God Bless Us, Everyone

There is so much to be thankful for this year, but most of all I'm thankful for the unique opportunity to share this season with so many wonderful people. Unlike my last post, I'm not talking about guests and tourists. Today I'm talking about my co-workers, my friends.

When I started the program I promised myself I wouldn't get too attached. I just said goodbye to all my friends from college, packed everything up and moved on to start a new life. I knew that at the start of January any new friends I made would leave Orlando and I'd be back to square one. I figured it'd be easier to not care about anyone and then not have to go through the separation anxiety again.

Well, we all know I was fooling myself. I like people too much, I make friends easily, and already I don't want them to leave.

So many of them have to make due this holiday season--they have to attempt their mom's greatest recipes alone, celebrate on non-holiday days, make their own traditions. It really humbles me--I have my family here. My best friends are all coming home for the holidays. And I get to celebrate with my co-workers in their own special way. I am truly blessed to be surrounded by so many tidings of good cheer!

Yesterday one of my co-workers hosted Thanksgiving at her place--it was fabulous! "Turkey" (rotisserie chicken since none of us liked turkey), stuffing, potatoes and green bean casserole. Pumpkin Pie for dessert, sparkling grape juice for drinks. She decorated her apartment and we played games and watched the Jim Carey "How the Grinch Stole Christmas". It was Thanksgiving.

Tomorrow I'll be home with my parents, watching the parade, drinking hot chocolate, eating ravioli (tradition!), and helping cook a wonderful meal. Friday we'll pack in the car really early to do some fun shopping. Saturday evening I'll watch the UF/FSU game with some of my best friends, a tradition every year (*cough*gogators*cough*).

So thank you, everyone, from the bottom of my heart. I am blessed to have so many people in my life to celebrate the season.

If you know someone who might be lonely this Season. If you know someone in need of a friend or someone to hang out with, invite them to your celebration--share the joy and happiness. You too will find yourself blessed <3

Christmas isn't about candy canes, or lights all aglow, it's the hearts that we touch and the care that we show

Anyone who knows me knows that Christmastime is my favorite time of year. When I was little my parents made it extra special: bags of toys hanging from the outside trees, shredded carrots lining the porch where the reindeer waited for Santa, opening gifts one at a time while watching 24-hours of a Christmas Story, just to make the day seem longer. As we've gotten older the traditions have changed, some of which have stuck for years now. We have the same breakfast, the same dinner, I make the hot chocolate, the dog plays with the wrapping paper. We have theme stockings (this year it's our favorite books!) and one of us always plays Santa.

One of my favorite personal traditions is spending as much time as possible at Disney. If you've never been to Disney at Christmas, make sure it's noted on your bucket list. It's certainly something you don't want to miss. Between the amazing Osbourne Family Spectacle of Lights, the inspiring Candlelight Processional, the beautifully lit Cinderella's castle and every single fireworks show there's just no beating it. Some of my best memories involve Disney at Christmas.

I'm not gonna lie, it's somewhat brutal working Disney at Christmas: the crowds mostly. I'm not looking forward to working Christmas Day, especially since my family's in town. I am looking forward to the wonderful paychecks that come with the long hours. I have plenty of Christmas shopping to do, and my family knows that most of their gifts are Disney-related.

What I must remember this Christmas season, when I'm at work and when the parks are packed, is that I get to be a part of that Christmas Disney Magic that I always rave about. I get to help make memories and create magical moments. Somehow it all seems a bit better when I realize what I can do for the guests. I get to share with them the Christmas magic I've known and loved, and maybe get them to return again and start their own tradition.

With the way my posts have been going, I might not post again before Christmas, so Merry Christmas in advance!