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Sunday, October 31, 2010

Halloween Is My Favorite

While last night was really fun but pretty relaxed, I still think this year was great.  We had a change in plans because the metro was horribly fucked up.  We met at MBs for pregame and some dinner and then went to RiRa in Clarendon.  RiRa is my new favorite bar.  I love the bands and just tend to have a great time when we're there.  Then we popped over to Whitlows which also had a band.  It started to get really busy around 12, we left to try and get back to RiRa but the line was insane.  Tom, katmcd, Al's friend Adam, and I decided to just bail and go to Silver Diner.  After a delicious late-night meal, we got in a cab to get home, but the asshole driver says he will only go to 1 stop.  WTF?  So we cabbed to half-way between our places and then ran home.  It was so damn cold. 

Did you see these people last night?  If you did, it was us!

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Night of the Living Zoo

Last night was Ri-Di-Cu-Lous.

Katmcd and MB came here and we got some Chinese food to eat while we drank beers and some firefly vodka.  Our costumes were amazing looking.   About 2 hours later we headed for the metro in the frigid cold.  We saw only a few other people in costume and then heard the metro announcer say that there was no trains stopping at Metro Center.  WTF?  So we hopped off at Foggy Bottom and got in a cab.  10 minutes later we were pulling up at the zoo and getting really excited.  I mean, we were already drunk, so anything was going to be excited. 

For anyone who's never been to the National Zoo, it's basically a long path down a hill and the exhibits are on either side.  It's free admission (except special events like last night).  We started trekking down the hill to where the ticket takers were, and then b-lined right for the beer ticket table.  4 dollar beers, not terrible.  It was sponsored by Magic Hat and they had this special Green Apple Beer.  It was pretty delicious.  There were a few exhibits open, some magicians and entertainers, and then a tent with bands.  There was also this amazing drum band with like, I don't even know, crazy awesome drummers and they were all dressed as zombies.  It wasn't like Drumline where it was band drums, these were huge African style drums and they made some pretty sick beats.  Then we just jammed to the band and danced around with all of the other crazies.  Randomly enough I ran into one of my volleyball teammates and his wife. 

Afterwards, katmcd had convinced our friend Tom to come get us, so he drove us home.  But it was the LONGEST DRIVE EVER.  He took us through Georgetown down M St.  Probably sad for him, but the 3 of us were totally tanked and yelling out the window at everyone in costume.  At one point we had stopped (obviously bc of traffic at 12am), and this man dressed as Fred Flinstone came running up to the car and then JUMPED OVER IT.  What in the fucking world???  I think we all sat there in shock for a solid minute.  What in the hell? Who would jump over someone else's car in the middle of traffic at midnight?  Also, when I say he jumped over the car, he literally jumped and like landed/slid across the roof of the car.  If you know this man, please, send him to the damn circus or cheerleading camp.  He should make a living off of those skills. 

Following that drive, we stopped in Courthouse to go to our friend Steak and Leg's Halloween party.  It was pretty nice.  Their apartment is just so cute and they seriously are both so nice and friendly and always make us feel welcome.  It was nice, except for this one part where I literally ran away from this weird man.  I ran around the kitchen and behind Legs' sister's roommate Mike.  We all just laughed about it after that guy left though.  Creepster.

After the nice but short stop at the party, we piled back in the car to go to Taco Bell.  Once there, we were waiting in a line of a few cars, and then this group of men standing outside of the car.  What in the world?  Did these men walk there and like order with the car (bc you can't just walk up to a drive-thru)?  Or were they in that car and all got out to order and pay by themselves?  Honestly, I really don't know.  All I know is that I kept yelling at them out the window. 

This was such a crazy fun way to start Halloween.  And I still have another night ahead of me.  Thank goodness I'm not hungover.

Friday, October 29, 2010

Hello Halloween

So as I'm sitting here working from home on Friday, my friend Kate g-chats me.  Since I've been watching the America's Next Top Model marathon I've been a little oblivious and she informed me that a flight was being escorted to JFK by American fighter jets.  WTF.  After watching CNN to just catch up, we continued our chat until I finally just said it how I felt it:

Me: If the world is ending, at least ill be in a sweet costume.   And drunk.
Kate:  correct

Well, I just finished cleaning my apartment and painting my nails and in an hour katmcd will be here and then MB and we'll be all costumed out and ready for Night of the Living Zoo, and then heading to Courthouse for our friend Legs' party.  So so so so excited.  It's frigid cold outside, so liquor jacket and a man dressed as Robin will definitely keep me warm. Right? 

