So today we were at Castaway again and for once I was actually scheduled on Scuttle time. Usually I’m digging for whale/velociraptor bones or throwing a Caribbean Beach Party, so just being able to play is a nice change. At least, that’s what I thought until I met Deandra.
Deandra is a sweet little girl, age 7, from Atlanta who took one look at me and decided we were besties. After about thirty minutes she got the question every kid asks me at some point, “How old are you?” To which my reply is always, “How old do you think I am?” After looking at me long and hard she announces to everyone that I am sixteen. Yup. I was shocked too. Anyhow, after proclaiming my age she moved on to the second most popular question I get asked, “Do you have a boyfriend?” To which my reply is always, “Nope. Too busy.” And this is where she shocked the living daylights out of me...
“Well, you’re cute, you need one. I’m gonna find you one.” She then proceeds to ask me my likes and dislikes, favorite color, favorite movie, and favorite things to wear. Once she gleaned enough information she proceeded to point out every male in the near vicinity and ask me what I thought of them. After giving her the lowdown on who already had a girlfriend and who didn’t she settled on one of the guys and told me to ask him out. Little did she know, she had picked out a gay man. So with a sly grin I asked him to be my boyfriend, and obviously he accepted. Deandra then decided out courtship had been long enough and told us we should get married. The girl was relentless.
When I told her that we couldn’t get married because he hadn’t asked me yet, she just rolled her eyes and said, “Well he better hurry, otherwise I’m gonna set you up on Match.com.” This girl was seven. SEVEN! She eventually grew tired of matchmaking and moved on to find love for some other YA counselor, but the moment is one I will remember for a long time.
Speaking of finding Mr Right, my friends are getting married today and it kills me that I can’t be there to celebrate with them. So here’s to Travis and Rachel Williams! May your marriage last to the end of your days and be filled with happiness, joy, laughter, and Dave Matthews Band. So happy for you both!
Moving on to other things - as of tomorrow I only have three weeks left in my contract!! They are finally letting me go home!!! I bought space bags in preparation for the great packing adventure. One accumulates more clothes than one arrived with when they are here for six months.
Six months... geez it’s been a long time. I think about things that I’ve done and people I’ve met and I have a really hard time placing it in my contract. Some people were new hires, completed the first contract and are now returning for their second contract and I am STILL here. I figured out the other day that I am missing my one year anniversary with the company by four days. November 2 is my official one year anniversary and I leave on October 28. I’m gonna ask and see if they will give me my year pin on my last cruise. We shall see what happens.
Can’t wait to see everyone! Until next time...
See Ya Real Soon!!
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Rounding Third and Heading for Home...
Over the last month I’ve really started to appreciate life on a ship. Mainly for the people I get to meet and things I am able to do. But I would be lying if I said I wasn’t ready to come home. It’s been a long time and I’m starting to get that all too familiar ache to see Kentucky. Don’t get me wrong, the ocean is fabulous, but this girl needs some land under her feet every so often.
I do have some very good news to report about my vacation. For anyone that doesn’t know, my extension was approved and I will be home October 28 - January 6th. Ten glorious weeks of family, friends, and Christmas cheer! I’m so excited I could pee my pants. Literally.
Recently, we’ve had lots of new hires come on board and they all seem to be very cool people. In the latest batch, we had a new hire ent host for the Club side. It was kind of a surreal moment when I met her because she just looked at me and said, “You’re Allyson! The girl with the blog!” I was a little dazed to say the least. I know people back home read this blog, but I never really thought other people did. Goes to show what I know. Her name is Abigail and she’s from England and according to her my blog was rather helpful in knowing what to expect! I’m feeling rather accomplished now. :)
As far as program go, you’ll all be excited to know that I FINALLY received my very own Dig costume! I’ve only been here since April 29... borrowing other people’s costumes or wearing my glorious YA island attire. But roughly three weeks ago I got my very own shapeless khaki shorts, stuffy orange tshirt, and camper vest. They are amazing and, I say this with actual sincerity, I love them. Speaking of Dig, I don’t know if I’ve ever told you about my professor friend...
Scarlett Rae Nadine hails from Newark, NJ and is very proud of her two-year online degree from the University of Ipswich in Paleontology. She has watched Jurassic Park four times and therefore knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that the giant skeleton in Monstro’s Point is a velociraptor. Albeit, a very large velociraptor, but a velociraptor nonetheless. Other professors have tried to convince her that it is actually a sperm whale, but Scarlett just smiles sweetly and says her favorite phrase, “Agree to disagree, honey...” and then mumbles something about “Why would I waste my degree on some silly fish?” She’s a peach.
An update on other characters and their lives...
Rosie Blackwater, famed pirate of the seven seas, has entered into a exciting new relationship with none other than Captain Hook! Who needs Jack Sparrow when one can be on the arm of the most fashionably dressed pirate in town? (Just don’t tell Captain Hook... Rosie has to tell him first.)
Winifred Penelope Make-O-Mess, III is quickly becoming a fan favorite. She has started to let the children know a little more about her history. For example, she tells stories about herself and her younger brother, Magnesium and the ill-fated day they tried to make flubber with dynamite. Not a good idea, mind you, since that is what caused her hair (and his for that matter) to turn such a lovely shade of green. She also recounts tales of her college days with roommates Breckan and Juliette. Poor girls didn’t know what was coming when they found Winnie on the floor with her beaker set on move-in day. Let’s just say, their beloved pets - Mr Sprinkles (a cat) and Bo-bo (a bird) - did not survive the situation. Winnie loves to experiment with dynamite...
Guinter has been taking “Be a Lady” Lessons with Detective Clue due to her tendency to steal things... like baby pygmy hippos. She actually received a gold star in curtseying last week during her work on Get The Hook. She showed off her excellent curtsies to Captain Hook and Mr Smee, who were most impressed. Next week, Guinter will be working on posture and balance. I hear tell ribbon dancing is involved.
Enough updates for now. I have plenty of other stories I am not legally allowed to put in writing, but I’ll be happy to hint vaguely at their nature over some Orange Leaf or Starbucks when I get home.
Until next time...
See Ya Real Soon!
I do have some very good news to report about my vacation. For anyone that doesn’t know, my extension was approved and I will be home October 28 - January 6th. Ten glorious weeks of family, friends, and Christmas cheer! I’m so excited I could pee my pants. Literally.
Recently, we’ve had lots of new hires come on board and they all seem to be very cool people. In the latest batch, we had a new hire ent host for the Club side. It was kind of a surreal moment when I met her because she just looked at me and said, “You’re Allyson! The girl with the blog!” I was a little dazed to say the least. I know people back home read this blog, but I never really thought other people did. Goes to show what I know. Her name is Abigail and she’s from England and according to her my blog was rather helpful in knowing what to expect! I’m feeling rather accomplished now. :)
As far as program go, you’ll all be excited to know that I FINALLY received my very own Dig costume! I’ve only been here since April 29... borrowing other people’s costumes or wearing my glorious YA island attire. But roughly three weeks ago I got my very own shapeless khaki shorts, stuffy orange tshirt, and camper vest. They are amazing and, I say this with actual sincerity, I love them. Speaking of Dig, I don’t know if I’ve ever told you about my professor friend...
Scarlett Rae Nadine hails from Newark, NJ and is very proud of her two-year online degree from the University of Ipswich in Paleontology. She has watched Jurassic Park four times and therefore knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that the giant skeleton in Monstro’s Point is a velociraptor. Albeit, a very large velociraptor, but a velociraptor nonetheless. Other professors have tried to convince her that it is actually a sperm whale, but Scarlett just smiles sweetly and says her favorite phrase, “Agree to disagree, honey...” and then mumbles something about “Why would I waste my degree on some silly fish?” She’s a peach.
An update on other characters and their lives...
Rosie Blackwater, famed pirate of the seven seas, has entered into a exciting new relationship with none other than Captain Hook! Who needs Jack Sparrow when one can be on the arm of the most fashionably dressed pirate in town? (Just don’t tell Captain Hook... Rosie has to tell him first.)
Winifred Penelope Make-O-Mess, III is quickly becoming a fan favorite. She has started to let the children know a little more about her history. For example, she tells stories about herself and her younger brother, Magnesium and the ill-fated day they tried to make flubber with dynamite. Not a good idea, mind you, since that is what caused her hair (and his for that matter) to turn such a lovely shade of green. She also recounts tales of her college days with roommates Breckan and Juliette. Poor girls didn’t know what was coming when they found Winnie on the floor with her beaker set on move-in day. Let’s just say, their beloved pets - Mr Sprinkles (a cat) and Bo-bo (a bird) - did not survive the situation. Winnie loves to experiment with dynamite...
Guinter has been taking “Be a Lady” Lessons with Detective Clue due to her tendency to steal things... like baby pygmy hippos. She actually received a gold star in curtseying last week during her work on Get The Hook. She showed off her excellent curtsies to Captain Hook and Mr Smee, who were most impressed. Next week, Guinter will be working on posture and balance. I hear tell ribbon dancing is involved.
Enough updates for now. I have plenty of other stories I am not legally allowed to put in writing, but I’ll be happy to hint vaguely at their nature over some Orange Leaf or Starbucks when I get home.
Until next time...
See Ya Real Soon!
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Hurricane Isaac and the Ghosts of Cruises Past...
I’ve been working on board a ship now for almost a year and I’ve never once been seasick. I’ve survived tropical storms, wind gusts, and even children being sick on me, yet none of it phased me in the slightest. Hurricane Isaac, however, made me feel like I was going to lose it. I was standing there, in full Detective mode, discussing case details with the children when I felt the ship pitch to the right and suddenly my future flashed before me. I could see myself blowing my lunch on the first few rows of Junior Detectives seated before me. I paused in my speech and took a deep breath as the ship pitched back to the left. Yup, I was definitely going to lose it. I went to the side and steadied myself against the briefcases we stack against the wall and continued. Luckily, I kept it together for the duration of the program, but for a moment there things were a little iffy.
The rest of the cruise was pretty miserable. Isaac rained out our first day at Castaway, after we were over an hour late at docking due to the choppy seas. The next day was a sea day, and I can honestly say I’ve never seen it look more miserable outside. We ended up having to reschedule Pirate Night and the fireworks for the next day. Parents and kids alike were not pleased. So we rolled into Nassau, to find it full of sunshine (yay!) but that night during the Pirate show, the fireworks failed to go off due to technical difficulties. You can probably imagine how the guests were feeling now. They finally managed to get the fireworks to go off on the last night of the cruise. Of course, many of the Edge children didn’t get to see them because I was scaring the living daylights out of them with Ghost Voyagers.
Ghost Voyagers is a program we have on board aimed at the teens and tweens. We sit them down and explain that we are sailing through the Bermuda Triangle, which is true, and that strange and mysterious things have happened throughout history in this area. We tell them about Blackbeard and the Mary Celeste, and then we tell them about Tina. The story of Tina is a sad and tragic one that I will not repeat here. If you want to hear it, ask me when I get home. The terrifying part is that sometimes Tina is listening. She likes to send us signals when she is there. That really freaks the kids out. This last cruise Tina was very communicative and we had one girl start crying on us. Later that evening when I got home, my roommate informed me she was on Deck 4 when the horde of Edge kids went running by, scared for their lives, and she counted seven crying. Ghost Voyagers for the win! Normally we do not advocate making the children cry, but in this case they want to be scared. They get what they asked for.
Speaking of getting what you ask for, at the moment that’s not really working out for me. When I initially agreed to extend my contract until October 28, (a full two months, people) it was under the impression that I would also have an extended vacation allowing me to be home for Christmas. Well according to the latest roadmap (ie the giant schedule of everyone’s lives and contract dates) I am STILL returning on December 9. This is not okay. Six months on board for only six weeks off? Excuse me, rude! So I am doing my best to stay calm, but I am not accepting this lightly. I am trying every option I can to remind them of their promise and to get my vacation extended. So say a couple prayers and keep your fingers crossed that everything works out. If I am back on this boat before Christmas I will NOT be a happy camper. I love my job, but I love spending holidays with my family more. If you’d like to see the downward spiral of depression that I go through while celebrating Christmas at Sea go have a look at December’s blogs from last year.
Everything should work out well though since there’s about to be a big shake-up in the Ent Host department. Rumor has it some of our hosts are going to the Fantasy and some of the Fantasy hosts are coming here because they have an abundance of trainers and we have one. When that all goes down, contract dates will be different and it will hopefully work to my advantage to have an extended vacation. I’m just hoping they don’t have too many Ent Hosts because then I am the one that gets stepped down, since I’m still technically on a Temporary Line. I don’t receive the permanent line until I come back from vacation. See what they did there? Ensuring I will return by offering me a permanent line? Sneaky. (Granted I was going to return anyway, so there was really no need to try and entice me with a permanent line.)
Moving on to brighter things, I get to have a decent meal this cruise!! My amazing roommate (who thinks she is leaving me in a few weeks to go home, silly Australian) put in a dining request for us and it got approved! We will be eating at Animator’s Palate on Sea Day (aka Pirate Night)! This will be the second time I’ve eaten in Animator’s. I’ve also gotten to eat in Royal Palace twice (once for Captain’s Breakfast, and once for winning the YA Raffle) and Cabana’s twice. The only restaurant, besides Remy and Palo (which I’m technically not allowed to go to), that I haven’t eaten in is Enchanted Garden. Contract goal for next time around! So far my favorite has been the appetizers at Royal Palace and the entrees at Animators for dinner, and the whole of Cabana’s for lunch. Ask my family about Cabana’s, they’ll tell you of its wonders.
The only other thing worth reporting is that I was nominated for Counselor of the Month. We still don’t know who won, and if it wasn’t me that’s okay too. It was a surprise to be nominated since Ent Hosts are usually forgotten, so that’s good enough for me. (Although it would be nice to win, since that means I get to eat another good meal!)
Until next time,
See Ya Real Soon!
The rest of the cruise was pretty miserable. Isaac rained out our first day at Castaway, after we were over an hour late at docking due to the choppy seas. The next day was a sea day, and I can honestly say I’ve never seen it look more miserable outside. We ended up having to reschedule Pirate Night and the fireworks for the next day. Parents and kids alike were not pleased. So we rolled into Nassau, to find it full of sunshine (yay!) but that night during the Pirate show, the fireworks failed to go off due to technical difficulties. You can probably imagine how the guests were feeling now. They finally managed to get the fireworks to go off on the last night of the cruise. Of course, many of the Edge children didn’t get to see them because I was scaring the living daylights out of them with Ghost Voyagers.
Ghost Voyagers is a program we have on board aimed at the teens and tweens. We sit them down and explain that we are sailing through the Bermuda Triangle, which is true, and that strange and mysterious things have happened throughout history in this area. We tell them about Blackbeard and the Mary Celeste, and then we tell them about Tina. The story of Tina is a sad and tragic one that I will not repeat here. If you want to hear it, ask me when I get home. The terrifying part is that sometimes Tina is listening. She likes to send us signals when she is there. That really freaks the kids out. This last cruise Tina was very communicative and we had one girl start crying on us. Later that evening when I got home, my roommate informed me she was on Deck 4 when the horde of Edge kids went running by, scared for their lives, and she counted seven crying. Ghost Voyagers for the win! Normally we do not advocate making the children cry, but in this case they want to be scared. They get what they asked for.
Speaking of getting what you ask for, at the moment that’s not really working out for me. When I initially agreed to extend my contract until October 28, (a full two months, people) it was under the impression that I would also have an extended vacation allowing me to be home for Christmas. Well according to the latest roadmap (ie the giant schedule of everyone’s lives and contract dates) I am STILL returning on December 9. This is not okay. Six months on board for only six weeks off? Excuse me, rude! So I am doing my best to stay calm, but I am not accepting this lightly. I am trying every option I can to remind them of their promise and to get my vacation extended. So say a couple prayers and keep your fingers crossed that everything works out. If I am back on this boat before Christmas I will NOT be a happy camper. I love my job, but I love spending holidays with my family more. If you’d like to see the downward spiral of depression that I go through while celebrating Christmas at Sea go have a look at December’s blogs from last year.
