Carnival Destiny

HERE'S MY BLOG-A-DAY FROM THE CRUISE. ALL WORDS. NO PICTURES. BUT THEY WILL COME LATER I PROMISE :)

Day 1—Boarding

After leaving our hotel and driving through Miami port traffic we managed to get everyone on board the Carnival Destiny. What’s the first thing you do when you get on a cruise ship? Eat of course! Buffets were all set up right from the start. Luggage was delivered to our rooms and we put on our bathing suits…I’m planning on soaking up as much sun as possible. At 4:30pm we set sail and let me tell you, you sure can feel this boat moving. Amanda and I set up massage appointments for tomorrow :) and we entered a raffle. Not only did we not win anything, but we had to sit there for 45 minutes to learn we didn’t win anything. By that point it was time for dinner. (My only complaint! Promise! Haha) I had spinach and artichoke dip, lasagna, and chocolate melting cake for dessert. Eat, Eat, Eat! Amanda and I wanted to watch karaoke at 10:30, so we took a little power nap. The karaoke night turned into “Amanda’s is hungry again and wants pizza and ice cream”, so Paige and Taylor joined in. When there’s free soft serve ice cream you know you’re in trouble! We stopped by the karaoke bar, comedy show, and the little shops on board. I like the way the balcony area is set up on deck. It’s stadium seating with lounge chairs and a jumbo screen (football was on tonight). So far so good! Off to bed-8am in the gym.

Day 2—Day at sea

Sleeping on this boat is magical. The rocking puts me out in no time! 7:30 up and at ‘em! Juliane, Paige, Taylor, Amanda, and I went to the gym for an hour, which was a little crowded by the way, then headed to the buffet breakfast with the rest of the crew. My mom and Scott wake up at the crack of dawn so they saved us seats (which were being saved at 6am…I thought people slept in on vacation) Our day consisted of lounging around on the lido deck, an ice sculpture demonstration, a hairy chest contest (Uncle scooter should have one :)), a massage, a family photo in our formal evening attire, and a yummy dinner. 2 items that are permanently on the menu all week: spinach and artichoke dip and chocolate melting cake. I think they knew I was coming. I really like how cruise dining works. Everyone gets their own little starter, a main meal, and a dessert. It is very efficient! After dinner part of the gang went to a show, Vegas themed. I was falling asleep, but I had to write a blog post :) Now it’s prayer time then crash time! Grand Turk in the morning!

Day 3—Grand Turk

First stop, Grand Turk! We didn’t have any excursions planned so we just walked off the pier and onto the beach. Scott bought all of us Ron Jon t-shirts and palm tree charms for our Pandora bracelets. The water was amazingly clear! The rest of the family went snorkeling (Amanda and I have been snorkeling maybe one too many times haha). We had to be back on the boat before 2pm. The whole family met up for lunch on the lido deck. The gym was super crowded in the morning yesterday so Amanda and I tried it after lunch and it was so much better! After the gym it was shower time then you guessed it…nap time! Well…first, I discovered I burned a little. :( I crashed for about 2 hours and then it was dinner time! I think we all just eat the main meal to get to dessert. CHOCOLATE MELTING CAKE! After, I hung out with my mama for a little. The sun really takes it out of me hence why I’m in bed at 9:30 haha. Parasailing tomorrow!! May just be the highlight of my trip :)

Day 4—Half Moon Cay (“Key”)

Parasailing day! However, we woke up this morning to a cloudy, rainy, yucky day. I was pretty disappointed the whole morning thinking we weren’t going to be able to go. We had to take a boat to the island (which is privately owned by Carnival and Holland American). It rained and it rained and it rained. I said a little prayer while we were waiting on the island. Low and behold, it stopped raining literally for the hour we were scheduled to go. I was and still am so grateful. It was awesome! Amanda and I got to ride together and a nice family on the boat took pictures for us. I took the flip camera up with us and I’ll try to upload them here. So funny :) We went up 500 ft which is actually only half way but they limited the distance because of weather. It was still pretty high if I do say so myself! We headed back to the island and met up with mom and Scott for a little bbq. After, we trekked through the rain and got on the boat to head back to the ship. At this point…it was pouring! I called dibs on the first hot shower haha. The end of the day consisted of a manicure, a nap (surprised?), and then dinner. Chocolate melting cake was more like chocolate syrup today…little bit of a disappointment, but hey I got to go parasailing! I can sleep in peace tonight and hopefully no more nightmares…maybe more on that later haha. Tomorrow—swimming with dolphins in Nassau! Good night :)

