Wait, Where Are the Pews?

So what did I do with my day today?

Well, I went into St. Petersburg, Russia and was the videographer of a Russian Orthodox wedding in a classic cathedral. Yea...

So I had my buddy Dany with me and we had a game plan. He would set up in the back behind the pews for a straight on shot of the couple at the altar and I would roam around getting different angles. Simple, right?

Imagine our surprise when we walked in and there were no pews... Just one long walkway. Well, here's how they do it in Russia. The couple stood at the beginning of this walkway in this elaborately ornate cathedral. Golds and blues among these antiks of saints and Jesus. Dany and I had to scrub the initial game plan and go with the flow. Bigger problem? As I'm not Russian and neither is my Canadian friend, we can't step on the carpet - leaving me stuck on my side and him on the other. Communication was not possible. Luckily, he and I work so well together a few minutes in he could see what I was doing (straight on, steady shot) so he knew what to do (close ups). I kept a close eye on my little foot as to not step on the sacred carpet. I was so careful, as I was also the only woman in the room with no head cover. Those of you who know me know I am extremely spiritual and very cautious of respecting other religions. Not having a head cover was so embarrassing for me.

The ceremony involves a choir (that I could never spot) and Russian priests who sing the whole service. It's all in Russian so I haven't a clue what I was listening to. The best man and maid of honor (I suppose that's what you call them) stand behind the bride and groom and follow them down the aisle, which they cover in installments. First there's a candle lighting. The priests sing, read from the Bible and everyone crosses themselves. Then they move down the aisle and go over this little stage thing and the best man and maid of honor stay on the stage above the couple. Then another priest in the prettiest green robes brings these crowns out to be held over the heads of the couple by the best man and maid of honor. They continue singing and then the couples moves up onto the altar where the priest gives them each antik icons to hold. That's when they come to the end, stand holding their icons and the guests are meant to approach them, wish the best of luck, and kiss their icons.

It was certainly not something I ever thought I would see.

After the ceremony we waited outside the church as they rang the bells and then the whole lot of us (most of the senior staff onboard and family) went to the square in front of St. Isaac's Cathedral for photos. I am a friend of the bride so it was very sweet of her to ask for a picture with me without my camera. My friends I took our own photos, we drank champagne from plastic cups and did shots of vodka on the river side. For good luck, of course...

Then there was a small, quick reception in one of the specialty restaurants onboard with cake cutting, chocolate fondues and more champagne.

Really not a bad way to spend my last Russia day. 48 days left on the Eclipse...

The Big Cheese

This being boss thing isn't too bad. I kinda like being in charge. I can run this office the way I want to and don't have to follow anyone's schedule but my own (and the Cruise Director...) I can get used to this.

I'm feeling rather thoughtful at present, though. I had a picnic in Copenhagen last week, beers in Germany, and today had my lunch at the back of the ship with the skyline of Stockholm as our backdrop. I take it for granted some days. Don't get me wrong, though no one seems to believe me, there are definite cons to living out here. Moments where I'm laughing til my sides hurt on a blanket in Denmark make it bearable, though.

I like to write out these moments where I realize what I've got going here, so that when I do silly things like complain about having to work in Russia I can have a nice reminder that I'm lucky.

I just had one of those moments again. I was pleasantly greeted this morning with an e-mail from my sister. I always love hearing from family out here, especially Allie. She writes asking for advice on study abroad and which country she should apply for. I read it and immediately started giving it some thought when I had to stop and take notice of how easily I was able to consider my response. I've spent significant time in both countries and realized I was fully capable of giving insight on a matter of world travel. It's another "shake my head" moment. Another moment where I realize how lucky I am. Another moment I never in my wildest dreams I would ever have. Who would have ever guessed I would be able to tell my little sister which country she'd like more... because I've been to both!

The big boss in Europe... again...

USA is A-OK!

My great to the eighth power grandfather fought in the Revolutionary War. Eleazer Hill fought the Brits to secure my independence as an American. How did I ring in this Independence Day? Taking photos with my best friend onboard - a Brit. He's looking down on me and shaking his head. I couldn't avoid a chuckle at that last night.

Another 4th in another country. Oddly enough, though, this time I'm Russia. Probably one of the last places an American wants to spend the day celebrating their country. I'm staying on the ship today.

