Flying day...oh lord.

First cruise is complete!!!

What a crazy first cruise this has been but before I venture onto that blog, lets start with the LONG LONG LONG days that we had of flying from San Fran to Venice. 

EHHH

We had our last day of rehearsals with a entire run-through of our shows, Motown / High C's / Abba but this time for family and friends. I was lucky to have my mom and grandma come out from Ohio to California for a little vacation but also to send us on our way and to see our shows. It was great having them here for a few days as Zach, my mom, grandma and myself got to sight see around San Fran for one of the days off we had. It was awesome :-) Later that night of our last rehearsals, we had a GREAT farewell party as a cast and creative team. It was a great time that we got to have before we left for the ship. I really enjoy the creative team from Choozi, they all really care about you and care about the experience that you're about to have. What a great group of people. 

Since we had a very early flight, we had decided to stay up that night and not go to bed. We had to be at the curb early in the morning and when I say early, I mean 2:30am. OMG…I have never started a travel day that early in my life. We had all of our bags in front of the hotel, all 13 of them ready to get picked up from the airport in the dead of night haha. Our first issue was getting to the airport because our van that picked us up wasn't big enough for all our bags. We had crammed ourselves into this shuttle van…luggage here, person there…thank the lord it wasn't a long trip to the airport because I can't believe we actually fit everyone and everything haha.  

Once we arrived at the airport, we were dropped off at the international terminal and then we found out that our first flight was coming out of the domestic terminal. We weren't starting this travel day well…since we had to drag all 13 bags all across the airport to the complete opposite side of the terminal…not fun. We were already tired and we hadn't even checked in yet. Checking in was a little bit of an issue since a few bags were overweight and thats expected…we have packed for 8 months…HELLO!!! The lady checking us in was very nice and let a few bags go through a little over weight. She was nice to us or it was too early to deal with that crap. Hopefully it was the first option haha. 

Once we arrived in the gate area, we didn't have long to wait until we got on the flight. Well, it wasn't a long time until we changed gates because the plane that was at our gate, our original plane, had some technical issues. That didn't make me feel very good but I'm thankful that they moved us before we got on the plane. They had to drag the new plane from the hanger, so it was a little delayed but I wasn't worried cause it was a new plane…no problems.  Now, once we got on the next flight, we didn't take off for another hour and 30 mins than we were suppose to. The first reason was because we were on our way, taxiing from the gate and the whole electricity on the plane turned off…which was scary. I have never been on a plane that its happened to me before. It took them an hour to fix the plane, mind you we didn't get off while this happened. So instead of having a 5 hour flight to NYC, we had a 6 hour flight. It made me quite nervous the entire time being on that flight that something might go wrong with the plane, I mean wouldn't you think that way too….but Zach and Jemma were very comforting and they promised me that nothing would go wrong and they were right. I think that I was quite tired and wasn't wanting to deal with that sort of things that early…ehhh.

So we land in JFK's airport about 30 mins late…I guess we picked up some speed in the air, which is nice. Unfortunately, we had missed our second flight to Paris and in turn, would miss our flight to Venice. Luckily, our cruise travel agent had re booked our flight while we were in the air and we all had a direct flight to Venice….maybe our travel day is looking better! The only problem, I was afraid our bags wouldn't meet us in Venice. So I stood in line for 30 mins and made sure that they understood how important it was for us to have our bags show up. They assured me that the bags would be there so I was hoping they were correct.

We eventually got to our second flight. By this time, most of us were tired except Laura who had slept the whole first flight…lucky haha. The second flight was an overnight flight that everyone could sleep during…except ME, of course. I have a very hard time sleeping on planes…I wish I was better at it but I'm not. The second flight was nice, I watched a few movies and had a nice meal…much better than the last time that I had to do an international flight from my last contract. YIKES!!

