I was shooting in a different cabana today and I got to see Diego and CJ who are both from the San Diego park :0) It was beautiful today. So much better than Saturday when it was raining all day!
I got home from work today and went out for a 1 mile walk. I hadn't gotten very far before Mel drove by with Elizabeth in the back seat and said, "we're going walking with mom, wanna go with us?" So, I got in the car, kept Elizabeth company while Mel changed and then went for a 2 mile walk :0)
I am off work tomorrow and am planning on getting up early again to go back to Circle B Bar Preserve. There are areas I didn't get to see last week since I had to leave early due to the plumber being early. And with all the rain I'm sure things will be different. Haven't decided yet if I'm getting up with the sun, or letting myself wake up whenever and head over then. All I know is that I don't want to sit at home all day, and since it's free to go there, it seems to be the winning choice.
Have a good night :0)
Monday, October 10, 2011
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Dolphins - Day 4
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| 8am. Saturday morning. October 8th. It rained all the way to work, and not just a little bit or a sprinkle, but a steady, soaking rain. |
There was NO lightening today, just the rain, so we had no delays in our DIPs. Due to a shortage of cameras I only shot 3 (out of 6) times today. The first 2 I was wearing a "shorty" wet suit. It helped a bit with the cold but was suffocating and didn't exactly fit all that great, so I ended up taking it off. It was warmer in the water than out, so during the third DIP the top of me was rather cold as my t-shirt was getting drenched by the rain. We ended up not having a 7th Interaction so I was able to go home an hour early, which today, I happily accepted!
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| 4:15pm. Saturday afternoon. Rained all the way home.It only looks clearer because I didn't have a car in front of me kicking up a bunch of water. |
Friday, October 7, 2011
Dolphins - Day 3
I had a camera all day today :0) My trainer says I'm doing great, and he was barely even looking at my photos today 'cause "I don't really need any teaching" LOL Most likely he will sign off on my training tomorrow and I'll be considered a "Primary" photographer for DIP. That means I will be trained in all photo areas that I can do since I am not SCUBA certified so I can't do the underwater photos for our SeaVenture program.
The weather changed today. Awesome, dry, cool in the morning/evening weather has left us for a while again. We were out shooting and hand to go in because it was not only raining but there was lightening and thunder too close to the park so all water areas were closed for about 20 minutes. We then headed back into the water to finish the session, while it was still raining. Being int he water while it's raining is actually kind of fun. My only issue today was that the batteries in my external flash died so I had to keep adjusting my settings to get the photos bright enough. My trainer looked at me and said, "don't worry about lighting, I know your focus/color/lighting is good, we'll just look at your horizon and framing for this session". But I surprised him and was able to get the settings right and to hold still enough that they weren't blurry LOL
A really cool thing today was that in one of the DIPs that I shot was a familiar dolphin. Copper. Her mother was from San Diego and named Penny. Penny was a SUPER sweet and BEAUTIFUL dolphin. San Diego was very sad when Discovery Cove got to have her 11 years ago when they opened. Other dolphins that are at Discovery Cove that used to be in San Diego, or who's mother came from there, are: CJ, Diego, and Jenny.
It's supposed to rain again tomorrow, so we'll see how long or how many rain delays we get. But for now, that's all :0)
The weather changed today. Awesome, dry, cool in the morning/evening weather has left us for a while again. We were out shooting and hand to go in because it was not only raining but there was lightening and thunder too close to the park so all water areas were closed for about 20 minutes. We then headed back into the water to finish the session, while it was still raining. Being int he water while it's raining is actually kind of fun. My only issue today was that the batteries in my external flash died so I had to keep adjusting my settings to get the photos bright enough. My trainer looked at me and said, "don't worry about lighting, I know your focus/color/lighting is good, we'll just look at your horizon and framing for this session". But I surprised him and was able to get the settings right and to hold still enough that they weren't blurry LOL
A really cool thing today was that in one of the DIPs that I shot was a familiar dolphin. Copper. Her mother was from San Diego and named Penny. Penny was a SUPER sweet and BEAUTIFUL dolphin. San Diego was very sad when Discovery Cove got to have her 11 years ago when they opened. Other dolphins that are at Discovery Cove that used to be in San Diego, or who's mother came from there, are: CJ, Diego, and Jenny.
It's supposed to rain again tomorrow, so we'll see how long or how many rain delays we get. But for now, that's all :0)
Dolphins - Day 2
Somewhat similar to Day 1! Day 2 had me in the water for 5 DIPs with a camera in my hands each time. I am still "buddy shooting" and the guests aren't seeing my photos, but that's okay :0)
Day 2 also was a "late" shift, so after shooting in the pools I had to go up and work at Adventure Photo for a few hours. I was able to snag the "greeter" spot, so all I did was direct incoming guests to available clerks. I like this spot because I get to talk to people and see how their day was, what was their favorite thing, and NOT have to deal with photo packages LOL
Alright, time to get ready for Day 3, which will most likely be very similar to Day 2, only without the working at Adventure Photo part. Hopefully.
Bye for now :0)
Day 2 also was a "late" shift, so after shooting in the pools I had to go up and work at Adventure Photo for a few hours. I was able to snag the "greeter" spot, so all I did was direct incoming guests to available clerks. I like this spot because I get to talk to people and see how their day was, what was their favorite thing, and NOT have to deal with photo packages LOL
Alright, time to get ready for Day 3, which will most likely be very similar to Day 2, only without the working at Adventure Photo part. Hopefully.
Bye for now :0)
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Dolphins - Day 1
Woohoo!
My cabana had 8 Dolphin Interaction Programs (DIP) today. I watched 2 from the beach. Was "off" for the 3rd. 4th I had a camera but was on the beach. 5th I stood in the water and watched without a camera. There was a proposal during that one which was really cool. The dolphin brought the girl a buoy that had her name and Will You Marry Me on it. She said yes, amongst tears and smiles. Our pool/cabana was "off" for the 6th DIP for lunch. 7th I had a camera and did a "buddy shoot", I was a secondary photographer and my photos didn't go to the guests at all. 8th my trainer and I stayed in the cabana to clean and to go over my photos. All was good. I had fun :0)
After work I went walking with Mel, her mom, and Elizabeth. We walked 2 miles. I was nice :0)
Now I'm headed to bed, I get to sleep in just a bit tomorrow if I want since I don't work until 10:15, but I probably won't.
My cabana had 8 Dolphin Interaction Programs (DIP) today. I watched 2 from the beach. Was "off" for the 3rd. 4th I had a camera but was on the beach. 5th I stood in the water and watched without a camera. There was a proposal during that one which was really cool. The dolphin brought the girl a buoy that had her name and Will You Marry Me on it. She said yes, amongst tears and smiles. Our pool/cabana was "off" for the 6th DIP for lunch. 7th I had a camera and did a "buddy shoot", I was a secondary photographer and my photos didn't go to the guests at all. 8th my trainer and I stayed in the cabana to clean and to go over my photos. All was good. I had fun :0)
After work I went walking with Mel, her mom, and Elizabeth. We walked 2 miles. I was nice :0)
Now I'm headed to bed, I get to sleep in just a bit tomorrow if I want since I don't work until 10:15, but I probably won't.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
1st photo hunt
After being here for 2 months I have finally ventured out on a Photo Hunt! I found a place that is just under 12 miles away from the house, it's free to get into, and it was fun! While I was there I met 3 ladies who also had cameras with them and were "birding". Seeing them together made me REALLY wish Autumn was with me 'cause it was one of those places that we would go to together and spend hours.
The place is called Circle B Bar Preserve and is run by the Southwest Florida Water Management District which made me think of mom and Lake Murray. There were a ton of different birds, a million dragonflies, a section of the path had a bunch of super big and scary spiders (though at the same time they were kind of cool...the females are the giant ones and the males are tiny and look nothing like the females. There were trees dripping with Spanish Moss and ones that looked bare and dead that reflected the rising sun.
It was nice to get out and walk with my camera this morning. The weather has cooled off a bit, especially in the evening and early morning. And early it was LOL I left the house at 6:30am. Next time I want to leave even earlier to catch more of the pre-dawn light and not just the sunrise. As usual I have posted my photos to flickr. I still haven't gotten my camera cleaned, so please forgive the gunk you can see in some of the shots that have sky in them, as it seems those are the ones when you can see the dirt the most. And as a quick taste of what you will see if you decide to venture over to flickr to kill some time, here is a collage :0)
The place is called Circle B Bar Preserve and is run by the Southwest Florida Water Management District which made me think of mom and Lake Murray. There were a ton of different birds, a million dragonflies, a section of the path had a bunch of super big and scary spiders (though at the same time they were kind of cool...the females are the giant ones and the males are tiny and look nothing like the females. There were trees dripping with Spanish Moss and ones that looked bare and dead that reflected the rising sun.
