As I Bid Goodbye to Another Year

I did not expect 2014 to be as eventful as it was.

I said goodbye to my car of six years:

I moved into a new apartment with a cat, a very cute one if I may add:

I played a very green bridesmaid:

I went blonde for the first time onstage:

Then I went a little blonde in real life:

And I went blonde onstage again:

I did some running:

And some more running:

And MUCH more running:

And this running took me all the way to Florida:

But the best part of this year was all of the awesome people I shared these memories with:

If 2014 was any indication, then 2015 is going to be a great year.

Truth from Constantine

I have many thoughts I could expand on, but with no explanation necessary, this quote pretty much sums up my life. GOOD stuff:

"I walk my path alone because, let's be honest... who would be crazy enough to walk it with me?"

It IS The Most Magical Place on Earth

I have been procrastinating on writing, partially because I do not have time, but also because there are not enough words to describe how awesome life has been. Given, life in general has been pretty darn good, but this month, while extremely busy, has been tops.

About a month ago, I left for a week-long trip to WDW with a couple of friends. Aside from the company, there were so many moments that made this trip a great one:

The Art of Animation Resort

This hotel was super cute to say the least. One of the things I loved about this place is it immersed you in animation, from our themed hotel room, to the lobby area with a wide palette of colors and original sketches, to the hotel building exteriors and fun facts about Disney films along the jogging path. I am continually impressed by Disney's attention to the details.

First night at the hotel, this was on my bed. Disney in the details.

Late-Night Cartoons

Every night in our room, after 10:00 pm, we had the viewing pleasure of 2-minute versions of the same 10 Disney cartoons. Okay, maybe it was more like 20 cartoons. Either way, it was repetitious hilarity. Go P.U.!

This particular cartoon played twice as many times as the others, with different audio every other viewing.

Rain!

It's a killer to be in a current drought, and to be in Florida during the middle of their hurricane season knowing I could not take any of the rain back with me was painful. Regardless.... rain!!! And we got quite a bit of it for the majority of our time there. I love rain.

My poncho was put to use much more than I anticipated.

Dole Whips

Yes, we have them here, but the Magic Kingdom has MULTIPLE flavors of Dole Whip. Incredible.

Specifically, an orange-vanilla swirled dole whip float.

Fancy Dining

Aside from the yummy small treats and meals, we had the pleasure of dining at Cinderella's Castle one night and the Beast's Castle another night.  I especially enjoyed the Be Our Guest restaurant, and the grey stuff was delicious.

Our host allowed us the pleasure of a picture with him after dinner.

Old-Time Attractions

The Magic Kingdom may have changed up a number of their older attractions, but they still have the People Mover AND The Carousel of Progress. They also have the Country Bear Jamboree. Epcot's Maelstrom ride closed its doors for refurbishment the day we flew home, so I had a chance to ride it again a few times while we were there, may it RIP. What a crazy trip down memory lane; I remember these attractions being bigger before.

Spending a rainy evening on the People Mover!

Newer Attractions!

Even though I had been to WDW years ago, it was my first time at Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. I rode Rock'n'Roller Coaster in Hollywood Studios four times altogether, Expedition Everest in Animal Kingdom six times, and experienced a slew of other rides and shows in those and the other parks. I also got a chance to try out different versions of the rides I enjoy at Disneyland, and the new Seven Dwarves Mine Train ride! All kinds of awesome. Overall, I have to give them props for their better Winnie the Pooh ride, faster and easier spinning teacups, and the extra room of staircases in the Haunted Mansion that was very reminiscent of the Winchester Mystery House. And I liked the old version a lot, but I am a fan of what is now the Three Caballeros ride.

Side note: Air Supply was performing at Epcot the two days we were there, and they sang that one song I know... and the other song I know... and lots of other songs I don't know... while we never actually sat in on their concert, we could hear them very well.

In line for the newest WDW ride, the Seven Dwarves' Mine Train!

Traveling the World

I LOVE the World Showcase area, and with the Food & Wine Festival happening, what better time to sample the food and drinks that the world has to offer? I'm talking haggis, potstickers, Belgian waffles, pierogi, escargot, baklava, pavlova, curry, pao de quiejo, and MUCH more than my stomach could imagine trying in the course of two days. And then of course there was the entertainment of the Chinese acrobats, the Mexican Mariachi band, the Italian street performer, the Voices of Liberty, and the sights and shopping of each country. And all of the foreign workers were just so darn nice and helpful too. Man, there are some beautiful people around the world...

Sweet treats from each of the 11 nations represented in World Showcase.

10-Mile Run!!

