MERRY CHRISTMAS YA’LL

Work started early as can be today 7:00am!

·         Santa pictures

·         Gift giving (calendars)

·         Face painting

·         Smiles

It was actually quite fun. I was surprised that I was in as good a mood as I was. Considering it was Christmas and I really wanted to be at home with my family. We did have a table collapse while kids were getting their faces painted (no one got hurt).  This little girl was so cute, she tried to catch the table while she was getting her face painted. There were a few others who weren’t so smart with the table… they watched it collapse nad the mother let her girls lean up against it anyway as she proceeded to tell me the table wasn’t very sturdy. She wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed if you know what I mean.

The rest of the day went pretty well… didn’t see SCOTTIE until well into the afternoon but I got the nav checked , torch signs created and then in the evening went to serve dinner in the mess with the leadership team. At 8:30 we had officers dinner in Beach Blanket which was REALLY nice… all the officers on the ship were there including the Captain… Captain Henry.  We brought a little YA to the event… had a Mufasa while we were up there… monkey spilled her glass of water all over the table… the waiter spilled Monkey’s food.  I came back home and Disney came over… we finished out the day hanging out and watching movies… even though I feel like I have bubonic plague. Talked a lot about life not on the ship… he found my journal and wanted to read it … uhhh… NOPE. He says I’m complicated to figure out and he would like to get into my head for one day, lol. I’d say I’m complicated… more guarded than complicated but nonetheless it’s a barrier. My walls are high enough to keep me safe but low enough for the right person to come on in.

MERRY CHRISTMAS YA’LL!!!

LOOOOONGEST DAY EVER!!!

Thursday – 12/22/2010

Loooooongest day ever!! There are a few people driving me up the wall here… my rockstar edge put together team is amazing though (Vinny, Hunter, Melanie and Tyler). Moving furniture into the Edge… it was only 2 hours late… no big deal. LOL. We’re open now though!!! Things went smoothly except no one knew what technology was going where… Alfot/Vibe was hoppin tonight!!

At parties, Mr. Disney finds his way to the area that I am in… I’m trying to keep work peeps out of my business. I think I’m getting really sick… my whole body hurts. I feel like I’m trying to outrun the flu. It would really suck if I was sick on NYE and Christmas… not sure why I wrote about it in that order since it’s vice versa. I want to be able to go out on New Years… I have a really cute dress, but I think I’m online to be working at midnight. I’m on lates in a few days so it’s probably a no go. Tomorrow night Mr. Disney and I are going to hang out and we are supposed to go off ship and have some fun together. We’ll see how I’m feeling. CHRISTMAS party tonight was insane with the Port Adventures crew… everyone was there and everyone was glad they got something from their secret santa.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Ashley V Hamilton

I’m alive, I’m alive, I’m alive!

So I realize I am in hot water with the moms. I haven’t called or emailed in almost a week (sorry mom!)

I’ve been really busy. We are rolling out new technology in our spaces and trying to make sure it is all ready to go. For the new spaces… we open those on Thursday so maybe I won’t call mom. I’ll try. I really really will. It’s 2 am and I went for a walk with Disney… good times… saw a preview of the new show coming to the Wonder with the crossing. It was good. It’s not the best of the shows that we have but it was still pretty good. For those HUGE Disney fans out there. You have to come cruise and see this show The Hunchback of Notre Dame is even in this one as are and Tarzan and Turk. Good stuff.

I realized today that I love to learn but I am not in a place too conducive to being successful. I’m going to make it work. I am going to take the rest of my early days and maybe study until 10 then I can have people over or go out .She works normal hours so it’s a bit hard when I’m on lates since I’m wired but have to be quiet. Mr. Disney comes over after work sometimes and we chill or go for a walk. I’m such an outside freak… he’s a bit of a girl about the cold and finds a reason to look as cold as possible. It’s hilarious… such a girl. Tonight after the show we went for a walk and he asked me if I thought that we could be attached. I’m so antisocial right now but he’s ready to try some of our goodness out in a public venue. NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.I have one huge hang up.


Hmmmm… things are really busy at work. Getting ready for the 7 days.

Holy Late Start Batman!!

So, I have finally been able to get off the ship YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!! It's been a rough two weeks. Anything that could go wrong has gone wrong. It's been awful to be honest. Just got my costumes 2 days ago... and NONE of them fit.  Let's start from the beginning shall we?

As you know I got trapped in the hotel...a t least that's how it felt. Now I'm on ship but wow it's a struggle. I feel like I'm living in some alternate universe at this point. Got on ship and was in put in a room down stairs with a nursery counselor this after the room that they gave me already had 2 people in it. Crew office is a bit special. THEN, i got a room moving slip again last embark... the crazy bitch in there wouldn't let me putm y bag in the room. She said "You can leave it outside". Now you all know ther eis no way in hell I am leaving my luggage outside of some door. She was a dirty biatch though... she left all sorts of stuff behind and it was ridiculous.

Trying to get my self together and really get going in my new role here on the ship. I feel like by the time I get any idea of the lab operation and the counselors, I am goin to be transferring. No bueno. I'm having a good time exploring new things with ... we'll call him "Disney". Hanging out and enjoying  getting to know you ... getting to know all about you...get to like you, getting to hope you like me..." okay sorry a little song there for your viewing pleasure. :o)  He's a good guy and we have the same personality in a lot of ways... an interesting thing could be a brewing except for the fact that I transfer and he is staying here at the moment.

My first 4 cruises have been awful but I met two AMAZING families this past cruise and hope that they had a great experience. That's what I love about this job, being able to make a huge impact on a family/ a child.

In a nut shell (my computer is about to die)... work has been more awful than good at this point and personal life has been fun. :o) I'm uber emotional I think more so b/c the holiday is coming and I miss my mom and my brother. It is going to be hard. New Years Eve is an embark day I think so that sucks a bit but could be some fun being out on the water!

Gotta go battery is not going to last, maybe i'll ad more later if I can find a plug here in the Barnes and Noble.

LOVE YOU/MISS YOU!!

Still here

YEP, STILL HERE...
I'm still here at the Crowne Plaza recuperating and waiting for my ship to come in. I'm much much better, but I'm still tired as can be. I've been working on my school work, trying to get as much done as I can before I jump on the ship. I'm getting a little razzing by my YA peeps on ship but it's all good. Don't have a lot to say today except i truly do feel better. Trying to eat and get some energy and not be tired or have a headache but one step at a time is good enough.

Ciao for now!

NEW ADVENTURES:NO REGRETS!

ASH

Not so fast...

Well... things changed ever so quickly yesterday after the last post. I was tired and hungry so I ate dinner and boy did that go wrong! Not too long after that I found myself on the phone with my mom and the doctor trying to figure out what to do. I was shaking and throwing up ... not good is what I'm trying to say. Long story short I ended up in the ER after an ever so kind pick up from the neighborhood ambulance. Had lots of tests and anf got some IV fluids and finally returned to the hotel at around 3am. Loooooooooooooooooooooooooooong night of shaking and being thirsty while in a hospital bed with the IV and meds to help me out. I was in a hallway which was not ideal by any means. It as waaaaay bright and waaaaay loud, you know the kind of loud that happens when you have that headache that makes you want to just die. 
So now I'm stuck in the hotel until Thursday morning. :( NOT excited about that. I'm ready to get the show on the road and get back to my Wonder family. I will work on my school work for the next few days and see what I can knock out of the park. 
I'm a bit tired at the moment so I am going to go take a nap while I still have that ability.

