So it's been an extremely long time since I wrote on this blog. A lot of things have happened since then as well.

I love working with the children. They are so much fun and very cute. Sometimes my patience gets a little thin, but then one of the kids shoots you a toothy grin and you remember why you love this job. Who else gets paid to play with children all day and then spend all their free time on the beach?

No matter how bad things get, or how little you feel you make, nothing can compare to enjoying life. To realize how blessed you are is truly priceless.

I don't have a lot of time today, as I need to get back to work,but I leave this:

Enjoy the time you have today for tomorrow may not come.

 

Yesterday was my last day as a photographer on a ship. Today, I start my new career as a youth counselor on a ship. I'm excited because I love kids and I'm so tired of all the excuses from adults. If you don't want to take a picture, you don't have to be rude about it!

Some of my favorite (terrible) excuses:

-"I'm too beautiful to have my picture taken"
-"I'll break the camera"
-"oh, don't waste your film" (it's not film!)
-"i smell bad" (I wasn't aware the camera could smell you)
-"the police are after me" (really? Cause I'll call them and let them know to pick you up)
-"I'm wanted by the FBI" (what's with everyone wanting to be in trouble? And technically, this should make me want to take your picture even more!"

The waves are rushing against the ship, there is a herd of people rushing all around the ship...yup, it's defiantly a Saturday. The day that all our old guests (the nice ones and the rude ones) exit...and we await the arrival of our new ones, hoping they are nice.

I've been back on the ship for two weeks, the start of my second contract. My lack of blogging does not stem from laziness per say, more that I have limited internet connection, and spend most of my free time sleeping, eating, showering, calling people, or laying on the beach. I personally wish all my free time was spent on the beach, but once a week is more what happens.

I enjoyed my five weeks off a ton, and really wish I could have had more time off. The only reason I even looked forward to coming back was my boyfriend.

It's still a little crazy to think I actually have a boyfriend, having been single for such a long time. But it's really good that I waited...defiantly worth it.

Well, it's time for work.

I have some pretty exciting news to share that nobody will probably believe me about but I actually met Owen Wilson today! I went on a date with the chief mate (he's a pretty big deal) today and while there, I see this guy eating at another table. "hey that guy kind of looks like Owen Wilson!" (thankfully I whispered this) he says "it is. I actually know him." he then leads me over to the table and introduces me! Owen has a quiet voice actually or maybe he was being quiet because of the other people! he was super nice and rob made plans with Owen to play golf next week. In the car, he fills me in that Owen had a baby with his friend from school and when they were still dating, rob actually got to stay at his house for a couple days! How cool is that? So crazy! I wish I could have taken a picture but everything happened so fast and that would have been creepy I think. But since they are friends, maybe I will get to hang out with Owen! Ha ha! And that is why this blog is private.... :)

I love what my co-worker said today: "I think its so disgusting that we feed so many guests good food but when it comes to the crew, norwegian just feeds us slob. That is so cruel!" I totally agree-I feel that not getting good food on this ship keeps everyone on edge and a little grumpy. Not good for moral! Other than terrible food, the other big thing here is that the mail is evil! I bought an ipad and the mail people are holding it...its just sitting in california doing nothing...its been four weeks already...I am so annoyed! I can't stop thinking about it and how mad I am about the whole terrible situation! If I had just paid more and bought it in the store, I would be so much happier! But there are a couple cute guys here who are making life a whole lot more interesting which is cool. More to go on that later! :)

Some co-worker of mine just chased a turtle around trying to get a picture of it with my underwater camera. He is so crazy! After working since 5am this morning, I got to go snorkeling in kona for a bit. It was so pretty-super colorful fish, the water is clear blue and really warm. If I get to keep doing things like this, i will be living the life. Ha ha. Well break time is over. Time for work.

So I've been trying to blog using my phone, because then I can actually blog on the ship instead of having to wait until I have a few hours off and get somewhere with Internet where I don't have to pay 10 cents a minutes, like on the ship.  Well…I just realized that it HASN'T been uploading my blog entries like I thought, so I do apologize for no entries for a while.

For the past two weeks, no scratch that, for the past THREE weeks, I've been working basically the same schedule. That means my boss keeps putting me on gallery shifts and taking pictures in all the restaurants. That wouldn't be so bad, but I'm getting really bored, which lately has made me extremely grumpy. Several people have come up to me to ask what is wrong and to see if I'm okay.  Not all of the problems is work related, I am having a lot of personal issues since I found out that my brother has cancer and is getting his leg removed.  I decided I should finally tell everyone, because it will explain why I'm kind of faking it. I mean, usually I'm naturally happy, but lately, it's been a struggle.  How do you fake a smile at an angry guest complaining about a photo that costs $12.95 (who is VIP, by the way, meaning they spent thousands of dollars on their room) when your brother is struggling to support a family of five and have his leg removed? I mean, really, is it that big of a deal that the photo is almost $13 dollars? I'm not shoving it down your face-you don't have to buy it. And you certainty don't have to  scream in my face like a big baby. Really lady, really? Just because you think the world revolves around you does mean it does. Get over yourself.

That's what I'd really like to tell these people. Instead, I have to try and smile and say, "I'm sorry, miss, but that is the price." Or something like that. No wonder people are becoming fake. It's what we have to do to survive. "Be yourself." Sorry, but I can't be myself if I'm going to get fired.

Now…it's time to list all the crazy responses people have given me as to why they can't get their picture taken….

"Sorry, I'm running from the police"  (really, did you know we have tons of cameras on this ship? Cause you are going to be in trouble now)
"My husband or wife might find out" (both you and the women across from you sir have the same matching rings, can you explain that?)
"I'm part of the mafia" (I thought the mafia just kill people, not tell everyone)
"I'm allergic to cameras" (I'm the one who is allergic to everything, and even I'm not allergic to cameras, so nice try)
"Your stupid flash is making it hard for me to eat, just get out of my face" (okay, that was just mean)
"I look ugly today" (Sorry lady, I don't think it's just today…)
"Really? Do you know who I am?" (no, and I don't really care)
"You have to talk to my agent first" (my co-worker thinks this is original, well..no)
"I'm on the FBI's Most Wanted List" (is your wife aware of this? cause she is staring at you like you are an idiot)


List to be continued next entry…we've been keeping track at work. Most people use the same excuses and think they are so original and they start laughing like they are sooo funny. Why can't you just say "No thank you"? Really, is that so hard?