Smoothies

The other day I discovered a very unused magic bullet sitting all by it's lonesome on the shelf. So, armed with a few recipes from the internet and a quick trip to the supermarket I set on a journey with a few bumps and lumps of smoothie making.

The first week went well. Sticking to the recipes and using the common formula of ice & fruit with the occasional scoop of ice cream thrown in to help make it that much better was going great. The first week routine quickly turned from common to obscure ingredients in the second week. Flaxseed? Why not! Whey powder? The guys use it! Spinach? Can't taste it! Then came the day I heard about kale. It comes from the cabbage family and instead of forming the typical head, it forms these tight leaves that bunch together. Always interested in trying something new I decided to give it a go. Another trip to the market and I was back with kale.

Half way through my third week of making smoothies, I joined my sister on a trip to get some groceries. As we were chatting and making our way through the produce isle I wandered off in search of more kale since my supply was running low. When I found it, I stopped dead in my tracks. The kale I was currently using looked more like swiss chard and nothing like kale. Then a big light went off. Instead of using kale, the ultimate superfood, I was putting swiss chard into my smoothies instead!!! The weird thing is, swiss chard hides suprisingly well in them. In complete shock I quickly told my sister what I had been doing and she burst out laughing. Only then did I actually grasp how funny it really was!

I definitely learned my lesson that night. Next time I should carefully read the description by the item instead of quickly grabbing something that sorta resembles what I'm looking for.

-- Jill

Dream catching

Toady was my last day working for the mouse.  This time I was the one standing up at the podium as dream catchers fell while I was doing my final speil.  Trying to sum up this year is like attempting to answer the meaning of life.  I don't even know where to begin.  So for now I guess I will just say that this year has been quite the adventure.  Thank you for sticking it out with me.

and for one last time ...

from Florida with love,
Jilly

TED: Ideas Worth Spreading

http://www.ted.com/talks/charlie_todd_the_shared_experience_of_absurdity.html

A few months ago one of my good friends introduced me to TED.  It is a nonprofit organization devoted to ideas worth spreading.  It was a small conference that started out in 1984 connecting people from three areas: Technology, Entertainment, Design.  Ever since then the conference has been growing each year with one conference taking place in Long Beach and the other one in the UK.  More than a thousand people attend and it often sells out months before the event actually happens.  Over the course of four days, 50 speakers have a 18 minute time slot to tell their story.  However, there are many short ones that include music, comedy and performance.  The mission is to spread ideas.  They believe that with the power of ideas we can change attitudes, lives and ultimately, the world. So TED.com is like a powerhouse of it all.  Where you look up talks, find out about events and even learn how to organize one yourself.  The link above is a talk that I watched yesterday.  I was interested in it because I had been watching Charlie Todd on youtube on the channel "Improv Everywhere."  So when I stumbled upon him giving a talk on TED I wanted to share it.  The talks have now expanded into culture, arts, science, global issues and more.  They range from funny, inspiring, persuausive, courageous and down right fascinating.  So if you have time today I strongly encourage you to check out TED.  Happy holidays!

from Florida with love,
Jilly

Washington, DC

Korean War Memorial

View of the Capitol Hill from the Old Post Office tower

The White House

On Wednesday I left sunny Orlando on a plane to Washington, DC to spend 4 days touring the city.  During my short time there I managed to see 6 museums, 3 art galleries and 11 monuments.  It was a easy city to navigate and my hotel was only a block from the National Mall.  Days started early and envolved a lot of walking but with the amount of coffee shops dotted along the streets it was easy to keep my energy up.  The White House was a lot smaller then what I thought it would be, but it was still impressive.  I had to fight the school groups to get that shot because when one school group left it seemed like another one showed up and took over.  My map I had of the city is covered in check marks with all the museums and monuments I did.  But there is still so many other ones I need to do.  I guess they will have to wait till my next trip.  That's all for now!

from Florida with love,
Jilly

Look!

