Chin Up, Beautiful

I was looking through my journal, as I sometimes do, and I came across a nice passage:

"If I've learned anything this past year, it's that time goes by slowly, but yet again all too quickly. You never know who you're going to meet, or what will happen tomorrow. So chin up, beautiful. It's going to be a good day."

At the end of January 2012, one of my best friends insisted I keep a journal that only spoke of positive things. The journal started with this rule:

Don't write anything negative in here.

This is all about love and personal growth and getting back up.

Fill it with beautiful images, reaffirming thoughts and quotes.

Write in it every day and each day write something you're grateful for.

It was the first time I kept a journal with the intention of staying positive, and it's the only journal I've made it past the halfway point with. See, I used to write only negative things, or things that bugged me, and eventually, you just get tired of all the negativity. Since I started this journal, I've felt myself not only being more positive, but also being more self-confident and more able to see the good in everyone and be happy when others are happy.

If I feel myself going negative, I open the journal. If I can't write, I read. It's filled with color and glitter and smiley faces. It's my happy place. Well, that and a little ruler I have that has dancing penguins on it. 

The thing is, I didn't realize until today just how much of an effect this journal has had on the way I choose to live my life. It was a simple suggestion from a friend, and I owe a lot to her. So, as of today, I'm accepting donations to help me move to Chicago (just kidding on that donations bit...). I love Orlando, but I want a change, and I want to be closer to my best friend, Carly. I can't move until after my lease is up, and I have no idea what direction my career will be heading... but I need a goal and a dream, and that's Chicago right now.

So, for now, chin up, beautiful, it's going to be a beautiful day.

The Facebook Hills of Beans

Most people have songs randomly stuck in my head. While that happens often for me, I also get random movie quotes stuck in there as well. Today, while cleaning my apartment, the same quote from Casablanca kept popping up:

"I'm not at being noble, but it doesn't take much to see that the problems of three little people don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world."

So, I stuck the movie in the player and spent the afternoon humming As Time Goes By.

This past week I deactivated my facebook for the first time since I created it back in high school. I removed it from my phone, from my Kindle, and from anywhere else that might tempt me to reactivate. It felt good not to be so connected. Even reactivating it, I'm keeping it off my phone. 

Now, there were certainly some drawbacks. I realized after I deactivated that it was my only connection to some friends living abroad that I still need to message back. Breaks at work were spent staring idly at my phone instead of scrolling through facebook updates. 

What I enjoyed, however, was that I couldn't share my random thoughts with everyone as freely. As you see, I didn't update my blog at all last week either. It all comes back to this quote: "[my] problems... don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world." We spend so much time checking who's in what relationship, what pictures were posted, what everyone thought of this week's Bachelorette... sometimes I think we forget that there are more important things, or become too absorbed in distracting ourselves. 

I'll still argue that facebook can be a great communication tool. I, myself, have used it to broadcast poor road conditions or solicit prayers for causes. Let's not forget, it's a great way to keep in touch with lost friends. 

So, I reactivated, with the intention of perhaps not taking over the news feed with my own little hill of beans. Facebook, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. 

On Love Letters

I was watching the Sex and the City movie and there's a scene where Carrie is reading love letters from great men, like Napoleon and Beethoven. Carrie chides Big for never writing her love letters, and he mentions that of course the great men of the past wrote them, because they were always far away from their loves.

It got me thinking, how romance has kind of gone out the window with technology. I mean, some people fall in love with someone they meet online, hundreds, thousands of miles away sometimes. They then get upset if they don't talk every day or see each other through Skype. With planes and cars it's easier to go visit, even on a whim. In this age of technology, we get almost too attached, because why should we deny ourselves? Instant gratification-it's expected these days.

But what happened in that time when "business trips" took months? Letters were all they had. In this day and age, you stick two people in those same circumstances and I can't help but think they would almost definitely cheat on each other if the opportunity presented itself.

It's the romantic side of me, but just the idea that someone is far away, thinking about you, writing you letters, well, who wouldn't want that? So of course, in our minds, we yearn for love letters, it's the idea of them that makes us swoon. But these days, it seems all but impossible that a relationship can survive off of just that.

How did they do it back then? And would you consider those relationships stronger than modern-day attachments?

PS: If anyone wants my new mailing address, just let me know ;-)

=P

There's a Lot of Beauty in Ordinary Things... Isn't that Kind of the Point?

One day in college my roommate asked me if I had ever watched The Office. She put on one of the episodes of Season 2, The Injury, and the rest, as they say, is history. Most Thursdays for the next five years I would buckle down with friends, family, my dog and even my own musings to watch a seemingly mundane show about a paper company. Better yet, for someone who can't fall asleep without something on in the background, The Office became my lullaby. Jim and Pam were the fairytale I fell asleep to every night.

