Day 516: Emoji

You guys all know that I do love the internet, and that sometimes people send me Disney stuff to look at, most of which ends up right here on my blog, and this case is no exception.

Of all the things super popular right now in social media, one that seems to alternate between all of them is the emoji. They aren't new, that's for sure, because I can remember the little =) one we would put at the end of an email to a friend back when I was in about seventh or eighth grade. It's just that now, with our phones, things are getting a bit more complicated. And by complicated, I mean awesome.

It's fun to play with the different emojis out there, that's for sure. My best friend and I have codes sometimes for various things, and there are symbols that we directly relate to things like Disney or Once. My one issue? There's no giraffe eomji! WHY IS THERE NO GIRAFFE!?!

Either way, over the Hiatus, Megan sent me this article from the Huffington Post about guessing the Disney movie based on its Emoji summary. Of course I gave it a try right away, but before I tell you what I got, I'll give you a chance to try the quiz for yourself.

You can take the quiz HERE!

Of course, of the 9 different questions, I got all 9 correct. I think the one that tripped me up the most was Mulan, although I got seriously confused for a while by Snow White because I was like "Oh, Sleeping Curse! Sleeping Beauty!" because I completely forgot about the one in Snow White. You'd think I'd remember that one considering my favorite TV show is half based around the story of Snow. Oh well. Overall, I think I just want to play this again, but with less Emoji. This was seriously easy, so let's do fewer symbols and see if I can still figure it out. Because we all know I do love a challenge!!!

How'd you do on the quiz!?!

Have a magical day!

(This blog post was posted on July 17, 2014).

Day 515: Can't Pick Just One

Day 22 of the Disney Photo Challenge: A picture from your favorite Disney movie. 

Blast from the Past: 

If you have seen my other 100 Day Photo Challenge, you will know that I don't just have ONE favorite movie. I actually have so many I have to split it into categories. But as far as Disney movies go, that's only just over half. 

Star Wars isn't technically Disney, so that's out of the question right now, and the Non-Disney categories don't count. But we still have everything else. 

So here's the ist: 

Favorite Classic Disney Movie: Beauty & The Beast, Lady & The Tramp

Favorite Modern Disney Movie: The Lion King

Favorite Non-Animated Disney Movie Series: Pirates of the Caribbean

Favorite Pixar Movie: Cars

Favorite Pixar Series: Toy Story

And although there isn't a picture here, my favorite Princess move is Tangled. I just stole the picture from the other challenge cause I'm lazy and didn't feel like finding all the pictures again. 

I have more...but those are just the basics. And the funniest part about B&TB and L&TT is that L&TT is the 15th animated Disney Movie and 15 is my lucky number. B&TB is the 30th animated Disney movie, a multiple of 15. And they have very similar titles and storylines. I guess I just like the idea of the "Princess" Getting together with the Scoundrel. Or something like that. 

Back to the Future: 

Yeah...this one is still impossible to answer.

I actually gave a very detailed account of my Favorite Disney movies a long while ago, which you can find HERE, so I'll do something a little different.

As you may know (if you're not reading my blog completely in order), I've recently been working on rewatching all the Disney films, and a few of them really stuck out to me so far.

Bambi I think was the first that I really just stopped and watched instead of doing work at the same time because I just suddenly had this extreme appreciation for it. I don't know why. I think it has something to do with the fact that the enemy and the villain in the film is us, the humans, and that's just a really heart tugging sort of thing.

Then there was Lady and the Tramp, which as you know, has always been one of my favorites.

But the last one that surprised me was Cinderella I think. I'm not really sure WHY I enjoyed it more than I have previous, but I did. Definitely a great film, especially with the connections to Walt Disney.

I'm slowly working my way through all of them though, and eventually I'll reach the more modern stuff, all while blogging about it as I go! That is...if I can ever finish catching up on posts.

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on August 21).

Day 514: Which Princess Kingdom?

Basically, we all know that we're all Disney Princesses, despite the fact that those animals that live outside our windows just do not listen. For me, it's the squirrels that live all over campus at college, and seriously I just want to pet one.

Despite this fact, we're pretty sure we're Princesses, and that means that we need a suitable Kingdom, right? Of course, as always, Oh My Disney is there to help us answer the unspoken questions that we have all the time. For real? Would I be swimming around Ariel's Castle or crossing the bride to Rapunzel's. I guess we'll find out.

Since I normally do quizzes on one big post, but I have soooo many blog posts to make up, we're going to do this different. Let's go through each question!

