Hazards

I saw these barricades on the stairs a couple of weeks ago and I thought it was a little dramatic. This is because I think that calling something a life hazard seems to imply impending doom. Now that I think about it, it might be really nice if these warnings showed up more often. As I have an aversion to making mistakes, having a little help steering away from danger, risky decisions, and actions that have not been fully thought out would be quite nice. Well, you might say that if you never encountered a challenging situation, or made any mistakes you would not really be living. It seems as though the best learning situation comes from making a wrong turn; saying the wrong thing, giving too much or too little information in answering a question, giving the wrong impression, and the list goes on. I hate coming up short. It makes me feel unprepared, inadequate, and like I failed. The other thing is that when I make a mistake it opens me up for criticism, and the next worst thing to making a mistake is having someone else let you know that you made a mistake. It is kind of ridiculous as I am incredibly critical of other people and their work. So, I know that everyone makes mistakes and that is why we have systems in place to catch and correct them. One of the difficult parts of life is when you are criticized for something that doesn't seem like it warrants criticism. The number of friends I have shouldn't matter. Where I choose to eat my meals shouldn't matter. Just because I don't do things the way someone else expects them to be done doesn't warrant a criticism of my actions. I will never ever be able to make everyone happy, befriend everyone, and solve every problem. I know that, but it doesn't mean that it sits well with me. I want to be everywhere, helping everyone, and I wish I were more charismatic, more charming, more friendly, more self-confident, more, more, more. I'm not. I know I often hear people's mere comments and take them as criticism when they were not meant that way. I am aware that I often that things too personally. It is not an easy habit to kick. My parents have been urging me to build a thicker skin for years. It may be happening but a a glacial pace.

Maybe the criticisms are barricades, made to steer you in another direction, not to keep doing the same thing that you are used to doing. In the past week I have heard the following a few times "Isn't that the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result?" Perhaps we are there for one another to provide guidance and make sure we don't go insane. The challenging part comes with the presentation and the reception. It has to be done with love or it is doomed. The most well intentioned comment can ruin a relationship, someone's self-esteem, a mood and so much more if it is done from the wrong place. It hurts me to be wrong but often I can't be right without first being wrong. Also, I can't help other people be right if I myself have not gone through the process of correcting my own wrong.

There it is. I had a wonderful weekend full of laughter, tears, and memories (old and new). I hope that the week ahead is full of learning opportunities for me and for you.

With great love,

Marina

The Other Stuff

Since Giulietta was really the only thing that mattered I failed to tell you about all the other things that went on last week.

I finally got to give blood! I signed up last year as well but the lab never called me. Well, this year was different. I got pre-tested on Monday and then I got a call on Wednesday that they might need me but weren't sure. I had to leave my office to go to a staffing call so I let the lab know just in case they needed me. Five minutes later they came and found me. I was so happy to be able to give blood to a patient in need. I know Canadian Blood Services isn't going to want my blood for a long time so I had better contribute while I can. 

I also got to have my bi-annual dental hygiene appointment. My hygienist was a fellow Canadian! She was chatting to her assistant when she mentioned that her dad was a water diviner. I let it pass but when I had a chance to talk I asked her what it was. She was surprised I had never heard of one before. It is someone who can find water underground without digging for it. Apparently he had a gift, and because he knew as much, he never charged anyone for it. She also said they always had the most beautiful, clean water to drink. 

What else? Well I was washing my hands in the washroom and I looked out the window and saw this:

I guess they were working on the motor so they had the prop submerged in a big bucket of water. I am not sure why but I thought it was so funny, but I just couldn't get over it. That is why I went and got my phone to take a picture. You know what is not funny? That clear water! It is beautiful. 

That's about it. We had a long weekend on the the ship and we had a new On Boarding group arrive on Friday, complete with a new member of the HR department. That means that someone left to make space for him. I wasn't happy to see her leave but I am very happy she is getting to go home to see her friends, get her hair done, and eat chips and queso. Speaking of eating, while I was talking to my grandmother today she invited me over for lunch tomorrow since I had no other plans. I wish! If I left now I might be able to make it. Enjoy your Sunday (and what's left of your Saturday).

Check out this rainbow that I saw on Friday! I think there must be some gold in one of the shipping containers!

A Baby!

Ahhhh! I am an aunt.

My sister makes me laugh because she looks perfect in the picture above. Baby delivery is no big deal. What a champ.

I have become that crazy aunt that shows pictures to everyone whether they are interested or not. So here you go:

How cute is my dad? I mean, look how huge his hand is compared to his very first grand-baby! I love it so much, it makes me want to cry every time I look at it. I am restraining myself though because I do not want to be labelled as the crazy aunt that moved to Madagascar to live on a ship, that Giulietta won't be able to visit unsupervised (I might already have that label). Giulietta Anne, born on October 26, weighing 7lbs 3oz. Congratulations Sara and Gerry! Also, because I am crazy I googled her initials to see if they mean anything. Well Merriam-Webster tells me that gam has the following definitions:

1. slang leg

2. a visit or friendly conversation at sea or ashore especially between whalers

3. a school of whales

I can't wait to meet her (supervision or not).

