.: Vacation Recap Day 5: Discovery Cove :.

This was BY FAR the coolest part of our trip!

Discovery Cove was amazing.

All of the food and drinks were included.

They fed us breakfast, lunch, and all the snacks we wanted.

They even gave us a free picture.

They provided towels, lockers, wet suits, and sunscreen.

We even got to keep our snorkels.

While we were in line to get in, we got to meet this little guy!

It's a baby armadillo.

The was white sand and clear, blue water everywhere!

There were also lawn chairs and umbrellas.

This was the entrance to the lazy river.

The Aviary was really cool!

We got to feed birds.

They just flew right up to you.

This is a terrible picture of me...

but look at the cute bird!

It just landed on my shoulder.

And cuddled up to my face!

I almost stole it.

But I didn't.

This one landed on Claire's head haha!

We even fed this peacock.

It was so beautiful!

We snorkled with fish and manta rays.

I touched one for the first time.

It was soft.

Swimming with dolphins was amazing.

I don't have the pictures digitally yet.

But I will post those later.

It was so cool!

I would definitely do it again.

And highly recommend it to EVERYONE.

.: Vacation Recap Day 4: Airboat Tour of Lake Cypress :.

Day 4 was our mini break for the week.

We rented a car for the day and drove an hour to Lake Cypress.

We went on an airboat tour of the lake.

It was so cool!

We got to see lots of wildlife.

I also got sunburned.

Not cool.

Here is our rental car.

We named him Ewan.

I know.  It's dorky.

This parrot's name is Kramer.

He talked to us!

Also, he loved posing for the camera.

This is our airboat.

We were the only ones on the tour.

That's Captain Seth.

He was awesome.

Beautiful Lake Cypress.

Gator!

This guy was about 10 feet long.

Claire holding a "baby" gator.

We nicknamed him "Purse".

It was only a joke.

.: Vacation Recap Day 3: Disney World's Magic Kingdom :.

Day 3 was Disney World's Magic Kingdom.

It was really magical!

We did all the rides.

We even did a couple of them twice.

We never waited more than 20 minutes.

The.Whole.Trip.

This is the most beautiful castle I've ever seen!

Okay, so it's the only castle I've ever seen...

But it was still beautiful!

Claire tried to pull the sword from the stone.

So did I.

We both failed.

\

We saw some of our favorite peeps.

Like Prince Eric and Ariel.

Captain Jack Sparrow was recruiting pirates.

We were too tall.

The lights change the castle colors at night.

It was even more beautiful than in the day!

This was waiting for the electrical parade.

30 minutes of lighted awesomeness.

.: Vacation Recap Day 2: Disney World's Animal Kingdom :.

Day 2 was Disney World's Animal Kingdom.

We only had time for 2 of the 4 Disney parks.

We were really glad we picked this one.

We saw lots of really cool animals!

Rhinos!

Elephants!

Scary ostrich!

Not scary duck and ducklings!

These guys were just wandering all over the park.

So cute!

We got a HUGE dessert at the Rainforest Cafe with our lunch.

It was a mistake.

We were moving pretty slow after that!

We didn't mean to, but we caught the parade.

It was super cute!

We left the park just as it started to pour.

.: Vacation Recap Day 1: Universal Studios Island Adventure AKA Harry Potter World :.

Day 1 was Universal Studios Island Adventure. 

We really only wanted to see Harry Potter World lol.

It was AMAZING!

We got there early and did all of the rides.

No waiting in line for just about anything!

Frozen butterbeer is even better than I thought it would be.

All of the shows and actors and actresses were amazing.

My only complaint is that it was 98* and humid.

I felt like I was in a steam room.

I bought lots of fun souvenirs!

.: Orlando, FL :.

I flew to Orlando on May 5th and flew home on May 12th. 

Best. Week. Ever. 

I went with my friend Claire from France.

Love her like a sister!

We stayed at this Quality Inn & Suites near Universal Studios.

It was only about $400 for 7 nights.

We even had our own beds.

They served free breakfast.

And provided shuttles to nearly everything.

