You may be able to tell this from reading past posts, or just from knowing me, but family is really important to me. I wouldn't be who I am or where I am if it weren't for my family. I will always hold them closest to my heart, and would drop everything to be anywhere for them in an instant. Growing up you don't realize how lucky you are to see these amazing people every single day. And growing up I wished I didn't have to sometimes. Looking back I hate to admit that, but I'm not going to pretend every day was carrot cake and pool fun. Everyone has growing pains. But I see so clearly how fortunate I am now that I wake up everyday without any option of seeing them. Photos help. Facetime helps. Phone calls help. But it's never the same. We will never be 5 people living under the same roof again. And although I'm very okay with that, I do fully see the unique opportunity growing up gave us.
People often talk about their "work family" or their "friends as family" or common with CRPs and CPs, their "Florida Family." We grow and move and change and create these bonds with people who are incredible and wonderful and we form very close friendships. I am lucky enough to have created friendships and met people dear enough to include me in these 'families,' especially being so far from my own.
I work with some absolutely beautiful people, with huge hearts and goals, ambitions and smiles. We have a wonderful time together, and it's good, because we also spend a ridiculous amount of time together. We spend so much time working that we almost have two lives, our work life and our home life. I spend more time with my colleagues than I do with my boyfriend, or my friends, combined. I know that's the way of the world, but isn't it interesting? You spend all this time with these people, day after day, week after week - all so that you can have a little extra time and money to spend with the ones you love. The ones you choose to spend your time with. I'm lucky that those I'm designated to spend time with are great. I know everyone isn't that lucky.
Florida is full of transplanted people. Not many people I know are originally from Florida; therefore lucky enough to have their families down here as well. Due to this, many friends circles turn into a Florida family - the people who are there for you down here. I have some friendships that I depend on a lot, and I am so thankful for. I can't believe the luck in finding these other people who understand me and love me just the quirky way I am.
Francel is one of the few to be a Floridian, and although his whole family isn't here now, they do get the chance to be together more often. The love in his family radiates off all of them. Nothing makes Francel happier than getting to hang out with his family. And I completely understand why. They have the strongest bond, the greatest time together and are all in love with each other, all so proud of each other, and always there for each other. I've been blessed to be welcomed by this incredible family and I know how lucky it is to love your boyfriend's parents. There is no way you couldn't love Francel's Mom - her joy for life is contagious. There are no words for how amazing it feels to be a part of this family.
Then there is our family. Our family of two. The beginning, the nucleus of a new family. One surrounded in the love of all these other families, growing closer and stronger, laying down roots for our future.
I miss my family. I'm sure that's abundantly clear. Everyday I know that I'm missing Clo and James growing bigger, or Carrie's latest vegan recipe. I'm missing ice cream with Grandma and wine with Grandpa. I'm missing life lessons with Gar and Kim and playing with the dogs with Dad. I miss everything about my Mum.
What it comes down to is working everyday to make missing all those things, worth it. Its pursuing my dreams. Getting up after every misstep. It's knowing that my family, all of my families, support me in making everything I've ever hoped for come true. It's in making the right decision, not the easy decisions. And working hard. every. single. day.
I know not everyone has the best relationships with their families, I haven't always. But I do know how lucky, how blessed, how special it is, to have the love and support of such incredible people.
I am so grateful for all of my families, for all of the people who take a piece of their hearts to care about me. Thank you. I love you.
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Friday, October 4, 2013
Monday, April 29, 2013
Kindness & Excitement
Since my last post about media sensationalism was a little heavy, this post is a lot more happy! Especially because I JUST finished my LAST EXAM!!! How exciting is that?! I just finished my first full year at university in the states. It was a long road to get here and without sounding full of myself, I'm pretty proud of the fact that I set a huge goal and with the help of lots of amazing people, am well on my way to accomplishing it!
I had a heavy heart last week. Since last weekend, I have been overwhelmed with generosity and love; both for myself and for others. It started with a beautiful article I read about a Disney Cast member(s) who went above and beyond to create an amazing experience for some sweet girls who had to experience a horrible tragedy. You can read it here:
Boston Marathon, Sandy Hook & the 3:00 o'clock Parade
It makes you believe in the good. The good that fills this world and will always continue to be there. There is a lot of sad and a lot of bad, but there is so much good that we cannot let ourselves lose sight of. There is also this Youtube video that I absolutely love:
Restore your Faith in Humanity
This weekend I got to see the Director of the Mahima Care Home talk about what they do, what it's like, and the difference it is making. The Mahima Care Home is a Kolkata-based girl rescue and rehabilitation home that addresses the grave injustice of sexual slavery, by providing a safe home for girls who have been rescued from the sex trade. This lady actually goes into the establishments with a team and the police and take young girls out of the sex trade and provide a place for them to live, be loved, be educated and feel safe. It was really inspiring to hear and it makes you believe there are people being the change in the world.
One of my friends accomplished something very important to her and super exciting, and we had a little get together to celebrate! You could tell how excited and happy she was, something I haven't seen in a while, and it was really great.
Personally I've been showered with love as well. I strolled into work last week, getting set up, looking for things in draws and turn around to all my co-workers with red and white balloons and a birthday cake!! They all sang and we had cake and I just couldn't believe it! I was so surprised!!
Two of my favourite ladies sent me packages in the mail, making me feel the love from 3000 miles away. I haven't opened them yet though. I also got a package from my parents! So fun!
I got to see my niece gallop like a horse around her new house, flutter like a butterfly, attempt to give me a house tour which was a lot of spinning and chin shots, and hear her say "Katie" over and over in the most amazing voice ever. Hearing your name said by a little munchkin that you love? AMAZING. There is little that can outdo the videos and pictures I've gotten of Clo lately. She can carry on conversations! and runs around in her adorable little outfits. Told me all about bumping her head. She's so logical and has the most mischievous, glorious laugh that you can't help but smile about. Even though the laugh came after a little hair pulling... She's incredible.
Two of my dear friends in Florida have been planning a birthday celebration for me on Friday and Saturday, and last week they let it slip what we're doing. We're going to be staying at the Grand Floridian CLUB LEVEL! I can't even believe it. I'm still in shock and still can't wrap my mind around it. Then on Saturday we're going for Tea which I'm SO excited for! Saturday night my boyfriend takes over for dinner :) How incredible? I'm in shock.
But it keeps going, because Sunday is when we leave for Miami, and Monday is our cruise! (Still can't believe that one either!!!!) AND Disney announced both Disneyland and California Adventure are going to be open for 24 hours while we're there!!! SO I will have been able to spend 24 hours straight in both Magic Kingdom & Disneyland if I can convince Francel... Epic Disney Geek status. :D
How can your heart not be overflowing when you are ambushed with so much love from so many places? I will mention that in there also Francel and I went to a movie. After the movie I really wanted Menchie's. It's frozen yougurt where you get to add your own toppings and they have lots of yummy flavours. I didn't want to recommend it though. Francel opened my car door (how cute is that? Such a gentleman :) ) and then as he was walking to his side of the car I said to myself "ice cream ice cream ice cream." When he got in his side he looked at me and said, 'do you want to get some ice cream?" I was in SHOCK! There is no way he heard me because i said it inside my head (and he was outside of the car ;) ). I thought he was going to want cold stone, which is good, but super ICE CREAM whereas Menchie's is more froyo. And what did he suggest? MENCHIES! So happy. lol. I told him I'd been thinking about it and he said he just kind of got a craving while getting in the car. EPIC. Ask and you shall receive?
Overall it's been an amazing week, I haven't even hit everything. I attended a 40th birthday party where I only knew the birthday boy and his husband and one other person who left before me, and everyone was so nice and so inclusive! They asked all about school and work and were genuinely excited when I told them about my concierge job. I LOVE friendly strangers! It was such a great afternoon. I also officially finished moving in to my new place, with the help of an amazing friend.
