My Summer Vacation

So this summer I did the alumni program at Disney in Orlando Florida. I had a fantastic time! My roommates were the best and I know that we are going to be life long friends. I have to say that the job this time around was not as much fun as I would have liked, but I feel that I did make the most of it. Living in Florida for a second time made me realize how much I missed it. Initially I thought it was strange. I had gotten so used to being back home in my reality that it was difficult to adjust back to the Disney way of life. Once I started work and going to the parks regularly I picked up my old Disney habits and it became second nature in a sense. There is something about this place that draws you back in. It makes it hard to leave it all behind. I don't know what it is exactly whether it's the people, the work environment or just the place itself. All I know is that I always get a sense of security when I walk through the front entrance of the Magic Kingdom and enter main street USA. I can go there and feel as though I have become a part of something much bigger than myself.

I knew this time around it was only going to be for a summer so I tried to have fun but not let myself get as attached. Finally the day came where I had to leave again and it surprised me that I automatically started crying after waking up that morning. The trip home was nice since I had Whitney, one of my roommates, with me. Since I have been home I have tried to keep myself busy to prevent me from thinking about it. I still miss it daily and maybe I will return again one day. I have realized though that I need to stop living in the past and start living in the present and allowing opportunity for the future to arise. Disney has been a big part of my life and probably will always be in a sense, but it's time for me to be on my own for a while without revisiting the mouse.

My current bucket list...

Things I would like to accomplish before I "kick the bucket" so to speak...

1. Ride in a hot air balloon

2. Backpack Europe

3. See the pyramids of Giza

4. Fall in love

5. Go on a road trip across the country

6. Go to all the Disney parks around the world

7. Learn a different language

8. Go on a cruise

9. Write a play

10. Sing with a live band

11. Learn how to play Rimskij-Korsakov:The Flight of the Bumble-Bee on the piano

12. Go horseback riding

13. Make a documentary

14. Get married at sunset

15. Swim with dolphins

16. Get a tattoo

17. Kiss underwater

18. Meet my half siblings

19. Go on a safari

20. Find a career that I am passionate about

21. Have a family

22. Graduate College

23. Be a hero

24. Go to a drive-in movie

25. Go parasailing

26. Go out on a row boat during a full moon

27. Save a life

28. Watch every movie that is mentioned in the Great Movie Ride at Disney's Hollywood Studios

29. Write a love song

30. Make a sand castle with a loved one