Due to the sleuthing skills of Sarah (and maybe Steve??), look what awesome perks have been uncovered. Sarah promises (sort of) that the family suite gets these, though I'm still not sure if I believe her. Anyway, read for yourself at this link. I'm most excited about the free glass of champagne and the free laundry service. Sarah also claims to have other links to support these claims, so perhaps she'll share with us...
Yippee!! It's the final installment in Meet the Family and we are ending with a bang. Steve, who actually chose to marry into the Rosenberg family, is the last to be introduced and I really think that we saved the best for last. Snicker snicker.
Isn't he, um, special looking. I really wanted to include the most hysterical picture I have ever seen but Sarah wouldn't give it to me. She said Steve hid it somewhere, but I don't really believe that. As much as she talks the talk, I suppose she needs to support her husband once in awhile. But I really wanted the picture and I was willing to pay for it.
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Steve married Sarah in 2003 after they had been together for a really long time. He automatically got sucked into Sarah's Disney passion. He tells me that the only cruises he has been on are the same ones that Sarah has been on, so no need to repeat all that. His favorite vacation, though, was not the same as Sarah. He gave the "good husband" answer - always the last he took with Sarah. How sweet. Someone please stab me in the eye right now. In terms of the Alaskan trip, he shares the sentiment as many of us - he is most looking forward to watching David get eaten by a polar bear. He does fear getting eaten by one himself, though.
I have an important pointer for the rest of us to take note of on our trip regarding Steve. He has a little problem when it comes to taking pictures. Now you may recall that Sarah gets carried away with pictures of the sky or pictures of the water. Steve, on the other hand, takes pictures of himself CONSTANTLY. Apparently he thinks he is good looking and we should have photos of him. The problem is, though, that he nabs your camera when you aren't looking, and Surprise! you'll find a little gem later on. These pictures just aren't good. And yet he continues.
Also on our trip, we must make certain that Steve doesn't injure himself. If he does, he is liable to pass out. What is it with men? Both Dad and Steve get all squeamish around the sight of blood. Man up boys! Goodness gracious, I hope I don't get injured in your presence, neither one of you would be much help passed out on the deck.
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I'm back with more stuff to add (thanks Sarah!). I firmly believe Steve has a bladder problem and needs to get to the doctor ASAP. In what has become mostly a joke, anyone going anywhere with Steve must wait while he goes on "Steve's Favorite Ride." I think he has been in every bathroom in Disney World. I'm sure he'll get to know each and every restroom on the boat. I can't believe I left out my very favorite Steve story the first time around! Many years ago, while visiting Sarah and Steve in Boston, Steve was wearing his pajama bottoms completely unaware that his boy parts were hanging out for all the world to see. I got a bit of case of the giggles. Ok, I huge case of the giggles. I was ON THE FLOOR laughing hysterically at the scene. Oh my god, it was funny. Next time, Steve, make sure you're all covered up.
Have you met Lottery Steve? I'm still waiting. Lottery Steve has promised me so much stuff when he wins, that he's not going to have any left over for himself unless he wins the biggest lottery in the history of the world. Is this like 'Have you met Ted?' Ok, most of you won't get that. But you know who does? Team ASS!! Living for all posterity on the floorboards of a condo in Cambridge. Good memories in that condo - the same place with the boy bits incident.
A few last little tidbits I'll mention but not elaborate on... Steve is the lone Republican in the family. If I could vote someone out of the family this week, it would be him. Having a child is good for Steve - he now has more of an excuse to act like a crazy person (not that it ever stopped him in the past). He snores. He has a few favorite t-shirts - they are red and straw colored. And falling apart. And Sarah hates them. Like the rest of us, Steve is cute and single. Oh wait, my mistake, no he isn't. Lastly, we'll all have to help Steve on the trip while he goes through video game withdrawal. It's like he's a 12 year old with all those video games. Stupid Bioshock.
I once again realize I have left stuff out. Part of the reason is because Sarah said I couldn't be too mean. Hmpf. The other reason is that I had all these good ideas for what to include but I forgot what they were. I'll add stuff as I remember it (in a different color, just like with Sarah).
Baby Sophie is up next! Yay, she's by far the cutest of all of us. I'm thinking that since she's only 7.5 months old and I don't have a lot of snarky things to say about her, this will be more of a photo essay. But no worries, there will still be some sarcasm. There has to be when Sarah and Steve are her parents.
