December 8, 1995: Apartment Hunt/Phi Chi Theta Banquet

Nina, Robyn List, and I went apartment hunting.  We checked out Nottingham, Seville, Dover Hills, and Huntersridge. I fell in love with Dover Hills apartments.    We all decided on Dover Hills Apartments.   Rent was going to be $705/month, so split 3 way, it would be $235.

We had our Phi Chi Theta banquet tonight at the Evergreen which was off of Oakland.    Tracy King gave me a sweatshirt with Phi Chi Theta's Greek letters on it.   

December 3, 1995: Committee Elections

We had a three hour Phi Chi Theta meeting tonight.    We elected the new chairs for the next semester.     I won the Fundraising and Regional Conference committee.   I was so excited.    Nina and Tammy were also elected to the fundraising committee.

November 17, 1995: Phi Chi Theta & Finance Club trip to Chicago

Every semester, Phi Chi Theta would do a professional development activity.  This time, we were going to Chicago to see the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.     We dressed in our professional attire and went on a tour. This company traded stocks.  The job looked like it was high stress and very busy. Scott Gilbert said he couldn't do this job.    The traders wore different colored jackets and communicated with hand signals as to whether to buy or sell.    The guys who worked in the pit called it into their home offices.  

Then, we went on a tour of the Chicago Tribune.   About 80% of its income came from advertisement. They used 8,000 tons of paper a week.   

Scott, Kristi, Tammy, and I were roommates for the weekend.  I had dinner at Gino's East with Scott Gilbert, Kristie Bush, and Tammy Hubek.    Tammy and I walked around Water Tower Place.  We wanted to find out how Oprah Winfrey got to her condo on the top of the Ritz Carlton so we took the elevator to the 12th floor of the Ritz Carlton.     Tammy asked the security all about Oprah and he told us which restaurant she frequented.      Then, Tammy and I went to the comedy club, 'Second City' where James Belushi, John Candy, and Mike Myers got their start.

On Saturday, Tammy Hubek and I went to Ed Debeviks.  Our waiter was dressed like Elvis.  Tammy was having fun being sassy to the waiter.Then, Scott, Kristi, Tammy, and I took the subway to the Museum of Arts and Sciences.    Scott liked the funny mirrors at the museum.    We watched a Chinese Christmas program.   Tammy and I did a video in which we acted like we were in a rock band. It was quite funny.  
We all sat inside the fake airplane.     After the museum, we went back to Michigan Ave and watched the fireworks.
Then, Scott, Kristi, Tammy, and I went to Planet Hollywood to dinner. We stood in line for 1 1/2 hours.  

On Sunday, we walked over to the Sears Tower which cost us $5.50 each.   Scott was impressed at how I waved and snapped my fingers to hail a cab.  

I think we all had a good time on this trip.

November 13, 1995: Dozen Roses

My mom sent me a dozen roses in a pretty black vase for making it through Honor Court.    She won $125 in the check pool at work.   I asked Rose if she would be my roommate the next semester and she said yes. I was so glad I could move in with her and be off that 3rd floor in Harrison Hall, which was so noisy.

Rose was a nice lady, whom I thought I could get along with.

My current roommate, Dawn, knew that we did not get along and was going to ask me to move out or she would, but I beat her to it.  Dawn was not a housekeeper and I was more organized.   I think she had depression the first semester as she dropped classes and slept in late in the day, which threw off my schedule, too.    There were times when Dawn and I had a good laugh and enjoyed each other's company.  

November 11, 1995: Honor Court

Honor Court lasted from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.    It was a long day.     We had to take a test, presentations, interviews, etc.      I was so happy when it was announced that I became a full fledged member of Phi Chi Theta.   Nina Ganesh, Scott Gilbert, Kristie Bush, Tammy Hubek, Tamara Ohs, Melissa Brown, Mandy, Mary Beth, Mary Cisner and Lauren Hoekstra were some of the people in my pledge class. 

Nina asked me today if I wanted to be roommates next year and live off campus. I thought it was a great idea.   Nina and I helped each other walk across the icy parking lot.  We were like little old ladies.   We vowed to each other that when we got old, that we would still be there to help each other.   