The cast of The Office says that everyone thinks they're Jim and Pam, when really they're Kelly and Ryan. And as much as I love Jim and Pam's story, I've always been pretty good at doing impressions of Kelly. I'd like to think I'm somewhere in the middle between the two. See, I can point to that moment in my life where I ran across the hot coal and spoke my mind to those who needed to hear it. I can also talk just as much as Kelly can about romantic comedies and the order they might show up in Netflix.

I won't spoil the ending of The Office for anyone. I won't say who came back or what was said or what happened to everyone's favorite characters. I'll just say that it was absolutely perfect. It was the best send-off any fan could ask for. Better yet, it reminds us that our lives are so much more than what other people might see. It reminds us that we keep on living, even when no one's watching.

Like I said, it was perfect.

To Let Go, and to Let God

Let go, and let God. This is what we said in youth group. It sounded inspirational, so we kept repeating it, again, and again. Stressing too much over a test? Let go and let God. Afraid of falling and hurting yourself during the ski trip? Let go and let God. Holding onto a grudge? Let go and let God. It sounds right enough at least. The thing is, the more we say it, the less we practice it. Take that first example: You're studying for a test, going crazy trying to cram more info into your head, because you waited until the last minute. You couldn't control yourself enough to study beforehand, so now you're trying to control your grade. You hear "Let go, and let God" and you're calm. You think, yes, He'll take care of this for me. And that's when you're most controlling. You're not letting go, you're trying to get God to do what you should have done yourself. You're controlling a whole different entity. And then you get mad at Him when it doesn't go your way.

To Let Go is to accept that things may not go the way you plan. In fact, they might get worse. Picture yourself hanging on a cliff, and you can't see the bottom. If you let go, you might fall into water or it might not be that bad of a drop... or you might die. Letting go is accepting your fate, whatever it's destined to be.

To Let God is to trust. This doesn't mean that letting go of that cliff will definitely result in you being just fine. This means that you've come to peace with what He has chosen for you. You're letting him take the wheel, as Carrie Underwood would say, and you trust that He has a reason and a purpose for everything that happens in your life.

To Let Go and To Let God means relinquishing all control. It means becoming a piece of driftwood and allowing yourself to be taken and changed by the environment around you. It's difficult. Myself, a planner, a slight control-freak... to let go and to let God scares me more than the Evil Dead. Knowing what you need to do and taking that first leap, letting go... well, there's a lot of time between those two steps. So, for now, I'm holding on to my control, because I'm not ready yet to drift in the water, to be taken to unknown places... I'm holding on, and I'm praying up until that moment when I'm truly ready to Let God.

Reflection

This is potentially the most candid I'll get on this blog (and that's saying something), so read on at your own risk.

High School - Very self-conscious about my
body... hiding behind a binder of Celebrity
Crushes

I don't hate my body. Sure, there are plenty out there, some of you reading this, I'm sure, who have plenty to say about it, but I don't hate it. I'm honestly extremely comfortable in it. I have, oddly enough, a large amount of self confidence, and I like who I am. I do, at times, look back at those moments in life when I was skinnier, when I was the thin one in the family, and I have to laugh at myself. See, back then, I thought I was fat, and I couldn't stand my own body.

I laugh, because I'm more comfortable now in a larger body than I ever was when I was smaller. Perhaps that's even part of the hesitancy to change it (and change it I must for health reasons more than anything else). I don't want anyone to get this odd impression that I'm ashamed of myself. I'm not.

Bigger, but more confident!

See, I have this self-confidence and great imagination that allows me to picture myself differently. Take this afternoon, for example. I was driving down I-4, with my windows down, scream-singing along to some crazy song and my hair blowing in the wind. Now, if I were to look in a mirror while I was doing this, I would probably burst out laughing, because I'm sure it looks nothing like I imagine it in my head. But, see, it doesn't matter how ridiculous I look. When I drive down the road with my windows open, singing, well, sometimes that's the best part of my day. Why should I really care what I look like?

The person I see in the mirror, isn't who I imagine in my head, but that doesn't bother me. If you're too blind to see past that first image, then you clearly don't need to be a part of my life. I'm not going to go through life changing myself to fit the narrow perspectives of others just so they can get the chance to know me. I think that's just ridiculous.

I'm me. Rory. Not Lori or Cory. Roar like a lion, Rory. And while that first image may change through the years, the inner reflection remains the same. I really hope you're able to see that.

