Yes I can!
Our ice maker in our freezer broke probably two months ago (most likely because our freezer was packed tighter than a tin of sardines) so we had been filling an ice tray. But, I don't think anyone else understands that the point of an ice tray is to fill it, freeze it, dump it, and repeat, which meant we never really had ice anyway. However, last week I fixed our ice maker! I was so proud of myself and now we have a bin full of ice. Good thing we leave in 2 weeks lol
Monday, April 29, 2013
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Earth Day Disney Style
Monday may have been Earth Day, but in Disney, it's also Animal Kingdom's birthday; and this year, it turned 15! Of course, being Disney, it was quite a celebration. I was able to go experience some of the magic before work with my friend Christina.
One of the first things that marked their big day, was a special 15th anniversary button given out at the entrance to the park. They also had limited edition merchandise, but you could only purchase it at one store in the park and the line was 2.5 hours long when we walked past! There were cast members outside with placards showing you what there was to buy; the stuff was cute, but I definitely did not see anything worth waiting that long for. Before doing anything else, Christina and I rode the Kali River Rapids.....3 times in a row. Needless to say, we were quite soaked after the 3rd time, but that's nothing riding Everest couldn't fix (actually I was so wet, Everest did nothing haha). We didn't really have much that we really wanted to do other than find the special earth day/birthday cup o' dirt cupcakes they had only on Monday, so we spent some time trying to track them down. We went to one of the bakeries twice and were told both times they had just sold out and would have more in an hour; wouldn't you know it, after giving up and deciding it was time to head home we stumbled across a small outdoor vending cart selling them on the way out the gates! It was so delicious and very pretty. Animal Kingdom did have many more celebrations, but unfortunately, I had to go to work so we left. It was fun, though, to go for just a few hours and be a small part of the big day.
One of the first things that marked their big day, was a special 15th anniversary button given out at the entrance to the park. They also had limited edition merchandise, but you could only purchase it at one store in the park and the line was 2.5 hours long when we walked past! There were cast members outside with placards showing you what there was to buy; the stuff was cute, but I definitely did not see anything worth waiting that long for. Before doing anything else, Christina and I rode the Kali River Rapids.....3 times in a row. Needless to say, we were quite soaked after the 3rd time, but that's nothing riding Everest couldn't fix (actually I was so wet, Everest did nothing haha). We didn't really have much that we really wanted to do other than find the special earth day/birthday cup o' dirt cupcakes they had only on Monday, so we spent some time trying to track them down. We went to one of the bakeries twice and were told both times they had just sold out and would have more in an hour; wouldn't you know it, after giving up and deciding it was time to head home we stumbled across a small outdoor vending cart selling them on the way out the gates! It was so delicious and very pretty. Animal Kingdom did have many more celebrations, but unfortunately, I had to go to work so we left. It was fun, though, to go for just a few hours and be a small part of the big day.
Everest in the morning
getting pretty busy for Animal Kingdom
dancers
the tree woman (a little freaky if you ask me!)
monkeys!!!
the queue for Kali River Rapids
before the first time on the rapids
after the first time
after the third time
our lunch guest
Earth Day
safari ride
baby giraffe
my cupcake
Naples
Last week I had the opportunity to take a few days and head down to Naples again to visit grandma and grandpa. I left on Monday morning at 5am to arrive at 8am and have a full two and a half days there. Monday we went to the beach in the morning, the pool in the afternoon and enjoyed a lovely/relaxing/delicious steak dinner at home. Tuesday morning we went to the Collier County Museum, which I had never been to before, and it was so interesting; it was quite interactive and had many different exhibits. I'm not usually one for history, but I loved it. In the afternoon I went to get a much needed pedicure while grandma and grandpa went to some appointments; afterward, we hit the pool again. That night we went out to dinner at the Boat House, which was right on the water. Wednesday, I needed to leave by noon or so to get back in time for my 4:00 class, so we didn't have too much time; it was just enough, though, to go out to breakfast and do some shopping....can't skip shopping down in Naples!
It was a quick but much needed break from Orlando and Disney, and I was happy to be able to spend more time with Grandma and Grandpa. I can't wait to see them again in just 3 (hopefully very short) weeks!
It was a quick but much needed break from Orlando and Disney, and I was happy to be able to spend more time with Grandma and Grandpa. I can't wait to see them again in just 3 (hopefully very short) weeks!
Naples beach
skeleton of a giant sloth at the museum
grandma and grandpa at dinner
we were hoping we'd see who these gorgeous and large boats belonged to
too foggy/cloudy for a sunset, but it was still pretty
the flying dutchman! (haha Spongebob reference)
Home Stretch
Here we are with exactly 3 weeks left in the program. It's definitely been an experience that I'm glad I had the chance to take, but I am so ready to head home. I'm very burned out from working so many late late hours and never really having any shifts that aren't closing. There are so many cool events that they have for only College Program cast members, but they're always at night....when I work! The events are supposed to be the perks of doing this, but unfortunately I have not been able to take advantage of even one yet. I've made many good friends while here and I am certainly going to miss them; hopefully this means I'll be able to visit them and see other parts of the country that I haven't before!
On the one hand I can't wait to go home, but on the other, there are so many things I haven't done yet that I want to that I wish I had more time (but didn't have to work in that time haha). I'm starting to panic that I won't get things done! Not to mention having to pack EVERYTHING to be ready to walk out the apartment door at 11am on the 17th! Oh goodness these next three weeks will be interesting.....the countdown begins!