So you can see how one week can make a huge difference. The end of the semester relieves a lot of stress, and the overwhelming power of love has really left me nearly speechless this week. Sometimes it's hard to not get caught up in all the hardship, in the ever changing visa information, the tragedies in the world, and the friends who weren't worth it. However, if you just stop for a moment, you can see the love. It's all around us. It's on the internet, it's in the last 5 minutes of the news, its on the faces of strangers and its in the incredible people who you surround yourself with. Life is good. Especially today :)
I had a heavy heart last week. Since last weekend, I have been overwhelmed with generosity and love; both for myself and for others. It started with a beautiful article I read about a Disney Cast member(s) who went above and beyond to create an amazing experience for some sweet girls who had to experience a horrible tragedy. You can read it here:
Boston Marathon, Sandy Hook & the 3:00 o'clock Parade
It makes you believe in the good. The good that fills this world and will always continue to be there. There is a lot of sad and a lot of bad, but there is so much good that we cannot let ourselves lose sight of. There is also this Youtube video that I absolutely love:
Restore your Faith in Humanity
This weekend I got to see the Director of the Mahima Care Home talk about what they do, what it's like, and the difference it is making. The Mahima Care Home is a Kolkata-based girl rescue and rehabilitation home that addresses the grave injustice of sexual slavery, by providing a safe home for girls who have been rescued from the sex trade. This lady actually goes into the establishments with a team and the police and take young girls out of the sex trade and provide a place for them to live, be loved, be educated and feel safe. It was really inspiring to hear and it makes you believe there are people being the change in the world.
One of my friends accomplished something very important to her and super exciting, and we had a little get together to celebrate! You could tell how excited and happy she was, something I haven't seen in a while, and it was really great.
Personally I've been showered with love as well. I strolled into work last week, getting set up, looking for things in draws and turn around to all my co-workers with red and white balloons and a birthday cake!! They all sang and we had cake and I just couldn't believe it! I was so surprised!!
Two of my favourite ladies sent me packages in the mail, making me feel the love from 3000 miles away. I haven't opened them yet though. I also got a package from my parents! So fun!
I got to see my niece gallop like a horse around her new house, flutter like a butterfly, attempt to give me a house tour which was a lot of spinning and chin shots, and hear her say "Katie" over and over in the most amazing voice ever. Hearing your name said by a little munchkin that you love? AMAZING. There is little that can outdo the videos and pictures I've gotten of Clo lately. She can carry on conversations! and runs around in her adorable little outfits. Told me all about bumping her head. She's so logical and has the most mischievous, glorious laugh that you can't help but smile about. Even though the laugh came after a little hair pulling... She's incredible.
Two of my dear friends in Florida have been planning a birthday celebration for me on Friday and Saturday, and last week they let it slip what we're doing. We're going to be staying at the Grand Floridian CLUB LEVEL! I can't even believe it. I'm still in shock and still can't wrap my mind around it. Then on Saturday we're going for Tea which I'm SO excited for! Saturday night my boyfriend takes over for dinner :) How incredible? I'm in shock.
But it keeps going, because Sunday is when we leave for Miami, and Monday is our cruise! (Still can't believe that one either!!!!) AND Disney announced both Disneyland and California Adventure are going to be open for 24 hours while we're there!!! SO I will have been able to spend 24 hours straight in both Magic Kingdom & Disneyland if I can convince Francel... Epic Disney Geek status. :D
How can your heart not be overflowing when you are ambushed with so much love from so many places? I will mention that in there also Francel and I went to a movie. After the movie I really wanted Menchie's. It's frozen yougurt where you get to add your own toppings and they have lots of yummy flavours. I didn't want to recommend it though. Francel opened my car door (how cute is that? Such a gentleman :) ) and then as he was walking to his side of the car I said to myself "ice cream ice cream ice cream." When he got in his side he looked at me and said, 'do you want to get some ice cream?" I was in SHOCK! There is no way he heard me because i said it inside my head (and he was outside of the car ;) ). I thought he was going to want cold stone, which is good, but super ICE CREAM whereas Menchie's is more froyo. And what did he suggest? MENCHIES! So happy. lol. I told him I'd been thinking about it and he said he just kind of got a craving while getting in the car. EPIC. Ask and you shall receive?
Overall it's been an amazing week, I haven't even hit everything. I attended a 40th birthday party where I only knew the birthday boy and his husband and one other person who left before me, and everyone was so nice and so inclusive! They asked all about school and work and were genuinely excited when I told them about my concierge job. I LOVE friendly strangers! It was such a great afternoon. I also officially finished moving in to my new place, with the help of an amazing friend.
So you can see how one week can make a huge difference. The end of the semester relieves a lot of stress, and the overwhelming power of love has really left me nearly speechless this week. Sometimes it's hard to not get caught up in all the hardship, in the ever changing visa information, the tragedies in the world, and the friends who weren't worth it. However, if you just stop for a moment, you can see the love. It's all around us. It's on the internet, it's in the last 5 minutes of the news, its on the faces of strangers and its in the incredible people who you surround yourself with. Life is good. Especially today :)
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Crunch Time!
April! Can you believe it?? This month is going to be JAM PACKED with.... HOMEWORK. Yup, it's my last month of my semester and you know what that means. So many essays. So many projects. So many exams. It's as if the professors decide to throw all the assignments in the last month, just to make you really work for it before those evil exams. However once the month is over, May is going to be incredible. So it's nose to the grindstone knowing an incredible reward is waiting at the end.
It's also my last month as a 23 year old. I'm about to leave my early twenties and secure a spot in my mid twenties. That's just frightening. Life evaluation time!!!
...not right now. We'll leave the pondering of life for May when my mind isn't crammed full of guest service quilts, service blogs, theme park projects, english papers (so many murderers in that one!), lodging tests and all that good stuff.
This month will be a bit quite on the blog as I work hard on my school work, but expect some great things to follow. I'll keep you updated on the coolest trip ever, as well as the preparation and beginning of my College Program!!
I did get one step closer to my College Program today by meeting with my internship advisor. I had to get a letter from her saying the program will count as internships to give to my international student advisor so that it can be added to my visa.
Oh the joys of being foreign :)
I'm really excited though either way. My mind has been totally consumed with my family lately as well. There isn't an hour that passes that I don't miss them so immensely and wish I could be home. I know that they strongly support me and what I'm doing, but it's times like this that the 3000 miles separating us feels like so much more. I love you all so much!
Have a great day everyone! Stay positive! Stay focused! Stay Happy! And spread the love <3 nbsp="">
....this is my 200th post! Woooooo! A writer we'll make of me yet ;)
It's also my last month as a 23 year old. I'm about to leave my early twenties and secure a spot in my mid twenties. That's just frightening. Life evaluation time!!!
...not right now. We'll leave the pondering of life for May when my mind isn't crammed full of guest service quilts, service blogs, theme park projects, english papers (so many murderers in that one!), lodging tests and all that good stuff.
This month will be a bit quite on the blog as I work hard on my school work, but expect some great things to follow. I'll keep you updated on the coolest trip ever, as well as the preparation and beginning of my College Program!!
I did get one step closer to my College Program today by meeting with my internship advisor. I had to get a letter from her saying the program will count as internships to give to my international student advisor so that it can be added to my visa.
Oh the joys of being foreign :)
I'm really excited though either way. My mind has been totally consumed with my family lately as well. There isn't an hour that passes that I don't miss them so immensely and wish I could be home. I know that they strongly support me and what I'm doing, but it's times like this that the 3000 miles separating us feels like so much more. I love you all so much!
Have a great day everyone! Stay positive! Stay focused! Stay Happy! And spread the love <3 nbsp="">
....this is my 200th post! Woooooo! A writer we'll make of me yet ;)
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Happy
Happy Easter!!!!
Hope everyone gets a little time with their families today! Mines hundreds of miles away but right beside me in heart. Love you all!
Oh and check it out... The Easter bunny stopped at our house last night!
Hope everyone gets a little time with their families today! Mines hundreds of miles away but right beside me in heart. Love you all!
Oh and check it out... The Easter bunny stopped at our house last night!
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Childhood
I spent the morning wandering through the World of Disney looking for a gift for my niece who is turning two this week (yup, I'm that aunt. The always late one...). Instead of a present for Clo, I found a time warp. I hugged all the stuffed toys from when I was young, the huge Eeeyore I finally got when I became a server, the Tigger Carrie brought on pirates of the Caribbean that almost got splashed. The Flit and Meeko I got when I was 4 and set up in my bed every night. I loved my stuffed animals. I used to read them Bernstein Bear books when I was little, yup, even showed them the pictures. I thought that if I was surrounded by them at night no bad guys could get me.
Francel and I were talking about childhood toys the other day. He said he used to try and sneak up and catch them playing while he was gone. The imaginations we have are so huge, so creative and so endless. When you're a child you can create any story, game or situation imaginable and play it out with your friends and toys.
