2011: A wrap up and a look back

So I dug up my old livejournal.com account (neomeus and chibiwebel) and I'm going to take two surveys and see how they are different from each other.  Fun times!!

So yeah.. the first one in black is the original from 2003 - I was still in High School... 17 years old.  Ones in Blue are from 2006 - I was a sophomore in college and 20.  My new answers are from now... and will be in yellow..

What did you do in 2003 that you'd never done before? Ice-skated, first boyfriend, a monologue, WENT TO DISNEY!!!!!!!, filmed a movie about a rock O_o... yeah... lol   
 Sang with a band that wasn't school related, a relationship, and sang at a wedding.
Taught brass instruments, went to Coney Island, went to a Harry Potter convention, tried a whole bunch of food (well you know... I've posted about most of those experiences here.  And yes, in 2003 I made a movie about my pet rock... it was a Christmas movie.  He journeyed through lands, seas, met LOTRs characters, and then finally found Jesus at the North Star. >_<)

Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year? Some I actually did. I think I became a bit more myself and a bit more open... went to a place I've never been to before. Look above.. I wrote them for ya.
  Well, I always make the weight one, I stayed pretty constant since the beginning of the year... I'm keeping the "Loose weight/get fit one" and also practice/study more efficiently.
Well... I certainly tried more new things this year... and went to some places I've never been this year as well.  As I still have the "get fit goal." 2012 is my year for that to happen!  BTW: I need to come up with different New Year's resolutions.. haha.

Did anyone close to you give birth? Mrs. M did!  No. No.

Did anyone close to you die? My Pop-pop's friend, Eleanor... she was a very cool lady. I thought she was very spunky for her age!   Not to me, but to a few loved ones.   Aunt Mollie.

What countries did you visit? Disney World ^_^ and all the countries they have there.  America.... but ITALY in 2007! (Hopefully)   So... Italy didn't happen (sad face,) but my answer is still the same.

What would you like to have in 2004 that you lacked in 2003? a license, more independence... not worry so much about minute things.  concentration... >_<  More self-motivation. All of the above... and to exercise more and not have so many long distance relationships.

What dates from 2003 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? March 15th(ish) - Guys and Dolls, March 30th ^_^, the whole month of April into may - Godspell!, July 6th-12th - DISNEY WORLD/Orlando ^_^, Hershey Trip #1, the whole Talking With experience then the performances, Nov. 26th - Chicago concert!, Thanksgiving, December 13th - NYC trip (Hairspray!), December 18th - LOTR!, Semi-Formal... Party time at my house... pretty good year.  Umm.. dates = bad... so I will give the dates names:  Matt Nathanson Day, the Power Outage Night, Vivace! Camp, Pirates Night (Morning), The Day before my Birthday, the Disney Marathon with Gilman day, Band Banquet Night, Sing for the Drunks with the Swing Kings day, Go to Hershey Park with Riss, Trish, and Sarah day, Kappa/TBS Districts, District Days ... just to name a few. July 4th (Fireworks in nyc), Oct 17 (seeing Hanson), August 6th (Seeing Daniel Radcliffe in H2$ and stage dooring and meeting him.) Nov 22-28 (Disney World!).. there's more, I just can't think of them.

What was your biggest achievement of the year? making and performing in Godspell... but I think even a bigger achievement was in Talking With... I was so worried about that. Doing well in the Sophomore scholarship competition... performing for a group of people classically for the first time while being judge... I performed last.. a lot of time for my nerves to just be the size of a galactic watermelon.  Godspell is such a fond memory of mine.  Goodness.  My biggest achievement of the year?  Embracing my nerdiness. Seriously... I'm very comfortable with myself now.

What was your biggest failure? procratination... as usual. And getting caught up in the small things.  Not making Dean's List this semester... stupid Psychology.  But the next semester seems promising. I'd say 2003 me and now me have the same failure.... although I've always had this failure.

Did you suffer illness or injury? Not really.. pretty healthy year for me. No. Went to the hospital in April. >_<

What was the best thing you bought? Disney World tickets... although I didn't buy them... umm.. the many CD's I have.  The Fray's CD     Leakycon Tickets!

Whose behavior merited celebration? Mike and Pat... I was proud of them this year! lol Celeb-wise: the Fellowship (ha!), umm... Julliane Moore (sp), I like her! ...Chrissy's?   Marissa?    Celeb-wise: Matt Damon.

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? ?? Celeb-wise: Michael Jackson EWW!, Brit/Madonna/Christina ewww!, Paris Hilton ewww!, and Elijah... why did you show your Fellowship tatoo! You're not suppose to do that! (I'm bad)     no comment.    Okay, I just had a good laugh at these answers.   Umm... mostly, the Republican Presidential candidates.

