It's about time, RIGHT?

Alright so before you all wonder why it has taken me THIS long to update...allow to explain that my life has been utter chaos for the past month and a half since I got on the ship. We had a 5 week rehearsal/installation process from hell where I literally rehearsed from morning until night, while battling being sick, adjusting to ship life, and trying to squeeze in "Ashley time" all at once. Now before you shake your head and "oye vey" (mom), I must tell you that this past week has been MUCH more like it. We have finally opened all five of our shows, including a full length musical that is my favorite...'Romance Romance' which is a 2 person show starring yours truly and Ryan, one of our guy singers who is awesomely talented...so needless to say having 5 shows in the brain and putting them up back to back, all the while working under a WHOLE lot of unorganization is NOT paradise aboard a luxury vessel.

It was great to have my parents onboard December 7-14, although I wish I could have spent more time relaxing with them instead of eating, breathing, and sleeping our shows. I honestly have never worked harder in my life.

NOW...onto the good stuff. This past week has been pretty great because we actually have free time to do whatever during the day. We were in Costa Rica over Christmas and I had the best time doing the canopy tour, in which I ziplined through the jungle!! I have some great pictures for those of you who need to see it to believe it, which I will post when I get to LA with a faster internet connection. Yesterday in Cabo, I went WHALE WATCHING!! When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a marine biologist because I was obsessed with dolphins and whales...well, that didn't so much work out, but it was one of the most exciting things I have ever done. In Huatulco Mexico, a bunch of us rented jet skis and I drove one! Most of the ports we have been to so far have not been all that exciting, thank goodness we are done with rehearsals before we travel to Hawaii, Tahiti, Bora Bora, Australia, NZ, and Asia.....I will definitely be better about keeping you posted.

The ship is very nice and there are lots and lots of rich, old people. Now I have met some lovely people and had some great dinners and learned lots of interesting things. I have also met a lot of really tacky folk who are money obsessed and just plain weird. I would say 70% of the people are too loaded for their own good and I have learned so much so far just about keeping morals and values straight...money is so not what it is cracked up to be.

I have my own room which is wonderful. Yes, it's small...but as long as I have room for my shoes, bags, and dresses, I can survive!! Our cast is getting along well, although cliques are inevitable sometimes. I LOVE having Mike Navarro here (one of my best friends from college) who literally got the job the day before rehearsals started because one of our male dancers got hurt...so I recommended Mike and he was hired! We are having a blast.

Performing the shows is always fun...my favorite is of course the musical, which is getting an awesome response.

My phone is very unpredictable so the best way to get in touch is through email (abf@ashleyblakefisher.com) or leaving me messages though here.

I wish everyone a healthy, happy 2008! I miss all my friends and family so much, and I think about you all everyday! I miss everything about Disney, especially my wonderful Garden View family and of course my Main Street family. Please drop me a line to let me know how you guys are doing.

Love you all and will updating and adding more pictures from around the world to come!

xoxoxoxo,
Ashley

---

---