The AutoTrain Diaries: What state are we in now?

P.S. Note to yesterday’s entry on the hotel: our 8 AM wake up call came at about 8:11 AM. That was kind of the real reason they lost. LoL.

So here I am, on the autotrain. It’s 4:10 PM according to Windows time. We were supposed to leave at 4, but we left a bit earlier. We really started to pick up speed at 4. To be completely honest, it seems like there is no one on this train. But then again it’s Memorial Day weekend. That’s probably why.
I’m excited for dinner at 5 because it’ll give me something to do! They’re showing Enchanted at various times, but I hope I’ll just be able to sleep for most of the duration of the ride. If so, I hope I’m not snoring on the train. My allergies were bad the last few days so I was so congested! – but I can actually breathe today. That’s a HUGE plus.
I’m still bitter about my Star Wars game not working. Seriously. 17 straight hours of Knights of the Old Republic. It’s every Star Wars gamer’s dream (or at least it would be my dream as a Star Wars gamer)! I usually spend days playing the game, and here I could have just played it straight through. So disappointed. Oh well.
Oh, look. We just passed the FBI training facility – aka we’re now in Quantico, Virginia. Yeah. They gave us a little book thingy of noteworthy places we’d be passing.
And as soon as I started my rant about the Star Wars game – it unofficially started to work. Weird. I’m gonna go figure this out. TTYS!
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P.S. We just found out there are 177 passengers in 62 cars (that’s it?!).
4:30 PM– we just passed Fredericksburg, VA. Ugh. SO close to having the game work. The start up page came up, and then my computer froze since the game stopped working. That sucked. I was really looking forward to training as a Jedi Knight for 17 hours (but I’ve played the game already. Don’t worry). Still waiting for the last game of the trilogy to come out – even though that won’t be for a while.
I’ve already taken a mini-nap after we boarded the train. I was reading the Life After School. Explained. book we received at Champagne Brunch. It was … interesting … No, it really was. I’m just not into reading right now. I’m thinking of what color lightsaber I would have made as part of my training and what crystals I would have installed in it… No. I’m not bitter at all.
Speaking of Star Wars – Star Wars Weekends (SWW) begin in, what, a week?! Yeah. Can I tell you how excited Becky and I are? I don’t think you can fathom my excitement. This has been my dream for years to go to this. When I was at Disney World during Spring Break, I frantically looked around for the Jedi Knight Mickey doll I stupidly forgot to purchase while in Hollywood studios. When I asked about it at the toy store in Downtown Disney, they asked if I was going to SWW. At the time I sighed and said “No”, but who knew I’d actually be coming back? I didn’t.
So, yes, I will be there. Who knows if I’ll be in costume. BUT, I do have my lightsaber made out of a kitchen pipe (Haha. Remember that trip to Loews, Lauren?). Yeah. I’m all Martha Stewart like that. The lightsaber, at least, will be with me. Maybe I can buy a Jedi robe somewhere!!!!!
OK. All childishness aside – I can’t believe I’m here right now. I’m getting ready for dinner so maybe I can just sleep the rest of the way…yeah right. Haha.
I’m waiting for Nicole to call in regards to tomorrow. Hopefully we get into Florida early. I wish I could get to my room because I’m really going to need to freshen up! Yay for 17 hour train rides. WOO!
I’m gonna text message Becca about leaving for FL. I’ll TTYL!
P.S. These chairs are really comfy…then again, I say that now…
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So I’m here on the train. It’s 7:30. While at dinner I sat with two people from FL (they were here for ROLLING THUNDER. The guy was originally from Essex County, NJ). The other woman, originally from El Salvador, was on the train to deliver her car to her daughter who lived in Miami.
While we were eating and talking, I overheard four people (two mothers and two daughters) talking about the Disney College Program. When everyone at my table left dinner, I approached and asked them about it. The two girls and I went to the entertainment car where they were showing Enchanted – and now they’re showing National Treasure. We met up with another guy who is doing the program, and there is another girl who is doing it. They’ll return to us after their 7 PM dinner.
I’m here typing as we’re all talking/watching the movie. I have my folder on the table in order to try to and see if anyone else recognizes the exalted purple folder. :-D We’re still not sure what state we’re in. Good times. But there are lots of trees and a carnival or two. It’s still sunny. J
Becca just text messaged me. She’s excited and can’t wait to hear everything.
We were talking about how many people were kicked out of Traditions the other day (when the May 19th kids moved in) due to kids not having the “Disney Look”. Yeah. They are strict. I need to take off my nail polish and look nice that day.
So far I am the only one here who is over 21. The other girl might be 22, too. We’ll find out when she’s done with dinner. The others are from all over – from Massachusetts to Connecticut, it’s pretty awesome.
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So, Stephanie is 21. She is also from New Jersey and went to Albright College. Awesomeness. It really is a small world after all!
Justin, Stephanie, and I stayed up until midnight. We watched Enchanted, National Treasure, and National Treasure again. Yeah. The movie got old after a while to the point where I could recite lines and act out scenes. Bad. We also played every card game imaginable – including Go Fish. Yeah. We got that desperate.
It’s almost 9 AM and we’re in FL. We should be arriving in about 10-12 min they just said. YAY!
Are we there yet?!
So we went to bed in the car nearest the entertainment car around midnight. I slept until 5:06ish. Yeah. Amazing. Around 6 I woke up to use the bathroom and attempt to freshen up. The three of us grabbed breakfast with a girl originally from FL who had just moved to VA. She’s going to visit family.
We went back to the entertainment car to play cards. We played another game of War, moved on to Texas Hold ‘Em, five card Poker, and then BS. I lost most, if not all, the rounds.
We got bored after a while, and now I’m on the same car as Stephanie and Justin. I have no clue what the conductor just said…oops…
So, the three of us kind of became legends last night. Everyone thought we stayed up all night in the entertainment car. We should have just told people that we did. That would have been awesome!
Damn. We’ll start de-train-ing in about twenty minutes. Argh. I’m so done sitting on this train.
Ooooooooh. The current outside temperature is 78 degrees. Thank God for semi-nice weather. It’s sort of…gray…outside. Blah.
What state are we in now?
So close, yet so far. Twenty minutes will be a great test of my patience! LoL. I’m just so excited and can’t wait to get to Disney – and find out where I’m working tomorrow! Check-in starts at 9, so I wonder what time Becky and I will get there.
Well, GtG. TTYS!