Happy first day of Halloween!!

Thursday, October 28, 2010

I Love the 90s

God I really love music of the 90s.  I don't know why.  I mean, I love music of the late 80s too, but I'm just feeling like getting down to some awesome tunes in the form of these fine songs:

Roxette-It Must Have Been Love
Duran Duran-Ordinary World
Tiffany-I Think We're Alone Now
Sinead O'Connor-Nothing Compares to You
REM-Losing My Religion  (really I love love anything REM)
Starship-We Built This City
Bonnie Tyler-Total Eclipse of the Heart
Soft Cell-Tainted Love
Aha-Take On Me

I'm hoping that at some point I get to rock out in my costume to a few of these fine jams. 

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Army 10-Miler Pics

Here are pics from the Army 10-Miler that katmcd, MB, and I ran on Sunday. 











Did I mention how great of a time I had or how proud I am that we did this and all got through it....and are doing another one in December???  Awesome.

Monday, October 25, 2010

I Don't Really Like Talking About My Flair

I really hate it actually. 

So instead, I'll talk about my Halloween costume.  I'm going to be Batman this year.  Mainly it's referring to a TO/Ochocinco reference, but the superhero idea was just too easy. 



Polyvore is difficult to use....not to mention my costume was much cheaper than they tried to make it. 

Tshirt: $9  Amazon
Shorts: Old school soffee shorts
Shoes: Black tennis from Target for $9
Shoe Laces: Target $1.50
Belt:  Mine is actually just a large yellow ribbon, so it's like a fake belt
Mask: $1.39 from Party Depot
Knee Socks: Old black soccer socks

This is a costume done cheap and comfortable.  We will all still look cute, but not frozen.  I like it.  And our adventure include, but are not limited to these fine events:

Night of the Living Zoo



La Tasca Halloween Party




and other bars we decide to go to.

I'm really looking forward to it.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Weekend Recap

Let me just tell you how honestly fabulous this weekend was.  Friday night I had a short shift at work, was home and asleep by 10:30.  Saturday, I slaved all day in the kitchen to make this:



Basically, it's a healthy version of a chicken pot pie.  Katmcd, MB and I needed to eat well before our race on Sunday.  We all gathered at katmcd's house to eat and have a fabulous afternoon carving pumpkins.  Here is mine:



And the group's:



Then we went over to the DC Armory to pick up our race packets and walk around the expo.  And finally, we walked next door to RFK stadium to see DC United's final home game of the season and Jaime (Hi-Mee) Moreno's final game before retiring.  We had such a great time and it was my very first United game!  We joined in on the cheering and just had this fabulous evening.



Obviously this morning was the Army 10-miler.  I totally freaked myself out, but in the end, we had such a great time.  My unofficial race time is 2hr 20min.  To me, that's fine.  I never in my wildest (or horrific) dreams did I ever think I'd be able to complete 10 miles, and to think that I did, and I ran a solid 7.5 of them, I'm just so proud of myself.  I'm also so proud of katmcd and MB for running and trying and really just enjoying the experience.  I'll post pictures when the official ones are up. 

I'm so happy that we finished the race together. I'm so happy we had such a great weekend.  And I am PUMPED for the Halloween weekend we have coming up.

Race Day

Here we go.  It's 5:48 am and I'm freaking out.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Army 10-Miler

Well, I've been avoiding this post for a while, but it's probably time to divulge more about this weekend's grand event. 





Katmcd, MB, and I will be doing the Army 10-Miler this Sunday.  Now back in April, we had all signed up for this race and the Marine Core Run Amuck, which I talked about here and here.  I have no idea what I was thinking when I signed up.  Maybe I thought that I'd get into running shape and follow a real training plan.  Maybe I thought I'd start to enjoy running.  These things never happened. 