1. My dream vacation destination is...

Uh....Ireland is not on here, and neither is Walt Disney World or Disneyland or basically anywhere that I actually really want to go. So England?

2. My Favorite fruit is...

Despite the fact that I am allergic to it, I have to say cantaloupe. Before I became allergic to most fruit that was one of my favorites. Although if I had to pick one now that I can still eat, it would be strawberries.

3. My favorite type of weather is...

Oh gosh. Uhhh....Snowy?

4. Pick a pattern...

I can't really show all the pictures here, but you should all know that I do love chevrons!

5. On an ideal weekend I would...

How about all of the above because for real all of these sound like great options. But I think I'll have to pick Read a Book. You can't go wrong with that one.

6. The one household item I can't live without is...

A television, because let's be real...I can't live without Once Upon A Time.

7. Pick a Vinylmation...

Oh god. I can't. Too many options. THUMPER!

8. If I were a Disney animal, I would be...

This is hard too because literally these are like all my favorite Disney animals. I like to think I'd be Brave like Pongo, and caring like Lady and friendly like Bambi but I'm stubborn like Marie and get into trouble like Figaro and seriously no one is more sarcastic than Pegasus. And then there's Simba and Copper and I'm kinda like them too soooo.....Lady.

9. My favorite mode of transportation is...

Singing montage. Hands down.

10. The best time to visit the Disney Parks is...

Epcot Food & Wine Festival. I will attend you again someday, I promise.

11. Pick a Princess Dress...

I've said it before and I'll say it again, but I certainly wish that I had a princess dress when I was a kid. Granted, we had like...half of these, so it's not like I really had an option anyways. So I pick Rapunzel. Cause she's my favorite.

While I really wish I could live in Corona (that's Rapunzel's kingdom), I think I'm cool with this. I mean, that's one awesome castle, and hey, great balls? Maybe the mutton won't be overcooked! (Yes...that's a OUAT reference). 

But seriously, no glass slippers. Dancing in those until Midnight must really hurt your feet. 

In which Princess Kingdom do you reside? 

Have a magical day! 

(This blog post was written on July 23, 2014).

Day 513: Picturing the World

Day 21 of the Disney Photo Challenge: The best place to take a picture at Disney. 

Blast from the Past: 

This one really depends on the person, as there are so many great places. But if I had to pick JUST one, I'd say that you have to have a classic Castle Picture. 

Generally you take this picture either on Main Street or by the Partner's Statue in the middle of the "Hub." It's funny that I picked this one too, since I haven't actually taken a castle picture in many, many years (the last time was probably 2007 or so). But it is a picture that is a must have if you are going to Disney. 

Wow...this must be the shortest explanation yet.

Back to the Future: 

I agree, former self, the castle is a great one, but I'm going to have to change my answer when it comes to my current self and say not just the castle, but EVERYWHERE.

If there's one thing I've learned by being a Disney Instagrammer, it's that there can never be too many pictures. As I said in a former post, March was great for me because I really took the time to take more pictures, both of myself and my brother and what I was doing. That made the trip extra special for me, and probably made the June trip a little less exciting because I was always so busy that I wouldn't have time to take and post pictures on my Instagram like I usually do.

So I don't care who you are or where you are in the parks...take a picture!

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on August 21).

Day 512: Beat the Heat

Day 20 of the Disney Photo Challenge: A picture of the best way to beat the heat at Disney. 

Blast from the Past: 

Well, I'll be a bit more creative than my other answers of "Find a Store, eat somewhere, Head to "The American Adventure or Hall of Presidents, Go on Spaceship Earth." 

Nope, I'm going to say something that's really fun. Disney sells these little spray fans and these are pretty popular, and aren't just sold at Disney. 

I guess the reason I'm saying this because remember how I went to Disney with Gordon in Summer 2011? Well, he got one of these spray fans, and everyday we were down there he would ask me if I wanted to be sprayed. I would take off my glasses, kneel down and he'd spray the cool water all over my face. It was so adorable...and I did the same thing when I got my first spray fan...although no one ever wanted me to spray them. 

It's a great way to keep cool when you aren't near a store, restaurant or attraction with AC, and it's fun for everyone. Plus, it's a piece of the parks that you can take home with you. 

Back to the Future: 

Since I know that two years ago I had never actually experienced extreme heat at Walt Disney World, and I have now, it's obvious that my answer is going to be pretty different. The way I do Disney is different too, so that certainly changes things as well, since in the past few trips I have been very adamant about carrying as little as humanly possible to the parks with me.

