Merry Xmas Blog / How tight can your face get....

Merry Xmas everyone,

I hope that everyone's holiday season has been going well. I'm not going to lie…its been a little hard being away from home during this time but I just have to understand that its just a different xmas experience for me….no one likes change but change happens..can't control it. 

Here is what happened on the last cruise:

Sunday, December 12th in St. George, Grenada and I am of course on IPM where I can't get off the ship. I have to do duties all day long and just watch movies…its a quite boring day..oh well. Nothing more to say about IPM days…nothing really happens haha.

Monday, December 13th we are in Bequia, Grenandine Island where again I didn't get off the ship because of two reasons…there isn't really anything there and we have a xmas show rehearsal. I rehearsed my song (which I'm not saying what it is…its a surprise for my mom) and I'm really excited to sing it for the xmas show…I can't believe that xmas is just around the corner…doesn't feel like xmas because its hot and no snow is on the ground…hopefully that will help me get through the holidays. Tonight we had a good show of Rocketman…for some reason though every time that we do that show…the ship is ROCKING…haha, oh well. 

Tuesday, December 14th we are in Castries, St. Lucia (our first time to the island since coming to the caribbean. We haven't been able to come here because of Hurricane Tomas…so it was nice to come somewhere new). Lesley, Phedra, Jen and I got off the ship and headed into town. It was funny…the taxi drivers there are persistent in getting you in their cab. What made me laugh though were the people that stopped when we were half way down the street where ALL the cabs were lined up…asking us if we wanted a ride. I wanted to be like, "You think that we would have a cab by now if we wanted a cab…right…so why would we go in your cab….is is special?" We got asked about 7 times by 7 different people…just annoying. After we got into the city…it was NUTS!!! There were a lot of people and it was kinda run down. It was funny…one of the drunks walking around the town spotted us and said, "MAN YOU HAVE 3 GIRLS…YOU SHOULD SHARE THEM WITH ME…COME ON". It made me laugh…really hard actually. After the drunk man, we found a nice cafe that had internet; had a wonderful meal and I got to talk to some people…always nice to have free wifi. After lunch, Lesley and I walked into a homemade idea shop in the middle of the town…they are SO pushy with stuff…really wanting you to buy stuff…its crazy. Didn't buy anything there so we headed back to the ship. We sat in the back of the ship for quite sometime enjoying each others company and paying "paper toss" on the Itouch…yes, we are that bored sometimes…haha. Had a GREAT show of Jazz tonight…I love singing these songs….I'm enjoying it. 

Wednesday, December 15th we are back in St. Marteen….THANK GOD!!!! Lesley and I got off really early to go shopping for xmas…and I got some stuff that I wanted :-) It was raining all day off and on, so that kinda sucked. After we went shopping, we headed to the place that we ate the last time, Pirate Paradise…where they have free wifi….or they did. It wasn't working this day…that really blew. Had a good meal and then we decided to go on jet skis again…it was a BLAST!!! I love that…Lesley and I just SCREAM and LAUGH the entire time….its a great time…haha. Afterwards, Lesley, Greg and I went down shopping for some stuff and then we got ice cream…it was AWESOME. What a great day!!! I love St. Marteen a lot…too bad that its the last time we are there…thanks for some great memories St. Marteen!!!! 

Thursday, December 16th we are in St. Thomas, USVI (a place that reminds me of my childhood and many different vacations that I have taken throughout the years). Was all alone this day…which was nice to have some alone time and enjoy the day. Did some last minute shopping for xmas…I'm DONE!!! Went to lunch at a cafe and had the BEST lunch and actually couldn't finish it…believe me though, I did try…haha. It was also nice this day…I had phone service…so it was nice to talk to my mom and some other people. I decided to take the 3 mile walk back to the ship and just enjoy the day and being outside getting sun again. The walk back just reminded me of the time that I spent here with my dad, mom and brother on our first cruise that we did about 14 years ago…it was a great time to reminisce about those times. 

Friday and Saturday (December 17th / 18th) we were at sea on our way to Key West, Florida for the first time. Of course we spent the time doing duties and we had Spirito on the Friday night…which I always love doing that show…its a great show. Too bad that Lesley wasn't feeling well though…FEEL BETTER LES!!! Saturday night we had the show of Aquarius which is always a fun show…our favorite. I'm really enjoying performing with this cast…we have really got close during these past 5 months. We just have so much fun on stage with each other….I love it. Speaking of 5 months…I CAN NOT believe that I have already been on the ship for 5 months…that makes no sense AT all. I look back and think that I've already been to the Med and seen all of that stuff; gone to places that I never thought that I would EVER go…just crazy to wrap your mind around it.

