What's Up Wednesday

Since I am home, I can start getting back into blogging and doing the usual posts I love. On a Wednesday, I would usually do a "So What Wednesday" post, however, I don't see a link up to that anymore so I am going to be doing "What's Up Wednesday" presented by Jaime.  There are four categories/questions you answer every Wednesday, and of course link up with other bloggers.

Without any further adieu, here is my first ...

1. What I'm Reading 

 Unfortunately, I am still working on the book "Hemlock Grove". I didn't really have the time to read for six months but I read a bit when I was the airport and I am almost done. The next book on my list is "Gone Girl" and can't wait to start reading again.

2. What I'm Writing

 I've been writing a lot of emails, end of contract surveys and blog posts. I missed blogging a lot while out at sea so while I am home I am going to be blogging again and next contract I am actually going to take time and blog. I feel like it's a good release and it will allow you guys to actually follow my journey along with me.

3. What Inspires Me Right Now

 These words - "Take a chance. Because you never know how absolutely perfect something could turn out to be." I am going to live by these words with a few situations in my life right now because I think they completely ring true.

4. What Else I've Been Up To

  Trying to get adjusted to being at home and trying to catch up on sleep. I have been home for a week now and I am finding it really hard to adjust and to sleep. Last night was the first night since being home that I actually slept and slept in. I'm usually wide awake anywhere from 7am - 8am. We also went to PA for a few days which probably didn't help my "winding down" at all. Hmmm, what else ... unpacking. Isn't that the worst?? I HATE packing but I think I have a new hatred for unpacking. Still not completely done, just have to organize a few more things but it's more than half way there. I am also going to be adding/taking things away from my blog to add some new stuff so it's not always the same.

What's Up with your Wednesday?

On Canadian Soil...

...Which means, I am officially home. I know I haven't blogged at all during my six months at sea, but I will try my best right now.

The last six months were honestly the best six months of my life. When I first started the job, I never thought I would feel this way at the end. When I first signed on, I was TERRIFIED. It was my first time away from home, my first time on a ship and my first time doing anything like that. The first month and a half was probably the most difficult for me. My feelings were like a roller coaster, one day I wanted to stay and one day I wanted to go home. During my interview, they did say that the first two months were the most difficult so naturally, I stuck it out, which I am SO GLAD I did.

My ship's home port was Jacksonville, FL which was probably not the best port for crew members but the area was really nice. We sailed to Key West, Nassau, Freeport, Little Stirrup Cay and Half Moon Cay. KW, LSC and HMC were some of the most beautiful places ever. White soft sand and crystal clear water. Made all the bad days worth it. Nassau started to feel like home, which towards the end was a little weird because the guests were amazed by Nassau and it was like if you felt like lunch you would just walk off the ship and grab Subway in downtown. The more we went out, the more we found our own little places to go and we became friends with the people who worked there.

The weather was absolutely AMAZING! I came home and it was cold to me and now everyone is laughing because I feel that way. We had some rough days at sea, which I thought by the end of it, I would have been used to, but unfortunately I was wrong, it is so peaceful and calming being out in the open ocean. OH - the sunsets!! You could not compare them to sunsets at home!

The lifestyle on board was completely different. Everything I heard before I started was not a lie. You would work long days and even though you had to work the next morning, you were still out in the crew bar til god knows when. You wouldn't even have to think about it, it was just automatic. You are on the go every single day for 6 months. When guests would ask what we were planning on doing on our days off and we told them we don't really get a whole day off, their reactions were priceless. I thought working every day for 6 months would be more difficult, but it's actually not as bad as it sounds.

I have done things I didn't think I ever would get the chance to and I have met the most amazing people from all over the world. The worst part about ship life is having to say farewell to people you have become so close with. It was one of the hardest things, especially when it was my turn to leave. Life at sea is not comparable to life at home. It's a completely different lifestyle, fast paced and you become a completely different person. I have learned so much about life and myself and I will forever be grateful. At the end, I really did not want to leave, actually did not want to leave.

I've been at home for a week now and I am definitely going through withdrawals and having a hard time getting adjusted and sleeping. You're so used to be on the go for 6 months and then boom - you're home and don't have to set an alarm or go anywhere for the entire day. I'm also used to being rocked to sleep by the boat so it's weird trying to fall asleep.

I am doing a second contract and I cannot wait!! It's aboard a bigger ship and the ports are amazing. I fly out August 22nd and come home February 20th. However, if I am still enjoying it at the end, may think about extending to avoid coming home in the winter! Would you blame me??? I will be going to Belize, Roatan, Curacao, St. Thomas, St. Kitts, St. Maarten, Aruba, Cozumel, San Juan, Costa Maya, Grand Turk, Nassau, Freeport, Half Moon Cay. Places I would never get to on my own. There is so much to do on my next ship with different restaurants for dining options - It's going to be great!!

                                               My home away from home in Nassau!
      

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas - Pictures do not do the island any justice!

Paradise Island! Wish I could live there.

Key West, FL

HMC

I am missing seeing this view every night! Take me back!!

View from a tender boat. 