Brighter days ahead though so this was just a bump in the road.

Remember New Adventures: No Regrets

NEW ADVENTURES: NO REGRETS

Alright alright. It's time for me to head back to the water.  Tomorrow...actually in 6 hours I leave the comfortable confines of my home and hometown to head back to the craziness and yes fun of Disney Cruise Lines. I have spent the last 8 weeks enjoying a little down time, studying, relaxing, and traveling with my family. 

Mom and I as usual decided to go on a few trips and as usual they revolved around soccer.  Salt Lake City for FC Dallas fun and Toronto for MORE FC Dallas fun. It's been a wild, sometimes crazy ride and I am sad to see the time come to an end but excited to get back out there and accomplish more.

My motto for my 29th year is NEW ADVENTURES: NO REGRETS. So far I've accomplished some of that with my bungee jumping and am hoping to head back out to see the world. Open my eyes and my heart and see what happens. Wish me luck if you know what I mean. I'm not the most open person in the world, lol.

Tonight, mom and I went to the airport to check in early and ask some questions. She cried on the way back and I cried because she cried. When we dropped off Claudine... I cried, when i hugged my cousin goodnight/goodbye... I cried... I didn't cry when I said goodbye to my favorite neighbor but he's good for hte laughs. I am quite positive I am going to cry in the morning. It's a long time but I will say it's not the length of time it's the actual time of the year. Christmas is a BIG time in my family. We are always together no matter how much we are hating each other.  I like to say I love you even when I hate you. It's when I don't care anymore that we have a problem. Imani called this evening after we dropped her and JJ off at Jasons house and she was crying. She missed my is what she said. "I'm not even gone yet! You can't miss me!" 

Operation write letters and take pictures begins tomorrow. Much love to everyone and please keep in touch while I'm on ship. It's always fun to see comments from my back home gang!!

New Adventures: No Regrets

Ash

It's a day for giving thanks... HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Well, well, well. It is the end of another Thanksgiving and the true beginning of another grand holiday season. The family was all together today (mom, jason, imani, jj, pam and then we added the neighbors: Lonnie and Dennis, Claudine (the sister I never had) and Sylvia (another sister that I never had).

I re-packed all of my clothes with the help of my mother. I think that I am over thinking all of this again (as usual). I had already packed and then felt the need to repack and add my entire wardrobe. It's not all in there but MAN it might as well be. My two bags are filled to the brim and are at the door waiting for me to put them in the car. Crazy, five months is a while but it's all about new adventures: no regrets.

Give thanks for your loved ones on this day. Some have recently lost their loved ones, some are yet to find their loved ones... there are a lot of diffrent ideas that run through my mind. I'm excited for holiday music, I'm excited for Christmas Trees, I'm just plain 'ol excited all together!!! Not sure who is going to be my roomnate, but I hope they love it and are good to do.

Packing, Eating, and all the fun...

So i'm watching my Cowboys, eating some turkeya nd trying to re-pack

Happy Birthday

Okay, okay... so it was my birthday this weekend. Birthdays to me are a time when you remember the definitive  moments of the past year and look forward to creating more and having more amazing memories.  My birthday weekend was amazing... i did all the things that I said I wanted to do... bungee jumping, bowling, dinner with friends and family. A bit of stress sprinkled in there and voila... that's my birthday weekend in a nutshell!

My heart goes out to  my friend Cat who lost her best friend and husband John this past friday. She is an amazingly strong person and I pray that God gives her the strength to get through this tough time. She has a birthday tomorrow  and i hope that she delves into the memory bank of the good times she has had/ they have had. My heart and good vibes are headed up to Indy.

It's within 2 weeks of my return to the ship and then I get down to the nitty gritty again. Gone for the holidays and for most of the spring, I am trying to soak in the environment and remember hte fall air and all tha tjazz from my home town and state. TEXAS you are beautimus and I will miss you but this is an amazing time in my life that I know I will remember for the rest of my life.

Life is good right now... lovin those around me and those that are my new family, my Wonder family.

Anyway, my blog will get going again  starting November 27th.

HELLOOOOOOO UTAH!

Welcome to the beehive state!! The weather here is AMAZING. Everytime I come up here, I feel like I could move here ... clean air, clean city... beautiful mountains, public transportation and fun... what more could you ask for?
You know my mom and I love love love to travel together and since I didn't end up going out to Los Angeles (sad face) i thought "Why not come up to Utah and watch some good soccer?"  DONE!

We got up early and although scheduled to leave at 12:40pm we happened to get on the 6:00am flight. Mike was a bit thrown off... no worries though, mom and I jumped on the bus and the train. The only thing we were missing of hte planes, trains and automobiles was the automobile (mom said we have that one for next time, lol... her feet are a bit tired). 

21 days until i leave to go back to Florida. I have soooo much to do! SCHOOL, SCHOOL, SCHOOL!! That is all that I have on the agenda. I couldn't get on the school intranet but am hopeful that when I return I will be able to sign on. Anywho... bought some amazing clothes today from the rack and am rip roarin ready to go i think with clothes for contract #2. 

Goodnight and goodluck!!

-ASH

So, since I've been home mom and I have been a part of a number of great,great philanthropic opportunities.

Susan G. Komen, Light the Night and the Aids Life Walk.

Mom and I at Life Walk

The AIDS LIFE WALK... is becoming a tradition for us. The GAP walks in it every year as do a great number of big businesses in the metroplex. They have teams walking in honor of lost loved ones and friends and they have people who are affected with the disease. It'a great cause that I hope to be able to continue to support. Next year I hope to getting things ready for my non-profit and will have a team representing THE PEACOCK PROJECT.

Kate and I at the Light the Night Walk

 LIGHT THE NIGHT raises money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to help rid the world of blood cancers. I also work with Team In Training to raise money for this great cause.  Keep on keepin on with the fight!

Mom didn't take any Susan B.Komen Race for the Cure pics, but she had a great time walking with her friend Johanna and her other friend Cookie. They have been affected by Breast Cancer and were really acited to see my mom out walking with them. 

Anywho...life is good and each of these events helps to remind you that no matter what I am going through there are still people out there going through something that could be much much worse that my predicament.

M.I.A.

This is part of a poem I just wrote... not my best work but it just needed to come out:

Missing In Action...

I feel as though I'm missing in action these days. I am home, yes that is true, but my mind finds itself wandering and ...thinking about you.
My sunshine and my laughter are all wrapped in your face ... all those years of pain and hurt your smile can erase.
I've been so guarded and to my heart so untrue, i have the thoughts in my head to not get tangled up or in nay way fall for you.
I am trying to think with my heart and not with my head ... again looking back at what I've seen ,my love life has been dead.
I'm missing in action, going through the motions as such... how was I to know that I had missed you so much.


(to be continued) typing as my heart shared it with me.  A little too sweet for my taste but it was in there so I let it out.

I am so tired but cannot get to sleep for the life of me. I took a nap earlier today which could not be avoided... I was EXHAUSTED and had to remedy that situation ASAP. I have read my friend Cat's blogs and again gain clarity every day and am lucky to have what I have and to not be missing the :love of my life". How can a God be so cruel to give her the man of her dreams/ love of her life and then take him away so soon? I often think about my mortality which I'm sure freaks people out... i think it comes from my experiencing profound loss in my life. Big family, lots of health scares and such. Yet still the family is not as close as they once were nor are they as close as they should be. My family is all about the people trying to be better than the other parts of the family. We are all guilty of it but it's a bit ridiculous at this point. I have counsins that I have not seen in AGES and if I was to walk past one on the street, I would do just that, walk past them on the street. They probably wouldn't recognize me. I am missing Joan, missing my dad and missing a life partner. I think of all the things I want to share with those people... my ups and my downs, my highs and my lows... I just want the opportunity to share my life with them and not feel like both and they have missed out. My dentist asked my abot Joan on Tuesday during my appointment and I started to cry ... mom and I were talking about dad the other day and what happened? I cried. I'm waaaaay more of a crier than I ever thought. Life is good though, I'm really learning to stop and enjoy the view more instead of always trying to figure out where I am going.

