Weekend hi-jinx!

I have had a great weekend so far with my crew! Friday, Justin and I went on a booze cruise on a boat called the Islander. It was a party with 2 DJ's and 3 decks of bumpin beats. :) We met up with his friend's Kevin and Apri and as it turns out the four of us are an unstoppable quartet of fun. I don't think I have ever laughed so hard. Last night we went downtown and met up with Kevin and April again, April tried sushi for the first time then we played some pool walked around to a few bars and ended up at this pool hall/dance club where we proceeded to dance till the lights came on. Kevin drove us home and he and April came in for a night cap, Justin decided to make us all breakfast, now this wasn't your normal drunk after bar food, we ate gourmet steak and stuff!!!! Can you believe this breakfast?
I love my life.

Here are some pics of the boat. I took this one while standing on the bow looking aft. That means I was on the pointy end looking toward the ass end.
And this is the marble bathroom I detailed.

Here is Phillip the chainsaw massacre.

And this is Justin's beautiful marble galley!



Today we are going back downtown to do some shopping. I need a jacket and a few other things and the guys need to do a bit of shopping as well, then it's on to laundry and getting ready for our new crew member to arrive tomorrow! Oh yeah, forgot to tell ya about that. Our Chief Stewardess is coming tomorrow, we are all a bit nervous, hope she is as cool and fun as we are! If she's not we will make her fun! :) I will take more pics as soon as they unwrap the boat, you really cant see anything with it covered in plastic. Ok! Bye!

ITS OFFICIAL!!!

I AM A FEATURED BLOGGER ON BLOGTRIPPERS! Woo hooooooo! Guess who else is a featured blogger??? Yep, Miss Maria on Ferroever! Make sure ya'll pop over there and click that Blogdig button on the top right hand side of my blog!

From our Russian engineer Artur...

Today we were all sitting around playing on our computers and Justin said something in a russian accent and we all cracked up because for some reason it's way funnier to speak with a russian accent when there is a russian in the room. Soon after, Artur told us about this video and I found it for you all to laugh about!

Whew....

I'm exhausted. I spent alllll day DETAILING 2 marble bathrooms.... holy crap! I am so tired. My arm feels like it's going to fall off from cleaning the mirrored ceiling... I would like to punch the designer of this boat square in the head. Who puts mirrors and glass EVERYWHERE??? I smell like vinegar. Haha! It's ok though because now I'm home, just ate a grilled cheese sandwich and I am going to bed early. Nite nite! 

Good Mornting!

Well, I'm off to the boat yard! I will take some pics of how the boat is coming along today so you guys can see what the guys are working with, as I probably will be headed back to the house to do laundry..... :) Have a lovely day!

I found Mr. Onigiri!

Under a harvest moon in Seattle, Washington...

I am blessed. Truly blessed. What an amazing crew, I feel so fortunate to be a part of this group. How bout this picture? Phillip, Justin, Me and Artur. 

Updade on Jeff and Zach!

They are in Scotland! Thats all I know. Zach has been updating his location on facebook, Jeff hasn't emailed or updated it in a week! Thanks Zach! Jeff... call your mother or email me or mom! Good to hear they are still kicking around out there! I'm sure they are having a blast!!!

Chill work day...

My big project today is.... laundry. 

I'm chillin here waiting on crew linens and blankies to wash and dry. Which means I have 5 mins of work then 55 mins of sitting around. I did clean the apartment this morning which took about an hour. I don't mind doing things like that because the guys work hard all day and after all, I'm just sitting here. They are very clean compared to other crew and roommates I have had in the past. I mean it. They are all so nice and respectful and don't leave their stuff laying about or dirty dishes on tables or in the sink. Phillip actually did all of our dishes after diner last night! Thanks Phillip! Today Justin made a fabulous lunch of Tilapia (chicken for me and him) and little cubed roasted seasoned potatoes and baby bok choy! We watched the travel channel while he cooked and then drove over to the yard to have lunch with everyone and now I am back at the apartment doing laundry again! This will last all day, but tomorrow I will be back in the yard to order our new crew uniforms! 

In other news, today is that last day of nice weather in the foreseeable future. It's been like 78-80 degrees in the "heat" of the day and in the 50's at night, which I have found is perfect for leaving the window open while sleeping. The weather has been just beautiful. Tomorrow we take a turn for the worse. Highs only up to 60 and I don't even want to think about the lows. 