Pictures will go in chronological order, though I admit there aren't that many really early pictures. I can only include so many and I like the smiling ones more.
It is important to note this picture carefully. Sophie isn't doing anything exciting, but note her size compared to Nosh Posh, the world's most wonderful alligator. Not so funny story about Nosh Posh: Yours truly got Nosh Posh as a present for the not-yet-born Sophie. I assumed that Sophie would in fact take possession of said gift. But no, her mother instead absconded with Nosh Posh and now refuses to allow Sophie to keep it. She is careful to make sure Nosh Posh shows in pictures every-so-often so that I think she has given Sophie her toy, but I know the truth and I am most displeased.
Can I just say that I really want an adult sized swing like this? This is just awesome, and I want it. Sophie is 8 weeks old here.
She's 12 weeks here, wearing another present I got her. We've got to teach her the importance of the yojik early. It's too bad the Russian isn't shown in this picture. Sophie is our little communist-in-training.
Ha ha, Sophie's a nose picker. This is a blackmail picture to use against her when she starts dating.
Note the size - she's now 18 weeks...
Ordinarily, this would not be a picture I'd include in something like this but Sophie is shown dipping her toes into the ocean. I believe this is the Gulf side of Florida but I suppose we can count it as the Atlantic. I want to see the Pacific version of this picture next summer, even if it's cold. I have a picture of me standing in the Pacific in Russia (at least I can still lay claim to the only one in the family who has done that) and though it was cold, I toughed it out. I expect Sophie to do the same. Or else.
Here's the last shot I'm including, taken last week. I just really like this one. Between the hat, the look on her face, and the prunes on her shirt, it's too cute. (I forgot the r in shirt the first time I typed this. Oops.)
I think it will be imperative that we add more pictures of Sophie between now and July. Her mother is supposed to be making Sophie's website look a bit more exciting, especially since I labored over new graphics for her, spending hours and hours helping out, all at no cost to her. Maybe I'll include videos next time...
Here are Sophie's answers to the Inside the Actor's Studio questions:
Favorite Word: Amy
Least Favorite Word: Doctor
Turns You On: Playing with the phone
Turns You Off: When mommy takes the phone away
Favorite Sound: Touch tone sounds on the phone
Least Favorite Sound: Silence
Favorite Curse Word: I don't know any. Yet.
Profession to Try: Phone operator or alligator wrestler
Profession Not to Try: Anything that requires concentration for long periods of time
If Heaven Exists, What God Will Say at the Pearly Gates: Cutest Baby in the Whole World!
A bit more about Sophie: She is both cute and single, though she has her sights set on an older man, one who is twice her age! She lives too far away from the rest of her family, on both sides, and needs to begin to pressure mom and dad to move closer. She likes to eat. In fact, I do believe she eats more foods than David. But that isn't that hard to do. One last picture of Sophie - she is obviously a New England Patriots Fan and we must show the world her support even in these tough times. My poor Tom.
Part 6 is next - we meet Steve. Let me just say that I think this will be the most fun for me to write. Oh Steve, I feel just a little bit sorry for you. But not that much.
Updates are in yellow... Newer updates are in pink...
Time once again for another installment of Days of our Lives. Oh wait, that's not it. It's Sarah's turn to be introduced to the world - isn't she lucky? This is important because it means that we are now more than halfway through meeting everyone. I know you are all anxious for this to be done...
This is Sarah, or so she claims. This is what happens when I let her pick the picture. Dad thinks that it looks like a whale farting from behind her. I like to think that she is channeling her inner Medusa and we musn't see her face or we will turn to stone. Sarah said I wasn't allowed to call her Cousin It. This is me not calling her Cousin It. What other captions can we come up with for this image? Leave your ideas in the comments...
Sarah is a seasoned cruiser. She has been on six cruises in the past, and has another planned for January 2009. She's been all over the Caribbean, but also on two 14 day cruises - one through the Panama Canal to California, and the other a transatlantic cruise to Barcelona. All of her cruises, however, have been on Disney so the Alaska trip will be a big adjustment for her. I know it pains her to try out a new line. She wasn't able to give me a favorite cruise - but equally loved the 14 days trips. This is hardly surprising, who wouldn't like 14 day cruise. Looking at her list, as of January 2009, Sarah (and Steve, too, I suppose) will have spent 57 days cruising since 2003. Someone needs to find a new way to vacation, she is a bit of a cruise snob. Well, not a bit of one, she is one. And I'm pretty sure she'll admit it. She does really want to vacation in Italy. I'm totally on board for that.
