Day 815: Where To Go?

It seems like the list of places most of us would like to travel in our lives has a million locations on it. Personally, I know very well that I could easily name at least 15-20 cities, tourist locations, countries or areas in the world I'd like to see with my own two eyes, Ireland and Steveston (aka Storybrooke) currently at the top, but what's weird is when you sit down and have a real, serious conversation with others about the places you'd like to travel and why.

This week, Disney Cruise Line announced their 2016 Cruise Line-Up, and apparently in my world, it's been pretty big news. You can read the official announcement HERE on the Disney Parks Blog and here's the announcement video from Disney Cruise Line, just so you can get an idea of what's all been announced:

Yes, you heard correctly, Disney Cruise Line will be headed to Ireland in 2016, and now proceed with the questions. "Lizzie, I thought you wanted to go to Ireland? Why not go!?!" 

To be completely honest, that video did a spectacular job of convincing me to go on a European Cruise (probably much to the delight of my Mom and the terror of my Dad), and in reality, I guess it wouldn't be that bad...as long as I get to go to Ireland and all of the other locations. However, I feel like I'd also like to spend time back in Ireland for a while longer...meaning a more expensive and longer trip. So when it comes down to it, I wouldn't want to fly all the way across an Ocean to go on a cruise and miss out on sightseeing in Colin O'Donoghue's hometown of Drogheda. (So Mom...those are my terms). 

But my roommates actually went and looked at the pricing for this same cruise, which I found pretty darn amusing, and then decided that they couldn't afford it (what college student could?) and put it on the backburner for a trip in the distant future (which I'm all for...assuming I have a job that can help me pay for it). And that led to a conversation about other places we'd like to go. As I said previously, I'd love to go to Ireland, specifically Drogheda, which is about a half hour from Dublin. Aside from that, there's a lot of locations across Europe I'd like to visit, including the usual France and Italy, but also England and, thanks to Frozen, Norway. But if I can't afford a trip of that size, I'd definitely like to head out to the Northwest in the future, see Seattle and, of course, make the trip across the Canadian border to see the town where my favorite fairy tales come to life, Steveston, a short distance away from Vancouver. Actually all of Van would be great to check out, if only because it's home to many of the locations my favorite actors frequent. 

As for my roommates, we also talked about Hawaii, since I had a conversation about that with my Mom the other day as well. Personally, I think there are many other locations I'd like to go to before Hawaii, although I'm sure it's lovely there. Megan and I just talked about the possibility of where the SNC Wind Ensemble might go in 2016 for our bi-annual trip. I'm pushing for Ireland, but I'd be good with anywhere in Europe or even branching out as far as China, New Zealand or Australia. 

And of course, on top of all of these locations, there's always all of the Disney Parks throughout the world, and since I have a friend who recently headed to Disneyland Paris, the want to travel to the foreign parks is more real every day. That's all in the future though, and for now I'll just be settling for Florida and the distant land of California. Maybe Europe will be a 2016 thing, after all. 

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on March 27 due to the common cold). 

Day 383: Presents from Parents

As of January 18th, my parents have been home, because I'm writing this on January 26, like just over a week later. Either way, they've been home, and when they did get home, it meant just about one thing and one thing alone for my brother and I: PRESENTS.

Ok, so maybe we were happy they were home too, but they did just take a vacation without us...sooo...presents.

What did I all get, you ask? Well I don't have pictures of it all, but a lot of it was this little stuff. I did get a new towel (which I have here at college) that's a Disney Cruise Line Towel, and then my parents also brought me a new Disney scarf (anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE scarves). And then I kind of picked through the other stuff they got, pulling out just about anything that has to do with Captain Hook (I found his Disney likeness on a bag of Jellybeans and got that...haven't eaten them yet though), and then they had robes from the cruise line and I have one of those. Oh, and they got me the Magic of Disneyland Imagineering or something like that. I can't remember the specific title of the DVD. But we have the Magic Kingdom one, so I'm happy to have the Disneyland one now too. And finally, I got a new phone case for my phone, which I'm sure you'll see in good time.

But there's one other thing they brought back that I can now talk about since it's been shown and delivered to the band!

You all know that my high school band is headed to Walt Disney World this June, and my parents found Mickey and some of his friends, who all had well wishes and are excited about the fact that we'll be there in just a few months. I was astonished at this because seriously over half of these I have never ever met. Lilo & Stitch, Woody, Buzz & Jessie, CAPTAIN JACK SPARROW! Oh...and this one...

I may or may not have freaked out a little bit with this one. I mean, it seriously is EXACTLY how Hook would sign his name...no matter if it's Colin on Once or the Captain Hook of the Disney movie. It just seriously screams him. Well it should because it is his signature. It being on there honestly just makes me want to meet Captain Hook even more come June. I really hope it happens. 

Funny how a character I never really cared much about is apparently one of my new favorites...thanks Adam, Eddy and Colin. Thanks. No really...I love the show (I can't say it enough with all the hate and the arguments going on in the fandom right now, but that's a blog topic for another day).

Have a magical day!

Day 177: Chihuly

It's the third day of camp, and time for a field trip!!!

Every year, MADD Camp does some awesome stuff. Normally we get to see Kids from Wisconsin, but they weren't making a stop in Ripon this year. But we also have another field trip to the Paine Arts Center in Oshkosh, and it just so happens that this year's feature exhibit had a bit of a Disney reference too!!! What are the chances?

At the Paine, currently and through October 13, 2013, there is an exhibit by Chihuly, the glassblower. Specifically, the exhibit it called Chihuly Venetians, which is an exhibit featuring 47 pieces, 12 drawings and a chandelier in the Venetian style. Everything was from the George R. Stroemple Collection, according to the Paine Website, and if you want to find out more, click here. 

The exhibit itself was stunning, as usual. Last year it was a photography exhibit by Ansel Adams, but this year was just as exciting. The glass is beautiful! Pictures aren't allowed in the museum, but lucky for me, my favorite piece is featured on the website! I'm not sure why it's my favorite piece, other than I love the colors and the uniqueness of it with all the angles. Granted, there's tons of other beautiful pieces, but this was just the one that really caught my eye. 

But has anyone caught the Disney reference? When I first got the letter saying that we'd be traveling to the Paine to see this specific exhibit, I got it right away. Dale Chihuly happens to be the artist that crafted the sculptures that grace the main lobbies of both the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder, two of the four Disney Cruise ships. So I've seen his work before, especially since a local college also has one of his piece's, but it was really cool to see an entire exhibit! 

And of course, the gardens of the Paine are as beautiful as ever, so I figured I'd share a couple of my favorite photos I got there too!

Here's today's Disney History: 1999: Disneyland hosts a two-day celebration honoring the Haunted Mansions' 30th Anniversary. On this evening, over 1000 guests witness a panel discussion at the Fantasyland Theater with some of the people who brought the mansion to life. The Dapper Dans materialize as the Hitchhiking Ghosts and the Gravedigger to sing a rendition of the attraction's song "Grim Grinning Ghosts." 

Have a magical day!