Day Two at Sea

Day Two at Sea:

WE'RE FAMOUS.

You think I’m kidding. But literally, here on Jewel of the Seas, we are famous. Besides the fact that all of us college students stick out like a sore thumb since older people dominate this ship, I have become famous for my ballroom dancing and singing capabilities.

To all you Cotillion/Perfectly Polished students out there who want to quit: DON’T. I cannot count the number of times I have been SO thankful that I knew how to dance and known which fork to use!!

The day started off with a wonderful breakfast buffet where one lady came up to me and asked if I was a professional dancer because she saw me tango yesterday and then the guy who made my coffee asked me if I was an angel. I’m thinking I could get used to this life….

Then after breakfast we went to our first International Marketing class (which was super short and fun). Our first assignment of the day was to go interview some people on the ship who are from other countries and just learn about their cultures and things like that – SUCH a cool assignment if you asked me. My partner Taylor and I went and interviewed 2 or 3 different couples who were from all over and it was SO cool just to hear their stories, how they met, what they did (or used to do if they are retired), and just to learn from them. This is why I love old people – they have so many stories to tell and so many things to learn from them. They loved getting to know us and hearing what we were up to and I think more than anything they loved telling someone their story. I really learned a lot.

Then we hung out for a little bit then went to lunch. Let me just say this, I may gain my freshman 15 back this week. I lost it all sophomore year but I have a feeling I’m about to find it again. This food is SOOOO GOOD. And I don’t mind having the Atlantic Ocean in the background of the dining area ;)

After lunch we went and played putt-putt before our next class. The golf course is on the top deck so it was super windy but we still had fun. Caitlin and I took a “Titanic-esque” picture on the back of the boat in the midst of our playing.

Then we had our Travel and Tourism class which was really interesting. I’m beginning to think this may be what kind of marketing I want to do…maybe getting involved in the hospitality industry or something. I’m loving EVERY SECOND of this cruise and I think working for something like this would be right up my alley. Then our assignment from this class was to get in our assigned group of four and pick an activity to all go to together and observe the staff during this activity…how they interact with people of different cultures, how they have to modify activities for people of different ages and cultures, and evaluate their success. My group picked the “Name that Song” Trivia activity that we did later tonight so I’ll describe that later.

After class, Caitlin and Eric and I went and laid by the pool for about an hour. Oh ya know it was 75 degrees with a nice breeze today. Not too shabby ;) Then, at 2, Caitlin, Ari, Eric, Drew, Alyssa, and Caleb and I went to ballroom dancing class! Needless to say, I’ve picked my job for retirement. I found Fred Austair (sp?) and Ginger Rogers reincarnated. It was Fox Trot day and we had a BLAST! It was so cute watching little old couples dance together and it was really interesting to see the dynamics of different couples. It definitely reminded me how annoying it is when women nag haha. Caleb and I started breaking out some fancy moves and the instructors made us show everyone in the middle of the dance floor. We’ve been asked at least 10 times now if we’re professional dancers. I better get off this ship before my head gets too big!

After dance class, Caitlin and I went back and laid by the pool where I went straight to sleep. I was so relaxed. While we were laying out, mom, I got your text about the scholarship! Yay thank you for letting me know! It’s definitely been weird being without my phone and I miss talking to the people back home but it’s really allowed me to just focus on where I am and really enjoy myself. I think I would’ve been distracted if I had had my phone and as much as it pains me to admit it, I think it’s been good for me to have some time without it. We’ll see if I still feel that way after a month :P

We then went to dinner where we got our 3 course meal that we get every night. Tonight I had mushroom soup for an appetizer, a surf n turf main course with beef filet with a hollandaise and horse radish sauce with mashed potatoes and shrimp, and a raspberry and chocolate mousse for dessert with a great cup of coffee. Then we went to meet with the event coordinator of the ship because she said she was so excited to have young people on board that she wanted to make new events for us. She also informed us that she all wanted us to participate in the FLASH MOB!!! I can’t even breathe. I’ve alwayssss wanted to be in a flash mob and I can’t believe this is actually happening. I will be crossing FIVE things off of my bucket list this trip (being in a flash mob, going to London, going to Paris, going on a cruise, and studying abroad). This trip is one of the best things that’s ever happened to me!

Then after that Caitlin and I went and watched some more of the older couples dancing in the lobby. They are SO good. You wouldn’t look at any of these people and think they would be so active and lively but they are! I’m so impressed. And Austin, I’m completely motivated to teach you how to dance now. It is the cutest sweetest thing in the world to watch these couples dance with each other and to see them just fall in love all over again. They hold hands everywhere, stroke each other’s faces, and look at each other in the sweetest way. I am definitely going on a cruise when I’m old and retired. Caitlin and I decided we may never hang out with people our age again because we love these people so much. They’re so classy and sweet and fun!!!

Caitlin and Drew and Alyssa and Caleb and I then hung out in the cabins for a while – we’re getting pretty exhausted at this point. We spent most of our time laughing so hard that Drew literally had tears in his eyes and I felt like I’d had a serious ab workout. Then we went to our group activity of “Finish that Lyric” game show – it was basically like the Singing Bee if you’ve ever seen that show…where contestants have to get up on stage and they play part of a song then when they cut it off you have to finish the lyric. A bunch of us played and our very own Marley actually won! Congrats Marley J I’m amazed she won since half the songs I had never heard before… a lot of them were a little before our time…haha.

Then it was 11 at that point and it was time for the late night buffet by the pool deck. They had a live band playing and some people dancing and they had the most wonderful buffet that was set alongside these beautiful ice sculptures. Is it bad that the chicken wings were my favorite part? The chocolate covered strawberries were a close second, though, I’ll admit. But after that most of us went to bed because we’d had a very packed day and we have about 26 more to go so we can’t wear ourselves out yet!

I know this is a lot of detail so I’m sorry if this is boring or way too specific (I know how much Austin loves specificity :P) but I am just having so much fun and I want to remember every detail for myself and also I’m so used to telling mom, Austin, Anna, and Morgan every part of my life that it’s weird not sharing everything with them! So here’s to you guys. And, Morgan, I know you appreciate my specific details more than anyone. And Anna, I’m sure questions are burning in your head to ask but hopefully I’ll answer them before the blog is through :P (I hope you caught that joke haha).

I love and miss you all but just know I’m having an AMAZING time…seriously the best time of my life…and I can’t wait to see you all soon!!

Until next time,

MC