I'm on a boat YEAH!

Well, not a boat. A ship. It's super large.

So I'm here! I can't believe its actually happening. So far, it's looking like this is going to be a great job. I have a little cabin that reminds me of a dorm room, but its all for myself with no windows, so I can sleep in the afternoons if I need to in complete darkness. The only downside is that its not amongst the other entertainers, so I kind of have to go out of my way to meet them and hang, which hasn't been a problem just yet. However, I pretty much have to drink to hang out, which is not great for what I planned to to. I'll have to work with that.

It's been just jumping in really quickly into what I'll be doing for six months. Right when I got on the boat, I had rehearsal, and then performed the next day. I also hosted the Karaoke, which was really hard considering I'm having to come up with banter. However, I think I'll get used to all of the above as time goes on.

This job is going to be SUUUUUPER chill. I will have a lot of time off during the day to explore the islands, practice guitar, write songs, work out, and they have free Rosetta Stone, so I've decided I'm going to learn Spanish. Something tells me I'll need it in the future...

I like everyone so far. Everyone is either super super peppy or darkly sarcastic, so either way I'm pretty happy. Also, I'm one of the only USA kids on the boat. There are barely any of us working on here. A lot of people are from Eastern Europe, Russia, Canada, Britain, South America, the Philippians, etc. I love that. Its like this floating UN.

More pictures and stories to come.  

I'm Off!

Its actually happening...after 2 months of waiting, I'm actually boarding a ship and doing this...at 6am tomorrow morning. Its about 11:30pm right now...I need to ZZZZ but I'm way too excited, and nervous, and just wondering what it will be like. This will be something completely different than I could ever expect. I think I will be fine, mayhaps more than fine. I just have to open myself up to everything, and keep my sense of self about me. I want to use this time to really feel what its like to be all together me while still being a really good worker.

Well...goodbye mainland. We'll see what's out at sea...

I got my bags all packed, my shoes tied tight, I hope I don't get in a fight...

Leaving good ol' NYC was a little rough. I decided to take a bus to Washington to visit my Grandpa and his wife instead of asking my parents to drive all the way up here to get my stuff and me and bring me home. Mistake #1. But I did save my parents a whole day trip. However, I had to lug my large suitcase, my guitar, my computer, and two other bags full of extra crap on me on the subway at 9:30 in the morning on the subway to get to the bus stop. I was that one large sardine in the whole car. I saw one person feel sorry for me, but the rest were just pissed that I existed. I understood. I said "I'm sorry" every chance I could, as I was tossed about the car, and people tried to squeeze themselves out of the car. Once I finally got to Penn station, I couldn't keep my stuff together. Not only was it heavy and cumbersome--it was falling apart. My crappy bags would not stay closed. BAHH! I need to buy new luggage. But I was already on the road to the bus, so I kept going, stopping along the way to collect my things. One nice gentleman saw my strife, and helped me carry my bag the 2 blocks to the bus stop. Really nice guy. I didn't get his name. But all was for not. I missed the bus because I couldn't get my shit together. :( However, I just waited for the next one, and got dirty looks from the Megabus people as I loaded my 4 large bags instead of my "one reasonably sized bag of luggage." But I was on the bus. A sigh of relief.

Stayed my Grandpa and Delberta and they treated me like I was staying in a 4 star hotel, which was nice after my morning of UhhhG. It was good to see him because he's in and out of being sick and in the hospital. Got picked up by Danny Capp and Julia Kennedy, and made my way to JMU. My visit was filled with hugs, which made me feel better too. I miss people. But JMU is funny. I have wonderful memories there, but I don't long for the place. I just can't wait till people graduate and move to NYC. ;)

And now I'm home, and I've been home for a week and a half, and its been wonderful. Sleeping in, yoga and running everyday to detox myself (my back is already feeling better) and spending time with me ma n' pa and brother and sister-in-law. Spent Halloween with them in Lynchburg, passing out candy and watching Rocky Horror picture show, and carving pumpkins. However, I'm very jealous of those still in NYC. Next year, I'mm be in the parade!

And now I'm just waiting...waiting waiting. Was supposed to board the ship this weekend, but now its postponed till TBA, hopefully next week. At least I get a little more time to spend with my family and study lyrics.

Uhhg. I have to start paying back my student loans. $80 a month for the rest of my life. :( This is just...poopy.