It was nice to get out and walk with my camera this morning. The weather has cooled off a bit, especially in the evening and early morning. And early it was LOL I left the house at 6:30am. Next time I want to leave even earlier to catch more of the pre-dawn light and not just the sunrise. As usual I have posted my photos to flickr. I still haven't gotten my camera cleaned, so please forgive the gunk you can see in some of the shots that have sky in them, as it seems those are the ones when you can see the dirt the most. And as a quick taste of what you will see if you decide to venture over to flickr to kill some time, here is a collage :0)
Sunday, October 2, 2011
2 months
Well, as of today I have been in Florida for 2 months.
Work is going well. I finally get to start taking photos of the dolphin program on Wednesday. It's either 4 or 5 days of training. :0)
I've had to laugh the last few days. The news and radio weather reports keep talking about a "cold front" and it feeling like "Fall". Yes, at night the temperature had dropped nicely. It was 68* last night at 10:30pm. However, during the day it is still in the low-mid 80's LOL Yesterday I thought it was a perfect day at work and had co-workers complaining that it was "cold".
I have a few days off in a row, and not quite sure what I'm going to do with them, other than laundry. I think I want to get out and take photos somewhere, but not sure where. I was at Wilderness Lodge last night I wished I had my camera with me because it was beautiful. I may just go wander around some of the Disney hotels. That way I can get just a bit of a "Disney fix" since I still don't have a pass. If I had a pass, I know exactly what I'd be doing on a day off . . . wandering around the parks!
Well, that's all for now.
Work is going well. I finally get to start taking photos of the dolphin program on Wednesday. It's either 4 or 5 days of training. :0)
I've had to laugh the last few days. The news and radio weather reports keep talking about a "cold front" and it feeling like "Fall". Yes, at night the temperature had dropped nicely. It was 68* last night at 10:30pm. However, during the day it is still in the low-mid 80's LOL Yesterday I thought it was a perfect day at work and had co-workers complaining that it was "cold".
I have a few days off in a row, and not quite sure what I'm going to do with them, other than laundry. I think I want to get out and take photos somewhere, but not sure where. I was at Wilderness Lodge last night I wished I had my camera with me because it was beautiful. I may just go wander around some of the Disney hotels. That way I can get just a bit of a "Disney fix" since I still don't have a pass. If I had a pass, I know exactly what I'd be doing on a day off . . . wandering around the parks!
Well, that's all for now.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Birthdays and Weddings and Critters
The little one that I live with turned 2 this past week. We had a birthday party for her at the house. It was supposed to be at the park but about an hour before start time the sky opened up and all guests were contacted to come to the house. It was fun and the front yard looked like a game of Tetris played with cars!
Then yesterday a dear friend got married. Many of my Disney family were able to go to Colorado to celebrate this wonderful day. Sadly I was not there, but felt included with photos being posted and a live video being streamed. I took these photos a year ago just a few days after they got engaged. Congratulations to Nic and Dan Curtis. I wish you many years of love and happiness.
Since I was home alone with the 4-legged critters I decided to get some photos of them. Fonzie could care less about having the camera in his face, Monte tolerated it, but Gus DOES NOT like the camera. I've tried taking pictures of him with my phone and he gets up and moves before I can catch him, and he didn't like the "real" camera any more. I even sat on the floor with them, which makes Gus stand taller than me, and he was trying to hide between me and the wall to avoid the camera! Such a big baby!
Then yesterday a dear friend got married. Many of my Disney family were able to go to Colorado to celebrate this wonderful day. Sadly I was not there, but felt included with photos being posted and a live video being streamed. I took these photos a year ago just a few days after they got engaged. Congratulations to Nic and Dan Curtis. I wish you many years of love and happiness.
Since I was home alone with the 4-legged critters I decided to get some photos of them. Fonzie could care less about having the camera in his face, Monte tolerated it, but Gus DOES NOT like the camera. I've tried taking pictures of him with my phone and he gets up and moves before I can catch him, and he didn't like the "real" camera any more. I even sat on the floor with them, which makes Gus stand taller than me, and he was trying to hide between me and the wall to avoid the camera! Such a big baby!
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Photos from Labor Day at Disney
I'll make this short and sweet.
Here are links to the flickr photo sets from Labor Day at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT along with one for Elizabeth's 1st haircut.
Magic Kingdom
EPCOT
1st Haircut
And my favorite photo from the day:
Here are links to the flickr photo sets from Labor Day at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT along with one for Elizabeth's 1st haircut.
Magic Kingdom
EPCOT
1st Haircut
And my favorite photo from the day:
Monday, September 12, 2011
Love Bugs
No, not Herbie, or cute pictures of lady bugs, or a sweet baby girl that I call a love bug. Nope. These are actual bugs. I had heard about them. And now I have experienced them. Drove through a cloud of them today. Was VERY glad I was driving and not walking!!! The fly around just like in the photo, hence the name Love Bug. I didn't take this picture, I was going to take one yesterday when they landed on the car window on our way to church, but I couldn't reach my phone LOL So yeah, not the 1st crazy insect I've encountered here, but definitely one that I will gladly see go soon! Now I need to go wash my car LOL
Oh, and yesterday I saw my 1st & 2nd gators since I've been here! The 1st one was floating belly up in the big lake near the house and the 2nd was floating like a log in a retention pond along the road on our way to church.
Oh, and yesterday I saw my 1st & 2nd gators since I've been here! The 1st one was floating belly up in the big lake near the house and the 2nd was floating like a log in a retention pond along the road on our way to church.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Florida weather is on crack! (and some other ramblings)
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| View out the drivers side window when I got off I4 & was almost home |
So yeah, it was BEAUTIFUL at work today! Just enough sun and clouds that it wasn't swelteringly hot! Then it was time to drive home. As I made the turn onto I4 there are bright sun rays shining down through dark clouds, and in the distance you could tell it was raining. Driving. Driving. Dry. Driving. Driving. Sprinkling. Driving. Raining. Driving. WHEN DID I ENTER A CAR WASH!?!?!?!?!? The rain was coming down so hard that it was exactly like going through a car wash, once the soap has been added, when you can't see the octopus scrubbies headed towards you. Driving. Driving. Raining. Driving. Sprinkling. Driving. Dry. So dry it didn't look like it had rained for a few days. Take the off ramp for home and it starts sprinkling again. Then rain. Then downpour. I park at home and sit in the car waiting to see if the rain will let up just a little. Which is really funny because I was still wet from being in the pools at work today LOL
And speaking of work . . .
I have had some awesome guest interaction this week. People who saw me in one location and kept finding me and having me take more photos for them.
1. 25th anniversary trip for a couple from Iowa
2. Couple that just got engaged
3. Another who were on their honeymoon
4. Family who just bought a new underwater camera on the cruise ship 2 days prior and it broke on the way into the park. I let them know where/when I would be in different areas and they kept finding me. At one spot I was facing away from them and didn't see them so the dad called out "hey Camera Lady!" and I had to laugh, saying to myself "no, it's Photo Girl" :0)
5. Multiple groups that I took photos of during the day and then at the end when they were picking up their photos I was the one directing them to available clerks and they told me how much fun they had.
I am LOVING my job! However, my body isn't quite sure about it LOL Today one of my toes decided to grow and burst a blister in about 3 hours. My feet aren't quite liking being wet for 3-5 hours. The new sandals I got are comfy but aren't actually "quick dry foot bed" ones, but SO much better than what I had. I'm wearing my tennis shoes in the morning until I change into the "wet clothes" which is helping. My back has decided (again) that it doesn't really like standing and holding a camera for 8 hours a day and being in the water may not be helping that much either. But even with all that, I am LOVING my job!!! And in the end, that's the most important part right?!
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Update (sorry, no creative title tonight LOL)
Well, I have now been in Florida for a full month!!!
