A Dozen Years in Education

2016-2017 School Year 

The Woodlands, Texas 

The "Backstory"

This school year was my 12th year of teaching, my 6th year in the great state of Texas and my 4th year in my current district. During my 12 years in education I have taught beginning, middle school, high school, marching and even jazz bands. I have also taught elementary music ALL 12 of those years. For the past 4 years I have also worn the "art" hat and taught art as well as theater arts TEKS and helped maintain a campus art department. I have been the district Honor Choir co-director in both of my Texas school districts and have helped developed full curriculums and programs for this organization. In addition, I have received numerous grants and awards as well as being named the "Teacher of the Year" and "Teacher of Today" in the 2010-2011 school year. 

On paper I have it all and have had some pretty FANTASTIC experiences during these 12 years. But as I enter my 13th year I am realizing that it is more than just a good resume... It's WHO you know! And I have learned that I may just not have what it takes. 

You see, I have always wanted to be a band director. In fact, I knew in my sophomore year of high school that I wanted to be a band director and help change the lives of many students as my high school directors did for me. I entered college with a clear major and path and did a 140 hour/ 5 year degree in just 4 years and was eager to get out there. During my time in Oklahoma I taught at 2 districts and taught both elementary music AND band, including both beginning and high school bands. I developed and grew my band program from 40 to over 100 students and made a well known name for myself and my campus during my tenure. When Chris accepted his teaching position at Aldine ISD in 2011 I just knew I would land an amazing Texas Band job and life would be PERFECT!

HOWEVER...

The summer of 2011 came and went and it was late June and I did not have band job leads. I had been offered 4 different band positions but they were all about 1.5 hours away from our temporary residence in Conroe, TX where we would be living with my in-laws  or they were in TERRIBLE parts of Houston ISD and I was just too scared to take them thinking I would land something closer to home. (Rosenburg ISD, Pasadena ISD, Anauac ISD and Cesar Chavez HS in HISD).  I got nervous again so I decided to apply for elementary music positions as well. Within 2 days of applying for elementary music jobs I was interviewing and was offered a job in a large district in north Houston just 20 minutes from our residence. I accepted the offer and thought "Well at least my foot is in the door". Ha... little did I know what would happen next! 

During my first year at Spring ISD I became pregnant unexpectedly with our 2nd child, Luke. I had Luke during the summer of 2012 and oddly enough was offered a band director position while still at the hospital after having him. This position was at a very wealthy and fancy private school in Conroe but would not have maternity leave and the pay was about 1/3 of what I would be making at a public school so Chris and I turned down that offer. 

A year later I interviewed for a few band jobs, one within my current district, and was rejected for each. (Pearland ISD, WISD and Huntsville ISD). I did land on my feet within WISD as an elementary Fine Arts teacher at my current position. The head band director advised me to stay in district so when new band jobs came open he would consider me. Well that is all he ever did as in the past 4 years there have been 5 different openings and I have not gotten one of them including this past year. I have been patient but the heart wants what the heart wants and MY HEART wants to teach band and obviously God has different plans. 

That is the "back story" but here is this year's experience:

2016-2017 School Year- CCH 

This year started off very well after what would be labeled as the BEST SUMMER EVER! I came back refreshed and mentally ready for another year of molding students. The year began well with a new administrator who I respected and was doing a tremendous job "flipping" our campus. After Thanksgiving she resigned and we got a new administrator, who also did a good job with our campus. 

Shortly after Thanksgiving my co-teacher, the PE Coach, got injured and remained out of pocket for the rest of the school year. This meant I had to do my job and her job. Later in the spring semester my PE aide also went out on an injury which then left me with a team of myself, 1 aide and the rest were subs. This was exhausting to say the least but I made it work and these subs actually helped me so much in the end and are now true friends. 

