what did you do on your day off?

Oh nothing, just went to Disney World. Saying that will never get old.

In the past couple weeks, I've been working a lot. Sunday was a 13 hour shift, but it really wasn't as bad as it sounds. Just tiring. And I really do like the Crystal Palace, I'm very happy with my location. And it doesn't hurt that I see a castle whenever I look out the window of the restaurant. Pretty sweet.

So far, I've played tourist at Epcot, Hollywood Studios 4 times, and Magic Kingdom about a billion times.

Epcot was awesome. I had never been before, so I wore my 1st visit button and played tourist. We rode Test Track twice, which was a total blast. Sam, Amanda, and I spent a good 7 hours there, riding rides and traveling around the world. So so so baller. Soarin' was pretty sweet. And we spent a solid $16 on lunch alone, but it was totally worth it. A real meal... wonderful. After running around and playing all day, we were exhausted and all had work the next day, so it was a chill night at the apartment.

On the next day off (I think it was Tuesday?) I went to Hollywood Studios for the first time in forever. Last time I went there was no Tower of Terror and it was still MGM. Speaking of Tower of Terror... SO MUCH FUN. Such a great ride. Then there's the Great Movie Ride, which always makes me believe I was born during the wrong time period. And there is that whole Pixar world... and Star Tours. Star Tours. Totally went all nerd and freaked a little bit. That day at Hollywood was a bit short, we were only there for 4 hours or so.

Since it was only like 3 in the afternoon, we decided to go to Magic Kingdom and play. I forgot how great the Teacups are. So much more fun than I remember them being. This whole going to the parks for free thing is pretty awesome.

One day after work (Wednesday maybe?) I met up with my friend Mandie to go play in Magic Kingdom. We both work there; she's in attractions. We played tourist, and there were like no lines. It was great! In just 2 and a half hours we got to ride Pirates, Jungle Cruise, Aladin's Carpet ride, Haunted Mansion, and a couple other attractions. Really, no lines. Total blast kids, total blast.

I've had to work everyday since then; today was my first day off since last Tuesday. Sunday was a 13 hour shift, but it really wasn't as bad as it sounds. I'm just tired, I don't sleep nearly as often as I would like. Good thing I go to Tech, it has taught me how to live on no sleep so well. And for some reason I keep forgetting to eat. We're all so busy that most of us get about a meal a day. It's cool though, I don't really notice it.

Today Amanda and I went to Hollywood Studios (again). This time we played little kid and met characters. Oh, and rode Tower of Terror and Rockin' Rollercoaster. It was a long day, I think 7 hours in the park? Something like that. Total blast though. Here are a couple of my favorites from the past week or so.

So stinking fun.

So was this one.

GIANT HAT

I could so be Snow White

And of course.....

The castle

Well, that's about it that's going on here. I work, I try to remember to eat and sleep, and play in parks. I can't believe it's only been a little over 2 weeks since getting here, it feels like I've been gone for a really long time. But now that work has officially started, I have a feeling time is going to start going by quickly.

On a random side note, today was Bid Day back at Tech!!! Yay new baby squirrels!

And on that note, I will end this seemingly never ending post. That's what happens when I put posting off for almost 2 weeks I guess.

Training!

has started. And boy did we learn A LOT.

So. Training. Well, first let me tell you about yesterday. We had a day off to get used to Orlando and do any shopping for the apartment and food and whatnot. I decided to sleep in, because I figure that is not going to be happening much in the next few months. I woke up around 11 and decided to drive around and find places. And I found some places. Well, a Target, a couple Walmarts, Medieval Times, and roughly 5,197 outlet malls/stores. Orlando is a mega outlet world. It's awesome. Sort of. I don't really have money to shop.

After my driving adventure, I went back to the apartment and just chilled. A few of the roomies were at Walmart, so I just watched tv and tried to get all settled in. When everyone was finally home, one of my roomies, Pamela, decided to go to Target to look for a tv. She went with one of her buddies that is also a CP. A couple other roomies needed to get shoes, and I had nothing else to do, so we went to the mall that is literally a 10-15 minute walk from our front door. I know, ballin. Since we were all leaving at the same time, Pamela dropped us off at the mall. I mean really, if someone is willing to drive, I can't turn it down.

So me, Tabbie, and Amanda went shopping for a little while. They found the shoes they needed and I had to stop myself from buying extra shoes that I don't need. See, the thing about me that a lot of people don't know is that I love shoes. And bags. They are my weakness. I'm serious. If you look in my closet, you will find way too many bags and pairs of shoes. It's like my one major girly thing.

Anyways. Outlet mall. We walked home since it is so close. Then all the roomies just kind of chilled out and watched a movie for the rest of the night. We had traditions the next day!

I got lucky and had a later start time. If I had the first one, it would have meant waking up at like 6 in the morning to be on a bus by 6:45. Instead, I had to be on a bus at 12:45 for my 2 PM class. Which was nice, because 3 of my other roomies had the same time, so we all walked to the bus together.

