I haven't actually done this pre-write journal entry thing in quite awhile. I guess I really am low on things to say.
Today has been kind of a grumpy one for me. I had slide duty and left wondering what I'd actually signed up for here. I did not get my bachelor's degree to argue with children over following the water slide rules, only to have their parents come and tell me their kids should get to do what they want because they're paying to be here, and oh my gosh I really don't like Southerners. It's no wonder foreigners dislike Americans so much, THIS is the crap they see.
This cruise has been a party cruise for me, though not on purpose. I don't remember what I did the first night (not because I'd been drinking or anything, it just feels like so long ago I can't recall), but the next night was formal night. After work a group of girls, myself included, decided to do a Sex and the City thing, cracking jokes about the ship being our boyfriend the whole time. I got more male attention just walking to the guest disco than I have all year. The night was kind of a bust in the girls'-night-out sense since one girl ended up having more guy-drama, C was grumpy and went home early, and most of the rest of us were hanging out with some male or another by the end of the night (I stuck by the production singer, his girlfriend, and the guitarist... simply because they're nice people; I'm doing my best to stay away from drama). The night after there was a crew toga party, where the lounge band played and the production singer sang and most of the showband stepped in for a few songs as well. People danced and drank and we got delicious food for once. Last night was far more low-key, but I was still up until 3:30 (the earliest I've gone to bed this cruise, to be sure) hanging out with musicians.
So in a social sense of the word, this cruise has been a success. In any other sense, not so much.
Work, I don't know, I made a lot of mistakes this week. Nothing I got called on, really, but I am my own worst critic and I KNOW I screwed up. The good thing about my cruises being so short is that tomorrow I start with a clean slate, sort of. I made some mistakes, but I'll learn from them. And my mistakes were generally of the office variety, not with my teens - they're pretty alright this time around. Certainly not my favorite group and they all think every activity I suggest is just so lame, but if I can talk them into trying something out they have fun. So it's a challenge, but things with them are going fine.
Social things as a whole are all drama this cruise. Poor C is getting stalked by one of our coworkers, though she tried to quiet bluntly straighten him out last night and we'll see how that goes. Other relationships are on ice or failing and gossip is ripe. One of my good friends' boyfriends is in the hospital for the next month because health care on this ship is actually really, really awful, and if I ever get that sick I'll quit before I let them convince me to try and stay onboard. But hey, I'm fine.
Tomorrow marks the official one-month mark for me. Tomorrow I'll be working almost non-stop, but I will celebrate when I get through eating pizza with a brand new, ever-awkward group of teens. And I'll be tired, because tonight a zillion people (okay, maybe a dozen) are signing off and there will be more social shenanigans. Only two of them are friends of mine though, and one of those two is coming back in about a month, so it could be worse.
As an addendum: I just had dinner with the cruise director, and something about that just makes me feel important. Now I'm going to go to a show for the first time, to see my friends perform before they all leave.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
February 23, 2009
There was a point last Saturday where I was laying on a bench, staring lazily out over what I think was the Atlantic ocean, letting the sun dry me off from the swim I'd gone on a few minutes ago, when everything felt right. I could forget being unsure and my insecurities about this job and just relax, even if it was just for an hour or so. And it was spectacular.
Everything else fades in and out of this routine I've fallen into. I didn't click so well with my group this last cruise, but they didn't mesh very well with one another either. By the time I kicked them out of the club at 12:30 last night, they still told me they had a good time. My club is 'pretty cool', they tell me. I'm not sure how I feel about getting my validation from a group of teenagers, but I guess I'll take it.
Saying good-bye to Reks last night/this morning wasn't quite as upsetting as I thought it'd be. Surprisingly, he was sad too. We could just silently be sad together, and even though he protested as I hug-attacked him, I think he'll miss me too. At least two more friends (not to mention, my boss) are leaving in five days, and there's a few each Tampa day for the weeks coming up as well. The musical director promises me that this isn't a normal thing, and all my friends won't always leave, but I have a hard time believing him for now. At the very least, some people will stick around. I hung out with the guy production singer last night, and I asked when he was leaving. He said May. I said, good, then we can be friends after all. And then we got pizza.
Everything else fades in and out of this routine I've fallen into. I didn't click so well with my group this last cruise, but they didn't mesh very well with one another either. By the time I kicked them out of the club at 12:30 last night, they still told me they had a good time. My club is 'pretty cool', they tell me. I'm not sure how I feel about getting my validation from a group of teenagers, but I guess I'll take it.
Saying good-bye to Reks last night/this morning wasn't quite as upsetting as I thought it'd be. Surprisingly, he was sad too. We could just silently be sad together, and even though he protested as I hug-attacked him, I think he'll miss me too. At least two more friends (not to mention, my boss) are leaving in five days, and there's a few each Tampa day for the weeks coming up as well. The musical director promises me that this isn't a normal thing, and all my friends won't always leave, but I have a hard time believing him for now. At the very least, some people will stick around. I hung out with the guy production singer last night, and I asked when he was leaving. He said May. I said, good, then we can be friends after all. And then we got pizza.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
February 19, 2009
Tampa day, Tampa day. I am sitting in a coffee ship next to an empty chai latte and listening to that 'Hey There Delilah' song. It's one of those songs that brings back some fun nostalgia, and cheesy as it is feels somewhat applicable. I don't know. I'm a sap at heart.
I have work in an hour and a half, but for now I'm just trying to relax. C is on the phone explaining to a parent or something how little we get paid (it's true - we found out how much musicians make the other day and nearly cried). The hot Russian man is nearby, though he's married and has the most adorable son on the planet I'm sure.
Last night I found out it was my English musician galpal's last night. Turns out SHE had only found out the day before. They're transferring her to another ship. People leaving really is becoming a norm for me, and I'm not sure I like that. I didn't get to say good-bye to J either, since he went to bed before I even got off work. But J I might see again, and the English girl... well, I told her I expected a couch the next time I'm in England. The people who replace those two had better be awesome.
Today I get to call my parents, call Martin (later than my parents, I thought I'd let him sleep in), get a new group of kids... and do it all over again. But this next one is a four-day, which means instead of getting hit on by guests I'll get hit on by really drunk guests.
Funny quote of last night:
"Can I have your number?"
"Why?"
"Because you're HOT!"
-Spoken between a teenage boy and myself. I am remembering why I always liked the older ones, even when I was a teenager myself...
I have work in an hour and a half, but for now I'm just trying to relax. C is on the phone explaining to a parent or something how little we get paid (it's true - we found out how much musicians make the other day and nearly cried). The hot Russian man is nearby, though he's married and has the most adorable son on the planet I'm sure.
Last night I found out it was my English musician galpal's last night. Turns out SHE had only found out the day before. They're transferring her to another ship. People leaving really is becoming a norm for me, and I'm not sure I like that. I didn't get to say good-bye to J either, since he went to bed before I even got off work. But J I might see again, and the English girl... well, I told her I expected a couch the next time I'm in England. The people who replace those two had better be awesome.
Today I get to call my parents, call Martin (later than my parents, I thought I'd let him sleep in), get a new group of kids... and do it all over again. But this next one is a four-day, which means instead of getting hit on by guests I'll get hit on by really drunk guests.
Funny quote of last night:
"Can I have your number?"
"Why?"
"Because you're HOT!"
-Spoken between a teenage boy and myself. I am remembering why I always liked the older ones, even when I was a teenager myself...
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
February 18, 2009
I haven't been writing so much in here, and there really isn't much reason for it. I've been busy, but when am I not busy? Especially these days. It's nigh impossible to have a functioning social life here, but at the same time everyone understands that. On a typical sea day I wake up around 10:30, grab lunch at 11:00 and head into the office as soon as I'm done eating to check my work email. I get to my club at 11:45 to set up for that afternoon's activities, and from noon to roughly around six I'm in there with the kids. Then I eat dinner, which usually takes around an hour since mealtimes are also hang-out times so long as people aren't rushing off to work (they usually are), and have the next hour or two to shower, do any leisure activities (like write in this, or do my laundry), before going back to work. I'm at work until 1:00 am, then go to the crew bar and hang out with whichever of my friends are still there until I crash. Then I do it all over again the next day.
As you can see, there's really only so much time to write, and there's only so much to say. I work, and I try and have fun with my friends here. Only the guests change, and my friends change to a lesser degree.
This cruise, I absolutely adore my group of kids. They're friendly, they're reasonably down-to-earth, and they're appreciative of what I do. Really, I can't ask for anything better. But then at the same time, I'm not really sad they're leaving. I had five days with them, and I'll do this thirty-two more times until I get a vacation.
This is J's last night on the ship, as well as the cruise director's. There's a party tonight that I'll show up for for a bit. Turns out that the ship J is moving to also goes to Cozumel, though it's a 7-day one. Nonetheless we're there at the same time once every two weeks or so, so he is now my facebook friend and we've made vague plans to meet up in the future.
Talking to my coworkers here, I realize I'm not alone in going through cycles of loving and hating it here. There are still times when I can't believe I'm getting paid for this, and there are other times where I just miss everything from home. It's also ridiculously hard to explain what living here is like, because it's nothing like living on land. People want to know what it's like, but I can't think of anything to compare it to. It's like living on a ship. That's what it's like.
As you can see, there's really only so much time to write, and there's only so much to say. I work, and I try and have fun with my friends here. Only the guests change, and my friends change to a lesser degree.
This cruise, I absolutely adore my group of kids. They're friendly, they're reasonably down-to-earth, and they're appreciative of what I do. Really, I can't ask for anything better. But then at the same time, I'm not really sad they're leaving. I had five days with them, and I'll do this thirty-two more times until I get a vacation.
This is J's last night on the ship, as well as the cruise director's. There's a party tonight that I'll show up for for a bit. Turns out that the ship J is moving to also goes to Cozumel, though it's a 7-day one. Nonetheless we're there at the same time once every two weeks or so, so he is now my facebook friend and we've made vague plans to meet up in the future.