Day 5—Nassau, Bahamas

decker boat over to the Blue Lagoon Island. Kind of reminded me a kids club island. Lots of blow-up slides and water parks. We however headed straight to the dolphin encounter where we got to hug, kiss, and interact with Andy the dolphin. Hopefully, Paige will put some pictures up from her underwater camera. It was so fun! Lots of laughs included :) And if you happen to travel to the blue lagoon DON’T buy the ice cream. Unless you want to spend 8 dollar haagen dazs ice cream bars. Yes, Toots spend 65 on a large bag of cheetos, a diet coke, and 7 ice cream bars! We all laughed about it at dinner. Back on the ship we all ate lunch, took showers, and Amanda and I crashed for 2 hours before dinner (tired about hearing about my naps yet??). I’m thinking of making a New Years Resolution of taking a nap everyday. I would be pretty successful! I ate my last Chocolate Melting Cake ever…so sad. Mom, Scott, Amanda, and myself went and hung out in their room. Procrastinating. Finally, we had to get packing to put our bags out in front of our room before 11. Now us girls are just watching Funny People on one of the many Spanish channels. Tomorrow=Miami which=turning on the phone! We are all betting who gets the most texts haha. Well, here’s to a successful cruise!! Happy New Years Eve, Everyone!!

Cold December Night

It has been pretty warm over here on the east side of the country, but I'm picturing my white Christmas with my Christmas carols. Michael Buble always does the trick :)

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

...which is why this week as been DRAGGING on. OK, I'm having fun being at home, but when a cruise is around the corner...home can seem a little boring. What I have done since I've been home: eat, sleep, visit friends/family, saw Billy Elliot, eat, sleep, church on Sunday, Michael's family birthday dinner, eat, sleep, worked out (once haha), errands with mom, and you guessed it...eat, sleep. There have been some exciting moments but the other moments...I wonder if my clock moves backwards! (Tootsie agrees hence the email from her today: "4 more days and we cruise, but I miss your blog...makes time pass quickly!!")

Not sure what the Internet situation will be on the cruise, but I'm going to write a blog a day with pictures so that all you blog readers can be very jealous :) Well, it's really just so I can remember haha. Hope everyone is having a relaxing holiday filled with fun. Don't want time to drag on :)

Let It Go

Bored? No...Board!

There was a possibility, starting at the beginning of my week, to go snowboarding on Wednesday. Brighton was having a "buy 1 get 1 free" night pass and my friend Ben was trying to get some people to go. I wasn't planning on going, but I came home after class to find Andrew in my apartment with all his snow gear on..."Ya comin'?!" After contemplating for a little I actually decided to go...probably the best decision of my week. It was just me, Ben , and Andrew--three musketeers. Haha. It was so much fun...little weird being on my board again in a few months, but I got back into it fairly quickly. I'm SO excited for the season to get going and for snow to start falling! :)

2 classes (ones a party!)

4 finals

Bahamas. There's a light at the end of the tunnel!

Warm Weather

It was a wopping (sp?) 10 degrees this morning when I left to go to class. Can I just say that I am not ready for this! Yeah for snow up in the mountains to go boarding, but can it be a tropical island here on campus? Speaking of tropical weather...in 3 weeks I will be here:

Nassau, Bahamas

Grand Turk

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas

Man, I can feel that warm weather already! :) Thanks to the best grandparents in the ENTIRE WORLD we will all set sail on the Carnival Destiny the day after Christmas!!

Until then I have:

-1 last physics assignment

-1 midterm (just finished my last paper woohoo!)

-5 more classes (2 days)

-4 finals

I can totally do it!

PS. Pandora station: "Michael Buble (Holiday)"= the best. period.

Happy Tuesday!

Basil Pesto

We all know that I love cereal. 99% of my breakfast meals (some lunches and dinners) in my lifetime have been cereal. Lunch has always been the tricky meal for me. I grew up on turkey sandwiches and yes, they are great, but the can get old. Especially, when you are a cheap collage student and can't buy the good, fresh deli meats. Anywho, I have found my new lunch addiction. Basil Pesto! For the next two weeks I will be having cereal for breakfast and some sort of pesto dish. It is so darn yummy!

