Jan. Highlights

It's amazing January is already at it's end, but I'm not even surprised since so much has happened! So here's a little recap for you, although I don't think most of you care or want to know, but it helps me to keep track! So feel free to skip the words. haha

• Packed 2 suit cases and moved across the country to Orlando, Florida. In my mind, I imagined the place to be really warm all the time, but boy was I mistaken! My 15 sundresses and swimsuits will have to wait to become useful. Until then, I wear the only jeans and jacket I brought pretty much everyday. Who knew?
• God Lives! I think I prayed the entire plane ride that I would get to live in the new nice apartments (Patterson) and that I would get cool roommates...the risks you take when moving! My prayers were answered. I live in Patterson and I have 5 awesome roommates! Emily, Katelyn, Ashley, Megan, and my bed mate Jackie are great and our house is constantly laughing all through the night. I'm sure our neighbors (who I still haven't met) hate us, but at least we are having a grand ol' time, right?
• I have finally finished about two weeks of intense training and I am now an official vacation planner at Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom! Today was my first official day. Because I am now a bus-rider, I get up at 5:30 to be at work by 7:30, but the great thing about that is it has led me to the discovery of one of my new favorite places. Each morning between 6 and 7am, there is a spot over this bridge in the park where hundreds of these white birds sit. The sun hasn't quite risen, no one is in the park, and the silence of nature makes this one of the most peaceful spots. They are gone by afternoon, but it is so cool to sit and watch them all. A perfect beginning to my day! 
• Mormon's are everywhere, and I found them here! My new ward is awesome and growing rapidly with all the new College Program (CP's) kids. 
• Ella has entered into my life! She is my grey pillow pet elephant and cuddles me all through the night!  
• My parents have moved back to San Diego and are coming to visit me next week! I'm so excited to see them and plan their awesome vacation!
• When I'm not working, I enjoy long walks through WDW 4 theme parks, romantic dinners Downtown, and crazy adventures usually with Katelyn, Ashley, Brad, and the randoms we meet along the way.

Walt: A man I would love to meet!



My favorite place in Animal Kingdom!
(The picture doesn't do it justice)



Favorite Show: Lion King. A must see if you visit!

The day I adopted Ella!

Katelyn, Ashley, and Me (and Brad taking pic)
at one of the funniest Monster's Inc. Show!

AAHHHH!!!! (Me, Ash, Katelyn)







Week 1

I have been quite tired with jet-lag, LOTS of training for my new job that is completely overwhelming me, and trying to play in the parks most of my nights. I am loving my roommates and the Orlando area. Maybe I have just been so tired things have seemed hilarious, or else a lot of funny things have happened. But, because I am tired I don't exactly feel like telling you about them all right now. I will tell you though, that my roommate Katelyn and I went on Tower of Terror which isn't a typical ride I would go on because of my fear of heights. So as we are sitting and making the climb before the drop, I begin regretting my decision and frantically start searching for my handles when I realize the large man next to me has his leg on the handle on my right. I inform him I need hold on to this handle and he says, "Oh yeah that's fine." However he still doesn't move his leg. The drop is coming soon, so I squeeze my hand under his leg. So what happens next? 1) DROP!!! 2) Large man next to me freaks out 3) I get elbowed in the face by large man. I survive the rest of the ride and as we leave the ride, the man mumbles something I didn't quite get. Katelyn and I go to check our picture and this is what we find!

Katelyn loving it with her arms up checking on me
Me hanging on for life with eyes closed regaining consciousness
large man smiling at me like a creeper



Me and Cinderella!



Where I have spent my life the last week!

Mooners! @ Animal Kingdom

Hello Florida!

I have arrived! I flew into Orlando at 2am, checked into a hotel, and stayed the night. The next morning I took a taxi in which my taxi driver and I sat silently listening to Elton John, then he turned around and asked if my destination was near [such and such]. This is when I text Ericka because I know she will find just as much humor in my situation as I did! (I did make it there safely). The next couple of days have been full of meetings and paperwork. However I did get into the nice apartments (Patterson) and am now fully moved in! I have 5 roommates and they are all from a different state, which is neat. I found out that I will also be working in the Animal Kingdom as a vacation planner, so I’m pretty excited! Let’s hope I get a sweet “Safarian-ish” outfit!  

Living and Dining Room

My beautiful closet

Bathroom

My Room!

My pet cows in the backyard

Kitchen

Pretty sure this is the nicest place I have ever lived in since I left my parents! I love it! Although it's a little cold. You'd think with all girls, it would be warmer. I guess I'm just always cold.

Goodbye Utah

I was able to spend the last few weeks with my family in Cedar City, Utah.  We had a lovely Christmas and lots of down time. I love my family and will miss them dearly!

Christmas with the McLintock's

Cousins Scott, Sharon, & Brooklyn came to visit!

Conveniently, my Bree friend has decided to bring a child into this world, which gave me the opportunity to see most of my good friends at her shower! Bree and many of the beautiful girls you see in the picture are all tied together through playing volleyball at Westminster College. They are my best friends, and like my family, make it hard for me to leave. I love you girls!

Thank you Heather Kidd

2011 Here I Come!

2010 was quite the year for me. It began with with heartache, uncertainty, and illness, but ended just as blissfully as my last twenty years. From Salt Lake to Park City back to Salt Lake, I have made some huge decisions and met so many wonderful people and new friends. As I write my new goals and embrace the fact that 2011 is already here, my heart is open to new possibilities and opportunities. As many of you may already know, I am a new graduate of Westminster College and will be kicking off the new year with the fulfillment of one of my many dreams. On January 9th, 2011, I will be the newest resident of Orlando, Florida!!!! Not only will I be reunited with the sunshine, but I will be a Vacation Planner at Walt Disney World! This has been the inspiration that led me to create this blog. Okay so really it's for my sweet Mother to keep track of me, but it's also for any of you that wish to join me on my adventures as well! I welcome your eyes. I love you all and I hope 2011 to be everything you make of it, so dream big!

Firsts

Thanks to good friends and fun!

Celebrating after my last final ever with good friend Ben!

Snowboarding for the first time @ PCMR with Shelby.