Im drowning in social work reading!

Hi everyone.

Grad school is time consuming! So I have finally finished with all the orientations, meetings, workshops, etc and got thru my first week of classes without too much trouble. The reading load is immense but I have a study group so we are splitting things up to make it manageable. My professors are very good and I haven't started my intership yet (I will this week) but my supervisor is nice and I think I'll learn a lot. I have to apologize ahead of time, but for the next few months I will probably be missing in action. I have class on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and internship in Northbrook on Tues and Thurs and I work at Gingers on Saturdays and Sundays. As you can see...not much in terms of free time. I do have SOME Friday afternoons/evenings free so maybe we can plan something soon? I still haven't seen the Ondrlas since I got back!

On Monday I'm going to a break fast for Yom Kippur. I'm supposed to cook something for the potluck but I have no idea when I'l have time. Maybe I'll just buy something at Jewel...I know that's cheating...

Our place is good, out building manager is here now doing some repairs on our kitchen sink...Jason is over too, watching the NU game. They're losing... :( ...and Linny is in Indy this weekend with Matt. She's doing well but very very busy too. She is working at the Pilsen/Little Village Mental Health Clinic doing drug and alcohol counseling. She has her own clients now and is learning a lot but not getting paid...gotta love internships. Then on Tuesdays and Thursdays she has class at Triton and she's still bartending on Tuesday nights.

Well, I'm procrastinating and should be reading about the history of social work in the U.S. since 1890. How is everyone? Let me know whats going on in the outside world!!

Love,

Amy

Hello from "The Wellington"

That's what my dad calls our new place. The Wellington. Yes I guess we are very posh over here. Sooo...here's what's been going on lately:

I got a job working at Ginger's Ale House on Ashland, so I'll be there most weekends either waiting tables or bartending. Woo hoo! I have about two straight weeks of orientations going on now, first at Jewish Child and Family Services (where I will be interning on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the entire school year), then downtown for my fellowship program (they're even putting us in a hotel Friday night so we can't escape! yikes!) and then next week will be orientation for University of Chicago, where I'll meet my "cohort" which is the group of students with whom I'll have all my classes for the entire year. Hopefully I'll like them because we'll be spending A LOT of time together...classes, projects, etc...then finally, the week after that, I start classes. So I will be running around like a headless chicken for the next few weeks. What's new I guess...

Other than that, our apartment is very very cute and is all done except for being painted. I'd like to have a little come see our new place party but not till after we paint and Linny and I both have the same night off...that's rare. Linny has been very busy too with school and her new internship, but I'll let her tell you about that next time she posts. Lucy is doing great, she really likes her new home and is sleeping on the couch in a little ball at the moment. She wants to play with Gus the bunny, but Gus is scared of her and I'm a little scared she might try to eat him.

Well that's all the excitement I have for now...I have a full day orientation on the JCFS computer system tomorrow AND Thursday, so my life is just too crazy for words...

Love you all.

Amy

hoooorrraaaayyyy!!!!!!!!!

I'm sure that's what you're all thinking now that you've seen I'm posting again!!! Okay so I'm in Pensacola right now with my brother and we will be loading up the Uhaul tomorrow and driving back to Chicago Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday Linny and I will hopefully be moving into our new place. Woo Hoo!!! Sorry there was a month long posting drought, but between leaving the ship, going to France, going to Green Lake and getting down here to Pensacola I've been running like a mad woman. I'll post some pics from France when I get home and throw in a condensed version of the highlights of the trip. It was really fantastic. Had a great time. That's all I'll say for now, so you'll be enticed to come back and read more next week. So for all of you who were worried, never fear. The blog is back and I'll be posting regularly again, even though I'll be back in Chicago. The pictures won't be quite as good as they were in the Caribbean and Alaska...but I'm sure Linny and I can come up with some entertaining posts nonetheless. School starts September 15th and then I'll be transformed back into a bookworm...but I'm excited. I love school. I am a nerd. Okay well time to go for now. Come back and see me again soon!