Sunday, December 19th we are back in America in Key West, Florida…where I find out that my Grandma was in the hospital….ehhhh. She had broke her pelvic bone (which I was told can not be operated on…just a long recovery time). I got off the ship this day by myself…which was nice but wish I could be with someone and share this with someone…ehhh. Walked around the city all day, just talking to my mom on the phone…just trying to enjoy the day. It was FREEZING out this day….I had to go put on a long sleeve shirt and jeans….sorry those people that have snow on the ground…hehe. After I changed my clothes I went back and had a lunch at Hard Rock. It reminded me of the time that I spent in Cleveland at school (for some reason…thats odd). I'm really missing my friends from college…ehh, the holiday season is sucking being away. Oh well….afterwards I just walked around and got some Starbucks hot chocolate and a donut and sat in from to the ship. I started laughing during this because you could of swore I was Dr. Doolittle…the birds were EVERYWHERE. I was just cracking up…it was funny. 

Monday, December 20th we are done with the cruise and back for another BUSY embarkation day in Fort Lauderdale Florida. Today, I had the JOYOUS job of being Santa. WAIT WAIT WAIT A MINUTE…did I just say Santa? Me…Jason? A skinny, tanned Santa…oh yes everyone…I was santa. I was LAUGHING my ass off the entire 2 hours that I was dressed as Santa. Everyone kept coming up to me and taking pictures….I just felt like the biggest Hilljack Santa…EVER! The pillow that I had as my stomach…was square and it made me look like I had boobs. A woman santa? It wasn't a pretty sight…haha. After playing Santa I got off the ship VERY quickly to go get some essentials for the LAST CARIBBEAN CRUISE!!!! I can't believe that this cruise has finally arrived. So strange looking at the paper that I tick off each day that passes and seeing everywhere that I have been to thus far…just nuts!!! That night, as we sailed away…we do a show called, "Taste of things to come" where we do 2 dances for the passengers. Well, this is defiantly the cruise where we will play the game…how tight can your face get before its had enough face lifting. We have many Latoya Jacksons on this ship…its kinda nuts. During our one song that I sing, "Celebration" I couldn't tell if they were enjoying it or not…they were just sitting there looking at me…oh boy. 

December 20th….LATE LATE night….

The Lunar Eclipse was something else tonight. I think one of my new favorite things will be going on the top deck in the middle of the night and just looking at the stars. HOLY CRAP…I have never seen something so beautiful…ahh. I got those random tears again sitting there…just enjoying the view. I felt so overwhelmed with emotion….happiness and sadness. One of those moments where you can't explain what you feel. Overwhelmed  / in awe / happiness / sadness / loneliness / togetherness….again, doesn't make sense but it will defiantly be one of those moments that I wont forget…how I felt, what I saw…everything. What an incredible experience that I am having…even though its hard to be away from home for the holidays…this will never happen to me again…so I'm going to live every moment, being present in the NOW!!!

Like I said, I have finally made it to the last Caribbean cruise…I can't believe it. This currents cruise itinerary is: At Sea on Tuesday (Rocketman) / Grand Turk on Wednesday / At Sea on Thursday (Jazz) / St. John's, Antigua on Friday (Xmas Show) / At Sea on Saturday (XMAS) / Bequia, Grenadine Island on Sunday (Euro) / Bridgetown, Barbados on Monday / Castries, St. Lucia on Tuesday / Gustavia, St. Barts on Wednesday (IPM) / Spanish Town, BVI on Thursday / At Sea on Friday and Saturday (HAPPY NEW YEAR) / Key West on Sunday and then my last time in Fort Lauderdale on Monday, January 3rd. After the 3rd of January…I will be going to a new place everyday for 4 months until May 3rd…which will be the day that I have circled the globe…wow.

Until Next Time,

Jason

Crazy cruise with some great stories....

Hello everyone,

Another cruise down…another blog to write. I hope that everyone is falling head first in the holiday spirit….this is one of my most favorite times of year (besides my birthday / spring). Well…here's what has happened….

Friday, December 3rd…we were at sea all day long on our way to Grand Turk. Sea days can get a bit boring sometime but normally they go quite quickly. Just a busy day of normal duties…nothing too exciting happened. 

