My College Necessities

Word of the Week: Allons-y! [It's French for "let's go!" used and favored in Doctor Who, mostly season 4 I do believe, by the tenth doctor. If  you don't understand this, then please begin watching. They have the latest 6 seasons on Netflix! Yum yum!]

Sound: my new neighbors being obnoxious.

Cheers. Because you know how social I am!

Haha but seriously. I did talk to like one... three... three new people today. I'm going to try and keep working on that and amping up the list to keep meeting new people. I don't have a max number of those I have met in one day because seriously, people, I worked at Disney World. Think about it for a second... yeah, haha.

Anyways, I was scrounging around for an evening snack before bed [even though the 'Skinny Rules' do state to go to bed hungry, but technically I'm not in bed yet so that rule doesn't apply until I'm lying in bed, thinking about how hungry and thirsty I am. Right?]

So I have a decently well stocked pantry, thanks [like a HUGE THANK YOU] due to my parents to helping me out with just about all of it ( and a few from Jenessa that she left over). I've lived here almost three weeks to the date! It's so weird.

Feels like foreeeeeeeeeverrrrrr.

Looking around in everything, between my no bake cookies and all my frozen tortillas [I love CORN tortillas about 100x better than flour, you know those little ones and they come with like 75 at a time for $4? Yeah. Then I put over half of them into other bags and freeze them till I'm ready to use them!] and my eggs, I realized what I'm practically already out of:

Ice cream- it's completely gone as of five minutes ago. My favorite: Kroger's Soft Churned French Silk
Peanut Butter- I even had some left over from Jenessa, about a quarter container. I finished that in one round with 2-3 celery sticks. I think I have enough to smother five more saltines and that is it.
Salsa- My dad got me that middle size, it's... 24 oz. He picked it up and said, no lie "this should last you the whole semester" and really, i just had to bite back a laugh or two. I'm halfway through it already, and it might be gone in 1.3 weeks, I'm figuring.

These have become such staples in my life since beginning college. Peanut butter took a while, I admit, and then in Florida I didn't do so much ice cream, but there's always been salsa. And now I'm practically without all three of these.

It's bad enough I haven't had milk for a week. 

But I'm trying to be good! I still have a well stocked pantry so I'm eating a toooon of mashed potatoes [YUM CARBS!], graham crackers, and then I made no bake oatmeal peanut butter chocolate cookies. But don't worry, I had a cup of oranges this morning. ;)

This was supposed to be a short post, haha. I'll just leave you a picture of an ADIPOSE*. From BBC's Doctor Who with the tenth doctor. It was supposed to be a new dieting pill where "the fat just walks away." Turns out that alien-nanny was literal! These would climb off you:

ALL THEY DO IS GIGGLE AND WAVE. The friendlist alien in the universe! and so cute, they're the size of my- or say, my dad's- fist! 

*add-E-pose

My Books~

Sound: SILENCE [I'm thinking Simon & Garfunkel. anyone else?]

Anyways, I'm scouring the internet because that's all I do in the evenings because let's face it, I'm not the most social person around and since my roommate hasn't arrived yet, I'm just super bored and hey, look! My computer needs company!

So I was just scouring another blog- but of course much more professional than my own- when I came across one of her posts about her favorite movie, You've Got Mail. Now my own mom is a big Meg Ryan fan and really, anyone from the 80-90's should be a Tom Hanks fan. I grew up watching a few films like that [so therefore I may blame the parental units on my hopeless romantic nature].

There were a few carefully chosen quotes from the film and really, Nora Ephron did a spectacular job in all of it. Kathleen Kelly, Meg Ryan's character, owned a cute little bookshop. Which I often fantasized about having my own one day but thanks to the stupid nook, ipads, and so on, that just might not work out.

Moving on, one of my favorite quotes posted would definitely have to be: When you read a book as a child, it becomes a part of your identity in a way that no other reading in your whole life does.

And that got me to thinking, obviously.

To any who know me, and you all do, I love my books. I adore books. I breathe books. I used to carry at least one around constantly, if not too. Most of my purses that I have ever bought, I've tried to make sure that they will at least fit a paperback book. (All the purses I have now do fit one, if not two. And a notebook. And a water bottle. )

The books of one's childhood! Granted, at first I didn't enjoy reading. I was an active kid [wow, that's kind of hard to believe, huh?]. I wanted to hang out with the boys, I ran and chased the balls and everything. I wasn't necessarily great at any of them [I blame my height and bad vision and complete lack of competition which grew with time], but once upon a time in public school I was sort of popular.

But then I started reading with a vengeance! I remember this book about a kangaroo in Australia; I don't know where it went from there. I'm sure there was a dramatic trial before it arrived home safely to return to it's mother's pouch and it lived happily ever after.