Good News All Around

It's been a busy past few weeks. As of tomorrow, I'll have been signed on my lease for two week and as of today, it's been a week since I officially moved in. All I can say for now is that I'm in love. I love how my new place is basically in the middle of nowhere. It's like a 15-20 minute drive to the nearest Wal-Mart. There's hardly any traffic in my small area. While I have to take I-4 to work, my hours are hardly ever starting or ending around rush hour and I have barely encountered any traffic.

My new room is a sanctuary in a way my old room couldn't be. I'm no longer constricted by my pinkish purple walls and mossy green carpet. I feel a lot less childish and had a great time decorating and organizing. The shape of my room makes it look almost round, which makes me feel a little like I'm in a tower. Honestly? My room is completely meant for me. I love it! (If only I had the money to get a bigger mattress... I currently have a twin, and man does that get smaller as you get older).

So, the major downside is that I'm far away from my closest friends and my family, of course. Not too far away, but driving so much could take its toll on me, and my car. Places that I used to think of as only a 20 minute drive away are now a 40-60 minute drive away. Suddenly, it becomes a small day trip to go some places that used to be "just over there". Being in the middle of nowhere, it's a little more difficult to come up with new places too. What can I say, though, it's an adventure!

I had the best day today. I can't describe everything that happened, but it was just one of those good days at work where you truly feel you made the right choice in profession. Then, when I left, it was pouring outside. And I mean POURING. As I was leaving the garage, an associate was trying to figure out how to get to the entrance without getting soaked, so I offered her a ride. Speaking with her in that short drive actually helped me figure out the better way to drive to avoid I-4 in the pouring rain. Good Karma never hurts, right? Anyways, today was really great.

So it's all good news really =D Great day at work, great new home... somehow I feel like I'm just asking for the sh** to hit the fan... Dear Lord, please don't let that happen!

Positoovity

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high,

and you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit,

rest if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,

as every one of us sometimes learns,

and many a failure turns about

When he might won, had he stuck it out;

Don't give up, though the pace seems slow--

You may succeed with another blow,

Success is failure turned inside out--

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,

And you never can tell how close you are,

It may be near, when it seems so far;

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--

It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

I've had this quote on my computer desktop since January 2012. It's there to remind me, when I'm bogged down by work or personal issues or money issues, that there is always a solution.

We have this thing at work called Critical Moments of Service. It's situations that can make or break a guest's stay. I know that just like we have CMS at work, there are Critical Moments of Life as well. These are the moments when someone close to you dies, when you get your heart broken, when you find yourself in debt, when you're stressed beyond belief due to work or school... these are defining moments that shape our lives. I feel that sometimes you are only as good as the person you become during a CML. For all the good you may do, if you run away when someone needs you, if you quit when you ought to have stuck it through, then that's how you'll be remembered. It's up to you to take ownership of that.

When I think about my own defining moments, sometimes I'm ashamed, and other times I'm quite proud of myself. I never try to forget any of them, because they've made me who I am. Sometimes, I will go back and laugh at myself, though. I think the most important thing to remember is that you have to keep going. Sure, you may have faltered at a defining moment, but who's to say that you won't have more chances in the future? You learn from your mistakes, you keep going, you keep your head held high, you keep smiling. Being positive is the best weapon you can have in your arsenal (even if you're forcing that smile just a bit... =P).

Set Your Laser to Stun

Today was move in day. Woo hoo! We signed the lease, got our keys and started bringing stuff up. Now, because of my crazy work schedule, I'm not moving my big stuff until Monday and Tuesday next week. Today, however, I had a small amount of stuff to bring up. The thing is, somewhere between loading the stuff in the car, driving to the new place (about 30 min away) and signing the lease, I pulled a muscle in my upper thigh, near my hip. Oh, and did I tell you our apartment is on the third floor? Yeah, that didn't translate well with the pulled muscle....

I survived though, and I have a little less than a week for it to heal before we start moving the big stuff. It's been a productive day, though. Between getting the apartment, driving a bunch, and, of course, work, I've certainly had my hands full. Work is a whole other story on it's own. I can't go into detail, but simply said: I'm stressed out. Add that to moving. Just add water and you'll get a nervous breakdown.

My problem is that I think too much. I'm always thinking about what could happen, what already happened, how we can make things better. I think about design and about stories. I stress myself out because I'm always thinking. Luckily, I have a laser pointer. See, there's a certain magic of laser pointers.

You know how a cat could be completely still, sleeping even, but then springs to action when a laser is put in it's path? Whatever it was doing previous is completely forgotten and the only thing that matters is the laser. That's kind of what happens with me.