My parents never crushed my imagination. They never told me anything wasn't possible or even that Santa didn't actually go down the chimney (we didn't have a chimney, clearly it magically changed into a big fireplace when he needed). They fostered, encouraged and let us create everything and anything. I'm so incredibly thankful, much more now that I'm older and understand. I was based in reality but enabled to fly and dream.
If it weren't for my parents parenting, I would never be where I am or following my dreams. I wouldn't have the morals, the values, the deep respect for family and love, the smarts, the courage or the drive that make me who I am. Yes they sometimes whispered to each other that their 16 year old daughter should maybe want to do something other than work at Disney World, but they encouraged me to try. They never let me quit things I started, and taught me the importance of commitments. I had to fight tooth and nail to quit karate, and punished them with a year of singing lessons to get myself out of piano class.
There are things that will always make me think of my parents. Going through the hats in the Disney Store it reminds me of my father and the mad hatter shop in Disneyland in Fantasyland. Every trip we each got a hat. I'm sure it was somewhat based on sun safety, but I just loved getting to chose one! I have a range from purple princess hat to Mickey through the years and an amazing lion king one! My sister has the most adorable flower hat and my other sister rocked the Donald Duck. Who knew a hat could transport you back in time? I wonder when my parents started these traditions, if they knew the impact they would have years later.
I can't see anything Buzz Lightyear related without thinking about my Mum. She LOVES him. I had the coolest buzz toy when I was younger, but I swear she loved it even more than I did. And the ride? Forget it. No one loves shooting things on that ride more than she does! Oh, and fireworks? All my Mum.
It even extends to my Grandparents - Alice in Wonderland reminds me of my Grandma because it was one of the only rides she would go on when we were little, and I can't go on Big Thunder Mountain without thinking of my Grandpa. The announcement says to 'hold on to your hats and glasses because this heres the wildest ride in the wilderness.' My Grandpa had both, and I remember him grabbing onto both and me just giggling my little heart away.
I went into the shop looking for something for my niece, but ended up transported through my own childhood. Through the stuffed animals, the toys, the hats, the games. I was lucky enough to have one of the most blessed childhoods, and now that we're at the age where we're (aka Kim) having kids of our own (and maybe some really far away day me) I hope that we are able to create the same memories and experiences for our kids/nieces & nephews. I hope they look back one day and see how everything their parents did was to give them every possibility imaginable. My sister has started off our generation strong in the motherhood department, and it's so exciting to see where it will lead our little CloGlow!
Personally I can't wait to infiltrate their lives with so much Disney they won't know there is any other option.... Wahaha.
Francel and I were talking about childhood toys the other day. He said he used to try and sneak up and catch them playing while he was gone. The imaginations we have are so huge, so creative and so endless. When you're a child you can create any story, game or situation imaginable and play it out with your friends and toys.
My parents never crushed my imagination. They never told me anything wasn't possible or even that Santa didn't actually go down the chimney (we didn't have a chimney, clearly it magically changed into a big fireplace when he needed). They fostered, encouraged and let us create everything and anything. I'm so incredibly thankful, much more now that I'm older and understand. I was based in reality but enabled to fly and dream.
If it weren't for my parents parenting, I would never be where I am or following my dreams. I wouldn't have the morals, the values, the deep respect for family and love, the smarts, the courage or the drive that make me who I am. Yes they sometimes whispered to each other that their 16 year old daughter should maybe want to do something other than work at Disney World, but they encouraged me to try. They never let me quit things I started, and taught me the importance of commitments. I had to fight tooth and nail to quit karate, and punished them with a year of singing lessons to get myself out of piano class.
There are things that will always make me think of my parents. Going through the hats in the Disney Store it reminds me of my father and the mad hatter shop in Disneyland in Fantasyland. Every trip we each got a hat. I'm sure it was somewhat based on sun safety, but I just loved getting to chose one! I have a range from purple princess hat to Mickey through the years and an amazing lion king one! My sister has the most adorable flower hat and my other sister rocked the Donald Duck. Who knew a hat could transport you back in time? I wonder when my parents started these traditions, if they knew the impact they would have years later.
I can't see anything Buzz Lightyear related without thinking about my Mum. She LOVES him. I had the coolest buzz toy when I was younger, but I swear she loved it even more than I did. And the ride? Forget it. No one loves shooting things on that ride more than she does! Oh, and fireworks? All my Mum.
It even extends to my Grandparents - Alice in Wonderland reminds me of my Grandma because it was one of the only rides she would go on when we were little, and I can't go on Big Thunder Mountain without thinking of my Grandpa. The announcement says to 'hold on to your hats and glasses because this heres the wildest ride in the wilderness.' My Grandpa had both, and I remember him grabbing onto both and me just giggling my little heart away.
I went into the shop looking for something for my niece, but ended up transported through my own childhood. Through the stuffed animals, the toys, the hats, the games. I was lucky enough to have one of the most blessed childhoods, and now that we're at the age where we're (aka Kim) having kids of our own (and maybe some really far away day me) I hope that we are able to create the same memories and experiences for our kids/nieces & nephews. I hope they look back one day and see how everything their parents did was to give them every possibility imaginable. My sister has started off our generation strong in the motherhood department, and it's so exciting to see where it will lead our little CloGlow!
Personally I can't wait to infiltrate their lives with so much Disney they won't know there is any other option.... Wahaha.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Post Holidays
So I am horrible at catching up and I kind of don't like catching up because I just like to write whatever I want when the feeling hits. However I did have an amazingly epic New Years Eve that I would like to remember in writing.
I have the most incredible Grandparents in the world. Their love for one another is the most spectacular example I have ever experienced and I aspire to be as in love as they are after 55+ years of marriage. They also have an incredible love for their family. The caring, kind spirit they share is humbling. The way my Grandma lights up when I talk to her about Disney or school or whatever I'm doing really - it makes me feel so unbelievably good inside. It's as if she really cares about how many doombuggies are in the Haunted Mansion or what exactly they are doing with the newest expansion - and I know she does care because she loves Disney as well, but I also know part of it is that she cares about me and loves to see and encourage the passion to pour out of me about these things. The amount of times both my grandparents have told me to follow my heart and do what makes me happy and pursue my dreams - I couldn't do any of it without them. And I am so eternally grateful and thankful to have been blessed with them as my Grandparents.
You should hear what my Grandma is going to do to any boy who breaks my heart - watch out!!
I could go on for pages about how incredible my Grandparents are, however I started this post with another goal...to discuss New Years Eve. I emailed my Grandparents my best account of New Years and being the uninspired typist I am thought I would pull a couple segments from my email to share with everyone else. So Grandpa and Grandma, if you read this, I'm sorry it's about to get a bit repetitive!!
I have the most incredible Grandparents in the world. Their love for one another is the most spectacular example I have ever experienced and I aspire to be as in love as they are after 55+ years of marriage. They also have an incredible love for their family. The caring, kind spirit they share is humbling. The way my Grandma lights up when I talk to her about Disney or school or whatever I'm doing really - it makes me feel so unbelievably good inside. It's as if she really cares about how many doombuggies are in the Haunted Mansion or what exactly they are doing with the newest expansion - and I know she does care because she loves Disney as well, but I also know part of it is that she cares about me and loves to see and encourage the passion to pour out of me about these things. The amount of times both my grandparents have told me to follow my heart and do what makes me happy and pursue my dreams - I couldn't do any of it without them. And I am so eternally grateful and thankful to have been blessed with them as my Grandparents.
You should hear what my Grandma is going to do to any boy who breaks my heart - watch out!!
I could go on for pages about how incredible my Grandparents are, however I started this post with another goal...to discuss New Years Eve. I emailed my Grandparents my best account of New Years and being the uninspired typist I am thought I would pull a couple segments from my email to share with everyone else. So Grandpa and Grandma, if you read this, I'm sorry it's about to get a bit repetitive!!
New Years Eve was amazing! My boyfriend Francel planned out the whole day and completely spoiled me! I got to get my nails, hair and makeup done and then went to Epcot around 3. [The hairdresser was interesting to say the least!! She really liked going to haunted places and exploring and told me stories all about this old hospital for a disease they didn't have a cure for at the time and many patients passed away in. She had spent the night in it twice and had weird stories of people 'not there' in her photographs and hearing talking and such. Not what you usually expect to discuss with the hairdresser, but it was entertaining nonetheless.]
I spent a couple hours with my friend Rebecca who I hadn't seen since April and we went to a funny dance party in the american pavilion. The DJ was leading some pretty hilarious/ridiculous dance moves and we were laughing so much! Then Rebecca left to have dinner with her family and I met up with Francel and we changed into our outfits for dinner.