Everything should work out well though since there’s about to be a big shake-up in the Ent Host department. Rumor has it some of our hosts are going to the Fantasy and some of the Fantasy hosts are coming here because they have an abundance of trainers and we have one. When that all goes down, contract dates will be different and it will hopefully work to my advantage to have an extended vacation. I’m just hoping they don’t have too many Ent Hosts because then I am the one that gets stepped down, since I’m still technically on a Temporary Line. I don’t receive the permanent line until I come back from vacation. See what they did there? Ensuring I will return by offering me a permanent line? Sneaky. (Granted I was going to return anyway, so there was really no need to try and entice me with a permanent line.)
Moving on to brighter things, I get to have a decent meal this cruise!! My amazing roommate (who thinks she is leaving me in a few weeks to go home, silly Australian) put in a dining request for us and it got approved! We will be eating at Animator’s Palate on Sea Day (aka Pirate Night)! This will be the second time I’ve eaten in Animator’s. I’ve also gotten to eat in Royal Palace twice (once for Captain’s Breakfast, and once for winning the YA Raffle) and Cabana’s twice. The only restaurant, besides Remy and Palo (which I’m technically not allowed to go to), that I haven’t eaten in is Enchanted Garden. Contract goal for next time around! So far my favorite has been the appetizers at Royal Palace and the entrees at Animators for dinner, and the whole of Cabana’s for lunch. Ask my family about Cabana’s, they’ll tell you of its wonders.
The only other thing worth reporting is that I was nominated for Counselor of the Month. We still don’t know who won, and if it wasn’t me that’s okay too. It was a surprise to be nominated since Ent Hosts are usually forgotten, so that’s good enough for me. (Although it would be nice to win, since that means I get to eat another good meal!)
Until next time,
See Ya Real Soon!
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Captain's Pajamas
So I’m writing this update three days after I was supposed to be back in God’s Country, sleeping in my own bed. Yet here I am, still sailing in the Bahamas. Why, you may ask? Well, after a bunch of stuff went down on the Fantasy, they were in need of a new YA Ent Host. Nicole was sent over to the Fantasy, which then left her line wide open. I had asked to extend so viola! Now I’m here until October 28. But the good news to that is that I will be home for Christmas. They don’t approve vacation extensions until closer to time, but since I agreed to extend for so long, they are working to extend my vacation the extra two weeks to get me past the lockout dates. Technically I am supposed to come back on December 9th. The Lockout Dates (the dates in which no new crew members come on board and no current crew members leave) are December 16 - January 6. So I would be back on board January 6th (ish) and then my contract would go through the end of April / beginning of May. All the details are getting worked out as we speak.
In other news, we’ve restarted a program on board called Captain’s Corner. This is when the captain of the ship comes to one of the YA or Family spaces and has an open Q&A session with the audience. I’ve had the fortunate opportunity to mediate two of these sessions now, one in Edge and one today in the Oceaneer Lab. It’s a really cool moment for the kids to interact with the captain. Today they had loads of questions about driving the boat, who was the safest captain, how much sleep the captain gets, how to become a captain, and other really cool things. There was one kid, however, who told the captain random stories. Example: “My dad has special pants that he sleeps in and then he wears them and goes to sleep.” Captain Guus looked at me and I said the first thing that came to mind, “I think he wants to know if you have special Captain’s Pajamas.” Turns out, in case you were wondering, Captain Guus sleeps in Disney Cruise Line pjs and has a special DCL jogging suit.
I am now making a shameless plea... for mail. I LIKE MAIL. Postcards, letters, care packages stuffed with candy and silly things like playdoh & coloring books. MAIL. It makes me feel loved, just saying. Look to the side of this blog, there are two addresses... one for regular letters and one for packages. If you feel like visiting, send me an email at allyson.m.smith@gmail.com or contact me on Facebook. I also like visitors!!! And let’s be honest, you know you want a short jaunt to Cape Canaveral to check out a Disney Cruise ship and see me! :)
If you can’t make it to Florida, or have forgotten how actual mail works in this age of electronic overload, have no fear! I’ll be home in 80 days. Until then...
See Ya Real Soon!
In other news, we’ve restarted a program on board called Captain’s Corner. This is when the captain of the ship comes to one of the YA or Family spaces and has an open Q&A session with the audience. I’ve had the fortunate opportunity to mediate two of these sessions now, one in Edge and one today in the Oceaneer Lab. It’s a really cool moment for the kids to interact with the captain. Today they had loads of questions about driving the boat, who was the safest captain, how much sleep the captain gets, how to become a captain, and other really cool things. There was one kid, however, who told the captain random stories. Example: “My dad has special pants that he sleeps in and then he wears them and goes to sleep.” Captain Guus looked at me and I said the first thing that came to mind, “I think he wants to know if you have special Captain’s Pajamas.” Turns out, in case you were wondering, Captain Guus sleeps in Disney Cruise Line pjs and has a special DCL jogging suit.
I am now making a shameless plea... for mail. I LIKE MAIL. Postcards, letters, care packages stuffed with candy and silly things like playdoh & coloring books. MAIL. It makes me feel loved, just saying. Look to the side of this blog, there are two addresses... one for regular letters and one for packages. If you feel like visiting, send me an email at allyson.m.smith@gmail.com or contact me on Facebook. I also like visitors!!! And let’s be honest, you know you want a short jaunt to Cape Canaveral to check out a Disney Cruise ship and see me! :)
If you can’t make it to Florida, or have forgotten how actual mail works in this age of electronic overload, have no fear! I’ll be home in 80 days. Until then...
See Ya Real Soon!
Friday, July 13, 2012
Let's Play Catch-Up...
So I hadn’t realized it until one of my friends pointed it out, but it’s been a while since I updated. Whoops!
With the exception of day to day life on board the ship, the only thing worth note in my life is what’s going on with my contract. That is a grand mystery even I don’t know all the details to.
Let me break it down for you. When I first came on board back in April, my crew id card listed my debark date as September 2. When I first approached my manager about extending my contract I discovered I’d already been extended to September 9. So that was the first change. Then I tried to switch contracts with one of the other Ent Hosts, Nicole, and extend my debark date until October 28. Well while that was trying to go through I was given a new contract to sign which now has my debark date listed as August 5. This all may sound a little ridiculous, but the reason it is so crazy is that the management team is trying to find me a permanent line. Technically speaking, I am only a temporary step-up into the Entertainment Host role. However, if I go home on August 5, when I come back I should be able to come back in a permanent position. So good news, they want to make me permanent! The problem lies in scheduling. So at the moment, until they tell me otherwise, I am coming home on August 5. That’s only four more cruises after this one!
This contract has flown by. I’m loving my job and having an absolute blast in my new role. I got my mid-contract review the other day and along with a glowing report I received some really nice scores as well. I’m right on track in all areas and even excelling in Character Development/Performance(Work Quality/Quantity) and Adaptability. Sometimes it’s just nice to know that people like what you’re doing and think you should be doing it permanently.
I got to meet a celebrity a few cruises ago. I was on Welcome Line and this HR lady comes up with a very serious look on her face and tells me I am not allowed to announce the next guest. (At DCL, we announce each family as they enter over the microphone saying something along the lines of, “Disney Dream, please give a warm welcome to the Smith Family!” etc.) So I was a little put off at this, until I saw who it was. Striding up the gangway in chinos, a chambray button down, and a straw fedora was none other than John Stamos (aka - Uncle Jesse, from Full House). At this point, it took everything in me not to let the words, “Have Mercy!” come flying out of my mouth. He walked over to us and briefly talked with the HR lady who told him that she had given me express instructions not to announce him and then he looked at me and said, “Oh that’s ok, you can just say Welcome Aboard if you want.” and then he shook my hand and smiled. That’s right, I’ve spoken with, and shook the hand of John Stamos. Childhood Dream #456 accomplished! So, I said Welcome Aboard and the whole Stamos clan - aunts, uncles, grandparents, kids, mom, and pop - boarded the ship and made their way to the Walt Disney Suite up on the concierge level.
If that weren’t enough, about ten minutes later one of the ladies from Terminal comes rushing up the gangway and hands me a VIP packet. She tells me that I’m about to welcome Miss Universe on board the ship. Holy smoke! This glamazon woman comes up behind her, easily 6’5”, and one of the most gorgeous women I’ve ever seen. I can’t even tell you what her name was because I was so speechless. My brain was still jumping from John Stamos, and then you throw Miss Universe at me. It was a pretty eventful day on Welcome Line to say the least!
We had a Crew PremEAR of Brave and I finally managed to see it a few weeks ago. It was really cute, and I liked it a lot, but I do have one complaint. There should be a warning before it, which states the following: All persons watching this movie without their mothers are hereby warned of impending meltdowns and tears. Good. Lord. It was almost as bad as the first five minutes of UP! Thanks a lot Pixar for making me cry like a baby at some point in all of your stinking movies! There I am, sitting alone in the Buena Vista theater, watching this movie and missing my mom like crazy. And then, BOOM, major plot points cue the waterworks. The guests in the row in front of me actually turned around to look at me. It was that bad. In fact, it was right up there with my little meltdown the first time I ever saw Believe and Dr. Greenaway dances with and sings to his daughter. Don’t you people know I miss my family?! STOP MAKING ME CRY!
In other news, I’M AN AUNTIE!!!!! Well, not in the human sense... Haley did not have a baby. But she did get a puppy! Well, puppy is a strong word. Captain Jack is a full blood Great Dane. So he’s more like a small horse than a dog. And he has already marked his territory in my car... by throwing up. Haley knows she needs to get that professionally cleaned. And if she hasn’t done so yet, she’s got until August 5 to make it so. I expect to see a receipt as proof. Just saying. But, besides that, he is quite adorable and I can’t wait to meet him!! Check him out!
Well that’s really all I have for you guys at the moment! Life is good, I love my job, and I’m excited to come home in a few weeks!
Until then...
See Ya Real Soon!
With the exception of day to day life on board the ship, the only thing worth note in my life is what’s going on with my contract. That is a grand mystery even I don’t know all the details to.
Let me break it down for you. When I first came on board back in April, my crew id card listed my debark date as September 2. When I first approached my manager about extending my contract I discovered I’d already been extended to September 9. So that was the first change. Then I tried to switch contracts with one of the other Ent Hosts, Nicole, and extend my debark date until October 28. Well while that was trying to go through I was given a new contract to sign which now has my debark date listed as August 5. This all may sound a little ridiculous, but the reason it is so crazy is that the management team is trying to find me a permanent line. Technically speaking, I am only a temporary step-up into the Entertainment Host role. However, if I go home on August 5, when I come back I should be able to come back in a permanent position. So good news, they want to make me permanent! The problem lies in scheduling. So at the moment, until they tell me otherwise, I am coming home on August 5. That’s only four more cruises after this one!
This contract has flown by. I’m loving my job and having an absolute blast in my new role. I got my mid-contract review the other day and along with a glowing report I received some really nice scores as well. I’m right on track in all areas and even excelling in Character Development/Performance(Work Quality/Quantity) and Adaptability. Sometimes it’s just nice to know that people like what you’re doing and think you should be doing it permanently.
I got to meet a celebrity a few cruises ago. I was on Welcome Line and this HR lady comes up with a very serious look on her face and tells me I am not allowed to announce the next guest. (At DCL, we announce each family as they enter over the microphone saying something along the lines of, “Disney Dream, please give a warm welcome to the Smith Family!” etc.) So I was a little put off at this, until I saw who it was. Striding up the gangway in chinos, a chambray button down, and a straw fedora was none other than John Stamos (aka - Uncle Jesse, from Full House). At this point, it took everything in me not to let the words, “Have Mercy!” come flying out of my mouth. He walked over to us and briefly talked with the HR lady who told him that she had given me express instructions not to announce him and then he looked at me and said, “Oh that’s ok, you can just say Welcome Aboard if you want.” and then he shook my hand and smiled. That’s right, I’ve spoken with, and shook the hand of John Stamos. Childhood Dream #456 accomplished! So, I said Welcome Aboard and the whole Stamos clan - aunts, uncles, grandparents, kids, mom, and pop - boarded the ship and made their way to the Walt Disney Suite up on the concierge level.
If that weren’t enough, about ten minutes later one of the ladies from Terminal comes rushing up the gangway and hands me a VIP packet. She tells me that I’m about to welcome Miss Universe on board the ship. Holy smoke! This glamazon woman comes up behind her, easily 6’5”, and one of the most gorgeous women I’ve ever seen. I can’t even tell you what her name was because I was so speechless. My brain was still jumping from John Stamos, and then you throw Miss Universe at me. It was a pretty eventful day on Welcome Line to say the least!
We had a Crew PremEAR of Brave and I finally managed to see it a few weeks ago. It was really cute, and I liked it a lot, but I do have one complaint. There should be a warning before it, which states the following: All persons watching this movie without their mothers are hereby warned of impending meltdowns and tears. Good. Lord. It was almost as bad as the first five minutes of UP! Thanks a lot Pixar for making me cry like a baby at some point in all of your stinking movies! There I am, sitting alone in the Buena Vista theater, watching this movie and missing my mom like crazy. And then, BOOM, major plot points cue the waterworks. The guests in the row in front of me actually turned around to look at me. It was that bad. In fact, it was right up there with my little meltdown the first time I ever saw Believe and Dr. Greenaway dances with and sings to his daughter. Don’t you people know I miss my family?! STOP MAKING ME CRY!
In other news, I’M AN AUNTIE!!!!! Well, not in the human sense... Haley did not have a baby. But she did get a puppy! Well, puppy is a strong word. Captain Jack is a full blood Great Dane. So he’s more like a small horse than a dog. And he has already marked his territory in my car... by throwing up. Haley knows she needs to get that professionally cleaned. And if she hasn’t done so yet, she’s got until August 5 to make it so. I expect to see a receipt as proof. Just saying. But, besides that, he is quite adorable and I can’t wait to meet him!! Check him out!
Well that’s really all I have for you guys at the moment! Life is good, I love my job, and I’m excited to come home in a few weeks!
Until then...
See Ya Real Soon!
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Bug Bites, Captain’s Breakfast, Catamarans, and Kentucky Digging...
So there is some sort of mutant bug living on Castaway Cay which is wreaking havoc on the DCL Crew Members. Fortunately, this epidemic hasn’t come for me yet. However, my old roomie, Abi, has not been so lucky. She had a huge bite on the back of her leg which got infected. It was so bad she was signed off of work for 24hours. Other YA Counselors have been signed out as well, and according to management, the same sort of thing is happening on the Fantasy. What does all this mean? Clearly it means the bugs are mutating and planning to take over the Earth, starting in Castaway Cay. Prepare yourselves for Bug Armageddon. The only good thing to come from this string of Bug Attacks has been the fact housekeeping had to come and really give our room a good cleaning (just in case it was the dreaded Bed Bugs). So that was nice.
Moving on, as a Lab Entertainment Host, I am also called upon to be in Edge Programs as well. This means I spend a lot of time up in the smoke stack with all of our lovely ten to fourteen year-old guests. I have discovered that this particular group is a special case. They are “too cool” to believe in kiddy stuff, but they secretly love it just as much as the little ones down in the Oceaneer Club. However, the real fun comes from the fact they like to heckle you, but they don’t expect you to heckle back. I love to heckle back. It almost turns into some weird throwback of “Oh yeah, well yo momma...” from the nineties. But if you can keep up with them, they respect you. And I think I’m doing a pretty good job since I’ve gotten a few positive comments because of it.
The same goes for Vibe and the Teens. Heckling is taken to a new level there and you have to flat out shut some kids down. My friend, Professor Make-O-Mess, was recently up in Vibe teaching them how to make flubber and it was a hilarious sarcasm filled endeavor which left the counselors in stitches and the kids smirking through the whole thing. Professor likes Vibe.