Talking to my coworkers here, I realize I'm not alone in going through cycles of loving and hating it here. There are still times when I can't believe I'm getting paid for this, and there are other times where I just miss everything from home. It's also ridiculously hard to explain what living here is like, because it's nothing like living on land. People want to know what it's like, but I can't think of anything to compare it to. It's like living on a ship. That's what it's like.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
February 14, 2009
I just put up a post I wrote yesterday, and not much has happened yet today, but I try.
Last night was hilarious fun. C and I kicked the kids out at eleven and moseyed down to the crew bar. The musical director gifted me with a cone and I spent most of the night blushing and trying to explain my innocence to anyone who saw the cone and jumped to conclusions (which is pretty much everyone who passed by, cruise director included). It was bad enough where the corporate techie, musical director, and the guy production singer would start laughing if they even looked at me. But it was a good night.
This morning I woke up to Southern Gospel music blaring in my cabin. I can not tell you why, but I was not a happy camper and used a few choice words to explain my annoyance to C. Turns out it was about time for me to get up anyway, but, shoot. Why would they possibly turn that on in the crew cabins?!
Right now I'm relaxing in an internet cafe in Tampa. J is sitting nearby. C is outside on the phone. The corporate techie signed off today, as did one of the corporate trainers, but saying good-bye is beginning to feel natural. J leaves after the next cruise, and Reks leaves the one after that... those will be a lot more sad. I put some pictures up from Cozumel this week on my facebook, if anyone wants to see those, or put faces to a few of the people I talk about (or names, actually).
Last night was hilarious fun. C and I kicked the kids out at eleven and moseyed down to the crew bar. The musical director gifted me with a cone and I spent most of the night blushing and trying to explain my innocence to anyone who saw the cone and jumped to conclusions (which is pretty much everyone who passed by, cruise director included). It was bad enough where the corporate techie, musical director, and the guy production singer would start laughing if they even looked at me. But it was a good night.
This morning I woke up to Southern Gospel music blaring in my cabin. I can not tell you why, but I was not a happy camper and used a few choice words to explain my annoyance to C. Turns out it was about time for me to get up anyway, but, shoot. Why would they possibly turn that on in the crew cabins?!
Right now I'm relaxing in an internet cafe in Tampa. J is sitting nearby. C is outside on the phone. The corporate techie signed off today, as did one of the corporate trainers, but saying good-bye is beginning to feel natural. J leaves after the next cruise, and Reks leaves the one after that... those will be a lot more sad. I put some pictures up from Cozumel this week on my facebook, if anyone wants to see those, or put faces to a few of the people I talk about (or names, actually).
February 13, 2009
I didn't really have any funny stories last time, so here's a bunch to hold everyone over:
About a week ago, I met another of the musicians. This one is a young English girl from around London, and I met her in... kind of odd circumstances. I was sitting at dinner with an Aussie, a Kiwi, a different Brit, and a Canadian, and we were all making fun of each other's accents and our own. It was just one of those things where we tore into one another, and ourselves, but it was all in good fun. The Brit left, and as I was in the middle of mocking the Queen's English and all the different words for essentially the same sort of clothing, this English girl sat down. She spent the rest of dinner saying very little to me or anyone else, evaded my attempts at beginning a conversation, and pretended I didn't exist every other time I saw her for the next few days. I assumed, of course, that I'd accidentally insulted her, and it was sad.
More recently I've been seeing the girl around more. England came up in another conversation yesterday, and she was happy to beam and talk about how great the UK is. She also joked around about how 'they' created America, and the English language, etc. etc., and didn't I just wish I was from the UK? But, she added, my ancestors probably were, so it was alright for me.
I laughed and said yes, actually, I really loved England and would love to live there, though my ancestors were from Scotland... at which point she gave me a look (you can imagine the look) and reminded me that Scotland IS in the UK. And I had to laugh at myself and admit how stupid I just sounded.
Ever since then her and I have started to become friends. I got her pissed last night (though, really, it was the musical director's fault) and she opened up. I also ended up watching Little Britain with her and a corporate techie until 4:00 this morning, which she was quite giddy about, but even better than Little Britain is the fact that she felt it necessary to explain to me after every sketch that the English aren't REALLY like that. As if I actually believed, after watching a television show about Brits, that they're all chavs or something. Then again, maybe there's something to that.
As for other hilarity... at the staff mess, they always have pitchers of ice water in the middle of the tables and glasses out, so people can help themselves to water. There wasn't much water left in our pitcher tonight at dinner, but I tried to pour myself some anyway and ended up dumping ice all over the table. The people at the table next to me applauded, Reks chalked it up to my being American, everyone else was almost in tears laughing, and I just stared in shock at the ice now covering my lap and plate.
My last story has to do with the corporate techie. As many of you know, I made myself a special man friend of a techie while I was on a cruise myself last summer. Apparently a lot of people know him, which includes the coprorate techie on board for this cruise. He just heard I knew the man, instantly jumped to his own conclusions as to how well I knew him, and emailed him (and CC'd it to me) that he's been hanging out with this other techie's "cone", ha ha, eh? There's a few things in this to make it even more awkward, so I'll list them:
1. I haven't spoken to this techie since before I got off the ship. He walked me back to my room one night, said his good-byes, made plans to meet me in Amsterdam the next day, and I never saw him again. No-show for Amsterdam, couldn't find him the rest of the trip, never heard from him again. It's been at least five months since we've said a word together, and now that's being interrupted by this guy from corporate who wants to make fun of him.
2. Corporate all have personal email accounts, I have a company account that belongs to whoever holds my position at the time (so, for now, I'm the only one who reads my emails), this techie on the other ship... shares an email account with the three other techies. So three other people can read these emails.
3. The term 'cone' basically just refers to guests, in general. If you're a guest, you're a cone. 'Coning' refers to that forbidden sort of fraternization with guests, which encompasses everything from getting just a bit too close to a guest, to... getting a lot too close to a guest. This poor techie barely crossed any corporate policy lines - he really just toed them, I'd say - but that's not what anyone is going to assume.
4. This guy is just plain awkward to begin with, and presented with an awkward situation I think he might break. The poor thing.
That's it for now. I guess I'll keep it updated on the poor techie story. I really can't wait for this cruise to be over - I spent a good portion of the day dealing with security issues and kids breaking into my DJ booth, despite the fact that my club has been closed all cruise.
About a week ago, I met another of the musicians. This one is a young English girl from around London, and I met her in... kind of odd circumstances. I was sitting at dinner with an Aussie, a Kiwi, a different Brit, and a Canadian, and we were all making fun of each other's accents and our own. It was just one of those things where we tore into one another, and ourselves, but it was all in good fun. The Brit left, and as I was in the middle of mocking the Queen's English and all the different words for essentially the same sort of clothing, this English girl sat down. She spent the rest of dinner saying very little to me or anyone else, evaded my attempts at beginning a conversation, and pretended I didn't exist every other time I saw her for the next few days. I assumed, of course, that I'd accidentally insulted her, and it was sad.
More recently I've been seeing the girl around more. England came up in another conversation yesterday, and she was happy to beam and talk about how great the UK is. She also joked around about how 'they' created America, and the English language, etc. etc., and didn't I just wish I was from the UK? But, she added, my ancestors probably were, so it was alright for me.
I laughed and said yes, actually, I really loved England and would love to live there, though my ancestors were from Scotland... at which point she gave me a look (you can imagine the look) and reminded me that Scotland IS in the UK. And I had to laugh at myself and admit how stupid I just sounded.
Ever since then her and I have started to become friends. I got her pissed last night (though, really, it was the musical director's fault) and she opened up. I also ended up watching Little Britain with her and a corporate techie until 4:00 this morning, which she was quite giddy about, but even better than Little Britain is the fact that she felt it necessary to explain to me after every sketch that the English aren't REALLY like that. As if I actually believed, after watching a television show about Brits, that they're all chavs or something. Then again, maybe there's something to that.
As for other hilarity... at the staff mess, they always have pitchers of ice water in the middle of the tables and glasses out, so people can help themselves to water. There wasn't much water left in our pitcher tonight at dinner, but I tried to pour myself some anyway and ended up dumping ice all over the table. The people at the table next to me applauded, Reks chalked it up to my being American, everyone else was almost in tears laughing, and I just stared in shock at the ice now covering my lap and plate.
My last story has to do with the corporate techie. As many of you know, I made myself a special man friend of a techie while I was on a cruise myself last summer. Apparently a lot of people know him, which includes the coprorate techie on board for this cruise. He just heard I knew the man, instantly jumped to his own conclusions as to how well I knew him, and emailed him (and CC'd it to me) that he's been hanging out with this other techie's "cone", ha ha, eh? There's a few things in this to make it even more awkward, so I'll list them:
1. I haven't spoken to this techie since before I got off the ship. He walked me back to my room one night, said his good-byes, made plans to meet me in Amsterdam the next day, and I never saw him again. No-show for Amsterdam, couldn't find him the rest of the trip, never heard from him again. It's been at least five months since we've said a word together, and now that's being interrupted by this guy from corporate who wants to make fun of him.
2. Corporate all have personal email accounts, I have a company account that belongs to whoever holds my position at the time (so, for now, I'm the only one who reads my emails), this techie on the other ship... shares an email account with the three other techies. So three other people can read these emails.
3. The term 'cone' basically just refers to guests, in general. If you're a guest, you're a cone. 'Coning' refers to that forbidden sort of fraternization with guests, which encompasses everything from getting just a bit too close to a guest, to... getting a lot too close to a guest. This poor techie barely crossed any corporate policy lines - he really just toed them, I'd say - but that's not what anyone is going to assume.
4. This guy is just plain awkward to begin with, and presented with an awkward situation I think he might break. The poor thing.
That's it for now. I guess I'll keep it updated on the poor techie story. I really can't wait for this cruise to be over - I spent a good portion of the day dealing with security issues and kids breaking into my DJ booth, despite the fact that my club has been closed all cruise.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
February 12, 2009
I go through stages here of wanting to leave asap and having the time of my life. Yesterday cycled through both, but it ended (and continues) on a high note.
