10-Oct-2009 - Eastern Magic St. Croix

[jajomo0118]

captian....I loved that...

Sent it to my SIL her hubby once gave her a new lawnmower for her birthday....because he overheard her telling a friend on the phone that sometimes practical gifts are better then jewelery... her excact quote was " a diamond isn't gonna get the lawn mowed."

So my poor BIL thought he did a good thing...we still laugh about this 5 years later....

 

[jajomo0118]

Ok so i found myself over reacting to a post in this thread http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2031461
and did some mini soul searching and thought I would share with my DIS family what I found...it really puts somethings in to prospective with the economy and the time of year.......

What is CLASS?
​

Class never runs scared. It is sure-footed and confident in the knowledge that you can meet life head on and handle whatever comes along.

Jacob had it. Esau didn't. Symbolically, we can look to Jacob's wrestling match with the angel. Those who have class have wrestled with their own personal angel and won a victory that marks them thereafter.

Class never makes excuses. It takes its lumps and learns from past mistakes.

Class is considerate of others. It knows that good manners are nothing more than a series of small sacrifices.

Class bespeaks an aristocracy that has nothing to do with ancestors or money. The most affluent blueblood can be totally without class while the descendant of a Welsh miner may ooze class from every pore.

Class never tries to build itself up by tearing others down. Class is already up and need not strive to look better by making others look worse.

Class can "walk with kings and keep its virtue and talk with crowds and keep the common touch." Everyone is comfortable with the person who has class because he is comfortable with himself.

If you have class you don't need much of anything else. If you don't have it, no matter what else you have, it doesn't make much difference.

-Ann Landers Encyclopedia

 

[alleluia5]

Welcome back.

I'm wrapping up the final week of 2 courses and then I start another 2 on Monday. A week after I start the new 2 courses, I get a 2 week break for Christmas. yay!

Wow well at least you have a little break - my next class doesn't start until Jan 17 - I almost don't know what to do with all this free time The good news, is the class I was SURE I would get a D in ...... I got a B!!!

 

[captaincrash]

Ok so i found myself over reacting to a post in this thread http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2031461
and did some mini soul searching and thought I would share with my DIS family what I found...it really puts somethings in to prospective with the economy and the time of year.......

What is CLASS?
​

Class never runs scared. It is sure-footed and confident in the knowledge that you can meet life head on and handle whatever comes along.

Jacob had it. Esau didn't. Symbolically, we can look to Jacob's wrestling match with the angel. Those who have class have wrestled with their own personal angel and won a victory that marks them thereafter.

Class never makes excuses. It takes its lumps and learns from past mistakes.

Class is considerate of others. It knows that good manners are nothing more than a series of small sacrifices.

Class bespeaks an aristocracy that has nothing to do with ancestors or money. The most affluent blueblood can be totally without class while the descendant of a Welsh miner may ooze class from every pore.

Class never tries to build itself up by tearing others down. Class is already up and need not strive to look better by making others look worse.

Class can "walk with kings and keep its virtue and talk with crowds and keep the common touch." Everyone is comfortable with the person who has class because he is comfortable with himself.

If you have class you don't need much of anything else. If you don't have it, no matter what else you have, it doesn't make much difference.

-Ann Landers Encyclopedia

Nicely presented J...

... My spouse and I think of ourselves as "down to earth" sorts - not as caught up with being so showy... but, by some standards we might seem showy. It all depends upon ones' POV. Curious, how ANY near average American who is laboring away at squeeking by in these times would seem outrageously RICH compared to most folks on the planet. In 2007 by some measures the USA per capita income ranked us at 15th with $46,040 ... which can be interpreted again in terms of "international dollars" and Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) with us ranking 10th in the world. http://siteresources.worldbank.org/DATASTATISTICS/Resources/GNIPC.pdf

From another perspective... our average per capita income of $46,040 places the average person in the USA in the TOP 1.42% of the world population! Yeah... so here we are feeling sorry about our woes when those at the TOP 15th of the world are simply trying scrape together $18 to make it through the next 3 days! Yeah... if you're in the top 15th percentile of the world then you are living on an average of $5.98 a day?! It truly boggles the imagination. SO much so I am almost inclined to call into question the accuracy and nature of the data & conclusions.

http://www.globalrichlist.com/index.php

HOW DO WE CALCULATE IT?


The Global Rich List calculations are based on figures from the World Bank Development Research Group. To calculate the most accurate position for each individual we assume that the world's total population is 6 billion¹ and the average worldwide annual income is $5,000².

Below is the yearly income in percentage for different income groups according to the World Bank's figures³.

