Wow - that's all I can say! I have been running around like a crazy person since Wednesday night! Trying to say goodbyes, run errands, and pack everything to leave for a 7:30 am flight Friday morning. In case you haven't heard - I got a phone call while I was substituting (my first day actually) that Royal Caribbean needed a replacement Girl 1 for the Jewel of the Seas by FRIDAY. I had been sending emails since I got home saying "if you need a replacement I'm here because I don't go back until April", but I never dreamed they'd actually call! Boy was I wrong!
Let's see if I can give you a run down of the last two days:
I got into Miami around 9:30 and waited to take the shuttle over to the ship. I finally signed on to the ship around lunch time and from then on it was just one big mess! I was handed music for 2 of the shows, then pushed into a rehearsal for the welcome where everything was the opposite of what it was for me last time, had costume fittings until 7:00 knowing that I had an 8:00 call for the Welcome Aboard Show...finished the welcome (which came off farely well considering I just met these people...), ate and then rehearsed until 12:30 Fri. night...
Woke up at 7:30 Sat. morning for required safety training - took my music with me and tried to memorize it during that 3 hour class - then had to get my crew card and emergency card from the office (loooong line of new hires and sign ons), and got finished at 11:30 - just in time to grab a bite to eat before a 12:00 rehearsal. Learned my blocking/choreography for 1/2 the songs I do in the first show - which I will be performing TONIGHT...that was followed by a vocal rehearsal where I sang with the singers for the first time - and I finally finished around 6:00 last night. I took a break on rehearsing and tried to get my thoughts together because my brain was pretty much shutting down at that point. I order some room service and chilled out for about 2 hours and then my cleaning guy FINALLY came and cleaned my room which gave me an excuse to go back upstairs and practice on my own. I rehearsed until about 10:30, wrote a few emails, and finally went to bed.
When I took this contract one of the best parts about it (other than the warm itinerary) was that this ship goes to Labadee. That may not mean much to you, but that is where John is working now!! So, here I thought I'd be in Alaska all summer and probably never have the chance to see John again, and all of the sudden I get this phone call that I'd be joining the Jewel Friday and would be in Labadee by Sunday!!!! I was SO excited and so was John! We've emailed back and forth about it and his boss was ready to give him a really long "lunch" so that we could spend some time together. My dance captain/supervisor was more than willing to work around those couple of hours and schedule rehearsals in the afternoon so that I could see him too! It was all working out just perfectly!
THEN - I woke up bright and early this morning so that I'd be ready to step off the ship on the first or second tender and low and behold....the captain makes an announcement while I'm in the shower..."Ladies and gentlemen, I'm sorry to inform you we will not be able to tender at Labadee today due to this bad weather we're having. It wouldn't be safe for us to put you on the tenders right now and we don't want to risk any injuries. They've also had some equipment come lose on the island so none of that will be in use as well....." etc etc. Of all things...the weather has kept us apart!! BBBOOOOOOOOO... :( BUT, I will be back in 21 days and this time I'll know to pray for more than just getting to Labadee...I'll pray I can actually get off the ship and see John too!!
Let's see....what else...OH! I get my own room this time!! I have my own room and plenty of closet space. I'm considered guest status now, so I get to where jeans during the day and eat in guest areas whenever I want! It's GREAT! I don't know what to do with myself!
The shows are going to be great. I have some great songs and the cast is very talented. If you're interested in checking out my male singers here are their websites:
www.andrewjamesperry.com - B2/vocal captain
www.dwaynebritton.com - B1
And I don't know how to let you here Nikki, the G2, but she has a really nice sound too and we blend really well together.
I'm really nervous about performing tonight, but I do have to say...after all the stress that I was feeling up until this morning, the tech run went really well today. I'm only in 4 numbers so far, and I won't say things went perfectly, but I definitely felt 100x better after the run than I have been feeling. If you happen to read this today then please say a prayer. I want to thank all of you that already knew about everything and have been praying. I woke up this morning feeling refreshed and ready to perform, and I know that's thanks to your prayers!
We have late shows tonight and we've already finished rehearsing for the day, so I don't have anything to do until around 6:00 pm! YEA! I'll be relaxing and probably playing on the internet in my room! (Yes that's right, I have internet in my room now! woo hoo!) More to come!