She does have amusing stories to tell about the monkeys in Gibraltar. Apparently Steve was a wee bit nervous around them. Those monkeys can be sneaky, you know. This reminds me, I forgot to mention in Dad's story his great fear of bears in Yosemite. Since we may encounter bears in Alaska, this is a real concern we must all prepare for. Back to Sarah, she also likes visiting Castaway Cay, especially when she steps on sea urchins. Sarah takes a lot of pictures while on vacation. If you ask Dad, all the pictures are of water or clouds. I guess she won't be on sole picture duty in Alaska. Dad's will be of mountains and more mountains, with some glaciers thrown in.
Sarah is also a spoiled cruiser. She only stays in the expensive/balcony staterooms. She has to be the first to try out a new cruise. That might be a bit more tricky now that you quit your job at Disney. I'm still flabbergasted by that decision. Don't you know that we use you for your perks? My feelings for you are not quite so positive anymore. I did just think of a really good benefit of Sarah no longer working for Disney. Steve and I can now apply for the Amazing Race. Sweet! I don't think they have ever done the "in-law" angle. This is totally an area they should explore. I'll have more fun things to add to this idea when it's Steve's turn. Another example of spoiled Sarah would be the fabulously funny daily updates I've sent her on her last few cruises. I promise you here and now that I will not do so on your January cruise. You haven't even seen fit to share the dates of that trip yet with your family. Hmpf.
Sarah has some fears about this trip of ours. She worries most about Sophie - let's be honest, she will be 15 months - not exactly the ideal age for long bus/train/plane trips. Should be fun. Or something. At least if I'm hanging out with Sophie and she starts to act up, I can pass her off to her mother. At least Sarah doesn't have to worry about sea urchins. But watch out for those bears. They are sneaky little buggers. And running in zig-zag doesn't save you from them. But some good news for you - there are no velociraptors in Alaska, so that's a plus.
I don't feel like I am being sarcastic enough with Sarah. I may have to devote a Part B to her. Isn't she lucky?!?! She filled out the Inside the Actor's Studio questionnaire for me. Some of her more entertaining answers: she really doesn't like Microsoft. It's both her least favorite word and what turns her off. She loves the sound of Sophie laughing, no shocker there. She and I share a sound that turns us off - cats hacking up hairballs. I don't know about her cats, but mine seems to only do so in the middle of the night. It is a god awful noise. It's especially fun when I can't find where she coughed it up. Ew. The time I found it in my bed was especially gross. Sarah would like to run a cupcake bakery. She makes the most awesome frosting. I could just eat that plain. She would least like to be an Alaskan crab fisherman. I can't say I blame her, but I'm sure she won't turn down the opportunity to eat some crab on the trip.
Sarah is also cute and single. Oh wait, one of those two things isn't true. I'll leave it for you to decide which it is...
That's about it for now with Sarah. Like I said earlier, I may add to this when I think of better things to say. I feel a bit off my game tonight. It could be that I am watching the final debate and distracted by the ratings ticker on the bottom of the screen. It's hypnotizing. The debate itself, not so much. I can't wait for this to be done. In the meantime, we can all look forward to meeting Sophie next. She still hasn't responded to my questions. And I thought she was supposed to be smart. Hmpf.
Here we are, back on track with the next in that Emmy winning series, "Meet the Family!" That is different from what I typed the first time, "Meat the Family." I'm not so sure I want to know the Meat Family, unless they are giving me a nice medium-rare filet or something like that... Anyway, today we meet David, who for many years was the youngest in the whole Rosenberg Clan but has now passed that honor on to Sophie. But warning to David - you're still stuck with the Four Questions. Ha Ha! David is one of two members of the family who has never been on a cruise. I think we can all guess the other one. Yes, of course it's Sarah. Actually, come January, David will be the only one. Steve and Sophie are finally taking Sarah on her first cruise. When asked what he's most looking forward to about the vacation, he told me is the "general sense of relaxation that will (hopefully) come with the surroundings." Apparently, David is delusional. While I think we can all agree that cruises can be very relaxing, I have a feeling this one might not be... He also told me that he wants to see who will be driven to commit murder first. He thought it would be Sophie. Hmmm, I don't think he'll see who commits murder first, but only because he'll be the victim.