An update on my Costuming issues... apparently my measurements were lost by shoreside. So I’ve been measured again and am currently waiting on the remaining pieces of my wardrobe. When I was told of these exciting developments, I had to force myself to take a few deep breaths to keep calm. If they don’t get my pieces to me soon, we’re going to be in the dreaded Crossover time. Crossover is when one Mainstage cast is getting ready to leave and the new Mainstage cast has come on board for the handover. It’s an absolute madhouse in the entertainment department between all the new rehearsals, costumes, and cast changeover. If I don’t have my costumes before then, I may never get them. So keep your fingers crossed for me, ok?
Some exciting news for everyone: I was invited to Captain’s Breakfast! Now, there are two kinds of Captain’s Breakfast. There’s the one which happens around 5:00am and ends with a security escort and a pink slip. Then there’s the one at 8:30am where you get dressed up and actually have breakfast with the Captain and he asks you questions about your life and has you answer some pre-arranged questions as well. Just so we’re clear, I went to the latter. The questions I was given to think about were,
Speaking of pictures, if any of you have been on my Facebook recently I hope you saw my pictures from the recent YA Catamaran trip. We were given the trip as a reward for our hard work, excellent scores, and positive guest feedback. They split us into three groups and on three consecutive Nassau days the let one group go on the tour. I was in the second group. The tour itself was a thirty minute ride on a catamaran over to a secluded coral reef where we were given snorkel equipment and allowed to snorkel for about thirty minutes and then we headed back to the ship. We work so hard, and so many long days, that when we get to do something just for fun it’s really nice. There have been so many times that I haven’t even been able to get off the ship in Nassau because I was working. When I do get off the ship it’s to go to Starbucks and Subway for food and internet and then turn right back around and go back to work. So getting to take a trip and do a little relaxing in the sun with my friends was the highlight of my week. Check out the pictures! Elise let me borrow her camera (which is waterproof) so I could take lots of really cool pictures.
The best thing I want to tell everyone about is my first day on Dig at Castaway. We have a place called Monstro’s Point on the island where long ago, an enormous Sperm Whale washed ashore and was beached in this area. His skeleton remains and the people who found him named him Monstro after the Sperm Whale in Pinnochio. The area is not set up as an archaeological dig site for children and families to come and excavate for whale teeth and various fossils buried in the sand. When we are scheduled on Dig, we are Professors or Apprentices, in charge of running the dig and recording the names and information of anyone who finds a whale tooth so we can send it off to the London Natural Science Museum where their names will be entered into the log of Junior Archaeologists. Well, due to costuming issues, I have never been able to take part in this. Finally, I was approved to borrow another Host’s costumes and do my job. For the first part of the day, there are two dig sessions which are for the children in Scuttle’s Cove only. Later on from 1:00-2:00pm, we have Family Dig time where anyone can come into Monstro’s Point.
So there I was, sweating to death in the heat, getting ready to start family dig when I notice a queue starting outside the gate. There are easily twenty people waiting to come inside. So I go over and open the gate, explain what we are doing and hand out shovels and sifters to everyone I can. As I’m doing this even more people start to pour in. I ended up with about fifty people in Monstro’s Point digging for whale teeth. As I’m overseeing and moving around talking to people I come across a father with a UK hat on. My initial reaction whenever I see anyone in UK attire on board is to shout, “GO CATS!” and then immediately explain that I am from Lexington/Winchester and a UK Grad. Well, as it turns out, four of the families in Monstro’s at this point were all traveling together and were all from Lexington as well. We had a nice long chat and their kids took pictures with me and everything. Their kids turned out to be pretty excellent Junior Archaeologists as well, since they each found about three teeth. I was so excited to meet them and talk about home for a while. Later on that night when we got back on the ship, they saw me in the hallway and started the CATS cheer. I happily obliged.
In my last little bit of news, order has been restored to my DCL world. Elise and I are finally roommates again. Praise the Lord! (Not to say that my first two roomies were bad or anything, I just really wanted to be back in a room with Elise). And finally, I GET TO SEE MY FAMILY IN FIVE WEEKS!!!!!!! They are coming to visit me on July 22 and I am so excited!!!
Until next time...
See Ya Real Soon!
Moving on, as a Lab Entertainment Host, I am also called upon to be in Edge Programs as well. This means I spend a lot of time up in the smoke stack with all of our lovely ten to fourteen year-old guests. I have discovered that this particular group is a special case. They are “too cool” to believe in kiddy stuff, but they secretly love it just as much as the little ones down in the Oceaneer Club. However, the real fun comes from the fact they like to heckle you, but they don’t expect you to heckle back. I love to heckle back. It almost turns into some weird throwback of “Oh yeah, well yo momma...” from the nineties. But if you can keep up with them, they respect you. And I think I’m doing a pretty good job since I’ve gotten a few positive comments because of it.
The same goes for Vibe and the Teens. Heckling is taken to a new level there and you have to flat out shut some kids down. My friend, Professor Make-O-Mess, was recently up in Vibe teaching them how to make flubber and it was a hilarious sarcasm filled endeavor which left the counselors in stitches and the kids smirking through the whole thing. Professor likes Vibe.
An update on my Costuming issues... apparently my measurements were lost by shoreside. So I’ve been measured again and am currently waiting on the remaining pieces of my wardrobe. When I was told of these exciting developments, I had to force myself to take a few deep breaths to keep calm. If they don’t get my pieces to me soon, we’re going to be in the dreaded Crossover time. Crossover is when one Mainstage cast is getting ready to leave and the new Mainstage cast has come on board for the handover. It’s an absolute madhouse in the entertainment department between all the new rehearsals, costumes, and cast changeover. If I don’t have my costumes before then, I may never get them. So keep your fingers crossed for me, ok?
Some exciting news for everyone: I was invited to Captain’s Breakfast! Now, there are two kinds of Captain’s Breakfast. There’s the one which happens around 5:00am and ends with a security escort and a pink slip. Then there’s the one at 8:30am where you get dressed up and actually have breakfast with the Captain and he asks you questions about your life and has you answer some pre-arranged questions as well. Just so we’re clear, I went to the latter. The questions I was given to think about were,
1. What is the best thing about the Disney Dream?
2. If you were the Captain, what would you change?
3. What does the “Disney Legacy” mean to you?
The breakfast was really nice, considering it was one big ole Boys Club and I was the only female in the room. I did get to sit next to Captain Henry and enjoy some amazing grilled pineapple french toast from Royal Palace. That’s the other really exciting thing about Captain’s Breakfast, you get to eat in one of the Guest Restaurants. I know my grandmother is going to kill me for this, but I forgot my camera and therefore do not have a picture of myself with Captain Henry. Sorry! 2. If you were the Captain, what would you change?
3. What does the “Disney Legacy” mean to you?
Speaking of pictures, if any of you have been on my Facebook recently I hope you saw my pictures from the recent YA Catamaran trip. We were given the trip as a reward for our hard work, excellent scores, and positive guest feedback. They split us into three groups and on three consecutive Nassau days the let one group go on the tour. I was in the second group. The tour itself was a thirty minute ride on a catamaran over to a secluded coral reef where we were given snorkel equipment and allowed to snorkel for about thirty minutes and then we headed back to the ship. We work so hard, and so many long days, that when we get to do something just for fun it’s really nice. There have been so many times that I haven’t even been able to get off the ship in Nassau because I was working. When I do get off the ship it’s to go to Starbucks and Subway for food and internet and then turn right back around and go back to work. So getting to take a trip and do a little relaxing in the sun with my friends was the highlight of my week. Check out the pictures! Elise let me borrow her camera (which is waterproof) so I could take lots of really cool pictures.
The best thing I want to tell everyone about is my first day on Dig at Castaway. We have a place called Monstro’s Point on the island where long ago, an enormous Sperm Whale washed ashore and was beached in this area. His skeleton remains and the people who found him named him Monstro after the Sperm Whale in Pinnochio. The area is not set up as an archaeological dig site for children and families to come and excavate for whale teeth and various fossils buried in the sand. When we are scheduled on Dig, we are Professors or Apprentices, in charge of running the dig and recording the names and information of anyone who finds a whale tooth so we can send it off to the London Natural Science Museum where their names will be entered into the log of Junior Archaeologists. Well, due to costuming issues, I have never been able to take part in this. Finally, I was approved to borrow another Host’s costumes and do my job. For the first part of the day, there are two dig sessions which are for the children in Scuttle’s Cove only. Later on from 1:00-2:00pm, we have Family Dig time where anyone can come into Monstro’s Point.
So there I was, sweating to death in the heat, getting ready to start family dig when I notice a queue starting outside the gate. There are easily twenty people waiting to come inside. So I go over and open the gate, explain what we are doing and hand out shovels and sifters to everyone I can. As I’m doing this even more people start to pour in. I ended up with about fifty people in Monstro’s Point digging for whale teeth. As I’m overseeing and moving around talking to people I come across a father with a UK hat on. My initial reaction whenever I see anyone in UK attire on board is to shout, “GO CATS!” and then immediately explain that I am from Lexington/Winchester and a UK Grad. Well, as it turns out, four of the families in Monstro’s at this point were all traveling together and were all from Lexington as well. We had a nice long chat and their kids took pictures with me and everything. Their kids turned out to be pretty excellent Junior Archaeologists as well, since they each found about three teeth. I was so excited to meet them and talk about home for a while. Later on that night when we got back on the ship, they saw me in the hallway and started the CATS cheer. I happily obliged.
In my last little bit of news, order has been restored to my DCL world. Elise and I are finally roommates again. Praise the Lord! (Not to say that my first two roomies were bad or anything, I just really wanted to be back in a room with Elise). And finally, I GET TO SEE MY FAMILY IN FIVE WEEKS!!!!!!! They are coming to visit me on July 22 and I am so excited!!!
Until next time...
See Ya Real Soon!
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Incoming Personality Disorder...
So one of the members on the Lab Team was medically debarked for this last cruise. She tore her ACL during a program and now she’s gone home to merry England for recovery. This means we were down a person for the last cruise. When this happen in Ent Host land, everyone picks up the slack. In one day’s time, I was in every major program and (with the exception of Detective), played every major character. Now, kids are usually pretty slow on the uptake about who is really playing who. But when you’re in every program... they tend to get wise.
One little boy, bless his heart, stared at me for a full five minutes trying to figure it out. A few others would call me by my previous character’s name. It’s gotten to the point where I’ve decided to borrow an idea from our Teen Host, Tiffinie, and have all of my characters dislike each other, but especially dislike that silly nincompoop Allyson. That way is any kid is like, “Hey, are you so-and-so?” I can reply, in character, “No you scurvy dog, and don’t speak of that green haired freak to me again!” or “What? No, no, no, I would never be a smelly pirate. A kitchen is no place for such trash!” or even, “Little Detective, what use would I have for French cooking? Is too much.” And if any of them call me Allyson.... “DO NOT SPEAK TO ME OF THAT WOMAN! We are not friends.”
All of this planning, however, has led to a slight problem. My multiple personalities are starting to get the better of me. I’m worried I’m gonna do something silly on one of the minor programs, like Piston Cup, and say, “Let’s race some cars, you scallywags!”
It’s like I’m getting to the point where the characters in my head will start talking to each other... Lord, help me.
Speaking of characters... Stitch is quite possibly my favorite character in the whole of Disney. We have a program called “Stitch’s Adventure Squad” where we have living character interaction and Stitch calls us from space so we can talk back and forth and play games. I’m just as excited as the kids to do this. Like legitimately fumble over my words to talk to Stitch because I am so excited. I am the Queen of Nerdom and the children have no idea. No shame, friends. No shame.
There are so many things I would really like to say and funny stories I would love to tell you, but I can’t. It sucks, yes. Kinda like the whole picture thing. I am contractually not allowed to take pictures. I know everyone wants to see pictures of my super cool friends, but I can’t take them. They are very camera shy, if you know what I mean.
I’m hanging out with Professor Make-O-Mess this whole cruise, so I’m sure there will be some fun and exciting science times going on. Maybe I’ll get some stories I can tell you! :)
Until then...
See Ya Real Soon!
One little boy, bless his heart, stared at me for a full five minutes trying to figure it out. A few others would call me by my previous character’s name. It’s gotten to the point where I’ve decided to borrow an idea from our Teen Host, Tiffinie, and have all of my characters dislike each other, but especially dislike that silly nincompoop Allyson. That way is any kid is like, “Hey, are you so-and-so?” I can reply, in character, “No you scurvy dog, and don’t speak of that green haired freak to me again!” or “What? No, no, no, I would never be a smelly pirate. A kitchen is no place for such trash!” or even, “Little Detective, what use would I have for French cooking? Is too much.” And if any of them call me Allyson.... “DO NOT SPEAK TO ME OF THAT WOMAN! We are not friends.”
All of this planning, however, has led to a slight problem. My multiple personalities are starting to get the better of me. I’m worried I’m gonna do something silly on one of the minor programs, like Piston Cup, and say, “Let’s race some cars, you scallywags!”
It’s like I’m getting to the point where the characters in my head will start talking to each other... Lord, help me.
Speaking of characters... Stitch is quite possibly my favorite character in the whole of Disney. We have a program called “Stitch’s Adventure Squad” where we have living character interaction and Stitch calls us from space so we can talk back and forth and play games. I’m just as excited as the kids to do this. Like legitimately fumble over my words to talk to Stitch because I am so excited. I am the Queen of Nerdom and the children have no idea. No shame, friends. No shame.
There are so many things I would really like to say and funny stories I would love to tell you, but I can’t. It sucks, yes. Kinda like the whole picture thing. I am contractually not allowed to take pictures. I know everyone wants to see pictures of my super cool friends, but I can’t take them. They are very camera shy, if you know what I mean.
I’m hanging out with Professor Make-O-Mess this whole cruise, so I’m sure there will be some fun and exciting science times going on. Maybe I’ll get some stories I can tell you! :)
Until then...
See Ya Real Soon!
Monday, May 21, 2012
Costume Shenanigans and Friendly Acknowledgements...
So when we last left off I was telling you all about my training. Well, training is over and I’m doing everything for real now. It’s been crazy, ridiculous, hectic, stressful, and wonderful all at the same time. I’m having a blast, but there have been plenty of moments when I’ve wanted to walk into a tiny room, all by myself and let out a very loud scream.
The main issue has been my with my costumes. They all came in and then a majority of them needed to altered, re-ordered, or were the exact same as someone else’s (looking at you Pirate Costume). So this left me without costumes and unable to do my programs. Obviously, I was frustrated, to no end. I knew my scripts, I knew my blocking, and I HAD NOTHING TO WEAR! I was just setting up, cleaning up, and running Magic Playfloor. It was driving me crazy. We worked through these issues and I ended up be able to do more programs as my costumes were sent up after alterations and now I have all of my main costumes (Pirate, Chef, Detective, Professor) and I’m just missing bits and pieces of some of the others (Coach, Guinter, Whale Dig, etc) and tomorrow I’ll be getting to do my very first Super Sloppy Science!
Now, my Pirate Wench costume is it’s own special story. You see, no two pirates can be the same on board the ship. Why? Because if a Pirate Wench sees another Wench in her clothes, a brawl will break out. Pirates don’t like to share, and Disney dosen’t really approve of brawling. Obviously. So it was a very big deal when I got my costume and realized it was EXACTLY THE SAME as Sarah’s. (Sarah is one of the other Ent Hosts on my team.) I brought this to the attention of our Costume Tech and her solution was to never been seen together and never have both of us be Pirate on the same cruise. Well, that’s all well and good, but when there’s only four of us on the team and one of us gets injured (one of our other Ent Hosts fell and has possibly torn her ACL), it gets a little tricky! But tonight, thankfully, I was called to the Costume Department to pick up my brand new Pirate costume - and it is GORGEOUS!!! I think I might love it.
Now, I’ve made some very exciting new friends on this contract, and I’d love to tell you about them! So here ya go:
Rosie Blackwater, the finest pirate to ever sail the seven seas, hails from the cold seas of Ireland. She’s sailed around the world fighting sea monsters, ghost pirates, and chasing down Jack Sparrow after he robbed her blind at a grand ball. Her life goal is to become more famous than Captain Hook, her favorite pirate.
