May 10, 2008 Ship of Thieves! Stealing the Magic..AGAIN!!! Panama Canal FL to CA!!! Part 2

[granmaz]

Making Memories your pictures are great and what a lovely daughter you have.

Well I do ache today but not as much as I thought I would. Coughing is a problem though!!!

Should have been a gym day today too, but I had a facial booked. I have had a huge problem with my face since well before our last trip. I'm sure Monica and Deb would have seen my red blotchy face!!! It has been so sensitive and has had red sore blotches, not nice. Anyway I am having a course of 4 treatment facials and it is slowly improving. Includes 2 great, long, shoulder and head massages too whilst the masks get to work.

 

[Making_Memories]

When the show was over I loved Miley singing with her dad

We all sang Happy Birthday to my daughter in our suite and ate cake

She said it was the best night of her whole life. She was so excited and so happy I felt like crying. I have this picture of her framed in my room and when she looks at it she always says it was from "the best day ever" People said I was nuts for taking 20 of us and going all out but really she was so overjoyed I would do it again in a instant.

I lost my firstborn daughter when she was just four. She was here one day and gone the next. So many things I wish we had done together and places we had gone together. Now I do not put off anything I can do today with my kids such as this cruise. Hence my name I am all about Making_Memories.

My only mission in life is to make sure my children will always remember mom was fun, we did big things together mom and I, and she loves me more then anything in the whole world.

 

[HollyTyler]

MakingMemories: Great pics of Jacinda's adventure with her friends! I can just imagine the look on their faces when they all found out their real destination!

 

[Making_Memories]

OK and before my daughter catches a peek of her pics on here and none of her brother here is my son at his birthday party.

Here he is putting on a song and dance routine in the ladies bathroom on Castaway in 2006. He was so happy on that cruise he never walked, he just skipped or danced the whole dang time! He still plays his "mickey guitar" when we go to the beach to this day.

Ok so it is your turn people! I wanna see pictures!!!!!

 

[SuzieDizney]

I just love all the "Hanna Montana Girls", they are so cute!! Your daughter is precious!! What a great surprise you had for her, that is awesome!!

Scottishwee: The panama canal is a "7th wonder of the MODERN technological world", I learned that when I googled one time! I would also list everything that they will learn, I have sent the following letter for my boys when we went on the 11 night Southern Carribbean trip, and also tweaked it again for a RCCL cruise we took in November. Kids learn so much on these trips it is just incredible, even sitting with people at dinner!! I have had people tell me what actually could your child learn on a Disney Cruise.....I just look at them like they are nuts, there is so much to learn, I even learn a lot. I never had a chance to do this growing up and I am so happy that we can give our kids the opportunity!!

Here's the letter, I'm just going to change it for our cruise!!:

August 24, 2006
Mr. XXXXXXXXX, Principal
XXXXXX Middle School
STREET ADDRESS
CITY STATE, ZIP

RE: Billy , 8th grader

Dear Mr. XXXX,

Please be advised that Billy will be out of school September 18- September 29 for a total of 8 days missed (September 21 & 22 are school scheduled days off). We ask that his absences be excused due to Educational Enhancement for a family vacation.

The reason for Billy's absence is that our family will be going on an 11 Day Disney Eastern Caribbean Cruise. This cruise is only offered once, September 17-28. We believe that Billy will be learning many things during this trip and that his education will continue in his absence from school.

Some things Billy will learn about:

• Different cultures of the world, including architecture, history, language, diet, and dress, by visiting the different countries including the Caribbean Islands of Antigua, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, St. Thomas. Billy will have the chance to explore each country and speak with natives from each country.

• Antigua: History of the nearly unbroken wall of coral reef which once protected Great Britain's navy under the command of legendary Admiral Horatio Nelson.
• Barbados: Experience sugar cane production, and wonderful snorkeling viewing the beautiful tropical fish and live coral walls. We plan on snorkeling with the sea turtles that Barbados is known for.
• St. Lucia: St. Lucia, "Island of the Iguanas." We plan on traveling into the only drive-through volcano in the world among 19,000 awe-inspiring acres of rainforest, a habitat for rare birds and plants.
St. Kitts: Known for it’s black sand beaches and rich volcanic soil, this island has an exuberant culture that we plan to explore.
St. Thomas: An U.S. Territory that is now governed by all laws of the US. Pirates once roamed this Island in the 18th Century; we actually have been studying about Pirates at home, a very interesting topic for all my boys!

We believe this will be a wonderful and educational experience for Billy and hope you agree not to charge him with unexcused absences as a result. If it is possible for Billy to receive his assignments before we leave on September 15 (after school) so that they may be turned in when we return or to turn in before we leave would be appreciated.

Thank you for your attention to this. If you have any questions or need any further information, please do not hesitate to call me at xxxxxxxxxx.

