When I look back at the
past year, the thing that comes to my mind is: 'What a surprise!' I
cannot believe how fast it has gone – though that's a very common
phrase I can see it come true in my life as well – and how many
surprises it has brought me. One of the reasons the year went by fast
is that I ended up 'ship hopping'. In only ten months I've been on
five different ships (Oasis, Grandeur, Legend, Independence, and
Liberty) that have been everything from ok to amazing but
nevertheless teaching me something and leaving me with more
experience and a tad more wisdom.
It's been such a surprise
to me how smoothly my transition back to ships has been. In a way it
felt like I had never left. Even better. I could almost see ships
from a new hire's perspective and still feel at place because I
didn't have to learn everything from zero. It was great. I kept
running into old friends and I made new friends along the way as
well. There is probably no place more international than a cruise
ship. I've worked with people from all over the world and let me tell you,
it's a privilege! By now, I've roomed with girls from 12 different
countries (Canada, USA, Argentina, Netherlands, Colombia, Sweden,
Ukraine, England, South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, and Peru).
People come and go. True
friends stay. When working and living on a ship, even the best of
friends though have to part and may leave you a little empty. I've
had so many goodbyes this year, it's not even funny. Most of the time
my 'Germaness' can brush it off as, if it's meant to be we'll see each
other again. In other cases these friends have grown so close to my
heart that I will definitely put an effort in seeing them again.
That's also part of ship life. You've got friends everywhere in the
world. If you feel like traveling in your time off you hope the
person you want to visit happens to be on vacation as well. Twice
I've been lucky enough to visit people in between or after contracts.
First California, then South Africa.
At the beginning of the
year I had asked God to make my path straight. I wanted to know where
my path was leading me, and looking back I'm overwhelmed. Never would
I have chosen this way or could have even remotely imagined it taking
me to the places I've been to and to the people I've met. Having said
this, I would have missed out on so much I don't want to miss in my
life. I'm grateful for where God has led me so far. He knows best.
Christmas is around the
corner and I will be able to spend it at home in Germany. After the
super long summer I've had all year long I'm actually looking forward
to getting out my winter coat and scarf and just dress 'properly'!
Thank God Jesus came into this world to set us free from everything
that can bind us. Thank God He gives us so much more than we could
ever ask for. Thank God that life is amazing.