Justin and I have decided to go to the Toadies concert downtown on friday night! I am so excited, I can't wait to see the Pike Street Market which is where the clubs and bars and brewpubs and live music venues are. The Toadies are an awesome band from the 90's that we used to cover when I was in a band in high school. The Toadies are also from Texas! We are planning on heading downtown early in the evening on friday so we can grab a bite to eat before the show and I will be sure to take a lot of pictures!  

You guys be good and have fun wherever you are! 

p.s. I can't believe no one has commented on "the scoot"!!!

What about this flavor Uncle Michael???

Phillip in my shades....

"The Scoot"

I almost forgot!

In this pic , on the left is Artur "from russia with love", he is also from St Petersburg russia. If you haven't realized yet... I made up these nicknames.... And yes.... they do know who the Red Elvises are... And yes... the Red Elvises live in Venice beach which is only 2 seconds from Marina Del Rey.... You better believe we will be going to some shows.....

Welcome to the Alkai Open!

This is the first mate Andre "the pitbull", and deckhand Phillip "chitlins" who is drinking PBR out of a plastic bag... He is getting ready to commentate... 

Getting ready....
Andre serves,
Phillip holds the "mic" and commentates....
Justin "the bulldog" plays ball boy,
I take pictures of the sidewalk art,



Phillip explains Pabst Blue Ribbon to Andre who is from Russia...
Justin takes a swing...
Those mountains are in Canada!

we obviously fend for ourselves for dinner

The view from my apt.

By the way, on my way out to take this pic I walked straight through the screen door. I was looking down at my camera and knocked it clean off the door! Phillip watched from the couch the whole time and didn't warn me. We were both cracking up! I noticed that he knew exactly how to put it back on the track so I said "please tell me I'm not the first one to to that." He said, "no, I did it the other day, that's why I let you do it too." What a true friend! :)
In the pic below, Phillip.

First Day!

What an eventful and productive day! I forgot my camera at home or I would have some crazy pics of today! It's amazing. The boat is in a huge shed up on blocks and totally COVERED in plastic sheeting! I walked in and was like WOW! It looked alot bigger that 126ft to me then Justin says, "right there where that paint line is, that's where they added the new stern addition." Oh... so um, the boat is now a whopping 155ft long!!! Bigger than the yacht I worked on in Savannah! Well, the inside was just as amazing as the outside. The entire boat is torn apart! There are about 50 guys working on the boat in all different rooms and cubby holes, installing wiring, flooring, woodworking, painting, you name it there is someone doing it. There is no room for me on the boat at this time and nothing for me to do on the boat anyway so I spent the first half of the day riding around with Leslie, the current temporary stewardess. She is the Captain's friend and is just here for the next couple of weeks. Then it will be me all alone. Sole stew. Haha I'm gonna start a band and call it Sole Stew. Or Soul Stew. Ahahahhahahah! Anyway, Les and I went to Home Depot and to Sears to buy me some khaki shorts and we also took a drive through downtown Seattle on accident because we took a wrong turn. Let me tell ya.... Seattle downtown is AWESOME!!! I can't wait to spend some time down there. We have the weekend off too, so I should have plenty of time to do so. This afternoon Capt. Veronica gave me a challenge. She handed me the approved uniform binder that has all the uniform stuff laid out so the owner can see what it looks like in it. She asked me to get all the guys clothes/shoe sizes and go through the book and find out how many of what size of what item we need and write a list for each store or catalog it came out of and then make a list for each store and make the orders so we could get our uniforms in soon. She said "here, that will keep you busy for a few days at least." Two hours later I came back to the office ready to make the orders. You should have seen the look on her face. It was awesome!!!! Haha I totally impressed her today! She was excited and we ran over my orders to make changes or additions and then I typed up an xcel document so we could have these lists ready for anytime we need to order and printed them out. I made a few orders and then it was time to leave work! These guys don't mess around! It was 3:31 and they were waiting at the door for me, ready to go!!! Now I am sitting back, watching the travel channel with the guys, drinking a glass of red wine Phillip so kindly uncorked for me, and now I am about to go out on the balcony to gaze at the mountains.... Ahhhh.... life is good.

