Rollercoaster week!

This week I have had a rollercoaster of emotions! On monday it was a more relaxed day at work, since it was MLK day, so we got to wear jeans, and in the afternoon we went on another field trip! We saw some more venues and ended up at Animal Kingdom because one weekend the awards ceremony will be at Theater in the Wild where "Finding Nemo the Musical" is, and so we just had to watch the show to familiarize ourselves with the stage, oh and since we got there a bit before the show started we used our time wisely and rode expedition everest while we were waiting! How I love my job, it is the greatest!

Then on Tuesday was my cousin Valerie's birthday. A fun thing about that day is that her baby James decided to be born that day also. To add to it, he looks just like her so he is definitely a momma's boy! (I have pictures later of him from another special surprise!)

On thursday morning, my dear sweet Grandpa Riding passed away. It is so strange the range of emotions I have gone through this week. I am sad that he is gone, but happy for him. He fell and broke his leg in november and just hasn't been able to recover from it. It has been really sad to see him get worse, he wasn't my grandpa that I grew up with. I know that he is so much better off now. He lived a wonderful life and leaves behind an amazing legacy and posterity! I can only imagine the wonderful reunion that took place when he was able to see his parents who were both killed when he was really young. Each time I talk about this I start crying because I know it's true. He is having a wonderful time with them, and other family including my brother! We will truly miss him but are truly excited for what he gets to experience now. So Tiffany and I are headed home thursday afternoon for the funeral. One thing that I am looking forward to doing while I'm home is to hold my niece abby. She wasn't quite big enough when we left, but she is now! Don't worry I have already bought her more presents to bring her!

To top off my week, saturday was my golden birthday! It was great. At work on friday my co workers decorated my desk space and got a cake for lunch. I didn't get a picture of the cake because I didn't take my camera to lunch since I had no clue they were doing that. It was a fun surprise! The friday night me, tiff and her roommate Tianna went to watch Wishes (Magic Kingdom foreworks). We ended up watching them from the beach at the Polynesian Resort. It was fun to see the fireworks from across the lake. It is a great romantic spot to watch them, they have hammocks and beach chairs. We will definitely go again. Yesterday I went and played in the parks a little. It was fun to finally have a birthday button! For dinner Tiffany and I splurged and went to Princess Dining in Norway (in Epcot). When you first walk in you take your picture with a princess and ours was Belle. Then we ate lots of good food, and the princesses come around to your table. Great fun! Then there was dessert and they brought me a cupcake and a card signed by a bunch or princesses. When we were done we ran outside to see the last few minutes of illuminations. My birthday was great fun!


Baby James Gemmill wishing me a happy birthday. The goofy I gave his mother while she was on her mission to Canada, and that is where they live.



the delicious cupcake at dinner, complete with Mickey sprinkles!

1st AMAZING Week!

Life in Orlando is tons of fun. My new job is a blast. There are 9 other interns on my team and they are great. We get along quite well and are so excited for all of our fun adventures this semester. Our manager is a great guy and super nice and easy to get along with. We have met so many people the past couple of days and are kind of sick of introducing ourselves to all the different departments that we will be working with, and are ready to start introducing each other! I have a little cubicle that I work in, and I have a disney email account. It is great fun. We are also on the same floor as fairytale weddings, so I get to see fun stuff as i walk around the office.

The festivals that we will be running will get intense, but now it is very easy and not too much to do as we get ready for them. Part of our training this week has been tons of fun and I can't believe I am getting paid for it. yesterday we went around to the different venues at the different parks that our groups will be performing at for the festivals. We got to watch some of the College Cheerleading and Dance championships that were taking place at Disney Hollywood studios and Wide World of Sports. I have always wanted to see them, and I finally got to. They were so good. Also when we stopped to look at something at the Magic Kingdom we had to ride big thunder mountain railroad while we were there! I am so excited for all the things I get to do. When I first did my college program I was at a resort the whole time, and now I get to work at Epcot, Studios and a little Magic Kingdom



Kent State Cheer


US Naval Academy, since when did they have cheerleaders?


On a side note, I think hell has frozen over or something because the Cardinals are going to the Super Bowl. How did that happen? I'm not sure, but super excited about it. There is one thing that makes me way excited for it, so now please allow me to step onto my soap box for a moment. There is a guy who plays for the Cardinals that I went to Jr High and High school with, and is now going to the Super Bowl. So for all of you who have bashed Mesa Jr, take that! How many of you went to JR High with someone playing in the Super Bowl? That is my little soap box and now I will step down.

Orlando or Bust

So on Monday January 5, Tiffany and I packed up my car and headed for florida. It
was a lovely 3 day car ride. My students gave me a teddy bear so we named him Leo and he was our trip mascot. Well the fun of taking pictures only lasted till thatcher, and then we never stopped unless it was a nescessary stop, and that wouldn't be fun to take a picture of! We are now in Orlando and having fun. There is lots to do! More to come on our exciting new jobs!