This blog fell horribly to the wayside as we thoroughly explore and enjoy our new (warm) home.
But we were reminded of this blog during our recent visit back to Philly for Thanksgiving.
Before I go too deep into that, I'd like to give a big shout out to Hotwire.com. I seriously needed a rental car for my trip, but I guess because of the holiday, it was ridiculously expensive. For 5 days, it was going to cost more than $400. I thought I'd give Hotwire a try; I was a bit nervous, since they won't tell you where it's going to be from until the end, but I thought I'd give it a shot. So glad I did!
I got a nice car for less than $18 a day. Service was awesome, the process was seamless, and I got a 70% discount off of their posted rates. Highly recommend!!!
Anyway, I have never felt sadder than when we first landed in Philadelphia. I suppose four months here has spoiled me, because the gray skies, chilly weather, bare trees, and brown grass completely surprised and depressed me. I spent the next few days shivering like crazy. If I had any doubts I made the right choice, that Philly trip sealed the deal.
I'm back home, and it's just delightful. It's still in the high 70's, and at night, it's just chilly enough to need a light jacket. Love it.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Lessons Learned
This week presented with a vast learning opportunity about Disney Parks.
You know the hype about Labor Day crowds? It's partially true.
We went to Hollywood Studios Friday night, and it was a moderate crowd-certainly not empty, but manageable. Thinking we lucked out and everyone fibbed about Labor Day, we attempted to go to Magic Kingdom Sunday night. Worst mistake ever; it was more crowded than the middle of July. The Haunted Mansion even had an 85 minute wait. We literally couldn't walk anywhere, so we just gave up and went home.
Monday, Labor Day, we decided we were gluttons for punishment, so we went back to Magic Kingdom...and it was completely empty. We walked right on Splash Mountain (twice) hopped on Thunder Mountain, and strolled on Space Mountain.
You know the hype about Labor Day crowds? It's partially true.
We went to Hollywood Studios Friday night, and it was a moderate crowd-certainly not empty, but manageable. Thinking we lucked out and everyone fibbed about Labor Day, we attempted to go to Magic Kingdom Sunday night. Worst mistake ever; it was more crowded than the middle of July. The Haunted Mansion even had an 85 minute wait. We literally couldn't walk anywhere, so we just gave up and went home.
Monday, Labor Day, we decided we were gluttons for punishment, so we went back to Magic Kingdom...and it was completely empty. We walked right on Splash Mountain (twice) hopped on Thunder Mountain, and strolled on Space Mountain.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Fun With Florida Wildlife
Boyfriend is very brave!
While I was away at work, there was a huge rainstorm. Jeremy was of course on the balcony doing something ridiculous with his plants, when he spied a large turtle trying to cross the very busy, 4-lane road behind our apartment. Because it was so wet and slippery, the poor thing couldn't make it over the curb, and he was going to get hit any second.
And this is where I'm proud.
Jeremy ran out, without shoes, in the pouring rain, in the middle of the road. He stopped traffic, and despite his deep terror of all reptiles, picked up the turtle and got him safely to the other side, and the turtle gratefully hurried off to the lake just beyond.
YAY! Now of course, I wish he had brought it in to live in our bath tub, but oh well.
While I was away at work, there was a huge rainstorm. Jeremy was of course on the balcony doing something ridiculous with his plants, when he spied a large turtle trying to cross the very busy, 4-lane road behind our apartment. Because it was so wet and slippery, the poor thing couldn't make it over the curb, and he was going to get hit any second.
And this is where I'm proud.
Jeremy ran out, without shoes, in the pouring rain, in the middle of the road. He stopped traffic, and despite his deep terror of all reptiles, picked up the turtle and got him safely to the other side, and the turtle gratefully hurried off to the lake just beyond.
YAY! Now of course, I wish he had brought it in to live in our bath tub, but oh well.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Rhino Style
This new life here periodically amazes and awes me.
I went to Animal Kingdom about 2 hours before close, hoping to avoid the crowds.
I walked/ran to the Safaris, and was shocked to find myself walking right on with no wait at all.
It was evening right after a brief rain storm, so most of the animals were hiding, and so the trip was a bit of a bust. That is, until we reached the rhino area.
6 or 7 rhinos were grazing directly in the road, completely blocking our path. The Disney driver tried to drive up very close to them slowly, hoping to force them off the path gently, but the rhinos would have none of it. One actually laid down.
