We Can't Stop ..

Well I can't stop.

I don't feel like I've stopped since I've been home and it's only been all of 3 days!

I got home at 1 am Monday morning, woke up at 11:30am and Mum and I started decorating the Christmas Village. Here is the end results:

Adorable right?! Anyway, we did that, then I had to work at 4 till 8. I'm working at my old job, at Hallmark Gold Crown, over Christmas and into the New Year until I go to the Imagination in March. Then yesterday, I unpacked (most of it) and hung everything up and such in my new 'closet' that my Mum built while I was away. I wrote all of my Christmas cards for all my friends on the ship, bought the presents AND sent them off to the Valor.

Today I worked 8-3 at Hallmark and on my lunch break I went over to McDonalds in the Walmart because I hadn't had McDonalds in 3 months, gimme a break! Anyway, I was sitting there eating and instagramming (obviously) and a lady and her daughter came over to me from the other side of the restaurant to say 'You're beautiful. People don't say it often enough to each other and we just had to tell you.' That has put me in a good mood for the entire day. I don't think anything can bring me down from that one today. There are still really great people in this world and I hope they know even the smallest words can make a BIIIIG difference! Plus, everyone that I run into keeps telling me they're jealous of my tan, or ask if I've just been back from a holiday and such aaaand nope, just been living on a cruise ship for 6 months. And honestly people, I'm glad to be back in snow! I have a hunch that feeling won't last long but for right now, I'm totally okay with it.

Well those are my first few days back and I've already got lots planned for December. Tonight, I'm decorating my Christmas tree with the family. Friday, I'm getting together with some girlfriends for a Christmas gift exchange/drinks - cause who does gift exchanges without alcohol?! Especially since I'm assuming one or 2 of the ladies will be GIVING alcohol lol. I'm going to the play that my Mum is involved with on Saturday afternoon. I'm going to the Sens vs. Leafs game on Saturday night. Sunday is work again with a work Christmas party at night. Both my mum and sister aren't impressed with the fact that I've been back at that job for all of 3 days and I'm already going to their party. Next week is Kingston with my friend Jordan to see my friend Stephanie. I've got an ugly christmas sweater party next Friday and by the way I have the BEST sweater for it! Well maybe not the best, but it's pretty damn good!

We shall see what the new year brings, but if I don't write another post until then, I hope everyone has an incredible holiday season with your loved ones whether it be ship families, or families at home, on land or at sea, or heck in the air if you're a flight attendant. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Feliz Navidad, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Hanukkah, Happy New Year. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night. <3

My Bags Are Packed ...

it's been almost 3 months since I've written a blog which seems pretty crazy but its true! hope you're all still around! most of you have probably seen my going on's on Facebook via the pictures anyway but for those of you that aren't on my Facebook here's what's been happening. 

I went on a shore excursion which was loads of fun! It was a turtle snorkel tour. I had never snorkelled before so I was a little nervous about whether I was going to be able to master the whole breathing through a tube thing but apparently its quite easy. I saw lots of turtles and lots of fish - it was great! They were so cute! The group that we went with was just crew again which was even better! I mean guests, we love you, but we need time to ourselves too! 

I did a jeep tour around St. Maarten with some friend as well - Bailey, Josh (both canadian whoop whoop) and Leilah. There's pretty much only one road in St. Maarten so it's pretty tough to get lost. We made a few stops around the island - one at Orient Beach (on the French side), Marigot Bay, and Airport beach before we had to head back because Bailey had her sign-off orientation. 

We also had a crew fashion show the following week which was pretty darn entertaining - long as could be - but entertaining. Crew members from all the different departments took part - they did a natural look and then an elegant look (which is why it took so long). It was nice to see people really get into it and so many crew members showed up for support which was really nice to see! 

I got to celebrate my 23rd birthday on board. The entertainment team surprised me with a party in the crew bar. I thought it was just going to be a small gathering for drinks and whatever but there was decorations, food, drinks, dessert - I was really spoiled. The team got me a new Pandora charm for my bracelet - a little birthday cupcake :) 

We've had so many crew parties these past few months mostly due to our new FUN team that we have on board which is basically just a bunch of crew members who come up with ideas of fun things for the crew to do whether its parties, sports nights, wine and cheese nights that kind of stuff. We've had a zoobilee party, a superhero party (which we had the second week i was on board so i didn't dress up for this one) of course a Halloween party and the other night we had a White Sensation party. I think it's safe to say I'm partied out - except for tonight. Tonight is my last formal night this contract so I've got to go all out for this one. 

Also, at the beginning of the month the Philippines unfortunately suffered from that tragic typhoon and the majority of our crew members are from the Philippines. I'm lucky enough to call some of them my friends and I'm going to miss them dearly. It was heartbreaking to stand on the gangway and hear that some people had to go home for family emergencies because their families were in the middle of some of the wreckage. The crew has been working hard to raise money in all sorts of ways for the Typhoon Relief Fund. We had a teddy bear sale (kind of like build a bear) from Camp Carnival, we held a crew bingo where the winner would split half the winnings with the fund. The winnings that night was over $4000 which means just from that over $2000 went to the Philippines. The entertainment department put on one of their shows, 'Far From Over' and everybody that came just had to make a donation upon entry and with that we raised $2700. I'm so proud of being part of such a huge family that everybody comes together like this to raise money for fellow family members and friends. 

I'm sad to see this contract go because I have made even more life long friends and one of the things that I'm honestly most sad about is the fact that Sam and I won't be together on our next ship like we have been these past 2 contracts. I'm going to miss her SO much, I don't think she realizes how much. As sad as I am to see this contract end, I'm very excited for my next one to start in March on the Imagination in Los Angeles. It'll be different and a challenge because this ship is a 2.0 ship which means it's got all kinds of the new features on it so it'll be a nice change. I'm glad to say too that if I find that the ship isn't exactly what I was hoping for, my cruise director and hotel director on this ship said he would gladly take me back on the Valor which is nice to know. I think these 3 months of vacation are going to fly by with all the things I've got planned as well as working over the 3 months, for a bit anyway. 

Well, I guess I will see you all on the next Fun Ship! Adios Amigos. 

PS. My spanish is impeccable now. ;) not.