We walked around the world and took silly pictures in all the countries such as me in a sombrero in Mexico, and him wearing a Panda Bear hat in China and us both in berets in France - things like that. We had a blast! A few of the different countries had music and laser lights and fire that shot up to the beat of the music (China), it was pretty amazing!
Then we went to dinner at Le Cellier Steakhouse. It was a four course meal with my favourite wine! Francel loved it because for the courses that were only meat he got both! So he had a potted pork amuse busche, lobster bisque, scallops with caviar, filet mignon with HUGE prawns, steak tartar and a trio of desserts. I had a salad and a butternut squash ravioli (that was delicious) and pink champagne sorbet for dessert. (the perks of being a meat eater eh? hehe). Then we went outside and had special firework viewing for the midnight illuminations and New Years fireworks with Champagne! It was amazing!
They went through the countries as a countdown celebrating who had their new years first (for example They lit up Japan, and then played Japanese inspired music and set off fireworks behind their pavilion) and went through the countries until Canada, Mexico and the US were left. Then they did a big countdown with shooting star fireworks until midnight and then just lit up the entire sky! It was breathtaking!
We had such an incredible night, I've never had such an extravagant New Years Eve before!
[I also started school again and here is a bit of a run down of my first week of classes and what I'm taking:]
Last week was my first week of classes. I love them so far! I have theme park management with Ron Logan who was the Vice President of Disney Entertainment Worldwide and is a Disney legend with a window on Main Street (it's pretty much the highest Disney honour). He tells magnificent stories and clearly knows a ton about the business. The neatest thing I learned last week (relevant because fireworks have been on my mind) is that Disney has a patent on Airlaunch technology for fireworks. That most fireworks are launched by gun powder off the ground. Disney has technology where a computer chip is embedded in each firework. They airlaunch the firework and it won't ignite until a button is pressed on the computer. He said that the firework could fall back to the ground if it isn't activated by the computer and you could bounce it around and it wouldn't go off because the technology makes it so safe! This technology also allows them to launch fireworks sideways and that is how they do all their shooting star effect fireworks. I thought it was pretty neat.
I also am taking English 1102 which is the second half of the year of English it is mandatory to take. I have the same professor as first semester and she seems to like me and I understand her teaching style so it will be fine. The subject doesn't really excite me, but it has to be done. The main premise of the semester is an ongoing academic argument and inquiry where we will end up writing a 20 page paper for the end of the semester.
My next class is Guest Service Management and it seems pretty interesting! My professor is very eccentric but very smart. He has a ton of experience but many funny quirks. Efficiency and time management are extremely important to him, so much so that he said since he lives alone he sometimes eats his dinner at the grocery store instead of spending all the time getting home to have it. He has serviced in some extremely fine dining restaurants and has a doctorate in guest service. He is quite the entertainer and there is no way you can't take in what he is saying because he presents it in such a dynamic way. We are going to explore our leadership styles, our personality types and how that relates to service and that sort of thing in class as well so it should be interesting. I love guest service and creating experiences - all that stuff - so it is an exciting class to be in.
My last class is probably my favourite mainly because I feel like I'm waiting on every word the professor says because I want to take absolutely everything in. It's Lodging Management and the more I learn about it the more I feel like it's probably what I want to go into. My professor is originally from Holland but has worked in over 40 countries and was a corporate trainer for Intercontinental for many years. He was in the hotel business when it was booming - when brands were diversifying and a lot of interesting things were happening in the industry so his stories are wonderful. I feel like I can learn a ton from him and I'm very excited to.
So overall classes are going well. Of course it's only the beginning of the second week so if they weren't going well we would have a problem. :)
[Okay so we had an epic date day that first week as well. Bowling, mini-golf, yummy treats, fireworks. It's almost as if I live in the happiest place on earth***]
***I say almost because we all know the actual happiest place on earth is Disneyland, California. ;)
On my day off last week (Friday!) Francel and I had so much fun! We started the day bowling at the new bowling alley/restaurant at Downtown Disney called Splitsville! It's this huge two story, 30 lane bowling alley with bars and a restaurant. We bowled 4.5 games in an hour and a half for $20 total so it seemed like a good deal! He won by a lot overall but I did manage to win one game. Apparently he was in a bowling league when he was little, whereas we only had 5 pin bowling growing up so I think I did alright!
We then took a stroll around downtown disney looking in the shops and just people watching for a bit!
Then we competed again but this time at Mini golf! For Christmas Disney gives it's cast members a bunch of free or discounted activities an one of them was a couple rounds of mini golf. We went about a week ago as well and I won! I won this round too! (Thanks to your excellent teaching I'm sure Grandpa ;) ). The course was called Winter-Summerland so the first 18 were as if Santa and the elves went on vacation so the holes are all sand and surf boards. The second course was all snow castles and Frosty the Snowman, it was pretty cute!
Last week when we mini golfed it was Fantasia themed so there were dancing hippos and alligators, Sorcerer Mickey and bigs waves of water over the course, music started randomly - it was super neat!
After mini golf we shared some ice cream (it was the winning prize! mint chocolate chip with caramel sauce and whipped cream from Ghiradelli's! Did I mention our day off is also our cheat day on our healthy eating plan? hehe).
After ice cream we went home for a little bit, walked Francel's dog, and got ready for dinner! We went to California Grill for wine and cheese in the lounge. It was so much fun! It was really casual because we were just in the lounge so we shared a cheese plate (they have 5 cheeses with accompaniments) and they give you a sheet with a description of the cheeses so we were reading them and trying to pick out the 'flavour profiles' they describe. It was pretty funny - not always easy to pick up the floral hints in cheese. [California Grill is our favourite restaurant and it's going down for refurb until something crazy like September so we wanted to get in one last visit before the closure]
At 8 o'clock the Magic Kingdom has it's fireworks, and the California Grill happens to be on the 15th floor of the Contemporary Resort which is right beside Magic Kingdom. So we went out on the observation deck and watched the fireworks as they played the music!
Can you believe that was all the same day?! It was absolutely incredible!
Yup. We do fun things sometimes. Rereading that made me feel pretty charmed and lucky. Which I am. I am trying to learn to not stress out about situations that are out of my control - visa requirements, jobs, student loans etc. It just so happens all the big things are the ones that I can't control! And I love life planning. I like to know what i'll be doing over the next week, month, 6 months, year, 5 years, 10 years. I love plans. I don't always follow plans, but I've always had direction. Breathing easy about things I can't control is not something I'm used to. It's not something that comes easy and it's something I have to actively remind myself of each day. Little goals. I have an incredible support system and I am very thankful for having them.
In all honesty, It's been a little tough lately wishing my friends and family from home were here. Or i could somehow meld the two worlds together. I know everyone is just a phone call or text message or email away. But when I was sick last week I wanted my Mum so much, or when I was trying to figure out a situation I wanted nothing more than to grab a tea with my best friend and talk it over. Face to face contact is important. We all are able to pick up where we left off and have an incredible time together, which the holidays at home clearly proved once more. But I miss my girlfriends, I miss my family, I miss my puppies, I miss my mountains and oceans. Homesickness comes in varying waves over the times I'm away, and its been a rather strong tide lately.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Strength
"This life is what you make it. No matter what, you're going to mess up sometimes, it's a universal truth. But the good part is you get to decide how you're going to mess it up. Girls will be your friends - they'll act like it anyway. But just remember, some come, some go. The ones that stay with you through everything - they're your true best friends. Don't let go of them. Also remember, sisters make the best friends in the world. As for lovers, well, they'll come and go too. And babe, I hate to say it, most of them - actually pretty much all of them are going to break your heart, but you can't give up because if you give up, you'll never find your soul mate. You'll never find that half who makes you whole and that goes for everything. Just because you fail once, doesn't mean you're gonna fail at everything. Keep trying, hold on, and always, always, always believe in yourself, because if you don't, then who will, sweetie? So keep your head high, keep your chin up, and most importantly, keep smiling, because life's a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about.”
-Marilyn Monroe
You're going to get kicked in the teeth. You're going to fail. You're going to feel like there is no way all the dreams you've dreamt can come true. But when you fall seven times, you have to get up eight. It's not an easy life - nothing easy is ever worth it. If you follow a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere.
