Day 1409: We Are Divided

I won't be the first to admit that the 2016 Election didn't go the way I wanted it to, and I certainly won't be the last, but what hurts more than waking up to a President-Elect that I most certainly didn't want to be anywhere near the Oval Office is seeing the hatred and concern in those around me. 

On one hand, this could go down as one of the worst days in American History - not because we elected Donald Trump as our next President, but because of the violence and terror filling cities across the country. There are stories of those already involved in hate crimes and so many are discussing moments of fear as they face oppression. Now, I'm not usually one for politics, at least not in a public setting, but not even I can keep quiet this time. Our country is facing immense change, whether it be for better or worse. But maybe change is what we need. Maybe things need to be different, but in what way? 

Whenever I'm feeling lost, I sort of settle in with my IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth soundtrack and think back to Epcot, partially because it's where I feel safest and most like myself, and partially because of the ideals that created it. Epcot is about experimenting and looking ahead, all while celebrating our heritage and history. Within its walls, there's a delicate balance between the past, present, and future, and when it all boils down, Epcot is about acceptance. 

It's about recognizing and accepting our differences. It's about celebrating the qualities that make us unique and connecting through what we have in common, and what we don't. Epcot is about community, an element that is expressed best through the countries of World Showcase, filled with individual from all over the world, coming together as one, and it's not even just the cast members. Think of the table sharing tradition at the Biergarten. We can come from all over the country and world and sit down at the same table and share a meal like a family. That's special. That's what it's all about. That's what it should be about. 

And at the end of the day, we return to World Showcase Lagoon to remind ourselves how we got here, and rejoice in the idea that, regardless of what happens, no matter who will step into the Oval Office in January, we go on. Now is the time for us to stand together and take on the future, hand in hand, perhaps more than ever, and retain the idea that we will get through it together. That may be easy for me to say, especially as a privileged member of society, but we've made it this far, through far worse trials than this, and I have faith that we will get through this. We have to believe that. 

All this being said, I want to take a moment to share that if you need to talk, I am here to listen. If you feel unsafe, I am here to reassure and protect you. If you need help, I am here, and I will help you. If you feel oppressed, I am here, and I will fight for you. I will do whatever I can to be there for you, and that goes for everyone everyday, even after the next four years expire. 

Hang tight America. We may be in for some bumpy seas, but I foresee the American Adventure to continue for a long, long time. 

Have a magical day!

Day 1246: An American Flag

One of the best parts about being an Alumni of a High School Band is the opportunity you're given to continue to help serve the community on important days like today: Memorial Day. For the past two years I helped by carrying the banner, and while that was my intent today as well, unfortunately a bad ankle kept me from marching. Instead I helped out by filming the entire event, per usual, and attended the ceremony complete in my red marching polo to match the group. 

However, as I stood across the room from hundreds in my town, I couldn't help but feel sort of bothered. The stands weren't full, not by a long shot, and certainly not like at basketball games. Many of those there were parents of band members or those who are family members to those that have served or are serving.

I know for a fact that my town is much large enough to fill that entire room, and then some, but where was everyone? Here I was, supporting the band, which was supporting our country in the best way I know how, and the large majority of my town was skipping out on the day, sleeping in or heading up North or, in all honesty, just doing nothing. 

So I ask of you, my blog readers, what did you do this Memorial Day? 

Have a magical day! 

Day 875: So Inspiring

I don't think I truly understood the importance of Memorial Day until two years ago, during my senior year of high school. The blog post I wrote that day was short, and you can read it HERE, but it's still absolutely true. On this Memorial Day I happened to think back to that day, which is probably one of the most memorable days of my life. I even wrote about it in my memoir at the end of my senior year, talking about how it would be pictured as a scene in a movie, simply because that was the only way to describe how it felt.

Our High School Band has a long tradition of performing in both the Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony in our little city, something I participated in for 7 years, both as a Middle Schooler and High Schooler, and now for the last two years as an alumni volunteer. Why am I always there, helping with uniforms and carrying a banner and filming the band? Well, for one, my Mom is in charge or the uniforms so it kind of comes with living in this house, and secondly I am a music major, so it definitely makes sense. But beyond that, helping on Memorial Day is important to me because of that realization I had two years ago, and it's certainly a realization and appreciation that has come with a little help from Disney.