It's 8:30 AM, and I'm here at the Hotel Palomar ~> http://www.hotelpalomar-arlington.com/

OK. Don't get me wrong. The hotel is GORGEOUS. Modern art everywhere. Animal print pillows, etc. (which Lauren and Rosette would DEFINITELY appreciate) and dogs walking around (since it's a pet-friendly hotel). But just the little things started getting on our nerves...

Ok. We are not big complainers. Or at least I hope we're not. But when the only restaurant in the building - which just opened 6 months ago - is closed for Memorial Day weekend and the following week - wouldn't you alert your guests? And the room temperature kind of sucked. It's fun kicking off the blankets constantly at night, but after a while, it gets old - especially when you should be sleeping.

But we did find that great restaurant last night, which was good. And it's still funny to see dogs walking around - although we're trying to figure out what our dog, Lacey, would have been like here. She probably would have been trying to drink the Chardonnay as she climbed on the table from her chair... Yeah. My dog sits in chairs...

So we're all getting ready. We'll go downstairs for the breakfast, get our cars, and then head out for Lorton for the autotrain! I don't think I'll get service down there, so I'll post as soon as I can! :-D

Arlington, VA

So we're here in Arlington, VA. We got in around 3 PM (thank God!), and checked in to our hotel - the Palomar. It's really nice, but the restaurant is closed - which sucked. There were complimentary glasses of wine though. Yay!

P.S. The hotel we're staying at is a dog hotel. During the wine testing we saw three dogs - and saw three more later on. Lacey would probably love it here, but she'd destroy everything. LoL.

We got back to the room, napped - although I went on the computer to look up restaurants. I ended up talking to Nicole from PA and Kennedy on the Facebook chat program. Nicole and I are going to meet up on Tue for lunch at the hotel so we can meet each other, along with other CPers, before we move into our apartments on Wed.