I'm really not a runner.  I never have been.  I just get so bored by running, and then my knee hurts (I had full ACL reconstruction in 2005), and then I'm tired.  I've been a sport-with-a-ball athlete my entire life.  Volleyball, softball, soccer, basketball.  None of these included long distance running.  And I've always said, I'm slow at running, but put a ball in front of me, and I guarantee that I'll run a bit faster.  (Hahah, that could go in a different direction....oops)  And let's just throw in that I've only run 1 race in my entire life and it was a 5K on Thanksgiving day in 2008.

MB is a runner.  She did her first 10 mile race this spring/summer at the Cherry Blossom 10-Miler.  I know MB will run a lot of this race and she'll want to go faster than us, but I really appreciate that she wants to start with us.  She'll sit back and wait for katmcd and I's "corral" to start.  Katmcd, like me, will admit that she's not much of a runner.  We joke about our lack of running desire a lot, but like me, katmcd likes to run in soccer and other sports. 

After weeks of freak-outs about this event, I think we've decided that we're going to run as much as we can, and then walk when we need to and just enjoy the race.  That's the best way to look at it right? 

We'll all go to brunch and watch football afterwards and try not to die.  I'm honestly getting really excited, but I'm also horribly nervous.  This seems like a really intense event.  I just want to do my personal best.  Wish us luck!

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

I am SO Bored

I am bored.  I have nothing to work on.  This is how I feel, but it's not about anyone in particular, just the situation now:



Ok, so maybe I'm being a little dramatic.  I'm really excited for the weekend and I've got some really great things coming up.  Hopefully some of the stress will die down soon.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Battle Wounds

So, remember that time that I got drunk on a Sunday watching football, went to sit down on my couch, slipped, and deeply sliced my hand?  Well, I do.  It was 2 days ago.  I'm an idiot and it's a deep cut and it hurts quite a bit.  It's on the inside right by my pinky, very close to where my finger meets my hand.  I cut it in 3 different directions, if someone could please help me understand how that happened, that'd be great. 

Today I have shopping fever!  I have 2 sweaters and a necklace on hold at work and told myself if I still like them tonight when I go in, I will buy them.  However, NY and Co is having a good sale and they have some cute sweaters.  I feel like my fall/winter wardrobe is a joke, so I'm working on fixing that.  I have acquired recently 2 cardigans(one is white with blue stripes and one is purple), 1 vneck sweater(black), and 1 pair of brown flat over the knee boots (I already have a pair of black knee high flat boots).  I don't know why, but I've had a really love/hate relationship with sweaters so I'm glad to see that I'm in the "love" phase. 

I also think as an NFL supporter, huge Dallas Cowboy lover, and a family member of someone taken by Breast Cancer, that I need this:

It's one of the NFL supports Breast Cancer research products.  There's a little Cowboys star in that right corner, and on the back is the NFL logo with the Breast Cancer research ribbon.  So cute.

For now though, it's off to find something to eat for lunch, and then killing time. 

Monday, October 18, 2010

Weekend Recap

This weekend was honestly just super nice. 

Friday, katmcd, MB, Doug Funny, and Victory attended a lovely dinner party hosted by our friend Tom.  Tom is an amateur chef, but is interning at Zaytinya.  The menu was as follows:

Stewed Tomato and Goat Cheese Crostini
Roast Bone Marrow with Parsley Salad and Sea Salt
Pan-Fried Asparagus with Miso Butter and Poached Eggs
Roast Kosher Chicken
Simple Potatoes with Olive Oil, Fresh Black Pepper, and Sea Salt
Grilled Banana Bread with Dulce de Leche and a choice of Homemade Ice Cream: Wildflower Honey or Sour Cream

The bone marrow was an adventure.  It's just like the fatty substance in the bone, sounds so gross.  It had the consistency of like an oyster and the taste of buttery fish.  And it was a process to put together.  First you take your bread and a spoon full (or a tiny spoon full in my case) of marrow and spread it around.  Then you add parsley, and a pinch of sea salt.  Then, enjoy.  It really was interesting although I don't see myself ever making it. 

Everything else was really delicious.  The chicken was so juicy and tender and the potatoes and crostini were awesome.  The one issue we all ran into with dessert was the Dulce de Leche was supposed to be like a heated caramel, but the ice cream made it hard.  But the homemade ice cream more than made up for it.  I really appreciated such an adult dinner party.  We drank a lot of wine and followed it up with freeing a set of uno cards that were being held hostage at these guys' apartment upstairs in the same building.  Once we got them, we played a few games and then I was home by 12. 