November 9, 1995: Kelsey's Visit to WMU

My cousin Kelsey came to visit me at WMU. I gave her a tour around campus. She really liked our sports complex.  She brought me a cinnamon scented candle.     We went to dinner at Applebees on West Main.    She said she liked my dorm room.    It was really nice to have her come visit me.

November 4, 1995: Nina's Hometown

Nina and I took a spontaneous trip back to her hometown.     First, we stopped at Albion College to see her friend, Trisha, cheer in her last game.   After the game, Nina and I drove to her home in West Bloomfield Hills.   She drove me all around her area.    Her family was from India so they dressed in the beautiful clothing.  Her family was hilarious.  They were always joking around.      Nina's dad was a psychiatrist.    Met Nina's boyfriend, Steve, at TGIF Fridays.    It was very nice to see where she grew up.

October 28, 1995: Weng Sum's 21st Birthday

We had a tailgate party before the football game today.   The food was delicious.    I met five alumni from Phi Chi Theta at the game.      We beat Bowling Green 14-7.

After the game, Scott Gilbert, Liz Lawrence, Tammy Hubek, Shawn Young, Brandie Darr, Mandy, Heather Flannery, Rebecca Wall, Nina, and I went to Brandie's apartment for a surprise 21st birthday party for Weng Sum.     Weng Sum only drank root beer.     I hung out alot with Scott Gilbert.  He owned 2 Volkswagons that were 25 years old.    He was from a northeast suburb of Detroit.     Scott said he liked to raid people's refrigerators and cupboards.   

Weng Sum ate 7 cupcakes.    He was always so funny.

October 14, 1995: Mid-Court

Our pledge class had to be at the business college early in the morning.   We were locked in there from 8 a.m.- 3 p.m.   Scott Gilbert and I became good friends this semester.   Found out Kevin Lyman wanted Mary Beth Menelli as a big so he could hit on her.    I am glad Tracy King is my Big Sister.     Kevin showed up late to Mid-court which made Rob very mad.    There were certain activities we had to do to get through Mid-Court.  At the end, our Bigs gave us cards and presents for making it through.  This marked the halfway point of our pledging Phi Chi Theta.   

There was always a big party after Mid-Court and Honor Court.  Today's party was at Tracy's house.  We all let loose and had a great time.

October 13, 1995: Valet Parking at Gilmores

We did a fundraiser for Phi Chi Theta tonight.   We did this for Gilmores in Kalmazoo.    I got to drive a BMW, Ford Explorer, Grand Marquis, etc.  I ended up dropping Economics class today, as I was having a tough time in the class.    Also, I didn't like the teacher.    I hoped that it wouldn't affect my graduation date, but it didn't.    I just concentrated more on my other 4 subjects. 

October 11, 1995: Carlos Murphys

As pledges, we had some events that we participated in.   My big sister in Phi Chi Theta, Tracy King, and I went to Carlos Murphys Restaurant and met up with Carl Britton, Wendy Medich, Tammy Hubek, and Mary Cisner .  The group changed my big to Tracy King, as Kevin Lyman wasn't professional about being a big brother.   In the evening, Nina, Mike, Tammy, and I went to Kegger's Dance Club and met up with some other Phi Chi Theta members.    It was in downtown Kalamazoo.

October 2, 1995: Kara Filius

I got a surprise call from Kara Filius.  She thought she'd call after of a month of being at WMU.    I told her about my roommate and what a slob she was.  Kara said to just throw all of her stuff on her bed and make her clean it up.  She said that keeping your room clean was a courteous to the other person.    Kara would do that when her roommates were slobs.    Dawn yelled at me for not recycling.    I told her we don't have the room in this dorm to recycle and I wasn't going to do it.  

Kara couldn't believe I went out drinking.

I had my interview with Lieschen Scut from Phi Chi Theta.   Lieschen was very nice.    She is also in a sorority.  She's from Korea and was adoped by a caucasian family at the age of 6 months. Lieschen liked my outlook on life which was:  Don't give a darn about what people think, just be happy with what you like   

Found out my RA, Moi, may resign and move into an apartment.   Dawn said she might be our new RA.   

Hung out with Amy Klopp, Harmony, and Ashley.  Found out that the jurors in the OJ Simpson trial made their decision in only 4 hours.   The verdict was going to be the next day.    

