Happy Birthday Sweet Blog.

Nautie Mermate is three today.  Three. A lot has happened in those three years.  I lived in Hawaii, tried out Maine for a bit, and then plopped a squat in Houston.  I've changed ships twice.  From the Persian Gulf, to the Med, to a worldwide tramper.  I made the move from tankers to heavy lifts.  I upgraded my license and dove head first into the waters of Chief Mate-ness.

This blog has become so much.  A sounding board for all my coulda, shoulda, woulda's.  A motivator.  A sweet escape.

Two years ago I celebrated Oct. 19th with friends in Maine - there were cupcakes.  Last year, I have no clue why I didn't celebrate and, this year I find myself at sea.  Eastward bound for the Panama Canal.

Today, life couldn't be sweeter.

I saw an amazing sunrise.

I sipped an orange goodness.

I watered my plants.  

I made a quinoa salad for lunch.

...and seriously, if this blog isn't about sunrises, orange goodness', shipboard gardens and quinoa...well then, I just don't know what it's about...

Nautie Friends, thanks for all your kind words through it all - the pep talks - the mettle making - the whip cracking - the virtual hugs.  I heart you.  Like...I heart you a lot.

I have one small request for you...de-lurk!  Who are you lovely readers?  Where are you from?  What do you do?  What do you enjoy most here in Nautie Mermate Land?

Here's looking forward!

Nautie Notes :: Basil, Coconut Oil and Dolphins.

Dear Sweet Little Basil Plant,

I'm so glad you're coming back to life.  I mean, so, SO glad.  I was really worried about you for awhile there.  A little green in this world of blue is lovely.  Hang in there little friend!

Dear Atlantic Ocean,

I thought we were friends.  You seriously did me wrong this crossing.  You were just so rough.  Ugh.  I know its winter and all but.....really?!

Dear Coconut Oil,

You taste sooo yummy in my Oatmeal.  You have changed breakfast for me....like forever. I now wolf down my morning bowl of Oatmeal happily.  *For all you haters silently thinking, 'chick puts oil in her cereal - no wonder she has a ba-donka-donka' you can just hate away*

Dear Dolphins,

Thank you so much for showing up today.  I needed you.  Badly.  Watching you frolic in the bow wake was as magical as usual.  I loved watching you zoom around skimming just under the surface of the water.  I also loved how white your tummies were.  Again, Thank You.

Dear iTunes,

I don't know if I love the new you.  I can hardly keep up with all the changes in your life.  I feel like we're drifting apart.  Spending time with you just leaves me confused.  I'd love to say, 'it's not you...it's me...' but I can't - it's you.

Dear Hilo House,

You'll soon have a person occupying you.  This is exciting!  Treat them well please.  Tell those nasty spiders to keep to themselves....we don't need to scare them away...

Dear Nautie Friends,

I know I've been a little scarce lately.  Get over it.  Kidding....I'm sorry?  In all seriousness my stress levels have been through the roof the past few days.  I'm feeling a little better and I'm ready to get back in the game!  Enjoy your weekend!

xoxo,

Megan the Nautie Mermate

Nautie Notes. The Original One.

Dear Charterers,

Can you please tell us where we're going?  Pretty please?  This whole not knowing business is really cramping my style.  Thank you.

Dear Bose Dock,

When I plug my iPod in and crank you up you rock my world.  It makes sitting at my desk answering work related emails so much more fun.  I especially love your handy dandy remote.  That way when Ke$ha comes on I can really rock out.

Dear Saucony Sneakers,

The way you started to fall apart after not too much wear is lame.  I liked you.  I mean, I really liked you.  Then, out of the blue, the liners started scrunching up under my feet.  What the eff?  Not cool.

Dear Tiki Drawer,

I love this little piece of art.  It will for sure go into my treasured keepsakes pile.  The fact that this Tiki has shell casing eyebrows makes him so much cooler.

Dear Baisey,

Spray tans, cowboy boots and fairy houses.  I love notes from you.  Keep them boys dancing!  Kitchen dancing is a skill every young man should master.

Dear Nautie Friends,

I don't think I have said this enough.  I really love you.  I mean I really and truly love you all.  Thanks for checking in and leaving comments, thanks for reading my book suggestions, thanks for hating pirates with me. 

Dear Self,

Try not to be too snappish.  This isn't an Ally McBeal episode...people don't actually like snappish co-workers.  Also, don't forget to do laundry before the next port or you won't have any clean socks.

Inspiration for this post was found at Lemons, Avocados and The Bay.  (Thanks for the good idea....love your new outfit....)

Nautie Galentines!

I read a post today over at It's like I'm....mmmagic! in which Brandy pays tribute to all her favorite ladies.  On a day rife with chocolates and roses I think this is a grreaat idea!  So of course, I'm going to copy her and pay tribute to my favorite ladies too! I've known for years that I'm extraordinarily blessed to have so many lovely ladies in my life.  In fact, I think it's abnormal to have such amazing family, friends, and mentors!  I don't stay in the best contact with all of them - and you know what?  It's okay!  Why?  Because when we do see eachother we can pick up exactly where we left off.  If you ask me that's how you know people are special!

I have a family full of amazing women.  Seriously kick ass chicks that have faith in me, have pushed me, and have supported me when I'm down.  I have a group of Aunties who have gone so far above and beyond the required Aunt-like duties that it is ridiculous.  Grateful doesn't begin to cover it - honored, flattered and blessed.  Truly blessed.  I also have amazing cousins.  Crazy cool chicas.

