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RE: Shaunii's Space for Chit Chat - 11/11/2005 1:06:28 PM
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magdaleine
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I hope you have a great time on your cruise, Shaunii.
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Maggie
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RE: Shaunii's Space for Chit Chat - 11/11/2005 1:11:49 PM
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myckey
Posts: 2412
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Southern California
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I hope you're having a wonderful time, sweetie!!!!!
_____________________________
diane MY PHOTO BLOG: http://disphotos.blogspot.com/ Don't shoot butterflies with rifles.
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RE: Shaunii's Space for Chit Chat - 11/11/2005 8:59:41 PM
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Shaunii
Posts: 995
Joined: 4/11/2005
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Today at the college was the most awesome experience... this is the time when I wish I had 1/2 of Maggie's talent First off I got turned around due to construction... missed my Interstate exit and ended up at Ohare airport... I get back on track and am now heading in the right direction and its 8:57... Hello I had to be there at 9!!! Arghh! So... I get there and its approx 9:30 give a few minutes and its pretty packed and no one is intersted in moving their stuff out of empty chairs in the back which forces me to walk my LATE self all the way up front so... I take a seat in between to lovely ladies... each away from me in age by approx 10 years in both directions. Each of whom were hoping to be one of the few selected... and though you knows the "odds" you're praying that the other makes it in. I'll say this to sum up my time there first... Awesome. Simply Awesome. I have never felt more... like I was supposed to be somewhere. There focus is on your faith and spiritual well being primarily. The education is God centered and it was very evident in the testimonials given by teachers, faculty and students. We were allowed Q&A time with each group... first the grad students, then faculty, then "department meetings" with the field of your choice (of the four) and then finally Q&A with admissions and financial aid. But what stands out to me more than anything is the... sense of community and family and God being in the midst. It was weird... something I've never experienced in a school setting. Each class starts with prayer and/or devotion. No matter the field of study. Your spiritual growth is vitally important to them. They gave testimonials of how their lives were affected by students and vice versa because they were talking about the stressing of the mentoring, integration, diversity, (cultures & countries) and communitiness. One professor was talking about a korean student that was having major life difficulties and had come to his office to "update" him and he told the teacher that he's been praying for him. The professor stated how that moved him with all that the man had going on that he had time to think of him. One female professor brought many of us to tears as she herself cried. She relayed her experience just last year. She stated that last year her husband died suddenly in a bad accident on a Friday evening after school. She said that news didn't get back to even the undergrad's till monday morning... she stated that at the viewing there were so many students and faculty there that she herself was amazed at the magnitude of support she received. She said that she returned to work 2 weeks later and had a 8am, 12pm, and 6-10pm class... she said during the middle of the 6pm class she started crying and stated that she couldn't make it any further. She said that the students in her class was like well let's pray. She said that all the students surrounded her and laid hands on her and prayed and till this day she hasn't been able to not make it through any of her days... ... no words... The very focus even though is on education which is top notch they said its about God first. One professor in the ministry coordinaton (incorrect field of study but I can't remember the name of it) field stated that some of her sample assignments are to send a student on an 8 hour retreat and come back and tell her what God spoke to you during that time. Stated that another will be a reading assignment and instead of a report she'll ask you to type out a prayer regarding it that God was speaking to you at the time... It was just so awesome.. then we got to tour the campus and Billy Graham's Museum... which is where Grad services and classes are held... I don't know what I "expected" of the museum but it was not what I saw... Its... overwhelming... it leaves you in such a state of ... awe... It begins with paintings and all sorts and they are absolutely lovely and amazing.. people praying with God overhead, etc... just some of everything. Then it leads into this room with a HUGE glass cross in the middle of the room with Jesus hanging on it but He's glass inside the glass... I can't describe it better and scripture is all around it and its lit up in the middle of the room and the room is black.. so