Learning to Live...

Procrastination leads to...

2010-06-29T16:37:00.000-07:00

As I stare at the beautiful blinking cursor on microsoft word, I decided the best thing to do about my multiculturalism paper that is due tomorrow is to ignore it.

While procrastinating is not my style, I can't help but drag out the last paper due for this crazy summer session of grad school. In fact, it is my LAST paper due before SMU course work is DONE! I still have my masters comps (eww) and student teaching in the fall (scary), BUT, I will never have to deal with sitting in an SMU classroom again and listen to professors drone...

Have I mentioned SMU has NOTHING on Baylor? Yeah, well, it doesn't (in my humble opinion)

Moving on... rather than dwell on boring things like grad school, let's review the past month of my life....

1. School.... I forgot how intense 3 week summer sessions were (last time to mention it!)

2. Wicked... also known as my favorite show, or bane of my existence, whichever.... first 2 weeks were pretty tame, last 3 weeks were CRAZY!

3. Oh wait... that's pretty much it (sad but true)

BUT... There is a silver lining, I actually have a point to this post....

In my preoccupation with items #1 and #2, I completely forgot an important event! On June 8, I celebrated my first anniversary with Sophie, the pup :) While I did choose to get her right before starting grad school and moving, I have loved every minute of the last year with her. Whenever I'm stressed, upset, happy, or just blah, my little furball is right there with her cold nose and squeaker ball ready to play. Having something love me unconditionally every single day makes the hard days more bearable and the good days even better. Here's to MANY more years Sophie!

Yes, I do realize this from Christmas, but we haven't taken photos together recently. Sophie is a diva and likes to star in pictures by herself!

I'll keep you my dirty little secret... or not

2010-06-08T19:13:00.000-07:00

While there are several things I could be doing right now (studying and lamenting the season end to Glee for example) there are more important things to be discussed...

DIET COKE

Cold, carbonated, zero-calorie, not-so-awesome for you goodness...

Here how my love for this has become sort-of an unhealthy addiction:

Middle school began the love... I switched from Dr. Pepper to Diet Coke

High School- the love continued... I was a one every couple of days girl

College (Undergrad)- the love grew, and grew, and grew.... I could keep it to one-a-day (unless I was either super stressed or super tired)

Disney- I maintained the one-a-day with supplements of water, it was hot and humid, girl needed her fluids!

College (Grad) also known as now.... My simple appreciation of the soda has taken a turn for the worse.... I am addicted.

While getting up to go to class this morning, I was amazed and a little horrified to realize how much I NEEDED that Diet Coke. I knew today would not be a productive day without that shot of soda during class, and again after class while doing my homework, and not going to lie, I could go for one right now...

So this leads me to my important realization....

"My name is Allison and I'm addicted to Diet Coke...."

"Hi Allison"- Cue the clapping

Home is where your dog is...

2010-05-16T19:25:00.000-07:00

This weekend, Sophie and I did something we have not done in a while. We did not drive to Southlake. (Which is kinda a big deal)

As many of you know, Sophie and I are part-time residents in Dallas and Southlake. We spend the weekdays in Big D and have our "weekend- getaway home" in Southlake. Most Fridays, I finish work, rush home to Sophie, pack us both up, fight traffic and arrive in Southlake in time for a Friday night movie. We chill out until after Sunday church and then, you guessed it, we pack back up and head into the city.

Now, I love my family, and I'm so glad that we are close enough that I can do this and see them and even give Sophie a yard, (Believe me, Sophie LOVES my parents house, I actually know she prefers it!) BUT, I have to say, driving back and forth nearly every weekend tires me out! We're always rushing around to get to Southlake and then by the time we get back on Sunday evening, I'm ready to just chill out on the couch and get ready for the next week,but it's already Sunday night, hence my bag is always half-packed, I'm always a little behind in my grocery shopping, and I'm always a little too tired on Monday morning.

So... this weekend, courtesy of work and Amy, I stayed in Dallas, and I think I will need a repeat very soon! I was so nice to not have to worry about packing up my life for the weekend!

Friday was so fun with Amy and I going to see Star's on Ice.... fun and hilarious at the same time (but that is for another post).

Saturday was spent at the Music Hall hearing "Little House on the Prairie" all day and night, not my favorite, but I survived.

And... today, Sophie and spent time doing this...

All in all a good weekend, and a good re-charge for this week which includes:

- State test for teaching on Tuesday (eek!!)

- Work

- Getting ready for NYC!!!

"Climb" over those TAKS tests...

2010-04-27T20:34:00.000-07:00

Since my posts have been, what's the word, oh yeah, depressing, of late, I thought I'd post something fun, or in this case funny!

Yesterday was my final day at my Plano Elementary School before I, gasp, student teach in Dallas ISD (scary) next fall. It was super bittersweet and my kiddos even made me cards... not going to lie, I teared up in the safety of my car on the way home.