Professor Winifred Penelope Make-O-Mess, III is the world’s greatest and sloppiest scientist. She enjoys explosions, the color green, Sheldon Cooper, and making enormous messes. In a tragic, yet completely exciting turn of events during an experiment, her hair was forever turned bright green after Flubber exploded out of its canister and fell on her head.
Chef A La Creme has come to the Disney Dream from the world famous Ratatouille Restaurant in Paris, France. She is part of a very special Kid’s Food Team who are in charge of creating sweet treats and delicious meals just for kids. Her favorite things to make are cookies and cupcakes with her petite chefs.
Detective Ivanna Clue was born in the wilds of northern Russia where she grew up in a family of secret agents and spies. Her father taught her everything he knew and left her enough money to start her own detective company, which she christened “The Top Deck Detective Agency”. She is the original Super Spy and is currently training a fleet of elite attack ducks to be her secret weapons in the fight against evil. Her newest recruit is named Boris and he lives in her coat pocket.
See what I mean? Very fun people to know. Now it’s about time for this little lady to get to bed. So until next time - See Ya Real Soon!
The main issue has been my with my costumes. They all came in and then a majority of them needed to altered, re-ordered, or were the exact same as someone else’s (looking at you Pirate Costume). So this left me without costumes and unable to do my programs. Obviously, I was frustrated, to no end. I knew my scripts, I knew my blocking, and I HAD NOTHING TO WEAR! I was just setting up, cleaning up, and running Magic Playfloor. It was driving me crazy. We worked through these issues and I ended up be able to do more programs as my costumes were sent up after alterations and now I have all of my main costumes (Pirate, Chef, Detective, Professor) and I’m just missing bits and pieces of some of the others (Coach, Guinter, Whale Dig, etc) and tomorrow I’ll be getting to do my very first Super Sloppy Science!
Now, my Pirate Wench costume is it’s own special story. You see, no two pirates can be the same on board the ship. Why? Because if a Pirate Wench sees another Wench in her clothes, a brawl will break out. Pirates don’t like to share, and Disney dosen’t really approve of brawling. Obviously. So it was a very big deal when I got my costume and realized it was EXACTLY THE SAME as Sarah’s. (Sarah is one of the other Ent Hosts on my team.) I brought this to the attention of our Costume Tech and her solution was to never been seen together and never have both of us be Pirate on the same cruise. Well, that’s all well and good, but when there’s only four of us on the team and one of us gets injured (one of our other Ent Hosts fell and has possibly torn her ACL), it gets a little tricky! But tonight, thankfully, I was called to the Costume Department to pick up my brand new Pirate costume - and it is GORGEOUS!!! I think I might love it.
Now, I’ve made some very exciting new friends on this contract, and I’d love to tell you about them! So here ya go:
Rosie Blackwater, the finest pirate to ever sail the seven seas, hails from the cold seas of Ireland. She’s sailed around the world fighting sea monsters, ghost pirates, and chasing down Jack Sparrow after he robbed her blind at a grand ball. Her life goal is to become more famous than Captain Hook, her favorite pirate.
Professor Winifred Penelope Make-O-Mess, III is the world’s greatest and sloppiest scientist. She enjoys explosions, the color green, Sheldon Cooper, and making enormous messes. In a tragic, yet completely exciting turn of events during an experiment, her hair was forever turned bright green after Flubber exploded out of its canister and fell on her head.
Chef A La Creme has come to the Disney Dream from the world famous Ratatouille Restaurant in Paris, France. She is part of a very special Kid’s Food Team who are in charge of creating sweet treats and delicious meals just for kids. Her favorite things to make are cookies and cupcakes with her petite chefs.
Detective Ivanna Clue was born in the wilds of northern Russia where she grew up in a family of secret agents and spies. Her father taught her everything he knew and left her enough money to start her own detective company, which she christened “The Top Deck Detective Agency”. She is the original Super Spy and is currently training a fleet of elite attack ducks to be her secret weapons in the fight against evil. Her newest recruit is named Boris and he lives in her coat pocket.
See what I mean? Very fun people to know. Now it’s about time for this little lady to get to bed. So until next time - See Ya Real Soon!
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Flubber, Jokes, and Flying Ducks...
The time is fast approaching when I will actually matter on the schedule. At the moment I sometimes don’t have a line, or there’s just a blank box where my name should be. I am considered an appendage to Nicole, my trainer. We are the same person. I pretty much feel like I’m stalking the poor girl everywhere. It’s all good though, because she is teaching me a lot of things I definitely would not have known other wise. It’s called training for a reason.
I did have to do the most nerve wracking thing ever last Saturday - a mock run through as Professor for Flubber in front of the rest of my new ent host team and Sophie, the assistant stage manager (and former YA Ent Host extraordinaire). Lord, have mercy! I would rather have been in a room with 300 children than in front of those five people making imaginary flubber (since we weren’t going to waste materials on me alone). Kids expect me to be a crazy hot mess of a person. My peers expect me to perform a program to their standards and taste. So I went out there and gave it my best, and discovered my professor has a bit of an eastern european accent - kinda Borat meets Boris & Natasha. I had not originally planned this, it just sort of happened. But I like it, and so did they! I was all over the place. I mixed that imaginary flubber like my life depended on it and did everything as I would’ve done for the kids. I wasn’t perfect, but I felt good about it. One week from today and I’ll be doing it for real! Yay!
I’ve seen pretty much every program now and I’ve decided that “Open Mike Night” is my favorite. The premise of the program is that Mike Wazowski and his monster friends end up getting sick and can’t make it to their comedy show so the kids have to put it on themselves. The jokes that come of out the kids are absolutely ridiculous. You never know what they are going to say. Sometimes it’s innocent like Carlos from Miami who’s joke was , “Knock-Knock! (Who’s there?) Pizza! (Pizza who?) Pizza Chicken Face!” And then we have Sarah from Brooklyn who started her joke with, “Yo mamma’s so fat...” and we quickly pulled the mic away from her mouth. Other kids just make silly noises. One little girl blew spit bubbles. It’s amazingly funny and I cannot wait to do it. So excited!!!
In other news, while I was setting up for Cupcakes the other day I was informed I had to report to the Cruise Director’s office for a meeting. There are very few reasons one gets called to the Cruise Director’s office and most of them aren’t good. So I’m starting to spaz out a little bit. Then I find out that four other YA Counselor’s are going to Clayton’s office as well. Soon, we learn that we have been chosen to be part of a special preshow dance number to take place before the crew-only showing of Believe. The best part? We got to ride the trap door lift and dance on the stage of the Walt Disney Theater!
So there we are in our blues and yellows, holding armfuls of Admiral Donald plush toys to throw into the audience and rising from the smoke to “I’m Sexy and I Know It.” Because honestly, who doesn’t feel sexy in a YA uniform? Anyhow - we had to get the crowd pumped up and dancing to Party Rock Anthem. This entailed doing the Running Man. I cannot do the Running Man to save my life, but I faked it to the best of my ability because there was no way I was passing up dancing on that stage. It will probably be the only time I’ll ever get to ride the lift, so I definitely wasn’t going to let my lack of dancing ability keep me from doing it. In fact, the moment Clayton told us that’s how we were going to enter, I sort of zoned out. I was on board for anything at that point. He could’ve told us to perform a Russian ballet or the Bottle Dance from Fiddler and I would’ve been down for it. Why? Because I got to ride the lift!! It’s the simple things in life which make me happy.
The reason all of this dancing occurred is because the Disney Magic and the Disney Dream were docked together in Nassau. The special showing of Believe was actually for the crew of the Disney Magic, but all us Dream folk could go too. We were also allowed to go and visit the Magic if our schedules allowed. Mine didn’t this time, but we’ll be docked with the Magic again soon and hopefully I’ll get to go visit then. I’m hoping to see my friend Mitch from the interviews in Chicago. He works on the Magic in YA! If we do get to meet up, I will definitely post some pictures or something. It would be amazing to see him again. And if Bekkah is back on the Magic, I’d love to see her again too! She also interviewed with me in Chicago, and we ended up in Traditions together as well. We shall see what happens!
My only other news is that my first request to extend my contract and my vacation was denied. I kinda figured it would be, but I’m still working on it. I’m going to try and switch contracts with someone to get a later debark date. As for the vacation time... well... working on that too. Hope is not lost! Have no fear!
Sending everyone my love!
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Where Everybody Knows Your Name...
When I arrived at the ship for my first contract, the sight of the Dream as I came over the top of the causeway was something I will never forget. The same feeling of awe and appreciation washed over me again this time as I saw the familiar red smokestacks crest over the horizon. Just like a relative who hasn’t seen you for a year, I said to the girl next to me, “I swear, she’s gotten bigger.” I’ve only been away two months, but I feel like Mickey pulled a Sorcerer’s Apprentice and added an extra twenty feet to the aft of the Dream. She’s huge! Of course, the fact she was docked next to one of those measly Carnival ships helped her look a lot bigger two.
Sidebar. Just like majoring in theatre has made me a theatre snob, working for a cruise line has made me a ship snob. Disney’s ship are styled so elegantly in an effort to bring back the glory days of sailing that they become titans of beauty. When pulled in next to a rusting, dirty, gaudy thing from Norwegian or Carnival, we make them look bad. I feel bad for people sailing on them.
Anyhow, coming back the Dream was a lot easier than I expected it to be. When I came on as a New Hire, it was so overwhelming that I was just dog tired my entire first week. This time, I know exactly where I’m going, what I’m doing, and who everyone is. It’s very nice. Another nice surprise? Somehow, I managed to get a single room. It’s temporary, as the bright orange sticker on my ID declares for all to see, but still - for one glorious week it is mine. A single room is absolutely unheard of for anyone ranking below three stripes. Luck of the draw? You betcha. I shall enjoy this time alone and use it to memorize scripts in peace. I’ve already put in a request to move in with Abbey (my former roommate before Elise, last contract) on Sunday. She lives in one of the rooms on Deck 3A affectionately called “The Narnia Rooms”. These rooms are in the forward most corners of the ship and concealed underneath the desks are little crawl spaces which lead into cavernous chambers formed by the narrowing sides of the bow. You can use it for storage, or you can fit roughly twenty people in there. Your choice... FOR NARNIA!
My Ent Host duties won’t officially start until my trainer, Nicole, leaves on May 13. Then I will take over her line in the Lab. Until then, I’m shadowing her and learning everything I need to know so I can do it on my own. So far, we’ve been on Scientist duty. I’ve seen three of the four Super Sloppy Science programs and I am so looking forward to being friends with Professor Make-a-Mess. It will be legen - wait for it - dary!
Speaking of legendary things, some of you know about my epic encounters with wardrobe and Chinese Laundry last contract. Well, they haven’t forgotten me. And once again, we’re not off to a good start. I went down to collect my uniforms on day one and almost got into a shouting match with the girl because she tried to give me the wrong sizes, again. Last contract she tried to give me Lex’s clothes, since we both cam to YA on the same day. Lex is about 5’6” and roughly 130lbs. Lex is also a boy. This contract she tried to give me Ally’s clothes. See, there were two Allyson’s coming back the day I did. Both of us are Youth Entertainment Hosts. We are differentiated as Ally(her) and Allyson(me). Some things to know: Ally is 5’3”, a size 6, and works in the Club. I’m 5’10”, a size 16, and work in the Lab. So there I am, holding several small shirts and pants that are only 28” long. My inseam is either a 32” or a 34”, incase you were wondering. The lady refused to believe I wasn’t Ally. She kept telling me, “the other one” picked up her clothes already and these were mine. I kept telling her she had written the same sizes down for both of us and she needed to give me proper clothes. She didn’t agree, and we did that little back and forth for about ten minutes. I finally told her that if she didn’t give me properly sized clothes I would just go to work in my Disney Look stuff and when I got yelled at, I would give my manager her name and country and let them sort it out. She begrudgingly gave me pants and a polo. I stupidly didn’t check the size and went back to my room.
I put on the shirt first, and then pulled on the pants. They were still only 28” long. The woman essentially gave me capris. So I went back to costuming, in my capris, stood by the side door and called her name. She came around the corner and rolled her eyes at me. So I went back to the Seamstress’s door and pleaded my case. The guy back there was much friendlier and gave me longer pants. I’m pretty sure he got them from my friend up front though, because they had been ironed in such a way that the flap over the zipper gaped open so it looked like my fly was unzipped all night. Good times. I have since gotten proper, non-gaping pants. But I feel my battle with Costuming is not over... not by a long shot. Why they believe me to be short is beyond my comprehension. I have this same argument every time I go down there. You think they would, I don’t know, change my file? Nope. Too simple. Let’s just duke it out every time over pant length. Blarg.
I don’t know what’s gotten into the Mess, but the past two nights we’ve had decent food for dinner. My first night on board they served a grilled fish (shocker), but it actually tasted nice! Tonight we had grilled chicken breast, and I’m pretty sure it was actually chicken. If these gestures of good food are just a harbinger for dark days ahead, I will survive on the fruit bars and baked lays in my room. I did it all last contract, I can do it again. But, if this is a permanent change, I may actually enjoy going to the Mess this time around! Fingers crossed!! (Keep in mind this was just for dinner. I had the customary salami sandwich and banana for lunch... again. They haven’t completely changed their ways.)
We had our first Crew Drill today, and my mother will be happy to know I am no longer stranded up on Deck 10 where certain deaths awaits should the boat actually sink. As an Ent Host, I don’t have a drill duty! Win! All I have to do is go stand next to my life raft and wait to get in. I’m still not important enough for a lifeboat, but I’m not above resorting to my old plan of grabbing a child and ensuring their safety... next to them in their lifeboat. :)
I’m being taught the “Hoedown Throwdown” at some point over the next few days. I’ve already learned the dance for “Baby”. Anyone wanting to learn the dances may sign up for tutorial lessons to take place in October when I return. We shall pump it up, become Beliebers, and put our hawks in the sky. You can also learn the “Hawaiian Rollercoaster Dance” and “The Platypus Walk” if you like. Special customers will be taught the proper way to Mousercize. Yes, Mousercize. Finally, you will become certified in all the ways of “The Cupid Shuffle”. We are experts, here on the Dream. EXPERTS.
More stories are soon to come! And since it’s summer, anyone who finds themselves in the Port Canaveral area on a Sunday or a Thursday that would like to come visit me, let me know! I can get permission for you to come on board as a guest and look around! If you can’t make it down to Florida, let me just remind you how much I love mail. It is one of my favorite things ever to see on board. Just saying. Do what you want with it... Letters are amazing. As are touches of home. And care packages. Love those care packages. ;)
Much love to all!
Sidebar. Just like majoring in theatre has made me a theatre snob, working for a cruise line has made me a ship snob. Disney’s ship are styled so elegantly in an effort to bring back the glory days of sailing that they become titans of beauty. When pulled in next to a rusting, dirty, gaudy thing from Norwegian or Carnival, we make them look bad. I feel bad for people sailing on them.
Anyhow, coming back the Dream was a lot easier than I expected it to be. When I came on as a New Hire, it was so overwhelming that I was just dog tired my entire first week. This time, I know exactly where I’m going, what I’m doing, and who everyone is. It’s very nice. Another nice surprise? Somehow, I managed to get a single room. It’s temporary, as the bright orange sticker on my ID declares for all to see, but still - for one glorious week it is mine. A single room is absolutely unheard of for anyone ranking below three stripes. Luck of the draw? You betcha. I shall enjoy this time alone and use it to memorize scripts in peace. I’ve already put in a request to move in with Abbey (my former roommate before Elise, last contract) on Sunday. She lives in one of the rooms on Deck 3A affectionately called “The Narnia Rooms”. These rooms are in the forward most corners of the ship and concealed underneath the desks are little crawl spaces which lead into cavernous chambers formed by the narrowing sides of the bow. You can use it for storage, or you can fit roughly twenty people in there. Your choice... FOR NARNIA!