Keep listening to that Christmas music blog readers!

Happy Monday :)

PS. Exactly two months left of being a teenager. 20's here I come!

Joseph's Lullaby

This song is the first song I play after Thanksgiving. It is one of my favorite Christmas songs and it has such a powerful message. A parents love for their children is something I have not experienced yet, but I know when I do it will be more than I can imagine. Let us all remember what Christmas is all about.

Christmas Music

IT'S FINALLY HERE! Everyone is now allowed to listen to Christmas music and I will not get mad at you. In fact, I'm currently listening to this joyous song:

Mom and I sorted through all of our decorations and donated a ton to Good Will. She's all happy that our garage is less cluttered. Christmas lights are up in the front. Hopefully, the inside will get done tomorrow. Listening to Delilah on 97.1 just makes me so happy (even if they do cheat and start before Thanksgiving). Anyone know of a Christmas radio station in Utah?? 

Speaking of Utah, I'm excited to go back this year. Don't get me wrong, I am soaking up all the time I have at home, but I won't be as sad to leave this year. I'm going to finish out the semester strong (I hope) and hopefully hit the slopes!

Happy beginning-of-the-Christmas-season everyone!

Happy Turkey Day!

Happy Thanksgiving from the Huguely, Ingersoll, Douglass, Fulmer clan!

"Count your blessings, name them one by one,

Count your blessings, see what God hath done!

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done."

 Some things that I am grateful for...not in any particular order:

-My family

-My friends/roommates

-The university I attend

-Pecan Pie

-My bed

-The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

-My phone

-My testimony

-My scarfs

-This country I live in

-My house

-Music

-My computer/skype

-Prayer

-Cereal

-Airplanes

-My health

-Hot water

-My scriptures

-Mashed potatoes and gravy

-Fall

I'm Leaving On A Jet Plane!

ok..not quite yet, but I'm officially done with all of my assignments! All that's left is to sit through an hour of class tomorrow. Then really... I'M LEAVING ON A JET PLANE! 301 here I come :)

Why Is It Dreen?

I realized I didn't have a picture of my house I could post up here. I'm going to be in it in approximately....146 hours. BUT don't be discouraged. Google has everything!!

There it is! What a beaut! I love the east coast so much and miss it. Yes, Utah, you have very pretty mountains, but I miss trees! Green! Or as my apartment would say it...dreen...because of these funny videos:

We quote this more than actually holding conversations...pretty sure. Anyway, just thought I would give you blog readers a little laugh. :)

Still lovin' life! Tomorrow I will be done with Anatomy Lab. I might cry. Not even kidding. Those cadavers are my best friend. Ok, not really but I have loved loved loved this class. Plus, it gave me a reason to see/study with a certain someone...curious? I'm sure you are :)

Lovin' Life

Despite my crazy, stressful week ahead. I'm really happy. I'm lovin life. :) Elaboration hopefully coming soon.

Sweats

I love them.

This weekend, I will be living in them.

Why?

Because professors assign everything the week before thanksgiving.

What do I have due?

Physics Homework
Anatomy Homework
Marriage Reading
Nutrition Exam (that I'm SO not ready for)
Nutrition Research Paper
MY ANATOMY LAB FINAL ON FRIDAY!

As of now I'm optimistic. We'll see how long that last...which is not being optimistic is it?

Good News?

I didn't miss 11/11/11 11:11...made my first epic wish. one down one to go.

So here I am. Waiting for my final class of the day to start. In my sweats. Happy Friday!

2 Weeks

2 Weeks!

...and I'll be on a plane back to the East. :)

Walk On The Water

I love this song. It came up on my iPod through shuffle and just thought I would share it. Helps me get through those tough days :)

Halloween Weekend

Oh my goodness. What a weekend it has been ladies and gentlemen. FRIDAY It all started with a ward Halloween Party where we went as the Spice Girls (our ginger had a hot date)...

 Then, my bishop's costume scared the living day lights out of me when I realized it was him. Blue Man is a Brother Cowdell...also in the bishopric....creepy I know.