Percentage of world population Percentage of world income Yearly individual income Daily individual income

Bottom 10 percent 0.8 $400 $1.10
Bottom 20 percent 2.0 $500 $1.37
Bottom 50 percent 8.5 $850 $2.33
Bottom 75 percent 22.3 $1,487 $4.07
Bottom 85 percent 37.1 $2,182 $5.98

Top 10 percent 50.8 $25,400 $69.59
Top 5 percent 33.7 $33,700 $92.33
Top 1 percent 9.5 $47,500 $130.14

See the fine print here:

¹ 2003 world population Data Sheet of the Population Reference Bureau.
² Steven Mosher, president of the population research institute, CNN, October 13, 1999.
³ Milanovic, Branco. "True World Income Distribution, 1988 and 1993: First calculations based on household surveys alone", World Bank Development Research Group, November 2000, page 30.​

Even if this is inaccurate - we can all agree that we are far better off then many on the planet. And far be it that I am trying to make anyone feel GUILTY over complaints of CLASS distinctions - or of size of shrimp being served... I am simply offerring a sobering consideration. One which asks one to only give silent thanks for WHAT-EVER we have .... be it comfort, affluence, or a chance at a clean start via bankruptcy. Because EVEN if bankrupt we have something here that many in the world would FIGHT tooth and NAIL for... and that is to simply have a CHANCE at getting ahead. That is why so many have sought to come here - the land of the "Free" where it is so COMMON for self-less hard working immigrants from many cultures make it here - often leaping several "stratas" of wealth.

At any rate - my spouse comes from a ONE signal light town outside of Pittsburgh PA. while I was once referred to as a "city slicker" by her Mom. As many of us might relate - our parents came to this country poor - and near pennyless - and now we are thinking of sailing on a wonderful ship glittering with the stuff of dreams (and pixie dust). Fancy that?

FOr the record I pack 1 or 2 tuxes... both bought off Ebay... and I often leave my shiney shoes at home and wear sneakers with my tux. I'm sailing for FUN ... and often there's no one else expected on the ship who is going render a "formal attire" opinion of me which I CARE about. I am only dressing to please my kids... and my spouse and I are simply delighted to have another chance to share some quiet memorable moments together. Yeah... we're lucky to simply be alive and well ... and together.

OK... enough of my rambling. This morning Old Navy has a promo running where if you're one of the first 200 in line when they open (8AM) - and spend $20 - you'll get 4 free movie passes! Wooo Hooo..... That's worth $40 ... which is nearly enough to get by for a week if one were precisely at the top 15% in global income. So... I gotta get going now as we have Old Navy store credits to get rid of while gaining 8 movie passes for the BOTH of us running out to get this deal! < wink > I know... to many it's not worth the trouble... but it's NOT the money ... but the "game" of it all, Eh? Two of us (gotta be age 16+) mean we'll have 8 free movie passes within an hour or so! And the true value of this is not just $80... but more like $160 worth of income BEFORE state and federal income taxes! Plus we're getting rid of old Old Navy merchandise credits!

edited in.... OK, we got 8 free admission tickets - plus most of the stuff we got were wonderful things for the kids at an extra 50% off their already bargain clearance prices! Wow! So for using up just under $50 in otherwise unused Old Navy gift cards we now have 2 bags of winter gear for the kids PLUS 8 movie theater vouchers good for $12 entry value each! And yeah... evening movies go for up to $11.50 out here. Wooo- Hooo!

 

[jajomo0118]

Wow well at least you have a little break - my next class doesn't start until Jan 17 - I almost don't know what to do with all this free time The good news, is the class I was SURE I would get a D in ...... I got a B!!!

congrats on the B...

.....I applaud both you and JDblair for taking your education to the next level. It has been something I have wanted to do myself and am hoping in the next few years I will be able to.

 

[jajomo0118]

captain-if those figures don't snap people out of the "poor me syndrome" I don't know what would

 

[JDBlair]

Christa -
You, your boys and your man were dressed appropriately every day on the cruise. I thought you all looked amazing and you were some of the classiest people on the entire ship. It was an honor, privilege and pleasure to be your cruise mates and I'm excited to do it again in October! If someone wants to judge you on your clothing then they are more shallow than the water on the It's a Small World ride! Your children were more polite than adults in our general area. Your table manners and respect of the wait staff was to be admired. I imagine Disney would prefer their ship to be full of guests like your family than stuck up snobs wearing tuxes with no manners, respect or acceptance of others.

 

[jajomo0118]

Jac-
and you wonder why I attacked ya the first time I met you ....lol
your the best....

 

[Schachteles]

We are on board with everyone!!

We just did the Disney Wonder from November 16th to the 20th and LOVED it. Of course I was totally excited when my DH agreed to let me book the next cruise onboard. We booked for October 31st, 2010.

But as the weather here in Minnesota has gotten CRAPPY and fast I started thinking about 2009. We had debated renting a cabin in the summer and making that our trip. But I started thinking about cruises and how when we were at WDW in November we just didn't have as much fun in the parks. So I started researching the cruises and found this one. We are booking a category 12 (getting the bump to 11) which makes me nervous because we had a verandah for the last cruise...but we just spent so little time in the room we figured we can (and WILL) spend that money elsewhere.