Once we arrived to Venice, we all headed down to the baggage claim area where we had…NO LUGGAGE. This then began the long process of filling out the proper paperwork for 12 bags, not 13 because our Choozi bag, with all our costumes made it with us…which made us all laugh.  During the time standing in line, we missed our shuttle bus pick up for the ship so we then had to make other arrangements to get on the ship. Now this all happened, you must remember, after already 24+ hours of flying and barely any sleep. Needless to say, none of us felt very good but onto the ship we went. 

Once we got on the shuttle, we started to get excited that we were heading to the ship. Zach was like a little kid that was going to Disneyworld or something because he just lit up when he saw the ship. I am excited for him to have this experience and I'm even more excited to share it with him. 

When we arrived on board the ship, they had been informed about our luggage issue and luckily for us, we weren't leaving until the following evening…we had a little time for our luggage to get here and eventually it all did get here…WHOOSH. We met Brittany, a past Artist on the Wind and she showed us all around the ship and was talking about the do's and don'ts of the ship. During this whole time, I didn't really pay attention because the only thing I kept thinking about was that I wanted to take a shower and a nap…haha. Of course, I couldn't have either yet because we all had to head upstairs and experience our first Muster Drill. Lord, looking back at us, we probably looked quite gross standing there without having a shower after flying so long but we couldn't do anything that and the guests already knew our entire story…guess the news traveled fast haha. I tried my best to socialize with the guests but I don't think I remember what came out of my mouth…I was that tired. 

Needless to say, we had quite the flying experience from San Fran to Venice. One that I hope doesn't happen again. 

Next blog will be about our wonderful first week on the Silver Wind. What a lovely staff thats aboard the ship. Been having a lovely time!!

Until Next Time,

Jason 

Rehearsals...Rehearsals...Rehearsals

Rehearsals…

The most stressful part of any contract is the rehearsal process. Having to memorize lyrics and learning intricate harmonies to learning the choreography all at the same time. Now, the great thing about Choozi Entertainment is that everyone in the production team is so chill that as a performer, we bring our A game knowing that the rehearsal room isn't a panicked…learn this now…you're wrong, sorta place. The entire time of rehearsals either with Chris, our UBER talented director/choreographer or Cesar, our equally talented musical director, who has this incredible knack for languages (thank the lord), they both made us feel comfortable to explore, laugh a little bit but also get the job done that we are all hired to do. That is why I feel so proud of my cast because we all came to this rehearsal process with one thing in our minds…to work hard to get to that polished finished product. What a rehearsal period it has been….

Our first week was spent just going over our music (which there is a lot of music this time around…which I LOVE)…and trying to figure out who would sound best at each vocal part as well as solos. I was placed majority of the time with Tenor 2 which I was happy with. Now don't get me wrong, I sing the occasional bass line or even high falsetto as well..but a lot of the time, Tenor 2 (or the middle male singing line haha). Once the parts had been assigned and solos given out, that was when it was our jobs as musicians to learn our music and to make this process even better. Now the great, but challenging part of these shows with Choozi is the diversity within the shows. Abba, Opera and Motown music. Now, as a performer thats a HUGE variety of music to sing…different techniques that need to be introduced at different times but such a challenge and a rewarding one at that! 

When we weren't rehearsing throughout the day, we would all hang out as a cast at night have dinners together…which is so nice. Great to have a cast that is already bonding together and really enjoy each others company. Redwood City (which is where we are rehearsing) offers so much to do in such a confined space…which is awesome!! We have 2 groceries stores in walking distance from our hotel, which was nice because eating out all the time can make you feel fat (at least it does me) but its also not too great for the walle..hahat. Right across the parking lot from our hotel, there was a HUGE building that housed a movie theatre, which we all saw The Heat, which was AWESOME and Zach and I saw Despicable Me 2, which we loved…so cute. Also, on the lower level, off of a side street of that building…there were so many nice restaurants to eat a quick meal…chipotle, five guys, a gormet grilled cheese place, seafood place, pizza place and all of our favorites, a frozen yogurt place. The amount of frozen yogurt that we all consumed in these past 3 weeks probably shouldn't be legal…but when its that good, who really cares, right?

