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Came through the storm

Yesterday it stormed all day long. They actually closed the decks—not that I would have wanted to be out there anyway, it was difficult enough walking the deck on Tuesday, the wind almost knocked me off my feet. I did get 4 miles of “walking” in through going to Zumba and walking up and down the ship through the day. 

I feel so sorry for the people on the upper decks. Every one of them says it has been awful at night. Makes our “obstructed” balcony better and better. I have thoroughly enjoyed this crossing and would do it again. Richard not so much but he doesn’t want me to comment on that in my blog ;) I have still participated in loads of activities, the RADA acting workshop, morning Yoga, Zumba (except for Tuesday when I was just too tired.) 

I actually did go to the screening of Chocolat. Joanne Harris did a very poignant presentation, explaining the ups and downs of having one’s book made into a film (imagine if it HAD been filmed in the US with Whoopi Goldberg playing Vianne, as the producers originally wanted.) As the movie began I was once again drawn into the story. Lovely.

Chocolat always makes me think of myself, the wanderer. Much less so in the last few years, since Ireland. My grandchildren have really grounded me. I almost fight to keep our home in Sierra Vista now. The more I travel, the more I realize that, while I enjoy it in the moment (still living in the moment as I promised at the start of the trip,) home is best. 

But back to the ship’s activities. The second RADA workshop was great. I volunteered to be one of the actors, taking on the character of someone who would be a “3” on the British social scale (10 being the top.) I modeled myself after Cook in Downton Abbey with a bit of Daisy thrown in. I loved it. I actually always loved acting but got too sensitive when people either didn’t pick me for a top role or otherwise passed me over. I pretended to not like to be center stage but secretly (if a blog is ever secret) I love it. There, that’s said.

I also went to one of the RADA group’s performances in the Royal Court Theatre, a Victorian melodrama where we were all encouraged to boo at the villain and shout hooray for the hero and shout “no!” when the heroine was about to make a mistake. I have also sat in the lounge several times and listened to ragtime music, strings, etc. I really do enjoy this ship.

Last night I was almost ready for bed when I thought “No, I am going to go down and attend the last musical show and I am going to peep at the Masquerade Ball.” So I got dressed up, put some lipstick on (Mom would be so proud), got a mask and off I went. It would be lovely to have someone who liked to dance as much as I do but, oh well, can’t have everything. And I already have so much. For my birthday R bought me a lovely Japanese pearl necklace. I do love that man for so many things.

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