Saturday, December 4th…was a great but VERY short day in Grand Turk. Lesley and I woke up and went to Margaritaville (which is just an amazing place..I've always liked this port). The strange thing was that if felt like we were the only 2 people on the island…there was NO ONE there…granted, we had to be back on board for sail away at 2:00 but still…no one was enjoying the day. We sat with our feet in the pool and enjoyed talking to each other and FINALLY being done with rehearsals and enjoying the sun again. After we were back on the ship…we sat in the back of the ship and watched our sail away and talked for a while. That night we had a wonderful dinner (haha, not) and then watched a movie…was a fun night.

Sunday, December 5th, we were in San Juan, Puerto Rico ( a place that holds a special place in my heart because of the many family vacations that we took there with my dad….and walking the marina and getting a painting from a local artist who would use spray paint and tin cans to make his painting…its cool). Lelsey and I got off the ship because we wanted to go to the mall (which I NEVER knew was there but is HUGE!!!). We waited for the stupid bus for about an hour…sitting in the sun, being able to talk on my phone to my mom and grandparents (which was nice). Lesley and I got pissed and decided to walk away to enjoy our day because the stupid bus wasn't coming. The moment that we started to walk away…the bus came…haha, of course. We ran back to the bus to be the only people on it to the mall…which was fun. When we arrived…the place was HUGE!! I haven't been to a mall that big in a LONG time….but it was refreshing…felt like I was back home a little…which I strange for me to say cause I don't enjoy shopping haha. Walked around a little bit and finally found the store that I shouldn't have ever seen…American Eagle. Oh lord…I'm in trouble. I took Lesley in there cause I thought that she would enjoy the clothes (which she did….mission completed). I gave myself an early xmas present and bought a few things for myself….MERRY CHRISTMAS ME!!! Afterwards, I wanted to go find an Auntie Annie's pretzel place…that would have been just like home…but no, wait…I'm in Puerto Rico…whoops. So, catching the bus back to the ship…Lesley, Greg, Jodie and I went to have a GREAT dinner at Senor Frogs…another great memory with family and even friends (Hi Danielle and Cathy!!!) After dinner, went back to the ship and had a performance of Euro 2010 this night…what a great day.

Monday, December 6th, we were in Road Town / Tortola and I was on IPM…ehhhh. So another day of duties and talking to random people on the ship…haven't found anyone that interesting yet…I hope that there is someone…haha. That sounds a little rude and snobbish of me…but sometimes, when you have to socialize with people ALL the time…you want to have someone or them tell you a story, that is interesting…haha. OH well…hopefully soon.

Tuesday, December 7th, we were in Gustavia, St. Barts…a place that we have been a few times. Lesley and I got off to go find someplace to eat a good meal. We went to a little cafe that actually had really good food (great find, Les)!! After lunch, Lesley and I walked around the city, finding that the shops were SO expensive…I couldn't believe the prices. I picked up a shirt that I actually was thinking about getting…until I realized it was 80 EUROS…which means it was over 100 dollars…um, it wasn't THAT nice..haha. After the non-shopping…we walked to a beach called "Shell Beach" and you guessed it…it was full of shells. Lesley made a good point…do you think that these shells are real and were washed up by the sea OR did the locals just want to have the beach LITERALLY be a beach of shells…odd. Afterwards, we walked back to the tender and got on the ship and enjoyed the rest of our day on board. 

Wednesday, December 8th, we were in Basseterre, St. Kitts….another place that we have been too many times. We decided to use the free internet as we can…so we went to a casino / restaurant called "Sweet Lime" that was right off the port. We sat there, ate a really really good chicken sandwich and I uploaded some pictures that I haven't in a while. I had a great day talking to some friends and enjoying Lesley's company. It has kinda been crappy weather…a lot of rain, lately in the Caribbean so I am ready for that to end…haha. During our lunch, I think that it rained about 4 times…which was nice because it cooled things down but what if we wanted to go to the beach…that would have been an awful day. Now…while I write this..I know that the people that normally read this blog…have a lot of snow on the ground and they are probably thinking…really Jason…stop typing about the "rain" in the "CARIBBEAN"..haha…sorry guys, I'll stop complaining.