While we've been here we also celebrated Fourth of July and what a crazy experience that was. Apparently, Redwood City has the oldest parade in Northern California and they don't joke around. There were over 200 floats and they were so clever with their ordering of the floats (my favorite was these beautiful horses that were followed by a poop scooping company and the city sanitation cleaners…so funny). After the wonderful parade, we all headed over to the town centre for the festival that was going on. So many people were there but it was so fun to see this little town pretty much shut down for the holiday. It was a hot day this day, so we only walked around a little while until we decided to see a movie (The Heat). 

Majority of the rehearsal period is spent memorizing and rehearsing, rehearsing, rehearsing….but this time was so lovely that I kinda don't want to leave…..kinda, cause who would pass up 4 months in the Med and 4 months in Africa…haha. 

So with that, I have to thank everyone at Choozi Entertainment…Chris, David, Michael, Cesar, Soozi and Val for this incredibly rewarding rehearsal period. It has to be, by far my favorite rehearsals EVER….which means a lot cause normally rehearsals and I don't really get along haha.

Next blog will be about my flights over to the ship (yikes) and the first cruise which is: Venice, Italy on July 17 and July 18th / Pula on July 19th / Zadar, Croatia on July 20th / Dubrovnik, Croatia on July 21st / Kotor, Montenegro on July 22nd / Day at Sea on July 23rd / Messina, Italy on July 24 / Sorrento, Italy on July 25 and we end our first cruise in Civitavecchia, Italy on July 26th. 

Hope everyone has had a wonderful July!!!

Until next time, 

Jason

Best Luggage Packer....EVER!!!

Welcome back to the blog everyone!!

Well, what an exciting past month this has been. First, let me catch you up on what happen on my travel day…as you know how much I love to fly...ehh. 

Zach and I flew from our respective hometowns (Hartford, CT for him and Dayton, OH for me) the week of June 24th. Getting to San Fran was going to take a LONG time since its a long distance flight across the country. My day started quite early as I had an early flight (don't they know I'm not a morning person…ehh). The night before I did all my packing (yes, I waited until the night before to pack…oh well haha) and weighed my bags to make sure they weren't over 50 lbs. When I got to the airport, it was early and I wasn't in the right mindset to be traveling yet. The lady at the counter had to ask me 2 times to put my bags up to be weighed, very nicely I might add (thank you nice airport lady…haha). Would you believe that my bags were 49.5 and 50.0 lbs. OH MY GOSH!!! I am the best luggage packer in the WORLD!! My flights were Dayton to Atlanta and Atlanta to San Fran. I knew the Dayton to Atlanta flight wasn't going to be bad…I've done it a million times. The second flight however, I knew was going to be a beast…5 1/2 hour flight…ehh. The airport lady that I talked about earlier was SO nice to me with the luggage AND she even gave me an upgraded seat on my first flight. Needless to say, my morning started off well, but knowing me, my luck wouldn't last long. Oh look, I was right!!! 

My second flight however was delayed 4 hours because of "weather" in San Fran. Now, I checked the weather channel a few times and even talked to people from the San Fran area and there wasn't a thing wrong with the weather. Everyone kept telling me that the planes were delayed because they had to close a runway due to construction but were blaming "weather". EHHHHH…now I have to sit in the airport for 4 hours before my 5 1/2 hour flight!!!

Eventually I got on my flight and had a relaxing time over to the west coast. When I landed in San Fran, I got in touch with two of my cast mates who had also just landed!!! HOOORAY!!! Finally getting to meet the people I'm going to be traveling with on this crazy adventure!!! Brianne and Michael met me in the luggage claim area and what a hassle that was. It took a good 30 mins to get my luggage because it was the LAST piece of luggage to come out onto the machine. Of course!