Where did most of your money go? Disney, clothes.. I think I'm more fashionable now. My Little and towards the appartment.  Trips.... mostly NYC... but trips in general.

What did you get really, really, really excited about? Disney World!  Musik Fest, Band Camp (I'm a dork.. yes), Pirates midnight showing, getting a Little!!!!, and seeing people at school.  Aww.. MusikFest was my first date with Matt!!  Let's see... Disney World and Leakycon.  Traveling by myself!

What songs/artists will always remind you of 2003? John Mayer "Your Body Is A Wonderland", Jason Mraz - "The Remedy", Clay Aiken and Josh Groban... and Carole King ^_~   Natasha Bedingfeild - "Unwritten", Snow Patrol - "Chasing Cars", Matt Nathanson - "Pretty the World", Coldplay - "Fix You"  Utada Hikaru - "My Sanctuary" Hmm... those songs don't really remind my of 2003, but 2006, they do... let's see 2011... "Party Rock Anthem," "Universe is Laughing" - Guggenheim Grotto, "You're a Tourist" Deathcab for Cutie  "Uncharted" Sara Bareilles

Compared to this time last year, are you:
Happier or sadder?: happier happier.   probably feel the same as last year; a tiny bit more frustrated
Thinner or fatter?: probably fatter I think fatter, but the scale says differently. >_<  yep... fatter.
Richer or poorer?: poorer  richer... I'm working at my dad's now >_<  I think richer. :)  Woot!  I have a real job now!

What do you wish you'd done more of? search and grab opportunities, write, practice!, travel  exercise... and organizing things Write and sing in a performance venue.

What do you wish you'd done less of? computer  eating.. haha... I love to eat though... so I guess I don't wish I did less of it.  I wish I did less chatting and more working (not only school work, but in other aspects of my life as well.. being more active.)   Complain.
What are your favorite tv programs? I actually just dubbed a new favorite tv show for me today: Inside the Actor's Studio! That is my new favorite show!   Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, Gilmore Girls, Project Runway...  Merlin, Once Upon a Time, Doctor Who, Chuck, Psych, the Daily Show, and the Colbert Report.

Did you fall in love in 2003? Nemo... lol... Orlando Bloom, Elijah, Clint, Andy Serkis, John Mayer This one's for me to know. Oh man... I just laughed at all these.   Matthew, Daniel Radcliffe, Josh Dallas, David Tennant, Bradley James, Colin Morgan, Katie McGrath, Angel Coulby, Zac Levi, ....... the list goes on.

Apparently there was a new question in 2006 about "One night stands." I didn't have any then, and none now.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? well, majorly dislike: Hilary Duff, Paris Hilton, and Michael Jackson   I don't really hate people. Taylor Swift.  haha  Actually I didn't like her mat then too.

What was your greatest musical discovery? last year? this one Gilmore Girl's music site  Matt Nathanson (thanks Chrissy) lol  "You're the Voice" John Farnham.  haha!   Ian Axel.  Young the Giant.  Mumford and Sons.

What did you want and get? a vacation to Disney World... yay!  I wanted a relationship and got a very good one.  I also wanted to get better in my singing... and my teacher's been proud of me so far! Oi. I didn't ask for a headache!  haha.  Disney World. :)  And Leakycon.  And meeting Daniel Radcliffe! 

What did you want and not get? a new computer.. or just at least a printer! The other one is dead... I have to use Michael!!! A pony... I never get a pony! >_<  Meh... a few things.

What was your favorite film of this year? The Two Towers, Finding Nemo, Return of the King, Pirates of the Caribbean, X-Men 2... good stuff.  Hmm.... Little Miss Sunshine   Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2


Another new question from 2006: Best book you've read? Eragon  Never Let Me Go.

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? school and Marching band practice.. I got Chicago concert tickets!!... oh yes. I turned 17. I am now the dancing queen! Young and sweet! ^_^ I turned 20... on my birthday was the Collegiate Festival of Bands... I got cupcakes from my Little, and a great bus ride, and the Brothers sang happy birthday which sounded beautiful. 25... clothes and money.  Woo.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Going to New Zealand!  Dean's List... but other than that, it was pretty darn good.  I was easy to please in 2006.  Oi.  This year: Going to grad school for media/communications/film

What kept you sane? LOTR... a cause of my sanity and insanity... my friends, music, and my diary... my family just makes me insane. lol   my roomies, my friends, my family, and my journal.My family.  Matt.  My friends.  Myself and my faith.


