Vacation: Strategy is Everything

Let me just start out by saying that my family takes vacations very seriously.

What? This is oxymoronic, you say? Vacations are not serious?

Well, you have never been on a vacation with my family.

Some people enjoy sunbathing on a beach for a week, occasionally strolling on a boardwalk or getting an ice cream cone.

Not my family (well, we do get ice cream).

It is not a vacation to us if at some point we are not planning, making lists, and powerwalking.

And let me tell you, Disney World is perfect for those OCD planner types. Yes, I got the Unofficial Guide. Yes, I came up with a plan of attack for each day in the parks. Yes, I researched the best foods, the best rides, the best tips and tricks to get the MOST out of our time in Orlando.

So worth it! We don't exactly live next door to Mickey Mouse, you see. We had to travel many miles to get there. I didn't want to leave without experiencing the best of everything. Also, waiting in line for 2 hours is for the weak!

Strategy is everything!

As you may be able to tell, I loved it. I loved poring over the book and researching Disney World food blogs. I loved planning out exactly what we would do as soon as we got into each park to maximize those key morning hours. I loved barking orders at gently leading my family.

Best. vacation. ever.

Happy 4th of July everyone! Stay safe and enjoy your family and friends.

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I am proud to say that no one in my family wore a fanny pack. I cannot say that about the last time we were in Disney World. 

Cheap? No. Magical? Ooohhhh, Yes.

Okay, I promised a couple vacation-related posts. Here we go!

If you've been to Disney World, you get what I mean when I say it truly is the Happiest Place on Earth. Seriously. Not an exaggeration.

Besides the occasional crying child/screaming parent combo, it was simply divine.

I mean, I could've done without the long lines. And the extreme heat and humidity. And the $4 ice cream cups.

But those minor issues did not stop me from practically tearing up our last day. I know, right? Like I'm a five-year-old having a tantrum leaving the toy store. That's how awesome it was.

Disney World is an experience. The people that run it want you to be happy. They want the environment to be family-friendly. They want you to leave with a smile on your face.

I have never been in a place where so many employees were so in love with their jobs. Sure, we got the occasional worker having an off-day. For Disney World, this means maybe only a half-smile. But the vast majority of "cast members" looked like they were having the time of their lives.

Right down to the guy poking pieces of trash with a stick or the girl wiping down tables. Everyone was happy, helpful, and looking for ways to make our time at Disney World magical.

In light of this, I have decided to quit graduate school and my job and move to Orlando and become a Disney princess.

Just kidding.

But if I did, I would totes be Belle.

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A Summer Escape

Well hey!

I've taken a longer break from blogging than I like...but I have a good excuse.

It involves sunshine, Orlando, and Mickey Mouse.

Oh, yes! Vacation!

The plan was to continue blogging while I was away using posts written in advance, but that just did not happen. (I'd like to insert a shout-out to my grad school professors here.)

I'm currently catching up on homework, organizing my life, preparing to go back to work today, and editing hundreds of pictures.

Speaking of which, a special thanks to all the strangers that took pictures of my family. I'm speaking primarily of the kind, competent-looking people we asked to take group shots. Although, to those of you who accidentally got me in your picture (PHOTOBOMB!), you're welcome.

Disney World is an excellent place to start random conversations with people. Standing in line for 45 minutes to meet Winnie the Pooh sort of loosens your tongue. It was also fun offering to take pictures of other people. I'm sure that those moms wanted to have some kind of proof they was actually at Epcot with their families.

So, look forward to a few vacation-related posts coming up. Here's a hint for you:

Oh, I'll Get Her a Journal

I am a girl who owns many journals.

Journals, diaries, notebooks...whatever you want to call them.

I've got a lot. I consider myself somewhat of an accidental collector.

Cool notebooks are a pretty standard gift, after all. People must think, I don't know her very well...I'll get her a notebook! It's like lotion. So versatile. She's a girl, so she must enjoy writing down her feelings and moisturizing her hands.

And....it's true. I like both notebooks and lotion, by the way.

But I've never really liked writing down my feelings. I went through stages where I tried to keep a "diary" but I ended up destroying many pages after rereading. Ugh, feelings sound so stupid when you write them down. And what if someone found them and read them? No thank you.

