Day Four at Sea

Day Four at Sea:

Every day brings new surprises. Wow. What a day.

Today started off pretty relaxing since we got to sleep in (and boy did we sleep in…Mom, I’m talking Mary/Blake style). And then we ordered room service (Mom, you would’ve died for their Mediterranean Chicken Salad and Spinach Artichoke Dip that I had).  Then I went and logged onto the internet to connect with those of you back home for a bit. After that, Caitlin and I went and worked out in the gym to attempt to burn off SOME of the food we’d eaten :P

After that it was time to shower and get ready for dinner since we’d had a pretty late start to the day. It was Italian night at dinner so I had a wonderful garlic soup with black olive bread, garlic tiger shrimp (Betsy would’ve loved it) with asparagus, and tiramisu for dessert of course. The waiters sang in Italian for us after pretending to start off with some Destiny’s Child – it was fabulous. Then our amazing waiter Juan taught us new parlor tricks!!

After dinner, we went on the deck to the very front of the ship then the very back of the ship. It’s so nice to just get away and watch the waves. It’s like there’s nothing else in the world. I forget that the world back home keeps going….I feel so disconnected but in a good way. It’s been such an escape – I’ve never had something clear my mind so much!!

Then we walked through the jewelry store again and I bought a new ring! Can’t wait to show Anna and Morgan J While we were in there, I ran into Barbara – one of my new best friends – who said she would come by my room later and teach me a new hair trick. I’m obsessed with her. She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen and she’s got to be in her ‘60’s. I love her.

Then Sam, Caitlin, and I went to the show and we didn’t know what it was going to be and it ended up being a professional violinist and at first I was like um I’m going to listen to someone play a violin for an hour? But I have NEVER been so entertained by a solo musician!!! He was SO engaging and funny and INCREDIBLY talented and Caitlin especially was eating it up because she used to play the violin!!

After that, our entire group went to play “The Quest” which is an adult scavenger hunt and there are only three words to describe it: OH. MY. GOSH. This is not your normal scavenger hunt. First of all, remember that most of the people playing this are in their ‘60s. Then picture that the things you have to do are things like: bring up a pair of false teeth, be the first lady to do a split on the dance floor, be the first guy to walk onto the floor in high heels, show a real tattoo on yourself, act like a spoiled child, and more. It was HILARIOUS. I have never in my life seen old people act like this. Oh my gosh I can’t even describe to you what a riot it was. These people are CRAZY!! Our team won of course and we all got medals for it. Ta daaaa.

After that, Caleb and Alyssa and I went to the lobby to do some more ballroom dancing (which there is thankfully never a shortage of) and we made a new friend, Taylor. She’s probably the only other 20 year old on the boat haha. She told me she heard someone talking about my Carrie Underwood karaoke performance at dinner and they said it was one of the best things they’ve ever heard. What a compliment. If I could do Carrie Underwood a 1/100^th of the justice she deserves I would be happy.

Then after that we went to the “club” (don’t think anything dirty…think more fun kind of dancing) and there I had the experience of a lifetime: watching a 65 year old woman shake it like I’ve never seen it shaken before. She was pop lock and dropping it. She was shaking it. She was working it. She was down on the floor. I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time. I don’t know what she was drinking but it was seriously one of the most entertaining things I’ve ever witnessed. She tried to flip people over her back I mean oh my GOSH it was hilarious!!

Then afthere was definitely no way to top that so we went on to bed.

I’m not used to being away from home for long periods of time so it almost feels like it’s time to go home now. It’s crazy thinking that this cruise isn’t even halfway over and then there’s still two weeks of Europe after that! But I’m so thankful for everything on this cruise, already. The friendships I’ve made, the things I’ve learned about international business, the things I’ve learned about accepting and loving people where they are – it’s all been incredible. I’m so thankful that the Lord blessed me with this opportunity and the moments I’ve spent with Him on this trip have been such a blessing. I don’t have a phone or the internet to distract me from listening to Him and seeing what He wants me to learn on this trip. He’s already shown me so many ways that I need to imitate Him better and I think those only could have been learnt in this environment. I know it probably sounds crazy to talk about a cruise this way – and believe me, before I came on it I would’ve thought it was crazy too – but I love when the Lord uses the most unexpected situations and circumstances to fulfill His will and glorify His name.  He truly does work in mysterious ways.

Until next time!! And please comment!!

MC