More new questions from 2006:


How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006? Casual, pretty, and sexy? haha  Nerdy.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Evan Lysacek... and Orlando Bloom.  Colin Morgan and Gwaine/Flynn Rider, the Doctor

What political issue stirred you the most? hmm... I'm not sure.  Oh don't get me started about this year.

Who do you miss?  Right now, a lot of people from the DubC   A lot of people... because all of my friends are not around, don't live here... :(  I need to move... or make more friends.

Who was the best new person you met? Oh my goodness, I met a lot of great people this year.  Didn't meet too many people this year that I kept in contact with.  How about John Green???  Didn't really meet him but found out who he was an encountered him at Leakycon.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006: Remember who you are... and don't change for anyone, because they'll accept you for you who are.  When opportunities don't come your way, make them.  Also, learn to trust.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year."Drench yourself in words unspoken, live your life with arms wide open, today is where your book begins, the rest is still unwritten." - Natasha Beddingfield  - "Unwritten"
"Jump start my kaleidoscope heart.  Love to watch the colors fade. They may not make sense, but they sure as hell made me.  I won't go as a passenger, no, waiting for the road to be laid.  Though I may be going down, I'll take in flame over burning out. Compare where you are to where you want to be and you'll get nowhere."  - Sara Bareilles "Uncharted"


Wow, blast from the past.  2012... I hope you prove to be as exciting as people speculate just minus the whole "2012" thing.


So here's a toast to 2011: Cheers!

And here's a toast to 2012: Salute!

Mouse ears for Thanksgiving: Visiting Marissa Pt. 2 - Highlights

Like I said at the end of the last post, I got a little lengthy, so I'll just highlight my favorite adventures from the rest of our Thanksgiving vacation.

Friday: Epcot
*Soaring!
*Mom: "It's so picture-es-stick."  Marissa and I found a stick on the ground shortly after she said that, so we took a "picture a stick."  We're evil children, yes.
*Chilling at the fish tanks for at least a half an hour.  We saw them feed the fish.
*Visiting some characters: Snow White and Mulan (I was very excited to see Mulan and when she asked my mom if she could hear the Huns coming with her mouse ears, I was ready to respond with "Well, we're going to have to get down to business."  *Disnerd*)
*FISH AND CHIPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!    DELICIOUS!  Even if birds were attacking us for food!  (Speaking of birds, I totally almost got Full-faced-Fabio'ed by a bird while eating a Earl of Sandwich.  If I would have had my head up at normal length, there might have been a trip to the ER that Thanksgiving day.)
*Seeing Duffy.  There was a family with a little boy in front of us in line, and when the attendant took Duffy for their five minute break, the little boy's family was like "Say bye to Duffy."  And the boy yells, "BYE DUCKY!!!"  Marissa and I died from the cuteness.
*Pastries in France - even if we got served by a not-so-friendly French woman.
*Holiday Illuminations!!!  (I liked it better than the first time I saw regular Illuminations.)  We had a firework canon right in front of us and didn't realize it until BOOM.  Good times were had by all.
*Seeing Marissa in action as a character attendant!  She's so good at it!

Saturday: Hollywood Studios

*Toy Story Mania - Many people have told us to get there early and get a fast pass for this ride right away, and they weren't kidding.  It's like Soaring; the fastpasses are gone by like 11 a.m. if not earlier.  The ride is so much fun!  We ended up going on it twice, waiting for 83 minutes the second time around.  They have a video game version of the ride, so I bought it for my family for Christmas; not the same, but still fun!
*NEW STAR TOURS!!!!!  Marissa was the Rebel Spy first time we went on it.  I love how they updated it.  They took what they had and just improved it instead of completely revamping it.  It was great!
*Seeing a bit of the Jedi training show during lunch.  We ate at this quick-serve place right next to Star Tours and I was flipping out when we saw Darth Maul and then Darth Vader... which P.S. - I was totally trying to give away the position of our "Rebel Spy."  The Force is not strong with me.  I am weak.  Plus, the dark side has cookies!
*Meeting Phineas and Ferb!!!  And seeing people of all ages singing the words to just about all the Phineas and Ferb songs playing in that area.  Such a fun photo op, and show!
*Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror.  What a classic!  We went on it four times... I love the different drop patterns.  Also - I love when the cast members there are in character and make it fun!  We encountered a few awesome Tower of Terror people that day. It just makes it that much better!   Oh, and the first time we were on the ride, we sat in the back and I had my Kermit mouse ears that Marissa got me around my arm.  Well.  When the drop happened and we were suspended in the air, my arm flew up, as did the Kermit hat.  It felt like slow motion.  "NOOOO!! KERRMIIIT!!!"  Only my brother noticed that happen... and we laughed about it the rest of the ride.   And once time we were on the ride going through the dark spooky park someone's phone when off with a Miley Cyrus ringtone.  A good way to lighten the mood for the youngsters.
*Amazing pizza... there's an amazing pizza shop on the way to Tower of Terror/Rockin' Rollercoaster.  I forget the name of the place, but dare I say, it's better than Pizza Planet... and I love Pizza Planet.

