Vacation Highlights! (Pictures)

Guess where I just was (again)! πŸ™‚

Cinderella Castle

I might be just a little bit obsessed.

Anyway, here are the major highlights (copied from my Disney blog):

+ Boat ride to Downtown Disney. It was beautiful.
+ Magic Kingdom Rope Drop.
+ Star Tours 3D. Holy crap is that ride awesome now!
+ Garden Grill. I think they outdid themselves this time. Everything was delicious, and as usual, the character interaction was top notch.
+ Kilimanjaro Safari. There were TONS of animals out!
+ A gorilla strutting out, squatting in front of all of us spectators, and proceeding to show us how he does #1 AND #2. Quite entertaining!
+ Festival of the Lion King. It was fantastic as always. And I was FINALLY in the giraffe section.
+ Dancing with Phineas and Ferb! The line to meet them was long and hot, but we were entertained! And when it was finally our turn? Rock on!
+ Seeing the Torch Lighting ceremony at the Polynesian. (I am determined to stay there someday. I love that place.)
+ Chocolate-covered marshmallows rolled in mini Reese’s Pieces. YUM.
+ Aidan and me finding reasons to laugh hysterically in the hotel room, probably driving poor Adam crazy.
+ Living With The Land. Always a neat ride, and we had an entire boat to ourselves.
+ PeopleMover. So relaxing. I’m always sad when it’s over.
+ The Memories castle show. OK, they could do without the pictures. Just show us the effects on the castle. So awesome!
+ Aidan falling in love with Pirates of the Caribbean.
+ Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (always awesome).
+ Surprising Aidan with a trip to the LEGO store in Downtown Disney.
+ Meeting nice people in line or on the bus.
+ Liberty Tree Tavern. Good food. Very busy, though.
+ Soarin’. Always a good time.
+ Weather. It was hot, but we had plenty of water and one of those spray fans. We were OK.
+ Watching Aidan enjoy Mission Space: Green, and Test Track.
+ I am not as obsessed with getting character photos anymore, so a little less standing in line for that. It made the characters we DID get more special.
+ Sitting in one of those little side streets off of Main Street and discovering a few secrets. πŸ™‚
+ No rain!
+ Seeing Space Mountain with all the lights on. WEIRD!
+ Naps in Hall of Presidents and Carousel of Progress. I KNOW, but believe me, I needed them!

It's Us! YAY We're Here! In the Animal Kingdom

Wishes Safari!

Us With the Boss! Epcot

Aidan's Yummy Dessert Catch Ya Down in New Orleans

Rockin' Out With Phineas and Ferb

Aidan is Hula Hooping and Clapping! Pretty Birds Aidan and Duffy

There’s plenty more where that came from, right here: [LINK]

‘Til next time! πŸ™‚

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Friday Five

FRIDAY FIVE: What Goes In (5)

It feels weird to have been home on a Friday for most of the day. Weird in a good way.

What goes into your coffee or tea?
I rarely drink coffee, and when I do, it’s a white chocolate raspberry mocha from Starbucks. I am a more frequent tea drinker, and I like to add a bit of honey and a lot of sugar or Splenda.

What goes into a good omelette?
I haven’t eaten many omelettes, but I’m going to go with ham, cheddar cheese, and spinach. NO onions or mushrooms, please.

What goes into your ears on a good morning?
Good music to get me happy and ready to face the day. Some Ginger Doss, SJ Tucker, or Girl Talk. Foster the People also.

What goes into a healthy but yummy lunch?
Turkey sammie on wheat, celery sticks, fresh fruit. Some sort of corn chip or those “popped” potato chips. Yummy.

What goes into a productive evening?
More hours for once. But… a workout, completed freelance work, a nice shower or bath, and some time to read and play on the computer for fun.

Vacation highlights and pix coming soon! πŸ™‚

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Sunday Stealing (4)

The YOU CAN’T BE MISSED MEME – Conclusion

46. Would you ever try to quit one of your addictions, or better said: Bad Habits?
I need to quit procrastinating. Will I try to quit it? Eh, maybe tomorrow.

47. Could you ever kill yourself to save someone else?
Yes. When Aidan was entering the world, there were complications. I was ready to die so he could live. But I prayed that I’d at least be around long enough to meet him.

48. Does it matter if break up with someone or have them dump you?
It sucks either way.

49. Would you rather have a turtle or a frog for a pet?
Turtle. They look so cool.

50. Would you rather spend a day with Lady Gaga or Miley Cyrus?
Hmm. That’s a hard one, I’d imagine spending time with either would be hectic.

51. Would you rather learn to play piano or guitar?
Piano is so pretty, but guitars are portable. Plus, there are at least three of those in my apartment, one of them mine. I really need to learn and play that thing. I REALLY want to learn the djembe, though.

52. We’re going back to the day. Where did you get your kicks?
Reading and books. And watching Mickey Mouse Club.

53. What Asian country would you like to visit the most? Why?
I think Japan or India. Japan because of all the kawaii. India because of the yoga.

54. Have you ever thought that a passer-by was the one (think James Blunt, here)?
*crickets*

55. Ever told someone that your fake jewelery was really real?
LOL no. I usually only wear real jewelry anyway.

56. Where are the worst public restrooms?
Babies R Us.

57. What song was the latest one that got overplayed really fast?
Firework by Katy Perry. I like a lot of her stuff, but that song annoys me.

58. What Friends (American TV show from the 90s) character are you most like?
None of them. I mean, hello, major lack of diversity on that show. To be honest, I don’t find myself in a lot of TV characters.

59. When’s the last time you had a Popsicle?
Too long. I should fix that. (I’m thinking last summer, actually.)

60. What TV show from way back would you love to see reappear?
Popular. That show was so funny. I feel like Glee is the poor man’s Popular…with music.