Yesterday I got signed off at work by my trainer to be a "primary photographer" for all areas except the dolphin interaction. I am taking entry photos, which is actually pretty fun, unlike at Sea World San Diego LOL These photos are FREE and the guests haven't had to wait forever to park, then to get in through the gates. I had a lady today thank us for being so efficient! She said that they had been able to check in (which involves getting photos taken & ID lanyards made) and walked down the "nature trail" to find that we had 3 photographers waiting to be able to handle the "traffic flow" of incoming guests. I think she said it had taken 10 minutes max since they had parked to get to the photographers!
I am also taking photos in the aviary, which I really enjoy. The birds are beautiful and it's fun to watch the kids faces when they have a bird land on them and eat out of a cup in their hand. The other 3 places I'm taking photos are all IN the water. The "resort pool" which generally has a waterfall in the distant background. The reef, where the stingrays and fish are. This location is actually a bit meh, only because the guests are looking down at the water most of the time and we don't have polarizers, so you can't see anything in the water. I only got a few photos there today. The last location is the waterfall in the river at the water entrance for the aviary. At one point today I took 39 photos there in 10 minutes...it was CRAZY.
I got new sandals. They were on sale for 50% off so I only paid $32. They are comfy, but are not a quick dry footbed. I'm thinking I'm going to wear my tennis shoes in the morning for the nature trail photos in my "dry" clothes and then change into the sandals for when I'm headed to the water.
It was a good week, and I am VERY happy it is over and I have Sunday and Monday off :0) Hope you all have a good holiday weekend!
Yesterday I got signed off at work by my trainer to be a "primary photographer" for all areas except the dolphin interaction. I am taking entry photos, which is actually pretty fun, unlike at Sea World San Diego LOL These photos are FREE and the guests haven't had to wait forever to park, then to get in through the gates. I had a lady today thank us for being so efficient! She said that they had been able to check in (which involves getting photos taken & ID lanyards made) and walked down the "nature trail" to find that we had 3 photographers waiting to be able to handle the "traffic flow" of incoming guests. I think she said it had taken 10 minutes max since they had parked to get to the photographers!
I am also taking photos in the aviary, which I really enjoy. The birds are beautiful and it's fun to watch the kids faces when they have a bird land on them and eat out of a cup in their hand. The other 3 places I'm taking photos are all IN the water. The "resort pool" which generally has a waterfall in the distant background. The reef, where the stingrays and fish are. This location is actually a bit meh, only because the guests are looking down at the water most of the time and we don't have polarizers, so you can't see anything in the water. I only got a few photos there today. The last location is the waterfall in the river at the water entrance for the aviary. At one point today I took 39 photos there in 10 minutes...it was CRAZY.
I got new sandals. They were on sale for 50% off so I only paid $32. They are comfy, but are not a quick dry footbed. I'm thinking I'm going to wear my tennis shoes in the morning for the nature trail photos in my "dry" clothes and then change into the sandals for when I'm headed to the water.
It was a good week, and I am VERY happy it is over and I have Sunday and Monday off :0) Hope you all have a good holiday weekend!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Catching up on photos
With my computer having a cold I haven't added any photos to my blog posts lately. I thought I'd do a "catch up" post with links to the photo sets on flickr and then those of you actually reading this who haven't seen the photos and need something to fill some time, would like to see them, then you can :0)
The adorable little one I live with and some of her with her mama in the pool having fun.
Florida, well, the few photos I've taken while a passenger in the car and when we were at the park.
I spent a few hours at the Magic Kingdom. We went for the re-opening of the Tiki Room and stayed for Memories, Magic, & You and for the fireworks.
We went to the park and I missed my best friend while I was wandering around taking the "creative" shots.
Well, that's it so far.
The adorable little one I live with and some of her with her mama in the pool having fun.
Florida, well, the few photos I've taken while a passenger in the car and when we were at the park.
I spent a few hours at the Magic Kingdom. We went for the re-opening of the Tiki Room and stayed for Memories, Magic, & You and for the fireworks.
We went to the park and I missed my best friend while I was wandering around taking the "creative" shots.
Well, that's it so far.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
It's about time...
Today I FINALLY got to use a camera at work :0)
The day started with "comp photo" known at Sea World as "front gate photo" but at Discovery Cove the guests actually WANT the photo 'cause it's free!!! Only had 1 couple say no, they don't "do" photos.
After that I got to go to the aviary. That was FUN!!!! The birds are beautiful and it's pretty much all candid photos. We will get some people asking us for photos, but it's mostly just us seeing them with a bird and taking the photo. They generally will pose for us after the 1st photo is taken.
Downside today? NONE of my photos actually went into guest files :0( Though I was VERY tempted to put a few of my bird photos into those files LOL
Next shift? I'm supposed to bring my "wet clothes" 'cause I'll be in the water :0) I'll start at the comp photos again and then in the river, 'resort pool', and possibly the Grand Reef where the sting rays are. Just trying to find different sandals 'cause my feet slide too much in the strappy Teva type style I have now. However, it's hard to find some in a price range I really feel comfortable spending. YES, I know, it's an investment and my feet will thank me for spending the money. But it's just hard to spend that much on shoes. Heck, I don't like spending that much on me for any type of clothing, and never have. Oh well, I'll figure something out LOL
I'm off again tomorrow. Not sure what I'm gonna do with my day. If I wake up early I might go walking/jogging since it seems to always be raining when we try to get out in the evening. That is if I wake up and actually get out of bed instead of snuggling deeper into the bed and going back to sleep!
The day started with "comp photo" known at Sea World as "front gate photo" but at Discovery Cove the guests actually WANT the photo 'cause it's free!!! Only had 1 couple say no, they don't "do" photos.
After that I got to go to the aviary. That was FUN!!!! The birds are beautiful and it's pretty much all candid photos. We will get some people asking us for photos, but it's mostly just us seeing them with a bird and taking the photo. They generally will pose for us after the 1st photo is taken.
Downside today? NONE of my photos actually went into guest files :0( Though I was VERY tempted to put a few of my bird photos into those files LOL
Next shift? I'm supposed to bring my "wet clothes" 'cause I'll be in the water :0) I'll start at the comp photos again and then in the river, 'resort pool', and possibly the Grand Reef where the sting rays are. Just trying to find different sandals 'cause my feet slide too much in the strappy Teva type style I have now. However, it's hard to find some in a price range I really feel comfortable spending. YES, I know, it's an investment and my feet will thank me for spending the money. But it's just hard to spend that much on shoes. Heck, I don't like spending that much on me for any type of clothing, and never have. Oh well, I'll figure something out LOL
I'm off again tomorrow. Not sure what I'm gonna do with my day. If I wake up early I might go walking/jogging since it seems to always be raining when we try to get out in the evening. That is if I wake up and actually get out of bed instead of snuggling deeper into the bed and going back to sleep!
Sunday, August 28, 2011
hi again
Well, I kind of slacked off on my blogging. After being in Florida for 3 weeks my body finally decided to say: what the heck? And I got sick. Mel looked at my throat and said that my tonsils were nasty, which would explain the sore throat LOL
Work had been going well. I've been working the "retail" portion this week, so I was at the main photo location doing sales. It's pretty easy. We do get slammed at the end of the day, or when there are thunderstorms and they clear all the pools for safety LOL
On Tuesday I have my 1st shift as a photographer. I'm hoping that means I will actually have a camera in my hands! Shifts are 7:15am-3:45pm. So I'll be leaving the house around 6:15...don't think I've EVER left that early for a shift since I've been working for Sea World. But it's all good, means I'm home earlier :0)
We went to the park today with Elizabeth. I got some photos of her playing and took a few around the park itself. It's a cute park, and where the little one's 2nd birthday party will be in a few weeks.
Wandering around the park with my camera made me miss Autumn. I miss my camera buddy and our photo adventures. She went to Disneyland on Friday with lil' Audrey and sent me a few photos. I'm really hoping to be able to get a Disney pass for out here sometime soon. It's been hard being this close, I drive past the park exits every day for work, and not being able to go LOL I might go to Universal one weekday when I'm off though. Have Earl drop me off on his way to work 'cause parking is $20 and that's just crazy!!! I can get in free with my work ID, but we still have to pay parking LOL I also want to go over to Busch Gardens sometime soon, as well as try to save the money to get into MY park for the day, without doing the dolphin swim 'cause that's A LOT less, and then I can take photos to share with everyone :0)
Okay, that's it for now. Have a good week :0)
Work had been going well. I've been working the "retail" portion this week, so I was at the main photo location doing sales. It's pretty easy. We do get slammed at the end of the day, or when there are thunderstorms and they clear all the pools for safety LOL
On Tuesday I have my 1st shift as a photographer. I'm hoping that means I will actually have a camera in my hands! Shifts are 7:15am-3:45pm. So I'll be leaving the house around 6:15...don't think I've EVER left that early for a shift since I've been working for Sea World. But it's all good, means I'm home earlier :0)
We went to the park today with Elizabeth. I got some photos of her playing and took a few around the park itself. It's a cute park, and where the little one's 2nd birthday party will be in a few weeks.