My best friend once took a laser pointer and created a sort of light show to the sound of the Transformers Score. I was so mesmerized by the dancing lights that I just stopped thinking. Sometimes, you have to stop thinking. He later gave me my own laser pointer, so I could create my own light shows (although mine are usually to the score for Love Actually). And to think I thought you need fireworks or lanterns to mesmerize you into thoughtlessness!

***Insert John Williams Score Here***

I saw Jurassic Park in 3D today. What a joy it was to watch one of my old favorites on the big screen! I enjoyed the jokes I didn't understand as a kid, and I appreciate the dialogue more in general. Now, we know the movie plays a few digs at Disney ("I should've built in Orlando", "When the power goes out at Disney the Pirates don't attack the tourists"). I found a new reference to my favorite theme park family. While talking to John about the possibility of getting the park back on track, Dr. Sattler tells him:

What happens when the Dinosaurs find their way to Magic Kingdom.

"You never had control, that's the illusion! I was overwhelmed by the power of this place. But I made a mistake, too, I didn't have enough respect for that power and it's out now."

Like Jurassic Park, Disney flourishes best when left to it's own devices. Don't force the magic. Let it happen. And don't get too caught up in it, because real life is out there as well. Short blog today, but please comment with any additional thoughts!

District Orlando

Orlando isn't just any city. Orlando is my city. It irks me when someone has unrealistic expectations about my city. Even worse? When they judge my city based on that one little road: International Drive.

International Drive, the most condensed area of food, shopping and entertainment in all of Orlando, is known as a little bit of a hell hole to most knowledgeable locals. Sure, the restaurants are great. The shopping has some wonderful deals. The entertainment is, well, entertaining. It is entirely meant for tourists. You don't go to Disney and expect it to be an area where the locals flock. The same goes for International Drive. It kills me that people will see that and assume that all of Orlando is some touristy nest of chain restaurants, silly, impractical museums and hardly any culture. 

Think of the Hunger Games. There are different districts, each responsible for one industry. District 4 is aquaculture, District 12 is coal. Katniss and Peeta ended up proving that their District is made of more than just Coal Miners. See, Orlando's industry is Tourism. We thrive off of hospitality, and yes, if Orlando lost Tourism, the city would certainly falter. But we are more than just hospitality workers. We are more than just smiling faces that welcome strangers and beg them to spend money.

It sucks when someone comes and decides to judge your city based on one area. Worse, it sucks that they judge you, because you live in that area. And it's not just Orlando. It's everywhere, really. Get to know the locals and you'll know a town/city/country a little better. Expand your horizons.

Hands Over my Eyes, But I'm Not Gonna Cry

Some big things have been happening. I mean, when God decides He wants to open a window, sometimes he throws open those huge French doors and says have at it. What a whirlwind!

As a follow up to my last post, yes, we were approved for the apartment and I move in next week. Woah. But, more on that as the time comes closer.

As you'll know if you've been reading this the past week, I'm trying to come out of my Disney bubble a little bit more and more and trying to experience new things. Today was possibly proof that I need to look sometimes before I leap.

I saw Evil Dead today. I hate scary movies. Why did I see it then? Because two good friends really wanted to see it and I saw it as a good opportunity to try something new. Rory, Rory, Rory... what in the world were you thinking?!?!?

I spent the entire movie with my hands covering my eyes, quietly whimpering and praying for the end. When I finally thought it was over ***SPOILER ALERT*** a hand shoots out of the ground and grabs the chick's leg. I'm pretty sure I leaped as far back in my chair as possible. At the end of the movie, when we left the theater, I was pale, shaking, and held myself up against a wall, slowly rocking back and forth. (Don't be too alarmed, this wasn't for more than a minute at most).

So, today's lesson? Try new things, even things you think you hate. Just remember, there's always going to be the chance that you still hate them, no matter how positive you try to be. And you know what, that's ok.

As a reward, I got to rock out to this song on the way home, which ended up being where the title comes from. It oddly fits.

A Whole New World

So yesterday a friend told me she needed a new roommate ASAP. To make a long story short, I'm potentially signing a lease tomorrow.

This is potentially the most spontaneous decision I've ever made. I had been planning to stay with my parents until at least the summer. Now, I'd be moving out to an area I'm not too familiar with, with 3 other people. only one of which I know, and possibly within the week! This is all happening so fast--

Usually, when moving somewhere, I have it all planned. I know how I'm going to design my room. I know exactly what I'm bringing. I'm packed a week beforehand and I know exactly how I'm getting there. I'm a planner. I plan things. This is entirely out of my element.

