The Adventure Begins

January 9, 2011 - "And so it begins. A story as old as time. The tale of the dream and the dreamer. A reflection of that spirit that lives within us all . . . " These words from Neil Diamond's "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" capture the spirit of how I felt as I left for this newest adventure.

There are three things I know. God's plans for me are for good and not for evil. Second, God has an imagination beyond my comprehension. Finally, God has a sense of humor. These three things must be true or why, at this advanced stage in my career am I choosing to 'go to sea,' serving four month contracts as the Training and Development Manager for the beautiful ship, the Silhouette, of Celebrity Cruise Lines?

I think the answer is that I firmly believe that when we go to work we should not leave are hearts at home, as a friend once told me. And so, with the next step of my career ready to be taken, I chose not the highest dollar amount, but the job that touched my heart. To live on God's beautiful ocean, training, guiding, counselling, and encourage people who desire to deliver exceptional experiences to their guests.

That didn't make the leaving home any easier. First, because I chose to attend my Forensics teams tournament on Saturday before I left, and we didn't return home until 10pm. Leaving those young men and women, who have such a firm hold on my heart was only the beginning of the challenge. The tears flowed, they prayed over me with the Irish Blessing, and even though I knew this was the right step to take, a part of my heart was torn and left behind.

Of course, now I had to pack for this four month journey (not that it seems to have mattered . . . more on that later). However, I'm a guy, so I was able to be fully packed by 1am. Yet, having to get up at 3:30am to make the first of four flights, sleep did not come easily and only was my companion for a scant 90 minutes. With so little sleep and mounting stress I bid adieu to my family in the pre-dawn darkness. More tears, more heartache . . . but I felt called forward to walk this path.

But as was once written, the best laid plans of mice and men . . . Although the first two flights taking me as far as Orlando went well, a mechanical delay on the flight to Miami resulted in missing my connection to St. Thomas, where I was supposed to join my ship. Since the airlines could not get me to my port in time, I worked for two hours with my Corporate Travel team to reschedule me to stay in Miami for a night, and then fly today, Monday, to Antigua so I could join the Silhouette on Tuesday. The flight went well, except for one small fact . . . my bag did not make the reroute. So, with a planned voyage of 4 months, I am awaiting the bag that will facilitate most of my personal needs. We HOPE the bag will be in Antigua by tomorrow, BUT, if it isn't on my ship by 4pm, we will leave it behind and it must chase me around the Caribbean.

For those of you who were accusing me of taking a long vacation . . . perhaps you are getting the indication that this is more like When Vacations Attack!

However, in my delays, Celebrity Cruise Lines treats me well. They put me up in the Miami Airport Marriott last night, and tonight I'm in the lovely Tradewinds Hotel on a hilltop overlooking the sea in Antigua. The current blog profile picture was taken from my patio restaurant dining table as the sun set on my first night in the Caribbean.

So, at 0900 tomorrow morning, I will leave the hotel to join the Silhouette. Will I have a bag, clothes, and most personal effects? 

The adventure continues . . .

Deke