Maggie and I made a trip to Hollywood Studios today, specifically to go on Tower of Terror and Rockin Roller Coaster.  We took this beautiful picture on our 4th time on the Tower.  We were overlooking the park when we spotted a statue in the corner and the camera managed to capture us as we pointed at something we overlooked the past 3 times we went on the ride.  After that ride we went on Rockin Roller Coaster for our 5th time then finished the day going back on Tower of Terror.  Now we are heading out to see our friends play!  It definitely is a magical day :)

from Florida with love,

Jilly

I'll be home for Christmas

I've never really been one to hope on board the christmas train in early november, but being at Disney they get into the holidays very early.  Three out of the four parks are already decorated and Epcot will be the last one to join as soon as the Food and Wine Festival is done on the 13th.  I've been listening to Micheal Buble's new christmas cd (which is amazing, go buy it) and Starbucks finally have their christmas flavor latte's out. This year will be a proper christmas because there will be snow!! Which I am sort of looking forward to being in.  However, I am soaking up all this sunshine and warmth while I can.  Although the temperatures have dipped to a cool 80 degrees, it's still pleasant outside.  Tomorrow I am heading to hollywood studios and then downtown Orlando for a play that my friend directed.  Work was fun today, only had short shift so that probably helped. Anyways, gotta go and do something fun because the clock is slowly counting down the days till I get back to Canada.  Can't wait to see everyone when I get home!

from Florida with love,
Jilly

mmmmBOP

Remember these guys?  I got to listen to them on Tuesday during my Amgard shift.  It was a lot of fun.  Screaming girls and unhappy boyfriends make for an entertaining crowd.  Anyways, work has been good and things are well here.

from Florida with love,

Jilly 

Sunday

Ah, the sweetness of doing nothing.  I definitely did that today, and it was quite enjoyable.  Usually at the end of the day I kinda feel that regret and annoyance of not getting stuff done on my "to do" list.  Today was the complete opposite.  I was more than happy to sleep in till noon, have a delicious breakfast and then proceed to watch all three Twilight movies.  Then I worked out.  Everyone should try doing nothing sometimes.  Feels good.  Now I'm going to sit down and watch Iron Chef America: The Next Iron Chef on t.v then probably go to sleep.  Such a great day. 

from Florida with love,
Jilly

Good people

Thank you to the girl who gave me her seat on the bus.  She wasn't in a costume and told me she was just visiting the park as a guest and let me sit down in her place soo that was nice of her.  Anyways, today was a good day.  I went to the hair salon and got some groceries.  Then I just hung out at the house and watched t.v.  Tomorrow I'm hoping to go and do a little shopping because our discounts started last week.  We passed our housing inspections and got some free cookies out of it so that's always a good thing.  That's all for now folks, have a good night.

from Florida with love,
Jill

Graduation

Yesterday about 60 cast members went to the Contemperary Resort and celebrated the graduation of the international cultural program.  We walked into the ballroom and got our graduation "ears" and had a nice breakfast with Minni and Mickey.  It was a chance to catch up with the group we arrived with and swap stories about work, plans after the program and share a few good laughs.  Afterwards we headed to the magic kingdom to take some pictures in front of the castle as well as hit up space mountain.  Then it was time to head to Epcot for work.  Then Devon, Bruce and I closed the attraction last night.  We were the closing group for about 4 months before we started moving up the ranks in senority.  Probably the last time we will all get to close together.  I know I've been saying this for about two months now, but it really is settling in that I only have a short amount of time left. I know the rest of my time here will be filled with fun because that's how the past 10 months have gone, so I don't plan on stopping that now.  I woke up to rain this morning so I'm thinking that the guest count today in the park will be a little bit lower.  It's kinda nice to have those days because everyone loves to come to Canada because we have a nice warm little cave they can sit in and stay dry so we get a really good guest count coming into the attraction haha! Well, it's time for breakfast and coffee.  Have a great day everyone!

from Florida with love,
Jilly

Mini Golf

If you were wondering if I'm still terrible at mini golf, the answer is yes.  Don't get me wrong I had a couple good holes, but for the most part I spent more time looking for my ball in the bushes then I did on the green. Even though I didn't win, we still had fun.  There was 5 of us who went last night to the Fantasia Mini Golf by the Boardwalk.  Afterwards we walked to Beaches and Cream, grabbed ourselves some ice cream and then headed home.  Later on that night we had our throw out in the church parking.  Not a lot showed up but we had to move the event because we have extra magic hours tonight.  All in all it was a good evening.  Today is my first day back after my mini holiday.  Should be a good day.  Anyways, I'm off to get ready for a magical day at work!

from Florida with love,
Jilly

Sittin on the balcony drinking ice tea ...