Once we got all of our luggage we dragged our 3 pieces each up to the elevator, across a busy street to where the Shuttle service pick up area was. Eventually we got on our shuttle and took our 30 min ride to Redwood City. What a cute little city this is…which I'll explain in the next blog about rehearsals. When we arrived at our hotel/hostel, Zach had already arrived and was waiting in our room. It was great to see him and we were both really tired cause we had a long day of traveling. Later on in the evening we got to meet Jemma, our only Brit in the cast. Michael, Bri, Jemma, Zach and myself later went down the street to a little mexican restaurant to get to know each other and have a drink…it was a long day for all of us. Laura unfortunately couldn't make it cause she was finishing up some doctor appointments but after our dinner we had ran into her on the street. Our cast was finally together…all 6 of us. What an incredibly diverse but yet, cohesive cast we are…this is going to be a fun contract. 

Next blog coming soon (like a day or two) will discuss the events of rehearsals. From learning all the music, movie nights in the town square, 4th of July festivities to FRO YO!!! 

Can't believe this adventure is beginning!!! Here we go!!

Until next time, 

Jason 

Almost time!!

Less than a month to go until rehearsals!!!! HOORAY!!! 

At the end of June, I will fly from Dayton to San Francisco to start our few weeks of rehearsal before flying half way around the world to join the ship. I love this time in the contract because even though you have a lot of work to be done, most of all memorization…you get to create something, which is a big part of why I perform to begin with. The journey of creating a show is so rewarding…knowing that these few people are bringing all their creative thoughts and energy to the room to produce shows that we all are proud of... there isn't a better feeling in the world…

However, preparing to put your life into a suitcase for 8 months comes with its challenges…as I'm sure you would think it would. You have to think about how much space you'll have. Then what's the weather gonna be like where you're traveling. Luckily, I have been to these areas for the time of the year that I'll be there (at least the European part of the contract) so I have a pretty good idea of what I need to bring (hopefully). Even with that knowledge, its still a bit overwhelming to put your life into a suitcase and pray to above that you haven't forgot anything. Oh, please let me pack enough underwear…haha.

This isn't even half of it...haha.

Also the other fun thing (not for me because I hate needles) is getting all the medical paperwork in order to be able to work on a cruise ship. I totally understand why this is needed, I just still don't like getting shots or getting blood drawn…ehh!! Curse you nurse from when I was a child that scarred me for life.

Paperwork, paperwork, paperwork.

For the past month and a half, I have done so much to prepare for this contract that I hope that I haven't forgotten anything, I'm sure I have. Copy this, buy that, learn this, print those…WHOOSH. But at the end of the day, I get to have this incredible opportunity to share my love of music and performing with people from around the world. See places that I never in a million years thought I'd go back to or see in the first place. I can't wait!!!

We performers have a crazy life but there is NEVER a dull moment!!!

Until next time, 

Jason

Here it is!!!

EXCITING NEWS!!!!!

I'm going back out onto the high seas with Silver Sea again as a production singer with the wonderful production company 

"Choozi Entertainment". 

This time, Zach and I both start rehearsals late June and board the ship mid-July for our 8 month contract on the Silver Wind. We will spend 4 months in the Mediterranean and the last 4 months off the coast of Africa!! 

I am beyond excited for this incredible opportunity to perform/travel around the world again. The last time that I did this...all I could remember was thinking how I would love to travel and share this type of experience with someone. When I would see certain places, that I never in a million years thought that I would see, I sometimes would think...I wish I could share this incredible experience. Now don't get me wrong, I loved traveling and sharing those experiences with my WONDERFUL cast 3 years ago (oh lord, I can't believe its been that long already). But this will be something different...cause now I will be seeing these places through his eyes. Have experiences with him that we will share for years to come. Last time, it was a chance of a lifetime to travel and experience all the incredible things that I did and I am incredible blessed to have that opportunity. This time makes it that much better, to travel the world with someone that I care so much about. 

Until next time (here we go again!!!),

Jason

Exciting News to Come!!!

Hooray!!

 I have some exciting news that I'll be posting about very soon.

More blogs to come!!!

THE LAST ONE!!!

