Nine

FINALLY!!!!!

After all the waiting, I'm finally in the process of getting my paperwork completed to join the Celebrity Cruises team!! Excited?? Yeah.. just a little bit!!

So I'm to join in January. And although I don't have a specific date or ship assignment yet, I'm thrilled to finally have something good happen in my life! 2009 was a crappy year. 2010 is sure to be the beginning of a great life!

I'll definitely be missing everyone, but like I've told them, this is really good for my career. Six months as a F&B Marketing Admin will definitely help to get me up there. I'm already starting a bit higher since it's definitely not an entry level position. Of course, I'll probably have to stay on longer so I can go to Andraya's wedding... definitely can't miss that!

Eight

::sigh::

I mean ::SIGH::

Being unemployed is the pits! Can I tell you, it's now going on to six months of searching for a job. It's a bit disheartening to go through years of university, and mountains of loans to pay for it, to only end up living with your mom!

So, how have I been filling my time, you ask? Well, between the job searching, I've made a little herb and vegetable garden, started making jewelry, signed up at the gym, volunteering at the local animal shelter SPCA of Central Florida, and of course, I've continued with my writing. On the up side, I've had a couple of interviews, and should find out by the end of this week the status on one of them; and by next week the status of the other...

Unfortunately, that's not the only drama going on. During all of this time, my boyfriend's been going through his own troubles which have been way more tragic than my own. His father passed away six months ago, and his mother (who's been in a nursing home with Alzheimer's and dementia), is now in hospice care. Oh, and his aunt (in Italy) is in the hospital with heart issues. It's a lot to deal with for both himself and I. And, while I try to keep him positive, it's hard to ignore the fact that I'm going through all of this too, plus my own issues.

Again ::SIGH::

But I have faith that it'll all turn out alright. All the other friends are still there, living their lives. Andraya's still in the midst of planning her Sarasota wedding, Yomi is working, working, and being a mom. And Donna's working, working, and being a mom. I'm just.... baking.

Seven

So... awesome news!! I'm officially going to be a bridesmaid!! Now, I've never been one before.. but considering the fact that I've been planning my own wedding since I was, I dunno... FIVE!! I'm sure I know exactly how to be the best bridesmaid ever!

My friend A, a sales manager for an international hotel, has been engaged for a few months now. Just recently she made her decisions on her bridal party. I can honestly say that I was more than happy that she chose to make me a part of her special day. Since I've had so many ups and downs these past couple of years, it's nice to have some good news. And although I would love to be planning my own wedding, I'm glad that my best friend is finally getting married... (after 8 years!)

But all of this wonderful news, makes me think about my own relationship. Will I have to be with my guy for over five years to get to that aisle? Not that I'm in a major rush... considering the fact that I'm unemployed and broke. But it would be nice to know that I might not have to wait as long. It will be two years for us this coming January, and unfortunately I'm already getting antsy for that commitment. The funny thing is that even though it's something that I want so much, I know that it'll be something that will make me completely freak out.

It makes me wonder, why do we as women (and even as just plain human), always want to have our cake and eat it too? Can't we be happy just the way we are (whatever that may be)?

Six

Wow.. how long has it been?! I do apologize for the extra long hiatus!

So, a quick update!

Well, I took the teaching position... and what a mistake that was! I ended up in a school teaching "at-risk youth." Just the memories of it make me want to crawl into a dark corner and cry! Between the hour-long commute, constant yelling (from students to me!), absolutely no management to help, and the ever-existing threat to my life... it was by far the hardest position I've ever had! Everyday there was a new fight.. between middle school kids who were old enough to drive... everyday there were at least two new kids (if not more) entering our school because they were kicked out from their zone school.

By the end of the school year, I had 52 students in my homeroom alone, I gained 10 pounds, and absolutely no money saved up! So, June 2009 I was laid-off, and I've been unemployed ever since. And here I am, in November still looking for a job.

Looking back at my past posts, it's kind of depressing that I was in such agony over this huge decision! I guess that's what Rod Stewart was singing about when he said, "I wish that I knew what I know now, when I was younger..."

