it's been forever!

Hey All,

I know that I have not updated this think in an eternity. I wonder if anyone still is following? Well if you are then here's the scoop:

Christmas is in 2 days and it doesn't feel like Christmas to me at all. Being here is very hard right now. I'm surrounded by palm trees and sunshine, but that's not Christmas. I should be surrounded by wool coats and family. That's Christmas. I wasn't in a position to really celebrate advent this year. There is only mass on board 2 times per year; Christmas Eve at midnight and then again on easter sunday.

I am really missing church and really missing my family. But I DID choose this experience and for the most part I am really enjoying living on a cruise ship in the middle of the caribbean, but this week and next week are challenging. I honestly can't wait for these 2 cruises to be over with. Sad to say, but truth.

We had our crew Christmas party Tuesday night up in the Sky Lounge on deck 14. I got dressed up and danced the night away with friends. That was really fun I eneded up dancning until 4am, at which time they then asked me to leave. Hahah.


I will write more and post a photo a bit later, time for me to go teach stretch class.

XOXO

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hello everyone!
Hope you all had a wonderful Thankagiving yesterday with many things to be thankful for. I'm so thankful for this opportunity that i took, it has changed my life. It is making me appreciate everything and everyone back home so much more.

I had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner last night in the Grand Epernay formal dining room with 5 7 other people from the following countries(it was their first thanksgiving) Israel, Spain, England, Scotland and Australia. I'm so blessed to have friends from just about every country in the world. It's going to make traveling so much more fun now that I have places to go and people to see. Not to mention experienced personal tour guides for all the places I want to see! So exciting. Last night will mark the first thanksgiving in my entire life that I didn't over eat! WOW!Shocking. I didn't even have desert...I had something better-the CHEESE PLATE. My relationship with cheese has really ignited since coming on board. I'm such a sucker for goat, feta, blue and brie. Oh man! (wedding bells-lol)

I do miss my family and friends...you all need to come see me. December/January look like fantastic times to cruise! C'mon! For all of the MHCC HT students...you NEED to take a feild trip to come and see me! NEED! In fact all of you who are reading this need to come and visit.

Business is beginning to pick up a bit and people are beginning to take their health more seriously. The more serious they are about their health the better i Do. Things have been going well the last 2 cruises...awesome really.


ok, enough for now. Love you

XOXO

So Sorry

Hi everyone, sorry it's been so long. Things have been busy busy. Shiplife is really the strangest thing I have ever sxperienced. Everything happens at warp speed you dont really even have time to think about what's really happening.

Hope everyone had a great Halloween. Halloween in the caribbean is WEIRD! There are no oranges, yellows or browns. Everything is well, tropical and SUMMER all year round. WEIRD. the halloween party for crew on the ship 2was out of control. but i couldnt really let my hair down because I had to teach the senior officer's bootcamp the next morning...those poor hurting people! they had it rough! fun times

Life is stil paradise. Missing you! NOT missing reality


xoxo

my life is really tough...REALLY

Hi ALl,

I know it has been a few weeks, but rest assured I'm alive-more alive than I have ever felt in my life! Today was my day off in Cozumel. I didn't know what to do with myself. I wanted to do something historical or touristy...well I have an "inside source" that phoned this morning advising me to be at the end of the pier no later than noon, and that I would be joining the shore excursion manager for a undisclosed experience...I will present evidence (see photos). As it turns out I was wrangled into an 8 passenger van,and whisked away to an all inclusive, all expenses paid trip to Passion Island! WOW. This place is so pristine, they even COMB THE BEACHES! Literally there's rake marks in the sand! It's so quiet. There's hammocks everywhere, the water is super blue, the food was incredible and the drinks were plentiful-not to mention free! When we arrived we were greeted by the cutest little aligator and a boat called the "twister" which of course we had to take a spin on! This boat is super fast and powerful they have to strap you into a 5 point harness! "Twister" comes from going superfast then cutting accross the water tossing your body through all sorts of g-forces. WOW! Then it was time to rest on the beach after such and exhausting experience! 2 tequilas later all was right in the world! Please see the photos.

Love you all

please send me mail at

TO: MICHELLE D'AMBROSIA
POSITION: SALON STAFF
SOLSTICE
PO BOX 019929 (USA)
MIAMI, FL 33101-9929

still dreaming

Hello everyone!!

Hope all is well. Things are amazing here in paradise. Yes, I still think I am dreaming. I have been smitten by life onboard and off the ship!

