Day 1199: Looking Up

Before coming to college, I'm sure I heard time and time again that junior year would be the hardest, and the comments from the upperclassmen that have surrounded me since day one only perpetuated that thought...but I'm pretty sure I didn't believe theme. Now here I am, about to say exactly what they told me: junior year is the most difficult year of college.

On a fundamental level, you usually have some of your toughest classes, and you have more of them during your junior year than you probably do any other year (I took an average of 18-19 credits/semester my first two years, and an average of 22 my junior year). Suddenly you're not only involved in student orgs, but you're helping run them, and thanks to all the college debt you've racked up, you now have two jobs instead of just one. Meanwhile, you're looking to the future, and instead of doing your homework for those 22 credits of class, you sit in your bed pondering if you actually picked the right major or if all your hard work is about to amount to nothing pretty quickly. It's a constant struggle, wondering where all this time to get things done is supposed to come from, even if you know very well that a lot of it was taken up by watching Netflix.

My junior year has been a bit different, and it's definitely been more stressful than anticipated. At the moment, it's mostly about taking things day by day: making sure I get up on time, finishing the dishes before I go to bed, double checking to make sure that the meeting I thought I had doesn't actually exist, and so on and so forth. It's almost as though for months I've simply been floating through the semester like a ghost, and it's an odd feeling that certainly doesn't help keep the blog updated.

But things are looking up. After our housing fiasco at the beginning of 2016, we're excited to have secured the apartment we want not only for the next school year, but for the summer as well, and in addition, after days of extra emails, requests, and confusion, my class schedule for next fall is also finalized, meaning that I have very little to worry about in the upcoming days. Alright, so that's a lie.

The end of the semester is nearing, and with it, I'm growing extra close to my next Disney vacation and having to move...again...from one apartment to another. With that Disney vacation comes new videos that have to be ready to filmed while in Florida, and each of those requires writing and research. Then there's the fact that Everyday Disney is still seriously far behind, and trust me, it's on my mind more than you might think. My attempt to find balance in my life is a slow process, and while it's going somewhat well, my blogging definitely gets the short straw, per usual.

But today I had Mickey Waffles, and that makes up for everything.

Have a magical day!

Day 1179: Appointment at Noon

Welcome to Wisconsin, where it can officially be Spring and Easter can be in a couple of days, but there's a blizzard outside your window...again. 

To be fair, it wasn't that much of a blizzard, at least not by me. I've spent the majority of my "spring break" holed up in my apartment at college, mostly because the internet is better and it's drastically quieter than everywhere else. After spending a couple of days in the apartment alone, both my roommates popped in and we ended up riding out the storm together...if it can even really be called a storm by Wisconsin standards. It doesn't mean that those of us here aren't incredibly jealous of our friends off in Florida, but still. 

The nice thing about a snowstorm though? You don't have to go anywhere. You literally pretty much have to stay inside, or you can at least use it as an excuse to stay inside, which means you have plenty of time to work on everything that you've been procrastinating on for days...and time to make Mickey waffles. It occurred to me today that I post more pictures of sushi and Mickey Waffles than any other food though, so there's something to think about. 

In case you were wondering what a snowstorm in Wisconsin in March looks like, I've got you covered there too. I somehow remembered that taking a "before" picture might be a good idea, and since I like right on the river, things worked out pretty well for me: 

That picture represents exactly 24 hours folks. Like I said, welcome to Wisconsin. 

Have a magical day!

Day 1053: A Different College Campus

I talk all the time about how Disney pops up in my own life, but really Everyday Disney is about how the magic is a part of all of our lives. November 19 is, of course, the birthday of our favorite mouse, and it seems that another college in my area is all about celebrating Mickey! I woke up to a bunch of texts from my friend Ashley about how her college was making Mickey's birthday a big thing, and I asked her if I could share some of it here on the blog!

As you can see, Mickey was definitely the theme of the day at Marian University, and I'm so glad that Ashley was able to share these pictures with me so I could share them with you! How awesome is it that her college did this!?!

If YOU have a special reference to Disney in your life that you think fits with the idea of Everyday Disney, let me know! I'm working on the idea of some guest posts in 2016, so I'd love to hear how Disney has infiltrated your everyday life too! 

Have a magical day! 

(Note: This blog post was written on December 26).

Day 295: Mickey Talks!

Two years ago I went to the 2011 D23 Expo in Anaheim, and one of the things I got the chance to see there was the prototype for the talking Mickey Mouse. This really surprised me and I absolutely loved the idea. It always always always makes me sad to have to break the bad news to an excited Disney fan that the character won't talk back to them. I mean, for a long time the technology just hasn't been there, but it was still disappointing. In other words, I get why, it's just I always wished it had been different.

Well turns out that the time for different is now! Check out this video!

This was just published today and I could not be more excited about it. It's for the revised version of The Town Square Theater, the location where you can meet, you guessed it, Mickey Mouse. But it's not just the area that's been updated...it's Mickey himself. And he talks! RIGHT BACK TO YOU! 

Either A. I am finally getting over my Disney Depression (that would be great because it's been driving me INSANE) or B. I am just so obsessed with Disney that this is the coolest thing ever. Well, it is either way. I can't wait to see more of this technology within the parks because I think it's just wonderful, and hopefully when I head down to Florida next June I will have a chance to meet this "high tech version" of Mickey!

Here's today's Disney History: 1982: At Walt Disney World, the formal grand opening of EPCOT Center begins. To be held over the next three days, the official Future World dedication takes place on this day. 

Have a magical day!

Day 96: Mickey Waffles

I could have posted about this a couple of weeks ago when I was watching Star Wars and actually ate these, but I didn't really get around to it until now, and since there was a picture prompting me to write this on my Pinterest, now seems like a good time.

Mickey Waffles.

We've all had them, and if you haven't, you need to. They're almost as much of a simple of Disney food as the Turkey Leg or Dole Whip, but honestly, this is probably my personal favorite. They're served throughout Disney World (and Disneyland too I'm sure), and I have to say that I'll be actually eating one when I go to WDW in July...since I generally don't eat these on property.

But the reason I don't eat them on property is because I can eat them at home (so I save my money...and stomach room...for foods I can't eat at home!) I am lucky enough to have a Mickey Waffle Iron at home, meaning that any time I want, I can have these little beauties...

Oh yes, we eat them often. I'm pretty sure any time my friends sleep over we have Mickey Waffles for Breakfast...even if I'm not a breakfast eater. 

Now I want Mickey Waffles. 

Here's today's Disney History: 1947: Actor John Ratzenberger, Pixar's "good luck charm" is born in Bridgeport, Connecticut. All of Pixar Animation's feature films has included Ratzenberger's voice, such as Yeti in Monsters, Inc. and Hamm the Piggy Bank in all Toy Story features. According to director/screenwriter Andrew Stanton, Pixar actually has a rule stating that Ratzenberger must be in all Pixar films. His voice credits include Underminer in The Incredibles, Mack in Cars, Mustafa in Ratatouille, John in WALL-E and Construction Foreman Tom in Up.

Have a magical day!