Flashback Friday - Family Vacation continued

I think flashback Friday was an ingenius idea and it makes me happy to dust off the old blogs to be read by new eyes (and some old ones). Be sure to go visit ScaryMommy. Here is part 3 and 4 enjoy...

Part III
We are on the ship. I truly believe when I die, I want my heaven to be a cruise ship. They feed you everywhere you go, they have Duty Free shops where the booze is way inexpensive, they have jewelry shops, and they have designer handbags! Seriously, what more could a girl ask for?

I am sharing a room with my brothers, there is one bed by the window and then basically bunkbeds. I am not sure how I lucked out and ended up sleeping on the top bunk...what the hell, I should have totally pulled the oldest child card. But by the time we had gotten through check-in, I was ready to just lay down for a few minutes and the thought of fighting over who slept where was just too much for me. Also, I was a little worried about sleeping on the bottom bunk with Alex on the top bunk. As Alex stated, he would have a broken arm and I would be dead. Alex is not a little dude.

The cabins are tiny but we have a window and we are not sharing with our parents. So overall it's pretty awesome. Tomorrow we stop in Catalina for the day, then it's on to Mexico. Although we are only in Mexico for one day.

I have found that I am a little lonely on the cruise. There is so much I would love to experience with Jen and Kelsey and Christina and other good friends. My dad and brothers just don't understand my excitement over designer handbags and my mom just tells me I could get the same type purse much cheaper. The cruise also feels a little like high school. I am just not sure where I fit in yet.

Sorry, nothing too exciting happened today. For the most part it was uneventful but stressful. We did have a life-jacket drill, that was interesting and there are several people I better get off the boat before! Oh, and you should know that yes, ships are still sexist, the sick, women, and children all get off the ship first. I guess that's good for me...not so good for my dad and brothers.


Part IV
Nope, karaoke does not improve on a cruise ship. People still suck. But I am have a pretty good time. Right now Sam and I are sitting in one of the many bars aboard ship listening to bad singing. Soon we will leave to meet up with the rest of family for a comedy show at midnight. Sam and I are giggling like little school girls as we watch four very large Samoan men sing All 4 One's "I Swear". It is hilarious and one just started dancing!

So, Sam has officially won the "Who can make mom cry first?" prize Today we left the ship for a an excursion to Catalina. Catalina is a cool little place where everyone basically drives golf carts everywhere. Well, my family decided to rent one for an hour. Ok, cool...no, not so much. My mom kept trying to tell my dad where to go and was just stressing everyone out. Sam, who is riding shotgun, turns around to face my mom, who is riding in the middle seat (Alex and I are being nerds and are riding in the backseat facing backwards, try not to be jealous), and he says, "Mom, shut up! You are stressing us all out and you have no idea what you are talking about!" Maybe tomorrow Alex can make her cry.


As Kelsey (Sam's fiance) says, "It's only funny because it's not happening at my house."

Catalina is obviously a tourist attraction and their economy is completely supported by cruise ships passengers. But I like it. It has a quaint little feel to it and I totally am down with driving a golf cart everywhere. I would pimp mine out, spinners and everything! Did you know that here are bison on the island. They were brought over for a film of a Zane Grey book but did not actually make it into the movie and ever since there have been several hundred head of bison on the island. It's a cool little place.

I am totally digging the evening turndown service on the ship and I am no longer sleeping on the top bunk, Sam now has that privilege...if he asks I will tell him it is his prize for making mom cry. They come and fold down your comforter, place a mint on your pillow, and they fold a towel into some crazy sea creature! Sweetness.

The ship has really been rocking lately and I have come to the conclusion that anyone who is actually walking straight, is drunk off their ass. Because all the sober people are lurching back and forth. They like to take pictures wherever you go, even if you don't want your picture taken. Sam and Alex where each accosted by the pirate lady...ha ha.

Alright, I must go. I miss you all terribly. I no longer feel so lonely but I still wish someone else could appreciate the designer handbags as much as I do!