My last LSC

I took this photo - BEAUTIFUL!! Belongs on a postcard

This was the Captain Morgan's Pirate Ship Bar in HMC

Hazards of the job include (but are not limited to): Giants lizards, sharks and sting rays!

LSC

My last HMC

Those are just a few of the many photos I took during my six months. Can you see why I loved it and never wanted to come home?? I know I am forgetting somethings that happened, there has just been SO much! I experienced birthdays and holidays and I don't even know where to begin. 

Even though I am going through major withdrawals right now, I cannot wait to start my second contract. 51 Days!!!

Hope you guys enjoyed!

Goodbyes...

are some of the HARDEST things in the world! Currently sitting at the airport waiting to board my flight back home after the best six months ever!! I cannot wait to tell you guys all about it!! 

S.

xoxo

Greetings from FL!

Okay, so I know I'm a little behind in posting - more than a little behind!! I hope I still have some followers out there; thank you if you're still around!! 

I have three and a half weeks left of my contract here working for Carnival. I cannot believe how time flies when you're having fun & surprisingly to me, I don't want to go home! Of course part of me does, but then parts of me want to stay here. 

It has been one of the best experiences of my life and I am SO GLAD I took this chance! So glad in fact, I will be doing another contract from August 23-February 20 :) so excited!! 

I wish I could write down everything right now but I will DEFINITELY do that when I get home. As well as picking up with "So what Wednesdays" and my favorite blog on Sundays! I have missed blogging so much so I will definitely be picking it back up. I will try and write more as my time on board winds down, it just gets so damn busy I never seem to have the time!

Hope you are all doing well & I look forward to connecting with you all again and for you to hear my wonderful adventures of being out on the open ocean!

Until then,

S.

xoxo

What I'm Looking Forward To In 2014

The title of this blog pretty much sums up what I will be writing about in this post. While I was reading the blogs on my Bloglovin' feed, I came across a post where a blogger wrote what they were looking forward to this upcoming year. Needless to say, I thought this was a nice idea to share with you guys. 

What I'm Looking Forward To In 2014

➜ Traveling 

➜ Becoming more independent 

➜ Losing weight and keeping it off (I am actually going to put 100% into this this year!)

➜ Updating my wardrobe

➜ Making my family proud by making it through one working contract

➜ Since I lack self confidence, I feel that this year I need to work on this a lot 

➜ Usual family traditions

Through out the year, I will more than likely come up with some more things, but for right now, I think that is a pretty good starting list. 

Five on Friday - v.12

I'm linking up with A Liz Adventures for the first edition of FOF of 2014 - Enjoy!

O N E - Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones. So I saw this movie tonight and I was really excited about it. I usually wait a while to see a movie once it comes out but since I am heading back to work on Monday, I had no choice but to see it tonight. Opening night and school is still out for Holiday break. I do NOT understand why teenage girls feel the need to act the way they do. I have never been so annoyed in my entire life. That's besides the point - the movie itself, I was a little disappointed in. It was still freaky and I think there will be more of them.

T W O - Back to work Monday! I was blessed and lucky enough to be able to come home for the Holidays and spend them with my family. Now that all the fun is over, I have to head back to work on Monday. Again, I was stuck with a very early flight. I am terrified of flying to begin with, but flying in the cold and snowy weather makes my fear even worse. I am just hoping that everything goes well and I get there on time.

T H R E E - I don't know why it has taken me this long to get into the show Dexter. Every time I would browse NetFlix, I would come across the show and one day, I finally gave in. Absolutely fell in love. I'm pretty sure I finished all eight seasons, minus the last two episodes, in like a week or so (since I was on holidays!). My favorite character is Deb because she is dedicated, determined and of course - that mouth! SO FUNNY!

F O U R - Anyone also in love with the song Team by Lorde?!

F I V E - I have to say I am very thankful for my friends right now. I am going through a bit of a "rough spot" and they have been nothing but supportive and there for me. I would never get through half the things without them.

Enjoy your first weekend of 2014 :)

Three days away

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Years! My holidays were great and I was really blessed and lucky to be able to spend them at home with my family. Now that they're over, it's time to pack up and hit the open ocean once again. 

I don't know how many of you make resolutions for the new year, but I'm one of those people that do. I'm one of those people who also usually never stick to them either. However, this year I think my resolutions seem very attainable. My resolutions for 2014 are:

- to not be scared to try new things and live outside my comfort zone

- lose weight and keep it off

- take time for myself

- be happy

- smile

I went through A LOT of ups and downs last year and I have a feeling that this year, will be MY year. And I personally believe that that's alright! 

Being home for the last little while has also taught me a lot and my eyes were open to a few things as well. I learned who actually cares about me, where I stand in certain relationships, who I can honestly count on and that I'm the only one I can really trust. Some of these things I have learned the hard way, but I would rather find these things out than not at all. 

Three days away from the open ocean means three days of cleaning, organizing and packing again. This time, I know what to expect and what to bring and what to leave home. Crossing my fingers that I can get my luggage under 50 lbs - however, not likely! I'm also seeing the new Paranormal Activity tomorrow night. Yes, I know, these movies are maybe seen as "stupid" but I cannot help myself! I love horror movies even though I won't be able to sleep! I will write a review when I'm home as well. 

Until next time ....

S.

xoxo