It's June ALREADY!?

Hello World.

A lot has happened since I last wrote to you. I work at Autopia at Disneyland, I go to Sovereign Grace Church and Rock Harbor church when I can, I started a bible study that meets in my living room, I have some pretty cool friends here, I have started learning to swing dance, my brother Jon got married to Mallory, I went home for 8 days and got to see my amazing family, my dog, and two of my bestest friends in the whole world.

I am nearing the end of my college program. 8 months really wasn't that long after all. Though I really value the experience I am gaining here, I am finding out more and more that I left my heart at Walt Disney World. It's where all of my Disney enthusiasm was born and It's where I fell in love with the Walt Disney Company. It's the place I want to pursue. I miss working at Kilimanjaro Safaris, I miss going to Jelly Rolls, I miss going to Epcot and eating at Sunshine Seasons, I miss going to property control, I miss looking at the pin books at guest relations in each park, I miss Philharmagic, I miss all the weird little things.

I don't know when or how or by what means I will migrate back to Walt Disney World, but it's what I've got my heart set on right now. We'll see what happens and what God has to say about it. I'm trying to keep all my options open though. I'll try to keep you posted.

I have been having some technical difficulties with my video blog but I think I got them all worked out and I've uploaded a few videos. They are a little rough around the edges but I wanted to just hurry up and get some out there because I've had a lot of footage with guest stars lately that I needed to go ahead and put online. So check them out if you're looking for some entertainment, here.

So, my brother Jer has informed me that I should write more about my life as a cast member. What does the general public want to know about it? It's hard to know what to write about because I am in the middle of it so I don't often think about what is now second nature to me. Any questions or topics that anyone would like to hear more about?

Horrible blogger.

I've been a horrible blogger lately.

This is my formal apology.

More to come soon.

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)

SoCal and the magic of Disneyland!

I love my life right now. Love. It. Let me paint you a picture...

I live in Southern California (or as my Californian roommate calls it, SoCal). I work for the happiest place on earth. I work where all the magic, make-believe, hope, and joy that is Disney was born. I am one of the millions helping to keep the magic alive. As one of my trainers said today, "It's up to us now." I'm a part of something special. I have the best job in the world and in my free time I can go to Disneyland or explore California as much as I want. My job opportunities are endless. I have two roommates, Megan, who is from California, and Amber, who is from China. They are super sweet. I could not ask for better roommates and friends. I have amazing neighbors, a sweet group of nice guys who are always in our apartment and are really great to have around. I have most of my super awesome family living within reach. I have already found a nice church that hopefully my schedule will allow me to get involved in. I have so many friends and best friends all around the country and even the world. I have the best parents and siblings. I have the sweetest dog on the planet. I have so many unique and exciting experiences and accomplishments under my belt.

I am SO thankful. Thank you, God. He has truly blessed me beyond my wildest dreams. I definitely wouldn't be where I am today without His hand on my life. I can't wait to see what He's got planned for the rest of my life. It's wide open.

My Favorites. Back into Blogging.

I have not been writing in here in recent times because I feel most of what comes to mind is far too trivial and I put off writing anything too epic or involved because I find it hard to sit at my computer for any extended period of time. I've become FAR too active. I'm hoping to correct this for 2010.

So I'm just going to bite the bullet and blog about whatever is on my mind until I can get back into writing something of real substance.

Here's something random on my mind. I like to make lists. The list for today is a list of my favorite people.

My family:

Sheilah Daws

Billy Daws

Josh Daws

Becca Daws

Jer Daws

Jon Daws

Grant Daws

Mallory Graham (Soon to be Daws)

Molly Daws (My amazing dog...she's practically a person)

Vic Berry

Cindy Berry

Paul Berry

Kelly Berry

April Tomassoni

John Tomassoni

Dante Tomassoni

My Friends:

Kristin Wood

Megan Anderson

Kristina Donahue

Brittany Findley

Cynthia Hosford

Kirsten Quatela

Amanda Lewan

Danielle Kidwell

David Bass-Clark

Patrick Griffith

Wes Goodbrad

Joseph Fluty

and a few others.

Something that has been bothering me lately is the fact that most of the people I care about live in different states. It's rather frustrating. I don't think I'll ever actually be able to see all of my loved ones at the same place at the same time. That's kind of a depressing thought. I think if it were to happen it would be some huge miracle. Maybe when I get married one day I can wrangle all of my loved ones together but that is really the only foreseeable time where they could ever all be together, that and perhaps heaven?

I enjoy adventuring and I definitely don't have a boring life, but sometimes I wish I had grown up in one place in a small town where everyone I love lived together in one blissful utopia.

I'm also a very organized person, so it bothers me knowing that all the people I care about can never been completely organized together in one place. It's unsettling. Which shows me just how ridiculously OCD I am. It's hard for me not to get hung up on this.

I hope that one day at least the vast majority of my love ones will be in the same place. Or perhaps I'll have enough money that I will be able to visit each of them as freely as I choose. I guess I just have to let God lead me in the way in which He wants me to go and trust that if these people are supposed to be in my life He will provide ways for me to keep in touch, get together with, and be near them.

I'm moving to California for 8 months the day after tomorrow. Just another adventure in my ridiculously unsettled life. I shall try and enjoy the ride.