A Run Fit For A Princess

Saturday I did something I honestly never thought I would do.

I ran…ok walked…a 5K.

Disney pretty much has a hand in everything y’all.  They even have a whole line of business dedicated to people who love to run.  It’s called runDisney and they host various runs throughout the year in both Florida and California.

We have a couple of 5Ks, 1/2 marathons, and a whole marathon every year with literally thousands of people coming to participate.  Epcot plays a major role in each of the events, so I’ve had the opportunity to work at two of the running events last year.  I helped during the Wine and Dine 1/2 marathon during the Food and Wine Festival and during Disney’s Marathon Weekend in January.

So when my best friends family said they were coming to Disney to do participate in the Princess Marathon Weekend, I figured it would be a good chance to see these running events from the other side.  From the perspective of the runner rather than an employee.

We did the Mickey and Minnie Royal Family 5K.

I’m not gonna lie I was a tad nervous about doing it.  I didn’t want to be one of those people who decide to do a run and then end up getting sick in the middle of it and have to be taken to the medical tent.

Then I saw the actual course through Epcot.

The run was through Epcot and through Epcot only.  Y’all I walk this pretty much daily.  Ok maybe not everyday but seriously I’ve walked around Epcot more times then I can count.   Heck when you walk around the World Showcase alone you’re walking 1.3 miles.  Therefore, walking around the Showcase 3 times is basically a 5K.  After I saw this picture my worries completely vanished.

In fact the only thing I was not looking forward to after seeing this was waking up at 4:30 in the am, because we had to be at the starting line by 5:30.  Blegh.

The race was so fun.  We were in coral B, so we were the second group to start walking.  I decided to dress the part of a running Princess Aurora (or Sleeping Beauty), complete with a pink Princess crown and pink and white tutu.

We got to Mile 1 after about 15 minutes.  I’m honestly not sure if that’s good or not but I figure it is!
The Disney Princesses were scattered throughout the course but their lines were super long and we weren’t feeling the whole wait in line thing.  Plus, we wanted a semi accurate time of our walk.

Here are a few photos from our very early morning stroll.

This is me, Abby, and her sister Laura before the race!

Jordan ran the race with some of here sorority sisters and we caught each other just before!

And there’s me at the finish line!  We finished the whole course in about 45 minutes.  Then went and stuffed our faces in a delightful breakfast.

Overall I’d say runs are fun, especially Disney runs.  At the end I did have to remind myself that it was worth paying money to walk around a place I can technically walk around for free because I was doing it with some great friends.  And I got a medal out of it too.

And got to wear a tutu! 🙂

Ps. If you’re a runner and are interested in runDisney, click here for a complete list of races they host!

The One Where I Tried to Be a Legit Blogger

I’ve been MIA the last week.  But I have a good reason I promise!

So last Wednesday I was laying in bed early in the morning.  I had my cup of coffee and had snuggled back in bed to write up my Disney How To post for the week.  As I’m typing up my post I get the bright idea to change my URL.  

(Earlier in the week I had read a post about blog stalking and that it’s probably not a good idea to use your whole name in your URL, Twitter, etc.  Well as you can plainly see I do just that.  Specifically in my URL.)

Anyway, while I’m laying there I remembered that post.  So I decided to go in and change my URL to placesiwillgoblog.blogspot.com.  I head over to the Settings page to do just that when I see….

“add your own custom domain”

Light bulb!  

I need my own domain.  It’s only $10, it’ll keep people from knowing my full name and trying to stalk me (cuz hopefully no one will remember my last name.  Yeah right!), it’s only $10, it’ll make me a more legit blogger, oh yeah and it’s only $10!   Ok I’ll be honest, mostly I wanted to buy it because I thought it would make me a legitimate blogger.  Epic Fail on that one.

So I go for it. I bought my own domain.  I was so excited! placesiwillgoblog.com was ALL MINE!

I thought it would be super simple (like Blogger makes it sound) and that my domain would be ready to go in about 3 days.  So I thought I would take a tiny break until it started redirecting properly.

Little did I know that not only changing my blogspot URL AND adding my own custom domain would make it seem like I had deleted my blog.  Again….epic fail.

I got emails, tweets, and text messages asking if I had deleted my blog.  Which obviously sent me into panic mode.  I was terrified that my blog was donezo and that I would never get it back.

So of course I asked Jessica (from Lovely Little Things) for advice.  Thank goodness for blogger friends! And she gave me some great advice.  Unfortunately,  I couldn’t for the life of me figure out how to fix it.  What did work however was deleting my custom domain and going back to my original URL.

Its been 2 days since I changed it back and I still have no idea how to fix it.  SO…if any of you lovely fellow bloggers know how the heck I can get my domain linked to my blog, I would greatly appreciate any assistance and/or advice you may have on how I can do so.