We ate at an amazing restaurant in Arlington called VILLAGE BISTRO (http://villagebistro.com/). The mussels marineres (or whatever it's called) was INCREDIBLE. I had the Sea Scallops for dinner and creme brulee for dessert.

Now we're back in the room - absolutely wiped out. Believe it or not we're gonna go to bed now. Hahaha. We're getting up early for the continental breakfast, and then it's off to the autotrain for me. Yay! Good times.

Unfortunately my Star Wars game isn't working so I don't know what I'll do on the train. :/ I still have Spook....

OK. I'm gonna get going. I'll check in soon!

"Did you see the big silver statue of Jesus?"

It’s 1:04 PM. I’m driving with my dad in Maryland…? We’re listening to Barry Manilow. Good stuff!
It’s weird. To me, this just feels like I’m going to another semester of college – but in FL. We stopped off at a rest stop in Delaware. Yay for Roy Rogers and Arthur Treachers!
I’m excited for Virginia. It’ll be nice to have a mini-vacation with my family. LoL. We’re going to try to find a good restaurant for tonight. I remember going to Phillips with Lauren when we would have all the trips in high school to Washington, D.C. That was the best - with the all you can eat crabs and the hush puppies. Love.
I spoke to Becky yesterday. We’re meeting up on Tuesday. I’m gonna text message her when I get in to Florida.
I think I’m meeting Nicole, who is from PA, for lunch. That would be great. Hopefully we can check in to our hotel a little earlier than 4 PM since we’ll be getting in so early.
Later on I’ll meet Becky and her family for dinner. We might possibly meet up with the other CPers at the hotel for hot chocolate and dessert. If not, we’ll all probably be up early and eating breakfast together. I want to try and get to check in as soon as possible so we can get a good room. I’m thinking if I don’t sleep on the autotrain, I’ll be tired when I get to the hotel. I’ll take a small nap, meet people, and then go to bed early on Tuesday to get up early Wednesday morning.
Actually, scratch that. Then I won’t be alert to get to Orlando…
But I think I’ll be up early enough on Tuesday to want to go to bed early that night. 10 PM is the officially sleep time on the autotrain, and the wake up call for breakfast is 7 AM. Yeah. Exactly. I’m fine.
OK. I’m gonna go and play a bit STAR WARS KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC II. It’s an okay game, but it encages you more than the first game (which had the best story line of life).
P.S. If you need reading material, I highly recommend Mary Roach’s SPOOK. Jim would praise her for her performative writing style!

I've discovered I like writing during times of being in a liminal space...

So here I am, eating my Jimmy Dean Breakfast Bowl and basking in the liminal space between being a student and being a graduate - all while being blinded by the light of the sun streaming in the windows of my room at 318 Albright. Life is good.

I can't believe it's been four years before I stepped foot on this campus. I was dead set against NOT applying since Matt and Trish had already done so. I didn't want to seem like a copy cat.

I don't know where I would be right now if I hadn't applied. The friends I've met and the leadership roles this college has allowed me to hold are what have shaped me to who I am - and are the reasons why I'm doing the Disney College Program.

I wish I could list every single person I need to thank, but unfortunately this post would then be miles long. Thank you to all my friends, the upperclassmen throughout the years that have set the bar extremely high, all my professors from the Media & Communication and Theatre departments (and Dance department!), the administration, all the staff members that have helped with Arts Week, and my second family over at Civic (who kept me sane at the best of times). Without all of you - and you all know who you are - I wouldn't be here. So thanks, thanks, and evermore thanks.

I'm going to be a wreck today during this ceremony. LoL. Is my make up waterproof?

I'll probably post tonight on my feelings of being a graduate. :-D

Have a good day and enjoy the wonderful weather. THANK GOD!!!!!!!!

-= does anti-rain dance just in case... =-

P.S. I've also discovered how much of a Media & Communication and Performance Studies eye I have developed over the last four years. I'm so excited about debunking Disney (ala BEHIND THE MOUSE) - and let me tell you, so is Jim Peck. Oh man, am I going to have a blast with all of this.... Yeah. This is what college will do to you!

"Happy California. Or Florida. Or whatever Disney park you're going to!"

Sorry, the above quote was priceless. It's a string of quotes from Jason which totally made my night last night.