BUT... It was probably the best last day... ever! First of all, the kids have the dreaded TAKS test this week ( state test for the kiddos that they MUST pass to get to the next grade level, I know, pressure much?) With that said, the kids weren't exactly excited about learning something new the day before, so we stuck to lighter topics, aka how to relax before the test.

3rd grade was pretty status quo, discussion of good night sleep, eating a good breakfast, and bringing pencils and snacks.

4th grade was another story. I walk in and literally the first thing I hear is singing, which is bizarre. What are my 4th graders singing you ask... "The Climb." By Miley Cyrus. Acapella. Cue me laughing hysterically. Turns out 4th grade teachers thought by singing the song, the kids would know how to overcome obstacles (the TAKS test) and learn that life is a climb and blah, blah, blah. I thought it was hilarious. Not only did I get to hear my kids sing the song, but, oh yeah, the other four fourth grade classes. Each one better and better in my mind... some of those kids are pretty tone deaf (they sound pretty close to how I do :)

The Miley song was pretty good, but probably the topper of the morning was one of the notes from my kids... "Miss Parsons, I like you in more ways than one." HAHA, creeper in the making, but once again, chuckles over here laughs every time I read it!

Ironic Much?

2010-04-05T20:47:00.001-07:00

I won't lie, these last couple weeks have been.... frustrating for me. I'd like to attribute this frustration primarily to school and my crazy professors, which they are, but in all fairness, they are not the only reason. I think the main thing is I have too many things on my plate and my priorities are not where they should be, which is... a slight problem. School is monotonous, work is same old, same old, the apartment is a mess, I'm just... struggling. I know, blah, blah, blah, stop throwing a pity party right? Right.

With that said, I found myself blog stalking this fine evening after the aforementioned pity party... I like to blog stalk, some people are so with it on their blogs, I am jealous, in a good way of course. Long story short, I was blog stalking a friend of a friend twice removed when I came across something... curious. Blazoned atop a recent blog post was a very familiar seal... SMU's School of Education seal to be exact. I was intrigued. Reading the post, I was struck with deja vu... wait, this looks familiar. Turns out this "friend" applied for the program that I am currently in. Her story of being accepted is EXACTLY mine... talk about ironic. I was struck with two thoughts: 1- Run for the hills girl, get out while you still can!! and 2- Oh man, that was me a year ago, all bright-eyed and bushy tailed... excited to start this new journey!

I can't say the last year has been easy, especially now with my doubts of this choice, but I can say how I felt THEN, I knew 100% this is the path God wanted me on. Is it still that path? I find myself asking that question a lot. I am reminded that life is not easy, I don't live in a fantasy world, and sometimes, you really do have to "suck it up." The only thing I can say is that the light is at the end of that tunnel... I will make it and I will ultimately be happy in the choice I have made. Those kids' faces every morning and afternoon will be worth it, I just have to survive until then.

God give me strength!

One man's trash...

2010-02-01T20:57:00.000-08:00

I've always known that this goes on, I mean, in Waco we had our very own dumpster divers with their little shopping carts around. They picked up random things out of the trash that I suppose they could use in their life for one reason or another.

Little did I know that taking things from the trash is so popular! I have coined a new term to describe what I have witnessed in my apartment complex the last couple of months. I call them the "garbage vultures."

Backstory- I live pretty freakin' close to the back of the apartment complex. Lucky me, my location is pretty much across from the big trash compactor, which I originally thought would be terrible, but actually turns out pretty easy for me on trash days- end backstory.

In the last couple of months, I have witnessed large "big-ticket" items being dumped near the compactor. Now taking Sophie out all the time and living freakishly close to the trash, I get what I think as the first look at the new 'merch. For example, a few of my favorites have been a bookshelf, perfectly good floor lamp with the lightbulb still in it, a desk, a dresser, a rocking chair, coffee table, recliner, leather love seat, and at least a 36' television. I won't lie... I have perused these items to see if something would work in my apartment, but EVERY time I go back to get something, these items get picked up by someone else!

The latest loot, the leather couch and recliner are still out there.... sad this is, someone took the cushions on both, seems weird to me, but maybe someone needed them? If anything, I do enjoy seeing new things arrive and watching the "vultures" in my apartment complex stare in awe waiting to descend and accessorize their apartments (which is always super entertaining because they all steel these things in work clothes... fancy vultures).

So.... yes, one man's trash is truly another man's treasure, at least in my apartment complex. Anyone else experience this weird phenomenon?

Are you ready for some football?!!

2010-01-24T17:27:00.000-08:00

Yes... I am alive in blogger world, I've been a spectator for the last couple of months... aka stalking out others and reading theirs, but now I'm back!

Let me first say this, my family has always liked football, we like watching the games, cough, the Cowboys, recreationally, of course, nothing too crazy.

Fast forward to this season... Parsons family decides randomly that, hey, you know what?, lets go to the Superbowl! Cue the football fanatics known as my family. We have watched EVERY game possible this season, Thursday night, we're there, Saturday night, going out, nope, all of us huddled watching the games. Now while the Cowboys were sadly knocked out of the ring last week, what did I do this Sunday? You guessed it, sat my butt down on the couch and watched both the earlier game between the Colts and the Jets... what am I still doing?, watching the Saints and Vikings, naturally. (Sophie thinks I'm crazy when I clap at the TV)

The sad thing is that now I'm INVESTED... these games make me nervous... I really want my picks to make it... I think I finally get the boy hype of why sports can suck you in... I'm there.