Then, we threw a little 1990's dance party. Nothing like a little backstreet boys to get a party started. Wardrobe change must be mentioned...

Alex, Heather, and I found these lovely gems at DI  for 15 dollars. Like the Velcro shoes??

After our dance party we traveled over to the Capitol House to watch Beverly Hills Ninja. I had actually never seen it before, but apparently it's a 90's classic? It was funny.

SATURDAY Alex (above in stripes) is a drummer in a band called Robert and the Carrolls, so like good friends we all went and watched him play at Velour down near Center St. They did a fantastic job! I really liked it, plus I got another chance to wear my lovely 90's outfit since that was the theme. After, a few of us had to munchies and grabbed some food at Wendy's. Then KayCee, Alex, Taylor, Ben, and myself managed to get into a dance party with redbull. (They were accepting canned foods and some girl gave us red bull and we totally used it to get it! haha) So we danced it up a bit then headed back to Alex's apartment to watch Jumper with Scott (these names mean nothing to you readers, I understand). Finally around 3 I was in bed.

Decided to change for the dance party so I decided to bring an oldie back...yeah sophomore year!!

SUNDAY Stake conference was really great! I surprisingly did not fall asleep and got a lot out of it. After we had some delicious pancakes with some fine young gentlemen. Then the four roommates got cozy on the couch and took a 10 minute nap which ended due to lots of visitors. We are just so popular. Ward Prayer, Planet Earth at the Capital House, and now my bed! 

That has been my weekend...and Halloween hasn't even happened!! Tomorrow we are watching a scary movie at the CH for ACTUAL Halloween :)

PS. I just registered for winter semester...classes don't start until 12 and I don't have class on Friday. SWEET! Now all I need is the snow!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Halloween Kick-Off

A bunch of us from the ward decided to start of Halloween last night and watch a classic. Hocus Pocus! It's at red box! This was by far one of the scariest movies I used to watch when I was little. Winnie Sanderson (the middle)...scares me. Sarah and Mary are just hilarious. Anywho, I'm excited for Halloween! Ward party on friday and I'm trying to coordinate with my friend Heather a ward 90's party afterwards. Little 90's music and watch another 90's classic. Sounds fun right?? It should be a good weekend after this stressful week I have had. Happy Thursday!

No Weekend For Me

It might be Friday, but looks like I won't be having much of a break. Here's what is approaching in the upcoming week.

1. Nutrition Midterm
2. Marriage Paper
3. Physics Midterm
4. Nutrition Abstract for my research paper...that I haven't started my research on.
5. Oh, and of course anatomy which takes up the majority of my time.
6. Throw in all the little odds and ends like readings, hw assignments, and quizzes...

Sounds like fun right? But I know I can do it. One thing at a time. Let my weekend begin!

PS. skypes from back home are the greatest. 33 days!

Going To Bed Before 9

Sometimes it just has to happen. My eyes are closing as I'm writing this post. This week has burnt me out and it's only Tuesday. But before I pass out just thought I would post from pinterest since that's what I did to stay awake in physics today. Good night!

I find these to be adorable

I find these to look fantastic

And I find this to be so true!

Apples With Peanut Butter

Probably one of my favorite snacks and yes I had one today. Not to mention it's healthier than that bag of potato chips or cheez-its :) Happy snacking!

Faith

Have some. 

Everything will work out. 

Pinterest

This post was for yesterday...I failed with pictures and got super frustrated...

Follow me on Pinterest.com :)

http://pinterest.com/magpie3/

I think I rocked my anatomy midterm! My cerebrum was working in my favor.

This weekend...
--Hang out with Julie bee until she leaves me tomorrow
--Ward Bonfire!
--Watch the football game
--Go by groceries
--Go to Zuuuumba!
--Make something yummy for Relief Society
--Prepare my lesson for Relief Society
--Homework: Anatomy, anatomy, anatomy, and maybe some physics.

Possibilites/Most likely....
--Play banana grams with the Elms boys
--Take a nap
--Catch up on TV shows
--Weekly movie with Benjamin! I've been catching him up on the past 2 years.

Sound exciting? Yeah I know!

Just another typical Maggie weekend.

...days until I'm reunited with these people:

Anatomy Midterm Tomorrow

BAHHHH...infundibulum, rectus femoris, biceps brachii, petrous part, cribriform plate, extensor carpi radialis longus, medulla oblongata, labdoid suture...bored yet?

