Panama Canal

 

 

We went through the Panama Canal today. A bunch of different locks raise and lower the water so that ships can go through. It is a slow process, but definitely neat to see.

 

San Blas Islands, Panama

The San Blas Islands were unlike anything I’ve ever seen. They are straight out of National Geographic. All of the Kuna people sell their art and jewelry outside of the little huts they live in. They also demand $1 if you want to take pictures of them. We joked that I would do well living there and demanding money from people to take my picture. One really cool part of the day was the visit we paid to the Kuna museum. A man told us all about their culture which is based on spirituality. We learned that the hammock is to them what something like the flag is to Americans. They are born in hammocks, married in hammocks and buried in hammocks. I really hoped to canoe around the islands, but we had a limited amount of time. I am having fun and becoming more settled into my new life. I am living inside a postcard.

Goodbye America!

I saw my family the other day. It wasn’t enough time at all, but at least we were able to catch up. I also watched TV for the first time in a long time. I miss my morning talk shows. I really know my values from this experience. I used to be the girl who couldn’t wait to move away to chase her dreams. Now that I’m the farther I’ve ever been all I want to be is closer. Don’t get me wrong, I really do like my job. I just know that family and a somewhat normal life are important to me in addition to performing. Right now, I feel so far removed from the real world. Too bad they all can’t cruise with me! My aunt, uncle and parents gave me cards for each holiday I will be missing with them and some extras for fun. It’s the perfect present, especially since no one can send me anything while I’m away. One thing I really like right now is that I have time to experience so many new things. I love going to the shows at night (usually comedians or musicians). I’ve also been able to read and write more and interact with people from all over the world. In a way, I am putting that communications degree to good use. Tomorrow we will be at our first stop in South America. I’m hoping to start taking some amazing pictures. It is so hot outside! I said I didn’t want to spend another winter freezing in OH. Looks like I got my wish.

I miss my Pipparoni

Florida

We started teaching ballroom classes this week. So far we have done the Cha Cha, waltz, salsa and tango. It is such a learning experience for me as well. The other night we had our crew Halloween party and I went as a sailor. However, everyone thought I was a nurse or Barbie. Too funny. There was awesome live music and the ship was rocking so much that alcohol was hardly necessary. There was a hilarious Halloween costumed rehearsal that night too...the pictures from that are pretty great. So today we are finally in Florida after 2 days at sea. I get to see my family tomorrow before leaving the country!

State House in Boston

Boston

Today my aunt picked me up for lunch in Boston. We ate at Union Oyster House. So good! I had another lobster roll and some amazing corn bread. We also went to Faneiul Hall and shopped a bit. It was a fun time. We have a show tonight and then our crew Halloween party. Woohoo!

Lobsta

Just had the most amazing lobster roll in Bar Harbor!

Back to Canada

There are some cute guys from all over the world working on this ship and I've had fun hanging out with one from Australia this week. Unfortunately, people come and go so frequently here. Not much to do other than eat, sleep and dance so it's nice that we are finally making some more friends. We are back in PEI today and once again I'm off the ship getting ice cream at Cow's after a long rehearsal. I'm getting too skinny so I think I deserve it. Things are about to get real as next week we will no longer be in and out of America. Scary and thrilling! Turnover is just about over and soon we will have much more free time to workout or chill. I went to the sauna with one of the singers this week...best $10 I've spent. Our discounts are awesome. 8 months is so long when you don't have much to do. Hope South America is crazy. Talk soon!

Manhattan Bride

 

My friend was flipping through Manhattan Bride and found a picture of me from the Sarah Jassir bridal show back in March!