Everyone has a story, everyone has hard knocks and scars. We know what people have done, not what we've been through. You can't get through life unscathed. It's continuously moving forward, striving to make what you do worth something - your actions should mean something as you are giving an hour or a day of your life for them.
A truth that I find hard to realize is this one:
"Sometimes we need to stop analyzing the past, stop planning the future, stop figuring out precisely how we feel, stop deciding exactly what we want, and just see what happens."
I worry and I plan. I stress about what has happened, how I'm viewed, what I've done and what has been done to me. There are things I can barely speak of and things I speak of too often. At 23 I think I've been through a fair bit, yet as it says above, people can know you're story without knowing what's really happened. I imagine myself to others as a self assured, ambitious, outgoing, happy person trying to make her goals come true. To myself I'm ambitious, awkward, happy, and random. I live amongst the clouds where dreams are reality and everyone likes everyone and things will be okay. Then I rapidly tumble towards reality and fear the present, fear the future and fear the past will hold me back. I worry about money. I worry about not being as great as I hope. I worry about not accomplishing what I've set out to. I worry about giving up my dreams. I worry about new dreams replacing old ones and leaving me forever saying 'what if.' I worry about my external image and the self brand I'm creating. I worry about my appearance. I worry about the people I associate with and if I'm surrounding myself with those who will improve me or those who will hold me back. I worry about my family being so far away. I worry about my friends forgetting me or replacing me. I worry about my weight. I worry about my height. I worry about the amount of water I drink and if I've had enough nutrients and protein. I worry about my bones because I don't like dairy. I worry about the white lies to keep others from worrying. I worry I'll carry the chips from the past forever. I worry about who I love. I worry about their happiness. I worry about having my heart broken. I worry. I'm not good at taking things as they come. I need a plan for the day. A plan for the week. A plan for the month. A plan for the year. A plan for the next 5 years, and the 5 after that. A plan for my future.
I want to be honest. I want to radiate truth. But not the mean truth. The truth of happiness, kindness, treating others as you want to be treated and believing that everyone is good and means well. You can get trampled being this way - and I have - but in the end a life of openness and love is better than a life of bitterness and being closed off.
There will never be enough money. The day I'm as great as I think I can be, is the day I've stopped dreaming. I have faith in myself - a unbreakable though sometimes hidden faith. 'What ifs' will always be there - no matter what you choose. I want to live with intention and integrity - I actively think about being like Uncle Scrooge at the end of Scrooge. I may not have been perfect all my life, and I won't start being now, but I can always show kindness, and I can always care. Accepting how you look is part of accepting who you are. I'm still going to work out and eat healthy - but I can't change the fact that my nose looks like Kona's or that I have a birthmark oddly centered in the middle of my ankle or that I have a huge escalator scar on my right hand. Those things will always be there, and I'm going to be okay with it 93% of the time. Friends should never hold you back, friends should encourage you to be the best you can be, and not weigh you down or pull you away from what's important. I rather have a few incredible friends than a ton of acquaintances. If the people I think are my friends walk away from my life, then it just means their chapter is over, it doesn't mean the story we had together wasn't worth it. My family is full of the most amazing people - they have dreams and aspirations of their own. Even if I was in Vancouver or Comox, they all wouldn't be there because they are off chasing dreams as well. Life isn't stagnant and sometimes you just have to miss people. Missing someone means they have impacted your life in a positive way, and I rather miss them then not feel what they are and what they've done throughout my life. It just makes coming back together that much better.
Which leads me to this: the past is the past. I was hurt, I was cheated on, I had a lot taken away from me, I spiralled, I acted in a way and said things that I'm not proud of, I didn't respect myself. But that's then and this is now. It's all a part of growing up. Even the darkest things teach us a lesson. The greatest things in life can blossom out of the worst. Sometimes things have to fall apart, for better things to come together.
And they have.
Life isn't a game, it can't be won. It just has to be lead the best way you possibly can. Day by day. Plans are good, but pencilled in, because they are going to change. I'm not the girl I was 4 years ago, or 2 years ago or even last August when I returned to this sunshine paradise. I'm stronger, I'm wiser. Life takes strength. And I'm strong.
-Marilyn Monroe
You're going to get kicked in the teeth. You're going to fail. You're going to feel like there is no way all the dreams you've dreamt can come true. But when you fall seven times, you have to get up eight. It's not an easy life - nothing easy is ever worth it. If you follow a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere.
Everyone has a story, everyone has hard knocks and scars. We know what people have done, not what we've been through. You can't get through life unscathed. It's continuously moving forward, striving to make what you do worth something - your actions should mean something as you are giving an hour or a day of your life for them.
A truth that I find hard to realize is this one:
"Sometimes we need to stop analyzing the past, stop planning the future, stop figuring out precisely how we feel, stop deciding exactly what we want, and just see what happens."
I worry and I plan. I stress about what has happened, how I'm viewed, what I've done and what has been done to me. There are things I can barely speak of and things I speak of too often. At 23 I think I've been through a fair bit, yet as it says above, people can know you're story without knowing what's really happened. I imagine myself to others as a self assured, ambitious, outgoing, happy person trying to make her goals come true. To myself I'm ambitious, awkward, happy, and random. I live amongst the clouds where dreams are reality and everyone likes everyone and things will be okay. Then I rapidly tumble towards reality and fear the present, fear the future and fear the past will hold me back. I worry about money. I worry about not being as great as I hope. I worry about not accomplishing what I've set out to. I worry about giving up my dreams. I worry about new dreams replacing old ones and leaving me forever saying 'what if.' I worry about my external image and the self brand I'm creating. I worry about my appearance. I worry about the people I associate with and if I'm surrounding myself with those who will improve me or those who will hold me back. I worry about my family being so far away. I worry about my friends forgetting me or replacing me. I worry about my weight. I worry about my height. I worry about the amount of water I drink and if I've had enough nutrients and protein. I worry about my bones because I don't like dairy. I worry about the white lies to keep others from worrying. I worry I'll carry the chips from the past forever. I worry about who I love. I worry about their happiness. I worry about having my heart broken. I worry. I'm not good at taking things as they come. I need a plan for the day. A plan for the week. A plan for the month. A plan for the year. A plan for the next 5 years, and the 5 after that. A plan for my future.
I want to be honest. I want to radiate truth. But not the mean truth. The truth of happiness, kindness, treating others as you want to be treated and believing that everyone is good and means well. You can get trampled being this way - and I have - but in the end a life of openness and love is better than a life of bitterness and being closed off.
There will never be enough money. The day I'm as great as I think I can be, is the day I've stopped dreaming. I have faith in myself - a unbreakable though sometimes hidden faith. 'What ifs' will always be there - no matter what you choose. I want to live with intention and integrity - I actively think about being like Uncle Scrooge at the end of Scrooge. I may not have been perfect all my life, and I won't start being now, but I can always show kindness, and I can always care. Accepting how you look is part of accepting who you are. I'm still going to work out and eat healthy - but I can't change the fact that my nose looks like Kona's or that I have a birthmark oddly centered in the middle of my ankle or that I have a huge escalator scar on my right hand. Those things will always be there, and I'm going to be okay with it 93% of the time. Friends should never hold you back, friends should encourage you to be the best you can be, and not weigh you down or pull you away from what's important. I rather have a few incredible friends than a ton of acquaintances. If the people I think are my friends walk away from my life, then it just means their chapter is over, it doesn't mean the story we had together wasn't worth it. My family is full of the most amazing people - they have dreams and aspirations of their own. Even if I was in Vancouver or Comox, they all wouldn't be there because they are off chasing dreams as well. Life isn't stagnant and sometimes you just have to miss people. Missing someone means they have impacted your life in a positive way, and I rather miss them then not feel what they are and what they've done throughout my life. It just makes coming back together that much better.
Which leads me to this: the past is the past. I was hurt, I was cheated on, I had a lot taken away from me, I spiralled, I acted in a way and said things that I'm not proud of, I didn't respect myself. But that's then and this is now. It's all a part of growing up. Even the darkest things teach us a lesson. The greatest things in life can blossom out of the worst. Sometimes things have to fall apart, for better things to come together.
And they have.
Life isn't a game, it can't be won. It just has to be lead the best way you possibly can. Day by day. Plans are good, but pencilled in, because they are going to change. I'm not the girl I was 4 years ago, or 2 years ago or even last August when I returned to this sunshine paradise. I'm stronger, I'm wiser. Life takes strength. And I'm strong.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Quickie!