Source: stardust-decorstyle.blogspot.com.au via Chris on Pinterest

I saw this on Pinterest and felt it was appropriate for the post, considering my attempt to be a legit blogger.

Hopefully it works out better on my next time! 🙂

The Best Celebrity Interviews Ever

Yesterday I was browsing Buzz Feed at work.

If you’ve never heard of Buzz Feed, I highly suggest you click here, because it will make your life on the internet 10 times more entertaining.  Basically it’s a website where a bunch of random stories all find a home.  There are different categories with posts on everything from entertainment, politics, things that make you LOL, cute things, etc.

As I was browsing I stumbled on 2 videos that had me crying laughing.  The videos themselves are originally from Funny or Die and they star Zach Galifianakis.  He hosts his own TV show called “Between Two Ferns” and he interviews celebrities in between two ferns.

In the videos I’m going to share with you he’s interview Oscar Nominee (and y’all know how I feel about the Oscars!  I LOVE THEM!)

So when I saw them yesterday I could not stop laughing.  Even thinking about them now is making me laugh.

Today, I’m sharing them with y’all.  Watch em, they may make you pee your pants just a tad.

Between Two Ferns: Oscar Buzz Edition Part 1 from Zach Galifianakis

Between Two Ferns: Oscar Buzz Edition Part 2 from Zach Galifianakis

I spent about two others watching all the other episodes.  And each of them were HILARIOUS! 

Now I highly suggest you do the same.  But you don’t have to spend 2 hours doing it.  I just have no life!  ; )

Have a great Wednesday! 

Disney and Honey Boo Boo and Seagulls….OH MY!

Wednesday was one of the BEST DAYS EVER!

And the reason is because I got to spend all day with Jessica from Lovely Little Things!!

Y’all she is seriously one of the sweetest, most fun, and down to earth girls I’ve had the pleasure of knowing.  And we had so much fun on our Disney Blate (blogger date!).

We started the day at Hollywood Studios and rode a few rides, watched some shows, and even learned to draw Goofy! We had a funny moment during the drawing class when the animation artist asked the class if we liked to vote and Jessica responded with, “Well yeah we’re American.”  Hilarious.

After Hollywood Studios we headed to Epcot.  Jessica is from Florida too but would you believe the only Disney park she’s ever really been to is the Magic Kingdom.  So I was so excited to show her the “adult” side of Disney, but taking her to Epcot.  We didn’t ride too many rides in Epcot but we did a lot of walking, talking, eating, drinking, and character meeting! 🙂

It was at Epcot that we had two moments that will go down in our friendships history as two of the greatest moments ever.

The first occured when we were walking from America into Italy.  We had just purchased two alcoholic beverages.  And were heading to a good spot to take a photo (obviously).  When all of a sudden, Jessica grabs my arm in a death grip and yells,

“THERE’S HONEY BOO BOO!”

I said “WHAT?! Where?”

And sure enough, there she was, with Momma, Sugar Bear, Pumpkin, and Uncle Poodle.  (And a really big guy who was their bodyguard.)  Y’all this is one of my very first celebrity sightings EVER.

After I got over the fact that I was NOT going to get fired for stalking a puedo-celebrity around Epcot, Jessica and I followed them into one of the restaurants, where she quickly asked if we could take a picture with them.  The answer was no (because Disney said they couldn’t.) but that didn’t stop them from handing her an autographed picture of the whole family.  We then sat and took creeper pictures of them from afar.  It was epic!

The second moment occurred when we were fixin to eat dinner.  We had settled on Mexican and were going to share.  Now I have to preface this by saying that there were hundreds of seagulls flying around the World Showcase Lagoon that day.  All of whom were just waiting to launch on some poor unsuspecting food carrying person.  And guess who they chose to attack?  That’s right, ME.  I was carrying the food to our table when all of sudden I felt pressure on the tray, I heard Jessica squeal, and I dropped said tray in front of everyone else trying to enjoy their meal.   It was embarrassing and hilarious all at the same time.  I really wish Jessica could have snapped a picture or taken a video because I really think we would have won $10,000 on America’s Funniest Home Videos.

We did some pretty fun stuff, but y’all you wouldn’t believe how much we TALKED!  From the minute we said hello to the minute I was driving her back to her car we talked and talked and talked.  It was insane.  And honestly not surprising at all.

I am so glad we finally got to meet her in person.  She is def good peeps y’all! 🙂

#H54F

Y’all it’s already Friday!  How in the world is it already fixin to be the second week in February.  (Yes, I just said fixin, and I may not say it often on the blog, but I say it ALL THE TIME in real life.)