Wandering around the park with my camera made me miss Autumn. I miss my camera buddy and our photo adventures. She went to Disneyland on Friday with lil' Audrey and sent me a few photos. I'm really hoping to be able to get a Disney pass for out here sometime soon. It's been hard being this close, I drive past the park exits every day for work, and not being able to go LOL I might go to Universal one weekday when I'm off though. Have Earl drop me off on his way to work 'cause parking is $20 and that's just crazy!!! I can get in free with my work ID, but we still have to pay parking LOL I also want to go over to Busch Gardens sometime soon, as well as try to save the money to get into MY park for the day, without doing the dolphin swim 'cause that's A LOT less, and then I can take photos to share with everyone :0)
Okay, that's it for now. Have a good week :0)
Friday, August 19, 2011
Finally!!!!!!!
Spent my first real day in MY park today!!! 8 hours of fun :0)
The 1st half of the day was spent in one of the cabanas where the guests go straight after their Dolphin Interaction, to view and order their photos. This is run pretty much just like Interaction Photo in San Diego, but DC has an upgraded program and it's AWESOME! The photographers come in, download the photos for their group and then the guests get to pick the ones of just them and it creates the file for them. They can then scroll through the photos (instead of having to go 1 by 1) and when it's time to order it's kind of like a drag and drop, where there are blank squares for how many photos go in their chosen package so they don't get quite so confused :0)
After lunch I went up to Adventure Photo (yup, all the parks have AP as their main photo location...makes it easy for me LOL). I was in "Production" which is in the back putting together all the photo packages that come through from the cabanas when the guests place their order. I think there were 20 printers, 2 CD towers, so...12 CDs can burn at a time, and 16 DVD drives. We do 6x8 prints & all the packages come with 1-4x6 and 2 key chains. The biggest package also gets a 'poster' size print, and those are really cool. Due to the lightening strike at the park on Tuesday (no worries, I wasn't there and the people who were effected are back to work, they were just a bit shaken up), one of the poster printers is fried, and ALL of the DVD drives crashed this afternoon. They think it's related to the lightening too, just a bit delayed. The photos print out and we have to read tiny numbers to make sure they get put together in the correct package.
One of the printers ran out of paper and I just started to change it. I called over the other person who was training today and showed him how to do it. Then I looked at the lady who was training us and apologized for doing the training, that it was just habit. She laughed and said it was okay, that it was actually good to know/see that I know what I'm doing and felt comfortable showing someone else.
I work again tomorrow. I think I'll be up front in the "retail" part of AP. It get REALLY crazy towards the end of the day 'cause people wait even though we tell them they can go after about an hour depending on what they are ordering. Then I have Sunday and Monday off. Next week I am working Tuesday through Saturday...all are 8 hour shifts :0) Though they will all be shifts similar to what I was doing today and will be doing tomorrow. It will be at least a week before I get to have a camera in my hands, or that's what the lady training me today said. They want to make sure we know the retail side because photo shifts can frequently end up at AP helping with either production or retail.
Okay, I've pretty much written a novel tonight and sadly, there are no photos to go with it. Not even cell phone photos 'cause our phones have to be in our locker, not even with us for the time LOL I bought a watch :0) Time to read for a bit, then it's off to bed. Good night and thanks for reading :0)
The 1st half of the day was spent in one of the cabanas where the guests go straight after their Dolphin Interaction, to view and order their photos. This is run pretty much just like Interaction Photo in San Diego, but DC has an upgraded program and it's AWESOME! The photographers come in, download the photos for their group and then the guests get to pick the ones of just them and it creates the file for them. They can then scroll through the photos (instead of having to go 1 by 1) and when it's time to order it's kind of like a drag and drop, where there are blank squares for how many photos go in their chosen package so they don't get quite so confused :0)
After lunch I went up to Adventure Photo (yup, all the parks have AP as their main photo location...makes it easy for me LOL). I was in "Production" which is in the back putting together all the photo packages that come through from the cabanas when the guests place their order. I think there were 20 printers, 2 CD towers, so...12 CDs can burn at a time, and 16 DVD drives. We do 6x8 prints & all the packages come with 1-4x6 and 2 key chains. The biggest package also gets a 'poster' size print, and those are really cool. Due to the lightening strike at the park on Tuesday (no worries, I wasn't there and the people who were effected are back to work, they were just a bit shaken up), one of the poster printers is fried, and ALL of the DVD drives crashed this afternoon. They think it's related to the lightening too, just a bit delayed. The photos print out and we have to read tiny numbers to make sure they get put together in the correct package.
One of the printers ran out of paper and I just started to change it. I called over the other person who was training today and showed him how to do it. Then I looked at the lady who was training us and apologized for doing the training, that it was just habit. She laughed and said it was okay, that it was actually good to know/see that I know what I'm doing and felt comfortable showing someone else.
I work again tomorrow. I think I'll be up front in the "retail" part of AP. It get REALLY crazy towards the end of the day 'cause people wait even though we tell them they can go after about an hour depending on what they are ordering. Then I have Sunday and Monday off. Next week I am working Tuesday through Saturday...all are 8 hour shifts :0) Though they will all be shifts similar to what I was doing today and will be doing tomorrow. It will be at least a week before I get to have a camera in my hands, or that's what the lady training me today said. They want to make sure we know the retail side because photo shifts can frequently end up at AP helping with either production or retail.
Okay, I've pretty much written a novel tonight and sadly, there are no photos to go with it. Not even cell phone photos 'cause our phones have to be in our locker, not even with us for the time LOL I bought a watch :0) Time to read for a bit, then it's off to bed. Good night and thanks for reading :0)
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Shocked myself!
And I don't mean with an electrical current!
Last night I went out "training" with Mel and Jen. We did 2 miles in 40 minutes with an interval of walking 5 minutes and JOGGING 30 seconds. Yes. I was jogging. It was only for 30 seconds at a time, but still, I was jogging. But what I think is the scariest part? I want to go again!!! :0) My back however, it didn't really like me much afterwards and decided to tighten up so much it was hard to get to sleep and was a bit stiff this morning. But I want to go again :0)
Went to church today. We sang: Every Move I Make and it made me feel like I was back with the high school youth group. It made me smile.
No new photos right now 'cause my computer decided to catch a virus, but the Vacation Family has a friend who can fix it for me.
It's nap time now :0)
Last night I went out "training" with Mel and Jen. We did 2 miles in 40 minutes with an interval of walking 5 minutes and JOGGING 30 seconds. Yes. I was jogging. It was only for 30 seconds at a time, but still, I was jogging. But what I think is the scariest part? I want to go again!!! :0) My back however, it didn't really like me much afterwards and decided to tighten up so much it was hard to get to sleep and was a bit stiff this morning. But I want to go again :0)
Went to church today. We sang: Every Move I Make and it made me feel like I was back with the high school youth group. It made me smile.
No new photos right now 'cause my computer decided to catch a virus, but the Vacation Family has a friend who can fix it for me.
It's nap time now :0)
Thursday, August 11, 2011
:0)
I got a library card yesterday :0)
The library is A LOT smaller than the one I'm used to, but I happily found books right away, so all is good. On the way to the library I saw this thing above me out of the corner of my eye. Yeah, it was a water plane LOL Cruising just above the trees, landed in the lake, and then took off again. It was pretty cool, but of course I didn't have my camera with me, and my phone wasn't quite gonna get it LOL I guess it's actually a pretty common occurrence, so I'll just have to watch for it again and catch a picture another time. I also need to get photos of the oak trees here that have moss growing on them, hanging down from the branches, they look SO cool.
