" I like Disney World"

A seven year old said this to me. I agreed with him.

Sorry I haven't written in a while but to be honest I'm just lazy. I've done a fair amount, so here it goes...

Two weeks ago I went to look at USF in Tampa and really liked it. It's three times the size of Mason but still had that homey college feel.  That Wednesday I had my Professional Internship interview so I can perhaps stay here longer, earn a better job, and make more money. I don't find out until December 4th so let's keep our fingers crossed. Saturday night I hung out in the UCF area and went to a college club in the middle of a parking lot complete with black lights and sweaty bodies. Now I know I'm only just out of school but this was deja vu of my first semester freshmen year. I felt very underdressed and forgot that in college you go to class like a bum but once 10 pm hits you bring out your nicest two sizes too small outfits.  As I'm attempting to close out my tab, a guy cam up to me asking if it always took this long to close a tab in this fine estabishement. I wasn't feeling it so I brushed him off kindly saying "I don't know." He didn't push, went to the next girl, and said the same line. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.

Speaking of bad pick up lines, most of you know I'm literate and like to read. I enjoy to lay out at the pool, soak up the sun, and read a good book. The book I just finished was called "101 Most Influential People that Never Lived." A guy came up to me asking if I got the book from our library, here was the convo...

Me- No, it's my own
Guy- O. Is it good? You seem to be reading hard.
Me- yeah it's interesting
Guy- What is it called
Me- Said the title
Guy- O cool. So like Nelson Mandella?
Me- Blank stare. No, he's living.
Guy- O so like who?
Me- like Batman and Barbie.
Guy- O. So can I borrow it?
Me- Sure. f you ever see me again you can. (Note- I generally don't lend out books especially to complete strangers. I have attachment issues.)
Guy- O thanks. I promise I don't bite. People think I do. Maybe because I'm Chinese and from Australia?
Me- Probably not the reason.

Work
Work has been great the  past week. I have gotten to know a few families and they love Lariza.  So much in fact, a little boy wants to be my pen pal. The little boy even did the pirate cruise when I was captain and gave me a key chain that said Lariza and Michael BFF. Adorable.
I found out I am getting deployed to Saratoga Springs Resort doing the same job starting Wednesday.  Most CPs get deployed and although I didn't think I would, I am happy to see other resorts and meet different people. Bummed it's for the month of October when Food and Wine fest will be at Epcot but alas it's all good.
Worst part of work is the love bugs. The equivalent of NJ stink bugs but worse, they are everywhere and fly around in your face. I'm all for healthy relationships but bugs procreating on me is just rude.

Last weekend Lauren's BFF from home came for a visit. Lauren got us a firework cruise around Bay Lake region (includes Contemporary, Wilderness, Fort Wilderness, and Bay Lake resorts) and then parks in front of Magic Kingdom to watch Wishes. I've never seen the show before but everybody just loves it. I'll cut to the chase- I'm not impressed by much but I loved the show. It was so great and there is truly no better view of seeing the fireworks show then from the middle of the lagoon.

After the fireworks every night there is the electrical water pageant in the water. It happens every night and has stayed almost unchanged since 1971. It was only supposed to happen for the first few months of the initial opening but because of demand it has gone on 40 years. Only eight people are trained to run the pageant--three of them have done it from the beginning. Can you imagine? I couldn't imagine doing anything daily for forty years except for breathing. Call it commitment issues (different from my book attachment issues).

Electrical Water Pageant 

I've seen three movies in the past three weeks; One Day, Our Idiot Brother, and Lion King 3-D. All three had one thing in common--I didn't fall asleep during them! One Day is about a relationship of two people over twenty years. It ends tragically. Our Idiot Brother had some funny parts but too many characters. Lion King 3-D was amazinggggggggg. I don't think I can think of another movie that has such a great opening. It's coming out on DVD Tuesday so Aunt Lou, my movie for Christmas is already chosen.

Because I enjoy looking at the computer screen so much I have made a wedding website for Patti Ann and Brad. The site is eweddings.com/sites/pattiannandbrad   Check out their engagement photos (they are precious I'll admit), read up on how they met, and learn a bit about the ladies who will stand behind Patti Ann.

Brad didn't know he was gaining 3 sisters

Normally this would induce vomiting but this is pretty damn cute

It's official! Got my Diploma 

8th Period History

Back in high school I took a class that defined my scholastic years. I took AP US Junior year with Mr. Bartlett and I will never forget the class because of the tough coursework, challenges it brought me, and of course learning about our nations history. Ten years ago today, an event happened that would change our nations future and our text books forever.

In class, one of our last assignments was learning about flash bulb memories. Flash bulb memories are those that you can recall where you were, what you were doing, and the effect it had on you when something occurred. For homework, we were to ask another generation what their flash bulb memory was and for my father his was when JFK was shot; he was in school in the 7th grade and in science class. My mother's was when the Challenger exploded in 1986 (I'll keep her age a secret).  Mr. Bartlett went on to say that for our generation September 11 would be our flashbulb memory and that although many other things, good or bad, in our life and in our nations history would happen, this is the one event we will never forget where you were. I can  tell you I was also in the 7th grade and I learned through rumors in the hall. No one knew the real story and no one knew what to say. Teachers went on with the day like nothing had happened and the day went on as normal. It wasn't until I came home at 3 pm  that I saw the news and at 7 pm we went to church. I wore a pink short sleeved cardigan set.

Today, stop and remember where you were when you heard the news and how it effected you. 

Today, take time to remember those who were lost, those who survived, and those who were heros. 