September 29, 1995: Waldos Bar

Nina Ganesh, Beth Lewis, Brooke, and I got ready to go to Waldos Bar to see some members of Phi Chi Theta.  We got 5 points for meeting an alumni member.  Carl Britton, Kimberly Richardson, Kevin Koshawski, and Rob Dombkowski were there.   I got a Zuma and 2 other drinks.      My stomach didn't feel good.   On our way out of Waldos, I couldn't walk straight.  It was weird being out of control.     Dawn and Tanya laughed because I was drunk and would never let me forget it.    It was another one of my college experiences.   

September 23, 1995: Molly Piersma

Molly Piersma and I went to Lincoln Park Elementary together, so I have known her quite a while.    She was going to Western Michigan University, too.   She called me and invited me to go to the whirlpool with she and her friend, Heather, who was in Intervarsity Christian Fellowship.     Heather was majoring in communications.    Heather said I shouldn't waste my energy worrying about careers, marriage, etc, and to use that energy towards correcting those worries.   She said 'God has a lot in store for you, if only you'll wait.'  Heather didn't like the valley dorms as they were so far from campus as well as noisy.  

September 22, 1995: Bowling with Phi Chi Theta

Went with Phi Chi Theta bowling at Holiday Lanes.  I got a score of 85.    My big brother, Kevin Lyman, was immature.    Everyone else was so friendly to me, but my big brother didn't try to get to know me.    Amy Reed said he's immature.   I liked hanging out with Lieschen. She was from Lansing. She was adopted at 6 months old by a white couple.  

My big brother stole my black book which made me upset.  I didn't realize they could steal your book and give you demerits.      

Amy Klopp invited me to her room for her 21st birthday bash.    I talked with my suite mate, Stefani.  She went to school with Beth Alkema.    She said Beth's new husband was possessive.  He pulled the hair of one of his old girlfriends.   Brian's father passed away on the day of their wedding. .  Beth really liked his father.  

September 20, 1995: Pop Can Drive

Nina and I went to the business college to meet everyone for our can drive.   The fraternity did this every year.    We made around $141 today.   I took pictures of everyone sorting cans and got a work hour for it.    We had lunch at Wendys and got to ride in the back of Kevin Koshawski's truck.  

Talked with our RA, Moi, from Malaysia.    She was a senior here at Western Michigan.    

One of Amy Klopp's friends, Harmony, came and got help with Accounting. Dawn, Harmony, and I watched the movie "Look Who's Talking' on TV.    Dawn then went to work at Target.   

September 16, 1995 Beth Alkema's Wedding

Today, I got my hair cut and colored at the Hair Port.    Afterwards, I visited Grandma Gonyo at her house.     Grandma made us a tuna fish sandwich and stewed tomatoes.

Grandma said Phil Young was going to Western this year.   She visited with Pauline and asked her who her boyfriend was in the poster.    It was a picture of Tom Selleck.    Pauline had alzheimers.  She could remember things way back, but not what she did a few minutes ago.     My Grandma Thomas had alzheimers, too.    Grandma was fixated on her cruises; whereas, Pauline, was fixated on men.  

Grandma Gonyo said you'll aways have to try and get along with people, even if they are inconsiderate.  She never went through that phase with being wild as a young person.    My mom never went through that, either.  Played cards with Grandma.  We played 'Kings in the Corner' and I was the grand champion.  She was leaving for Florida around October 18th.   

I visited Donna Bailey, Lurlean Martin, and Kathy Parker at Plumbs.  I told them about Phi Chi Theta.     I used to work in the deli at Plumbs in high school.    Donna Bailey, Joyce Houseman, and Kathy Parker worked in the bakery.  Lurlean Martin was a cashier.    

Mom and I went to Beth Alkema's wedding to Brian Short.     She was a beautiful bride. The ceremony was at Calvin Christian Reformed Church.  She and Brian were going up north for their honeymoon.    I really didn't want to get married until I had my education completed and my career started.  

September 11, 1995: First Interview with Phi Chi Theta

Today, I had my first interview with an active member of Phi Chi Theta.  I was so nervous.    He said I did an above average job. I was so happy.   

Tonight, the same kids were fooling around in the halls of my dorm.  I called my RA to complain.    I was about ready to move to a different dorm, as this floor was so loud.     I had many nights where I would cry because I wanted to be in a quiet dorm and study, as that was the purpose of me going to college.  