Blessings,
Kristian
6 comments:
Wow! How exciting! I can't imagine the pressure of having 24 hours to learn a show and perform it for a ton of people who are paying BIG BUCKS to see it. You go girl! I know you can do it.
WOWOWOWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!Kristian!!! My word! I cannot believe what you have just been through this past weekend! That is AMAZING what you have just stepped in and done! I am SO PROUD of you! You are truly a professional.
HOW NEAT that you have only been home since Christmas(?) and already you have been called back to the open waters to do another show. WOW! I am THRILLED! I am even more excited that I got to see you while you were home. Thank you so much for coming by. I guess I'll take a rain check on you speaking to my studio master class!!!
I went back and was able to read all of your blogs that I have missed since August. The pictures were FABULOUS!!! What an incredible time you have had. Please promise me that you won't stop performing on cruise ships until you have seen the entire world! Please do this for me!
Anyway, you mentioned that some dumb guy actually made the comment on the comment card that you were "painful" to listen to on that given night? Well, if you were so "painful" to listen to, I wonder why the company called you back to perform after you had only been home a month or so? That is such a complement to you. They could have chosen anyone, but you were their selection. AND, off you go, on your second cruise. WOW! How utterly cool it is to be living in your shoes now - you are young, blessed by God, talented, beautiful, doing what you love most- singing and you are seeing the world!!! I am SO THRILLED!!! There is plenty of time to settle down and live in one place. Go and see the world that God has made. What a gift he has given you! I am overjoyed for you!
Now, about this Johnboy - there were so many people in my class when you came in, that I didn't get to hear about him. Realizing that I have not had the opportunity to read your blogs or see all the wonderful pictures until tonight, I didn't know about this Australian! He is a doll! Don't you love his accent? It must be fabulous! I bet he loves your accent, too! He is such a cutie! No wonder you seem to be crazy about him! AND- you have already met the parents? in Perth? Things seem to be moving right along, don't they? Now, aren't you glad you took my suggestion to sing on a cruise ship??? Tee Hee...I have just been waiting to hear about a new man in your life. I knew that it would only be a matter of time. You know, I thought you looked like you had an extra "twinkle" in your eye! I'm glad I have not lost my eye for things like that!!! You also looked as if you had something to tell me. It must have been about John, I'm guessing.
I have never seen such a happy grin on your face as the grin you have in your pictures with John. I have seen you with a guy or so that you have dated, but I have never seen you look like you look when you are with John. You wear a different look on your face, Kristian, when you are with him. I am pleased that you are happy. It shows all over your face!
I will be anxious to hear about this cruise. The shows will be fabulous - and I LOVE your state room! You get to wear jeans and eat where the guests eat? WOW!
Is this just a short cruise or will it develop into something else? Will you still go on the ship in April or has that all changed? How does that work? Will you still be a featured entertainer on the April cruise or will you stay on this ship? I know that you have not had time to think, but when you settle into your show and have a minute, could you explain what your situation is? I am so curious.
Just so you know - I LOVED the pictures! Hawaii was wonderful. It seems even prettier now than when I was there in 1979. I have never been to Australia and would love to go! You have seen so much of it! The pictures made it look like paradise! I can't wait to show TJ the pictures of you petting the kangaroo and especially the koalas - he loves them both! I can't remember where you will go on this cruise. You had said that the cruise in April will take you on 14-day cruises to Asia and Europe, Greece, Italy, Egypt,etc. On the USO tour I went to Asia and Europe. There was a Mediterranean tour that I really wanted to go on, but never had the opportunity. The girls on the next Miss America USO tour went on that one. If you tour the Mediterranean, I want pictures! I understand that the water is unbelievably blue!!! Of course, you talked about how gorgeous Austrailian waters were. The Carribean is the most gorgeous blue water I have ever seen. Its also the only cruise that I have been on. I am anxious to hear your impressions. I've never been to Italy and Greece. I want to know!!!
I am tickled absolutely to death that you are doing this. I can't wait to hear about your life on this blog. I am excited all over again about this cruise, just as I was on your first one. I am absolutely blown out of the water that they called you back so soon! You are obviously a favorite choice of theirs. You are a smart girl to just pick up and go when they need you. You saving their necks will endear you to them.
OK. It is almost 1am and I have had a 12 hour teaching day. You know that I am excited if I am still awake at 1am! However, it is time to go to bed. Please let me know where you are going and how long you will be gone. Just remember that we are all slaving away on Sweeney Todd, just as you are slaving away at learning a show in 24 hours. I can guarantee you that we are not having nearly as much fun as you are!
