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
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
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
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.
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.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
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
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
Friday, July 2, 2010
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
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.
ASH
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