A dose of ShipBoy

Something to think about

Facebook is an interesting phenomenon.  It certainly allows us to share so much information that it can become a serious case of information overload.

However,  every now and then something grabs my attention and this video is one of them. 
Its not a new one...   been around since 2001,  but it was the first time I had seen it. 

I want to add that the statistics  may be altered slightly due to the amount of time that has passed since this was created,   but the main theme is still valid.  A shout out to Kirk for sharing this.

Later

M

December 25

Its hard to get into the Christmas spirit when one is working 10 hours a day and you are apart from the one you love. It also doesn't help when one is forced to take part in things like caroling. This should be something fun, but when roll call is taken to make sure you are there, well... its enough to make one sick of all things holiday... Great way to encourage the holiday spirit!

However, it isn't all bad. I have a great team who have been working really hard to cover the staff shortage, and they have been very supportive. I hope that my non-xmas spirit hasn't affected them too much.

I do though want to wish everyone a Happy Christmas. May you be blessed to be able to be with your loved ones and close friends. Gathered together and celebrating not the gift giving and turkey, but rather each other and the true blessings we give to each other.

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Martin

A change is as good as a holiday

Not much going on... nearly finished my handover, but have the keys and the phone, so guess its pretty much done...

I felt like I needed a change today, hence the new colour scheme. I quite like it..

The ship is in Cozumel, Mexico today. I had a quick lunch ashore at Ernesto's - the best fajita factory - but back onboard and heading back to the office in 15 minutes or so. Got to love projects :)

Of course it is Thanksgiving Day in the US today, and although I am not American, I have to say that there are a few things that I am thankful for:

• A family that supports and loves me unconditionally
• A husband that does the same
• Great friends who go the extra mile and help us out way beyond the call of duty
• A job that lets me see the world (a major caveat here being apart from said husband)
• Good health and well being

I know its a short list, but its the important items that count for me...

What is on your list this year?

M

November Update

Sorry for the severe lack of updates..

Thing have been interesting the last few months. Like the Chinese curse: may you live in interesting times... Will probably expand on that in the future.

I have finished 2.5 months on my first ship this contract and am transferring tomorrow to my next one. I get 2 nights in Miami, but they will be rest and recuperation time.

One can only hope that with the holiday season coming up, and the freeze in new projects, things will quieten down over christmas and new year.

Being apart from Marcell has been very difficult, and plans and schedules are always changing so its been very difficult to find the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. I still trust and hope that all the elements will come together in the future for us to finally be together.

Anyway, I had better finish packing and get myself off to bed. Tomorrow is a long day of flying, immigration and hotels.

Keep in touch

M

Catch up...

It has been so hectic since I got onboard this contract.. It has really been hard to find off time - specifically to get my body of the ship. Lately I have just been working straight through from breakfast to dinner and then just crash in my room.

However despite all of this, I did manage in the last 3 weeks to watch the entire first season of Heroes! All I can say is I am thoroughly addicted. I am just upset that NBC and Apple had their little spat and now I can't get season 2 through iTunes which started on Monday night in the US.

Other than that, really not much happening.. Work, eat, sleep...

Time to go back to work now. Had my break for the afternoon.

Chat soon!

Martin

Last week starts

Hey Everyone

Its been a busy week with running around getting the last of our things done. Both Marcell and I go back to work next weekend. We have some friends coming over for dinner tonight as well, so been shopping and getting everything ready for that.

Yesterday we took a break and met up with one of our friends from ships, Kirk, who has just started on a ship sailing out of Vancouver. Had a great lunch with him and Yasmine.

We went out this morning and got some of the last items for dinner today and also to collect our wedding photos from the photographer. Have 200 photos to go through, but should be able to upload them to our online album soon.

Not much other news at the moment. Just sorting a few things. Will hopefully update again in a few days.

Later

M

Its just stuff

Been spending the last week sorting out more boxes and arranging our flat. Been interesting to say the least. I think I seriously got on Marcell's nerves yesterday. We have 5 totes in the storeroom now and 2 more in the flat that have "stuff" in. Things one might use, someday it may come in handy, etc. Coming from a genetically predisposed family of hoarders myself, I should be more understanding, but not having ever lived in the same house, flat or ship for more than 4 years, I have learnt to purge on a regular basis.

Certain things I am more than happy to keep: DIY, Sports Gear (Skis etc) and spares for lamps and other electrical items. Clothing and shoes that haven't been worn in 5 years (and I also have things like that) should go. When I went back to South Africa 3 years ago, I donated every item of clothing (excluding 2 winter jackets) I had not worn since 2002 to charity. My wardrobe is positively bare now, but its cool as I have enough options to keep it interesting.

I have learnt in the last 5 years that "stuff" is just that: stuff. I'm think I am lucky to have learnt that. What I need to do is be more accommodating of Marcell. He isn't going to accept a change like that over night, and its unfair that I try to force it on him too. So here goes: Babe, I promise to be more tolerant regarding items for storage except on things that are torn, broken, ripped, or damaged.

This is going to be hard for me :D

Later

M

Our House...

So after all has been said and done, the wedding now over, our guests leaving and us trying to recover, we move...

In between all the wedding plans and all, we were also house hunting and M&M have bought and moved into an nice little 2 bed 2 bath apartment in PoCo. It has been exhausting! At least all our stuff in in the place.. Now its all about trying to get it unpacked, sorted and scurried away into one of the myriad of closets.

Yesterday was Ikea day and today is putting up blinds, shelves, and curtains day. And in case we weren't insane enough, after moving in on Thursday (thank goodness my Mom was around otherwise we would have been sunk - thanks MUM!) we had 4 friends over for dinner last night. Okay so we didn't cook as we still weren't absolutely ready, but it was an awesome evening - started off as a furniture assembly party :P Was working in the lounge putting together 2 night stands and I went to fetch a hammer and two screwdrivers, walked back and stepped on the bag of screws etc and a thin nail when into my heel. Didn't think much of it, and pulled out what I thought was a small tack - turned out to be a 1 incher... most of which was in my foot! Not much pain thank goodness but my heel is definitely tender this morning.

Anyway, photos are coming.. need to finish unpacking a bit more and moving stuff around. Time to go help Marcell with the curtains and shelving.

Later

M

Happiest Day

Saturday was the most fantastic day of my life! I was so privileged to marry the man I love, legally, in the perfect wedding ceremony. Everything that we planned worked out... the weather was fantastic, the caterer out did themselves with the best meal, and the Celebration of Light finale in Vancouver was the perfect end to a perfect day. Having my family come and share the day with us was the cherry on the top.

I really an privileged to have the opportunity to register my love for my husband in a legally binding ceremony. I would do it all again (except for the stress, and cost) at the drop of the hat with Marcell. There are so many people who do not have this opportunity south of the border and all I can say is keep fighting!

This week, instead of taking it easy, we are finalizing the purchase of a 2 bedroom apartment to call our own and then moving in before the week is out. After that we have 2 weeks to enjoy ourselves before we have to go back to work. :( And we don't go back to the same ship either.

Such is the nature of life... there is always a fly in the ointment.

Wish us luck... I think we are going to need it as we try to get ourselves on the same ship at the same time.

Later

M

The Big Day Cometh

So tomorrow is the Big Day!

I am so excited about it, but so nervous too... not about tying the knot, but how everything is going to go, and whether we going to get everything prepared in time...

Last few things to do today like the flowers & favors and the last of the drinks.

Wish us luck

See you tomorrow!

Later

M