My main reason for traveling to WDW: to run the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler. I discovered it on a Twilight Zone fan page on Facebook at the beginning of this year, and impulsively decided to sign up for it, not knowing what I was getting into or if I would even make my way to Florida in the first place. Well, obviously, I did, it happened, and I had a BLAST. Next time, I'm thinking a day afterwards to just relax and recuperate though; the after-party went late, but worth it.

I was so excited to make it to the end, I forgot about getting the medal and just wanted to take a picture.

It was a much needed vacation, but also an exciting nostalgia trip simultaneously packed with new adventures. And I'm still dreaming about it almost a month later. Guess I'll have to go back sometime.

I Finally Made My Move

Yes, it's happened, and surprisingly quickly too. It's a move I didn't think I would make so abruptly. It's a bittersweet feeling because I have spent the last three years in the home with this family, but I really like my new place. Moving is so much simpler when you're only down the freeway, not to mention when you already know who you're living with, and what great company they are too.

Other fun things about this place:

~One of my new roommates is a cat who is a cutie pie, and she is the only cat I have been around recently that does not give me stuffy, itchy, sneezing fits.

~Fitness room!

~Always a plus to save a bit of $$.

~Welcome, guests!

~One of my favorite ramen places is down the street. Actually, maybe that's not so good....

I already miss my family I lived with before, but the adjustment to this new place has been fairly easy, and I am really happy to be living back in this city again too. I'm sure I'll have more to update in the coming days, maybe weeks, while I continue to move everything into its place here. It still feels surreal, like I'm still on vacation mode, not to mention I don't actually have a bed yet, so I'll be camping on the floor or the couch for the next two weeks! It's nice though, and I'm happy.

Here's to change, may it always be the only constant.

.........I'm Still Mad at You

Two months from yesterday, I'll be getting my butt kicked in a 10-mile run at Disney World. Regardless, the closer it gets, the more and more I feel like this:

Another Educated Guess

If there is one thing I am happy to have again that makes me feel like I'm back in high school, it's online quizzes.  This time, I'm enjoying them because they're helping to give me more insight on my bizarre personality.

In an ongoing journey to discover more about myself, I gave PlayBuzz a shot in guessing who I am in 20 questions.  I have to say, I applaud the effort.

Male, Late teens

Here is our best guess at who you are:
1. You are male.
2. You are still a teenager, but won't be one for very much longer.
3. You're in college and are already worried about finding the perfect job that will be both fulfilling and will pay well. Your future worries you more than you'd like to admit.
4. You have beautiful, silky brown hair and big eyes.
5. You know that if you'd only believe in yourself more, things would be much easier for you. Yet you still doubt your instincts more than you should, instead of trusting them every time.

Who Needs Gambling?

I'm kind of in love with Vegas, but there is still a lot I have yet to do there. For instance:

Cirque Du Soleil

I have only seen one Cirque show, in movie form... and it was amazing. With all of the shows available to see in Vegas, next time I'm pushing to see Michael Jackson ONE or the Beatles LOVE.

High Roller

I do not like being trapped in a dinky little cage dangling a great amount above the ground that could snap off at any given point. I am, however, willing to brave this fear by taking a turn on the ferris wheel at the Linq which is apparently now the tallest ferris wheel in the world? Yeah, might as well try it once.

Mob Museum

It's a museum about the mafia. Enough said.

Gondolas at the Venetian

There used to be a boat ride in the Luxor resort, but no longer. This sounds just about as fun though. It's also basically the closest I will get to Italy for the time being (before taking a step even closer when I get to WDW), and I love the singing of the gondoliers.

Neon Museum

The first time I was brought on vacation to Las Vegas was about 20 years ago. I can't believe how much has changed since then. I don't know if I'll recognize any of these signs in the neon graveyard from way back when, but I'd like to check it out.

Another Run?

The closest Foam Glow run happened to be Vegas, and it was worth the travel. I'm definitely in again if any sort of novelty run chooses to stop here and skip past my home.

So. Much. Colored. Foam.

And if I happen to bring people with me who love to sing, next time we are definitely going for karaoke in the Asian part of Vegas. Yep.

Seriously, Sincerely

All I can do right now is smile. But this time, I feel like dancing too.

Cool. Cool. Cool cool cool.

Mucka Blucka

Something is definitely off with me. I felt bad. So, I went to my Pinterest page and onto the board of guaranteed laughs, and I laughed a lot, and now I'm feeling okay.

And I finally downloaded this song on iTunes. It makes me giggle.

Tuesday Bluesday

It's been one of those days. I can be fortunately that now I have a little bit of down time now though. While the temptation to fall asleep will be one I give into soon, and because I cannot currently partake in SVUesday, I present a new way to lull myself to sleep: Bluesday.

And tonight, it starts with this song:

Smile Like You Mean It

All I can do right now is smile. And that is the only thing I should do.

Cool. Cool cool cool.