The kids this week continue to be crazy. Also close-minded, also ignorant, also I want to shake some of them. Another downside to this job is I have to bite my tongue as twelve-year-old girls tell me that Pres. Obama is evil because he supports the gays and doing anything about it could potentially get me fired. But hey, tomorrow is my last day with them.
I've gotten closer to J (the aforementioned piano player) this cruise, and have come to the conclusion that he's the biggest sweetheart ever. It is impossible not to smile around the man, whether he's telling me about his fiance, talking about some musical theory something I have no idea about, or trying to pretend he's interested in sports. He's only here for another week, but I'm throwing caution to the wind this time around to be his friend.
Anyway, I made plans to hang out with C and J last night after work. Neither of them were working as late as me, but J wanted to practice piano anyway and C hadn't gotten to really hang out since she got here. But by the time I got off work they were both in the crew bar anyway, just drinking and hanging out. Turns out it was two of my friends' birthdays, so when I went up there to get them I was instead bombarded by offers of cake and people shoving drinks into my hands... and on top of it all, it was crew karaoke night. So we ended up staying up there anyway, hanging out and drinking more than we ought. I played darts with J, the trumpet player, and Reks... and Reks destroyed us all, but really I didn't do too badly! Especially considering the $2 drinks people kept buying me. And since I know my parents are reading this: I did avoid all balconies in my less-than-sober state, do not worry.
We called it a night around two this morning, and all I had to be up for today was slide duty at noon. 'Slide duty' today really meant 'stand outside for an hour', so it wasn't so bad. C got off slide duty an hour later than me, so I laid around and read until she got off work and now we're sitting around at the crew bar in Cozumel. I wasn't hungry, but I just scarfed down some falafel because I wanted something that wasn't ship food. Reks is inside skyping his girlfriend/family, C and I are sitting outside by the water, and the bar is blaring that song they play whenever the Sharks score. It's pretty sweet, I gotta say.
I think I work four hours tonight. Tomorrow will be a long day, but it will likely end in more shenanigans with my fellow crewmates. I don't know of anyone signing off, but there will probably be some. And then, back to Tampa. C and I have already drawn up a shopping list of things we want for our room, not to mention food.
I don't really have any funny stories that are also appropriate enough for parents and such to be reading. There's currently a lot of drunk men singing Bon Jovi in the pool. Badly, I should say.
The kids this week continue to be crazy. Also close-minded, also ignorant, also I want to shake some of them. Another downside to this job is I have to bite my tongue as twelve-year-old girls tell me that Pres. Obama is evil because he supports the gays and doing anything about it could potentially get me fired. But hey, tomorrow is my last day with them.
I've gotten closer to J (the aforementioned piano player) this cruise, and have come to the conclusion that he's the biggest sweetheart ever. It is impossible not to smile around the man, whether he's telling me about his fiance, talking about some musical theory something I have no idea about, or trying to pretend he's interested in sports. He's only here for another week, but I'm throwing caution to the wind this time around to be his friend.
Anyway, I made plans to hang out with C and J last night after work. Neither of them were working as late as me, but J wanted to practice piano anyway and C hadn't gotten to really hang out since she got here. But by the time I got off work they were both in the crew bar anyway, just drinking and hanging out. Turns out it was two of my friends' birthdays, so when I went up there to get them I was instead bombarded by offers of cake and people shoving drinks into my hands... and on top of it all, it was crew karaoke night. So we ended up staying up there anyway, hanging out and drinking more than we ought. I played darts with J, the trumpet player, and Reks... and Reks destroyed us all, but really I didn't do too badly! Especially considering the $2 drinks people kept buying me. And since I know my parents are reading this: I did avoid all balconies in my less-than-sober state, do not worry.
We called it a night around two this morning, and all I had to be up for today was slide duty at noon. 'Slide duty' today really meant 'stand outside for an hour', so it wasn't so bad. C got off slide duty an hour later than me, so I laid around and read until she got off work and now we're sitting around at the crew bar in Cozumel. I wasn't hungry, but I just scarfed down some falafel because I wanted something that wasn't ship food. Reks is inside skyping his girlfriend/family, C and I are sitting outside by the water, and the bar is blaring that song they play whenever the Sharks score. It's pretty sweet, I gotta say.
I think I work four hours tonight. Tomorrow will be a long day, but it will likely end in more shenanigans with my fellow crewmates. I don't know of anyone signing off, but there will probably be some. And then, back to Tampa. C and I have already drawn up a shopping list of things we want for our room, not to mention food.
I don't really have any funny stories that are also appropriate enough for parents and such to be reading. There's currently a lot of drunk men singing Bon Jovi in the pool. Badly, I should say.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
February 11, 2009
This cruise is, unfortunately, more work than I originally foresaw. It's still less work than I'd USUALLY do, but it's more than I'd do if, say, C wasn't in training. I guess they're just having me cover more for her so that she can get a decent amount of sleep - or attempt to, at least. And that's fine by me, just ... less time off.
Today we're in the Caymans, and I once again am not getting off the ship. I could have, if I wanted to wake up at Ridiculously Early O'Clock, but I have slide duty and C is in training annnnd... it just wasn't happening. Next time. And I'll probably manage to get off for a bit tomorrow, but again with the slide duty (normally I have Cozumel days off until 8:00 or 9:00, but since this cruise is weird...)
Last night dragged on forever, too. After three hours of guitar hero III I had a headache, and that was of course when more kids came. At least then there were enough where I didn't have to play with them, I just gave them the guitars and sat. Of course, that's also when some of the guest-musicians (as opposed to the musicians who work here - again, this cruise is weird) came in, and I had a teenaged southern gospel guitarist trying to hit on me for the next hour. Apparently his band is a Big Deal with capital letters, but I couldn't have cared. If nothing else, by the end of this contract I will have come up with plenty of new and inventive ways to brush off such advances.
I ate dinner with some of the musicians last night, and they'd just finished up their one show of this cruise which consisted entirely of classic jazz music at the captain's "reception". Apparently one of the guests was overheard saying, "This isn't God's music - this is just noise to me," and they were pretty bummed. I am a Christian, and I try to be a good one, but THIS representation of Christians makes me so angry. Who are they to define what 'God's music' is? At dinner last night I made the joke 'What would Jesus listen to?' and we unanimously agreed that it probably wouldn't be these southern gospel concerts. On cruise ships that these people paid an exhorbitant amount of money to be on (they paid more than normal). One of the preachers is the father of one of my kids this cruise. She is fourteen, and her parents have already bought her a hummer. What would Jesus do? NOT THAT, I am pretty sure!
On a similar note, I was playing Apples to Apples with a group of kids yesterday. I had forgotten how abound that game is with potential dirty jokes, and I couldn't use a single one. That game is especially hard with such a young crowd, since they don't know who anyone is. About half didn't even know who Hilary Clinton is. And if anyone I just went to Disneyland with is reading this: one of my cards was 'Bates Motel' and I giggled quietly to myself for a good five minutes.
I've told myself I'll try not to form any strong opinions about this job until I've gotten at least six weeks in, since everyone tells me it takes that long to really get the hang of everything. However, at this point? I am pretty sure I am not cut out for either the business or hospitality tracks in life. It's not that I can't understand this view of trying to make the most money, and in the hospitality business doing your job well = making the company more money... and, really, unless I work for a non-profit the eventual goal is to keep making money and I DO understand that, but when it's the main motivation to do a good job? I just can't do it. I get my motivation from trying to make a difference, or trying to teach kids something for however long they're with me, not from whether or not their parents will take them on another pricey holiday.
Or maybe my boss just sucks.
I'm kind of missing my old tutoring job, which was a volunteer job at a homeless shelter so I DEFINITELY wasn't motivated by money. I think I'll go back to tutoring when I get home, until I can motivate myself to go back to school for more degrees.
Today we're in the Caymans, and I once again am not getting off the ship. I could have, if I wanted to wake up at Ridiculously Early O'Clock, but I have slide duty and C is in training annnnd... it just wasn't happening. Next time. And I'll probably manage to get off for a bit tomorrow, but again with the slide duty (normally I have Cozumel days off until 8:00 or 9:00, but since this cruise is weird...)
Last night dragged on forever, too. After three hours of guitar hero III I had a headache, and that was of course when more kids came. At least then there were enough where I didn't have to play with them, I just gave them the guitars and sat. Of course, that's also when some of the guest-musicians (as opposed to the musicians who work here - again, this cruise is weird) came in, and I had a teenaged southern gospel guitarist trying to hit on me for the next hour. Apparently his band is a Big Deal with capital letters, but I couldn't have cared. If nothing else, by the end of this contract I will have come up with plenty of new and inventive ways to brush off such advances.
I ate dinner with some of the musicians last night, and they'd just finished up their one show of this cruise which consisted entirely of classic jazz music at the captain's "reception". Apparently one of the guests was overheard saying, "This isn't God's music - this is just noise to me," and they were pretty bummed. I am a Christian, and I try to be a good one, but THIS representation of Christians makes me so angry. Who are they to define what 'God's music' is? At dinner last night I made the joke 'What would Jesus listen to?' and we unanimously agreed that it probably wouldn't be these southern gospel concerts. On cruise ships that these people paid an exhorbitant amount of money to be on (they paid more than normal). One of the preachers is the father of one of my kids this cruise. She is fourteen, and her parents have already bought her a hummer. What would Jesus do? NOT THAT, I am pretty sure!
On a similar note, I was playing Apples to Apples with a group of kids yesterday. I had forgotten how abound that game is with potential dirty jokes, and I couldn't use a single one. That game is especially hard with such a young crowd, since they don't know who anyone is. About half didn't even know who Hilary Clinton is. And if anyone I just went to Disneyland with is reading this: one of my cards was 'Bates Motel' and I giggled quietly to myself for a good five minutes.