Love ya = Ashley

thoughts on a ashley day

Way to go Rangers!!! We'll start out with the awesomeness that is my Texas Rangers. Josh Hamilton and Cliff Lee... heroes of the evening!! Can't believe I've been home for 2 weeks. In a way it seems like I've been home for at least a month but it also seems like I just got here last week (mid-week).  It's good to be at home... I've been able to get to the doctor... a real one... and get my foot checked out and go to my primary care to get the cold checked out. Dr. Bescos is a goddess... I always feel better once I've seen her. If she wasn't so good I would've found another doctor based on the front office support that she has. They suck for lack of a better word.

In the past week, my mom has walked in the Walk For Life (AIDS Walk) and then walked in the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Walk. She is amazing and I am so proud of her and can't tell her more everyday how happy and proud that I am her daughter! She's a bit craxzy at times, but each day I realize how important she is to me and how she has helped me become the woman that I am today.
MOM YOU ROCK!
Hmmm... we are now looking at getting her ready to go on a cruise when i get back on ship. Not sure what cruise at this point since I am transferring, but a cruise nonetheless. I am trying to have a better outlook than I had initially about transferring ships... a new itinerary (may not be the one I was hoping for, but a new one nonetheless). Eastern and Western Caribbean here I come!! I looked at the ports of call and am excited to see this area of the world. It's going to be different but fun! I am going to make a promise to myself to EXPERIENCE all that I can of hte islands that we visit. I have a lot of time to get some of those expereinces in and need to make sure that I do not forget about the fun in what I do.

Anywho, ciao for now... talk to you soon friends.

I miss my Joan

I've come back now and have gotten settled back here at home.  I've learned quite a  few things about myself throughout this process.

1. I LOVE Dallas.
2. I miss my JOAN ... I miss my FAMILY (both soccer and biological).

I sit and think about the amazing life expereinces that I have had in my 28 years and am grateful.  I am grateful to my family, grateful to my friends and am grateful to anyone who has touched my life. Looking back on the friends that have been made, I cannot be sad about the losses that I have had, I can only take those losses and think of the greatness of my experiences with those people who have touched my life.

IT MAKES YOU THINK...

HOME. HOME. HOME.
It's been 7 days since I got home and wow I'm waaaaaaaay more tired that I thought I'd be. I fall asleep at the most random times.

I've got a bit of a cold which everyone seems to think is somewhat normal but I think it sucks.  I've been reading an awful  lot lately, and have taken to reading my friend Cat Goddard's blog. She is going through a very public battle with her husband right now. He is battling cancer and is in the fight for his life. She has been chronicling the day to day of it all. Her struggles make you look at your life and truly realize that you need to enjoy it for what it is ...be greatful for everything that you have and every day that you have.  Take some time to smell the roses and enjoy each day.

go check out her blog and then wipe your tears away and hug those that you love...

http://johnandcatgoddard.blogspot.com/

LIVE.LAUGH.LOVE.

Ok so I've been home for 7 days... it's been interesting.

I miss the ship, gald to be at home though and I've brought my little chest cold with me!

Home Sweet Home

I think I've accumulated all the days off I never got when I was at sea. 2 months off. What to do for two months... sleep, hang with the family and of course travel and watch some soccer. I will be putting this blog to rest at this point but may kick it back up when I get back on ship. Things are good though, glad to be at home and a bit sad about my next contract... don't want to leave my wonder friends. We'll see how that goes as well.

Just keep swimming!
Ashley

And now the time is near...

And now the time Is near…


I can’t believe it … 1 full day left. I am a ball of mixed emotions right now. I am EXCITED to see my family, SAD to leave, CURIOUS as to what comes next for me. They just told me today that I am not going to Mexico with the Wonder. I will be transferring to the Magic to do the Eastern/Western Caribbean Cruises. My contract was extended and I’m not so sure how I feel about that. I have asked to be back on the Wonder for Alaska, but there are no guarantees. It would be nice to go to the Med and Europe as well so who knows what my future holds. I have to get through tomorrow and the next day and the next day….

I have been packed for over a week now but am still trying to fit all the last minute things in my suitcase. I don’t see it happening without some things being thrown away or left behind. I know OHANA means family and no one gets left behind but I may just have to do that.

I had my review today… great feedback… some expected feedback regarding some challenges with time management… I’m okay with that… now that I have been here and know what to expect, I’m good to go for the future I hope. I cried in my review… so many emotions going through my head and I’m tired to boot. It doesn’t take much. If you know me, you know I will cry at the drop of a hat. Anywho, this has been a great experience and I know I have met some amazing people that I will hopefully be in contact with for the rest of my life.

Speaking of my life... I don’t even know what to expect from life back home. Will I be bored or what? I’m not sure what happened with my registration for my classes since I can’t really jump on the internet. I refuse to pay $20 for an internet card that I will only use for 5 minutes before I debark. Oh well, I’ll find out when I get home or to a wireless WIFI location (aka THE AIRPORT). Tomorrow night I am going to go out and party like it’s 1999… lol. Thank you for following me on this journey and stay tuned for more when I head to the Magic. .. although I still have tomorrow and my fabulous debark day OCTOBER 3rd.



Next contract dates: Embark Disney Wonder: November 28, 2010

Transfer to Disney Magic: January 6,2011

Debark Disney Magic: April 10, 2011



You should look at your calendar and come cruisin’ … you’ll have a great time I promise!

IMMIGRATION & DCL Security = :o(

Let's talk about crew immigration...NOT A FAN! Closing the space and then having to be up a little over (or under in my case) 3 hours. We get up and this timet he Customs Agents were there on time. It went pretty fast, but then when it came time to get off... the crew window was not open. CBP had boarded our ship to do a random (and methodical) drug sweep. At 6:45am I went to go to the gangway to get off and we were told not yet it may be a bit. 3 HOURS later we were finally let off the ship. We have special Security MARK from (who cares I wouldn't claim him for USA so no worries) and this new guy who has absolutely no idea what he's doing. We weren't allowed to stand on the I-95 even though it's a crew area. He came over to us rudely to begin with and then came back later while I was stopping to talk to one of my  counselors about the day and made a bit of a scene. I was the bigger person although for each hour that we were rudely spoken to and told to stay of I-95 or "GO BACK TO OUR ROOMS" as he pointed at us, I lost a bit of the leadership edge.  He threatened to call our leaders... teh counselors thought this was funny since I am a leader... I told Erika about hte specialness of security which we already know but we also got reprimanded for accumulating near the gangway. Any other day the area we were in is full of crew members anyway using their cell phones. All I can say is Mark from Security can go fly a kite! This is the short version of this story...ask me when I get home and I'll share the entire melodrama with you!

I am ready to come home... I've been on a ton more Adult time outs in the past few cruises...ridiculous is what I have to say about some of the people on the most recent voyages. We had a man just complain about us not leaving his son in the space on the island after we closed. We made sure his child was safe and evidently that was not enough.

9 days until Tejas friends... it's on like Donkey Kong when I get home... after I get my foot checked out of course!!

