everytime im starting to feel down, lonely, tired, overworked, stressed, pressed depressed, regretful or at all negative...all i have to do is put on Corbin Bleu's "Celebrate You" and my mood is instantly uplifted. I suddenly feel enchanted, energized, blessed and estatic. I'm so lucky. And even though I am super rushed for time, trying to balance enjoying the moment here at Disney while focusing on the huge amounts of stuff that needs to be done for Semester at Sea and my future (GRE's, honors thesis, ect), I think i'm doing a fairly decent job. I'm not sure how much I have to update on. I haven't gotten so much accomplished. I've found a travel clinic to get my shots done at, but so far Disney has not given me any shifts that allow me a visit. I'm in attempts to learn how to make videos to make a video essay for the Diversity Abroad scholarship, butmy technological skills continue to be none. And I'm also trying to live every moment here at Disney. There is still so much left to do and see. Seaworld, Jellyrolls, Resort Hopping, Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach, Kennedy Space Center, Miama, Cocoa Beach, Bush Gardens, Dance Hall, Blue Man Group, Cirque, House of Blues, Ale House, Via Napoli, and so much more. I've been here for 2.5 months, and I feel like i've done so little. Time is creeping up on me. I've also done barely any Semester at Sea planning..and I really, really need to get on that. My first class, Creativity and Innovation, finishes in 2 weeks nad we have a huge project and presentation I haven't started yet. This life is EXHAUSTING...but I know I will look back and think of what an amazing year this truly was. I try to never forget how blessed I am for all of this.
it's the time of your life
you don't want to stop
it's your change, live it up
and in everything you do
celebrate you
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
basic plans of attack - sas
A week ago I had no idea, at all, of what I wanted to do in ports on semester at sea. I've been doing some research, and have started coming out with some basic ideas. Certaintly nothing is set in stone, and I need to do lots more research, but here's a bit of the stuff I came up with.
Nassau, Bahamas
This is where SAS takes off from. I haven't done any research about here at all, but I know I want to stay at the Atlantis and lay on the beach for a while. And hopefully meet up with some SAS-ers at some point! Also, theres some health food stores down there that I'm hoping to pick up some gluten free food to take on the ship with me.
Rosseau, Dominica
Tram has been researching a few different bumpiing tour options. Being an island in the Caribbean, this is something I very much want to explore. We are only in Dominica for a day, so I don't know how much time there will be for other exploration, but as long as I get to try some of the fun fruits I'll be happy :)
Brazil
The itinerary changed, AND WE ARE GOING TO THE AMAZON! I'M SOOOO EXCITED! I have no idea what exactly I want to do, but I get to visit the Amazon!! AHHH. River rafting maybe? And hopefully seeing some animals and exploring the rainforest. Ahh, I don't know, I have to do more research, but I AM SO EXICTED.
Takoridi, Ghana
Still not many ideas. I know for sure I want to do at least 1 service visit here. But I don't know what else.
Cape Town, South Africa
GO ON A SAFARI!!!! I also want to visit Robben Island, explore the Jazz clubs, visit the winelands, go horseback ridding, and do a service visit. I'd also love to do skydaving, cage diving. All-in-all, thrill attractitions! Plus, I hear Cape Town is like gluten free heaven, so I will be eating A LOT since I won't get to experience many of the foreign cuisines.
Port Louis, Maritius
Only one day here. I wrote about some plans a few entries ago. But i'll mention again. I want to visit the giant market, The Bazaar, and a mountain/race track called Champ de Mars. If time permis, I'd also like to do a service visit,and visit the the History Museum.
Chennai, India
One of the sample field practica's that are up include a 3 day homestay, which if it's still offered on the final schedule, i'd love to do. I also want to do a service visit and a child labor trip. And of course, visit the Taj Mahal, Delhi and Agra Fort.
Singapore
We are only in Singapore for a day also. A former roomate of mine is from Singapore, and I asked her for some suggestions. She said the big things right now are Marina Sands Bay and Universal Studios Singapore. Although either would be cool, they are too touristy in my opinion to do on a single-day visit. So instead, i'd really like to visit Dempsy Hill if its close to where the ship is docking. Geylang also sounds nice. It's the local red-light district which sounds neat. I found a half day Singapore city tour online for only $25 which seems cool, or maybe a Zoo tour or a Safari. There's also the Singapore flyer, which is the country's version of the London Eye.
Ho Chi Minh City
This is quite possibly the place I am most excited about. As a history major, I've learned about the Vietnam War time and time again, but never have I heard any more about this country. I want to visit war memorials and monuments, explore the Chi Chi Tunnels, Ho Chi Minh's house, the History Museum, The Army Museum and any political stantions I can get myself into. I also want to visit one of the schools for the imparied, the FDP sample guide talks about a school for the deaf, school for the blind, and school for the disabled...any trip that I can get into I would like to do. There are also 3 day trips to Cambodia, but I think there is too much in Vietnam that I want to do to spend 3 of 5 days out of the country.
Hong Kong/Shanghai
I mentioned before that I wanted to visit Disney Hong Kong. And some more things that I want to do is to explore Bejing, and Sleep on the Great wall! Not sure what else, but I have a lot more exploration to do.