As a result of me trying to write and then hating to write and then destroying what I'd written, I have lots of notebooks with half of the pages written.

There's nothing quite like starting a new notebook for class, Bible study, lists, whatever. Unless you're starting an old notebook. In which case I may need to tear out five pages of stupid thoughts first.

What is old (and already written in) is new again!

I wish I hadn't thrown so much of my writing away, every time I wanted to start a new notebook. I'd kind of like to read some things over.

Nah. *r i i i i i i i i i p*

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Summer + School - Books = Does Not Compute

I have a sad addiction to new books.

I mean, I work at a library. I see all that new stuff coming in, and my fingers itch to turn pages. Celebrity memoirs, health fads, picture books, the newest YA dystopian novel...I'm not super discerning when it comes to books.

Cruising the online library catalog is something I just can't keep myself from doing. I place holds like nobody's business! I have been known to have up to 70 items on hold at the library. Mostly new things.

So I just had to suspend my holds (about 50 now) since I'm too busy. Busy at work, busy at home, busy with school.

Too busy for new stuff.

Too busy for the latest in the series. Too busy for the blockbuster that was just released on dvd. Too busy for the latest paleo cookbook (I have dabbled).

When I am too busy for new library stuff, my life is topsy-turvy!

Everything is suspended for a month. Let me get myself together!

I remember my first summer working full-time. I was like, what is this "work" when the sun is shining, the birds are singing, and the ice cream cones are dripping on the hot pavement?

Now this is my first summer working full-time and taking classes.

My head says GET TO WORK YOU BUM while my heart says the hammock in the backyard would like to speak with you. right now.

I will push through. I will! But I've got to make tough decisions to stay focused. I must place my addiction aside.

And I say to myself, good luck with that.

Park It Right Here

So, where do you park?

Obviously, there's something very exciting and satisfying about finding the best spot in the lot. You turn in just in time to snag a parking space right next to the handicapped section. Hooray!

This is especially gratifying if it's raining outside. If it's raining, of course I'm wearing my moccasins (wearing them basically guarantees rain) and of course I don't have my umbrella. Grabbing the perfect spot will give me the momentum I need to run in between the few raindrops I encounter on my way to the door!

But sometimes, if it's not raining... who cares about parking close up? I'm strong. I have long legs that work. I like to engage in extra physical activity.

Oh, and on beautiful, sunshiney days? I park as far away as I can!

I really don't mind walking. And if my parking a bit farther away frees up better spots for people who have trouble walking very far, then why not?

Mmm, nothing like a brisk stride across a parking lot. Gets the blood flowing.

And to me, the ability to "pull through" a parking spot totally trumps a closer spot. Yay for not having to back up! Parking lots can be crazy to drive through.

I'd rather walk.

In the Children's Library

I believe that it is pretty much impossible to sit among a rowdy group of 3-6 year-olds and not be happy.

My storytimes are my favorite programs. I get to play games and read stories to kids who get excited over anything and everything we do.

"Who wants to read a story?" "MEEEEEEEEE!"

"Who wants to play a game?" "I DOOOOOO!"

"Should we parade around the library?" "YEEEESSSSS!"

Growing up and being an adult is tough. Seeing trouble and sadness in the world is tough. We all have our problems. We all have our disappointments. But sit yourself down among children for a while, and remember what it's like to be excited!

We've got a couple parachutes for the kids to play with here at the library. They're kind of wrinkled and kind of beat up. One is missing a handle, ripped off by a giggling kid. I keep bringing them back to storytime due to popular demand.

I toss a few stuffed animals or beanbags in the center, the kids grab onto handles, and we shake and jump and wave the parachutes all around, often flinging the animals or beanbags all over the place.

They love it! You wouldn't believe the shrieking and laughing!

The adults watching can't help but laugh too. It's so infectious.

Working with kids is the best. I can make up a game on the spot that could be completely lame, but everyone rallies around it. I ask them to hold their hands up in the air and fingers shoot up, wiggling, faces turned toward me with expectation.

What a great age. Before they grow up. While they can still get enthusiastic about tossing beanbags into a basket. While their biggest problem is an untied sneaker. While their eyes are bright, their smiles are genuine, and their curiosity is never satisfied.

Kids completely energize me. And I love it. :)

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