It is so bizarre seeing that countdown at 1 day!!! From the looks of facebook it seems a few of the other people I know of arriving the same day as me have already landed in Orlando and checked some things out. I'm currently in the airport waiting for my flight to Houston where I have a wee layover before flying to Orlando. All I can think about is how much I love my family. They are such incredibly amazing people and I'm going to miss them so much. Of course I'm excited for Disney and it still doesn't feel totally real that it's happening.
The last week has been a whirlwind of emotions, fun, laughter, love and wonderfulness.
Kim and Gareth's wedding was like a fairytale. The entire day was so full of love, excitement, happiness, dancing and fun. It was incredible. There aren't really words for how great the whole time was. I'm so incredibly happy for my sister and brother in law. Much more to come on this event
I have a feeling Gar's family isn't like all other brother-in-law's families. It doesn't feel like I've just gained a brother, it feels like I've gained a whole new addition to the family, cousins included. It was awesome getting to see my own cousins/aunts/uncles as well!! So much fun!!!
I haven't uploaded photos yet but will do when I get a chance.
I'm in the middle of moving to Disneyworld...who woulda thought ;)
The last week has been a whirlwind of emotions, fun, laughter, love and wonderfulness.
Kim and Gareth's wedding was like a fairytale. The entire day was so full of love, excitement, happiness, dancing and fun. It was incredible. There aren't really words for how great the whole time was. I'm so incredibly happy for my sister and brother in law. Much more to come on this event
I have a feeling Gar's family isn't like all other brother-in-law's families. It doesn't feel like I've just gained a brother, it feels like I've gained a whole new addition to the family, cousins included. It was awesome getting to see my own cousins/aunts/uncles as well!! So much fun!!!
I haven't uploaded photos yet but will do when I get a chance.
I'm in the middle of moving to Disneyworld...who woulda thought ;)
Monday, August 8, 2011
Home
I love home.
This isn't something I would have said when I was 16. Or probably anywhere between the ages of 12-18. My family? Yes. My house? Yes. But home, meaning Courtenay and the Comox Valley? Nope.
Why? Because growing up in a small town you always want to get out and explore. Everywhere you go someone knows you, your parents, your sisters (if you have highly talented incredible ones like mine) and they like to know what you're up to. As an angst ridden teenager I wasn't such a fan of being on everyone's radar constantly. I wasn't a fan of having to choose between staying home, going to a movie or partying in bushes, because that's pretty much all there was to do at night.
Don't get me wrong, I had a great time the majority of my teen years. I played pretty much every sport under the sun, captained basketball teams, ran student government, had the most amazing group of friends and did lots of fun things. However I still got that itch to get away and discover myself and the world outside the constraints of being Kim and Carrie's little sister, Kate the basketball player, Anne's daughter (my Mum honestly knows every single person ever) or any other such categories I fell into. As soon as I graduated high school I moved across the country to Kingston, Ontario for university.
I had always heard about Canadian winters with their 24/7 snow storms, 6 ft high snow banks and freezing so cold you never want to get out of bed weather. Then I lived one. It was dreadful. I really appreciated our hovering around zero degree winters where we really really wished for White Christmases but more often than not woke up to green grass (and one year a donkey sleeping in our front yard!!!!).
I thought living on a lake would be beautiful. And it was. However there were no waves, no mountain backdrops, it was pretty, but it wasn't an ocean. Call me spoiled (I would too) but I grew up a 7-10 minute walk from the ocean with vast mountain ranges in the background. Driving past it every day to school, sports and friend's houses, it seems like another obstacle having to go over bridges and all the way around the bay to get to the other side of town. But without it, when you're thousands of kilometres away throwing rocks in a grey lake, you really appreciate that ocean breeze, those scary big crabs, those barnacles that torn your feet apart as a child (I don't actually miss those), and the calmness that comes over you sitting by the sea.
After leaving university a year and a half later, I moved to Disney World in Orlando, Florida! No one knew me and I could create any persona for myself. Many of my friends did seem to recreate themselves down there, but I found myself having to continuously back track on stories to explain who the other people in them were or why I was where I was - and where exactly that was. I missed the small town effect of everyone knowing what Vanier is, where you go tubing, what Hornby and Denman are, the epicness of toga parties growing up, the differences and similarities between Cumberland, Black Creek, Merville, Comox, Royston, Union Bay etc are, and everything else related to home. Every short story or small quip became a dragged out explanation. Standing in a bar or pub and only knowing the one or two other people you came with when the place is full of hundreds of people can be super fun - it can also make you feel faceless in a crowd.
I thought making new friends from around the world would be amazing. And it is! I know people all across Canada and some of my greatest friends live on other continents. They are incredible friends and I am so very lucky to call them that, friends. This is probably not so much a leaving home thing, as much as a growing up thing, but when people enter your life in your 20s, you weren't there for their childhood or teens and vis versa. They don't know why October 18th is a bad day for you or why you use silly shorten words like 'strawbs' or 'sangy.' I love all of my friends, don't get me wrong, and I'm so excited to meet more new people that I will hopefully know for ever, but being home means those friends that don't need back stories, that know your family dynamics, the name of your dog and that you gave a speech on Disneyland in grade 10 English class.
I moved back to Muskoka, Ontario after leaving Florida and from there to Vancouver. I also lived in Alberta for a month when I was 18. You see, I've left home many many times. And Wednesday morning I will be leaving home again, for at least a year but more likely 4 or 5. And this brings me back to my original sentence.
I love home.
I love my house, I love my bedroom, I love my yard, I love my pool (spoiled alert again!), I love my cul-de-sac that we use to draw the most incredible chalk creations on and play road hockey. I love the flowers that line the streets through town and that at the end of 5th street (aka Main Street) there is the most magnificent view of the glacier (Queneesh!). I love the smell of the ocean, the farmer's market on Saturday mornings and how you can drive two minutes or walk 5 and be in the middle of a forest. I love the friendly way everyone you pass says Hi and how when someone asks how you are they really do want to hear an answer. I love the community feel, the festivals and markets, and that wherever you drive you almost always see deer! I love driving along the dyke and being able to count over 16 bald eagles within seconds. I love the friends I grew up with that know me so well and the hilarious conversations we have and the things we do and have done. I love my family so incredibly and fully. How many kids are lucky enough to have their grandparents move to their town when they're little and attend their performances, sporting events and graduation? I love my parents and sisters who inspire me everyday and have always been there for me. I love Goose Spit, Saratoga and Gartley. I love Edible Island and the movement for all things local lately. I love that there is a Bicycle Farm tour! I love that you can sit in the back yard and look up at the stars with no big lights to detract from the brilliance above.
It's a tough place to leave these days. I never really appreciated home until I left it. Throughout the past four years more and more I've discovered how much I treasure home. Sometimes when my visits extend a little too long there are still things that erk me about the place, but whenever it's time to leave, it's often too soon. My love for BC Ferries extends to the fact that when taking them it often means I'm almost home. When going through town there are so many places that bring back a wave of memories - both good and bad - which have formed who I am today.
Yesterday I went out for brunch with a few of my friends who are still in or home to the Valley like me. It was hilarious and so much fun. These are the girls I was talking about when I said they know you so well you can say anything and they'll still love you. A lot of the conversation revolved around the heat which led to many many sweat jokes. The food was fabulous! The Atlas Cafe is a locally owned restaurant with incredible food, great service and fair prices. If you're ever in the Comox Valley check it out, and then find out what all those other things I mentioned are ;)
I feel so incredibly lucky and proud to be from Royston, which was a regional district (apparently it now just 'is') of Courtenay which is one of the two main towns that make up the Comox Valley (there are many little towns/districts).
To be super dorky here is a quote from the Valley Tourism website, which shows I'm not the only one who likes this place:
Bazinga! How's that for an introduction! To sum it up, it's a valley surrounded by pristine snow covered mountains and vast blue oceans (with whales!) filled with friendly locals, friends and family I love and the majority of places I formed my memories. How could I not love home?
Comox Valley - I'll miss you. There I said it. I love you and I'll miss you. Not just my house and family, but the whole darn place. I want to soak up every little bit of you that I can before I leave. That is the morning after tomorrow, bright and early. And I still have to pack.
I know. Last minute. However I do have all my clothes picked out, it's just the actual putting them in the suitcase, as well as all my electronics and other odds and ends. I also have to photocopy all my paperwork - weeee!