I read a lot of books at night. After a certain time, bedroom lights had to go out- but we'd get a night light out in the hallway. So if my parents weren't nearby, I'd crawl out and read some more. They weren't challenging books or anything- there were these 'Alice' series, where she opened her great big Bible and watched the events happen, and it was all poems. I used to think that was so clever! Then I read the Clifford series, and the Magic School Bus oh and of course, Dr. Seuss. I read about Amelia Bedelia and oh of course, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle! Anyone read those? I read them again when I was 17, I loved them so much as a kid! So funny...
With time, I moved onto the easy chapter books. I read Andrew Clements, Junie B books, I read about fairies, and Roald Dahl... Harry Potter, and then that's when I really just attacked the library.

I don't know. It just got me to thinking about my childhood and how innocent things were then. My parents never came outside and trusted we'd behave and not get kidnapped [granted they still don't do that for my brothers]. I would play with the kids on the block [well, the boys, since I didn't have too many girl friends and none of them seemed to live on my street or at least had time to play], and I'd watch Disney movies on occasion.

So there was some drama now and then, but that's how growing up is. I still got to stay home when I was sick and my mom would make chocolate chip cookies and I could dump in the flour and watch the puff cloud rise up. I had to come in when the sun came down and then I played with my barbies and complained about dinner because I didn't like meat in my meat sauce. I got to be a kid, society wasn't forcing me to grow up back then.

Now, kids whine because their parents take away their freaking ipod. It's just so weird! I dreamed of being a princess to have adventures and ride horses and make animals speak to me [because princesses had magical powers]. Kids now dream of being rich enough to have a yacht or something, I don't know. I don't really talk to kids of this day and age. They sort of scare me.

But I like the books I read as a kid, like 'Goodnight Moon' and my favorite, 'I Love You To The Moon And Back.' Kids don't hear things like that anymore. They don't get to enjoy the simple poetic art of children's stories... Sad thought.

Florida

I miss it.

Well, not technically Florida. I just miss Walt Disney World.

I miss working there, I miss my coworkers, I miss messing around with my coworkers.

I miss wearing that stupid smile all the time and answering the same questions over and over. I miss doing the two-fingered point and I miss getting to work early enough to jump right onto 'Journey Into The Imagination With Figment.' I miss doing Turtle Talk w/ Crush, even when I messed up and got the wrong kid.

I miss their pretzels, the jalapeno-cheese stuffed pretzels, the sweet cream cheese pretzels, and even their plain pretzels. I miss walking past all the decked out nuts and loving that delicious smell. I miss seeing people trying to finish their salty turkey legs. I miss seeing those Mickey Mouse shaped ice creams.

I miss jumping onto a bus and getting into the park. I miss the shows like Beauty And The Beast, Fanstasmic, and the Star Wars show for kids. I miss climbing onto all of the rides, ready for that little adrenaline rush and the stupid pictures they take.

I miss seeing that magic daily and I miss being apart of it.

I even miss coming home, exhausted with my feet throbbing in pain from working for 12 hours.

I love Disney. I saw behind the magic and though I got so sick and tired of it sometimes, I could still see the magic through the eyes of the guests. Even the basic pin trading, or meeting your favorite character. The laughter and love that was everywhere- well, except half the moody guests, you can just forget about those.

A lot of my things are Disney related. I put some of it in the kitchen, some of it in the living room, and a lot of it in my bedroom. I have my pins hanging from the lamp so I can always see them. I have folders so even as I start school, I can think about Mickey Mouse. I have the beads a co-worker gave me from Mardi Gras. I have the pin from Goofy's Mystery Tour, a cast member only scavenger hunt. I still carry my Disney ID around, for crying out loud.

Making plans to go back. Maybe even early as this next spring. Wouldn't that just be wonderful? The "New Fantasy" land will all be open by then. If I can make it before the Brazilian school groups, then that would be great. Just for a few days, to watch all the shows again, to see the new things, to relive it and love it- Disney and my memories and my friends- one more time.

I'm trying to get this out to the Universe, so maybe in the end, it can work out:

Early Spring, before April.

I have two coworkers/friends who said they'd be willing to house me if I ever returned.

Hopefully I have enough friends there they'd get me in a day or two.

I'd repay them with cookies or jokes.

We'd have a ball! Then I'd fly back to school.

See? That should work, right?

Because at this point, I'm almost ready to cast in my lot again and go back there to work. Work at the parks again, though I said I didn't really want to do that so much. But I just love it and miss it so much. Disney's made magic daily for millions of people and I desperately miss being part of that.

I Don't Mean To Brag...

