Aussie acquaintance asked. “No, it's Christmas Eve,” I corrected
her. “Are you sure,” she asked still in doubt.
“My goodness, we've lost track,
haven't we?” another passenger quipped.
“Well if you are not sure, check the
elevator
. The carpet will show you what day it is, “ I
volunteered.
To some who do not know, Holland
America Line makes sure that the carpets on the elevators are changed
daily and it spells what day of the week it is. Last year, somebody
made a mistake of forgetting to change an elevator carpet on time.
I swear, it was like a sudden mass hysteria and confusion at a Wall
mart greeters convention.
It's funny how, as soon as we get on
board the ship, we forget a lot of things
. Apart from the date, we
also forget to think. We just suddenly would rely on the daily
newsletter. If it says on the newsletter that todays wear is formal,
then that's what we wear. Most ladies are well prepared for these
formal nights. If the cruise is seventeen days, then they bring
seventeen ball gowns plus three other formal dresses in case one does
not fit well. The guys on the other hand will bring one pair of
pants. “Don't worry, I will turn it inside out after one week!”
some of them will say.
When we left San Diego last December
20, there was an official Christmas tree lighting ceremony coupled
with the singing of Christmas carols
. But since San Francisco, our
ship has been well decorated and has the Christmas colors everywhere
you look. Fresh poinsettias have replaced the once fresh orchids
that dominates all the tables at the Lido Restaurant. It is at the
Lido restaurant where I met two Filipino cooks whose families, and
properties were affected by the devastating typhoon Haiyan last
November.
I felt really sorry for them and I
tried to cheer them up as best as I could by saying “As long as
everybody is alive and not hurt, you will be okay.|” They agreed
and nodded their heads, after all what can they do in their
situation
. As they sweat their way out everyday cooking for all the
passengers, they never expressed themselves anymore other than that
first day encounter.
So tonight, I will hand them a
Christmas card with a few bills and my daughter's calling card. The
money may not be enough or too little but my daughter's card may go a
long way toward a new hope and a new beginning for them. Whether I
am on land or in the water, it does not matter, my values do not
change. Christmas still means sharing. For people who do not have a
lot, small things are treasured more. It also means a lot to know
that somebody cares.
I may be far away from my daughter and
her husband and my two grandsons, but she knows that this cruise is
a once in a lifetime experience for me and I know she understands
that. I will be missing my two grandsons reaction as well as my
daughter Charelle's expressions when they open their Christmas
presents, but I hope that they will enjoy the holidays even if Mommy
is not around. They also know that I care and that I love them
dearly!
Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy
New Year Everyone!
P.S. Our Christmas meals on board the
ship was one fabulous experience. Just reading the menu makes me
feel like I'm putting on weight already. This was our dinner menu
for our International Christmas Eve. I did not include the other
items that are available regularly:
Cocktails
Snowflaketini (vodka, passion fruit syrup, cranberry juice)
Christmas in a Glass (Prosecco, gingerbread syrup)
Appetizers
Caribbean -Fruit Melange
Scandinavia- Salmon Sampler
Asia- Ming Thai Crab Cakes
Soups and Salads
USA -Roasted Butternut Squash and Apple Soup
Germany-Lentil Soup
Mexico-Gazpacho
Spain-Tomato Salad
Entrees
Italy -Seafood Penne
Canada-Maple Rainbow Trout with Cranberry Sauce
Norway- Crackling Pork Belly
England- Roasted Prime Rib
Austria- Roasted Goose
Mediterranean- Roasted Vegetable Risotto
Dessert
France-Chocolate Yule Log
Australia- Fruit Pavlova
USA- Southern Pecan Pie
Canada- Bread Pudding
Sliced Fruit Plate
Assorted Cheese Plate
Holiday Christmas Cookies and Petit Fours
Frozen
Treats
Vanilla Ice cream
Mango Sherbet
No Sugar Added Butter Pecan Ice Cream
Eggnog Ice Cream
Cookies 'N Cream Frozen Yoghurt
No Sugar Added Vanilla Ice Cream
Belgium- Dame Blanche Sundae
Espresso Drinks
Recommended Cordial of the Day
her. “Are you sure,” she asked still in doubt.