Training was pretty cool. We learned a lot of stuff. Like a lot. I think it made everyone even more excited, like it's starting to sink in that we're here, and going to be here for a few months. This kind of helped seal the deal too

That's right. My name tag. With my super shortened school name. But Georgia Institute of Technology wouldn't really fit. At least they didn't put Georgia Tech University. Bleh, I hate it when people make that mistake. I really cannot stand it. So don't do it people, it is just wrong.

And isn't it so cute in the little glove?! It's a soap dish, but I think it'll be much better as a name tag holder. One of my awesome going away gifts. Zapp, Bender, and Nibbler think it's pretty baller too. Leela is there too, but somehow isn't in this picture. It's all on my nightstand. I really think my nightstand pretty much sums me up very well. Maybe I'll take a picture of it later.

That is roughly 60 packets of Ramen. Well, I guess now it would be 58, I had some for dinner last night and Laura had some for dinner tonight. I had popcorn. I'll post a picture of my pantry shelf later, it pretty much has cereal, tomato soup, popcorn, and chips. And blue box mac n cheese. It looks like we're eating a bunch of ramen and a lot of sandwiches here. It's cheap!

I really have no idea what The Crystal Palace is like, I've never been there before. It looks fancy though!

well, hello orlando

I made it, finally. After driving for over 8 hours on Sunday to Tampa, and then another hour this morning to Orlando, I'm finally in an apartment at Patterson. Three bedroom with some baller roomies. It's funny though, I'm the only one from the south, so apparently I have a southern accent. Back home I sound nothing like a southerner because everyone else has such strong accents compared to me. Oh well, maybe it'll help out with my location.

Speaking of location, I'm going to be at the Magic Kingdom! I'm working at the Crystal Palace. I have no idea what that means costume-wise, but I'll know soon.

When people say that the first day is super busy, they aren't kidding. Really, it is that busy. This morning I woke up at 6 am to make sure me and the fam left Tampa by 6:30. Which we did, sort of. Eh, close enough. Anywho, we knew we were in Orlando when we saw this.

You see mouse ears and you know Disney must be close. The weather wasn't the best this morning, but that's Florida for you.

Around 8 we arrived at Vista Way for check-in. That is where the adventure started. First was a housing line, which is where I got my housing ID, parking pass, and housing assignment. And it is where I had to separate from the parents. Poor parents, having to sit in the parent tent for a while. And by a while, I mean about 4 hours.

After this line, it was time to get on a bus to go to casting. I know, fancy. This is where a bunch of other paperwork was filled out and where all us college kids found out where we were working. Fun times, fun times. And it has really cool door knobs, from Alice in Wonderland.

See, so excited. And needing to kill time waiting on a bus to take us back to Vista.

When the bus arrived, it was back to Vista! When I got back around noon I found my parents and rescued them from the family tent. Well, honestly, I think my mom had fun, we all know how she loves to make new friends. Which she did. Anyways, since it was noon, I went ahead and signed up for the Engineering seminar. It starts in October, but I'm pretty stoked.

At this point it was like 1 in the afternoon, and I still had not eaten. So should have taken a snack. Oh well. While I was in line the parents went to Chick fil A to get some lunch. At this point we finally got to go to Patterson and move in and meet the roomies. They're pretty baller.

After getting all my stuff in my room and my bed made, it was time for the housing meeting. So me and the roomies made the journey to the housing meeting. We got done with that around 5ish, and then it was back to the apartment.

So finally, about a bagillion hours later, I got to sit down. And then get back up to go to Walmart. Except, we didn't exactly find the Walmart, so we just went to Publix instead. They don't have those up north! It blew my mind, no one knew what it was! And I call carts buggies, which is a Georgia thing too.

After that adventure for food, we finally got to go back to the apartment and ordered pizza. Instead of cooking we ordered pizza. But tomorrow, the ramen adventure starts. Get excited kids. So. Much. Ramen.

After food we did what any typical college kid would do: play on computers.

We were all super tired. It was a really long day. Tomorrow is a day off, then traditions on Wednesday.

Wait, I leave tomorrow?!

As I sit here in the starbucks at Tech, all I can say is wow. Just, wow. Is it really already here? I can't believe it. Summer just flew by, and in less that 24 hours I will be on the road on my way to Tampa.

That's the plan. Tampa then Orlando. I guess I could go over the plan, what all this road trip involves. So here it goes.

Tonight I'm going to go through everything I've packed and make sure I didn't forget anything. My packing mood hit hardcore at like midnight on Thursday. This was after so you think you can dance of course, I can't miss that show. The finale is next week, I'm hoping I can find just a little bit of time at some point to watch it, since all the epicness of Disney will be going on. Anyways, back to the plan. Tonight, double check everything. And since my parents are coming I'll have my dads truck, so I don't really have to plan on buying too much when I get there. I'm making a walmart run tonight with Cindy Bailey (mom) to get all the bathroom and shower stuff. And maybe some food, that way the parents will pay for it.

