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!
Sunday, January 29, 2012
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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