So, last night I went to watch the Titanic rehearsal - and aka get to see Civic one last time before I left Allentown. So weird. The Civic community became sort of like a secret family to me. Hardly anyone from school knows the people at Civic (unless you did a show with them), and it was so amazing to see so many wonderful and talented people in the show. The show looks amazing and I guarantee there will not be a dry eye in the house when the show goes up. A+ once again Mr.Sanders.

Senior week as been weird thus far. I went to FINDING NEMO auditions in the city yesterday. What an experience - but at the same time, what AMAZING people! I was definitely one of the youngest auditioners there, which was kind of cool. And the staff gave me wonderful feedback. Cool.

Today is Senior Ball. I should be getting ready, but I felt like I needed to post. I haven't posted in a while. I've been packing, so more on that to come soon!

So, supposedly we don't know what's going on with Patterson Court. It might be offered to all the people staying from the Spring Session and the international students...? No one has a definite answer. Whatever. I'm guessing anywhere we end up will be wonderful (or at least I hope!).

OK. I'm gonna peace out to start getting ready for the senior ball. TTYS!

Last Day of School Work

So today is exactly what the title says - my final day of school work. I had a final this morning and another one in an hour. Technically I have an 8 page paper to write for Jim that's due tomorrow...argh...but I'm having such a hard time writing it. Why? SENIORITIS!

But that's ok. I'll get through it after the final, Katy's BRSRL dinner, the senior Cabaret, check outs, and the final rehearsal for my scene with Will tomorrow...

Good times....!

So tomorrow I will resume packing and you'll hear more of what I decide to bring to Disney....oh wait. Haven't gotten to that here yet, huh? Oh, it's coming. Don't worry.

So I'm off to get ready for everything. Talk to you later!

Has it really been four years?!

As much as I would LOVE to be done with all the work, I can't believe how fast the last four years have gone and how I'll miss the college experience.

I had the opportunity to look through all my college pictures tonight and I can not believe how much I have changed in the last four years and how many wonderful people I've met.

At the MTA Formal, I took a bunch of pictures with friends in poses that have become staples in the last four years (the four of us - as pictured above, my many poses with Will and Kennedy, an outrageous pose with Joel, poses with the sloots, poses with the various people I've lived with, etc.) I feel so blessed for everyone in my life.

We have the Senior Cabaret on (Tuesday?) night, and I'll probably be a mess then, even though I became less and less closely associated with the MTA - yay MDA and Civic! That's another thing I was blessed with - being able to work all over the place ~ including in Allentown.

Working with the Civic Theatre was probably the best thing that could have happened to me, and I will forever be grateful to Bill and everyone at 19th Street.

And now, I eagerly await the Disney CP. I can't wait to meet and network with all new people - people who I hope I can become really close with. After all, 7 months is a VERY long time!

That's about as insightful as I can be at this point. I'm going to go work on studying for my physics for life final...ugh...

RL Meeting tomorrow, Target Dance Reunion, more RL meetings, MDA Pizza party, ORS Banquet (Oh, man! I'm probably gonna be a mess at THAT!), and then more studying?

P.S. Poison Sky - best episode of Doctor Who to date. If you're never watched Doctor Who, it's the longest running Sci FI show for a reason - believe me. It's incredible!

Have a great night!

Days of "Lasts"

So, yeah. The last few days have been the "Last" days...

Last night was the last Noteworthy concert. Wrecks. I actually got through my song - except I was choked up after Mike spoke so I sang the same chorus twice because I forgot the words. Oops. Shhhh....By the time we got to Sprance's song, she was so choked up and couldn't finsh the song. Then, when we sang BRING HIM HOME, I completely lost it. Thank God Nick was there to hold on to me so I didn't completely fall apart. LoL. And then, after the concert, we all lost it. But it just shows what a close group we are and what wonderful friends we have.

Then, today was our last day of classes. I lost it during the final scene in directing - not because it was the last scene but because of the content. It hit home. Yay Kantor.

I'm going with Becca to the mall to look for professional outfits later. YAY! That will hopefully make my life a little happier.

Tomorrow is the last Performance Day. The seniors are doing their senior surprise dance - look for that on YouTube. We'll probably all break down after that.

