Sure, most of my friends and blog readers know that I love to read, run, and write. They’ve picked up on the fact that I enjoy coaching (soccer or running), and that I dabble in painting and photography. They might even suspect that, as a Word Nerd, I silently correct grammar. However, for this month’s Who I Am prompt, Dana asked me to share a few things that people don’t know about the Word Nerd who loves fitness.
I lived in Germany for a year and a half and during that time visited Neuschwanstein castle. Sadly, I was an infant, screamed during the tour, and don’t remember anything about Germany or the castle. My dad was in the U.S. Army and stationed in Stuttgart, Germany when I was born; we returned to the states before I was old enough to form memories. After Germany, we lived in New Jersey, Arizona, Wisconsin, Norfolk, VA, and finally settled in Alexandria VA. So, this Word Nerd with an army background knows words like commissary (the post grocery store) and exchange (the post “K-mart”).
Hopefully, one day I’ll get back to Neuschwanstein, preferably during a castle tour of Europe. I won’t scream inside the palace. 😉
I love Coke, particularly from a soda fountain. Most people think I’m super healthy, and I try to eat lots of plant-based foods and limit sugar, fat, and salt. But I love my Coke. There’s something about the combination of fizz, burn, and sweet that picks me up at 2 o’clock in the afternoon. And nothing pairs better with pizza or popcorn than Coke. (Note: I hate beer.)
I’ve tried to give it up, but I can’t kick it, even though I know it’s terrible for my body. For example, one can of Coke has 10 teaspoons of sugar. In most cases, you’d puke if you consumed that much sugar at once, but the phosphoric acid cuts the sweetness and inhibits the action of sugar for a bit. It also rots your teeth. One article I read said that Coke has the same effect on the brain as heroin; I’m not surprised. On those days when I’m tired or cranky, that first fizzy sip feels like a fix.
Clearly, Coke can’t be an everyday drink. Or every other day. But how about every other week? I’m currently in a soda detox challenge with my sister-in-law. So far, I’ve only had two Cokes in the month of June. That’s good, right?
Nirvana’s in my running playlist. I particularly like “Breed” for hill work. I’ve explored eclectic music styles over the years, including Twisted Sister, Black Sabbath, and Judas Priest in middle school, and Candlebox, Nirvana, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers in the 90’s. When daughter downloaded a ton of Linkin Park, I was a bit concerned. Why all the screaming? Then I remembered what I listened to at her age. Sometimes you need an angry song, and not all Linkin Park involves yelling. (Take ”Leave Out All the Rest”, for example.) When I recently found her jamming “Baby Got Back”, I panicked. That came from my music library: parenting fail! She said, “Mom, I’m doing a leg workout. It’s perfect.”
If you had to share three quirky things about you, what would they be? I’ve bared my soul… how about you?
Thanks for stopping by this installment of the Who I Am Project, hosted by Bev and Dana. If you’d like to join in, visit Dana’s blog for details.
I’ve never considered myself a “cruiser”, and when our family was invited to go on a seven day Disney cruise to the Eastern Caribbean, I had many concerns:
Lots of people packed into a confined space = Julia gets tense
I can’t swing without getting nauseous – what will sea waves do to me?
That’s a long time out at sea, in the middle of no where. What if we go down like the Titanic?
Um, how many ships have had norovirus outbreaks?
Will a Disney cruise be too “kid-ish” for my teens?
What happens to all the trash and waste? Will I be contaminating the seas?
Turns out, we had a fabulous time, and most of my fears were unfounded. Here are the highlights from my trip aboard the Disney Fantasy.
Removing the Freak Out Factor: Cruise Fears Debunked
Top deck = pool deck. Note the awesome water slide.
Claustrophobia: Our ship carried 4000 passengers and 2500 crew. Yes, that’s the size of a small town, but the Fantasy is HUGE!! The only time I felt claustrophobic was when were all crammed on the lower decks hoping to be the first onto Castaway Cay. Our state-room was a tad narrow, but it had a balcony to the outside, which gave an illusion of more space. In some spots, ceilings are low and hallways are long, but in general, I felt comfortable.
Sea sickness: We packed Dramamine and prescription motion sickness patches, but nobody used them. I could feel the ship move sometimes – the captain often mentioned “rocking us to sleep” overnight – but it’s not like a roller coaster, or even being on a fishing boat. I got used to it; in fact, it took three days post-cruise to lose the feeling that I was walking around on a ship!