If I'm being honest, though, I kinda love it. I love the idea of the unknown. I love that my independence is just a touch away. I like the prospect of a challenge and something new. Sure, failure is always possible. And there's a chance I'm going to regret it--but you gotta try something new now and then. I'm just so used to my comfort zone, I have to step out of it. I'm ready to face this whole new world.

Disney: The Bad and the Ugly

I went back to Disney today. It was a good day, very much unexpected, but fun, and I had a good time celebrating my friend's birthday. You know, so much of what I write on here kind of glorifies Disney. After spending only half a day in the parks, let me now take this time to highlight what I DON'T miss about Disney.

1. The way your feet feel after a full day (or even half a day at the park). I never wear the right shoes, especially today since I wasn't thinking I'd be going to a park when I left the house. One word: OW!
2. Crowds. It's the busy season right now, and I don't like it. I don't like weaving through crowds and shoving my way to get where I need to be. I don't like finding openings and then being yelled at because people think my party is cutting (mind you, this is in a crowd, not a line). 
3. We were at the park for 6 hours today. We rode 2 rides. This had nothing to do with lines, rather, once you're in the parks enough, you kind of just walk around a lot and talk. The thing is, if I'm going to walk around and talk, does it have to be where 70K strangers are also trying to get in their vacation? What happened to nature parks or beaches or walking trails?
4. Everyone knows each other. I'm serious. We were a group of 4 cast members. We all stopped at least twice each to say hi to someone we knew that was working. Seeing this from a different perspective, it kind of creeps me out a little. What kind of power does Disney have over its Cast Members that they not only return to work on their days off, but they do so while spending money, and seeing the same people they work with.... I'm starting to see why it's good to break that Disney bubble, because once it's broken, you start to see the oddity of it all.
5. BTGs. Yes. Brazilian Tour Groups and all that come with them. Just go home. Stop being loud. Stop taking up spaces. Stop pretending like you don't understand hand gestures. Stop being selfish. ICK!
6. I have a process for seeing Wishes. It works every time. Sometimes, there are guests who are lovely. Sometimes, like today, there are guests who use external video lighting for the entire show or guests that put their 8 year old children on their shoulders right in front of you. With all the magic at Disney, you'd think there would be a little more courtesy.
7. Finally, as I stood through Wishes, reciting the entire thing, hand-gesturing when the fireworks were going, I realized something: this wasn't fun anymore. Sure, I'll always love the nostalgia of it. And yes, Wishes still makes me happy. But it wasn't new. It wasn't exciting. I knew exactly what to expect. There were no surprises.

Perhaps that chip they installed at Traditions is finally coming loose. Like I said, I still had a great time today. I'm just ready to have a great time somewhere else too. I'm ready for a new adventure.

Texting Topics: Pineapples of All Things

So, after not thinking of much to write about today, I asked a friend what he thought I should write about. "Pineapples" he said. Pineapples. Of all things that could be magical in this world, he says pineapples. So, after careful consideration, I thought, "Hey, why not?" Better yet, why not text random friends for a topic when I can't think of one. So, with that I introduce Texting Topics, with today's theme being Pineapples.

While looking for ways to talk about a pineapple, I came across this story about a state exam in NY for eighth-graders. Apparently, this one story caused such an uproar that parents are worried it will affect their children's future. Here's the story:

The Hare and the Pineapple

by Daniel Pinkwater

In olden times, the animals of the forest could speak English just like you and me. One day, a pineapple challenged a hare to a race.

(I forgot to mention, fruits and vegetables were able to speak too.)

A hare is like a rabbit, only skinnier and faster. This particular hare was known to be the fastest animal in the forest.

“You, a pineapple have the nerve to challenge me, a hare, to a race,” the hare asked the pineapple. “This must be some sort of joke.”

“No,” said the pineapple. “I want to race you. Twenty-six miles, and may the best animal win."

"You aren't even an animal!" the hare said. “You're a tropical fruit!"

“Well, you know what I mean,” the pineapple said.

The animals of the forest thought it was very strange that tropical fruit should want to race a very fast animal.

"The pineapple has some trick up its sleeve," a moose said.

Pineapples don't have sleeves, an owl said

"Well, you know what I mean,” the moose said. "If a pineapple challenges a hare to a race, it must be that the pineapple knows some secret trick that will allow it to win.”

“The pineapple probably expects us to root for the hare and then look like fools when it loses,” said a crow. “Then the pineapple will win the race because the hare is overconfident and takes a nap, or gets lost, or something.”

The animals agreed that this made sense. There was no reason a pineapple should challenge a hare unless it had a clever plan of some sort. So the animals, wanting to back a winner, all cheered for the pineapple.

When the race began, the hare sprinted forward and was out of sight in less than a minute. The pineapple just sat there, never moving an inch.