Thank you,


YOUR NAMES


Hope this helps!!

 

[gydell]

I lost my firstborn daughter when she was just four. She was here one day and gone the next. So many things I wish we had done together and places we had gone together. Now I do not put off anything I can do today with my kids such as this cruise. Hence my name I am all about Making_Memories.

My only mission in life is to make sure my children will always remember mom was fun, we did big things together mom and I, and she loves me more then anything in the whole world.

So sorry about your 1st daughter. You truely do sound like a wonderful mom! I have always tried to be the same type of mom amd am now trying to do the same for my grandson. People think that I am crazy for all the trips we take and all the things we do together.
I want to make sure that one day he will look back and say what a wonderful time he had with his gran and gran-pa! (that is why my dh is going on this trip - because dgs asked why dh never comes with us) I hope your kids realize what a special mom they have!

 

[HollyTyler]

OK....not having any daughters, I'm SO CONFUSED. Are Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus the same person? If so, which one is real? Neither one looks like she's wearing a wig, so I can't figure it out. Sorry to be so clueless, but again....no daughters.

 

[HollyTyler]

So sorry about your 1st daughter. You truely do sound like a wonderful mom! I have always tried to be the same type of mom amd am now trying to do the same for my grandson. People think that I am crazy for all the trips we take and all the things we do together.
I want to make sure that one day he will look back and say what a wonderful time he had with his gran and gran-pa! (that is why my dh is going on this trip - because dgs asked why dh never comes with us) I hope your kids realize what a special mom they have!

I couldn't have said it better myself. How wonderful that you took a tragic experience and turned it into the wonderful lives you're providing your other 2 kids.

 

[Making_Memories]

MakingMemories: Great pics of Jacinda's adventure with her friends! I can just imagine the look on their faces when they all found out their real destination!

Thanks!

I told them where we were really going only as we were pulling into the parking lot. It took about 20 seconds to really sink in. Then all heck broke loose. They were all screaming so loud I think I lost a wee bit of hearing that day. Two girls were on the verge of hyperventilating and another was sobbing uncontrollably. My daughter kept saying she could not believe it. It was quite the scene. Once out of the limo looking at the building they all had big goofy grins plastered across their faces!

 

[gydell]

OK....not having any daughters, I'm SO CONFUSED. Are Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus the same person? If so, which one is real? Neither one looks like she's wearing a wig, so I can't figure it out. Sorry to be so clueless, but again....no daughters.

Yes they are the same! Hannah Montana is the TV one. Miley is Billy Ray Cyrus's daughter.

 

[HollyTyler]

Thanks!

I told them where we were really going only as we were pulling into the parking lot. It took about 20 seconds to really sink in. Then all heck broke loose. They were all screaming so loud I think I lost a wee bit of hearing that day. Two girls were on the verge of hyperventilating and another was sobbing uncontrollably. My daughter kept saying she could not believe it. It was quite the scene. Once out of the limo looking at the building they all had big goofy grins plastered across their faces!

VERY cute!

 

[HollyTyler]

Yes they are the same! Hannah montana is the TV one. Miley is Billy Ray Cyrus's daughter.

So Miley plays Hannah Montana on the show. So the concerts sort of pretend the tv show girl is really on tour? And then she takes off her wig and performs as Miley? And kids are able to keep this straight? Gee, I feel old!

 

[gydell]

So Miley plays Hannah Montana on the show. So the concerts sort of pretend the tv show girl is really on tour? And then she takes off her wig and performs as Miley? And kids are able to keep this straight? Gee, I feel old!

I'm not sure that she wears a wig.

 

[Making_Memories]

OK....not having any daughters, I'm SO CONFUSED. Are Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus the same person? If so, which one is real? Neither one looks like she's wearing a wig, so I can't figure it out. Sorry to be so clueless, but again....no daughters.

LOL it is confusing to people who do not follow Hannah.

Miley Cyrus plays Hannah Montana on a Disney tv show. She sings songs as Hannah with a blonde wig on and plays a girl who is a regular teen going to school by day that moonlights as a rock star but nobody knows it is her.

Now she also sings as Miley with her natural brown hair. Her dad plays her dad on the tv show too so that makes it even more confusing I suppose! She has cds out as Hannah and as Miley. Twice the money for Disney.

 

[tigger137]

HAVE YOU GUYS SEEN THIS?

http://www.disboards.com/announcement.php?f=9&a=227


The DIS is doing a virtual DCL "House Party" on Saturday and there is a prize of a CRUISE. I expect each and every one of you, who's not at or having a house party to show up in the chat room so a "Thief" can win that puppy!

Will try to stay awake ....... but it starts at midnight our time.

 

[HollyTyler]

I'm not sure that she wears a wig.