“My goodness, we've lost track,
haven't we?” another passenger quipped.
“Well if you are not sure, check the
elevator
. The carpet will show you what day it is, “ I
volunteered.
To some who do not know, Holland
America Line makes sure that the carpets on the elevators are changed
daily and it spells what day of the week it is. Last year, somebody
made a mistake of forgetting to change an elevator carpet on time.
I swear, it was like a sudden mass hysteria and confusion at a Wall
mart greeters convention.
It's funny how, as soon as we get on
board the ship, we forget a lot of things
. Apart from the date, we
also forget to think. We just suddenly would rely on the daily
newsletter. If it says on the newsletter that todays wear is formal,
then that's what we wear. Most ladies are well prepared for these
formal nights. If the cruise is seventeen days, then they bring
seventeen ball gowns plus three other formal dresses in case one does
not fit well. The guys on the other hand will bring one pair of
pants. “Don't worry, I will turn it inside out after one week!”
some of them will say.
When we left San Diego last December
20, there was an official Christmas tree lighting ceremony coupled
with the singing of Christmas carols
. But since San Francisco, our
ship has been well decorated and has the Christmas colors everywhere
you look. Fresh poinsettias have replaced the once fresh orchids
that dominates all the tables at the Lido Restaurant. It is at the
Lido restaurant where I met two Filipino cooks whose families, and
properties were affected by the devastating typhoon Haiyan last
November.
I felt really sorry for them and I
tried to cheer them up as best as I could by saying “As long as
everybody is alive and not hurt, you will be okay.|” They agreed
and nodded their heads, after all what can they do in their
situation
. As they sweat their way out everyday cooking for all the
passengers, they never expressed themselves anymore other than that
first day encounter.
So tonight, I will hand them a
Christmas card with a few bills and my daughter's calling card. The
money may not be enough or too little but my daughter's card may go a
long way toward a new hope and a new beginning for them. Whether I
am on land or in the water, it does not matter, my values do not
change. Christmas still means sharing. For people who do not have a
lot, small things are treasured more. It also means a lot to know
that somebody cares.
I may be far away from my daughter and
her husband and my two grandsons, but she knows that this cruise is
a once in a lifetime experience for me and I know she understands
that. I will be missing my two grandsons reaction as well as my
daughter Charelle's expressions when they open their Christmas
presents, but I hope that they will enjoy the holidays even if Mommy
is not around. They also know that I care and that I love them
dearly!
Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy
New Year Everyone!
P.S. Our Christmas meals on board the
ship was one fabulous experience. Just reading the menu makes me
feel like I'm putting on weight already. This was our dinner menu
for our International Christmas Eve. I did not include the other
items that are available regularly:
Cocktails
Snowflaketini (vodka, passion fruit syrup, cranberry juice)
Christmas in a Glass (Prosecco, gingerbread syrup)
Appetizers
Caribbean -Fruit Melange
Scandinavia- Salmon Sampler
Asia- Ming Thai Crab Cakes
Soups and Salads
USA -Roasted Butternut Squash and Apple Soup
Germany-Lentil Soup
Mexico-Gazpacho
Spain-Tomato Salad
Entrees
Italy -Seafood Penne
Canada-Maple Rainbow Trout with Cranberry Sauce
Norway- Crackling Pork Belly
England- Roasted Prime Rib
Austria- Roasted Goose
Mediterranean- Roasted Vegetable Risotto
Dessert
France-Chocolate Yule Log
Australia- Fruit Pavlova
USA- Southern Pecan Pie
Canada- Bread Pudding
Sliced Fruit Plate
Assorted Cheese Plate
Holiday Christmas Cookies and Petit Fours
Frozen
Treats
Vanilla Ice cream
Mango Sherbet
No Sugar Added Butter Pecan Ice Cream
Eggnog Ice Cream
Cookies 'N Cream Frozen Yoghurt
No Sugar Added Vanilla Ice Cream
Belgium- Dame Blanche Sundae
Espresso Drinks
Recommended Cordial of the Day