Hello everyone,

Sorry that this blog has taken WAY to long to finish but I wanted it to be right…it has been extremely hard for me to write this last blog but I hope that you enjoy it. 

~~~~~~~~~~

Well, its here…THE FINAL CRUISE AND BLOG!!! I can't believe that this has finally come….so strange.

Here's what happened:

Friday, June 3rd we were in Sorrento, Italy for the last time. I'm so happy that we made it there for our last cruise. Sorrento is one of my favorite places and I'm glad that we got to spend two days there to finish this crazy adventure. Lesley, Jodie, Jen and myself all got off the ship to have a wonderful lunch at our favorite restaurant in the main square in town. I have had so many great memories at this restaurant…this is where I ate a tomato for the first time…yes, I'm that picky…lol. Afterwards, the girls decided to go lay down at the beach but I had decided to go shopping and get some internet by myself…it was a great day.

Saturday, June 4th again we were in Sorrento, Italy again for another great day. Today, I was an escort on the excursion to Mt. Vesuvius, you know where Pompeii was? This was going to be my last escorting job on the ship and I think that it was a great one to end with. We made our way to the Mt. Vesuvius area….was a pretty interesting drive on the coast of the mountains. It wasn't making me feel very good on the bus…a little motion sickness…I'll admit. Once we got to Pompeii, it was incredible to see the city that was preserved by the volcanic ash of Mt. Vesuvius many years ago. I had some great passengers on the tour with me that had a great time walking throughout the town of Pompeii together.  One of the extremely interesting things to hear from the tour guide was that the people in these days were very obsessed or intrigued by sex. They had….how can I keep this PG…."male parts", sticking out of all these buildings and some of them were pointing in the way of where the whore houses were. Yes, you heard that right…haha. It was so interesting walking through that building and seeing all the paintings on the walls of the different "positions" that they offered there….weird…haha. Later, they took us to the area where there were bodies found after many years covered up in the ash. They were in the exact position that they died in….kinda creepy. It was extremely odd seeing that but also very interesting. We then headed our way back to the city of Sorrento, where I then walked around and got some internet. Then I walked to try and find some gifts that I needed to pick up for my family…I can't believe that I'm almost going home. It was sad that today was my last day in Sorrento because its one of my favorite cities in Italy. Hopefully someday, I'll make my way back there. 

Sunday, June 5th we were suppose to go to Taormina, Sicily but due to the current or surge in the sea…we couldn't go there…so he headed to Messina, Italy instead. Unfortunately (or fortunately according to the rest of the cast), I was on IPM…THE LAST IPM EVER!!!!!!! THANK THE SWEET LORD ABOVE!!!!! AHHHHH!!!!!!

Monday, June 6th we were in Valletta, Malta and had a great day out with Lesley and Jen. Took a crazy bus to the center of town. When I say crazy, that doesn't really explain it…this might be the first time where I can't explain what something looked like…haha. Needless to say, it was interesting, ha. The city looks like a mix between Egypt, Middle East area and Europe…very strange. We walked around the shops there for a while and didn't really find anything to buy. It just felt good to be off the ship and walking around. We got a good meal with some free wifi, so you know that we were all very happy. Wondered around the streets just wasting time after lunch because we didn't have anything else to do. The girls got some hair dye to do their hair before we headed home…still strange that this whole experience is coming to an end. Before we left the town, we got some great ice cream and walked back to where the bus would pick us up. It was a strange system to try and figure out what bus you had to take so we just decided to walk at first. Then a man came by with a horse and carriage and asked us if we wanted a ride to the ship so we thought…why not…haha.  We rode a horse (named Donald) down to the terminal and got on the ship just in time before we left to go to our next port. We all sat up on the crew deck and talked, enjoying each others company and enjoying the sun. Jodie was seeing one of her brothers today (since he lives in Malta) but got a big surprise when her other brothers we there…so we talked about that for a while. All in all, it was a good day in Malta.