I am SO excited to move to Orlando. I am SO excited to meet new people and make friends! I am SO excited to discover new places and things to do. (Yes I am aware of the ocean/gulf in Florida, I frequent them as often as possible). My heart is split across the coasts - home and family on one side, my dreams and hopefully future on the other.
This isn't something I would have said when I was 16. Or probably anywhere between the ages of 12-18. My family? Yes. My house? Yes. But home, meaning Courtenay and the Comox Valley? Nope.
Why? Because growing up in a small town you always want to get out and explore. Everywhere you go someone knows you, your parents, your sisters (if you have highly talented incredible ones like mine) and they like to know what you're up to. As an angst ridden teenager I wasn't such a fan of being on everyone's radar constantly. I wasn't a fan of having to choose between staying home, going to a movie or partying in bushes, because that's pretty much all there was to do at night.
Don't get me wrong, I had a great time the majority of my teen years. I played pretty much every sport under the sun, captained basketball teams, ran student government, had the most amazing group of friends and did lots of fun things. However I still got that itch to get away and discover myself and the world outside the constraints of being Kim and Carrie's little sister, Kate the basketball player, Anne's daughter (my Mum honestly knows every single person ever) or any other such categories I fell into. As soon as I graduated high school I moved across the country to Kingston, Ontario for university.
I had always heard about Canadian winters with their 24/7 snow storms, 6 ft high snow banks and freezing so cold you never want to get out of bed weather. Then I lived one. It was dreadful. I really appreciated our hovering around zero degree winters where we really really wished for White Christmases but more often than not woke up to green grass (and one year a donkey sleeping in our front yard!!!!).
I thought living on a lake would be beautiful. And it was. However there were no waves, no mountain backdrops, it was pretty, but it wasn't an ocean. Call me spoiled (I would too) but I grew up a 7-10 minute walk from the ocean with vast mountain ranges in the background. Driving past it every day to school, sports and friend's houses, it seems like another obstacle having to go over bridges and all the way around the bay to get to the other side of town. But without it, when you're thousands of kilometres away throwing rocks in a grey lake, you really appreciate that ocean breeze, those scary big crabs, those barnacles that torn your feet apart as a child (I don't actually miss those), and the calmness that comes over you sitting by the sea.
After leaving university a year and a half later, I moved to Disney World in Orlando, Florida! No one knew me and I could create any persona for myself. Many of my friends did seem to recreate themselves down there, but I found myself having to continuously back track on stories to explain who the other people in them were or why I was where I was - and where exactly that was. I missed the small town effect of everyone knowing what Vanier is, where you go tubing, what Hornby and Denman are, the epicness of toga parties growing up, the differences and similarities between Cumberland, Black Creek, Merville, Comox, Royston, Union Bay etc are, and everything else related to home. Every short story or small quip became a dragged out explanation. Standing in a bar or pub and only knowing the one or two other people you came with when the place is full of hundreds of people can be super fun - it can also make you feel faceless in a crowd.
I thought making new friends from around the world would be amazing. And it is! I know people all across Canada and some of my greatest friends live on other continents. They are incredible friends and I am so very lucky to call them that, friends. This is probably not so much a leaving home thing, as much as a growing up thing, but when people enter your life in your 20s, you weren't there for their childhood or teens and vis versa. They don't know why October 18th is a bad day for you or why you use silly shorten words like 'strawbs' or 'sangy.' I love all of my friends, don't get me wrong, and I'm so excited to meet more new people that I will hopefully know for ever, but being home means those friends that don't need back stories, that know your family dynamics, the name of your dog and that you gave a speech on Disneyland in grade 10 English class.
I moved back to Muskoka, Ontario after leaving Florida and from there to Vancouver. I also lived in Alberta for a month when I was 18. You see, I've left home many many times. And Wednesday morning I will be leaving home again, for at least a year but more likely 4 or 5. And this brings me back to my original sentence.
I love home.
I love my house, I love my bedroom, I love my yard, I love my pool (spoiled alert again!), I love my cul-de-sac that we use to draw the most incredible chalk creations on and play road hockey. I love the flowers that line the streets through town and that at the end of 5th street (aka Main Street) there is the most magnificent view of the glacier (Queneesh!). I love the smell of the ocean, the farmer's market on Saturday mornings and how you can drive two minutes or walk 5 and be in the middle of a forest. I love the friendly way everyone you pass says Hi and how when someone asks how you are they really do want to hear an answer. I love the community feel, the festivals and markets, and that wherever you drive you almost always see deer! I love driving along the dyke and being able to count over 16 bald eagles within seconds. I love the friends I grew up with that know me so well and the hilarious conversations we have and the things we do and have done. I love my family so incredibly and fully. How many kids are lucky enough to have their grandparents move to their town when they're little and attend their performances, sporting events and graduation? I love my parents and sisters who inspire me everyday and have always been there for me. I love Goose Spit, Saratoga and Gartley. I love Edible Island and the movement for all things local lately. I love that there is a Bicycle Farm tour! I love that you can sit in the back yard and look up at the stars with no big lights to detract from the brilliance above.
It's a tough place to leave these days. I never really appreciated home until I left it. Throughout the past four years more and more I've discovered how much I treasure home. Sometimes when my visits extend a little too long there are still things that erk me about the place, but whenever it's time to leave, it's often too soon. My love for BC Ferries extends to the fact that when taking them it often means I'm almost home. When going through town there are so many places that bring back a wave of memories - both good and bad - which have formed who I am today.
Yesterday I went out for brunch with a few of my friends who are still in or home to the Valley like me. It was hilarious and so much fun. These are the girls I was talking about when I said they know you so well you can say anything and they'll still love you. A lot of the conversation revolved around the heat which led to many many sweat jokes. The food was fabulous! The Atlas Cafe is a locally owned restaurant with incredible food, great service and fair prices. If you're ever in the Comox Valley check it out, and then find out what all those other things I mentioned are ;)
I feel so incredibly lucky and proud to be from Royston, which was a regional district (apparently it now just 'is') of Courtenay which is one of the two main towns that make up the Comox Valley (there are many little towns/districts).
To be super dorky here is a quote from the Valley Tourism website, which shows I'm not the only one who likes this place:
There are places on Earth with an almost mythic capacity to draw us in, to inspire us, and to evoke a quality of spirit and creativity that becomes a part of us. The Comox Valley, on Vancouver Island British Columbia, is such a place where the sights, sounds and attractions convey - this is a destination like no other.With rich culinary bounty from land & sea, over 50 arts, music and sporting events & festivals a year, and stunning alpine to ocean resorts & spas; this place lends itself more easily to inspiration and exploration than others.It’s a place of supernatural beauty that offers rich cultural and outdoor experiences, and perhaps most importantly, it is a place for flat out fun...this is the Comox Valley.
Bazinga! How's that for an introduction! To sum it up, it's a valley surrounded by pristine snow covered mountains and vast blue oceans (with whales!) filled with friendly locals, friends and family I love and the majority of places I formed my memories. How could I not love home?
Comox Valley - I'll miss you. There I said it. I love you and I'll miss you. Not just my house and family, but the whole darn place. I want to soak up every little bit of you that I can before I leave. That is the morning after tomorrow, bright and early. And I still have to pack.
I know. Last minute. However I do have all my clothes picked out, it's just the actual putting them in the suitcase, as well as all my electronics and other odds and ends. I also have to photocopy all my paperwork - weeee!
I am SO excited to move to Orlando. I am SO excited to meet new people and make friends! I am SO excited to discover new places and things to do. (Yes I am aware of the ocean/gulf in Florida, I frequent them as often as possible). My heart is split across the coasts - home and family on one side, my dreams and hopefully future on the other.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
2 Weeks!!!
To be honest when I think of the term "2 weeks!" I think of Canadian Throw Ins at Disney. If you've been there before you know what I'm talking about. If you haven't you should hope someone in your arrival group isn't single. haha.
I actually leave in just under 2 weeks!! 2 weeks from now I will be at my apartment in the Commons or Patterson, probably unpacking! So crazy! My flight actually leaves Monday evening (wooooo Red Eyes!) and I need to start packing!