Meaning that goodness no, I don't have room to carry a water bottle sprayer with me.

But I do have some experience with heat in the parks now. In fact, my last three trips were insanely weird for me, since I generally am NOT there when it's above 80 degrees. I go in the winter, for the most part, when you want to wear a jacket and then add another because even though I'm from Wisconsin, you get COLD. Granted, I did go in Summer of 2011, but that was a strange trip as well, and honestly I don't remember how I dealt with it back then.

I think my number one way to beat the heat is water though. Just LOTS and LOTS of water. When I'm down there in the summer, in order to make sure I keep drinking, I buy my water instead of bringing my own water bottle. Yeah, that cost adds up, but it's only like one or two actually bought a day, since I have some in our room (or try to), which I drink in the morning and at night, then I get one at lunch, buy one in the afternoon and have only water at dinner (or whatever meal is the sit-down meal versus the counter service). That way I can keep track of exactly how much water I've had, and know that "Hey, I didn't buy a water this afternoon" that I probably should.

Other than that, I just try to go about things as usual. My time at Disney is a very precious thing, so I try not to let heat or rain slow me down. I wear appropriate clothing, spend as much time as possible inside air conditioned buildings and drink ALL THE WATER.

After all, the heat never bothered me anyway...

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on August 21).

Day 511: Remember That Time?

Do you guys remember that one time when I said that I was going to watch all the Disney movies in order and I didn't really get past Snow White? And then I decided I would try again and made it to like Alice in Wonderland, or somewhere around there. All I remember is that I didn't get to Peter Pan, so there's that. Well, I'm going to try again. The way I figured it, I have a while until I go back to school, and the movies can always play while I work on other stuff, just like this blog, so it's like a double win!

I think it's more because I actually intended to watch the movies that paired with fairy tales while I was taking the class, but with so little time during college, I didn't really get around to it until now, and I might as well just start at the beginning.The funny thing is, if I remember correctly, the last time I watched Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, I didn't like it very much. I don't really know why, but I just didn't. However, now that I'm watching it after loving OUAT and reading the fairy tale and just getting back from Disney and everything, I can't help but think about how I forgot just how adorable it is. I mean, this is a really cute movie with the dwarfs and everything. Plus, you've got the beautiful music and you're reminded just how much of a major accomplishment this must have been for Walt Disney and his team. A full length animated picture! It's so different from the movies we see today, but in my opinion it's just as good. Alright, so maybe there's a bit less action, but seriously the Evil Queen is pretty creepy, even if all I can think about when she's on screen is Lana.

I have no clue how often I'll actually blog about the movie that I happen to be watching, because I can't really just blog about movies for like 50 some days straight. Well, maybe I could. I mean, I have enough days to finish making up from before my hiatus, and I still have a ton of time left before I go back to school and the wonderful internet that I'll have there every day.

Currently, I'm just think about how silly it is for the old hag to bring a whole basket full of apples, all different colors. I guess the only one that's red is the poisoned one, but in reality, what would have happened if she had lost track and ate that apple herself? I mean, it couldn't be that far off, right? Then she would have never woken up! That is, unless we're talking OUAT. Regina has plenty of true loves that could come and save her.

Gosh, I could never animate an entire movie. I'm just no good at that. Maybe I'm able to draw the dwarfs, but that's about as far as I can go. I think I'll stick to writing, thank you very much!

Have a magical day, and feel free to join me in watching all the films! I'll post on Instagram when I do!

(This blog post was posted on July 17, 2014).

Day 510: Look Over Here!

Day 19 of the Disney Photo Challenge: A picture of something in the park that deserves more attention. 

Blast from the Past: 

My goodness...who came up with these? 

Actually, this one might be a bit easier. I think something people really need to pay attention to is the cast members. Their job isn't just to help you. It's to make your stay as magical as possible. Now, I often see people blow them off, but the large majority of cast members would LOVE to talk to you, to tell you about their experiences, and in Epcot, the cast members in World Showcase are literally from all over the world...each in their respective country. Ask them about their culture, their home, how they like the states, whatever. 

The cast members are amazing people, literally, they are. They have so many stories, they're there to help you, and they are there to make your day. Cast members often aren't paid a ton, but many stay on for a large majority of their lives just because it's worth it. To make a person's day when they meet Mickey for the first time, or to bring a special birthday desert to your table, or even just to meet someone and be able to help them...it's why the cast members are there, and it's why being a part of the Disney company is such a magical experience. 

The man in the photo is named Stan, and you can learn more about him HERE!

Back to the Future: 

This is difficult.

