Wishes at Disney World

This is the official twenty four years old, first time ever to Disney World blog post! Yes my friends, if you don't already see my excitement on facebook you will see it in this post.

The trip from start to finish was phenomenal! Like life altering. As in I will never be the same.

You know you want to go as a kid and you wish you had gone as you get older...and the longer it is the longer it seems...inappropriate to want to go? So I had dashed all my dreams of EVER going to Disney...and I even was in denial "I don't need to go to a theme park for children...I liked the movies as a kid and that was it."

That's what the world does people...it squashes your dreams and wishes. Don't let it do that! Disney is the opposite of that...it says if you can dream it you can do it...if you wish it then why shouldn't it come true!

I arrived at the Orlando airport at 11:45 on a Friday morning. My best friend and college roommate Valerie (visit here for a history of the friendship) found me at baggage claim. I did a slow motion type run toward her while she ran at me with her arms outstretched. We hadn't seen each other in over a year! We got my bag and headed for her townhouse. We basically dropped our stuff...I had to change out of my long sleeved shirt to a short sleeved one because it was so hot and humid. Oh and I had to pull my hair back because it was already getting frizzy. And we hit the ground running.

We went to all four parks in 2 days. It was a marathon...and we were beat by the end....but let's not get tired yet...

Day One

First stop: Animal Kingdom

I learned about fast passes pretty quick and how they work. It's an amazing system and I'm kind of surprised how it works. We got a fast pass for Expedition Everest and then got in the regular line for Expedition Everest. I like roller coasters but it the initial getting on them that psychs me out. Well Valerie didn't tell me anything about it and I kind of freaked out at parks and she said I was screaming the whole time. I'm not a fan of heights so I closed my eyes a good part of the way as well. So we get off the ride and even though I was scared, I loved it at the same time. We used our fast passes to go again quicker...and we went in the front row. Scary...but I actually love the feeling of overcoming my fears.

Going up...it was the beginning so not the scariest part yet.

We also went on a safari ride had a great tour guide...but we got to see a ton of animals...one of which rarely comes out...

I have way more pictures...but let's move on.

Second Stop: Hollywood Studios

We were starving by this time and Val said to pick any place to eat...so where did I want to go?? 

Basically pizza or meatball subs...I got the later. And they could have made it a little more like the one in the movie, but it basically had a bunch of arcade games. It was fun to go. Then we met up with Valerie's parents and grandparents to see the Christmas light show! SO AMAZING! 

 Over 500 million lights!

 Mickey Premium bars...a bit of heaven. Dark chocolate with ice cream inside.

Waiting on Star Tours. It was a fun virtual reality type thing...but the only ride that made me sick.

We went on one more ride and then we were beat...we went home and went to bed! It was a great first day...then day two happened.

Day Two

Third Stop: Magic Kingdom

This is where I geeked out the most...I was like a little kid...I saw the castle and then I had to buy the ears and jumped down the street toward the castle. It was surreal! I am so thankful that I was able to visit Valerie and for her to help me have such a great experience!

Valerie got a first visit button for me! 

 Valerie's mom told me if I loved Beauty and the Beast...they just opened up New Fantasy Land and you could EAT IN THE BEAST'S CASTLE! It was stupendous! You wait in line but it was worth it...the ambiance of the castle's detail...flawless. We ate in the west wing! Not forbidden to us! :) 

The main room of the Be Our Guest.

 

The West Wing...legit with these pictures and even a wilting rose, which wilts a petal every 15 minutes. 

Gaston. He's absolutely primeval.

Conversation: 

Geeky First Visit Arica: "It was nice to meet you."

Gaston: "The pleasure was all yours"

BAHAHA!

We also went to the Mickey Philharmagic Show...really fun! Brought me back in time to all my favorite Disney films. We hit up Ariel's place too and went under the sea with her. We timed everything perfectly.

Fourth Stop: EPCOT

I made a few visits to some friends! 

 Minnie was so cute! 

The Mouse himself! Who you hope to meet your entire Disney trip!!!

