8/15/09-Eastern-Tortola Treasure Seekers #4

[jenanderson]

What’s New on the Website...

Seems that Laura and I have been thinking about the HOT TOPIC and are talking about what we should keep in mind when we pack.

Since many of us are going to WDW first, I have added a link on that page to a WDW Information page! I hope to post more things on the page soon but for now, there are some photos and a bit of music.

Andrew DEREK UK is planning his excursions! I listed his choices that he will be trying to book on the Tortola and Castaway Cay excursion pages. Can't wait to hear about what the rest of you all are planning.

That is about all that is new on the web site. I haven't been on a bunch these past couple of days...it was a very sad and difficult couple of days since I was "released" from my teaching contract due to budget cuts and district restructuring. I knew it was coming but I did not know that it would be so hard on me. Our district normally is able to quickly hire back teachers but this year it is different and I was not even given "bidding rights". That would have allowed me to put in for open positions before the school year was out. Now, I have to sit and wait to see if they come up with more jobs and that does not look good with $5 million being cut in my school district. I spent the weekend feeling pretty bad and questioning our vacation choices. Instead of continuing like this, I have decided I am going to get going on being active - contacting every principal I can think of and letting everyone know how much I love teaching. Hopefully I will find a new job before we leave in August.

Later!
Jen

 

[uncw89]

Andrew, Thanks for the Tortola links! What is the cancellation policy on excursions, does anyne know? I need to go research this, just in case.

 

[uncw89]

Jen, Sorry to hear about your job! Good luck trying to get another one. I hope you are still able to go on the cruise and Disney before.
Elena

 

[jenanderson]

Jen,

Ok how weird is this? I have been checking out your blog/website. Which by the way, it superb!! You had told me about DSIL going on cruise with her 2 kids...one of which is same age as my DS 12...but even weirder is that we are in rooms next to eachother!! I saw what room she is in on the FE list. We will need to get together for sure! Do you know if you all will be doing wine tasting?

Marie,

That is so funny that you have the cabin next to my DSIL! She is a lot of fun and I am excited that we are taking her with us!

Are you planning on doing the fish exchange? I can add you to our list...

I have to find out about a wine tasting. There are at least 11 of us interested...possibly more. I don't know how we arrange for a private tasting but I should probably find out soon! If we cannot get a private tasting, I know that our group will for sure try to sign up for the regular one.

I will have to let DSIL know about your family! She is not on the DIS but does check out my website.

Chat later!
Jen

 

[jenanderson]

Jen, Sorry to hear about your job! Good luck trying to get another one. I hope you are still able to go on the cruise and Disney before.
Elena

Elena - Thanks for sending some extra luck my way! It has been sad to loose a job I absolutely love...I love my students, I love my school, I love the people I work with. I am going to be positive and think that I will have a new job before summer.

We did think about our Disney trip...but then decided we will do whatever it takes to go. As a family we have been waiting for this trip for 2 full years and I cannot cannot imagine not going at this point. So, for now, we will be there with you all!

 

[caitlinsdad]

Elena - Thanks for sending some extra luck my way! It has been sad to loose a job I absolutely love...I love my students, I love my school, I love the people I work with. I am going to be positive and think that I will have a new job before summer.

We did think about our Disney trip...but then decided we will do whatever it takes to go. As a family we have been waiting for this trip for 2 full years and I cannot cannot imagine not going at this point. So, for now, we will be there with you all!

Jen

Sorry hear the news on the Job front,

We have been waiting since our 2006 cruise to take another, was going to be last year, but the cost and bills was just to much, so we transfer the reservation to this cruise. This year was in question, too, but we decided we are going. Went as far as taking a part time job to pay off some bills to make sure we are going.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Jen i am sorry re your job, lots of people are in difficult circumstances at the moment we are all ;in work' by the grace of god.

Andrew, Thanks for the Tortola links! What is the cancellation policy on excursions, does anyone know? I need to go research this, just in case.

Book at your window of 105/90/75 days, on most of these trips you do not pay when you book, so unless you are gong fro the private villa or private boat at Tortola, there is nothing to pay.

You can cancel up to 72 hours ( 3 days) pre cruise without any loss, sometimes for DCL run trips, say Castaway Cay floats they are flexible, but most are run by independent operators so the 72 hours is it.


NB NOTE: I have been saying this in a few posts, CHECK ST THOMAS a number of shore trips are withdrawn, from June.

Also SAVE your shore trips to the WISH LIST, there is a link if you have logged into the DCL site, when your window of 90 days etc comes, you can 'toggle' to WISH LIST only or a port, it speeds things up.

 

[jenanderson]

Thanks to everyone for the well wishes about the job. Knowing it was going to be a tough one and that the economy is so bad, I have been tutoring 5 days a week this year. I never have done it in the past but it is good money and will allow us to afford this trip. I am already scheduled for a crazy summer of different jobs to keep working and earning money. The scary part will come in September if I have not been hired back.