Saturday I slept in until 10:30, and then went to work, and then quickly ran and then MB and I ventured over to Front Page in Ballston where we sat at the bar for hours, just people watching and talking to strangers and catching up. 

Sunday I had to go into work for a quarterly meeting and then I picked up MB for football Sunday.  Bears played at 1 and lost to Seattle, then Cowboys played at 4 and lost to the Vikings.  What a disappointing day.  But quite honestly, it was so nice.  I passed out around 930 though.  Oops.

This week is going to be super busy.  I have to work tonight and tomorrow night, then Wednesday is a little sorority family dinner, Thursday I'll be going to see the Alexandria Concert Band where my friend Al plays the trumpet, and then this weekend is going to be NUTS prepping for the Army 10-miler.  Oh my.

Friday, October 15, 2010

Buenos Dias, Santiago

How hot is this man???


I was just watching Friday Night Lights on ABC family.  I never watched that show when it was on primetime, but now that it's on ABC fam after Gilmore Girls, I'm addicted.  This man showed up in an afternoon episode/repeat today.  He plays this guy Santiago.  Tall, sexy, brooding.  Where can I get one?  Oh yeah, not DC.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Halloween Costumes

Well my morning has just been shit as I try and choke back the tears about not getting the job I wanted within my company and realizing that I'm stuck in this......uhm, strange situation.  I really don't want to dwell, so I'm mentioning it here and then I'm going to post some really awesome stuff.  Ready?

This year my 2 friends and I (and maybe more) are going as superheros, but since we're lazy practical and awesome we will just be wearing tshirts with the logos and leggings and masks.  I am going as Batman and think I need this sidekick (although MB is going as Robin and her costume rocks)  (katmcd is going as the Green Lantern and has an awesome light up green ring):


I also need this....minus his really weird bat voice:


What are you going as?

The Answer

I found out that I didn't get the role I was going for.  Shit, what now?

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Oh, Hi Fall Weather

Yesterday in DC, it was 80 degrees.  Yes 80.  I had a t-shirt and work skirt on and I was totally comfortable.  This morning, as I'm running late and trying to get out the door, wet hair and all, I get in my car, crack my windows and drive outside and proceed to get blown in the face by a gust of ridiculously chilly wind.  WHERE DID YOU COME FROM????  I know, I know, it's October, but I was so thrown off.  Thank goodness I had a cardi in the car.  OMFG, I can finally wear my boots....sweet. 

Today, I am majorly stressed out.  Basically my entire life for the next year lies in the hands of this man who is choosing his staff for another project within my company.  If I'm picked, I'll be traveling around the country, 6 weeks at a time, with weekends either in the location of my work, or back here in DC.  I'd give up my apartment, and hopefully be happier with work.  Right now I'm on a project that is miserable.  Some days I come in and don't speak to anyone.  Like I said...miserable.  This other project sounds great and would put off my move to Chicago.  I also need to tell my apartment complex by the end of the month if I'm going to resign or not.  And lets say I don't get this position, then the Chicago move is on, hopefully for next September, and I'd need to see if my apartment would even let me sign for 9 months.  So really, everything lies in this man's hands.  I should hear something this week???

At least I have things to keep me busy.  Tomorrow, I'll be meeting up with my volleyball teammates who I've played with the last 4 years, some longer than that, at Founding Farmers for happy hour.  I've heard that this place is great, but I've never been.  Friday I'll be attending a fabulous dinner party with some really great people.  Sunday I'll finally be back with MB at the pub for Football Sunday!  Yes, that is in caps.  It's been forever (read: 4 weeks) since we've watched the games together.  Next week is filled with sorority family dinners, and preparing to run the Army 10-Miler next Sunday.  Holy crap I'm freaking out about that.  More on it later though. 

Also, have you ever eaten these:



I tried them and love them!  So weird and tangy yet delicious. 

kthanksbye.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Flattery at it's Finest

Well, I feel very lucky today (well actually like 2 days ago but I've been a bit preoccupied) because I received a blog award from my friends over at Leggings are NOT Pants.  Thanks a ton!  I'm super excited.






The Rules for Acceptance:
1. Thank and link back the person who gave you the award.
2. Share SEVEN things about yourself.
3. Pass this on to 15 other great bloggers you recently discovered.
4. Contact the recipients and tell them about their awards!!