Anyway, since it’s fixin to be the second week in February, it means 3 things.  One, that I am 2 weeks from participating in my first 5K!  Two, I’m 3 weeks from living with Suzanne again for a whole month.  And three, I turn 25 in just a little under 6 weeks. Yikes. Still, lots of things to look forward too! Woo Hoo.

Today however I’m not gonna talk in depth about any of that.  I’m sticking with the my normal Friday and linking up with Lauren for High Five for Friday!

one.The benefit of waking up early. You get to have breakfast!

two.
I got to meet one pretty popular little blogger, Jessica! 🙂  A full post is coming Monday but this is just a preview of some of the fun we had.  PS. Honey Boo Boo will play a significant part of Mondays post. 🙂

three.
Another successful Target excursion was had this week!

four.
Did y’all know that a football game was played during a Beyonce concert?  just kidding. This Super Bowl party with some great peeps was lots of fun!

five.
Had a great mail day this week.  These little beauties came in!  Can’t wait to wear them with my new Target purchases! 🙂

Fridays are my favorite.  Which is weird considering I’m back at work on Fridays after having Wednesdays and Thursdays off.  Oh the life of working at Disney.
Hope you all have a great weekend, while I go start my work week! 

Put Me in Your Mouth I Taste GOOD!

Today I’ve decided to share with you my favorite Pinterest recipe!  Well it’ll be my favorite until I find another one anyway!  But seriously, it is sooo GOOD!

Here is the original pin.

Source: iheartnaptime.net via Kathleen on Pinterest

I wish I could say that my final product looked at pretty as the one in the pin, but sadly, it did not.

But it still turned out delicious, which is what really matters. Right?  

So here is what you’re going to need.

Ingredients:

4 Bell Peppers- cut length wise (I only used two because I was cooking for one)

1/2 cup of quinoa (which I’m currently obsessed with by the way)

1/2 lb of ground turkey (I accidentally used a whole pound because I can’t read sometimes)

1 small onion

1 can of diced tomatoes

1 can of black beans-drained

1 TB taco seasoning

1/2 TB cumin (I giggle every time I read that work.  Yes I’m a 14 year old boy.)

1/2 TB olive oil

1/2 cup reduced fat mozzarella cheese

3/4 cups water

1 tsp of Oikos Greek Yogurt (I used it as sour cream!)

Here’s what you do.

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large sauce pan on medium heat and cook the onion, which should be chopped and cooked until clear.  Then add the ground turkey and cook until browned.

2. Add in the black beans, quinoa, diced tomatoes, taco seasoning, cumin, and water.  Stir together and heat until the mixture comes to a boil.  Then cover pan, reduce heat to medium/low and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the quinoa is cooked.

*Once the filling was ready I tasted it to make sure it was yummy and my mouth had a party because it was so good!  I could seriously make a meal of JUST the filling!

3. Preheat oven to 375.  Place you peppers in a baking dish (I used a medium sized pan, sorry I have no idea what the dimensions of the pan are).  Spoon in filling and cover with a little of the mozzarella cheese.  

4. Cover dish with foil and bake for 40 minutes.  

5. Remove from oven and add a little greek yogurt as sour cream and ENJOY!

See, told ya mine didn’t come out as pretty.  (The cheese is burnt because I didn’t have foil.  Which I did not realize until I was ready to put the peppers in the oven. womp womp)

But I promise they were still delicious.  Plus they were super easy to make and they’re healthy too.

Win win if you ask me! 🙂

Linking up for:

Have a great Thursday! 

Wednesday is Here!

Today is an exciting day y’all!  Jessica from Lovely Little Things and I are have a blate!!

And we’re going to DISNEY WORLD!  (I’m sure you’re all shocked considering I work there.  But it just made sense.

I’m super excited to finally meet her, as we’ve been blogger friends for about a year now.  There will be a full post dedicated to our Disney Day o Fun at some point!

For today I’ve decided to share some of the rando things I’ve found via Pinterest over the last few weeks.  And of course I’ll be linking up with Michelle from The Vintage Apple.

Source: danielleburkleo.com via Kathleen on Pinterest

Source: the-wonderblog.tumblr.com via Kathleen on Pinterest

Source: blog.okcolo.com via Kathleen on Pinterest

Source: someecards.com via Kathleen on Pinterest

Source: skreened.com via Kathleen on Pinterest

Source: 25.media.tumblr.com via Kathleen on Pinterest

I need that outfit.  Like bad.

Ok friends!  Now I’m off to play at Disney World with a friend! :)Till tomorrow!

Epcot: A World of Discovery

Todays Basics of Disney is taking us to one of my favorite locations at Disney!

The Experimental  Prototype Community of Tomorrow or EPCOT!

Now like Hollywood Studios Epcot has an extra special place in my heart!  Why?  Well thank you for asking because I can now share that amazing news I told y’all I had in this post.

