Starting From Scratch?

"Starting From Scratch" was the soundtrack of my flight to Charlotte. Thank God for "This American Life." It keeps me awake for my long day of travel to San Juan.

I always like to think of the start of a new ship like starting from scratch. It would seem, however, this can no longer be the case. I'm returning to a ship I already know. On it are familiar faces from all my past ships. I'll revisit the Caribbean islands I know so well. I already know the best spots for breakfast, beaches and beers.

Much like when leaving Eclipse, I held back the tears this time when leaving home. It may seem like I'm getting better at this leaving thing. I don't think it'll ever be easy. As I told my mother, I get comfortable in places. After two months at home I loved having a couch, going to the grocery store and unlimited opportunities to pick up the phone and call my loved ones (though, admittedly, I did not do that enough). I loved having a space larger than a broom closet to call my own. I began to see how I could be really happy back on land.

However, as one friend put it, "You have the rest of your life to have a kitchen and groceries. and your friends are always here when you get back." Very true. Ship life is something most people never experience. So while I always have plans for my future on land in the back of my mind, I'll try and focus on the delicious Carib beers and sandy beaches I have ahead of me.