Where are my photos?

I don't know what happened but a lot of my photos have gone missing from my blog. I am trying to get help from Blogger and Google + and friends but I am not really getting anywhere.

Sorry Kids!

This summer's earnings

The color run

So I FINALLY got a chance to do the color run. I've wanted to do it since it came out but I was never in the same place as the run itself. BUT I got extended one more week for my vacation at home so I got to run it with two of my friends who used to work with me on ships.

So much fun!

Frustrations

So i've been beating myself up over  my lack of progress in the gym lately.  I still lift weights daily but I've not really been doing any cardio and been half-assing my clean diet. I have to remind myself that standing still is temporary and remember how far I have really come. BUT I also need to work harder and tackle my weak points. I may hate cardio but for my body, it's  a must and you can not out exercise a bad diet. I CAN do this.

Anyhow, I took a selfie on Friday and saw more definition then I thought I had. Check them shoulders out! :)

Only in Canada

Go Outside!

This is what I miss the most when I'm at sea. I may have all the white sands and turquoise waters in the world but they will never replace the great Canadian outdoors!

Who do you run for?

Amigos!

Especially those amigos that run or workout on a regular basis. My chiropractor told me about this wonderful organization. There are lots of special needs children and adults that have mobility challenges that cannot do the things me and you do on a daily basis. If your avid at working out (be it running, yoga, weights etc.) what you can do is dedicate your runs or workouts to them. You will be assigned a buddy and tag them in your active photos (min. 3 a week) on facebook. Not only will this bring a smile to their face but will keep you motivated too. What a great way to cheer someone up!

Check it out!

http://www.whoirun4.com/

What's a gypsy to do? Am I having another third life crisis?

Theme of 2015 for me is what's a gypsy to do? How do I know where to go if I no longer know where I am from?

If you actually know me that you know I now sounds like a Latina Jamaican from South Africa. After 9 years of living out of a suitcase I no longer sound or act Canadian. I don't really feel like I fit in any country either. On top of that, I think my English has gotten worse cause I only speak it when I am on duty at work.

Most people's problems is that they have to do in life what their circumstances have brought them to. My problem is the opposite, I have so many opportunities available to me that I don't know which way to go. I don't have kids or a house or even a car instead I have savings, degrees and experience coming out of my wazoo. So what to do if anything is an option? How do I continue to challenge myself after being at sea for so long? Where do I go? What do I do?

I am so great at giving 1200 crew members advice and help but I can't figure my own life out.

All I know that I can not stay still.

Ahhhhhh......I think I am having another third life crisis. Doesn't someone have answers for me? Buddha, are you listening?

Help!

Give me a sign universe, please.

Confessions of a phat kid continued...

Confessions of a phat kid

If someone told me a couple of years ago that I would be running 10k races and participating in mud runs with military like obstacles courses, I would call them crazy or drunk or all of the above.

I was always a chubby kid. I thought I was pretty awesome until I moved from an immigrant neighbourhood to a more upscale area in the middle of grade 8.  It was a painful transition and it wasn't long before the mean kids pointed out my faults; big forehead, freckles, glasses, strange hair colour and of course my weight. And here I thought I was pretty awesome, guess I was wrong.

It wasn't long that I immersed myself with magazines and became obsessed with the ways that "pretty" females looked. My Mom put me on diets for as long as I remember, I can recall being 10 or 11 riding a stationary bike in our living room and being so hungry cause all I ate was 2 eggs that day. That was my 'diet'.

Things got worse when I went to high school. I really looked different then everyone else. I was already 5'8 and realistically speaking my 145 lbs weight shouldn't have been something for me to worry about.    But when everyone else is 110 lbs, it seemed to be a big concern for me. This growing lack of self confidence spiralled into smoking, substance abuse and an eating disorder. I hated myself more and more with each passing day and I was never small enough.

In my 20s I ballooned to over 200 lbs. I believe at my heaviest I was around 250.

