Eclipsed Them All

As I'm coming to the last few weeks of this longer-than-normal contract I have to look back at the changes I've made. It's been so much more than changing of ship, scenery, and job. I look back at how my priorities have changed in the last few months. It used to be all about the ports and the shopping and the fun. Now I see myself taking the job more seriously (not too seriously, mind you). I like being in the office. I don't feel gutted if I miss a Barcelona here or a Vigo there. I'm happy to be productive onboard. Is that maturity I smell? Wait... maybe that was the tuna I had for lunch...

Anyway, I find I value my time on the ship just as much as the ports. Maybe it's this ship? Maybe it's this group of friends? Maybe it's just this time in my life?

I can't describe it. Things feel different. I don't have that anxious feeling about leaving. I will be sad to leave Jenn on the gangway. I will be even sadder if I have to leave Tim and Matt in the parking lot as they board the bus to the airport and I board a bus to hotel for my inevitable overnight. I will be sad to watch the Eclipse from the back window and I will of course cry as I say my goodbye. I feel good about it all this time, though. It's like I almost can't wait for that moment of standing on the pier, looking back with a giant sigh of relief and thinking "I did it."

I am ready to go home, though. So completely ready. As much as I'll miss my acapella guys and that British nurse that's joined at my hip, I'm ready to see my family. Ready to have a cider at McK's with Nicole, Mikey and Vonne. Ready for a night of Glee and Kraft macaroni and cheese. Ready to see my mom at the airport. Ready to see the beauty and filth of NYC again. Ready to spend time with my family in Bath. Ready to have Pirate's Booty and "Tiffy Drinks" with Leigh and Tiff. Ready to celebrate Allie's 21st! Ready to blame Rod for a night of too much drinking. Ready to hit up North Carolina for reunions with girlies and Elon homecoming! Ready to sleep a whole night with no phone interruptions. Sounds like a pretty fantastic vacation, right?

Then I'll be ready to start it all over again, with a holiday season back on the Celebrity Summit.

For now, though, I suppose I'll focus on these last few weeks of projects, ports and parties on the ship I opened, my baby, the Celebrity Eclipse.