I certainly agree with my past self. I think the Cast Members that spend their days in the parks DO deserve more attention, simply because I know for a fact that they are an awesome bunch of people, and I literally CANNOT wait to become a part of that.

But as much as I would totally give the same answer, I've actually got a different one too!

It's the music of the parks! Gosh, there are SOOOO many wonderful music groups throughout Walt Disney World and Disneyland and I honestly feel like people need to stop and listen to them more often. I mean, I guess you see a crowd for some of them, but really, stop and listen to these spectacular groups, and then go chat with them afterwards! It's well worth it!

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on August 21).

Day 509: The Next 29 Days

Writing a blog can get interesting, especially when trying to make up the days you missed from the last month. I mean, there's just so much to make up, and while generally it isn't terrible to come up with topics for each day, sitting at a computer and talking about Disney kind of starts to get in your head. Not that it's a bad thing, but once Disney is in my mind, weird stuff tends to happen.

Let's think about this for a moment, I have 29 days until I leave on the band trip, and that means that I have 30 days until I step foot on Disney property again. Now, I have this theory. I went to Disney in March, and normally after a Disney trip I just go into this depression. The strange thing is, I didn't go into this same depression in March, and I'm pretty sure the reason I didn't was because I focused on Once and how it was on every Sunday. It took my mind off the fact that I wasn't at Disney. There's just one small problem. Once is done...and in just over a month, my Disney trip will be too. And then my life just sounds like a horror movie.

No Once. No Disney. No Internet. No SNC.

Yep. Basically, in just over a month I will go totally insane. And then what? Hundreds of days until my next Disney trip and over a hundred days until Once returns to my TV screen. Even a couple of months until I get to go back to school with all my college friends.

But I guess there's a bright side. I'll have lots of video to edit, and I do enjoy that, and then I have the rest of the summer to spend time with my friends from high school as well. So that's nice. And then there's Lilly, who's currently debating whether to try and knock my phone or my coffee mug onto the floor. I vote neither.

For now, I'm just going to count down the days with the rest of the band, work hard like always, and then get ready to play hard on what will be my final band trip with the Seymour High School Band. It'll be sad, I know, and I may collapse into Disney Depression afterwards, but until then I'll just be excited. Really, REALLY excited.

Have a magical day!

Day 508: Proud Alumni

I am very proud of where my High School Band has come from, and excited to see where they're going. But one of the things I'm most proud of is the fact that I've been able to be a part of all of that. I watched the band go from disoriented to going to Disney World, and to be completely honest, that is something I never thought I would see. But this group continues to surprise me, and this time, it gets a blog post, which means that it really makes me proud.

Two years ago we weren't gearing up for Disney, but instead for our trip to the East Coast, Boston and New York. We were all very excited, and back in those days I was the Vice President of the band, meaning that I, at the time, ran the band facebook page that still continues to this day. Before that Band trip, I decided that we needed a fun way to count down each day, and since that was not long after the addition of cover photos to the facebook pages, I decided that a great way to do that would be through those cover photos!

I'm no stranger to graphics, so it wasn't all that difficult to do. Just a little bit of editing and some fun fonts and I was done with the countdown. I handed over the band page this last year to the current band council, surrendering total ownership of the page I had started, but I'm very happy with those running it now. Since I don't run the page anymore, and I only update my own cover photo and profile picture when I head to Disney (it's a thing I've been doing haha), it never even crossed my mind that there might be a similar countdown for this trip, especially since we didn't do one last year. 

But like I said, they keep surprising me! 

Yep, they're doing a similar countdown for the Disney trip. Can I just say PROUD ALUMNI!?! 

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on May 24 due to finals).

Day 507: The Middle

I love it when TV shows go to Disney World. I mean, Full House went, and that's my favorite episode. Modern Family has gone, as has Rosanne. Actually, a lot of shows go at one point or another (although I honestly hope Once never does...that would just be weird...then again...I'll come back to this...), and it just makes me really happy. Well last night was the season finale of The Middle, and of course, they went to Walt Disney World. I recorded it so I'd be able to watch it (and this way my family can watch it tonight. I'll force them to, especially since I know my Dad likes the show).

But since I'm sitting at my kitchen counter working on catching up on blog posts, I figured I would watch it as I work (Although when Disney is on the screen that generally means more watching than working). The first half of the hour finale isn't actually really at Disney, but rather them trying to get there without dying, and eventually they get there. If you haven't seen the episode yet and wish to, I won't tell you everything that happens, but let's talk for a second about how much I love these things.