7 things about me:
 
1. In less than 2 weeks, I'll be running my first ever 10-miler.
2. A friend of mine refers to me as "the loud one"
3. I drive a stick-shift.
4. I've dyed my hair all of the colors from bleached blonde to black.
5. I've live in 12 different places including houses, apartments, college dorms and sorority houses and I've lived in 4 different states.
6. In high school, I played on a state championship softball  team and sang in choir at Carnegie Hall.
7. I listen to excessively loud music in my car.  Like concert loud. 
 
I'm going too give this award to:
1. Simply Smithwick
2. After I Do
3. Pre-Life Crisis
4. Classy and Fabulous
5. Magnolias and Mimosas
6. Chelsea Talks Smack
7. One Sassy Vixen
8. Casa de Nicole
9. Date me, DC
10.  A Day in the Life of a Surferwife
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
(5 more bloggers to come soon!)

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Par-tay Results

This:


and this:
and this:




resulted in this:

and this:


Last night was sheer amazingness and I have no idea how I got home.  I'm assuming J Coupon and A drove me?  We went from Bottom Line taking a blow job shot and me kissing the bartender on the cheek to Mighty Pint and getting awesome light up crown, rings, and beer topper, to RiRa, where I went deaf, had tequila, and danced to an awesome band.  Holy crap I love my life.

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Birthday Par-tay!

Tonight is my birthday party, because obviously I wasn't going to get obliterated on a Monday night.  I mean, not like I've never done that before.  Never......hahaha.



Anyways, yesterday I had an interview for a new role within my company and I think it went well and I'm pretty excited to hear next week whether or not I got it.  The guy seemed really decent and pretty cool.  Then I met with my career counselor, a higher up person who helps you "navigate" your way during your time at the company.  We've talked a ton over the last few months, but this was the first time I met her.  She seemed nice.  After battling HORRIBLE Mclean traffic, I met up with katmcd and her friend Mimi at Chef Geoff's for some happy hour beers and food.  Very interesting.  We were supposed to go to the Curbside Cookoff, but they were in line and all of the vendors had run out of food, so they wandered to Chef Geoff's.  It was my first time there and it was PACKED.  At Chef Geoff's, I got chips with like, powdered cheddar, and a side of ranch.  Delicious, but strange.  They had eaten a mushroom pizza and said it was good. 

Afterwards, we went to Courthouse and stopped by Ireland's Four Courts.  Mimi had gone home and katmcd and I were headed to a suprise birthday party in Courthouse and weren't sure if the birthday girl had arrived so we were killing some time and listening to some live Irish music.  It too was packed and had a lot of guys which we both appreciated.  When we got the "all clear" from Legs, we trekked to her apartment that she shares with her boyfriend for her very good friend (also both of these girls are ADPis) Bryn's suprise party.  I hadn't seen Bryn in a few years, (and we saw Jess in Orlando last weekend when they were running the Epcot Half Marathon) but it was pretty nice and we got to chat a lot with some younger ADPis there and overall just had a nice Friday night.  They all headed into Georgetown for an ADPi Barbie Crush Party and katmcd and I went home.  Then I dropped my damn phone and cracked the screen.  UGHHHHHH.

Today I have to go to work today from until around 5ish and then I'll come home, get ready and head out to DC.  Metro is being a total bitch this weekend though.  RUDE.  But we'll just walk.

Also, can I just please say, having a 30 degree variation throughout the day is not ok.  The fact that it's low 50s and then is going to be 80 today makes it next to impossible to dress for going outside.  Please decide...summer or fall.  Thank you!

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Old School Tunes

I happen to have this weird obsession with music and have about 100+ mix cds.  I have rules such as, no one artist can be on the cd 2 songs in a row, and I have to have a seriously awesome song that I'm totally loving as #1 on the cd.  I'm weird, I know.  I also love when I throw in old mixes into my cd player for me to listen to.  Anyways, this morning I got in the car, the cd switched over to #4 and the first song on the cd was Tube and Berger-Straight Ahead.  I'm 99% sure not many people have heard this song.  It stems from high school, when I was friends with a group that loved techno, trance, house, etc.  I had always liked that kind of music, but now I got to appreciate it with people.  Anyways, I made this cd probably circa 2000 and it proved for a great wake up call this morning.  I hope someone will appreciate my random music taste.  (just to throw it out there, I actually love all types of music: rock, r&b, rap, pop, techno, trance, foreign, reggaeton, country, jazz, classic....everything)

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Disney Pics

Here's just a sampling of the 140+ pics I took over the 3 days at Disney.  Enjoy!