I've told myself I'll try not to form any strong opinions about this job until I've gotten at least six weeks in, since everyone tells me it takes that long to really get the hang of everything. However, at this point? I am pretty sure I am not cut out for either the business or hospitality tracks in life. It's not that I can't understand this view of trying to make the most money, and in the hospitality business doing your job well = making the company more money... and, really, unless I work for a non-profit the eventual goal is to keep making money and I DO understand that, but when it's the main motivation to do a good job? I just can't do it. I get my motivation from trying to make a difference, or trying to teach kids something for however long they're with me, not from whether or not their parents will take them on another pricey holiday.
Or maybe my boss just sucks.
I'm kind of missing my old tutoring job, which was a volunteer job at a homeless shelter so I DEFINITELY wasn't motivated by money. I think I'll go back to tutoring when I get home, until I can motivate myself to go back to school for more degrees.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
February 9, 2009
Tampa day is quickly becoming my favorite.
There was a boat drill this morning that was much earlier than I thought it'd be. It ended up being an hour BEFORE I had set my alarm to go off. So, I woke up to an emergency announcement and had to quickly throw on some clothes, grab my life vest, and run out the door. In the process I had grabbed my personal cell phone instead of my work cell phone and the Captain called me while I was at the drill, but... I'm just assuming it wasn't important.
I also had slide duty this afternoon, which I forgot about until I was on my way to lunch. I wasn't late to it, it just meant I had a lot less time off the boat than I originally thought. I ALSO ran into my boss and my new roommate (hereby refered to as 'C') on my way off the ship, so instead of getting off right away I showed C around a little, helped her get her room key, and showed her where the crew lounge was since she had training there in an hour. I felt bad leaving her on her own with nothing to do for that hour, but I had a limited timeframe to make phone calls and find free wifi. I failed at finding any sort of shop that sold any of the items I forgot to bring that I've been so desperately desiring (what I would do for a loofa right now...), but I found a coffee shop with internet and will still call it a success.
As far as the new roomie goes, C seems great so far. She is only a year older than I am, is indeed American, and is very sporty. The first two questions she asked about me were whether or not I drank, and if I liked music. ...I think we'll get along just fine.
I've been trying to be a good new roomie too, making space for her and trying to tell her everything I wish I'd known my first week here. I've been introducing her to every passer-by I know, took her to dinner (where she got to meet some more musicians), and walked her to work (since she's still very lost). She has training every port day this cruise I think, but we're going to explore Tampa together next time we're there.
The cruise this time is a religious charter, and they have an awful rep among the crew. One of the movie options for kids is something called 'Bibleman Defeats the Gossip Queen'. My teens surprised me by wanting to turn off the religious music, doing the Cupid Shuffle around their room, and going on at length about all of the cute boys they've seen on the ship (apparently there's a piano player who's just a hunk - and also probably fourteen).
Not much else going on. I work a lot less hours this week, and I get off earlier as well. When I do work, it's usually with C - at least for parts of it. The only downside is that there isn't much to do in the meantime. C and I turned on Animal Planet briefly earlier and squeed over a program about a baby panda bear... I have a feeling there will be a lot of that.
Lastly, I had my ear fondled by a Romanian earlier. I've come to the conclusion that Romanians are an odd bunch. And Transylvanians do not appreciate being asked if they're related to Dracula. Take note.
There was a boat drill this morning that was much earlier than I thought it'd be. It ended up being an hour BEFORE I had set my alarm to go off. So, I woke up to an emergency announcement and had to quickly throw on some clothes, grab my life vest, and run out the door. In the process I had grabbed my personal cell phone instead of my work cell phone and the Captain called me while I was at the drill, but... I'm just assuming it wasn't important.
I also had slide duty this afternoon, which I forgot about until I was on my way to lunch. I wasn't late to it, it just meant I had a lot less time off the boat than I originally thought. I ALSO ran into my boss and my new roommate (hereby refered to as 'C') on my way off the ship, so instead of getting off right away I showed C around a little, helped her get her room key, and showed her where the crew lounge was since she had training there in an hour. I felt bad leaving her on her own with nothing to do for that hour, but I had a limited timeframe to make phone calls and find free wifi. I failed at finding any sort of shop that sold any of the items I forgot to bring that I've been so desperately desiring (what I would do for a loofa right now...), but I found a coffee shop with internet and will still call it a success.
As far as the new roomie goes, C seems great so far. She is only a year older than I am, is indeed American, and is very sporty. The first two questions she asked about me were whether or not I drank, and if I liked music. ...I think we'll get along just fine.
I've been trying to be a good new roomie too, making space for her and trying to tell her everything I wish I'd known my first week here. I've been introducing her to every passer-by I know, took her to dinner (where she got to meet some more musicians), and walked her to work (since she's still very lost). She has training every port day this cruise I think, but we're going to explore Tampa together next time we're there.
The cruise this time is a religious charter, and they have an awful rep among the crew. One of the movie options for kids is something called 'Bibleman Defeats the Gossip Queen'. My teens surprised me by wanting to turn off the religious music, doing the Cupid Shuffle around their room, and going on at length about all of the cute boys they've seen on the ship (apparently there's a piano player who's just a hunk - and also probably fourteen).
Not much else going on. I work a lot less hours this week, and I get off earlier as well. When I do work, it's usually with C - at least for parts of it. The only downside is that there isn't much to do in the meantime. C and I turned on Animal Planet briefly earlier and squeed over a program about a baby panda bear... I have a feeling there will be a lot of that.
Lastly, I had my ear fondled by a Romanian earlier. I've come to the conclusion that Romanians are an odd bunch. And Transylvanians do not appreciate being asked if they're related to Dracula. Take note.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
February 8, 2009
This week, I learned that four-day cruises are apparently the ones where everyone gets drunk (and by 'everyone' I mean guests, not crew). Not my kids, thank goodness, but everyone else. Everyone was seasick last night and none of my kids showed, so I was helping out where I could and, gosh, people, moderation.
Behind the scenes, I'm back to questing for more friends. Thus far, I'm already succeeding. There's an Aussie girl who's only been here a month and is having the similar issue as me, where her friends are all leaving. Once we each clarified we'd be around until July, we were bound to be fast friends. And so it starts again.
Though I'll also say I'm pretty stoked to be making some GIRL friends. Most of my other friends have been guys here, which I have no issue with myself but it would seem everyone else does. Living here would make you believe it's impossible for a guy and a girl to JUST be friends, as I guess the rumors start up once you're just seen talking to someone of the opposite sex in the crew bar. I can only imagine what people think of my love life on board, and thus far not many people believe that when I get lost in my own thoughts they don't involve anyone on the ship.
Not that there's anything WRONG with the guys here, of course. Plenty are nice, I just don't see them as more than friends. Even more are flirty, but I'm not attracted to them. A few (okay, one) are downright creepy, and that just brings me to want more guy friends! It's always nice to have someone around to remind people that no really DOES mean just that, and not 'ask again tomorrow' or 'try harder please'. Pretty soon I might have to invent a body-building fiance. Whose also in jail for beating up the LAST guy who hit on me. Or... just tell my supervisor. You know, whatever becomes easiest.
My point was: girl friends. I am excited to have them. I am also excited to get off the ship tomorrow, and to get to call home again. And after that, I'm excited to not have much work to do this next cruise because of this charter. More on the charter when they've arrived and proven themselves as crazy as they sound.
Behind the scenes, I'm back to questing for more friends. Thus far, I'm already succeeding. There's an Aussie girl who's only been here a month and is having the similar issue as me, where her friends are all leaving. Once we each clarified we'd be around until July, we were bound to be fast friends. And so it starts again.
Though I'll also say I'm pretty stoked to be making some GIRL friends. Most of my other friends have been guys here, which I have no issue with myself but it would seem everyone else does. Living here would make you believe it's impossible for a guy and a girl to JUST be friends, as I guess the rumors start up once you're just seen talking to someone of the opposite sex in the crew bar. I can only imagine what people think of my love life on board, and thus far not many people believe that when I get lost in my own thoughts they don't involve anyone on the ship.
Not that there's anything WRONG with the guys here, of course. Plenty are nice, I just don't see them as more than friends. Even more are flirty, but I'm not attracted to them. A few (okay, one) are downright creepy, and that just brings me to want more guy friends! It's always nice to have someone around to remind people that no really DOES mean just that, and not 'ask again tomorrow' or 'try harder please'. Pretty soon I might have to invent a body-building fiance. Whose also in jail for beating up the LAST guy who hit on me. Or... just tell my supervisor. You know, whatever becomes easiest.
My point was: girl friends. I am excited to have them. I am also excited to get off the ship tomorrow, and to get to call home again. And after that, I'm excited to not have much work to do this next cruise because of this charter. More on the charter when they've arrived and proven themselves as crazy as they sound.
February 7, 2009 (part two)
I forget what I wrote earlier, except for being upset about Reks. Most of the time when I write these things, I'll write them when I have a spare minute or ten and post them later that day or the next day. This is mostly just because writing them takes a bit of time, and time is not something I have much of these days... not to mention, I pay $0.10/minute for internet and buy it in $20 chunks, so talk is not cheap if I'm on the ship. The other side-benefit I get from doing it this way is, if I'm upset about something, I have some more time to think about it and find things in a different light. Last post I just typed as I sat there stealing french fries, so there wasn't that lag where I got to revert to my typically optimistic self.
It's only been six or seven hours since Reks told me he was leaving, but I'm already feeling better about it. I figure people leaving is just something I have to get used to, here. Besides, I left California for six months... if the people I left can take it, so can I.
But also, even if I only got to be Reks' friend for a few weeks, I'm glad I got to be his friend. I might not ever see him again, but I got an awesome day in Cozumel with someone I have a surprising amount in common with. Not to mention, I got to show an eastern European that not all Americans fit his stereotype, and not all girls (esp. American girls) are clueless when it comes to football (soccer-football, not American football). He won't budge on the Liverpool vs. Barcelona issue, but some battles I am willing to lose. And hey, if I keep in touch I bet I'll have a place to stay if I ever visit Spain or Latvia or Denmark or wherever he ends up at again.
