Here You Leave Today And Enter A World Of Yesterday, Tomorrow, And Fantasy

We went to Disneyland. I've been two times this year and it's amazing. It truly is a magical place. I am able to shut out the rest of world and just soak up the magic. Everything from the smells and the music to the rides and shows. It is just incredible that one place can do so much. During this trip, Disney was all done up for Christmas and the 60th Anniversary. Again, Magical! Anyways, normally I try to wait for Christmas to start until after Thanksgiving but this year that went out the window. There was Christmas music playing and Christmas trees it really got me in the holiday spirit. (I will warn you now, this post will be filled of photographs.)

The first day we were there it was wonderful. Beautiful weather, not a lot of people. It was amazing. We started out the day in California Adventure. The first thing we did was ride Soarin' Over California. For those who haven't experienced it, it is incredible and so life like. You even smell the orange groves and the ocean. Bravo on that one Disney. Next up we made our was over to Paradise Pier.

Next was the infamous Hollywood Tower of Terror. I have ridden this ride several times and it still scares the pants off of me! The build up to this ride is just insane. Other rides that day were Grizzly River Run, don't go if you don't want to get wet, (you will get soaked) and Toy Story Mania. 

The place in California Adventure that amazes me the most is Cars Land. It feels like you are in the town of Radiator Springs. They took an animated, fictional town and made it real. Everything from Flo's to the Cozy Cone motel is included. The ride, Radiator Springs Racers is always a long line (never shorter than 60 minutes) and I would suggest a fast pass for this ride for sure! 

I warned you there would be a lot of pictures! We made our way to Disneyland afterwards. I would also recommend adding the park hopper to your pass. It makes it easier to see everything and breaks the day up a little bit. 

While California Adventure is amazing, nothing beats Disneyland. The shops, the balloons, the churros, and the castle!

Fantasy Land is home to a ride that I remember most from when I was a kid. I remember waiting line with my dad for Toad's Wild Ride. I don't know why that memory sticks out in my mind so much but it's one of the few memories I have from going to Disneyland when I was younger.

I also remember It's a Small World. Once you hear that song, it's hard to forget it. This time it was decorated for Christmas and again, it was magical.

The last ride I want to mention is the Haunted Mansion. This time it was the Nightmare Before Christmas. One of my favorite movies. It is so amazing that they can transform these rides into a completely different experience.

I'll leave you here with a few more random photographs. I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to see Disney at Christmas time. It's worth fighting the crowds, and if you go during the week, Monday-Thursday, the crowds shouldn't be "too bad." 

Heart Strings

I like to believe I have a big heart. I care about people, sometimes more than I should, and a lot of things pull at my heart strings. Those animal cruelty commercials make me want to adopt as many animals as I can. The commercials for kids in Africa make me want to adopt those kids too. I would have a house full of kids and animals if money was no object. But sadly it is. When I read love stories, I put my heart into that book and feel what the characters feel. Especially when I read The Fault in Our Stars. I felt every emotion that Hazel Grace Lancaster felt. That book and movie are not for the faint of heart that is for sure. This odd sensation is one that I hadn't given much thought until now. Why do things that have no direct affect on us make us feel so strongly? Is it human nature to have sympathy and affection? Or maybe it is created in our upbringing. I may never know. It is, however, a quality that I am proud to have. I think it may make me a better person and one who is more understanding of others situations, good or bad. I will leave you with a photo and a quote. Both of which, tug at my heart strings. 

"What you do every day matters more than what you do every once in a while"

Flowers

If there is one thing I love about this town it is that everywhere I look I can spot a flower. These flowers make me happy.

A Car and a Plane Ticket

On Saturday I bought a car... It needs some work, and a name. Having a car makes me feel like an adult. I just graduated high school and have to meet the real world and I hope it treats me well. This small town isn't for me. The cold, snowy winters and the less than warm springs aren't the best. I will miss my family more than anything, but I have to follow my arrow and go where I will be happy. I wouldn't be where I am without them and I wouldn't be going where I am without their support. It isn't only their love and support I have either. I have such a great support system here that is going to be insanely hard to leave. But here I am ready to face the adult world head. The car is mine and I bought it with my own money. It's my ticket out of here really. I have my whole life waiting for me. I no longer have to ask to use the restroom, I have to take care of myself, and I have to find myself. Here's to new adventures in a new car.

My parents bought me a plane ticket. This ticket is to my soon to be home. Its for a week. In that week I have to take my first, or maybe second, step towards adulthood. I have to take my college placement tests and sign up for my classes. Problem is, I have no way to pay for these classes. So that right there is stressful. I don't have a college fund of a savings account. I am going to have to work my way through college in a place where I do not have a job yet. But I have faith everything will work out. But that's all I have. Faith. I know I have support here and there. I know I can do it, I just don't know how.

Wordless Wednesday

Creating a Yearbook

I am the editor my my high school's yearbook. This is my first year doing it and I love it. If I could make a living doing it I would. Today my adviser was asking for my opinion on how she should grade us and I told her to look at the log in history. This tells you when and how long that person was logged in for. Mind you, no one in that class does anything. Okay so maybe like 4 others. That is not nearly enough work being put in, so I pick up the slack. How much slack? All of it. My adviser informed me that while grading us she discovered I have spent 190 hours working on the yearbook. This does not include the time I have taken to take pictures or interview people. Nor does it include when I was logged in as my adviser while making adjustments I couldn't on my account. 190 hours of my life has been put into this yearbook and I am going to make it perfect. These next two weeks are going to be insane and stressful and full of way more hours spent on the yearbook but it is so worth it to see this creation.

Today it was Sunny

The sun decided to show itself after far too many months in hiding and my oh my how I have missed it. I actually could be outside without being miserable. The sun makes me happy. The warmth on my skin is soothing. It is just about spring and while it is no spring like one in Arizona it will do. I walked outside in capris and was not forced to but on my boots. Nope no boots for me today. The grounds was no longer sopping wet, just cool and slightly damp. I got to wear ballet flats and it was wonderful.