So... no matter what happens... I will be thrilled to be in Miami in two weeks because, dangit, I watched those teams get there!

EDIT: HECK YES the Saints are going to the Super Bowl!!!! Geaux Saints!

Rain, rain, seriously, time to go away...

2009-09-16T13:54:00.000-07:00

Dallas/ Ft. Worth has been invaded... but lots and lots of precipitation. Now, I am just as happy as anyone else that we are getting rain so the grass is green and we're not in a drought BUT.... we're going on a week of gloomy weather. What does this equal, me wanting to curl up inside and sleep, not the most productive use of time. Since the outlook calls for rain at least through Thursday, here are some things that I had experienced while in the rain...

1. If I had any doubt that I was allergic to humidity, I know for certain that my hair still frizzes and goes crazy. Just in case i had forgotten the good ol' Florida days, I am reminded!

2. No matter what college campus it is, drainage must be horrible. Baylor when it rained=flood. SMU when it rains= even bigger flood.

3. The Mary Poppins umbrella, which I have been obsessed with since I received it, has gotten some much needed use. Kiddos LOVE the umbrella as well! Makes Miss Parsons look cool.

4. My car was pretty dirty, so now I don't have to worry about washing it for awhile... it'll just get wet again as soon as I drive it outside.

5. My apartment has a garage, so I do get to avoid the mad dash from parking to my apartment.

6. It's not scorching hot... just mild and humid. Mild, yay, humidity, well I already covered that.

7. Sophie hates the rain. This has been the most fun development. When ever she goes outside, she doesn't want to. She gets crazy wet, dirty, and all around nasty. "Toweling off" time is fun, believe me!

8. I could only think of 7 items, but I don't like odd numbers, so random #8 I'm officially going to Disney World in October!!! Going to the sunshine state..YES!!

Routine is what routine does...

2009-09-07T19:42:00.000-07:00

Seeing that many other people are updating their blogs, here goes an update on life:

Because I am a plan person, I have fallen into a comfortable, albeit, maybe boring routine.

- I wake up

- go to school or work whichever it is that day

- come home

- eat

- deal with Sophie

- watch TV

- fall asleep on the couch

- realize I've fallen asleep on the couch

- put Sophie to bed

- drag myself into bed

There are, of course, variations in this routine, but after getting Sophie, I have fully embraced the fact that i need to keep her on a schedule, thus keep myself on a schedule. Only 6 more months of puppyhood (hopefully).

Minus the joys of parenthood (yes, Sophie is like my child), I have found myself in an elementary school student "teaching", aka helping around various classrooms, one day a week. I could feel the energy in the school and I'm not going to lie, I got super excited. This plus the fact that I will be tutoring a little boy (Matthew) twice a week for the semester really has me stoked about teaching!

I do wish I had a more exciting blog update, but life is calm, which I don't mind a bit right now. Movie going, training the pup, hanging out with friends, teaching, and maybe, just maybe, a trip to Disney is on the horizon.

Those who cannot do, teach: or maybe not...

2009-07-24T14:26:00.000-07:00

It has been forever and a day since the last update on my blog, so here is an update on my life:

- I've survived through 1/6 of my graduate program, yay, and I am knee deep in the next 3 hours
- These 3 hours are proving to be more bothersome than I would like:

And here comes the rant....

First of all, let me preface this rant with the fact that this is a math class FOR teachers... a professor is teaching us how to teach students. I was under the assumption that SMU would provide someone who was good at teaching. He can certainly do math just fine, the teaching us how to do it the way he wants it done, well, not so much. Here is what you need to know about George:
1. George is relatively new to SMU
2. George is VERY good at doing math, crazy scary and complicated math that he thinks we know how to do or care for that matter
3. George spent 20+ years teaching in a private all boys school
4. He is now teaching 27 women... he is not understanding we are different than boys
5. George lies- "NO, there will not be any problems on the test" skip to day of test "i've decided there will be problems on the test... a LOT of them!"
6. George makes up grades in his mind, not even kidding
7. George is freakishly unorganized... he loses people's papers every day
End of George and my rant, now on to other topics....
- Sophie is now 4 months old, my little terror is growing up, 2 obedience classes down, 6 more to go... she was the star of class last week, not in a good way!
- I am very excited that not only have i been able to hang out with the fam, but I have seen Celina, Tommy, and Amy in Dallas the last couple of weeks! I miss Baylor friends!
- I am more than caught up on movies... this is both good and bad
- I have now felt nauseous for 12 days, which is super fun for me, except not, any suggestions on how to fix this problem would be welcomed

A facelift....

