Cruising 101

I was invited to assist/observe a cruise course to understand how the cruise industry operates and fill in for future trips.   Although people chuckle and think, what a great class…you go on a cruise; however, it’s much more than that.  We meet in the classroom before the trip during the Spring semester to learn about the industry, understand expectations, and read an industry textbook.  The study abroad visits Haiti, Jamaica, and Cozumel offering a variety of backdrops and cultural experiences for students while living on the second largest ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet.   For many students it’s there first time on a plane or international experience and they value the adventure, for others it’s a time of celebration after graduation, and for a few it’s a party.  Regardless, the students gain insight into the largest commercial recreation and tourism sector in the industry with over 20.3 million passengers and $33.5 billion dollars.  We met with every director of the cruise ship including entertainment, sports, hotel, cleaning, chef, etc.  Our ship carried over 4,000 passengers, 1,200 employees, and served over 20,000 meals a day.  The service sector of the ship was unbelievable!  I have never experienced such personalized and courteous service.  In fact, these people work 12-14 hour days, which made me feel bad in one way, but happy in another that is was a safe job that paid cash, tax free, and provided housing/food.  On the other hand, the amount of waste a cruise ship creates is alarming even though they have sustainable practices to minimize their environmental footprint.  The excursions on land were a lesson in mass tourism, one most students have not experienced.  Mass amounts of cruisers would all gather to kiss the stingrays, drink on a private beach, or hike up a waterfall.  You can see from my pictures below the large amounts of people that tolerate this type of crowding and enjoy the experience.  I viewed this from an academic lens since I teach tourism courses; however, as a traveler I prefer solitude, peace, and tranquility in the outdoors.  Overall, it was a great trip and I was fortunate to share it with awesome faculty in my department and fun students.  

36 Years of Perpetual Fence Sitting

I am turning 36 and depending on your source, half of my life is over.  With this realization I asked myself, “what have I accomplished and who am I?”  In societal terms I am a progressive, educated, and contributing member of society.  However, who I am today was shaped by where I came from.  My early years were rough through family transitions, but I was fortunate to have wonderful people raise me on a farm that valued education and taught me to believe I could accomplish anything.  Moreover, I was raised by/with an eclectic bunch that were conservationists, farmers, hunters, golfers, cyclists, anglers, botanist…and the list could go on.  I didn’t understand social class or cultural boundaries, for I could learn and do anything I wanted.  Although these values have enabled me to switch career paths and embark on many adventures, it’s been a struggle.  You see the problem is I am a perpetual fence sitter.   I have the belief I can do anything and was able to bounce around in my childhood with new activities like a pinball machine.  Don’t get me wrong I had to finish what I started, but I was soon enthusiastically chasing the next squirrel, or butterfly…hey wait, was that a hummingbird, I wonder where they are from, what they eat?   And this led to my lack of commitment in my leisure pursuits.  Sure, I appear to be good at a few things; however, the truth is I don’t commit and really never have.  It’s taken me 36 years to accept this about myself.  I am married to a man and run in a social circle that is highly committed to one activity and for that I applaud them, but it’s not me…and I’m OK with that.   What I have is variety of random knowledge and love of learning, go ahead ask me anything!  I am also athletic enough to jump in just about any activity (exclude height related sports) and have fun.  Therefore, I am no longer making it a goal in life to commit or apologize for my fence sitting.  So, next time you ask me when my next race is, what my favorite food is, or my political party affiliation, you probably won’t get a definite answer.   I do; however, vow for the next 36 years to explore all my curiosity, travel the world, and be in good enough shape to join in any sporting invite and have fun.  Cheers to many years of proudly fence sitting…

Another Season...

April delivered and came in like a lion, or something like that.  We headed to Clemson  and it was great to visit the farm during lamb season, bringing back memories and making me miss home.  While Jennifer was studying for the PE exam we took the kids to the farm.  Zoey loved all the critters, especially the cheeky goats and Zac continued his obsession with chasing the rooster, which I am convinced is a innate male trait...Sean always joins in a good roost chase.  Two of our weekends consisted of volunteering for our local bike rally and assisting the ASU collegiate cycling team race weekend, which they won the conference title.  I took a class trip to the Blitmore in Asheville, which was especially rewarding since the tulips bloomed a week early.  Take that you festival of flowers season ticket holders!  I would post the class pix, but one of my star students *NOT* decided to moon the camera with his huge belly...thanks, that will get you far in the real world. I couldn't resist a few pix of the orchids, always reminding me of the book Orchid Fever, a must read!  Sean is working on getting into race form, while I'm still debating over the race calender and sitting the fence on any type of commitment.  In the meantime, I'll enjoy the beautiful weather "early" summer is delivering while I suffer through finals week and bid farewell to the next workforce crop.

Busy Week

We had a productive Spring break finishing house projects and enjoying the awesome weather.  Lisa came to visit from Utah and we hiked the Profile Trail in the Grandfather Mtn District.  We also had an Alaska reunion dinner before she left.  Only 6 more weeks of school left!

Spring Break

It's that time of year again when Sean works reduced hours and I catch up on work and housing projects.  Lucky for us we have great weather this week!  Over the past month I visited Auburn University for a conference, snow skied (knowing it might be our last chance), raced a fun mountain/road duathlon on new trails, and visited Hanging Rock State Park.  I hope I can get everything on my to do list done this week and have some time to play! 

A Little Snow...

It's been a busy 2012, but Spring break is around the corner and the mild winter has made us anxious for warm weather to arrive.  We did receive a few inches of snow last week which made for a beautiful drive to work, but not enough to play.

Holiday Break

We visited Indiana for Christmas break and enjoyed the mild winter.  We got to mountain bike at Brown County, which was recently listed as an epic trail system.  I will admit summer would be more enjoyable after riding in 20 degree weather and being covered in ice and mud after the ride, but the trails are awesome!  After returning home I got Lasik eye surgery.  Although it was a rough month and I did not heal nearly as quick as the sales material stated I would, I am VERY happy and still amazed I can see so clearly! Here is to a great 2012!