My Ent Host duties won’t officially start until my trainer, Nicole, leaves on May 13. Then I will take over her line in the Lab. Until then, I’m shadowing her and learning everything I need to know so I can do it on my own. So far, we’ve been on Scientist duty. I’ve seen three of the four Super Sloppy Science programs and I am so looking forward to being friends with Professor Make-a-Mess. It will be legen - wait for it - dary!
Speaking of legendary things, some of you know about my epic encounters with wardrobe and Chinese Laundry last contract. Well, they haven’t forgotten me. And once again, we’re not off to a good start. I went down to collect my uniforms on day one and almost got into a shouting match with the girl because she tried to give me the wrong sizes, again. Last contract she tried to give me Lex’s clothes, since we both cam to YA on the same day. Lex is about 5’6” and roughly 130lbs. Lex is also a boy. This contract she tried to give me Ally’s clothes. See, there were two Allyson’s coming back the day I did. Both of us are Youth Entertainment Hosts. We are differentiated as Ally(her) and Allyson(me). Some things to know: Ally is 5’3”, a size 6, and works in the Club. I’m 5’10”, a size 16, and work in the Lab. So there I am, holding several small shirts and pants that are only 28” long. My inseam is either a 32” or a 34”, incase you were wondering. The lady refused to believe I wasn’t Ally. She kept telling me, “the other one” picked up her clothes already and these were mine. I kept telling her she had written the same sizes down for both of us and she needed to give me proper clothes. She didn’t agree, and we did that little back and forth for about ten minutes. I finally told her that if she didn’t give me properly sized clothes I would just go to work in my Disney Look stuff and when I got yelled at, I would give my manager her name and country and let them sort it out. She begrudgingly gave me pants and a polo. I stupidly didn’t check the size and went back to my room.
I put on the shirt first, and then pulled on the pants. They were still only 28” long. The woman essentially gave me capris. So I went back to costuming, in my capris, stood by the side door and called her name. She came around the corner and rolled her eyes at me. So I went back to the Seamstress’s door and pleaded my case. The guy back there was much friendlier and gave me longer pants. I’m pretty sure he got them from my friend up front though, because they had been ironed in such a way that the flap over the zipper gaped open so it looked like my fly was unzipped all night. Good times. I have since gotten proper, non-gaping pants. But I feel my battle with Costuming is not over... not by a long shot. Why they believe me to be short is beyond my comprehension. I have this same argument every time I go down there. You think they would, I don’t know, change my file? Nope. Too simple. Let’s just duke it out every time over pant length. Blarg.
I don’t know what’s gotten into the Mess, but the past two nights we’ve had decent food for dinner. My first night on board they served a grilled fish (shocker), but it actually tasted nice! Tonight we had grilled chicken breast, and I’m pretty sure it was actually chicken. If these gestures of good food are just a harbinger for dark days ahead, I will survive on the fruit bars and baked lays in my room. I did it all last contract, I can do it again. But, if this is a permanent change, I may actually enjoy going to the Mess this time around! Fingers crossed!! (Keep in mind this was just for dinner. I had the customary salami sandwich and banana for lunch... again. They haven’t completely changed their ways.)
We had our first Crew Drill today, and my mother will be happy to know I am no longer stranded up on Deck 10 where certain deaths awaits should the boat actually sink. As an Ent Host, I don’t have a drill duty! Win! All I have to do is go stand next to my life raft and wait to get in. I’m still not important enough for a lifeboat, but I’m not above resorting to my old plan of grabbing a child and ensuring their safety... next to them in their lifeboat. :)
I’m being taught the “Hoedown Throwdown” at some point over the next few days. I’ve already learned the dance for “Baby”. Anyone wanting to learn the dances may sign up for tutorial lessons to take place in October when I return. We shall pump it up, become Beliebers, and put our hawks in the sky. You can also learn the “Hawaiian Rollercoaster Dance” and “The Platypus Walk” if you like. Special customers will be taught the proper way to Mousercize. Yes, Mousercize. Finally, you will become certified in all the ways of “The Cupid Shuffle”. We are experts, here on the Dream. EXPERTS.
More stories are soon to come! And since it’s summer, anyone who finds themselves in the Port Canaveral area on a Sunday or a Thursday that would like to come visit me, let me know! I can get permission for you to come on board as a guest and look around! If you can’t make it down to Florida, let me just remind you how much I love mail. It is one of my favorite things ever to see on board. Just saying. Do what you want with it... Letters are amazing. As are touches of home. And care packages. Love those care packages. ;)
Much love to all!
Friday, April 27, 2012
Back in Business...
You never know how much stuff you have until you’re trying to cram it into a blue duffle bag and hope it lasts for five months. My stuff is currently sitting in my floor, where it has lived for the past week. I leave in less than twenty-four hours and I just can’t bring myself to pack. I can’t bring myself to do much of anything other than watch Gossip Girl on Netflix and enjoy these last few precious moments in my bed. My nice, comfy, double bed. I have not missed twin bunk beds., for the record.
I am very excited to go back, though. I have missed being on the ship and working with the kids. These last couple days I’ve been pretty bored just sitting around and waiting to go back. I feel like this contract is going to fly by, even with my possible extension. I say possible since there is a chance they won’t let me extend. Which would be very sad. For those of you that haven’t heard the plan, I will be asking to extend my contract to the end of September, then ask to extend my vacation through December and return for a third contract in January. That would put me back in Kentucky for October - December, and not on the ship during Christmas. As we all remember, Christmas onboard was not a fun time. But more importantly, I need to be home in December because two of my dear friends are getting married!! And their weddings happen to be December 1, and December 29, respectively. I’ve got to be home in October, either way, because another one of my friends is getting married. Everyone is getting married. Thankfully, they’ve all decided to do it while I’m on land... except for one girl. But she’s getting married at Disney World, so I’ll be with her in spirit.
Packing this time around is different, since I actually know what I’ll need. Somehow, I’ve managed to pack way more than I did last time, and that is excluding the list of things I’ll be picking up at the good ole Merrit Island Walmart the first chance I get. You know, basic things like laundry detergent, food(rations for survival), big bottles of my toiletries, Febreeze, and of course Diet Coke. Diet Coke obviously gets its own mention due to its importance to my survival. I don’t drink coffee... I drink Diet Coke. Like it’s water. They say it’s bad for me. My reply is, “I don’t smoke, drink heavily, or do hard drugs. This is my vice. Now hand me another can.”
I am a little concerned about who my new roommate will be. The girl I was going to room with is another Entertainment Host so it turns out we can’t room together. If one of us were to get sick, the chances of getting the other one sick are so high that they don’t want to risk it. So - new roomie! Hopefully it’s someone cool. I mean, it doesn’t really matter because I’m only going to be with them for a few weeks. The moment Elise steps back onboard I am having her for a roommate. I will sleep in the floor if I have to, but I need that girl back in my life! This is not an option!
I’ve chosen the photos of the important people to hang on my walls, found rolls of magnet tape (ie, the greatest invention ever for crew members) at Michael’s, and even managed to get some really cute pop up fabric bins for organizational purposes. If anyone is feeling like sending gifts, I would love one of those old school UK Pennants. I may actually venture to fan outfitters today and buy a UK magnet to go up on my wall. Gotta represent Big Blue Nation! Other than that I’m trying to find all the stuff I had while I was there, maybe a few new things, and leaving room for the stuff I buy.
I have already done the hardest park of my packing. It was a long, arduous task which I dreaded the first time around, and subsequently my feelings have not changed. This task causes me unspeakable strife. For those of you who know me well, you’ll know just how hard this was for me. I am talking about one thing, and one thing only. Choosing which DVD’s to take with me. I finally narrowed it down and have somehow managed to cram thirty-two movies into a case meant for twenty-four. A solid selection, covering every genre (except for Disney, since the entire catalog of movies - both animated and live action - are available on the Crew TVs). I have everything from The Sound of Music to the Back to the Future Trilogy. You never know when you’ll need a little Marty McFly in your life or when you’ll need to climb every mountain and outsmart the Nazis. I also managed to cram all three installments of Indiana Jones in there. There are only three worth mentioning. The “fourth movie” is a travesty we do not speak of. And of course, When Harry Met Sally is making a second journey to the Disney Dream. Love that movie. So much.
As for me right now, I’m still sitting in bed, but the motivation to pack is slowly creeping up on me. I should probably get started... but Chuck and Blair just started to realize they love each other. And Serena’s about to go to Buenos Aires. And Rufus just found about Lilly’s stint in the hospital in Paris. Perhaps one more episode of Gossip Girl? Yeah... that’s gonna happen. Maybe I can pack while I watch.
Who are we kidding? I’m gonna finish Season 2.
Better dust off the mouse ears and get my Disney Smile back in place. I leave tomorrow and then I’m sailing the high seas until October!
See Ya Real Soon, Lexington!
Bon Voyage!
I am very excited to go back, though. I have missed being on the ship and working with the kids. These last couple days I’ve been pretty bored just sitting around and waiting to go back. I feel like this contract is going to fly by, even with my possible extension. I say possible since there is a chance they won’t let me extend. Which would be very sad. For those of you that haven’t heard the plan, I will be asking to extend my contract to the end of September, then ask to extend my vacation through December and return for a third contract in January. That would put me back in Kentucky for October - December, and not on the ship during Christmas. As we all remember, Christmas onboard was not a fun time. But more importantly, I need to be home in December because two of my dear friends are getting married!! And their weddings happen to be December 1, and December 29, respectively. I’ve got to be home in October, either way, because another one of my friends is getting married. Everyone is getting married. Thankfully, they’ve all decided to do it while I’m on land... except for one girl. But she’s getting married at Disney World, so I’ll be with her in spirit.
Packing this time around is different, since I actually know what I’ll need. Somehow, I’ve managed to pack way more than I did last time, and that is excluding the list of things I’ll be picking up at the good ole Merrit Island Walmart the first chance I get. You know, basic things like laundry detergent, food(rations for survival), big bottles of my toiletries, Febreeze, and of course Diet Coke. Diet Coke obviously gets its own mention due to its importance to my survival. I don’t drink coffee... I drink Diet Coke. Like it’s water. They say it’s bad for me. My reply is, “I don’t smoke, drink heavily, or do hard drugs. This is my vice. Now hand me another can.”
I am a little concerned about who my new roommate will be. The girl I was going to room with is another Entertainment Host so it turns out we can’t room together. If one of us were to get sick, the chances of getting the other one sick are so high that they don’t want to risk it. So - new roomie! Hopefully it’s someone cool. I mean, it doesn’t really matter because I’m only going to be with them for a few weeks. The moment Elise steps back onboard I am having her for a roommate. I will sleep in the floor if I have to, but I need that girl back in my life! This is not an option!
I’ve chosen the photos of the important people to hang on my walls, found rolls of magnet tape (ie, the greatest invention ever for crew members) at Michael’s, and even managed to get some really cute pop up fabric bins for organizational purposes. If anyone is feeling like sending gifts, I would love one of those old school UK Pennants. I may actually venture to fan outfitters today and buy a UK magnet to go up on my wall. Gotta represent Big Blue Nation! Other than that I’m trying to find all the stuff I had while I was there, maybe a few new things, and leaving room for the stuff I buy.
I have already done the hardest park of my packing. It was a long, arduous task which I dreaded the first time around, and subsequently my feelings have not changed. This task causes me unspeakable strife. For those of you who know me well, you’ll know just how hard this was for me. I am talking about one thing, and one thing only. Choosing which DVD’s to take with me. I finally narrowed it down and have somehow managed to cram thirty-two movies into a case meant for twenty-four. A solid selection, covering every genre (except for Disney, since the entire catalog of movies - both animated and live action - are available on the Crew TVs). I have everything from The Sound of Music to the Back to the Future Trilogy. You never know when you’ll need a little Marty McFly in your life or when you’ll need to climb every mountain and outsmart the Nazis. I also managed to cram all three installments of Indiana Jones in there. There are only three worth mentioning. The “fourth movie” is a travesty we do not speak of. And of course, When Harry Met Sally is making a second journey to the Disney Dream. Love that movie. So much.
As for me right now, I’m still sitting in bed, but the motivation to pack is slowly creeping up on me. I should probably get started... but Chuck and Blair just started to realize they love each other. And Serena’s about to go to Buenos Aires. And Rufus just found about Lilly’s stint in the hospital in Paris. Perhaps one more episode of Gossip Girl? Yeah... that’s gonna happen. Maybe I can pack while I watch.
Who are we kidding? I’m gonna finish Season 2.
Better dust off the mouse ears and get my Disney Smile back in place. I leave tomorrow and then I’m sailing the high seas until October!
See Ya Real Soon, Lexington!
Bon Voyage!
Sunday, March 18, 2012
And So It Goes...
My last day of work has come and gone. It was a very weird sensation to clock out for the last time and realize I wasn’t going to clock in again for seven weeks. Even weirder to turn in all my uniforms and close down the old crew account. I guess the real kicker, though, was walking down the gangway with all my luggage and looking back at the towering hull of the ship only to realize I didn’t have to get back on today. I’m not gonna be standing on Wash late into the night, or telling rambunctious children not to climb on Rex’s back or tail. I’ve finished my first contract. I made it.
So I guess the big question is what have I learned in my four months on board?
Potty Accidents and Protein Spills Happen... Every Day
No matter what goes down, or comes up, the most important thing is to make sure the kid is ok. Even if the sweet, little angel has DPA’d all over the magic playfloor, thrown up in your hair, or let loose enough pee to fill an entire room of those tiny plastic cups. You clean it up, call the parents, and move on. Even when it’s really nasty. If you need a refresher on the level of nastiness I’ve dealt with on board the Disney Dream, please review previous posts. If those tale’s aren’t enough for you, take me out for coffee and I’ll tell you more. I have loads... no pun intended.
Every Child Deserves a Magical Moment
These little encounters are what makes a Disney vacation so special. At some point, something extraordinary should happen to a child which will stand out in their memory forever. It could be anything from interacting with Stitch in the hallway to finding all the plastic fish in Monster’s Academy. It could even be as simple as a counselor making a point to learn their name and interact with them every day of the cruise. My favorite magical moment has to be The Bobs. I met two concierge girls named Bailey and Emma. They were BFFL’s on vacation together, and they were full of giggles and bouncy energy. On the first night of the cruise I was stationed in Andy’s Room waiting to be bombarded by children when these two walked in. As the room filled, I quickly realized I wasn’t going to be able to remember everyone’s name so I named everyone Bob. Emma and Bailey were the first two in the room so they were christened Bob1 and Bob2. All other children entering the room became things like Batman Bob (he had on a Batman shirt), Purple Bob (she was wearing a purple dress), I’mThreeBob (cause he told me seventy times he was three) and one of my favorites, Ninja Bob (because she rolled around on the floor like a ninja to get around the room). While some of you may find this impersonal and a little lazy, please know that the kids LOVED it. They loved it so much, in fact, that the next day I was presented with Bob Flags, Bob Banners, and a construction paper crown with “Bob Master” written in glitter paint across the front. All made by Bob1 and Bob2. Every single time they saw me during the cruise they would shout out and run up to hug me. It was amazing. The last night, I delivered something special to their rooms after I got of work. I had taken two of our standard blue prize backpacks and decorated them with all kinds of customized di-cuts and badges. I hope they liked them. I know I will always remember The Bobs.
Teva Sandals are the Devil
If I could’ve thrown some gasoline on them and struck a match I would've in a hot second. Blisters galore every single time I wore them. However, I will still need them for my second contract, so they are shoved in a bag under the far corner of Elise’s bed waiting for me to return. Sorry, kids. You won’t get to see them on me in person.
The Ocean is Amazing
After gazing out at the horizon at least once a day, every day, over the last four months I have come to gain an even greater appreciation for the Ocean. It is equal parts terrifying and beautiful. The vast expanse of waves cover an entire ecosystem that we are only beginning to understand. One of the fun facts we like to tell the kids on board is that the scientific community knows more about the Solar System and outlying planets than it does about the ocean. Of all the possible knowledge to be gained from its watery depths, we know about 7%. That means over 90% of what goes on in the ocean is still a mystery to us. It is an amazing creation.
