My Favorite Story

It was a cool, prototypical San Francisco day, January 30, 2011. Sam and I left church on our way to Marin headlands for a hike and picnic. It was seemingly just another day, as Sam had just finished a ship contract and was visiting the city for a week. We get to the headlands and begin to walk, admiring the stunning postcard-like views of the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco. Before long, we get to the top of the hill and see the Golden Gate Bridge perfectly framing the city we have come to love. I begin to feel a round-metallic-burning-sensation in my right pocket, so I quickly suggest we find a place to sit and eat. We walk until we happen upon a "random" chunk of grass overlooking the ocean, where we sit down to enjoy our sandwich and wine lunch. The burning in my pocket quickly returns, so I jump up and tell Sam to join me at the railing (Her first clue that something was up). After a threat to throw me over the railing and a comically-rude jab in the direction of our soon-to-be photographers, I cannot take it any longer. I pull Sam close and describe the unconditional love I have for her, how much she means to me, and some additional things that neither you need to hear or we remember. As I reach into my pocket and drop to my knee, the jig is up. I ask Sam the question that I've been waiting to ask. Remembering she has a line amidst a flood of emotion, Sam says with an obvious tone, "Of Course!" I will never forget the look on Sam's face as I attempt to slide my token of love on her finger while we stare into each other's eyes. At that moment, as we experience this truly unique and organic moment, our favorite song begins to play from the surrounding foliage. We spend some time soaking in the moment, as my dear friends act as paparazzi. As the following minutes and hours go by, we both begin to realize the wonderful and exciting journey we have just embarked on. Thus concludes the best day of my life...so far.

Two-thousand and ten in review

January: I rang in the new year on the NCL Jewel, thought I would be headed to Europe for my next ship assignment but was then informed I would be sent back to the Jewel. Put plans in motion to go see my brother in Europe.

February: I was sent back to the Jewel. Became reacquainted with a dancer named Sam while making fun of a "cone" doing "The Cro-Mag" (A little inside, I know). Later that month we started the relationship that changed my life.

March: Enjoyed fun times on the Jewel with Sam and old friends, including pranks, slumber parties, and YC shenanigans.

April: More fun times on the Jewel. I met Sam's Mom when she cruised for a week. Stayed on the ship as a passenger for a couple weeks to hang out with Sam and explore more of the Caribbean. Giants season started, they went 13-9 in April.

May: Came home from the Jewel, started getting ready for the Broventure around Europe. Also, began trying to figure out what my next ship assignment was going to be, and preparing my grad-application. Giants go 14-14.

June: Europe. Tim and I had the time of our lives, so many stories, so much fun, memories forever. found out I'd be headed to the Bahamas on the NCL Sky. Giants go 13-14.

July: The Sky was different, but I met a lot of amazing people and had some good times. Sam's ship was in Nassau with us once a week so we could hang out every Wednesday! Giants go 20-8!!

August: Sam and I both get off of our respective ships. I go to Chico, she goes to PA. We begin our post-ship relationship and plan our SE Asia trip. Giants go 13-15.

September: Sam comes to visit Chico, meet my family and friends...except sis ;-(. On my birthday Sam and I fly to SE Asia. Visit 3 countries, amazing memories, met up with good friends. Great trip!!! Giants go 18-8, and are within striking distance.

October: We finish up of SE Asia trip, get back to the states in time for the Giants final regular season game and see them clinch the NL West and the playoffs. I am home to see the Giants make a run for the ages through the playoffs and into the World Series. I also bought a car and got accepted to Graduate School at USF!

November: Giants win the World Series! Justin and I got to go to Game 1, and Tim and I went to the Championship parade. I went back to Starbucks and Alyssa and Jon were gracious enough to let me stay at their place while I looked for an apartment in SF. Spent Thanksgiving in Chico with my Family.

December: I found a place to live, me my roommates who are in the Sports Management program with me. Sam came to visit for a few days before taking a replacement contract on the Star. I spent Christmas in Chico with my Family, and had a great end to the year!

2010: Best year so far! I had the opportunity to do so much, meet so many amazing people, and learn a ton about myself. God was good in many ways through good health, good fortune, and maybe most of all, through placing Sam in my path. She was the highlight of a great year and I look forward to what 2011 has for me and for us.

Thank you for joining me on my journey and I hope you had as good a year as I did!

D

Settin' up shop

Things are moving I suppose. I am in San Francisco finally, I am working finally, and I am currently looking for a place to live before school starts in just over a month.

TG:

My family ends each Thanksgiving meal with a trip around the table, with everyone saying what they are thankful for. Growing up, I did not like doing this. Possibly because we used to do it before the meal, and partly because I was too young to appreciate all that I have. I enjoy it very much now, and I am extremely thankful for everyone in my life and the critical role they have played in me being who I am and where I am today. Possibly one of the best "givings of thanks" was my brothers: "First of all, I'm thankful for the Giants." I couldn't agree more, and that definitely was one more thing this year to be thankful for. Thanks Tim, and thank you Giants (Yes, this is Me and Justin at Game 1 of the World Series). This years Thanksgiving was especially fun because I missed last year on account of the ship, and I wasn't planning on being in Chico for this one but I surprised everyone by showing up.

APT:

As for SF, I "met" these two guys through email from my program at USF, and the three of us are going to live together to begin school, provided I find a place. I am working at SBux again, on Polk & Vallejo, downtown. The store is laid back, fun, people are nice, and it should be good. Come by for a cup-a joe if you're in the area. I am staying with Jon and Alyssa as I look for a place and they have been most hospitable!

SN:

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to go visit Pennsylvania where Sam is from, meet the rest of the family, and hang out with Sam for a few days. It was great to meet the whole family, and the trip was so much fun! Sam is flying to Vegas tomorrow, then coming to visit SF for a few days. Excited doesn't even begin to describe my feelings on this event.

