So for a long time I thought about what I would write for this premier blog and I thought about how I could really capture the total essence of “my culture”. The more I thought about it the more abstract and confusing my thoughts became. I saw my culture as a black woman, I saw my culture as a student, I saw my culture as a community worker, a youth advocate, a global citizen, a entrepreneur, a young person etc etc. I listed and listed and did not see an end in sight. Each time my pen hit paper and i [View Full Entry]

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Final day in Barbados. I've spent so many fraustrating days here in Barbados during my time on the Destiny. It's been nice the final few weeks to just be able to enjoy the island. Life on the ship is busy. Doing my handover with my replacement. Socializing with friends while I still can. Packing in every moment still possible with Jody. Plus there are all of these safety inspections happening this week which means extra drills and training and meetings and things. All this leaves little time for rest. But I'm determined to still get out this week for some final [View Full Entry]

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hey everyone! WOW this is long long long overdue.. I actually dont know where to start its been so long! and Im sorry for that but there has been a lot going on here on the GEM, and keeping up with emails, and facebook its hard to keep in touch with everyone and everything sometimes! SO lots has happened over the last little while...My mom and friends came onboard, and we all had a great time. WHile they were here I got to do something I HAVE ALWAYS wanted to do and that was swim with the dolphins...it was amazing, I [View Full Entry]

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Even though my teen count this week is the lowest it’s been since I signed onto the Destiny, I had three sign up for the tour! This week’s adventure: the Carlisle Bay Shipwreck Snorkel tour. It was stellar. I’ve done plenty of snorkel tours, but none of them even fall into the same category as this one. Absolutely awesome. What was mind-boggling to me however, was where this stellar snorkeling experience was located - only a 5 minute boatride from the ship. Most times we’re in Barbados, myself and other crew go to the Boatyard beach club. Just down the shore [View Full Entry]

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Apparently one tour wasn’t enough for me today, because after going on the snorkeling tour with my teens, I went back to the ship, showered, ate and left again. This time, I went out with Logan and Allison and we headed to The Malibu Rum Distillery and Beach Club. To our surprise, the distillery was likely within a decent walking distance from the ship, just in the opposite direction from where we usually go. We got there, flashed our crew IDs and were given free tour passes, a free drink and free beach access. Moments like that, we love being crew [View Full Entry]

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Monday we were in St. Thomas, where Terri & I are doing our scuba dive certification course. While we started it a month ago, our studies have been on a bit of a hiatus. Between my medical disembarkation, immigration issues I had after returning to the ship, both Terri & I being on port manning duty and all sorts of other things, we haven't been able to get back out there. But Monday, we got in the open air taxi and headed across the island to Coki Beach for our first confined water dive. Except, when we got there, we learned [View Full Entry]

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Yesterday was a good day. After my explorations of Roseau, I went back on the ship and called home. Alexis & Kevin hosted everyone yesterday. I got to talk to Alexis & Mel & Lee & Mom. It was so good to talk to them all, hear their voices. I got emails from Brooks, Mich, Kristin, Kristi, Aunt Renee. I feel the love from home. Thanks. Dinner in the mess was really good for once! Roast turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, breaded shrimp, even wine! It’s not mom’s homemade meal, but for the ship’s mess, it was great. I went around [View Full Entry]

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One of my really good friends from my last contract on the Legend was Ben, the fitness instructor, from Australia. Like so many friendships made on the ships, when we said goodbye it was so sad not knowing when, if ever, we’ll see each other again when we live scattered all over the globe. Another guy I hung out with a lot on the Legend, Darnell, is here with me on the Destiny too. It’s been nice to have a familiar face and friend here. A couple weeks ago, Ben was transferred to a new ship and we discovered that our [View Full Entry]

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I know the blog has been pretty quiet this week. Last Sunday I was getting things all organized to write about a wonderful rendez-vous with a friend from Keating (the lovely Sandra Perdeaux) in San Juan and I was getting the ship's address for you and I was going to post everything Monday. But then drama hit. Monday I was in ridiculous pain. Abdominal pain so bad I couldn't walk without pain. I stopped in the infirmary but the nurse didn't have any suggestions besides continue taking my ibuprofen and come see the doctor later that night. So I got off [View Full Entry]

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Our final port of call and southern-most stop was in Bridgetown, Barbados. An independent Caribbean island nation, Barbados gained it's independence from Britain but still retains much of it's British charm. This island is best known for it's white sandy beaches, rums, and for being a playground for the wealthy especially along it's western coast. Our excursion that we chose for the day was a coastal cruise in a five-star catamaran with the opportunity to swim and snorkel with sea turtles. Since our excursion didn't begin until 9:30, we took full advantage of the chance to sleep in this [View Full Entry]

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