Then something wonderful happened. I don't actually remember how I got to this point or what triggered it but I started to change my view point in life. I think going to Cuba had something to do with it, seeing people have so little yet appreciate what they do have made me stop and reevaluate everything including my petty complaints.

I started focusing on being grateful what I have and stopped obsessing on what I didn't have (size 6 body, flat stomach). There was so much more to life. I started enjoying my friends, socializing, traveling and doing things that made me happy. 

Eventually this obsessions with losing weight went away. I started to love myself more for who I am as a person. I am strong, funny, adventurous. I kept strengthening my good qualities and not paying attention to the ones I didn't like about myself.

2.5 years ago I decided I wanted to be more active. I was on the ship and I recruited our ship personal trainer to help me. My health wasn't good and I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. I threw up the first few sessions but I felt so alive that I had to keep going.  4 months later the ship caught on fire and the experience was mentally and physically draining. But something wonderful happened, my body didn't let me down. No aches and no pains and I was able to walk 9 decks of stairs to our command centre without a problem and I was able to lift 40 lbs boxes in our human chain without straining. I realized how much better my life is when I am active.

I came home and I started training regularly with my bestie (wifey Nikki) while another bestie Kathy challenged me to run a 5k with her.  I had 4 weeks to train and I've never ran before. It wasn't easy but I did it. I trained, I Ran and I didn't stop.

3 weeks ago I ran my first 10k. I trained for it in 2 weeks. A week ago I ran a mud race with 25 obstacles. I have another race in 2 weeks.

I can't believe it. My phat kid ass is a runner! And strong enough to do military obstacles! I never thought this was possible. I feel amazing and I feel alive (despite the fact that I am covered in bruises).

Now I can honestly tell you that I don't give a shit about the photos in the magazines. Which one of these malnourished biatches can run 10k without stopping or squat a human being? 

My beauty no longer comes from outside, in burns from the depths of my soul and glows from inside me.  Right now at the age of 35 and 200 lbs., I feel the best I have ever felt inside and out.  I am not size 6 and probably never will be.  I may have spring rolls around my middle or have muscular calves but you know what? I don't care. I love me just how I am and wouldn't change a damn thing. 

I am full of life and I am happy being me. I crush every challenge that comes my way and I enjoy the process,  there is nothing that I can not do. I, Natalia can conquer the world. One crew member asked me why I am glowing and which Doctor did my Botox.  I told her that it's not Botox she sees, it's my positive attitude glowing from the inside.

Point is I am much happier now at 200 lbs (or at least that's what I think I am since I refuse to weigh myself anymore) then I ever was at 145 lbs. I look and feel better since the minute I stopped being this frail, negative and body obsessed shadow. Since I've changed my attitude, one opportunity opens after another. Confidence will get you everywhere you want to go. I may not look like the girl in the magazine but believe me, there's a never ending line of suitors outside my door.

Life is beautiful, being who I am is amazing. I am who I am and I am not changing for anyone. There's no room in my life for negativity.  I am perfect just the way I am.  I Thank Baby Jesus and Buddha every day for the wonderful people and experiences I have been given to make me the tough, smart, strong, determined beautiful woman who I am today.

I am Natalia. I am strong. I am beautiful just the way I am.

Spring is officially here

Look at the gorgeous flower that popped up in my yard!

Hawai'i comes to Ontario

One of the things that I miss the most when I'm at sea is family and friend gatherings and celebrations. One of my oldest friends Tish had a Hawai'ian themed girls night yesterday. It was so good to catch up with all these ladies.

Tish and I grew up on the same street but went to different elementary and high schools. We hung out on the corner and sitting on the ' green box' and eventually passed our teens and early 20s working in the same grocery store. Fast forward 20 years, we still hang out like nothing has changed.

Love ya big girl!