Enjoy yourself, stay well and keep us informed of what is going on with you. Please know that I am praying for you and delighted that you are on the open seas again!!!
Love, Mrs. Stricklin
Hey Kristian!
It has been so long since I have used this blog, that I have forgotten how to long on. This is another attempt to do so.
~Mrs. Stricklin
Good Morning, Kristian!
I got exactly 4 hours of sleep last night after becoming addicted to your photos/blogs from Hawaii, Figi, Australia, etc. I certainly know better than to begin reading your blogs after a long rehearsal, but once I realized that you were once again on a cruise ship performing, I was beside myself. I woke up this morning still excited! I have a permanent grin on my face and all I can do is think about you already on your second cruise!
Pam and Haley have been auditioning, which I have also been excited about. No offers yet, but Pam has gotten a callback for Johanna in Sweeney Todd - a production that the Red Mountain Theatre in Birmingham is producing. I didn't even know about the theatre, but it apparently is an equity production. She was one of 5 girls to be called back for the role. Pam thinks that a senior voice major from Samford who is actually from London, England will probably get the role. That's OK. Pam did great and got a call back. Imagine this- she is student teaching and has just done this audition!
Haley, Jacob and Tyler auditioned at Dollywood this weekend. It was the first set of auditions. The people still have Memphis and Birmingham to go, where they are a part of SETC, the formal theatre's conference. Haley said that they didn't get a call back, but who knows? They could still hear after all of the auditions are concluded. Haley seems to think that Miss Alabama will interfere with the rehearsal schedule/opening date for the show and that might knock her out of a spot.
Meanwhile, life goes on at JSU - I have rehearsals for Sweeney Todd, 2 recitalists, 2 sophomore barriers, NATS, 12 voice students, 2 classes of Class Voice. TJ has a term paper to do and a project which he tells me he cannot do without me, so we begin tonight on that. Tonight is the only night that I have off to help him. I was afraid that I would not have a night off to help him this week, but the Lord provided the time.
Speaking of which, you mentioned in one of your blogs earlier that Royal Carribean had to lay off 400 employees due to the economy and price of oil. I am sure that you realize how significant it is that you are not only NOT laid off, but are performing on your second cruise, only two months after you finished the first one. God provides. Despite this economy, you are working. He most assuredly has a plan in mind for you, or the doors would not swing open so easily. Follow that plan and walk through those doors to find what He has for you.
Please know that my prayers are with you at all times and how proud I am of you! I may get bogged down with work and not be able to email you, but I will still be thinking of you and praying for you.
Right now, I have to head out to catch up with life - get groceries (first time since Christmas - life is too busy), purchase TJ's lunches for Feb/Mar, run errands, etc. This is the first day I have had any time off at all.
Take care of yourself and enjoy your cruise. Keep us posted on what is going on when you can.
Love, Mrs. Stricklin
Hi Kristian!
I am still excited about your second cruise! This morning, as I drank my coffee, I wondered what your coffee tasted like on the Jewel of the Seas. AND, since you are considered to be "guest status" and can eat where the guests eat, did you get your coffee from Latte-tudes? I would have loved to have met you for breakfast on the ship and heard all about the show!
Have a great time and I'll catch up with you later!
Love, Mrs. Stricklin
Hi Kristian!
I was just thinking about my friends who have performed on cruise ships. It just so happens that they were all in Miss Alabama, just like you. Tammy Little (Miss Alabama 1984) traveled for several years and toured the world. I know she toured the Scandinavian countries in addition to other ports. Don't know which cruise line she was with before she gave it up to have 4 children, I think. Tresa Harden was Miss Troy University in 1985 and performed on cruise ships for several years. Shea Pruitt from Gadsden, Miss Riverfest 1989, I learned just today performed on cruise ships. In fact, my student from Gadsden says that she is never home. She may still be performing.
These three ladies are younger than me, but older than you. I would imagine that they are no longer performing on cruises. I don't know which cruise lines they were on, but you never know - you may run across them if they went into management. Tammy is at home in Section, AL. I don't know where Tresa and Shea are.
Just thought I'd toss some names out there just by the smallest chance that you might actually run into them. If you do, please give them my love!
Have a great week!
Love, Mrs. Stricklin
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