Awkward Lunges Bring People Together
My friend Alexis had this very amazing thing she would do in random situations. It started as a slight lunge forward whenever she was feeling awkward (which was a lot of the time), but morphed into the most ridiculous thing you can ever imagine. Yet, despite its silly nature, everyone started doing it. All of YA, some of the Tech guys, we even managed to get a picture with Goofy and Max doing it. Everyone unites in their silliness. When you see me, ask me to show you the awkward lunge. Its splendor cannot be captured in written words.
I am Blessed
Being away from home taught me some very important things. My friends and family are some of the most caring and wonderful people on the face of the earth. Without them, I would be nothing. Their love and support has made me who I am. On top of that, I feel so grateful to have grown up in a place where those values of family and love are honored in every day society. Kentucky is beautiful, from the bigger cities to the dirt roads, this state is amazing and I miss it so much when I’m gone. It’s funny, because before I left, all I wanted to do was get out of here. Once I was gone, all I wanted to do was come back. This place is a part of who I am. I am blessed to live here in this community with these people.
So those are just a few of the things I learned during my first contract. I’ll be taking a break from the blog for a while, since I’m at home. But keep your eyes peeled for my return. I’ll be going back to the Disney Dream as a Youth Entertainment Host at the end of April.
Until then, (and because we never say "Goodbye" at Disney) SEE YA REAL SOON!
So I guess the big question is what have I learned in my four months on board?
Potty Accidents and Protein Spills Happen... Every Day
No matter what goes down, or comes up, the most important thing is to make sure the kid is ok. Even if the sweet, little angel has DPA’d all over the magic playfloor, thrown up in your hair, or let loose enough pee to fill an entire room of those tiny plastic cups. You clean it up, call the parents, and move on. Even when it’s really nasty. If you need a refresher on the level of nastiness I’ve dealt with on board the Disney Dream, please review previous posts. If those tale’s aren’t enough for you, take me out for coffee and I’ll tell you more. I have loads... no pun intended.
Every Child Deserves a Magical Moment
These little encounters are what makes a Disney vacation so special. At some point, something extraordinary should happen to a child which will stand out in their memory forever. It could be anything from interacting with Stitch in the hallway to finding all the plastic fish in Monster’s Academy. It could even be as simple as a counselor making a point to learn their name and interact with them every day of the cruise. My favorite magical moment has to be The Bobs. I met two concierge girls named Bailey and Emma. They were BFFL’s on vacation together, and they were full of giggles and bouncy energy. On the first night of the cruise I was stationed in Andy’s Room waiting to be bombarded by children when these two walked in. As the room filled, I quickly realized I wasn’t going to be able to remember everyone’s name so I named everyone Bob. Emma and Bailey were the first two in the room so they were christened Bob1 and Bob2. All other children entering the room became things like Batman Bob (he had on a Batman shirt), Purple Bob (she was wearing a purple dress), I’mThreeBob (cause he told me seventy times he was three) and one of my favorites, Ninja Bob (because she rolled around on the floor like a ninja to get around the room). While some of you may find this impersonal and a little lazy, please know that the kids LOVED it. They loved it so much, in fact, that the next day I was presented with Bob Flags, Bob Banners, and a construction paper crown with “Bob Master” written in glitter paint across the front. All made by Bob1 and Bob2. Every single time they saw me during the cruise they would shout out and run up to hug me. It was amazing. The last night, I delivered something special to their rooms after I got of work. I had taken two of our standard blue prize backpacks and decorated them with all kinds of customized di-cuts and badges. I hope they liked them. I know I will always remember The Bobs.
Teva Sandals are the Devil
If I could’ve thrown some gasoline on them and struck a match I would've in a hot second. Blisters galore every single time I wore them. However, I will still need them for my second contract, so they are shoved in a bag under the far corner of Elise’s bed waiting for me to return. Sorry, kids. You won’t get to see them on me in person.
The Ocean is Amazing
After gazing out at the horizon at least once a day, every day, over the last four months I have come to gain an even greater appreciation for the Ocean. It is equal parts terrifying and beautiful. The vast expanse of waves cover an entire ecosystem that we are only beginning to understand. One of the fun facts we like to tell the kids on board is that the scientific community knows more about the Solar System and outlying planets than it does about the ocean. Of all the possible knowledge to be gained from its watery depths, we know about 7%. That means over 90% of what goes on in the ocean is still a mystery to us. It is an amazing creation.
Awkward Lunges Bring People Together
My friend Alexis had this very amazing thing she would do in random situations. It started as a slight lunge forward whenever she was feeling awkward (which was a lot of the time), but morphed into the most ridiculous thing you can ever imagine. Yet, despite its silly nature, everyone started doing it. All of YA, some of the Tech guys, we even managed to get a picture with Goofy and Max doing it. Everyone unites in their silliness. When you see me, ask me to show you the awkward lunge. Its splendor cannot be captured in written words.
I am Blessed
Being away from home taught me some very important things. My friends and family are some of the most caring and wonderful people on the face of the earth. Without them, I would be nothing. Their love and support has made me who I am. On top of that, I feel so grateful to have grown up in a place where those values of family and love are honored in every day society. Kentucky is beautiful, from the bigger cities to the dirt roads, this state is amazing and I miss it so much when I’m gone. It’s funny, because before I left, all I wanted to do was get out of here. Once I was gone, all I wanted to do was come back. This place is a part of who I am. I am blessed to live here in this community with these people.
So those are just a few of the things I learned during my first contract. I’ll be taking a break from the blog for a while, since I’m at home. But keep your eyes peeled for my return. I’ll be going back to the Disney Dream as a Youth Entertainment Host at the end of April.
Until then, (and because we never say "Goodbye" at Disney) SEE YA REAL SOON!
Thursday, February 16, 2012
A Lot Like Love...
I’m writing this as I sit and wait for my roommate to come home from work. We’re going to the Crew Valentine party tonight in D-Lounge. It’s being thrown by Mainstage and Character Performers, so it should be pretty interesting. However, as I sit here in my jeans and heels, I can’t help but think that Valentine’s Day is quite possibly the dumbest and most useless holiday ever created.
Before you think I’m one of those girls that hates Valentine’s Day because she’s single, calm yourself. I actually have a legitimate reason. Besides, I’ve had boyfriends on Valentine’s Day before, and I still hated it.
I hate Valentine’s Day because I believe with every fiber of my being that you should be able to tell someone you love them, or do something extravagant in the name of love, on any day of the year. Why February 14? What is so special about that day? If you really love someone, you should be doing something every day to show them. Even if it’s something simple like a post-it note on the bathroom mirror, or a sweet text in the middle of the day just to say, “I love you.” The person you love, should know you love them, without question. You want to buy a girl flowers? Buy them. Don’t wait for a special reason. Just do it. You want to surprise your guy with tickets to the big game/concert/convention? Do it just to see him get all excited. And it’s not all about gifts. Be there for them through bad times, long days, work problems, whatever it is. Get excited with them. Be sad with them. Fight with them. Make up. Live your life, and don’t be afraid to be in love.
OK, stepping off my soapbox.
I talked to my MYA today and learned I will be coming back to the Dream for my second contract. I will also be coming back as an Ent Host! Boom! Mission accomplished. Hopefully, I’ll get to take scripts home with me and work on them over my vacation to save time when I get back. I may suggest it, just to be ahead of the game. The only problem is I don’t know if I’ll be coming back as a Club or Lab host. Perhaps I’ll just learn both. I pretty much know all the Club programs anyway, since I’ve seen them roughly 456,000 times, give or take a bit. And I’m probably going to extend my second contract by a couple weeks or so. Why? Two of my friends are getting married in October and I refuse to miss their wedding. Also - I plan on extending my vacation after that and being home for Christmas. So, nice long break after contract number 2!
The nursery is crazy busy this cruise. We are COMPLETELY booked. There’s even a waiting list for reservation spots. I’ve never seen it this busy. Furthermore, we’ve got a lot of first timers, which means hysterical fits of apocalyptic intensity every time Mom and Dad leave them. Super. Fun. Oh, and there’s three sets of identical twins. And an officer’s kid. And several breastfed babies. There is nothing wrong with that last one, except when Momma ain’t around. There you are, rocking the baby to sleep, when he gets sort of peckish, starts to nuzzle a little too deep, and things get awkward. I’ve said, “Hey now... nothing in there for you...” several times this cruise.
Also got to deal with the most heinous DPA (Dirty Potty Accident) on the face of the Earth this cruise. I’m talking running down the kid’s leg onto the floor, overflowing out of the diaper, needs a whole box of wipes and a water hose to clean off, D.P.A. I really thought I was going to get sick. It was like something crawled out of this child’s rear, liquefied, and then died. Not okay. So there I am, holding my breath and wiping away, when another counselor comes up and is all, “Ooo, that smells like a bad one. Did he poop?” Really!? The only other thing that could make that smell is rotten food covered in sour milk. Since there doesn’t seem to be a pile of that around anywhere, I’m gonna go with, Yes. He pooped. Here’s your sign. Dumb.
Anyhow, I’ve gotten to see “Believe” twice in the last few cruises, which is unheard of. My breaks and early nights have just worked out that way. I love the show, and there’s this one climactic moment when the Dad realizes how much he loves his daughter and how she is the most magical and precious thing in his life. He sees her all grown up, dancing with her dashing “prince” and then he cuts in. They slow dance and he sings, “Baby Mine” to her. Every single time I see the show (and I’ve seen it four times now) this moment makes me cry. Not like a single tear down the cheek, oh no. Full on sniffles and cover your mouth so no one can hear you sob cry. It gets awkward for those around me. Why? Cause I totally know that my Daddy is going to do that with me when I get home. And would do that with me now if he were on this boat. And will do that one day at my wedding reception. The song he sings to me will be different, but it will be ours. “Believe” makes me miss my Daddy. But it’s a good kind of missing. It makes me so very grateful for how I grew up, and for my parents who love me dearly. Tonight I was sitting behind a family of four, and when this moment in the show happened, the dad put an arm around each of his kids and hugged them close, kissing the top of their heads. I thought my heart was going to explode.
Speaking of exploding, if one more person asks me if I have a boyfriend/husband/fella/special someone on board this ship I am going to scream. For whatever reason, guests and crew members alike have taken a sudden interest in my love life. Let me make this simple for everyone - I AM SINGLE. In the past two cruises, I’ve had five different moms ask me if I was dating someone, or if I left my husband at home while I came onboard. Really? You see a ring on my hand? Nope. Add that to the endless, “Are you a mommy?” questions the come flying out of the kids mouths and I feel like I’m getting the third degree. It’s like I’m in a room with nothing but little Yenta’s telling me that I’m getting old and should be married. I swear, I half expect one of the kids to say, “Ally, oh Ally, have I got a match for you! He’s handsome! He’s young! Alright, he’s sixty-two... But he’s a good man, a nice man. True? True.” And if that happens, I’m jumping off Deck 4 and swimming to shore. People (and children) need to calm it down.
And now for the most important part - I COME HOME IN 22 DAYS!!!!! That’s three weeks from tomorrow people. THREE WEEKS!!!!!! So let it be written. So let it be done. (Ten points for anyone, besides my family, who can name the movie that line comes from.)
Before you think I’m one of those girls that hates Valentine’s Day because she’s single, calm yourself. I actually have a legitimate reason. Besides, I’ve had boyfriends on Valentine’s Day before, and I still hated it.
I hate Valentine’s Day because I believe with every fiber of my being that you should be able to tell someone you love them, or do something extravagant in the name of love, on any day of the year. Why February 14? What is so special about that day? If you really love someone, you should be doing something every day to show them. Even if it’s something simple like a post-it note on the bathroom mirror, or a sweet text in the middle of the day just to say, “I love you.” The person you love, should know you love them, without question. You want to buy a girl flowers? Buy them. Don’t wait for a special reason. Just do it. You want to surprise your guy with tickets to the big game/concert/convention? Do it just to see him get all excited. And it’s not all about gifts. Be there for them through bad times, long days, work problems, whatever it is. Get excited with them. Be sad with them. Fight with them. Make up. Live your life, and don’t be afraid to be in love.
OK, stepping off my soapbox.
I talked to my MYA today and learned I will be coming back to the Dream for my second contract. I will also be coming back as an Ent Host! Boom! Mission accomplished. Hopefully, I’ll get to take scripts home with me and work on them over my vacation to save time when I get back. I may suggest it, just to be ahead of the game. The only problem is I don’t know if I’ll be coming back as a Club or Lab host. Perhaps I’ll just learn both. I pretty much know all the Club programs anyway, since I’ve seen them roughly 456,000 times, give or take a bit. And I’m probably going to extend my second contract by a couple weeks or so. Why? Two of my friends are getting married in October and I refuse to miss their wedding. Also - I plan on extending my vacation after that and being home for Christmas. So, nice long break after contract number 2!
The nursery is crazy busy this cruise. We are COMPLETELY booked. There’s even a waiting list for reservation spots. I’ve never seen it this busy. Furthermore, we’ve got a lot of first timers, which means hysterical fits of apocalyptic intensity every time Mom and Dad leave them. Super. Fun. Oh, and there’s three sets of identical twins. And an officer’s kid. And several breastfed babies. There is nothing wrong with that last one, except when Momma ain’t around. There you are, rocking the baby to sleep, when he gets sort of peckish, starts to nuzzle a little too deep, and things get awkward. I’ve said, “Hey now... nothing in there for you...” several times this cruise.
Also got to deal with the most heinous DPA (Dirty Potty Accident) on the face of the Earth this cruise. I’m talking running down the kid’s leg onto the floor, overflowing out of the diaper, needs a whole box of wipes and a water hose to clean off, D.P.A. I really thought I was going to get sick. It was like something crawled out of this child’s rear, liquefied, and then died. Not okay. So there I am, holding my breath and wiping away, when another counselor comes up and is all, “Ooo, that smells like a bad one. Did he poop?” Really!? The only other thing that could make that smell is rotten food covered in sour milk. Since there doesn’t seem to be a pile of that around anywhere, I’m gonna go with, Yes. He pooped. Here’s your sign. Dumb.
Anyhow, I’ve gotten to see “Believe” twice in the last few cruises, which is unheard of. My breaks and early nights have just worked out that way. I love the show, and there’s this one climactic moment when the Dad realizes how much he loves his daughter and how she is the most magical and precious thing in his life. He sees her all grown up, dancing with her dashing “prince” and then he cuts in. They slow dance and he sings, “Baby Mine” to her. Every single time I see the show (and I’ve seen it four times now) this moment makes me cry. Not like a single tear down the cheek, oh no. Full on sniffles and cover your mouth so no one can hear you sob cry. It gets awkward for those around me. Why? Cause I totally know that my Daddy is going to do that with me when I get home. And would do that with me now if he were on this boat. And will do that one day at my wedding reception. The song he sings to me will be different, but it will be ours. “Believe” makes me miss my Daddy. But it’s a good kind of missing. It makes me so very grateful for how I grew up, and for my parents who love me dearly. Tonight I was sitting behind a family of four, and when this moment in the show happened, the dad put an arm around each of his kids and hugged them close, kissing the top of their heads. I thought my heart was going to explode.
Speaking of exploding, if one more person asks me if I have a boyfriend/husband/fella/special someone on board this ship I am going to scream. For whatever reason, guests and crew members alike have taken a sudden interest in my love life. Let me make this simple for everyone - I AM SINGLE. In the past two cruises, I’ve had five different moms ask me if I was dating someone, or if I left my husband at home while I came onboard. Really? You see a ring on my hand? Nope. Add that to the endless, “Are you a mommy?” questions the come flying out of the kids mouths and I feel like I’m getting the third degree. It’s like I’m in a room with nothing but little Yenta’s telling me that I’m getting old and should be married. I swear, I half expect one of the kids to say, “Ally, oh Ally, have I got a match for you! He’s handsome! He’s young! Alright, he’s sixty-two... But he’s a good man, a nice man. True? True.” And if that happens, I’m jumping off Deck 4 and swimming to shore. People (and children) need to calm it down.