Shanaynay and Ottawa

 One of the best things about working on ships is the friendships that you make. Some of these friends you bump into all the time and some of them you never see again but you keep in touch through emails, facebook etc.  I am still friends with my first roommate and bestie from 2006.  I've seen my former roomie twice since then and never got to see our South African bestie again but we keep in touch all the time.

One of my first friends ever on ships was Kalyn. I met her in 2006 and then she got transferred to my next ship the following contract and we've been joined at the hip ever since. She has retired from ships 5 years ago and has gotten married since. I got to take a work break for her wedding but haven't seen her since. I made the trip out to Ottawa to hang with her. It was so incredible to see her so happy and to see her in her new role as a wife and Mother and how well it suited her.

Ships will come and go but our friendship will outlast time. Love you Shanaynay!

Kaly, Olga and I in St Thomas in 2007

Kalyn's wedding

Kalyn and I NOW

Caribbean the 13th time around....

So this is my 9th year in the Caribbean (for those who wonder why I have this funny accent that you can not place) and my 13th contract.  I started off the contract home ported in Miami and doing 7 day western and eastern caribbean runs. We did a drag queen charter cruise at the beginning of December which was also my birthday so I got to celebrate it in Playa del Carmen. The vessel then moved to Fort Lauderdale in January and we were doing six different runs which was amazing because I got to go to new places and it's been years since I have seen a new island. So that was pretty exciting. I also had one of my best friends come out and cruise and it's always nice to have people from home come out and see what you do here.

Let me give you a quick tour of some of the places that I traveled these last six months.

I got to go to Antigua but only once, I did an island tour to maximize my time there. Turns out that I was pronouncing the island name wrong forever and a half (it's Antigah not Anti-gwah).

Our first stop was the Devil's Bridge and then we  went to a gorgeous beach.

We spent the day sunning at the beach and having a few local beers. The bus dropped us off downtown and we walked back to the ship. Saw this dude with a smoothie stand and I just can't walk away from a smoothie. He had all fresh fruit and a blender attached to the cart, he had a lawn mower engine to start the blender to make the smoothies.

As soon as I downed the smoothie, I saw this incredible coffee car. It was a mini car with a full espresso machine in the back and it was completely mobile. What a brilliant idea! Of course I had to get a Vanilla Latte as well. I can pretty much live off smoothies and coffee.

Aruba was another place that I got to visit for the first time. Aruba has gorgeous beaches and is hella south in the Caribbean, just 15 miles away from Venezuela. The official languages are Dutch and Papiamento (which is a mix of Dutch, Spanish, English and Amerindian languages). But I found it interesting that most people spoke Spanish anyways and I had no idea that I also understand Papiamento, hah! 

One of my favorite ports that I have been to hundreds of times (and I will never get sick of) is Cozumel. Not only is it an incredibly convenient port for crew members (grocery store, dentist, doctor, chiro etc) but it also has amazing restaurants and lots of great places to relax.  Here are some of my favorite shots from Cozumel.

One of my favorite spots on the planet is Playa Del Carmen, I think one day I will surely end up living there.  It has everything all in one place; local and upscale restaurants, chill out beach bars, hot nightclubs, tons of sporting activities, diving, snorkling, gorgeous beaches and historic Mayan ruins just a short drive away.

Curacao was a new place for me to visit. Similarly to Aruba, it's a Dutch Island with Papiamento and Dutch being the official languages but I found that most people were speaking Spanish.  The port has a lovely fort right off the pier with great dining choices. Being our late port it's such a delight to be able to eat dinner off the ship and be somewhere where then sun is setting.

Past the fort is a sea side walk way and a movable bridge that you can cross to the other side of the bank. The view is dotted with colorful and bright houses.

There's also a great place called Saint Tropez which is wonderful for the day. You really feel like you are in heaven.

I've been to Dominican Republic before but not with the ship. We docked at La Romana which is a city like any other but the shore excursions are incredible. Got to go to Isla Saona which was stunning. I've actually been there from Punta Cana before but it was so beautiful that I didn't mind going again.