1. Disney Lingo

Seriously, I'm starting to think that there should simply be a language called "Disney." Really, there's so many words that the rest of the world just doesn't understand. Here's a few we could add: Fastpass, Magic Band, Parkhopping, The Double Finger Point and who knows what else. Because really, let's be real here, we all have this certain way of referring to things. It's actually funny because when we were returning our lofts at college, I was walking through the line and heard someone mention fastpass and I just instantly was like "Woah what!?" My friends made me keep walking, but the person had a good point...we all could have used a fastpass for returning our lofts.

2. I STOOD THERE

You know those times when you travel to a place, say Italy, and go to a library because it's historic, and freak out because you are standing exactly where Harrison Ford stood? Or how if I ever went to Steveston and went into the diner there I would just be like COLIN STOOD RIGHT HERE AND I'M NEVER LEAVING BECAUSE HE'LL BE BACK. Those kinds of things? Well it's fun to watch these TV shows because, and especially in this case, you watch and they stand places and instead of you standing where they did, they are standing where YOU STOOD. And where you'll hopefully go and stand again. If you're like me, you know every inch of the Disney parks, and it just makes it super special to watch and be like "Yep, I've stood there."

3. Cranes

One thing I do worry about when it comes to the band trip this summer is what the hub will look like. We all know that it's under some major renovation at the moment, and while it honestly won't faze me, I worry about everyone else. We all kind of want to step onto Main Street and have our first glimpse of the Castle and everything, but to be honest, a good 75% of the time, something is wrong. It's called a crane. For at least 2 months out of the year, there's at least one crane sitting around the castle, and while they do go down for fireworks and such, for the most part it's just there. Eventually you get pretty used to it. I am, that's for sure. I couldn't care less (although maybe ONE picture of the castle during the day WITHOUT a crane would be brilliant). We just call it the Crane Castle. It works. But what I found hilarious? The Middle filmed only a couple of days after I visited Walt Disney World, and there wasn't a Crane in sight. Either they edited them out or they put them down for filming, but either way it provided endless entertainment for me.

4. Things That Actually Happen

If you really think about what I just said about the cranes, it really DOES seem like they overplay how awesome Disney is. I mean, if the castle has cranes all around it half the year, showing it without the cranes can lead to some serious disappointment when you actually get there. But the thing that I loved about The Middle is that while some of the stuff that happens MIGHT seem a bit crazy (ok, the whole tickets thing...), but a lot of the stuff that goes on ACTUALLY happens. Like, the fact that they upgraded their room? It's happened to us. Maybe we didn't get the most expensive room on property, but we have been upgraded. For those who have never been there and experienced it, it might seem a little crazy, but for the most part it's not. Magical stuff really does happen.

5. The guy did the double finger point and I caught it and freaked out. 'Nuff Said.

Now, back to the whole Once thing. As much as I love to see TV shows go to Disney World, I really don't think Once should. I mean, can you imagine? Plus it's not a sitcom, so it's just not the right kind of show for such things. Having Emma joke about it would be priceless though. Can that please happen? Then again, if they DID go to Disney, I would totally find out when they were filming...and I would be there. Meeting my favorite people is one thing, but meeting them at my favorite place too? That's another. Can you imagine how magical that would be? Plus, there is this gem:

Not much can beat Regina in New Fantasyland, am I right? Plus, we have to remember that Ginny was there for the opening. So that's epic too. I guess that means that in a way, Once has been to Disney World already. Plus Josh and Ginny go to Disneyland all the time. Maybe someday when I work there I'll get to see them! It would be great! Ok, enough about Once.

Overall, I loved The Middle going to Disney. It kind of reminded me of my family when we go, never deciding on what we want to do, and there have certainly been days when we didn't get anywhere until 3 in the afternoon! But we've survived many family vacations, so as the Heck's pointed out, I guess we're doing alright!

Have a magical day!

Day 506: Well Then

As of today (And not including today's blog post), I have 30 posts to write in order to catch up. This is what finals do to me I guess. I don't know, this semester seemed to be especially crazy since while everything was pretty spaced out, that was the exact reason it was hard, everything was spaced out so I was just continuously working, and from the way things sound right about now, I'm going to continue that lifestyle for the next month.

BUT, I'm back and I'll be slowly making up all the days I missed (once I figure out what I'm going to write for each day. That can get complicated), among other things. I've got a new vlog going up on my YouTube Channel from my March trip later today, and tomorrow marks one month until the band trip, meaning that I'm going to go make a countdown later tonight so we can put it up in the band room tomorrow. I'm also working on another project that you'll find out about soon enough (it's a secret for a few more days!)

