Standing in a White Dress Staring at the Sunset

Hi friends! I hope everyone out there is having the most wonderful weekend! I am happy to report that I had a fantastic week. Last weekend, my roommates and I went to the annual Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City, Florida. It was so much fun. First off, I had no idea strawberries are grown here, but now that I do, I'm in heaven. Almost as happy as I was when I had pineapple in Hawaii. Anyway, second, this Strawberry Festival is basically a cross between The State Fair of Texas and Trade Days in Canton and McKinney. We were all thrilled to pieces because I'm pretty sure this was the most "at home" any of us has felt in Florida. And third, we saw Scotty McCreery perform! I love going to concerts and his was no exception.

I started this week off with some quality time with my favorite fairy. She has been lucky enough to have some very special visitors lately! A couple weeks ago, she met my best friend, Emma, who has just begun her College Program and then on Sunday she met my former roommate, Sarah! Sarah and I had not seen each other in over two years and she's never seen me with Tinker Bell, so it was a very exciting moment! I won't lie, a few happy tears were shed. I was able to meet up with Sarah and her friend Tiera later that evening. We spent an hour or so just chatting in the new castle hub area in Magic Kingdom and then headed to Downtown Disney for a bit of shopping.

Speaking of the new castle hub area, have you seen it? Oh my goodness, it's probably my favorite part of Disney World which is both sad and amazing all at once. There are some beautiful fountains and grassy areas for guests to relax or children to play or me to have a picnic! We would sit there, chatting, and then we would bring the conversation back to how beautiful and wonderful this new grassy spot is. If you visit Disney often, go see this as soon as possible. If you don't or can't visit Disney often or ever, I completely understand and will gladly send you a picture if you ever want one!

Monday, I ventured over to Animal Kingdom to spend some time with Minnie Mouse! It was so nice to be in a different venue with her. And to have Mickey there also? Talk about magic! Tuesday and Wednesday were spent back in the circus and then Thursday I was able to go play in the parks! I met up with Sarah and Tiera for some park hopping adventures. We went to meet Hiro and Baymax and I FINALLY got my Baymax hug! The two of them also filled us in on what they've been working on lately. I must say, Baymax has some great dance moves. Shocking, I know, but also impressive. The next morning, we got up and headed to Magic Kingdom for a few hours before Sarah had to make her way to the airport. It was so nice to spend time with her after not seeing her for so long! I've really missed her. I wish she could have just stayed here, but I'm happy that she is doing well back home.

Last night, after some much needed laundry time, Emma came over. We watched the new Tinker Bell movie, Tinker Bell and the Legend of the Neverbeast! It was a very cute movie, but the ending was sad and I don't understand why they didn't just call it "Fawn and the Legend of the Neverbeast" considering the movie mainly focused on Fawn. All of that aside, it was a cute movie and I would recommend it for sure! Emma and I got up this morning and went over to Hollywood Studios for a couple hours. We met Mike and Sully, during which time Sully kissed us repeatedly, gave wonderful hugs, sneezed after smelling the flowers in my hair, wiped his snot on me, and covered my face for the picture. And then he laughed about it. A lot.

Tonight was spent packing (finally) because tomorrow (really tonight because my flight leaves at 6 am which is really 5 am with the daylight saving time change) I am headed to New York City! I'm so excited. I haven't been to New York in a few years. Michael and his family invited me to join them a few years ago and now I get to go with my family! We'll be spending the first half of the week wondering the streets of Manhattan, followed by a quick stop in Philadelphia, and then spending the latter half of the week in Washington, D.C.! We're probably going to freeze, but I've done my best to soak up as much sun as possible in the last few days.

Anyway, it's 8 pm, so I should be asleep in order to wake up earlier enough to drive to the airport and such with the time change! Wish me luck and think happy thoughts for me! I'm so excited!