Day three- Cozumel

By Saturday, April 17th, we had arrived at the (partly cloudy) island of Cozumel. I couldn't wait to touch solid ground again!! We had considered going to Chankanaab National Park, which included an area for snorkeling and we thought, a sand beach. We went to the area where the taxi drivers waited, but one of them tried to give us a sales pitch about how Chankanaab was no good because it didn't have a sand beach, yadda yadda yadda. He sounded like a car dealer. So we walked away from him.

Eventually, we ended up going to Playa Mia, a beach. We took a short cab ride. We relaxed on the beach. I got two tiny braids in my hair. Then ended up taking a paddle boat, and then later a kayak, out deep into the water. The water and beach itself was a lot different from the Bahamas. In the Bahamas, the water itself was turquoise blue and there were no sea shells. Cozumel, however, had greener water (but still very clear) and had shells. We enjoyed a Mexican beer on the beach and even went snorkeling and took lots of underwater photos.

At around noon, we went back to the ship and changed clothes. Time to do some shopping and eat. We hit the shopping district and I bought lots of cool trinkets, a carton of cigs for 50% off for Dav, and myself a bottle of tequila. I bought a black cotton halter dress for myself, and a hand painted vase with chili peppers on it. I also bought some papier mache fruit (Dav has always wanted a papier mache pear). After we finished shopping, we stopped at a little touristy restaurant called Three Amigos. We had another beer and split some nachos. I even had a Coke to see if it tasted any different, because I was told that cane sugar is used in sodas from other countries, instead of corn syrup. It tasted pretty good, but I'm not sure if it tasted different, because I haven't had a real Coke in so long. Mom had a "Coca-Cola Light."

By the end of the day in Cozumel, I was exhausted. Luckily, I didn't get as sunburned as I'd expected. At around 4:30 we went back to the ship. We showered and got ready for dinner that evening. This time, I think I had roasted pork loin and tira misu for dessert (yum).

We also went to a comedy show that evening. The comic's name was Kenny Miller, and it was an all ages show. He made me chuckle a few times, but he wasn't the greatest. He was doing an 18+ show the following night, so I decided that he would probably be funnier then.

That evening, there was a lido deck party. I participated in a conga line! (Lame, I know.) The Music Highlights played again. There was a mexican food buffet, but I couldn't fathom eating again!!!

My mouth was sore from recent dental work (the pain has come and gone), and in addition to that, my throat hurt. Too much singing? I popped a pain pill and called it a night, a little earlier than before.


I had been concerned that it would rain while we were in Mexico, but it didn't It was mostly sunny when we arrived, and gradually got cloudier. By the time we stepped back on the ship, it was just starting to rain. It rained a bit as we went back to sea, but not for very long.

Day two

Day one of my trip ended with me drifting off into a peaceful sleep on the surprisingly comfortable twin bed in my cabin. We had an interior room, with no window, and the pitch black is very nice. The rocking of the sea beneath me lulls me to sleep.

I wake up early the next day - the ship is rocking so hard that I almost roll out of bed! My mom informs me that it had rained earlier and that the waves outside are white-capped. I walked up to the lido deck for a glance for myself. It was really beautiful, though. I didn't get sea sick. I never do, but walking inside with the ship rocking so much was disconcerting. Outside, it wasn't so bad. I think it was psychological, as in, I could SEE what was causing the swaying while I was outside.

After a leisurely breakfast on the deck, I did some more hot tubbing and lying in the sun. The wind was so strong it almost knocked me on my ass!! I went to the bow of the ship again and I had to cling to the rail to prevent losing my footing.

Later that day, I participated in a swing dance lesson on the lido, led by one of the ship's professional dancers. It was a lot of fun. I'd love to take more lessons.

That evening was the formal dinner night. I had purchased a tea length light green dress (only 40.00 at TJ Maxx!) and we went to see the on stage production, Ticket to Ride. For people that have never been on a cruise, Carnival puts on at least two Las Vegas or Broadway style shows per trip. This evening's performance was dedicated to the Beatles. My mom, the biggest Beatles fan ever in her youth, really loved the show, as did I. And guess who came out and performed at the end? The band from the lounge the night before!! An Asian Beatles, lol. It was great. Mom and I also had a dirty martini each (her first, my...not my first).

We next went to our formal dinner again. This time, I indulged in rare prime rib. It was amazing.

That evening, I watched The Music Highlights again. I shouted out a few requests (Beatles songs, of course).

All in all, a very fun day. I fell asleep with a sore throat from screaming like a Beatles fan from back in the day. But it was worth it.

Cruise recap - Day one

So I got up at around 7 AM on Thursday, April 15. Mom and I hit the road by around 7:45. We made a few stops for some necessities and food, and then we got to Mobile and proceeded to wait in one of the longest lines I've ever seen at the terminal. I mean, this line was so long you had to sit and wait until you were called into the line.

Anyway, we finally boarded the Carnival Fantasy at around 1 PM. I called Dav to let him know I'd arrived safely. I wouldn't be able to talk to him again for a while since we'd be at sea (at least, not without spending my entire paycheck). We embark on our journey. I get the first of many umbrella drinks and stand at the front of the ship, as I always like to do when I get to go on a cruise. We relax in the hot tub, check out our stateroom, etc. We eat at the lunch buffet on the lido and watch as Mobile becomes a small dot behind us.

