Saturday, July 24, 2010

An Update Long Awaiting!!!

Okay, okay!  I know it's been over a month now!  So much has happened and life has just been so crazy!  I don't even know where to start with things! I guess we can just kind-of start with whatever I remember first and just go through all the things that have happened in my life over the last month.  I'll warn you now, things may not be in timeline order, but I'll try my best!

   July 1st... Canada Day!  It's kind-of like our 4th of July.  We went out to a guy's, that we work with, home to celebrate.  They took us all out on a coach.  He had a BBQ, dog sleds, horseshoe, frisbee, football, bonfire, and fun.  He has 31 dogs that he races dog sleds with during the winter, so as you can imagine, I spent most of the time playing with the dogs!  Especially his puppies!  There is one that I am in love with and want to take home, but I don't have anywhere to keep him. :(  But we had fun celebrating!

   July 4th I had off.  I spent the day with my Mormon friends, David, Jordan, and Greg.  We had a quick church meeting and then decided to go gold panning. We got all our stuff, a company vehicle, and headed up to the free claim.  It was such a nice day!  We got rained on a little, panned alot, enjoyed each other, made a video, and had tons of fun.  No gold though!  Afterwards, David and Jordan wanted to jump in the Yukon.  So, we went down to the dock and they did flips off.  Greg and I just watched the crazy two.  Actually, had it not been so cold, I would've jumped in too!  That night when the Queen got in, we went to Captain Al's home and had a BBQ.  It was fun!  Then, a group of us went to Soul Sunday to dance the night away.  We had so much fun!  I did miss my fireworks, but had a blast!

   Work... Oh work!....Well, things were going great with work!  We were getting really busy with our tours!  We were having just over 80+ people at a time on the boat.  I was getting really good in the bar and my narriation.  On July 9th (Friday) we had the mosst interesting adventure!  On our way down to Eagle that day the boat started having some steering problems. We made it down just fine though.  It was on our way back that we had the adventure!  That day I was narrating, but Joel's parents were going to be on our trip back so he wanted to narrate for them.  Being the nice person I am, I let him.  We started back and just made it across the border, which is when we can serve alcohol, when I looked up and saw us heading for shore.  It was at that time that I asked Sam, who was helping me in the bar, what we were doing.  We both were confused and then the Captain came over stating that we were having problems and needed to bank on the shore to see if we could fix it.  After being on the shore for about 30 minutes we headed back to Eagle.  We had only been gone for just over an hour.  We got everyone back to Eagle and on their coaches so they could drive over to Dawson instead.  It was crazy!  In 30 min we had everyone dinner, cleaned up and on their way!  For being over the border only an hour, I sold over $400 in alcohol!  That night we had to spend in Eagle until we could get the boat fixed.  The next day we didn't take any tours, worked on the boat, and cleaned.  My lovely job was the toliets!  They were absolutely disgusting!!  But, they sure do sparkle now!!  So, we didn't run Saturday, and Sunday was the next day we ran.  Another problem happened! Sunday the roads from Eagle to Tok got washed out!  So, since the 11th we haven't operated!  Another sad thing happened!  Our Customs Agent was caught in the washout and his vehicle was found 200 ft down the mountain in a creek.  Chuck still hasn't been found.... We are all still praying for him! 
   So, you may ask what I have done.... Well, that is a very good question!  Well, we can't run day tours because we are a US flaged vessel.  Captain Al has tried to figure out what they can do with us.  For the first couple days I worked in our Holland America office here in Dawson.  I feel very lucky because no one else was asked to!  The manager there really likes me and has even asked if I want to come work for her next year here... We'll see! I run the office by myself!  I even have done such a good job that I got three "Star of the Moment" stars.  They are our M.O.O.S.E. recognitions we get.  Then, I went away for my Birthday.  (I'll tell ya all about it in a minute.)  Since I've been back, I'm still in the office.  They have approved us to do mini day tours on the river.  Only two tours a day and about two hours long.  They will be coffee and cookie cruises.  Not quite sure what we are going to do, but we are only allowed to take Holland America guests for now.  That will start at the first of the week.  Until the roads open up, we won't be in full operation.  I don't know if we will at all the rest of the season!  I'm just on standby for the moment!  Could come home at any time!