Staff recognition tonight...yes on the night of crew immigration as well as a night where I am exremely tired... no bueno for me.  3 cruises left...then I'm leavin' on a jet plane...

just keep swimming friends!!
-ash

I NEED A NAP

I NEED A NAP!!!
Feel like I've been up forever but it hasn't been that long. I'm not going to be able to go back to sleep and I have a ton of stuff to do today.  Have to wait to try to register for my classes to see what the financial aid folks said. I don't 3900 dollars to fork out for school I'm 5 classes shy of hte masters in sports management and am thining intently about pursuning a masters in history with an emphasis in sports history

MERRITT ISLAND MALL = FREE INTERNET

FREE INTERNET is a blessing that we don't have on the ship. Everyone pays their $7 to board hte bus to come to the mall to have free internet. If you have 2 hours off it can mean getting bills paid or just actually talking to friends online.

I'm on the look out for a new bank friends... if you know of one that is good and is also n the west coast, please let me know. I do not want to go to Bank of America and am ready to leave Compass so give me some ideas. I would like to be able to go somewhere close to the port in LA to get money if I need it AND have a debit card that works. Talked to mom today and one of these days I will talk to Claudine. Ayana I miss you sister friend and all my BLACK DAISY friends and FC DALLAS friends as well. Alice...your post cards are always welcome... everyone on ship gets a kick out of them!!

I think a visit to the ortho is going to happen when I get home... the medical center staff on board is not my fave so I will go to get an opinoin and then when I get home I will get it checked out.

Anyway... I ohpe all is well with everyone... I miss you all and will be home in 7 cruises so no worries... plan some fun for me from October 4th through November 26th.  Sports are a big plus... I miss watching them in person and on TV.

Gotta go...just keep swimming!

Ashley

It’s nice to be noticed. :O)

9/8/10

It’s nice to be noticed. Last embark day I got asked to lunch sometime by a Disney handler (shore side) … really nice guy funny and all that good stuff. Today trying to wash my clothes and getting hit on in the itty bitty laundry room by a guy from Mauritius who works in Carpentry or something… he can fix electrical goodness so that’s a plus right, lol. It’s funny how everyone starts looking good after a while. Not that these two guys look bad just saying life on the ship is very intense and the social life can be very strange and or nonexistent if you don’t go out to the crew bar. Which if you know me, you know I don’t.I love to go out to deck 5 forward and sit in the dark looking up at the sky trying to clear my head… I also like to walk around deck 4 which is our track. How nice it is to be noticed for being pretty instead of gaining weight. :o) My social life consists of work which isn’t too fabulous since my MAN SUIT as I call it adds like 20 pounds. One of the house keeper guys did tell me today “oh you’ve put on a few pounds since you got on the ship huh?”

Mom told me there was a hurricane… my bad tornado (obviously spending a lot of time on the ocean… I think of water before wind these days. Hope all is well in the Tejas… love and miss you all and will be praying for anyone who might have lost anything in the twister(s).

So back to work goodness… had a great closing team tonight and had a great meeting with a counselor. He wants to stick around the company for a while and wants to know what he needs to do to advance. I think he could advance, he just has to have the right mindset AND focus. My team was done by 1:00am and no one but me stayed after their scheduled time. I should probably change my scheduled time in the template since it doesn’t make since for me to leave at 12:30am but my closers don’t leave until 1:00am. It was a great cruise… I don’t mind the 4 day cruisers as much as the special 3 day cruisers. Those that come on our 3 days seem to want it all for free. Not everything is free and you can’t treat people like crap and expect great service. It’s like that old example of treating your waiter poorly before you get your meal. Why irritate nad treat your childs caregiver horribly while you have your kids in care with them? That’s just stupid. The 3 day seems to be the cruise for those about to fall or have fallen off the wagon. Boozers everywhere. Hopefully this cruise will be different. I know the next 4 day will be different since it is the Disney Vacation Club cruise. I have to go back and look at the scheduling template to make sure we have filled in all the holes.



I need to sign up for school this week. By this week I mean tomorrow or Sunday since I think I get paid on Saturday. We’ll find out tomorrow when I hit the atm in the mall to check my balance. The atm at Walmart and the actual cash register at Walmart hates me I think. Going to have to call the moms and get money moved around so I can start my classes. I only have 5 left until I can take my comprehensive and hopefully have a masters in Sports Management. I have to sign up by the 25th so that don’t have to go back through all the crazy paperwork… USSA is a bit special as well so we try to K.I.S.S. (keep it simple stupid) for them. I am going to sign up and have the books sent to the ship so I can get started and while I am at home finish before the week of Thanksgiving so that I can take the final at SMU. I have no choice, there is no time to take anything once I return here, although I could look into what schools in the area have testing privelages or where there is a nearby testing center. I am ready to go and get back into my sports management. It’s the fall so I’m missing watchin my Black Daisies or Replacements or whatever they are calling themselves this season, I miss watching my Mustangs (WOO HOO GO SMU!!) play some soccer, volleyball, and football. I miss all my college teams and my Cowboys as well as FC DALLAS. I pretty much miss sports in general. I would say that is my main issue with Disney… can’t watch all mys ports. If I get some time I could potentially go to the cove and watch ESPN, but I couldn’t watch all of world cup due to broadcast rights… WE OWN ESPN AND ABC!!! Doesn’t make much sense to me but hey” I just work here!” .



Some of you will appreciate my quotes… I am running low on quotes at the moment. If you have any good ones… add a comment to this page and I will write it down. I’ve been putting quotes at the bottom of my counselors schedules. :o) I know it’s soooo me. Miss you all but remember: JUST KEEP SWIMMING!!! Hello 3:00am.



7 CRUISES!!

Ashley

People come and go…

9/7/10

Can’t believe there are only seven cruises left…something like 25 days until I’m headed back to the Lone Star state! I have been on the early shift which is always interesting… something always happens in the middle of the morning time when all is a bit busy/hectic. Yesterday on the island was fun… lots to do a slight breeze and then just a plain sunny day. We had a moment of rain but I think Mother Nature thought Katy was opening and then realized it was me so she pulled back the rain clouds. A cloud came later in the day as well when shift was changing but I told Mother Nature it was Carly coming out not Katy, lol. Whenever Katy opens the island, it rains. When I say rains, I mean RAINS! Had crazy island times as well as good ones… the medical team was busy… broken arm and allergic reaction… things were going well and then BAM a random emergency. All was handled well by the Disney Island team so thank goodness for that. All in all we could enjoy the COCONUTS and SHELLS, COCONUTS AND SHELLS.

I’m sad my friends are leaving so soon. Katy is goofy and crazy which the counselors don’t really ever get to see, Carly is insane but in a good way… Darcy is also pretty goofy. They only see us when we are stressed out about this that or the other. We are all very different but we make a good team I feel. It’s hard though…morale is way down and people aren’t coming back… you’d think with such a large leadership team that there would be at least one person that the the counselors feel like they can talk to. We seem to all be intimidating (you YMCA people hush) so they go to our boss to talk about things that they could have come to us about. It sucks, since I try to be open and available to everyone and try to be in the space as a participant as much as possible. Hmmmm… I guess it’s another lesson learned… you can’t make some people happy no matter what you do. Make the majority happy and you should be okay but 100% satisfaction does not exist.

Oh well, just keep swimming.



Ashley

New post coming soon ...snippet of THE MOTION OF THE OCEAN

Will update my Hurricane posts on Thursday maybe before... I haven't forgot I had things to do today!! Miss you all... FCD IN THE PLAYOFFS!! WOO HOO!!