As the rest of the fall semester and spring semesters would pan out I would be doing multiple jobs and many that were not only mine or my teaching partners but also campus wide improvement or administrative jobs as well. I became the "Git R Done" girl and all excess jobs or demands just naturally fell on me (I AM good at that though... Seriously, if you want it done and done RIGHT, give it to me).  This might have dug my own grave in the district as these many duties caused minor issues for me in the Spring semester. I was hardly focusing on my own music and art job at all. The stress and more so the frustration was getting to me and I started to gain weight. By the end of the year and time of this post I had gained 25 pounds or more and depression had started to sink in like never before. 

In March I knew it was time to move on and this next year (2017-2018) Luke would be in Kindergarten and out of the advanced PreK program (which was part of my "plan") so I began to apply for band jobs yet again after the previous summer just not having the emotional stamina. I had a great lead with a friend from church at a school in my current town which was all but a shoe-in, or at least I thought. Then I got rejection #1 in late April and took it VERY hard. I had a very bad attitude but kept praying and tried to keep the faith. 

Shortly after that rejection I was offered a job at a local district not far from my house but it was for elementary music and not band. The whole situation was not what I wanted and would be a lateral move and after nearly a week of praying and deliberating I turned down the offer. This may come back to bite me in the butt but it is what it is. 

The month of May came and I was crazy busy with end of the year programs of my own plus those of my teaching partner. It literally was the most hectic and stressful close of a year of my entire career. I was holding events like musicals, field day, End of Year Awards, Talent Show and other school wide fundraising events like Staff Basketball games.

Meanwhile my husband was asked to come and interview at the most prestigious district near us and while there was not a single HS math job open at the time of the interview, because of his amazing STAAR scores and personality (I have always said you either love him or hate him... and they, and me too, LOVED him) they offered him a job. After prayer and deliberation he accepted the offer and will now have his dream job in a dream district. Chris's personality is just to teach and do his thing without advancement or recognition at all... pretty much what I do currently. All the meanwhile, I am dying to get noticed and offered a job. 

The month of May continued and I do not know how I did it looking back but during the stress, turmoil and chaos of this month I still found time to interview for 6 more positions, 5 of which were band director positions, and got 6 more rejections by the end of the month, many of which I was notified by email (Conroe ISD, WISD, Tomball ISD, Hunstville ISD).  My own district didn't even let me know they filled the position, I found out via small town gossip. 

So here we are first day of June and I have no offers and barely any leads. I have gotten emails from local Fine Arts directors explaining the high level of candidates applying for the same jobs I am. I have cried more in the past 6 weeks than the past 6 years combined. I feel burned out in education and especially my current position yet it looks like I will have another year of this come August. I feel like a terrible wife crying over "spilled milk" all while my AMAZING hubby is smiling in his new position and chapter in his life. I am depressed and quite frankly losing my faith. 

I am sitting here praying and listening to my favorite "Songs of Faith" saying "Wherever He leads I'll go" and I truly mean that but it still hurts. Today, I looked at the help wanted ads for REAL jobs... REALLY? Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be where I am at 12 years ago. Even 6 years ago I just knew I would be directing bands and life would be "perfect".
That was my plan... Not His! 

I have no idea where I will be come August and I hope in the next  7 weeks I can keep the faith and change my bad attitude. There is lots of other personal stuff going on as well and I know this is a TEST. I fear I do not have what it takes to teach band in this area of Texas or the whole state for that matter. I feel that I will never get over this want and desire to teach band and not elementary music and will live miserable in my career for the remaining 18-20 years. I am embarrassed in my own district for yet again not being selected (which really means I am not viewed as a good enough teacher) for the past 4 years of openings. I am depressed... I am praying daily and continuously. What else can I do? I know how to keep the faith. I was born and raised in the church and am literally a faithful Christian yet I feel so lost? My current pastor preached a sermon once saying "When the going gets tough, you just keep doing what you know to do". I know to keep the faith and I know GOD is in control! 

My tag line is always GOD IS GOOD... ALL THE TIME and I DO believe this but it seems so cliche right about now. I KNOW He is good and He is good ALL the time. Even in the VALLEY... I know this and I believe this, but why am I not feeling it? 