Kobe/Yokohama, Japan
VISIT HIROSHIMA.
I'd also like to do a YMCA service visit, attend a baseball game, visit the Hot Baths, and see Tokyo.
Hilo, Hawaii
I'd love to go snorkling. I'd also love to visit the volcanos and the history museum.
So, I still have a lot more research to do, things to price and book and ideas to generate, then narrow down. I also have a hope to visit all the Chinatowns in each port. I think it would be amazing to just see how one culture can fuse into so many, but adapt to different societies and integrate differently.
Anyone want to start exploring any of these ideas with me?
159 days, I think!
Nassau, Bahamas
This is where SAS takes off from. I haven't done any research about here at all, but I know I want to stay at the Atlantis and lay on the beach for a while. And hopefully meet up with some SAS-ers at some point! Also, theres some health food stores down there that I'm hoping to pick up some gluten free food to take on the ship with me.
Rosseau, Dominica
Tram has been researching a few different bumpiing tour options. Being an island in the Caribbean, this is something I very much want to explore. We are only in Dominica for a day, so I don't know how much time there will be for other exploration, but as long as I get to try some of the fun fruits I'll be happy :)
Brazil
The itinerary changed, AND WE ARE GOING TO THE AMAZON! I'M SOOOO EXCITED! I have no idea what exactly I want to do, but I get to visit the Amazon!! AHHH. River rafting maybe? And hopefully seeing some animals and exploring the rainforest. Ahh, I don't know, I have to do more research, but I AM SO EXICTED.
Takoridi, Ghana
Still not many ideas. I know for sure I want to do at least 1 service visit here. But I don't know what else.
Cape Town, South Africa
GO ON A SAFARI!!!! I also want to visit Robben Island, explore the Jazz clubs, visit the winelands, go horseback ridding, and do a service visit. I'd also love to do skydaving, cage diving. All-in-all, thrill attractitions! Plus, I hear Cape Town is like gluten free heaven, so I will be eating A LOT since I won't get to experience many of the foreign cuisines.
Port Louis, Maritius
Only one day here. I wrote about some plans a few entries ago. But i'll mention again. I want to visit the giant market, The Bazaar, and a mountain/race track called Champ de Mars. If time permis, I'd also like to do a service visit,and visit the the History Museum.
Chennai, India
One of the sample field practica's that are up include a 3 day homestay, which if it's still offered on the final schedule, i'd love to do. I also want to do a service visit and a child labor trip. And of course, visit the Taj Mahal, Delhi and Agra Fort.
Singapore
We are only in Singapore for a day also. A former roomate of mine is from Singapore, and I asked her for some suggestions. She said the big things right now are Marina Sands Bay and Universal Studios Singapore. Although either would be cool, they are too touristy in my opinion to do on a single-day visit. So instead, i'd really like to visit Dempsy Hill if its close to where the ship is docking. Geylang also sounds nice. It's the local red-light district which sounds neat. I found a half day Singapore city tour online for only $25 which seems cool, or maybe a Zoo tour or a Safari. There's also the Singapore flyer, which is the country's version of the London Eye.
Ho Chi Minh City
This is quite possibly the place I am most excited about. As a history major, I've learned about the Vietnam War time and time again, but never have I heard any more about this country. I want to visit war memorials and monuments, explore the Chi Chi Tunnels, Ho Chi Minh's house, the History Museum, The Army Museum and any political stantions I can get myself into. I also want to visit one of the schools for the imparied, the FDP sample guide talks about a school for the deaf, school for the blind, and school for the disabled...any trip that I can get into I would like to do. There are also 3 day trips to Cambodia, but I think there is too much in Vietnam that I want to do to spend 3 of 5 days out of the country.
Hong Kong/Shanghai
I mentioned before that I wanted to visit Disney Hong Kong. And some more things that I want to do is to explore Bejing, and Sleep on the Great wall! Not sure what else, but I have a lot more exploration to do.
Kobe/Yokohama, Japan
VISIT HIROSHIMA.
I'd also like to do a YMCA service visit, attend a baseball game, visit the Hot Baths, and see Tokyo.
Hilo, Hawaii
I'd love to go snorkling. I'd also love to visit the volcanos and the history museum.
So, I still have a lot more research to do, things to price and book and ideas to generate, then narrow down. I also have a hope to visit all the Chinatowns in each port. I think it would be amazing to just see how one culture can fuse into so many, but adapt to different societies and integrate differently.
Anyone want to start exploring any of these ideas with me?
159 days, I think!
Labels:
Semester at Sea
Thursday, August 5, 2010
some of my new best friends
i've made about 15 new best friends here at disney, and up to 40 more coming my way. I don't have pictures with all of them, but here are some.
and some of my other new friends that i've forgotten to take pictures with (silly me!)
i've also gotten to explore mickey, minnie and donald's rather extensive wardrobes...which are pretty awesome.
and some of my other new friends that i've forgotten to take pictures with (silly me!)
i've also gotten to explore mickey, minnie and donald's rather extensive wardrobes...which are pretty awesome.
Labels:
Disney College Program
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