XOXO

Amy

Fun with Old and New Friends...

Hey friends,
Here are a few shots from last Thursday in Victoria, B.C. Check out the cool dudes we made friends with! Haha. I think the guy in red reminds me of Vlade...very strange. Could definitely have been friends of yours, dad. Haha. Just kidding I love your friends. The other shot is of my much more lovely friends, Tiana, Kristen, Elizabeth and myself. Club HAL, Club HAL, What's up? What's up?...Oh I am so sad to be leaving. I'm gonna miss this so much...

Are YOU talkin to ME?

Hi guys,

Not much to say, but I'll be home a week from today!! Yippee!! I wanted to say a big thanks and "you rock" to Linny, who found us an apartment today! Wooo Hooooo! Maybe we will have a housewarking when we move in so you can come see it. Go Linny! You are the best!!!

My nose looks really big in this picture. I love you guys! See ya soon!

Who Rocks the Side Ponytails?

Club HAL does!!! We all rocked side-front ponies this week as well as our new "animal print slap bracelets AND cool press on jewel-tone earrings. My job is the best job ever. Well folks, I'll be home in 2 more weeks. Are you excited? Seeing as I have a plane ticket to France I can't possible extend any longer so this time is really it. Actually coming home. Plane ticket from Seattle to Chicago is booked and I'll be arriving at O'Hare around 10pm on 7/21. Home for a mere 4 days and then off we go to France. Wow! I'm such a jet setter! I climbed a mountain in Juneau this week and it was gorgeous. I took about 70 pictures. Some were of me frolicking around the mountain top Sound of Music style. We sang "the hills are alive" about 10 times that day. Haha. I think I'm getting weirder and weirder as this contract goes on. I am definitely goofy these days. Who misses me the most? Let's have a contest and see who can dome up with the most reasons. The winner can take me out for dinner. Haha. Just kidding about the dinner but if you want to have a contest I'm ok with that!

I'm BACK!

Back on my blog, that is...sorry folks, I've been super busy with the new job and haven't been online much lately. I really love being YPD (youth program director) and so far everything is going well. I have 5 people on my staff right now and they are all fantastic and do whatever I tell them too. Haha. Last night was fun, I went out again in Victoria, but it was Alan and Steve's last night and I am so sad they are gone. Alan is coming back in 4 weeks but I'll be gone by then...That's the worst part of ship life. Your friends are always leaving. The picture is us in the Viking, that's where I always go in Juneau to play pool. I lost 7 games in a row last week. It wasn't pretty. Oh linny! The shirt I'm wearing is the one that reminds me of you! Well folks, I'm going to lay down for half an hour before heading to work. Love you and miss you all. See you in a few more weeks!!!

Amers

Have you ever kissed a sea cucumber??

I bet you haven't!!! Well take a look at me with my new boyfriend, Mr. Sea Cucumber! Elizabeth (in pic) and Tiana and I hit up the Sitka aquarium this week and got to hold a bunch of weird sea creatures. That is the aquarium behind us. All is well on the ship, I take over as YPD in three more days but I feel ready. Tonight is Top-Secret Assignment night so I get to dress up like a spy...Then it's disco fever night so I'll get glammed up to go to the Beatles show and then to the Crow's Nest for a bevy with Staci. Yay! Yesterday was Phillipine Independance Day so I went to a crew party which featured a live Filipino band and a really good drag queen show! Woo Hoo!! Melissa G-I LOVE SUGAR BREAD! You know what I'm talking about?? Wow it was so good. Well, not much else to say, have to go get my laundry and get ready for spy night. Glad everyone got to meet MB, he is a doll.

XOXOXOXO

Amers

Meet my new friend...

