Photorama!

I have nothing important to say, just thought I'd post more pictures. This is me, Laura and Laurie (cruise staff) at the beach in Costa Rica. I'm going back there in two days. Wait till you see how tan I get! Okay gotta go play pictionary. I love my life.

xoxox

Ame

Happy Carnival

Hi all,

Yesterday it was Carnival in Aruba! I went to the parade and it was a LOT of fun. The costumes were really elaborate and there was lots of music and dancing, very festive. It seemed like everyone in Aruba had come out to celebrate. I had been seasick the night before and that morning, so I felt a litle out of it, but mostly had a good time with Rachel, Brianne and Adam. After the parade we went to Hooters for dinner. Hooters in Aruba?? you say? Yep and it was delicious. I had wings and curly fries. Last night was movie night with the teens but none of them came so I read my book for an hour and a half and then closed up and went to the OB. Today we are in Curacao but I have IPM so i can't get off the ship. I'm working in the internet cafe/library right now (the EC) and then I have a ping pong tournamant at 5 and "Scene It" at 9pm. Not a bad day. I had planned to get some laundry done today but it never happened.

Dad and Vladee, I'm glad you figured out how to post, but let's post some real comments...not jibberish, yes? I get really excited to see I have new comments and then I open it and I see "a;lsdkfj;alsdkfja;lsdkfj" ?? That is a let down :)

Well kids, internet time is money so I'll say bye for now. How are things at home today? See you all in three months!

Love,

Me

P.S. I heart sister.

Tired with a capital T

The Pic is me and Rachel, my dancing friend. She made up a fun scholarship line dance for me when I found out U of Chicago is giving me a boatload of money to go to school there! So now it is 3am. Why is Amy up at 3am? Was she up partying and drinking and dancing the night away??? ...NO! She was playing Phase 10. It's some kind of mutant game of "uno" and supposed to take an hour. Three and a half hours later, I finally won! We are either really good or really bad at that game, seeing as it took us all night to finish. I was so tired my eyes were closing, but it's a good thing I stayed since I won. :) I have to work at 10am on the beach, building sand castles and then beach volleyball. Then I'm off till 4pm, so I'll maybe nap on the beach a little. Ship life continues to be good. I was in port today so I got to talk to some of you. That was really nice and made me happy. For those of you I didn't talk to, love you and will try to call next time. I got a package of shoes, a card and some candy from mom and dad today. Getting mail on the ship is SO FUN!!! If anyone wants to send me mail, please feel free. Everyone gets really jealous when you get mail. Heehee. Well I'm beat but wanted to say hey. P.S. Grandma and Grandpa rock the house.

Love you all

Amy

Drumroll Please.......

Dadadadadadadadadadadadadadadadadadadadadadadadadad.....(that is the sound of a drumroll)...I have been accepted to University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration!!! Yippee!!! I will hear about any scholarships I might have received tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed for me. Now that I've gotten in to all my schools, I have to make a decision on where to go. A full ride to Chicago would make that choice a LOT easier!

Ship life is good, went to the beach in Costa Rica today and only have to work 9-11pm. Last night was a blast but definitely didn't get enough sleep. I think I went to bed around 4am but really, I have no idea. You lose all concept of time on the ship. The beach we went to today wasn't as nice as the one in Curacao but the water was good and there were fun waves to play in. I went with Laura and Laurie, two cruise staff girls. After that I got a pedicure at this little spa in the market. It was only $15 and they did a really good job. I know I was mopey at the start of the cruise but I'm 100% okay now. The fun has begun and the people are great and the ports are awesome. This is such a cool job. Anyway, hope everything is good at home. Comment when you can, love to hear from you!

XOXOX

Amos bo Bamos

p.s. The pics are a group of us having dinner in Aruba at Iguana Joe's and a pic of the beach I went to in Curacao called Kontiki Beach. Preeetttyyy.

I'm sitting in the Panama Canal

Okay I'm not actually sitting IN the canal, the ship is sitting in the canal and I am sitting on the ship. I didn't go ashore today but there isn't much to see anyway. There are lots of good excursions from here but all are about an hour away. The place where we port has a little strip mall thing and past that looks pretty scary. I'm not planning to spend a lot of time in Panama. Tonight we are having a big crew party on the mooring deck, so that should be fun. I'll download some pics tomorrow and post them. I don't have work till 5pm so I'll have time on my hands. We will be in Costa Rica tomorrow and I think I may go back to the beach. My sunburn is feeling better and I'm ready for another go at it. We will be docked from 7am-5pm so plenty of time for fun. I just realized that I have no idea what day it is today. Not the slightest. On the ship you go by where you are, like today is Panama day. After Costa Rica we have two sea days then back to Ft. Lauderdale. I will try to call a lot of you when I'm in port. I have a lot of minutes to use since I can only use my phone 3 days per month. Now that I'm back into the ship groove I'm feeling a lot better and having a really good time. Still not sure if I'll come home June 2nd or extend longer. Miss you all. Post comments and lemme know whats up at home!