So we are coming with you all

Traveling will be: me (Kim), my DH (Jon), my DDs who will be 4 (Carly) and 7 (Camille).

We would love to participate in FE's and the SM's. I am so excited and I have a few months to start working!!!!

I cannot wait to start watching this VERY active thread!!

 

[DenverVal]

Welcome, Kim! I think we must all be preoccupied with the holidays Then again, we have the better part of a year yet to go!

 

[jajomo0118]

We are on board with everyone!!

We just did the Disney Wonder from November 16th to the 20th and LOVED it. Of course I was totally excited when my DH agreed to let me book the next cruise onboard. We booked for October 31st, 2010.

But as the weather here in Minnesota has gotten CRAPPY and fast I started thinking about 2009. We had debated renting a cabin in the summer and making that our trip. But I started thinking about cruises and how when we were at WDW in November we just didn't have as much fun in the parks. So I started researching the cruises and found this one. We are booking a category 12 (getting the bump to 11) which makes me nervous because we had a verandah for the last cruise...but we just spent so little time in the room we figured we can (and WILL) spend that money elsewhere.

So we are coming with you all

Traveling will be: me (Kim), my DH (Jon), my DDs who will be 4 (Carly) and 7 (Camille).

We would love to participate in FE's and the SM's. I am so excited and I have a few months to start working!!!!

I cannot wait to start watching this VERY active thread!!

WELCOME.....

Last year we got bumped to a sideways cat 11 and it was very nice. I think you'll be fine.....

 

[Schachteles]

Welcome, Kim! I think we must all be preoccupied with the holidays Then again, we have the better part of a year yet to go!

Happy Holidays to everyone!! Here in Minnesota we are getting the assurance that it will be a WHITE Christmas!!

WELCOME.....

Last year we got bumped to a sideways cat 11 and it was very nice. I think you'll be fine.....

We can look forward to that...all we really did in our room is sleep. So this is a good decision...I think!!

 

[TexasGirl]

Haven't dropped by in a long while. Hope everyone has a great holiday.

DD's last school day of 2008 was Friday. I only work Mon & Tuesday and then am done for the year.

Love the time off and with family.

So Merry Christmas DIS folks!

----------------
Was noticiing the first trip to St Croix is really soon. I'm excited to read their trip reports. I hope they share a lot of great information about the stop and how they enjoy their excursions.

 

[DenverVal]

I noticed that too, and I am looking forward to hearing opinions of the excursions offered, and also what people do on their own outside DCL. I started reading about St Thomas, St John & St Croix, since I've never been there. I think the only trouble we'll have is agreeing on what we want to do! I don't think there's enough time in port to truly enjoy the islands.

It's cold outside, and the temps are warm there, the beaches look beautiful, and I am dreaming about snorkeling.

 

[JDBlair]

I am so ready for Christmas to come so I can stop stressing, shopping, planning, preparing... And it's about this time that I really wish there were a Santa so he could worry about what to stuff in the 14 year old's stocking!!! It's not fair to have a 5 year old girl and a 14 year old boy and try to make things even and fair for them on Christmas.

I'm no Scrooge but I am just ready for the big day so I can stop thinking about it. Thank goodness my own school break starts tonight. At least I get a break from thinking about school!!!

 

[alleluia5]

We are on board with everyone!!

We just did the Disney Wonder from November 16th to the 20th and LOVED it. Of course I was totally excited when my DH agreed to let me book the next cruise onboard. We booked for October 31st, 2010.

We would love to participate in FE's and the SM's. I am so excited and I have a few months to start working!!!!

I cannot wait to start watching this VERY active thread!!

Welcome!! I have added you to the list (see first post for the link). I think once the holidays are over, we will start seeing more participation and can get more into the planning. Everyone, please take a look at the list (see first post) and make sure I have your info right and let me know if you are not on a list you want to be on.

 

[captaincrash]

​

 

[DenverVal]

Merry Christmas!

Have a wonderful holiday!

 

[jajomo0118]

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!!!!!

 

[PaigerPoo]

I am so ready for Christmas to come so I can stop stressing, shopping, planning, preparing... And it's about this time that I really wish there were a Santa so he could worry about what to stuff in the 14 year old's stocking!!! It's not fair to have a 5 year old girl and a 14 year old boy and try to make things even and fair for them on Christmas.

We definatley have something in common!! Our son just turned 14 and our daughter turned 5 in september. We had a hard time with gift giving and trying to be fair...the older boys get the tougher it is to shop for them! Itunes cards and cash, ect...he was happy! Although they BOTH had a great reaction to the last gift....this cruise...the only thing they both questioned was "Do we really have to wait 10 months???"...ouch.
Anyhoo, we'll have to get the boys together. My DS cant wait to hangout with some new friends...without us....hmmph, little does he know, the feeling is mutual!