Sunday: Magic Kingdom

*Being at the Magic Kingdom.  There's nothing like walking down Main Street and seeing Cinderella's Castle!  Even at 25.  Even at 53.  The Christmas stuff was beautifully draped around the stores and across the street.  It's a sight to behold.
*Buzz Lightyear ride.  We love this ride... and got stuck on it a few times... enough for my mom to find a sweet spot and beat my brother, sister, and me.  (For the record, my mom usually doesn't win at video games... unless it's Dr. Mario or Bookworm.)
*Space Mountain... I forgot how awesome that coaster is.  Both tracks. :)
*Big Thunder Mountain.... my family and I went on this ride at least 5 times, if not more.  Different times of the day.  We had a lot of fun on this ride.  The best part of waiting in line after the fireworks, and hearing everyone sing the Christmas songs playing through the speakers... like the "oowws" in "Blue Christmas."
*The Haunted Mansion.  OOHHH!! I loved, loved, loved the updates they made on this ride!  Very creative and so awesome!
*Meeting Flynn Rider!!!!!!  And Rapunzel. :)   But we forgot to ask to look in his satchel.  :(
*Unlimited hot chocolate and cookies! We did the Mickey's Christmas Party.  Special Christmasy parade and fireworks show.  I was kind of bummed that I did not see Wishes, but the show was fantastic none-the-less.  I also loved the pictures projected on the castle in the pre-fireworks show, and how they distorted the castles... it's unbelievable some of it!
*Mike's Laugh Floor.  That was a hundred times cooler than I thought it was going to be, and I knew it would at least be cute.
*Trying to pull out the Sword in the Stone..... trying to channel my inner Arthur Pendragon... or Merlin.
*Fighting on the Dumbo ride. :)  The Epic Battles of Joy-stick Control on Rides continues between Marissa and Angela.
*Dancing in the street during the Celebrations parade.
*Falling asleep while waiting for my sister and mom to get done shopping because we're in the Magic Kingdom at like 12:15 a.m.  :)

Monday: Leaving day

This was a tough day.  We went to Downtown Disney to get some last minute things... including a new suitcase, haha!  Then said by to Marissa.  The stupid Magical Express Bus taking us to the airport (which is convenient not stupid, but it's stupid for making me cry!) played a things you can do with Disney video... and then played the freaking end of the Mickey Mouse club theme song... and I just lost it.  Oi, I'm such a sap.  But anyway, that was our Disney Adventure.

Now onto some pictures!  (All can be found here... even the not so good ones.)

At MGM Hollywood Studios meeting Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl

In Epcot - Mexico

Marissa at work in Epcot.

Visiting Duffy in Epcot!

Family picture in Epcot. :)

Family picture at the Magic Kingdom. Oh wait.. that's right... Jack Sparrow's not in our family.

Family and castle.

Start of the Christmas parade!

Mickey, Minnie, and Duffy in the parade.  How cute is this picture?  I got video of this.. the photo is my mom's.

Mouse ears for Thanksgiving: Visiting Marissa in Disney, Pt. 1

Mickey Mouse ears to be exact, and man, they were tasty.  And when I say "they were tasty" I mean the food at Disney world was really, really amazing!  For goodness sakes, I've already talked about food.  Nobody should be surprised here.  However, there was much more than food during this trip, so here is the Adventure of Angela, Mom, and Anthony visiting her Marissa in Disney World for Thanksgiving holiday.

When we arrived, Marissa had Thanksgiving/Christmas set up in our room at Port Orleans Riverside.  There was a itty-bitty pumpkin, Christmas tree, presents, and Thanksgiving dinner including dinner rolls, Italian filling, stuffing, and, of course, turkey.  It was a really nice surprise and start to the visit.  Not to mention, the Port Orleans Riverside resort is gorgeous, as was our room!  My family is used to staying at the more inexpensive places in Ocean City, New Jersey (which we love and adore,) but WOW, this place was stunning and very nice.  We had a great room too!

 

Our room was up the staircase and first door on the left!

 

 The view from our room!

 Ferry boat to Downtown Disney!

 A faraway look at our building - Oak Manor.

The pretty fountain outside our room!

 Outside the lobby.

Anthony and me sitting in the lobby waiting for Mom and Marissa. Oh, and a pretty tree!