Other than that, I've finished my first year of college, moved (somewhat) back to my house, although I use those terms lightly since my dorm room is in boxes that are currently still sitting in my dining room, and it's only going to get worse since I want to clean out my entire room and put things away and so on and so forth. There's practicing marching and learning music for the band trip, oh and learning a new instrument. I guess I'm learning clarinet in the next month, which should be a real joy. But I do love a challenge, so I'm going to attack it and hope for the best. I mean, at the worst I just end up playing alto when we go down to Disney so there's that. Then there's catching up on the blog and finishing the editing for the final three vlogs from March, because I refuse to not have them done by June, because come then I'll have hours and hours of video editing to do. Plus, it's already been two months since my trip (Oh my gosh...it has...) and these videos need to be done.

So here's what you can expect:

1. A new vlog on my YouTube channel today.
2. Updates on the blog (I'm currently looking at about five posts a day to make up the lost time).
3. A special announcement/surprise on Monday.

Also, on my Instagram I'm doing another photo challenge to count down the days until my trip (it's about five days off but that's ok!), so feel free to check out the pictures there as well. Of course, as with every photo challenge, you'll see the full set on my blog once I'm finished!

And since she's here, miss Lillybelle says hello! Or meow, whichever you prefer.

Have a magical day, and thanks for sticking with me through finals!

Day 505: Which Disney Side?

2014 is the year of the Disney Side. Alright, so that's partially a lie already because in reality it started at the end of last year, but for the most part, right now it's a big thing. Later this week we have the 24 hour Disney Side party, and there's been stuff going around for months when it comes to the campaign as a whole. The question is, what really is our Disney Side? I mean, it's different for everyone.

At SNC this year, it's funny how you talk to people and when you mention Disney they just light up. "I LOVE DISNEY" they go and proceed to talk about their favorite movie and how they've watched it HUNDREDS of times. Now, while I may indeed have watched Lady & The Tramp, Beauty and the Beast and Tangled a ton of times, that's not the kind of Disney fan I am. I'm most certainly more of a parks person. So ask me a question about Aladdin or The Little Mermaid and I'll Flounder (hahahaha yes pun intended) around like any other person, but ask me something about the parks and I'll give you an hour lecture on the subject at hand.

But from there, our Disney sides get even more specific. Luckily, Disney has a quiz, or multiple quizzes I suppose, to tell us what kind of Disney Side we have, such as THIS QUIZ!

I actually took this quiz and THEN decided to do a blog post on it, so I already have my answer: "Disney Style. You have it. Yours is of the classic variety: you've been a Disney fan from the beginning, and you appreciate the dedication and idealism that goes into creating Disney magic. You probably stick to the traditional Mousketeers Mickey Ears when you're at Disneyland or Walt Disney World, and love nothing better than a classic Mickey Watch."

Gosh do they have me pegged, as I wear yet another of my Disney scarves and subconsciously sit wishing I had a Donald or Mickey watch. Maybe then I'd actually be able to know what time it is instead of checking my phone every five minutes. Well, then I'd just check my watch every five minutes, but that's beside the point.

So what's your Disney side? And I know there are other quizzes out there, so maybe we'll take one of those in the future. I mean, if you really think about it, we all have our own unique combination of Disney, and that's what's makes us all so special (and awesome).

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on May 21 due to Finals).

Day 504: The Most Magical Food

Sometimes Shovell and I just sit and surf the web, and sometimes one of us finds an awesome new Disney video that I just have to share on my blog. This is one of those times. This weekend she found a video about Disneyland Foods that you just have to try when visiting, so let's just stop and have some Disney food in our day...if only we could reach out and grab the food from our computer and eat it.

There's 11 different foods on this video, and I can honestly say that I haven't had all of them. In fact, the first three I haven't tried (I think I get off on the third one, the pickles though, because that was introduced after I was there!) But I also haven't had the corndogs or the Macaroon or the Gumbo or the Tigger Tails. But in my defense I've been to Disneyland for 6 days of my entire life, but I sense a challenge coming on here, right? I mean, it would certainly be fun to try them all on my next trip out to California (the Corndog is happening FOR SURE). Don't worry, I won't eat them all in one day, but it's going to happen, and as always, I'll have the vlog right along with me! 

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on May 21 due to Finals).