Tuesday, June 7th…THE LAST SEA DAY EVER!!! I can't believe that I just typed those words for my blog. What an incredible experience this has been…just incredible. We spent this sea day, packing and cleaning up our room (which was hilarious to do and will be shared between only Lesley and myself….hahahahaha). This day was definitely a day of reflection. Looking back at everything that I had experienced…getting to see the growth that I have had as a person. I just can't believe how much I have changed in a year but this experience was meant to happen for me. It was something that I needed it my life so I could move forward and be the man that I am and will be. It was a good day, to say the least.

Wednesday, June 8th we were in Livorno, Italy (our last Italian port) and had a great day with Emily, Cody in Florence. We got up very early that morning to catch the train into Florence. Cody and Emily had been into the city before and I just asked them if it would be okay if I joined them…I really wanted to go there. We had a great train ride into the city…talking the entire way or playing games on our Ipods haha. Once we arrived at Florence, we walked around for a while, just taking in the city and being some place new…it was really cool. While we were walking to a main square, just trying to figure out to eat or sight see a little bit, it decided to POUR down rain…like HARD! So we stopped for a few minutes because we didn't want to get soaked. We walked to this main area, where the golden doors are and I was just floored by the architecture of this city….truly beautiful. We then decided to go get something to eat. WHAT A GREAT MEAL WE HAD. I was being a little fat that day and I wanted to get a lot of food. It was okay because I was very hungry, not the best food aboard the ship for us…so I did it. I ate a lot and didn't feel bad about it haha. After our EXTREMELY filling meal, we then walked around some more and I got to see the famous piazza where the musical "Light in the Piazza" is based. Its so strange how I am getting to see all this places that are based in a lot of musicals from around the world….maybe that means I'll be in them someday? Hmmmm…lets hope…haha. We then had to make our way back to the train station because it was time for us to leave. Getting there, it started to POUR down again and I felt bad for Emily because we had one lousy umbrella and she was getting wet. I offered to give her my jacket (that they all make fun of me for) and she took it. I told her, "see…it comes in handy. It may be a stupid jacket…but you're not getting wet…are you? haha". Before we left though (since this was going to be my last Italian port, which made me extremely sad) I wanted to buy a pair of REAL Italian leather shoes. I've always wanted a pair and I was determined to get them. Granted, I should have got them before I did, so that we weren't rushed to get on the train…sorry Cody and Emily…but oh well...haha. But I did it, I bought a really nice and totally out of character, pair of shoes…and I love them. We got on the train just in time and had a great ride back. Once we got back, we were late to the ship but I didn't care…I wasn't going to rush back…I was enjoying my time and we weren't leaving for another hour. So I walked back…haha. What a great day in Florence, Italy….my LAST italian port. 

Thursday, June 9th we were in Monte Carlo, Monaco for the last time. Jodie, Greg and I went to Stars and Bars for a meal and internet. We all needed to have time on our computers to get ourselves organized and prepared for our big trip home in a few days. I can't believe that its actually happening. I posted a lot of pictures and had a great time with Jodie. Tonight was our LAST show of the entire contract. I can't believe that this moment has finally arrived. I don't think it has truly hit me yet that we are leaving. That this experience is coming to an end. That I wont be sharing the stage with these incredible people that I have shared SUCH an experience with. As we took our final bows, I looked around at everyone and just really took everything in. The hard times and the fun times that we have shared. I had finished my last show….what a huge achievement. Whoosh….

Friday, June 10th we were in St. Tropez, France and no one got off cause we were preparing for the next day…the day that we were going home. This last week that we were on the ship, we had such a great time together…just really trying to go out with a bang. Throughout the week, we all would go hang out in the crew bar…a LOT more than we normally did. We sang Karaoke and just had a blast…kinda wish we did that more throughout the contract but we can't change the past…just have to more towards the future…right? Lesley, Jodie and I got a lot closer the last week. We had a lot of conversations about all sorts of topics…which was so great to have. I just truly can't believe that this was ending…my DREAM experience had come true and now it was ending….going on and making a new chapter in my life, but what a chapter I had just written…woah, what a huge meaning this experience has had on my life…its something that I'll be eternally grateful for, the rest of my life. The last night on the ship ended very…oh how can I put it….bittersweet. Greg had made a DVD for us to watch…capturing the moments in our contract through pictures and song. Lets just say, I was a mess (and Greg even put that in the DVD at the end…ass…haha). It was an incredible gift that Greg gave us all and its something that I will treasure forever. 

