Columbia here I come!

I officially take credit as the worst blogger ever.  One would think when exciting, blog-worthy events occur I would WRTIE about them but no…if you know me, you know blogging isn’t my style and thus should not be disappointed by the 4 month gap.

Moving on…holy hell a lot has happened!  To make an extremELY long story short some shit went down on Inception, antics among crew that I didn’t agree with so I spoke my mind and was off the boat a week later.   I mean it was a bit more complicated than that, and definitely a blow to the boat - but after a kickass farewell booze fest I said goodbye to Adventure part I. and started looking for part II.  I literally went on 4 interviews a day for a week straight…was offered all but one and after several morning of getting dressed in the 17^th Street Office Depot bathroom I’d had enough.  So I settled…I accepted a job that was WAY over my head, on a 19 year old Charter boat (that looked more like 30), with a crew that hadn’t been hired yet…i.e I was about to embark on 4 months of hell.  Anyway, I accepted the job Friday morning so I could have some peace of mind…go home to Minneapolis for Memorial Day weekend and go back to FL with a job and a place to sleep.   Booked a ticket Friday night, flew home Saturday morning and spent the next 4 days with the worst anxiety – knowing what I was going back to made me physically sick.  BUT I’ve started living with the mentality that what is meant to be will be, so I started making provision lists and mentally preparing myself for this next adventure. 

By the way, insert here – I literally have the most amazing friends on this planet.  If it weren’t for them I would’ve had an official mental breakdown…God bless them for putting up with my anxious moody ass!  No clue if you guys read this anymore but if you do….Mom, Dad, Jenna, Shelly, Jean, Lissy O and Lyssie K.– THANK YOU and I love you guys. 

K, so back to life, back to reality (sing it, out loud, I dare you).  I’m on a plane headed back to FL yesterday and while I was in Chicago (on my 5 HOUR LAYOVER) I got a message from a Captain I’d spoke to briefly.  We talked a little more and he offered me a job…the exaCT kind of gig I’d been waiting 2 weeks to get.  2^nd stew on a 157ft Trinity that travels the world!  Of course I was taking him at his word but he said the crew got along great and if I was interested he’d fly me down to Colombia the very next day.  I accepted on the spot but it was bittersweet…although I had NO interest in the job I’d accepted Friday, the Captain is an amazing guy and I knew the bind I was about to put him in.  But I gave Andy (my new Captain) all my info and got a confirmation “Spirit Airlines" e-mail shortly thereafter.  But if I may…and I feel as though I should clear my name for a sec.  Even before I heard of this new job I’d been talking to this chic Katie who was WAY more qualified than me to see if she’d be interested in the Chief role (that I’d accepted) and I would be her 2^nd.  Not sure if that makes sense to any of you…but I’d been doing the leg work even before this switcharoo took place, to find a Chief Stew to replace me…I just had no idea I’d be off that boat completely.

Anyway, after I hung up with Captain Andy I called Captain Lee to regretfully rescind my acceptance.  I was totally honest about the anxiety that position was creating for me and how I felt like I’d be doing myself, the crew, and the guests a disservice by taking on a role I wasn’t qualified for...being the amazing guy he is, he understood and wished me luck.

So here I am, just got off a layover in Medellin en route to Cartagena, Colombia to meet my new boat :)  I am so excited my cheeks literally hurt from smiling!  It’s been a hell of a long day (I didn’t mention my layover was 6 hours) but I can’t wait to shake my Captains hand and meet my new family.  I haven’t hashed out our exact itinerary for this season but I know it includes Aruba, Colombia, Bonaire, Puerto Rico, Panama, and the ABC Islands.

The flight attendants are babbling something really fast in Spanish so I can only assume we’re starting our “decent” so I should run but there ya go – the quickest 4 month summary EVER!!  I promise to write within the week and let you know how it’s going…until then wish me luck!!