Mr. Bear. He lives in Victoria, BC. In case you aren't reading the "comments" section, I have been promoted to Youth Program Director and have extended my contract yet again. I'll now be coming home July 14th. I know, I know...I said I wouldn't extend again but I've been sucked in. Linny and I have tickets to France for July 26th so this time I can't possible stay longer. Never fear. I'm loving my life and honestly couldn't be happier (except of course if sister was here with me). We were in Juneau today and I had fun, Staci (my boss) and I had sushi and then played some pool at the Viking. I beat her. How's home??? Anything exciting going on? Okay well that's all I've got for now. See you in 5.5 weeeks. I promise.

Amos

I love rock and roll...

Tonight was kareoke night with the kids and I rocked the house. I am so talented I just can't even believe it. Haha. Ship life is great and the same. We have two new staff members on board so I've been training them and getting to be really bossy, which I love. :) Today we were in Juneau and Alan and I had planned to climb Mt. Roberts...well actually take the tram most of the way up and then climb a little at the top, but things got all messed up with the IPM schedule and they wouldn't let me off the ship. After about 3 hours, it got sorted out but by then it was too late to do any type of mountain climbing so we just went to the Viking and played pool for a few hours. Also fun. Maybe next week I'll get to the mountain. Tomorrow is Glacier Bay Day again and I swear I'm going to finally see some whales. I haven't really been looking enough and so I'm about the last person on board that hasn't seen any up here yet.

I just got off work and am debating on going out or going to bed. 8am is going to be here fast...

More pics soon, I was trying to upload but my computer is being too slow.

XOXOXOXOX

Amers

Celebrity Sighting

This may turn into a celebrity column...here you will see Alan White of "Whyte". Popular musical act on board. Very handsome. (He told me to say that.)

Love to all!

Amers

Well Helloooo

I don't have anything interesting to say, just wanted to post more pics for you. That's my new roomate Tiana. She's from Vancouver. Cool chick, we get along really well. The other is Glacier Bay on a sunny day. Beautiful...

love you

amy

Should I stay or should I go now?

Hey fam-

Alaska is gorgeous this week, the weather is much nicer and I got to go ashore in Juneau yesterday. It was really a cute town. I walked around for a while, went to Juneau drug and then hung out at the Viking, which is a pub/pool hall were all the crew hangs out. There were three other ships in port with us so it was packed with crew from all over the world. It was really pretty cool! Last night I had kareoke night with the kids and today we have been sailing around Glacier Bay. I took more pics of the glacier (Margerie) and I'll post them soon. She looks different every week! More work tonight, but tomorrow I have the whole day off and only have to work 8-10pm so I'll get to go ashore in Sitka and enjoy. I feel like I was just there! Time is really starting to fly now. I'm trying to decide whether to request an extension and stay on a few more weeks. I don't feel quite ready to leave yet, and while I miss you guys a lot and especially miss my sister a SUPER LOT, I can't help thinking that when I get home I'll wish I'd stayed on a little longer. I haven't checked with the office yet so I don't even know if they'd approve me, but it's a possibility. I absolutely won't stay past the end of June though, don't worry Linny!!! I'm gonna toss it around a little more but probably have to ask within the next few days if I want a shot at staying. I'm sick again...can't kick this stupid cold, but it's not too bad, mostly just congestion and I keep losing my voice. I couldn't talk at all this morning and had to whisper directions to the kids. They all felt really bad for me and were really quiet all morning...maybe I should lose my voice more often!

Well I guess that's it for now. The pic is a shot of Juneau from the top of the ship. I'm going to download more pics and post soon so check back. Love you all very much and see you soon!

Famous

Alaska the Beautiful

Here are a few shots for your viewing pleasure, me with Margerie (the glacier) and a random Alaskan mountain, and me in Sitka, Alaska with my new scarf. Love you all a lot!

Amers

I bought a new scarf.

Because Alaska is so cold!!! Today we are in Sitka, Alaska and it's really pretty. I'm going to post pics soon, I promise. It's a cute little town that sort of reminds me of Green Lake. Except they have a really good sushi restarant and I'm pretty sure there's no good sushi in GL...This was my first Alaskan port since I had IPM in Juneau and so far so good. There are no sandy white beaches...but the scenery is amazing and its really peaceful. Well folks this is short but I have to get to work. Tonight is spy night, then I'm going to see the White Brothers do their Beatles show, then I'm going to country night for some line dancing. Fun fun fun! Wow I am going to miss ship life.

