Rachel Hampton

Settling In February 9, 2009

Well…it is official, I know my room, roommates, and job assignment. Curious? Suspense…

Ok, I am rooming with the same four girls that were in my temporary cabin this past week. Nikki is 20 and from the Philippines, Elly is 40ish and from Indonesia, and Fumie is around 18 from Japan. Our room is one of the smallest on board with no window BUT I hear that in four months or so when the new preship comes, we are some of the first ones that get an option to move to another cabin. I moved my stuff in yesterday and was displeased with the bland bedding that the ship offers (though they offer it kindly) so I went with a friend to the local mall and bought some bedding. It feels more cozy and happy now.

As far as my job…yesterday morning they had a big presentation for us.  They would call a person to the front and present them with an envelope. They opened it to see a certificate with their name on it, inviting them to join the  ______ dept.  Well, I was hoping for book ex and I GOT IT! I can expect to sweat alot because it is really hot in there.  Still, I am excited to get started.  We have our first day of training tomorrow.  Then Wednesday we have to pack up the entire bookshop for sailing late that afternoon.  Then we set everything back up on Thursday in another port in the Philippines.  So we’ll definitely get a crash course in the book exhibition. 

Today we got to learn about the life rafts and were lowered into the water from the ship and then sailed around the port a little bit.  It was fun though I’m hoping that is the only time I will have to do that…next time it would be because the ship is sinking. We also got to shoot the fire hoses off the stern of the ship for practice.  We had a lot of fun with that, especially since the wind was blowing towards us and everyone got soaked with the salty sea water.  We were trying not to think about all the trash we’ve seen floating in that water over the past week.

Saturday evening I was able to meet up with the Children of the World kids and a few chaperones! It was so good to see them and I can’t believe how big they are! They got a tour of the ship and then we went to the mall and ate dinner at Jollibee.  It is a popular fast food restaurant in the Philippines.   We just hung out, took photos, and went souvenir shopping. The time passed way too quickly and then we had to leave the mall, they going their way and me going mine. Those kids are awesome and I’m so glad we got to hang out.  I think they were happy to see someone from the US in their own country.  It doesn’t happen often. OH! and I almost forgot…when we were shopping guess what song came on? “How am i supposed to live w/o you” from Saved by the Bell.  I laughed out loud.

I am feeling more and more at home here.  I’m starting to understand my way around the ship and how the rules work.  People are so nice and it’s easy to sit anywhere in the dining room and just start talking to someone. Everyone says that by the time I leave, I will know everyone on board so much more than I do now. I am still really looking forward to this next year.  It’s hard to believe I am finally here!  God has been teaching me a lot in Isaiah as I’ve been reading this week. Mostly about the kind of person I DON’T want to be. There’s a lot of growing to be done, but that’s good. I’ve never liked staying in one place to long anyway