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