But first let me tell you a story. It's not a terribly interesting story, but I do believe it helps get the point across here. Back when I was in Middle School, I honestly didn't like marching in the Memorial Day Parade. It took a lot of effort, keeping people in line and everything that came along with it. It meant getting up early on my day off to go and march down the street with my instrument. Everyone else got to sleep in or have the entire day off of school but no, my friends and I had to be downtown at 8 in the morning, ready for the parade. When I reached High School, it meant getting into our terrible uniforms and marching in the heat. Still on our day off, only now it was also now unbearably hot. Wonderful. I lived that way until my senior year, when I stood at the top of my ladder as drum major and looked around to see how many people it was really impacting. Sure, I had to pay attention to directing, but as members of the service stood during our performance of Armed Forces Salute, including the five main service themes, I couldn't help but glance at the crowd. We were making so many happy, just by being there and taking part in the service. Of course, at that point I'd already decided to pursue music in college, so I have a greater appreciation for music in elements like this already, but something still clicked in my head.

And that's why I still go back and volunteer for the band, even if it means getting up at 7 in the morning to be on time. The band has provided me with countless opportunities that I'll forever be grateful for, and Memorial Day is one of the moments the band has a chance to give back to the community that supports them. And if I learned anything in my time as Drum Major and President of that band, it's that a marching band is nothing without support from the community.

There was one other thing that came to mind as I sat in this year's Memorial Day Ceremony, however: a quote from John Steinbeck. "We now face the danger, which in the past has been the most destructive to the humans: success, plenty, comfort and ever-increasing leisure. No dynamic people has ever survives these dangers."

I like to remember that quote, which you may recognize from The American Adventure at Epcot, when I feel like I'm pretty successful in whatever I'm doing. Yes, I may find success, but with that comes the danger that I will forget where I come from and push the important things aside. I could have a leisurely day at home instead of running around leading a drum line through a high school hallway, resulting in some hearing loss, but what would the fun in that be? And more importantly, is that really the right way to honor those who have served our country and made my success possible?

Oh, and just for old times sake, here's an old picture of me from my senior year in band. As you can see, I was really photogenic.

Have a magical day!

Day 410: Have a Valentine

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

A year ago, surprisingly enough, I did NOT do a post on Valentine's Day itself (although I did mention it), but since it seems to be an actually really big thing (its just everywhere on Campus), I suppose I'll actually make a blog post about it.

In reality though, I just wanted to share some of my absolute favorite Valentine's people have come up with this year. Like seriously, these are great...

Villains seem to be a popular theme this year. I blame Hans. These first three are from Keith Lapinig, and then there are some directly from Disney...because they're awesome.

Or, if you prefer, we have THIS Hook, more Irish, less Waxed Mustache and Perm: 

And then we have these, directly from Oh My Disney. Jack Sparrow and Flynn Rider for the win. On a side note, my best friend sent me the second one (America) on Pinterest saying "A Tribute to all nations but mostly America, right? This is a thing!" It was a proud moment for Lizzie.

And so, I hope you laughed as some of these Valentines. I actually didn't send any out, because the week has just been super busy and I didn't have time to print any (although I did send the Hook one to someone). Megan gave us all Valentine's that said "Some people are worth melting for" though, and it was super adorable. Thanks Shovell! =)

Me? I spent my Valentine's Day the same way I always do, Han style...Solo!

Have a magical Valentine's Day!

Day 326: JFK

Today's blog post is one that I've been planning for a while. I guess really everyone is probably blogging about this today, or will make some mention of it, but I wanted to share how this has an impact on me as well, even though I was born decades after the actual event.

When I was a kid, because I start a whole bunch of stories this way, I remember listening a lot to a particular soundtrack from Disney World, which had different songs from all over the World. Specifically it has Grim Grinning Ghosts (because which soundtrack from the Parks doesn't?), Impressions de France, Tower of Terror, Test Track, Fantasia, and the one I listened to the most: Golden Dream from The American Adventure.

The song is played at the finale of the half hour show and is shown alongside clips from more recent events in our countries history. I know the song by heart, and could probably sing it all to you without the music playing behind me, and along with the music I've found that I also have the quotes from in the middle memorized, and those that know the song or the attraction enough know that there are three quotes.

The first is from JFK, the second from Martin Luther King Jr. and the last from the Moon Landing, meaning that all three are from are a particularly important time period. And you can see how this now connects to today's events.