Love Amy

Now sit right back and you'll hear a tale...

Okay so remember when we were on the very bad boat ride? And Grandpa had to drop us off at the Heidel House because we were scared to die a watery death? Today on the Zaandam is worse. It's so very rocky and guest are throwing up left and right. I'm not seasick at all, I guess my body is pretty much used to motion now, but it's really moving today. I can't walk straight and keep bumping into things, and before you ask, it's not just me. Everyone is just as dizzy. HAHA. I feel bad for the guests...and the cabin stewards...they have to clean up after everyone!! I'm in my cabin right now and can hear the water crashing against the side of the ship every time we pitch. During the night something went wrong with an engine valve and we were just floating for about an hour, no forward movement. Oh boy. It seems to be fixed now and we're going full speed ahead. Should be arriving in Vancouver the day after tomorrow, then Seattle on Friday. Alaska here I come!

I have moose slippers and will start wearing them at all times in crew areas. It's going to be my signature look. Haha.

Robert is doing fine Granny. He's in Virginia and working at a very high-tech job till he starts school in July. He's learning about computer stuff that's way over my head. He is actually on the road right now, headed to Chicago for about two weeks of leave. He will also be visiting his daughter Lucy.

Well, the ship is a-rockin and I was planning to go to the gym but honestly, I think I might fall off the treadmill. Maybe I'll skip it for tonight. Stay tuned for more news. Same bat time, same bat channel.

amos bo bamos

I fly thru the trees with the greatest of ease...

Well hello! I have had a fantastic day. Possibly the best since I’ve been on board. We docked in Puntarenas, Costa Rica this morning and Rachel, Brianne and I met up with Brianne’s friend Mauro. First we went for a great breakfast of “pinto especial” which was rice, black beans, eggs, bacon and ham and a tortilla with a glass of fresh watermelon juice. It was SO GOOD. Then we drove through the country and stopped at a river to look for crocodiles, but we only found a cow and some iguanas. There was a really cool old wooden bridge so of course we had to take a few pictures. So we kept driving in the Costa Rican countryside which was just gorgeous, to a huge national forest were we went zip lining. It was so great! Even better and faster then the one we did in Puerto Vallarta. We took lots of pics (of course) and the scenery was amazing, in the middle of the mountains and the rainforest…so pretty. The best part, though, was the superman cable. They hook you up in this harness and you fly TWO THOUSAND FEET THOUGH THE AIR!!! WOW! It was so scary but so cool and I loved it. Finally we had a delicious lunch at the forest restaurant of rice, beans, ribs, pork, salad, fried plantains, mashed potatoes and rice pudding. Mauro just dropped us off back at the ship and I’m exhausted. Time for a little nap before work tonight. Hope you like the pictures!
Love,
Amy

I'm Feeling Mysterious

Thats me...in case my mask is so good that you can't tell. Laura (the girl in the background) decided to have a "asquarade" themed party for her birthday so that's me being masqueradish. Here's what happened today...WE WERE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING!!! Wow!! No damage, just a really loud BOOM. It was cool but the kids freaked out a little. Then tonight a 13 yr old convinced our two 8 yr olds to kiss. then the other kids made a big deal out of it and the 8 yr olds started crying. This is the point when Staci and I find out what happened. Their parents are going to LOVE us. I can't even remember being 8 yrs old but I KNOW I wasn't kissing boys till I was at least 9. Haha. Kidding dad.

Tomorrow I'm going zip lining in the jungle. Wish me luck!

Love you and miss you all. If anyone sees my sister give her a big hug and kiss for me.