Chris tells me all the time that I need to LEARN to be happy. My mother used to tell me to "Bloom where you are planted". I guess they are both right... I need to be happy in my current situation and CONTINUE (because I DO count my blessings and name them one by one) to be grateful for all I have, including the ACTUAL job I DO have and my beautiful family, home and friends as well as many other things. Thank You, Jesus for these and many other blessings YOU have given to me. 

I am sure there are readers who are rolling their eyes or who have already stopped reading 10 paragraphs ago and will bash and condemn me both in private and in public but this is how I feel. I have learned in my adult years, that when I share my personal feelings, frustrations and thoughts is when I get in trouble the most but I guess I needed to get it off my chest. Judge me, condemn me or bash me if you feel the need but this is how I currently FEEL... please forgive me! 

I am going to continue to do what I KNOW to do, which is have my quiet time and pray to my God and Saviour. I do not know what will happen in the next few weeks but God does so I will just go and try to get rid of my attitude, find my faith again and try to enjoy my short, small summer. 

It is my tag line, I believe it and I will say it yet again... 

God is Good... ALL the time (Even in the valley). 

Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory

Sight for Sore Eyes 

Spring 2017

My History 

During my adolescence and adult life I have always been blessed to not have allergies of any kind. I have also, since the age of 10, worn glasses and contacts since about age 15. I have astigmatism and wear a special "rotating" contact lenses called TORIC lenses. 

Living in Oklahoma for most of my adult life, the dry air was nice to me and I survived most spring seasons without even a sneeze. Now Chris on the other hand was absolutely miserable in both Oklahoma and Lubbock with the dry air. However, that all changed about a year ago. In the Spring of 2016 I noticed I was developing some air allergens and other springtime nuisances.   

Spring 2016

My eyes, especially, were very itchy, red and watered what seemed like ALL the time. I went to my school district's wellness center for a visit with the PA who told me I as all gic to pollen and perhaps others allergens in the air and gave me a Claritin prescription. My eyes looked tired and weary ALL the time and were red, like pink eye, for quite some time. I looked terrible but did not feel bad. I twas more of a nuisance really. Within a month was better and my eyes stopped watering and all seemed well. 

Fall 2016

In the Fall of 2016 the same itchy, red and watery eyes returned. I went back to the PA at the "Quack Shack" as my fellow teachers call it and once again I was told it was allergies. I specifically had him look for PINK EYE since being an elementary school teacher aides to a lot of germs. He told me it was NOT pink eye and again gave me allergy meds, this time Zyrtec. 

I took the Zyrtec regularly and within 6-7 weeks the allergies seemed to get better. however, during that time my eyes hurt more than the previous allergy season and my contacts started to really bother me. It was during this time that I began to wear my contacts only 10% of the time. My entire adult life I have typically worn contacts at least 5 out of 7 days of the week. 

Towards the end of this allergy season my eyes got to be really red and watered non-stop, so I went back to the "Quack Shack" and the PA gave me a steroid eye drop for my eyes to help get them over the "hump" as he called it of allergy season. I took the steroid eye drops for about a week and my eyes felt and looked so much better. I was able to go back to wearing contacts regularly and felt as if I had made it over the "hump" and survived yet another allergy season. However, my "rotating" contacts were just not working for me so I wore my glasses most of the time. My contacts are "monthly" contacts and since I was only wearing them 2 days or less a week I kept the same pair for well over 2 months, which seemed fine since during those 2 months I would only wear 10-15 times. 

Spring 2017

In February of this year my eyes started watering and the itchiness reoccurred so I went back to get tested for Pink Eye as the amount of "eye boogers" and "eye crusties" in the morning was disgusting. Again, the PA told me it was not pink eye or even the allergy type of pink eye and told me to double up on the Zrytec, I did just that and the eyes kept getting worse. 

Even while Chris and I were on our Bahamas cruise my eyes were not perfect, but they were better so that led me to believe it was a little bit of allergies (In hind sight, no pun intended, it was just the HIGH of being on a cruise. Shoot, ain't nothing wrong with you on a cruise). In fact, 3 out of the 4 days my eyes didn't itch or water but again, every time I tried to wear my contacts they felt weird so I would just wear my glasses. 