And now for the most important part - I COME HOME IN 22 DAYS!!!!! That’s three weeks from tomorrow people. THREE WEEKS!!!!!! So let it be written. So let it be done. (Ten points for anyone, besides my family, who can name the movie that line comes from.)
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
The Thing...
So, there’s that moment when The Thing, whatever it may be, hits you. You weren’t really expecting it to pop up in your mind, but there it is - big, flashing, and right in front of you. And despite your best efforts, the natural reaction is to shout out loud. This reaction makes it a little awkward for everyone when The Thing hits you in the middle of the day, at work. True story - I’m standing on wash and I realize I have 32 days left until I come home. I give a little giggle and shout with glee.
See, that’s my thing... days until I come home. And don’t think I’m counting because I hate it here and I’m so homesick I can’t function. I love my job. I will be doing a second contract for sure, probably a third, and depending on the itinerary (fingers crossed for Mediterranean!!) a fourth contract. After that, career navigation within the Walt Disney Company, because let’s be honest... The Mouse is a fantastic boss. But back to my thing... did I mention that I will be walking, no, running down the steps past the little old man taking his time at Blue Grass airport in 32 days? That I will be flinging myself into my family’s arms and most likely bursting into tears? (It’s me. I cry. We should all know this by now.) And that a couple days after that I will be putting on a dress, grabbing a bottle of wine with my girls, and catching up on the last four months? And in April I’ll be with my friends watching March Madness and my Cats win an eighth national title!!!! And then I’ll be going to London to visit my friend!!!! You. Don’t. Even. Know. These little things all come together to make The Thing. My only reaction is to shout for joy. But like I said, The Thing hits me at the most random, and sometimes inappropriate, times. I should probably work on that... BUT I COME IN 32 DAYS!!!!!!!!!
In other news, in case you didn’t see my Facebook status (or haven’t talked to my parents) - I WAS SUCCESSFUL IN MY ENTERTAINMENT HOST AUDITION!! I found out from the MYA last Thursday. The panel was very impressed and thought I did a really good job, so they sent my recommendation off to Shoreside. Now all I have to do is wait for a line to open up. The position is for any spot fleet wide, so I could be (and most likely will be) moving ships. Rumor has it, I’ll be going to the Wonder - which means Alaska! - but nothing is definite yet. I am so excited it’s unreal!
As far as my rooming situation goes... omg, I love my new Roomie. She’s is fabulous! That is all. Boom.
Yesterday, I got called into the Manager’s office. I walk in trying to figure out what they could possibly want or what I may have inadvertently done to get myself in trouble. Elizabeth, the Club Manager, then asks me to sit down and offers me M&M’s and an Orange Soda. At this point I decide she’s either bribing me or I’m getting fired. Then she tells me they need me to go back to Nursery until Feb 19th. Totally fine. She scared me to death with the food bribery. After I told her that was all good, she visibly relaxed. She was worried I was going to freak out on her. Silly woman. As long as I’m still employed, we’re good. So, I’m going back to Nursery for three cruises. All good and everything, right? Right.
Oh, and if you haven’t seen my new Facebook profile picture, go check that awesomeness out. Goofy and I are totally getting married now. Obviously. ;)
Love to you all and see you in 32 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
See, that’s my thing... days until I come home. And don’t think I’m counting because I hate it here and I’m so homesick I can’t function. I love my job. I will be doing a second contract for sure, probably a third, and depending on the itinerary (fingers crossed for Mediterranean!!) a fourth contract. After that, career navigation within the Walt Disney Company, because let’s be honest... The Mouse is a fantastic boss. But back to my thing... did I mention that I will be walking, no, running down the steps past the little old man taking his time at Blue Grass airport in 32 days? That I will be flinging myself into my family’s arms and most likely bursting into tears? (It’s me. I cry. We should all know this by now.) And that a couple days after that I will be putting on a dress, grabbing a bottle of wine with my girls, and catching up on the last four months? And in April I’ll be with my friends watching March Madness and my Cats win an eighth national title!!!! And then I’ll be going to London to visit my friend!!!! You. Don’t. Even. Know. These little things all come together to make The Thing. My only reaction is to shout for joy. But like I said, The Thing hits me at the most random, and sometimes inappropriate, times. I should probably work on that... BUT I COME IN 32 DAYS!!!!!!!!!
In other news, in case you didn’t see my Facebook status (or haven’t talked to my parents) - I WAS SUCCESSFUL IN MY ENTERTAINMENT HOST AUDITION!! I found out from the MYA last Thursday. The panel was very impressed and thought I did a really good job, so they sent my recommendation off to Shoreside. Now all I have to do is wait for a line to open up. The position is for any spot fleet wide, so I could be (and most likely will be) moving ships. Rumor has it, I’ll be going to the Wonder - which means Alaska! - but nothing is definite yet. I am so excited it’s unreal!
As far as my rooming situation goes... omg, I love my new Roomie. She’s is fabulous! That is all. Boom.
Yesterday, I got called into the Manager’s office. I walk in trying to figure out what they could possibly want or what I may have inadvertently done to get myself in trouble. Elizabeth, the Club Manager, then asks me to sit down and offers me M&M’s and an Orange Soda. At this point I decide she’s either bribing me or I’m getting fired. Then she tells me they need me to go back to Nursery until Feb 19th. Totally fine. She scared me to death with the food bribery. After I told her that was all good, she visibly relaxed. She was worried I was going to freak out on her. Silly woman. As long as I’m still employed, we’re good. So, I’m going back to Nursery for three cruises. All good and everything, right? Right.
Oh, and if you haven’t seen my new Facebook profile picture, go check that awesomeness out. Goofy and I are totally getting married now. Obviously. ;)
Love to you all and see you in 32 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sunday, January 29, 2012
And Then Life Happens...
Holy Moly... a lot has happened to me lately. This is probably gonna be a very long blog. Hold on to your hats!
Let’s start with how I thought I was dying due to illness. Yeah, sounds like a good place to start. Basically, I’d been feeling sick for a while but it wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle. I went to Medical once and they gave me the evening off and some extra-strength sudafed and told me to go to bed. A week later I got GI. For those of you wondering what GI is, just know you don’t ever want it. It’s even worse when you put it on top of “Early Onset Influenza” which is what happened to me. I was VERY sick. So sick, in fact, that I when I went to Medical the morning after I was sent home for suspected GI they told me to collect my things. They were going to put me in an isolation cabin for 48 hours. My GI was confirmed. They realized they had incorrectly diagnosed and treated my cough/sinus pressure from before and it had escalated. They handed me a literal bag full of pills and shoved me in the room.
My Isolation Cabin was essentially a glorified hospital room. I had a bed, a tv, and a bathroom (thank God... stupid GI). For the first 24 hours, I slept. You don’t realize how tired you are until you have a long expanse of time to sleep and you do. I woke up for food and dashes to the bathroom. Food consisted of plain toast, white rice, and bananas. I sweet talked the lady into apple juice after the first time, but other than that I had water, water, and more water. When one has GI, one needs to stay hydrated... if you know what I mean. (It’s the Both End Blues, people. It sucks.) I slept, I GI’ed, I hacked and coughed and sneezed, and then I slept some more. I was released late, because they forgot to release me, and then I went back to work. Boom. Finally feeling more like myself after lots of rest and medicine.
I was in the Nursery for a few weeks to help out. That was pretty fun. I’m glad I did it and got the experience, but I was overjoyed to put my Yellows back on and go back to the Club. I love that place... and children who can express their wants and needs. Just saying.
Speaking of the Club, I auditioned to become an Ent Host! Ent Hosts are the people who run the programs and “are friends with” all the characters, like Corporal Green, Captain Patsy, Barnacle, and Beverly. I went in there and gave it my all, and I’ve had several people come up and tell me they heard it went really well. So we shall see what happens. The position is not necessarily for this ship. It could be for the Magic or the Wonder. Judging by the size of the panel at auditions, I think this is for a permanent promotion and not just a trial bump up. I’m very excited to see how this all turns out because I know I went in there and did my best. The panel consisted of Greg(creator of most of the programs and main Ent Host training coordinator for all of Disney Cruise Line), Taylor(Manager of Youth Activities), Amy(Assistant Stage Manager), the new Character Manager, Lesley(Assistant Cruise Director), and both of the Cruise Staff managers. It was a little intense. So keep those fingers crossed, and I’ll keep everyone posted.
I bought my plane ticket to London so I can go see my friend Kevin. It’s my gift to myself for working hard. A week in London. And believe me, after all the work I’ve done, I deserve a week in London. So there. Vacation for me! And I get to see Kevin!!! Love that boy.
I’m moving cabins for the first time since I came on board. I’m actually really excited about it. I’m moving in with my friend Elise from Australia. She’s absolutely amazing in every way. I am a little sad though, because the new roomie I just got, Abbey, is really cool too. I’ve had pretty good luck with roommates on board. Shannon was wonderful, Abbey is awesome, and I know Elise and I are going to get along well. We already do! I really only had one roomie who was a little iffy. We won’t talk about that. :)
Other than that, a new development from Shoreside has everyone all in a tizzy. Essentially what’s going on is that they’ve hired too many people and have overstaffed. This means they are sending people home a cruise or two early and extending vacations all over the place. So... as of right now I come in 41 days. But, closer to time, I could get called into the office and discover I’m going home early. Who knows?! It happened to one of my really good friends, Alexis. She found at 10:30pm she was going home the next morning. Awesome, right?
So... see you all in 41 days or less! Lovelovelovelove! Prepare yourselves for Ally’s Home Celebrations!
Let’s start with how I thought I was dying due to illness. Yeah, sounds like a good place to start. Basically, I’d been feeling sick for a while but it wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle. I went to Medical once and they gave me the evening off and some extra-strength sudafed and told me to go to bed. A week later I got GI. For those of you wondering what GI is, just know you don’t ever want it. It’s even worse when you put it on top of “Early Onset Influenza” which is what happened to me. I was VERY sick. So sick, in fact, that I when I went to Medical the morning after I was sent home for suspected GI they told me to collect my things. They were going to put me in an isolation cabin for 48 hours. My GI was confirmed. They realized they had incorrectly diagnosed and treated my cough/sinus pressure from before and it had escalated. They handed me a literal bag full of pills and shoved me in the room.
My Isolation Cabin was essentially a glorified hospital room. I had a bed, a tv, and a bathroom (thank God... stupid GI). For the first 24 hours, I slept. You don’t realize how tired you are until you have a long expanse of time to sleep and you do. I woke up for food and dashes to the bathroom. Food consisted of plain toast, white rice, and bananas. I sweet talked the lady into apple juice after the first time, but other than that I had water, water, and more water. When one has GI, one needs to stay hydrated... if you know what I mean. (It’s the Both End Blues, people. It sucks.) I slept, I GI’ed, I hacked and coughed and sneezed, and then I slept some more. I was released late, because they forgot to release me, and then I went back to work. Boom. Finally feeling more like myself after lots of rest and medicine.
I was in the Nursery for a few weeks to help out. That was pretty fun. I’m glad I did it and got the experience, but I was overjoyed to put my Yellows back on and go back to the Club. I love that place... and children who can express their wants and needs. Just saying.
Speaking of the Club, I auditioned to become an Ent Host! Ent Hosts are the people who run the programs and “are friends with” all the characters, like Corporal Green, Captain Patsy, Barnacle, and Beverly. I went in there and gave it my all, and I’ve had several people come up and tell me they heard it went really well. So we shall see what happens. The position is not necessarily for this ship. It could be for the Magic or the Wonder. Judging by the size of the panel at auditions, I think this is for a permanent promotion and not just a trial bump up. I’m very excited to see how this all turns out because I know I went in there and did my best. The panel consisted of Greg(creator of most of the programs and main Ent Host training coordinator for all of Disney Cruise Line), Taylor(Manager of Youth Activities), Amy(Assistant Stage Manager), the new Character Manager, Lesley(Assistant Cruise Director), and both of the Cruise Staff managers. It was a little intense. So keep those fingers crossed, and I’ll keep everyone posted.
I bought my plane ticket to London so I can go see my friend Kevin. It’s my gift to myself for working hard. A week in London. And believe me, after all the work I’ve done, I deserve a week in London. So there. Vacation for me! And I get to see Kevin!!! Love that boy.
I’m moving cabins for the first time since I came on board. I’m actually really excited about it. I’m moving in with my friend Elise from Australia. She’s absolutely amazing in every way. I am a little sad though, because the new roomie I just got, Abbey, is really cool too. I’ve had pretty good luck with roommates on board. Shannon was wonderful, Abbey is awesome, and I know Elise and I are going to get along well. We already do! I really only had one roomie who was a little iffy. We won’t talk about that. :)
Other than that, a new development from Shoreside has everyone all in a tizzy. Essentially what’s going on is that they’ve hired too many people and have overstaffed. This means they are sending people home a cruise or two early and extending vacations all over the place. So... as of right now I come in 41 days. But, closer to time, I could get called into the office and discover I’m going home early. Who knows?! It happened to one of my really good friends, Alexis. She found at 10:30pm she was going home the next morning. Awesome, right?
So... see you all in 41 days or less! Lovelovelovelove! Prepare yourselves for Ally’s Home Celebrations!
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Nostalgia Runs Deep...
While talking with one of my new ship friends the other day I realized something. I realized that people never fully appreciate their home until the leave it. I came across this notion while trying to explain why I love football so much. It more than just enjoying the game. It’s about being with friends, school pride, and that moment you are filled with joy as the announcer yells, “Touchdown Kentucky!” To be perfectly honest, the first image that pops into my head when I think about football is the sun shining down over Commonwealth Stadium, peeking through the trees on the Shockey’s tailgate spot right next to Nutter Field House. There’s tenderloin on the grill and corn hole being played. Everyone’s in blue and we’re all eagerly awaiting the Catwalk so we can cheer on our boys before they play.
I tried to explain to her why football is so much better in the South than anywhere else in the country and couldn’t find the proper words. She’s from Walla-Walla, Washington and the idea that people show up on Wednesday to tailgate before the big game baffled her. It was at this point I pulled out one of my favorite comparison charts: Football - North vs South. She just shook her head at me.
What can I say? I’m feeling lots of Kentucky pride right now, as I mentioned in my last blog. When I close my eyes and I can see the fields next to Bluegrass Airport. Those turn into the Clubhouse and racetrack of Keeneland, which morphs into “The Bowl” in front of William T Young Library. I see the walking trail at the Arboretum, the horse farms along US 60, the forest view from the top of Natural Bridge. It’s all beautiful to me. It makes me smile just to think about it.
I can feel the tradition of family and love in my bones and it’s strange to hear other crew members talk about their lives back home. They don’t have what I do. Furthermore, when I try to explain what it is that I have, they don’t understand. It’s like I come from a different world where it matters what your Momma thinks. Your father is Daddy, never Dad, and he can fix anything. You never disrespect your grandparents. Brothers and Sisters are fiercely protective of one another and in many cases as close as best friends. A lady always wears her pearls. Men should act like gentlemen, otherwise they’re still boys. On Sunday, you go to church. (Or if you can’t make it, you say a prayer and thank the Lord for the forgiveness and love He gives us everyday.) Friends are so close they’re more like family. Football/Basketball Loyalties can be a deciding factor in a potential relationship. Ladies don’t sweat, they glisten. The list goes on... what baffles me is that people don’t understand. Nor do they want to.
One day, after another hometown conversation, a girl told me it sounded like I was trying to live like the South would rise again. My response to her was that Kentucky never left the Union and was actually a border state, plus I didn’t see the harm in wanting to a live in a way which is all about family, honor, and traditions. Boom.
But back to the subject of Gentlemen... I miss them. I am quite sick of being leered at and having my name pronounced incorrectly as I walk down the I-95. I have also been proposed to three times, and been called a variety of pet names from, “Beautiful Lady” to “My American Princess”. Not to mention the fact that I tower over practically everyone. Apparently every other country in the world is “vertically challenged” compared to America. When I finally come home and see some handsome gentleman all dressed up in a button down and khakis, I just may pounce on him. To save myself from doing something silly like that I hereby give permission to my girl friends to restrain me. Or you could let it happen and we’ll hope everything works out for the best. Your call.