But one is blonde and the other has brown hair.

 

[lillygator]

Wow Amy--be careful! Hope they're giving you hazard pay!!! (Like in the military.)

Michelle, I am heading to see the clubs this time, during the open house times, I have never seen the inside, it will be a great first during this cruise. Have to do something new each time.

Pj

the clubs are really cute!

But one is blonde and the other has brown hair.

I think she may wear a wig....

Making memories, great photos, the girls look like they had a blast. I am so sorry to hear of your daughter...

 

[lillygator]

gosh the DIS is slow again today. In the paper this am, more restaurants closing, a night club closing and this article on the PC.

Panama Canal Work May Help Tampa Port
ADVERTISEMENT
By TED JACKOVICS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 24, 2008

TAMPA - The Port of Tampa already serves fast-growing Central Florida, but it will be positioned to serve markets in South Florida by 2015 when the Panama Canal expansion is completed, a canal authority official said Wednesday.

The port soon could enjoy competitive advantages over South Florida ports that cannot easily expand or provide efficient truck access to highways, said Rodolfo Sabonge, Panama Canal Authority vice president, in its office of market research and analysis.

"What matters is what happens to the cargo once it is unloaded," Sabonge said.

Sabonge was one of two dozen business, seaport and government officials who spoke during the first day of a conference on "Shifting Trade Routes - Planning for the Panama Canal Expansion." The workshop drew 200 attendees to the Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk on Wednesday and concludes today.

The theme reflects shipping industry officials' expectations that the completion of the $5.25 billion Panama Canal expansion will create changes in trade routes, trade lane competition, infrastructure needs and customer expectations.

The expansion project is a response to projected international cargo shipping growth. The canal will be widened and deepened to allow much larger ships and to double annual capacity to more than 600 million tons.

Among the trends facing ports that speakers identified:

•Shippers. While the expansion will enable the passing of much larger ships, it is not known how many eastern and Gulf Coast ports will be able to accommodate them, or find it financially feasible to do so. That means a system of hub and spoke operations, similar to how airports such as Atlanta operate with larger aircraft feeding regional flights on smaller planes, could be created in or near Panama.

•Customers. Businesses will demand more flexibility to import and export their goods to take advantage of changing economics of truck and rail transportation and to diversify operations should problems such as terrorism affect a site.

• Seaport infrastructure. Even though just a few ports might want to accommodate the largest container cargo vessels, many ports will have to deepen channels and provide more space under strict environmental and other regulatory requirements.

• Connectivity. Truckers must contend with volatile fuel prices while U.S. railroads face equipment shortages and massive infrastructure improvements to move bigger loads.

•Economic volatility. In addition to inevitable economic cycles that affect purchases, the value of the dollar and other variables, other changes are likely as China moves toward becoming the world's economic leader while India joins economic leaders.

The Port of Tampa has planned for the effects of an expanded Panama Canal, local port officials agreed, but financing and implementing improvements are another matter.

Tampa Port Director Richard Wainio said the port can already handle container cargo ships that can carry between 4,000 and 5,000 20-foot-equivalent cargo containers. While those container cargo vessels are much smaller than those that can carry 12,600 cargo containers and will be able to travel through the expanded Panama Canal, Tampa's port should be able to handle much of the expected international trade growth, Wainio said.

But Tampa's plans include deepening channels and massive infrastructure improvements.

"Our system in the United States is basically broken," Wainio said regarding the time it takes to get permits and obtain government funding. "We have got to change the process to fast-track projects."

 

[SuzieDizney]

When she is blonde, it is a wig and she is Hannah Montana, singer, on the tv show, when she is brown hair that is her hair and she is just a regular girl...on the tv show.

You have to watch it, my 3 boys love to watch Hanna Montana and I do too, Billy Ray Cyrus is her real father and plays her father on the tv show, he is known for the "Achy Breaky Heart" song...and line dance of the 80's....(has it been that long ago??)

 

[Making_Memories]

So sorry about your 1st daughter. You truely do sound like a wonderful mom! I have always tried to be the same type of mom amd am now trying to do the same for my grandson. People think that I am crazy for all the trips we take and all the things we do together.
I want to make sure that one day he will look back and say what a wonderful time he had with his gran and gran-pa! (that is why my dh is going on this trip - because dgs asked why dh never comes with us) I hope your kids realize what a special mom they have!

Your grandson is very lucky to have you doing such great things for him. My parents were very young and busy with their lives so I was with my grandparents a lot while my parents were busy being "young" and then as they got older busy working. My grandpa was what my whole world revolved around. My grandma was so sweet and dear. I knew they spent so much time with me because they loved me so. That has stuck with me all these years. I am sure your grandson will always look back on these years and remember all the time you spent with him and how much love there was given his way.