Where am I now?

Someone reminded me the other day that I hadn't posted for a while...So a quick update as to where my adventure has led me now...

I enjoyed my time on St Maarten...Managed to get myself back together somewhat while getting plenty of sun and R&R. However, I figured I wasn't ready to head home quite yet so decided to head to London to try my luck there...

So here I am...in London. Been here over 3 weeks now adapting to the cold. Managed to find myself a job very quickly (within a week) and now somewhere to live. So moving to the south of London this weekend and looking forward to sleeping in a real bed again after a month on the couch...But have been very grateful for the couch...

Anyway, will try to post some more random thoughts soon. I have forgotten how much time work takes up though...

Alex

Feeling Alive Again...

Been here just over 2 weeks now and feeling like I am almost back to my old self again...Who would've thought that a ship could drain me of all my energy and positive outlook on life?  I had no idea what I was heading into when I left home but it has been an incredible journey and I know I have come away from it with some amazing friends and valuable lessons...

Starting to feel like locals here on the island...Still take each day as it comes with next to no set plans., which is kinda nice.  Going back to normality will definitely be a struggle.  Most of the people who have left the ship have struggled with this and I am guessing I may do so also.  It will be 6 months since I left home soon...

Relaxing in St Maarten...

I arrived safely in St Maarten and enjoying waking up to natural light, no pressure to get to the spa for 12 hours of boredom for no pay, seeing the ocean every morning from my balcony...this list could go on for quite a while...

For those of you who don't know anything about St Maarten, it is a small island in the Caribbean where half of it is governed by the Dutch (where I am) and the other half by the French.  My preference is the Dutch side but have enjoyed my 2 outings across the border.  There is the most amazing French bakery that does the best sandwiches/baguettes...Mmm makes my mouth water just thinking about it...

This afternoon, Jamie and I are heading to the Boardwalk to take in some sunshine and live music later this evening...and I'm sure some dinner as well...

Will check in sometime soon for sure...

A sense of freedom...

Watching the Summit sail away as I sat on the beach, I felt a sense of freedom again...A sense of taking my life back...Although I must admit, there was a little sadness as well.  But the sadness is saying goodbye to friends more than anything else and I know I will see them on Sunday.  I look forward to watching the ship sail in to St Maarten as I sit in my villa...

Felt like a semi-normal person this arvo as I went to the movies for the first time in probably 6 months...I had no idea what was out, just bought a ticket to the first thing that was showing...Changeling...enjoyed the whole movie experience - oh and the flick...

Looking forward to a shower tonight where I can actually move around and not be practically standing in the toilet.  Oh and the king size bed in my room is looking very inviting I must say...I cannot believe how exciting the small stuff is...

Anyway better go have a shower - 2 posts in a day...but I do have more time on my hands now...and internet's free here too...

I have left the Summit!!

What an adventure it has been...but it has come to an end.  I resigned on Tuesday night and here I sit in Aruba enjoying free wifi in my hotel room.  The whole experience seems quite surreal.  Not quite the experience I anticipated having when I left home nearly 5 months ago - but I know I will take something away from it all...

I am flying to St Maarten tomorrow and having a 6 week break before I fly home on 12 March.  Dad, I will arrive home on your birthday!!  One of the girls in the spa is resigning tomorrow and joining me for the break.  I need to get my head (and my body) back together again before I attack Brissie again...

I knew on Monday that it wasn't worth it anymore when I ended up in the ship hospital for half a day with a killer migraine (which I know are brought on by stress) and injected with blood thinners to get me back to normal.  And then my manager queried where I'd been and why wasn't I teaching my classes...My health is so not worth it...

The fitness I was recruited with in Brissie leaves his ship tomorrow for similar reasons - so we're starting to drop...If anyone is interested in working on a cruise ship as a fitness instructor, be prepared to make a living out of sales not fitness...

However, I know I will arrive home bounding with energy ready to go for 2009....I just need to determine my plan of attack...

Talk soon...Alex

I'm starving - need to source food - so used to walking down to the mess to eat something unrecognisable - not sure I remember what it's like to eat normally again...I'm looking forward to rediscovering...