Tomorrow night is our last MTA/MDA Formal and Midnight Breakfast. I'll once again do a dance on a table to make it all four years. WOO!

Graduation I'm going to be a mess. I know it. I guess I better buy all waterproof make up...

I'm doing laundry so I'm going to run and get my wash so a bunch of stuff can air dry.

Hope you guys aren't water works this week like I am ... :-D

The secret Underground Tunnel myth...

I saw this on another FA CP member's blog and kind of stole the idea...sorry...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=8SdQXWkDP5Q

The above is a link to an episode of Disney Fact or Fiction: Disney World Underground Tunnel Myth

I remember hearing about the myth and some facts, but this seals the deal. How interesting! I hope we get to use the tunnel system!

Tonight is such a busy night and I am so out of it - thank you allergy shots!

Enjoy the video and I will try to blog later!

Yo ho yo ho a pirate's life for me...

So it's 12:45 AM. I finished the intro to Jim's paper and I'm now at 11ish pages. I just have to write the conclusion, revise it, and wash my hands of the situation. LoL

I just got off the phone with Jon Reimer. LOVE HIM. It was nice to talk out my future plans with him (and the fact that we think Broadway butchered The Little Mermaid...I mean that it looks FANTASTIC!). I totally wish I could visit him in Japan, but I think I'm unofficially naming him one of my international pen pals. LoL

It also just hit, as I once again posted on the DisBoards, that it's now officially LESS than a MONTH until I head down to Florida for seven months. WHAT?! Crazy!

And P.S. Alexis S may still be working there - but unfortunately she just had eye surgery. :( I hope she's feeling better!

But, at the same time, I know I'm going to get a bit homesick down there. I did towards the end of London. Yet, with London, we were on a totally different schedule time wise. It'll be easier to call my parents while I'm still on the East Coast of the US.

And also, there will be tons of friends visiting throughout. Will is going to try to come down, Becky and Katy will be there in June, JUNE IS STAR WARS WEEKENDS MONTH!, and Kate will be with her family in Aug. I'm trying to convince Mary to come down (it would be the first time I see her in two years!), and Lauren & Rosette are going to try and come down. My parents are most likely coming down with my brother for graduation in December - and possibly they'll be there before or right after Christmas? I'm so excited for Christmas in Disney World!

I just need to really start thinking about packing. Thank God I'll have my car, though, so I can actually bring a lot of stuff down. I'm guessing my room will end up becoming Disney Princess central...? I have my DISNEY PRINCESS DRIVE poster...

So that's about it. My excitement is growing - especially after I found out one CP alumni did merchandise and got to dress as a Pirate to work in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride store ...um...WHAT?! AMAAAAAAAAAAAAZING!!!!!!!!!

Have a great night and don't slack off as much as I am! Directing reading? What directing reading?

Sleeeeep...

So it's 12:45 AM. I SHOULD be in bed...but I'm not. LoL

Today was such a crazy day - Relay for Life, Noteworthy rehearsal, lunch/Target with Will, Last Dance Senior Solo Recital, Inacchord concert, and RL meeting...yeah. So I've been running around since 9ish...

The Senior Solo Recital was absolutely beautiful. It's amazing to see how people have grown - and it saddens me that that might be the last time I see some people dance. :(

I started my Performance Studies paper - which is a HUGE plus! I've already gotten about 4 pages done out of the 10 that I have to do in all. I've just written 4 pages on physical attractiveness, I haven't even gotten to personality, the intro, the conclusion, and the explination of what Doctor Who is! Woo hoo. I think I'm doing all right...

I'm exhausted so I'm gonna get going.

Do you realize that in ONE MONTH I'll be typing from my computer in my apartment in DISNEY WORLD?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Ridiculous!

Open the gates and seize the day...

So, as I sat there at the Board of Trustees dinner, watching the video on why Muhlenberg is awesome, it finally hit - I'm a senior. I'm a senior and in three weeks I'm graduating...

...and then the flood gates opened...