Tomorrow (Sunday) I think we're getting up around 9 or so and loading up the car, then starting the 8ish hour drive to Tampa. We're staying with some family friends for the night, our old neighbors from when we lived there a few years ago. I think we're gonna have a big cookout and go swimming and all that fun stuff. Woot.

Monday is the big day! Waking up early, probably 6 or 630, and making the hour drive to Orlando to start this epic adventure. Crazy! I'm excited, nervous, happy, sad, just basically every emotion right now. Well, except angry, I'm not really mad at anyone. Monday I'll move in and find out who my roommates are, I didn't do that whole find one before you get there thing. I like the element of surprise I guess. I had a random roomie this past year and it was great, hoping that happens again. Well, to be totally honest, I lost track of time and just forgot to find one. But I'll know in a couple days. It's all good.

Since I'm leaving so soon, the see you later dinners have happened. These are see you later adventures, not goodbye dinners, because it's really not goodbye, it's see you later. Thursday I went to the house of a couple of the most wonderful and awesome people i know to watch so you think you can dance and have breakfast for dinner. Brinner, if you will. They even got me the most baller going away gift: diet dr pepper, Disney stuff, and futurama stuff. And an inside joke thing, but no one will understand it if I tried to explain, so I'm not going to even bother. They know me so well, it's like we have the same brain or something.

See, Nibbler and Bender now have Zapp and Leela. And it even came in a Disney Princess gift bag. Too cute.

Last night I went to see a couple friends in Smyrna, which was fun and sad at the same time. My so you think you can dance buddy went with me. That was one of the longest drives home I think I've ever had, even though it's only about an hour drive. The drive home is usually fun and loud and full of giggles and singing lady gaga, but I think that's when it really hit that summer was over and it was time to head to Florida. Granted, I am going to be gone only a few months and it's going to be a life changing and wonderful experience, but still, it's a bit scary. I need some ice cream to calm down. brb.

Ok, emotional moment over, now for excitement. Ahh! I leave tomorrow!!!!!!!!!! Ok, now I'm stoked and can't wait. It's Orlando, and I'm going to be out of McDonough. Ballin.

And I think the vlog is actually going go happen either the morning of leaving or during the drive. We shall see.

Next time I post I'm going to be in Florida! Yay!

Packing....

has totally started. In my mind.

Monday was my final exam in physics 2, which means I now have time to pack and figure stuff out. But here's the thing kids: I am the master procrastinator. That is probably one of the main things I have learned during the past 2 years at Tech. Yes, I've learned great things about Organic Chemistry and so many levels of Calculus and Differential Equations and Matlab and blah blah blah blah blah.... and procrastinating. I really shouldn't put this off like I am... but you saw the picture of my desk. Yeah. That is what my room is like, except on a larger scale. I really don't want to clean and pack and everything at this moment. I'm weird, as in I will get in a mood where I really want to pack and then I'll do it. That moment hasn't hit yet. Saturday is probably when it will happen... the day before I leave.

I have accomplished some stuff related to Disney today. I went to Walmart and bought make-up(yes, I am going to wear some form of make-up for the first time like, ever), shower stuff, and bug spray. I was going to wait until I was in Orlando to get all this stuff, but I just found out my dad is going to take his truck down, so there will be plenty of room for everything. Now I don't have to overload Maddy Mazda. Speaking of the car, she decided to be a jerk and is in the shop right now. Hopefully it's nothing too serious, I hate it when she makes me poor.

After walmart I was going to start packing, and I kind of did? I put my dvds in a central location, and started the process of figuring out what shirts to take with me. Because yes, I have to do a major filter of these. I have at least 30 Alpha Gamma Delta t-shirts (and that is not an exaggeration at all), Tech t-shirts, Alpha Chi Sigma t-shirts (Chemistry fraternity), and then just random t-shirts. Then there are the actual normal shirts... too much. Just too much. Here's the cliffsnotes version of everything I'm going to bring:

• clothes
• bedding
• computer
• tv
• dvds
• books
• paperwork
• iHome
• iPod
• cords for tv, camera, computer, etc.
• Sega and N64
• vuvuzela
• shower stuff

And then there is probably going to be random stuff that I'll remember in the midst of packing.

In another attempt to put off packing, I decided to go play with Gus. Gus is a golden retriever and a giant baby. And, since I do this blogging thing now or whatever, I decided that I need to share his adorableness with everyone.

He really likes tennis balls. And playing fetch in the back yard. He's one of those dogs that will run and greet you at the front door when you get home, acting like he hasn't seen you in years when really it's only been about 20 minutes. I've gotten used to him after living at home for more than week for the first time since I started college. And I'm going to miss him when I leave in a few days.

But with a face like that, do you blame me?