Famous

Happy April 21st

Hi Guys,

Wow you are all commenting champions! I love when I get new comments, it totally brightens my day. Today we are transiting the Panama Canal, going all the way thru to the Pacific. We are on Chicago time right now and will be going thru more locks this afternoon around 1 or 2 pm. If you are by your computer, go to www.pancanal.com and click on the Miraflores Locks...you may be able to see our ship on the camera! (m.s. Zaandam, big ship, blue and white)

Tonight we have an overnight in Amador, Panama which is near Panama City. I have the night off so I think I'm going out for a nice dinner somewhere. In a few days we will be in Puntarenas, Costa RIca, where I will be going on another Jungle Zip Cord tour though the rainforest. I'm so exicted! I'll try to take pics and not lose my camera. Pretty soon we will be in Alaska, and while the scenery will be gorgeous, the weather may turn cold. I'm enjoying the heat while I can.

Sorry that today's picture isn't anything to special, its me on the beach in Half Moon Cay with the ship in the background. I'm gonna miss that beach, it's so pretty...Time is really flying for me and I can't believe I'll be home in 7 weeks. Well, time to go back to work, and by work I mean go have a bubble gum chewing contest, play catch phrase, make lizard key chains, and other very strenous activities. Haha. Love you all a lot.

Famous

New Haircut

okay you either have to turn your head sideways or turn your computer sideways, but here is a shot of my new haircut. she took about 4 inches of the back, it was getting really long!! i really like it. just wanted to share.

love you lots

amos bo bamos

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANNY!!!

Hi Granny! I talked to Johnny Mathis and he wanted me to post this picture for you and send you a special birthday wish. He's really sorry he couldn't call you himself, but he is very busy doing something important, like, um, singing? Or posing for cool 1980's style pictures? Or something? Anyway he was really sorry and will try to make it to Norridge next year to serenade you, but for now he wanted to be sure you knew that he is your biggest fan and he loves you dearly, but knows that he could never steal you away from Grandpa so he won't even try, because that would just hurt his pride when you reject him. He will settle for admiring you from afar. He hopes you have a fantastic birthday and would like you to play a few of his songs while you celebrate your day.

I, on the other hand, just want to wish you a happy birthday and would not like you to play any of my songs, except maybe the cassette tape of me singing "Tomarmow, Tomarmow"...just a thought...for your listening pleasure. I hope you have a great day and that you do something very fun and enjoyable, like get a facial or a manicure, or go to the beach, or have a nice dinner or go to a piano bar...or something else that will make you happy.

Love you very much!!

Everyone else, feel free to send B-day wishes to Granny via this blog. Open forum.

Love you all!

Famous Amos

Hi Readers!

Here you see Jacob and I on "school girl" night in the bar. the closest I got to the school girl look was pigtails, a button up shirt and jeans. No skanky little skirts for this girl. Jacob, on the other hand, went all out, bow tie, backpack and all. Silly. We left today for our 21 day repositioning and are headed (eventually) for Alaska. Tomorrow we will be in the Bahamas for the last time. I'll miss Half Moon, its a great island!!! I got to talk to a few of you today, that was great, esp Sister and Sweetums. I miss everyone but my contract is now more than halfway over and I feel like I'll be home before I know it! I'm concerned that I'll lose my tan, being in Alaska for 5 weeks, but the blog has the pics to prove that I am indeed a brown bear. Anyway, I'm tired and we have 10 kids on board instead of the 2 we were expecting, so it will be a rather long 21 days. Time for Amy to hit the sack. Whats going on at home???