My friends - where to begin?  My friends aren't only smart, kind, funny, and amazingly adventurous - they're gorgeous!  When I was in High School I actually got into an 'almost fight' because this girl overhead me say in Science class that I thought my friends were the prettiest girls in school.....but, it was true!  My friends are freakin' gorgeous!  If I'm absolutely honest I think having such gorgeous friends probably gave me a complex about my own looks.  My point is this:  I'm lucky to have so many friends.  I'm also lucky that they know I'm a turd ball who doesn't keep in touch and love me anyways. 

I also have a church full of the cutest little Japanese ladies.  While I tower above them at a mighty 5'2" these ladies are nonetheless forces to be reckoned with and, they raised me up.  Do you know why I always take a gift when I go to someones house?  Because they taught me the importance of omiyage.  Do you know why my old plastic shopping bags are neatly stowed in a drawer?  Because they taught me how to fold them into perfect triangles.  Do you know why I can make kick ass floral arrangements?  Because I've been watching them make ikebana my whole life.   

While this blog is supposed to be 'mostly anonymous' I feel compelled to send a few shout outs to the Nautie Gals in my life.  Here goes....

• Mom- IMUA!  No seriously.  IMUA!!!!
• E.C.- A me ke aloha pumehana.
• Aunties- You freakin' rock.  All of you - real ones and hanai ones.
• Rhiannon- Can I please tell you how happy I am that we're in touch?  It's so RAD.  Who cares that it should have happened years ago - it's happening now!
• Pastor L- Love that you read the blog! 
• Jen-Jen- Thanks for being so there.  Love you.
• Bais- Find me some cowboy boots.  If I'm not there (which we will discuss no further - no need to put that out to the universe!) I'll wear them on your day anyways.
• Little Miss Sunshine- There is no one - and I mean no one - I'd rather send a drunken email or text to!
• Kels- I'm listening to Home by Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zero's.  I owe it all to you.
• Mamacholla- Miss you sis!  Big hugs for you - and little snuffleupagus snuffles for you know who!
• Hilo Ladies aka 'The Sunkissed Sistahs'- Wine and cheese?  On the beach?  Pretty Please?
• Lauren- You made Nautie Mermate sooo purty.  Mahalo nui loa.

 

Nautie Gals - Happy Galentines!  I love you ladies!

2011 Best.

What better way to ring in the new than pay homage to the old?

 

I rang in the new year by flying to Florida and taking all the classes required to upgrade to Chief Mate!  I managed to get a few good beach days in and met tons of new friends!

 

After completing all my classes I submitted my application to sit for my exam and flew home to wait it out.  I decided since there wasn't enough going on that I better get all four wisdome teeth removed.  What the hell was I thinking?!

 

While still recovering from the most pain my mouth has ever experienced I moved out of my lovely little Hilo Hale (Hilo House) and headed to the East Coast!  (I should really say that my Mom and Aunties moved me out of my house while I tried not to cry on the couch.)  I really didn't feel like leaving once it was time to go - insert semi-sad face.

 

I flew back to Florida where I studied my Patooty off for two and half weeks before sitting for my Chief Mates Exam (which may in fact have been the most stressful thing I've ever done).  Meet Megan the Nautie Chief Mate!!!!

 

Two days after passing my Chief Mates exam I joined a new ship.  I missed my old ship dreadfully (I had been there for three years!).

 

 The great thing about my new ship was a whole new set of ports.  Being able to visit the Parthenon while in port was fantabulous!

 

 After documenting my sunrises since the creation of this blog I saw the most amazing sunrise on my way to the Azores.  I have never seen anything like it and the photos just didn't do it justice.  The way the colors banded across the sky blew my mind.  (By the way, the Azores were gorgeous.)

 

When I finished my rotation at work I flew to Maine instead of Hawaii.  I missed my old stomping grounds!  I bought a car found a house and visited, visited, visited!  The best part of being back in New England?  Friends with boats!

 

After enjoying a fun filled New England Fall, a bit of snow, a trip to Norfolk, VA to work in the corporate offices and a brief stint in Florida it was back to work.  Immediately upon my return to work I had my coolest day in port ever.  Can we say 'Holy Monkeys!'?!

Dec 21st

This year there were 271 posts!!  That means that I blogged 74% of my days - Thank you Nautie Friends for sticking with me!

I'm excited about what the New Year has to offer and can't wait to take things up a notch!

You're simply the best - better than all the rest!

Nautie Friends, wanna know something crazy?

October 19th was Nautiemermate's one year birthday!!!!

I told you....CRAZY!

Nautiemermate has been a very good thing for me - it's put my camera back in my hands, gotten me in touch with long lost relatives and friends, and has provided me with a creative outlet.  Most importantly it's given me incentive to find the positive in my days - especially when I'm at sea.  Who wants to hear me whine non-stop...I certianly don't and besides, I don't have time to whine because I have to keep my eyes open for dolphins....or other blog fodder!

I really hope that Nautiemermate has been good for you too!  I love knowing that you're out there reading away.  On cranky sea days finding some comments never fails to give me warm and fuzzies.

I have big plans for this little slice of the internet pie.   I also have big plans for myself - I have thoughts and ideas that I never would have had before wading through the nautie waters.

Soooo, thanks for reading the blog and sticking with me.....(imagine me channeling my inner Tina Turner).....You're Simply The Best!  Better Than All The Rest!

Annnddd....

HAU'OLI LA HANAU NAUTIEMERMATE!!!!!!!

(translation - although I'm sure you figured it out:  happy birthday nautiemermate!!!!!!!!)

My housemates (being the awesome Nautie Friends that they are), helped me throw a little birthday bash.  Complete with whoopie pies, gluten free lemon bars, a red velvet cupcake - and duh, a cornucopia!

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