September 10, 1995: Induction into Phi Chi Theta

Today, I went to my induction ceremony for Phi Chi Theta.  I had a "big brother", Kevin Lyman.   We got our pictures taken and had to wear them everyday during our pledging.   We had to memorize the creed, flower, purpose, founding data, and do 32 interviews by the end of the semester.    We also had to make a black pledge book and carry it around with us at all times.    If a member saw us, they would ask us for our black books to sign. We got points for each person who signed it, for the activities we participated in, etc.    

We had to dress in professional suits for the Sunday night meetings and conduct them like a meeting in the business world.  This was a great way to learn about the business field, too.

September 8, 1995: Invitation to Phi Chi Theta

I was so happy when I found out that I got an invitation into Phi Chi Theta.    I knew I had to pledge before I was considered an active member, which included passing some tests and doing interviews with the members.      Also, I was involved in Intervarsity Christian Fellowship.  Both God and my career were important to me.


My roommate, Dawn, left for the weekend for a required camping trip for her environmental class.      I felt lonely tonight without some of my friends around.     I was getting mad at my suite mates constantly slamming their door.    I didn't like the weekends here as it was so noisy.  The kids acted so wild. I was not used to this behavior, as I grew up as an only child.    


Charlene sent me an email and said she was glad I got into the business fraternity and that I was in Intervarsity Christian Fellowship.   She said I had a good head on my shoulders.  That sure made my day.   

September 7, 1995: Carrot Top

Nina and I went to Balboa's pizza to make our impression and interest in Phi Chi Theta.    We met some more of the members.    Then, in the evening,  we went to Miller Auditorium to see Carrot Top, who was a comedian.   He had red, curly hair, and was really good at imitating different movie stars.

September 6, 1995: Miniature Golf with Phi Chi Theta

During the week of rush for the fraternities and sororities,  the perspective members get to know the members by attending activities.    Nina Ganesh asked me if I wanted to check out this co-ed business fraternity called Phi Chi Theta.      I wasn't sure at first, but figured why not check it out.    We went to the informational meeting the night before.   It would cost us $110 for the first semester and $100 for the other semesters to be a member.

We went with the group to miniature golfing.    It didn't cost us anything to go. I won the miniature golf game with my group. They all complimented me on my golfing skills.    I thought this group would give me the connections into the business world, as well as a way to meet new people.

I was going to find out tomorrow if they accepted me into the pledge class. 

August 1995: Western Michigan University

After touring Michigan State University, Western Michigan University, Grand Valley State, Central Michigan University, and Ferris State, I decided to go to Western Michigan University after graduating with my A.A.S degree from Muskegon Community College.

I am an only child, so having a roommate was going to be a big change for me.    I talked to my new roommate, Dawn Dougher, on the phone about what we were bringing to the dorm. She seemed very nice on the phone.  The big day had arrived for me to start my junior year at Western Michigan University.       I got to the dorm and was surprised when I opened the door and the whole room was taken up with the belongings of my new roommate.  She had rearranged the bunk beds in this strange way and had already painted the walls.    I swear there wasn't any room for my stuff.   I thought to myself, 'What am I getting into?'.   I chose Harrison Hall in the valley, as it was the closest dorm to the Haworth College of Business. Normally, this hall was for juniors, but due to an increase in the freshman class, the hall was full of the wild freshmen.   

The first weekend was very hard for me, as I didn't have a car on campus, so was stuck up there.      I knew after a week that I was not going to get along with my new roommate, so I had gone to see if I could move to a different dorm.   I went to meet the person in the other dorm.  She surprised me with a question.  She asked if I had a problem rooming with a lesbian.   I about died!   I was polite, but walked pretty fast out of there. I decided I better just hang in there at Harrison Hall at least until the end of the semester.

I met some nice people on my floor, Amy Klopp, Nina Ganesh, Mike Swank, and Bob Haight.    I hung out at Amy's room alot, as she had her own room and it was quiet there.    My suite mates were so loud that I could not study.    There were these African American brothers who didn't study, but spray painted their bikes in the hallway, played basketball in the halls, and many other numerous activities.  As an only child, I was not used to this noise and wild behavior.  I cried many nights during that first month at Western Michigan.

