The day after I returned from Halifax, I headed off to camp. This summer was my 15th summer at Centauri and it was the camp's 15th anniversary. There's three of us - myself, Jordi and JM - who were all campers the first year the camp opened and have returned each summer until now, when we are all arts program directors. In the spring, the camp held a 15 hour performance marathon with staff members, past and present, to raise money to build a school in on the India/Nepal border. And all summer long we worked to continue to make camp [View Full Entry]

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My last day in Halifax . . . This morning I checked out of the hostel, returned the rental car and went for one last walk along the waterfront. My friend Tyler, who I visited with earlier in the week, tour guides aboard "Theodore Two" based on the children's cartoon. It's a tugboat with a cartoon face on it and it is a popular tour for families. I stopped in at the gift shop to see if he was there and he was! We chatted for a little bit and then I got an invite to join Tyler and Captain Dave [View Full Entry]

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Today I decided to venture beyond Halifax and see a bit more of Nova Scotia. I rented a car and headed out from the city. First destination: Peggy's Cove. I'm not sure why I felt drawn to go there. But just the name of the place is one I know I've known since I was a kid, so it seemed like a good place to start. The rural highway was pretty quiet, yet when I reached Peggy's Cove, suddenly I discovered a couple hundred other people also coming out to see the village! I spent about an hour just wandering through [View Full Entry]

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Although I am on vacation, I needed to take some time to get some work done. So I spent much of today at the hostel working away at choreography for camp - which is only days away! It was good. I felt productive but relaxed. I met Alycia for a late lunch, then went back to finish up plans for a ballet piece. Then after dinner we met up to go on a Keith's Brewery tour. We were guided by characters from the past who told us all about Mr. Keith and how he makes his brew. We were shown around [View Full Entry]

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I've been having a great time here. Lots of time with Alycia. Too much fun at the bar with Alycia! Yesterday she drove me around the city to see spots too far to walk. We visited Pier 21 and did the tour there. Then last night I met up with Tyler, who used to work at camp with me, and we had dinner and a nice visit. It's all been so good. Today the Triumph is in Halifax. I wanted to stay on that ship! I want to be cruising on it now! I felt pretty emotional just being by the [View Full Entry]

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I had a good long (though frequently interrupted by others in the dorm) sleep. Took a slow morning, reading, having breakfast, before leaving the hostel. I walked pretty much non-stop until the evening. With my tourist magazine in hand, I did the walking tour of Historical Halifax, then took the ferry across the Harbour to Dartmouth for another walk there. My feet are heavy and aching but I am so relaxed and content. One of my first explorations was in the Public Gardens. It was beautiful, serene. I passed elderly couples strolling, families pushing strollers, a large family reunion [View Full Entry]

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I am in Halifax. I'm taking a vacation. I've only just arrived, checked in, walked briefly, had some dinner. I sat down for dinner at a waterfront restaurant. And already I loved it. It seems a bit crazy that I've only just come home after most of the year away and already I'm off again. But this is different. I'm not working. I have nothing to do but explore and visit and enjoy. And it's so good for me. It's what I really need. There is a thick mist, a fog, hanging over the entire city. Flying in it was actually [View Full Entry]

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It has been a crazy few weeks! Three weeks ago (three weeks already?) I signed off the Destiny and flew to Toronto. Riding in the cab on the way to my friend's apartment, I honestly cried. I couldn't believe that I was home, the contract was over . . . and when I did believe it, I just felt relief. Work on the ship had come to an end, but I was actually returning to Canada to immediately start work! I had two days in Toronto to get myself organized and get a bit of quick visiting in with some friends. [View Full Entry]

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I am sitting in the airport waiting to go home. And I can't believe that I am actually off the ship and finished my contract. But it was nice final cruise. Greg, my replacement director, is awesome and so much fun. So even when I was working, it was a good time. I made myself get off the ship in each port, but the weather was really not cooperating. In Grand Turk, I went with Ana and Alycia to a bar along the beach that for the most part only crew members go to. We just used the internet and I'd [View Full Entry]

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At long last, this contract that for me has felt a lifetime long, is reaching it's end. I only have one cruise left! Today also is a day that friend leaves . . . Ivana is being transferred to another ship - but seeing as she'll be spending the rest of her contract in Alaska and Hawaii, we have a hard time feeling sorry for her! We did however, ensure that we still sent her off right. Last night we had typical celebrations in the crew bar. Then today, Alycia, Ana and I went out for a nice lunch with Ivana [View Full Entry]

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