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 :)

Sit Down, Sit Down, Sit Down Sit Down, Sit Down You're Rocking the Boat

No, this isn't the revival of Guys and Dolls 2011, it's what I say about a million times while doing the pirate cruise when I have ten kids standing up and leaning over the edge of the boat. I got to do the pirate cruise twice this week and be the Captain which was a lot of fun. I had one kid ask me if he could get off the boat to push us out of the grass when I "crashed" about a thousand times and I told him he couldn't and if he asked one more time he would have to walk the plank. Least I stayed in character and played the part as I was slowly loosing my patience. Disney should be proud.

I am sad to report the news of a loss of mine. My name tag :( How I lost it from the apartment to my car is beyond me but its gone now so I have to order a new one. For now, my name is Lariza and I am from Carolina, Puerto Rico. It's a fun name and everyone compliments me on it. Since I work at YB most often, I see the same kids everyday. I had some little girls ask me if I was friends with Sarah since I look alot like her.  I said she was my sister and she was over at Boardwalk for the next few days and we switch back and forth.  I then asked who they liked more and they said Lariza because, 'Sarah wasn't great at water volleyball." They were right, I'm not good at it, but Lariza wasn't much better.
The only other problem with wearing my Lariza name tag is people coming up to me talking to me as if I speak Spanish which is unfortunate because I don't and I just look dumb when I can't respond. This is the part where my mom says I should have stuck with Spanish and the part I would not admit she was right as per usual.

On Tuesday I had the day off so I went with a friend to the beach and a Tampa Bay Rays game. It was a ton of fun and the weather was gorgeous. I was happy to not have to pay to get on the beach either, which is something Floridians were shocked to hear that we do. As we were sitting in the water front bar enjoying a drink we saw on the TV the earthquake that  hit the east coast and all the damage it had caused. Glad everyone home was ok, I was thinking of you as I was sipping my Mai Thai. Speaking of weather, I'm just glad  Irene has decided to come this weekend and not next because I am looking forward to my weekend home to share in the nuptials of Adrienne and Aaron and be home for a few days and I wasn't letting some biotch ruin it for me or them.
The Rays game was fun especially since the tickets are dirt cheap and you can move down rows once the game is a few innings in. We sat in the upper deck right above the home dug out with a bus load of senior citizens out for a nice night of America's past time. Old people are funny and listening in our their conversations are just amusing. The word Bengay came up once or twice and they discussed the price of a hotdog for about 5 mins. $7 foot long hot dog, $7 large beer, $12 upper deck tickets. Watching the Rays loose in the bottom of the ninth bases loaded two outs surrounded by the AARP monthly meeting? Priceless.

When I'm this age I hope I'm as passionate in anything
as much as this guy was raising up his original signs
for every player that came up to bat. 

Glorious

Summer is officially over and last night we had our goodbye party to those of of leaving for the school year. I feel that every weekend we have had at least one big event to see people off but last night as we all left the house at 5 am we knew this was the end of the summer as a whole. Out of the 22 summers I have had, this is by far the best one yet and it's the people I met in this journey that have made it all the while. The only thing more upsetting then leaving everyone at the end of the night was walking out to my car with the windows half open because it was such a nice night only to find the automatic sprinklers went off and my car inside was wet. I can never win.

This blog is dedicated to all of my amazing friends I have met here. Chris- Semper Fidelis. Be safe out there, Kid. Austin- David and I are coming to visit you in Tallanasty. Get pumped. Marine- have a safe flight back to France. Jehan- Don't go too crazy in Daytona. To everyone else, good luck and you know where to find the rest of us when you're home on Thanksgiving break.


A happy belated Birthday to Cool Daddy T!

Patti always blowing out the candles. 

"It's a Great, Big, Beautiful, Tomorrow"

Shining down on each and everyday.....