Nina Ganesh and I hit it off from the beginning.   She heard about this co-ed business fraternity meeting that met at the business school, so she convinced me to go and check it out.   I was hesitant at first, as I didn't know much about fraternities except that they partied.     I went to the first meeting and met some nice people.   They talked about 'rush' which was a new term to me.     I figured we got free pizza and pop, so why not go.     Nina and I ended up pledging the fraternity that fall and becoming members of the co-ed business fraternity.  I am so thankful I met her and joined this group, as it brought alot of happiness and good times for those 2 years at Western. 

In January 1996, I moved out of Harrison Hall and moved in with Rose Carlson in Stinson Hall.   Nina Ganesh, Robyn List, and I shared an apartment at Dover Hills Apartments off campus for the 1996-1997 school year.           

I had a hard time figuring out what type of business degree I wanted. I talked with Robyn's boyfriend, Mike, who told me about the Food Marketing program, so I checked that out.     I graduated from Western Michigan with my degree in Food Marketing.   My goal when I graduated was to have a job, which I did get at Information Resources in downtown Chicago at 150 N. Clinton.       Nina and I walked down the aisle together to get our diplomas in April 1997.     

August 25, 1995: My birthday with the Thomas side

Charlene gave me a plant for my birthday.    Charlene, Steve, Mom, Grandpa and Grandma Thomas took me to Applebees for my birthday.   I got a strawberry daquiri.  Mom got a chocolate liquor drink but it made her very sick.     

Then, I packed my things for college.

I talked to my friend Mary Korpi that I met at Muskegon Community College.   She was taking a class at Grand Valley State University.

Matthew Tomasiewicz and Kelsey Carpenter called me to wish me a happy birthday which was very nice.

August 24, 1995: My 21st Birthday

I went to Ann Arbor to celebrate my 21st birthday.    I helped Kim move out of her apartment.     Had lunch with Kim, Marianne, Joy, Skip, Jo, and Adam at Chili's restaurant on Washtenaw Ave by Arborland.   Jo said my pictures of Europe were gorgeous and that I could be a photographer.

Jo and Skip gave me $21 for my birthday.   I wasn't expecting that at all.    Listened to Kim's Shania Twain CD in her new Ford pick up.    

Kim took me around Eastern Michigan University.    Saw the area where George, Harold, and Skip first met.  

At night, Owen, Kim, and I went to a new restaurant in downtown Ann Arbor called the Grizzly Peaks.    I tried the beer sampler which were 5 different beers. I thought #3 was the best.    I had baklava cheesecake for dessert.   Owen's dad had invented a drug while he worked at Parker Davis and made alot of money.

Then, Kim and I went to a country western saloon called 'Diamond Back' in Bellville.  I had a drink called Zima.    It was alot of fun going there.    

August 22, 1995: WMU with Mom & Grandma Gonyo

Mom and I took Grandma Gonyo to Western Michigan University to see the school and dorm I would be living in.    We stopped at the McDonalds in Coopersville for breakfast on the way.    The rooms in Harrison Hall looked terrible.    The carpet was dirty, walls had holes, and the desk was in bad condition.  I hope things go better.   My room number was going to be 305.   Then, we went through Bronco Mall.   Grandma was surprised at all of the foreigners.     We went through the Business building, which Grandma liked.    We showed her French Hall, which was where my mom stayed when she went to Western Michigan.    

We had lunch at Rykses on Stadium Dr.    I got my books for my classes.

Then, we visited one of Grandma's friends, who wintered in Florida.    This couple lived in the summers in Portage, Michigan.   They lived in a gorgeous senior citizen apartment (Crossroads Village) off of Constitution Blvd.    Their names were Jess and Kathryn Adams.

On our way home, we had a rootbeer float at an outside restaurant that delivered your food on trays attached to your car.    

Today was Kelsey's 21st birthday.  She went to a casino and won $140 at the slot machine.    

July 31, 1995: Sandy Janetzke

I worked with some fun people at the Plumbs deli.  I didn't like cleaning the fryer and things like that, but I did like working with Donna, Joyce, Helen, and Sandy.   Sandy worked  3rd shift making donuts.   Her son, Aaron who was a little younger than me, was a stocker at Plumbs.
       
Sandy sang the song, "Amy is a nutt, she has a rubber butt and goes putt, putt, put". She kept singing that over and over.  It made me laugh so much.    I will never forget that song.

