Day 35(ish) of 1001

My, oh my... How time is flying!

This past week has been a fairly busy one. We both worked full schedules for the most part. Trevor did not work on Thursday because he was sick. I think he had a virus of some sort because it started Wednesday afternoon and wore off sometime yesterday afternoon. He was running a ridiculously high fever. Proof? I "woke up" Thursday morning freezing. I honestly didn't sleep well the entire night because I was too cold. I have to be cold to sleep but this was just too much! So when I finally braved getting out from under the covers I realized that Trevor had the air set on 45 degrees! And he was still sweating. It was crazy.

Wednesday night was lots of fun. We hosted a movie night at our apartment. It got a late start because we didn't get started until after we all got off work. We ordered pizzas and what we like to call mocktails. We bought apple mixer and blue raspberry mixer and added sprite to it. It was an interesting drink to go along with the pizzas. One of the reasons we started it was for those of us who don't go out drinking and partying to have an opportunity to hang out. It also ended up being an opportunity for some of the people who do party to see that you can have fun and a great time without drinking and getting into trouble. The next day, one of the girls told me that the mocktails definitely tasted better than any alcoholic drink she had ever had and she was excited because she said she now knew there were better alternatives out there. Plus, she was glad because she had a good time and remembered it the next morning. It was a really good feeling. Trevor and I have decided to try and have a movie night at least once a week.

We have yet another long weekend off of work because of mixed up days off. But neither of us are really complaining. We slept in this morning. I ran errands this afternoon and Trevor headed over to Mickey's retreat to play baseball with some of the guys from Sunset. I took a little nap and then woke up to cook supper. The nap was desperately needed but I am wondering if it will end up being worth it since it will be hard to get to bed at a decent hour tonight. Oh, but I love my naps!

Tomorrow morning we will be visiting yet another church. Trevor and I know that there will never be another Pinelake for us. We are so ready to be home so that we can be really involved at Pinelake again. I am particularly excited about joining the choir. :) Tomorrow night we are going to volunteer with a group of people from Sunset, including our managers, at the Give Kids the World Village here in Orlando. I am very excited about this opportunity. Everyone says it is an amazing experience.

The plans for Monday are still yet to be determined. I know I have a "to do" list for the morning but I think we are going to play in the parks for the rest of the day. We shall see! :)

Right now, I am headed off to a bubble bath.

To come, an update on my 101 in 1001 and pictures from our birthdays!

Relaxation

Four days off of work in a row!

For some odd reason they changed our days off last week. So instead of the usual Sunday and Monday off, we had Sunday and Saturday. Which translates into both of us having to work on my birthday. Our manager Matt said that he would take care of fixing our schedules so that we would have the day off but there was a miscommunication and it didn't happen. So he gave us an extra day off... SOOO we have Friday, Saturday, Sunday AND Monday off. Day one is over and I feel very rested and relaxed.

We ran a few errands today and it was so nice to be able to take our time and not have a schedule to keep up with. We saw a few stores and places that we wanted to stop off. And we were able to take our time. Tomorrow we have to get new housing ID's, I have a package to pick up and then I think we are going to play in the parks. It is a great time to be in the parks because there are so few people and the lines are really short.

We haven't even talked about plans for Sunday.

Monday is Trevor's birthday(and Honey's!). We decided that since we didn't have my actual birthday off that we would celebrate them together which is perfectly fine with me. I have several things planned and many surprises for his birthday and I am really excited!

I am going to be a lot of work on my to do list. I have some pictures that need to be added to the computer and I want to do some digi scrapbooking with a few. Also, I am determined to make a dent in sending out Spence update/announcement letters. Yes, I still haven't done this yet. What can I say? Procrastination must be my middle name. ;)

But for now, I am going to finish watching Transformers with Trevor... and I may even take the time for a bubble bath and reading before we head to bed.
Goodnight!

So I'm not very consistent ;)

I know my strengths... updating a blog definitely isn't one of them. But it's alright, since Honey is patient(most of the time) for my updates. I know other people read my blog, but they have yet to comment. This quite possibly might be a bunch of rambling, in no particular order, but it is all good.

* I made TWO new recipes tonight. I am rather excited. Dinner was wonderful, a twist to Poppy Seed Chicken served over noodles and cresent rolls. :) YUM! And dessert is in the freezer waiting for the next "step". It is a oreo ice cream cake of sorts. I'll have to let you know how it turns out. Both of the recipes came from a cook book that was given to me by Norma Jean, my great aunt(I believe).

* I have ordered two books through Barnes and Nobles. Hopefully it won't be too much longer until they get here because I need to read Austenland before the discussions start within our family book club. I might just be a little bit behind. But knowing how much I read I honestly think I will be able to catch up.

* Last night we went to Disney's Boo to You cast preview. It was pretty awesome if I do say so myself. I am not a big fan of holloween but it really wasn't too bad. haha, Trevor loved it. We were front and center with one of the best views. Maybe I can post pictures later.

* Hopefully, I will be knocking a few things off of the list once Trevor's birthday gets here. The organizer in me wants to have everything planned out and set but our work schedule is a little uncertain right now so we will have to see. I'm sure it will be a great birthday for him either way.