Last night we had a USA Day party on the top deck. Not too crowded, but we managed to show people what Americans do. We had beer pong and flip cup and I was rushed with memories of Elon and Duke. The girls beat the boys in flip cup, naturally. It was just fun to paint stars on my face and put on anything red, white and blue.

Needless to say, getting up for work this morning wasn't the easiest. I've just come back from an unsatisfying burger at our crew BBQ. As much fun as the party was, today I'd much rather be in the States with a beer, a burger and plans to see fireworks. As glamorous as it may seem to have this job, and while I'm constantly surrounded by a crew of roughly 1200, there are days like today where I wish I had a 9-5 job, an apartment, a car, and were simply at home.

Happy 4th of July to all my fellow Americans!!!

One Year

One year. Today is one year since I joined my first ship. One year since I walked onto the Celebrity Century. One year I looked at Avid with scared little eyes. Today I have those same scared little eyes, but it's as I look at the manager phone and computer. I am responsible for training and showing around the guy taking my place. I am officially the Broadcast Manager of the Celebrity Eclipse.

What a difference a year makes...

Oh! Is That the Sun?

Training, World Cup, training, World Cup, sleep, eat, World Cup, training. That's been my life. I take over as manager at the end of this cruise - which is a week away. It's been quite hectic in the BCC. I have been off the ship twice this cruise. It makes me yearn for our picnic in Copenhagen. It will be my last time off the ship for I don't know how long. Luckily, though, this is not the kind of ship you mind being stuck on. It's also not the itinerary you feel like you're missing. I've done all the sightseeing these places have to offer. I don't mind focusing on my job for a while. Barring a trip to Stonehenge, there's not much else I'm dying to do out here in the Baltic.

When I do get free time, though, I take full advantage. Drinks at the choo-choo bar in Germany and lunches in the sun of Stockholm. Talking to Swedish locals and nights spent with good friends and soccer are getting me through. I'm quickly learning about soccer and finding I can really get into a game if I'm invested in one of the teams. For example, last night I was riveted watching the England v Algeria game, but right now I'm monitoring Ghana v Australia and well, I'm blogging. I am completely taken in by the US games. I put aside everything to watch the US v Slovenia game and find myself reading more about it on espn.com. I'm even shouting player names at the screen...

Yep, I've been caught up in the World Cup fever. It's just fun to have a chance to cheer for our own countries when we're all so far from home.

Tune in next time to see how well I handle this manager thing...

World Cup Craziness

Just a quick observation. At home I would've noticed the World Cup in passing and probably wondered why it was taking up so much broadcast time. I wouldn't have noticed any of them games and stuck to my "soccer is boring" mind set.

Being on ship with colleagues from every country represented in the cup has changed my perspective. Though I am forced to watch every game, as a part of my job monitoring the channels, I probably would anyway. I watched my very first full soccer game yesterday.

I still don't find it to be the most fascinating sport of all, but I'm getting an aspect of it I would have never I thought I would have experienced.

I watched the kick off as I toasted champagne with two South Africans and two Brits. I spent the second half of the game watching in the crew bar with a giant group of rowdy South Africans speaking in Afrikaans, sat next to a group of Mexicans drinking Corona and speaking Spanish. It was such an energetic feel it made me get in on the action. Now I pick a team at the start of each game. I overheard my friend Jenn say she didn't really care about one of the games as she didn't have any friends from wither country. How strange, that's how I'm picking my teams. I root for the country that I have more friends in. Just another moment to stop and say, yes, while that feels normal on a ship, it's not normal. It's fantastic.

Tonight's the England v US game. I've asked my friends to try and find an America jersey for me - hey I'll need one for the 4th anyway, right? I am a little scared, though. It will probably be one of the most aggressive nights this crew bar will ever see. We have a rather large American population within entertainment, and as we're out of Southampton, Celebrity wants to send all of their British employees to the Eclipse. We also have about half and half guests onboard as well. As Jenn says, "the though of this game will get me through embarkation day." :)

Big Girl Clothes

Yes, yes, yes, I haven't updated...

There is a legitimate reason, I've been busy trying out this grown up thing. More on that momentarily.