I am thinking positive though and will work hard to find a new teaching position!

 

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

Thanks to everyone for the well wishes about the job. Knowing it was going to be a tough one and that the economy is so bad, I have been tutoring 5 days a week this year. I never have done it in the past but it is good money and will allow us to afford this trip. I am already scheduled for a crazy summer of different jobs to keep working and earning money. The scary part will come in September if I have not been hired back.

I am thinking positive though and will work hard to find a new teaching position!

CIAO !!!It's so good to have you back !!! It's especially good knowing that you're thinking POSITIVE !!!
I'm sure you'll eventually get a new job as teacher !!! I'll send all the PD that can possibly carry !!!

I was reading your blog earlier ... but now the more recent page has ... disappeared ...
CIAO !!! laura

 

[MBELSANTI]

Marie,

That is so funny that you have the cabin next to my DSIL! She is a lot of fun and I am excited that we are taking her with us!

Are you planning on doing the fish exchange? I can add you to our list. Can you also put us down for 2 lanyards?

I have to find out about a wine tasting. There are at least 11 of us interested...possibly more. I don't know how we arrange for a private tasting but I should probably find out soon! If we cannot get a private tasting, I know that our group will for sure try to sign up for the regular one.

I will have to let DSIL know about your family! She is not on the DIS but does check out my website.

Chat later!
Jen

Hi Jen,

Yea it sure is A SMALL WORLD LOL! I actually stayed in her room in 2006 and loved it. I am not sure why I didn't book that same room again, but I think I wanted to be the very first room. She will find the room to be very quiet and nice and convenient to the midship stairs/elevators.

Yes please put me down for the FE! I am really looking forward to doing it! I am going to start hunting for fabric to make my own in the next month.

Hey, I am sorry to hear about your job. I know teachers get really attached to their students, so it would be very hard to leave. I am sure you will find something this Summer. We are always reading about teacher shortages everywhere. Best of luck to you on your hunt!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Hello All, nice hot and sunny here 21c

 

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

Hello All, nice hot and sunny here 21c

GLAD for you !!!!
here we have RAIN RAIN RAIN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and rough winds too !!

I am SO READY for our SUNNY cruise !!!!!!!!!!!!! laura

 

[MephamKickliner09]

hey there everyone!!! how is everyone doing??? sry i haven't been on in a while. i've been sooo busy with the last marking quarter of high school. even though the college i applied to doesn't really reject people from coming to their school, my community college(Nassau Community College), i got accepted into the major i have always wanted. im an Art Major in Commercial and Digital Technology, a.k.a. Graphic Design!!!! but i will still be dancing in college cause i can never give that up lol. Hope everyone is having a good day. Jen im sry to hear about your job. im sure you will find another one

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

GLAD for you !!!!
here we have RAIN RAIN RAIN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and rough winds too !!

I am SO READY for our SUNNY cruise !!!!!!!!!!!!! laura

Oh sorry we took the sun for a while over here.

hey there everyone!!! how is everyone doing??? sry i haven't been on in a while. i've been sooo busy with the last marking quarter of high school. even though the college i applied to doesn't really reject people from coming to their school, my community college(Nassau Community College), i got accepted into the major i have always wanted. im an Art Major in Commercial and Digital Technology, a.k.a. Graphic Design!!!! but i will still be dancing in college cause i can never give that up lol. Hope everyone is having a good day. Jen im sry to hear about your job. im sure you will find another one

Hello,

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

No posts in a day? have to bump up, slow.....

Hope everyone is well.....

Nice and hot here 21c in London and 30c on the Tube,

 

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

...30c on the Tube,

WE do better !!!! 32°C on the tube here in Milan ...

BTW : WE are stealing the sun back hopefully tomorrow !!!

laura

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

WE do better !!!! 32°C on the tube here in Milan ...

BTW : WE are stealing the sun back hopefully tomorrow !!!

laura

Show off! We are keeping the Sun here (till Saturday )

 

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

hey there everyone!!! how is everyone doing??? sry i haven't been on in a while. i've been sooo busy with the last marking quarter of high school. even though the college i applied to doesn't really reject people from coming to their school, my community college(Nassau Community College), i got accepted into the major i have always wanted. im an Art Major in Commercial and Digital Technology, a.k.a. Graphic Design!!!! but i will still be dancing in college cause i can never give that up

WOW !!!!! I'm pleased that you got accepted there !!!
and SURELY don't give dancing up !!!!

laura

 

[caitlinsdad]

Still raining here in Ct, day three of rain. But weekend will be in high 70's

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Still raining here in Ct, day three of rain. But weekend will be in high 70's

Looks like everyone else is improving bar London with rain at the weekend, well at least it will be cool for the London Marathon.