* Poppa, Mom and the lil guys are coming!! I am in the process of researching what is available to them. We shall see :) I am just excited that they will be here with us for a little while. And I get to be with them when the lil guys experience Disney for the first time. The plan is for them to come sometime in October because we are getting an AMAZING cast member discount on rooms and the Dining Plan. :)

* I am about to watch a movie with my Angel. And while I watch that movie I will be working on a cross-stitch - yet another thing on my list!

* I got an ER(early release) at work today. Because of my spinal problems, every once in a while too much fluid will collect in my spinal column. But for some strange reason, it seems to be going into my left leg and foot. They went from normal size to double size in about an hour and a half. Needless to say, my leg is fat... and it is heavy, making it extremely difficult to walk and very painful... :( I won't lie, it was nice to be able to cook supper at a normal time and hopefully get to bed at a decent hour.

* Bright and early tomorrow, we are planning on getting my precious Patty towed and fixed. I am beyond excited. Being completely without a car, and relying fully on CP bus transportation, has been difficult. I am ready for my piece of freedom to be fixed ;)

I think that is plenty enough for now. Good night!

Making Progress

I have already been able to "check off" some things on my list! Ok... So maybe not a whole thing but atleast adding on to the things that are supposed to be done multiple times. And I've added the list to the left-hand column so that I can update it and see it more regularly.

I am not ready to go back to work tomorrow. I enjoy my days off. However, the pass by WAY too quickly. I never seem to have enough hours on those day whereas the hours on days that I work seem to last forever. Is it bad that I count down to next Sunday when Tuesday is just beginning? I always count down to the next day that we have off. Oh well. It makes the time pass quickly.

There is also a new list coming... Trevor and I are making a list off all the things we want to do, places we want to go and restaurants we want to eat at while we are here at Disney. The last 3 months have flown by. And I have no doubt in my mind that the next four will pass just as quickly. I am reallllllly looking forward to being here for Christmas but it will be strange at the same time. It will be the first holiday away from either of our families... and no Christmas tree because all of our stuff is back in MS. But it should be fun none the less.

Well, I am off to get some sleep before work tomorrow. :)

So I've been inspired... :)

At work, a lady was talking about her 101 in 1001. I had no clue what she was talking about and I didn't get a chance to ask her because I got rotated to a different spot. However, I come home to find that several people had updated their blogs and were also referring to the 101 in 1001. So I found out some more information and I've decided to take on the task as well. I have always been the type of person who enjoys lists and tasks. I guess I just like seeing my progress and being able to put a check next to something.

The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.




So here we go... :)


Start date: 8/24/2008
End date: 5/11/2011

Growing

"I'm growing. I don't like it.
I'm growing, and it hurts.
I love You, but I'm tired.
Guess I've got a lot to learn."
- Growing by Wayne Watson

So much is changing, I don't even know where to begin.

WORK
I have officially moved to Hollywood Studios to work in QSR(Quick Service) with Trevor. It was interesting adjusting to working together but I think we are handling it well. It is SO nice to be able to have the same shifts and the same days off. It really has been a blessing.

CAR
The Patty broke down(yet again) today. We'll find out soon what is going on with it. Since we ride the bus to and from work, it is not as pressing to get it fixed as it would be otherwise. Right now we are just waiting.

SCHOOL
I am actually sad that I am not in school for the fall semester. But only a little bit. :)
I miss buying school supplies. For some odd reason, I just LOVE shopping for school/art supplies. But I know I need this break. Hopefully I will be finished with one degree by this time next year if I can get everything scheduled the way I need to. And then I will get to work on my second degree but I think things will be a lot easier once I get that first degree because I will have a (hopefully) better paying job and be able to take my time getting my second degree

ME
I am actually really happy with who I am and where I am. Trevor and I have been doing great. Enjoying our days off and having some really amazing dates. After all, we are in the happiest place on earth.
I am finally getting a good balance of work and housekeeping. In fact, I made a wonderful mexican dish tonight and it felt GREAT! I am sick of eating/seeing fast food. I want good home cooking. :)
I have lost weight! I have not gone back to weigh myself since a week or two after we got here... BUT I have dropped several sizes and lost a good many inches on my waist. I feel so much more comfortable with myself and in my own skin. I have always felt very self-conscious about my weight, especially when both of my older sisters are very slim. But I lost the weight and I am still eating good food. Strangely enough, all of this was without working out. I simply "slimmed down" my portion sized and chose to eat a little bit better. I haven't had time to workout with the way we have been working 50+ hours a week but the busy pace and the work has helped me slim down. And this basically runs me into my next "point"... :)

BIRTHDAYS
September is a big birthday month for my family. Trevor and I have birthdays exactly a week a part. Ironically enough we both had the same idea for each others birthdays, a weekend away in either Miami or Cocoa Beach. Unfortunately, since we don't know what will be going on with the car we are putting off booking anything. Most likely we will just be staying here. Trevor is also giving me a "makeover" for my birthday. I am going to get contacts again which I basically haven't worn in a year. He is paying for me to get a haircut and then I get to go have my makeup done and buy whatever I want that they use for it. I don't wear makeup much, so whatever I buy lasts a long time. Also, since I have been having problems with my skin - my eye in particular - I think it would be better to have better quality makeup. All of this along with my weight loss has me really excited, happy and comfortable with myself. I want to look good for Trevor and being at that point is so satisfying. Now I need to just keep it up ;)