In other news, Cozumel is pretty. There's a bar there that is mostly just for workers from the cruise ships that come in. The owners used to work for my company, so made a place for the crew to relax while in port. It's right on the water, so we spent hours lounging around, drinking (he had beer, I had a strawberry milkshake), taking turns going online with my laptop (free wifi!), and laying around in the sun. I got a little burned, though... and if Howard reads this and gets any satisfaction from that, I hope he gets a hangover tomorrow. He jinxed me. But hey, I am already starting to build up that tan; now I am two shades darker than a vampire!
As an addendum: I have the television on in the background, and there was just a commercial for the cruise's bedding/mattresses. It's like they're rubbing it in. I get a sheet and a threadbare blanket in a very cold room. Those jerks.
It's only been six or seven hours since Reks told me he was leaving, but I'm already feeling better about it. I figure people leaving is just something I have to get used to, here. Besides, I left California for six months... if the people I left can take it, so can I.
But also, even if I only got to be Reks' friend for a few weeks, I'm glad I got to be his friend. I might not ever see him again, but I got an awesome day in Cozumel with someone I have a surprising amount in common with. Not to mention, I got to show an eastern European that not all Americans fit his stereotype, and not all girls (esp. American girls) are clueless when it comes to football (soccer-football, not American football). He won't budge on the Liverpool vs. Barcelona issue, but some battles I am willing to lose. And hey, if I keep in touch I bet I'll have a place to stay if I ever visit Spain or Latvia or Denmark or wherever he ends up at again.
In other news, Cozumel is pretty. There's a bar there that is mostly just for workers from the cruise ships that come in. The owners used to work for my company, so made a place for the crew to relax while in port. It's right on the water, so we spent hours lounging around, drinking (he had beer, I had a strawberry milkshake), taking turns going online with my laptop (free wifi!), and laying around in the sun. I got a little burned, though... and if Howard reads this and gets any satisfaction from that, I hope he gets a hangover tomorrow. He jinxed me. But hey, I am already starting to build up that tan; now I am two shades darker than a vampire!
As an addendum: I have the television on in the background, and there was just a commercial for the cruise's bedding/mattresses. It's like they're rubbing it in. I get a sheet and a threadbare blanket in a very cold room. Those jerks.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
February 7, 2009
I am sitting at a crew-only bar in Cozumel, Mexico stealing french fries from Reks (my nemesis, I don't care anymore, that's his name). It's nice out, if a little windy. I really don't have much else to say on that matter... except that the water is really pretty and is about three feet away. There's a cute little pool here too, and free wi-fi.
Earlier today one of my friends told me he's leaving next time we're in Tampa, so looks like I'll be up late again some night soon to say good-bye to him. What REALLY has me sad though, is that on the walk over Reks told me he's going to quit. He should've been here about as long as I will, so I should've had this FRIEND all the while, but nope. And I... don't know what to say. I am pretty upset.
But for now, I am content to sit around stealing his french fries and discussing life and love and all the rest. He has a special lady friend back in Denmark I'm trying to make him tell me about, but so far all I'm getting is that she likes soccer.
I'll probably have more to say in a few days. Work-wise... this morning was a boat drill, and last night I had a bunch of kids so I kept the club open until 12:40. I have a friend who'll be around Tampa later this month so I might get to hang out with him. Etc. etc. I really want a hug; I haven't gotten one since I said good-bye to mom at the airport.
Earlier today one of my friends told me he's leaving next time we're in Tampa, so looks like I'll be up late again some night soon to say good-bye to him. What REALLY has me sad though, is that on the walk over Reks told me he's going to quit. He should've been here about as long as I will, so I should've had this FRIEND all the while, but nope. And I... don't know what to say. I am pretty upset.
But for now, I am content to sit around stealing his french fries and discussing life and love and all the rest. He has a special lady friend back in Denmark I'm trying to make him tell me about, but so far all I'm getting is that she likes soccer.
I'll probably have more to say in a few days. Work-wise... this morning was a boat drill, and last night I had a bunch of kids so I kept the club open until 12:40. I have a friend who'll be around Tampa later this month so I might get to hang out with him. Etc. etc. I really want a hug; I haven't gotten one since I said good-bye to mom at the airport.
Friday, February 6, 2009
February 5, 2009 (part two)
It is actually very early on February 6th, as I just got off work, but I wanted to write something in my current good mood.
I spent most of the day stressed out and doing ten things at once. I spent the first hour of my shift grumbling about a certain annoyance and computers (basically, I share two computers with eight people. One was legitimately taken, and one was out for MY scheduled office hours and the two hours before that simply because someone was being an idiot... and I had a lot I needed to do on it and couldn't).
But, once work with the kids actually started, everything just fell into place. The reason(s) I needed the computer became a moot point as the two girls I spent most of the evening with would much rather just talk to me about randomness and play some cards. I also had a boy for the first hour who wanted to play some basketball video game, and I played along (as the Lakers, for Christine of course), but mostly the girls are the reason for my good mood.
You see, both are... troubled, you could say. I would say. But both are also very sweet. Both recognized how UNcool I am (I am many things: nice, caring, I'd even say I'm a good person, but I am not and have never been 'cool'), and both just laughed with me about it and took it upon themselves to teach me about the latest and greatest of rap music. One of them started the evening saying she didn't want to be on a cruise, hated cruises (it was her first one, but she knew she'd hate them), and never wanted to leave the US. Both girls left tonight saying they were having too much fun and didn't want to go to bed yet, wanted to go on a longer cruise when they were a little older, and wanted to go to university and study abroad in Europe. They promised me they'd be back tomorrow, and they are going to make this an awesome cruise for me.
This, ladies and gents, is why I do what I do.
I spent most of the day stressed out and doing ten things at once. I spent the first hour of my shift grumbling about a certain annoyance and computers (basically, I share two computers with eight people. One was legitimately taken, and one was out for MY scheduled office hours and the two hours before that simply because someone was being an idiot... and I had a lot I needed to do on it and couldn't).
But, once work with the kids actually started, everything just fell into place. The reason(s) I needed the computer became a moot point as the two girls I spent most of the evening with would much rather just talk to me about randomness and play some cards. I also had a boy for the first hour who wanted to play some basketball video game, and I played along (as the Lakers, for Christine of course), but mostly the girls are the reason for my good mood.
You see, both are... troubled, you could say. I would say. But both are also very sweet. Both recognized how UNcool I am (I am many things: nice, caring, I'd even say I'm a good person, but I am not and have never been 'cool'), and both just laughed with me about it and took it upon themselves to teach me about the latest and greatest of rap music. One of them started the evening saying she didn't want to be on a cruise, hated cruises (it was her first one, but she knew she'd hate them), and never wanted to leave the US. Both girls left tonight saying they were having too much fun and didn't want to go to bed yet, wanted to go on a longer cruise when they were a little older, and wanted to go to university and study abroad in Europe. They promised me they'd be back tomorrow, and they are going to make this an awesome cruise for me.
This, ladies and gents, is why I do what I do.
February 5, 2009
My first cruise is over, and the next one begins. It hasn't quite hit me that this is my life for another 23 weeks (not six months anymore – 23 weeks). I'm still not into the swing of things, to be honest, but I'm getting there. I'm guessing it will take two more weeks.
Yesterday improved drastically as the night wore on. The ship was really rocking and my one kid got sick, so after an hour of mario party 8 (I beat him, ha ha!) he left for the night and I had three hours left to go. My trainer showed up a little after that and we spent the evening finishing paperwork and just chatting. One of the techies came by as well, just to say hi since she was bored. Afterwards I did go up to the crew bar, but not everyone was still there. Nemesis (I really need a new name for him) taught me how to play darts and I even managed to get a bulls-eye, conveniently right after he told me they were really hard to get and he was aiming for the twenties instead. There was much gloating. I got to sleep around 2:00, woke up at 6:20, and get to stay up until at least 1:00 tonight. It's going to be a long day, and I didn't even get to get off the ship.
On the plus side, I moved into my new room and got to unpack! Slightly less plus side is that my internet connection is even slower down here... but if I can find free wifi in Tampa and Cozumel, I should be fine. Just... assuming I ever get off this ship.
There were some funny incidents last night that got me thinking about fate. I'm not sure I believe in it too strongly, since to some degree I shape my own path and blah blah blah, but there are a few things I leave up to fate. Whether or not I get to see people again after they've seemingly left my life is one of them. When I was on vacation last summer, meeting people left and right and making maybe fifty new friends in the course of five weeks, there were plenty of people I really hoped to see again but, really, what were the chances? A few were workers on the cruise ship I was a guest on last summer.
Well, as fate would have it, one of them is working here. Not one of the closer friends, but he's one of the musicians I had a brief hello to at the dance club. I ran into him last night and didn't even recognize him at first, but he was telling me about his past contracts and I figured it out. He also brought up some of the other musicians I'd hung out with (one of them I even saw after I got off the ship and was in Denmark) and caught me up on how they're doing. It was a nice little moment of reminiscing.
There was also a certain techie last summer I became fast friends with, and the techie I hung out with last night used to work with him. We are going to swap stories of him cross-dressing sometime, and it will be glorious.
All of this just goes to show that people have a funny way of wandering back into my life unexpectedly. So, some of my new friends left this morning... but I'm sure I'll hear from them again someday.
In the middle of writing this I had embarkation duty, and my cheeks kind of hurt from smiling at new guests. I saw some of my teens already, so hopefully they'll show up for the first events tonight. I am currently a little grumpy about having to work the entire time lunch was being served. BUT, I got to make phone calls today, and even if they were brief it was nice just getting to hear some familiar voices. I'll get to do it again on Monday!
Yesterday improved drastically as the night wore on. The ship was really rocking and my one kid got sick, so after an hour of mario party 8 (I beat him, ha ha!) he left for the night and I had three hours left to go. My trainer showed up a little after that and we spent the evening finishing paperwork and just chatting. One of the techies came by as well, just to say hi since she was bored. Afterwards I did go up to the crew bar, but not everyone was still there. Nemesis (I really need a new name for him) taught me how to play darts and I even managed to get a bulls-eye, conveniently right after he told me they were really hard to get and he was aiming for the twenties instead. There was much gloating. I got to sleep around 2:00, woke up at 6:20, and get to stay up until at least 1:00 tonight. It's going to be a long day, and I didn't even get to get off the ship.