Enough about our resort, first stop, we went to Disney's Animal Kingdom.  We did the right thing, got there early (yay extra magic hours!) and got a FASTPASS for "Expedition Everest," then we went right to the Safari where I played with my new camera (a Panasonic Lumix) and it's fun settings.  

 Saw the "Finding Nemo" musical.  It was AWESOME! I cried.  Well... we all cried, except for Anthony.   We also went to "The Festival of the Lion King" show which is one of our favorites!  We had to ride on the dinosaur ride.  When we went as a family we got an awesome family photo out of it: Marissa, Mom, and me looking terrified, Anthony is like "Woah," and my dad's just sitting there chilling with the dinosaurs.  This time we got another lovely picture from that ride.  I was going into major sensory overload, so I was covering my ears, Marissa didn't want to scream so she covered her mouth, and my mom dug her head into my arm so she couldn't see.  So basically it was an unplanned hear no evil, see no evil, and speak no evil picture.  Yes, my family is that good.  (Or just that scared of animatronic dinosaurs.)

After our Animal Kingdom adventures, we then spiffied up to go to the Cape May Cafe in Disney's Beach Club Resort.

All you can eat SEAFOOD buffet.  It does not get much better than that!  Crab legs and clams galore!  Just YUM.  Soo good!  Did I mention yum?

We walked around the BoardWalk a bit, then Marissa and I ventured to Jellyrolls which was such a blast!  The performers were awesome!  We requested "Sweet Caroline" and "Total Eclipse of the Heart."  The pianists actually took some time from their break to learn TEotH!  Haha!  Such an amazing moment!  As well as them singing "Red Solo Cup" and Marissa and I just sat there like "What is this song?"  If you watch Glee, we looked exactly like Kurt when they sang that song.  (I lost it when I saw that scene! Brilliant!)  They also had some group dance numbers to get us patrons on our feet and moving to songs like "Green Grass Grows All Around," "The Unicorn Song," and "Land of a Thousand Dances."  It was an awesome ending to a fun day!  (Including getting lost in the Swan.. haha)

For Thanksgiving Day we decided to take it easy.  We woke up at a not-too-early hour to eat breakfast at our resort, and then took a surrey ride.  My family, being my family, decided it would be great to serenade the other guests with an acapella  rendition of "Down by the Riverside" (since we were at the Port Orleans: Riverside Resort.)  We have video footage to prove it... although I won't share it here.  After that, we took a ferry to Downtown Disney and shopped away the afternoon and had Thanksgiving dinner at the Earl of Sandwich - a very cheap and yummy choice.  We then ventured to Hollywood Studio's to see the Osburne Family Lights; AMAZING!  It could put anyone in a holiday spirit. 

We also saw Fantasmic that evening.  There's no way I would let my family skip that show.

Our night continues on as we traveled to Disney's Polynesian Resort to watch the "Wishes" firework show across the water.

We were far away... and freezing on the beach, but it was still a great show.  Since the Polynesian is so close to the Grand Floridian we decided to check out the huge gingerbread house - which was amazing!

Overall - 2 very successful Disney Days.  I'll highlight the rest of the vacation in another post, since this one is way too long and has taken me about 3 weeks to write.

Goodbye November! :( Hello December! :)

Oh, November.  You were a good and crazy month.  I attempted NaNoWriMo... I didn't win, but it was fun to think of a story and at least write for a bit.  I'll finish the story sometime.  I also tried Gishwhes (The Greatest International Scavenger Hunt the World Has Ever Seen.)  I only submitted two items, but they were fun anyway.

Also went to Disney for Thanksgiving for the first time.  It's very beautiful down there.  I'll blog about it later including fun pictures and stories.  I'll post about it next week.  This week I have a band concert tonight, and tomorrow and Saturday are Seussical Jr. show nights!  I'm so excited!  That has been a huge challenge, because we added a lot of cast members late into the game.  However, the final product is very good. :)

Next week, I can finally (kind of) rest!  It'll feel weird.  I won't know what to do with myself.

Oh, wait.  I just signed up for the Tough Mudder.... so I'll probably be training so I don't die!

The countdown is on...

In less than 12 hours, I'll see my sister (who I haven't seen in person since the second week of August) in Disney World!  :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

NaNoWriMo Update...

847 words!   If only I could/have been writing since the beginning of the month.

November, why are you so busy? 

New things: Sewing a cape, hand-crafting paper armor, and shoveling in October... oh my!

But before I go into my new stories... I forgot to mention the two concerts I went to see in October!


(After, I think, 3 years of last seeing him) MATT NATHANSON










AND (after 10 years of last seeing them) HANSON!!!