Love, Me

Tanny McTannerson

Hola friends and family! As you can see in pic, that is Brianne, Laura and me in front of the m.s. Zaandam. Now that you're all home from vacation we can start having some proper blog comments again! I was getting so bored, checking the blog every day and no new comments coming! I'm doing well today, we are at sea but I have fantastic teens this cruise so my job is really quite enjoyable. Today we had a scavenger hunt, played scattergories (which I ROCK AT) played arcade games and made hemp bracelets. Tonight is name that tune (RED RIVER VALLEY!!) and kareoke which I also love. What a fun day! Tomorrow we are in Aruba but I have IPM so I'll probably be working in the library and laying by the pool. I'll be hme in two months and three days, so mark your calendars! I want to go to Green Lake for a while when I get home in June, before I find a job and cant take a few days off...Granny, when is good for you? We will party hardy, find us a piano bar and get crazy on Southern Comfort Old Fashioneds! Whoo Hoo! Linny you better come too, and Jason. Replay of our childhood years. Maybe grandpa will even sing the sick cow song and on the way home we will sing "turn the car around the other way....back it up and stop on yesterday....down on our knees, we beg you please, to turn the car around the other way...." Yes I think this is a brilliant plan and it must be followed at all costs. Mid-June. Let's make it happen. Okay I'm hyper tonight so I will go to the gym and run a few miles.

love to all

amy

hey all

hi everyone,

not much to report, same old same old. we are at sea today so i have work pretty much 9am-10pm but my boss and i are getting dolled up and going to the crows nest for drinks after work. ooh la la..

how is everyone? was the trip fantastic? i have decided to extend one extra week till june 9th because its going to be really busy and they need the help. dont worry ill still be home soon!

okay well this is short and sweet, just wanted to say hi. love you all!

amy

Buenas Dias Mi Familia

Hi everyone,

A lot of you are on vacation right now so I'm not expecting a whole lot of comments for a while but I figured an update was in order. Today we were in Costa Rica and of course, I went to the beach. It's the cheapest form of entertainment and I really do love it. We went to playa bonita, the usual, and had lunch at restaurant quimbamba, also the usual. I went with Steve, my beach date. (You see him in many pictures, he is the tall guy with dark hair.) It was kinda overcast today and rained a little but was still really warm and the water was fun, lots of waves. I suppose being so close to the rainforest you are bound to get rained on. Everything is going really well here, same as always except we have 52 kids on board this week. We had only been expecting 30 so you can bet we are really really busy. Three staff is really not much for all those kids. I have been working 14 hour days on sea days, but I was off all day today and don't have to work till 8pm. Tonight is "Mysterious Spy Night" and the kids will be going on a photo scavenger hunt. I like it because I get to send them off and hopefully have some peace and quiet! :) A few of my friends will be leaving the ship this week in Ft Lauderdale, but another friend of mine, Brandon, the guy who helped me get the job, will be coming on...so that will be nice. I have been keeping up the running, but I did slack a little this cruise because I've been working so many hours. I got back into the gym today though so hopefully I'll be back on track now. One of the spa girls told me I have gained weight since coming on board!!! I didn't think I had, but maybe it's true...I don't have a scale so I have no idea. Oh well, what do you expect with all-you-can-eat buffets for three meals a day!

Exciting news...Rob is driving down to visit me this Ft. Lauderdale. It's about an 8-9 hour drive so I think he is a little crazy considering I'll only have a few hours off, but it will be really nice to see him. I can't believe its been almost 2 months since I left P'cola! We will be going to the Cheesecake Factory for lunch, my FAVORITE! (Don't be jealous GVC girls!)

PACE friends, I hope you are still reading the blog, I miss you all and look forward to seeing everyone in August. I've heard that school has been kinda rough lately...hang in there. Email me whenever you have a chance and let me know whats up! (amythorn14@hotmail.com)

Sister, I hope you had a super fun time in the DR and are very tan. I'll call you when I get to Ft. Laud on Saturday, I think you will be home by then.

Hugs and Kisses to all!!

Amy

Half Moon Cay Photo Shoot

Am I a tree? A firework? A swimsuit model? How about all of the above? Today was our Half Moon Cay photo shoot. We worked the camera for about 40 minutes and these are some of my fave shots from the day. I'll prob post a few more later, there were so many and we had fun acting like idiots...we posed as all the holidays...including Canada Day in which my Canadian friends showed off their maple leaf tattoos and I pouted...Oh my. What a day.
Okay folks I gotta get to bed, I have a LOOONNNGG day tomorrow. We have about double the amount of kids on board than we expected and we will be working our tails off this cruise. Love you a lot, have fun on your respective vacations!

