I'm Almost There!

For years I've watched my brothers with their passions for film and music. I've always admired that about them. But I've always felt left out, because I have never been able to find MY "thing". I've always wondered what my talent was. All the things I seem to be good at aren't really all that tangible, things like: talking to people, making new friends, being positive, encouraging others, making others feel special and welcome. Those are all nice things but when someone asks you what your talent is, they are usually looking for something like, "I play guitar" or "I'm a writer". What am I supposed to say?

I've been working for disney for 6 months and I've figured out that I LOVE it! I love making magic. I love being kind to people and brightening their days. I love talking with random strangers about nothing while they are waiting in line. I love telling kids that the light on top of the Matterhorn is actually the light of the fire coming from Minnie and Mickey's winter cabin, not a pilot light for airplanes. It's the PERFECT job for me. It all makes sense. I am so passionate about preserving the disney heritage of magic and innocence in the parks and even the world, so that everyone can continue to enjoy it and gain joy from it for years to come, just like I have been able to throughout my life time.

I have NEVER been a competitive person but this passion has lit a fire under me that is bringing my previously nonexistant competitive nature to light. It's all pretty new to me but, I kinda like it! I make magic. Well..actually Walt Disney created the magic in 1955. I preserve magic. I'm in the business of magic preservation. I'm a biologist with a concentration in preservation. Hehe. I want to rise higher and higher in the company so that I can share my ideas and my passion with others to stimulate them to be magic preservers and creators too.

I was recently in Disneyland by myself...because I decided to start a little project of studying each land and learning about every inch of it. I happened to stumble upon the end of The Princess and the Frog show. I didn't really like this movie at first, but after watching Princess Tiana sing "Almost There" now that I've becoming so passionate about my own career, I decided to give it another chance. I feel just like Princess Tiana trying so hard to work towards her dream. Watch this video and be encouraged :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAVM-vwX8Pk

Mama! I don't have time for dancing!

That's just gonna have to wait a while
Ain't got time for messing around
And it's not my style
This old town can slow you down
People taking the easy way
But I know exactly where I'm going
Getting closer and closer every day

And I'm almost there, I'm almost there
People down here think I'm crazy, but I don't care
Trials and tribulations, I've had my share
There ain't nothing gonna stop me now cause I'm almost there

I remember Daddy told me: Fairytales can come true
You gotta make 'em happen, it all depends on you"
So I work real hard each and every day
Now things for sure are going my way
Just doing what I do
Look out boys, I'm coming through

And I'm almost there, I'm almost there
People gonna come here from everywhere
And I'm almost there
I'm almost there

There's been trials and tribulations
You know I've had my share
But I've climbed the mountain, I've crossed the river
And I'm almost there, I'm almost there
I'm almost there!

Womanhood.

I am thoroughly enjoying my new life in Anaheim, CA. I feel like I am finally getting settled somewhere and everything is falling into place.

I feel like I'm getting all my "ducks in a row". I've got my career at Disney and I'm in super networking mode. I've got a great church with some cool new Christian friends to encourage me spiritually. I'm starting this exciting Bible study for other college program students and lots of people have shown interested. My roommates are amazing. Life in this apartment building is so great. I wish I could just keep living here til I settle down with someone, because it's such a great set up. I love this area. I have been noticing some pretty cute apartments and tiny houses for rent up the road. I'm such a planner, I already want to start looking into the cost and planning out my life after August. It's so easy for me to get ahead of myself sometimes. WAYYYY ahead.

I am also actually enjoying keep our apartment tidy. For the first time in my life, I take great pleasure in doing the dishes. Also I've started to eat like a normal person, planning normal meals. One of my favorite things to do lately is make dinner after work for some of our neighbors. I find that having someone to cook for really motivates me. Otherwise I don't always see the point in spending so much time on one dish. I am having a good time planning out my meals and what I'm going to eat and shopping for food (except for the prices!).

With my career, networking, church, cleaning, cooking and paying more attention to my finances, I haven't really been giving myself much time for fun. I'm kind of addicted to productivity.

It's so cool that I'm so motivated lately, although I know I need to find a balance and let myself relax and enjoy time with friends and build relationships from time to time.

Also I know I've been putting productivity and my career above my time spent with God. Those are definitely things I need to work on.

I have felt for a long time that my "spiritual gift" is encouragement. I think I need to focus my attention on that more and see how I can be more actively using this gift to bring glory to God.

Over all I am loving that my time is full, I'm becoming more responsible, I'm buckling down, and even my thoughts are more adult like lately. I was giving some friends dating advice and I could not believe the words coming out of my mouth the other day. I'm thinking more realistically and rationally, or at least I'm trying to.

OH and I've even stopped biting my finger nails! ...Will I be able to last? I hope so! I'm doing good. I think this is the sure fire clincher that I've become a full-fledged woman :) haha.

In the words of Anne Margaret on Bye Bye Birdie, "How lovely to be a woman like me!!"

Thank you God for helping me to be more diligent and responsible! Help me to keep it up!!

One last note...I would just like to say that Megan Anderson is one of the best friends I've ever had in my life and she has brought me so much encouragement over the last week or so and I am FILLED to the brim with thankfulness for her in my life!!!!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!!! Don't be lonely if you're single. Try not to focus on it and fill your time with productivity, dream pursuing, goal orientedness, hobbies, and self-improvement and love will find you when it's suppose to.

If You're Single on Valentine's Day

My Mom sent me this! Enjoy.

A Valentine may play a love song for you,
but God sings you the sweetest love song
in the universe.
–>The Lord your God…will rejoice over
you with gladness, He will keep you
quiet with his love, He will rejoice
over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)

A Valentine may give you flowers, but
God sent you the most beautiful rose of
all, Jesus.
–> I am the rose of Sharon, and the
lily of the valleys. (Songs of Solomon 2:1)

A Valentine may take you out to dinner,
but God has invited you to the most
amazing feast ever given.
–> Blessed are those who are called to
the marriage supper of the Lamb!
(Revelation 19:9)

A Valentine may bring you chocolate, but
God provides you with something even
sweeter, His Word.
–> How sweet are your words to my
taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
(Psalm 119:103)

A Valentine may be far away, but God is
always with you.
–> I am with you always. (Matthew 28:20)

A Valentine may give you something, but
God has given you everything.
–> God gives us richly all things to
enjoy. (1 Timothy 6:17)

A Valentine may love you for a lifetime,
but God loved you before you were born
and will love you for all eternity!
–> Yes, I have loved you with an
everlasting love…with lovingkindness I
have drawn you. (Jeremiah 31:3)