But really. I just thought I'd share my good fortune in this tidbit:

I ASK YOU THIS: HOW MUCH DO YOU THINK I PAID FOR ALL THIS?

And now I ask you this: Think I could have gotten it under $25? Maybe? Well what about under $10? Little tough, right?

Well I'm TELLING you this: I paid less than $5 for all that.
No, seriously.
What was it, again? $4.40 I think?

Shirts: 50 cents a shirt, four of them, thus $2
Mugs: Buy 1 get 3 free. Thus four mugs for fifty cents.
Backpack: 1.00
Old Disney Post Card: .15 cents
Two Mickey folders: 25 cents each
World Atlas [No I'm not using them as maps but for decor. You'll see in time!]: 25 cents

Missing anything? No? Well then. There you go. All of that for less than five dollars.

Granted, the clothing is a bit big. BUT things to do with clothes to big: shrink them, alter them, or find a way to wear them as they are. Should I start a fashion blog? I think not, we've more than enough I'm sure. But I couldn't resist!

And the mugs-

Look in my cupboard and there's already a vast assortment from superhero mugs to butterbeer, and more! I think this puts my limit over ten mugs now. That's a little embarrassing, isn't it? I just adore mugs. I like a good handle, a good grasp.
And if you know me: I FOUND AN IRISH MUG OKAY. I wasn't going to give into the sale but then I found that mug and was like "Hey, I can get three more for free! Hmmm" So that's what happened. It wasn't my fault, I'm a victim of my lovely heritage.

The folders... I didn't need them either. But Disney. They were DISNEY. My obsession is getting a little scary: a Disney blanket, stuffed creatures, pillow, more than two shirts, at least two mugs, a few notebooks, now folders, two purses, a wallet... my, oh my. It's almost frightful! Haha

The backpack was just nice and you know, girls and their bags. we never have enough.

As for the clothes... well like I said, I'll make them work. I've noticed though my style is forever changing and  currently a good bit influenced by a lovely, fashionable woman, Charla. You can check out her own blog and life at charlavail because she's just that awesome. Seriously. I envy her a little too much, I think. Her adventures in Alaska and Europe and everything just kills me!

AAAAAND that's it. 13 items for less than 5 dollars. I shouldn't have splurged, yes, I know. But I won't be doing any shopping for the next two weeks, I swore to myself! Scouring the streets for a job in Cedar now, and getting ready for the two classes I'll be taking this semester.

Cheers!

^My cobra ear cuff I bought before my birthday for about $2 Probably can't see it too well though eh?

Post Birthday Mirth

Sound: Doctor Who season 3 episode 6 'Evolution of the Daleks'
^ Andrew Garfield is in this episode and the one before. Thought you should know.

Just a quick post, I suppose. Last Friday I officially turned 20! My mom sang to me on the phone and said there should be a package soon of gifts! :D

Soon after, I got a call from Amanda, a new friend who lives with Lindsey, who I roomed with just over a year ago. New friends are definitely a good thing to have around your birthday! To be honest, I would not have been surprised if they forgot or anything, people do that all the time. I had hopes but not too many, because I didn't want to be disappointed.

And my goodness! I most definitely wasn't.

Amanda not only texted me happy birthday, but soon after she called me to invite me with her other friends to go to Sand Hollow! I almost said no but I'm SO GLAD I didn't. I took the leap and joined them- literally. I jumped off cliffs whilst there! Cliff jumping on my birthday!

Maybe up to 25 ft high? I have no idea, I don't do numbers. Worked my way up but finally jumped off the highest- screaming all the way dooooooooooown.

The sand/mud was a lovely desert red, and the water was so clear, I couldn't believe it. I think I read something about them having vents or something, you know, to keep it that warm. It had to have been 80 or something. But I loved it!

The Mitchell family joined us ladies out in the water for a bit, before we headed over to their house to rinse off. There we got to see just how sunburned we were [quite a bit! haha]. We showered off, got Hawaiian flavored snow cones [pina colada, YUM], and finally ventured away.

We went and got mongolian BBQ for dinner. Stir fry style- you shove as much as possible into a bowl of your choosing, watch them stir fry on their big thing [almost a show, really], then sit down and enjoy! I bought the smallest, but it fit me for about four servings that I took home and enjoyed over the weekend. So delicious!

My left overs with the last of my apple juice and my chopsticks from Japan :) Or was it China...? Somewhere in Epcot in Disney World, haha... but still. It was lovely!

We finally ventured home and they dropped me off for the evening. By then it was getting a little dark, about 8 or 9, I don't really remember. I sat down with a good movie, most likely The Little Mermaid, and then i went to bed!