The animals crowded around watching to see how the pineapple was going to cleverly beat the hare. Two hours later when the hare cross the finish line, the pineapple was still sitting still and hadn't moved an inch.

The animals ate the pineapple.

MORAL: Pineapples don't have sleeves

Read the article to find out what all the uproar was, I honestly don't think it's that big a deal. See, I kinda get the moral. Pineapples don't have sleeves. Sometimes, a pineapple that cannot move is really just a pineapple. People (and animals apparently) think too much about ways they might be tricked. They're skeptical and cautious. They always want to be right, they're afraid to be wrong.

But, sometimes, we just have to take things for what they are. I think this means a lot when someone does a kind gesture of goodwill. So many times we're skeptical and we think there must be something fishy, or they must want something out of it. Even today when I hugged my Mom and said I loved her and she responded "What did you do, or what do you want?"(Jokingly, of course). 

Is it too hard to believe that sometimes people just want to be nice, to show how much they care, to do a good deed? Is it hard to believe that sometimes magic happens?

And a quick note to anyone who I have in my address book: Be Warned! You never know when I'll be contacting you for my next Texting Topic!

Orlando Hotspots: Ciao Italia!

WARNING! WARNING! If you think that Olive Garden is the classiest, most authentic Italian restaurant you know, please, for your sanity and for mine, just don't read this post. 

For months now I've heard about this amazing, authentic Italian restaurant called Ciao Italia. I've suggested other people try it, but hadn't had the chance to try it for myself. So, yesterday, after Bacchus Bash, when we were trying to figure out where to grab a more formal, sit down dinner, I jumped at the chance to finally experience Ciao Italia.

As you may have guessed by the warning, I'm not a big fan of Olive Garden. It's a guilty pleasure that I'll indulge in every now and then, but it irks me, as an Italian, that it markets itself as an Italian restaurant, when really it's just a nice pasta place. Lots of pasta should not equal Italian. Not to mention, Olive Garden is a national chain that reeks of cheesy stereotypes the way most of it's food reeks of too much garlic.

Ciao Italia is a truly unique, family-run, locally-owned restaurant that welcomes its guests the way my family welcomes each other--with delicious food and congenial service. The atmosphere is both quaint and romantic, with fresh linens and low lighting. Our server greeted us with a heavily accented "Buonasera" and spoke in a mixture of Italian and English (the Italian, to my delight, I understood perfectly!). The only aspect that gave me slight pause is that he pronounced bruschetta incorrectly (correct pronunciation is broo-skett-ah, not broo-shett-ah). I'll just attribute that to the hundreds of guests he must have who pronounce it wrong as well.

Alright, on to the food! I started with an appetizer of Calamari Saltati--sauteed calamari in a white wine lemon butter sauce. Unlike many versions of calamari, this one was not fried, which let the taste of the calamari shine, accented with lemon. As you can see, it was served in a dish that was shaped like a fish (luckily calamari is not really fish, per say, so it wasn't too awkward).

My entree was a HUGE serving of Tortellini con Pollo e Pesto. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a photo while at the restaurant, however, luckily I brought some home to enjoy later (however, still forgot to photograph). The pesto was one of the best I've ever tasted--each ingredient could be tasted separately in every bite. The pasta was obviously fresh, not frozen. It was a dish of which an Italian can be proud.

Finally, for dessert we had a Limoncello Marscapone Cake--cake soaked in Limoncello and accented with creamy marscapone. It was amazing.

Altogether, Ciao Italia is a restaurant that should not be missed! It's perfect both for a date night and for a family dinner. I'm sure they'd even be great for a small special occasion gathering. Check out their website and if you ever find yourself unsure of where to go on International Drive for dinner, definitely stay away from the chains and experience a real taste of Italy.

Magical Moments in Not-So-Magical Places

If you've ever worked somewhere (or went to school somewhere) that required uniforms, you'd understand what it feels like to see everyone in "street clothes". For me, that's a Cinderella moment. Everyone gets so used to seeing you in your work outfit that when they finally see you in normal clothes, it's "Wow, what a great color," or "Oh my gosh, you look so pretty." You can't help but feel a little bit like Cinderella did when she first walked into the ball and no one really recognized her. 

That was only part of what made this evening a bit magical. I attended an event in Orlando called Bacchus Bash, a sort of food and liquor festival hosted by the Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association at the Premium Outlets. Over the course of the night I saw two "Magical Moments" that made me think back to Disney. The first was when 5 girls, probably between the ages and 4 and 6, started dancing a routine to no music in particular. Not only was this routine well-choreographed, but the girls put their whole hearts into it, and truly danced like no one was watching. The best part was that the entire crowd took notice, and it turns out everyone was watching. They got a resounding and well-deserved applause at the end. I used to say things like that only happened at Disney, but here it was, happening in normal, everyday life.