 Talked to Belle about books I should read, she suggested Peter Pan, The Little Mermaid, and Aladdin. She also was thankful I didn't mention her name when I saw Gaston. 

 We went around the world to nine different countries and met Donald in Mexico. He's kissing my cheek here...he was completely smitten by me. ;)

That night we went to Valerie's ward activity for Christmas. It was a lot of fun and I got to see Toffer, who I also went to college with. We hadn't seen in each other in a loooong time.

 Can you see how excited we were to see each other again?

 It was a great dinner and program, then a bunch of people went to see a firework show called Wishes. It's in Magic Kingdom but we went to a resort and watched it from the balcony. It was a fantastic display and had great themes of wishing from a bunch of different Disney movies. A great great way to end my stay at Disney, remembering that if you wish it...it can come true. And I needed that reminder. Go for your dreams...why not? 

And my dreams did come true. I visited my best friend, had the experience of a life time, and know that it's available to me more than just this one time. So much more to see and do...and not a enough time in two days, but I did so much more than I thought we would be able to squeeze in...Thank you again Valerie.

Wishes and Happiness,

Arica

PTX. (Yet another reason to geek out)

I recently watched the movie The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I was really good, but deep and heavy....so go in knowing that. In the movie the kids are these odd balls so of course they only listen to music that most people don't know. I've never been someone who can only listen to songs that a limited audience knows, in other words I'm not a music snob. I have had my share of liking the radio music, but I also like it when I find something and can share new things with my friends. I just appreciate quality music and talent. My brother and I were discussing real talent in music. Music really has taken a turn for the worst where top 40 is concerned. So it's always exciting to find people who really have a talent...and that brings me to my main subject....

I've talked about a group called Pentatonix on here before....but I just went to their concert. They have real talent. Not only are they an a-cappella group, they are a noncheesey, perfect pitch, meat and potatoes a-cappella group. I've loved them since they were on a show called The Sing Off...followed them since they won (yes I voted for them in every way possible) and bought their album when it was available. Then Ashleigh and her hubby (Jeremy) saw that tickets were on sale for their concert in Raleigh. Twenty bucks! And it was TOTALLY WORTH THE DRIVE AND THE MONEY!

I was geeking out hard core afterwards and still am to be quite honest. I love geeking out...

Anyways PTX is where it's at...check out my favorite cover of theirs:

Simply amazing. True talent.

Music and Happiness,
Arica

The Office 18th Birthday Party

I have become a Mary Kay consultant. I hit the ground running when I first started and since then have had life get the better of me. It's all good though, I know it's always there. I was advised to read this book from my director called Dressing Your Truth. It's been really interesting. I love personality tests and self help type things. I finally found I'm a "type 3" and it describes me very well. I am some one who finishes projects. I start something but I want it done in the simplest way, with no strings attached. I think I saw this part of me come to life when I decided to throw my baby brother a party for his 18th birthday.

I started thinking about it back in July (his birthday is in November). I thought "Holy cow my brother is turning into an adult this year" and I figured...he needs a party. My brother, Andrew, has never had a birthday party. Being the baby of the family he actually grew up just wanting the family around on his birthday. So I took matters into my own hands. I thought we needed a theme so that could get the creative juices flowing and helps everything fall into place.

The theme: The Office.
Andrew being younger has liked things that maybe more adult for his age. This show is one of them. He loves it! The quotes, the characters, the jokes, the story line...he loves it all. It helps that it's one of my favorites too. So I started from there. It was going to be a surprise party but I wasn't sure of the people to invite and it would have been more difficult.

I was very proud of my creations! Here are some of the things I included.

 The episode when Jim and Dwight forget Kelly's birthday and this is the sign and decor that Dwight comes up with for her make up party.

 This one is a blended joke. One from when Oscar comes back from quitting and they have a pinata at the party. Also, there is a Christmas episode with a toy called "Princess Unicorn"...the slogan goes "My horn can pierce the sky!"

 When Oscar comes back they have everything Mexican themed since he is Mexican...they make Lemonade with a tilde. 

 The Dundie's are an office event every year where the boss gives out ridiculous awards for the employees. Andrew gave one out to each person at his party with an award title attached.

