Hello blog!

It's been about two years since I last wrote, and I've decided to update readers on where my life has gone. I'm not really sure that I have an readers left-my dedication to blogging is kind of like my writing, I like to do it when I'm inspirited. Sometimes, months go by (or in this case, years) before this INSPIRATION hits me and I think to myself "I really need to write this down".  Looking back, a part of me wishes I had written more. There were moments each day at the library where the kids said some crazy things or just made me laugh at life. A great writer would have written each moment down and then created a really great blog that makes everyone laugh. I guess that person is not me, because I defiantly failed in that way. Oh well.

Anyway, you probably want to know what I'm doing now. Did I get that job on the cruise ship? Where have I been? 

Drumroll please….

I currently work on a cruise ship in Hawaii.  I actually first started as a photographer, as I wrote about in my earlier blog. I was extremely happy about it and thought it would be the greatest experience in the world. Norwegian Cruise Line hired me, and told me that I'd be going International first and then they'd eventually move me to the Hawaii cruise ship. I was pretty thrilled-Mexico sounded awesome.  A few months later, they called to tell me I'd actually be going on the Hawaii ship. I was still thrilled.

So…Hawaii was really awesome. It's warm there and I love it. However, photography just wasn't the right fit for me. I'm really good at taking photographs-don't get me wrong-but going up to random guests and telling them I'd be taking their photo (instead of asking) just didn't sit well with me. People on cruise ships are RUDE. Not everyone, of course, but a lot of guests just don't understand how their "tone" comes across.

"Do you really think you can just come over here and take my picture? I don't think so." and "You can't take my picture. I'm wanted by the FBI" Who comes up with these things? And each guest thought they were being so funny. I was just trying to do my job!  People have no idea how hard it is work on a cruise ship, or how tough it can be sit outside in the hot sun wearing a crazy full body costume! I was a parrot, pineapple, turtle, penguin, hammer head shark, mermaid and surfer girl. Let me tell you-almost getting CHOKED to death by a crazy drunk guest was not fun. I just found the job was not for me.

Enter the Kids Club on Deck 12. Paradise. The perfect fit for me. It took about three months, but thankfully, two girls left kids club and I got to take their places! Transferring departments was the best decision in the world. People thought I was crazy for going back to the cruise ship, knowing I would have to be photo until a spot opened up. I knew that God wanted me to go back, that He knew what He was doing, and sure enough, I got in!  What a glorious day when I got that phone call!

Life has been a lot better since, work wise. Family wise, I actually went through quite a traumatic year. My brother got cancer, and actually passed away only four months ago. In that way, it's been a struggle. I know that God has plans for my life, and sadly, taking my brother home was one of them. I only hope that I can apply all the things my brother taught me and keep in my heart. He will not be forgotten. 

I pray that things are going well for you in your life. If you are looking to apply for AmeriCorps or have questions about my year with Literacy AmeriCorps, feel free to check out my website www.k-photography.us and shoot me a message!