Not too shabby!

 P.S. I just wanted you to see what a French keyboard looks like.  Um, did you know some of your letters are in the wrong spot???  Haha!

 

.: The Avengers :.

Before I left for Florida, I saw the Avengers midnight premier with a couple of friends.  The movie was AMAZING!  It way surpassed my expectations.  When I flew in from Orlando, I ended up seeing it again with a couple of friends.  This time we saw it in 3-D.  I'm not usually a big 3-D fan, but this was totally awesome.  I highly recommend watching this movie.  I can't wait to add it to my movie collection.

PS The humor was incredibly witty and funny.  Iron Man to Thor: "What is this?  Shakespeare in the park?  Dost mother know you weareth her drapes?"  Haha okay so I thought it was funny.

.: A Good Night :.

My parents are in town!  They come through once a year for their annual doctors' and dentists' appointments.  I always look forward to their visit.  They drove in today and I made them dinner tonight.  I was so happy that my roommate Ashley and my friend Mark were able to us for dinner.  This probably seems normal to everyone else, but you have to understand that my parents don't love that I'm Mormon.  They opposite of love it.  Ever since I was baptized just over 9 years ago, I have constantly prayed that their hearts would be softened to the gospel.  That at the very least, they would see how it has made me a better person.  At first they wouldn't even talk to me.  Then we got over that, but they refused to have anything else to do with the church.  A few years ago, they came to a dress rehearsal of Bye, Bye Birdie, the stake musical.  They actually stepped foot in one of our buildings.  Then they agreed to stop by my house and had the chance to meet a couple of my roommates.  But tonight, they sat at a table and shared food with some of my Mormon friends.  And they were nice and friendly.  More than that, they were comfortable.  They were themselves and told stories and laughed, teased, and joked around.  I loved it.  And it makes me so happy!

.: Goodbye, Mr. Neville :.

This is Cory Neville, and he was one of my high school teachers.  He was diagnosed with cancer that had matastasized into his liver on January 31st.  He and his wife were in China teaching at the time.  They flew home on February 14th.  He started chemotherapy on February 16th and was discharged on February 29th.  On March 2nd, he told his family he would not be going through any more  chemotherapy treatments.  He spent the last weeks of his life sharing his life experiences and wisdom with his family.  On March 15th, he passed away with them by his side.  His funeral will be this Saturday at 11:00am.  I am so sad that I will be unable to attend the service.

He is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and through the power of the priesthood, was sealed to his wife and children for time and all eternity.  In other words, this family is forever.  Through the atonement of Christ and the love of our Heavenly Father, this family can never be broken apart or separated permanently by death.  He lives on and will be with his family forever.

.: Insomnia :.

Hmm... my last post may have something to do with this,

but I've been having trouble sleeping lately.

I go to bed between 9 and 10,

but wake up at midnight almost every night.

Just roll over and go back to sleep, right???

WRONG.

Fall back asleep at 4:00am is what I've been doing.

I can tell you that if this keeps up,

I really may go crazy.

.: Tinglies & Butterflies :.

I think most of you know that I'm 29 and not married.

And I'm okay with that.

Because I know I'd rather be single for a while...

than be with the wrong person.

I am a FIRM believer

That EVERYONE deserves to marry someone they love.

I'm talking about

BUTTERFLIES IN YOUR STOMACH,

CAN'T STOP SMILING,

GIGGLE FOR NO REASON,

LOSE YOURSELF IN DAYDREAMS,

CAN'T SIT STILL,

CAN'T CONCENTRATE ON ANYTHING,

FEEL TINGLIES EVERYWHERE

kind of love.

Well I just wanted to let you all know that I met someone who kinda makes me feel like that.

And it's early so I don't want to talk about it too much,

for fear of jinxing it...

but I am grinning like an idiot right now.

:)

.: Failure :.

Failure.

I'm sure I've failed before, probably many times, on some level.

But failure in school is not something I do.

Until now.

My Funding & Grant Writing class was not going very well.

My teacher is CRAZY!

Not to mention very unhelpful.

So...a week before the class is over, I've decided to withdraw.