Stranded out at sea: There is SO MUCH TO DO, I never felt “stuck on-board”. Movies and shows, cooking classes and margarita tastings, mini golf and ping-pong. (Yes – ping-pong at the top of the ship- the wind could be vicious!) And don’t forget the beauty of doing nothing but sitting on the “adult deck”, sipping a Mai Tai and reading. All while you hear a toddler screaming on the deck below and think, “Thank goodness we’re done with THAT stage.”
Putt putt on ship requires steady hands… and legs!
Illness: Disney runs an immaculate ship. Crew members were constantly, but not obtrusively, cleaning and polishing the Fantasy. At all dining rooms and food and beverage stations, crew members handed out sanitary wipes to promote good hygiene. My brother-in-law boarded with a slight cold, and we joked that if the crew found out, they’d stick him in quarantine. However, there were no issues with illness.
Too kid-ish: Disney accommodates all ages. There were several areas designated for adults, and the teens had their own hangout spot with activities and hot tubs! Disney owns Marvel, so my teens found plenty of movies to watch. One night, they went up to the top deck at 10:30 to see Captain America: Civil War on the giant “funnel vision” screen. Unlimited soft serve and pizza nearby sweetened the deal.
See the giant screen on the funnel? Funnel Vision!
Waste disposal: Unfortunately, this is a growing problem as the cruise industry expands. According to Friends of the Earth and ThinkProgress.org, cruise ships dumped over one billion gallons of sewage into the oceans in 2014. Ship sewage includes bacteria, heavy metals, viruses, and pharmaceuticals, all of which harm plants, animals, and humans. Unfortunately, although better technology exists, many cruise lines still treat sewage with ineffective, 35-year-old methods. Luckily for my conscience, Disney Cruise Lines is very environmentally friendly, earning A’s for sewage treatment and water quality compliance and a B- for air pollution reduction. (Cruise Ship Report Card)
Other environmental concerns: There was a lot of waste. Passengers were encouraged to use a new cup every time they visited the beverage station, and that means TONS of paper cups thrown out each day. And I didn’t understand why we couldn’t use squirts of hand sanitizer in the dining areas instead of all those wipes. And I saw so much food tossed out.
Safety: My older kids ran free, and I never worried. Everyone gets a “Key to the World” card, which provides passenger identification, as well as a way to charge to the state-room account. Kids can not get off of the ship unless they were with the adults in their party or other designated guardians. If you opt to leave your children in the kids club for activities, they get an electronic bracelet to monitor check in and out.
And, obviously, we didn’t go down like Titanic, nor was Leo on the boat. Bummer.
What To Pack
If you’re considering a cruise, there are definitely some key items to bring:
Magnetic hooks – everything in the state-room is metal, so bringing at least six extra hooks will give you more space to hang wet swim suits and clothes. I found mine at Lowe’s.
Lanyards with plastic cases – to hold the “Key to the World”card, even if you don’t have pockets. Great especially for kids.
A refillable water bottle– to decrease paper cup waste and make sure you’re hydrated.
Workout clothes – because you’re going to need to work off all the delicious, readily available food you’re eating (I also recommend, if possible, avoiding the elevators and taking the stairs to burn more calories!)
Handy for keeping track of ID.
Ports of Call and Excursions
Our stops included Tortola, British Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Castaway Cay, the Bahamas.
On Tortola, we explored on our own. At the port welcome site (newly and colorfully built in 2016), we found a taxi van big enough to haul all 17 members of our party across the island to Brewer’s Bay. During the ride on narrow, twisting, grab your husband’s leg in fright roads, our driver told us all about the history and economy of the island. The most interesting note: when sugar plantation owners decided to free their slaves, they gave the slaves land to start their own farming. (Taxi ride = $16 per person, round trip.)
Tortola, BVI
Brewer’s Bay was a slice of paradise and the favorite stop for most of us. I liked that we got a feel of Tortola, even though we were only there for a day. Colorful buildings dot the mountain landscape, and roosters run loose on every block.
Our slice of paradise
For our stop at St. Thomas, we booked a snorkel trip that included boating out to Buck Island, snorkeling with sea turtles, and a stop at a local beach. I loved the snorkeling but got no sense of St. Thomas. The island looked beautiful, and I’m sad we didn’t explore it. This was our only paid excursion, as they are expensive, $50-$200 per person!
The view from the port at St. Thomas.
