#11: Harry Potter World

Ever since we found out that Harry Potter World was opening at the Universal Islands of Adventure in Orlando, we knew we were going.  Liz and Sarah (her best friend since forever) started planning early this summer (the park opened in June).  We bought our tickets, I took three days off work and we were ready.  I was trying not to get my hopes up, not wanting to be disappointed if the park didn't live up to my expectations of Hogwarts and Hogsmeade.  I was pleasantly surprised by what we found.

Here is our trip in pictures:

Doogle (Sarah's dad) took our picture at MSP before we went through security.  We were excited.

This is our hotel- the Royal Parc Suites in Kissimmee.  We had a suite on the 1st floor with a living room, kitchenette, bathroom and two beds in the bedroom.  The whole hotel was open air so our door opened up into a courtyard with the pool.  It was kind of cool (except the complimentary breakfast was terrible).

We took a shuttle in to the park every morning at 7:40 a.m.  Our bus drivers were different every day and they were hilarious.  We watched "The Lion King" to and from the park on the first day and our favorite bus driver was the second day in the afternoon.  We were watching "Enchanted" and he clearly had seen it a million times and after the "That's How She Knows" musical scene, the bus driver goes (in reference to Patrick Dempsey's character) "His phone's going to ring.  Its going to be Nancy.  Thanking him for the flowers sent by birds!" It was THE FUNNIEST MOMENT of our entire trip and the line we repeated over and over for the rest of the time.

This was as we waited for the gates to open to the Islands of Adventure at 8:30.  Little did we know that as soon as we got through these gates, we'd be stopped in Marvel Comics Land with awful pulsating music until 9 a.m. when the Wizarding World of Harry Potter actually opened.  Two park employees were there to stop us initially (one of their names was Omega- he was cool) but as the crowd turned in to an angry mob, they called in reinforcements and about six park employees ended up holding us back. 

The angry mob in front of us as we walked through Jurassic Park.  When the park employees released us for the park (and tried to walk us down there), they gave us rules: no running, no kicking, no pushing or shoving.  They should have enforced line basics like in 5th and 6th grade.

We held on to each other as we walked with the mob to HPOT because we didn't want to get separated.

Our first glimpse of Hogwarts as we passed through Jurassic Park.  It was AMAZING.

Looking in to Hogsmeade from our place in the Butterbeer line.

Liz's first sip of Butterbeer.  Awesome.

Liz and me in Honeydukes, the candy shop.  It was colorful and lovely and fun, just as we hoped it would be.  We bought chocolate frogs, sugar quills, sherbet lemons, a pumpkin tart and taffy.  It was amazing.

Our picture in front of the Hogwarts Express on the first day.  We took a picture every day (the best was on the last day- see below).

This is what Sarah and I renamed the "Holy Shit" ride (more commonly referred to as the Tri-Wizard Dragon Challenge).  You're strapped in, feet dangling, and go shooting down this track with twists and turns, loop-de-loops and intense speeds.  It was AMAZING and probably one of the most fun rides I've ever been on.  

After the ride, we went in to a shop called Dervish and Banges.  We had to wait in a line to get in and once we entered, it was filled to the brim with people and trinkets, brooms and decorations, robes and wands.  It was so cool and fun to look at- we could have sat in there for an hour and probably not seen every little detail.

The line for the Hogwarts ride was always a 60-minute wait or more.  We played I-Spy the two times we went to wait in that line for the ride that was SO totally worth it.

Inside Hogwarts, there were two choices.  Follow one path to the ride or take a walking tour.  After we went on the ride (a completely baffling experience where you honestly feel like you're flying on a broom with Harry Potter), we took the walking tour to take a better look at the inside of the castle.  These were the talking portraits that actually talked to each other and moved.  They looked just like paintings!

This was in Professor Dumbledore's office- he was up in the balcony talking to us!  It was SO realistic and cool!

We walked in to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom next where the Golden Trio (Harry, Ron and Hermione) introduced us to the ride where essentially they save us from a boring lecture by letting us go fly around the castle where we then run in to a dragon and Dementors and then fly in to a Quidditch game.  

The sorting hat!  The only thing that would have made that better would be if we could have been sorted.  

I love this picture because Liz is honestly smiling for real.  FOR REAL.  That's how happy she was.  Its a beautiful thing.