Day 503: SNC Graduation 1

It's funny, because in High School, by the time I actually graduated, I had already sat through three other graduations, and in college, I'll sit through three before my own as well. I mean, someone has to help play Pomp and Circumstance, right? At least in college we get paid for our work.

Either way, this past Sunday I sat through my first of four graduations here at St. Norbert, and not surprisingly, it was filled with weird and very random little Disney references. The Commencement speaker in particular was just amazing. His name was Chris Ayers, and he's a '97 St. Norbert College Alumni. I guess I don't even really have words, so you can watch his speech here: 

Chris is an artist that works out in California, and it was interesting because his career path seems very similar to how I want mine to go. Of course, I won't be drawing animals on my way out there, but it's still interesting to think about how when he went to school here, twenty years before me (I graduate in 2017), he had similar dreams as I do right now, which makes his speech that much more inspiring to me. 

But that wasn't the only Disney reference at Graduation. The class 2014 speaker ALSO mentioned Disney, using one of my absolute favorite quotes: "All our dreams can come true, if only we have the courage to pursue them." When she mentioned "As Walt Disney once said," I was like what in the world is going on? Is this graduation ceremony the one of my mind? I guess you could say that I really hope my college graduation is as good as the class of 2014's, which I'm sure it will be. However, that's a ways off still...not that time won't go quickly! 

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on May 21 due to finals).

Day 502: Knights on Broadway

Our college is a pretty awesome place, at least when we have time to enjoy things that aren't our homework or sleeping. So after finals were all finished, Shovell and I decided to take in a show, or rather a concert, put on by some of the fine musicians that go to school at our college. There's a group of 10 students that sing in something called Knights on Broadway (the name comes from the fact that we're the Green Knights). This particular year, they were singing a show they called "Let's go to the Movies," which, honestly, is like the perfect show for me. I love musicals, I love movies, I love music! BOOM!

The show was spectacular. I'm very glad I went to see it because really, it was two of the most enjoyable hours of the last few months for me (seriously...there's only four of them, and the other two were the finale of Once). There were songs from Grease and Mama Mia and so on and so forth, but by far my favorite section of the show was the Disney section. For a good while they sang numbers from some of the most famous Disney broadway musicals, such as Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King. Let's just say I was sitting there basically freaking out.

And Shovell can attest to the fact that at the beginning of the show I really freaked out because they started with Hooray for Hollywood. But not just ANY version of Hooray for Hollywood. We're talking the EXACT VERSION THAT PLAYS IN THE GREAT MOVIE RIDE. Yes, I was actually failing around and half jumping out of my seat. It was interesting, and exciting and MADE MY LIFE.

So congrats to those involved on Knights on Broadway! Brian, you did a great job as Lumiere, and Lauren, GREAT ARIEL! Sadie, that Ursula was awesome, and everyone else, I LOVED IT ALL!

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on May 22 due to finals). 

Day 501: IT IS FINISHED

It's honestly funny how quickly a year can pass by without you knowing it. Thinking back to 2013, I wasn't halfway done with a year on this blog yet, I was still in High School and I most certainly did not have a year of college under my belt. But now I do, and it's weird how much things change. How much you change.

I remember at the beginning of the year saying that I didn't want to change too much. I still wanted to have this blog, I wanted to keep my friends close, keep the high school band a part of my life, especially when it came to the Disney trip. I wanted to make new friends and everything at college, sure, but for the most part in my mind, it was just another year of school. How silly of me to think that it would work that way. People are always going to tell you (this is some advise for seniors in high school right here) that college is going to change you. You'll go in as one person, and after less than a year, you'll be someone totally different. You'll try to deny it with all your heart but don't, because you'll be a better person because of it.

But how exactly has my life changed in the last year? Some things are really obvious, like Once. A year ago it was just one of my favorite shows and now it makes up a good portion of my life. My friends and I refer to each other as "mates" now, and for some reason I've adapted "Bloody Hell" into my day to day language, plus I regularly send my friends memes or GIFs of Once characters basically explaining my life. They're entertaining to say the least. Like this one:

And while I love that one, it's not even my favorite of all of them. There are plenty more where that came from. Either way, I didn't expect to find stuff like that on my phone a year ago. Star Wars maybe, but not Once. Never Once. And now thanks to it I have a constant, something to always look forward to, new friends, and a lot of great memories. 

I went back and read a couple of posts from last year around this same time, specifically from graduation, and it's interesting because I guess I still kind of feel the same way I did then. I love college, don't get me wrong, but I miss my senior year a lot. I was very happy, surrounded by people I love and care about, and I'm never going to be able to repay for the wonderful opportunity I'm given right now, to be able to march with the band once again this summer. It means the world to me, especially when things just keep changing. I mean, moving into a room for a year and then moving out and then into a different room four months later just gets a bit overwhelming if you ask me. 