After the cruise and Spring Break my eyes just went more and more downhill. I started to notice that even while I was wearing my glasses my eyes would fog over and glaze over to where I would not be able to see a computer screen or my saxophone music at church. Now despite being tested for pink eye 3 separate times, I knew this was something beyond pink eye or allergies so I went to my optometrist who then had to refer me to an opthamologist. 

Monday, April 10, 2017

On Monday, April 10th I went to the specialist to try to get some answers because at this point it had been over 2 months and I could tell my eyes were not only NOT getting better but were getting worse. During the pre-test area as the nurse testing me for the peripheral vision and other screenings I could tell that I was not able to see hardly anything. Several times the nurse said "Mrs. Davis, are you ok? Did you see that?" And I sat there with a lump in my throat thinking "NO, no I didn't see that". At this point I thought I was going to puke. 

As I met the doctor he looked at my eyes with his little flashlight and said "Oh my. Hold on we need to dig deeper". Then he put some special dye into my eye. 

Ophthalmologist- Oh wow. Oh this is bad, very bad. Wow. let me look at the other eye 

(Switches eyes on his machine). 

Opthamologist- Look up. oh my goodness, this is severe. Oh wow, Look down, wow Mrs. Davis this is really bad. 

(This continued for what seemed like 2-3 minutes or eternity really)

Me- Ummm hello just tell me already. 

So he pulls away from the machine and says I have Keratitis, a severe infection which leads to disease that causes blindness. He said that he could tell that I have had it for quite some time and while we did catch it "in time" it may not be in soon enough time. 

Of course at this point my blood pressure is sky high and I am sweating like crazy. He tells me I will need a high mega dose of a specific eye drop and antibiotic called Vigamox. He asked me in the room if I had health insurance as this medicine is incredibly high priced. I do have Blue Cross Blue Shield and I remember in 2013 when I did have pink eye the meds were $185 so I expected about the same. 

I completed the necessary paperwork and set up the follow up exam for 10 days later. I drove straight to my normal pharmacy at the Walmart near my house. Oddly enough there was NOT a line (that should have been my 1st clue that something was wrong as there is ALWAYS an hour+ wait). They gave me a 30 minute window so I went and got some groceries and then went back to the pharmacy to pick up the meds. 

The pharmacist then (After the 30 minute wait) told me that they did not have all the drops I needed and could not fill. At this point it was 6:45PM and I was DONE. She then told me that the cost of the meds would be $315 PER ML so a total of $945 for the 3 ML prescribed. I lost it and started crying because I do not have an extra $1K just lying around. 

I left and drove right back to my eye doctor to see if there was another route to take. Luckily he was open until 7 and gladly took me back in. He said that Walmart was either giving me the screws or was just wrong on the costs. He wrote me a weaker prescription for eye drops that offered a generic brand so would be cheaper but he said they would more than likely not work because my case was so severe. He then told me if this didn't work it would get worse and would lead to blindness and perhaps a hospital stay. 

I left the eye doctors office crying with the orange tears from the dye running (and staining) all over my face. I decided to go to CVS pharmacy across from my subdivision as I was just done and this way Chris could go get the prescription for me if it took a while. 

I get to the CVS counter and the tech took all my info and said "Oh no, I don't think we take this insurance anymore". Of course, I just break down and cry even more at this point. Then she entered it and sure enough, it was accepted. The total was $278 for all 3 ML. Then the pharmacists pulls the tech aside and somehow the two of them find a coupon and it lowers the meds to $80.70. I am literally saying "Thank you Jesus"  out loud as she fills the prescription and checks me out. After I had it all paid  Jessica, the pharmacy tech. and the nice Pharmacist came from behind the counter and gave me a hug and told me it would all be OK. 

That right there... Was a GOD THING! A $945 prescription to less than $100. Wow! Thank you Lord for Jessica and the CVS pharmacist! Bless them and their families! 