Xoxo,

mE

900 Horsepower and SPF 70

So here I am in bed, 45 minutes into my tossing/turning episode…so physically depleted but so mentally stimulated.  I just had the most amazing weekend, literally the most exhilarating & memorable experience I’ve had thus far.  We pulled into St. Thomas late Friday night/early Saturday morning and because of our last few owners trips the majority of my crew was owed vacation….some took their time in FL and the others (myself included) decided to take my vaca down here in the BVI’s – duh!  My crewmate Bobby and I are on the same page in terms of ‘taking advantage of our surroundings’ so we pulled out the Lonely Planet book and got to work.  It wasn’t long before we had a rough draft itinerary which included but wasn’t limited to: St John’s, Virgin Gorda, Norman Island, Jost Van Dyke, and Tortola (a necessary stop to clear customs), and after asking our Captain’s permission Bobby, Ziggy, Mark and I packed up the Intrepid with beers, pillows, sunchips and protein bars and hit the open sea.
Mind you this “tender” is a  $1/2 million, 900 horsepower beAst and there are maybe 2 boats in all of yachting who would allow their crew to “over night”.  So…as we pulled out of our Marina I looked at my friends and in unison said “IS THIS REAL LIFE??!!??”

Backtracking to the day before, the first night Bobby was on watch so we had him drop us off in St. John’s where we spent the day scuba diving, soaking up rays at Cinnamon Bay beach, and eating and drinking at the best local (non-touristy) spots.  We met a lady whose lived on the island for 15+ years and showed us the most intimate, beautiful spot to watch the sunset.

Haley found us a sweet, cheap little “apartment” about (pic) about 10 mins outside of town so at the end of the night we meandered back to our spot and crashed.   With the excessive rooster crowing and excitement for the adventure that was to come we woke up early to catch the Ferry back to ST Thomas to meet Bobby for Part II.  After Ziggy, Mark, Bobby and I cleared customs in Tortola we headed to the Baths in Virgin Gorda.  Hit in 2 days what takes most people a week, and the best part was it was all FREE!!   I caught myself at several points throughout the journey looking around thinking what did I do to deserve such greatness?  Some people go their whole lives dreaming about going to a deserted Caribbean island, tying up to some random mooring buoy just so they can jump out and swim to shore to watch the sunset – just so happens that was/is my life.  All in all, my new ‘family’ and I had a great little adventure and I can’t wait for more to come.  Literally exhausted but just had to share….nighty night from the Caribbean.

Xoxo,

mE

Paradise Island...

The last month has been a whirlwind of trips, beach parties, and laughs…and in the midst of it all I’ve apparently forgotten about my blog so here’s a quick (or not so quick) recap of the last 5 weeks of life :D .... 

So shortly after my last entry I got some pretty interesting news – my boss Kevin, from Pacioli put in his notice after 9 years with the company, his dad was the founder some 27+ years ago.  Kev called so he could A) give me the news himself and B) let me know that the VP of our region would be giving me a call to offer me his position…Managing Director of the Minneapolis office.  You can imagine my surprise; not only was the “home” I was planning on coming back to about to change completely by Kevin's departure, but a once in a life-time career opportunity was being hand-wrapped in glittery paper and given to me, at the most inopportune time eVer!  Long story short, as expected his boss gave me a call and offered me the position.  I gave myself the weekend to think it over, and after three revised pros and cons lists and a lot of parental advice I decided to stick with my original (however insane, unpredictable, or irresponsible) plan of adventure.  I had a conference call with two of the higher-ups Monday morning and told them had this come at a different time in my life I’d be all over it…they understood and told me they’d have a spot (of some sort) waiting for me when I was ready to come “home”.   The only problem with that plan is that home looks a lot different now.  Kevin wasn’t only my boss and mentor…after four amazing years he became like a brother to me and I can’t imagine our office without him.   Although Kev’s departure and this sudden job opportunity caught me completely off guard, the fact that my gut told me I had to keep exploring has definitely helped me realize what a great decision I made in leaving MN.  Here I am, two “once in a life-time opportunities” to choose from, both leading in opposite directions (career/responsibility vs. adventure/freedom) and I was finally able to give my brain a rest and follow my heart.  Leaving Pacioli was the hardest thing I’ve done in my adult life but this decision was a  close second…and after 5 weeks I haven't looked back!  After all, it's hard to open you're eyes while you're basking ;-)