That's all for now. I have my actual 1st day tomorrow. Connections Training...otherwise known as Company Orientation LOL uh, yeah, I transferred from the same company, but the last time I went through CO it was called Cornerstones and it was 4 years ago, so that's not too bad LOL
The library is A LOT smaller than the one I'm used to, but I happily found books right away, so all is good. On the way to the library I saw this thing above me out of the corner of my eye. Yeah, it was a water plane LOL Cruising just above the trees, landed in the lake, and then took off again. It was pretty cool, but of course I didn't have my camera with me, and my phone wasn't quite gonna get it LOL I guess it's actually a pretty common occurrence, so I'll just have to watch for it again and catch a picture another time. I also need to get photos of the oak trees here that have moss growing on them, hanging down from the branches, they look SO cool.
That's all for now. I have my actual 1st day tomorrow. Connections Training...otherwise known as Company Orientation LOL uh, yeah, I transferred from the same company, but the last time I went through CO it was called Cornerstones and it was 4 years ago, so that's not too bad LOL
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Note to self...
It's an automatic
There is no clutch
I do not need to shift
This will take some getting used to LOL I got it a sunshade, seat covers, & a steering wheel cover today. Was only going to get the steering wheel cover for now, but it made more sense to buy the box set with the seat covers too 'cause it made it quite a bit less. Now I just need to start working and getting a paycheck so that I can get to work and pay my bills!
There is no clutch
I do not need to shift
This will take some getting used to LOL I got it a sunshade, seat covers, & a steering wheel cover today. Was only going to get the steering wheel cover for now, but it made more sense to buy the box set with the seat covers too 'cause it made it quite a bit less. Now I just need to start working and getting a paycheck so that I can get to work and pay my bills!
Monday, August 8, 2011
Three firsts...kind of
Yesterday I went to church here for the 1st time. I went with Mel & Elizabeth and was very happy when they started playing songs that I knew and have been singing at FHPC for years. It just so happens that my 1st time at this church is the day their Pastor announces that he has accepted a call elsewhere. Time for changes for everyone it seems. It will take a bit getting used to a new church, especially after attending the same church for so many years, but I think I'm going to like it. However, I will still be listening to the FHPC sermons online...too bad we don't include the worship on the recordings LOL
After church I experienced my 1st real taste of "Southern Food". Mel's family was laughing at me because I needed a tour guide of the buffet line to know what I was looking at and to know what I wanted to eat, or to avoid. I have fallen in love with fried green tomatoes...they are tasty!!! And I avoided the collard greens LOL Overall, I truly enjoyed the meal.
Then today was my "1st" day of work. But not really it ended up. I was at Human Resources for my meeting at 9am, and was walking across the street to spend the rest of the day "killing time" at Sea World by 9:20am. I signed 3 papers. I 'ordered' my uniform. I got my training schedule. That's it. I now have until Friday before I go in for training, and then again on Wednesday and Thursday. Friday will be what used to be "Cornerstones", I forget what we are calling it now LOL and a tour of Discovery Cove. Then I will have department training for Merchandise, followed by photo training (that could be interesting to see what they say), and then the last day of training is "cash handling" or register training. Yeah, I may need copious amounts of coffee or super cold water to keep me awake! On Thursday (next week) I should be getting my actual schedule. I'm looking forward to the park tour and to actually start working, especially since that will me I will start getting paid!
Tomorrow I go get my car. I know I can get to and from work okay, it's just if I can get from the car lot to the house that I'm worried about LOL There are multiple ways to get EVERYWHERE in this small town and I've been turned around every which way. It will definitely be an adventure :0)
After church I experienced my 1st real taste of "Southern Food". Mel's family was laughing at me because I needed a tour guide of the buffet line to know what I was looking at and to know what I wanted to eat, or to avoid. I have fallen in love with fried green tomatoes...they are tasty!!! And I avoided the collard greens LOL Overall, I truly enjoyed the meal.
Then today was my "1st" day of work. But not really it ended up. I was at Human Resources for my meeting at 9am, and was walking across the street to spend the rest of the day "killing time" at Sea World by 9:20am. I signed 3 papers. I 'ordered' my uniform. I got my training schedule. That's it. I now have until Friday before I go in for training, and then again on Wednesday and Thursday. Friday will be what used to be "Cornerstones", I forget what we are calling it now LOL and a tour of Discovery Cove. Then I will have department training for Merchandise, followed by photo training (that could be interesting to see what they say), and then the last day of training is "cash handling" or register training. Yeah, I may need copious amounts of coffee or super cold water to keep me awake! On Thursday (next week) I should be getting my actual schedule. I'm looking forward to the park tour and to actually start working, especially since that will me I will start getting paid!
Tomorrow I go get my car. I know I can get to and from work okay, it's just if I can get from the car lot to the house that I'm worried about LOL There are multiple ways to get EVERYWHERE in this small town and I've been turned around every which way. It will definitely be an adventure :0)
Saturday, August 6, 2011
4 full days...
I have been in Florida for 4 full days now. Still getting used to the humidity, the heat is pretty much the same as a hot day back in San Diego, but the humidity? That's a completely different beast!!!
So, what have I done in the past 4 days?
1. Wednesday. I unpacked and just relaxed at the house.
2. Thursday. I spent the day at Sea World Orlando with my friend Carolyn and her son John. It was my 1st real test of being outside and doing more than watching the dogs pee. LOL here is the full set of photos on flickr, but i'll also add a collage at the bottom of this post with a few of them.
3. Friday. Another day of relaxing and trying to get used to the time change. We also headed over to The Boardwalk and everyone went running while I took Elizabeth in her stroller and walked. It was raining, but it was a nice walk. We went around the lake in front of the Beach Club & Yacht Club resorts, and past the path that is the International Gateway into EPCOT. We then had dinner at ESPN, I had a tasty Turkey, Brie, and Cranberry mayo sandwich. Then I couldn't sleep...finally fell asleep around 2:15am (blech) and was awake at 7am.
4. Saturday. Today. We went car shopping and have found me a car :0) I'll be able to pick it up on Monday or Tuesday once we get the money for my deposit and I have figured out where I'm getting my insurance from.
Tomorrow I'm going to church with Mel and Elizabeth. Mel is excited for me to go, and I'm looking forward to it. Really hoping it's a "good fit" 'cause I don't want to go church shopping. I know I have to avoid trying to compare it to FHPC! And that will probably be difficult since it was home for so long.
One more day until I start work. I have no idea exactly what my 1st day will include or how long it will be. I called the HR person I'm meeting with yesterday and she didn't call me back. So I think I'm taking different pants to change into in case I'm done early and then I'll go across the street to Sea World to wait for my ride since I won't have my car yet and I'm carpooling. I will definitely do another post after my 1st day, well, unless it's just a boring day of paperwork and training LOL
Now...for the pictures...
So, what have I done in the past 4 days?
1. Wednesday. I unpacked and just relaxed at the house.
2. Thursday. I spent the day at Sea World Orlando with my friend Carolyn and her son John. It was my 1st real test of being outside and doing more than watching the dogs pee. LOL here is the full set of photos on flickr, but i'll also add a collage at the bottom of this post with a few of them.
3. Friday. Another day of relaxing and trying to get used to the time change. We also headed over to The Boardwalk and everyone went running while I took Elizabeth in her stroller and walked. It was raining, but it was a nice walk. We went around the lake in front of the Beach Club & Yacht Club resorts, and past the path that is the International Gateway into EPCOT. We then had dinner at ESPN, I had a tasty Turkey, Brie, and Cranberry mayo sandwich. Then I couldn't sleep...finally fell asleep around 2:15am (blech) and was awake at 7am.
4. Saturday. Today. We went car shopping and have found me a car :0) I'll be able to pick it up on Monday or Tuesday once we get the money for my deposit and I have figured out where I'm getting my insurance from.
Tomorrow I'm going to church with Mel and Elizabeth. Mel is excited for me to go, and I'm looking forward to it. Really hoping it's a "good fit" 'cause I don't want to go church shopping. I know I have to avoid trying to compare it to FHPC! And that will probably be difficult since it was home for so long.
One more day until I start work. I have no idea exactly what my 1st day will include or how long it will be. I called the HR person I'm meeting with yesterday and she didn't call me back. So I think I'm taking different pants to change into in case I'm done early and then I'll go across the street to Sea World to wait for my ride since I won't have my car yet and I'm carpooling. I will definitely do another post after my 1st day, well, unless it's just a boring day of paperwork and training LOL
Now...for the pictures...
