I'm not a writer, I never have been. But I feel I am living a life worth noting, so here I go. The first post may be difficult but I want to have a reference and diary of my life, for personal reason, career reason, and sharing daily stories with my family and friends. I removed myself from the "social media" space 2 months ago and feel so free. My time is not spent scrolling through pointless posts of acquaintances and high school friends. I am now more present in each moment and connecting with the people I am physically with. 2017 has proven to be a year that has and is going to push me to the next level of self. I have had realizations of the true and precious pieces of this life. I think God is showing me what is important. In the past I have pushed off family, pushed off taking care of my body, even pushed off happiness by being sucked into petty annoyances that steal my time and joy. So this year I focus on just the opposite. I will begin to record some of the daily happenings inside the motor yacht where I live and work, with my husband of 7 years, and 7 other crew members. And our every changing guest list. I started working on this boat February 27th. After 3 months of relaxing in the Midwest with family and 3 months of freelance and job hunting I was elated to be part of a full time crew again. I started in St. Maarten, cruised to Colon, Panama, through the canal to Panama City, Las Perlas Islands, Golfito Costa Rica, and I am currently in Quepos. Leaving for Los Suenos in a couple days. As of today we have had guests on for 2 weeks and we will have guests for another 3 weeks. This will be my longest guest trip to date. All is going well, the crew is an amazing team. We help each department, laugh a lot, and joke through the uncomfortable moments. The owners and their friends are happy and relaxed so we are doing our jobs well. I have been doing more cocktails that ever before and I am really having fun with it. Some of the "Cocktail of the Day" specials have been: Panama Punch Martini - dark rum, pineapple juice, lime juice, and cayenne pepper Basil Gimlet - Gin, lime juice, simple syrup, and basil Green Tea Time Martini- green tea, lemon grass simple syrup, vodka, and lime Tropical Martini - mango nector, coconut water, vodka, and cayenne pepper Old Fashioned - bourbon whiskey, bitters, simple syrup, splash of club soda, orange wheel and a cherry Flirtini - vodka, pineapple juice, topped with champagne and a twist of lime Today the guests had breakfast and took off on a little road trip around the area. Leaving us to get a few things done in peace and I even got a run and a little nap in! Yippy! Tonight will be the last dinner with four guests. For the next week we will only have one guest. So that will be a welcome change. Maybe even a day off! its been 3 weeks since any of us had a day off so that will be greatly appreciated. I am so happy to have the team that I do. My second stew is a rock star, she brings a lot of experience to the table, a great attitude, and constant support. The 3rd stew is totally green but I love her motivation and her hippy free spirit. She loves psychology and self help as much as I do so I feel we are always pushing each other to be better. More loving, forgiving, and not talking negatively about any other crew. The chef will only be on for a season but she is one of my best friends. A great energy to have in the galley. And we agree on so many of the service decisions we have to make on a daily bases. The chef chief stew dynamic is one of the most important ones I have to maintain onboard. So this being so seamless and wonderful is a blessing! Anyways, I have a $2,500 Amazon order that is just sitting in my shopping cart waiting for me to hit "BUY" so I better get to it. Then onto prepping dinner service ware and decorations. Tomorrow will be another early day. Love and Health to all that read this. xo