Five

Well.. it's interesting how things can change from one day to the next... During my physical for the ship job, I found out that I apparently have a thyroid problem.. a couple days later, I'm invited to an interview at a school to teach middle school English.  They ended up offering me the job!!

Well.. after much soul searching and asking around.. I decided to take the school position! So now, I'm supposed to be on a plane to Quebec, but I'm still waiting to get my start date for the school position.  After a week of being super anxious, I've decided to calm down, and trust that God's taking care of everything for me...  Afterall, I definitely believe the only reason I got the ship job, was so that I could find out about this condition I have.

So, this is what you can expect from my life:  sudden decisions, crazy changes, and don't believe anything that happens to me (and I mean ANYTHING) until you see it! Oy vey!

xox

Four

Ok, dilemma time!!

I have two options now:  work on ships, or teach English....  I know one sounds better than the other.. that's what I think too.  But when I made the inevitable list of pros and cons, teaching English beat working on ships by a landslide.

Not only will I be making more money and be close to my family, friends, and boyfriend, but I'll also be entering a field that I originally thought I would be entering when I graduated from college.  With this experience, I can go back to school, get my master's and teach at the university level, and eventually make my way into museum work.  Plus, I'll get weekends, holidays, and summers off!!

So with all of those pros, it's hard to not consider it.  Of course, everyone thinks I should take on this new opportunity.  I think so too... it's just hard because it'll mean that I'll officially have to "grow up." LOL  I was hoping to work on ships for a year, pay my bills and save up my money.. of course once that's done, I'll have to find a new job anyway.... I guess I can't live at home forever, right?  

And, as a good friend of mine told me, "You can either chose to grow up now, or a year from now.  But you'll have to grow up sooner or later."

xox

Three

Hmm... Coincidentally I have only 3 weeks left til I leave, and this is my third official post.... Three weeks!  THREE WEEKS!!!  I can't believe I'm actually doing it again!  This time, like I said before, is a bit harder than the last time I left.  This time I'm leaving behind not only my family and friends, but an awesome boyfriend too!

Well... It's for the best.. gotta pay off those bills, student loans, and send money back home for mom, right?  So today I received my flight information... and tomorrow, I give my notice at work!  Then, it'll really be official!  

Then, come October 22, I'll be flying off to Quebec, Canada!  

But for now, I'm still waiting for Tuesday to come (when I am having my chest x-rays done), and then for Friday (when I'm getting back my medical forms to send to the ship)... I can't wait for October 18.. my last day of Disney!!

xox

Two

So, I'm starting to slowly let my friends know what's up!  It's been a bit bittersweet, but luckily, I have a whole month to spend some time with them before I leave.  Letting my boyfriend know was also a bit hard :(  But thankfully he knows it's for the best (as far as money and moving up the career ladder!)

It's also starting to really sink in that I am really really leaving.  Of course I'm excited, happy, and most of all thankful, but I'm also nervous and completely freaked out!  I'll be going ALONE!!!  To live on a ship with hundreds of people I've never seen before in my life!  

But, I've done it before and can do it again... right?  

xox

The adventure begins... again!

Most people's decision to work on a cruise ship comes from having been on a cruise as a vacation. I, however, had never stepped foot on a boat--let alone a cruise ship! I have a passion for art, travel,
independence, and seeing the world.... and that's what made me want to work on a cruise ship!

Last September, I had my first taste of this independence and travel. I was working for Park West Gallery, which offered me the opportunity to work in the art field (which I love), and on a

cruise ship. After working a commission based job for 5 months, I decided I would much rather have a position with a regular paycheck, than feed my craving for travel. My bills were starving more than I was....

So, reluctantly, I went back home to work in the travel/hospitality industry for 6 months. After hundreds of applications and waiting, my patience and faith has paid off. I'm now getting ready to board the Constellation with Celebrity Cruises as an Event Manager.

And so, the adventure begins... again!

xox

First Post

Just testing everything out to make sure everything's working right! :)

xoxo