Now I have to take these meds every 2 hours for the next 10 days, even in the middle of night. Today has been TERRIBLE as the lack of sleep and the meds have taken a toll on me. I have felt dizzy and nauseous all day. My eyes have not improved too much as of yet and they are still fogging over and drying out and are VERY bothersome all day. I know it will take time and I am trusting God that they will heal with this regimen. If He can bring a $900 drug down to $80, I know He's got this! Now to just keep the faith and TRUST HIM! 

Please keep me in your prayers as I wander down this journey towards eye health. 

Mine Eyes have seen the GLORY... Thank you Jesus for this trial and Lord I pray that as the Great Physician You will heal my eyes! 

God is good... All the time! 

Living the Dream- The Carnival Dream 2017

11th Anniversary Cruise- 2017
Carnival Dream

Disclaimer

In March 2017 Chris and I took a Bahamas Cruise aboard the Carnival Dream sailing out of New Orleans, LA. This beautiful floating resort took us to the following destinations: 

Key West, FL
Freeport, Bahamas
Nassau, Bahamas

The Carnival Dream... Our home away from home for the next 7 days! 

Chris and I have been on 9 other cruises prior to this one; 6 with Carnival, 2 with Royal Caribbean and 1 with Princess. This blog will include daily entries of our 7 days, a broad "Foodies" blog highlighting all of the food options available on the Carnival Dream as well as an extensive photo review of the ship. Thank you SO MUCH to all my followers... without you the blog would not be as popular as it is today! Be sure to stay tuned as the posts come through over the next few days and weeks. 

Travel and New Orleans- Slower to the Fun

New Orleans/ Embarkation- Strawberries and Champagne

SeaDay #1- Lido and Laughs

Key West, FL- Sharks and Steaks

Freeport- Our First to the Worst

Nassau- A Cold Plunge

SeaDay #2- Mastering the Art of Chillaxing

SeaDay #3- All Clammed Up

Disembarkation- Wake Up... the Dream is Over!

Other Blog Posts

Carnival Dream FOOD

Once again, we owe all of these blessings to our Lord and Savior! He has truly blessed Chris and I, as well as our family! We currently have 3 more cruises booked and a few more after that on the horizon for the next 2+ years, with and without kids, and we are very excited to set sail once again.

Carnival Breeze-Summer with the kids- Summer 2017
Carnival Valor- MY 35th Bday Celebration/ Girls Cruise-September 2017
NCL Pearl- 12th Anniversary and a new cruise line- March 2018

 Thank you so much for following along and until we meet again... 

Keep Calm and CRUISE ON!  

God is good... ALL the time!

Click on a link to see our past cruising adventures:
Carnival Valor- 2016

Carnival Legend- ALASKA

Land Vacation- Seattle, WA and Vancouver
"North by Northwest"

Caribbean Princess- 2016 


Carnival Triumph- 2015

Carnival Magic- 2015

Royal Caribbean Serenade of the Seas- 2015

Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas- 2014

Carnival Conquest- 2013

Carnival Conquest- 2006

Living the Dream- Food

From Shark Feeding to Davis Feeding

Carnival Dream 2017

We are true foodies and love trying new things while on a cruise ship as well as enjoy our favorites. The Carnival Dream offered the FunShip 2.0 upgrades including Guy's Burger Joint and Blue Iguana Cantina but it also had Mongolian Wok and the brand new Guy's Pig and Anchor BBQ on the Lanai deck. This made for an amazing dining experience throughout the cruise. In addition, the Dream had the American Table and American Feast menus in the Main Dining Room. We also splurged and tried the Chef's Art Steakhouse on this cruise! We enjoyed every meal and the Carnival Dream is one of our favorite Carnival ships for dining! In fact, there was almost TOO much to choose from! 

I am going to highlight all of the Lido deck offerings individually as well as each night's menu from the MDR. Chris and I cruise frequently and enjoy "rating" each menu item from 1-5 with 2.5 being what you would expect from a restaurant on land. We consider a 4.0 to be about standard for most cruise food! I realize that food is VERY subjective but we enjoy reviewing these menu items to help us remember what we do like for future voyages. 