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
FLORIDA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Long day, but a VERY good day! Flight from San Diego to Denver was uneventful, but included an awesome view of the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley. However I hadn't thought to put my phone in "airplane mode" so I didn't take any photos (yes, the photographer failed). I got off the plane in Denver and found Jeeper waiting for me :0) A quick hi and goodbye as he set off to LA. Had about an hour wait, and then boarded my second flight, Denver to Orlando. Again, uneventful...this is the best way to fly! The sky was clear for most of the cross-county trip, so I got to see a lot of ground.
I took a few photos, they'll get posted in the next few days.
Arriving at the airport I got my luggage and then headed out to wait for the ride home...drinking the air will take a bit of getting used to LOL We got to the house and when I got out of the car my glasses fogged up :0)
I am a happy girl! I've got amazing people who have welcomed me into their home, with a little girl who snuggled up on the couch, 2 dogs who just want love, and a cat. Yeah, we'll just avoid the cat LOL
It's technically only 7:30pm for the time schedule I should be on, but the clock I'm looking at says 10:33. With only getting 2 hours of sleep last night, I'm almost ready for bed!
I took a few photos, they'll get posted in the next few days.
Arriving at the airport I got my luggage and then headed out to wait for the ride home...drinking the air will take a bit of getting used to LOL We got to the house and when I got out of the car my glasses fogged up :0)
I am a happy girl! I've got amazing people who have welcomed me into their home, with a little girl who snuggled up on the couch, 2 dogs who just want love, and a cat. Yeah, we'll just avoid the cat LOL
It's technically only 7:30pm for the time schedule I should be on, but the clock I'm looking at says 10:33. With only getting 2 hours of sleep last night, I'm almost ready for bed!
2:30am
Yep, it's 2:30am and I'm still awake. At this point I'm thinking I'll just stay awake and then maybe I'll sleep on the plane. We are leaving the house around 6am, I want to make sure I have more than enough time. I don't fly enough to leave closer to my flight time of 8:24am.
Mom and I took a drive up through our local mountains today. It was BEAUTIFUL! The sky was crystal blue, clean of any smog because of an afternoon rain shower the day before, and there were big fluffy clouds. I took photos, and would post them here as I usually do, however I happened to delete them after I uploaded them to flickr...so this time you get to go on a field trip if you want to see the photos from our drive LOL
Friday included a trip to the zoo with Autumn and Audrey. I took more photos of that baby girl than I did of any of the animals LOL she's just so sweet and beautiful. It was a perfect day. I loved spending it with my best friend doing one of the things we did so frequently...playing tourist in our home town! That's one of the things I'm going to miss most, our tourist, photo adventures...well, those and our Disneyland trips.
I also got to see Lawrenn again on Friday and she cooked me dinner. We just talked and enjoyed being together and played a round of BananaGrams. Goodness that game is fun!
Tonight my sister came over and we went to Outback for a bit and then settled in on my bed to watch Disney's Robin Hood. We both fell asleep LOL
Speaking of sleep, I really should try to get some. I just keep thinking there's more that I need to do. Actually, I know there is...there's stuff under my bed still, but it's just a bit too difficult to get to it. I think it's just some books and random papers that drifted under there with the parts to my old bed.
My car has not been sold. Not quite sure how that's going to work out or how I'm going to get a car when I get to Florida as I was planning on using the money from this one to purchase the next.
Okay, now I'm just rambling.
Goodnight. I'll say Goodbye to San Diego in this post as well (my computer can be a pain to use in public since it only works when it's plugged in, so no airport posts).
Next stop...new adventures in Florida!
Mom and I took a drive up through our local mountains today. It was BEAUTIFUL! The sky was crystal blue, clean of any smog because of an afternoon rain shower the day before, and there were big fluffy clouds. I took photos, and would post them here as I usually do, however I happened to delete them after I uploaded them to flickr...so this time you get to go on a field trip if you want to see the photos from our drive LOL
Friday included a trip to the zoo with Autumn and Audrey. I took more photos of that baby girl than I did of any of the animals LOL she's just so sweet and beautiful. It was a perfect day. I loved spending it with my best friend doing one of the things we did so frequently...playing tourist in our home town! That's one of the things I'm going to miss most, our tourist, photo adventures...well, those and our Disneyland trips.
I also got to see Lawrenn again on Friday and she cooked me dinner. We just talked and enjoyed being together and played a round of BananaGrams. Goodness that game is fun!
Tonight my sister came over and we went to Outback for a bit and then settled in on my bed to watch Disney's Robin Hood. We both fell asleep LOL
Speaking of sleep, I really should try to get some. I just keep thinking there's more that I need to do. Actually, I know there is...there's stuff under my bed still, but it's just a bit too difficult to get to it. I think it's just some books and random papers that drifted under there with the parts to my old bed.
My car has not been sold. Not quite sure how that's going to work out or how I'm going to get a car when I get to Florida as I was planning on using the money from this one to purchase the next.
Okay, now I'm just rambling.
Goodnight. I'll say Goodbye to San Diego in this post as well (my computer can be a pain to use in public since it only works when it's plugged in, so no airport posts).
Next stop...new adventures in Florida!
Monday, August 1, 2011
Almost there
Everything is pretty much packed. Car is still here. Almost sold it, but the bank is still listed on the registration, I didn't realize it was still there until last month. I can't find my title & to get it replaced (or change the registration) it takes 2 weeks. Not sure what I'm going to do, I need the money from selling the car so I can get one in Florida. I guess something had to go wrong...everything had been going too smoothly. Too perfect.
Most of my boxes are gone. The furniture is still here. Pretty much, I'm done! There are just a few last things,mostly going into the trash. And multiple trips to the dumpster.
Yesterday I started feeling kinda strange...I'm pretty sure it's a combination of excitement & nervousness. Stomach is all squirrely and I've had a killer headache since the car sale fell through. Was awake at 4am today, stayed in bed until 5am trying to get back to sleep but finally gave up & decided to take some pictures of my bedroom and write this new blog post since it had been a few days.
Today mom and I are going to drive up to Julian, we may or may stop there, but I want to do one more mountain drive since there are NO mountains in Florida LOL but now I'm going to try and take a nap. Napping at 6am? Crazy!
Yesterday I started feeling kinda strange...I'm pretty sure it's a combination of excitement & nervousness. Stomach is all squirrely and I've had a killer headache since the car sale fell through. Was awake at 4am today, stayed in bed until 5am trying to get back to sleep but finally gave up & decided to take some pictures of my bedroom and write this new blog post since it had been a few days.
Today mom and I are going to drive up to Julian, we may or may stop there, but I want to do one more mountain drive since there are NO mountains in Florida LOL but now I'm going to try and take a nap. Napping at 6am? Crazy!
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Great Days
On Sunday I spent about 4 hours at Sea World with Jeremiah and Jonelle. We wandered around the park and saw the new Shamu Show: One Ocean, since they hadn't seen it yet. Then we said goodbye/see you soon and I thought that was it. I went home to change and then headed over to Autumn's house for dinner with her family. I am SO glad I put on regular clothes and not the PJs that I was considering LOL I walked in and Autumn's family was on the couch with Audrey, and then from around the corner: SURPRISE!!!!! Yeah, Autumn had arranged a surprise going away party for me. She had Jeremiah, Jonelle, Kle, Wrenn, Rob, and Sarah all there, along with her family (minus John 'cause he was at work). IT WAS PERFECT! I had said that I didn't really want to make a big deal about leaving, thinking more about work than anything else.
Then on Monday I went into the park to pick up my final check and try to see a few more friends to say goodbye. Out at Wild Arctic I got to talk to my friend Stephanie and to see the new baby arctic foxes. I got to see my friend Tim for a bit before his phone rang and he had to go back to fix something someone else broke...same as always LOL Lastly I stopped by Rocky Point to see one more friend. KC got it approved for me to join her with Gracie and Cortez during a Dolphin Encounter. I basically got to have my own dolphin encounter, just KC and I with the 2 dolphins. It was so much fun. I love that she took some photos for me and had 2 other trainers take some also.
Today I got quite a bit done today in my room. Though you may not be able to tell, except for the bare walls where you can see the dust marks. I then had dinner with my sister Kle and our father. Mmmmmm, BJ's! Berry Burst Cider, stuffed mushrooms, cobb salad, and after waiting a bit, a chocolate chunk pizookie! Perfect meal :0) They then took 11 boxes for storage and 1 to ship off to Florida now so that I have my quilt when I get there.
