they have to shuttle us from the ship to the actual terminal – which is the case in many of the bigger cities, including today ) I am still looking for a bigger lens than what I have – but they didn’t have anything (and the prices didn’t seem all that cheap – my camera was close to $200US more there than in Ushuaia!)

Here are some pics from Puerto Montt (aka a dump – but it is what it is)

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=bf232dhz.1mm33e53&x=0&y=wbpvhe

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Random Pics

Here are some random pics:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=bf232dhz.byovggd3&x=0&y=k1qswb

In Memory to Princess Diana - since the ship was named for her

Captain and Jane - lounging in the sun on the bridge wing

Me - last night in the mountains

Me again - (figured the Mom's would like to see I am still normal LOL)

A Whale - for those of us who never saw a real one in the Antarctic leg, the Shoppies put one on the window for us

A pic for Liz - someone else has your name!! LOL

The powerwalkers Jenny and Sarah Jane

I'm here!

No worries - I am here and all is ok. We have been without the net for the last 5 nights or so and so therefore I am super busy during the mornings when it is working. Also, since the Pio XI Glacier, we haven't looked at much other than the Chilean Mountains, so not much to say on that front. I did take some good pics and I am playing around with the manual settings to get some neat pics! I am going to start uploading some now to Kodak Gallery.

We are in Puerto Montt, Chile today; I was ashore so I will have some pics from that as well to get uploaded.

Might be a new "something" on the horizon for a fella - but I am not jumping to anything till I see how the next few nights pan out :)

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Pio XI Glacier

Here are some pics I have taken this morning: (as of now the net is up and running just fine, so I am all up to date on blogging and pics (except Ushuaia - I still have to sort those out)

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=bf232dhz.1hzn2auf&x=0&y=5v50iw

New week, new start

I am hoping this week starts off better than last week was; I was still quite upset last night and of course I did something dumb again - hit reply all instead of reply and sent an email to the whole ship - not a big deal but after everything else, was just the other shoe to drop. I had gone out with the girls to watch the Les Follies show, but left about 3/4 of the way through it. Was tired and sad .. and everything was just hitting me. I was kind of happy Shanessa wasn't in the cabin; I wanted to get into bed and just cry in peace. Stop worrying .. Mom, Liz, Aunt Judy, Aunt Mary .. :) I am ok. From what I had read about first-timers going out to sea, the 3rd and 4th week are the hardest. Your body is adjusting (I have pretty much got my sea legs - I barely notice the ship moving anymore) but so is everything else; your routine, getting used to your new job, your new friends; being away from home and getting frustrated when I am without the internet. And then now I am no longer brand new - so when I make mistakes (though it is understood by most) it is hard. I never have taken critisism well, nor being told off. So ... that lead me to having a moment last night.

Today is a new day - start of a new week. We are going to be heading more and more north and getting to the warmer climates too - so that should help my "blues" Also, I will be seeing my old friend Ana (from grade school!) when I get to Lima on the 13th, so that will be nice too.

BTW, I got my cell phone bill - did I already mention that? $600!!! Holy hell - I was furious. I need to get an email off to Cingular/AT&T now before I lose my connection again!

Will have some pics up from the PIO XI glacier later today as long as the net stays on!

Amalia Glacier

We are still in Chile and in the mountains, so there are 2 major glaciers in this area that we are stopping at - the first one was Amalia Glacier (Sat 2 Feb)

Here are the pics:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=bf232dhz.39mlt3d3&x=0&y=-46s0w9

Saturday, February 2, 2008

My Mum Misses Me!

She misses me so much, she is going to come for a visit!

I will be in Port Everglades, FT Lauderdale, on 26th Feb and Mum is going to fly down the night before and then come and spend the day with me!! YAY! After the week I have had, that is a good thing :) We are going to have to go to the Coast Guard office that day so I can get those docs in order for my next contract, but then we can have lunch and I need to go to Target/Walmart for supplies!