I am thankful for all of you, please continue to keep us is your prayers.

D

Backpack to Bay

Life is good.

I am truly blessed to be able to say that when my life is seemingly a mess. I recently stopped working for NCL, and I am moving to the bay soon with no job/apartment yet. This being said, the last month has been one of the most exciting, fulfilling, and challenging ones to date (as I expected).

My beautiful girlfriend Sam and I had the opportunity to backpack around SE Asia, which was amazing! We went to Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand; Got to go bungee jumping, hang out with elephants, and see some beautiful places. I put some of the pictures on facebook if you want to see them. Plus, we capped off the final day of our trip with the last Giants game of the regular season (Sam's first Giants game) and saw them clinch the NL West.

We both knew that after our trip we needed to start our "post-cruiseship-lives" so Sam went back to Philly to prepare to move to Vegas, while I waited to hear from Starbucks and USF about a job and graduate school admission. I have an interview at Starbucks next week and I found out last week that I got accepted to USF. I was overwhelmed with excitement and a flood of other details regarding the next 3 months that now must be dealt with!

So the next month, like the last month, is going to be exciting. I hope to get a job/car/apartment, move to San Francisco and start to get settled in before school starts in January. All the while dealing with the stress of carrying the Giants playoff hopes squarely on my shoulders (at least thats what it feels like, ha). I can't wait!

Take Care,

D

No more cruises...I found what I wasn't looking for!

After an amazing trip to Europe with my brother, an exhausting journey back home and to my next NCL contract, and 2 months on the Sky in the Bahamas, I got back to Chico on the 23rd of August. The time I spent on the Sky was amazing. I enjoyed meeting some awesome people, seeing the beautiful Bahamas, and spending time with someone truly amazing. Sam and I met in February and have been dating on various ships, and via Skype/phone for a few months now and I am so thankful she came into my life. She just came home to meet the family and friends this weekend and it was a resounding success. I loved having her around, even if it was just for a couple days. She is back in Las Vegas for the week, auditioning for agencies and jobs down there before we leave on our trip to SE Asia next weekend. Sam and I will be traveling through Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand for about 3 weeks, seeing the sights, visiting Foy, and hopefully taking in some adventures! Once we return in October, we have to make something of the messes that we each call our lives. Sam will be moving to Las Vegas for a time, while I will be moving back to the Bay Area where hopefully I will be starting graduate school in the spring.

So, after a year and a half of life on a ship, I came away with a boat-load of great memories and the woman of my dreams! Win. The next month or so promises to be a crazy one, so keep us both in your prayers. Take care and rock on.

D

Skylife

I've been on the NCL Sky for about a month now. The ship is alright, the people here are awesome as they have been everywhere i've worked. I'm in the Bahamas 5 days a week which is nice and I get to see Sam every Wednesday which is amazing!

I sign off on August 23rd, then my life gets crazy for a few months. I will go home for 3 weeks, then Sam and I are going to SE Asia with some friends for a month, then I am moving back to the Bay Area. During this time I need to find a place to live, a job, and a car. Awesome.

It will surely be an interesting next few months but i'm extremely excited and I trust everything will work out. Hope this finds everyone well, continue to keep me in your prayers. See ya soon!!

D

France and Italy

Weeks 4 and 5:

Looking back, we spent 6 days in France and visited 4 cities...way too fast! We went to Paris, St. Nazaire, Bordeaux, and Nice. All four of the places were awesome but I wished we could have spent more time exploring each one and less time on the move...oh well! We rocked Paris in a day and a half, and discovered FIFA Fan Fest Paris, which is one of six locations worldwide where they show the World Cup on a huge screen in big cities! It was amazing to see Brazil vs N. Korea with the Eiffel Tower as a backdrop. We went from Paris to St. Nazaire to visit some of my NCL peeps and see off the new monstrosity of a ship. We spent a great night there with my friend Jingles! From there we went to Bordeaux for a day, (basically a close-your-eyes-and-point-at-the-departure-board situation) and its was a very cool city. We caught the USA vs Slovenia game there and then headed to Nice (is nice!!) the next day. Nice was ok, we went there sorta to break up the trip into Italy, and because we really enjoyed committing fraud to get extra days out of our Eurail passes.

First night in Italy was the longest of the entire trip...we stayed in the Milan train station because we had an early train to Venice the next morning, this happened: A Night in the Milan Train Station. Over the final 10 days of our trip we stayed at these "camping hostels" in Venice, Rome, and Florence. They were awesome! Really cheap, offered everything a normal hostel does, and in some cases much more (pool, bar, pizzeria, market, etc.). Venice was very nice, we spent most of the time lost and having a great time. we ate tons of gelato and continued our World Cup binge. Here is where we witnessed the 2nd most stressful game I've watched, USA vs Algeria! (1st was game 7 of the 2002 World Series...ugh) Rome did not disappoint, I think it was one of mine and Tim's favorite spots we went. The history, beauty, and people were incredible. we met Kelly King here for a couple days as well and had a blast! From Rome we began our journey home, stopping in Florence and Pisa on the way back London.

As I write this I am currently in the middle of a journey unlike anything I've ever heard of. My trip home, then to my next cruise assignment involves the following: 4 days, 1 train ride, 5 planes, 2 buses, 2 metros, 1 cab, 8 airports, 5 countries, and countless hours of layovers. Complete garbage, but it will all be worth it when I get to the ship, take a nap, and then see my Sam on the 7th!!

All in all, the Emmons Brother's trip to Europe was a resounding success, so many memories, great times, and indescribable experiences. No major lasting injuries, deaths, or screw-ups. Great Trip. Thank you for all of your prayers and feel free to ask us for a story of two, we've got plenty.

D