RATING SYSTEM 

1- awful and would be fast-food level quality (McDonald's or Taco Bell)

2- decent on land offering 

2.5- par for land meals (Chili's and Red Lobster) 

3- Upscale land restaurant quality 

4.0- standard for cruise industry food 

5.0- One of the best foods (of the corresponding category) we have ever had

Guy's Burger Joint- Lido Deck 10 mid-ship

Guy's is always a huge hit with Carnival passengers so the lines are always long but they do move quickly. They are open from noon to 6PM! Tip- Get anything with the donkey sauce... you will not regret it!

The "Ringer" which featured an onion ring on top of the burger- YUMMY! 

Overall- 4.5

Blue Iguana Cantina- Lido Deck 9 mid-ship

I personally enjoyed the breakfast more than the lunch options. Tip- This dining venue is only open from 7-9AM and then 12-2:30PM but is an excellent choice for breakfast or lunch! They offered build-your-own burrito bar and tacos for both meals! Also- ask for a burrito BOWL. This was new to me and never seen except on this ship! It was a great option for trying to eat light and still taste good! Plus they offer an incredible salsa bar.

The Blue Iguana breakfast burrito became a staple on this cruise as the omelets were not cooked to our liking. 

Breakfast burrito perfection!

My very 1st Blue Iguana BOWL... This will be a new staple for me! 

Overall- 4.5

Mongolian Wok- Lido Deck 10 mid-ship

This was an Asian Mongolian BBQ style option that allowed you to choose your meats, vegetables and carbs to create an Asian bowl to your liking. Chris LOVED this but at first I had a hard time creating the perfect bowl. By the end of the cruise I was loving it. Tip- This gets REALLY BUSY, REALLY FAST. It opens at noon every day and that is the time to be there! Also, this was the main omelet station in the mornings. It too filled up quickly! 

My 1st and best bowl of the cruise! I love how they offer SEAFOOD as a meat option too! 

Overall- 5.0

Guy's Pig and Anchor BBQ- Deck 5 Lanai starboard 

Wow, this was an incredible addition to the Carnival Dream class ships. The meat was very tasty and well cooked plus they offered multiple BBQ sauces. TIP- This is venue that is not as well known during the 1st part of the cruise so the line got longer as the cruise progressed. It is only open on sea days and only from 12-2:30PM. The line looks very long but moves surprisingly FAST! 

It is a rather large venue considering it is on the side of the ship! 

The full Pig and Anchor menu! 

Guy's sauces were all unique and tasty in their own way! 

This is a serviced bar where the workers ask what you would like and then place it for you! 

The meat and sides were delicious! 

Overall- 4.5+

Pasta Bella- Deck 11 aft (just above the aft buffet)
This was a FREE lunch option that offered specialized and made to order pasta. It is a little unknown at the beginning of the cruise so try to eat there early. Plus it offers service lunch and not a buffet.

Pasta Bella times for our voyage. 

The garlic bread was AMAZING!

They even offer a full and lunch size portion of lasagna.
This lasagna had brisket in it which was well... interesting. 

Create your own pasta- 4.0

Overall- 4.0

Pizza del Capitano - Lido Deck 10 aft
This was the new style of pizza making for Carnival and it was great. The crust was light and crispy (and never burnt unlike before) and the toppings were fresh and authentic Italian.  Tip- If you go off of peak times, there is not a line. 

The Pizzeria menu is the same as before with only a few changes. 

The pepperoni pizza was VERY good, especially for Carnival, which we have found to be less tasty than other cruise lines. 

Overall- 4.5

The Carnival Dream Deli- Lido Deck 10 aft starboard (at the end of the buffet)

This was a typical deli and offered a variety of hot and cold sandwiches. It was open 11AM-11PM so it was a great choice for a late night snack. We didn't frequent the deli much since there was SO MUCH more to choose from but I found a new snack I like which was the Turkey Wrap.

Overall-3.5
(This deli service was the fastest we have experienced!) 