I had an acupuncture treatment done yesterday for colon detox…what a relief that can be!! Chirstine, one of our acupuncturists is amazing! She can tell me my whole life story as far as my body is concerned through my pulse! Wow-was that scary.

The money this cruise has not been that great, and the gym has been really slow. No one even came to any of our classes today, so it was really boring.

I managed to sneak into port for a bit to enjoy some salsa and free internet. When I went to tip my waiter for the awesome salsa and the really stale chips-I thought I had put down $3, but when I got back to the ship I realized that I was missing a $20 bill. I think I may have left him a $23 tip! OMG! I am trying to save my money for Costa Maya tomorrow so I can go visit the Mayan Ruins! Oh well, if losing 20 bucks is the worst thing that ever happens to me I’m doing well for myself.

For those of you wishing to come visit the princess in her palace ( that means me on my ship) I would suggest booking for October or sometime in March. I know how much one side of my family enjoys brunch cruises-just think, brunch 7 days in a row!!! How cool would that be?

We are getting a new spa manager next week, and I am a bit worried she won’t be as amazing as the one we have now, but I’m doing my best to be optimistic-after all that’s my new outlook on life. What’s there not to be positive about? EXACTLY!

Miss you, love you

Xoxo

updates

Hi all,

Just wanted to let everyone know that I had the day off in St. Thomas. Nice place. Very Caribbean. Very expensive, and very old. I had to pay to use a public beach. I got to lay in the sun with my friend Jani from South Africa. We had lunch at a place called thebarefoot buddah. It was really good and very relaxing.

Last night we were in San Juan. We of course, partied at Senior Frogs! Oh good times. My dinner consisted of Tequila shots and popcorn! Awesome combo. We had a boat drill this morning and that was a pain in the ass, but obviously necessary! Now I know how to evac when we sink-awesome.

Life is still good. Life is still a fantasy. The gmy will be slow tomorrow so I will probably end up get a pedicure and an acupuncture treatment. In addition to visiting St. Maarten for a couple of hours. My goodness. life is rough.

Miss you love you

xoxo

it's alive

So I have heard that my blog has been removed? Hmm....well it's still here on my end. Sp here we go...
We just left Cozumel today-I had the day off and got to run around. I didn't do too much though because I'm battling a chest infection so I wasn't my typical tourist self. Instead of swimming with Dolphins and what not, I spent my time at the super market trying to teach myself Spanish, so I could purchase laundry soap, lotion, shampoo and tampons. It was quite the ordeal. The market I was in was Mexico's version of walmart...(is that an oxymoron?) So you can imagine my horror!

Then I killed a couple of hours at this place for ship crew only called No Name Bar with Ernesto (our plastic surgeon), and a couple of gals from massage. I made friends with the acupunturist, Christine yesterday-she gave me a treatment....it wasi interesting. I have a pedicure with Tandy on thursday in exchange for some training. Tomorrow I get to start my day by stretching and teaching pilates with an ocean view and the sun on my face. oh my, life is rough.

The Dr. onboard gave me some medicine for my cold. No co-pay, no fees for drugs...but I'm shellingout 10 cents per minute for the damn internet, now does that make sense?

Lastnight the crew bar hosted a wine and cheese party. My partner in crime, Tinder (the other fitness instructor) bought us of abottle of Kendall Jackson Pinot Noir...there's no place like home. lol. Then things got all sorts of crazy down at Fuse (the crew dance club on the bottom deck). Had a blast down there til 3 or so in the morning. thank God for the time change and I got an extra hour of sleep! Plus i had the day off. that was cool.

hope all of you can see this.

XOXO

New Home!!

Hey all,

My new home is Celebrity Soltice. It looks as though I will be cruising mostly in the Caribbean and South America. In may the ship goes across the Atlantic to go to Europe! It's exciting, but emotional. I made a lot of really close friends here. Some of them left this morning and that was really hard. I don't feel ready at all. there's so much more that I have left to learn. I got sent to my ship early...they think I'm really good, but inside I'm terrified. I'm slightly disappointed that I'm not going to Europe, but the Caribbean will be nice as well. I will update soon. I fly into Miami tomorrow!

XOXO

http://cruises.ian.com/shipdetail.do?tab=ship&c=11&v=579&i=&d=null&d2=null&includealumnirates=&includeseniorrates=&dsc=&state=&zipcode=

Day 8

Well, I have made it through a full 8 days of training! It has been brought to my attention that some people will be given early ship assignments. I my class of 35 people I have SO Far been the only one to receive 100% on both my entrance exam, and my Body Composition Analysis exam. I don't know if that means that I have fast tracked myself to a ship, but I will remain positive.