obviously its the focus... then you continue on and its like they're leading you through the crucifixtion and you go through these black walls... tunnel style and words in white are saying he's not here he has arisen and you walk into this room that looks like you're standing in the sky.. all you see are clouds... then you enter into this big white room with super high ceilings and there is a very large mural that covers the wall in front of you in this round room and it looks as if you're standing at calvary in the crowd and Jesus is standing there glorified... I was awestruck.. it takes your breath away... as I stood there several emotions ran through me and I couldn't speak or move... and I heard the Lord speaking to my spirit saying "purpose"... it was like this cross was my purpose now fulfill yours... it begins here... it was deep... I left that room before the tears could well... afterwards everyone was talking about the .. impact that room had on them... I'm leaving out details.. but ... OMG it was just.... awesome... I apologize because I can't even think of any other word that describes it... it reminds me of Isreal and New Breed in his song where he's stating that he apologizes for calling other things awesome and theng using that same word to describe Him... His song says, "Only you take my breath away... only you take my breath away, only you take my breath away then you you breath new life into me... so breath into me... breath into me .. once again... take my breath away... only you... " I was just ... moved today... in awe of the work of God... this lady had a paragraph that she read from a book that inspired her and I meant to write it down but the jist of it was .. there is a time in between Jesus departure and revelation that is still be written.. and we're in it. Our purpose... our destiny... I'm still reeling from my experience today... we left school and as we walked outside we saw three people standing outside holding hands... and praying. Its just not something I see everyday... not even leaving church.
_____________________________
Shaunii Walking where He leads. Come chat with me...
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RE: Shaunii's Space for Chit Chat - 11/11/2005 11:40:54 PM
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magdaleine
Posts: 4476
Joined: 4/11/2005
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That sounds like an awesome school to attend, Shaunii! You have me wanting to go there. What school is this?
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Maggie
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RE: Shaunii's Space for Chit Chat - 11/12/2005 3:36:29 AM
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myckey
Posts: 2412
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Southern California
Status: offline
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Wow, Shaunii, that sounds so wonderful!!! And that museum, just....WOW!!!
_____________________________
diane MY PHOTO BLOG: http://disphotos.blogspot.com/ Don't shoot butterflies with rifles.
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RE: Shaunii's Space for Chit Chat - 11/17/2005 5:27:16 AM
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Smiley777
Posts: 4489
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Germany, but originally from Michigan
Status: offline
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Hey Shaunii!! quote:
ORIGINAL: Shaunii Today at the college was the most awesome experience... this is the time when I wish I had 1/2 of Maggie's talent First off I got turned around due to construction... missed my Interstate exit and ended up at Ohare airport... I get back on track and am now heading in the right direction and its 8:57... Hello I had to be there at 9!!! Arghh! So... I get there and its approx 9:30 give a few minutes and its pretty packed and no one is intersted in moving their stuff out of empty chairs in the back which forces me to walk my LATE self all the way up front so... I take a seat in between to lovely ladies... each away from me in age by approx 10 years in both directions. Each of whom were hoping to be one of the few selected... and though you knows the "odds" you're praying that the other makes it in. I'll say this to sum up my time there first... Awesome. Simply Awesome. I have never felt more... like I was supposed to be somewhere. There focus is on your faith and spiritual well being primarily. The education is God centered and it was very evident in the testimonials given by teachers, faculty and students. We were allowed Q&A time with each group... first the grad students, then faculty, then "department meetings" with the field of your choice (of the four) and then finally Q&A with admissions and financial aid. But what stands out to me more than anything is the... sense of community and family and God being in the midst. It was weird... something I've never experienced in a school setting. Each class starts with prayer and/or devotion. No matter the field of study. Your spiritual growth is vitally important to them. They gave testimonials of how their lives were affected by students and vice versa because they were talking about the stressing of the mentoring, integration, diversity, (cultures & countries) and communitiness. One professor