Hello beautiful readers!

Wow! We've made it past the halfway point of 2018! This is crazy! I'm so happy you are all still around and survived Thano's snap (#nerdalert).

The middle of the year can definitely feel like a blur sometimes. We're either caught up with the idea of summer fun or constant work that we forget to look back at all the things we've done in the past six months. "Looking back" shouldn't be saved solely for the end of the year. We should always reflect on our day, week, month, whatever works best for you and not feel overwhelmed. 

While we should always think about our accomplishments and the many great places we've visited, we also should look at what didn't work in the first half of the year and see how we can tackle it for the second half. This is where those New Year's Resolutions come into play.

• What worked?
• What didn't work?
• Did you achieve half of your NYR list?
• Is there something you thought you would of done by now that you haven't done yet?

There are two things that automatically come into mind from my personal list of NYR and that is not being more active on my blog (sorry!) and not being more active at the gym.

While they are big on my list, I still don't let them overshadow the many great things I've been able to explore this past six months!

Up to now, I have attended 3 different comic cons, attend Spring Dapper Day at Walt Disney World, visited 15 states, saw my high school friend get married, upon many more fun moments all of which have allowed me to travel over 13,000 miles!!! That is insane! Never did I think I'd be able to travel as much as I have been fortunate enough to do so, but thats what dreaming hard and working harder is all about. So without further ado, I will now share some of my favorite highlights of the year. Enjoy!

January

Somewhere in West America

Outside my first out of state comic con in Phoenix, AZ!

Las Vegas, NV

Butterbeer at Universal Studios Hollywood

February

How can anyone get out of bed with this view?

Blessed with Sebastian Stan's autograph at Wizard World St. Louis 

Meeting Ashley Brown, Broadway's Mary Poppins at Epcot

Meeting Josh Strickland, Broadway's Tarzan at Epcot

Attending my first Festival of Arts at Epcot

Epcot's festivals always have fun photo spots! Cheers!

March

The only photo I got of myself back in Sabinas Hidalgo, Nuevo Leon eating Nieve Rosa

April

Going in to see Avengers: Infinity War for the first time.

Spring Dapper Day essentials for WDW

Dapper Day at Magic Kingdom, Disneybounding as Blue Fairy and Jane Porter

Having fun at Crystal Palace with Pooh and his friends!

Dapper Day at Epcot, my favorite day

May

The anticipation for Solo: A Star Wars Story was real

June

Seeing Shali get married was a magical moment. Don't you love seeing your childhood friends find happiness? <3

The fields where my family worked 20 or so years ago in Pasco, WA.

Outside the WaMu theatre getting ready for ACE Comic Con in Seattle, WA

There is no appropriate way to eat a churro at Disneyland.

"Yes, tell me sweet nothings."

True Question: who's taller Sleeping Beauty Castle or me?

Do you guys remember that episode of New Girl where Jess
gets served with a warrant? Well this guy gave it to her! 

We magically stumbled on this ICONIC place on our last trip day. WHAT! 

And there you have it! A quick visual journal of all the fun things I've done this year. I won't lie, it's hard work being able to do all the things I've done but if you hold on to the dream anything is possible.

I can't wait to see where the second half of the year takes me (or doesn't? My body could use a break hehe). 

Where have you gone in the first half of the year? Where do you hope the second half of 2018 takes you? I'd love to hear more about your stories.

Until next time!

xo, Elizabeth 

Orlando Trip, Day Four: Island of Adventure

Another Monday, another Opportunity!

Hello readers, today I finish my four part diary to my first trip to Orlando back in July. We visited the Magic Kingdom, traveled the world to Epcot, entered the magical world of Universal Studios Orlando, and now I finish it up with my last post: Island of Adventure.

Orlando Trip, Day Three: Universal Studios Orlando

Hello Monday!

It's been far too long since I last posted on here and I can't tell you how good it feels to be writing again! Work has truly kept me busy, but that's okay because I have great big adventures in the way.

Today I'm back to finish writing about my summer trip to Orlando because there needs to be more blogging about magical places!! You can read the first two parts of this four part series here and here. 

It's been a magical week or two since the release of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them that it felt reasonable to post about my visit that has access to Diagon Alley, Universal Studios Orlando. Again, this post is not sponsored by anyone. This is a visual diary of mine that I share with the rest of you friends. Got it? Let's get started!

You know I had to take advantage of the sun light! Sam and I on our way to the park!

 

Ah, the beautiful entrance. I will say, it was a bit nostalgic seeing this golden arch after seeing its sister arch back in Hollywood for many years.

 

Definitely not the same exterior like in Universal Studios Hollywood.

 

Taking advantage of Snapchat's Geo-Filter. I'm not the only one in the hunt for all of them, right? I am? Oh, okay....Let's move on!

 

Lon Chaney's Make Up according to the sign next to these beautiful artifacts.

 

I've been obsessed with Universal Monsters and Alfred Hitchcock since a child (thank you USH), that seeing all of the movie props, costumes and makeup made me so giddy!

This museum/show gave me **feels**! It reminded me of the long, gone show "Studio Effects" attraction in USH, where now the new Transformers ride lives.

 

Terminator. I miss you in California!

 

I couldn't tell if it was hunger talking, but the food at Mel's was SO. GOOD.  

 

I'm *dead.* Seeing this attraction and getting on it again gave 5 year old Elizabeth so much happiness! This ride means a lot to my parents since it's one of the first rides we rode in USH when we went our first year.

Now comes the portion in the post where I lose my mind and post nothing but Diagon Alley photos. You have been warned.

 

Yes, you can meet the men in charge of the Knight Bus.

 

My *death my love* face once crossing the brick wall.

 

Baby breathes fire!! Protecting the future not-so-safe-since-our-dragon-left Gringotts Wizarding Bank.

 

The wand that chose me.

 

I'M NOW A WITCH!! 

 

Seriously, the details and love that was used to bring Wizarding World of Harry Potter to life is evident everywhere you turn. Bravo, artists!

 

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts attraction is amazing! The waiting area is amazing. Simply ride this ride!

 

My first Butterbeer! So tasty when it's frozen in a hot July day.

 

Leaving Knockturn Alley because #NOPE to Death Eaters.

 

When a witch attempts to go Vogue. 

 

So many wands! Which means, yours is somewhere in there too!

 

Sad attempt at making magic.

 

Once we left Diagon Alley, we decided to go #vogue once more next to this cool mural in the park.

 

Bless the folks who asked if we wanted our picture taken together.

 

We had to leave the park early due to our shuttle, but we still covered 80% of the park on a busy day. We had tons of fun! I can't wait to share our last park visit,  Island of Adventure! Read my other park visits to Magic Kingdom and Epcot!

Thank you again for reading my blog! I'll see you next time my beautiful readers! 

xo, Elizabeth