I am trying to be positive about everything around me. That is a very challenging thing for me to do, but I came here to change my life and improve myself. I want to succeed so badly. I didn't know that the human mind could absorb so much at one time. It's truly amazing. I am NOT only learning about detox, fitness, public speaking, and Tai Chi, I'm also learning about different cultures and how to navigate a public transportation system, as well as how to survive eating slop twice a day. But, it's NOT bad slop-I mean that it hasn't made me sick yet! There was a maggot spotting in the breakfast bar this morning....

XOXO night night

updates...

training is very busy. Non stop really. We have school day and night. It's tough but I can't tell you how much I'm learning. Never in my life have i learned so much. It's amazing what the mind can absorb when it has nothing else to distract it. I don't have to worry about anything except for learning and being assessed. No work, no distractions, no facebook, no phone, no healthy food, nothing. I'm loving this. It's almost euphoric.

The food here is so interesting, but not as interesting as the people serving it. It's almost as if I am NOT speaking English. It's just plain interesting. Anyways...tomorrow I have to go to the Steiner Academy in Bushy. It's assessment day. If we don't get right the first time, we get a warning. if we get 3 warnings we are sent home. scary stuff!

I'm surrounded by so many different accents, it's hard not to pick them up and start talking like them! It's fun though. My roommate Julianne is from Canada, she's awesome. We make an awesome study team. Everyone here is pretty focused for the most part.

There are several different job specialties here at Steiner: Beauty therapy, massage therapy, nail techs, and fitness. From everyone I have talked to, they have said that fitness is by far the most challenging and that we have it the hardest; from the schooling and the schedule to the food, they say that fitness is tough. I'm still waiting.

xoxo

PS if you are reading this blog, please post a comment. If no one is reading this, I can't afford to keep up dating it. I just don't have time. Please comment, thank

Training...

Training has been so interesting! Im learning so much. There's so much studying to be done, it's a bit overwhelming. I'm enjoying it though. I have found some really good peanut butter over here, so I have been enjoying the food a bit more lol.

I miss everyone and wish I could talk to you, but my phone was put to death this morning. I love and miss all of you. I'm too busy to give too many details right now, but when I have a spare moment i will! The weather is cloudy and about 60 degrees

xoxo

loveing London

Hi All,

I'm here at the YMCA...In Watford, England. This place isn't the cleanest Hostel I have ever stayed in, but for now this is my home. The bathrooms are smelly, the food is nothing like I'm used to (these people put gravy and mayonaise all over EVERYTHING-and look at me like i'm crazy because I don't put sauce on top of the grease they serve me), the place is noisy (2hours of sleep-ish), but the people are AMAZING!

I spent the whole day in downtown London. I got the see Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, rode the tube, went to Westminster Abby, (ate peanut butter :), saw the Hard Rock Cafe, and went to the Camdon market-bought a handbag.

I can't even believe that I'm the only American here! I'm meeting a lot of people from down under, Spain, South Africa, and Portugal. I can't believe my life. I also met another trainer from Brazil-Theo. He's Catholic. Since I don't sleep I plan on going to Mass tomorrow at 8am, workout at 9am, then breakfast (not too good), then I will study with Theo and some other trainers.

It's so easy to make friends here. Everyone is in the same situation. My roommates are in "beauty therapy" and massage therapy. There's 4 of us in one room. It's...interesting. It's loud. But it's fun. These people are so amazing. The only thing I don't LOVE is the lack of sleep and the food. Those 2 are easily overcome.

Lots of love!

XOXO

good bye house....

Tonight is my last night at 689 SE Myrtlewood Place. This could be the last time I EVER sleep here. I remember the first night I spent the night in this room... I was 18, it was really hot out, there was no water or electricity yet and I slept on the floor.

I was alone, just as I am now. Thinking of possibilities and the life I had before me...6 years ago to the day I had the same emotions: I am leaving my comfort zone for opportunity and for a big "hell yeah, I did this" experience.

i don't know how to let go. I don't know if i want to let go, but at this point it's inevitable. Plane ticket in hand, training commitment has been signed, suitcase has been packed...this is really going to happen. I can't back out now. Nor do I want to. I can't explain how much I am going to miss my sissy, mommy, daddy, and friends. I NEED to know what it's like to miss what's most important. I NEED to appreciate the life that I'm leaving in Oregon. I don't appreciate it now. I want to though.
What if I fail? What if I crash and burn? Charissa once told me that life is too short for what if's and my grandma and Julie once told me that no matter what happens or what I choose, I am loved and will always be welcomed home with open arms.
My life is good, my life is cool, and my life is dynamic. I will see the places I want to see and I have the experiences I want to have. This is going to be what I make of it. Good or bad. I want to choose good.