was talking about a korean student that was having major life difficulties and had come to his office to "update" him and he told the teacher that he's been praying for him. The professor stated how that moved him with all that the man had going on that he had time to think of him. One female professor brought many of us to tears as she herself cried. She relayed her experience just last year. She stated that last year her husband died suddenly in a bad accident on a Friday evening after school. She said that news didn't get back to even the undergrad's till monday morning... she stated that at the viewing there were so many students and faculty there that she herself was amazed at the magnitude of support she received. She said that she returned to work 2 weeks later and had a 8am, 12pm, and 6-10pm class... she said during the middle of the 6pm class she started crying and stated that she couldn't make it any further. She said that the students in her class was like well let's pray. She said that all the students surrounded her and laid hands on her and prayed and till this day she hasn't been able to not make it through any of her days... ... no words... The very focus even though is on education which is top notch they said its about God first. One professor in the ministry coordinaton (incorrect field of study but I can't remember the name of it) field stated that some of her sample assignments are to send a student on an 8 hour retreat and come back and tell her what God spoke to you during that time. Stated that another will be a reading assignment and instead of a report she'll ask you to type out a prayer regarding it that God was speaking to you at the time... It was just so awesome.. then we got to tour the campus and Billy Graham's Museum... which is where Grad services and classes are held... I don't know what I "expected" of the museum but it was not what I saw... Its... overwhelming... it leaves you in such a state of ... awe... It begins with paintings and all sorts and they are absolutely lovely and amazing.. people praying with God overhead, etc... just some of everything. Then it leads into this room with a HUGE glass cross in the middle of the room with Jesus hanging on it but He's glass inside the glass... I can't describe it better and scripture is all around it and its lit up in the middle of the room and the room is black.. so obviously its the focus... then you continue on and its like they're leading you through the crucifixtion and you go through these black walls... tunnel style and words in white are saying he's not here he has arisen and you walk into this room that looks like you're standing in the sky.. all you see are clouds... then you enter into this big white room with super high ceilings and there is a very large mural that covers the wall in front of you in this round room and it looks as if you're standing at calvary in the crowd and Jesus is standing there glorified... I was awestruck.. it takes your breath away... as I stood there several emotions ran through me and I couldn't speak or move... and I heard the Lord speaking to my spirit saying "purpose"... it was like this cross was my purpose now fulfill yours... it begins here... it was deep... I left that room before the tears could well... afterwards everyone was talking about the .. impact that room had on them... I'm leaving out details.. but ... OMG it was just.... awesome... I apologize because I can't even think of any other word that describes it... it reminds me of Isreal and New Breed in his song where he's stating that he apologizes for calling other things awesome and theng using that same word to describe Him... His song says, "Only you take my breath away... only you take my breath away, only you take my breath away then you you breath new life into me... so breath into me... breath into me .. once again... take my breath away... only you... " I was just ... moved today... in awe of the work of God... this lady had a paragraph that she read from a book that inspired her and I meant to write it down but the jist of it was .. there is a time in between Jesus departure and revelation that is still be written.. and we're in it. Our purpose... our destiny... I'm still reeling from my experience today... we left school and as we walked outside we saw three people standing outside holding hands... and praying. Its just not something I see everyday... not even leaving church. Wow!! That sounds awesome!! You don't have to apologize for using the word "awesome" a lot.....I use it a lot myself! I'm so glad that you had a wonderful time at the college. Speaking of a wonderful time, how was your cruise? We want to know ALL the details!! LOL
_____________________________
"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap if we faint not." Gal 6:9
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RE: Shaunii's Space for Chit Chat - 11/21/2005 12:13:51 PM
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myckey
Posts: 2412
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Southern California
Status: offline
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YAY!!!!!! I'm so glad you're back. Praying for you, sweetie.
_____________________________
diane MY PHOTO BLOG: http://disphotos.blogspot.com/ Don't shoot butterflies with rifles.