Both awesome, amazing, transcending, wonderful, sexy, and musically impressive concerts!  (A part from the crazy fan girl screaming at the Hanson concert.  I'm the loser who kept thinking, "Why did I not bring my ear plugs?"  But then again, I teach music, so my ears are precious... so it's a not so losery thought when I put it that way, so disregard the loser statement, because it's totally not true....  not at all.

Anyway, my Morgana outfit ended up looking really awesome, except for the fact I didn't get a decent picture of me in the whole ensemble.  So here's most of it:

(I just couldn't get the evil smirk down.  *sad face*)  I was very proud of my cape... it was simple, yet elegant.  I love the fabric I chose!  Also, the pendant was an amazing find, it brings the look together.  I believe I made it work.

Also - the big snow storm in October... a new things for all of us unless we're a ghost from the Civil War.  It really was a beautiful snow fall.  It was the kind of snow fall you always want to happen in the winter.  And there are the most important words in that sentence: IN THE WINTER.  Don't shorten my autumn!  I love it too much... it's so beautiful in PA - the color of the leaves, the smell of burning wood, apple cider... so many great things about this season.  So Mother Nature, Please let it be fall for a few more weeks, and next year when you consider to dress up at Christmas for Halloween, consider a light breeze and beautiful sunshine.  :)


NaNoWriMo has gotten off to a slow start for me... I'm at ZERO words... but I plan on writing tonight, so maybe at least 100 by the time I go to bed.  Let's hope so!

Ciao for now!

-Me

Oh life...

Recently, I've been trying not to drown under my schedule.  I get so sidetracked sometimes and it has caused me to be behind on things.. important things.  I'm treading water right now.  Hopefully with this weekend, I'll get a chance to catch-up a bit.  Two Halloween parties, but they are close by, so I'll be home most of the weekend, unlike the past 5 bagillion weekends.  I really  need a do-nothing weekend, but this one will do.

As for new things... I made fake armor for my Morgana outfit.  Pictures will be posted soon.

Oh... I'm 25 now too.  Kind of crazy to think about, but I'll enjoy it anyway. :)

AND.... I signed up for NaNoWriMo.  I don't think I'll reach 50,000 words, but writing 10 words creatively will be more than I've written in a while.  I have an idea... we'll see how it goes.

Ciao for now! :)

-Me

Something new in the making

So a lot of my friends are very fit whether it be from simply working out or (believe it or not) drum corp.  (If you've seen an amazing drum corp before than you know what "drum corp fit" a person can be.)  Some of my friends decided they want to try the Tough Mudder competition, and ask me if I would like to join them.

Plus side: This will be huge motivation for my exercise routine and getting fit.  I could skip over obstacles if I feel I can't to them.  And people will help me through it.

Down side: I will most likely die in this competition.  It feels like I've got picked to be in the Tri-Wizard tournament as a Muggle.

It's in April which gives me a good almost 7 months to train.  I'm not in horrible shape, but I know I've been in better.  And this whole training and "Tough Mudder" experience will certainly be a new adventure.

I'll let you know my decision by the end of the week.

Thanks for reading!  Until next time, ciao!

Celtic Fest 2011

I've been at Musikfest in Bethlehem quite a few times.  However at the same place in September/October time they hold Celtic Fest!  This was my first time there, and I would love to go back next year.  Awesome music.  Pretty vendors.  As a friend put it, "It feels like we're walking towards the Irish side of the Quidditch World Cup." 

So.. that was new, and I also decided to try a new food (I didn't do that for a while!)  I tried Haggis.  I didn't know what was in haggis, until right before I ate it, but I ate it anyway.  It was very tasty.  I'm sure if I thought too much about what was in it, I wouldn't have thought that.  But yes, yummy lamb.     I forgot my camera... so no pictures to share, which means I must go back next year so I can take some of the fun sights at celtic fest!

Short entry today.  Ciao until next time!

Catching up...

Today one of my students asked me if I always wanted to be a music teacher, and I think I have a really good answer.  I said, "I always wanted to be a lot of things and I still do, but being a music teacher combines just about all the things I love to one job."

As much as I get flustered and nervous about my job, I do love it.  I consider myself very lucky and very important.  For many of these students I am a part of their first formal instrumental education.  I am their first instrumental Gandalf or Obi Wan Kenobi or Yoda.  It's a lot of responsibility.  I am creating mini-musicians that might grow up to play in amazing orchestras, compose music, start a rock band, or even teach music themselves.  I am very lucky to see these young kids take off on their musical endeavors, but I'm so scared that I will scar them from music.  I know that not all of my beginners will stay in band, but I'm just hoping that I can instill enjoyment and strong interests in playing their instruments and just music in general.  So far so good... I'm hoping it stays in the mostly good category for a long time.

....

