TWO Magical Places!

Now that the spring semester is finally underway and my professors have begun to pile on the reading assignments, I find myself daydreaming about where I would rather be than sitting in class...

I traveled to Orlando literally 12 hours after my last final ended last month (talk about chaotic packing) to visit a friend and I had so much fun. It was my first time traveling after turning 21 so I was finally able to enjoy the night life in Orlando. However, my favorite part about Orlando is obviously Disney World... and always will be. I've been a lover of Disney since I first went in sixth grade and I haven't fell out of love since. No matter how old I am or how old the rides are, I don't think the magical feeling that fills me will ever subside. It was literally a dream come true for me to be celebrating the holiday season in Disney World!

Luckily for me, my friend is a former Disney Cast Member and still had a couple of guest passes before they expired, so I was able to get in for free! We went to Hollywood Studios on Sunday and Magic Kingdom on Monday.

Here are some pictures from my iPhone of my trip :)

This was the first thing I saw after entering Hollywood Studios. So perfect!

Mickey's Sorcerer's hat... always a classic.

This was my first time witnessing the extraordinary Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights on the Streets of USA in Hollywood Studios. Shortly after the sun goes down, they turn on over 8 MILLION of these dancing lights, which are synchronized to the holiday music that is playing. It is truly magical and a sight to see!

(besides Space Mountain, this is my favorite ride in Magic Kingdom!)

Cindrella's Castle all lit up in icicles. It's truly a gorgeous sight.

Taken during the Spirit of the Season fireworks show.

One of my favorite pictures taken during the trip. The iPhone works wonders!

So pretty.

And one last one for good measure :)

I also got to go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, located in Universal Studios, for the first time, which was very exciting! I'm a big fan after reading the books and seeing the movies and I couldn't wait to taste that "butterbeer" and see what the hype was all about and go on that awesome 3D ride. Both did not disappoint!

This is what I saw when checking into a restaurant/tavern on FourSquare. Too funny!

Mmmm... butterbeer!

For those of you who have never tried it, it tastes like cream soda with DELICIOUS whipped cream on top (and this comes from a girl who despises whipped cream). The carbonation in this sweet concoction was a little too much for me, but otherwise, it was worth it!

View of Hogwarts Castle from down below.

The line for this incredible 3D simulation ride was an estimated 90 minutes, but worth the wait! There were lots of queues for people waiting in line and lots of photo opportunities once you entered Hogswarts. Everything was very authentic! In the middle of the line, there is a locker station for you to leave your stuff so they wouldn't fall out when you were on the ride. I wasn't going to risk losing my phone on the ride so I left it in the locker, but if I had known how cool it was inside the castle, I would've brought it along with me!

Hogwarts Express!

If you're a fan and you haven't been to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, don't miss this part of Universal's Islands of Adventure next time you plan your trip to Orlando! The shopping area in Hogsmeade really seems like it was taken from the movie. In Honeydukes, you can purchase chocolate frogs and Bernie Botts' jelly beans, while in Ollivander's Wand Shop, the wand chooses YOU instead of the other way around.

With enough magic and innocence to last me a lifetime, I still can't wait to return... hopefully soon :)

Have you been to Disney or WWoHP? What's your favorite ride? What's YOUR magical place?

May the odds be ever in your favor.

I have a SERIOUS problem.

I am beyond obsessed with the Hunger Games trilogy. I actually feel ashamed that it has taken me this long to hop on the HG train and I wish I jumped on board much sooner. I was skeptical when I first heard about the book and wrongfully assumed that because it was considered sci-fi, I wouldn't like it. Boy was I wrong. But you know what they say, better late than never!

I picked up the first book on a whim a couple of weeks ago, just because I wanted to see what the hype was about. Well, the hype was right. I was hooked by the first page. The first night, I read 50 pages, watched the movie trailer, then went to bed... where I DREAMT about being IN the Hunger Games themselves. Crazy, I know. I finished The Hunger Games within a day and a half.

I then bought Catching Fire and Mockingjay last Monday right before returning to school. I finished the second book in one day (all while starting a new semester and getting back into the swing of things) and I'm now starting the third...

The thing is (and this may be incredibly nerdy of me, but I don't care), I'm really hesitant to start Mockingjay because I don't want the series to end! I know for a fact that I'll probably finish it tonight, due to being snowed in, and I can't help but read as fast as I can, just because I'm so eager to find out what happens.

I haven't been obsessed over a book in so long and I love it! At least I will have the movie to look forward to in March :) And you have probably heard the hauntingly beautiful song that Taylor Swift & The Civil Wars have released for the soundtrack. Check it out here.

Is anyone else as excited as I am for the movie to come out?
(Plus Liam Hemsworth is in it... *swoooooon*)

(pictures: 1 2 3 4 5)

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

This movie came out yesterday and after inundated with the trailer on TV, I knew I had to go see it right away. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close was a beautiful heart-wrenching story about a young boy's journey to find more time with his father after losing him in the 9/11 attacks. Through his tremendous heartache and determination, he is able to overcome multiple fears as he treks through the city of New York to discover more about his father.

After uncontrollably (but silently) sobbing throughout the entire movie, I am so glad I made the decision to go see it. The poignant acting and cinematography were wonderful and I certainly am recommending everyone to see this if you can! It's an incredibly sad movie, but very touching at the same time. Just don't forget to bring tissues... lots of them.
 

(pictures: 1 2)

Resolutions

Contrary to what my blog shows, I am an avid and loyal reader to everyone that I follow. I love reading about people's college lives, wedding plans, baby stories, DIY projects, fashion and beauty tips, and fitness goals. I enjoy entering giveaways, hoping that I will be able to win one day. However, I never seem to have any motivation to come up with my own blog entries. It makes me frustrated, disappointed, and actually discouraged to keep up with my blog... but with a new year comes a new mentality.

So here we go, 2012. You won't stop me from doing what I want to do.

• Keep up with my blog? Sure, I can do it.
  (I can't promise that they'll be short or sweet or even worth reading, but I'll try)

• Run 400 miles this year? Yup, you got it.

• Get into the master's program at school? Consider it done.

• Drive on the highway? Wellllll let's not get carried away... haha, just kidding.

They say the world is going to end in eleven months. I might as well make them count.

(and if you can come up with any topics that I can write about, please feel free to share!)

You are a cinema, I could watch you forever

I have an absolute obsession with finding and watching wedding films in my spare time. Seeing these couples fall in love bring me hope that one day, I'll be able to be that lucky girl too... but in the meantime, I'm perfectly content with crying over these beautiful love stories.

I came across this particular film this weekend and I haven't been able to stop watching it. Jason & Victoria Evigan share an amazing, heartwarming story through their smiles, tears, and quirkiness. This is one couple that I would love to meet. Their love truly makes the storybooks jealous!

But don't say I didn't warn you... tears will ensue!



dead hearts: The Wedding of Victoria and Jason Evigan from Lightfield Lewis on Vimeo.