Disney World Day 3-Animal Kingdom

Our last day in Florida started with us checking out of our hotel, storing our bags, and heading on the bus to Animal Kingdom.  I had been to MGM when I was 9, and my mom wanted to go to AK, so there we were.  katmcd had gone there once before and warned me that she would be going on the Everest ride at least twice.  We walked into the park right after 9am,  mom and John got their coffee and we started walking around the Oasis, and into Discovery Island.  Discovery Island is where the Tree of Life (the giant tree in the park, trust me, you know what I'm talking about) is.  So we took some pics and headed off to Africa and the Safari ride/car trip thing.  The safari was pretty cool and we got to see a lot of animals including giraffes, elephants (and the cutest baby elephant running after it's mom), a black rhino, a white rhino, an ostrich, and a lion couple.  There were a lot of birds and some other smaller animals and we were just having a nice time driving around the reserve area.  Following the safari, katmcd and I went on some rapid ride while mom and John walked around some trek area with animals and plants.  We walked right on the ride and got nicely wet but it was really fun.  Then we headed over to Asia where Expedition Everest is.  GIANT mountain and a very intense roller coaster that goes backwards and forwards, and has a yetti!  It was honestly super exciting and might be my favorite roller coaster of the entire trip to Disney.

Following Everest, we went through Dinoland or whatever it was called to ride Dinosaur.  If you've been on the Indiana Jones ride, the car was identical.  You travel back in time to pick up one of the creatures from that era right before the meteor hit and destroyed all life (if you believe that's what happened).  I also have to warn you that I have a huge fear of things popping out and scaring me and that's all this ride was.  One of the dinos even breathed on us hot air.  I was so freaked out, I spent most of the ride with my head down and with a death grip on katmcd's arm.  They took a picture at some point, it's just the top of my head.  I was terrified. 

Following my heart attack on that ride, we took a breather and went to lunch at Rainforest Cafe.  I've been to this before actually back in Texas at Grapevine Mills, this outlet mall.  But it was a delicious lunch and our last meal at Disney.  After lunch, we walked back over to Everest to ride that again and then we had about an hour and a half to kill before we needed to head back to the airport and mom and John decided to go separate from katmcd and I. They walked around the Tree of Life and saw some different animal and plant exhibits, while katmcd and I rode the rapid ride, and then went back to Everest.  So just to count, that's 1 safari, 1 horrifying dino ride, 2 times on the rapids, and 3 times on Everest.  We still had some time so we went to Character Landing and met Winnie the Pooh.  Eeyore and Tigger were there also, but when it was our turn, everybody was taking a break except for Pooh bear. 

We met up with mom and John, bussed back to the hotel, cabbed to the airport and then sat and surprise, had another coffee.  Our flight was about an hour before my mom and John's so we went through security leaving them at Seattle's Best.  Going through security happened to provide some great entertainment for us though.  This foreign couple had a suitcase full of bottled water.  katmcd was watching this while I was still getting screened, but she said that the suitcase went through the machine, they called over a supervisor who put it through again and took a pic of it.  Are you serious?  A full suitcase of water bottles? Not allowed sir.

Following us laughing about the water bottles, we quickly hopped on the tram to take us to our gates....only it wasn't our gate. It was 1-29, and we were gate 50.  Is there another tram?  We looked around and this just wasn't right, so we hopped on the tram going back, and then finally saw the trams to gates 30-59.  We.are.stupid. 

What a great vacation it honestly was.  It's not necessarily relaxing, but it was just so enjoyable and I think I was just so happy during it that it was totally worth it.  I <3 Disney.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Disney World Day 2-Magic Kingdom

Seriously...the Happiest Place on Earth.