2009-06-20T09:50:00.000-07:00

If you are viewing my blog, you should notice it has been updated! Ashley did an amazing job re-doing my blog, and I am excited to write about all the new things in my life... after July 2 that is!

-For those of you who care... school is crazy, apartment is still in need of decoration, and Sophie is getting into everything!! There are TOO many things on my plate right now!

A bird's gotta fly...

2009-06-04T10:08:00.000-07:00

Now I do know that it has been a while... a good long while since I last posted. I noticed today how far down the list I am on a friend's blogger list... hence the update.

I love Jay Leno, I have watched him every night since I came back from Florida. I watched him on and off for the better part of the last 8 years. Dad tried to get me to tune into Letterman, I was having none of that!!

When the announcement came that Conan was going to be taking over in 2009, I kept thinking, "ok, well, that sucks, but at least I have a couple years left." On May 29, 2009, that illusion of Jay being on ended. No more... Conan (which I have watched every night thus far this week, and I think he has some potential) has now taken over. The only solace I have is the fact that Leno is coming back in the fall, not The Tonight Show, but I'm sure I'll still love it!

My whole ode to Jay Leno thing aside... it had me thinking, this is really and end of an era. He was on air 17 years, that's a LONG time! I thought it was ironic that the day he ended his tonight show run, I was moving into an apartment to start my "grown up" life. I'm in Dallas now, working, and getting ready to start grad school on Monday, talk about starting a new chapter!!

So... Jay, you and I are kindred spirits, and sometimes, it's just time to start new chapters, spread our wings (forgive the cheesy pun, I had to include it!). See you in the fall!

And she has a plan...

2009-04-14T15:22:00.000-07:00

I'm a plan person... if you know me, then you already know this. I like to make lists, I like to know what I'm doing next, the uncertainty of situations scares me sometimes. (This WILL be long-winded, fair warning!)

I knew where I wanted to go to college, I was accepted late September of my senior year of high school to Baylor. I was an undecided major for maybe .5 seconds before I chose business. It drove me CRAZY not to know what I was doing after college; then Disney came up. Simple solution.

Fast forward seven months... nothing. I had NO idea what to do next. Do I stay at Disney (quickly decided that was a negative), go home (check), get a job (uncheck... hmmm)? I came back with a very confused mind. Now was the true test... what do I want to do with my life?!

I started thinking, really thinking, about what I wanted to do with my life, goodness knows I had enough downtime to get stuck in those thoughts. The more I thought, the more confused I got, it was frustrating.

God always has a way of working in mysterious ways. Everything started to click.... I love kids, working with them, Disney had solidified that. I wanted to enrich their lives, how could I do that in a good way? The Big Man Upstairs was giving me the perfect opportunity... teaching.

Now the scary part, I found a program that seemed perfect, a Masters degree in Education with Certification. I took the plunge and applied... Everything was turned in April 1, I didn't expect to hear anything yet... I hadn't even had time to work myself up over it... but there the envelope ended up, in my trembling hand yesterday. It was a small, inconspicuous, white envelope; we are trained to think that is a bad thing: I stopped breathing.

Good things do come in small packages sometimes. I GOT IN!! The program starts in June and sounds pretty intense, but I could NOT be more excited. I've got a plan again, one that I'm SO psyched and excited about, so, for a girl who loves planning and knowing...

Now, for a quick list of the top 5 things on my mind (besides getting into grad school that is!)

5. Medieval Times with the fam for easter... so fun

4. The weather, it's nice out, I even drove with my windows down today!

3. Spring clothes, I LOVE all the colors out right now!

2. The potential Europe trip (this one is #2 because grad school orientation may put a kink in that :(

1. Hannah Montana: The Movie (I am slightly obsessed with Miley/Hannah, so when this came out last week... I was there! Fave quote from the movie: "Life's a climb, but the view is great.")

You can take the girl out of Disney...

2009-04-01T20:11:00.001-07:00

but you certainly can't take Disney out of the girl...

I first of all would like to yet again apologize for the lack of updates. With my busy social calendar (insert sarcasm here,) I should be posting like it's going out of style.

On a side note, Ashley, I'm sorry for not getting you a title yet for the blog revamp, I haven't had inspiration strike yet... thanks for your patience!

I have been milling around the house, having a couple interviews and applying for grad school. I should find out about both of them in the near future, prayers are needed and would be greatly appreciated!

Now on to the actual update... I was able to travel back to Orlando and visit friends all the while fulfilling my seasonal working duties. Not only was it weird to be back, which it was, but I also had a weird sense of coming home. I know waaay too much about Walt Disney World and that is not normal and healthy.

Instead of droning on about my weekend, quick recap in my favorite bullet points...

10. The Florida weather... I did not miss this and it certainly did not miss me... everyone at work was joking I needed to stay indoors because I was like rain man, it kept following me!

9. Driving to Orlando and back from Tampa 6 times.... I know A LOT about that stretch of highway 4.

8. Staying in a different location every single night, my poor suitcase!

7. Going to all 4 parks in one day, I felt SO old, my ankles were swollen and I injured my foot, you can't take me anywhere.

