Monday's with Ms. Arica

Almost like Tuesday's with Morrie, even though I never read that book I thought the title was fun. :)

Today was a typical Monday, where people complain that it's Monday. I'm not sure WHY people feel the need to blame a difficult day on what day of the week it is, it's not completely fair. It's an excuse as to why we can have a crappy day. It's like saying "Oh the sun came up...dang what a bad day." Everyone is overly crabby, sleepy, and sluggish on Monday claiming it's all because it's Monday. Let's be clear here; it's because it's not the weekend anymore. Leave Monday alone. It's not the day's fault that if comes right after a short weekend and for some people too many drinks.

Keep in mind I'm not blaming Monday for the off day my student had, but the weekend must have done something to him. See to the following example:

We are reading the book Holes as a class. The books that are used are not labeled with names, you just get one. They're identical. My student claimed one book was his specific book. How could he tell the difference?

Student: "Mine is the medium size one and this one is too small."

Me: "They're all the same size."

Student: "My book was bigger. Look it's not mine."

Me: (Holding the books beside and then on top of each other to show that the sizes are the same).

Battle won.

Why he thought they were different sizes is beyond me...he also tried to explain why Wreck-it Ralph is real.

He's one of my favorite people.

Happy Mondays,
Arica

Then and Now

I actually like these little survey things, this got too long for a status on facebook, so here it is...Then and Now.

Age I was given: 20 

Where I lived: Rexburg, Idaho
What I drove: Nada
What I did: Going to school. I had an awesome group of friends who'd go to the dunes, ice caves, off roading (maybe with a little thievery and getting pulled over by the cops...), and doing random things like finding a shopping cart and making it our go cart. Oh it was the best times with many in store for later.
Who had my heart: no one person in particular, I had crushes but they really meant nothing (and don't even get me started on the difference between a crush and liking someone...I could write a whole post on that...)
Fears: never finishing college, knives, scary movies

Age Now: 25

Where I live: Charlotte, North Carolina
What I drive: Lafawnda Honda
What I do: Teach Special Education, help the missionaries, hang with my fam, plan things with friends, read, blog, stay fresh on my shows, stay informed on my politics, drink Coke Zero, and stay up late only to say I'll go to bed earlier the when I wake up. (ps. that never happens.)
Who Has my heart: "Cowboy take me away..."
Fears: heights, falling, knives, scary movies, and surgery


Like this on Facebook and I will give you an age. (No pressure)

Plans vs. Laziness: A Battle Fought Each Day

My plans for when I got off work today:
Go to the Mint Hill library and get some work done. I have progress updates due for my students tomorrow. Technically I can do them tomorrow but it'd be nice to get out of there sooner than later.

Also, make a Jeopardy game for my students to review things. Learn to make awesome popsicles so that I can look like I know what I'm doing for Fun Friday!

Spruce up and organize the missionary meals calendar.

Fold my laundry. (It's a mountain on my bed...I hate it...I resent it)

Then enjoy my evening.

How my plans turned out:
I  lost my flash drive, containing everything important, for most of the day and couldn't work on my students progress updates.

My Jeopardy template is also that flash drive.

So I came home in search of my flash drive and I couldn't find it anywhere. I figured no flash drive meant I didn't really have much else I could do with out it.  This turned into Andrew coming home and us playing a tournament of Super Smash Brothers...which he again defeated me at, I wonder why I play sometimes. I was so close to demolishing him, and it really came down to the last hit.

Then because my laziness had started, I had to follow it up with a couple episodes of Community...which is pretty much my new Office! It came out when I was on my mission but it took me a while to get around to watching it...I can't get enough..it's so hilarious and original. (Watch it Thursdays at 8pm on NBC)

After two episodes of the best show out there, we promptly fell asleep until Mom got home and we had dinner.

It's 6:45pm and I have done NOTHING with my time. (Oh I DID buy the new Josh Groban album on itunes...that was pretty productive. I have to celebrate the little things right?)

I found my flash drive...in my PURSE before dinner. I came upstairs to work on my things (see above list) and I got distracted by blogging and the internet and oh this article in the newspaper that was written about my singles ward...I was quoted in it.

So...yeah...I'm leaving now...I'll see if I get around to all of that stuff.

Still happy...even if I was a little lazy,
Arica

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