Friday, January 1, 2016

Friday, January 1, 2016



Tonight's picture was taken in December of 2003. Mattie was a year and a half old and he spent that Christmas in Los Angeles. As you can see Mattie was very engaged with opening presents and particularly analyzing the Christmas wrappings. When they say that it is the simple things that attract and intrigue children, they aren't kidding. I learned that first hand with Mattie. He preferred boxes, pots and pans, and the everyday things around our home to entertain and engage him. 






Quote of the day: Hope..... Smiles from the threshold of the year to come, Whispering 'it will be happier'...  ~ Alfred Lord Tennyson

Last night was a formal evening on the ship. For the most part, people really do get dressed up for the occasion. I was wondering where the 3,700 passengers are on the ship, well last night we found a majority of them. People were in the New Year's Eve celebration spirit, with hats, noise makers, and so forth. I on the other hand am no longer thrilled about parties, large crowds or noise. So when I see these things, I typically head in the other direction.  

We did have a lovely dinner last night in the Allegro dining room, and the wonderful part is our waiters. Particularly our head waiter, whose name is Joselito, who is from the Philippines. He looks out for all four of us and can't do enough to please us. I would like to take him home. 

I have great admiration and appreciation for the crew on the ship. The crew is like the united nations, they come from countries all over the world and work hard to help support their families. Most of us would look at their work hours and say... how do you physically do this? Their jobs are demanding, they get few breaks and their work contract is nine months at a time, working 7 days a week! Yet they not only do their jobs, but they do them so well, with a smile, and they look like they have the energy of ten people each. Just remarkable. 

I took a photo of the piazza on the ship last night around 11:15pm. People were waiting for the balloons to drop. Underneath the balloons people were dancing and frankly between the loud noise and the crowds it reminded me of a fraternity party. 

Today we stayed busy on the ship. Though it was a day at sea, there was non-stop activities to participate in. We did find the walking deck on the ship. It is on the upper most deck of the ship. But as the captain mentioned it felt like a 40 MPH wind across the decks of the ship. He wasn't kidding. Peoples' hats and items were flying and it was absolutely difficult to walk in a straight line. 

Peter took a photo of us and I entitle it the ....... Wind blown Look!

Tomorrow is our first port day in Antigua. It is an adjustment to be at sea for almost three days now, so I know being on land tomorrow will be lovely.