  On to my Birthday... Well, since we weren't working, Captain Al approved me some time off.  So, on Friday, July 16th, I hoped on a coach and headed down to Whitehorse.  Humberto was the tour director and Robert was the driver.  I had so much fun with them!  It was fun to see all the tour stops and see what a tour director does.  I am really considering it for next season!  We stayed that night in Whitehorse.  It was the first time since May that I had my own room!  Loved every minute of it!!  July 17th, my B-day, we left in the morning for Skagway.  It's just a short drive.  I had so much fun!  I walked around and shopped that day in Skagway.  Got alot of stuff and free stuff too!  Then, Robert and Steve, drivers, took me to dinner.  After dinner the tour directors and I all partied.  We played bowling in the hallway with a plastic set of bowling pins and balls.  We played for two hours.  Afterwards we went to the Red Onion and hung out.  It was so fun and just relaxing.  Sunday, I was going to go to church down there, but I got sick.  I ended up having some bad seafood.  It was horrible!!  I don't think I've ever spent so long throwing up!  That afternoon, my friends who live in Skagway, Jo and David, came and got me.  Jo and I walked all over and then went back to their place.  We just hung out there and I got to meet so many new friends!  That night we played Fugitive all over Skagway.  It was sooooo fun!!  Monday, I was suppose to go back to Dawson, but after complications I couldn't get a ride to Whitehorse.  So, I spent two more days in Skagway.  Monday David, Jordan, Danny, and Bethany came in.  They took me to lunch for my birthday and that night we went out with the Skagway drivers to Dyea and played capture the flag and roasted marshmellows.  It was sooo fun!!  Probably in the top 5 things of the summer!  We saw a Grizzly Bear too!  I was only 20 feet away from him!  Tuesday, Danny and I just hung out and didn't do a whole lot.  Wednesday I headed back to Whitehorse with Edgar and Rick.  Stayed that night with the Branch President's family.  They were so nice!  It was so nice to walk into their home and immediately feel the spirit!  I miss that sooooo much!!!  They were so nice to pick me up and feed me!  Thursday they took me to town and I hung out with Rick.  We went to the Yukon Brewery to see how they make beer.  It was interesting.  They give free samples, but I gave all mine to Rick and Julie (a TD).  Finaly Friday I made it back to Dawson!  I had a nice vacation, but it's always nice to be back!

   Well, I think that's about it for now!  Dawson did celebrate Music Fest while I was gone.  I kinda left because of it!  It's just tons of loud obnoxious music and drunk hippies!  Lol!  But, Sam and Nicole got me a t-shirt from it.  I promise to keep you all updated on my life more often!  I have a new video and I will probably have another one up with it in the next couple days.  I am getting ready to come home, but kinda sad that the summer is coming to an end!  I've really had a fun time up here!  Despite all the drama, the craziness, and lack of church, I've had a great time!  I've sure learned A LOT about myself!  I am so excited to come home though and get back to reality... well at least get back to the city! Lol! I am going to miss the laid backness of up here!  I know a few of you are wondering about boys... Lol!  Not really anything right now.  Like a couple of guys that will be at home, but not really looking for dating right now. We'll see how I feel when I get home!
   Anyway, I love you all!  Thanks for all the Birthday wishes and the presents!  I miss you all!  I'll let you know when I'll be home!  Keep sending me e-mails!  I love hearing from all of you!  Miss you and love you all much!!
   Love Always,
      Amy Marie

Monday, June 14, 2010

A Two Week Update!

   Well, it's been two weeks now since I have updated my blog.  I thought about it last week, but I didn't have a whole lot to say.  Work has been so tiring lately and I haven't had time to do many adventures!  I did have a few though and I can't wait to share them all with you!