Hurricane Earl... you suck!!
401 emails - NO BUENO
Upset guests - aaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!

Counselors - workin hard to keep the dream alive... teamwork makes the dream work!

Just a snippit for you...

I've never seen so many black people on a boat in my life... as many people as  I know that say they don't do the 2 Fs... float or fly there were a ton on the ship.

I'll talk to you later.

Just keep swimming!!!

The motion of the ocean

Mad Dads, Kid Fights and Seizures oh my!

Yes it's been that kind of day today... we've had it all on the last day of this fabulous 3 day cruise. This one makes me want to go home. I have 8 cruises left I think after this. I haven't counted cruises until today. My electricity went out on my late day so I was forced to go out to the island... I know, I know... poor poor me having to go to the island, but I REALLY wanted to sleep. ... my foot has been hurting pretty consistently and ALOT. I've had people yelling at me and cursing at me today... I smell GSM Comments out the wazoo!! VOMIT #1139 or voyage 1139 as it's officially known. I'm going to bed to make this day go away... just keep swimming, just keep swimming.

Ashley

SEPTEMBER WHY YOU DO ME LIKE YOU DO

September has been a bit of a B so far. Bad no check that, HORRIBLE weather. Yesterday was all about high waves and wishing Hurrican Earl would have gone even farther. His wake was what got it but hey even if he had gotten closer, we are pretty safe on the ship as the Captain can try to avoid his path. We almost didn't go to Castaway due to weather but when I woke up this morning, WE MADE IT!! Bright and sunny day and everything. We were thinking it was 90% that we were going ot have an additional sea day but way to go Captain Henry!! I was lucky and got of at 8:30pm last night so I was able to be in my room and chat with D and all my facebook friends who were online.

I want to start workign out here on the ship, but it makes a treadmill with out power look good so it's not appealing to be inside. I miss being outside everyday...some days I don't actually go outside so when I do get out...it's amazing.  My foot that I hurt when I came home in July is really starting to hurt but hopefully it will stop. We'll see. I have a tone of reviews to write and deliver...Disney reviews waaaaaay different from YMCA reviews... a lot more sugar coating ...pixie dust and all that, lol.

THE MOTION OF THE OCEAN

9/2/10
Motion of hte ocean not my friend...
It makes sleeping and just walking in general a bit hard. It feels like hte hsip is about to tup over!! If you can't imagine... I'll let you know it doesn't feel so good.  I was on deck 5 forward (crew area and pool) and the wind was going something crazy and there was a table with another table stacked on it that kept  moving. I was checking the weather (aka going for a smoke not me her :o)) with Carly and decided it was time to go in. I wasn't feeling the tables and chairs stacked up for safety moving around. The waves were crashing something awful last night. Everyone on the ship was getting sick... vomit was everywhere... it ws gross but funny all at the same time. Every time you turned around we were calling to get a spot cleaned up and guarding it to keep guests from stepping in it. Housekeeping had quite the day... someone hit a sprinkler on deck 1 aft and flooded it earlier in the day and then the motion of hte ocean came, no bueno.

crazy times
32 or so days until I debark. I need to start sending some of my stuff home or buy another piece of luggage ... this could be crazy... i shoved all my sh&t in one on the way but have since gotten two additional bags... maybe I can make it work. Looks like it's time to start giving things away.

Crazy thing is ...it seems like it's been a really short time since I got here. Although a lot has happened since I went away... I'm having trouble remembering the sequential order of some events.  When Daisy died... was that before Joan or after... when was Terri... all these thigns popped into my head the other day and I had a moment trying to figure out everything. I think it was the motion of hte ocean and my lack of Sea Bands and sleep.

There are some serious black people on the ship by the way. For all the people of color that I kow who say they don't do the 2 Fs FLOAT and FLY I thinkthey all tried it on this cruise. I haven't seen this many people since going to Atlanta, Georgia!! It's crazy too b/c they all came with crazy expectations and all that attitude... which is unnecessary. RUDENESS IS IN ABUNDANCE THIS CRUISE!! I get that they don't feel well but dang it I can't help it... I'm trying to help you kids have a WONDERful time.

Anywho... going to sleep now!

Hasta la bye bye.

Ashley

If I could jump off and swim away I might just do it.

8/25/10

It’s been a crazy few days. I honestly was second guessing myself today thinking of all the craziness that has gone in this cruise. I know I am good at what I do but the numbers for my team don’t show it. I need my team to cheer up and express their happiness AND I need them to follow all DCL policies and procedures. It’s hard here to release the tension… I can’t get in my car and drive or go out and kick a ball. I’m at a point right now where I am just tired. I’m emotional and tired. I will get better, but I think when I come back for my second contract… I am going to HAVE to make sure I schedule time to go work out, time to wash my clothes and time for me in general. I’m not sure that there is enough time for that but I’m going to make it happen. I have to or I will not be good at my job. I love my MYA, I enjoyed the previous MYA and learned a lot but have found a bond with the current MYA. I was slightly stressed out and felt a bit micro-managed before but now I am able to lead the team that has been put before me.

When I come out on sea day and get to look out at the amazing expanse of the ocean it’s unbelievable that this is part of my job. I woke up this morning and decided to wash away all that craziness from the night before and start anew today. We have had some craziness again today but I am trying to remember that if I have a good outlook, it will help determine the outcome of what I am doing. This is an amazing opportunity and I’m fully ready to take full advantage of it. I am meeting amazing people and have learned some dutch. I’m not a partier but I am going to get back to having some fun away from work. You know me, the workaholic who keeps putting work and everything else in front of myself. I'M BREAKING OUT OF THAT. I will stay and make sure I am doing what I need to so that I may continue to grow with the company.

Remember: Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.

Ashley

Blabbering Blubbering at Sea....

August 23, 2010


Today has been a very very long day…special staff, kids running everywhere, signing up babies for our space, drill… you name it and it happened today.

We had drill today which meant we were standing ouside for at least an hour. Luckily I come from Youth Activities spaces and I don’t have to have my life jacket on but for everyone else… an hour in the heat with the life jacket, waiting in lines packed in like Sardines… YUCK.

Today was a day that I had to take some timeouts… adult timeouts to keep from freaking out on someone! I also got do a tour for an officer from the bridge in regards to security for our spaces. She was very nice… a bit clueless about all things Disney which is a little strange but she’s more of a sailor that a Disney person. She is doing this whole thing for hours towards her license and the pay check doesn’t hurt either. MAN I’m tired…today I owke up and could have gone right back to sleep… took the longest shower and was definitely missing my fabulous shower in the house. Katy and I are really special together… it’s interesting the dynamic. She’s uber goofy but a bit uptight and I’m a bit high strung but laid back as well. I’m sure that makes no sense what so ever, but it works for me! I am learning a lot from her and am glad to have hd the opportunity to work with her.  I have figured out what I am getting the family before I come home.. . should be good stuff that they (or you) will enjoy.

Got to the mall yesterday and realized… the bank sucks and won’t let me get my money out. LOOK IN MY ACCOUNT MR. BANK!!! There is money in there but they will not allow me to withdraw. Can you say FRUSTRATING!!! (All together now! FRUSTRATING!).

I love my roommate LIZZIE from the united kingdom… she’s the Captains Assistant so I get lots of insight into Captain Henry or when he is having a walk. I’ve had to meet with him twice now in the last 2 weeks… always on my late start days  Steering committee BBQ is tomorrow as is captins inspection… luckily or not… my cabin doesn’talways get inspected. I don’t have anything to hide but it’s nice not to have to freak out about the cleanliness of my room!

