"We've Got Magic to Do"

GREETINGS FROM ORLANDO FLORIDA!

As of 12:49 this afternoon I became an official employee of The Disney Company! Complete with employee ID and nametag! I am now a part of the magic :)

On a scale of 1 to 10, how excited am I? UM, ABOUT 70,000!

I have a wonderful little 3rd floor apartment with three amazing roommates.  The weather is gorgeous here, and I start my official training tomorrow. In the meantime, I'm spending the night baking cookies and organizing the rest of my stuff ... cuz I'm just that awesome, and that's how I spend MY Friday nights!

The adventure has officially begun. Glad to have you along for the ride!

Send Me On My Way

Current Location : Savannah, Georgia

This marks the halfway point on my trip to Orlando, and it is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen. Mom and I wandered around downtown a little tonight, and now I wish I could stay for a month.

We had dinner at this adorable little hole-in-the-wall called Vinnie Van Go Go's. It's a cash-only pizza place with slices bigger than your head. Indoor seating is cozy, at the tables or at the bar, and outdoor seating is perfect for people-watching. It's the kind of place that has bumper stickers plastering the back hallway and white twinkle lights strung up around the ceiling. A place where everyone knows the regulars.

And they deliver their pizza anywhere downtown ... by bicycle. Is it a little ridiculous how EXCITED I am by that?

If you're ever down in Savannah, take a walk around Franklin Square. You won't regret it. And stop on over at Vinnie's. Get a booth outside in the warm breeze and watch the world pass you by.

http://www.vinnievangogo.com/

F.R.I.E.N.D.S

For Christmas this year, I got The Complete Series of F.R.I.E.N.D.S ! I had been wanting it for the longest time! It's one of those shows that always cheers me up, and always makes me grateful for the friends in my life.

Too sappy? Yeah, alright moving on.

The thing is, I think I just love the group dynamic in that show. I love that Monica's apartment is where everyone just goes to hang out, because that's what I always wanted my apartment to be. I love being the hostess, and just having people show up. I love when my friends are comfortable enough just coming over, and when everyone knows each other's stories and histories and fun little quirks ... When I finally grow up and I'm out on my own, I hope my life can be a little like that show :)

Today, I finished the last episode of the last season. I made my way through the entire series in just under a month, because I have no life ! It made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me want to start the whole process over again! And now, for your viewing pleasure and to make YOU laugh, one of my favorite gag reels from the show :)

Snails

Snails never have to worry about packing. They carry their whole homes right there on their backs, and they never have to worry about leaving something behind, or bringing too much, or dressing weather appropriate ... or hotels ... making reservations ... having luggage accidentally re-routed ...

I've gotten carried away. Back to the point : lucky little buggers!

I pack a full suitcase for a weekend away. Two full suitcases for a week. This is not including the extra bag of shoes, and bathroom bag full of makeup and hair stuff. And then I have my computer, my purse, a book, an extra pillow ... So, basically, my car is packed to capacity any time I leave home for more than three days. I am a self-diagnosed over-packer. And every time I try to UNDER-pack, I end up leaving something important behind. Or, like one memorable trip last summer, I leave EVERYTHING important behind!

Problem : I am about to move down to Florida for an entire semester. That is FOUR months. You do the math people! My car can't handle it!

Solution : Become a snail. Or a turtle! Turtles have more space ... 

This is why I need to learn to speak Spanish

411 -- Directory Assistance.

I never use it, because it is $1.99 every time, and I just don't have that kind of money. (The sad life of a starving artist)

But yesterday, my mother needed me to use it. Said she'd pay that part of the bill, I just needed to get the number for the smoothie shop (Red Mango! Trust me, at some point it will get its own post ...) and we'd be on our way.

Dialed, got the robotic and only slightly terrifying "Press ONE for English"

... and I pressed two. Finger slipped, I have no excuse other than basic human error, but yes. I pressed the wrong number.  And, apparently, TWO is telephone-speak for SPANISH.

I do not speak Spanish. At "Hola" I hung up. Panicked, and just hung up.

Dialed again ... and here's the fun part : once you pick a language, APPARENTLY you can't change it! They no longer offered me the language/number option, they just kicked me over to Spanish! And, again, I panicked. And hung up. SIX TIMES this happened!