6. Witnessing my manager getting laid off, THE most awkward moment ever...

5. Going back to work, I felt loved and appreciated and all those other puppy and sunshine feelings.. I even had cute kid and grandparent interactions, I missed those.

4. the vest, the black high-waisted pleated pants, and the nametag... enough said

3. going to earl of sandwich, Texas needs this restaurant, I had it twice and miss it already!

2. Getting my new ID, I was positively giddy, no lie... all the perks... YESSS!!

1. Seeing everyone again, I miss everyone more than I can say!!!!

I'm stuck on Band-Aid Brand...

2009-02-26T11:14:00.000-08:00

This will surely be THE most random blog post ever...

I have been contemplating Band-Aids, in my free time of course, or because I currently am wearing one on my thumb.. one never knows.

Here's the deal, when you're a kid, I feel like Band-Aids make sense, you're always scuffing your knees or cutting your arm, etc. Something is always going wrong and this little things are helping close those annoying little war wounds you've acquired because, let's face it, you're a kid and you're having fun.

Now, fast forward to the present, the Band-Aid becomes less common, if you think about it, how many times do you see professionals with Band-Aids on all the time? I've been looking (not in a creepy way, just observing) and noticed that this is more a rare exception rather than the norm. I think Band-Aids are more a sign of clumsiness than anything else, or some freaky little accident, or stupidity.

Exihibit A- Last night in my car, i noticed my headrest was a little higher on one side than the other. I have the bright idea to fix this... I push down on my headrest as hard as I can, and suddenly, the whole thing crashes down on my thumb, taking some skin with it. Hence, my need for a Band-Aid today. I'm chalking that one into category... not thinking at all aka stupidity!

And thus ends my ode to Band-Aids, just think, the next time you need a Band-Aid, wear that thing with pride!

What's In a name...

2009-01-27T14:05:00.000-08:00

I have become aware of my utter lacking in tending to the concept of the blog. Now, originally, I had hoped my blog would help chronicle my time at Disney and after. After looking back, I have noticed what a terrible job I did with that. Not only did I not blog about my random adventures while in Florida, but now I have too much time on my hands and STILL cannot manage to update my blog.

What a very sad expression of my thoughts, a little self deprecating, and for that I apologize. On to bigger and brighter things I suppose... the top 10 list of what has been and continues to go on in my life...

10. I spent the last part of 2008 stuck in a fog of vacation planner delirium, packed with people and tired beyond belief.

9. I spent my first Christmas... alone, let me tell you, that was depressing, I count my blessings that I have and uncle living in Florida, surely without him, I would have had a pity party for myself in my apartment.

8. I attempted to cram everything into Orlando that I had been neglecting for the past several months, going out, going to the parks, ultimately staying super busy

7. The Abendschein clan descended on Orlando right after the holidays, i don't think Amy knows how much joy that brought me in my last week at Disney.

6. I was able to watch new year's eve fireworks from the polynesian resort... close to as spectacular as fourth of july (i will be ruined of fireworks for the rest of my life.. once you've seen Disney fireworks all others pale in comparison)

5. On January 2, i packed up 7 months of my life and put it all back in Libby, and started the trek home, it was emotional, I miss those people more than I can say, it must be living through Disney together, we survived, and for that we are forever linked.

4. Safely back in Texas, the search for a replacement for Libby (the Liberty) soon began... let's face it, she was having some issues... so here is the part where I introduce Minnie (or Sexy, or Manny, or even Emmy... her name is still in debate) the Murano.. I love her already!

3. This now brings us to the relative present... jobless and searching. It's hard to figure out what to do with your life when the "plan" falls through... i'm exploring some options that I'm sure would surprise some.. more on that in a later blog post...

2. This coming weekend, I will be traveling to NYC to see Dez and meet up with a Disney friend.. I need this and cannot wait to be there. I am SO excited!

1. This brings us the final point, the most important, I'm sure... what's in a name? The name of course I'm referring to is my blog name... it certainly does not apply anymore... I am far, far away from the mouse house... I'm thinking "Couch Patato Speaks out" or "Slacker on the Sofa" Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

I also commend and congratulate you if you made it all the way through, this was long winded indeed.

All the cool kids are doing it...

2008-12-11T14:43:00.000-08:00

My blogger updates are being flooded by this, so I thought I'd give it a go:

I can only answer with one word so here ya go!