With an F.

Scary to see that for the first time.

But I kind of feel like a rebel too.

But I will retake it.

With ANOTHER teacher.

And I will get my A.

Financial Aid will pay for me to retake it.

And all will be well.

.: Countdown :.



I officially have my ticket to see The Hunger Games on Friday night!  The countdown is on!

P.S. I admit I am Team Gale even though I love the boy with the bread!

.: Thanks To The Curve :.

Thanks to the curve, I got a perfect score on my final!!!

I just became that girl in class that ruined the curve. 

Sorry to my classmates.

But not really because I worked SUPER hard to get this grade.

I am relieved!

And even though I complained a lot about this class,
I have to admit it was nice to be challenged.

.: UPDATE: Prayers Welcome :.

I took my final last night.  When I got to class an hour early at 5:00pm, almost the entire class was already there working on the final.  It was 27 pages long!  That's a freakin' long test!  It took me 5 hours to finish and my hand was so cramped up from writing that I'm hoping my teacher can read my answers.  One of the older ladies burst into tears.  I felt really bad for her.  When I left at 10:00, there were still about 10 people there finishing.  I am SO glad that is over.

.: Prayers Welcome :.

Tonight is my final.

My teacher said it will take 4 - 6 hours.

Seriously???

And it's all hand written, essay style answers.

And it's worth a whopping 1371 points.

That's a lot of points.

I really need to get an A in this class.

Because otherwise, I will have gotten not an A.

Wish me luck. 

Send prayers my way.

I will definitely need them.

.: In Case You Were Wondering :.

In case you were wondering what I will be doing this May, I will show you!

Harry Potter Universal Studios!

Disney World!

 An airboat tour of the Florida Everglades!

 Swimming with dolphins at Discovery Cove!

Sea World!

Go ahead.  Be jealous.  I am so excited!

PS Russanne, if you're reading this, send me your address and I will send you something cool from Hogsmeade since you're the biggest Harry Potter nerd I know besides me.

.: A New Love :.

Today I went and saw a movie with a friend that I don't get to see that often.  She had a belated Christmas gift for me which I loved.  Thanks again, Shanna!  Along with the gift, she included a bag of these M&Ms I had never tried before.  They're dark chocolate raspberry, or as I like to call them, crack M&Ms.  A-MA-ZING!!!  I highly recommend you try them.  And feel free to share them.  With me.  

Also I just had to throw this one in.  This was my favorite wrap job of all the Christmas gifts I received this year.  This is from my awesome home teacher.  Ha ha, boys.

.: Sad News :.

I had to lay my favorite shoes to rest today.  I am still in mourning.  Oh tan canvas Steve Madden flats, will I ever find a replacement for you???

.: You Know You Want To :.

Sometimes it's fun to talk about yourself.  Admit it.  So I borrowed this from my friend Jenny just for fun.  Feel free to borrow it from me too!

Age: 29

Bed size: twin -- i should probably grow up and get a queen...

Chore that you dislike: vacuuming -- i hate that sound

Dogs: 0 for now

Essential start to your day: a shower

Favorite color: red

Gold or silver: silver usually

Height: 5'3 1/2"

Instruments you play: all pretty much

Job title: daytime insurance guru, nighttime student

Kids: yes i am still one

Live: good ole spokompton

Mother's name: carol

Nicknames: meg, megs, meg foo, meg foo yung

Overnight hospital stays: not since high school

Pet peeves: slow drivers in the fast lane, people who interrupt you when they talk, halfway done tasks

Quote from a movie: "i never wish to be parted from you again" matthew mcfadyen as mr. darcy in pride & prejudice

Right or left handed: right

Siblings: younger brother mark, older sister carrie and brother-in-law chris

Travel ideal: santorini island off the coast of greece

Underwear: um, yes?

Vegetable you dislike: i can't think of one

What makes you run late: sleeping in and the snooze button

X-rays you've had: right arm, foot, head, teeth, ribs, bum, chest, probably everywhere

Yummy food that you make: cupcakes

Zoo animal: pandas