Today was a stormy day.

I woke up to the steady pit patter of rain and the soothing rumble of thunder in the distance. God knows what I would have given to stay in bed. But I couldn't. Despite waking up earlier today, I still arrived on the ship around the same time I did yesterday. This was because I had to wait on people to get ready to leave the house. Mercifully, we had toothpaste this time.

Of course I had a swiss cheese sandwich for breakfast.

But I could only finish half, and a few hurried sips of coffee because I had to rush to my shift.  We met in the book ex first and then proceeded to the book hold. Today I committed myself to pricing every single Collins Dictionary 3rd edition I could get my hands on - a task that took me all morning and the rest of my shift in the evening (and still wasn't finished by the time all was said and done). I was by myself, so nothing really exciting happened. I listened to my iPod from time to time and worked steadily while the others did lord knows what.

I ate way too much for lunch.

Do you even need to ask? Swiss cheese sandwich was the first thing on my plate. Other contenders included rice and beans and beef, potatoes covered in melted cheese, and 3 glasses of (peach?) juice.  Lunch was filling. I enjoyed it. Thank God I get so much exercise in the hold.

I was way too tired and lethargic this afternoon, to the point of almost falling unconscious. Nevertheless, I made it through the meeting and afterwards had a peanut butter and strawberry jam sandwich (and a nip of cheesecake) to reboost my energy. By the way, book hold crew finished early today so I had a couple drinks with a new coworker up in the dining room before the meeting. She's very nice.

Overall rating on today - 8/10. I have to admit, I was kinda tired. Still am. I love my job though :)

Oh, and Dad and Mom came for me today :) . Hopefully I can get a ride again tomorrow.

~*Elven*~

Today work started at 9.

But before I get to the part where I actually arrive on the ship (8:42 by the way), I thought I'd mention that I was woken half an hour before I had set my alarm, by my father who felt it was best that I get up at that time. Needless to say, I lost out on that precious extra half hour of sleep. It was a hectic time getting ready. I was told that we would be leaving the house within 15 minutes of my awakening. Serious haste followed.  Good news - I managed to get ready within a reasonable amount of time. Bad news - the dog came in the house and ran off with the toothpaste...so I had to brush my teeth with soap. Yes soap. On my first day. Irish Spring anyone? Anyhoo, having been woken at the absurd hour of 7:30, the first order of business upon arrival at the ship was to secure a huge cup of coffee, which I managed to down before the start of my shift.  I thank God for that cup of coffee - Lord knows what would have happened to me without it. Even with my caffeinated system I still felt tired around after lunch. But let us not get there yet. Where was I? Oh yes, the start of the shift.

I worked in the book hold.

First, we had to go up to the book exhibition area before being guided to the book hold two decks below. It was here that I first lay eyes on something I am sure I will not likely be cured from anytime soon. But I will go no further on that subject. Not now anyway.  Book hold was an awesome experience - today I met and worked with people from South Africa, Austria, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Brazil and Ireland. I had two fellow Vincentians working with me as well. We started out with inventory - making sure certain numbers of certain books where picked from the shelves and transported up the lift to the book exhibition so that the shelves would be properly stocked.  After that, my two companions and I promptly began pricing what must have been about 600 books (all same title). 500 units. Each. I tell you, I shall never look at Cakes and Bakes the same way again. But it was fun. And time went by so quickly. Next thing we knew, it was lunch time...

4 words - I love Swiss Cheese.

Lunch was the shot. Heaven to the hungry tummy that was mine. I took 2 swiss cheese sandwhiches, rice and beef and a five-finger fruit for show. Strawberry juice as usual.  It was so satisfying. Pleasant chat  continued throughout the lunch break and I got to hear tales from the Galley, Hotel Services and Exhibition departments. Seems everyone loves their job. I know I love mine! I'm the pricing-gun version of those guys from Wanted. My friend Jo had an awesome time peeling carrots in the galley - by the end of the day I'm sure she would have never seen so many carrots in her life. Or broccoli for that matter, hehe. Anyway lunch was lovely. By the end of half an hour, I was eager to get back to work - even though we had an hour alotted for lunch. So me and my two coworkers hung about in the lounge with a couple other people, waiting to resume or shift. I took the time out to read some more of Pride and Predjudice; I'm at the part where Mr. Collins is about to visit the Bennets for the first time :). But I only got 10 mins - the latter half of the hour flew by so quickly it was unbelievable.

