Happy New Year

As a new year is upon us, I can't help but sit and reminisce about the past year. Last year, if someone would have told me I would be where I am doing what I'm doing, I would have thought they were crazy. I've had many ups and downs, made some good and bad decision and decisions I didn't think I would have to make just yet. I can say, however, that I have definitely grown as a person and that I'm putting 2013 behind me with many lessons learned. I couldn't have made it through the year without my friends and family. It's safe to say that I am going to make 2014 MY year and live it up to its fullest. Happy New Year everyone! Here's to new beginnings, new memories and a wonderful 2014!

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 

Hope the New Year brings you everything you want! 

S.

xoxo

Is there anyone out there?

.....It's meeeeeeeee!! (said in the "How To Lose A Guy in 10 Days voice)

I hope people are still following my blog even though I have been a HORRIBLE writer ever since I left for sea. However, today I am here to update you all on what has been going on! I am at home for a bit and I fly back out to JAX on January 6th to hit the open ocean once again. I am very lucky and grateful that I am able to spend the holidays with my family. My mom is especially happy with that, that's for sure!

My experience on the ship was ... well ... different! Before I accepted the position, I did a lot of research and talked to a lot of people who were currently working on a ship or who had worked on a ship. I heard some positive things and some negative things but when in to the job with an open mind because things are different for everyone, and people experience things differently than the next person. My first day was a very long day. My flight left Buffalo at 6:30am and I didn't get to the ship in JAX until roughly 2:30pm and then it was right into things. Luckily, my room mate was someone who I knew from the interviews we had in Toronto. I definitely had a lot of "omg what did I get myself into" moments. Between having to know the layout of the ship, how to get around, dealing with being on a ship for the first time and then having all the job things on top of that! I understand why they say give it a good month and a half!

After a while I started to get the hang of some things, but then again everything does start to look the same on a ship. There were a few rough days for me where I couldn't handle the rockiness of the boat, but you eventually get used to it and I felt like I was starting to. However, when trying to sleep, the rockiness is actually kind of calming and helped me sleep. Speaking of calming, being outside at night listening to the water and waves and having that breeze - definitely calming!! It was also nice getting to know people from different countries and cultures and when I read "you're never alone for more than a few minutes" - yeah, that's 100% true as well.

When I left for the job I was leaving with the understanding that yes, ship life was different than being on land, but let me tell you, I have no idea how true that was! Like everything in life, there are some good things and some bad things about ship life. I've been home a few days now and I have found it a little difficult adjusting to things and as soon as I have adjusted to being home, I'll have to up and leave again - oh well.

So for now, I get to spend some time at home, deal with a few things and have Christmas at home. Then pack up again and hit the open ocean ....

So What Wednesday [5]

Linking up with Shannon and saying "So What" if ...

➜ I fell in love with Dunkin Donut's Red Velvet Latte today!

➜ I'm supposed to be leaving Friday and I haven't even started packing yet. I just finished buying everything tonight. Now, I'm doing all my laundry. Tomorrow is going to be a long day!

➜ We discovered Joe's Crab Shack! Even though I am not a seafood person, really enjoyed it. 

➜ I have been second guessing my decision lately. It's normal right?

➜ I think "terrified" is an understatement right now!

➜ I think the only thing keeping "happy" right now is that I will be enjoying the warm/hot weather instead of the snow and the cold.

➜ I absolutely LOVED the movie Gravity in 3D

➜ Kind of goes with being terrified but "So what" if I cry because I'm nervous. It is okay to cry!

Freak out #1

This is probably one of many freak outs I will have before Friday night. Time is going too quickly and my countdown is down to two days! I feel so unorganized as I still don't have everything I need and I still have not received my new travel details yet. 

The other day I told my dad that "I don't want to go anymore" because, truthfully, that's how I'm feeling. His response to me, "well what are you going to do? You left your job for this chance, you need to do it so you can finish school. So what would you do?"  He's right. I have no idea what I would do if I didn't go. I have a friend who did the same thing and she said she felt the exact same way before she left as well. Maybe because everything is becoming real, but as I lay here in bed wide awake, I keep asking myself if I made the right decision. If I don't go, I won't get ahead with anything, I will be further behind. I KNOW this but yet I still have feelings of uncertainty. This is definitely the most difficult thing I have ever had to do in my life. 

On a side note - saw Gravity 3D tonight, finally!! WOW!!! It is honestly one of the best movies I have seen in a very long time. Talk about an emotional roller coaster. Everytime the character was out of breath, so was I. Everytime the character was panicking, so was I. Absolutely amazing movie!!

S.

xoxo

Sunday Currently - Nov 10 v.13 (what would have been!)

This would have been my edition of TSC for yesterday, however, it was such a busy day and at the end of it, I just wanted to sleep. Better later than never, right? This may also be my last one for a while since I'm leaving for my new job on Friday! I know the places where I am going, but I'm not 100% sure on my itinerary and where I will be Sundays. If I do have a chance on a Sunday to write one up, I will post. If not, I will be trying to write them down in a journal and post whenever I can. Either way, thank you for reading and keeping up thus far :) Linking up with Lauren as usual!

C U R R E N T L Y ....

READING: I'm still on Hemlock Grove. I'm thinking I will be bringing it with me and maybe be able to finish on the plane or on my down time on board

WRITING: This post and MANY smaller lists on last minute items

MUSIC: I'm still liking Timber by Pitbull and Ke$ha!

LISTENING: To the sound of silence

GUILTY PLEASURE: Polka Dot Birthday Cake! Since I'm away for my birthday, we had my family birthday dinner this past Saturday. My mom made me a polka dot birthday cake, as per my request. It was a beautiful cake and was DELICIOUS!! I really do have the greatest parents!!

THINKING: This time next week I will be somewhere WARM where it's not threatening to ..... wait for it ....  snow! :(

NAIL COLOR: Timeless White - Sally Hansen; name says it all!

SMELLING: Nothing

DRINK: My staple - decaf orange pekoe

WISHING: For my updated travel details

FOOD: Nothing

HOPING: That everything goes well in the next couple weeks and that I settle in easily

TV SHOW: Season 3 of The Killing is now on Netflix and I have one more episode left. I really wish they didn't cancel that show!

WEARING: Pajama pants and a hoodie

LOVING: The temperature in the places I will be visiting!

WISH LIST: Gingerbread Latte and someone to pack for me! Wishful thinking huh?

WANTING: Kind of the same thing as Hoping this week - wanting everything to go well and that I settle into everything easily and that I have fun

NEEDING: To start getting everything together and organized to make packing easier

BLESSING: For my family and this wonderful opportunity that I am about to take

FEELING: Every emotion at once right now! Needless to say, I also didn't sleep last night and probably won't be sleeping much this week either

CLICKING: Keys on the keyboard

EXCITEMENT: For another dinner outing this week with my dad and brother! We are trying a new restaurant and I'm looking forward to it :)

Hope everyone has a good week!

Lest we forget

 It is Remembrance Day here in Canada and Veteran's Day in the US! If you haven't done so already, please take a moment of silence as a Thank You to everyone, past and present, who have served and fought for our freedom.