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RE: Shaunii's Space for Chit Chat - 11/21/2005 4:00:54 PM
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Shaunii
Posts: 995
Joined: 4/11/2005
Status: offline
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Okay... here's installment one... which is a few posts long simply because its quite lengthy... pop your popcorn and get ready... I hope it doesn't put you to sleep Day 1 Plane ride and boarding ship... We got up early Saturday morning to get to the airport and be on our plane scheduled to leave Midway airport at 8:30am. My frined Nikki has never EVER flown before and was scared... a year before she was stating how she'd never fly and I began to speak the absence of fear into her life. Look at how amazing God is. She she'd began to say that she'll get on the plane but she won't look out of the window or that she'd be tense and unable to talk the entire flight. I continued to speak peace into her heart and mind concerning her 1st flight. Needless to say at the airport the enemy tried to upset her to "get her off kilter" and she had overpacked, as did I, but her by almost 25lbs and they told her if she couldn't get it under that she'd have to pay $50. I was only 10 overweight and was able to pull out the heavy stuff, shampoos, toiletries and shoes and my bag cleared the 50lb limit. Her's didn't she was mad at the man (it wasn't his fault. Then she left him and went inside to the counter (we were at curbside check-in) and paid them agents inside and was now upset. Then we headed to security and she was mad that she had to take off her shoes... she was hopping mad at this point. I walked on through did what needed to be done and walked a ways away from the security area. By the time she got to me she was flustered and upset and fussing about how rude the people were and I told her they aren't rude you're upset so you think everybody is picking on you. They're just doing there job. Then I said why are you allowing the enemy in. He knows what he's doing... now you're ready to never fly again and you haven't flown this flight... stop yourself and don't let him ruin your good time. She heard me after a moment and she overcame that attack. We were all good again & everybody's through security (which actually went very quick compared to times past) and we stopped to eat a Potbelly's in the airport before heading to board our flight. We actually had a wonderful flight.. the landing was a bit bumpy and for your viewing pleasure I have included pictures of the view from above. We arrived in San Juan, Puerto Rico at approximately 4:30 and got our luggage, got on our transfer and headed to the ship... OH! I forgot to tell you, ... now let me preface this... in case you don't know this Shaunii is very ignorant and it takes the Holy Ghost to keep her from acting a plum fool. I tell people don't bring out flesh Shaunii... she's ignorant but some people... well... they just don't know... So anyway we're on the plane and we're about 2 hours into our flight and Nikki had come back to where we were sitting (the 3rd person in our 3 person row either didn't show or they didn't sell the seat... anyway Chevy was sleep and Nikki came back there with Nestle and I to talk. She sat down in the unoccupied third seat and we were just talking... in a normal voice... not screaming or hollering but not whispering.. just normal. So anyway, time passes and the woman that was sitting a row ahead of us turned around in her seat half stood and angrily stated "Ya'll loud!"... Now... (a) we weren't loud (b) if you wanted complete silence or whispering you should have flown "library airlines" or something... So I'm amazed at how she turned around and just kinda ... stunned. Because she was SOOOO ignorant. Had she even turned around and said could you all please lower your voices I'm trying to rest I would have received it... but to turn you 45ish year old tell around and yell at me like you thought I was your 18 year old daughter... I think not... So we tried to move on.. well they did and I saw no reason to lower my non-loud voice because I wasn't asked to... I was commanded and I told ya'll Shaunii is ignorant. So we'd move onto into bits and pieces of the conversation and I'd just revert back and ask a silly question (in an almost whispering voice) are we in a library? The girls cut their eyes at me like let it go Shaunii.... so I would for a while and then I'd just see this woman standing up and .. yelling at me or scolding me like her child and again I'd ask another question along those lines and/or comment about it like "I mean, you don't think that was just beyond rude..." So at the end of the flight she turns around to me and smiles... Remember Shaunii is IGNORANT... "Lady! Don't smile