I applied for her visitors pass today; I can get her on the ship and show her around, introduce her to my friends and fellow crew members. She has not been on a cruise ship before so it will be so cool to show her my "home"!

Playing around with my new toy

Ok, all you dirty minds - I mean my camera!

These are the pics I took the day I got my camera, once we had sailed from Ushuaia:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=bf232dhz.56dcclyf&x=0&y=37c8r9


Btw, I didn't forget to load the ones I took in town in Ushuaia; the camera was pre-set (by Nikon I guess) to save the files in a wierd format, so I have to get some software to convert them to normal Jpeg's before I can upload them to Kodak Gallery. That should be in a few days as long as the internet connection stays on!

What Night Time looks like down here

These pics were taken from 8.30pm to 10pm. Never looked like this at home at these hours, eh?

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=bf232dhz.672v9l07&x=0&y=-k85htk

Punta Arenas, Chile

1 February 2008

Punta Arenas, Chile


Hell of a day! I don’t know if I had mentioned this before, but I have been getting ‘called out’ on things I am doing wrong (by a SMALL few of the very-anal-retentive Sr. Officers) ~ little things really; can’t sit at the bar in a passenger area, can’t go to the crew bar in civil clothes, etc. How was I to know? Its not like I got on the ship and I had orientation on the Do’s and Don’ts of an Officer (and I am considered a half-stripe officer) So today we had a full drill; I did my normal duty however, today they did an actual evacuation of the Muster Station out to the lifeboats. Well I had no idea what lifeboat I was supposed to go to. I had memorized my card #, my duties, etc but I didn’t have a boat assignment, so I went to my Muster Station PIC (person in charge) and said “ I don’t know where I am supposed to go” and she went off on me. I was very upset but I held it together and of course broke down later (I met up with Cat at the end of the drill and I lost it) Turns out I don’t actually have a boat assignment! I went back to my cabin and checked my card and under the life boat/raft section it says N/A. So she was wrong to go off on me! I probably worded it incorrectly, but she is the Sr. Officer as well as the PIC and knows what my duties for that station are. (My duty is Passenger Muster Personnel ~ just assisting pax in the right direction when moving them from one place to another) So none of us get an assigned boat, we just get added in at the end to whatever boat she designates for us. Bitch. I am still mad and that was this morning at 10am (its now after 8pm). I went to Jo, Cat’s manager for a 3rd party objective opinion and Jo said I wasn’t in the wrong. So she told me to go see Liz, our PSM (Passenger Service Manager, but was my boss till Buenos Aires) and tell her about it. Liz was very kind and explained both sides of the story to me and said she would have a word with Cheryl-Ann’s (the bitch who went off on me) boss on the side.

Thank GAWD we could get off the ship.. I needed a break. I am still on edge a bit; as one thing like that to upset me and then I easily get upset about everything else. Missing home, being out to sea for so many days in a row (just had 6 days before yesterday, then tomorrow we start for 4 days – UGH!) Don’t get me wrong, I love what I am doing and I don’t regret my decision to come out here for one second. However it doesn’t change the fact that it takes getting used to and getting acclimated to a very different lifestyle.

Anyway, so Cat and I got permission from Jo to go ashore earlier than Cat was supposed to so we could have a nice afternoon – BTW, Jo is awesome.. She is very sweet, very nice and one of the Sr. Officers I look up to (along with Liz). So Cat and I took the shuttle from the ship into town. It was a cute city – nothing major and not as cute and quaint as Ushuaia – but there were fun little outdoor vendors in the square. We met up with Sarah Jane, who is the Art Gallery Director and the three of us milled around town, grabbed some lunch at one of the pubs and then dessert at a chocolatier. I have been good about dessert but hell – after the morning I had, chocolate was in store!