On the plus side, I moved into my new room and got to unpack! Slightly less plus side is that my internet connection is even slower down here... but if I can find free wifi in Tampa and Cozumel, I should be fine. Just... assuming I ever get off this ship.
There were some funny incidents last night that got me thinking about fate. I'm not sure I believe in it too strongly, since to some degree I shape my own path and blah blah blah, but there are a few things I leave up to fate. Whether or not I get to see people again after they've seemingly left my life is one of them. When I was on vacation last summer, meeting people left and right and making maybe fifty new friends in the course of five weeks, there were plenty of people I really hoped to see again but, really, what were the chances? A few were workers on the cruise ship I was a guest on last summer.
Well, as fate would have it, one of them is working here. Not one of the closer friends, but he's one of the musicians I had a brief hello to at the dance club. I ran into him last night and didn't even recognize him at first, but he was telling me about his past contracts and I figured it out. He also brought up some of the other musicians I'd hung out with (one of them I even saw after I got off the ship and was in Denmark) and caught me up on how they're doing. It was a nice little moment of reminiscing.
There was also a certain techie last summer I became fast friends with, and the techie I hung out with last night used to work with him. We are going to swap stories of him cross-dressing sometime, and it will be glorious.
All of this just goes to show that people have a funny way of wandering back into my life unexpectedly. So, some of my new friends left this morning... but I'm sure I'll hear from them again someday.
In the middle of writing this I had embarkation duty, and my cheeks kind of hurt from smiling at new guests. I saw some of my teens already, so hopefully they'll show up for the first events tonight. I am currently a little grumpy about having to work the entire time lunch was being served. BUT, I got to make phone calls today, and even if they were brief it was nice just getting to hear some familiar voices. I'll get to do it again on Monday!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
February 4, 2009
Last night I was doing the cupid shuffle across the Lido deck and came to the conclusion that I am pretty good at this job. The cupid shuffle had nothing to do with it, except that I was at the deck party making a fool of myself with some of the other entertainment staffers and about thirty guests. Those 30 guests consisted of 29 old people, and the one kid I've been working with this cruise. That's right: I convinced a sixteen-year-old boy to join a congo line AND do the electric slide. Thus, I think I must be good at my job.
Today has been rough though, for no particular reason. I was up studying for a safety exam last night, but I didn't get up until 9:40 so I got a decent amount of sleep. I worked from 10:00-5:30 and go back from 9:30-1:00, which isn't bad at all considering how the rest of this cruise has gone. But last time I looked in the mirror, I just LOOKED tired.
Last night I had my first dream about home, too. It was simple: I ate dinner with my family and sat on a couch with Martin watching his roommates play lego video games – essentially what I spent most of my time doing the week before I left. I woke up kind of sad that it wasn't real, but at least I did get an amazing last week in California. And it's only six months! It feels like such a long time right now, but six months from now it won't.
On a more positive note, I think I'm starting to see how working here will change/teach me. I'm certain it will all be in a good way. I have, however, decided that I am treating myself to a massage when I get home, because if this is how I feel after one cruise than BOY will I deserve one. I also want a home cooked meal.
Not all of my soreness is from being worked to the bone, though. I mean, maybe it's half that (but keep in mind, half of THAT was training), but the other half is because I am getting a LOT of exercise. I haven't been to the crew gym for more than a few minutes to poke my nose around, but there's plenty of little things: like the six stories between where I live and where I work (unless I'm wearing heels or something, I take the stairs), or just dancing at the deck party last night. I played some DDR earlier as well, not to mention wii sports can give you SOME version of a work-out. At the very least my arm is tired from wii tennis.
As for what I've been doing: well, it's same old. More video games. The deck party was actually fun, if only because I like dancing and the entertainment staff are great people. I'm organizing my songs on the dj machine doodad. I got my caper all taken care of and have to pick it up from the printers later tonight. After work, despite how tired I am coupled with the fact that I have to be up at 6:00 tomorrow morning, I am going to the crew bar to say my good-byes to some people who are leaving (all of the corporate training trainees are leaving, as well as my nemesis' roommate).
Tomorrow, despite my super-early start, should be a good day. I get to talk to my parents and Martin ON THE PHONE. I'm also going to try and get off the ship to buy some things I forgot. I'm ALSO moving rooms, to a larger one, and I get it to myself for this next cruise I think. Rumor has it that we're getting a new girl in my department: one who is working with the next age group down, and she's an American! I've already decided she'll be my best galpal here. It's meant to be.
And now, dinner.
Today has been rough though, for no particular reason. I was up studying for a safety exam last night, but I didn't get up until 9:40 so I got a decent amount of sleep. I worked from 10:00-5:30 and go back from 9:30-1:00, which isn't bad at all considering how the rest of this cruise has gone. But last time I looked in the mirror, I just LOOKED tired.
Last night I had my first dream about home, too. It was simple: I ate dinner with my family and sat on a couch with Martin watching his roommates play lego video games – essentially what I spent most of my time doing the week before I left. I woke up kind of sad that it wasn't real, but at least I did get an amazing last week in California. And it's only six months! It feels like such a long time right now, but six months from now it won't.
On a more positive note, I think I'm starting to see how working here will change/teach me. I'm certain it will all be in a good way. I have, however, decided that I am treating myself to a massage when I get home, because if this is how I feel after one cruise than BOY will I deserve one. I also want a home cooked meal.
Not all of my soreness is from being worked to the bone, though. I mean, maybe it's half that (but keep in mind, half of THAT was training), but the other half is because I am getting a LOT of exercise. I haven't been to the crew gym for more than a few minutes to poke my nose around, but there's plenty of little things: like the six stories between where I live and where I work (unless I'm wearing heels or something, I take the stairs), or just dancing at the deck party last night. I played some DDR earlier as well, not to mention wii sports can give you SOME version of a work-out. At the very least my arm is tired from wii tennis.
As for what I've been doing: well, it's same old. More video games. The deck party was actually fun, if only because I like dancing and the entertainment staff are great people. I'm organizing my songs on the dj machine doodad. I got my caper all taken care of and have to pick it up from the printers later tonight. After work, despite how tired I am coupled with the fact that I have to be up at 6:00 tomorrow morning, I am going to the crew bar to say my good-byes to some people who are leaving (all of the corporate training trainees are leaving, as well as my nemesis' roommate).
Tomorrow, despite my super-early start, should be a good day. I get to talk to my parents and Martin ON THE PHONE. I'm also going to try and get off the ship to buy some things I forgot. I'm ALSO moving rooms, to a larger one, and I get it to myself for this next cruise I think. Rumor has it that we're getting a new girl in my department: one who is working with the next age group down, and she's an American! I've already decided she'll be my best galpal here. It's meant to be.
And now, dinner.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Sleeping in this morning was a bust. Partly this was my fault, but mostly I'm going to blame other things.
You see, yesterday was formal night on the ship. I work with guests, so I had to dress up as well. I'm not exactly known for my love of dressing up in dresses and doing my hair and the like, but require me to look nice and I'll secretly enjoy it. Also, I bought a very pretty black dress about a month ago that I look absolutely gorgeous in. So I had a fun time getting to prance around in it, even if by 'prance around' I secretly mean 'play more video games and do inventory'. And after work I didn't quite want to dress down yet, so I went to the crew bar instead for another half hour.
All of this basically just means that I went to sleep at 2:00 this morning. And this morning, there was a mix of things ruining my potential eight hour of sleep. For one, I don't know why but my intercom speaker thing in this room plays music, quietly, at random times. Right now I am having 'Girls Just Want to Have Fun' serenaded to me. It just switched to 'I Want To Hold Your Hand'. This morning, starting at around 8:30 and continuing at twenty-minute intervals, it was playing and replaying a single song. It's quiet enough, but when the room is quiet and I'm trying to sleep someone may as well be shouting in my ear. On top of this they're doing construction in the hall outside, and by 'outside' I mean RIGHT outside. On the other side of the wall. So there's all sorts of hammering and drilling going on just a few feet away, and these walls are paper-thin. It is a sad sad thing, this, and it started around 9:00 this morning. So, I am still not doing so well on the sleep thing... but a mix of six hours of sleep and coffee (that's right, I've had to start drinking coffee) has me able to function as much as I need to.
Today has been a normal day so far. Training this morning, a quick lunch of salad and cheese sandwich afterwards, and even though we got into port at 2:00ish and my kid left around then I did office work until 4:00. I think that has actually been my favorite part of the job so far, which might sound really strange since my job so far has consisted mainly of playing video games... but with that work, I know what I'm working towards. I have a number of things to do (all to prepare for the next cruise, so things like food orders and putting together my caper and finishing the paperwork for this cruise), and when I finish I get to feel so accomplished. Like: Yea, I got something done! Instead of... I get to play more video games later. I don't know, I doubt I make much sense.
And in case you haven't guessed it, I haven't gotten off the ship today either. I have another meeting this evening, and have been working all day, sooo... not happening. Maybe next cruise.
As an addendum (since I'm writing this two hours later), I just figured out internet in my room thanks to an adventure with my nemesis and some help from two of the dancers. Yaaaay!
You see, yesterday was formal night on the ship. I work with guests, so I had to dress up as well. I'm not exactly known for my love of dressing up in dresses and doing my hair and the like, but require me to look nice and I'll secretly enjoy it. Also, I bought a very pretty black dress about a month ago that I look absolutely gorgeous in. So I had a fun time getting to prance around in it, even if by 'prance around' I secretly mean 'play more video games and do inventory'. And after work I didn't quite want to dress down yet, so I went to the crew bar instead for another half hour.