FRIENDS
This is an area of my life that is really weighing on me right now. While I want friends, and I know that I need girl friends to hang out with and talk with, I am at a different point in my life than most girls in my life. I am married to my best friend and I no longer feel the need to have the "BFF" type of relationship. I have learned that there are many types of friendship. Friends for a Lifetime. Friends for a Reason. Friends for a Season.
I miss my "normals". The group of girls from Pinelake that I was constantly with during high school. These girls have been such a support to me through everything and though we don't talk every day and we don't all get to see each other very much, whenever we do hang out it is like we have never skipped a beat. That is the type of friendship I need. These are the Lifetime type of Friendships.
I miss my Alpha Delta Pi girls. These ladies made my last year at USM bearable. I hated USM before but once I met these girls I finally felt comfortable and had a sense of belonging on that campus. But very few of them talk to me. I understand the distance... but somehow I feel so excluded from everything that is going on with them now. They all bonded during sisterhood week and then recruitment... now they are all going back to school while I am here in Florida. I think that this group of friends could both qualify as friends for a Reason or a Season with a few sticking out into the Lifetime category. I will never regret joining a sorority and it was great while it lasted. I wish it had lasted longer, but like I have said before, I feel like I am at a different point in my life than most people my age.
I am making some wonderful friends here but I know that most likely they will all only be friends for a Season. After all, several have already left and the rest of us will part ways before the month is out or in January. It's hard but definitely worth the friendships that are formed. I will never forget the ICPs that I worked with in Tomorrowland. I miss the Europeans and their lovely accents. But the people I will miss the most are "my" Chinese girls. These girls have endeared themselves to me in a way that few people ever have in my life. They are truly kindred spirits who I have waited my whole life to meet. And I have already shed a few tears over them leaving though they aren't leaving until the 22nd/29th. *sigh* Such a struggle. I am not the type to distance myself or miss out on meeting people and becoming friends. But it is hard knowing you will have to leave them in a short time. It isn't like college where you will be with the same people for the majority of your college career. It has definitely been a learning and growing experience.

I think that is enough rambling for today...
I am growing, things are changing... It's life :)

7 Reasons not to spray perfume on a bus...

(the events of Saturday)
1) The person sitting next to you might be allergic
2) Their face might turn purple, they might start to itch all over and they might have trouble breathing
3) Yeah, the guys with the alpha unit might be nice but seriously, who wants to be hooked up to their oxygen machine or heart monitor?
4)Some random man might take a picture of the person who had the allergic reaction while she is hooked up to said machines.
5)The person who had the allergic reaction will have to leave work early and only get to stay for 2 hours of their 9 hour shift. In some cases this might be a good thing but when 5.5 of the 7 hours they missed out on would have been overtime and you calculate how much money was lost... it is NOT a good thing.
6)Poor person with the allergic reaction spent hours laying on the couch with no energy to eat, drink, etc... and eventually ended up throwing up. Yuck
7)Your perfume smelled worse than old lady perfume. Why were you wearing it anyway?
____________________________________________________________________
Saturday morning I took the A bus as usual to West Clock parking lot and then got on the Disney VIP Cast Member bus to go to where we clock in. A Chinese girl sitting next to me sprayed her perfume and I asked her to stop. Honestly, I don't think she understood what I was asking because she just laughed and said, "ah, nah nah". She continued to spray it a few more time and then put it up. My face started to itch really bad and then my arms and legs. The 3 minute ride felt like it was 30 minutes. When I got off the bus I headed straight for the Tomorrowland base and clocked in. I figured that once I was out of the bus and breathing in different, clean air that I would be ok. Not the case... My friend Kimberly came up to me and basically dragged me to the manager's office stating that my face was turning purple. At this point I hadn't looked in a mirror and I realized that I was having trouble breathing. So I told the managers what happened and they called the Alpha Unit(Disney's version of paramedics because it sounds less startling to guests). The came about 5 minutes later, gave me some medicine, hooked me up to an oxygen machine and heart monitor. And so there I sat at the base where every Tomorrowland person could see me as they passed by, clocked in, or went on break - no privacy at all. They had me hooked up for who knows how long and during this time some of the head Tomorrowland managers(not just my merch managers) and some of the head Magic Kingdom bigwigs came and checked on me. Quite possibly one of the most embarrassing moments of my life but THEN it got worse, some random man came and took my picture while I was sitting there miserable and hooked up to the machines. They offered to let me go home but I told them I wanted to atleast try and work. Unfortunately the medicine was making me super sleepy so I eventually went home. And proceeded to lay on the couch and watch the Love Comes Softly movies from about 2pm until who knows when. I will not go into details about the actually "getting sick" part. Sadly enough, I felt slightly better and was so exhausted so I finally fell asleep. Sunday morning I slept in and felt SOOO much better. So there are the details of my lovely Saturday!