I'm sure most of you have seen this picture of a Disney Security Guard asking a little princess for her autograph. Now, it is well known among Cast Members that many of us do this (myself included). We take opportunities to make our guests feel special. Today I saw that not from a Disney Cast Member, not even from a Hospitality Employee; I saw a Magical Moment made possible by a Police Officer.

It was quick--only a moment, really. We were walking through the booths at Bacchus Bash and a little boy ran out of a store to see the Police Officers walking by. Three of them kept walking, but one of them stopped to give the boy a high five and talk with him for a second. I didn't hear the conversation, but you could tell that the boy's day was made just from that interaction.

So, I have a challenge for anyone reading this, as well as for myself: Make it a goal in your day (work or not work related) to have a positive impact on a stranger's day. You might surprise yourself at how one simple gesture can mean the world to someone. 

Dealing with Wildebeest, and Other Life Lessons from The Lion King

Ever been hit by a herd of wildebeest? Metaphorically speaking, of course. 

When I was a little girl, there wasn't a dry eye in the theater as Simba made his way through the abandoned canyon, screaming "Dad!". I would bet there are even those of you who are tearing up just thinking about it. The fact is, Simba's life changed the minute that stampede started. It drove him away (literally) from his friends, his family, and his destiny. For years he tried to escape the past, and blah blah blah, we all know Rafiki's quote "You can either hide from [the past] or learn from it" and yes, "the past can hurt." This post isn't about running or facing the past... that's a little too serious for my tastes right now. 

I want to focus instead on Nala. See, Simba was hit by a herd of wildebeest. He fell off the grid, abandoned his friends, met new ones even. He changed. And what happens when his best friend Nala finds him?

In general, I like going places and seeing new things. I like hanging out with my friends, and really, who doesn't? But you can see someone every day for the rest of your life, and still never get a reaction the way Nala and Simba were when they found each other again. 

Now, take Timon and Pumba, for example. They are clearly Simba's friends. He sees them all the time, and they get along well. They clearly have a lot of fun together. But Nala comes, and all of sudden, Timon is threatened. He thinks if Simba leaves, things won't stay the same. And Timon likes it when things stay the same. Now, if you're anything like me, the wheels are starting to turn in your head, and you're starting to place your own friends in these groups. The thing is, it's good to have both in your life. 

You need friends, like Timon and Pumba, who will be there for you when you get hit by a stampede of wildebeest, to distract you from the battle raging in your head. And you need friends like Nala who will always return, and greet you as though you never left, and to remind you of your true purpose. 

The Lion King: teaching us new life lessons, every day.

See? Disney Magic is present when you have those long lost friends give you a call, or answer a text. There's a little bit of pixie dust every time they come back into your life. 

Orlando Hotspots: 4 Rivers Smokehouse

So you're driving around Orlando, most likely stuck on I-4 or International Drive, and you start to notice several bumper stickers that look like this:

Eventually you get close enough to read the website, type it into your smartphone (because using your phone and driving is still not illegal in Florida) and come across this website. Congratulations, your barbecue pedigree will never be the same again. 

Unlike many restaurants in Orlando, 4 Rivers has the distinction of being locally-owned. It's a small chain (with 3 locations in the Orlando area, and 1 in progress in Jacksonville), and the line can often be found out the door. Trust me, it's worth it. 

Like Salt Life did with clothes, 4 Rivers created a culture here in the Orlando area. You'd be hard pressed to find a local who hasn't heard of them. Besides their amazing food (which I'll get to in a minute), 4 Rivers is just a good-hearted company. Check this out from their website:

We are committed to producing the highest level of quality products and providing superior service to our customers, which distinguishes the 4 Rivers brand in the marketplace. Equally important, is our dedication to supporting our local businesses, schools, and charity organizations. We recognize the value of contributing to the growth of our community in order for our business to prosper. To that end, 4Rivers is proud to support organizations that are dedicated to building a stronger, safer and kinder community while creating hope for a brighter future for our children.

Now, what you've all been waiting for, how's the food? 

Amazing.

Southern Pulled Pork Sandwich with Mac n Cheese and Sweet Potato Casserole

My favorites are the Southern Pulled Pork and the Sweet Potato Casserole. The pork is tender, cooked to perfection, and the smokiness accents the sweet barbecue sauce well. As far as the casserole, I honestly hate sweet potatoes in every form, but 4 Rivers makes them taste amazing. They're sweet, creamy and nutty. The only problem is that they're so filling. You can eat 4 Rivers and be full for the rest of the day. The price isn't bad, either. For about $10 you can get a drink, sandwich and 2 sides. 

