2014 New Years Goal Final Wrap Up!

Hello All,

Happy last day of 2014! Can you believe this year is over? I can't! I am so happy about how this year went, more on that tomorrow. What I'm really surprised at is that tomorrow we will be just as close to 2030 as we are to the year 2000. I wonder if I'll still be blogging in 15 years...

Anyways, with it being the last day of 2014 its time to check out how I did on my 2014 goals.

Key:

Didn't Even Attempt

In Progress/Somewhat done

Completed!

1. Start Exercising and Eating Healthier

Although this year I feel like I moved more and took the stairs more, I really don't fee like I worked hard enough on this goal to say that I really put any effort into this goal. Oh, well there's always 2015!

2. Either Cross Something or Start Planning to Cross Something Off My Bucket List

This year I was successfully able to cross 2 things off my Bucket List! I became a a published author and saw Wicked on Broadway. I am close to cross one more thing off my bucket list by having 97 more post published to hit 500 post here on the old blog!

3. Deal With the Aftermath of My Big Life Decision

I am completely comfortable with my change of major. I feel like it was the right decision and that I will be happy with my future. Although I still have no idea what I am going to do as a future career I'm ready to figure it out!

4. Finish 4 Blankets for my 180 blanket for 180 Day Project.

I'm working on one although I don't have a lot time to do them. Oh well we'll see next year, right!

5. Read 7 Books That Aren't for School

I have read 5 complete books (If I Stay & Where She Went, To All the Boys I've Loved Before, The Maze Runner and The Fault in Our Stars). I've started like 3 books that I'm currently reading. I know that I won't finish one for tomorrow so those will be all the books of the year.

6. Become More Organized

I found a way to organize that I like, I just need to stick to it and then I will like its complete.

And that's a wrap! I'm feeling proud of how I did on my goals. You can check the other check-in here (March), here (June), here (September)and here (December).

I hope you all have a fabulous New Years Eve and I'll see in you in 2015!

Disney at Christmas 2014: The Christmas Decorations

Hello All,

Let's talk Christmas Decorations!

On of the main reasons that Mama J wanted to go down to Disney at Christmas time was because she wanted to see the Christmas decorations. The decorations were beautiful this year and I took a good amount of pictures of them. Unfortunately we never got to see the one at Magic Kingdom because I was sick.

The first set that we saw were the ones in EPCOT.

French Pavilion

French Pavilion

French Pavilion

French Pavilion, I thought this looked so simply pretty!

American Pavilion Christmas Tree

American Pavilion

A gingerbread capitol building

A gingerbread capitol building

The ingridents for the gingerbread building

I can't remember which Pavilion this was in

Santa Stitch

Epcot looked beautiful all decked out, although we noticed a strange lack of music playing in the pavilion. I missed the music, it took away from the magical Disney feel that I'm used to.

I went to Hollywood Studios the next day, their primary use of Christmas decoration are the Osbore lights, since I didn't stay there until night time I didn't see the lights. There was a tree, it actually was my favorite tree that I saw on Disney property.

The Muppets got in on the Christmas spirit by putting up their own red tree

We also went to two different resorts and saw their decorations as well. The Grand Floridian had a large Gingerbread house, which fun fact they sell treats out of, that's how big it is! They also had a beautiful, large tree!

Alice in Wonderland inspired window

Mickey and friends inspired window

The Contemporary Resort had a Gingerbread display based on the Disney hit Frozen.

And those are all the Christmas decorations that we saw while we were down there, well at least all the ones that I took pictures of. 

Junior Year Goals Check-in

Hello All,

Since this semester has completed its time to check in with how I've been doing with my junior year goals. But in all honesty, before I started writing this post, I hadn't looked at my goals since I wrote them. This semester completed distracted me and I didn't pay much attention to my goals. If you want to see the original goals you can read them here.

Key:

Not Even Attempted

In Progress

Completed!

1. Go to the gym 2 times a week

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I didn't even join the gym this semester, plus I'm not sure where I would have fit into my schedule. Next semester I think I know where I can add it in to my schedule and I'm feeling determined on this goal!

2. Become Organized!

I found a planner I love, I found a list writing system I love, unfornately I fell out of routine of it and spent the rest of semester trying to get back on track!

3.Get GPA

See above, although I won't be positive if my GPA went up because grades haven't come out yet. Even if my GPA went up I still have a little ways to go before I get the GPA I want. 

4. Talk to One New Person Each Week

I made new friends and had at least 1 person that I talked to in each class so I guess I did pretty well that goal. Although I'm not sure its one new person each week. 