Thanks for reading!

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Break Time! (Pictures, Long)

I love the Friday nights of a three-day weekend because I still have the entire weekend ahead of me. Three days of freedom. Sweet. πŸ™‚

Life’s been pretty good lately. Those work weeks from hell are now in the past (there are more coming up but not for several weeks–we’ll let Future Ronni deal with that). I’ve discovered new music, met new cool people, and eaten a LOT of sushi! The weather is still acting way too wishy-washy. I wish it would break already. But fortunately, it’s been nice on the weekends and crappy during the work week, which is how I prefer it.

I’ve still been working out. These days, I alternate between yoga, the bike, and The Firm stability ball workout. I also toss in some New York City ballet and Denise Austin power kickboxing from time to time. I’ve also been lifting weights a bit. I’m thinking of getting and starting the 10-Minute Trainer. I work so many hours it’s sometimes hard to get motivated to work out when I get home. But I can spare ten minutes, right?

I’ve had the past two Tuesdays off from work, and they’ve both been amazing. On May 17th, I got up and did a great workout on the bike. Then I met with my Plurk friends Jon and Rho for brunch! We ate at Horizon Cafe, my favorite diner in Chicago. This is what I had:

Waffles!

Jealous, aren’t ya? πŸ™‚ After brunch, we came to our place and hung out, and of course, took pictures!

Hanging with J and Rho

It was so much fun hanging out with them. I didn’t want them to leave. We play all day every day on Plurk, but it was totally better when I got to talk to them in person.

After Adam and I dropped them off at their hotel, we headed out to Naperville to Anderson’s bookshop so I could meet Sarah Dessen again! I’d met her during the summer of 2009, but I was not going to pass up the chance to meet my favorite author again. I was #31 in line, and when I got to her, she looked at me and said “I totally know you. You always comment on my blog.” She gave me two hugs! Oh my God, y’all. As if my day wasn’t already awesome, right?

Sarah Dessen | Anderson's Bookshop Naperville Sarah Dessen | Anderson's Bookshop Naperville

Sarah Dessen | Anderson's Bookshop Naperville

Sarah is a great speaker. She’s very entertaining and down-to-earth and honest. I really enjoyed listening to her read from her newest book WHAT HAPPENED TO GOODBYE and having her share life tidbits with us. She’s very relatable and I think that’s what I like best about her. And of course, her books continue to be incredible. She really is an inspiration.

So, it was back to work for four days, then an evening with Jen, eating sushi and hanging out. I took her to her first kirtan, which she enjoyed. There was a kid there who was about 8 years old. He was clapping, singing and dancing, ALL WHILE HULA HOOPING. What! Yeah, that was pretty awesome. It was a great kirtan. I’m VERY much looking forward to Rich Logan’s Acoustikirtan on June 11th!

Jen came over again Sunday and we watched Twilight with RiffTrax. We need to make a date to watch New Moon with RiffTrax as well. Good times.

Crookshanks turned ten last weekend! Can you believe he is ten? And look how handsome he is:

Happy Birthday, Crookshanks!

I took this past Tuesday off because I wanted needed a break, and also because my s00j was in town! She was performing with two other tremendously talented women named Bekah Kelso and Ginger Doss at the Life Force Arts Center. The three of them together is known as The Traveling Fates and you guys, they are amazing. Their harmony is so tight you can bounce a dime off of it. I enjoyed every single song they sang. I could tell they were having a great time and enjoying singing together and singing for us. I ended buying both of Ginger’s CDs and the one Bekah had available, and I’ve been listening to them non-stop. I even made a “Traveling Fates” playlist in my iTunes at work, and will need to do so on my iPod. If you go to the Traveling Fates site (linked above), you can download a free compilation of some really great songs. DO IT.

But first, look at my pictures. πŸ™‚

s00j Ginger Doss Bekah
s00j Ginger Bekah

s00j, Me, Bekah
s00j, me, and Bekah. Watch out now!

Seriously, it was a great show, performed in a great space, and attended by great people. It was a very good night.

Dancing the Night Away

Oh, and I have to share the picture of the meal I had before the show.

Mixed Grill
Mixed Grill. I couldn’t decide on which kabob to get, so I got this one which was a sampler of sorts. Super yummy.

And just randomly… The lilacs are finally starting to bloom! YAY lilacs!

Lilacs!!!

Oh so today, I went to The Disney Store. The one in Block 37, on the corner of State and Washington, smells amazing when you walk inside. Today, I found out that they’re actually offering the scent, called IMAGINATION, for purchase. I got the home fragrance and the body lotion. So, not only can my apartment smell like Disney, but I CAN TOO.

You’re so jealous. Admit it. Hee hee. Just kidding. It does smell really good, though. Woodsy and fresh.

Randomly, my upstairs neighbor is blasting O.P.P. What.

That’s all for now. I will leave you with a quick Friday Five, then Imma be out.

FRIDAY FIVE: In The Mood (4)

What puts you in a creative mood?
Reading a really good book. Looking at pins on Pinterest. Good music. Movie scores.

What puts you in a silly mood?
I’m almost always in a silly mood. Also, playing with Aidan. And watching funny stuff on TV.

What puts you in a contemplative mood?
Vivid dreams. Feeling unsettled or unsatisfied or discontent.

What puts you in a competitive mood?
Not much these days.

If you’d call yourself a talkative person, what puts you in a quiet mood? If you’d call yourself a quiet person, what puts you in a talkative mood?
I’m probably in the middle. Bringing up a subject I am passionate about, like Aidan, books, writing, yoga will make me talk a lot and loudly, too. I get quiet when I am upset, puzzled, or tired.

And that’s all, folks. PEACE!

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