Thursday, December 9th, we were in St. John's, Antigua where once again…I sat in a cafe and had a great lunch and uploaded more pictures…it needed to be done. Had a great time just sitting there, enjoying the weather and the free wifi. Sat and talked with Mickki Brown, our Stars Lounge singer…she is a funny woman, I love talking to her. After watching Mickki, fall on her butt after making fun of me (which by the way, was one of the funniest things I have seen in a while…she didn't hurt herself..its okay) I went to Subway to get another meal before heading back to the ship. What caught me off guard was when I arrived to subway…they had NO bread. Now, wait a minute….you are called SUBway…and you have no SUBS? haha…so I got a wrap. Thanks wrapway…haha. After getting back on the ship, had another great night just talking with the cast…they are a great group of people. We had the Aquarius Dawning show this night and I had quite the interesting meet and greet afterwards. In the show, I sing the song Lady Madonna during the Beatles section and its a great time on stage. Well apparently the guest swore I sang, "Lady Vagina"….WHAT? Anyway, during the meet and greet he came up to me and said, "Vagina?" (mum…how do you respond to that question / statement?) "I'm sorry?" I said. "You sang, Lady Vagina and I laughed and I thought that you did it on purpose and no one caught it…but I DID…IT WAS FUNNY." I played it off like, "Yeah, well…I did it just for you sir…so you could have a great laugh…hahaha." WHAT? Afterwards, I told the cast and they laughed and said…no jason, you didn't say that…we have been doing the show for 5 months…we MIGHT have caught you say lady vagina…haha…wow.

Friday, December 10th, we were in Roseau, Dominica for the LAST TIME….wow. Lelsey and I headed to the cafe that has the BEST quasadilla's and of course, free wifi. Sat there and had a great conversation with people from home that I am missing A LOT right now and uploaded the last of the pictures that I needed to. We didn't have very long to be there but it was a well worth trip. Thanks Roseau…you were…strange…haha.  Later that night while socializing…Lesley and I met a very interesting family. We had met early in the trip, the older man…who was 101 years old….which that right there was crazy. You would have NEVER guessed that he was that old. He had great hearing and sight and was very quick to respond and hold a conversation. Talking with his daughter and finding all about his life. WOW…what an incredible life that he has had. Living everywhere around the world…he hasn't stopped and I think THATS why he is in such good shape. Spent about an hour with the family and what great people. His daughter had a music degree and we had talked about music and school and everything…it was great talking about that stuff again. Overall it was a great night…a really great night.

Saturday, December 11th…LONG embarkation day….ehh. Having to wake up in the morning (7am-10am) to pass out passports to the entire ship of passengers. Having to explain to them that the two papers in the passport; the blue form to pick up their luggage in the ship terminal and the white for immigration at the airport. I swear….some people. This man (about in his early 50s) from America was the best that day though…haha. I explained what the papers were and he responded, "I'm not going to a terminal" "Yes you are sir" I said. "No, I'm not…I'm not going to a terminal" "Okay, well….when you get to the building outside…you use the blue paper to get your luggage and the white paper when you get to the airport for immigration". "I'm not going to the airport" "okay, well when you…" "I'm not going to the airport…I'm going to the Hilton" (ehhhhhhhh)…"Well sir, after you have a great time in Barbados at the Hilton and you go to the airport to go back to America…you'll need the white form". I'm a TOTALLY not joking…that was the conversation…boy, I was tired by the end of it. Later that day, I had to stand by the elevators (2:45 - 5:15) greeting people as the come on board…my favorite duty (not). I will say, I get to meet all the crazies on this day and study up on people watching for acting…haha. This one man, from a european country was FREAKING out about where deck 5 reception was and was very frantic after he came off the elevator…"oh, well its right over there sir." Later, he came back over to me and got a little to close. You know, closing the personal bubble space and asked me, "What can I do?" (with a european accent) "I'm sorry…say it again" I said. "What can I do?" (what the hell do you say to that question?) "Um….uhhhh….whatever you would like, sir" I said. "Where can I go open?" "I'm sorry?" "Where can I go open…uhhhh…open area" "OH, the open deck…that would be deck 9" and by the time I finished the sentence…he was GONE. For the next 20 mins…I was CRYING in laughter and couldn't control it…was one of those "had to be there moment". 

What a crazy past cruise….haha but some great stories. This next cruise…we are going to some places we haven't been to yet. We only have 2 more cruises left (including the one that I'm on) left in the caribbean…I can't believe that we are about to move on to our next place…NUTS!!! This currents cruise itinerary is as follows: St. George's, Grenada on Sunday (today) / Bequia, Grenadine Island on Monday (Rocketman) / Castries, St. Lucia on Tuesday (Jazz) / Philipsburg, St. Maarten on Wednesday / St. Thomas, USVI on Thursday / At Sea on Friday and Saturday (Spirito / Aquarius)  / Key West, FL on Sunday and ending the cruise in Fort Lauderdale Florida on Monday, December 20th.

I hope that everyone is enjoying the end of the year….I can't believe that it's almost 2011…wow, thats nuts. Yesterday, was the mark of me having 6 months left and that I have already spent 4 months on the ship….crazy. This experience is going fast…I can't believe it and to think, on my 24th birthday…I will have circled the globe…I can't comprehend that quite yet….whoosh.