Love, Amy

Hi Friends! I know you are dying to see more of travel teddy so here he is...sitting on a ledge with our ship in the background. I'm doing well and have nothing major to report. We left Ft Lauderdal today and are headed to the Bahamas. More soon...promise! Love you all a lot!

Amy

Travel Teddy Goes to Curacao

Hi Guys!

Today was a busy day for travel teddy and me. We went to Curacao and were supposed to go to the beach but it was overcast so we ended up in town. We walked around with our friend Shanna, had some McDonald's for lunch and GOT A NEW TATTOO!! (Sorry Granny, I know you don't approve but it's really cool!) As you can see in the photo it's on the inside of my wrist like Linny and my mom. It is the Kanji symbol for "older sister". I really like it. Anyway just wanted to show you all my latest decoration. Love you to bits and pieces!

Amy

Helmet Hair

Like our new hat??? A few nights ago someone brought a helmet to the OB (officer's bar) and by the end of the night I'm pretty sure everyone had a turn wearing it. Silly? Yes. Funny? Absolutely. Who knows what kind of pror could show up next??? Things are good here, I only have one teen on board this cruise so I'll be bouncing around between teens and kids for next ten days. Should be fun. We were in Half Moon Cay today and it was really gorgeous. I'm getting tanner by the minute, if tanner is a word. We got underway a little while ago and now are on the way to Aruba. We will get there the day after tomorrow. Sea tomorrow so that means lots of hours of work, but the group of kids this cruise is really cute and I think it will be a lot of fun. We are getting an extra Club HAL staff next cruise so I'll be sharing my room for 20 days, then she leaves and I'll be on my own for 30 days, then we will get extra staff again when we get to Alaska. I like having my own room, but hopefully Christine will be nice and we'll get on well.

Last night was a fun night, we all went up to the cruise director's cabin and watched RENT. It was great! (RENT is my favorite musical, I have seen it seven times on stage!) The cast, myself and two cruise staff all went. The CD had all kinds of food for us, drinks, desserts, it was quite a little party! She is leaving in a few days so it was sort of a send off for her as well.

I'm taking a week off from going to the bar. I've been running 3 miles a day, but then drinking and eating all those calories right back on my behind, so I think a little healthy living is in order for a while. Next cruise four of my friends will be leaving so there will be plenty of partying to be done. Better save up my energy for then.

Well family, a lot of you will be cruising soon too, too bad not on HAL with me! Hope you have an awesome time, take lots of pictures!

Sister, I love you a super lot and hope you're having a good day at school today, I think it is Monday. Have fun with MB this weekend!!! Okay I'm sure I'll talk to you before then but just in case. I heart him for you.

Alright that's all I've got for now. What's up with everyone else besides packing?

xoxo

Amy

Playa Bonita

Hi Friends!

I look like I'm in pain or on drugs or something in that picture! I think it was just really sunny. These are hot off the presses, from the beach in Costa Rica today. I'm with Rachel, Steve and Brianne. What a fun day! We were there from 11-3 and had a nice lunch at Restaurant Quimbamba. It's 4pm now and I don't have to work till 9! I'm not used to having such a big block of free time so I don't know what to do with myself. I think I will go work out. I worked out twice yesterday, ran 30 mins in the morning and 30 mins in the evening. Have to counteract all the calories I eat here! Well, still not sorking very hard, the teens aren't showing up. But next cruise we have VIPs on board with a lot of kids so it will be plenty of work. We have two sea days ahead of us which will be busy, then back to Ft. Lauderdale. I think I get to go off the ship this week, so Brianne and I are planning on going to Cheesecake Factory for lunch. MMMMMMmmmmmm....

Okay wish I had more to say but life here is same as always. Love you all a lot!

Amy

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