Amy

I'm a lobster monster!

Hi all,

Ship life is improving. Yesterday I was in Aruba and went mini-golfing with a bunch of people and then out to Iguana Joe's for dinner. We were up late at the OB and had a lot of fun being silly. Today Rachel (cast member) and I went to the beach in Curacao and got very sunburned. I used sunscreen but alas...it didn't do me much good. I hate to see what I would have looked like WITHOUT sunscreen. We were there from 11-3, then came back to the ship to get some cash and went to McDonalds for dinner. I never eat McD's at home but today it was the most delicious food I have ever had. I scarfed a quarter pounder, fries and three chicken nuggets like it was my last meal. It was so good. We hadn't eaten all day and were starving. now I feel a little gross, but we swam and walked a lot today so I think it's okay to have a little grease. Tonight I have work only from 9-11, so its a really easy day. We are going to play "Scene It" with the teens. It's a fun game about movie trivia. Tomorrow we are at sea headed towards Panama. It will be a long day, with work from 11am-11pm pretty much. Well, I think I'm going to take a nap since I only slept about 5 hours last night. More to come. Stay tuned.

Amy

I'm a little mopey today...

Hi Guys,

So here I am on day 3 of my contract. We're at sea today so Ill be pretty busy working from 11-12, 2-6, 6:30-7:30 and 9-11. I just have a few minutes before my first activity so I wanted to say hi. So far things are fine, but not the same as last time. A lot of people I kow are still here, but all the other Club HAL girls I worked with are gone. My new boss is nice but very strict and definitely won't be hanging out with me in the OB (officer's bar). It's a very different atmosphere now and not nearly as much fun. I'm kinda homesick. I'm sure it will go away once I get in the swing of things though. I haven't gotten off the ship yet because I won't get my ID till later today. Oh boy, they just announced a crew fire drill. Gotta run. More later.

xoxox

Amy

Welcome to Charlotte, NC

Hi friends and family!

I'm sitting in the airport in Charlotte waiting for my connecting flight. I'm really very tired because sister and I have not slept much in the past week and the past two nights especially. But sisters only get to see eachother once in a blue moon (that has been my saying of the week) so sleep had to be pretty much deducted from the schedule. I slept all the way here, which is great because usually I can't sleep on planes, so now I'm feeling a little better. I'm sitting in the food court and it smells really good. I'm trying to decide which place I want to get some food from. For those of you that I got to see this week, it was so nice spending time with y'all! (trying to keep some of the southern charm I gained in the past year) The week went by incredibly fast but I had one of the most fun weeks ever. It was especially great to spend so much time with Linny, because as you all know, she is my best friend in all the world and I love her a lot. We definitely squeezed every drop of fun out of this week. Woo HOO! I was a little sad going to the airport today, because I will really miss you guys and miss home. But I know that the next four months are going to be such an awesome experience and that makes it a little easier to leave. A lot of you have been asking when I'll be home. My contract is thru June 2nd, but I can extend thru early August if I want. I'm going to give it some time and see how it goes before I decide. I may be really homesick by June, or I may love Alaska and want to stay longer. Either way, I'll be home first week of August at the latest. Okay I have to go get some food before we board...so I'll say adios for now. Keep reading cuz I am going to try to post as much as possible. Comments comments comments!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love,

Me

Sweet Home, Chicago!

Okay THAT'S not Chicago...That is the Dominican Republic...but Chicago is where I'll be in just 2 short weeks! I've been busy packing today. I have a HUGE suitcase/duffel bag thing that is almost full already and I still need to get a lot more stuff in it. Yikes! I think I'm over packing but I'm going to be there for a long time and I'm gonna be everywhere from South America to Alaska so that's a lot of different weather!

Pensacola is rainy and gloomy today, but that't not going to get me down because tonight my friend Tamara and I are going to watch the Miss America Pageant! It's so cheesy and so dumb but I just love it. It's one of those things that you probably shouldn't admit out loud I guess...Oh well. You will love me anyway I hope. So I will be home from the 5th-13th of Feb and I want to see everyone that I can. If you want to get together while I'm home, give me a call or email me at amythorn14@hotmail.com so we can make plans. While I'm gone feel free to email me or send me letters...I think I emailed most of you my address on the ship. If you don't have it and you want it, just let me know.