Today is a day that all parents look forward to with joy and anxiety. It's the day where their oldest child flies the nest for good to move in with their  fiance in southwestern Virginia to start a new life together in a two bedroom apartment. Folks, if you see Patti Ann, congratulate her on becoming a big girl. If you see Brad, wish him good luck. If you see my dad, shake his hand and tell him only one more to go. If you see my mom, give her a hug but remind her her favorite child will be home soon.

 And if you see me, I'll tell you how proud and happy I am for my sister. Especially now that she knows her way around a kitchen.

This blog is for you Patti Ann, one of the biggest kids I know.

They grow up so fast

To be honest, I don't really have much to update on except that I got to hang with the Thornton family on Sunday which is always a good time. It seems that no matter where I am from Virginia to Florida the Thorntons aren't far behind.  I also was able to see Aunt Dana and Dana Marie and had lunch in Germany. Nothing better then a german sausage buffet to start your day off. Sadly I couldn't join them in Morocco for dinner since I had to work gates but it was really nice seeing family this week.

O yes, I did get to go to Magic Kingdom after work on Monday which was, well, magical. I finally got to do the Snow White ride and although it was a bit anti-climatic, I was still scared at the part the witch turns around and is all scary looking. We also rode the Carousel of Progress (hence the title which I found to be highly appropriate) and Buzz Lightyear, a ride that I am pretty terrible at although very fun and florescent.

Umm well really that's it. Sorry I have nothing funny to report but sadly life is that way. It gets boring and unfunny. The weekend is coming up though, and I'm sure I'll have some awkward encounters with someone or something. Seems to always happen that way.

Like we needed anymore proof that I was a dorky person, here is me at my Junior prom. Complete with Tinkerbell Wings

"Live from Disney, It's SNL!"

No, that is not a new version of SNL, it is the name of mine and Lauren's Disney's Wine and Dine half marathon relay team name. the SNL stands for Sarah and Lauren for all you slower ones out there. Corny? yes. Cheesy? Absolutley. But it's very fitting for the two of us. I"m seeing Christopher Walken and  a cowbell on our shirts.  For the run, Lauren will run 4.8 miles from Animal Kingdom and we will meet somewhere near Hollywood Studios where I will run the remaining 8.3 miles to Epcot. As a team, we get t-shirts, a glass of beer when we cross the finish line, free entry to the after party, a $10 gift card, and my favorite, a commemorative  baton! The race is Oct 1 at 10 pm so we have alot of traning to do but we are excited it's something we can do together.

Zach and I after my run. I have a terrible camera phone

Besides working a storm the past week, I have also had a great time on my leisure time. I ate in Morocco which was amazing and on Saturday we all (recreation cast members) went out to the Dance hall on the Boardwalk which is normally only visited by 20 people a night but since there was a Vet School symposium at the Beach Club, many twenty-somethings were partying it up their last night at Disney. I was working gates that day so I gave a few of them their wrist bands to get into the pool. When I spotted them at the dance hall they were like "Omg you're the girl who gave us our bands thats so cool you have a life!" Why yes, I do. The dance hall was not bad especially since they have music videos playing but since i have a short attention span I'd sit there and just watch the videos instead of dancing or what us white girls call dancing.  Normally, I shove all my valuables down my shirt when out but tonight I decided to be classy and put my cards in my pocket. At about 1:30 am I pulled out my cards to make sure I had them all and realized I lost my debit card. Of course no one has a TD account down here so I had to call mom and ask her for the number. She didn't seem too annoyed and was probably just happy I wasn't calling wasted like last time. After getting the phone number to cancel the card I went back on the dance floor, pulled the cards out and realized they were just stuck together and all was fine with the world. Next time i'm carrying cash....

At 2 am the joint closes down. Disney makes sure the lights are on by 1:40 so you are literally cleared out by 1:50 and the doors are locked by 2. We all wanted to take a picture on the Boardwalk but security was yelling at us to keep it moving or they would take us downtown if we didn't cooperate. Could you imagine those headlines? "20 Disney employees arrested at their own resort for taking a picture past 2 am!" O the humanity. As we were walking to our cars I saw the Jelly Rolls piano players walking by and I yelled out that I loved them and thought they were awesome. Now before I start this story let me preface it by saying I was completley sober. Moving on.