   So, my work week starts on Tuesdays and goes through Saturdays. On Monday night, May 31st, we had three celebrities arrive into Dawson, Jack Black, Steve Martin, and Owen Wilson.  They have been filming a movie up here in the Yukon.  They all ate that night at the resturante behind our house.  It was so cool!  Jen and I decided that we were going to go to Gertie's that night to see if they were going to be there.  We were at the park swinging when Owen Wilson and his brother rode by on their bikes.  We headed over to Gerties and saw Owen and Steve playing poker.  Jen and I sat two tables away from them!  The show started and Steve Martin seemed to enjoy it!  I turned around at one point and he smiled and waved at me!  My favorite part of him is that he was in black slacks, a sport jacket, a way cool fidora, and green Converse shoes!  Such a cool old guy!  Anyway, Jack Black came in and was super nice to everyone!  He took pics and signed autographs before going and playing poker. 

   Wednesday, June 2nd, we went to Karokee at the MidNight Sun.  It's kind-of a tradition!  I haven't yet sung, but plan on it in the future!  We have such a fun time going!  I have some pictures of our group in the slideshow.

   Saturday, June 5th, is probably the day that everyone will want to know about!  If you have not yet watched the video, you must!!  I went with my friends and some of the guests to the Downtown Hotel, where they do the famous SourToe Shot!  Now, what this intales is drinking a shot with a real human toe in it!  How did this all start you may ask?  Let me tell you!  There is a story about an old man who found a human toe preserved in Rum under the floor boards of his home.  He was dared to drink a drink with this toe!  It was said that you could not become a respectable Captain if you did not do this.  So, this man did it with a shutter and walked out of the bar.  It is now a tradition of the Hotel to do!  The saying is, "You may drink it fast, you may drink it slow, but your lips must touch the toe! If you swallow a toe, you owe them a toe!"  You may drink it in a shot of alcohol or water! I did it in water, which is the worst way I think!!  But, needless to say, I am a part of the SourToe crew!!  So, Paul... I am one step ahead of you now!! Lol!

   Sunday I didn't really do a whole lot!  I just slept and hung out with some of my friends!  Monday, I made dinner for David and Sean.  Sean came over early and him and I hung out for a while.  He is a really nice kid!!  We talked for a long time and watched TV.  He is from SLC and goes to BYU.  He actually lives near me!  He won't tell me when he's coming back to town though, because he wants to surprise me.  We'll see what happens with him!  He's super sweet!!

   Tuesday we started another hectic week!!  We are starting to get busier on the boat, which is good, but it makes for longer days!  I am really liking it!  I've had a couple of the Tour Directors tell me that I am doing a great job and that they think I would be great at doing the tours.  Two of them are going to try and get me in next year!!

   Saturday I went to the Commissioner's Ball.  Well, I didn't actually attend, I just went and helped!  I am friends with the chef's at the Aurora Inn Resturante and they told me they were catering the event.  I was kidding when I said that I wanted to go, but Blois said I could come and help him with desserts.  So, I got in a chef jacket and went to help!  It was so fun!  I helped put the cheesecake on the plates and garnished all the desserts!  Blois even said that if I wanted to work at the resturante a night or two during the week, he would hire me and teach me everything he knows!  I'm giong to see if I can!

   Sunday, I just sat and relaxed!  Actually, I slept most of the day!  Jordan and Rob came over for dinner.  Sam and I were going to go dancing at the MidNight Sun, but I was to tired and no one was going.  So, we watched a movie instead.  Issac got in town and came and watched it with us as well.

   Today I slept in as well.  I can't believe how late I can sleep!  Jen and I went out for the day.  We ate at our favorite place, Klondike Kates, and then we went and explored a couple of stores.  I found a really cute shirt, hat, and earrings.  It's nice just having a day off!  So, my adventures haven't really been alot, but I am enjoying it up here!  Jen is leaving us this week, so I'm going to be working alot here in the future!  I'm sad she's going, but excited for more money!!  David and I are planning a day of fun!  We are going to go Gold Panning and Kayaking!  I'm so happy for all the friends that I have met!!

   Well, I promise to keep better track of my days and my adventures!!  I hope all is well with everyone!  Feel free to comment on my blog, e-mail me, and please send me mail!  It's always the highlight of my day when I get a letter or something! :)  Love you all!!!

Until next time,
  Lots of Loves!!
     Amy Marie