The Eclipse is amazing. I did the Baltic run again. Glad to see it's still as lovely as I left it. Warnemunde still makes me smile. Such a charming little German port. I got off the ship thinking we had had to dock in neighboring Rostock as our ship is so enormous. Imagine my surprise to find that I was in fact in Warnemunde! I walked around with my ipod and enjoyed the little street market. I had a beer at the choo-choo bar. Yes, choo-choo bar. It's this little outdoor bar off the ship with a little train that rides around the awning. I'll have to post pictures.

In Tallinn, Estonia I went with two of my best friends from my former ship, Flo and Sara, to have honey beer and lunch at the Beer House. This place was so cheesy German that it was almost like being at Epcot. I loved it. The girls were dressed as wenches and the honey beer was delicious. The mugs were as big as my head, so just one was plenty with our German fried cheese.

Copenhagen was the loveliest day. I have been rather stressed at the job lately (again, more later), but Copenhagen was perfect for relighting my spark. I went with my new buddies Jenn, Franklin, and Scott to Tivoli Gardens. This is the place where Walt Disney got his idea for Disney World. It was adorable. The tulips were blooming, the ducks were quacking, and the wine was amazing. The four of us sat at this little restaurant next to the pond, watching people spin upside down and all over, and we laughed harder than I have in a long time.

The funny thing about returning to the same place as I was last summer is having the memories rush back at me. I couldn't walk along in Warnemunde without slightly missing Val and Marc. If I'm being honest, Most every port in the Baltic had me thinking of Val and Anna. It's just weird to be here without them.

The Canary Islands are lovely. They have the fun and sun of the Caribbean, yet the beauty of Spain. In Funchal, Madeira I went out with Franklin and Jenn again. We found some delicious sangria with a great Portuguese steak for lunch. Then the best part. We took the cable car to the top of the mountain, which was just a stunning view. Our ship looked so small! Now in Madeira there is a little tradition that has turned into a tourist must. Apparently back in the day (yes, I just said back in the day) the royals and rich of the island found that the quickest way to get down to the bottom of the island from their mansions above, was to have two servants pull them down and they would speed along in a toboggan down the mountain. So of course the three of us simply had to try this out! It was crazy! We did speed along down the mountain with the wind whipping us all around. We threw our hands up like we were on a roller coaster and laughed the whole way down.

In Vigo, Spain my friend Tim was celebrating his 30th birthday. So a big group of us planned to spend the day showing him how much he means to us. So we began the day with some morning orange juice in the staff bar and led him out to port with an itinerary Jenn wrote out on construction paper. We had lunch at a hotel where they were actually boiling octopus behind us, and then found a nice sidewalk cafe with a grassy area perfect for Tim to write in his journal and Nate and Galen to play frisbee. We had more sangria, felt the sun and I captured some great action shots of frisbee (to be posted to facebook asap). That evening we went to the Italian steakhouse onboard, Tuscan, for dinner. We capped off the night with a special corner of the crew bar decorated for Tim. It was such a great day.

Ok, now for the growing up thing. I am being promoted to Broadcast Manager of the Eclipse on June 26. This does mean I'll be here until September 4, but what an honor, right? I'll be the first female manager in ten years. Not only will I be the only female BCCM in the fleet, but I'll also be the youngest as of right now. Exciting stuff right? Pay raise, solo cabin, etc. Along with that has been lots of training and lots of pressure. My first contract as a manager will be with the most demanding Cruise Director - Hotel Director duo in the fleet. It will be a challenge, but I'm slowly putting on the big girl clothes. I know I can do it. I'll be fine and it's only a couple months, but what pressure! Manager of the flag ship!

That's not the only thing forcing me to evaluate things in my life. It's strange, right now the majority of my friends are older than I am. They're mostly 27, 30, 33, etc. I find myself relating to them more easily than those closer to my age. It's having me evaluate my maturity. I do get along better with them, but being a part of a group of older people who have such rich life experiences points out my own immature moments. Not just points them out, magnifies them. I catch when I'm being 23 almost instantaneously. I can't assess whether or not this is a good or bad thing. I'm thankful for the chance to grow and mature from those around me, but am I skipping something in not letting myself have those moments of early twenties immaturity? There are sometimes I do feel that I am in my right to have a 23 year old girl moment. I'm just alone in them, being the youngest of my friends. There, now I'm over-analyzing - there's my 23 year old immaturity. Putting on the big girl clothes and heading back to work. :)