Can someone say cd's?

Now I KNOW I have never seen so many cd's in my life as I have seen just this afternoon alone.  The rest of my shift was spent stocking and organizing cd's left, right and centre.  At times it was quite hazardous, believe you me. But it was loads of fun. And by the time 3 o'clock arrived for the meeting, I wasn't even ready to call it a day. I can't wait to go back tomorrow :).

Meeeeeting!

Yea. 1 and a half hour meeting. We basically watched a video of the ship's history, got quizzed on it and had Q & A time. Those of us who worked from 9 were finished for the day after the meeting...while the night shift people left to begin their duties. After the meeting was a quick stop by the dining area for bread and jam and coffee, then it was hometime. Tomorrow I plan to get there early and have breakfast :). I'm so excited about Day 3. I hope I'm in book hold again :)

Oh yea, and I had to walk in the rain to catch a bus to go home, but that's besides the point. The point is my day rocked.


~*Elven*~

Well well *takes a look at the date of the last post*, definitely been more than a couple of months then huh. Almost a whole year. Anyway, what can I say, busyness is as busyness does and I simply do not enjoy the time I once had for devoting to blogging and other such pursuits. Suffice it to say I'm going to start writing (again), so why not start here? Besides, it is my intention to blog about my second volunteer experience aboard the Logos Hope so that it is recorded at least somewhere. 

Unknown to most Trivians, but well known among those who actually know me, my favourite person in the world (in the form of my eldest cousin) has left to reside in New York while his father is stationed at work there. This means my aunt and his sister left as well. I'm close to them all, but that cousin the most. I said goodbye to them Sunday, the ship came in on Monday and I resume work tomorrow. It's volunteer work, so no $$$ associated. It's a Missions ship so there are many fellow christians from various corners of the earth to interact with. I know I'm stoked about getting to do this again - last  time was in 2006 and it was a blast. I'm so relieved as well that this is going to be occupying my time that would have otherwise been spent in grief for at least a week solid. I'm working for 2 weeks :).

Orientation was today at 2.

We basically got the 411 on everything a volunteer is supposed to be aware of - various places on which decks, restricted areas, warning signals, emergency contacts, etc etc etc.  We also got a brief tour of the ship - which is twice the size of the previous ship and a lot more developed I should say (notes to self that the cookies served today at orientation were the best I've tasted in months).  The people are friendly enough and the environment is definitely exciting. As soon as I stepped on the ship I felt as if I was in a different country - like I was no longer on the island. It was amazing.  One of my best friends, who will also be volunteering, concurred. It's such a shame we will not be working in the same departments - she will be in galley and I will be in book hold. Our shifts are both from 9 - 4:30 so we plan to at least see each other during the lunch hour. The shifts were randomly assigned by the way - which some people are rather disgruntled about. I, personally am quite pleased to be in book hold - I liked working there last time.

Anyway (still tasting coffee from dining room earlier) Orientation was great and I'm excited about starting tomorrow. Lord knows I need the distraction plus I've been feeling a bit unproductive lately. (I must remember to carry my camera tomorrow).

In other news, hopefully I can get around to finishing my book - or at least two more chapters by the end of the summer. I've hit the blockest of writer's block and I've been dying for inspiration. Or maybe it's already there but everything's in my head and I can't quite yet figure out how to transfer that onto paper. The clock is ticking...tick tick tick. Maybe I'll squeeze out a page or two this evening - if I'm not reading Pride and Predjudice that is. (Jane Austen is my personal emolient during depressing times).

In other other news, maybe I'll try and be a better Trivian...I've been seriously lacking for at least the past couple of years. Sigh. I miss the good old days. Is it just me or are things not quite the same?

Anyway, I'm all blogged out for now. I think I've done quite nicely for first-time-in-a-long-time post. Others will follow, more specifically Day 2 tmw. Look for it.