June 20, 1995: Flight Home

We left Venice, Italy at 8 a.m.    We took a boat to the airport which was so strange to me.    Imagine bringing our luggage on a speed boat to the airport, instead of by car.     We took the airline, Alitalia, to Milan, Italy.    From Milan, it was an 8 hour flight to Newark, New Jersey.     My ears were really plugged on the flight home. My inner ears were draining which was very painful.   It was very miserable.      After this trip, Charlene bought me one of the best presents in the world.   They were ear planes.    You put these in your ears and they relieve the air pressure. I don't travel anywhere without them. I never want to experience that inner ear pain ever in my life again.   It was 100 degrees in Grand Rapids this day. 

This was a wonderful first cruise.   We all had a wonderful time.  Little did we know that Grandpa would be taking us on more cruises all over the world.   We were truly blessed.

June 19, 1995: Venice

We had breakfast at the top of our hotel.  Then, we went on our own to see Venice.   I got to the Rialto Bridge and Grandpa found us.    We also saw where the local people lived.  The streets were narrow and the names of the streets were on flat signs on the buildings. If you didn't have these signs, you would definitely get lost in this city.    

In the afternoon, Charlene, Kelsey, Mom, and I went on a boat to our hotel's sister hotel on the island of Lido.  The name of the hotel was Excelsior.     It was on the Adriatic Sea. We rented a cabana for the afternoon.    The cabana had a dressing room, table, pillow, and water to rinse your feet after swimming.    Kelsey and I went swimming.   We had pizza for dinner.  It was about a 30 minute walk from the Excelsior.   After dinner, we went inside the casino.   Our boat back to Hotel Danieli was full of wealthy looking people.  We looked like hicks compared to these wealthy people.  Charlene had her big fanny pack on and my mom had her white sandals that said Hawaii on them.   Kelsey and I laughed so hard.

June 18, 1995: Venice

Kelsey found out that many of the dancers and waiters on the ship were gay.    

We disembarked the boat shortly after breakfast.   It was sad to see our room getting prepared for the next guests who were to board the ship later in the day.    We stayed at the Hotel Danieli.   It was in the movie, 'Only You', starring Marisa Tomei.

Walked around Venice with Grandpa and Grandma while our rooms were getting ready.    The whole family went on a gondola ride. Kelsey and I were happy we got a cute Italian driver.      It was such a peaceful ride.   The birds were singing and chirping.

We had a great pizza for lunch at Cafe de Roberto.  In Italy, you pay a different price if you eat and stand than if you eat and sit down at a table.   I liked their pizza as it was thin crust, with light tomato sauce and light cheese.

Had dinner at "Alfredo, Alfredo'.  I had lasagna and a chocolate malt.   The Brooklyn ladies, whom Charlene met on the cruise, also ate there.   They had gone to the Amalfi Coast with Charlene, Kelsey, and Grandpa last week.    

Our rooms at the Hotel Danieli were gorgeous.   They were really big with marble bathrooms.    Our room key was a large old fashioned key. There were also doorbells outside of each room.     When you left the hotel, you gave your big key to the front desk to hold.     

June 17, 1995: Venice

I got up early to see the boat go through the canal in Venice.   It was so neat.    Took a tour of the islands, Burano, Murano, and Torcello.  Burano was so cute. Each house was a different color with flowers in flower baskets.    Saw how glass was made in Murano.  Saw a church in Torcello.  Burano was known for its fine lace.  One thing that was interesting in Murano were the bathrooms in one of these glass chandelier stores.    The toilets were flat and in the floor.  We had to squat in order to go to the bathroom.   It was so weird, especially for an expensive store.

The islands were so far apart. The canal was like a big highway full of boats and not cars.   

After dinner, Charlene, Kelsey and I went to Venice to see the town and our Hotel Danieli.   It was the same hotel that was in the movie "Only You" starring Marisa Tomei.  We went inside via the gorgeous door.  The people looked so wealthy.     It cost $300 a night to stay there.     The red awning where the boats were parked was also in the movie.    We walked around St. Mark's Square.   

When we got back to the ship, I fell on the boat over a piece of wood.  A good looking Italian man helped me up. Kelsey and Charlene laughed.