The Carnival Dream Chef's Art Steakhouse- Deck 12 aft(we will rate each item individually on this venue)
This is an additional fee restaurant that offered high quality steaks and seafood. It was INCREDIBLE. The steaks were perfectly seasoned and cooked and easily the best we have ever had. The side dishes and other food were also superb and the atmosphere was perfect for a romantic evening. TIP- It is $35/ per person and reservations are required. 

Cocktail menu and mission statement.

Appetizer and Entree menus 

Dessert and After dinner drinks menu. 

The steak display... That 10 ox lobster was HUGE! 

Compliments of the Chef- Chicken Salad appetizer 

This was a very unique appetizer but we enjoyed it.

The bread offered. 

New England Crab Cake
Kellie- 4.5+
Chris- 4.5

Lobster Bisque with Vintage Cognac (Kellie)- 5.0
The best I have ever had!

Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail (Chris)- 4.0

Surf and Turf (Kellie)- 5.0
Absolutely incredible!

Spiced Rub Prime Ribey Steak (Chris)- 5.0

Kellie's Side Dishes
Creamed Spinach- 4.0 (interesting)
Yukon Gold Mash with Wasabi Horseradish- 4.5

Chris's Side dishes
Baked Potato with trimmings- 4.0
Yukon Gold Mash with Wasabi Horseradish- 5.0+

Even the butter for the lobster was served in high style. 

Wasabi for the Yukon Gold Mash

This was seriously the best steak I have ever had! 

Carmelized Washington Apples (Kellie)- 4.0
This was not what I expected but still pretty good!

Cheesecake with Hazelnut Biscuit (Chris)- 5.0

This was the biggest piece of cheesecake we had ever seen. 

Happy Anniversary- Compliments of the Chef
Chocolate Praline tart- 4.5
Carnival sure does know how to spoil us! 

The chef even gave us a complimentary glass of champagne!
Again, we were HIGHLY impressed with the service on the Carnival Dream. They truly went above and beyond for us! 

Overall-5.0
Some of the best $70 we have spent at sea! A "must try" for steak and food lovers! 

Crimson Dining Room- Deck 3 mid-ship
We had Your Time Dining and this allowed us to eat in the dining room anytime from 5:45PM to 9PM. You did not have to have a reservation and you could eat with other couples or passengers. This voyage was completely sold out with over 4,000 passengers so there was often a wait but never longer than 20 minutes and they would give you a pager. The service was the absolute best we have experienced with Carnival and was superb. The Carnival Dream offered the American Table and American Feast menu and we really enjoyed them! 

American Table Night #1 (New Orleans Embarkation) 

Appetizer Menu

Main Entree Menu

New Orleans "Port of Call" menu 

The Bread basket- Carnival is lacking in this department for SURE!

Fried Calamari
Kellie- 4.0
Chris- 4.5 (both sauces were really good) 

Tomato Soup (Kellie) - 4.0

Chilled Vietnamese Roll (Chris)- 4.5
Peanut butter sauce and noodles were awesome. 

Sweet and Sour Shrimp
Kellie- 4.0
Chris- 4.0

Roasted Chicken (Chris)- 4.0

Bacon Mac and Cheese (Kellie)- 2.0
I must have hit the jackpot on the Triumph becasue this was awful!

Nutella Tiramisu (Kellie)- 4.0
This is still not as good as regular tiramisu and VERY rich! 

Strawberry bisque from the appetizer menu (Kellie)- 5.0
They perfect this more and more each voyage! 

Apple Pie (Chris)- 4.0

American Feast- Night #2

Feast Menu 

Fried Oysters
Kellie- 4.5, these were perfect and sauce was great!
Chris- 4.0

Mushroom Soup (Kellie)- 3.5, just not as good as I hoped for. 

Lobster tails x2 (Kellie)- 4.5
Chris- 5.0

Prime Rib (Chris)- 4.5

American Feast #1 Desserts

Vanilla Creme Brulee
Kellie- 5.0, the best I have ever had on Carnival. 