- in the pic: Our chef, Justin and me. A big thanks goes out to him today for a delightful lunch! Chicken caesar salad!!! Yum it was awesome!

Good Mornins Seattle!

Wow! I'm up, ready to rock! It's just before 7am here and we are just about to head to work! We work 7:30 to 3:30 so that's cool! gotta go!

Sleepless in Seattle.

i am in Seattle. I love Seattle. The Chef Justin picked me up at the airport. We are best buds. Tomorrow I wake up at 6am with the boys and go to work till 3:30pm which is a pretty great work day! We all went out for a "crew bonding night" where I met the crew of another boat and learned that my most favorite female captain in the universe, Wendy Kitchell is in the same marina as we are!! I can't wait to see her! I will post pics tomorrow. Crew bonding was a bit much... I can write but not post pics.... thats a good judge of sobriety....

Delayed in Dallas.

Well, my flight is delayed till 10:30am. I am supposed to land in Houston at 11:30am now and my next flight is LEAVING at 12 noon!

Check in was a breeze here at Love Field. I was the only one in line for check in at the continental express desk where a nice young man helped me with my check in! I warned him as I plopped my bag on the scale "this thing weighs like a hundred pounds", he laughed and said, "close". It weighed 54 pounds! Anything over 40 and there is a 25 dollar charge and anything over 50 and its a 50 dollar charge. Since there was no one behind me he said, "If you can get 4 pounds out of there and put it in your backpack that would work." So I rummaged through my bag and pulled out my big song book where I keep all my guitar tabs for my now non-existant guitar, and I also pulled out my "Insiders Guide to Becoming a Yacht Stew" book by Julie Perry! Perfect! 50 pounds. We laughed as I fumbled with my now even heavier giant backpack and he said, "lets check on your connecting flights, ooo, looks like you might miss your connecting flight in Houston, the only flight out that has room leaves at 8:30pm this evening." I just shrugged it off and said with a smile "let's hope I don't miss that flight in H-town then!". By this time a couple of ticket counter ladies had walked over and were chatting with us. I was getting my wallet out to pay him the 25 bucks for my over weight (obese) luggage when he handed my boarding pass back to me, yanked my bag off the scale, sent it down the conveyor belt and said, "thanks for being so understanding, have a great flight." I just kinda took the boarding passes and said, "uh... Oh! Ok! Thanks! You too! Bye!" and that was it! He didn't charge me the 25 dollars for my bag! See? Always be nice to people in the service/customer service industry, they hold your wallet in their hands...

Now I am sitting at a lovely executive desk with my laptop plugged in, wireless internet pumping through my Mac and Red Hot Chili Peppers pumping through my headphones. I can see our plane out the window, It's a little jet! No propellers! Pretty cool.

I will update you guys when I get to Houston if I get delayed, If I can make my flight I won't have time to write so if you don't hear from me that means I made my flight! Keep your fingers crossed!

Thanks Ike!

HOLY CANOLI!!! I'm going crazy!

I got a call today from my Crew Account Manager, Kendra at Luxury Yacht Group in Ft. Lauderdale. She called just to say hi and touch base with me since I am leaving soon to join my new boat. She also wanted to make sure I was aware that I would be promoted to Chief Stewardess soon after my arrival on So Taj. I was a bit taken aback by her tone, she sounded a little concerned about the fact that I would be put "In charge" of the interior department so soon, as this is my first job on a megayacht. I assured her that yes, my Capt. did tell me she would like to promote me to Chief when the current Chief stew leaves. My Capt. and I spoke at lengths about my boating and service industry experience and I am certain that she wouldn't have considered me for the job if she didn't think I was 100% capable of rocking at it. Now I am nervous because it sounds like the current Chief Stew is leaving sooner than later and I am gonna have to pick his brain and cram for this crash course in So Taj Stewing! I am up for the challenge! Lots to learn in a short span of time. Now I am really really glad the boat is in the yard for the next month, that will give me some extra time to learn my way around and get used to the boat and procedures and crew.

In other news, Thanksgiving dinner was a delight! The cheesecake is sooooooo yummy! I am so full. After dinner I made mom a bento out of the leftover thanksgiving, you will have to check out her blog to see the pictures! haha!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

OH! What? It's September you say? Well, I know that!