All of this basically just means that I went to sleep at 2:00 this morning. And this morning, there was a mix of things ruining my potential eight hour of sleep. For one, I don't know why but my intercom speaker thing in this room plays music, quietly, at random times. Right now I am having 'Girls Just Want to Have Fun' serenaded to me. It just switched to 'I Want To Hold Your Hand'. This morning, starting at around 8:30 and continuing at twenty-minute intervals, it was playing and replaying a single song. It's quiet enough, but when the room is quiet and I'm trying to sleep someone may as well be shouting in my ear. On top of this they're doing construction in the hall outside, and by 'outside' I mean RIGHT outside. On the other side of the wall. So there's all sorts of hammering and drilling going on just a few feet away, and these walls are paper-thin. It is a sad sad thing, this, and it started around 9:00 this morning. So, I am still not doing so well on the sleep thing... but a mix of six hours of sleep and coffee (that's right, I've had to start drinking coffee) has me able to function as much as I need to.
Today has been a normal day so far. Training this morning, a quick lunch of salad and cheese sandwich afterwards, and even though we got into port at 2:00ish and my kid left around then I did office work until 4:00. I think that has actually been my favorite part of the job so far, which might sound really strange since my job so far has consisted mainly of playing video games... but with that work, I know what I'm working towards. I have a number of things to do (all to prepare for the next cruise, so things like food orders and putting together my caper and finishing the paperwork for this cruise), and when I finish I get to feel so accomplished. Like: Yea, I got something done! Instead of... I get to play more video games later. I don't know, I doubt I make much sense.
And in case you haven't guessed it, I haven't gotten off the ship today either. I have another meeting this evening, and have been working all day, sooo... not happening. Maybe next cruise.
As an addendum (since I'm writing this two hours later), I just figured out internet in my room thanks to an adventure with my nemesis and some help from two of the dancers. Yaaaay!
Monday, February 2, 2009
February 2, 2009
Another day, another thirteen hours of work and training. Last night wasn't terribly exciting, really. My Croatian friend was around, so I ate dinner with him and he told me all about his teaching experiences back in Croatia. After dinner I went right up to the club, where I watched the super bowl with the one teen who's been showing up for events and played wii sports until he had to go around 10:00. The next three hours meant more training, but for at least two of them I just played in the DJ booth and put on whatever music I wanted.
This morning was more training, but I've befriended the new nurse and she had to be there as well. She's a kiwi, so we chatted about our respective countries and she had a lot of questions about mail and banking in the US, since 'home' is mostly Florida these days. I've also made a Romanian hairdresser friend who was there, and we were the only two who came to the tour offered at the end of the first part of training so we got lunch on the Lido deck afterwards (we are allowed to use it during the day if it isn't too busy). After that, more training, but in between the two I ran into the kiwi and her trainer (a really nice lady from London), met the magician on board, and bought an internet card. Unfortunately I can't find the crew internet in my room... but hopefully after I finish writing this I'll have some time to wander up to the crew lounge. I imagine I can find it there.
After all of that, it was more video games and more training after our one kid had to go to dinner.
But OH, there is ONE exciting thing that happened today. We're arriving in port tomorrow four hours later than planned, and I had the misfortune of walking down a guest hall when this was announced. I suddenly got bombarded with questions from scared guests about what was going on, and would we be back in Tampa on time, and various other questions... which I dealt with spectacularly, in that by the time I left each guest they were calmed down and smiling. Less spectacularly in that I didn't actually know what had happened, since I had only heard as much as them by that point.
This arriving-late thing is being made up for by leaving-late, so the guests still have a lot of time in Cozumel. Unfortunately, both this and ANOTHER training session have severely dented my day of sleeping in. I can still sleep until around 10:00, since training is at 11:00 and I'll work 12:00-2:00ish since the kids will still be on board, but that is a lot different than my original sleep-until-lunch plan.
Also, I was in training the entire time we were in the Caymans today, so I haven't made it off the boat. I could get off tomorrow, though. My only issue is that I'd want to go with someone else who knows the port already, and I'm still in that getting-to-know-you stage of my friendships on-board. Speaking of which, I ate dinner with my Latvian nemesis. We got into a fight over which was the better football club: Barcelona or Liverpool, which ended when he flailed at the asst. cruise director about it and the asst. cruise director said “she'll be nice, she can't help it if Barcelona sucks.” Ha! We called a truce anyway, after it was discovered we both liked Irbe. So, see? I'm making friends! We even ate with some of the dancers, who are all tiny freckled girls from Canada or England (at least the ones I've met), but they're also friendly. I'm really digging the staff on this ship.
This morning was more training, but I've befriended the new nurse and she had to be there as well. She's a kiwi, so we chatted about our respective countries and she had a lot of questions about mail and banking in the US, since 'home' is mostly Florida these days. I've also made a Romanian hairdresser friend who was there, and we were the only two who came to the tour offered at the end of the first part of training so we got lunch on the Lido deck afterwards (we are allowed to use it during the day if it isn't too busy). After that, more training, but in between the two I ran into the kiwi and her trainer (a really nice lady from London), met the magician on board, and bought an internet card. Unfortunately I can't find the crew internet in my room... but hopefully after I finish writing this I'll have some time to wander up to the crew lounge. I imagine I can find it there.
After all of that, it was more video games and more training after our one kid had to go to dinner.
But OH, there is ONE exciting thing that happened today. We're arriving in port tomorrow four hours later than planned, and I had the misfortune of walking down a guest hall when this was announced. I suddenly got bombarded with questions from scared guests about what was going on, and would we be back in Tampa on time, and various other questions... which I dealt with spectacularly, in that by the time I left each guest they were calmed down and smiling. Less spectacularly in that I didn't actually know what had happened, since I had only heard as much as them by that point.
This arriving-late thing is being made up for by leaving-late, so the guests still have a lot of time in Cozumel. Unfortunately, both this and ANOTHER training session have severely dented my day of sleeping in. I can still sleep until around 10:00, since training is at 11:00 and I'll work 12:00-2:00ish since the kids will still be on board, but that is a lot different than my original sleep-until-lunch plan.
Also, I was in training the entire time we were in the Caymans today, so I haven't made it off the boat. I could get off tomorrow, though. My only issue is that I'd want to go with someone else who knows the port already, and I'm still in that getting-to-know-you stage of my friendships on-board. Speaking of which, I ate dinner with my Latvian nemesis. We got into a fight over which was the better football club: Barcelona or Liverpool, which ended when he flailed at the asst. cruise director about it and the asst. cruise director said “she'll be nice, she can't help it if Barcelona sucks.” Ha! We called a truce anyway, after it was discovered we both liked Irbe. So, see? I'm making friends! We even ate with some of the dancers, who are all tiny freckled girls from Canada or England (at least the ones I've met), but they're also friendly. I'm really digging the staff on this ship.
February 1, 2009
Before-dinner seems to be when my downtime/computer time is. Once I get done with this crazy week, before lunch might also be added to that.
After I turned my computer off and went to dinner last night, things didn't end until 1:15 AM when I crashed into bed and couldn't sleep, because the girl I'm sharing a room with has some odd sleeping habits (who leaves the television on to the cruise channel?!). I mean, I did eventually fall asleep, but that isn't the point.
At dinner, I managed to meet a few more people. The Asst. Cruise Director came over to eat with my trainer and I, and he was incredibly friendly. After he joined us, so did a Latvian guy from the entertainment staff. I managed to match tit for tat with the Latvian guy's wit, and the Asst. Cruise Director was cracking up all the while, gave me a high-five, and said I'd fit in well. That kind of set the tone for the evening.
After dinner I got to start my job, and ONE WHOLE KID showed up the entire time we were there. It was supposed to be a get-to-know-the-other-teens dance party, but with only one kid we just played poker and guitar hero 2. The kid left at 10:00 to go to a show, and my supervisor and I chatted and played guitar hero until 12:30, when I was off work (even if no kids showed up, I had to be there just in case). Afterwards she took me to the crew bar, where I got some water and watched some guys play darts, but I lasted maybe fifteen minutes before crawling back to my room and crashing for the night. I also ran into the Latvian somewhere in there, who wanted to know how my first day went. All in all, I'd say it was a good way to earn a living.
The only downside of all of this is that I still had to be at training at 9:00 this morning. So despite my late night, I was up at 7:40 (okay, more like 7:50, there was at least ten minutes of laying in bed and cursing at my alarm) to get dressed and eat some breakfast. Speaking of which, I'm sure those of you who want to know every little detail about what I'm doing (hi, mom and dad) want to know about the food? Naturally, I'm not exactly catered to with five-course meals. How it works is, there's a menu, and there's the food that's out under hot lamps. Most of it is under the lamps, but if something isn't we can order it from dining staff. It's nothing extravagant, and not the greatest, but it's been decent so far. So for breakfast, I had some fruit and a croissant with cheese in it (there always seems to be fruit, some meat and cheese, and today there were a couple types of pastries out). Last night for dinner I had salad, some sort of vegetable soup, and rice. Today for lunch was... yucca something, I don't know but it was good, and more salad. There's a salad bar, so, I'm eating a lot of salad.
After breakfast, I went to the training room a bit early to hang out. They're doing some sort of training for some new corporate trainers, who all seem to be twenty-something girls from 'around Toronto'. They're all really nice, and I didn't have anything else to do, so we chatted until training started. I also hung out with some of them at lunch, as well as meeting some of the entertainment techies – a Romanian and a Croatian this time, and for whatever reason the Romanian thinks I must be from Russia and this California thing is all an act. We also talked sports, and one of the trainers was telling me about how she used to coach a girls' AAA rec hockey team. I wanted to make fun of women's hockey, but she probably could have beat me up so I mocked the Maple Leafs instead.
After lunch was more training until 2:00. I stopped by my room to drop some things off and get cleaned up, but after that it was back to work. The teen programs technically started at noon, but when I got there no one had showed up all day. This has yet to change; I haven't seen a single 15-17-year-old all day and I worked until 5:00. ...but, by 'worked', I actually mean 'played wii sports' and 'watched half a movie'. Regardless, I'm still tired from the lack of sleep. 9-5 should have already been a full day, but I need to go eat dinner soon and I go again from 7:00-12:30. Luckily this is not my normal schedule, it's just what has to happen with training, not to mention a little extra for a super bowl party. On a normal sea day, I can expect to work 12:00-5:30, and then 9:00-1:00. On a port day, it depends... Caymans, they get back on the ship at 3:00 so I start around 2:00. Cozumel, they get back at 8:00 and I start at 8:30. Technically there's a teen excursion in Cozumel, but there's a minimum of three people who need to sign up and that isn't happening this cruise. So I get to SLEEP IN. A LOT. WOO! ...but hopefully I get to do the excursion soon, since it sounds really fun (zip-lining AND snorkeling!).
