It's the final Countdo - no net yetttttt.

Week 22

Day 1

Today marks the start of what some people call the home stretch. The last 4 weeks.

But it doesn't mark anything for me because I'll actually be right back here again for another 6 months. I'll call my homestretch at the end of that.

Day 2

So apparently there are rumours going around that someone died on the job yesterday night. Not sure who it was but people are telling me that someone just collapsed and died up in the buffet area. Not a guest, but someone who was working. I wonder if it happened in the middle of a crowd and caused a severe amount of freaking out. That's quite a story.

Day 3

I honestly think I'm allergic to the caribbean. Ever since we've been traveling around the caribbean I've been really sneezy. I don't suppose you can be allergic to the world can you? Or even part of the world. But I am. Wouldn't that be great though? Imagine getting invited to another country and flat out refusing.

'Sir, would you be interested in coming to *insert country*?'

'No.'

'Any particular reason?'

'I'm allergic to your country.'

'What?'

You can't really blame me at that point. Hey, I have an actual physical aversion that I cannot be helped. It's not my fault your country makes me sneeze a lot. 

Also, I think sneezing is a vicious cycle. See when you sneeze you're nose is actually trying to rid itself of irritants. But then you sniffle. And snort it all back in. Which causes you to sneeze more. Which causes you to sniffle more. Which then causes you to sneeze even more. And so on and so on. Perhaps there needs to be a better means to eradicate irritants from the nasal cavity. Maybe like a nostril vacuum or something. Press one button and it sucks all the snot from your nasal cavity in one go! That seriously sounds like an infomercial product. Maybe I'm on to something here.

Day 4

We do a production show today that's got us wearing costumes. Now the problem with this is that this show was usually done on the second formal night, until now. This means I have to wear my tux twice. Which I actually find rather annoying. I'd much rather be in my sneakers and t-shirt for the second formal night.

Day 5

Guest entertainer show today is pure rock and roll. I've not had the chance to really play stuff like this. Singers usually pick rather sentimental songs and what not so having a guitarist rocker and his wife play the house tonight is quite a blast.

Day 6

Today we were forced to get up really early to do some extra training for when coast guard comes. I think this whole coast guard malarky is really annoying. And I think because they're coming I won't get to leave the ship in San Juan bright and early like I normally do. 

Day 7

Walked to the beach today in St Thomas. I have yet to visit the beach in St Thomas so today I decided I would. The thing is that St Thomas is a very hilly island. So the walk there is quite the hike. But boy was it worth it. Gorgeous sands. Clear water. Everything you could hope for in a good beach. Definitely worth the hike. I think I'll do that again sometime.

Thoughts from the week?

I think once you've formed an opinion about someone, whatever they do tends to fall within those parameters. This is perhaps why most people will argue that first impressions are everything.

I agree and disagree. I think first impressions do form prejudices for or against someone's character, but only if you ever meet that character under similar circumstances. If you happen to get to know this person over a period of time, first impressions can be woefully wrong.

But that doesn't change the fact that first impressions cause bias. 

That being said, I wonder what first impressions I give off from a professional standpoint to the people I work with. It's a scary thought don't you think?

I've started making a list of movies that I have to see when I get home. That's actually one part of living on the ship that's tough on me. I do enjoy going to the cinema and catching new movies everytime one comes out. But 6 months of not doing that really takes a toll. And every now and then an ad comes up for an up and coming movie and I go 'crap I really want to watch that' but then after a couple of weeks I actually forget about it. Until the DVD sales advert comes on and reminds me again. As such, I have taken to making a list. A movie shopping list. 

Merry Christmas. Next week begins the Holiday cruises. Next week and the week after. I think the mood hasn't really struck me. Being on a ship during the holidays isn't exactly Christmas spirit. I don't know when it happens but every year there's a specific time where it hits me and I start looking forward to Christmas. Not because of all the gifting hoo hah but generally everything that goes on during the season. The Christmas singing in church, the Christmas activities with buddies, the Christmas drinking - oh no wait you didn't read that one - the open houses, the family dinner. Everything. 

This year though, that hasn't hit me yet. I don't have that excitement in me. Yet. Let's hope the 'yet' stays true.