The driver explained that we would wait them out, and they should move soon. We spent the next 30 minutes an arms-reach away from the rhinos all around us, who determinedly stayed where they were.
Finally, the poor driver called the animal keeper, who came out with huge heads of lettuce. He rolled them out like beach balls, and to my absolute surprise, the rhinos BOUNDED on the lettuce like dogs chasing a toy. It was absolutely amazing to see the mammoth huge creatures move like that.
One of the absolute coolest things I've ever seen, and a very rare moment in Disney.
I went to Animal Kingdom about 2 hours before close, hoping to avoid the crowds.
I walked/ran to the Safaris, and was shocked to find myself walking right on with no wait at all.
It was evening right after a brief rain storm, so most of the animals were hiding, and so the trip was a bit of a bust. That is, until we reached the rhino area.
6 or 7 rhinos were grazing directly in the road, completely blocking our path. The Disney driver tried to drive up very close to them slowly, hoping to force them off the path gently, but the rhinos would have none of it. One actually laid down.
The driver explained that we would wait them out, and they should move soon. We spent the next 30 minutes an arms-reach away from the rhinos all around us, who determinedly stayed where they were.
Finally, the poor driver called the animal keeper, who came out with huge heads of lettuce. He rolled them out like beach balls, and to my absolute surprise, the rhinos BOUNDED on the lettuce like dogs chasing a toy. It was absolutely amazing to see the mammoth huge creatures move like that.
One of the absolute coolest things I've ever seen, and a very rare moment in Disney.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Frustrations
Oh Florida.
I finally got all my car stuff taken care of...license, insurance, registration. w00t! The license and insurance were super easy, but the registration is a nightmare.
On the Florida DMV website, it very clearly states that you have to bring a COMPLETED VIN verification form with you, and that it can be filled out by a dealer, Florida notary, or a police officer from any state.
When I got there, they of course told me a police officer can not fill it out, and more importantly, it shouldn't have been filled out at all. When I pointed out what it said on their own site, they just shrugged and said it was incorrect.
They then proceeded to tell me I should have done 294727498 other steps (not on the website), and when I said I had spoken to the manager there who had given me a rundown of the process, they said he didn't know what he was talking about. *sigh*
Whatever, it's over with now.
Anyway, boyfriend arrived Sunday morning, and of course, within an hour of his arrival we were at Disney World to get his annual pass. We had a great first night...we hopped on Splash Mountain, Thunder Mountain, and the Haunted Mansion, and gobbled a delicious Dole Whip.
Last night, because boyfriend was so excited he was acting like a toddler, we had to go to Hollywood Studios so he could get on Star Tours. He was speechless with glee for hours.
I finally got all my car stuff taken care of...license, insurance, registration. w00t! The license and insurance were super easy, but the registration is a nightmare.
On the Florida DMV website, it very clearly states that you have to bring a COMPLETED VIN verification form with you, and that it can be filled out by a dealer, Florida notary, or a police officer from any state.
When I got there, they of course told me a police officer can not fill it out, and more importantly, it shouldn't have been filled out at all. When I pointed out what it said on their own site, they just shrugged and said it was incorrect.
They then proceeded to tell me I should have done 294727498 other steps (not on the website), and when I said I had spoken to the manager there who had given me a rundown of the process, they said he didn't know what he was talking about. *sigh*
Whatever, it's over with now.
Anyway, boyfriend arrived Sunday morning, and of course, within an hour of his arrival we were at Disney World to get his annual pass. We had a great first night...we hopped on Splash Mountain, Thunder Mountain, and the Haunted Mansion, and gobbled a delicious Dole Whip.
Last night, because boyfriend was so excited he was acting like a toddler, we had to go to Hollywood Studios so he could get on Star Tours. He was speechless with glee for hours.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Fun fun fun
I survived my first week of work! And my first major event: Women of Distinction. It was just gorgeous.
And I finally got my Disney annual pass, and I started making good use of it. Last night I was terribly bored, so I drove over to Magic Kingdom, and hopped on Splash Mountain, Thunder Mountain, and the Haunted Mansion, then dawdled to see some fireworks.
Boyfriend arrives on Sunday, so then the Disney fun will really begin!
And I finally got my Disney annual pass, and I started making good use of it. Last night I was terribly bored, so I drove over to Magic Kingdom, and hopped on Splash Mountain, Thunder Mountain, and the Haunted Mansion, then dawdled to see some fireworks.