This evening I get to watch the super bowl and play on the PS2. I play with DJ equipment. This would be the perfect job if my friends and family weren't three time zones away.
P.S. I haven't actually figured out internet yet. I think I know what I need to do, but that requires a trip up to the crew internet cafe (located conveniently off of the crew bar). So far I've only been there really late, or for training, so no internet. I'm writing anyway though, if only to cut down how long it takes to do things once I DO get internet. Maybe tomorrow I'll swing it.
P.P.S. I got my name tags and photo ID today. The ID printer is awful so I look like a very white jack-o-lantern, AND it has the wrong job on it, but whatever. My name tag rocks.
After I turned my computer off and went to dinner last night, things didn't end until 1:15 AM when I crashed into bed and couldn't sleep, because the girl I'm sharing a room with has some odd sleeping habits (who leaves the television on to the cruise channel?!). I mean, I did eventually fall asleep, but that isn't the point.
At dinner, I managed to meet a few more people. The Asst. Cruise Director came over to eat with my trainer and I, and he was incredibly friendly. After he joined us, so did a Latvian guy from the entertainment staff. I managed to match tit for tat with the Latvian guy's wit, and the Asst. Cruise Director was cracking up all the while, gave me a high-five, and said I'd fit in well. That kind of set the tone for the evening.
After dinner I got to start my job, and ONE WHOLE KID showed up the entire time we were there. It was supposed to be a get-to-know-the-other-teens dance party, but with only one kid we just played poker and guitar hero 2. The kid left at 10:00 to go to a show, and my supervisor and I chatted and played guitar hero until 12:30, when I was off work (even if no kids showed up, I had to be there just in case). Afterwards she took me to the crew bar, where I got some water and watched some guys play darts, but I lasted maybe fifteen minutes before crawling back to my room and crashing for the night. I also ran into the Latvian somewhere in there, who wanted to know how my first day went. All in all, I'd say it was a good way to earn a living.
The only downside of all of this is that I still had to be at training at 9:00 this morning. So despite my late night, I was up at 7:40 (okay, more like 7:50, there was at least ten minutes of laying in bed and cursing at my alarm) to get dressed and eat some breakfast. Speaking of which, I'm sure those of you who want to know every little detail about what I'm doing (hi, mom and dad) want to know about the food? Naturally, I'm not exactly catered to with five-course meals. How it works is, there's a menu, and there's the food that's out under hot lamps. Most of it is under the lamps, but if something isn't we can order it from dining staff. It's nothing extravagant, and not the greatest, but it's been decent so far. So for breakfast, I had some fruit and a croissant with cheese in it (there always seems to be fruit, some meat and cheese, and today there were a couple types of pastries out). Last night for dinner I had salad, some sort of vegetable soup, and rice. Today for lunch was... yucca something, I don't know but it was good, and more salad. There's a salad bar, so, I'm eating a lot of salad.
After breakfast, I went to the training room a bit early to hang out. They're doing some sort of training for some new corporate trainers, who all seem to be twenty-something girls from 'around Toronto'. They're all really nice, and I didn't have anything else to do, so we chatted until training started. I also hung out with some of them at lunch, as well as meeting some of the entertainment techies – a Romanian and a Croatian this time, and for whatever reason the Romanian thinks I must be from Russia and this California thing is all an act. We also talked sports, and one of the trainers was telling me about how she used to coach a girls' AAA rec hockey team. I wanted to make fun of women's hockey, but she probably could have beat me up so I mocked the Maple Leafs instead.
After lunch was more training until 2:00. I stopped by my room to drop some things off and get cleaned up, but after that it was back to work. The teen programs technically started at noon, but when I got there no one had showed up all day. This has yet to change; I haven't seen a single 15-17-year-old all day and I worked until 5:00. ...but, by 'worked', I actually mean 'played wii sports' and 'watched half a movie'. Regardless, I'm still tired from the lack of sleep. 9-5 should have already been a full day, but I need to go eat dinner soon and I go again from 7:00-12:30. Luckily this is not my normal schedule, it's just what has to happen with training, not to mention a little extra for a super bowl party. On a normal sea day, I can expect to work 12:00-5:30, and then 9:00-1:00. On a port day, it depends... Caymans, they get back on the ship at 3:00 so I start around 2:00. Cozumel, they get back at 8:00 and I start at 8:30. Technically there's a teen excursion in Cozumel, but there's a minimum of three people who need to sign up and that isn't happening this cruise. So I get to SLEEP IN. A LOT. WOO! ...but hopefully I get to do the excursion soon, since it sounds really fun (zip-lining AND snorkeling!).
This evening I get to watch the super bowl and play on the PS2. I play with DJ equipment. This would be the perfect job if my friends and family weren't three time zones away.
P.S. I haven't actually figured out internet yet. I think I know what I need to do, but that requires a trip up to the crew internet cafe (located conveniently off of the crew bar). So far I've only been there really late, or for training, so no internet. I'm writing anyway though, if only to cut down how long it takes to do things once I DO get internet. Maybe tomorrow I'll swing it.
P.P.S. I got my name tags and photo ID today. The ID printer is awful so I look like a very white jack-o-lantern, AND it has the wrong job on it, but whatever. My name tag rocks.
January 31st
After a week of heart-felt goodbyes and next to no sleep, I have finally arrived on the cruise ship. I can't say it's what I expected, but I didn't know what to expect and was trying to purposely keep said expectations pretty low, so as not to be disappointed. But all in all, I'd have to say things are going pretty well so far.
My trip so far has been harried but mostly uneventful. My flights went fine, as flights go, but I definitely watched the worst in-flight-movie ever (I think it was called 'A Family That Prays'). I waited over an hour for the hotel shuttle before giving up and taking a cab. The company paid for my dinner, for the most part, so I called my parents and hopped down to get something to eat. It was probably about 6:00 local time by the time I was done, but regardless I was exhausted (my flight had left at 6:20 that morning, and I had a late night the evening before). I managed to call a friend, shower, and go online for a little while before just crashing at 10:00. I slept fitfully at best, and woke up at 3:15 too nervous to go back to sleep. It was actually funny, since after getting ready I had spare time and went online again and some of my friends hadn't even gone to bed yet. I caught the coach to the ship at 5:00 AM, and so far it's 6:20 PM and I'm doing fine.
I can't say how I feel about the job itself yet, since so far all I've been to is meetings. There was a safety meeting for all the new people on the ship (there's about fifty of us) about procedures and whatnot, but I remember very little of it. It's kind of cool though, there's all these codes for different emergencies that the guests don't get to know about. There's already been one today, but nothing too exciting. After the safety meeting I had to go to a meeting just for the entertainment staff about new procedures for handling complaints. It was boring, of course, but I liked that I got to see all of the entertainment staff in one place. On the coach ride over I was the youngest person around, and the next-youngest had to have been at least ten years my senior. That's not the case with entertainment: most of them look to be twenty-something, and the male/female ratio is a bit more even. Perhaps I'll get to meet some at the crew lounge (aka bar) tonight.
What I do know about the job so far, is that I have a few easy weeks ahead of me - settling in notwithstanding. This cruise, there's only ten kids in the age range I deal with. Next cruise, there isn't too many more. The cruise after THAT, I think it's a charter by this Christian group and they'll have their own activities. So I get to do a lot of sitting around, adjusting... etc. We're throwing a super bowl party for them tomorrow, but of those ten kids only four are guys. So. We'll see how that goes.
And now I get to go have dinner and, soon after that, start my first shift. Here's hoping it's as easy as it sounds.
My trip so far has been harried but mostly uneventful. My flights went fine, as flights go, but I definitely watched the worst in-flight-movie ever (I think it was called 'A Family That Prays'). I waited over an hour for the hotel shuttle before giving up and taking a cab. The company paid for my dinner, for the most part, so I called my parents and hopped down to get something to eat. It was probably about 6:00 local time by the time I was done, but regardless I was exhausted (my flight had left at 6:20 that morning, and I had a late night the evening before). I managed to call a friend, shower, and go online for a little while before just crashing at 10:00. I slept fitfully at best, and woke up at 3:15 too nervous to go back to sleep. It was actually funny, since after getting ready I had spare time and went online again and some of my friends hadn't even gone to bed yet. I caught the coach to the ship at 5:00 AM, and so far it's 6:20 PM and I'm doing fine.
I can't say how I feel about the job itself yet, since so far all I've been to is meetings. There was a safety meeting for all the new people on the ship (there's about fifty of us) about procedures and whatnot, but I remember very little of it. It's kind of cool though, there's all these codes for different emergencies that the guests don't get to know about. There's already been one today, but nothing too exciting. After the safety meeting I had to go to a meeting just for the entertainment staff about new procedures for handling complaints. It was boring, of course, but I liked that I got to see all of the entertainment staff in one place. On the coach ride over I was the youngest person around, and the next-youngest had to have been at least ten years my senior. That's not the case with entertainment: most of them look to be twenty-something, and the male/female ratio is a bit more even. Perhaps I'll get to meet some at the crew lounge (aka bar) tonight.
What I do know about the job so far, is that I have a few easy weeks ahead of me - settling in notwithstanding. This cruise, there's only ten kids in the age range I deal with. Next cruise, there isn't too many more. The cruise after THAT, I think it's a charter by this Christian group and they'll have their own activities. So I get to do a lot of sitting around, adjusting... etc. We're throwing a super bowl party for them tomorrow, but of those ten kids only four are guys. So. We'll see how that goes.
And now I get to go have dinner and, soon after that, start my first shift. Here's hoping it's as easy as it sounds.
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