Harbor Island

So enough of that boringness, back to the sandbox!  Life is starting to settle down and Lauderdale is definitely starting to feel like home.  My"one new friend" has turned into a handful and between the beach, our bicycle gang, Thursday night crew outings and A1A Saturdays there's never a dull moment.  My old roommate and close friend Shelly came to visit a few weeks ago, and I was shocked at how many people & places I had to introduce to her!  It was so great seeing her and getting that taste of home, but after drilling her on the latest gossip I definitely realized I'm not missing anything.  Minneapolis is a great city full of great people but my GOD does it feel good to get out!  Although I miss my friends, my real "couch buddies" who can recognize my laugh from a mile away, who know me inside and out and love me just the same...this change of scenery has been crucial.  As always it was hard to say goodbye to Shell, but deep down I know it was harder for her than it was for me...she got a taste of how exciting life can be and for the first time since moving down here it felt good to be 'home'.  

In terms of life at sea, we've been on 3 trips in the past 5 weeks and heading to the British Virgin Islands on Tuesday.  We're currently anchored at Harbor Island in Devil's Backbone and heading back to Paradise Island tomorrow (Albany marina) and let me tell you the name does not disappoint...it's nothing short of Paradise!   If you're considering a Bahamas getaway weekend you HAVE to check this place out (and no, they're not paying me for this advert)!  It's T Wood's new resort/marina and apparently his hangout "hot spot"... we saw his boat in Miami a few weeks ago and again when we pulled in on Thursday, pretty sure he spotted the three blond stewardesses on board Inception and has been following us ever since ;)  Either way, he's managed to build one hell of a marina and I can't wait to get back to it.

Tiger's boat

Honestly the gym looks like a place where the Biggest Loser contestants would work out - it's got a climbing wall, one of those ropes you shimmy up in 6th grade, a boxing ring, palates, yoga, and karate studios.  There are like 8 pools (not including the water park), a full spa, great bars & restaurants, and of course a golf course - Tiger style...all I can say is Woody did good ;-)  

Paradise

Island...

And as if  these amenities aren't enough, throw in the big man himself.  We were only docked in Albany a few days before our owners came onboard, but with the number of Tiger run-in's I'd say were practically best friends ;-)   I can tell you he works out in cut offs and baggy tank tops, is a lot taller and thinner than he looks on TV, and my Captain plays better golf (on the same hole out of the same bunker) than Tiger does...all in all it's been a fun & entertaining couple of days.  

Painful

My captain and I picked Mr. & Mrs (and Joe, their chef from NYC) up from the airport Friday afternoon and we headed out to sea shortly there after.   A plane met us this morning to bring us through the reef (he had to fly in, land, and come aboard to navigate our yacht) and we spent the rest of the day at anchor...swimming and fishing while the guests went ashore.  It's now 1:28am and I'm sitting in the bridge watching three little circles...  my eyes feel sandy, my mouth completely dry, and 2am feels like it's 6 days away!  So that about sums it up...life's been a roller coaster (nothing new there) and I'm enjoying the hell out of this ride.  I miss you guys like crazy but the warm weather and gorgeous views are helping :)  Promise to write again soon...

xoxoxox,

mE

First day of school...

I made a new friend today!  I literally feel like a kid again, an overly excited, anxious, geek waiting at the bus stop for her first day of school!  If there’s one thing people know about me, it’s that I’m rarely (if ever) by myself, so you can imagine what a culture/social shock this move has been for me.  I had a few goals in mind when I decided to take this leap of faith, coincidently the thought of being alone in a city where everyone knows everyone hadn’t crossed my mind.  When I think back to the last time I was thrown into a situation like this, and by “this” I mean the uncomfortable feeling of knowing no one but wanting so desperately to have that comfort of a friend, I think of horse-camp in 3^rd grade.  