 We played Office Olympic games...Dunder Ball, paper football, and how many peanut M&Ms you can fit in your mouth. The most went to Andrew's friend with 39! 

 It would be a party with out a little Guitar Hero, Just Dance, and Super Smash Brothers. 

We sang happy birthday and he blew out his candles on his ice cream cake. That's a reference to the office too...they get a ice cream cake for a girl who is lactose intolerant! And a card that said "Happy Birday" which I had them write on the cake. (They thought I was crazy)

We did have jello and I made a jello mold with a stapler in it, but it didn't turn out. I learned what I should do at another time. 

All in all it was a success! Andrew's friends had fun and he had a successful party. 

I love my little brother! Angrow is one of the most inspirational people I know. I'm proud to call him my little brother. 

Love and Happiness,

Arica

Harry Potterhead

If you are a regular to Facebook you can tell that I've been posting about two things:
The Election

and

Harry Potter.

I won't go into the election so much in this post because I bombard enough people with my stuff about that. All I can say is PLEASE GO VOTE! We have been given such a privilege in this country, let those people who have given their lives be respected, by exercising your right to vote. Even if you don't agree with my political stance I still want you to vote.

It so happens that I've been talking about both of these things at the same time because it's October. October is Harry Potter month. Yes, I designated this myself but it came about because I'm not really that "into" Halloween. I figured this was a good alternative. I officially started last year.

I was in line for the last Harry Potter film and looked around and thought "this can't be the end of the magic of Harry Potter". I geeked out for the last movie (well as far as I'd geek out anyways).

Got a shirt made, borrowed a wand, wore some cool eye make up. That was enough for me.

So to keep HP part of my life without the long lines and the official geeking out, I decided that Halloween was now and forever more Harry Potter Day. More like October was the month of Harry Potter and Halloween was the day to all things HP.

Here's what I did last year.

Reused my shirt from HP 7.2 premier and added some things to be Tonks. She is much cooler in the books and marries one of my favorite characters Remus Lupin. Oh yeah and she has pink hair. 

This year I was able to step it up a bit with my month of celebration.

• Found one of the Harry Potter books on audio book at the library. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire to be exact. It had been a while. 
• Discover more secrets of Harry Potter on pottermore.com. I use it mostly for the author's back stories and such, but I have started to enjoy potion making and dueling as well. Oh and I was sorted, I'm in Hufflepuff.
• Had a whole day dedicated to Harry Potter in my own classroom. My three students LOVED it. Potion and wand making. Watched part of the first movie. The children called me Professor all day and we called our writing utensils quills. I even dressed up in "robes" using a graduation gown and synched it with a belt. Wish I could show the picture but that would be unwise with the students faces in them. 
• I saw an owl perched on a mailbox. Owl Post. (It's the only answer)
• I plan on being a Bellatrix LeStrange for Halloween, one of the darker characters of the series but my brother said, "Arica, you need to embrace your wild side." Bhahah...I still need to work on my costume.
• I will also be having a HP movie marathon starting next week. I'm not sure if I'll watch the whole movie or the best parts or how I want to do it.

All I can say is that this tradition I've started for myself will be more and more refined each year. My love for Harry Potter is year round, but it's this time of the year you'll be hearing more about it. 

Happiness and Harry Potter,

Arica

Halloween 2012: Bellatrix La Strange

Refer to #5

#1. I just got a COSTCO card! WOOT go me.

#2. I figured out the art project I wanted to do for tomorrow at 8:30 and got to Michael's Craft store at 8:45, 15 minutes before they close, and got the canvas I needed.

#3. I was on "e" the entire time to the store. COSTCO is in the same shopping center as Michael's. I check, after my very quick shopping trip, if they are still open for gas. THEY ARE, it is 8:55 and they don't close until 9:30! SCORE! 

#4. I drive home a little slower and Alanis Morsette comes on the radio which reminds me of the 90's. Then Bohemian Rhapsody comes on right after...I let my hair down and rock out. 

#5. I feel on top of the world.

Happiness can be simple,

Arica