Now it’s time to say good bye… to all our com pan ey…M- I - C…(See ya real soon!) K-E-Y (Why because we like you!). M- O –U-S-E!!



See Ya Real Soon!!! October 3rd is just around the corner!!



Ashley V Hamilton

VoluntEARS at the Brevard Zoo

Today I woke up and took a little time out of the day to hang out with some Disney friends and some awesome Florida kids at hte Brevard Zoo.  It was fun took some pitcutres that could end up the cover of a magazine.  LOVED IT and can't wait to do more!!! I will have to type more on Thursday b/c i have to get back to the ship... love you guys and will upload all of my blogs that I do in my room each day as soon as i can. Don't want to make carly late for work either.

computer meltdown

so yesterday the computer system went down during registration.... aaaaaaaaaaah! my day was already full of fun... farewell gangway WITH the Captain, welcome line set up, terminal prep, signing off on orders, signing off on rooms... I'm tired oh and did I mention we had a hella fun party last night. A fashion show... I'll upload pics on Sunday since I get to get off and will be able to go to the Marrott Square mall for free wi-fi... love it... maybe not $7 for the bus ride could be an issue since my atm cards are crapped out... having to switch wallets. Today we had some intoxication maybe (not by me) but all is well at the moment. Sitting in Guy Harveys in Key West... you should come visit when you are here!! It's good food nad free interenet as well.

I have a new nickname..Trudy J Fagnes... long story will have to explain. By the way Alice... love my postcard... it got put under my door , lol.

Gotta go back to work... hello to all my FC DALLAS friends... miss you and to all my Y peeps I sent a postcard to ya!

Just keep swimming, I know I will!

Ashley

i need to learn to nap

so the previous post was actually august 10th and this one is from august 12th... life is crazy and my $20 internet card ran out :o(

I NEED TO LEARN TO NAP


I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO TIRED. I think that has been the overwhelming theme of my experience. I am not sleeping as well as I would like or as well as I need to. My hours are a little wacked out considering I live downstairs. I would say it’s similar to being an RA. So, I got stood up by my friend Aldo the other day… little brother…short stack, sir. Got out in Nassau and walked around a bit and then came back to eat some ice cream on the ship. Had a late start to thought I should take advantage of it for a bit. We have had some crazy times in the past 3 cruises but are hopeful that we will be able to solidify the team.

Can a sister hit save after a blog post!

So , where do I begin. I wrote this amazing blog a couple days back and it was actually pretty great if you ask me. What happened, I went to preview and like me, did not hit save so that whole bit was not so successful. Not sure where the last time I left you what was going on.


Anywho… moving on to something more fun; travels aplenty I have lots to share. We are in Nassau today …going to eat lunch with my buddy Aldo… should be a good time. I was working until 2am last night getting ready for Captains inspections. We are going to have Captains inspections every Port Canaveral day starting in a few days… no bueno. I am having the time of my life though, did I mention that?



A couple of weeks ago at this point… mom, mexi mom and mexi sister came out to see me and enjoy some sun time. Mom was on edge as well I think she misses me … I miss her tons so I get that. I was way more emotional to see her and say goodbye than I thought it would be. We met up after I got another friend (Carly aka Sally Short Arms) to cover for me for a few hours. I got off the ship and we went to find my bank (an important trip if I do say so myself), then to Wal-Mart and then on to the beach for lunch and laughter. Laughter of course comes when my mom Michele, my mexi-mom Olga and my mexi- sister Claudine including myself are all together; watching the shorter people with us standing in the water and getting splashed around a bit is always fun. I also quite enjoyed the facial expressions of my mom and Olga when they were walking or skipping along the scorching sand. Olga fell trying to go up the steps in the ocean, and you know I got a picture of it. Claudine and I called it before it happened so I was able to get ready to capture the moment, lol. Lunch was fun and bitter sweet as well… my time was running short I had to get back to the ship… I talked non-profit with mom and Claudine… mom cried randomly, which ALWAYS makes me cry. It was sooooo good to see them though. Tears or no tears… my life line back to Texas has been Claudine and of course my fabulous MOM. If you see her before I get back, give her a hug for me please!!!



Nassau has been a fun place to visit… on Friday of last week, the leadership team was taking to a wine tasting. I know, I know, I don’t drink so why would I enjoy that?! My thoughts exactly. Honestly not too many of us were looking forward to it since even those who did drink were thinking…middle of the day, have to go back to work so wine probably not a good idea. IT WAS A BLAST. We almost died in out taxi ride… the man did a 77 point turn to go the wrong way down a one way street!! CRAZY TIME! I have pictures as well. I also went from wine tasting to a cigar factor. HELLO ASTHMA!! I t was pretty cool to watch people hand rolling the cigars… they make between 150 and 170 per person per day. That’s a lot of cigars! We saw a 200 thousand dollar bottle of wine and had the privilege of touring the 3rd largest private wine cellar in the world. I have a picture of me holding a cigar … laughing so hard my eyes are probably shut. Very, very pretty location… it housed the first Olympic sized swimming pool in the Bahamas until a Natatorium/Gym opened up and now they have a few. Our taxi driver some how found us in the middle of our tour and came to let us know he would be back to pick us up. WE PASSED ON THAT AND ESCAPED ON FOOT BACK TO THE SHIP. We realize we should have done that in the first place. When we got back to the port, the water was so blue and inviting it was amazing. The ship looked gorgeous and then there were the CARNIVAL ship (blah) in our ships way so I couldn’t get a clear picture of her so we took one of us all making faces at the other one.

I’m growing more and more accustomed to the day to day activities of my job and the interactions with other people. It’s been a great adventure and I can’t wait for the PANAMA CANAL adventure in January. It will be the middle of my contract but I’m game and glad that I will even get to experience all of the countries that we will go through on the crossing.

I’m getting ready to move cabins again… 4th room in what, 2 months?!! I’m about to stop unpacking all together. By the time I get settled again, it will be time for me to go home. I’m not sure how I’m fitting all this stuff in my luggage. Might need to save some money so that I can by another suitcase. Maybe just have mom send one to me or something. I can send my suitcase home early, that’s a great idea Ashley. Why thank you Ashley!

Speaking of Ashleys; there are now 3 Ashleys in the Youth Activities department. One is me (WOO HOO!), one is Deuce (Ashley Wallo) in the Lab and the other is Ashley K (WITH Out and About. We are all thinking about changing our names at this point! In meetings it gets a bit confusing.



Out and About… this Friday I have Out and About Introduction…this could be interesting. I need to work on the script information so that I feel comfortable saying it. I know the information but also felt so much pressure with Clayton there observing.

Anywho… just keep swimming peeps!!



Ashley

Sitting in the Hard Rock here in Key West... sippin on a chocolate shake and some water.

The past few weeks have been crazy. It is insane to me that I have been here for a little over a month already. 2 months from yesterday I will be flying back to D-town to bug all of you. I am having a great, stupendous, fantastic time and am learning so so much. I miss you all.

We've been hanging out in Castaway, we've had character pictures, we've endured the rain at Castaway and ofcourse our fun ports at Nassau and Key West.

My job is very similar to the YMCA child care director job that I had a few years back. Sometimes I feel like we are hurding cats to get the kids AND the parents doing what we need to make the operation run smoothly.

I have some time off most days to unwind... in Nassau i got to deck 5 forward and hang out at the crew pool and read or journal.