Until Next Time,

Jason

Thanksgiving Day / Story Time

Hello everyone,

I hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving and that everyone is getting ready for the holiday season.

Not too much happened on the last cruise that I was on. I was in rehearsal almost everyday of the cruise…so I didn't get to go off the ship and do anything (except go get a nice meal). Here are the highlights of the cruise…

FIRST…on November 31st during our spirito show (the deck show) at the beginning of the show…this old man came up on the dance floor, stood next to me and started dancing with me and his plate of food. Talk about being on your toes as a performer….I was just shocked. So I danced with him a little bit hoping that my boss would come over and be like, "this way sir". Finally someone did and I laughed it off on stage and the audience just loved it. It was a great great time. 

Grand Turk on Wednesday was an awesome lunch break that we had. We had morning rehearsals and then our stager, Leslie, let us get off to go eat some good food for lunch. We went to Margaritaville and had an awesome lunch. I have been to Grand Turk before, so it was nice to see places that I have been to before. We go to Grand Turk tomorrow for the current cruise that I am on…and I can't wait. After we had a great lunch, we stopped in the duty free shop to get some candies and other stuff that we needed for the ship and then headed back on board for another LONG day of rehearsal.  

Thanksgiving Day….wow, was that a hard hard day. I knew that it would be rough because thats a holiday that is a big "family" day and also, the food…haha. I tried not to think about it all day and I was doing fine until about dinner time when my meal was pathetic…not even mashed potatoes. That depressed me a tiny bit because I knew that I would have had a GREAT thanksgiving lunch at my Aunt Julie and Uncle Jeff's house (Hi guys!!!) and then drove over to my Aunt Kyle and Uncle Jim's house for thanksgiving dinner (miss you guys!!!). It was a rough day but at least one of the three big "family" days (at least in my family) is past me. I did appreciate all the love and support from those people that I love and care about. This time on the ship has made me appreciate those people in my life A LOT more. I know thats a horrible statement but I hope that you understand what I'm saying. In NO WAY did I NOT appreciate them before but its moments like this (that I'm going through) that make you understand and take a step back and see how lucky you are and appreciate them. So sending love to my family and close friends that have been here for me during this adventure…you mean the WORLD to me.

Fort Lauderdale (on December 2nd) was a great day. For some odd reason, my body decided that it couldn't stay asleep any longer after 7am…so I was up. I talked to a few people that morning and that was SO nice to be able to do that. After decorating a tree for christmas (see mom, I got to decorate a tree this year too) Lesley and I headed off the ship to where…..TACO BELL!!!!!!! I was SO happy to get there and have my mexican kick….it was GREAT!!! Afterwards we walked down a BUSY avenue to the Publix and had a great time in the process. She is a great girl…one of those friendships for life sort of things….ANYWAY….we went to the store and bought some food…the essentials. Afterwards, I felt like my Mom and the other mothers from the Sound of Music walking down the busy street with a shopping cart full of food. Now to explain the sound of music story….When I was 12, I was on the Sound of Music national tour and our first city that we played was Fort Myers, Florida. My mom went with me on the tour and this was the time that you could have a  hot plate in your luggage (gosh, I feel like an old person…"in my day, you could travel on an airplane…WITH A HOTPLATE in your luggage"…haha, essh). Well, the sound of music mom's all went to the store that was across from our hotel. Afterwards, they had to get all the food back to the hotel but of course they had no cars….so what happened? One by one the mothers crossed the busy 6 lane avenue (can we say Frogger anyone?) with the shopping carts to finally make it to the hotel. Sorry, I had to explain the story so that you understood how it was funny to me yesterday…haha.

This is quite the short blog for me but nothing has really happened in the past cruise because I really didn't do anything else but rehearse ALL DAY LONG. This coming cruise (the one I started yesterday) is as follows: At Sea on Friday (today) / Grand Turk on Saturday / San Juan, Puerto Rico on Sunday / Road Town, Tortola BVI on Monday / Gustavia, St. Barts on Tuesday / Basseterre, St. Kitts on Wednesday / St. John's, Antigua on Thursday / Roseau, Dominica on Friday and ending our cruise in Bridgetown, Barbados on Saturday. I can not believe that I have been in the Caribbean for a month already and in another month…I'll start the journey down to South America for a day then to the Panama Canal over to the coast of Mexico and ending our cruise in Los Angeles to get ready for the WORLD CRUISE!!! I can't believe that its about to start…wow!!!

Until Next Time,

Jason