So let me lay my life out quick for you here, thinking it might help clear up a few things.  I’m on a 164 foot private yacht called ‘Inception’ which has 10 amazing crew (myself included).  Nick’s married, Mike’s married, Pete mine as well be, Zahraa has an amazing bf who’s in yachting and ported across the way from us, Nina too has a bf in yachting (his boat’s next door), Haley also, also has a bf in yachting (although he’s in West Palm so she’s onboard most nights), which leaves me, Bobby, and Mark.  Bobby’s a native Floridian (actually grew up 11 miles from our boat) which excludes him from this “trying to make friends” situation, so really it’s Mark and myself who are left.  Mark’s amazing but he’s not the most social person in the world, and contrary to popular belief, when I’m riding solo I’m not the most outgoing/confident person either.  I never realized how much I thrive off the comfort of being around my friends…humor is easy when you have Shelly, Erin, Lissy, and Jenna to bounce it off of.  I feel like a kid who’s lost her training wheels but isn’t quite ready…it’s a feeling that’s hard to describe any other way.  Coming down to FL was easy because I was thrown into a classroom (with Becca by my side) where everyone was doing the exact same thing as us, everyone was looking for friends, and it was almost impossible NOT to make them.  But as those friends started accepting jobs and their boats slowly started making their way to other countries, reality hit like a ton of bricks and suddenly weekends at the beach didn’t seem so appealing. 

But anyway, back to the point of this blog…my new friend (I’m such a dork)!  I just hope to God she doesn’t browse through my Facebook, see my blog, and read this entry ;-)  Her name is Ashley and she’s a blond, bubbly, super fun Californian yachtie who has vowed to make the next 3 months (we leave for Europe in May) unforgettable! 

In fact, we’re already signed up for a speed-dating adventure in Boca tomorrow night (I can hear you laughing, but before you grab your side let me just say it’s for a good cause.  My crewmate Bobby has a friend who’s hosting it as a charity event).  Either way, I finally feel a sense of “settling in” going on here in FL and I like it!  That’s all for now, short and sweet.   I have ZERO idea of what to expect tomorrow but I anticipate an interesting blog to follow.

Xoxoxo

mE

Dear Diary...

So I’ve been on this quest for adventure for four months now and am more confused than when I first began.  That thrill of the unknown is starting to wear off and the reality of this new life has definitely set in.  I booked a flight back to Minnie this past weekend hoping to go home, get my fix, and hop back on this rickety SouthWest plane reassured that I’d made the right decision to leave that life…but as I sit here trying to sort through the mess that is my brain, I’m more bemused than ever.    Is there some guidebook, some manual people have been secretly using that I’m unaware of?   How is everyone around me so content, living these blissful lives full of certainty while I’m traveling the globe desperately searching for it?   I had a great life… rewarding & fulfilling career; a group of friends that can only be classified as thoroughly entertaining and amazing; a cozy little condo that in the past 3 years has redefined the meaning of “home”, but that wasn’t enough…there was a void I was constantly trying to figure out, and an adamant and persistent voice telling me there was something more.  I was happy but I wasn’t content.  So I set out on the most unconventional adventure I could think of and here I am, four months later missing the very things I thought I was sick of, ok, minus the shit storm frigged Minnesota winters.   I miss lazy geek-out hungover sessions with the girls and all the laughs and memories those days entailed.  I miss walking into my bank & being greeted by my first name. I miss people holding the door for the person behind them and saying please, thank you, and excuse me.  I miss Pacioli and the personal rewards and relationships that went along with that job.  I miss RiverStation’s courtyard, my oversized amazing couch and my gigantic cloud of a bed, my piano (and the 3:30am performances I would put on for Shelly), and the man in the 5^th Street Market (who finally got a RedBox, no doubt based on the endless number of weekends I spent begging) - for those of you reading this, I take full credit for Zing Zang and dollar movies being provided there…feel free to thank me in person ; -)