Pickle Ball

Funny thing... this morning I was looking to see how the Blue Jays did on Friday and when I checked, the game was still going on! It was around 07:30 here so it made sense. I took a picture with my Jays hat on to show my support all the way from Madagascar and then when I refreshed the browser... it was done. Tough loss but a very exciting ride for them and the city of Toronto. I have no qualms about wearing my hat, even after the loss. Also, I am pretty sure that people in Madagascar don't care/ may be unaware of what the insignia represents.

Aside from that, I learned how to play pickle ball. A very strange name, but a fun game nonetheless. Apparently it is the fastest growing sport in America. I wonder when that claim was made and how long it held that title. It is played with a wiffle ball and paddles. The net is like a tennis net and the court is the same as badminton. What a combination! My serving was terrible but it was great fun. It didn't strike me until I was getting ready for bed but I was playing that game with people from six other countries: Australia, Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and the United States. We were rotating the four people on the court so everyone would get a chance to play, but I am awestruck. 8 people from 7 different countries; that is spectacular to me. Somedays I just can't imagine not being here. That is especially true when the sun shines all day, and I get to have so much fun because there are always people around to join in a game. I think the vitamin D did me some good today! I'd like to share the sun with people who don't have it.

Also, I was reading about Hurricane Patricia and am so grateful to hear that is has lost its power. It was suggested that since it was so strong it could have made landfall, crossed over to the gulf side, and picked up strength again. Thank goodness that didn't happen.

Happy Thanksgiving

On Monday many of the Canadians on board came together for our own Thanksgiving celebration. We had dessert and tested our knowledge with some trivia. For example: Which province is the largest producer of cranberries? British Columbia. What is the name for a baby turkey? Most people thought I was kidding when I told them the answer was poult. It sounds kind of made up so I don't blame them.

Today I was sitting on deck 8 in my hammock (best investment) and noticed something. Last week I had looked up and seen that the Maltese maritime flag was looking a little tattered and I thought it was a shame and a little disrepectful. Well, when I looked up this afternoon, I saw a brand new flag flapping in the wind. Add that to my list of things that just "appear" on the ship.

If you look hard enough can you see the cross sitting on top of the mast? Many people who have been on board for ages only notice it when it is pointed out to them. A nice reminder of why the ship is here, even if people don't always see it. 

Have a great weekend!

Bird's Eye View

This week has been a week of illness on the ship. According to the overhead announcement made on Friday over 10% of the crew are down with some sort of gastrointestinal issue (Ew. Where is the hand sanitizer?). Thankfully that hasn't hit me. I just got a regular old cold, and I am happy to deal with that. Apart from that, I finished my puzzle and now I am not sure what I am going to do with my spare time.

I suppose I could take part in one of the many organized activities that happen onboard. It is amazing to see the diversity of talents and interests that exist in such a small space. Last night was folk dancing, and I had a great view of the very cool formations that the group was making.

Tomorrow is Canadian thanksgiving and there will be a little celebration with the Canadians on board the ship. It is strange being away from home for celebrations like Thanksgiving. Just knowing my family will be in one place doing what they do every year, without me, was enough to make me homesick on Friday night. I think it is that and a few other things that are going on, that just happen to manifest itself as homesickness (or that is what I am blaming it on). 

Another wonderful tidbit (kind of like a timbit, oh sour cream glazed) is that today is the 35th wedding anniversary of my wonderful parents. 

Photo credit: http://jennaandtristan.com

That is a lot of years. They have been together more than they have been apart and I am proud of who they are as people, and parents. There I go being homesick again. That's it! No more sentimentality for today. 

Moments of Enlightenment

It has been a long couple of months. Yesterday night and this morning have been consumed with doing absolutely nothing productive. Nothing I was doing was contributing to making progress or getting things done. I was sitting and doing a puzzle that my mom had sent me for my birthday, all by myself.

As I was sitting there it dawned on me that someone else could look at me and think I was completely wasting my life working on this puzzle. I mean a puzzle really is an exercise in futility as you build it up only to tear it back down and put it away. It doesn't matter. I like doing puzzles because they occupy my mind, keep me calm, and because you can stop and start whenever you like. Well that last part isn't always true, especially when you have a dad like mine who thinks puzzles look messy and doesn't like them sitting around. I think that is one of the reasons I have said I would like a table solely dedicated to supporting a puzzle in progress at all times (this I how I rebel). All this to say, it got me thinking about how other people spend their free time and how critical I can be when I don't understand it. When I think it doesn't make sense or it is a waste of time (I my opinion) I get angry. That is silly. Everyone needs to decompress. Everyone needs their own time. It might be reading, watching tv or movies, exercising, browsing the Internet or a host of other activities. No matter what it is who am I to judge how someone else uses their time? This is just one of many things that have dawned on me in the last year. Perhaps I will call this the year of enlightenment.