That evening, we get to dine in the classy dining room and I have a steak which is actually cooked correctly (rare). That evening, after my mom retires, I go to a place called Cat's Lounge. This place is really cool. It is decorated with giant boxes of oatmeal, cans of soup, cat food, etc. Great product placement. And there was a giant tea kettle as well. A great, all Asian cover band performs, (The Music Highlights), and I must say, they were too talented to be doing the cruise circuit. I meet a forty something lady named Sandy and strike up a conversation. She is taking her teenage daughter and some friends for their senior trip. She buys me a cocktail. This place quickly becomes my "hangout" on the ship.

There is also a flat panel monitor on the wall in one of the corridors of one of the upper decks. It shows the ship's exact location via satellite, the ship's speed (in knots) and the depth of the water. I am such a nerd that I look at this frequently. Did you know that at one point the depth of the water was like 9460 feet? That's almost two miles!! That didn't seem right to me so I researched it and found out that the water can indeed get to over 10,000 feet deep in certain parts of the Gulf. Wowza.

Anyway, I had a really fun first day. More to come later....

school?

The more I think about it, the more I realize that I no longer have a desire to go back to school. At least, not in the foreseeable future. Any degree that I could get in the next couple of years wouldn't really pay a lot more than I'm already making. Plus, there's a lot to be said about leaving this place that I work at, and not even thinking about it again until I have to return. My evenings are my own.

If I ever did go back, I'd like to finish nursing (which would give me a substantial raise in income), but I am not going to work AT ALL while I do this, and that's just not feasible at this point in time.

I just remember this time last year, when I'd work all day only to go home and have to do homework all evening.

That's not to say that I won't seek other ways to educate myself. I've been reading more lately (mostly nonfiction). I can't stand to let my brain go "idle."

God will show me whether I should go back to school or not. Right now, I'm at a happy place. I like my job pretty well, and it pays enough to pay the bills. I'm happy.

Things are looking up, again.

OK, so I think we may have the living arrangement thing figured out. A two bedroom apartment became available again, and we are moving next month. It's only got one bathroom and we wanted a 2/2, but it's better than nothing. It's got two bathroom sinks, at least. I think everything is going to be OK.

Only 3 1/2 more days until I hit the road for Mobile, and then jump on the ship!!! I am so excited. I really need to start doing some laundry and packing my stuff. There's a slight chance for rain in Cozumel on Saturday, but I'm not too concerned. I can't believe it's finally here!!! I'm taking off work on Wednesday to finish getting all of my stuff together, and then we hit the road first thing thursday morning. Girl trip!! Just me and Mom. It will be fun. I will miss my hubby though :0(

I'm really looking forward to summer. The pool will be opening next month. I can't wait!! This winter was really long and harsh. I'm ready to get sunburned.

So my brother in law has been living with us for almost two months. He is recently divorced and was going through some financial problems. I didn't mind having him stay for a while, but it was my understanding that it was temporary. Days turned into weeks.

Before I seem coldhearted, let me preface this by stating that we live in a one bedroom apartment that is, oh about 600 square feet or so. And he has been sleeping on our futon in the living room. I really didn't mind for a while, but lately he has been being really slobby, leaving empty food and drink containers just lying about. I'm tired of picking up after him.

Also, we put the cats up in our tiny bathroom at night so they won't bother him. We never expected him to pay rent or anything, but we've asked him a few times to help us out and he never seems to have money, even though he works full time and doesn't have to pay rent.

We've been talking for a while about getting a two bedroom apartment. He was always wishy washy about that, not wanting to commit. There were some two bedrooms available at the time we first proposed this. Now that he finally agreed to the arrangement, there are none! And won't be any for at least sixty days.

He's stayed with his parents a bit but they don't won't him staying there either. I haven't the heart to kick him out, but I seriously can't handle much more of this. He could have had another apartment by now. He keeps talking about wanting to save up money. Well, what about us? Our bills have been higher since he moved in and he hasn't really helped. Doesn't it matter if we get to save money?

He's not my husband and he's not my child. I'm tired of this shit. I don't know what to do.

Oh yeah, and I asked him last night to start picking up after himself and he went off on me!!!!! Beggars really can't be choosy, but he sure as hell is.

I don't know what else to say or do. We aren't helping him in the long run. He has to get out on his own again. It's been a year and a half since he and his ex wife split. Time to move on.

I'm not asking anyone to believe what I believe. Of course, I want all to know the love and peace I've found in Jesus Christ and to experience that for themselves. But I'm not hitting anyone over the head with the Bible. They know the story. I think the only way to point people in the direction of Christ is to show love. Love your enemies and do good things for them. That's the only way to change hearts. Love is the only way.
I'm not one of those people that goes around saying, You're going to hell. I don't know that. That's God's place to judge, not mine.

I try to respect people, regardless of their beliefs. I wish people would do the same for me and not make assumptions that i'm this ultra right wing, hateful person. I am just trying to live my life the way Jesus said we should. With love and grace and a servant's heart. I just wish that people would not mock my faith. I don't go around making fun of other religions, or atheists, or agnostics, and would appreciate the same respect.
But even if I don't get the same respect, it's OK. I'm not entitled to anything and I will still love those people anyway, whether they like it or not :0)

For the record, I do have a few atheist/agnostic friends that DO respect me, and I respect them. I love them all the more for it. You know who you are. Thank you.