5. Try Out New Clubs

I spent this semester focusing on my new major and working on getting my GPA and didn't join any new clubs. Next semester I'm going to look for a club or two.

6.Become More Adventurous

I think I did the opposite. When I wasn't doing school work I spent a lot of time dorm room hanging out with my roommates.  

So, far this year even though I haven't really been paying attention to my goals I have made some head way in them. I'm excited to start the next semester in the next few weeks and continue to work on my goals.

Christmas At Disney 2014: Trip In Review

Hello All,

I'm home! This trip to Disney could definitely be defined as one of my most interesting trips I have ever experienced. Although it had its low moments okay let's be honest it was a low day I would not define this as a bad trip, because I had great company, great experiences and an all together great time. That being said let me start the first (of many, many) posts about this trip!

Thursday:

We had a really early flight (if you have liked my Facebook page, than you saw Thursday's picture of the day was the sun rising from the plane) but that meant we got to Disney at around 10:30 AM. After checking in we headed over to EPCOT, we had dinner at Teppan Edo and saw the Candlelight Processional. If I had to guess I would say this day was Mama J's favorite day!

Friday:

On this morning I tried to wake up early and get to Hollywood Studios for  park opening but I decided to sleep an extra hour. Then I headed over to Hollywood Studios and made sure to hit (almost) all my must dos. Mama J and I then met up and we had dinner at the Grand Floridan Cafe  for dinner. After dinner we looked at some Christmas decorations at the Grand Floridian and Contemporary. Then headed back to our resort!

Saturday:

This was the hardest part of the trip. Our original plan was to head to Magic Kingdom for what probably going to be my favorite day of the trip. Although my stomach started acting up and ended up stuck in bed most of the time. Mama J hung out by the pool but other wise we almost nothing on this day. And there are no pictures to share because of that. 

Sunday:

I finally was starting to feel better. Since my dad lives down in Florida I had breakfast with him. And then Mama J and I headed to Downtown Disney. While we were there we saw a branch of Starbucks that was growing grass on it roof.

And that was our trip! We had such a fantastic time and I can't wait to share more details about the trip. Be sure to check back over the next few weeks for more posts!

Life Update: December 2014

Hello All,

Right now its Saturday night before the last 2 days of classes, the reading day and the first 2 finals. Yup that's what my week looks like for next week. I just spent the majority of the day in my schools student center watching a movie for my film class and writing the final paper for that class. It took me about sevens hours and now I'm exhausted. 

So, that rant was a little out of left field. But I just wanted to check-in with all of you. I hate that its getting rarer and rarer that I get a post out each week and I miss writing so much. This semester has been kind of boring in the way that I haven't done a lot of blog worthy things. I have been bonding with my roommate and hanging out with my friends. I'd much rather write interesting and fun post of things that I want to remember in the future then write a half-assed post that one day I wouldn't want to look back on one day. 

But with all that being said I wanted to talk about how this has been one of the best semester that I have had so far. It has been relaxing which is exactly what I needed after how much stress last year brought me. 

Even with this being one of my best semesters yet I am beyond ready for winter break. I am ready for about four weeks without homework or classes. The bloggy is going to get a little more attention this break with a lot of post including some post Disney recaps, some end of the year recaps and New Year Goals! Plus I'm hoping to give the blog a new look and update my about me page, considering that my old About Me page still says my old major on it still. lol

And since this a life update I wanted to share with you guys things that I'm doing/loving...

Currently I'm....

...reading school books only because I don't have time to read for fun. Although sometimes when I'm lucky I get to binge read (can that be a thing?) some of my favorite blogs.

...watching Fox's Red Band Society, which is rumored to be cancelled. Plus lots of Christmas vlogs on YouTube.

...eating lots of goldfish, college food (bleh!) and Christmas cookies!

...listening to Taylor Swift's 1989 and the Godspell soundtrack (my school did the play and me and my roommate saw it multiple times and have since become obsessed with music)

...excited to go Disney with Mama J and break!

For all the college students out there good luck on finals! And I will see you guys on the other side!

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New Years Resolution {December 2014}

Hello All,

Ummm...guys its December? How did this happen? Well that means I only have one more month to work on this year's new year's resolution, but with the light at the end of the tunnel let's see how I'm doing at this point in time.

The Key

Haven't Even Attempt

In Progress

Completed!

1. Start Exercising and Eating Heathly

I still haven't been going to the gym and most days I eat whatever I can get my hands on because I'm busy or the food at the dinning hall suck. BUT I have been taking the stairs everywhere I go except for when I carry my laundry basket from the first to third floor on Laundry day because I'm just not that good. 