Fr. Zach's homily was so appropriate today: The treasures we can take to Heaven: (what I should pack in my suitcase was my interpretation) take the things that put God in your life, not drive him away.
XOXO

In 6 more days...

I will no longer reside in the USA
I will be diving head first into the unknown
I will surrender the control that has held me prisoner for the past 5 years
I will be on a plane that is taking me to my future at 600miles per hour
I will be staring the greatest adventure my life will ever know directly in the face
I will be leaving the most important, supportive, loving people I know to chase a dream
I will put my faith in God and pray for an amazing experience.

As for tonight, I will welcome sleep, but just ate a whole pile of chocolate, so we'll see just how close I get.

XOXO

I would be nothing without my family

I have realized just how blessed I am to have the amazing family that I have. The support and prayers that I have received is astonishing. I have very few days left here in Oregon, and I feel like I'm making the most of them by surrounding myself with so much positivity.

I am learning new things everyday: If you wrap your mind around the positive, it will be so, if you wrap your mind around the negative, it will be so. I have to remain positive AND optimistic about each step I take in this journey.

I have realized that I am way behind in my Pilates and Yoga/Stretching prep, so the next week and a half wil not only be busy packing, but, well stretching also.

Couch and nightstand have gone to good homes...Just in case you wondered. I didn't plan on having the carpet shampooed until my bottle of Canadian Ice Wine jumped off the rack and splattered this red syrup EVERYWHERE! Oh well, what's one more expense? LOL.

love you and thank you!

getting closer

So I have 20 days left before I go. I feel like this isn't really happening. I have taken all the photos off my walls, taken the majority of my material belongings to the Goodwill (but I still have a couch for sale!!!), and have been making it a priority to spend time with people who mean the most to me. Even people I have not spoken to in years or seen in forever. Something inside of me says "this person help make you who you are."

I have been googling photos of ships, studying for my entrance exam, and working really hard in the gym, so hopefully training won't be too physically demanding. Tired.

XOXO

Tonight, Tonight

Tonight my amazing friends and some extra special people are throwing me a bash at the Edgefield (my fav place) I'm really excited!!!!

Reality started to kick in today when I called the utility companies and had set an official date to have all power, gas, cable, and water removed from my home as of August 5th. Surreal Much!

All I can say is that if nothing else, this experience I'm about to have is going to help me give up a little CONTROL. Those of you who know me well know that I need this. I have learned in the past 2 days that when you try to control the hell out of something the outcome is usually adverse.

As my sister Jenn always says: "Just be a duck, let it all roll off you (greasy ass) feathers." She is one of the wisest, supportive people I know. If I had to narrow down one role model, she would be it.

It's hotter than blazes in here, and I think the computer is contributing. Tomorrow is Train live at Maryhill...I will let you know, so you can be jealous!\

XOXO

Boxes...

It's started-the official packing of the material possessions I have decided to pack-rat and store away for later. This is going to be a lot of work. If any of you have moved recently, and have extra boxes, would you be willing to send them my way? I would really appreciate it.

I don't think the fact that I will only be working 2 hours a week for the next 3.5 weeks has really set in. I pray that I make the most of this time and spend it with those who I treasure the most. Tomorrow when I show up to teach class and I no longer have the dreaded split shit-I think the reality check will be a welcomed notion.

Thanks for following!

XOXO

32 more days...

Hi All!
So I'm new to this whole blogging thing, but I promised my family, friends, and clients I would do something "blog like" so they can keep up with my adventure while I'm gone. I will be gone for about 10 months; yes, that includes Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Easter, birthdays, and yes Katie Jane that includes Halloween. (sorry about that one).

I will be on a floating palace somewhere in the world-I won't know until I complete my training bootcamp in the UK in September. Once I find out where in the world I will be touring I will be sure to put a post on my new BLOG!

As for now, I am making several trips to the Goodwill trying to unclutter my life and start anew. my house is rent, my furniture is for sale, and my suitcase is rapidly filling (why must I be a packrat?) HMMM... I think that trait was inherited.

Post soon,

Michelle