Our room was on the Fiesta deck (room 422).   Charlene and Kelsey were next door in room 426.    Grandpa's suite cost him $15,000.  The whole trip cost Grandpa $33,000.

The workers on the ship worked 6-7 days a week and only got about 1 to 2 days off in a 6 month period, so it was very hard work.  

June 16, 1995: Day at Sea

Today, I relaxed on the boat.  It was a day at sea.   I had breakfast on the sun deck.   Sergio and Marion came over and talked to us.  Spent some time laying on the deck while listening to my music. Then, I went and played cards.    Tonight was formal night and the captain's farewell dinner.   At dessert, Mario, along with the other assistant waiters went through the dining room with lighted Alaskan baked cake along with Italian music.

Watched a terrific show called "As Time Goes By."  It was music from each decade along with clips of movie stars, shows, and world events on the screen.   The 60s costumes were great.    Charlene, Kelsey, and Grandpa watched the water glisten shortly after sunset.

June 15, 1995: Greek Isle Zakynthos

Watched a slide presentation about what went on behind-the-scenes on the boat.   Underneath us was where the Princess Patter program was made.   Also, there were large storage rooms for vegetables, liquor, pop, etc.    They had washing machines that did about 10,000 pieces of laundry a day.

The kitchen was running 24 hrs a day.  They put soup in 920 gallon pots.   Our waiters, Sergio and Marion, came and talked to us.  They looked different wearing their sunglasses and Hawaiian shirts.   Mario was single and from Romania.   Sergio was from Portugal and had a wife and 7 month old.   He was going home in one month. He didn't  think he would return to the ship to work. 

Went on a tour of the Greek island, Zakynthos.   Saw a beautiful Greek Orthodox church with sold gold in the inside.

Went to the beach and put my feet in the turquoise blue ocean.    There were topless women there that Grandpa liked looking at.    He acted like he was taking a picture of me in the water so he could get a picture of the topless ladies. Just as he was about to snap the picture, a large wave came up and covered the ladies up.   I laughed so hard.

Grandpa and Charlene said I danced very well last night.   Charlene said I did the twist really well.  

This lady we met on the boat, Marianne, bought a necklace made with an eye.  It's supposed to shield away the evil.  If you are beautiful in Greece, you had to spit 3 times in order to get rid of the evil. 

Chris Nichol performed the song, 'Love Boat' for the evening show.    During the show, the emergency buzzer went off.   The show had to stop because there had been a fire in the engine room on the boat.  Crew members came out with life jackets.  Thank goodness the fire was extinguished.    

We went on a tour of the kitchen.  Everything was stainless steel.

Grandpa and I took walks around the boat after each dinner.    It was very windy on the top deck. Sometimes, I felt like I was going to be blown away.

June 14, 1995: Kusadasi, Turkey

Our boat docked in Kusadasi, Turkey.  Turkey was considered part of the Middle East.   Turkey was still an agricultural country, but was becoming a tourist destination.   Tourism had become heavy in the past 15 years.   Turkey imported 85% of their oil.  They were known for cotton, wool, and textiles.

Only about 1/7 of high school graduates who took the exam got into the university.  Once they passed the exam and were accepted into the university, it only cost them $100 a year for a medical degree.   About 98% of the people were Muslim, but only 80% of those Muslims were strict Muslim.

Muslims pray 5 times a day. They couldn't have alcohol or pork.  There were about 60 million people who lived in Turkey.

Our tour guide had one year left of medical school and had to do an internship in east Turkey as a doctor in military.  

The countryside was mountainous and green.  It wasn't how I pictured it.   

We saw where they believe the Virgin Mary died.  It was way up on the top of a mountain.  It looked so peaceful.   

I saw ancient Ephesus from the book of the Ephesians in the bible.   It was quite interesting.   We found out later that Charlene almost got bit by a wild dog while at the ruins.   Instead,  the dog bit a lady my aunt met on the trip.  Her friend was allergic to tetanus shots so she had to get an antibiotic.

We saw St. John's Basilica.    

I bought 4 musical wood instruments for $1.   After the tour, we went to a demonstration on how to make rugs.   They rolled out several rugs for us to see.   They served us Turkish tea.    I felt so rich having all these men roll out rugs for me to see.  

Went through the 2nd largest Turkish marketplace in Turkey.   The vendors were quite pushy.    One guy asked where I learned to speak English so well.   Another vendor said he had a friend in Michigan.  He probably has a friend in every US state.