2. Either Cross Something Off My Bucket List or Start Planning Something (i.e. Trips)

Pretty much the same as September where I've crossed 2 things off but I don't see anything on my bucket list getting crossed off in the the next 31 days.

3. Starting Dealing With the Aftermath of changing my major

Well I think I've official answered the question "What are you going to do with your life?" or "Why'd you change your major?" about 10 billijillion times and I still don't know the answers. But I promise I will let everyone when I know. Deal? Deal!

4. Finish 4 Blankets for my 180 Blankets for 180 Days

I've worked on the blanket a little when I'm home but haven't really finished one.

5. Read 7 Books That Aren't For School

I have NO time to read when I'm at school so yeah, there's that!

6. Become More Organized

I found a way of organizing for school that I loved but one weekend my life went out of control and I got derailed a little but I think I'm back on track soon.

And that's how i"m doing as of now. 6 out of 6 are in progress and I am so proud of myself.

Things I'm Grateful For...{Thanksgiving 2014}

Happy Thanksgiving All!

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Like so many other bloggers out there today I'm going to share with all of you all the things that I am grateful for. The things on this list are things that I am grateful for 365 days a year but I want to take a few moments to write it and share it with the world. 

-My amazing family! I am luckily enough to have an amazing family who support me and love me and like me for who I am.

-I am grateful for my friends. For supporting me when I'm down, letting rant when I've had a bad day, and for letting me call them at weird hours because I desperately need someone to talk to.

-I'm grateful that I have a creative mind. I love that I can sit down and write a story or create a project or scrapbook memories. 

-I'm grateful for freedom of speech. If that didn't exist I wouldn't be able to sit down log on to blogger and write a post for all of you. 

-I am grateful for everyone who read this little blog or watch my Youtube videos. It makes me feel less alone in the world just by thinking someone, somewhere out there is reading my words. 

-I am grateful for the ability to travel. I am grateful that I have been able to experience new things, have fun and explore.

-I am grateful for my roommates who have helped me keep my sanity this semester. Been for nights that having cookies delivered to our dorm was a must, to have Binge watching Big Brother marathons with and make laugh every night when I should be sleeping.

-I am grateful for the men and women who risk their lives everyday to keep us safe. Both military personnel and police and firemen.

-I'm grateful for the ability to go to school and further my education.

-I am grateful that I'm only 20 years old and  still have years to figure out why I was put on this planet.

-I am grateful to organ donors who give the gift of life everyday. People like these are the reason that my cousin, one of my favorite people in the whole world, is still hear today and who recently found out that she has gone 8 months without rejection!

-I am grateful for writer's whose work whether its TV, movies or books help transfer me into another world.

-I am grateful that I live in a free country.

-I am grateful for all the food that I will consume this afternoon (my favorite holiday food) and the fact that there is always food on my table and for me to eat.

These are just some of the things that I am grateful for. I hope you all have an amazing Thanksgiving with your friends and family.

OOTN for Wicked {November 2014}

Hello All,

A couple of weekends ago I went with my cousin to go see Wicked when it came to The Bushnell. It was so cool to see again, it was also my cousin's first time and she really enjoyed it as well. I didn't take picture while we there but before we left I made Mama J take some Outfit of the Night pictures because I LOVED my outfit that I wore.

Leggins (I don't remember I think I bought them at Macy's)

Shirt (Part of the Lauren Conrad Collection at Kohls)

Boots (I bought them at DSW awhile ago)

Bow (from the etsy shop TresBeauxBows)

Necklace (It was a gift from Mama J so I have no idea where its from)

MOVIE REVIEW: Big Hero 6

Hello All,

Happy Saturday! Last night Mandi and I went to see the new Disney animated film, Big Hero 6! You can check out the promo for the movie below.

I'm going to be honest with you guys when I first saw the promo I had no idea what this movie was going to be about. Because of that I wasn't really sure I wanted to see it. That was until all of the Disney twitters that I follow on Twitter said it was a must see. 

Basically the story is about a super smart kid, Hiro (Ryan Potter) who graduated high school at 13. He uses his brilliance in order to made robots for robot wars and hustle the older robot guys. When his whole world chances Hiro is introduce to his new best friends Baymax (Scott Adsit), Fred (T.J. Miller), Honey Lemon (Genesis Rodriguez), Go Go (Jaime Chung) and Wasabi (Damon Wayans JR.). The group of them chase after a bad guy and learn a big lesson about friendship and love.