1. Where is your cell phone? close
2. Your significant other? ?
3. Your hair? curled
4. Your mother? honest
5. Your father? loving
6. Your favorite thing? movies
7. Your dream last night? none
8. Your favorite drink? diet
9. Your dream/goal? happiness
10. The room you're in? bedroom
11. Your fear? complacency
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? nyc
13. Where were you last night? dinner
14. What you're not? drama
15. Muffins/donuts? muffin
16. One of your wish list items? car
17. Where you grew up? southlake
18. The last thing you did? read
19. What are you wearing? robe
20. Your TV? disney
21. Your pet? brandy
22. Your computer? mac
23. Your life? busy
24. Your mood? rested
25. Missing someone? yep
26. Favorite pastime? drawing
27. Something you're not wearing? shoes
28. Favorite Store? urban
29. Your summer? hot
30. Your favorite color? blue
31. When is the last time you laughed? now
32. Last time you cried? yesterday
33. Who will re-post this? brittani
34. Four places I go over and over? work, parks, home, church
35.Four people who e-mail me? mom, monster, jcrew, disney
36. Four of my favorite foods? chicken, potatoes, chocolate, cookies
37. Four places I would like to be right now? texas, london, nyc, australia
38. Four people I tag? ash, brian, brittani, dez, dave

A more thorough update will be on the way:

until then, the countdown to Disney has begun, 2 weeks, kinda scary, but true!

It's Now or Never...

2008-11-03T16:45:00.000-08:00

As Amy so delicately pointed out this past weekend, I have been majorly slacking on the updates of my life, so here we go, in bullet points of course.

- First off, for those following, Mikey and I broke up, turns out he wasn't the guy for me, good to figure out quickly I guess, we're attempting friends, we'll see how this goes...

- Secondly, again if you're you keep updated on my fb, I am mildy obsessed with HSM 3, rather ridiculously in fact, the current count is 4, hopefully that is the final count. (I attribute the severity of this situation due to the fact that I am in fact working for Disney right now, the culture just breeds this...)

- In relation to the previous post, I was chosen for the HSM 3 show at Hollywood Studios, I felt very entertainment-ish :)

- A bummer point, all my sickness now seems to make more sense... MONO, boo, thanks Mikey! I'm heading to the doctor tomorrow to get more blood work to see how much longer I have to feel crappy.

- Due to all the sickness, my manager gave me a week off, starting Nov 10th ! Texas here I come! I'm so excited!!

- Last but certainly one of the best points... Last weekend I was able to spend with Amy in Jacksonville (or Jax as the locals call it ) Few highlights: relaxing with Amy, nice weather, good shopping, pumpkin carving, music and pic exchanges, and of course FOOD ( I love Cami Cakes and mellow mushroom, two of my favs of the trip :) It was just an all around great weekend with Amy, a weekend that was much needed...

Help! I need somebody... or at least my white blood cells do...

2008-10-04T18:00:00.000-07:00

When I say this as my blog post, don't be super alarmed, just a clever little note to start off the post... I enjoy lists, so here's some fun little updates on my life

- I make this post just days after having a VERY sore throat, now bear in mind, I had strep throat three weeks ago. This sore throat was the last thing I needed, turns out I had a bacterial infection in my throat, just as painful as strep throat but less treat-able by antibotics... super bummer

- In relation to this, next sore throat means I need to go to an ENT (ears, nose, and throat) doctor to discuss getting my tonsils removed :(

- My new roommate: oh goodness, there is hair, snot, and smells, which has been eating away at me slowly since she arrived, i'm having some gag reflex issues...

- Which leads me to my next announcement... I'm moving apartments, to the new ones (yess) Stay tuned for the interesting-ness of me attempting to move all my stuff, can we say nightmare?!

- A couple weeks ago, Mike and I DTR'd the relationship, and he took me to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party... super fun and A LOT of candy, yay for me!

- My parents are set to come in a couple weeks, I'm in definite need of this, I miss the parentals!

- Final random Disney moment... a little girl called me "mommy" today, very sweet but very weird at the same time...

Every face a new face...

2008-09-13T15:29:00.000-07:00

So It's been awhile, probably a bit of an understatement, but I will now attempt an update on my life through a series of bullet points:

- I'm not gonna lie, I've been through a rough couple of weeks. Long story short, I was given an opportunity to leave Disney, took it, then was completely and utterly road-blocked and denied, I didn't see that one coming...

- There are literally millions of new people at work, in the last two weeks, 24 new college program people arrived. I feel like its rush all over again, millions of people that I am supposed to automatically remember their names. They have it easy, there's only 5 old college program people, I mean there's just SO many of them.

- In regards to this, some of the new ones are really interesting, take Lamar for example, poor boy, he keeps selling annual tickets that expire on the day he sells them, he forgets to change the expiration date, sad for the guest when they figure this out, kinda entertaining for me :)

- Michael Phelps totally came to WDW and my manager actually let my friend and I go over to see him, ON the clock, I got paid for being a fangirl! (aka a "Phelps Phan")

- Oh yeah, most people are aware of this, I met a boy, of course in my costume at parade (this costume seriously attracts the boys!) His name is Michael, and we have been on a couple dates... we'll see where this goes

- Last but not least, I'm seriously hoping Amy and I can see each other in the near future, that would be nice :) Come on Ambie, DisneyWorld is DEAD right now, perfect time to come visit

You say goodbye and I say hello

2008-08-19T18:55:00.000-07:00

I'm currently in the middle of my first tropical storm, so this seemed like a perfect time to blog away... that is until I lose power or something from all the wind and rain :) I thoroughly enjoy updating my life through random bullet points, so here we go...