In other news, I went to the Ren Faire again with Sarah and company.  We had a merry time.  haha  Pickles on a stick, Queen Elizabeth in a epic rap battle against some random guests, cheering and jeering at the Human Chess match and jousting, and lots of dancing.  Looking forward to my last trip there on my birthday!  I'm hoping to see the Final Joust/Battle which I didn't see yet this season... and I also plan on dressing up like Morgana (from BBC's Merlin.)

Also - tonight I went to see "The Lion King" in 3D with my mom.  It was lots of fun... a few people were singing with all the songs, and my mom and I were basically quoting that movie verbatim.  It was sweet to see some youngins in the crowd.  If I had a little one, I definitely would have brought them to see it (if they were of a good movie seeing age.)  Now, I'm waiting for the re-release of TLM in theaters. I'd love to see it remastered on the screen.  Maybe not in 3D, although it wouldn't look too bad.

That's it for now.

I'm going to Dorney Park's "The Haunt" on Friday and the Collegiate Marching Band Fest on Sunday to see some amazing East Coast college marching bands.  Should be fun!

Ciao for now!

PA Renaissance Faire

On Saturday, Matt and I traveled to the Lancaster, PA for the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire.

We lucked out with the weather that day; it was humid, but it never rained or "isolated thunderstormed."  As we walked the dirt path we encountered nobles, commoners, knights, wizards, pirates, village idiots, and other varieties of people.  There was plenty of live music as you walked on.  As I like to say, "Follow the bagpipes."  There were also a good number of performances not only music performances, but theatrical and physical performances like dancing, juggling, circus stunts, jousting, human chess, and magicians.

We saw a few musicians: The Sirens, The Rogues, and Tartanic (bagpipes with a grooving beat.)  We saw some jousting!

So much fun!  I'll be returning this season either one or two more times.  Next time I'll take more pictures.

Tips/Suggestions:
*Get into the spirit... dress up or at least go along with some of the vernacular. "Good day, my lord" "God save the Queen!" "Good morrow" "Anon" "Forsooth!"
*Even though you pay admission (at least at this fair,) there are some extra activities you can do (like sword fight, which we did) for an additional cost.  We did the sword fighting at $5 a person - worth it, and I rode an elephant for $10 - meh, cool, but not worth $10.
*Talk to the street performers... don't be afraid of them.  (This goes for anywhere... especially a place like Disney World.)  You could have such an awesome memory by having a conversation with a street performer... or volunteering to participate in a show.

Ciao for now!

New things professionally

This year I am pretty much a full-fledged beginning band director!  Which means, I organize all registration paper work, organize a lessons schedule, contact all parents, organize all instruments, hand them out, and teach my students the awesomeness that is being a musician.  I am very much looking forward to next week and this school year - I enjoy my job! 

So, I'm going through some new obstacles right now... figure out the best way to schedule and group students.  I can't wait until the beginners have their instruments.  I remember 4th grade me being SO EXCITED about my clarinet and trying to figure out how to play it and having the instrument finally click with me.  Their faces will be such a wonderful sight to see.

Ciao for now! :)

One last new summer event... BEING A ZOMBIE

First: I hope everyone is okay and from Hurricane Irene!  She was a bit wicked.  Around me she didn't hit as hard as they were predicting, but I know some places got hammered, and I hope people are okay and recovery happens fast!
 
Second: tomorrow is the start of the new school year, so before it started, I wanted to make sure I posted a last summer entry.  This summer had a good number of exciting and memorable events.  As far as summers go for me, this is certainly up there on my "Best Summers" list.  I have 24 summers to choose from and this one's easily top 4. 

Third: So... Zombies.  Yes, I zombified myself for the Zombie Invasion at Dorney Park.  It was a really sweet deal; $25 to be in the park from 3:30-midnight.  Now, zombies were not allowed in the part until 8 p.m. So for the first part of our Dorney day we went to the park with a lively spirit and went on all the coasters and some fun rides.

Around 6:30 we went out to the parking lot to eat some dinner and to get into zombie mode.  The parking lot was actually a lot of fun.  All the undead were making themselves up or arriving at the park, while non-zombies were leaving.. so of course the zombies had to chase them out of the parking lot.  It was a very funny thing to see.
Make-up turned out pretty good!  Our make-up kit included pale foundation, bruise wheel, stage blood and fake blood, hair whitener, liquid latex, and toilet paper.  Here's my end results (yes, I am a hot pink zombie:)

We pretty much walked onto all of the coasters.  It was awesome!  Hydra is my favorite coaster there... we went on it about 5 times that evening.  The best and scariest part of the coaster is your first slow dip upside down right when you exit the coaster.