I wasn't home for Thanksgiving or Christmas last year and probably won't be here for Christmas this year either, so Dad suggested we have Thanksgiving tonight! It's my favorite meal of the year! So, I have spent all morning making a home made from scratch Cheesecake!!! My favorite dessert in the world! Check this baby out!



In about an hour I will be popping the turkey in the oven and at about 5:30 we will start making the fixins!!!

This is a great day!

I hope the cheesecake tastes as good as it looks, I'm a little worried because I substituted "mexican sour cream" for the cup of sour cream the recipe called for. I don't really know the difference between "mexican" and "american" sour cream, except the mex sour cream was really runny. Kinda like us when we drink the water there...

hmmm.....

I will let ya know!

For Maria!

ASK AND YE SHALL RECEIVE!!!
Click HERE for panties!
Click HERE for boxers!

Something for Lyvvie!

I found these ongiri baubles on www.shanalogic.com. I totally cracked up! Thought you might want to see them!

My brother is in Estonia!

I got an email from him and he and Zach successfully made it from Orlando to Iceland to Sweeden by plane then took a ferry/cruiseship from there to Estonia. It took them 15 hours to get across whatever mass of water that is. Last I heard they were at a hostel called 16EUR in Tallinn. This is a pic of them and their new friends they met on the boat. They are sweedish art students. I am so proud of my little brother! He finally got out and is seeing the world! Now he has been to more countries than me!!! I better get traveling!

I secretly dreamed this last night...

It's not a secret anymore.

Only 6 days left in Texas.

Monday I fly to Seattle to meet my new boat, Capt. and Crew! I am so excited! I can't wait to get up there and see a new part of the country I have never seen before! Hopefully I can get to Mt. St. Helens on a day off or at least do a little wine tasting at the many wineries in the Seattle area. I am kind of relieved that the boat is in the yard for the next month and a half because that will give me time to get to know everyone and the boat before we have guests aboard. It is a private yacht so we wont be doing any charters which I haven't decided if that's good or bad. I think it will be good for me. I have worked on a ton of boats but this will be my first long term gig on a mega yacht. Like I said I was temp stew on one last year in Savannah for a month or so but that boat was in the yard to so I never really got to see what it was like having the boat on the move and people to serve. All I know is I better get my ironing arm in shape...
In other news, I am only trying to take one suitcase. Yeah. One. It's going to be nearly impossible. I am taking ONE pair of boots which I will probably wear on the plane because they take up lots of space in my bag, also to scare my new crew. I may even show up wearing my cowboy hat. :) They are gonna be like, "Oh shit who is this redneck on the dock?" nah... No cowboy hat. I have to bring one pair of cute heels to wear out if I ever go out. Then a couple pair of pants, shorts, a couple of shirts and my personal stuff. I will mostly be wearing uniforms so I guess I don't really need to bring much. P.J.'s. "Modest pajamas." My capt. said. She sounds really cool! I have never seen a female capt. of a megayacht and I can't wait to learn a lot from her.
Well, I'm sitting here on my LoveSac watching National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. It's a family tradition, since I won't be here yet again for Thanksgiving and Christmas I have to watch it as much as possible right now. I love it.
Check Y'all later!

Here ya go Maria!!!

I can only take one, only one pair of boots with me to Seattle. Help me decide...

A.


B.


C.

I have to choose one, just one pair of boots to take with me. Help me decide. A, B or C.

A, B, or C?

I love them all...

Sorry I'm slacking!

I have been doing a whole lot of nothing since I got home to Texas and I am loving it. I take naps, play on my computer, look up travel guides for Seattle, L.A. and Cabo San Lucas, hang out with my parents, and help mom with dinner. It's the best vacation ever! Today mom and I will meet up with Dee Dee and we are going shopping!!!! Now, normally I hate shopping, but I really do need some essentials since I have been living on an island for a year. Things like, warmer shirts than a tee shirt. Some pants. You know, stuff other than bathing suits and board shorts. I did go "shopping" in my old closet and surprisingly I found a bunch of jeans that fit me and my old boots! I am only taking one pair of boots, it's a hard decision. I gotta go! Bye!

Zucchini Bread.