On the one hand I can't wait to go home, but on the other, there are so many things I haven't done yet that I want to that I wish I had more time (but didn't have to work in that time haha). I'm starting to panic that I won't get things done! Not to mention having to pack EVERYTHING to be ready to walk out the apartment door at 11am on the 17th! Oh goodness these next three weeks will be interesting.....the countdown begins!
Friday, April 12, 2013
Florida's Springs
Before coming on this adventure, I had no idea that Central Florida was home to many natural springs....natural fountains that bubble up from underground rivers deep inside the earth. Once I knew this, I just had to visit at least one while here. Finally, the opportunity came on Tuesday. Ashley and I were the only ones off, but Kaitlyn didn't work until 5:00, so the three of us made a day trip to some of the springs. We were hoping to see some manatees, but that didn't happen; it was okay, though, since what we did see was just as breathtaking.
We left the apartment around 8am, and headed to Crystal River Springs; we arrived at the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge (which is where I thought we wanted to end up) and went inside to ask where we could find a place to swim. We spoke to a very nice older gentleman who was extremely happy to help us and tell us all about the area; turns out he's actually originally from Utica, NY! Unfortunately, there was no place to really swim at Crystal River, but he did give us directions to Hunter Springs, which has a swimming area. Back in the car we went and drove a little ways further to Hunter Springs; when we got there, it was not what I was picturing for where we wanted to be, but we got out and explored for a few minutes anyway. I quickly checked my phone and found directions to another spring I had read about: Rainbow Springs. It said it was only about 15min from where we were so we took one last shot at finding what we were looking for.
As soon as we pulled in the entrance for Rainbow Springs State Park, I knew it was going to be exactly what I had been picturing. When we walked up to the window to pay our $2 fee, I asked if they took credit card since I wasn't planning on needing cash to go to Crystal River; they did, but when the woman went to slide my card, she realized the machine was broken! I told her I didn't have cash and her response was oh well, sorry. We drove 2 hours to get there, finally found what we wanted, and now had to head back disappointed because the rude woman wouldn't work with us to find a solution. We started back to the car when this family stopped us and asked if we were leaving; I said yes and told them the credit card machine was down in case they were planning on that as well. To my utter surprise, the family said they would be happy to pay for us; we were so touched by this small gesture and thanked them over and over. I could not believe it!
Thanks to them, we got to experience what I believe very well could have been heaven on earth. The water was as clear as a lens, to swim in it is an otherworldly sensation of flight through underwater gardens and around gnomelike rock formations, and the tranquility of the surrounding tropical forests is nothing I've ever experienced before. There are no words to describe the beauty we were surrounded by, so I will have to let pictures do the talking.
We left the apartment around 8am, and headed to Crystal River Springs; we arrived at the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge (which is where I thought we wanted to end up) and went inside to ask where we could find a place to swim. We spoke to a very nice older gentleman who was extremely happy to help us and tell us all about the area; turns out he's actually originally from Utica, NY! Unfortunately, there was no place to really swim at Crystal River, but he did give us directions to Hunter Springs, which has a swimming area. Back in the car we went and drove a little ways further to Hunter Springs; when we got there, it was not what I was picturing for where we wanted to be, but we got out and explored for a few minutes anyway. I quickly checked my phone and found directions to another spring I had read about: Rainbow Springs. It said it was only about 15min from where we were so we took one last shot at finding what we were looking for.
As soon as we pulled in the entrance for Rainbow Springs State Park, I knew it was going to be exactly what I had been picturing. When we walked up to the window to pay our $2 fee, I asked if they took credit card since I wasn't planning on needing cash to go to Crystal River; they did, but when the woman went to slide my card, she realized the machine was broken! I told her I didn't have cash and her response was oh well, sorry. We drove 2 hours to get there, finally found what we wanted, and now had to head back disappointed because the rude woman wouldn't work with us to find a solution. We started back to the car when this family stopped us and asked if we were leaving; I said yes and told them the credit card machine was down in case they were planning on that as well. To my utter surprise, the family said they would be happy to pay for us; we were so touched by this small gesture and thanked them over and over. I could not believe it!
Thanks to them, we got to experience what I believe very well could have been heaven on earth. The water was as clear as a lens, to swim in it is an otherworldly sensation of flight through underwater gardens and around gnomelike rock formations, and the tranquility of the surrounding tropical forests is nothing I've ever experienced before. There are no words to describe the beauty we were surrounded by, so I will have to let pictures do the talking.
on our way!
wildlife refuge
Hunter Springs
entering Rainbow Springs
waterfalls EVERYWHERE!
look how blue the water is!
swimming area
lizard with a blue tail
Kaitlyn and I
(thank goodness she's my roommate otherwise I probably would've left!)
there used to be a zoo at the park
one of the springs
video of the spring (if you look under the rock you can see it bubbling)
super pretty flower
I hate those alligators that swim recklessly (that's for you, Dad)
still can't get over the color of the water
found a turtle!
a frog/tadpole...never seen that before
me jumping in (I'm the only one who went in)
Ashley got close to going in....but then climbed back out
how clear is the water??
the three of us....Ashley's creeping in the back haha
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)