David also has rather lofty ideas for his dream vacation. He'd like to go on a tour of Europe. It seems that "chillin' at the Parthenon" would be a fun thing for him to do, as would seeing Big Ben and the Eiffel Tower. In David's world, money really does grow on trees. He also expressed a desire to do another Disney vacation like that Christmas trip in 2001. He doesn't like visiting nowadays because "we've gone over there and not even so much as gotten a glimpse of the parks." Well, duh, David. We haven't been there to go to the parks, instead we are spending quality time with our loved ones. David obviously doesn't love his family.
David claims he has been to 17 states, but his list is all messed up. He hasn't included states I know he's been to, and he included states I'm pretty certain that he's never been to. Tennessee, really? I highly doubt that one... I think he's been to: Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Florida, Georgia (airport), Texas (airport), New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, California, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota (airport), and possibly Michigan (airport) and Virginia (maybe he crossed the river from DC?). Part of the problem with his list is that he gave me the 2 letter abbreviations and he doesn't really get them right, for instance, I'm certain he's never been to Nebraska, and yet according to him, he has. I also question when he's been to Vermont, though I suppose it's possible. But the important thing about this list is that I still beat him. Go me.
David didn't really have anything else exciting to add to this. He did say that he will be less annoying than usual, so that's a plus. And David, I have that in writing, so if you break your word, I either (depending on where we are) toss you off the train, throw you over the side of the ship, or feed you to a bear. David did graduate high school last June, that was exciting for all. He also recently got a job, go him. And he totaled his car. Oops. Let's hope car #2 fares better. He's in college now, studying physics or something like that. Ask him about his field trip to the particle accelerator. Then while he talks, pretend to listen and look interested while you secretly make a To Do list in your head. It worked for me.
Edited to add: David is also cute and single (if you're into 19 year old college boys)
Ooh, next we move on the S portion of the family. We'll all have the opportunity to meet (not meat) Sarah in the coming days. I'm pretty sure we've all met her already, but just in case we have a loyal reader out there who doesn't actually know us...
I know, I know, I said I'd put up the "Meet David" post today. I lied. I do that sometimes. Maybe I'll put it up tomorrow, but maybe not. If I wasn't on my death bed at the moment, I would have written it, but alas, I think I am dying. I really think someone (HINT HINT HINT BOYS!) should come over and make me soup or something. It would be a very nice thing to do.
I have a fever, I ache, I can't breathe, my sinuses aren't happy with me, I'm hot, I'm cold. And to top it all off, my Patriots are already losing by 10 points in the first quarter. Like I said, I think I'm dying.
But have no fear, if I don't die, I'll be fine in another day or two.
It’s time for Part 2 of Meet the Family. This time up is Dad (or Mike or Grandpa). I have to be careful writing this because I fear it will be too easy to make fun of him the whole time. I must keep reminding myself that he is paying for most of this and therefore I should try to be a little nice. Notice the word “little.”
Isn’t he quite the dashing gentlemen (snicker, snicker). I love the sideburns. And that belt buckle, I remember that from many years ago. And though I should not speak ill of the deceased, what is going on with Mom’s pants? Those are just really something else. Click here to see the whole picture - Dad, Mom, Grandma, and Grandpa on the QE2!
According to Dad, he’s been on 5 cruises in his lifetime - 3 to the Caribbean as an adult, 1 to Bermuda when he was only 15, and a Mediterranean-type cruise when he was 18. On that cruise, he visited Naples, Haifa, Venice, and the Greek Isles, among other places. I guess that was some type of graduation gift or something like that. I don’t even want to share what I got as a graduation gift from high school. But I will share that it was STOLEN when my home was robbed. Not that I’m still bitter about that or anything. Oh wait, this is about Dad, back on topic. Dad has cruised on the QE2 - I must admit this makes me jealous…
I asked him what he was looking forward to most about this trip. There were lots of possibilities for fun answers - throwing David overboard, gorging himself on unlimited food, visiting the site of his favorite “Bridge to Nowhere,” etc. But he had to get all serious in his response, instead. He claims, and I believe him for what it’s worth, that he most looking forward spending time with the family and creating a “shared experience that we will all remember.” Well, almost all of us. I think Sophie might be a little young. And Dad himself is getting up there in years, he might not remember the details. This is the man who got my age wrong on my birthday cake. He can blame David for that one all he wants, but that’s not going to help. Oops, back to Dad again. I’m really bad at this.
