Finding Joy In My Journey: September 2010

Friday, September 24, 2010

Happy :)

I finally caught up with blogging. Sorta...I have been so busy with school, work, church, and other things (smiley face) that I have neglected blogging. I started by reading my family/friends blogs and catching up with their lives. Now, I am ending with a new post of my own. Whew.

It is so cool to see the different stages of life we all go through. I read blogs about singles, newly weds, growing families, missionaries, grandparents/grandkids, pregnancies, people in other countries, photography, and recipes. I loved it all.

At first, I thought, "Well, my life isn't that interesting." But, then, as I read more and more different blogs, I realized that everyone's life is different. Everyone is in a different phase of life. No body has the same story to tell nor do they have the same path to take. It was so neat to see where life has taken each of us and to anticipate where we're going.

My life? I am a college student working part-time while attending a single's ward. I am learning to pinch pennies, my brother is on a mission in Mississippi, and the dating scene...? Not too shabby :)

All I can say is, I am grateful for where I am in my life. I use to feel either way behind or too far ahead. Nope. I am where I need to be. And I like it.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Life IS good :)

I haven't posted in a while, but I found a tiny moment between life and schoolwork so I took it! I thought I'd take this moment to say...that life throws you curves. But, sometimes those curves are great. In this case, most of them are turning out to be awesome. All I have time to say is: new. New surroundings, new happenings, and new beginnings. Perhaps, I will find a moment again soon so I can elaborate. Just know this: life is SO good.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Disneyland

I've had this blog for three months now, and I've barely mentioned Disneyland. Wow. I am shocked at myself. Well, brace yourself...this one is a doozy!

I love Disneyland. Boy, is that the understatement of the century! Pretty much, I love anything Disney. Now, it may sound really dumb, but I really do. Shall I explain? Where do I even start?

I grew up going to Disneyland and watching Disney movies. As a little kid, the stories and songs were magical. My favorite bedtime stories and playtime games all revolved around the happily ever afters. I loved the movies, Sing-a-longs, music, books, etc. Then...going to Disneyland was...amazing! Tell me, where else do you get to meet your childhood heroes & heroines, experience their stories, and listen to the music everywhere you go? I am here to tell you there is no where else that this can happen. As an added bonus this place is tidy, clean, and family-friendly.

Yes, there are flaws. It is expensive and a bit of a drive depending on where you live. But what other theme park doesn't have flaws? Disneyland, in my view, has few.

It is a place that is constantly changing, yet remaining the same. It possesses a few gems like Fantasyland rides-classics. It keeps up with the newer generation by updating older attractions like Nemo's Submarine Voyage or the Star Tours renovation. Disneyland can even find ways of revitalizing beloved rides like Pirates of the Caribbean. Some may not agree with or like these changes, but I do...usually :)

Some may say that Disney is just a money-making business that knows how to make people happy. If that is true then...so be it! It makes me happy. It makes me happy when, as a child, I got to fly over Neverland for the first time. It makes me happy when, as a teenager, I finally get the opportunity to meet the princess that inspired me and was just as nice as she was on the movie. It makes me happy when, in high school, my mom's dream of finally seeing Tinkerbell fly came true as the fireworks lit the sky. It makes me happy when my parents surprise our family with a trip to Disneyland and we continue the tradition of wearing matching T-shirts. It makes me happy when, as a young adult, I could spend time there with friends for our birthdays, for Club 33, or for a last minute trip. It makes me happy when I have to wear a poncho and take advantage of short, short lines because it has been raining for three days. It makes me happy when I get to witness a child's first experience of the magic I remember when I was young. It makes me happy to spend three days with my family in a place we always talk about, a place we all enjoy, and a place we all love.

I could talk a lot more about why I love Disney & Disneyland. But I won't...because I will most likely talk about Disney again. I can't load all my Disney passion into one post! That is just too much...too much...I will just share some of my favorite photos from Disneyland.

In no particular order...