AND that was my birthday. I never got on the computer to see if anyone told me happy birthday since i had no internet at my place yet, I have to go to the library which is on short summer hours, you know? But it was nice, a very fun birthday indeed!

Happy Birthday To ME!

It's my birthday!
Well, almost.
TOMORROW! Who knew? It kind of just popped up. But that's what happens when you're born in the summer. It comes sort of suddenly.

You know, I feel like my red hair is part of the reason I was born in the summer. Red just fits the summer doesn't it? I don't look good in the color but the chopped up mop on my head looks decent there, eh?

Anyways, yeah I need to work on updating, I know. I'll try do it weekly or something. I don't know. Updates: Family Reunion. Flu/Food Poisoning [can't figure out which]. Moving to Cedar. Alone!

Not really my own place- Katie will be moving in the next few weeks. But I found us a little place to live right next to campus. It's noisy with the windows open but I hate turning on the A/C so the noise makes me feel... less alone, maybe? Oh, and I already hate college. GWC was fun because it was simple. But I don't do things complicated. I do storylines and ideas that are fun with all these strings but this is real-world-complicated which quite frankly, does NOT settle well with me.

Anyways! As an upper, I went by the thrift shop and found something I knew I'd like. TA-DA!

Total spent: $1.25

Oh I do enjoy a good deal! Granted, I do not own an LP record player or anything- yet. But one of these days when I'm famous and rich, I'll have one and I will love it very much with my lovely records. And hey, if you know me well enough, you'll know why I'm so happy with these-

I'm much a cat person. [Though I really do love dogs as well. Go fur!]

Musicals! Broadway! And of Shakespeare origination so how can I not love WSS?

Frank Sinatra is beautiful and fabulous. If you don't know him, you better start now

Mary Poppins- British, witty, creative, and quite eccentric! My dream :)

-I got one more, Snow White, though she didn't have a case, poor thing! She's hiding away with the kitties, because I thought she'd enjoy that ;)

We'll see what tomorrow brings. I may receive a package, for one, hopefully! And maybe even a friend or two in Cedar will come by and say hi, at the very least. Wouldn't that be nice? I've come to accept that I handle being alone a little too well. But really, no one should be this alone on their birthday. Thinking I'll go to Smith's and get me some yummy ice cream, eh?

Ta- ta!

PS hey hey if anyone did have a record player.. ehm... and they're not using it... and it's not broken? We could make a deal! and c'mon, it's my birthday!!! ;)

Dinner's Ready

Music: 'Trust Us With Your Life' Improv Show

Okay, I know I have to get better at blogging. You'd think after years of writing, I'd have an idea how to write a basic blog, right? Apparently wrong.

Anyways, I'm in the middle of this tug-of-war to get an apartment. I said I'd take it, I could convince my friend, but then he was like "yeah well if you don't have enough people then I'm giving it to these six guys because that's a better deal, there will be six, blah blah blah" after he's already promised at least half of his rooms to girls.
Just imagine an anvil falling. I do.

ANYWAYS so I just wanted to make a quick, sort of late post, about DINNER. I'm supposed to make dinner at my house every Wednesday, we all have a day to make [or destroy] dinner. And if you know me at all, you know I can sometimes make popcorn. Maybe bake the same chocolate chip cookies if I'm lucky. But I have not been able to make bread rise in over a year, and I even burn the pancakes on the stove. I kid you not.

So I attempted again and I succeeded! I make easy, delicious [it's all in the onions, I swear] sloppy joes! I actually tried them out when I first got home and with a lot of help [I had to make like half the recipe and so my mom told me everything haha], I made them yummy. That was the first time they were in our house in YEARS. I loved them as a kid, but we had one bad batch and I never ate them again.

But these were DELICIOUS

I even managed to make a basic salad.

And french fries!

^Those are easy as all get out. You cut potatoes, rub them with some oil, spray a pan and dump them on there and sprinkle salt or seasoning if you'd like. Put them in at 400 or 450, whatever you like, and wait about 20 or so minutes until you decide they're done. Ta da!


On another note, I went to the County Fair for fun on  my last day of working there. We brought my cousin, Alyssa, my brothers, their friend Hunter, and Jordyn's boyfriend, Edie. While Jordyn and I worked, they... well, I'll be nice and not tell them the stupid things they did without us there to stop them. :D
I'll just show you a picture of my drink!

A butterbeer! Not quite as good as the frozen ones in Universal Orlando, but hey, it was half the price and still tasty! We ran our hands in some hot tubs, tried some swings, embraced massage pillows and tried fried oreos! [Not really that impressive, unfortunately] Then the day was done and we went home to crash after a long, fun day in the sun.

Now, I'm dusting all of our fake plants at home for money. This is how desperate I seem to have come. Just thought I would share. Booyah.