Update

Every morning I wake up in a different place and by the endof the night, I am onstage performing for the most appreciative passengers.Everyone really enjoys our shows. I am definitely not living in the real world,but I’m adjusting alright. We have been able to enjoy the guest entertainment recently, and I love dressing up on formal nights to get dinner and fancy drinks. The other day, we finally got off of the ship on Prince Edward Island.We went for lunch in the cute little town and then for amazing icecream at Cow’s. I’m trying to save all of my money so that I can move to the south when I’m home, but it’s hard to eat the same thing all the time. I’m pretty sure I was a bit seasick this past week. The ship was so rocky and it was difficult to keep our balance onstage. I had to take seasick medicine. We also had our yellow fever shots which were super fun! Communication is so limited that I’ve been avoiding it. Apparently when we are in South America, we can never get mail…aka no Christmas or birthday presents. I’ve wanted to have a great blog for so long, but I have a feeling I’m going to have minimal opportunities for updating once we leave the continent. On a more positive note, we get a legit discount in the spa. I had my hair done and will probably go back soon for nails. Thegym is cool too since it overlooks the ocean. Today, I explored Montreal and had yummy banana chocolate crepes. Hope to post some of those pictures soon. We have a show tonight so it’s about time to get ready for rehearsal!

Quebec

Costumes

These are all of our outfits for our Broadway show. So much going on backstage. We have great dressers :)

Ship Life

Wow this is a different world. I'm enjoying myself, but feel like I'm in college all over again. Shows are good. Passengers keep complimenting us and it has been a lot of fun talking with them. Already made a bunch of new friends. Canada is beautiful! We are having crepes in Montreal right now and are exploring for once. Sorry for the short update. Internet is hard to come by.

O Canada

We had our first full-length show two nights ago. The second run was definitely better, but the audience loved it. We have been receiving somany compliments (mostly on our tiny outfits). Rehearsals are pretty tiring. Wehad one at midnight over the weekend and it lasted until about 3am. Time changes are hard to get used to and I have a feeling there will be many. Ourshows are at night and that is when the ship is traveling to its next destination so we can really feel it onstage and sometimes fall out of our bevels as aresult. It’s funny that the most difficult thing to do is to just stand thereas opposed to the dancing. After our performances, we all went to dinner at the midnight buffet and then out for some drinks before heading to bed to get upfor another rehearsal. The club has a great Bailey’s banana colada thing. Yum.I am so tired so honestly sleep is the most important thing for me to be doingwhen not dancing right now. We skipped breakfast yesterday morning to get extra sleep and tend to take naps before dinner. The other day I slipped walking upthe metal crew staircase and slammed my knee into the edge of a step. The nurses said it is just badly bruised since I am dancing and walking okay. It’s really sore though. Of course something like this would happen to me.  Anyway, right now we are sailing aroundCanada. I had no idea it would be so pretty. The last time I was in Canada Iwas really little and was bored after 5 minutes. Hoping to get off of the ship today. Ship life is so different. It islike its own little world. Everyone is friendly and I’m enjoying myself thusfar. Surprisingly, I don’t miss the internet as much as I thought I would. It’sgoing to be hard to keep in touch with everyone so please look for my blogposts to stay updated.

First Day!

We got on the ship yesterday. Everything is a bit overwhelming and the ship is like a city. Already struggling with limited cell phone reception. We had a meeting the second we got onboard. There are so many rules to know and people to remember. Then we had rehearsal and lunch. The food is great and there are so many options. Plan to spend much time outside of my cabin. So small. Last night was our first show! We rehearsed so much beforehand that it went well. Fake hair and eyelashes are new to me. I don't feel like myself onstage, but that's how it's supposed to be. I tried to get the crowd excited and they were all clapping along with us during the show. Passengers have been coming up to talk to us and I love that they are enjoying our performances. Today is another long day of rehearsals and training. We even have midnight rehearsal! In Maine today. We can't leave the ship yet, but the view is breathtaking. I can't believe that this is my life right now and I get to see these places.

Maine!

We just reached Bar Harbor. It is so beautiful and the weather is perfect.

I Think I'll Go To Boston

We made it to Boston! We flew all day and I think I lost 10 pounds just carrying suitcases. We had dinner at the hotel and I tried clam chowder for the first time...so good! So happy to have my own bed and that there is TLC so I can watch my wedding shows haha. We get picked up to go board the ship at 9am. This week will be pretty hectic and we have our first show tomorrow night. I love my job already!

