The Most Magical Place on Earth!

This past spring, I went with a group of friends to Disney World in Orlando (yes, all these friends were over the age of 8). Going to Disney as an adult was something I hadn't done before, and I was excited to get there and re-live the magic of Disney.

You observe diferent things in Disney as an adult. We zipped back and forth from ride to ride collecting "fast passes" (they allow you to come back later rather than wait for hours on end to ride), while weaving through the masses of strollers, characters, and small children. We also kept an eye out for "leash children," a common site in Disney, as well as kids throwing massive temper tantrums (take a regular toddler/small child, throw in a huge sugary lollipop, souvenir toys for sale galore, a little heat, long lines, and a lot of walking and you get monumental temper tantrums!).

Another aspect of Disney that we enjoyed as adults were the adult beverages, namely the beers from around the "world" in Epcot (or in my case specifically the mango margaritas in "Mexico"). Each day, regardless of what park we spent our day in, we ended it in Epcot, wandering around, having some drinks and enjoying the various countries' atmospheres and food.

There are, however, some things that don't change in Disney, regardless of age. I'll start with the bad ones: the long lines, the cramped walking spaces, the heat, the strollers that are waiting to trip you at each and every turn, the endless walking, and the often-times outrageously high prices on everything from a tiny Mickey keychain to a bottled water. Now for the good things: the overly-friendly staff, who called the girls on the trip "princess" even though we were all obviously older, the over-the-top scenery and rides that have the ability to make you feel as if you are in another world, and the feeling you get that magic may just exist after all.

We had such a good time and I really hope I can go back soon. Disney is without a doubt one of the best vacations at any age, and even if you're an adult, you get to be a kid again.

Motherhood!

I've always known at some point I'd become a mom. I love kids and enjoy watching young mothers with their children. A few weeks ago, my fiance proposed (that story in a later post) and bought us a puppy, and I became a mom for the first time!

Ok, ok, I know that having a puppy isn't really like having a human baby, but it's the closest I've come and in a lot of ways I think it's probably good training! Doc Henderson Ladner is a beautiful golden retriever puppy, now ten and half weeks old. Our first meeting was on the beach at Henderson Point on the night I got engaged, and it was love at first sight! I'd been told before that having a puppy is a lot of responsibility, but I don't think you really realize the truth behind statements like that until you experience it first-hand.

For the first two weeks with Doc, he woke up at least twice a night to be let out to potty. This involved taking him out of his crate (we are crate training him), finding his leash and treats, and getting him out the door, all around 2:30am. The second round of this occurred between 5:30-7:30am. He is now finally sleeping through the night and just getting up around 7:30!

He already knows how to "sit" and "down" (lay down)! He is so smart and just so beautiful. The only area I've really been struggling with is discipline! I love him so much it's hard for me to be firm with him when he does something bad! Besides, I always tell Austin that he's still just a baby! But I know that if we want a well-behaved and well-trained dog I should probably get better at this whole discipline thing. Hopefully this isn't telling for how I'll be when it comes to disciplining my children!

Anyways, just a short post on this new joy in my life. More to come about our engagement!

P.S. I will post some pics of Doc once I figure out how to do that on here ha!

Wake up and Smell the Roses

The newest season of "The Bachelorette" has begun, and like many others across America, I can't help but tune in every week to watch the sometimes painful and often-times gag-inducing interaction between Ashley and her suitors. Despite the criticism of the show and its participants, it's admittedly addicting to watch. What is it about this show that draws us in? Is it just entertaining reality TV? Or do we maybe relate to Ashley more than we are willing to admit?

We've all had instances of our best girl friends, sisters, and other female acquaintances continuing to see a guy despite the pain said guy may have caused them; admittedly, most of us have been that girl at some point or another. How many of us have comforted a crying friend while telling her she deserves so much better, all the while knowing that within a couple of days you'll watch her fall into the same toxic pattern?

The fact is, we all put ourselves through a lot in the pursuit of love. We've watched the women in our lives do the same. We've all felt humiliated and used at some point by some jerk. Maybe we don't do it in front of a national viewing audience, but my point is we've all done crazy things when it comes to relationships. That being said, it's hard for me to ridicule Ashley Hebert for her choices and actions on the show.

Putting yourself out there on reality television in order to look for love is probably not the best way to find it, but then again neither is what women often put themselves through in the real world. In conclusion, the pursuit of love often results in embarrassing, heartbreaking, tear-inducing moments, but we're willing to go through it in the hopes that in the end it's all worth it.

Feeling the Burn

As part of my "better me" campaign, I decided to rekindle my on-again off-again relationship with....working out! I've gotten into various work out routines over the years, none of which I've stuck with for more than a few months. I guess my main problem with working out is that it just plain sucks. I've never enjoyed sweating it out at the gym, and I envy those that do. Sure I may feel better afterwards, but that's a poor consolation when I'm doubled over with side stitches and counting the minutes until it's acceptable for me to leave. We all know the health benefits of cardio and pumping iron, not to mention that it's supposed to help us sleep better, feel better, etc, etc. I guess I just wish working to have a "slammin' bod" and plaque-free arteries wasn't so miserable in the meantime.

So if anyone knows the secret to looooving your workout, please fill me in :)

Great Expectations

We all have expectations of some sort for our lives. Most of us have thought, at one point or another, "My life will begin when (insert life-beginning event here)." The problem is, nothing ever turns out like we expect it to, despite our best efforts. If you're an obsessive-compulsive control-loving change-hating being like me, this isn't often handled well. Sometimes you have to go back to the drawing board, and throw away the List of things you've counted on for as long as you can remember as the qualifiers for the beginning of your "real" life. Because eventually, you will be faced with an indeterminate future, and no amount of traveling, partying, eating out, cocktail hours, photographs, and fabulous new jobs can distract you from the hard facts forever.

I hope by writing, or rather "blogging" about my new-found experiences and insights (however boring they may be) as an adult (eek!) will help me make sense of the craziness of it all, and be hopeful for a future where a list isn't necessary to remain happy. I've heard it said that we make our own happiness, and I hope this is true, because maybe happiness can be a choice, rather than a dependence on situations and people and money and places and material things.