at me" was going through my mind. I'm not about to smile back at you because that would be absolutely fake and I'm real 100% of the time. So though I didn't frown at her at all my face stayed even because IMO she owed us an apology. So we're standing up to get off the plain and she makes a clearly jokingly comment now about how she feels like she knows the people we were talking about... well Nestle said something joking to her back... I half smiled grabbed my carry on luggage and tuned her out. Not mean... but we aren't friends... you're a stranger to me... period. So we got off the plane... picking story back up... We head outside to the bus that will take us and our luggage to the ship and lo and behold guess who's on the bus with us sitting right across from us... now she wants to talk all loud and engage us in conversation and the only thing going through my mind is woman you owe me an apology... until then I'll be cordial and mannerable but not friendly and warm... not going to happen. We get to the ship and her group lights up there cigarettes and try to choke us to death... Turns out Nestle through her carry on onto the truck that followed us with our luggage and you know what was in there? Her dang passport... so we get out of line and go back to the pier dock area for luggage hoping that (a) it has arrived and (b) we can get to it... So we do and we head on back and we must've run into the woman that entire first day... 2300 passengers on baord why do we keep running into her and she's getting friendler and friendlier ... whatever... 1st impressions are a mug. (A bit about my "problem" area... just in case you can't see it. I'm a warm friendly person who will talk to anyone... until they "mess up" once you've messed up you must earn your way back into my good graces... I have "cut off" many people... just X them right out of my life and they go to the mannerable, cordial section of my mind.) *note* ... all pictures from each day are in the link provided in the first post for that specific day...
_____________________________
Shaunii Walking where He leads. Come chat with me...
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RE: Shaunii's Space for Chit Chat - 11/22/2005 2:20:56 AM
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Shaunii
Posts: 995
Joined: 4/11/2005
Status: offline
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Day 2 The morning of day 2 we arrived in sunny/rainy/sunny/rainy… make up your mind St. Thomas. St. Thomas is a beautiful island and we were simply in awe of the view with it being our 1st port and all. We arrived later than we were scheduled to. We jumped out of bed trying to see the view and the drapes were pulled so it was pitch black in the room. In our excitement to see the first stop on our week long journey we snatched the drapes back opened the patio door and couldn’t even open our eyes it was so bright! I was squinting attempting to open a sliver of an eye at a time… it was very hard… Chevy was the only one with common sense and she opened her eyes in the darkened room, pulled the drapes back a teeny bit for light to enter the room and did a gradual adjustment on her eyes. LOL! For your viewing pleasure here are pictures of the lovely St. Thomas. After we came in off the balcony everyone got dressed and we headed to breakfast. Breakfast (for us) was done daily in the Windjammer Cafe (WC) link provides you with a virtual tour of the ship. The Windjammer is a buffet style restaurant and no matter where you sit you have excellent views. However we only made the mistake of sitting in the WC the 1st day. 1st off its air conditioned a lot and a bit chilly… well we’re walking around in clothes for 85 degree whether and above… Directly outside of the WC on either side and at two openings on one end are big comfy couches and chairs around tables that sat 4 or 8… that’s where we sat for leisure lunches… but we soon went even past that directly “outside” (all on deck eleven) to the part not surrounded by windows… just a clear view of whatever island at least 180 degrees… wonderful views… I think we got spoiled… breakfast just hasn’t been the same since I’ve been home. *sigh* Chevy needed to find a store so off the ship we walked to Kmart which was about a 15 minute walk from the dock. It seemed that we upset the local drivers that wanted to make a buck off of us… but really it’s a fifteen minute walk.. what’s that. So we head out to the store, pick up a few items and back to the ship we head. Well on the way we run into the parasailing guy and Nestle and I wanted to do that… So I spoke with the man (can’t recall his name) and set up an appointment for us for 2pm. Well on the way back from the store we run into him again and he’s willing to take us at 12pm so we dash up the