Boyfriend arrives on Sunday, so then the Disney fun will really begin!
Monday, July 25, 2011
The Journey
It's been a while, but mostly because of traveling, then going unconscious.
On Friday, my family arrived to help me pack up the moving truck. Thanks to the help of fantastic movers (MoveMasters in the Philly area), we were loaded and ready to go in under 35 minutes.
The less said about the drive, the better. It was agonizing. A bad accident held us up for over 4 hours. After 18 hours of driving, we finally caved and got a hotel, then got up at 4am to finish the drive.
Another group of fantastic movers, Hoffman Movers, were lifesavers. We were so exhausted and hot we were useless, and the Hoffman moving guys were awesome. They had everything ready to go in under an hour.
Our apartment, despite all the insanity it took to get it, is in a terrific location; 5 miles from Disney, a mile from the Convention Center, and easily commutable to my work.
My work is nice so far. I have a beautiful, large office, and everyone has been super sweet. I'm working my first big event this weekend: Women of Distinction, hosted by Marlo Thomas.
On my first Friday off (w00t!) I'm hoping to get my car nonsense taken car of. That should be entertaining, so stay tuned.
On Friday, my family arrived to help me pack up the moving truck. Thanks to the help of fantastic movers (MoveMasters in the Philly area), we were loaded and ready to go in under 35 minutes.
The less said about the drive, the better. It was agonizing. A bad accident held us up for over 4 hours. After 18 hours of driving, we finally caved and got a hotel, then got up at 4am to finish the drive.
Another group of fantastic movers, Hoffman Movers, were lifesavers. We were so exhausted and hot we were useless, and the Hoffman moving guys were awesome. They had everything ready to go in under an hour.
Our apartment, despite all the insanity it took to get it, is in a terrific location; 5 miles from Disney, a mile from the Convention Center, and easily commutable to my work.
My work is nice so far. I have a beautiful, large office, and everyone has been super sweet. I'm working my first big event this weekend: Women of Distinction, hosted by Marlo Thomas.
On my first Friday off (w00t!) I'm hoping to get my car nonsense taken car of. That should be entertaining, so stay tuned.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Moving to Florida is tricky
Moving to Florida is apparently tricky. Moving within 2 weeks is trickier still.
Getting an apartment has been a nightmare. We found a beautiful one we loved in our price range with a ton of amenities- gated community, fitness center, pool, car care center-, but when we called, we found out it's only for low income families. We called 6 more like this, and it was all the same. We somehow make too much money (and we don't make much!).
After calling 15 more places, we did finally locate a nice apartment in the middle of our two works, but it's been a pain. They said we had to have our applications notarized, they want original offer letters, etc-difficult when you're a 1,000 miles away. I'm hoping all will be figured out tomorrow. 13 days until we move in (hopefully)
Getting an apartment has been a nightmare. We found a beautiful one we loved in our price range with a ton of amenities- gated community, fitness center, pool, car care center-, but when we called, we found out it's only for low income families. We called 6 more like this, and it was all the same. We somehow make too much money (and we don't make much!).
After calling 15 more places, we did finally locate a nice apartment in the middle of our two works, but it's been a pain. They said we had to have our applications notarized, they want original offer letters, etc-difficult when you're a 1,000 miles away. I'm hoping all will be figured out tomorrow. 13 days until we move in (hopefully)
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Here we go!
There was an exact moment this past winter where the first seed of this plan entered my head. It was right after a huge blizzard, and it was followed by an ice storm. As I stood outside in the blistering cold chisseling out my car, I burst into tears, because I was so darned freezing and miserable. And I thought, "this is stupid".
But I didn't think I could change it, really.
Then everything magically fell into place.
And today, I was offered a job in Orlando.
It is at once bittersweet. I am so excited to move South and be warm. But I am very sad to leave Sacred Heart and my fantastic boss. I know I won't have another like her. It will be very difficult to leave this happy place.
2 weeks until Florida!
But I didn't think I could change it, really.
Then everything magically fell into place.
And today, I was offered a job in Orlando.
It is at once bittersweet. I am so excited to move South and be warm. But I am very sad to leave Sacred Heart and my fantastic boss. I know I won't have another like her. It will be very difficult to leave this happy place.
2 weeks until Florida!
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