Yeah. So, as we sang the Alma Mater, tears streamed down my face while Dana tried to tell me it was ok and that the dessert bar was up next...LoL

Up until this point, I haven't really had to worry about the immediate future, so I've been ok. But now, knowing that I won't be walking through those Red Doors again next year - it's finally hit. For the last four (pretty much straight through) years, Muhlenberg College and Allentown, PA have been my home. To leave it is a pretty big deal...

Like everyone else, as soon as I stepped foot on campus, I knew this was it. This is where I wanted to spend the next four years of my life...on a beautiful campus, where everything was within walking distance, and where the bright green lawn (and random red abstract sculpture) was always filled with tanning students and ultimate frisbee...

When we came for THROUGH THE RED DOORS, I begged my parents to let me accept my application that day so that I could proudly wear the red and gray ribboned name tag.

And, let's be real, as fed up as I have gotten at the bubble, and as many times as I wanted to just leave - I have had such wonderful opportunities that helped me grow and helped shape me to be who I am today. Getting accepted into the CP is mainly because of everything that I've done at the Berg, and for that I'm grateful.

So thanks to all my friends and professors for all their love, support, and guidance over the last four years. I am eternally in your debt.

Hakuna Matata

So, I saw Love's Labor's Lost last night, and went to hang out with the Matawan girls who came up (Theresa, Pervin, Kerry, and Jing-Jing). We went over Tricia's and then went to the Cast Party. The girls went back, but my allergies were really starting to bother me, so I headed home.

I was online checking my email and logged on to AIM - when I noticed Becky was online. I IMed her (because she was idle) and replied to a PM that she had sent me.

Just as I was about to start heading to bed, Becca got online, so we started talking about people we've talked to on DisBoards - and then Becky IMed me! Yay! It was the first time we were instantly able to talk to each other rather than sending a reply and waiting a day for one in return.

It's great. She doesn't judge me in regards to GhostHunting, and she is a Star Wars fan herself (who's already gone to Star Wars weekends - JEALOUS!). She, too, collects pins and it's ok if I bring Wii! We were attempting to talk about color schemes - but I no longer have to worry about extra long twin sheets! Woo. So maybe that means I can get a new bedding set...?Oooooh T A R G E T!

So we chatted for about an hour before I became so dead tired...I took a shower and went to bed....

I'm excited because today I'll be dressing up for the Board of Trustees dinner - but what I should do in the meantime is get make up for tonight and maybe something to put in my hair...or should I curl it? ARGH. Decisions, decisions!

Have a magical day! (Oh God, I'm probably going to get tired of that phrase after 7 months, huh?)

I just can't waaaaaaaaaaait..... (...to be king...?)

HEEEEEEEEEY!

So the puzzle pieces are FINALLY starting to fit together!

I reserved my ticket for the auto train...um...SO EXCITED! I get to load my CAR on to a TRAIN.... WHAT?! Yeah. http://usarail.hmc5.com/lorton.htm The loading docks look so cool. There will be many a Facebook picture taken, don't worry.

I also reserved a room at the Lake Buena Vista Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort for May 27th - the night before I move in. Thanks to everyone at the DisBoards for that tip! Hopefully other CPers will be staying in the hotel that night for all of us to meet and go over together the next morning.

It still hasn't hit that I'm graduating soon and that I'll be going to work in Disney World for about seven months. It kind of hit last night when I had a dream about it, but I was talking to my mom on the phone and she asked if I was excited. Of course I'm excited, and I think that is what is keeping me from breaking down about graduation. I kind of know what is going on with my life, I'll have somewhere to live and somewhere to work - and I have seven months to find a job. After Jan. is up in the air (obviously), but everything happens for a reason so we'll see...

AND PS! I HAVE A ROOMMATE! And she seems really nice and she's someone who will do game night and WON'T pressure me into drinking and having crazy parties (not that that's ever really happened in the past - I've been lucky enough to have great roommies). Her name is Becky, and I ironically met her at DisBoards (go figure. DisBoards is the answer to life). I'm glad that I will have a great roommate and that that situation will be one I will no longer have to worry about. We're starting to talk about what we should bring to our apartment - SO exciting! Yay interior decorating!

So it's 1:30 AM and I'm dead. I'm gonna head to bed. Dude. What is with the rhyming? Guess I'm just tired...

Board of Trustees dinner and Chamber Choir performance tomorrow night. Woot.