I'm leaving home next Wednesday morning to head to Vancouver for my sister's wedding! I can't believe it's finally here! I'm so excited for them and know that they are absolutely right for one another. Lately I've been trying to write my speech for their wedding, and although lots of jokes were made along the way, (Growing up Kim was 6 years older than me, she still is! I thought this was absolutely hilarious and we laughed for a longggg time about it, mainly because it is something that I would just say without thinking. Whooops!) in the end I'm just so honoured to be a part of the day. I'm also super nervous. Giving speeches really freaks me out, and if I'm following the speech giving tips, I'm not allowed to get drunk first! Maybe one or two to calm the nerves though eh ;)
This last week at home also has me thinking a lot about my family. They are so unbelievable. The more I go out into the world, the more I see that not everyone has the close knit relationship with their family that I do. I know sometimes I get insanely corny and sappy, but I'm going to miss them so much!
I'm also going to miss my friends here. I do have many friends all over the globe it seems and I love them of course, but my friends that I've grown up with have a special little nook in my heart. They got to live through my awkward phase with me! (and still are ;) ). I love love love these girls and it's going to be such a long time before I see their beautiful faces again! As we grow up and move out into our different ends of the earth it's not always easy to stay in touch and keep up with everything going. Two of my closest friends have long term boyfriends I've never met and I wouldn't be surprised if they both marry them one day. I hate to say it, but thank goodness for Facebook, the internet and email - it makes staying connected a little bit easier. Flying or driving to Orlando to visit me also helps :D
Speaking of visitors! Man o Man! It seems like every other day someone new is telling me they booked a flight to Orlando! Cale is the first visitor, (he was in my arrival group on my first program!!) he arrives September 4th, then Matt and his girlfriend, then Jill, then Emma, then hopefully Maria. All in a row. I know I'm forgetting someone too! haha And then everyone in the next year! It's nice with the old cast members coming down they know other friends there as well so it's not as stressy making sure I have days off to hang out. I'm so excited for Emma's visit because I haven't seen her since March 2009 and she's coming all the way from Australia! The only problem is it's within my first 90 days so technically I can't book days off! I'm hoping it'll be somewhat like last time where you're able to switch shifts a bit. Plus Emma is so bubbly and fantastic after meeting some friends once she'll be able to hang out with them while I work no problem! haha.
I can't believe it's almost here!!!
I actually leave in just under 2 weeks!! 2 weeks from now I will be at my apartment in the Commons or Patterson, probably unpacking! So crazy! My flight actually leaves Monday evening (wooooo Red Eyes!) and I need to start packing!
I'm leaving home next Wednesday morning to head to Vancouver for my sister's wedding! I can't believe it's finally here! I'm so excited for them and know that they are absolutely right for one another. Lately I've been trying to write my speech for their wedding, and although lots of jokes were made along the way, (Growing up Kim was 6 years older than me, she still is! I thought this was absolutely hilarious and we laughed for a longggg time about it, mainly because it is something that I would just say without thinking. Whooops!) in the end I'm just so honoured to be a part of the day. I'm also super nervous. Giving speeches really freaks me out, and if I'm following the speech giving tips, I'm not allowed to get drunk first! Maybe one or two to calm the nerves though eh ;)
This last week at home also has me thinking a lot about my family. They are so unbelievable. The more I go out into the world, the more I see that not everyone has the close knit relationship with their family that I do. I know sometimes I get insanely corny and sappy, but I'm going to miss them so much!
I'm also going to miss my friends here. I do have many friends all over the globe it seems and I love them of course, but my friends that I've grown up with have a special little nook in my heart. They got to live through my awkward phase with me! (and still are ;) ). I love love love these girls and it's going to be such a long time before I see their beautiful faces again! As we grow up and move out into our different ends of the earth it's not always easy to stay in touch and keep up with everything going. Two of my closest friends have long term boyfriends I've never met and I wouldn't be surprised if they both marry them one day. I hate to say it, but thank goodness for Facebook, the internet and email - it makes staying connected a little bit easier. Flying or driving to Orlando to visit me also helps :D
Speaking of visitors! Man o Man! It seems like every other day someone new is telling me they booked a flight to Orlando! Cale is the first visitor, (he was in my arrival group on my first program!!) he arrives September 4th, then Matt and his girlfriend, then Jill, then Emma, then hopefully Maria. All in a row. I know I'm forgetting someone too! haha And then everyone in the next year! It's nice with the old cast members coming down they know other friends there as well so it's not as stressy making sure I have days off to hang out. I'm so excited for Emma's visit because I haven't seen her since March 2009 and she's coming all the way from Australia! The only problem is it's within my first 90 days so technically I can't book days off! I'm hoping it'll be somewhat like last time where you're able to switch shifts a bit. Plus Emma is so bubbly and fantastic after meeting some friends once she'll be able to hang out with them while I work no problem! haha.
I can't believe it's almost here!!!
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Flight Booked!!!!
That's right, I finally booked my flight to Orlando!!!
Yes, I am currently in Orlando, and that may be why it took me so long to book my flight back down, because I sort of forgot I needed to until yesterday. I wanted to arrive midday on the 16th, so I leave Vancouver around 11pm on the 15th, have a lay over in Houston, and then arrive in Orlando around 11am! Perfecto! Last time I flew down for the program I got to fly down with Heather, who I had met at the interviews! This time it's all me by myself. Tamara, who is actually from Courtenay as well (well Comox, and we've never met!) is flying out a few hours earlier and arrives earlier in the morning I think, so we're perhaps going to try and do our Walmart shop together! Yes I know people on the program already, but I'm excited to meet my arrival group and do all the fun things at the beginning with them!!
It feels good to have my flights booked! Now just insurance, the visa arrival and the assessment fee! ....for the Program anyways!
The Canucks won last night (2 MORE!! - as if everyone didn't already know that!) and I got to skype both my sisters and brother in law, and my Parents and Grandparents!! If you don't have skype and are far away from your family/friends, or going to be, GET SKYPE! It's free and you can video which is so, so nice! It was a pretty fabulous evening, especially because I had been feeling a bit homesick/overwhelmed earlier in the day with decisions. I was missing my family a lot and then had about an hour long chat with my Grandma and she put me in the best mood ever! She has such an incredible knack for that! What a lady! I love her to bits!
I have a 615 workout and then 8am class tomorrow morning so I'm going to hopefully make it a pretty early Sunday night!! Hope all is well in your worlds as well, I almost start to feel selfish being so darn happy :)
Yes, I am currently in Orlando, and that may be why it took me so long to book my flight back down, because I sort of forgot I needed to until yesterday. I wanted to arrive midday on the 16th, so I leave Vancouver around 11pm on the 15th, have a lay over in Houston, and then arrive in Orlando around 11am! Perfecto! Last time I flew down for the program I got to fly down with Heather, who I had met at the interviews! This time it's all me by myself. Tamara, who is actually from Courtenay as well (well Comox, and we've never met!) is flying out a few hours earlier and arrives earlier in the morning I think, so we're perhaps going to try and do our Walmart shop together! Yes I know people on the program already, but I'm excited to meet my arrival group and do all the fun things at the beginning with them!!
It feels good to have my flights booked! Now just insurance, the visa arrival and the assessment fee! ....for the Program anyways!
7 Random Facts I learned from Ron Logan this Week:
- Ron Logan enjoys driving up beside those kinda sketchy cars with blasting hip hop beats, roll down his windows, and blast jazz. He said usually the guys laugh and give him a thumbs up
- Hitler as well as Mao's wife, use to put musicians in jail for not writing heroic music which is very brassy and strong sounding
- The baritone singer in the Voices of Liberty group in The American Adventure does many on the operations announcements on rides (ie: Please stay seated)
- Tokyo Rose was a broadcaster in Japan during World War II who tried to get American soldiers to pack up and go home by telling them it's what they wanted. She was later tried for treason.
- So much precision was put into Illuminations:Reflections of Earth that all Don Dorsey would go through the music and find one beat in one bar and change it from 3/4s to 4/4s so that it coincided perfectly with the fireworks
- The Globe in Illuminations was originally going to be 3 cranes (a mum, dad and child crane) but even after spending $3 million on them, they decided they didn't work well and trashed the idea
- It costs $15,000 per day to put on Illuminations, however it has been credited with $80 million in profit for Epcot!
- Bonus: Toni Braxton sings 'We Go On' in Illuminations, and the Show won "Most Spectacular Show in the World 5 years straight! (Including 2010!!)
- Double Bonus: The reason there is a countdown at the beginning of Illuminations is because Don Dorsey liked the countdown at Hockey Games! (when everyone slow claps, then it gets faster!)
I have a 615 workout and then 8am class tomorrow morning so I'm going to hopefully make it a pretty early Sunday night!! Hope all is well in your worlds as well, I almost start to feel selfish being so darn happy :)
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