What a lovely day!  Just sitting here on my balcony in a t-shirt and shorts drinking ice tea while writing.  What a life!!  I would keep going with this but I feel like if I did nobody would read this anymore.  Sooo I'll just keep going with what I've been up to these past few days.  As you all know I've been off these past 6 days and it's been great.  Got to sleep in lots, shop and finally get the moutain of laundry done.  Feels good to cross off everything on your to do list.  Last night we did a scavenger hunt in my apartment complex.  It was a lot of fun.  I'm pretty sure the people we woke up by knocking on their apartment doors and asking for random objects like cucumbers and phone numbers weren't to impressed by it.  In the end we didn't win but we now have 23 photos documenting our trek across the commons.  Tonight is a throw out and one of my good friends from merchandise is leaving.  My throw out is slowly creeping up.  Yesterday I booked my one way ticket back to Saskatchewan.  It took me about 5 minutes before I could actually press the purchase button, but I managed to do it.  Now the next step is to figure out how I am going to pack my life up at the end.  I will definitely need to buy another suite case.  Well, I just spilt ice tea all over my shirt so I guess that's a sign that I should go and get ready for mini golfing and supper. 

from Florida with love,
Jilly

November 30.

This weekend I am just relaxing for once and trying to catch up on my laundry, groceries and cleaning.  We have yet another house inspection next week so gotta make sure everything is in tip top shape.  It was a cool 15 degrees out last night, I had to actually wear my costume coat at work.  I even went as far as to having tea in my water bottle so I wouldn't be freezing.  Work went by fast last night.  It was extra magic hours so we were open till 12.  I was super tired when I got home but like I said, I have the next few days off so I can sleep then.


Next week I graduate from the program.  When I look back on all I have done and accomplished, it feels good knowing that I stuck it out even when times were tough.  I wouldn't have traded this experience for anything.  The time is slowly winding down here and I'm definitely looking forward to seeing my friends and family when I get back!  My last official day working for the Mouse is on November 30.  So for now I am just trying to squeeze in the last bit of fun before I say "see you later" to Florida. 

Anyways, I must get back to work!  Hope yall are doing well and see you in a month or so!!

from Florida with love,
Jilly

Test Test ... is this thing on?

Yes I'm still alive.  My post have been fewer and fewer as the year rolls on.  I apologize.  Things here in Florida sure have been changing.  One of my closest friend from the program left today.  It was quite sad.  I'm going to miss her a lot.  It's definitely going to be weird not seeing her everyday.  One of the good things about being here is the amount of friends I have made from across Canada.  I can now go across the great white North and have friends in every province.  Some much needed visiting will have to happen when I get back.  Things in the attraction have been about the same.  Food and Wine festival started last week so Epcot is becoming slightly busier.  Although the amount of traffic coming through Canada is still the same.  Who knows, tomorrow there could be a huge demand for Martin Short and the great landscape of Canada.  I won't know because I'll be in Arizona!  Yes folks, another trip.  Quite excited about this one.  We have a lot of things planned and it's going to be a grand ol' time.  Well that's all I have to say for now.  Maybe when I come back I can get back into the swing of things.  If not ... I guess my random posting will just have to do for now. 

from Florida with love,
Jilly

What to do with 10 days off ...

First off, my best friend Nicole, arrives in 5 1/2 hours.  I'm so excited for her to get here.  We're going to be doing everything Disney for the next 6 days.  I've already got so many things that I want her to experience when she's here.  Second, I'm going back to Phoenix in a couple of weeks to visit my other best friend Nicole.  Then at the end of October I'm thinking about going to Washington.  I'm not entirely sure on that one yet ... but I'll be figuring that out in the next few weeks.  I feel the time here flying by, especially now that I have a plan for when I get back to Canada.  The next chapter is definitely coming together. Which makes the last few pages of this chapter, extra special. I'm not quite sure why I'm choosing to view my life like a novel, but I'm just going to go with it.  Yesterday I went to Animal Kingdom and manged to go on Everest twice as well as the Kali River Rapid ride.  Which I got soaked both times but it was refreshing because it was a million degrees outside.  Sooo that was a nice time.  Then I bought some new lululemon shorts at the mall.  They are the most comfortable piece of clothing I have ever worn.  Well folks, I would love to continue telling you all about my life ... but I must run. Gotta finish packing, clean the house up, work out and possibly take a nap after lunch.  Ahhh what a great day.