stairs to don our bathing suits and cover ups and back out the door just in time to meet up with the guy who takes us to the boat that takes us out. We are going with a newlywed couple. We’re the only ones that booked so off we go… We get to the ship and dang doggit those pic’s are in the car… I’ll have to scan them for you… anyway… we await the arrival of the boat. When the boat arrives there’s the captain and this … beautiful man. He was so beautiful I couldn’t help but stare, flirt, gawk… whatever… he was gorgeous. Anyway, we were getting on the boat and as I walked past him he smiled and I smiled and said “Hello handsome” and he was like “Hello beautiful” *blush*… I smiled at him and continued walking… Putting on the harness was a bit… freaky… for lack of any better term… not in the scary way. So Mr. G (Gorgeous) was helping us put on our harnesses and you have to put your legs through the leg things and then lift up as he pulls it up on you… really freaky… and the man was sooooo fine that … well God had to help me… so anyway… we get my harness on and I tease him and say “you keep getting that close to me and I may attack you” and he replied, “I may let you” and flashed this beautiful smile… *faint* but hey I’m a master flirter… so I keep rolling… I told him as he was taking pictures of the couple that I wanted a picture of him on my roll … he agreed and then I forgot because you know… I was sorta just kidding… anyway… Now its our turn… we hook onto the parachute and up, up and away we go… it was like… soaring. I was SO dang excited! The boat ride was thrilling enough while the newlyweds were in the air. The little boat was speeding across the waters slamming down on the water and it was … exhilarating! So we’re up in the air just enjoying the view and then it was over… seemingly too quick. They dip our feet into the water on the way down and then pull us back up to bring us into the boat. We get on the boat and I must admit we made a smooth landing (which was good) and then we get out of the harness and sit back enjoying the ride back to the ship where we’re told by the captain that they’re stopping for the day because the winds have changed. So thankfully we went early instead of our original 2pm appointment and no where else on the cruise was parasailing offered. So the boat pulls back up to the dock and I’m sitting there talking to Nestle when I feel this arm around me… Mr. G has sat down beside me and gave the captain the camera and is all posed up for our picture. I can’t recall his name. I just know he was beautiful. He is from one of Chicago’s suburbs though He’s been out there eight months. Let me see if I can describe him… he was a blond, tanned, young, very toned beauty … I have our wonderful picture but I must warn you… it does him absolutely NO justice… however it’s in the car… I’ll get it tomorrow… On the way back to the ship (just down the dock) the skies change and it begins to pour down raining. Now what we came to realize on our trip was that it seemingly rained everyday (at least while we were there) often times very hard… for about 5-10 minutes and then it cleared up and went away like it never rained LOL! We made it back to the ship… and headed back out with the others for a tour of the island. Our tour guide for the next 2.5 hours was Lloyd. Lloyd was 73 years old and very knowledgeable about the island and told us all sorts of interesting information as we drove around. After our tour we headed back to the ship. Showered and dressed for our show & dinner. Needless to say we were late getting our show that began at 7pm. They were doing a mixture of different plays/musicals… We walked in in the middle of a few snippets of “Little Shop of Horrors”… it was nice. Then we headed off to dinner. I can’t remember what I had for dinner each night… just know that it was wonderful and that our servers were excellent! Nestle and Chevy kept getting sea sick so they took the pills daily. Donna and Mark from the table behind us had a birthday that day. Nestle and Chevy kept getting sea sick so they took the pills daily. They left out to go get some pills for sea sickness and Nikki went with them they asked me was I coming and I was like naw... so I stayed at the table and we danced the Macarena, wait staff and guests... they missed that... photo of course and then they sang happy birthday to Donna & Mark. So they invited me over to their table for cake and then my girls came back but they were leaving so I stayed in the dining room... Nothing much else happened that I can recall… we may have toured a little more of the ship seeing what was on there… and then we went to bed.
_____________________________
Shaunii Walking where He leads. Come chat with me...
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