So on Tuesday I'm getting my implant surgery done (for my teeth). I've heard it's going to hurt. A very lot. Greeeeaaaat. But in just 7 short months, I'll finally have crowns installed and my smile will start to look normal again! Yippee! I'm going to be on really strong pain killers so if you call me Tuesday or Wednesday, I may have no idea who you are. Just be aware. :)

Let's see...not much else going on. I'm finishing up my last two weeks at work and trying to get things ready for the new counselor coming in...my mom is coming down in a week to help me pack my apartment and move stuff into storage...I guess that's about it. Oh, I went bowling last weekend and had the worst game of my life. It was embarassing. Rob nearly doubled my score. It was a total blowout. I need to practice. A lot.

Well readers, thanks for reading. I think you are being a little slow with the comments so let's pick up the pace here people!! I will post a lot when I'm on the ship and post pics whenever I can. Still no word from grad schools yet but I should be hearing in the next month or so. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Love,

Amos bo Bamos

And a Happy New Year...

Hi readers!

I've been home for a week now and am getting back into the swing of things. It was really hard to go back to work this past week. I had gotten used to getting paid to play and while I love my job, it is definitely not play. I've gotten offered a new contract with Holland America and I'm going to take it. I'll be in Pensacola till February 3rd, then home in Chicago for 10 days, then back to the m.s. Zaandam on the 13th for a 4 month contract. We will be doing 10-day Southern Carribean cruises for the first month and a half, then a month long Panama Canal/Pacific Coast run, then a month and a half of 7-day cruises in ALASKA! Wow! It will be nice to go back to the same ship since I already know people there and they were really nice. My mom is coming down here to help pack up my stuff and drive back to Chicago with me and Luce so that will be cool. I know I'd been planning on being in Chicago for longer but I'm lucky to have gotten a full contract so soon, so I've gotta take it. Lucy is going to live with my parents/Linny...probably back and forth between the two. I know Linny is sad that I won't be home for longer, but if all goes well I will get into Univeristy of Chicago and be home for grad school this fall. Keep your fingers crossed for me! I promise to be a better blogger and post a lot more often when I'm on the ship. Let's get the comments flowing again here people!!!

Love,

Amy

Almost Home...

Hi readers!

I'm on day 13 of 14 on the ship and we are docked in Costa Maya, Mexico right now. I have IPM (in port manning) today so I have to stay on the ship. I layed out by the pool for a few hours since I don't have to work until 5pm. I have emailed most of you about ship life so I won't repeat here, other that saying that I love love love it. I have met the coolest people and seen some beautiful ports and overall just had an amazing time. I have loved every minute. I'll be trying to get another contract for spring break as soon as I get home on Wednesday. I'm actually really sad to be leaving and I'm really going to miss all my new friends. The nice thing about ships is that there's always a chance you will meet again on another contract! My Program Director Courtney is going to the Veendam next and wants me to try to get on that ship. It would be awesome to work for her again. She's an awesome supervisor. I've managed to go the entire time without being sea sick...I had a cold for a few days but nothing serious...All in all a very good two weeks. Did everyone have a nice Christmas? I missed you a lot on Christmas but they made it very nice for us here as well. New Years was a total party. I had to work till 1am but then the staff party was just beginning. I think I was up ill at least 5am...luckily I didn't have to work till 5pm on New Years Day. Tonight and tomorrow will be fun since there are 3 of us all ending our contracts...there will be much merrymaking and saying goodbye. Well, I'll see you all soon and I'll post some pics as soon as I get home. XOXOX

Amers

Adios Amigos

Hi Family and Friends!
I'm leaving at 6am for Ft. Lauderdale, where I'll be boarding the M.S. Zaandam for the next two weeks. I'll be working in the youth program but I'm not sure which age group yet. I've told my parents that I'm not sure what the email/phone situation will be, but I will try to call home on Christmas at the very least, hopefully more if I can. I'm really going to miss being home at Christmas, I've never been away for the holidays before. But hey, this is the chance of a lifetime, so I'm ready. Lucy will be arriving at my mom and dad's house tomorrow if anyone is wondering. Linny, feel free to relocate her to your place if you want, just don't let her get out! She runs fast! I'll try to post while I'm gone if I can to let you all know what life is like on the high seas. I'm so excited to see what crew quarters are like and what life is like behind the scenes on the ship. I'd like to send a thank you to Auntie Ronni and Uncle Lee, because if they hadn't brought us on vacation with them last month, I never would have had this chance...I'm so excited!!!!! Okay gotta finish packing. Merry Christmas everyone, see you soon!