The three piano players said thank you and kept walking. Me and my large mouth said to the one "OMG I gave you my number and a dollar when I was there on July 4th!" This poor kid is maybe my age and is ignoring me but the other two guy were interested in what I had to say. Here's how the convo went.

JRG (jelly rolls guys) O yeah you did? How did that work out?
ME- Well, he never called
JRG- Well come on give him back your number
Me- I proceed to type in my number on his phone
At this point the kid is red and a mysterious women is standing next to him. NJ Lauren is having a full convo with this women about who knows and I hear..
Women- 'Yes, isn't my son a great piano player? I just came down here to see him and make sure his apartment was all set up.
Me- Jaw dropping because I just realized I am awkwardly hitting on some kid in front of his mother. The poor kid didn't say a word the whole time. Hell, he didn't even say his name the JRG said it for him.

Ah yes. Score one for Sarah. I wanted to text him the next morning apologizing but that would have just been more awkward. The next day I wouldn't wait to tell roommate Lauren what happened and she couldn't stop laughing considering she was the only witness to me giving the kid my number.

Thank goodness for Lauren. We are similar in many ways but different in so many others I like to think we balance each other out nicely.  Just looking at our room my side is a disaster; I sleep on a bed that normally has clothes all over it, random stuff I put there throughout the day, and blankets falling off. She is away this weekend to graduate from Texas A&M (congrats!!!) and I miss not having someone to come home to. Which leads to me to......

When People Stop Being Polite and Start Getting Real. 

--The Real World, Lake Buena Vista. 

Earlier this week one of the roommates moved out because of her direct roommate. It was a shame because she was so sweet and we all got along. Today a new girl moved in who actually works at Boardwalk ESPN Club. She seems very nice and outgoing so that should be a good addition. It's sad we lost one, but she is just a few buildings away. As a former RA I feel like I should have seen the signs, but having a rommmate ignore me was fine because I didn't have to awkwadly sleep next to someone who didn't acknowledge my precense. When Lauren comes home we will have an apartment meeting. Mediation skills at it's finest....

I had wayyy too much fun this week but as I explained I binge party. I will have a week of fun and then nothing for a few weeks. Since everyone is getting ready to go back to school we are all celebrating their departures. I won't go into too much detail but basically let's just say I have been drunk 3 times in my life. One of them was my twenty first at home and the other two have been at Disney. As I was being dropped off at the front entrance of my complex with my  shoes in my hands while wearing someone else's shirt ( I jumped in the pool, shirt got wet, you know the deal) I just stopped and waved at all the new College Programers eagerly waiting to move in for their first day at 7am and told them they would have a great time here. They will have a great time here as long as they work hard but party responsibly harder. That day I had work at 12:30 and was a champ.

I can't help but think how my time would have been at Mason if I had made other decisions. I was at school for 4 years. Four long years but they couldn't even touch the time I've had here.  4 years at Mason, 2 months at Disney. I had a blast at school, but I worked a ton in housing and then did my school work later. And o yes, there were those boyfriends I had the whole time except for my last semester and a third of college that were somewhat of a buzz kill.  If I could do it again, I would take more chances, have more fun, and loosen up. I wouldn't go out to the frat parties or go nuts drinking, but I would go out more with people and expand my circle of friends. I would try new things because once those four years are done they are done. I know I can't stay down here past January as a CP because I can't live a fantasy life forever, but I am so glad I am having this moment now.

Enough of that Lifetime Movie junk...

Today was my first day off in ten days so I just relaxed at the pool and went to the mall. Since it's Thursday, we all met up at the Ale house as a recreation department for some late night fun. In college they call it Thirsty Thursday but here at Disney it's just plain old payday. Why not waste your whole pay check at a place that sells  pitchers of beer your drink out of?  Fun time shared by all tonight and I was glad we could all get together without wearing our white or yellow shirts.