In Key West I feel safer so I get off and roam around most of the time.

It was a fun day when my mom, mexi mom and mexi sister came in. I am so gald that they had the opportunity to come on down. Olga fell in the water on the steps... mom was a bit on edge and Claudine wanted someone to make a decision. Claudine had a fun vacay I'm sure with both moms and no buffer.

I'll write some more details later but I feel bad sitting at this table not eating.

Just keep swimming and ciao for now!!

ash

oh my heavens... just typed the whole thing and forgot to press save.... crap crap crap. I'll re= write in the morning. I have a lot to say.

Love ya,
Ashley

oh my heavens... just typed the whole thing and forgot to press save.... crap crap crap. I'll re= write in the morning. I have a lot to say.

Love ya,
Ashley

oh my heavens... just typed the whole thing and forgot to press save.... crap crap crap. I'll re= write in the morning. I have a lot to say.

Love ya,
Ashley

Good times Ya'll

On my way back home... to Mickey's House Boat

Well, well, well.  It's been quite a week here in the Big D. I came home with a heavy heart but am headed back out to sea with one full of love and great memories. I want to say thank you to my friends and family for all the wonderful support and outings to keep my mind off of my sadness. I met new faces some that I have heard of for the past 23 years but never actually met (yaaaaay for meetings) and some that I haven't seen since before I could drive (a while ago). It was great to see everyone and see the love in one place.

I have missed my Mickey family and am so excited to get back and get into the swing of things. I have a lot of new studff to learn and conquer so I'm going to tighten my boot straps and dig in. I've got some fun pictures that I have posted on facebook if you'd like to see them (facebook pictures ). As soon as I get a new netbook I will be able to upload my new pictures as I take them. In the mean time you will have to wait until I port or whenever I can get to another computer and get them on there. 

I leave tomorrow morning and will make a pit stop in Atlanta and then on to Orlando. I stay at the Crowne Plaza Orlando Airport one night and then off to the ship in the morning. Could use some details as to how that's going to play out but am hoping that I will get an email tomorrow and can communicate with my mom to get that information. You know how I am with details... I need  them.

Until I type again friends... love you and miss you but I'm having the time of my life ... on Mickey's house boat.

REMEMBER: Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.

Ashley

Moving On

This just in... my bosses at DCL are amazing. I am being allowed a few extra days at home with the family to complete the closure process. It helps them too since they are short cabins for the crew, but in the long run it helps me. I'm sure they're worried about my mental state upon return so in their thinking... the longer i can be home before returning the less they are paying me AND the more my mind will settle and I will be able to move on.

I am stoked about my job and Joan would've been stoked to hear all about my adventures.  She told me I should take the position and thank  goodness I did. She knew that it would be a great fit for me and man oh man does it seem like it is. I am thankful everyday of the 86 years that she graced us with her presence and hope that I can keep the fun memories alive while I'm' on the cruise.  She'd have loved the DCL and was working towards getting better so she could come on one in the future.

Just keep swimming...

Ash

Infinite Sadness

Today is the funeral and I am dreading all that it brings... I am supposed to speak but am not sure how that will go. As happy as I have been this is such a dark storm cloud in the middle of my ocean of happiness. I can't believe that she's gone and would love to have her back to talk to, argue with, laugh with and just spend time with. After today we are supposed to go out to her favorite restaurant and celebrate her life more... seems so hard if you ask me.

As for cruisin' I'm back on board on Friday... DCL has given me the time off that I needed but she would be so pissed off at me if I stayed off the ship longer than this one contract. She would be mad anyway that I came but happy at the same time.

I remember watching Cowboys games with her, swimming, going to doctors appointments, visiting the hospital, her coming to all the graduations and looking forward to my wedding ... we used to talk about it often. I'm going to miss her sooooo much it hurts.

so much to say... so tired

It's been a while since I posted and I sure do apologize for that. I've been running running running on the cruises and am usually uber tired and don't feel like going to the Crew mess to use the computer cafe.  By the way did I mention it costs 10 cents per minute and did I mention that the computers are slow as molasses!! Anywho... let's see where I have left off. I'm am currently at home due to a death in the family but will be back cruising in no time. It's almost 1am here in Dallas and I'm so completely tired but cannot for the life of me get to sleep. 

Back to cruise life...

I've been in Nassau, Key West and Disney's Castaway Key in the past 10 days. Can't complain ...went on a catamaran, snorkeled in the ocean and hung out in Key West at an amazing restaurant Guy Harvey's Island Grill.

Key West - I bought a new swim suit and a new dress, got jipped since I wasn't paying attention and ended up paying full price for something I bargained down to half price... damnit!!  
Nassau - went snorkeling with the YA staff or at least half of it and then worked 10.5 hours.  It was amazing and I am so glad I chose to set out on this adventure.

My cruise life is quietly becoming normal... I go out with some of the staff, I go to work and train and then try to take a nap if I get a chance in there.

I do not get sea sick as I know it seemed that I did when I got on... I've done quite well in the rough waters. "Duece" is all about us traveling through potential hurricane waters... she's a bit loco but I love her anyway!!! I'm all for calm boring waters...makes for a great sail and a quick trip.

Here's a bit of trivia for ya...
-1 gallon of fuel get's us 52 feet
-our capacity is around 2500 guests and around 1000 cast/crew

I have seen a number of Disney shows now that I've been there for a bit and let me tell you... AWESOME... AMAZING...AWE INSPIRING.  You would never know that you were floating in the middle of the ocean. All of the productions are so well put together and fabulous. The characters know there roles so they come from WDW and are ready to sail with the rest of our guests, but the main stage performers practice for months to be able to support Mickey and Minnie and all of their friends. 

In YA we do a program called Friend Ship Rocks...it's a huge program at the end of the cruises where we put all the pictures and video that we gather each cruise and make an amazing slide show and do a dance number for hte parents to watch and see what their kiddos have been up to.  Mickey and Minnie come to help us celebrate.
I had lunch with Princess Tiana and Peter Pan the other day so my life was good and I got some Tinker Bell pixie dust from  Peter... you know he hangs out with the lost boys (2nd start to the right and straight on til morning). Good stuff everyday...I'm amazed at how much I have learned in such a short time but am still loving it.

The next step in my journey is that of Youth Activities Manager in Training. I will be working with a guy named Arnaldo from Brazil.... pretty exciting and scary all at the same time.  I know I can do it and I am up for a challenge but every once in a while this past week I have looked around and said " How am I going to remember all of this?" I have to be ready in 2 weeks. That we before I missed this week due to the family emergency.  Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah!! Sorry needed to get that bit of panic out. I think I can, I think I can, I know I can, I know I can, I will, I will... this is a hill that I will climb and move past.There is another Youth Activities Manager named Katy who has just returned from family leave but has worked at DCL for something like 5 or 6 contracts.  I'm in good hands and will be able to ask questions even after I step up.

If things continue the way that they are, I am definitely going to accept another contract if they will have me.

Just keep swimming.... more to come tomorrow, this is great therapy.

Goodnight... or good morning if that works better for you.

love you all to bits. - ash

It's not much... but it's home... let's just call it Paradise

Okay so I'm a bit slow in updating my blog but it's 10 cents per minute to be on this thing so give me time to update.