Over a Month in the Caribbean Now...

A long time since I last posted and I must say a lot has happened onboard the Summit.  Where shall I start?

Christmas was crap - worked 12 hours for no financial return and our manager didn't even have the decency to give us a couple of hours off for lunch.  She on the other hand took 4 hours off for herself, which was really nice.  Not even a special Christmas dinner in the mess for crew - same old shitty food served.  So...a Christmas I wont forget but want to put behind me...

New Year's Eve was fun on the other hand.  Drank far too much but had an awesome night in Revelations (the nightclub onboard).  It is a guest nightclub but it was full off crew.  New Year's Day - worked another 12 hours - if you call it that - as I sat behind my desk for most of the day trying to recover from the night before.  A very tough day...

My birthday started by finishing working an 18 hour shift (I kid you not) - moving stock around for inventory.  No fun.  Then birthday drinks in the crew bar.  Worked my birthday - first time for everything - and finished with boat drill and a cake in the staff bar - thanks girls.

Have had a week of sickness in there as well - spent a couple of days holed up in my cabin like a vampire with no light.  A great way to recuperate...Not!!  Oh and did I mention that I had to use one of my days off as a sick day cause the doctor wanted to send me back to work with a bloody temperature...Crazy...

Had heaps of problems onboard with our manager - been doing some crazy tasks - like shifting 1.5 tonnes of clay from Deck 12 to Deck 1 with no safety gear in the middle of the day.  Fun stuff!!

Have had another girl go home after only 4 months of her contract and my roommate has been transferred so things always changing.  My group of girls that I spend most of my time with has rapidly dwindled since I got here and am thinking of joining the masses and abandoning ship also.  I am questioning whether the financial return is worth the sacrifice of being here.  The long hours, the never-ending moans and complaints from guests, the free classes I have to teach (which I think devalues what I do), and now not even getting a day off (punishment for not hitting our targets - and I thought not making money was punishment enough but apparently not)...

We go into dry dock in just over 2 weeks time, which means no guests and the boat gets repaired - apparently a lot of shit to fix.  Apparently we are required to go to work for training - hopefully not a 12 hour shift as we are only earning $12 a day - so $1 an hour if that is the case...Although that's better than some days - I can sit up there all day for absolutely nothing...I am going to get through dry dock and see what happens - I also get a new fitness to play with next week as Don leaves me at the end of this week...

Am struggling to stay positive at the moment but doing my best to have a laugh with the girls - the few that are left.  Looking forward to lunch at Subway today (am off til 3pm) - that's about as good as it gets at the moment...

Miss you all at home and you may be seeing me sooner than we all expected...

Love Alex

Merry Christmas from the Summit...

Merry Christmas to all back home.  I am missing you all dearly and it hardly feels like Christmas Eve at all.  I start work tomorrow at 6:30 in the morning.  Will be the first ever Christmas Day I have worked and feels real strange and not really like Christmas at all.  

I do have one pressie to open in the morning though - Thank you Mum for getting it to me in time.  Receiving a package from home was the best.  Thank you again.  (Sorry Tanya, your package didn't make it in time for Christmas - should get it next week).

So, what's going on?  A lot of work but not much return at the moment.  And a bit concerning to say the least...

Two more of the spa girls left quite suddenly - one was transferred to another ship and another decided to go home after 4 months.  Sad to see them go - the Spa has not been the same without them.  I miss their energy.

Had some quality me time this arvo in Bonaire, which I think was much needed.  I enjoyed just wandering the town on my own.  You don't get much me time onboard a ship so was good to reflect and recharge.

Was asked to go to Captain's Club last night.  Basically had to dress up and represent the Spa mingling with guests.  Not too bad but hopefully not something I have to do every cruise...

Tonight there is Eggnog and Cookies in the staff bar at 11:45 pm - so 45 mins away - I should make it...

Need to pass on this free internet connection to my roommate now so will hopefully be able to get some more free time tomorrow night...

Love to all

Alex  

xxx