But even with that laundry list of “misses”, I have no desire to pack up and come home.  I’m seeing the world on someone else’s dime, living with and meeting SOOOO many amazing new people, being exposed to cultures, foods, religions, ideas, and experiences that I would NEVER have the balls to seek out and try on my own.  And as I sit here on this plane that’s heading back to that beautiful mega-yacht, writing this blog, I realize how insane I sound.  But I can’t help it…I’m overwhelmingly confused and wondering when, if ever, I’ll figure it all out.  Where am I supposed to be and what am I supposed to be doing?  Home is where the heart is, but if my heart’s all over the map then does that classify me as homeless?  I love my crew, I’m seeing the world, I can walk outside in flip-flops 365 days a year without snow seeping into my shoes getting my socks all wet while the tips of my toes turn blue and feel like they’re going to fall off (they’re defrosting as we speak/type).   But my heart hurts knowing I’m not going to be around for Jenna’s engagement, or Lissy’s and my 9^th consecutive Easter Bunny photo shoot, or my annual family Porky trip.  I don’t want to miss out on memories that in 5 years I’ll wish I’d been there for. 

So anyway, that’s where my crazy ass is at with things.  I come home for four days, expecting 100% clarity and I leave with turrets.  

But just so we’re clear, I am in no way complaining about my current state of uncertainty, I’m simply using this opportunity to lay out my thoughts and maybe at some point, if I’m lucky, find some resolve in it all.  High-school was tough, college was even tougher...and although I haven't yet defined this whole  “adult-hood” thing, if I had to choose one word to describe it, I'd choose “innately-difficult-scary-but-fun” (it’s one word if I hyphenate it…I’m not kidding, look it up). 

And although I’d love to dig into the topic of men and the chaos and influence they’re having on my 8lb head, I’ve had 9 hours of sleep over the course of a 4-day weekend and my mind is mush, not to mention my fingers are typing about as well as my toes, so that’ll have to wait until next time.   I love you guys more than words can describe, and the support you’ve given me (despite my manic blogging episodes) ...means more than you’ll ever know.   We’ve got a lot of trips coming up and I’m hoping for new & more amazing pics to boot :) Until next time, bye bYE.

Xoxoxo,

mE

Love them :)

New Years Resolution - keep on keepin' on

Work - St. Lucia style

MARVELOUS!! The only word I know that can accurately describe the last month of my life.  I've never witnessed more beauty - beautiful waters, people, cultures, and places in my life!   We set out to sea about a month ago and have managed to visit Atlantis (Bahamas), St. Thomas (Virgin Islands), St. Lucia, Guadeloupe, St. Maarten, Antigua & Barbuda, St. Barths, St. Kitts & Nevis (Caribbean), and we're only half way through January!   So I know it's been awhile since my last post, but believe me when I say this - we do NOT have down time.  We work 18 hour days, squeeze 6-8 hours of sleep in and eat on-the-go.  And although I'd love go into all the grueling details, I'll spare you and jump right to the fun part  (drop of day) and all the amazingness that followed!!! 

                                        Neighbors

We pull into our slip in St. Lucia, and after saying "hey" to our new neighbors and escorting our guests off board, we throw on our swimsuits, stow up the boat, and jump in the hot tube, cocktail in hand.   I swear to God, that particular moment in time - when the guests get off board and you can walk on your heels instead of tip-toe, when you can talk instead of whisper, and when you can drink, laugh (as loud as I laugh),  and blare your music - is 100% the best moment EVER!  

Needless to say, we spent several hours "unwinding" and after a little family bonding (opening our secret Santa gifts, taking pics, drinking & eating way too much), we spent the next 2 days zip lining through the rainforest, cruising the island via tender (thanks boat driver Bobby) jumping off every chance we got, eating, drinking, and soaking up everything St. Lucia had to offer!!

We bought the freshest bananas in the WORLD from a St. Lucian man on a surfboard, swam in water I never knew existed (clear, aqua blue amazingness), and although 90% of the of the crew could’ve stayed in St. Lucia for months, our Captain and first mate decided to wrap up the party and start the journey back to FTL :( 

Bye Bye Paradise

We stopped in the Virgin Islands a few days ago, and spent a day in St. Thomas clearing customs, shopping, and fraternizing with the locals (& some Cakewalk crew - love those guys!!) and got underway at 6am the next morning :(  

