Showing posts with label fun. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fun. Show all posts

Friday, May 9, 2014

World Voyage 2014 - All of the fun

Despite the many challenges at work this World Voyage on the Queen Mary 2, I had to make time to have fun. If you're not having fun on the ship, I'm not quite too sure what you're doing then. There are many ways to have fun on the ship. Socializing is one of my favorites. If I dont socialize, I would definitely go completely mental.

I start to have dinner with my assistant, Meagan, Patrick, Dom, and Russell. Fun group. We're all big movie fans. They don't quite understand my love and need for rice, but who does?

Drinking is another way to have fun. Although it's not quite the healthiest thing to do, with the right crowd and a limit, things don't turn out too bad.
The top thing to do is go out to port. There were around 30 ports on the 2014 World Voyage this year. My favorite ports this years were Sydney, Hong Kong, and Lisbon.
I went to the Taragon Zoo in Sydney! Amazing zoo! Fun! Most of the animals were sleeping when we went, but still a blast to walk around and see all the different animals.

I was waiting for Singapore!! Meagan and I did a little shopping and I walked around the botanical gardens. Oh how I wished to stay longer at the bontanical gardens. It was so peaceful and beatiful. I felt like I was in my own little world away from all the madness.

I always love Hong Kong! I went out with Emily my first day. We walked around Ladies Market trying to find gifts and things we probably don't need. The next day I went on an amazing tour as an escort. I got to visit the Big Buddha again and see it with new eyes. We got a good view of the bridge and visited a little fishing village. 

Friday, September 6, 2013

"In New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of..."

It's always fantastic to be in the Big Apple! I headed here for a wedding and to see some friends. My besty, Susie, was also in town, so we got to hang out. When I arrived at JFK, Moe, Susie and I hung out for the day in the Brooklyn area. It may have been Queens, but I couldn't tell the difference. I was a bit exhausted and didn't really know what to do in that area. We headed into the city to get Korean food. At this time, my friend Zac had joined us and we were all famished. I was excited to get Korean food in NYC! Eating is always a joyful time especially with family and friends!

 Breakfast Time!


 Korean Food with Susie, Moe and Zac.

Soon Doobu! Delicious
Reflecting back on my five days in the Big Apple, I realized how busy I was. You never realize how much work you are capable of doing when you are determined to stick with your plans. Yes, I had work to do. Despite that, I was able to finish it all and stick to most of my plans! Fabulous!
On Wednesday, I headed out on my journey to claim the Cinderella Broadway tickets I bought. I did get lost. NYC Subway is no walk in the park. It's not as simple as SF Bart. Two hours later I got the tickets and met Susie at MOMA. We decided to save MOMA for another time as it was going to close in a couple hours. There was no way we could have seen everything in such a short time. We stopped by Time Square for dinner and then watched the show. Cinderella was really magical! I was surprised to be singing along with some of the songs. I didn't know I knew them. I guess I have the 1997 Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella film to thank for that. VHS days baby!! That was my first broadway show. I was so happy! I was not disappointed at all. It was definitely a whole nother world watching a broadway show! I am so addicted. I want to watch another broadway show!

 Around MOMA area

Time Square for Dinner

 It's Showtime!
My First Broadway Show!
The next day I had met Susie for lunch before she headed back to PA. We ate at The Grey Dog. It was a cute and urban little cafe. The waiters tag your table with bandanas, which was unique. I had a tuna melt and iced coffee. They both satisfied my tummy. At Penn Station, I dropped Susie off and said my "See you again soon." Afterwards I headed out on my journey to Chobani in SOHO. I didn't really factor in how far of a walk it was from Penn Station. It was quite a stroll, but I saw some cool things on the way. I even popped into Bath & Body Works to get the "Carried Away" body wash. "Carried Away" fragrance smells so good! Try it the next time you stop into Bath & Body Works. As I strolled down along into the direction of SOHO, rain had hit. It had come down pouring, so I had run into Subway to wait it out. I had bought a bottle of water and had stayed for a bit since there was an outlet to charge my phone.
 Lunch at The Grey Dog


Thunder Buddies for everyone!

I finally made it to Chobani! Smaller than I imagined. I wished it was a little more seat friendly. There aren't very many spots to sit and enjoy your Chobani. Despite the small space, it's super delicious! I took my Peach & Almond Chobani to go and made my way to Koreatown.


I wouldn't be Marissa if I didn't get lost. When I hopped onto the subway, I was checking to see if it was going in the right direction. Next thing I knew the train was crossing the Brooklyn Bridge. Fail! I hopped off and got onto the right train. I arrived at Madangsui, a Korean BBQ restaurant, and greeted my friends. It was a great little reunion and delicious food!




Friday was a bit stressful. Crazy right?! I was on vacation and I was stressed. In between my joyful adventures in the city, I was finishing up some pre-training material. I had the week to finish it. I thought I was on top of it. I was waking up early and going to bed late. I was surprised at myself that I was able to wake up at 7AM and go to bed at 2AM. The stressful part was that I could not pass a quiz. I even went back to the material to look up the answers and still could not pass. Next thing I knew I was late for my friend's bachelorette party, and I even brilliantly forgot my ID at the apartment. Let alone, the outfit I was suppose to wear was way too wrinkled. I took a deep breathe. First, I decided to take the quiz again on Sunday. Second, I just wore the shirt I previously had worn. Third, I headed back to the apartment to grab my ID. Fourth, I was only half an hour late. Success! The night was really fun. I had some drinks and danced the night away with the soon to be Mrs. Chang. Most importantly I got home safely at 2:30AM.


Six Flags!

Surprisingly going to bed at 3AM in the morning, I was able to wake up somewhat early that morning and meet up with some friends to go to Six Flags. I told myself, "I am going all out this weekend no matter what!" [For readers that did not read my "In New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of..." post: I have been quite on an adventure. I journeyed from Penn Station to SOHO; I got lost many times on the NYC subway; I went to a bachelorette party; I saw a broadway show; I had lots of yummy food; and I finished all my pre-training material except for one quiz.]
I was half an hour late, but I still made it! Yippy!
This was my first time in New Jersey and it was so much fun!
We rode almost all the roller coasters! My favorite was the Superman roller coaster! You are faced down to make you feel like you are flying in the air when the coaster takes you zooming off.
I was surprised that Six Flags opens until 10PM! Crazy! We were practically there the whole night. By 8PM my legs were killing me. I focused on the fun and not the pain at the end of the night. It felt fantastic to take a nap on the ride back to the city!

On the Green Lantern Roller Coaster