Okay, now for the photos :0)
And now I really should be heading to bed...it's almost 2am and I'll be up super early again to get more packing done. Then it's time for a hair appointment, just getting it trimmed before I leave and to see the lady who has cut my hair for over 15 years. Next it's out to one of "my houses" to see the family there and their critters and to return the house key. Lastly will either be going to see Winnie the Pooh with mom, or visiting with Wrenn where she's house sitting so I can see those cats one more time LOL
Then on Monday I went into the park to pick up my final check and try to see a few more friends to say goodbye. Out at Wild Arctic I got to talk to my friend Stephanie and to see the new baby arctic foxes. I got to see my friend Tim for a bit before his phone rang and he had to go back to fix something someone else broke...same as always LOL Lastly I stopped by Rocky Point to see one more friend. KC got it approved for me to join her with Gracie and Cortez during a Dolphin Encounter. I basically got to have my own dolphin encounter, just KC and I with the 2 dolphins. It was so much fun. I love that she took some photos for me and had 2 other trainers take some also.
Today I got quite a bit done today in my room. Though you may not be able to tell, except for the bare walls where you can see the dust marks. I then had dinner with my sister Kle and our father. Mmmmmm, BJ's! Berry Burst Cider, stuffed mushrooms, cobb salad, and after waiting a bit, a chocolate chunk pizookie! Perfect meal :0) They then took 11 boxes for storage and 1 to ship off to Florida now so that I have my quilt when I get there.
Okay, now for the photos :0)
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
laundry, packing, cleaning...
I've taken a few days off from this packing adventure and now I must get my butt in gear and finish! I leave a week from today, in fact, as I'm writing this I would have been in the air for 1 hour if my flight leaves on time!
Today I did laundry at home for the LAST TIME!!! I can't tell you how happy this makes me. The washers frequently have what looks like mold growing where you put the detergent (they are front loading with the panel on the top for soap & such), though today that seemed to have been cleaned out. There was however the ever present gunk in the liquid fabric softener spot. Then the lint screens have this gross, slightly waxy residue on them. I don't even want to think about what it's from.
I've said goodbye to some friends already. Or, as they all keep telling me, "it's not goodbye". I had a great day at Sea World with Jeremiah & Jonelle and then Autumn surprised me with a WONDERFUL surprise party. The next day I went back to the park to pick up my last paycheck and had another great day. Saw some other friends, got to see a baby fox, and had fun with dolphins! Photos of ALL of these will be in my next post, I'm still going through them LOL
That's it for now.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Wednesday's Progress
On Wednesday I attacked the far side of my closet with the intent of clearing it out so I can start stacking boxes in there and out of the way of more impending boxes. Why is it that the process of organization and getting rid of unneeded stuff makes such a mess!!! I mean, a REALLY BIG MESS! But, it was a success.
Now back to attacking another part of my room.
Now back to attacking another part of my room.
Disneyland
My last trip to Disneyland for the foreseeable future was a lot of fun. I got to be there for my best friends little one's 1st trip, though she will remember none of it as she is only 4.5 months old! Autumn and I got to hang out for a bit just us on Sunday night . . . front row for Fantasmic! and then Haunted Mansion and I actually rode Splash Mountain with her. It's one of Autumn's favorite rides, but I don't like walking around the park wet, and since we were going to be leaving soon, I was the one who suggested it :0)
Monday we were joined by Loreen & Jason which just added to the fun. We didn't make "rope drop" but I was in the park until just before it closed. I sat at the Main Street Train Station, on the benches that look out onto Main Street, and just took in the nighttime atmosphere. I love Disneyland at night!
Tuesday morning my goal was to make it for rope drop, I missed that but got there shortly after. I left Autumn and family still sleeping, got my stuff packed, AND put the air mattress away without waking them :) My goal for Tuesday morning was to get a cup of coffee from the Market and sit on the porch. I achieved that goal. I actually was able to hit all my main goals of the trip: 1. Fantasmic! 2. World of Color 3. Soundsational Parade 4. ride stuff that Walt Disney World doesn't have . . . this one I didn't quite complete, as Matterhorn was closed and I missed riding Alice, but I did make sure that I "went to hell" one more time!!!
Overall it was a great trip. Found myself getting teary eyed as I was thinking about not knowing when I'll be back. Mostly because of the amazing memories I've created there. Fun times with family and friends and friends that are like family. But now I'll get to know Walt Disney World. I'll find those perfect spots to hang out when it's crazy crowded, the shady places that get a nice breeze to help cool you off. I'll have new places to look up and down and find different ways to see things to capture new photos. But that didn't make leaving Disneyland any easier LOL
Here are a few photos: Loreen with Audrey, Audrey and the Fairy Godmother, and Audrey on King Triton's Carousel...she really wasn't sure about that !!!
Monday we were joined by Loreen & Jason which just added to the fun. We didn't make "rope drop" but I was in the park until just before it closed. I sat at the Main Street Train Station, on the benches that look out onto Main Street, and just took in the nighttime atmosphere. I love Disneyland at night!
Tuesday morning my goal was to make it for rope drop, I missed that but got there shortly after. I left Autumn and family still sleeping, got my stuff packed, AND put the air mattress away without waking them :) My goal for Tuesday morning was to get a cup of coffee from the Market and sit on the porch. I achieved that goal. I actually was able to hit all my main goals of the trip: 1. Fantasmic! 2. World of Color 3. Soundsational Parade 4. ride stuff that Walt Disney World doesn't have . . . this one I didn't quite complete, as Matterhorn was closed and I missed riding Alice, but I did make sure that I "went to hell" one more time!!!
Overall it was a great trip. Found myself getting teary eyed as I was thinking about not knowing when I'll be back. Mostly because of the amazing memories I've created there. Fun times with family and friends and friends that are like family. But now I'll get to know Walt Disney World. I'll find those perfect spots to hang out when it's crazy crowded, the shady places that get a nice breeze to help cool you off. I'll have new places to look up and down and find different ways to see things to capture new photos. But that didn't make leaving Disneyland any easier LOL
Here are a few photos: Loreen with Audrey, Audrey and the Fairy Godmother, and Audrey on King Triton's Carousel...she really wasn't sure about that !!!
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Music
Last weekend, when I got off of work on Saturday, I was heading over to meet up with Lawrenn and I couldn't find the place she was at. I got super frustrated, especially when I got stuck in a lane and sucked onto the freeway! I decided to just head to the park and sit for a bit because in that frustration, added to the emotions running high already, I was crying. You know that "all I can do is cry 'cause I don't know what else to do" kind of cry? Yeah, it was that.
While sitting in my car, my radio was "speaking to me". When I'm not listening to an audio book, my radio tends to be on KLOVE, the Christian Music station (even though they tend to play the same songs over and over and over (I personally prefer The Fish, but can only get that when I go to Disneyland LOL)). One of my new favorite songs came on, and in that moment it was perfect:
While sitting in my car, my radio was "speaking to me". When I'm not listening to an audio book, my radio tends to be on KLOVE, the Christian Music station (even though they tend to play the same songs over and over and over (I personally prefer The Fish, but can only get that when I go to Disneyland LOL)). One of my new favorite songs came on, and in that moment it was perfect:
Blessings by Laura Story
We pray for blessings, we pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things
Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops?
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near?
What if trials of this life
Are Your mercies in disguise?
We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
And all the while You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe
Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near?
And what if trials of this life
Are Your mercies in disguise
When friends betray us, when darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home
It's not our home
Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears?
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near?
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst
This world can’t satisfy?
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise?
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things
Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops?
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near?
What if trials of this life
Are Your mercies in disguise?
We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
And all the while You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe
Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near?
And what if trials of this life
Are Your mercies in disguise
When friends betray us, when darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home
It's not our home
Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears?
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near?
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst
This world can’t satisfy?
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise?
Saturday, July 16, 2011
The not so helpful cat...
She tried to help me pack, but was more of a hindrance than an asset.
And in other news, I only got 1 box done this morning. Now off to work until 8pm. Not much else going to get done today LOL Tomorrow after church I'm heading up to Disneyland and will be there Monday too. On Tuesday I'll start working with a vengeance. I don't work again until Thursday, so 2 full days should be helpful.
Friday, July 15, 2011
another corner done...
This corner in the living room isn't actually a "corner" but that's what we call it LOL It is the 2' space between my chair and the dresser full of mom's stuff. It has been a bit of a "catch all" for, well, everything, for quite a few years, as you can see in the photo. I was hoping to find the title for my car while clearing this out, no such luck, so in the next 2 weeks I get to add "DMV adventure" to my list. Oh Joy!