We've been at sea for 3 days now, and although it was sad to leave the Caribbean, it's been a comfortable crossing so far...and the closer I get to "home" the more excited I get.  Dougie and Linda are heading to the condo and will be in FL for the majority of Feb and Becca's back in FTL so I'll have some familiar faces to smooch (thank God)!  And although I never though I'd say this, the one thing I'm NOT looking forward to is turning on my cell phone (although talking without the 10 second delay will be quite a treat)...love you Erin, Mom, Becca, Lissy, and Jenna ;-)

So here I am...crossing the Atlantic in January of 2011, and for the first time in 26 years I find myself making a New Years resolution that doesn't involve change.  I'm nearly 3 months into this adventure and as time goes by I'm realizing that everything I said I'd do but didn't, I'm doing!  I'm traveling, meeting new people, taking HUGE steps outside my comfort zone, thinking before I speak, loving and appreciating my friends and family (just like they deserve), and as Dec 31st crept up and the New Years Resolutions started flowing, I was able to take a step back and look at my life...finally, FINALLY, I'm living my life the way it's meant to be lived.  Sure I could stand to lose a few lbs, and I should probably start making my bed on a regular basis, but when it comes to whats important - fulfilled promises to myself - I'm finally on track and I wouldn't change a thing. 


Well that's it for now...love you all & I'll be back in FTL by this time tomorrow :)


xoxoxo,
mE

Kokomo

The chart we'd been waiting 96 hours to pull out

LAND!!!!!!!

We made it!!!!!!  After 98 hours at sea, gail winds in excess of 44 mph, an unexpected Bahamas pit stop, minimal sleep, and 8 Dramamine tablets (that's my 'new' word...no one uses the word "pill" unless their referencing drugs, and not the legal kind) we made it to St. Maarten and Oh My God was this island a sight for sore eyes!  I’d been on watch since 2:45am but once the sun came up and I spotted land (mind you it takes about 2 hours to go 20 nautical miles and my 1^st land spotting was at 31km out) I couldn’t sit still and I DEFINITELY couldn’t sleep sooo I’ve been up for 23 hours so don’t mind me if this blog is a little “cracked out”.   So once we got within a mile radius I started recognizing my friends boats - Northern Star is here, Lady Sheridan (who was next to me at my 1st job Dayworking and was docked across from us in Atlantis), Mi Elise, among others and I got really excited!  Not only to see some familiar faces but to walk on LAND!  I just read an article about this 15-year-old South African who pulled into St. Maarten yesterday after 3 weeks at sea and my jaw about fell off my face – 21 days at sea, riding SOLO, kudos to her but she's gotta be out of her mind!  Anyway, after squeezing through the tightest bridge ever we pulled into Isle De Sol…a marina with over 50 sailboats and motor yachts (all our size or bigger).

St. Maarten- a picture can't do this island justice, pure beauty!

After we threw out the lines and docked up, the 1st thing I see is the crew bar and 10-20 yachties dressed in theme (wasn't ugly sweater, but a close 2nd) and I instantly felt at home :)   It's hard to describe this "community" but after witnessing it I can definitely understand the appeal of life at sea.  It's a carefree world with very little judgment...everyone is loves their "job" and is happy, healthy & down to have a good time.   Probably doesn't hurt that there's 100's of billions of dollars floating within a dock radius ;-)

Isle De sol

So my Captain's got us a crew car, and Nina, Zahraa and I have decided to dedicate tomorrow afternoon to touring the island and I'm definitely looking forward to that!   The owners and their guests come on board Wednesday so we won't have long to explore, but we're heading to St. Barts, Guadeloupe, Turks & Caicos, Barbuda, Antigua, and ending in St. Lucia where we'll be dropping them off (apparently St. Lucia is amazing so I'm excited to have time to play there).  As for the charter we we're hoping to get...caught wind today that Mi Elise picked up a charter for Jan 6-16 for 10 guests and I'm pretty sure that's the trip we were hoping to get (an extra 4K in each of our pockets) but se la vi, looks like we'll have more time to relax before heading back to FL :)

Well that's all I've got for now...23 hours up and I'm about ready to crash. 

xoxo,

mE