Tonight's show on the boat was a French show, starring Chris Nichol and Marsha Harris from London.    

Grandpa, Grandma, Charlene, Kelsey and I went dancing.  I learned how to do the electric slide which was fun.  

We watched the champagne waterfall.   Champagne glasses were put in a triangle (700 glasses).  The maitre'd poured wine on the top glass which filtered down to the other glasses.  It took about 48 bottles of wine.   All of us women were given a chance to have our picture taken pouring the champagne with the maitre'd.   

June 13, 1995: Athens, Greece

We took a tour of Athens, Greece.  Saw Poseidon's Temple at Cape Sounion.   It was at the top of a mountain overlooking the sea.  The mountains here were rocky and had cactus plants.   We had lunch at this Greek restaurant that overlooked the water. The baklava was delicious.

Walked up to the Acropolis.    It was very hot outside.   Saw the Parthenon.    We saw the whole city of Athens.   The Acropolis was about 2500 years old. The Ionian sea separated Greece from Italy.   There was about 7000 yrs of history on the Acropolis.

In Greece, there were no statues in Greek churches.    Greece was about half the size of Italy.   There were about 3000 islands around Greece.

We saw the Palace of Greece.   Mom and I got our picture taken with a guard.   Across the street was a park full of cats.   I was told that the local people left cats they didn't want in this park.   

June 12, 1995: Grand Buffet on the Ship

Today was a day at sea.     They had the grand buffet with all of the carvings, ice sculptures, desserts, etc.   We took alot of pictures.    We went to a show, 'American Music' after dinner.

June 11, 1995: Sorrento, Italy

We docked in Sorrento, Italy.   Then, we took a tender to land.     The roads were really narrow.   Sorrento was a charming city and much cleaner than Florence. 

We visited the ruins of Pompeii.  It was buried in ash from Mt. Vesuvius years ago.   We saw the skeletal remains of a pregnant woman who died from the volcano eruptions.  
We saw the Red Light District on the ruins.    Inside, there were pictures of the what the prostitutes specialized in.   Grandpa saw those in 1944 when he was in the service in Pompeii.   Charlene, Grandpa, and Kelsey went on a ride along the Amalfi coast and ate at the same restaurant as Jackie Kennedy.

June 10, 1995: Rome, Italy

Mom, Grandpa, Charlene, and I went on a tour of Rome.   We got to the Vatican which was very crowded.    In 1929, it became a Vatican state.  About 1000 people lived in the Vatican.  It's about 1/2 sq. mile.   The Vatican had its own currency and stamps.  It was surrounded by a wall.  

The lines were so long at the Sistine Chapel and St. Peters Basilica. The hallway to the Sistine Chapel was gorgeous.  The figurines on the walls and ceiling looked like sculptures, but were in fact, flat surfaces.   One of the workers yelled at Charlene to get off the grass outside the chapel. I thought that was pretty funny.

The 'Last Judgment' sculpture in the Sistine Chapel was gorgeous.    St. Peter's Basilica was huge and gorgeous.    The letters on the ceiling were 7 feet tall.   Saw the statue of Mary and Jesus.   

The square in front of the cathedral was huge.    St. Peter's Square was designed by Giovanni Bernini.   It could hold more than 400,000 people.   Pope John Paul's apartment was the second window from the right on the top floor of the yellowish, orange building in St. Peter's Square. 

We had lunch at the Hotel M. D'azeglio in Rome.   The inside of this restaurant was decorated in gold and white.

Saw the famous 'Trevi Fountain'.  If 4 coins were thrown in it, your daughter would marry a doctor.  There were sayings for 1, 2, and 3 coins tossed in the fountain.

Saw the Colosseum.  This was once an amphitheater, which held more than 50,000 spectators and was the site of the gladiatorial competition and religious persecution.

We saw many policemen on the streets with machine guns.

Kelsey had stayed on the ship with Grandma. She said it didn't go too well.      Grandma got mad at Grandpa for going on this day trip.    Grandma was getting mixed up on this cruise.  People with Alzheimers need to be in familiar surroundings.

At dinner, Grandpa tried to floss his teeth with the tea bag.  It was hilarious.    There's never a dull moment at our table.