Since we are still without internet access, I can’t blog this or upload the pics; but I have to say I LOVE MY CAMERA. Wait till you see some of the shots I got! I know I am nowhere near professional, but they are great ~ I am thrilled that I am able to play around with the settings a bit too. There were a ton of dogs around so I have quite a few pictures of them. Some of them were so cute and I missed Mugsy even more! I need to print out a pic of Mugs from my laptop and hang it in my cabin :) That’s all for now. Here is the link to the pics: (they are coming out so much better than my other camera!!)

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=bf232dhz.ay5mewsn&x=0&y=-j1wz98


Oh and to top off my day - I got my cell phone bill and the effers at AT&T did something wrong when I set up my plan and I was being charged $1.99/min for all my calls .. so my bill is over $600!! In one effing month! I am going to send them an email and see what they can fix. Wish me luck!

Friday, February 1, 2008

My Newest Addition

I can't believe I forgot! I have added a new addition to my "travel buddies" in admiration of our trip through the Antarctic; Frog is very pleased to have a companion now!

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=bf232dhz.72qby9nb&x=0&y=-1s83k8

Her name is Polly - and baby

Silliness

31 January 2008

Ushuaia, Patagonia (Argentina)

What a nice day! Thank goodness I wasn’t being lazy and decide to go back to bed instead LOL I didn’t come in till at least half 2 ( ha ha that is Brit-Speak for 2.30am ) and I was quite pissed (aka drunk) The PJ party was a huge hit and I had a blast! So many good times; good laughs, lots of dancing, goofing off with friends and of course I took my camera so I have lots of fun pics too!

Speaking of cameras, I bought a new one today. It was about $400 cheaper than I could get in the states, and is a beautiful Nikon; looks like an SLR, but it is digital. Wait till you see the pics I have taken on it today ~ WOW! I am a bit bummed I didn’t have it this past week – but oh well. The town was very cute; reminded me of a little german town set in the mountains. I took lots of pics of course; I love my new toy :P

Internet is back out tonight, so I am writing off line again. Didn’t upload pics this morning (from last night) since I was still half asleep. OMG, funny story ~ I always take a bottle of water up to my bed so that if I wake up and am thirsty, I don’t have to climb down from the top bunk. (cause that is just a huge pain-in-the-ass) Well I must have woken up and taken a drink – but fell back to sleep without putting the cap back on! Yeah, so it was oh-so-delightful to wake up soaked and my first thought was ‘Holy Shit, I peed the bed!!!’ Then as I started to freak out as well as to get out of bed (and my wet clothes!) I saw the empty water bottle; did I mention the water bottle we have for crew are huge? Like over a liter and a half, and of course, the one I took to bed with me was just about full! Moral of the story – don’t drink in bed when pissed!

Hmmm, what else? Oh, ok - Nothing going with Matt; I saw him last night with the girl he used to be dating and it was obvious he still had feelings for her. So I told him that I knew how the situation felt to deal with (from my side and his) and I went through that with Erik before I came out here and I wasn’t going to do that to myself (obviously it was not as dramatic as the things with Erik were, but still) So we will just see. I am as laid back as ever, so whatever happens .. happens!

One of the bartenders likes me - Renzil - he is a cutie but I think he is a baby .. like 22 or something. He is in one of the pics I uploaded - so I will point him out.

Here is the link to the pics:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=bf232dhz.bztsp5cn&x=0&y=-susv4c

The blond girl is Jenny - she is a massage therapist; then Amie, then Amie and Clare; then David and me; some of the spa girls: Illka (Matt's girl) Sharon and Reeva, the girls with Amie and David; Lloyd and Buddy, Hugh showing his lingerie, the party crew; Lauren and Me, Matt and me, David and his hat, dancing the night away, Renzil and me (the bartender who likes me), Toby and me (he is trying to duck to my height - he is almost 6'10!) and Toby

Basically - you can see from the pics .. lots of silliness - but such a great time!

(you guys are starting to see some of the same faces, so I won't describe the pics as much anymore)