Love Me

Picture Time

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Well the people have spoken and the people want more pictures. Acutally I guess "the people" is Linny...but she counts just as much if not more than any other people, right? Here you will see the deer-man being shot with an arrow in mid-leap. Doesn't it just transport you to a Mayan forest? I'll post more later...Have to keep you wanting more, ya know???

Love Me

More New Spectacles

nu=3244>756>549>WSNRCG=323336;64;847nu0mrj"> Hi Readers!!!

I'm sorry it's been so long, but I really had a hard time getting back into the swing of things after vacation. Can I just say we had a fantastic time? As you can see in the photo, we all went to the eye doctor together before the trip and found out that we were all a little near-sighted. We didn't want to miss any of the scenery so we all got some new glasses. Don't we look stylish? Haha. We wore these all over the ship. The crew laughed their butts off at us. Among other things, we went kayaking, saw sea lions and whales, and zip-corded through the jungle from treetop to treetop. Linny and I got facials, layed by the pool, and we all experienced the highlight of our lives watching a man dressed as a mostly naked dear leap around the stage and then die a very dramatic death in Mazatlan, Mexico. It was a once in a life time experience. I was so very sad to leave the ship, but alas, I have news. I have been offered a job to come back to the ship for two weeks over Christmas break to work in the youth program. I will be a youth counselor on board and do stuff like face painting, playing board games, basketball, volleyball, movie nights, pool olympics, arts a crafts and more (I'm not sure what else but there must be more if we are supposed to keep these kids busy for the whole cruise so their parents can have fun doing grown up things...). The cruise line will fly me back to San Diego, supply me with all the delicious food I can eat, and PAY ME to cruise for two weeks and play with kids. Is this a dream?? No. It is reality. Cool, right? If everything works out and they like me and I like them, I may be able to work full time over the summer before I start grad school! Sooo...the other big news is that I am going to be moving back to Chicago in February-ish. While I love my job here...is a job really enough to keep me in Florida when all my friends and family are in Chicago? I will miss my new friends here, but I think it is time for me to spend some time back home. It may be short or long term, depending on if I get hired back on the ship and where I get accepted to grad school. But either way, I'll be home soon and unemployed at least for a little while so I'll have time to visit everyone! I'm going to be living back at my mom and dad's till I figure out what the heck is going on with work and school, so that's where you'll be able to find me (and Lucy too, of course). That's pretty much it, although I guess that is a lot. I'm going to miss everyone on Christmas, I've never missed Christmas before...but I will try to call, and we can have a belated Christmas when I come home. Love you guys...

Amy

HAPPY TURKEY DAY!

Hi readers!

Happy Thanksgiving! Did you all eat until your pants didn't fit? I sure did. We had all the usual stuff at our friends Tamara and Pascal's house. I made the stuffing, the green beans and the sweet potato casserole and let me tell you the sweet potatoes turned out fabuloso. I don't think I'm going to look so hot in a bathing suit tomorrow but oh well, it was all so tasty that I think it was worth it. Maybe I'll be singing a different tune when I'm sitting by the pool next to Skinny Linny...hmmm...well, too late now. If you don't know, I'm headed to San Diego tomorrow for a cruise to Mexico with Linny, Auntie Ronni and Uncle Lee. Yay! I'm also so very excited because when I get to Chicago next weekend I'm going to see RENT the movie with my girls. It's such an incredible musical and the movie looks just as good. I get teary eyed every time a preview comes on. It's just SO GOOD. Well lovelies, have a great week and I'll be posting when I get back, maybe in Spanish...haha...

Rob and Lucy, I'll be missing you. Be good!!!


XOXOX
Amy

help! runaway air fares!

Hi Readers,

Is it wrong that I'm listening to Christmas music and it's not even Thanksgiving yet? I went to the mall yesterday and they were playing Christmas music and it was all decorated and now I'm all in the mood for Christmas! I really want to get a tree but we don't really have a lot of room in our apt. I have to figure out how to fit it. Speaking of Christmas...AIR FARES! Holy Shmoly! I haven't been able to find anything for under $450 so far. I hate to tell ya family, but I cannot spend $450 to come home for Christmas. If you see any deals online, please forward them to me. I know I need to book soon but that is just outrageous. It's finally getting cold here, it will be down in the 30's tonight. I know what you're thinking, it's snowing in Chicago and I should keep my little Florida high of 60 degrees mouth shut about weather. Well, I think I've officially lost my Chicagoan ability to deal with the cold because I am FREEZING! I don't remember the last time that I've been cold. It's been ages. What is everybody doing for Thanksgiving? I'll be packing for my CRUISE to MEXICO with my SISTER, AUNTIE RONNI AND UNCLE LEE!!! Ooohh I am so very excited! I'm sorry Rob and Lucy, I'll miss you but I'm still so so so excited!!! Okay just had to get that out. Well, I'll say adios for now. I'm gonna fold my laundry and watch more Seinfeld reruns.