- Went home and then to Celina and Tommy's wedding, AMAZING! I'm so glad I was able to be there and have an all around a great time at home. I can't wait to call up "The Byrd's" soon... how fun is that?!

- I have continued my obsession with the Olympics, I'm serious, pretty much any sport that is on, I'm glued to for hours, I'm pretty sure my roommates think I have a problem

- My last two days of work have bugged me... somethings seems off and I can't really pinpoint, I think I'm at the point where I'm just over it and I'm homesick from just coming back from Texas

- This brings me to my final point, one which I'm very confused and don't really know what to think about. I received an email from Disney last night basically stating that the fall program is overbooked... this means that they are offering people from my program to leave early (and when I say early, it's August 29th, aka next week) Now.... I'll be the first to admit that this program has definitely been a challenge, mentally and physically, but I'm not sure I'm ready to leave in a week. I'm currently weighing both options carefully before I make my final decision. There are pros and cons to each, staying or going. This is going to be hard, so any prayers would be welcomed.

- To end on a funny note, because everyone enjoys when i have a wacky guest story.... Yesterday I walk by our vending machines, and realize they look a little different. I look again and have realized that our guests UNPLUGGED the vending machine so they could charge their electric wheelchairs... really people REALLY?!

The Silence is deafening

2008-08-10T16:48:00.000-07:00

So as many of you know I've been having some issues since being in Florida. It all started when my voice started getting scratchy, the next week I had some eye issues, the following week my ankle swelled up like a balloon... this brings me back full circle. My voice gave out on me today. Everyone at work laughed when I showed up because I literally sounded like Mickey Mouse... terrible and very funny at the same time. With this latest development, I was told to go to the doctor.... and on doctor's orders, I am under a STRICT vocal restriction... also known as I must NOT talk very much for 7 DAYS!

I started my vow of silence today, let's just say I am hardcore struggling... I like to talk, being silent is hard! I guess God wanted me to be able to rest because I am now on orders not to work during the aforementioned week.. I was upset about this at first, but now realize this may be for the better. I can have time to relax and recoup before going back to work... so here's to the future of my voice!

In other news, I am beyond excited to see everyone for Celina and Tommy's wedding, I can't believe its been so long since I've seen people... I'm about to burst with happy energy!

I'd also like to thank everyone that wished me a happy birthday, it was my first birthday away from home and each one of you helped make it a great day!

PS: I have been hardcore stalking Disney special events people around when I work parade... more chatting about Miley coming... I freaked out a bit!

Oh my goodness I almost forgot to mention how happy I am about the Olympics, I love them so much and can literally sit for hours on end watching random events, a good thing to do with me, myself, and I... in silence!

Seeing is believing

2008-07-31T19:39:00.000-07:00

It's been quite a few weeks since I've posted, so without further rambling. here is an update of my life:

- Shocking... I still sell tickets, BUT, I am now equipped to sell tickets at ALL 4 parks! Sounds exciting, really, it's not. I get super confused on which park to go to on which day. I just know one day I'm going to show up at the wrong park... that should be interesting.

- I broke down and got my hair cut, now don't freak out on me, just a trim... but still scary to go to someone new in a new place

- I have visited the nicest hospital known to man (true story, they were worried the hospital wouldn't make it, so as a back up plan it can be turned into a resort) ps- the hospital visit was not for me, but for a friend. Say a little prayer for Wendy.

- I had a guest tell me I look "hot" in my costume, he was lying but it made me feel better about myself

- Attended what I like to call "Allison's Music Filled Week" complete with Miley Cyrus' new CD, Michelle Branch, and wait for it.... Idina Menzel

- Idina deserves a bullet point of her very own. Anyone who knows me is aware of this obsession. I have wanted to see her live for almost four years now. I had her built on kind of a high pedestal... just FYI, she was AMAZING! No words can describe.

- We are having a scavenger hunt in Magic Kingdom tomorrow, I think it'll be fun, so yeah.

- Seeing Amy on Saturday for b-day fun, I'm stoked!

- Final bullet point, I will be in Texas is 14 days! I could NOT be more EXCITED!!!

Time goes by.. so slowly...

2008-07-14T15:53:00.000-07:00

I've realized that I've slacked considerably on the whole blog thing in the past couple of weeks. Disney is.. well Disney. I work, eat, then wait for it... go to bed and start all over again.

This is not to say that the past few weeks haven't been exciting because they have been, it is just a warning to everyone that this post will consist of me droning on about work stuff because that is what I spend my time doing... working.

With that said, having been here for almost 2 months, I've attempted to adapt to Florida... it's kind of working I suppose. Work is... interesting, I'm currently making my way around to all 4 parks. I'm on park number three this week, and I'm finding out that each part is surprisingly different in operations. This is not that much fun for me! The managers enjoy saying "aww, look at the trainees!" (ps- we are NOT trainees, i already know my job, just not the location!)

The apartment also got a new roommate, she's from Scotland and I enjoy hearing her say certain phrases throughout the day. My personal favorite right now is when she says "oh bollocks." Ultimately she doesn't snore, so that works for me!