I loved the view of all the coasters coming in... and all the undead on board.  It was lovely!

 I should have filmed the carousel.  There's something eerie about a carousel with it's tinkering music and being filled with zombies.  It felt a bit Zombielandish actually... walking around like a zombie in an amusement park.  We stayed away from the Dominator.

Oh... here's a scary looking lion from the carousel.  He didn't need any zombie make-up to look scary and undead.  

Best moments of the day include:

-Basically walking on every coaster.

-Seeing zombie Santa and zombie Jack Sparrow.

-Walking through a dark path by one of the coasters when all of a sudden a guy dressed up like a zombie hunter jumps in front of us.  We should've been in character... but we just kind went... "uhh... heeeeyyyyy," and kept walking. 

-Zombie dancing to Jack Johnson with Chrissy at 11:30 p.m.

Suggestions:

Zombie crawls are fun!  If you find one, don't be afraid to attend.  The people are really nice. 

As far as make-up goes, there are plenty of great tutorials online (in article form and on youtube.)  Check them out, you won't be disappointed.

Bethlehem, PA Musikfest - Arts and crafts

So, last week I went to Musikfest for two days and while I enjoyed the musik and food, we did an arts and crafts project.

There was a stand where you could decorate your own silk scarf.  A one-of-a-kind. :)  So, Day 1, Matt and I made this pretty little thing:

The next day, we went with Chrissy, Melissa, and Brittany.  Here are our scarfs:

 Chrissy's final result.

 Brittany's scarf in the process.

 Me applying color to the "watery" solution

 Adding some more.

 Mixing up the colors to give a feathery look.

 Adding droplets for flowers.

 Shaping the flowers. :)

 Dip the scarf in.

 Let is soak for a few seconds.

 Voila!  Decorated one-of-a-kind scarf!

I realized after that that I should have used purples instead of red, because it would be a Tangled scarf then!  Oh well, it's still pretty! 

If you're ever in the PA area for a fair/fest/whatever check out Ebru RichSilk Designs schedule or register to have them at one of your events/parties/fairs to design your own scarf!

We also saw (my first) Straight No Chaser concert that night.  It was AWESOME!

Wow.  A rare non-Potter related post.  Another one is one it's way too from Dorney Park's ZOMBIE INVASION!  Oh the pictures are glorious!

More food, different city...

So today, after dropping off my little sister to the airport so she can work in Disney for the next 6 months, my mom, Chrissy, and I traveled to the wild, crazy city of Philadelphia to order my first official Philly cheesesteak.

First we ventured to the Italian market around 11 a.m. ended up eating gelato before lunch (and it was an awesome decision, thank you!)  Then we had to make the hard decision between Pat's or Geno's.
So we picked:

:)

 
Chrissy coached my mom and me how to properly order a Philly cheesesteak.
However there was also this helpful sign as well:

 

(Picture Credit Goes to this lovely travel blog. I forgot to take one myself.)

So, we ended up ordering "Four wit whiz."  Which was so weird for me.  My dad has owned a sandwich shop for the past 21...22 years.  I love those cheesesteaks... (specifically California cheesesteaks) but seriously, give me fried onions, sweet peppers, and mushrooms right there mix with the meat, please, and smother it in American cheese and sometimes provolone!   So that's how I usually enjoy a steak.  So this cheese whiz thing... was very new.

My first bite of a real Philly cheesteak (with ketchup!)

Chrissy's all smiles with her yummy food.

My mom enjoying her cheesesteak forgetting that her youngest daughter was currently flying to live in Florida for the rest of the year.  (What other daughter?  I love cheesesteak!)

Well, surprising to my tastes buds, I thoroughly enjoyed my Pat's cheesteak... even with the cheese whiz.  It was Philly and pretty tasty - reminded me of when I would cover crackers (and when I say cover, I mean cover and make a tower on top of the cracker) in cheese whiz at our Christmas parties.  Very philling and satisfying lunch wit Chrissy and Mom.  (Now that was cheesy.)

Yep... finished the whole thing.

 

Don't worry Geno's, I'll tackle you next time.

Tips:

 -When ordering a Philly Cheesesteak from Pat's or Geno's be sure to know what you want before you get to the window to order, say what you want with proper terminology, and HAVE YOUR MONEY READY.  :)  (Also, if you go to Geno's, remember to order in English.)

-Eating gelato before noon = totally worth it.  (At Anthony's.  Really great!  They have other goodies too!)

-For the best cheesesteak in PA, go to my dad's sandwich shop.  :)

Tomorrow and Thursday I'll be at the Musikfest in Bethlehem, PA, and seeing Straight No Chaser!  Woot woot!  Until then, ciao!