We caught the 8:30am bus over to the park and got there right when it opened at 9am.  Now something different about Magic Kingdom is that you have to either take the monorail or the ferry from where you buy your tickets to the actual park.  I have kind of a weird obsession with the monorail, so of course we popped in line and waited our turn.  I was surprised how busy it was that early in the morning, but it was still ok.  We got off the metro and went into the park and walked down Main Street, U.S.A.  I guess I just have a LOT of childhood memories from Disneyland and Disney World, so as we're walking, I'm just snapping pics and getting butterflies just remembering all of the amazing things I've seen there.  My mom and John live off coffee and we needed to get some breakfast so we found a bakery on Main Street and stopped to get some food.  I had the most delicious chocolate croissant and chocolate milk.  Chocolate overload for sure, but it was so worth it. 

Following our pit stop, we headed straight to Tomorrowland.  It's changed quite a bit over the years and to start off and see what was new, we hopped right on the people mover.  The people mover takes you around Tomorrowland at a slow pace and tells you about the rides, some history, and shows happening.  After that, we went on Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear's uhm..something, (which was awesome, you glow and get to shoot lasers at Zurg), Stitch's Great Escape (horrifying for anyone like me who doesn't like the dark where things are touching your legs, shoulders, etc), Carousel of Progress, and Autopia (which I realize isnt' called this anymore, it's like the Tomorrowland Race Track or something, but I'm old school).  Mom and John took a coffee break while katmcd and I went on Autopia by ourselves.  The line was actually really long, but as we're walking up to the line, this guy who works there is like:
Him: Happy Birthday Sarah
Me: Thanks!
Him: How old are you now?
Me: 25.
Him: So, 21?
Me: Definitely
Him: Well, I turn the magical age in 3 months, but I've been 21 already since I was 14. 

uh...what?  Ok.  Then he's like, "follow me."  We got to cut the entire line, and then he put this sign on the back of our car that said, "It's my birthday."  So we say thanks, and get in the car and go for the drive.  When we're back, there's a bit of a back up, but we can see that the guy like waited for us to get back but as we're driving up (I was steering, katmcd was on the pedals) a GIANT bug comes flying at our faces but suddenly zooms away.  The 3 guys who work the ride, including our friend, are laughing hysterically at us.  Uhm, hi that bug was really huge.  So we pull up and ask our friend to take our pic in the car, but first he tries to take a pic of himself, and then he pulls the sign off the back of the car and pulls it around the front so you can see it.  It was my magical moment of the trip.

We met back up with my mom and John and headed towards Fantasyland, and on the way, saw that they are creating an Ariel under the sea adventure and Belle is going to have her own restaurant.  AWESOME.  In Fantasyland, we rode the Winnie the Pooh ride (where you ride in honey pots, so cute), Snow White's Scary Adventure, and the Carousel.  Then we went to New Orleans Square...or wait, in Disney World they call it....Liberty Square, and rode Haunted Mansion, and then went to lunch at The Liberty Bell Tavern.  Lunch was delicious, well, Kathleen, mom and John's food was really good.  Mine was ho-hum.  They got pot roast and thanksgiving dinners.  So delicious though.  Then we found a spot to sit for the 3pm parade Celebrate a Dream Come True (or something like that).  Following the parade, we headed to Splash Mountain and then Big Thunder Railroad in Frontierland, and then Jungle Cruise and Tiki Room in Adventureland. 

I have to make a slight tangent though and tell you all about my severe disappointment in the new Tiki Room.  Recently they redid this attraction, changing it from the original 1960something format that was such a classic.  They added in Iago from Aladdin and Zazu from the Lion King.  It was horrible.  They turned it into a bird disco and it was just awful.  I've never been disappointed by anything Disney.  It was a shame.

After shaking off that sad thing, we went and got some Dole Whip, which is the most freakin delicious pineapple frozen stuff ever.  Then we headed back to Tomorrowland to do Space Mountain again and before we knew it, it was time to stake out a spot to watch the Main Street Electrical Parade.  I have seen this parade so many times but I still love it.  Katmcd and I trekked out to find some food which was non-existent.  We went back to the bakery to get some sandwiches and after some ridiculousness there, I decided to just get food for mom and John too so they wouldn't have to try and leave our spot.  Things were taking forever, and there were just SO many people everywhere we looked.  We went back, ate our food, watched the parade and then went back again to Tomorrowland to kill some time before the fireworks show at 9.  We decided on Buzz Lightyear again because it's just so silly and fun.  The fireworks were really nice to watch complete with music and I took some nice videos and pics of them.  We headed all the way around the park to go back to Big Thunder Railroad per John's request, had a great time riding it again, and then started our trek back to the hotel. 