Until I have more exciting news, this will have to suffice. My parents come tomorrow and I'm going to a couple concerts in the next two weeks, so should be blog worthy.

Fun guest experience of the week: someone asked me out.. he was even willing to buy me a ticket. How's that for guest service?!

And things get a little crazy...

2008-06-28T19:40:00.000-07:00

So, I've decided that to follow up my last super depressing post with all the bad things that were happening, this post would veer on the lighter side of life. I'll give you a top 10 of random Disney occurrences that will *hopefully offer some entertainment:

10. In a zippy and unexpected twist, my roommate, aka "the snorer" decided her "lifestyle" was different that the other three in the apartment and moved out. (Needless to say the other side of my room is empty right now :( but very quiet :)

9. The last two assignments for my class have been to watch Disney movies, Camp Rock and the Haunted Mansion, boo on the last one by the way

8. I went to a dueling piano bar with some people from work, very fun and much needed stress reliever

7. My hair is up ALL the time, the "fountain" now resembles Mickey Mouse, or so I'm told

6. I upgraded 4 tickets to 10 day park hoppers, a big deal in ticket world

5. I ran into a cone a work, like the huge orange ones, just plowed right into it and almost face planted in front of guests... super awkward

4. I had a very nice conversation about Hannah Montana with a "tween," she even busted out some dance moves from "Nobody's perfect"

3. They're testing out special 4th of July fireworks tomorrow, and I'm a guinea pig to see how they look :)

2. I played with kids at the parade today and even led crowd yelling, i felt so important

*1. And, the number one fun fact from the last week or so... I almost had a huge lady pass out ontop of me. I seriously thought both of us were going down... we both survived thank you very much!

'Cause you had a bad day...

2008-06-19T14:14:00.000-07:00

I think this title is appropriate for how my day has been, shocking for one because it's my day off! I'll rehash my not so great day and then move on to happier things... so stick with me.

First off, this morning started off rough by dropping my contact on the floor, so here I am crawling all over the floor looking for it, and after several minutes of frantic searching, I gave up and opened a brand spankin' new one, boo on both crawling around and having to open a new contact. (For those wondering, I did find my old contact later in the day)

Second issue, which technically has been been brewing for the last couple of weeks. My roommate snores, simple as that. We're not talking softly though, or heavy breathing, we're talking "is there a chainsaw over there with her" sort of snore. Now, I've been trying to figure out the best way to deal with this... I first tried to ignore it: didn't work. Then I had to brilliant idea to play music: didn't work. Then, stroke of genius, someone at work gave me earplugs that parking uses aka "good earplugs": didn't work. This girl is OUT of control!

Branching out from this second issue, I chose today to chat with her about it, and let her know that I MIGHT be thinking of moving apartments; let's just say it ended badly with her, AND housing was not too helpful (people, we work at Disney, where is the guest service?!)

So, after these issues, I decide it's time for some retail therapy, BUT before I go, I decide to take out the apartment's trash. Let's just say this ended with my car keys at the bottom of a dumpster in some interesting wet substance...

But, not all my days have been bad... I thoroughly enjoy walking into the happiest place on earth for free! I've been to all four parks now, and let me just say, definitely still tons o' fun. I actually went to Hollywood Studios all by myself, which weird enough, I had a great time. I'm looking forward to having more "guests" like some I've had. Kids coming to Disney can be pretty darn cute. In other news... part of my homework for my class is to watch "Camp Rock"... I'm OK with that.

The times are a-changing

2008-06-10T18:26:00.000-07:00

When I think about how I thought my life would be after I graduated college, this was not exactly the picture in my head. Not to say that it is a good thing or a bad thing that my life is different than I thought, but just to say that in the last couple of weeks I have learned that sometimes God has a plan that is designed to challenge and help you grow more than you thought possible.

As my first blog post ever, that last paragraph may have come off as a little... interesting to say the least. I must say, that after the last couple of weeks, I definitely have learned to appreciate change. It feels like forever since I was in Waco with friends and family for Baylor graduation. If I could go back to that moment and freeze that feeling, I would. After graduation, I must admit that I was a ball of emotion until I arrived with my dad to Orlando. Now, bear in mind, I graduated, had a week at home, and then was whisked (18 hours later of driving actually) off to Orlando to begin an internship at Disney.

Since arriving at Disney, I have met so many people, interacted with so many people, and seen a little reveal of "Disney magic," which does kind of make the whole illusion of Disney World disappear quickly when you see characters running around without their heads on. Two weeks after training, I've done nothing but work, train actually, but after Friday I will hopefully be a full vacation planner and ready to go forth for the next seven months. I won't lie and say I love it, but this is all about an "opportunity" so I will stick it out and work my butt off until it is time to leave.

All of this recap of my life is just to point out that my life is still in chaos. A month ago, I lived in Waco, this month, I'm working more than I have ever done in my life, am 1300 miles away from home, and get bossed around by a "mouse." Life sure has a way of turning out different than you think...