In my opinion the movie was amazing. It was well animated, the story line was cute and appropriate for most age groups. It made me laugh, it made some cry (I rarely cry at movies) and it has a great lesson to it. I definitely recommend. 

I also loved the characters, they were unique, funny, and perfect. Plus I totally fell in love with Baymax, is that weird? I don't know but it true.

I don't know much about animation so I can't really critique that part of the movie. The script and story were spot on though and I totally recommend it.

Have you seen Big Hero 6 yet? If you did what did you think? Let me know in the comments!

A Missed Chance {Part 3 of 3} - Short Fiction

*Disclaimer: This a short story that I wrote for my English 203 class. The story has been submitted and graded. I decided to share this on here because I am proud of the work. If you missed the first three parts you can read them here and here. Enjoy the final installment!***

   The day that Eli will never forget is the day she came to say goodbye before she left for law school. He remembered every detail of that day, it was a rainy Tuesday in late in summer, she walked in around 3 o’clock, and her normally smooth hair was frizzy because of the rain but he didn’t care, he still thought she was the most beautiful girl in the world.

  

  “You ready to go?” he asked as they sat at table and split an order of the restaurant’s top rated bacon cheddar cheese fries.

    “Yeah, I’m terrified to go. You sure you don’t want to drop everything and run away to New York with me so that I won’t be out there all by myself?” Sami laughed; it had become a running joke between the two of them, that Eli would just drop everything and go to New York with her.

    Eli laughed too, but his was more halfhearted because he wanted nothing more than to do that, but he knew that if he loved her he had to let her go. “You’ll do fine, and if you hate it, you can come home, and I’ll be right here waiting.”

    “Good, I think you should audition for some shows in the city. That way I can see you perform, and you might get noticed by a label, you’re good enough to be.”

    “I’m not that good; I’m thinking it’s time that I start looking for something real, maybe music should just be a hobby, instead of a career.”

    Sami shook her head, “You need to stop selling yourself short; you are way too good to hide your music in dive bars and your basement. And you are too passionate about music to call it a hobby. Trust me Eli, you’ll regret it if you don’t chase after your dreams.”

    “I don’t know maybe I'm realizing that I have other dreams too,” Eli said.

    “Go after all of them, who says you can only live one dream?” Sami had always been Eli’s cheerleader and even on the day that she needed him to give her a pep talk here she was giving him one.

    “What am I going to do without you?” he asked.

    “You’ll be fine, and when you need me I’m only a text, tweet or phone call away, I promise,” Sami said with a reassuring smile.

They talked a little bit longer but soon it was time for Eli to clock in for his shift. Sami started giving hugs and saying good-bye to her other co-workers. But finally it was time for her to really leave and say good-bye to Eli. She went over to him and melted into him as they hugged. Tears ran done her face, and she whispered, “I love you, Eli.”

Eli couldn’t muster up words without giving away the fact that he was moments away from tears himself, so he kissed her on her head. She then walked out of the restaurants door, and all Eli could do was stand there and watch.

    But now 12 months later, here he was looking at the girl he always loved. “Hi, Eli,” Sami said the smile plastered across her face, “Come here, after a year, I think I deserve a hug.”

    Eli walked over and pulled her into the tightest hug. “God, I’ve missed you? How’s school, do you love it?”

    “More than I ever thought I could! How have you been? How’s your music?” She asked her eyes filled with questions.

    “I’m good; I’m actually the manager here. As for my music hasn’t really changed, I’m still playing gigs, but now I’m also in school so I can teach music to kids.” Eli explained, after watching Sami, leave he decided to take his future more seriously too.

    “Wow,” Sami said and part of Eli felt as if she was disappointed, like she had expected more from him.

    Then he saw him, another man, wearing khakis, and button-up shirt came up wrapping his arms around Sami’s waist. “Hey Babe.”

    “Hey, so this is my best friend Eli, Eli this Clark, my boyfriend.” And just like that Eli realized that the girl he loved didn’t love him. To her they would always just be best friends, because it was true he wasn’t what she wanted. His heart felt as if it had been ripped out of his chest, but he stood there with a smile as he met the man that took his place.

TRAVEL THURSDAY: Dinning Plans {Disney at Christmas}

Hello All,

This week has been keeping me pretty busy mainly because I'm trying to get a lot of stuff done 1. because the weeks between mid-terms and Thanksgiving, always seem to be the busiest time of the year and 2. I'm going home this weekend and I don't want to bring to much work home. But don't worry I didn't forget about you guys and my Travel Thursday series. 

I personally LOVE dinning at Disney World. There are very few places at Disney World that I don't like to eat. With that being said, I figured I would share where we are planning to eat on our trip.