Saturday, June 11th we were going home…finally in Barcelona, Spain. We all had to get up quite early in the morning and get our bags together and just prepare ourselves going back into the real world…haha. It was very bittersweet saying goodbye to new friends that just joined the ship and old friends that had traveled with me and I had made an incredible bond with. We all got off the ship and drove away in a cab together towards the airport. It was very strange (as more than one person commented on) leaving the ship. It felt very out of body. We all reminisced about the time that we drove from the Istanbul airport to the ship for the first time and how it was a full circle moment, now leaving our home for the past year and flying back to our true homes. At the airport, I had overweight bags (of course) and I had to figure all that stuff out before I could check it. Eventually, I got everything squared away and it was my time to say goodbye to everyone. This was one of the hardest moments that I have had in my life in a long time. I have shared an experience with this people that no one will understand. Just us 6, that have been together from the crazy crab watch times in Florida…to now. This was the moment when I had to say goodbye to friends that I might not ever see again for a LONG time. How odd it is to have people in your life come and go but the love and memories that you have of them…always stays..doesn't matter where you are or where they are….its always there. I'm all to familiar with this practice but but if you think of it in a positive light, its a lovely thing to have in life. After we said our goodbyes, it was time to start flying home. The flights were long and I was extremely tired when I landed home…in DAYTON, OH!!! There were so many emotions that over came me when I landed in Dayton. It had been exactly a year since I had been home, since I left for NYC on June 12th. Getting off the plane and just having the feeling of home hit me…was just incredible and everything that I had wanted. Walking through the airport, I finally got to the baggage claim to where I saw my Mom and Nene, waiting there for me. I ran to my Mom and gave her the biggest hug, while crying…I couldn't believe that I was finally home and done with this incredible experience. 

Well, here it is…the last paragraph, to my last blog of this incredible, life changing experience. I am overwhelmed with the thought of what incredible achievement I have completed. I'm sure it will be (and has been) very hard to comprehend what has happened during this journey. That it won't seem real, that I actually did travel the world. That I actually did get to do all these crazy things which just didn't seem feasible to me before now. The fact that I can say, I have traveled the world. I have sailed across the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian Oceans. I have crossed the International dateline, losing a day of my life. I have crossed the equator more times than I can comprehend. I have been to every continent except ONE and all while being on a ship. During this time, I have met and made friends from different countries. I have been able to understand different cultures other than my own. Its all very overwhelming and I don't think that I will ever come to terms with it…its bigger than me and thats alright. You know, on a personal level, I have also had another extraordinary gift that was given to me during this experience…the gift of feeling the presence of my father again. During this whole experience, it was always very apparent that my father was with me…something that I hadn't felt in quite sometime, which is unexplainable, but during this time on the ship, my fathers presence was felt and known to me. In the beautiful landscape of the mountains off the coast of Italy to sailing across the international dateline and losing a day (his birthday) to experiencing Australia and everything that it means to my parents and all the other tiny moments that I shared with him in my thoughts…were all very apparent times of his constant presence in my life. Which has taught me that it doesn't matter where you are in the world or what you are doing…the ones that you love will always, ALWAYS be with you. I wish other people could learn or experience this….to truly understand how blest we are, to have people in our lives that love us unconditionally be it our family, friends and/or significant others and it is something that we should never, EVER take for granted. 

So to end this experience and chapter of my life, I say this….

Getting to see the world….

Was truly…

PRICELESS,

Jason Slattery