The corner produced: 2 bags of trash. 1 bag of recycling. Goodness, paper gets crazy heavy insanely fast! There is also a bin of things that will either be packed for storage or be shipped to Florida...more to storage than to be shipped! I'm really trying to NOT take too much with me, but there are just some things that I really want to have. Some books, movies, my quilt & the new super fluffy small blanket LOL
So, as I'm trying to document this whole thing, here are a few photos of "The Corner" and the resulting stuff to take to the dumpsters!
The corner produced: 2 bags of trash. 1 bag of recycling. Goodness, paper gets crazy heavy insanely fast! There is also a bin of things that will either be packed for storage or be shipped to Florida...more to storage than to be shipped! I'm really trying to NOT take too much with me, but there are just some things that I really want to have. Some books, movies, my quilt & the new super fluffy small blanket LOL
So, as I'm trying to document this whole thing, here are a few photos of "The Corner" and the resulting stuff to take to the dumpsters!
 |
| BEFORE |
 | |
| THE AFTERMATH |
 | ||
| ALL CLEAN |
Thursday, July 14, 2011
It's a process...
Well, I've gone through my desk, the towering corner, my books, and have now started on the lower portion of my closet. Clothes will be the last part of this packing adventure, so I will be cleaning out the top and the bottom of the closet before I start on the middle where all the clothes hang LOL I am trying to be as ruthless as possible with what I am getting rid of, I've taken out 8 bags of trash already and have 2 more waiting! One of the bags was full of the stuffed animals in the bottom photo. My mom's cat has a love of stuffed things, and she tends to prefer Eeyore LOL but will enjoy anything she can get her claws and teeth into.
Here's some more photos:
Alright, time to head to work :0) 5 actual work days left!
Here's some more photos:
 | |||
| boxes to store, to ship, & books for the thrift store |
 | |
| these all have been chewed on, eaten, or mangled by the cat! |
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
:0)
Okay, so this new adventure just got really, really, real! I now have a 1 way ticket to Orlando, by way of Denver, leaving Tuesday August 2nd at 8:24am! And I'm getting to fly 1st class 'cause I have an AMAZING friend :0)
Actually, my life is filled with amazing friends (and family), and I feel so blessed by the support I am getting.
I have most of my books packed. I was rather good and have weeded out MANY of them, even some favorites. Tomorrow is a day off from work, and I know what I will be doing LOL Though I may take a side trip to Old Town. Not that I need anything else to pack, but there was a nice, cotton shawl in a store for under $20 that I was good and refrained from buying a few weeks ago, but I really want it! And for under $20 it's kind of hard to pass it up.
Next Monday I'll be able to be at Disneyland with my best friend for her little one's 1st trip, she's 4 months old LOL It's going to be a lot of fun, and my last trip to Disneyland for some time. But hey, the distance to Walt Disney World from where I'll be living is SO much shorter than I currently drive to Disneyland! Yeah, sorry, not trying to rub it in or anything :0)
Okay, that's it for tonight. I should be getting more photos posted tomorrow on the progress of my packing.
Actually, my life is filled with amazing friends (and family), and I feel so blessed by the support I am getting.
I have most of my books packed. I was rather good and have weeded out MANY of them, even some favorites. Tomorrow is a day off from work, and I know what I will be doing LOL Though I may take a side trip to Old Town. Not that I need anything else to pack, but there was a nice, cotton shawl in a store for under $20 that I was good and refrained from buying a few weeks ago, but I really want it! And for under $20 it's kind of hard to pass it up.
Next Monday I'll be able to be at Disneyland with my best friend for her little one's 1st trip, she's 4 months old LOL It's going to be a lot of fun, and my last trip to Disneyland for some time. But hey, the distance to Walt Disney World from where I'll be living is SO much shorter than I currently drive to Disneyland! Yeah, sorry, not trying to rub it in or anything :0)
Okay, that's it for tonight. I should be getting more photos posted tomorrow on the progress of my packing.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Hi Blog, I'm your creator...
Wow, so it's been awhile again since I've done anything with this, oh so wonderful blog. I'm telling myself that that will change. As of TODAY! :0)
Life has a funny way of being amazing while turning our lives upside down and inside out. That is happening to me right now, and I brought it all on myself!
Today starts a new chapter in my life (wow, that's so cliche it almost makes me want to delete it, but it describes things perfectly). Today I officially accept a new job. This isn't just an easy thing. 2 weeks ago I had a phone interview, and last Friday they called to offer a position. I am going to be a photographer at Discovery Cove, one of Sea World's sister parks. The crazy part? It's in Orlando, FL! Yes, that's right, I'm moving across the country!!! My official start date is August 8th at 9am.
I have AMAZING friends there who are welcoming me into their home.
What might be the craziest part? I'm doing this in about 3 weeks! I have 27 years of stuff to go through. Sorting it into keep and pack, donate, and throw away categories. Sell my car because it wouldn't make the trip, and then buy a "new" one in Florida. Figure out how to get to/from work out there, without getting lost. And say goodbye to everyone in San Diego.
My goal is to take photos of my progress. Everyday if I do a good job, or at least every few days if the packing doesn't truly reveal any progress LOL
I hope you will join me on this crazy adventure!!!
Life has a funny way of being amazing while turning our lives upside down and inside out. That is happening to me right now, and I brought it all on myself!
Today starts a new chapter in my life (wow, that's so cliche it almost makes me want to delete it, but it describes things perfectly). Today I officially accept a new job. This isn't just an easy thing. 2 weeks ago I had a phone interview, and last Friday they called to offer a position. I am going to be a photographer at Discovery Cove, one of Sea World's sister parks. The crazy part? It's in Orlando, FL! Yes, that's right, I'm moving across the country!!! My official start date is August 8th at 9am.
I have AMAZING friends there who are welcoming me into their home.
What might be the craziest part? I'm doing this in about 3 weeks! I have 27 years of stuff to go through. Sorting it into keep and pack, donate, and throw away categories. Sell my car because it wouldn't make the trip, and then buy a "new" one in Florida. Figure out how to get to/from work out there, without getting lost. And say goodbye to everyone in San Diego.
My goal is to take photos of my progress. Everyday if I do a good job, or at least every few days if the packing doesn't truly reveal any progress LOL
I hope you will join me on this crazy adventure!!!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
I officially FAIL at blogging....
Wow, my last post was back in October? I fail! Life has been a bit of up and down, and I've been feeling more of the down than anything. Felt that if I were to start writing it would be nothing anyone would really care about, so I just let this sit here lonely.
I have been out with my camera and have some photos to share...
November 12th, 2010 I went to Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery and the Point Loma Lighthouse
I house sat in Alpine with the Poodle Girls, Jackie didn't mind the hats, but Diane wasn't all that keen on 'em
Autumn & I went to Disneyland on December 5th and had a GREAT spot for the Christmas Fantasy Parade, and I found "fall" along the path to the Tomorrowland Train Station
December 7th I wandered around Balboa Park for a few hours...couldn't believe how BEAUTIFUL it was!
January 4th I decided to celebrate the new year by enjoying yet another beautiful day in San Diego and went to the beach....Torrey Pines to La Jolla
And then on January 12th I went to Mission Trails Park, visitor center & Old Mission Dam for about an hour
Excited to do a photo shoot for a family from church this Sunday and still waiting to do maternity photos for Autumn and John.
Hope you enjoy the photos, as always all of them and more are available on flickr
I have been out with my camera and have some photos to share...
November 12th, 2010 I went to Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery and the Point Loma Lighthouse
I house sat in Alpine with the Poodle Girls, Jackie didn't mind the hats, but Diane wasn't all that keen on 'em
Autumn & I went to Disneyland on December 5th and had a GREAT spot for the Christmas Fantasy Parade, and I found "fall" along the path to the Tomorrowland Train Station
December 7th I wandered around Balboa Park for a few hours...couldn't believe how BEAUTIFUL it was!
January 4th I decided to celebrate the new year by enjoying yet another beautiful day in San Diego and went to the beach....Torrey Pines to La Jolla
And then on January 12th I went to Mission Trails Park, visitor center & Old Mission Dam for about an hour
Excited to do a photo shoot for a family from church this Sunday and still waiting to do maternity photos for Autumn and John.
Hope you enjoy the photos, as always all of them and more are available on flickr
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