Night One:

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Teppan Edo located in the Japan Pavilion in EPCOT. This Mama J's favorite Disney restaurant and is a must do every time she goes down. This is a hibachi style restaurant and so entertaining. I'm not a huge fan of oriental but I love watching the food being made and I normally get some meat and rice and really enjoy it.  

Night Two:

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The Grand Floridan Cafe, located at the Grand Floridan Resort and Spa the last few trips I have gone to this restaurant and think that its pretty good. This a new place for Mama J and our other traveling companion, Sara.  

Night Three: 

Mama J and I on our April 2012 trip

Tony's Town Square, Main Street USA in Magic Kingdom. This is my all time favorite Disney restaurant and I go on almost ever trip. Its based on Lady and Tramp and I love the food and vibe of this place. Plus they have a banging Chocolate and Hazelnut cake. I'm drooling just thinking about it. 

This trip is getting closer and closer and I am so excited. Make sure you tune in next week to find out what the next Travel Thursday post will be. If you missed the first few fro this edition of Travel Thursday you can click the links below to check them out.

Trip Announcement

Fun Facts About Disney at Christmas

34 Days until Christmas at Disney!

The Missed Chance {Part 2 of 3} - Short Fiction

*Disclaimer: This is short piece of fiction that I wrote for my English 203 class, it has already been submitted for grading. I decided to share it because I am proud of it. If you didn't read the first part you can here, now enjoy the next part.***

The first several months that they worked together they didn’t really talk to each with the exceptional “Hi” and “Bye”. But one night he was playing at a local run-down bar as he finished his favorite, self-written song he saw a long haired blonde girl walk up to the bar. This time she stuck out; she didn’t look like she belonged in a rundown bar, more like dance club where the alcohol was disguised with bright colors and in test tube. 

    After his set he went out into the audience and asked if she wanted to get a drink with him, she agreed. They then sat there for hours talking and laughing. She was nothing like the girl he had built up in his head. He learned that she wasn’t the spoiled little brat that could just grab Daddy’s credit card and buy whatever she pleases; she didn’t even know who her dad was.

    The bartender called final call and Eli finally asked the question he had been dying to know since he saw her walk into a bar. “Why’d you come? You don’t seem much like punk rocker fan.”

    “I had the coolest aunt in the world who used to be a groupie for the band, NOFX and then when I was like thirteen she got diagnosed with cancer. She last only about 11 month after diagnosis, but for her whole hospital stay she insisted that punk music be played. And after she died it felt like punk was the only connection I had with her.” She said with a small smile.

    “Is it just you and your brother now?” Eli asked.

    “Yeah, my mom wasn’t exactly maternal, she spent more time nursing a glass of rum and coke then she ever did taking care of us. When my younger brother graduated high school we moved out, it’s hard at time but we make it work.” While Sami told that story her Eli notice how there was pain behind her confident exterior.

    That night was the beginning of everything, over the next year they learned everything about each other and his feelings started to blossom. He told her details about his life that he had never told anyone else. Like the meaning behind his favorite song, about how he feels like his parents look at him a like a failure. She was always there to talk; she’d smile and made him feel like he was worth something. And the day she told him she got into law school he felt his heart fall knowing that

everything was about to change.  

TRAVEL THURSDAY: Fun Facts About Disney at Christmas Time

*Sorry I forgot to post this yesterday but now its up now!***

Hello All,

I love to travel, so when I get to plan a trip and share it here or recap a past trip here. So, I'm so excited to stuff here about my upcoming trip. If you missed the announcement of my next trip you can read it here.

Unlike another trip that I'll be announcing when I return from this one I'm not doing a lot of the planning for this trip. Mama J is doing a lot of the work. So, I figured before I talk about the plans I would share some fun facts about the super extra magical time of year at Disney. 

-There are 1,300 decorated trees on the property, which includes the parks, the resorts and the downtown area. 

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-At Hollywood Studios Osborne Light Display there is over 10 miles of Christmas Lights!

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-It takes 150 trailers to store all the decorations for all 4 parks, the downtown area and all 24 resorts on property.

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-Across property there are 150 miles of garland hung

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-There is 300,000 yards of ribbon hanging from the various trees

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-8.5 Million lights are hung across property

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-Grand Floridian has a 16 foot fall gingerbread house, with 1,050 pounds of honey and takes over 160 hours to decorate

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-It always "snows" in the Magic Kingdom on the nights that Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party takes place

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-They transform the popular Adventureland ride, Jungle Cruise, to the Jingle Cruise

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