You are now reading the blog of a Full Time Statused Guest Relations Hostess at EPCOT!  

I’ve been working toward this for almost 2 years and I cannot tell you how good it feels to know that all my hard work has finally paid off.  Last week was one that I will never forget and I’m so excited to see where working for this great company will take me!

Let’s get down to business.

Y’all I could write post after post about Epcot.  But I’ll try not to bore you with too many details.  Walt Disney’s very last dream was Epcot.  He wanted it to be a place where people could work, play, and live.  Yep, that’s what I said.  It was going to be a community where people would have all the latest technologies right at their finger tips and a Magic Kingdom that would help fund the company.  Sadly, Walt passed away before his dream could become a reality.

But the Epcot you see today is inspired by ideas that originated from Walt himself.  From the park itself to the attractions that entertain millions of guests each year.  

Here’s a run down of the park.  It’s divided into two distinct sections: The World Showcase and Future World.  

ATTRACTIONS: 

The great thing about Epcot is that while you are having fun you’re also learning something.  But of course kids don’t know they’re learning.   We strategically place the learning inside the attractions.

World Showcase

  

Maelstrom– takes you on a Norwegian adventure.

The Grand Fiesta Tour– places you in the heart of Mexico.

The American Adventure– shows you the first 200 years of America’s history using film and audio-animatronics.

Future World

Soarin– gives you the sensation that you are hang-gliding over the different landscapes of California.

Test Track– lets you build and test your own car.

Living with the Land- shows you how humans have lived off the land and takes you through Epcot’s greenhouses.  

The Seas with Nemo and Friends– is the largest inland aquarium in the United States.

*I personally am not a huge fan of Test Track, but everyone else loves it! So it made the list.

RESTAURANTS 

There are 16 restaurants at Epcot.  We’ve got the most out of all the other parks combined.  So I’m not going to list every single one of them. There is at least one (some have two) restaurant in each of the 11 countries in the World Showcase, plus two more in Future World.  Trust me, you’ll never go hungry in Epcot!

Here are my favorites:

San Angel Inn – Mexico, they have the BEST tortilla soup EVER!

Teppan Edo – Japan, it’s a hibachi style restaurant, so the chef cooks in front of you.

Chefs de France – France, their Lobster Bisque is my favorite.

The Rose and Crown – UK, enough said.

The Coral Reef – The Seas, one of the walls of the restaurant is looks into the aquarium.  But no worries, you don’t get to pick your dinner!

EXTRAS

Disney Characters: In each country in the World Showcase you will find Disney Characters that come from that country.  For example in the UK you’ll find Mary Poppins and Alice in Wonderland AND in  Morocco you’ll find Aladdin and Jasmine.  You can find each characters in the Epcot Maps and on the My Disney Experience App on you phone.

British Revolution – Is a band that plays British Rock favorites.

Illumnations: Reflections of Earth – is the fireworks show put on every night.  The show even tells a story! Making it the most watched fireworks show on property. (I still prefer Wishes though!)

Now remember, I’ve only given you what I THINK are the must sees.  There are a ton of other fun attractions and extras that you can find in Epcot.  But this will give you a good starting point to the park. 

My best friend Suzanne and I have always said that our idea of heaven on Earth has got to be the World Showcase 30 minutes before Illuminations starts.  There is music playing, torches are lit, and the lighting over the showcase makes for a picture perfect atmosphere.  Add a pastry from France and a Grand Marnier Orange Slush and I will be one happy camper.

Well we’ve covered all 4 Disney Parks!  Remember if you have any specific questions about each of the parks feel free to e-mail me! 🙂  

FFF

Today is the First Friday in February!

Hence the FFF.  I wasn’t swearing.  Although I do think that sometimes a good ol F is necessary.  Like when you stub your toe.  (Oh and in case you didn’t know I can be a bit of a potty mouth.)

Anyway, holy moley it’s February!  The month of January was good to me.  Very good to me.  I still have news that I need to share, but as I said on Monday, I have to wait until Sunday to share it with you all.  But I am DYING to tell everyone.  

Now my whole week was pretty great too.  As I mentioned yesterday I’m now going to be giving the UnDiscovered Future World tour (I have a whole post in the works about Disney tours, so you’ll learn more about this tour soon!) and the training took up the whole week!  It was amazing! I got some great back stage information and I can now tell you everything you never wanted to know about EPCOT!

So here are some of the other tops moments from my week!

(Linking up with Lauren at From My Grey Desk.

1. Favorite tree at Epcot at the moment.

2. Got some good lovin on Facebook yesterday!

3. My cat is a book worm too.

4. Grey nail polish for the week.

5. Spent lots of time in the Seas with Nemo and friends.  Can you find the mickey?!

Have a great weekend! 🙂