Chris- 5.0

Anniversary Chocolate Cake (Kellie)- 4.0, too much chocolate

American Table Night #3- Key West
(We were in the steakhouse) 

Night #3 Full Menu 

American Table Night #4- Freeport 

Appetizer menu 

Main Entree Menu

Freeport "Port of Call" menu

Cajun Flatbread
Kellie- 4.5, interesting mixture of textures and tastes

Chris- 4.5

Spring Rolls
Kellie- 4.5, never disappoint

Chris- 4.0

Crab Soup from Port of Call
Kellie- 4.0, not quite a "gumbo" but really good. 

Chris- 3.0- I didn't like it as much 

Greek Salad (Kellie)- 4.0

Meatballs (Chris)- 4.0

Oysters Rockerfellar
Kellie- 2.5, not good flavor

Chris- 2.5

Junakoo POt from Port of Call (Kellie)- 4.5, WOW... new Port of Call FAV 

Veal Parmesean (Chris)- 3.0
The whipped potatoes were also good 4.0

Succotash (Kellie)- 2.0, good but basically just grilled veggies so nothing to brag about!

Night #4 Desserts 

Vanilla Ice Cream (Kellie)- 2.0, not Blue Bell
(MAN, Carnival LACKS SO MUCH in the desserts category). 

Rhubarb Pie (Chris)- 3.5

American Table Night #5- Nassau

Night #5 Full Menu

Cannelloni
Kellie- 4.0, more bacon and peas than I remember

Chris- 4.0

Conch Fritters from the Port of Call
Kellie- 5.0, the best I have had

Chris- 4.0

Linguini
Kellie- 4.5, this dish is so EASY but is ALWAYS good!

Chris- 3.5

Swordfish Steak (Chris)- 2.5
Rice Pilaf (Chris)- 3.0

Mashed potatoes with Berenice sauce (Kellie)- 4.5, new found favorite side from Steakhouse

Sticky Toffee Brioche
Kellie- 4.0, not as good as I remember from the Valor but still good. 

Chris- 3.0

International Cheese PLate (Chris)- 3.0

American Feast- Night #6

Night #6 (2nd formal) Full Menu 

Clam Chowder
Kellie- 4.0, too much potatoes

Chris- 4.0

Crab Cake
Kellie- 5.0, on standard with the one in the Steakhouse

Chris- 5.0

Short Rib Duo
Kellie- 2.5, meat was too fatty and tough. I was not impressed

Chris- 3.5

Spanokipita (Kellie)- 4.5, surprisingly good

Special St. Patrick's Day Corned Beef (Chris)- 4.0

Grand Mariner Souflee
Kellie- 4.0, better than usual 

Chris- 4.0

Special St. Patrick's Day cheesecake- 4.0

American Table Night #7

Ricotta Ravioli (Kellie)- 4.5, can be ordered as an appetizer size

Mango Cream Soup (Kellie)- 5.0, another chilled soup victory 

Steamed Mussels (Chris)- 4.5

Tiger Shrimp Creole
Kellie- 3.5, not near as good as I remember 

Chris- 3.5

White Chocolate Banana Pudding (Kellie)- 4.0. excellent with the vanilla sauce 

Carrot Cake (Chris)- 4.0

We chose our favorites from these menus: 

Kellie
Favorite Appetizer- Conch Fritters (Port of Call) and Crabcake from Steakhouse 
Favorite Entree- Surf and Turf from the Steakhouse
Favorite Dessert-  Vanilla Creme Brulee 
Biggest Surprise- Junakoo Pot and Spanokipita
Biggest Disappointment- Bacon Mac and Cheese 

Chris
Favorite Appetizer- MDR Crabcake 
Favorite Entree- Ribeye from Steakhouse
Favorite Dessert- New York Cheesecake from Steakhouse  
Favorite Side Dish- Yukon Gold Mash with Wasabi 
Biggest Surprise- Yukon Mash & Vietnamese Roll 
Biggest Disappointment- Swordfish Steak 

We love cruising and EATING on cruises. We use this blog as means for us to know what to order and it is fun to look through and get our mouth watering while we are dieting! 

Thanks for following along! 

Until we meet again... Keep calm and CRUISE ON! 

God is good... All the time!