Day Two: We went on the Flight of the Hippogriff ride (WITH LIZ!).  Liz hates rollercoasters but she went on this one and loved it.  It was a fast but boring rollercoaster but I was proud of her for going on it since she refuses to go on rides anywhere else.

After the ride = all smiles.  :)

Back in Dervish and Banges, this time to try on robes.  Liz almost bought some but its good she didn't because she definitely didn't have room in her suitcase.

Day Two: Hogwarts Express.

Churros were easy to find at the park so Liz was pleased.  This particular purchase was buy one get one half off so Liz enjoyed two feet of churros this afternoon.

Day Three: We tried out Universal Studios (we had park-to-park passes).  It was cool to see that iconic globe (that happened to be misting cool water which was nice due to the Florida heat).

The best part about Universal Studios was this tiny section of the Nickelodeon building where they were playing old Nick cartoon theme songs and you could play a character trivia game.  It brought us back to our childhoods.  I don't know why Liz is making this face (maybe because she was so sad about our favorite shows not being on Nickelodeon anymore?)

Day Three: Hogwarts Express- this time with the conductor!

Back home at MSP, waiting for Sarah's parents (and Jersey) to pick us up.  We left our hotel at 4 a.m. for the airport, left Orlando at 6:30 a.m., made it to Philadelphia around 9:30 then back home at 12:30 p.m.  It was nice to be home because we were so tired and worn out from our trip!

And there you have it- our amazing experience to Harry Potter World.  If I could describe it in one word, it would be: AWESOME.

#10: Things I want to do this fall

1. Make every cupcake on this list (or a reasonable amount of them): So many cupcakes

2. Yoga & pilates Yogalates? I miss the O.C.

3. Rewatch the entire series of Veronica Mars I def miss this more than the O.C. Keeping my fingers crossed for a VMars movie!

4. Crafts.  I need to make more coffee cozies like this:

And then Trudy suggested these today:

5. Read more books.  I have a list of books to read that's practically a mile long.

6. Blog more?  My life just isn't that exciting.

7. HPOT WORLD!  I could not be more thrilled about this.

8. Definitely cook/bake more.  Wait until you see the cupcakes I'm making for a coworker's birthday on Friday.  

9. Relax.  I'm feeling all high strung and anxious again and I honestly think its because I'm at home and am BORED after work.  Isn't that pathetic?  I'm snapping at my family and friends because I don't have anything better to do.  

10. Finish my grad school application and get that sent off sooner rather than later.  Its hard because I'm waiting on 2 recommendation letters to send it in so it's completely out of my control.  Ugh.

#9: Wolpers Wedding

One of my best friends Allison married Mr. Phil Wolpers this past weekend. I was a bridesmaid and their unofficial wedding planner and it was definitely a love-hate relationship. I've always dreamed of being a wedding planner but now that I've actually been through a wedding start to finish, I think I've changed my mind. It was exhausting and frustrating and stressful but the end result was SO very satisfying and beautiful.

The ceremony took place at Memorial Park in Shakopee. Allison & Phil picked a big tree that they liked and that's where they got married. Here are some pictures from the rehearsal and actual ceremony:

Allison & Jaci with the ribbon bouquet during the rehearsal.

We hid behind trees before walking down the aisle.

Jaci pretended to be Allison's dad giving her away.

Dip!

The sweet wreath we made to hang on their tree.

Seeing each other for the first time.

Just one of many jumping pictures we took before the ceremony.

Allison with Liz (in a dress!)

Dance break while we waited to walk down the aisle!

MARRIED!

The reception was at the Turtles 1860 Social Centre in DTS (Downtown Shakopee). It is a gorgeous site architecturally so we didn't need to do much to make it awesome. Here are some of the cool things we did for the reception:

The set up (good view of the fabric hoops behind the head table).

Allison made "trees" for the entry way where we hung tea lights.

The sign on the bar- I invented their signature drink.

I know this is sideways but you'll get the picture- each table had its own table runner and the placecards had birds of that table runner fabric that you had to match to your table.  It was just one of my many genius ideas.  :)

A few more pictures:

At the rehearsal dinner on the 22nd floor of the Sheraton.  Lots of wine.  Lots of fun.

All of us ladies with Phil.

Sean went on a McChicken run because everyone was hungry.

Ryan & Sean are totally best friends now.