Castaway Cay had nice beaches with plenty of chairs and umbrellas, and all food was provided. We enjoyed snorkeling and a water play structure. Later, we learned that Castaway Cay used to be a stop for drug runners, until Disney bought it in 1995. So, that’s what the runway in the middle of the island was for!
Lots to do at Castaway Cay
Closing Points
Disney is fabulous with people management, and all staff was friendly and helpful. Disembarkation went faster than I expected. We did get passports for everyone to facilitate boarding and disembarking.
Unfortunately, the DCL website is clunky and confusing to navigate, and I had to enter payment information more than once. My in-laws stayed up until midnight to reserve a boarding time for our group though the site, and in the end, we were assigned a time when we checked in at the terminal on the day of boarding.
Disney pushes its brand; there was a special boutique on-board for young girls to get “Princess Makeovers” for a significant fee. I grew weary of the constant emphasis on consumption, and I wasn’t alone. Day two my brother in law exclaimed, “Everything here is in excess!”
The gorgeous main staircase
Since all of the food is taken care of, our family could truly relax. We were a huge party of extended family, and we all found different things to do during the day and regrouped at night for dinner. It was the optimal situation for a family vacation.
In the end, we had a great time, but I decided cruising is not my preferred vacation mode. I’d rather go to a few islands in the Caribbean and explore them… which, hopefully, we’ll do someday, now that I’ve had a sample.
Have you ever been on a cruise? What advice can you share? Do you have any other questions for me?
My youngest son asked for “catchup” the other day, and as I handed him the bottle of Heinz, I wondered where this odd word came from and what’s the right way to spell it? Catsup? Catchup? Ketchup?
If you’re curious about words, join Kathy at Bermuda Onion for the Wondrous Words Wednesday meme, where bloggers share new and interesting words.
Ketchup \ˈke-chəp, ˈka-\ noun; a seasoned pureed condiment usually made from tomatoes
According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, “ketchup” might have come from the Malay word “kichap” or from the Chinese word “koechiap”; both describe a fish sauce. “Ketchup” first appeared in the U.S. around 1800. “Catsup” is probably an attempt to “English-ize” the word. The official spelling, according to the Grammarist and Merriam-Webster, is ketchup. Outside of the U.S., the condiment is referred to as “tomato sauce”.
Word Nerd Workout
How do you see ketchup used/ spelled most often? Can you share another interesting “Englishized” word?
Father’s Day is coming in just over a week, and instead of giving Dad the same tired present- a tie, a Lowe’s gift card, or a new grill accessory kit- give him something that’s good for him: a book!
The dudes in my life have recently burned through a number of books that they’ve enjoyed, and I think they might be good gift options for other guys. Caveat: I have not read these books myself, so I’m going on the reactions I’ve solicited and observed.
The Martian by Andy Weir
Mark Watney was one of the first people to walk on Mars. Then a dust storm hit, and his crew evacuated the planet, assuming he was dead. Now Mark must survive using his wit, ingenuity, and humor to keep him alive. This book balances scientific information with suspense and is billed as a thriller with plot twists. Who knew that a story about one guy stuck on a planet could generate such excitement?
My guys liked:
The science. “He’s like McGyver on Mars.”
The humor
The format
It’s a good, original story.
Content warning: there is much foul language. For instance, the “F-bomb” is dropped on page one.
I’d like to read The Martian, but I’m afraid it’s sad. “Does he ever get off the planet?” I asked my son. He just looked at me. “Mom, he’s on Mars!”
I don’t take that as a good sign.
Concussion by Jeanne Marie Laskas
This non-fiction piece tells the fascinating story of Dr. Bennet Omalu, the pathologist who made a significant medical discovery about the dangers of head trauma. His research put him at odds with one of America’s most powerful organizations: the NFL.
Please note: I dislike football for multiple reasons and have always steered my children away from the sport. My son, an avid soccer player who is also not a huge fan of football, enjoyed the book. I’m curious to know how a football fan would react to its content.
My guys liked:
The factual content
The main character is likable and his story interesting
The Revenant by Michael Punke
Goodreads hails this novel as “A thrilling tale of betrayal and revenge set against the nineteenth-century American frontier, the astonishing story of real-life trapper and frontiersman Hugh Glass.” It caught my attention because Leo finally won an Oscar for playing the lead role in the movie adaptation. My son received the novel as a birthday gift and enjoyed it.
My guys liked:
It’s semi-historically accurate
The epic-like plot
Warning: there is a lot of graphic violence.
Also, all of these books have been adapted into movies. This might encourage the guys in your life to read them, or it might deter them. (”I’ll just watch the movie.”) Proceed with caution.