I'll start with the longest day known to man aka SHIP EMBARKATION DAY. We had to be up, checked out of our rooms and in Disney Look by 5am. INSANE!!!  We waited the for our bus and then embarked on the beginning of the longest adventure I've had in my life to this date. I got on and already the water works were starting. I was texting all my peeps and letting them know I was missing them and that I was starting my new adventure. I think I would have been fine if I had not listened to my playlists made by my friends and family! Blue October  UP DOWN... completely fit my life for the next  24 hours.   I ended up getting GI the night we got there and then had to be put in isolation for the next and my first 24 hours on the ship.   I was stuck in a blue room with no mirrors and/or windows  for 24 whole hours. I didn't have anyone to talk to! You know how hard that was for me! It would have been harder if I had been awake for most of it. I "vomitted" as we say on the ship until I pretty much passed out.  Not a good way to start my time on the ship. For the first Castaway day I was in the bowels of the ship just sleeping and watching Disney movies over and over.
Once out I continued with my traditions class (for you YMCA people that's the equivalent of Mod 1 and 2) and then had all my ship training.  It is Friday today and 6am immigration is where it's at. The last group thing we do for a while with my new hire family. We took group pictures with Donald, hung out in Nassau with other crew and have had an all around amazing time with Kenny my Canadian youth activities trainer. I start workign ont he floor in the YA area today and then spend a week working as a counselor then the Manager training begins. I have so many training toshove into one month I have no idea how I'm going to be working with people at all!

The Youth Activities group is amazing... the Manager of Youth Activities (MYA aka MY BOSS) is from Minnesota. His name is Clayton and he dances like Major Paine no joke... it's funny. He's going to be a great boss I can just feel it. No worries Diddy no one can out shine you in my world.... you'll always be my OPRAH! 
We have a special handshake for YA and tons of fun crazy people like me.  In my traditions group I may or may not have told you about the other Ashley or A2 as she became known... I call her DEUCE and she and most other people call me SAUCE as in A1... when they talk to b oth of us we are simply " THE ASHLEYS".  Great girl from Chicago/ Detroit... going to be a life long friend I think. 

That's all for now... I gotta get off the boat and get some more stuff... i packed a bit too light and am now washing anad wearing the same things over and over again!! Love you and miss you all, but remember... JUST KEEP SWIMMING, JUST KEEP SWIMMING!!

ASH

It's a beautiful adventure... but you have to start out somewhere

It's Official... I've been Pixie Dusted

The past few days have been crazy! I'm going to make this short since I ham extrememly tired. I will be blogging probably once or twice per week. We'lls tart off with teh basics... my roomie's name is Jamie and hse is fromthe Netherlands... çoolest chick ever beside my besties.  There are 20 people in our newbie class and we as not employees, we are cast members or crew members. I catch a motorcoach and not a bus and also wear a costume not a uniform. Life is good and I have now been officially dusted. I know Mickey well already and have met some of his great friends like Tinker Bell, Aladdin and Jasmine as well as Minnie.  They came to visit us in our training today which was pretty coola s we played DISNEY TRIVIA. We also played a game in teams that involved naming as many characters as we could. The winning team got a prize. I'm sure you are not surprised to know I was uber competitive with teh whoel thing and I am happy to say my whole table was the same. WE WON... if you were curious ... we bet everyone by 10 or so characters... that's right we're awesome.   Let me share my new family names with ya.We are a very loud group which surprises all of you I'm sure!  Ashley aka Deuce, Jamie aka Speedo,  J. Scott "Fitzgerald"... We have fun and there are more but I'm on my roomies computer so I'm going to go. We have all Saturday to play in the park and had half a day yesterday as well. We lerned our role and the history of hte company. It's something I am going to delve into when i get back home. My new family has taken to call me Sauce or A1 since I am the oldest ashley here and the oldest of the group. Life is good right now and I'm excited about the awesome adventure that I am on. I have already made some life long friends and will continue to swim that path!!

Just keep swimming!!

Ash

little fish...BIG SEA

It's 11:37pm on Tuesday and I am off to the Wonderful World of Disney in 12 hours. I'm a bit of a mess and can almost guarantee tears in the morning with my mom and brother.  It's been a crazy month of prep... i'm nervous, sad, excited, scared... you name it and I am pretty much feeling it at this point. I've packed and unpacked (thanks Claudine) too many times to count. Feel like I have too much, then feel like I don't have enough. I'm going to miss all of my fabulous family and friends but am soooo stoked to be taking on this new adventure. God never gives us more than we can handle so I pray that he has given me the strength to go into this experience with my eyes wide open ready for any and everything that comes my direction.
I am taking my medium suitcase and my red back pack. That's it and that's all...anything that doesn't fit in either of these bags, cannot come or has to be shipped.
 I've said my goodbyes to all of those that are the closest to me and am prepared to have AWESOME stories when I come back. There will be pictures and the blog, however, I'm bringing back the art of the letter when I get out on the open water. I will do my best to blog at least once a week maybe twice, but I'm going to be busy, so don't be surprised to see a gaggle of posts sometimes. Not sure gaggle is the right word but really wanted to use it so it's in here, lol. 

A number of you have wondered where I am going to be. I am starting out on the WONDER which is going back and forth to the Bahamas at this point. Trying to stay out of the Caribbean during hurricane season is what I hear. It's all close enough if you ask me. Tomorrow it's supposed to rain and then by Sunday (embarkation day) it's supposed to be 90degrees. Ninety degrees there and ninety degrees here are totally different... my hair is going to be uber curly almost all of the time due to the humidity and closeness to the water.  Some people have been known to call me "HALFRO",  I'm going to do my best to avoid that issue but we'll have to wait and see. You know how you get nervous on first dates and interviews and you start to babble? I feel like I'm doing that right now so I'm going to close this on up and say ciao mein to all of you.

-Just keep swimming, just keep swimming!

Ashley
aka - Little Fish trying to make waves.

The frenzy is on ...

The frenzy is on... 2 days left until I'm out of Dallas and on to being a part time Floridian/ Sailor.
Still haven't packed, that's on the agenda for today. Workin on all the little things that I think I need to take or may want to take.  I have two bag options that I'm working on and will see which one packs the best and then make the final determination. I've got lunch with friends in the middle of the day maybe a bit of swimming coming up and then just trying to sleep some at night since I hear it's good for ya. My sleeping pattern is all out of whack because I'm nervous, excited, anxious... you name it and I'm feeling it right now!

The Bon Voyage/ Birthday shin dig was an amazing time! I enjoyed seeing friends both new and old mingle and chat and come together in fun. It's always fun when you can just chill and be with people that are special to you.  You know how you invite a ton of people and hope that even a quarter of them showe up? Well we invited about 100 people and had over 50 there... thanks peeps I feel the love!! We had food coming out of our eyeballs and fun overflowing the yard... can't wait until the next party... I'm feeling a birthday shin dig coming in November (stay tuned!).

Okay the day is almost half over and I've done none of what I need to do.   The real fun blogging will start in a few days!!

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming!!

Ash

Gettin down to it

Okay so we're gettin down to it... 6 days and counting.  Trying to pack, got a hair cut ( I cut it all off!) and am all in all trying to enjoy the home life.

Things are getting a bit crazy though. I had a 5/5 hour physical on Tuesday and STILL didn't have everything that I needed. Crazy I know.

Wow... this has been quite an adventure already!! I leave for Orlando in 12 days and am freaking out a bit about all the things I can and cannot do and can and cannot take.

Some how I am going to fit 4 months worth of stuff in a medium sized suit case. What exactly is a medium size suit case you wonder? Yeah, I wondered too. I asked my HR peeps KB and KP and was told to mind the airline measurements. Now I'm an airline kid and I can pack with the best of them, but between what I have to take and what I think I need to take ... it's going to be a rough time. I feel some practice packings in my future!