But that's how life is. It keeps changing, and all we can do is keep moving forward. 

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on May 22 due to finals).

Day 500: Guilty Pleasures

Day 18 of the Disney Photo Challenge: A picture of your favorite guilty Disney pleasure. 

Blast from the Past: 

Hmm...another difficult one! 

I'd have to say food there in general. I swear something happens when I get on that airplane. It's like my stomach expands or something. I can just eat NON STOP down there. Not sure why...it just is! I don't really come back having gained any weight either...must be all the walking. 

Anyway, my last trip I tried something new. I did an "Eat Around the World Adventure" where I went around World Showcase and ate something from every country. It was awesome, and I had things like crepes, creme brule, lamb, funnel cake, egg rolls, sushi and pasta. It was delicious! 

Food at Disney is pretty much always delicious...and there's no way I can avoid eating it. I'm just addicted. It's like me and Nacho cheese. And just addicted. It's like me and Nacho cheese. And just remember...I compare pretty much everything I eat to Disney. I have high standards. I'm not picky...I just enjoy really good food. But, Disney food has introduced me to things I'd never even think about eating if I hadn't gone. I mean...sushi? Would have never had it. Honey Sesame Chicken, or Asian Food in general...nope. German cuisine? HAHA...I may live in Wisconsin, but you've got to be kidding. The only thing that might have been possible would be Italian. But certainly never something from like...Norway or Morocco. 

Oh, and that picture...I call it the "what we really do at Dinner" picture. My Dad is taking pictures (obviously), I'm texting Megan about my milkshake (she picked out the flavor...cookies & creme...yummy!), Jonny is debating if he should eat his sandwich or his French Dictionary and my mom is the only one actually eating, just out of the picture here. It's what we do when we're not being forced to pose for a "restaurant picture."

Back to the Future: 

I honestly don't know.

I do love food. Very, very much so.

I think I'm going to have to say staying in the parks as late as possible though. I really have a problem with this. Like, I want to be like the last person in the park so I walk as slow as humanly possible out of each one. I'll station myself at the back of the park and then take the longest route possible without Cast Members stopping me, and if I'm in the Magic Kingdom I'll just take forever on Main Street. There's just something spectacular about an empty park at night.

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on August 20).

Day 499: Top of the Line

Day 17 of the Disney Photo Challenge: A picture of your favorite Disney Character. 

Blast from the Past: 

I feel like I've answered this question before! 

The truth is...I have no favorite Disney character...because I love too many to pick an actual single favorite. So instead, I'll share one of my favorite pieces of art...Mickey Mouse made up of the other characters! It's such a great idea! 

Here are, though, a few of my favorites: Simba (The Lion King), Rapunzel (Tangled), The Tramp (Lady & the Tramp), Belle (Beauty & The Beast), Sebastian (Little Mermaid), Merida (Brave), Woody & Buzz (Toy Story), Dory (Finding Nemo), Donlad Duck, Mickey Mouse, Pluto, Goofy, Brer Rabbit, Fox & Bear (Song of the South/Splash Mountain), The Hitchhiking Ghosts (Haunted Mansion), Rover (Carousel of Progress/Pirates of the Caribbean), Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Caribbean), Pongo (101 Dalmatians), Mike (Monster's Inc.). 

There are tons more...but those are just a few of my favorites. If I really have to pick though, there's honestly no one quite like Mickey Mouse. 

Back to the Future: 

Funny how two years ago I couldn't pick just one and now I can. I mean, it's not that I don't have an extreme love of all the Disney characters, it's just I have one particular favorite now.

And if you don't know who it is, then that's just sad.

Ok, so maybe you can see the picture sitting right there and it's honestly not that much of a surprise, but yeah...I love Flynn Rider. Maybe it's because he's basically Han Solo, who is basically Killian Jones, and therefore all of my favorite characters are literally the same person, but hey, that's ok!

Flynn Rider Forever.

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on August 20).

Day 498: The Memes of OUAT

A while back, my friends and I discovered that you can send GIFs via text message on apple devices. Well, once we learned that, it started a whole new thing. And once it started, it just took off. It started with real simple stuff:

And then it started with just a lot of Colin: 

And then things got really crazy: 

Yeah...and these are just the OUAT ones. 

Trust me, there WILL be a part two on this one. 

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on May 28 due to finals and internet problems).