In just 3 long weeks I'll be home for 3 short days. It will be a tease but I'm looking forward to it so much.

Here are some random photos taken from my phone. Now that I can sync it with bluetooth to my computer, uploading is so much easier.

Kimberly and I on her last day at Beaches and Creme :(

this scary drawing was supposed to be of Rapunzel. Clearly I am not the artist in the family. 

They had Jerseylicius crocs. Couldn't resist not trying them on.

Happy 26th Wedding Anniversary to the bestest parents around!

   

"Don't worry, It's in my Fanny Pack. "

I have heard that and many other variations of the same sentence dozens of times since I have been working on gates a few times a week. It's a very simple job that just requires a set of eyes and the ability to stand for hours at a time. Personally, I really like the change of pace because you get to talk to all the guests who try and get in the pool and you get to people watch all day. At each gate you get to look for different things but all of them have one thing in common; silently judging people and their ridiculousness. This is a blog of a few of those things I have seen while at the gates.


The British are Coming! The British are Coming!
I have probably met more guests from the UK then any other nation while working. They not only come to the resort, but they stay for weeks at a time. Although they don't win for guests with the nicest teeth they sure win for guests who know how to have their room keys ready for when they get to the gate so I can check them fast and get them in the pool. It's all about efficiency here.

GTL?
Now as you know, I hail from the great state of NJ. Many people here are either proud to finally be friends with someone from Jersey or make endless jokes. I can easily tell if someone is from the NYC/Philly/Jersey area at the pool and have decided a few things.

1) Chest hair is a no go, regardless of how old you are. And back hair? Please. Find someone who loves you very much to tell you if you are now wearing a man sweater in August and work on it. There are methods of removing it and I suggest you look into them.
2) Gold chains with a side of chest hair? Well sure you need something to sit nicely upon the carpet of man hair.
3) Large gut with a beer in one hand while asking me where the gym is so you can work out. You are not fooling anyone, sir. You don't work out at home so why start now? Sure the gym is free and open 24 hours but looking at the equipment does not help anymore then just thinking about going.
4) Neon acrylic nails with bleach blonde 80s perm. 1986 called, they want their look back.
5) "Yo, Yo, bro, watch the hair." Don't worry, concierge is happy to get you anything you are willing to pay for, including extra hold water proof gel.

"Hmm, you're not really using your degree, are you?"
Well sir, thank you for your outstanding observation.  When a guest says that I say that I am using my Criminology degree by being security at the gates by checking room keys, putting wrist bands on, and handing out only 2 towels per guest and making sure they are not stolen. I have found that giving an answer like that normally stops them from talking anymore because they either feel bad for me or just keep walking. Hellz no I am not using my degree but am I miserable at my first out of college job? I think not.

Check yourself before you wreck yourself.
Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls of all ages I urge you to stop and look at a mirror before you leave your room or dressing room for that matter. If you are buying a bathing suit, please make sure it fits and covers all parts that should be covered so when you walk out of the pool  it's not like like you are auditioning for the remake of Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Forget no white after Labor Day, there should be a rule for no bikinis after a certain stage in life. I should not feel like I am working at the Mens Den on the corner of sleezy and trashy.  Men, you should also make sure your swim trunks (add that to the list of words I don't like) don't fall off when you get out of the pool. If you want to show off your bodacious bod then I am all for that, but they invented the drawstring for a reason. Don't get me started on tattoos. Can't wait until you're old and wrinkled and in a nursing home playing dominoes and you curse the day you decided to get tattoos all over your body.

There are no dumb questions, just dumb people.
Yes, our pool has sand. No, the water is not salt water. No, there are not hidden Mickeys in the grains of sand, no the sand is not man made, yes, the water is warm, yes it is hot outside, yes the lifeguards are trained, yes, the three o'clock parade is at 3pm. You name it, I've been asked it.

And that my friends is a glimpse of how it is to work the gates. It's not a glamorous life, but it's my life.