Another good old favorite of mine is of course Key West, Florida.  I haven't been in a few years and I so love it. I can't quite put my finger on it but there's something just so relaxing and easy going about walking the streets of Key West. I don't have to have a purpose or anything in mind, I just wonder the streets and I always find hidden gems like museums (which are almost always free for crew members), fresh seafood restaurants and mom and pop shops.  And at Christmas time, Key West looked more charming then ever.

I also went back to Ocho Rios, Jamaica after about 5 years. I was really looking forward to going back to my favorite restaurant. It was this quaint little cottage next to a brook, you had to cross this bridge to get there and you'd hear the faint sounds of the water  and Bob Marley as you sit on the patio. I was all excited, I hopped and skipped to the location AND I found it no longer there, my little bridge gone and my little cottage restaurant all boarded up.  I decided to go to my favorite record store instead, I used to pick up all my hip hop and reggae mixes there. Unfortunately, the record store had met the same fate as my fave restaurant.  Nevertheless, I was on a mission to find some proper Jamaican food. Went up and down the strip and sat down at the restaurant that seemed to offer the most local food. I wanted to order a little bit of everything good Jamaican so I had my sites set on beef patties, plantain and festival. Ask me if they had any of it? Of course not. Seriously, was this Jamaica? How could they NOT have plantain and beef patties in Jamaica. I was vexed!

For anyone that has known me, it's clear that San Juan, Puerto Rico is one of my favorite destinations ever. Something about the colonial architecture, the history, the cobblestone streets or the mofongo that makes San Juan a place you'll never forget.

Ahhhhh Saint Maarten! What is not to love there? The beaches, the warm breeze, sea side restaurants, it's Dutch and French heritage and it's myriad of ex pats makes this another crew favorite.  It was also a good 4 years since I have been here so I made sure to take advantage of docking there.

Saint Thomas, USVI was a busy stop this winter. There were usually 6 or more ships in port making it a little hard to move around at times.  It's got that island feel but still has all the American amenities that we all look forward to. For me of course the most important being my Korean Nail Salon, Kmart, Kona Coffee, a Polish pub and a Health Food Store.

People always ask me if I get to come home for the holidays. Well, not really. Unless if happens by chance, I normally can not take a break to come home for Christmas or my Birthday. Since I started 9 years ago I have been home twice for Christmas. The last Christmas was nice but I wasn't really able to help out or to partake in any Christmas events leading up to it because I was studying for my last and final exam.  Nevertheless, we always celebrate amongst us friends. It may not be the same way I'd celebrate at home but we certainly make new memories.

Thanksgiving in San Juan, Puerto Rico

My Birthday (December 6th) 

My staff decorated my office corridor, office AND Cabin

Christmas 

And of course the best place to be for New Years is on the ship

I am lucky that I have two portholes in my cabin. And year after year I still catch myself taking port hole photos and sunset photos.

Well it all seems like all play and no work but believe me, there's plenty of work. I am pretty sure that once I leave here I will be able to run a small country.  But I do squeeze in some fun in the workplace as well.

Senior Officer Dinner in the Dining Room

Now this was a special event.  When we moved from Miami to Fort Lauderdale and started our new itineraries, we visited many new ports. Normally there's some sort of celebration that takes place and the port as well as the ship are honored with plaques. Are first visit to Fort Lauderdale we had a celebration on the Bridge that the Captain was kind enough to invite me to. The Port Authority Personnel presented Captain, Staff Captain and myself presented us with a Challenge Coin. It is a sailor tradition for the last 200 years. Incoming Sailors who were welcomed to the area were given this coin so if anyone challenged them, they could show the coin and prove that they were allowed to be there.

Another really cool thing that happened during this contract was the instillation of the Dr. Seuss program onboard. We had a trial run on a sea day and we had a blast! Totally made me feel like a kid again.

Well this is mostly the fun stuff but I did have a full and challenging contract this time around. Now I am home being a house wife and doing all the things that I couldn't do on the ship.