I also asked him about which part he was most excited to see/experience - the train trip, the cruise itself, or the time in Denali. Like a true politician, he couldn’t give me a straight answer. He was looking forward to all three. How non-committal of him. He did mention he was looking forward to taking the train through Fairfield, Iowa, where he spent his college years at Parsons College. I think that will be the only thing to look forward to in Iowa unless you are a connoisseur of corn fields. Which I am not.
Speaking from personal experience, I know that this is a trip that he has been talking about for a very, very long time and is very excited about (as can be evidenced from THE MAP). On behalf of everyone else, we are all very grateful to Dad for making this trip a reality and even though we may gripe about his crazy map and itinerary, we really do appreciate all of this. But I can’t be sappy for any longer, I much prefer sarcasm.
Thinking I wasn’t going to have enough to write, I asked Dad the questions that are asked of celebrities at the end of Inside the Actor’s Studio. Most of answers weren’t all that exciting, but I do want point out one response. When asked what his least favorite word is, he replied “nuptials.” At first, this seems like a very strange response, but upon further discussion, he told me that a certain other relative of ours, one I will not name for that person’s protection, has apparently always thought that this word just sounds dirty. Apparently, so does Dad.
Finally, when asked if he wanted me to include anything else, he thought I should add the same thing at the end of my bio, though he used the words “cute and single.” In fact, I never claimed I was cute. I certainly don’t think that would be an appropriate word this time around, either.
Welcome to Part 1 of Meet the Family. This will be a six-part look at the participants of the Alaskan Adventure. There is really no purpose to doing this since anyone who reads this blog likely already knows us, and is probably going on the trip, but I've been told that there aren't enough posts, so this will help a little.
We will meet the family in alphabetical order. Up first is me - Amy.
I'm not really sure what I need to share about myself that pertains to this trip. I'm currently the only person in the family who has previously been to Alaska, though it was just to go through customs on my way to and from Vladivostok, Russia in 1996. But still, it counts on my list of states I've been to. Sadly, others will now also soon get credit for Alaska, but I'll pick up some new ones on Sarah after the train trip, so I think I'll still be ahead of her. Go me!
I've only been on one other cruise - the SS Norway (before the boiler exploded several years back) to various Caribbean locales. It was great, the most relaxing vacation I've ever been on. I think this vacation will be a combination of relaxing (the cruise itself) and not-so-relaxing (everything else), but I am very much looking forward to it. I really want to go on a Mediterranean cruise, I think that would be an absolutely amazing experience. Maybe someday after I win the lottery...
Hmmm, what else? For people who just happened to stumble across this, here's a little about me. I'm a high school history teacher. Generally speaking, I like my job. Like most, it has its ups and downs. Strange to believe I've already started my 8th year. The time has flown by... In my spare time I don't do much of anything exciting. I am sometimes crafty. I am a big fan of the Patriots and the Red Sox (and I'm not so happy with the way the football season began this year. or ended last year, for that matter). I have a cat. She's super lazy. I'm single, hint hint.
Up next is Dad (yes, I know that isn't actually your name, but there you have it...). Start thinking about what you want to share... I'll start looking for an embarrassing picture of you to use.
because i have been harassed into posting something by dad, here is a lovely picture of our ship. i'm still unclear as to why I had to be the one to post something, when he is perfectly capable of accomplishing said task, but i digress...
in other news, i have been trying to think of some gadgets i could add to the side menu. i'm thinking maybe a countdown clock, a weather tracker for alaska, etc. any ideas from the rest of you?
i have some sad moose news. a co-worker of mine who has traveled to alaska probably a dozen times in 20 years has never seen a moose despite her efforts. i hope we are more lucky.
in case we aren't, here is a great picture (shockingly, not doctored in any way) of a very content looking moose.
so the real reason for this blog is to cut down on the overabundance of vacation update emails we get from dad. vacation info can/will be posted to the rosenblog for all to see. isn't that exciting for all of us? i didn't think so either.
We're the Rosenbergs. Sometimes some of us write about trips we go on, meals we eat, or other random things. Sometimes we don't write anything for long periods of time.