Moving on...
I’m getting a new roommate on Sunday! My current roomie now works for Port Adventures so they’re moving her to a new cabin, since our room is technically in the Youth Activities block. I know all of the girls coming back from when i first got on the ship so I really hope I get one of them rather than a new hire. That would be fantastic! Of course, if I get a New Hire, no worries. I’ll be nice to her! Promise! :)
56 days until I come home! Y’all better be ready to party and celebrate!
I tried to explain to her why football is so much better in the South than anywhere else in the country and couldn’t find the proper words. She’s from Walla-Walla, Washington and the idea that people show up on Wednesday to tailgate before the big game baffled her. It was at this point I pulled out one of my favorite comparison charts: Football - North vs South. She just shook her head at me.
What can I say? I’m feeling lots of Kentucky pride right now, as I mentioned in my last blog. When I close my eyes and I can see the fields next to Bluegrass Airport. Those turn into the Clubhouse and racetrack of Keeneland, which morphs into “The Bowl” in front of William T Young Library. I see the walking trail at the Arboretum, the horse farms along US 60, the forest view from the top of Natural Bridge. It’s all beautiful to me. It makes me smile just to think about it.
I can feel the tradition of family and love in my bones and it’s strange to hear other crew members talk about their lives back home. They don’t have what I do. Furthermore, when I try to explain what it is that I have, they don’t understand. It’s like I come from a different world where it matters what your Momma thinks. Your father is Daddy, never Dad, and he can fix anything. You never disrespect your grandparents. Brothers and Sisters are fiercely protective of one another and in many cases as close as best friends. A lady always wears her pearls. Men should act like gentlemen, otherwise they’re still boys. On Sunday, you go to church. (Or if you can’t make it, you say a prayer and thank the Lord for the forgiveness and love He gives us everyday.) Friends are so close they’re more like family. Football/Basketball Loyalties can be a deciding factor in a potential relationship. Ladies don’t sweat, they glisten. The list goes on... what baffles me is that people don’t understand. Nor do they want to.
One day, after another hometown conversation, a girl told me it sounded like I was trying to live like the South would rise again. My response to her was that Kentucky never left the Union and was actually a border state, plus I didn’t see the harm in wanting to a live in a way which is all about family, honor, and traditions. Boom.
But back to the subject of Gentlemen... I miss them. I am quite sick of being leered at and having my name pronounced incorrectly as I walk down the I-95. I have also been proposed to three times, and been called a variety of pet names from, “Beautiful Lady” to “My American Princess”. Not to mention the fact that I tower over practically everyone. Apparently every other country in the world is “vertically challenged” compared to America. When I finally come home and see some handsome gentleman all dressed up in a button down and khakis, I just may pounce on him. To save myself from doing something silly like that I hereby give permission to my girl friends to restrain me. Or you could let it happen and we’ll hope everything works out for the best. Your call.
Moving on...
I’m getting a new roommate on Sunday! My current roomie now works for Port Adventures so they’re moving her to a new cabin, since our room is technically in the Youth Activities block. I know all of the girls coming back from when i first got on the ship so I really hope I get one of them rather than a new hire. That would be fantastic! Of course, if I get a New Hire, no worries. I’ll be nice to her! Promise! :)
56 days until I come home! Y’all better be ready to party and celebrate!
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Baby Blues...
So I’ve been in the Nursery for the past cruise (ie. wearing my Blues) and will be there until January 22, when I will go running back to the Club in my Yellows filled with joyous rapture. Yes. Joyous rapture. Don’t get me wrong, I like the Nursery, but I get very bored. It’s a different pace in there. There are so many things to think about and do. It’s a different system that’s slower but still hectic and stressful like the Club. Instead of worrying about lost fairy wands or who’s turn it is on the iTable I’m focused on diaper changes and how to make everyone stop crying. I also spend a lot of time recording how long babies have napped, what they ate, when they had their diaper changed, what was in the diaper, and which bag belongs to which baby. I also spend a lot of time cuddling, rocking, and humming... it’s nice, but I miss the “action” of the Club. I also need to be honest and say that I miss the programs and my fellow Clubbies! :)
However, here are some things I’ve learned in the past few days...
1: Finding Nemo is magical. I don’t know what it is, but we can have a room full of crying toddlers and babies and they will all go silent when Finding Nemo comes on. I’ve watched it roughly 45 times in the last four days. I still love that movie, simply for the silence it brings to the Nursery... and Dory speaking whale.
2: Some parents are terrible. So terrible in fact, I have to bite my tongue so nasty things don’t come flying out of my mouth when I see them. To the “parents” who left their baby with us for NINE HOURS and only packed ONE diaper and ONE bottle... you should be ashamed of yourselves. All I’m saying.
3. The most precious thing in the world is the sound of baby/toddler giggles.
4. I don’t know what parents are feeding their babies nowadays, but whatever it is creates the foulest, most gag-inducing diapers known to man. Potty train asap, people! A.S.A.P.
5. I like the blue shirts we wear in Nursery, until every baby stain known to man shows up on them. You look like you’ve been in a food fight when you walk back to your room at the end of a shift.
In other, non-Nursery related news, I am so starved for American Music that when a Britany Spears song came on in the Crew Bar the other night I ran from my seat to the dance floor. I sang all the words (it was Baby, One More Time) and danced like there was no tomorrow. Best thing? I was joined by every other American in the bar. It’s the little things in life we bond over, ya know? My brain may actually implode on itself when I go out with friends for the first time when I come home. Hearing music other than the Techno/House crap I’ve been subjected to since November may give me an aneurism.
My love for all things Kentucky and UK related has grown to astronomical levels. I’ve taken to shouting with glee whenever I see a guest in a Kentucky shirt. I stop what I’m doing, shout “Go Cats!”, give them a high five, and tell them I’m from Lexington and I that I graduated from UK. One family took a picture with me. Another started the C-A-T-S Cheer. One old man, who was actually in Wal-Mart, not on the ship, told me I was raised right. My goal now is to get a picture of Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Donald spelling CATS. Pluto will be holding a sign that says “GO” and Chip and Dale will have blue and white pompoms. I think I can make this happen... it will be the most epic picture ever. Keep your eyes peeled for this epicness! :)
My travel plans for my break are being formed. I am SO excited, it’s unreal. Details to come!
Speaking of travel... I come home in 58 days!!! (Not that I’m counting or anything.... or that I made a calendar and mark off the days until March 9....)
Au revior! Auf Wiedersehen! Goodbye!
However, here are some things I’ve learned in the past few days...
1: Finding Nemo is magical. I don’t know what it is, but we can have a room full of crying toddlers and babies and they will all go silent when Finding Nemo comes on. I’ve watched it roughly 45 times in the last four days. I still love that movie, simply for the silence it brings to the Nursery... and Dory speaking whale.
2: Some parents are terrible. So terrible in fact, I have to bite my tongue so nasty things don’t come flying out of my mouth when I see them. To the “parents” who left their baby with us for NINE HOURS and only packed ONE diaper and ONE bottle... you should be ashamed of yourselves. All I’m saying.
3. The most precious thing in the world is the sound of baby/toddler giggles.
4. I don’t know what parents are feeding their babies nowadays, but whatever it is creates the foulest, most gag-inducing diapers known to man. Potty train asap, people! A.S.A.P.
5. I like the blue shirts we wear in Nursery, until every baby stain known to man shows up on them. You look like you’ve been in a food fight when you walk back to your room at the end of a shift.
In other, non-Nursery related news, I am so starved for American Music that when a Britany Spears song came on in the Crew Bar the other night I ran from my seat to the dance floor. I sang all the words (it was Baby, One More Time) and danced like there was no tomorrow. Best thing? I was joined by every other American in the bar. It’s the little things in life we bond over, ya know? My brain may actually implode on itself when I go out with friends for the first time when I come home. Hearing music other than the Techno/House crap I’ve been subjected to since November may give me an aneurism.
My love for all things Kentucky and UK related has grown to astronomical levels. I’ve taken to shouting with glee whenever I see a guest in a Kentucky shirt. I stop what I’m doing, shout “Go Cats!”, give them a high five, and tell them I’m from Lexington and I that I graduated from UK. One family took a picture with me. Another started the C-A-T-S Cheer. One old man, who was actually in Wal-Mart, not on the ship, told me I was raised right. My goal now is to get a picture of Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Donald spelling CATS. Pluto will be holding a sign that says “GO” and Chip and Dale will have blue and white pompoms. I think I can make this happen... it will be the most epic picture ever. Keep your eyes peeled for this epicness! :)
My travel plans for my break are being formed. I am SO excited, it’s unreal. Details to come!
Speaking of travel... I come home in 58 days!!! (Not that I’m counting or anything.... or that I made a calendar and mark off the days until March 9....)
Au revior! Auf Wiedersehen! Goodbye!
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Holidays at Sea...
Christmas is a time for traditions. Now I knew this year would be filled with “new” traditions since I wasn’t going to be at home, but let me step onto my soapbox for a minute.
We had “Holiday Story Time” on board during the last few cruises and took the kids down to the atrium to hear them. At this little event people told the stories of Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Christmas. So there I am, sitting with the children, listening to origin story of Hanukkah and how the oil burned for eight days straight becoming a miracle of faith for the Jewish people. Then we move on to the origin story of Kwanzaa and what each day represents for African Americans and how it’s all about family, faith, and being true to yourself. Then we get to Christmas. This woman comes down the stairs in a red sweater and a poinsettia scarf and I’m all prepared to hear, “It was in those days that Caesar Augustus made a decree that all people should be counted...” but what comes out of her mouth???? SANTA ON A CRUISE SHIP. Excuse me?! You’re going to go through full on origin stories of Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, but when we get to Christmas you give us Santa on a cruise ship?! Fail. Fail fail fail. FAIL! So there I sat, seething through this ridiculous tale of the Chief Holiday Officer and Santa giving a little girl a bell when she was little so one day blah blah blah she grows up and SURPRISE she is the woman telling us the story. Last time I checked, Christmas is NOT ABOUT SANTA! If you’re going to tell origin stories of every other Holiday, you should do the same for CHRISTMAS! In case you’re confused, the REAL story of Christmas can be found in the Book of Luke, Chapter 2! Bah!
Ok, stepping off my soapbox.
The day as a whole was long and rough. We were at sea, so everyone is on board doing Christmas things and yadda yadda yadda. I started and ended the day in Andy’s Room telling children not to climb on Rex. Yup. Merry Christmas to me!
New Years was interesting. This time I started and ended the day on Wash, which means I was guarding the bathroom from the children and saying things like, “Did you wash your hands? What color is the soap? Wrong. Go back and wash your hands.” When I say start and end, please know I mean that literally. On New Years Eve at midnight, I was ringing in the new year next to a toilet stall asking the last remaining child if they needed help pulling up their pants. When January 1, 2012, ended at 11:59pm , I had just finished asking a child if they’d washed their hands. Yeah.
I did make it up to the deck party after work on New Years Eve. I got to see most of my Traditions buddies and my friends I’ve made on board. We all spent the first few hours of the year under the stars, with wind blowing in our hair, at sea. Not too shabby.
In other news, it is 65 days and 14 hours until I come home!!!! Yay!!
I’m slowly starting to plan what I’m doing while on vacation. At this point in time I’m planning to travel! Destinations are still in the works, but it’s gonna happen. Certain people have been informed. :)
Now that the Holidays are over, my homesickness has abated somewhat. I still miss everyone, but it’s not as in my face now. In fact, yesterday I was standing in the ocean on Snorkel Beach 2 and thinking to myself, “I bet it’s snowing at home...” Not gonna lie, I’m glad I don’t have to deal with the nasty ice and snow that hits us hard in January. I’m cool with snow until January 2, when it needs to be Spring. Winter should only last through New Years.
Oh! I’ve decided that Captain Hook is amazing. All I’m gonna say is, he is my new favorite character and I look forward to every program he is a part of. I’m also a big fan of Jack Sparrow and Goofy. Love them.
Speaking of Goofy... thanks to our Animation Antics program we do with the kids, I’m now pretty good at drawing both Goofy and Mickey Mouse. I will show you my mad skills when I come home. I can also draw a pretty fabulous Mike Wasowski. The things I learn at work...
Finally... Dear Parents, Please potty train your children at an appropriate age. It is extremely awkward to change a dirty pull-up on a four/five year old. Thanks.
Love to all and Happy New Year!!
We had “Holiday Story Time” on board during the last few cruises and took the kids down to the atrium to hear them. At this little event people told the stories of Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Christmas. So there I am, sitting with the children, listening to origin story of Hanukkah and how the oil burned for eight days straight becoming a miracle of faith for the Jewish people. Then we move on to the origin story of Kwanzaa and what each day represents for African Americans and how it’s all about family, faith, and being true to yourself. Then we get to Christmas. This woman comes down the stairs in a red sweater and a poinsettia scarf and I’m all prepared to hear, “It was in those days that Caesar Augustus made a decree that all people should be counted...” but what comes out of her mouth???? SANTA ON A CRUISE SHIP. Excuse me?! You’re going to go through full on origin stories of Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, but when we get to Christmas you give us Santa on a cruise ship?! Fail. Fail fail fail. FAIL! So there I sat, seething through this ridiculous tale of the Chief Holiday Officer and Santa giving a little girl a bell when she was little so one day blah blah blah she grows up and SURPRISE she is the woman telling us the story. Last time I checked, Christmas is NOT ABOUT SANTA! If you’re going to tell origin stories of every other Holiday, you should do the same for CHRISTMAS! In case you’re confused, the REAL story of Christmas can be found in the Book of Luke, Chapter 2! Bah!
Ok, stepping off my soapbox.
The day as a whole was long and rough. We were at sea, so everyone is on board doing Christmas things and yadda yadda yadda. I started and ended the day in Andy’s Room telling children not to climb on Rex. Yup. Merry Christmas to me!
New Years was interesting. This time I started and ended the day on Wash, which means I was guarding the bathroom from the children and saying things like, “Did you wash your hands? What color is the soap? Wrong. Go back and wash your hands.” When I say start and end, please know I mean that literally. On New Years Eve at midnight, I was ringing in the new year next to a toilet stall asking the last remaining child if they needed help pulling up their pants. When January 1, 2012, ended at 11:59pm , I had just finished asking a child if they’d washed their hands. Yeah.
I did make it up to the deck party after work on New Years Eve. I got to see most of my Traditions buddies and my friends I’ve made on board. We all spent the first few hours of the year under the stars, with wind blowing in our hair, at sea. Not too shabby.
In other news, it is 65 days and 14 hours until I come home!!!! Yay!!
I’m slowly starting to plan what I’m doing while on vacation. At this point in time I’m planning to travel! Destinations are still in the works, but it’s gonna happen. Certain people have been informed. :)
Now that the Holidays are over, my homesickness has abated somewhat. I still miss everyone, but it’s not as in my face now. In fact, yesterday I was standing in the ocean on Snorkel Beach 2 and thinking to myself, “I bet it’s snowing at home...” Not gonna lie, I’m glad I don’t have to deal with the nasty ice and snow that hits us hard in January. I’m cool with snow until January 2, when it needs to be Spring. Winter should only last through New Years.
Oh! I’ve decided that Captain Hook is amazing. All I’m gonna say is, he is my new favorite character and I look forward to every program he is a part of. I’m also a big fan of Jack Sparrow and Goofy. Love them.
Speaking of Goofy... thanks to our Animation Antics program we do with the kids, I’m now pretty good at drawing both Goofy and Mickey Mouse. I will show you my mad skills when I come home. I can also draw a pretty fabulous Mike Wasowski. The things I learn at work...
Finally... Dear Parents, Please potty train your children at an appropriate age. It is extremely awkward to change a dirty pull-up on a four/five year old. Thanks.
Love to all and Happy New Year!!
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