I love you!
Amy

Lucy got a Haircut

Lucy and I both got haircuts this week but I think you are probably more interested in hers than in mine. I just got a trim. Lucy is as precious as ever. She has been sleeping almost all day with a short burst of running around in circles uncontrollably in between. She's sleeping on the floor right now, which is weird because usually if there is a butt to snuggle against, she's on it. Maybe she is too lazy to jump up onto the couch. I'm on day one of my four day weekend. I did two loads of laundry and wrote an essay. (Thrilling, right?) Tomorrow I just might vacuum!!! Haha. Actually tomorrow night I have work at the bar. Some girl is sick so I am filling in. I hope I do a good job! Some of my friends are gonna show up to heckle me I think. I'm starting to count down the days till I go cruising with my sister, Auntie Ronnie and Uncle Lee. Mexico, here we come! It's getting dark so early these days...it's only 7:15 but I feel like it's about midnight. I'm just feeling like a bum tonight, don't really want to get off the couch, but I think Rob's buddies are coming over soon, it is the Marine Corps' 230th birthday today so they have some celebrating to do. I guess if I don't get off the couch, I'm gonna have to at least quit sprawling out and move over to one side. Is all this talk of the big red couch making you jealous? Those of you who know it, love it. Nothing compares. Alright readers, it's been nice talking to you. Stollers, I know you aren't reading this week since you're on vacation, but I hope you're having a blast! Talk to you soon!

Love,
Amy

Grad School, Here I Come

I rocked the house on my GRE this weekend. I'm not trying to toot my own horn here, I just did WAY better than I expected. I've finished my entire application to the social work program at UCLA and I'm still working on USC, University of Chicago and Columbia. Keep all of your fingers crossed for me...These are some tough schools...I can't believe it's Sunday night already. I don't want to go back to work tomorrow...

I love you readers.
Amy

Care for a Drink?

Hi readers! Well, tonight is my first night as a cocktail waitress at a bar by our apartment. It's called O'Rileys and its basically a townie bar but it's always busy, has kareoke, a dance floor and DJ on weekends, and hopefully will supply me with some nice cool cash. I went to the mall today because I had to get a necklace fixed at the jewelry store. So I was browsing around New York & Co. while I waited for my necklace to get fixed and tried on those really cute gaucho pants that everyone is wearing. Unfortunately they kinda make me look like a dwarf or an umpaloompa. But I WANT a pair!!! Anybody know a way to make me about 4 inches taller? Please forward any ideas. I'll consider whatever you've got. Okay that's really all I've got for now. Thirty minutes till I go to the bar...wish me luck!

Amy
XOXOX

Partying with my bosses and other news...

Hi readers! Well, I am finally 100% recovered from my night out on Friday. This also means that the washboard abs that I had after throwing up all day are back to being regular plain old non-defined abs. Boo...Today was a VERY busy day. First I had work, which is always busy even if nothing crazy happens because, well, I work with 55 teenage girls. There's no way it could be anything other than busy. They were pretty good today, I have to say. Then we had a LOOOONG staff meeting and then I had to go to the dentist. I have a dentist who apparently doesn't believe in silver fillings. He says silver fillings break down your teeth from the inside and make you way more likely to need a root canal. So he drilled out my old fillings and replaced them with white ones. He is such a good dentist. He put numbing gel on my gums BEFORE he shot me with novacaine. It was totally painless! The drilling really didn't hurt a bit but the SOUND of the drilling nearly made me cry. I just can't stand it. It's like nails on a chalkboard to me. So then he patched me up with white stuff and off I went to the MASSAGE THERAPIST that my dentist has on staff full time to give you a 15 minute free massage after you have your dental work done. Yes and all of this was done at no cost to me. Yay for a great dental plan. Ahhhhh... Sooo, then I had to go back to work for family night. The first Tuesday of every night we invite all our girls and their parents to school for pizza and snacks so the parents can talk to the teachers about monthly progress. The past few months I have had ZERO girls at family night, so I was pretty excited to have 2 girls there tonight! Woo Hoo! Finally family night was over and we all went out for dinner because it's my friend Krissy's birthday. F U N . And that is all I have to say about today. Busy, right? So now I'm gonna hit the sack and get some sleep. Hope you enjoy the fab picture of me and my girls out on the town last weekend.

XOXOXOXOX

Ames