mariovines

[mariovines]

Check out this clip from my interview with Exchange Street Conversations Podcast. Such a privilege to share the #theDCdjs origin story. Check out the full video on YouTube. Link on @exchangestreetconversations bio. (at Washington D.C.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNcyGOtBMlc/?igshid=ws0p18c6jyob

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What a night last night was. It was an honor and a privilege to co-host and perform at the 3rd Annual Veterans Award. Great celebrities, AMAZING and ENCOURAGING veterans, and all around good time. Also I must say it was the first time in my career to have a veteran Soul Train Line ✔ #vettys #ausv #thedcdjs #tiredaf #themayflowerhotel @montel_williams @cnn_jaketapper @saghdashloo @anneheche @assal.ravandi @davhq @bunkerlabsdc @pva1946 @guardian_angels_msdogs @saluteamericasheroes @ausvofficial @heroesvodkafounder @independencefund (at The Mayflower Hotel, Autograph Collection)

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On the road againnnn... But hey this will surprisingly be my first time on the Eurodam! Looking forward to it.

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My Next Journey

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Oh did I mention MY LITTLE SISTER CAME TO VISIT ME IN THE MEDITERRANEAN!!!!!

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The new Mario??

So with my vacation just over half way done, I wanted to share my happiness of self improvement. By the end of my last contract of almost four and a half months I found myself becoming complacent with my role. Losing the love, and challenge, which for me is a huge no-no. So I made it my mission this vacation to revamp myself as a Cruise Director. And revamp is exactly what I have done. When I return I will be introducing 5 new activities, 2 new gameshows, revamping my image, as well as inspiring my team in a whole new way.

This reminds me of when I reinvented myself as a DJ all those years ago, which lead to so much success. Hopefully with a lot of hard work, and many growing pain struggles with the changes I am planning (lol), I will be able to become a great CD, and give our guests something new and different. Okay rant over, back to inventing and studying.

Oh and a highlight for me.... I will be incorporating this song in one of my new ideas haha. 

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Going back home..

Is it sad that a person can mistakenly say that their home is a cruise ship... then think about it, and realize it is true.

That happened to me recently. Am I sad about it? Am I shocked?

No

I still love what I do, and now I will be returning to the Beautiful and Elegant Nieuw Amsterdam of Holland America Line as cruise director once again, and I couldn't be happier :)

Lots of changes are in store, and I am ready for the challenge.

Until next post friends... 

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Rooftop Bar in Athens tonight. View of the Acropolis in the background...

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Blessing and Curse...

I am so thankful for the opportunities I have been given. I thank god for the opportunity to be out here traveling the world, learning and building relationships, and becoming a better performer and person. but wow does it suck sometimes...

Now you are probably wondering what i mean by that.

I have the best family in the world, and it sucks that I have to be so distant from them, and get the feeling of losing touch with people I love so much all the time. It pains me as I reminisce and tell stories about my family all the time, and none of them have even seen what I do for a living.

People that I love so much, and only talk to maybe once a month, and that's a strong maybe. It is truly saddening as I find myself creating separation so that it hurts a little less. 

And I know my family loves me and supports me... It helps that they do, but i can't help the feeling. So I write this to my amazing family to tell them I love them, and that I think about them everyday. I can not express how much I appreciate your love and support in this time when you know I am on my grind, trying to accomplish my goals, and set up my future.

Mom, Pops, Mo, Grandma, Grandad, Ullanda, Calvin, Te, Ne, Chan, Mrs. Angie, Giovanni, Hope, Saidoo, Rudy.

I love you.

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Istanbul overnight :) (at İstanbul Karaköy Limani)

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An empty St. Mark's Square...

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Possibly my favorite Euro sign...

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Back... Finally

 Well after taking a long break from blogging I am back. Looks like my last post shared with the world was just over a YEAR AGO!!! Yikes... No worries though, not much has happened... :-/ only...

Been on FIVE different ships

No longer DJ

Moved out my my house in Reston

Bought a Big Boy car

Became a Cruise Director

Traveled to 15 more contries

Became a Father

Ok the last one is fake, but felt like the perfect ending cap to the list haha. It has been a huge year but I am so thankful, to god and family for so many blessings. I am going to try to back track some of my experiences just to give you an update... Wish me luck.

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Canada/New England

Oh the Veendam... how I miss thee

From amazing food to even better friends the Veendam holds a place in my heart. The run which went to:

Boston, MA

Bar Harbor, ME

Halifax, NS

Sydney, NS

Charlottetown, PEI

Quebec

And what a run it was. Each port with its own quaint benefits and style, leaving me with a want to do more each time. But probably this biggest and most important reason I have fond memories of the Veendam, are the amazing people I have had the pleasure of working with. To date on the NINE ships and TEN contracts I have been on, I have never had a group I have missed more. Maybe it was a small ship thing?

I think not... when you have a group of genuinely great people... there is nothing you can do but love them.

But as I said before.... the food.

Being a person that used to never like lobster... I grew a love for it... a real love for it... There is nothing like fresh Maine Lobster, and thanks to good friends I gave it a solid shot, and truly enjoyed the full experience, only issue now is that NOTHING can live up to that. How am I supposed to go to a seafood restaurant in DC and order a Main Lobster and look at it the same???

But I digress. I am so thankful for this contract and look forward to reliving the connection, the food, and the experience one day.

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Back in Venice...

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Honduras (at Fonsie's Bar)

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Cayman...