~*Elven*~

I cannot believe how long it has been since I last posted. I swore I was going to get back to my blogging and yet look at what's happened! I am positively ashamed of myself; hopefully this time I will definitely make a greater effort and not disappear for two months again! lol. But really, I have been VERY busy lately with college and have hardly had enough time for sleep, much less to blogging.  Thank God for Fall Break. This afternoon I'm gonna head out of town to visit some friends and hopefully have a less stressful weekend.  I know I promised to update in my last blog, but haven't done so. So I thought I'd post the intro to that story I was talking about. As to the book I'm working on....oy vey...I've managed to add a couple more pages but still stuck on chapter 3....I HAVE developed my plot further though, so once I get enough time set aside, I will be able to dish out a couple more chapters with ease. Anyway, here's the intro to my other story, tell me what you think!

 

   The two figures lay silently in the cool shades of the majestic pine tree, as the first feeble rays of dawn crept slowly along the grounds, spreading their soft golden hues upon whatever they fell upon like the Midas touch.  Soon, the air would be filled with the melodious sound of the early birds jubilantly greeting the coming of yet another morning, but not just yet.  For the figures underneath the tree, the silence was still their own.   A few more precious moments of quietude to dwell on nothing but each other, to say everything they meant and felt without a single word escaping their lips.  For just a few more moments, they lay still, her head buried in his chest as he held her close, playing with the silky ends of her flowing strawberry-golden hair.  For a few more seconds everything was bliss. And then…

   "I have to go," he bent his head and murmured in her ear.

She groaned softly in protest but kept her eyes closed as she whispered

   "I know."

He gently began to break the embrace but she held onto him with a sense of urgency, finally opening her sparkling green eyes to look up at him.  She sighed.

   "Must you?"

He gazed back at her and stroked her cheek gently.

   "I have to go hunting with Sevric soon.  If I'm late again, Father will begin to suspect."

   "Yes, your father's perceptive like that…"

She sighed again and let go of him, rolling over onto her back with her gaze focused upon the pine branches above. Faint chirping began to permeate the forest.   She closed her eyes to briefly collect her thoughts.  Without opening them, she smiled and reached for his hand, twisting her long, slender fingers with his.

   "When will you ever break this habit of yours?" she mused, eyes still closed.

   "What habit?" he attempted an innocent tone yet it was clear he knew exactly what she was referring to.

   "The one you're doing right now."

   "Which is…?" he teased.

She let go of his hand and turned to face him.

   "Staring, how can I get you to stop staring at me?"

He brought his face close to hers, his dark, intense eyes gazing so fiercely into hers that she felt herself blush. 

    "Why would I ever want to stop?" he whispered.

   "I'm nothing special…" she muttered.

He looked away briefly as he contemplated her statement.

   "Hmmm, that's true…you're nothing special…" but then he returned his gaze to her with an even deeper intensity than before as he murmured "you're everything extraordinary."

He then kissed her gently before continuing in a more casual tone.

   "Besides, I can't quit this habit.  I am officially and addict."

She smiled in surrender, running her fingers through his dark raven hair.

   "Don't get too addicted…"

   "Too late," he murmured as he kissed her again, this time longer and more firmly.   She could tell this was the goodbye kiss this time, and hence made sure her farewell was adequate in return.

As soon as they broke apart, he quickly cupped her oval face in his hands, gazing at her for one more moment and whispered,

   "I love you Jade."

She could feel the wetness on her cheeks as she whispered back,

"I love you too Emerein…"

And then he was gone, having taken off at a sprint as soon as he had risen….

 

TO BE CONTINUED

Yea....so it's been quite a while since I've been on the blogging scene. That's mostly due to work and now I'm getting ready for college.  Its been so hectic lately! I don't even know where to begin.  Let me start by saying that the Bejing Olympics have been very interesting! Did any of you see the 400 men's last night? I just missed it! I had just gone in to get a small nap when I heard alot of cheering and rushed out to see Phelps on the screen jumping up and down like a little kid, lol. Such a close race! I'm so upset I missed it. But the mens synchronized swimming has been very entertaining tonight. I'm gonna go watch somemore.

 

As to the story writing....eh....well I've started a book, but have only reached chapter 3...I'm not so sure how to continue. And then again I was on the way to Missouri this afternoon and was all of a sudden struck with a sudden inspiration for a new story. So I rushed to the nearest Wal-mart, bought a small notebook and wrote the introduction...and now Im stuck! Anyway, I might post the intro in my next post to see what everyone thinks.

 

But that's all for now folks...like I said, the olympics are on! Will update tomorrow.