What other guy friendly books can you add to my list?
This month, my book club is reading Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult, an intriguing story about a teen, Jenna, who is trying to solve the ten year old mystery of her mother’s disappearance. One night, at the elephant sanctuary owned and operated by Jenna’s parents, a woman was found dead, potentially trampled. That same night, Jenna’s mom, Alice, was found unconscious. Alice received treatment at a nearby hospital and then disappeared. Jenna is convinced she’s still alive and recruits a psychic and a retired detective to find her.
Jenna’s mom is one of the alternating POVs in Leaving Time, and she shares much scientific info about elephants. Her notes are easy to read and relate to, as she is studying how elephants grieve. So far I’ve only come across one new word: allomother.
Although there are records of adoption within herds, the majority of allomothers will not nurse an orphaned calf; there is just not enough milk to go around without compromising their own biological offspring.
If you like learning about new words, join the Wondrous Words Wednesday meme, where bloggers share new words they’ve come across in their reading.
Allomother \ˈa-lə-ˌmə-thər\ noun from Greek allos other; allo- being one of a group whose members together constitute a structural unit + mother;
an individual other than the biological mother of an offspring that performs the functions of a mother (as by caring for an infant temporarily). This phenomenon occurs among animals as well as humans (as when a grandmother takes over the care of a child when the child’s mother cannot do the job).
Interestingly, this word was first used in 1980. I wonder if changes in our society over the past several decades and the concurrent changes in the structure of the “typical” American family have brought about an increased number of “allomothers”. Or perhaps the phenomenon has existed for centuries, and we’ve just recently given it a name.
Word Nerd Workout
What scientific terms have you come across in your reading lately?
Let me guess: you’re going on vacation, or maybe to the pool, and you need something summerish to read. What do I mean by summerish? It’s vacation and relax time, so no dry non-fiction or novels full of complex vocabulary and symbolism. Summer reading demands something smart yet easy to read, with humor as a bonus, and perhaps a summer setting.
Let me tell you what isn’t summerish. One year I took Great Expectations by Charles Dickens up to the Adirondacks for our annual Camp trip. My traveling companions thought I was crazy. GE is dense, difficult to read, and full of characters I can’t relate to. I’ll never make that mistake again.
In the spirit of summer, here are a few books that you can take to the beach/lake/camp site with you.
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
Several of my friends have been raving about Ms. Moriarty, and Ann Kingman of Books on the Nightstand recommended the audio of Big Little Lies a while ago. I listened to it last month, and now I get what all the fuss is about!
Moriarty combines wit, sensitivity, and suspense in Big Little Lies, a novel about a death at a school fundraiser. Using multiple POVs (points of view), Moriarty cleverly dispenses clues to her mystery, while also exploring sensitive issues like domestic abuse and assault. She does a great job of illustrating the complicated relationships between men and women, parents and children.
I’ve given this book as a gift several times in the past month, and one of my friends who doesn’t like to read actually finished it within a few weeks! A major accomplishment, and a major endorsement for Big Little Lies. Give it a try!
Now my only problem is deciding which Moriarty novel to read next. Suggestions?
The Last Days of Summer by Steve Kluger
This epistolary novel (remember what that means? Told in letters) is a humorous exchange between a boy plagued by bullies and the third baseman for the New York Giants. Joey needs something to give him street cred with the kids in his Brooklyn neighborhood, so he sends letters to baseball star Charlie Banks requesting proof of their friendship. Initially, Banks does not appreciate his young fan’s attention, but the two end up exchanging many hilarious letters. We also get to see report cards, newspaper articles, and psychiatrist transcripts. Intrigued? You should be!
Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson
Emily’s best friend Sloane disappears at the beginning of the summer, leaving nothing behind except a cryptic “to do” list which includes things like skinny dipping, hugging a Jamie, and dancing all night. As Emily tackles each item on Sloane’s list, she expands her initially microscopic comfort zone and finds new-found confidence in the void Sloane left behind.
I loved watching Emily break free from her dependence on Sloane and embrace new relationships. This is a great book about tackling awkwardness and rising above doubt. It’s also very PG-13, with a little bit of kissing and drinking making up the “content”.
We Were Liars by E Lockhart
This one reads fast and features fantastic writing. It’s set on a family’s private island off the coast of Massachusetts during summer vacation, so it fits the summer setting requirement. Unfortunately, the end left me feeling a bit cheated. My full review is here.