4 Rivers also has a Sweet Shop and you MUST try at least one thing. Today, I got a Coconut Bomb, which, though it doesn't photograph well (hence the lack of photo), tastes delicious.

As a Concierge, it's difficult to send guests more than a 15 minute drive away from the hotel, but when I can, I try to convince them to grab a taste of the amazing 4 Rivers Smokehouse. Next time any of y'all are in Orlando, you should definitely try it!

Online Dating: Not Your Average Fairy Tale

I grew up, as many girls do, believing in true love and fate. I would watch Disney movies and dream of my own “Prince Charming”, wondering which path I’d follow to find my one true love. Then, after soured attempts in high school and college, and with barely any time to go to a bar and wait around, I decided to stop waiting and start looking. That’s where online dating came in. It’s the modern version of seeing a handsome stranger across the room. Now, you catch a glimpse of a profile, see a few words that seem to click, and suddenly, it’s fate.

So, you send a message, you start talking. You get asked for your number and you think, “Sure, why not?” After all, you gotta make a leap eventually, otherwise how could you ever fall in love? So you give the handsome stranger your number. It’s what Snow White would’ve done, right? You wait anxiously until you receive that first text, and then you can barely contain your inner excitement as you open it. Then you get this:

Wanna cuddle 2nite n hav steamy hawt nerd sex?

*Cue the sound of a record scratching*

What?!?! Perhaps not the Prince Charming I was making him out to be. Is it too much to ask for good old-fashioned courtship? I mean, you don’t need this per say:

But there has to be something more romantic than the standard messages you get through online dating, right? I mean, I’m honestly opposed to the whole “seeing someone across of a crowded room” thing. I’m not a fan of Cinderella or Snow White where a girl is chosen based purely on looks. I am enamored by the love stories of Beauty and the Beast and Tangled. It’s more realistic that love develops rather than is found. But there is still that magical idea of fate. 

While contemplating this, I found this article, about a man and woman who were teenagers when they fell in love, were then separated, and 60 years later finally married. I guess, in some respect, Disney romance can exist in real life, and happily ever afters come when you least expect them. 

Off the Disney Crutch and Standing on My Own Dreams

Why, hello again! It’s been over a year since my last post on Have Faith in Dreaming. In a year I started a new job and was promoted within 8 months. I grew closer to friends I thought had been lost forever. I had my first actual Disney vacation, where I went to Disneyland with my cousin. I even had a few stay-cations, where I witnessed family and friends experiencing Disney Magic for the first time.

For months I’ve dreaded the inevitable: the revoking of my Disney ID. I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep up with my 150-hour requirement the minute I accepted the promotion at work. I half-heartedly attempted to do so. It is with great sadness that I announce that my employment with the wonderfully magical Walt Disney Company came to an end today, April 1, 2013 (nope, not April Fools). No more fake Southern Accent. No more walking in just for fireworks. No more early morning rides on Splash Mountain, or summer sojourns to Typhoon Lagoon. No more discounts, no more free parking. No more unlimited access to the playground I always knew and loved. I can always go back, there’s no doubt with the amazing cast member friends I still have. But it won’t be the same.

So, instead of wallowing in the sadness, I’ve come back here, to this amazing blog that has helped grow my self-confidence and writing skills. I’ve come back here to share, with anyone who will listen, my journey to find Disney Magic in every day life. See, you don’t need a Prairie Skirt to make someone smile, or surprise them with free candy. You don’t need to be looking at a castle or perusing through a Fantasyland to feel like you’re part of a greater story. Even as hard as it is for me to admit, you don’t need beautiful, colorful multitudes of lanterns or fireworks to take your breath away. Magic is all around us; we just need to look.

Walt and I: We're both dreamers, and believers in Magic. 

I used to sign my blog with “Have faith in your dreams, think of the happiest things, and always let your conscience be your guide.” I’m shortening it. Not that I believe you should ignore your conscience, just that my blog isn’t about necessarily making the right decisions. It’s about dreaming and the happiness that results from that. This year, I’ve lost sight of that. I’ve allowed myself to fall into a mundane daily procedure. I’ve looked for the worst instead of the best in people and situations. Disney isn’t a crutch anymore. For once, I’ve gotta learn to stand on my own dreams.

So, follow me if you want, while I search for the Disney Magic in everyday life. I promise to keep positive, or, at least to recognize and apologize for my own negativity if it gets to that. I promise to write when I can and to share what I can.

Have faith in your dreams, think of the happiest things <3