from Florida with love,
Jilly

Hoop Dee Doo Revue Show

Last night my friends and I went to Fort Wilderness to watch the Hoop Dee Doo Revue show and dinner.  It was awesome!  They sang, danced, had funny jokes and got involved with the crowd.  We were sitting at a table right in the center and behind us there was a big empty space and it turns out that's where they do most of their songs and interact with the crowd from.  But the best part of the night is when me and 3 others got pulled up onto the stage to do one of their finally songs of the night.  We each had a part to play and got costumes to wear as well.  Turns out I was the Can Can Dancer!!  I put on this black poofy dress and went out on stage and did the can can for 30 seconds and then I got to say a line.  At the end of the night they give you a certificate and a picture of you up on stage.  I think I forgot to mention that the food comes in silver  buckets.  There was fried chicken, ribs, mashed potatoes, corn and not to mention corn bread.  Last night was definitely fun.  Tonight there is a throw in because we have some new people coming in the attraction as well as Food and Beverage.  Then on Friday I am going to Animal Kingdom for the day.  Saturday will be the best day ever because that's when my best friend is coming down to visit!!! I am so excited.  I've already got lots of plans for us to do.  It sure is going to be a good time.  Anyways, I must go and get ready for work.  Hope Canada isn't to cold.

from Florida with love,
Jilly

Early bird gets the worm ...

Today was really productive.  Got up nice and early to catch the 11:12 bus to go and get groceries at Wal-Mart.  Then I made myself some tastey pizza and had some Canada Dry ginger ale that I picked up, it was quite refreshing as today reached well over 100 degrees.  Then my friends and I headed to Bongos for supper followed by a little bit of shopping in the outlet mall (I bought a toque) which was a good time because there was so many end of summer sales.  Saturday has treated me well.  Anyways, that's about it for today. Tomorrow I work a nice little 6 hour shift because of mandatory overtime. Hope all is well back in Canada.

from Florida with love,
Jill

see ya later, alligator.

So this is what a I did last Saturday.  I realized before I left that the one thing I really wanted to do was sit on an alligator, and boy was it fun!  To be honest, it is a little scary to sit on something that could bite your arm off in a second, but they did tape the mouth shut (with what looked like electrical tape) before people sat on him.  After I sat on an alligator I went and fed the bigger ones hotdogs and then saw a creepy crawler show that featured a boa constrictor and various other types of snakes.  It was a great Saturday.  Work has been slow since the end of August but will be picking for the Food and Wine festival that starts September 30 and runs until the middle of November.  A couple of weeks ago I had the chance to head out to Phoenix to visit my cousin for 5 days and that was so much fun.  It was nice to get away for a while but I was glad to come back home.  It's hard to believe that in just 2 and a half months I will be heading back to the great white North.  The time past 9 months have gone by fast and I'm sure the next two will go by in a blink of an eye.  Just wanna send out a big thank you to everyone who reads this blog! I know I've been slacking on the number of posts (an entire month went by with nothing) but I've finally gotten a little bit of down time now to catch up.  We have a house inspection coming up on Sunday so I've been busy getting the house ready for that.  A couple of my friends have finished their program and are getting ready to leave, so we've been having a lot of throw outs lately which is sad but I guess we all knew that coming into the job that we would eventually leave.  I think I just heard the dryer beep, must get back to cleaning. 

from Florida with love,
Jill

shark week.

HEY.  Just wanted to tell everyone that it's August.  I also wanted to let everybody know that it's also Shark Week.  So go turn on the Discovery Channel, grab yourself some coffee and watch some sharks. 

Have a magical day!

from Florida with love,
Jilly

back to school.

This is what I spent the better part of my Sunday collecting at Publix.  Across the 4 different Disney parks we are doing a back to school drive. This will provide low income families with school supplies for their children who might otherwise not have the favorite jungle green crayon or glue sticks for all those arts and crafts during the school year.  It's just another way that Disney gives back to the local community.  I've been sick for the past three days, but I'm finally on the mend.  I slept the day away yesterday as well as today and I'm finally feeling like my old self again.  Half of Brazil was here this past week so that has made work quite busy.  It's supposed to slow down in the next couple of weeks which should give everyone some much needed rest before the Food and Wine festival starts up in September.  Hope things are kickin along nicely in Canada. 

from Florida with love,
Jilly