Now multiply that by 100 and that's about how many words I have to memorize. Not only do I have to know where they are, I also have to spell it correctly. Miss two letters? Wrong!

PANIC MODE!

Actually, I feel pretty ready for it. I need to practice some spelling and learn my origins and insertions and all should go swimmingly.

Mr. Reynolds

Mmmm. I love me some nice toned deltoids, pectoralis majors, and rectus abdominus muscles. 

(Sorry Toots and Pop...but I had too.)

Red Light

Red Light ~David Nail
so this is how it ends
this is where it all goes down
this is what I don't love you feels like

It ain't the middle of the night
and it ain't even raining outside
It ain't exactly what I had in mind.
For goodbye

At a red light in the sunshine
on a Sunday nothing to say
don't even try
some are coming home
some are leaving town
while my worlds crashing down
on a Sunday in the sunshine at a red light

I thought she was going to say
something about that couple kissing
crossing the street
or something about this beautiful day

but she just looked me in the eye
said its over didn't try to lie or pick a fight
I might have seen it
coming that way

Chorus

theres a mama
calming down a little baby
in the backseat in front of me
theres an old man dressed
in his Sunday best
just waiting on green
but i cant see getting past

this red light in the sunshine
on a Sunday nothing to say
don't even try
some are coming home
some are leaving town
while my worlds crashing down
on a Sunday in the sunshine at a red light

Set On A Number

If you are set on a number that you are dying to see on the scale, put this somewhere where you will see it everyday. Sure, a number is nice to see, but what happens when you hit that number. Make fitness your lifestyle. Make it enjoyable. Now...I should take my own advice. The scale has been sitting still for awhile and I've been frustrated. I'm just going to keep up healthy eating and exercise and make sure I don't get discouraged. I'm working towards a healthy lifestyle...not a number. 

This week:

I got strep throat.

I made chicken divan for dinner group--everyone loved it!

I aced all my quizzes

I wore my rain boots twice this week

I rearranged my room.

I watched the entire first season of One Tree Hill again

We officially have snow.

please excuse my finger at the bottom

T.G.I.F      T.G.I.F.     T.G.I.F (to be chanted like in "Last Friday Night"

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!

Happy October First

I'm very efficient when it comes to decorating. Christmas is always the night after Thanksgiving dinner and Halloween in on the first of October. Therefore, our apartment is officially decorated! Pictures? Of course! Ideas from pinterest.com:

Pinterest

Our version

Pinterest

Our version

These will be filled with candy corn and mini candle

We had a lot of fun decorating, but MAN it's a lot of work. These pictures don't do justice in my eyes, so come by and see if you can :) Let the festivities begin! Happy Halloween!!

Oh Happy "A"

Oh, Happy Day! Oh, Happy "A"! Oh, Happy Maggie!

This week was complete and 100% chaos. I went from deep down depressed to smiley and happy over the span on 72 hours. I had 3 midterms plus an anatomy lab quiz this week. I did OK on my first two and I went crazy...pretty much lost it. "I study so hard!" "I felt like I knew everything while I was taking the test!" Sound familiar? Then, I studied for hours for my anatomy midterm determined to stop this downhill trend. Ladies and gentlemen, I did it! I got a 95% on my first anatomy midterm! Oh, Happy Day!

What now? I am going to have the most relaxing weekend of the year so far. Activities? Decorating for Halloween, cooking Chicken Divan!! for dinner group (Monday), watching General Conference, blogging, pinning....Yes, I have a pinterest account that you all can follow. Yes, I'll admit now that a lot of my photos will be from pinterest. It's my new facebook.

Well, I'm off to start this weekend! Until next time :)

StuDYING

This is me after studying for forever. Here goes nothing...

Cold In My Beak

Like my mama always says, I have a cold in my beak :( I have a pretty bad cough and my nose is a waterfall. I have three tests this week (Anatomy, Physics, and Nutrition) AND to top it all off that monthly friend knows the perfect time to stop by. (tmi..?) Anyway, I've decided to include some happy things in my blog in order to cheer me (and you if it's that kind of day) up! Happy Monday

one happy puppy 

Best when sick

Feeling bloated?

YUM!