I apologize to all of the Spanish-speaking operators that I hung up on yesterday, but I don't handle these things very well. Clearly.

Also, I apologize to my mother. Yes, you will be paying for each of those 411 calls. It was your idea, and now I can never use directory assistance ever again. At least, not until I learn to speak Spanish.

Bittersweet

This is my last post from Buena Vista, Virginia. As of tomorrow, I'm gone, at least for the foreseeable future.

It's been the most incredible journey, right from the start. I met some of the most important people in my life here at SVU, and made lifelong friends. I found love, and music, and family. Southern Virginia University was the best place I could possibly be for the last three years, and I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to be here.

Thank you to everyone who let me be a part of your life, even for a little while. I will miss these mountains, this school, and this town.

"You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" 

Megan Klein -- You were my first friend here. You took care of me when I didn't know anybody, and let me crash at the mods with you so I didn't have to be alone :) Thank you for waiting to watch "Singing in the Rain" with me! And thank you for always making me feel welcome.

Watching the snow

Arielle -- You're my kind of crazy! I love that you got all of my little quirks:) Thank you for cake dates, and towel talk, and all the random little notes that let me know I was loved! I wish you all the best, always. Eeek Eek EEEEK!

Married Homecoming :)

Mariel and Erik -- I loved living so close to you guys, and I was crushed when you moved! Mariel, I always think of you when I start holiday decorating :) And Erik, the way you talk about Mariel is inspiring. I love how much you love her, and how perfect you two are together.

Spring Break -- OBX

Buck and Whitni -- Remember when we got snowed in at your place? Best. Night. Ever :) Thank you both so much for always being there. You were such an example to us, and I still miss both of you! Whitni, I still sing "I can't believe I called you FAT" whenever I sing "my own worst enemy" :)

Totally hot prisoners :)

Sarah -- I loved working with you in Man of La Mancha SO much! Really, we were TOTALLY the best part of the show ;) You can do anything you want, and I KNOW you can. I have admired your whole attitude and  the way you view life from the moment I met you. Just be you: Nobody does it better.

Homecoming 

Chase and Darla -- Best next-door neighbors EVER! Chase, you were a blast in Hufford's writing class, I was so glad to have you there! And Darla, thank you for always being there. I miss having you just a doorbell away. You're both going to be great parents! Congratulations!

Seriously??

Morgan -- My person! My corpse-dragging, getaway-car-driving person! I'm so sorry that I'm leaving you, but I have complete faith in you! You can conquer any dark-and-twistys that the world throws at you. Seriously ;)

Sexy with a tie ;)

Aubrey -- You've always been closer than a friend, you know that. You're an extra sister more than anything :) I loved having you right across the hall freshman year, and watching you and Patrick fall in love. I'm going to miss watching Seth grow up. You were always there no matter what, and you made me want to be a better person. I love you, always.

Best cake I've EVER had!

Kristen -- I know I haven't known you that long, but you've been such a wonderful part of my life. You and Bronson are such good people, and I admire your spirit and your heart. I really am going to miss you something awful. I'm always just a phone call away, remember that!

Princess Button

Greta -- One of my biggest regrets in all of this is that we will no longer be cousins. But I will always love you like family, no matter what. I am so proud of how quickly you grew here. You're going to set the world on fire. I'm going to miss you just showing up at my door, and keeping your extra pillow and toothbrush at my apartment. Your visits were never unwelcome, or too long. I absolutely adore you, dearest puzzle piece.

Shaving cream BATTLE!

Brayden -- Where do I even begin? You are my very best friend. I will always be here for you, no matter what or when or where. We might be ending, but our adventures are just beginning. You're going to be a fantastic doctor. And you made me into a writer. There would be no story without you. Thank you for helping me grow, and being my partner. Thank you for taking care of me even when I didn't deserve it, and for making me try fried eggs for the first time :) I'll never be able to tell you how much I appreciate you, so I'm going to stop trying now. But no matter where we go from here, thank you for the last three years.

I know there are people I've forgotten to mention. People I've been in shows with. Professor Stoddard, who it was always an honor to work with. Ashley Latta, who gave me the best soup recipe on the planet :) Sarah Friday, my stage momma. Alex Carter, who knows that "If you die in Canada, you die in REAL LIFE!" The entire Taylor family, every single brilliant one of them. I love all of you!

I'll miss you, Southern Virginia University.