God Bless

[Editor's note: AP US was actually 7th period junior year. Violence and Non-Violence senior year with Mr. Bartlett was 8th Period.]

"Your fashion Incompetency Makes Me Comfortable"

Ah yes Brad, beautifully said to your fiance.

My friend Matt and  I write emails  often and he always emails me from all the different airports he travels to and from. Since I don't have a smartphone yet, I couldn't email anyone but I wrote this blog at 35,000 feet. The cabin was pressurized, so typos are prevalent. 

This past weekend has been great yet way too short. It is so refreshing being north of the Mason-Dixon line; humor is different, people run their mouths, and most of all, they know how to drive. Sure we might be reckless but we drive with a purpose unlike in Florida where I feel they are trying to go the compete for incompetent driver of the year.

I got to the airport super early but that was ok because I was able to eat a yummy chicken taco salad and people watch in the terminal. I was wearing the Texas A& M shirt Lauren got me and just as I was finished eating this guy starts talking to me about the school and them going to the SEC. Lauren and I have talked about it and it’s always on sports center so I had something to bring to the conversation but the guy kept talking to me asking where the school was, how the town was, and where I was from in Texas. This is what I told him:

Name: Lariza (I am sticking to this name forever)

Hometown: Dallas

School: Texas A &M located in College Station

Purpose for flight: Wedding in Jersey for a friend from college (not a lie)

How did I like school? College Station was such a nice college town. I loved being there for four years and Orlando is a lot different then Texas people.

Mind you this guy invited me to go to Paris with him and was about in his mid thirties. He wore what looked like a wedding ring on his middle finger but I couldn’t tell. He said he loved people watching at the airport and could tell I was from A &M because I looked like a typical A & M girl because I was wearing Bermuda shorts and Rainbow flip flops. I don’t think that is an A & M girl look (or is it, Lauren?) but someone who wants to be comfy on a plane. I don’t know how this guy really thought I was from Texas, I was going to tell him I was from PA but he said Texas first and I figured why not and go with it. I didn’t even fake an accent, which I have done in the past when I said I was from the south.  He asked me what was in my suit case which is such an odd question considering where we were. I don’t believe he was going to Paris though; he was alone, didn’t say he was joining anyone, and was going to Charlotte, NC first.

As I was walking to the pick up area at Philly airport another older man said "Gig 'em!" to me. I started to talking to him all about how I had just graduated from A&M and how great it was to be a part of a long legacy. I should be a spokesperson for this school at this point. 

On Saturday Patti and Brad (aka Big Thunder) had their engagement photos taken at the house. Here is a sneak peak from my camera. Aren’t they just the cutest?  Duke as always thought the pictures were all about him so he got in about 90% of them. 

Sunrise, Sunset

Saturday afternoon turned out to be a gorgeous late summer early fall day. It was a little muggy but overall the weather was perfect for an outdoor wedding. Adrienne and Aaron’s wedding was beautiful and everything turned out great even though they had some bumpy roads because of Hurricane Irene. Everyone had a blast at the wedding and we all danced, ate, and drank the night away. I was at a table of all RAs and we joked about how we can have as much fun as we want and won’t have to knock on each others hotel doors to write IRs and say it was quiet hours. When the DJ played “Living on a Prayer” and dedicated it to the Mason kids we all went nuts and sang the whole thing just as if it was a second half media time out at a Men’s basketball game and Doc Nic and the Green Machine was jamming out.

Adrienne, Aaron, me, Ben

Ms. Tillie at "her Adrienne's" Wedding

The Zebra Longwood Table

 Once again the black and white dress of Prom ’07 made an appearance. Just like Favre’s career, it is time to retire that dress—at least for a season.

Mazel Tov Adrienne and Aaron! 

Sunday was just a day to hang out at home. I literally did nothing, which is not too far off what I normally did on a Sunday at home.

Monday I got up and raced to do all the errands I should have done on Sunday. I went to Borders and randomly ran into Alyssa and Patrick. I am sad that place is closing since it was where I would go on Saturdays to read the latest magazines and abuse their free internet to do homework and online tests. It is because of people like me the store is going under. I ended up getting a few items that were left and didn’t have the word romance or manga written on them (In cases you were interested, there were hundreds of Sarah and Bristol Palin books left on the shelves).  One of the books I picked up was a GRE practice book. I figured since it was on sale I had no excuse not to buy one. Now I just need to actually look through it, sign up for a test, and look at schools. I’m sure that will happen on my days off…..

 I am shocked we are flying now since we had some electrical problems before we taxied, (encouraging words to hear) and this random smoke was coming from the overhead compartments. We finally got the ok to take off but we were now tenth in line to taxi. We are hitting some turbulance and it is times like this I’m glad my mother is not next to me squeezing my arm and rubbing her cross. There is a girl in front of me who is driving me nuts and her grandmother just said they were going to Disney World. With my luck she will be next to me on Wednesday for some poolside activities. Don’t kids go to school these days?

This past weekend has been great yet way too short. It is so refreshing being north of the Mason-Dixon line; humor is different, people run their mouths, and most of all, they know how to drive. Sure we might be reckless but we drive with a purpose unlike in Florida where I feel they are trying to go the compete for incompetent driver of the year.

See you in January! 

me and Jersey Lauren 

Duke Ellington 

     

Tomorrow, Tomorrow, I love ya Tomorrow

You're only a day awayyyyy

I'll be home in exactly 24 hours. If you are in the Central Jersey region, stop by to see me. Food will be served.


That is all.


Happy Birthday Mrs. Higgins! Hope you have a magical day :)