Happy Leap Year Day!! We are at sea today making our way to Auckland, New Zealand. We are still 21 hours ahead of you all and making our way slowly back toward the California time zone. Mom and I woke up early today. The time change has us up with the sun lately. We allowed the girls to sleep in and she and I met for a nice breakfast in the Pinnacle resteraunt complete with mimosas. After breakfast we had arranged for the girls to meet us in the main theater for a presentation with our Maori Ambassadors. They performed and then taught all of us a traditional Haka chant and the moves to go with it. Then we were off to our crocheting class. At noon the girls headed to Club HAL where Geoffrey had made arrangements for all the ambassadors to have 1:1 time with the kids. They made their own Poi balls and learned how to use them. They also got some good time asking them questions about their culture and how they came to work on cruise ships. Next it was time for arts and crafts, schoolwork and choir for Valerie. I spent the afternoon doing some cleaning around our cabin. It amazes me how much paperwork they give us every single day. I also got the chance to set up the girls’ schoolwork and lesson plans for the next four weeks. I correct their work weekly as well, just like a regular teacher. Tonight we had a gala themed after a New Zealand tradition of Boulders and Bumpershoots. Now don’t feel bad, I had to look it up too. The boulders, represents the traditional boulder hat worn. Bumpershoots is another name for an umbrella. So we were all given boulder hats to wear and there were umbrellas hanging from the ceiling of the dining room. It was very cute and a lot of fun to see all the staff dressed up as well. It was an early night in for me tonight as the girls went off to club HAL to have their evening of play and fun. I love that they can go there and just be kids and relax and play games. Such a blessing for them to have that space. I can not imagine what this trip would have been like without that available to them. Hugs to you all. Still waiting for the Internet to cooperate enough for me to post pictures again. I have many of them ready to go as soon as I can get them up for you. Stay tuned. Love…Debra
Live Vicariously Through Debra 
Time/date change has me up and at the gym exercising at 7! We have alot of lazy sea days ahead. Need a workout routine in my life! Busy busy!!
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