Previously I've said how Disney has influenced my love of History, specifically through Spaceship Earth and The American Adventure. Goodness, we talked about it last week, but this is one of those times where it needs to be said. I have the utmost respect for our nation's history because of this attraction, and no matter what the circumstances, whenever I hear one of those quotes featured I get quiet, because they are important to all of us, even if we weren't alive when they happened.

That's why today is an important day no matter how old you are. If you are an American you should at least stop and think about the impact this day, 50 years ago, had on our country, and on your life. JFK is one of my personal favorite presidents, and his story one of my favorite portions of history.

A couple weeks ago my college's choir sang a song based and representing the life and assassination of JFK, and I almost blogged about it then, but decided to save everything JFK for today. The entire song you knew what was coming. You knew that eventually the shot would come and JFK would die, but even as it came you weren't ready. The sing shot on the snare still shocked you, and talking to some people in the choir, it sounds like no matter how many times they sang the song it still always made them jump a little bit.

The same can be said for the recent TV movie, Killing Kennedy, which, to be honest, I really only watched because Ginnifer Goodwin was starring in it. But either way, I am glad that I decided to watch and had my mom record it for me on the TV at home, because, just as the snare drum in the music, you knew the shot was coming. As the moments led up the assassination you knew it would be there, and yet it was just as shocking.

And so, I can't help but wonder what it was like for people who actually experienced it. Those standing in Dallas that day and heard the gunshot. The people watching on television around the nation as it was confirmed that the President of the United States had died. The family that was given that shocking phone call. Mrs. Kennedy sitting in the car. The people like my dad, students in school that were released early because of the news. He can still tell the story of where he was when the news was released, because that's something you never ever can forget.

That's why I think I love history so much too. Every piece of our lives is based on previous events. Our lives could be very different if anything had changed, and while it's fun to joke about History once and a while (I adored my HS History teacher for doing just that...making History fun), there are times when we all need to stop and be respectful. Times we need to stop and think about how our lives have been impacted on those who passed before us.

And sometimes we need to ask ourselves not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country.

My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.

 

Frumpstagram today was titled "Sunrise, Sunset," so I quick went through an Album of one of my Disney trips and didn't have to look to far, since the sunset on the way to Disney World (or sunrise...I see that more often than sunset!) is the best one ever! I absolutely LOVE taking pictures out of the plane, even if technically I'm not supposed to have my phone on...I'm a rebel spy though so....

Here's today's Disney History: 1999: Bob Hope appears at Disneyland to inaugurate a new tradition, the first official lighting of the holiday lights at the park. 

Have a magical day!

Day 147: Memorial Day

It seems that this time of year holds a lot of "lasts," and today is no exception. This morning I marched in my final Memorial Day parade in my hometown, and it was, as all of my senior performances have been, special. I absolutely love my role as drum major, and getting to lead the entire band one last time was a bittersweet moment. I can't express how proud of them I am and how far they've come both over the past four years of my high school career and especially within the last one.

Even in just our Memorial Day Performances, I have noticed a drastic change. We have the parade and then a standstill, and the respect our group showed off this year was great...even if we couldn't decide whether to stand or sit that one time. But the steps were high enough and everyone sounded great. Standing on top of my ladder for the last time, I couldn't help but smile. We were making a lot of people really, really happy.

Having the privilege to direct at that ceremony brought a lot of joy to me, because that's what it was, a privilege. There was a fifth grader who gave an absolutely wonderful speech about her favorite freedom, the freedom of religion, and I totally agreed with her. But her speech encompassed more than just that one freedom. I think she really was talking about all freedom in the words she spoke, and it was honestly the best essay I have ever heard at a Memorial Day Ceremony...and I've heard a lot of those speeches.

Either way, I am very proud to be an American, and I want to take a moment to thank all of our Veterans, fallen soldiers, those currently serving and those who will serve in the future. You keep our freedoms, well, free, and you give everyone great opportunities, including me and my opportunity to lead my band over the past year. Thank you for everything you do.

Here's today's Disney History: 2011: Mickey's Soundsational parade makes its official debut at Disneyland. Yesterday, May 26, guests were given an unannounced preview of the new parade. The nine-float affair kicks off Disney Soundsational Summer, which will also include the openings of The Little Mermaid - Ariel's Undersea Adventure and Star Tours, along with the new experiences at the Disneyland Hotel and Paradise Pier.

Have a magical day!