Bye Cali!

Rehearsals are finished. I can't believe that we are already leaving for our ship tomorrow. This week has been crazy with packing, run throughs and goodbyes. After tomorrow I won't be online or using my phone much. I'm most upset over the fact that I won't be able to talk to my mom on the phone constantly like I'm used to. One of our singer's friends, Melissa Hayden (Emmy winning actress!) came to watch our final rehearsal yesterday. She asked if I was a Rockette! So cool. When we board the ship on Saturday, we will have costume fittings and rehearsal for our first show that night! I think we are performing 3 of our shows during the first cruise and I will also have to learn ballroom pretty darn quick as we have to teach dance classes to passengers several times per cruise.

 

 

The other night we went out as a cast to The Abbey in West Hollywood. Will try to post better pictures later. That is one cool place! It was nice to have a night to not worry about anything and just have some fun away from our tiny apartment. After that we went to Pink's for yummy hot dogs.

 

 

After our final rehearsal yesterday, a few of us went to Roscoe's for chicken & waffles. I think we've all been eating a little too much good food. Don't worry, dancer healthy diet started back up again today. So anyway, this is it. I will continue to blog as much as possible as I travel. Not going to lie, I am pretty terrified to be away for so long. At the same time, I know I am so lucky to be one of only two dancers in our shows and that I get to see the world. I can't wait to meet new people too. Thank you for reading my blog and following my adventure. XOXO

I Heart Los Angeles

Until this past weekend, I was convinced that LA was not for me. However, my friend from high school, Lauren lives here now and showed me the good parts. We began our weekend at The Grove where we had amazing Brazilian BBQ.

 

 

It prepared me for what I’ll be eating for the next 8 months. There were so many cute shops, restaurants and even a trolley! It reminded me of the shopping center we have at home, so that was nice.

 

We ended up going out in Santa Monica after dinner and then back to her friend’s penthouse. Her friend found out I like country and started singing Kip Moore songs to me. Cute!

 

Out with Lauren!

 

We went to a restaurant called 26 Beach for brunch the next morning. The wait was an hour long, but they had cucumber water, coffee and cute parasols to use in the sun while we waited. They had all different kinds of french toast including peanut butter cup and S'mores.

 

 

I got the berry french toast.

 

Up next was shopping on Melrose. Everything was super cheap. I could have bought everything, but decided to wait and save my money and space in my suitcase for my South America finds.

 

 

Crazy shoes that I can only dream of pulling off.

 

 

I was so excited to return to Beverly Hills. Lauren and I went to Sprinkles and used the cupcake ATM! I got peanut butter and dark chocolate almond this time. I'm shocked by the amount of fast food and sweets in this city! Everyone is seriously so thin here. Hmm...

 

 

Why I will never be super skinny.

 

I will always be a fan of window shopping and people watching. Rodeo Drive is perfect for both. I won't be able to afford these shops without a rich husband. Working on it!

 

 

The highlight of my weekend was a Playboy Mansion visit. Unfortunately, we didn't get invited in this time, but we did see a hott blonde girl drive in! So cool. My mom and I have always watched The Girls Next Door and Kendra together. Think she was afraid I would move in!

 

 

The beautiful Venice sunset.

 

Venice has the cutest salad place called Lemonade. It has a huge selection of random salads and lemonade, of course! The salads were great, but my favorite was the white truffle mac & cheese. I also LOVED the cucumber mint lemonade I ordered.



 

I was sad that the weekend had to come to an end. It was great to catch up with an old friend who is also living her dream out here. My entire outlook on LA has changed. My heart is currently set on living in the South, but I'll have to visit LA again after the cruise is over to check out the dance scene. I'm sure there are way more opportunities here, especially for a dancer/model who can't sing. In NYC you HAVE to sing. Sigh... Anyway, my weekend was memorable. In rehearsal news, we ran two of our shows today for an audience. We were told we looked like little angels dancing today. That made me feel good. Two more days of rehearsals left and we leave on Friday! xo