On the monorail, which was PACKED, I turned around and accidentally hit this kid in the head with my elbow.  I turned around to apologize to him and got his mother or grandmother saying "Hey watch it" in that total bitchy tone.  I said, "I didn't see him there, and I turned around to apologize to him."  She responded, "Just watch yourself" in that same tone.  I preceded to verbally assault this woman: "You don't need to speak to me like that.  It's VERY crowded in here, and I didn't see him.  I turned around to apologize to him, and got your attitude which I don't appreciate.  I didn't mean to hit him, but you don't need speak to me like that."

Ridiculous way to end the evening.  I shook it off and we got on the bus which was insanely crowded and after an hour of standing up and riding around which seemed like everywhere, we finally made it to the hotel and went to sleep.  Overall it was such a great day and it seemed like everyone was having such a great time.  Pics to come soon.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Disney World Day 1 - Epcot and Food & Wine Festival

Katmcd and I landed about 20 minutes late on Friday afternoon but were met right off the plane by my mom and John(my mom's husband).  We hopped in a cab, checked into our hotel, and hopped on the bus to Epcot Center.  Did you know Epcot actually stands for Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow?  I didn't.  It was John's first time ever to any Disney park, so katmcd got him a "First Visit" button which he wore with pride the entire weekend.  (On Saturday, katmcd picked me up a "Happy Birthday" button which the Disney people wrote in big black font "Sarah", so multiple Disney workers would say "Happy Birthday Sarah."  It was pretty cool.) 

I didn't remember Epcot really from when I was 9 and went there, and let me just tell you, I was very pleasantly surprised.  They had added a lot of rides.  We managed to go on all of the major rides(Future World) and get around the entire World Showcase.  The rides we went on included Test Track, Mission: SPACE (with spinning), Soarin, Captain EO (which I actually remember from Disneyland in CA), Spaceship Earth (inside the big white golf ball looking thing).  And we did some of the smaller rides including Nemo's ride, Maelstrom (the ride inside the Norway Pavilion), and Gran Fiesta Tour (inside the Mexico Pavilion). 

Then we headed over to World Showcase which was packed with people enjoying all of the different food and wine tastings.  It honestly was a bit weird to see so many people drunk at Disney World, but hey, whatever.  The four of us decided to do some tastings since there was no admission to the festival, you just paid for what you ate/drank.  Our samplings included:

Brazil: Pork skewer with grain something.  This dish was a bit weird, the pork was so good, but the dipped the skewer in what felt like really grainy sand and it really dried it out.  Very bizarre.  (Kathleen had a shrimp soup over rice which she said was good.)
Singapore: Beef stew type dish over jasmine rice.  I think this was my favorite of all dishes we tried.  It tasted a bit like Indian food mixed with Thai food.  So good.
Poland: Kielbasa and Potato Pierogies with Caramelized Onions and Sour Cream. This one was also freakin delicious.  It had some sausage too.
Japan: Spicy tuna roll.  This dish came with 3 pieces of sushi and was pretty good but was nothing special.

Honestly, everything smelled and looked delicious, but I think we had a nice sampling of the festival.

Lastly we stood around the lake and watched Illuminations, a firework and water show.  I had a mini-meltdown for absolutely no reason but 5 minutes later I was fine and apologized the next morning to my mom/John and katmcd.  I'm stupid.  But anyways, the show was pretty nice, very different.  It centered around a large floating globe that changed colors and a mini-island with some fire.  Afterwards we just walked to the bus stop and waited to get back to our hotel. 

Overall Epcot was a really great start to the Disney vacation.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Back to Life, Back to Reality

Back from Disney World.  Fabulous weather, fabulous people, fabulous adventure.  More details in posts coming in the next week.  But first, HOLY CRAP.  When did it become winter?  I have to wear socks now???  So unfair. 

And at 12:59am on Oct 4th (approx 3 hours, 10 min) , I turn 25, and honestly, I'm SO happy about it.

Friday, October 1, 2010

Trips Take 2

I am so hungover and off to the airport shortly for Disney World.  Yay!