Allison and me.

The cake made by Allison's cousin Debbie.

All in all, it was a fantastic night.  I love Allison and I love Phil and I still find it hard to believe that they're married and this is all real.  I am happy its all over but I'm excited for Jaci and Ryan's wedding next (as long as we take a break from planning for a month or two first).

Dream #2: Graduate school

I want to go to grad school here:


I'll go from a Warrior to a Ram:

(and I'll have to add a lot more green to my wardrobe)

I shall receive my master's degree


in Higher Education Administration in Student Affairs


to have cool jobs like these people:


While I'm at CSU, I want to live here:



And after a year, I will get THESE:


(though I won't look like this creepy guy in my picture)

After two years, I will get my diploma and have the ability and qualifications to work anywhere here:

#8: Weekend in Winona

Today, I returned from a wonderful weekend in Winona.  I left Friday night, two hours earlier than I was expecting so I could be the huge storm coming our way.  Instead, I drove right IN to the storm and ended up in a tornado warning and rain so hard I had to pull over on I90 to wait out some of the crazy rain.  Once I got to Winona and was there for an hour, the rain finally stopped.  It was nuts.

I went to surprise AJ, Janelle and Sammi for their 21st birthdays as I will not be able to visit until September due to wedding festivities.  I told Tyler and Emily (who then enlisted Stosch) and managed to keep the whole thing a secret for like 3 weeks.  Boy were they surprised when they all came to Emily's room and I was there!  We had tasty cake, hung out for a while, then went to find Mark the GMW to bring him some cake.  After walking through Maria and Tau, we finally just called his cell phone and had him meet us.  It was so nice to hang out with everyone and to see Mark- it felt just like last year and like I'd never left.

Friday night was spent with the girl Heidi nannies at her house up in the bluffs.  They have a hugenormous Newfoundland named Thor and a German Shepard named Izzy (see pictures below.  Thor is the size of a BEAR).  I pet the dogs for like an hour (Thor loved me), then we watched a hilarious episode of George Lopez (probably the only funny episode in existence) before going to bed.  Hannah (the girl Heidi nannies) woke us up at 8:30 Saturday morning.  We went out in the living room and ended up falling asleep on the couches.  A few hours later, we made tasty treat pancakes with sprinkles, Reese's Pieces, and chocolate chip cookie dough (each their own pancake).  They were good but OH MY were they full of sugar.  I watched TV for the rest of the day then we went to the stables to see Hannah's horses.  There were lots of flies and mud so I was not a fan of that little adventure.  After that, I went over to Carissa's and we chatted before going out to dinner then meeting some people downtown.  We stayed out til bar close, ordered a pizza then went to bed.

This morning, I woke up and watched "My Fair Wedding" on WE, a channel I sadly realized tonight that we DON'T have here at home, then picked Ashley up at Lourdes for lunch.  We had a nice time then I went back with her to the building and wandered around for a while.  I went upstairs to Alyssa's apartment and played with Baby Belijah for a bit- its so crazy to see him walking and talking!  It was nice to catch up with Alyssa, Elijah and Esteban.  Then I hung out at the front desk with the RAs, felt very sad, then went for coffee with Sammi before heading home.

All in all, it was weird to be back.  I've considered Winona my home for 4 years and for the first time, I had no place to just BE.  It was kind of depressing, realizing that Winona is no longer home and it is just a place to visit and see friends now.  I guess that's a good thing but it was still strange.  It was also weird being around the res lifers because I really didn't fit in there.  While I was standing at the desk, they asked me a few questions and I told them I didn't want to answer anything because I wasn't their AD anymore.  I really didn't want to step on anyone's toes.  I'm happy to see them all bonding and getting close but it still was upsetting because I wasn't a part of it.  I guess I have really mixed feelings about the whole thing, but I am very glad I went!

That's the only exciting part of life right now, besides the wedding stuff.  Next weekend = bridal shower.  The weekend after that = bachelorette party and working the WCCO booth at the State Fair.  The weekend after THAT = WEDDING!  And more WCCO booth.  :)  It should be a fun upcoming three months.
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I'm reading:  Nothing.  Not surprising.  Very disappointing. 
Picture of the week:IZZY AND THOR!

Also, this is what happened when I left a bag of gummy worms in my hot car for a day- gummy gooey tie-dye mess!