Being at home you gotta get back into the swing of things, the culture ya know... Well, something people (mema's mostly) make is Zucchini Bread. Zucchini are easy to grow, and for some odd reason, many moons ago, someone decided to shred em up and make bread with them! Personally I don't think they taste like anything at all, but all the other ingredients in the bread make it quite a yummy treat! It's been a while since I had some zucchini bread and after watching this hilarious video by Sweet Tea Films, I suddenly have a strong craving... Watch it, try not to laugh. Those of you from the south (hell even those of you who are from another country) will thing its hilarious!

TACO BELL.

I ate it. It was an out of body experience... So good. Then I slept in my old room, I had the best sleep I have had in a year. I just woke up and I am back to the mind numbing paperwork that came from my new boat. I have never written my name so many times, now I have to choose what insurance I want! I have no effing clue what to do! I have never had insurance!!! I just go to the girly doctor once a year for pills and call it a day, so what the hell do I do? I think I may go with this plan called PacifiCare HMO, just cuz the co pays are 15 bucks and they pay 100% of the Dr bills. Anyone have any suggestions? Whew! I need to pause for breakfast... OH MY GOSH I GET TO DRINK REAL MILK!!! NO MORE FAKE ISLAND MILK!!! I gotta go!

I'm in Orlando.

Sitting at the airport. There is a very slobbery baby coming dangerously close to me. GROSS! It's wobbling around near my leg. Make it stop!!! I hope they sit far far away from me. Dude there are like a hundred babies on this flight!!!! Time to plug my ipod in. I should be home in a little under 3 hours!!! yay! I already miss St. Thomas.... I am sure I will go back one day!

Here is the dance we were all doing on Friday when I took those pics of Jeff dancing. Can you believe he was in the middle of a crowd of people dancing this dance??? Obviously this is not a video of us... But it is the dance and the song. I have had the song stuck in my head for 5 days...

Tonight

The boys got some booty... fake gold coins that is....

A piratey night with the crew....

Today I took the boys snorkeling at Coki Beach, then over to St. John for happy hour and $1 dollar beers at Woody's. Then we met up with Meg and Killian at Island Time Pub and went on over to Jack's Pub where the band Barefoot Davis was having a CD release party. There were lots of pirates and We couldn't resist causing trouble... I tried to steal a pirates sword and meg actually succeded but got smacked in the face with a sword in the fight... we are tough. tomorrow is the going away party at Offshore bar... get ready...

yet again...

This is about the time I swoop in and say "Get away from my little brother you beer soaked skank!!!" just kidding... I didn't say that... wanted to... but I let him have his fun.

More....

Jeff dances the night away at the Fat Turtle!

Candid shots of my brother Jeff!

This is Jeff and Zach on the right, meeting my friends.... they all have man crushes on each other.

That's how I roll!

more animals

I sent the boys off on a kayak adventure to Hassle Island just across the channel from my house. They are going over to check out the ruins from the old days of pirates and tall ships from 1867. There is a trail that goes from the boat house up to the old yellow fever hospital and then on up to the top of the mountain where they recently uncovered a fort. I'm sure they will have fun dodging iguanas and coconuts.

While they are away I will be packing and doing laundry! I will somehow fit all my stuff into 2 bags. I think I can do it, I got rid of a lot of clothes I don't wear or wont wear anymore. I am dreading going shopping when I get home. All I really need is a couple pairs of jeans and some socks. I have my boots and stuff at home so thats good. I cant wait to wear boots again... I really hope the weather doesn't effect us in our travels on Wed. I bet I will have delays flying from Orlando to Dallas. Thanks Gustav.

The weather here is fine, hot, partly cloudy but very very still. Not so much as a breeze!

Just 3 more days till I am home!

OH MY GOSH!

So just to update ya'll on the itinerary... I will be home in Dallas on Wednesday (weather permitting), I fly to Seattle, Washington on the 15th where I will live in an apartment till the yacht goes back into the water, then we will all move aboard where I have my own cabin! We will stay in Seattle through October and then move the boat down to Marina Del Rey, California at the beginning of November. All I know is I am going to freeze my ass off! I just looked at the weather in Seattle and its 56 freakin degrees!!! Thats colder than I have been in a year and a half at least! I'm gonna have to wear shoes!