Once upon a time, it was Trifecta Monday. Only, it wasn't Trifecta fun times, yet, so I was at home doing my thing. (You know, that thing you do when you really don't have anything else to do? That thing.) And suddenly, BOOM! (well, more like CLICK) and the lights and the power went out in my bedroom. Not funtimes. We decided the building is not well-wired and I think they have to get an electrician in here to fix it. This will happen soon. I plan on calling the office on a nearly-daily basis until it is fixed. So that is why I haven't blogged about Trifecta Monday Past already. Also, pictures will have to wait because Inconvenient to get them onto my computer right now.
So, the next upon a time, it was Funtimes. And we went to.... IKEA!!! Because it's cheaper. And my Mushu pushed me around in a shopping cart. We were taking bets on how long it would take for the IKEA employees to get upset with us, but they never did. We even made it a point to go past as many employees as we could. So that just goes to show that IKEA is OK with people riding in the shopping carts, even if the people are not small children. FYI.
And then we went to Olive Garden. There was delicious gelato for me and I impressed everyone with how much goodness I can devour. I still, however, have not found any gelato that is as good as it was in Texas. This is my quest.
So, Olive Garden closed. It kind of helped to continue with our tradition of practically being kicked out of restaurants every week (due to them closing). But we weren't done being AWESOME yet, so we drove around. My Christopher Robin has this laser pointer thingy in his car, and my Mushu started pointing it on people who were either out on the sidewalk or in the car next to us. Then yours truly got a hold of this laser, and Near Death happened. The guy (who was in the car next to us) started to FOLLOW us. Like, he was seriously following us. We all thought we were going to get shot and die, so my Christopher Robin, who was driving, got us on the freeway and we sped off. I'm not sure where we lost him at, but it was, in a word, Amazing. In fact, I'm pretty sure I do not do it justice. You maybe had to be there.
I'm trying to eat a sandwich right now, and my jam is oozing all over the place. Silly jam.
Anyway. So Monday I convinced the Trifecta to go down to Newport Beach's Temple with me. My Mushu specifically asked for a picture with the cornerstone before we left, so of course we had to go find that.
It was a small preview for the three of us of what our June road-trip to Utah will be like.
We took pictures (mostly me) at the temple, and then we went and found DINNER!!!! Because my People love me, we ordered my three favorite items off the menu at P.F. Chang's and then we ate everything and still had room for....
Sprinkles!!! Sprinkles Cupcakes are everything Michelle (of the BYU Card Club fame) ever cracked them up to be. We each ordered 2, only I saved one of mine for Tuesday's breakfast.
After dessert, there were fun times running around Fashion Island. My Christopher Robin promised to buy me a couch that I like (and shook on it) as soon as I have my own apartment/house. We aren't forgetting about this. However, there were also maybe broken mirrors involved, so we don't know how well my luck will hold about that.
Hope you all enjoy the pictures. SeaWorld post is still coming, promise.
So, I meant to blog this yesterday when I got home from work, but instead I fell asleep for two hours (which I also did today, and it was lovely. I love sleeping).
Once upon a time I was working and having lots of annoying camera problems. I am actually starting to think that some of it my be psychological, because I only really have major problems when my Christopher Robin is EQ. So it's probably my way of sending a curse to my camera/pda just so he has to visit me.
So my Christopher Robin comes and switched out my cable, and then proceeded to break his costume. Because he wanted to see if he could. It was pretty awesome, but hard to explain unless you have the costume in front of you. But he only broke it on one side, and that made me think to myself "unbalanced!" every time I looked over at him. With very little peer pressure, I was able to convince him to break the other side. And that is how my Christopher Robin's vest became One of a Kind.
I thought for sure I had a list of all the free things I've been given since moving to CA, but apparently I do not. This is slightly disappointing as I can't quite remember everything anymore.
But, moral of the story is: people keep giving me things. For free. For example: today I finally made it to the floral shop/design school that I've been meaning to go to for about a month and talked to the owner. He gave me the bouquet he made for his class today, a topiary design he made for his class earlier this week, and some stems of my favorite flower ever (orchids, duh). Also information about the school, but I asked for that and haven't looked over it yet. But I didn't ask for the flowers.
Also, I'm in the beginning stages of setting up my etsy shop. If you want to see Specific Prints for Sale, then you should probably tell me which ones you think will sell. You should probably tell me that, even if you're not going to buy any from me. Because I've only had one person comment on that part. So here is a link to the last post about that: Etsy Prints
Last night the Trifecta did something a little different and actually let other people in on our shindigs. These other people should feel honored and blessed right now, because this is not something that happens every Monday. Also, we all got to witness something Beautiful and nearly sacred. My Mushu had his first Bonfire.
Whoa.
My Mushu also had his first s'more. It was a very special moment and one that I think the whole trifecta will cherish forever and ever. It was almost like watching a baby take it's first steps, or seeing that first tooth poke through the gums (OK, that's a little gross, so maybe not the second one).
I also ate several s'mores, but I think I had more fun lighting all the marshmallows on fire and trying to make them go hollow without falling off the stick. Mostly I failed at that, but it was still fun to watch the marshmallows explode in the fire. If you've never witnessed this phenomenon, then you seriously need to reconsider your roasting priorities next time you are around an open fire and roasting something.
Also, minorly disappointing: hot dogs do not explode in the fire.
Meanwhile, I hope you all enjoy this very magical picture of My Mushu and My Christopher Robin.
(Man, check out those magic skills I have. I am so amazing, I could almost work for QA*.)
*This is a Work Related Comment. If you don't understand it, don't worry about it.
Yesterday the Trifecta got together for our weekly meeting at Tiffy's. It's this cute little restaurant/ice cream parlor on Katella and Disneyland Drive. The food isn't, like, the best food ever, but the service is good (our waitress was adorable), and best of all, THEY HAVE PLAYER PAINOS!!!
Always I hear these things playing when we go eat at Tiffy's as a family, but for the first time ever, it was me playing them (well, my quarter, anyway. Mushu put the quarters into the piano).
You're going to have to forgive the sound quality (or lack thereof) as I took this video on my phone. Actually, maybe just mute it as you watch.
So, I think my head is about to explode. This is the 3rd migraine I've had in two weeks and I'm getting desperate. If you know of a really good doctor in Orange County, let me know. I prefer someone not scary, but I'll almost take anyone. This is how desperate I am.
Anyway, other than that small detail, life is still good! Last week my Love Duck and parents came to visit me. There were 12 days of Disney in a row (what with work and all that), but it was the first time I've really played in the parks since I got here 2 months ago. I screamed my lungs out on Splash Mountain (I think I mostly just scream because, you know, I can, not because I'm scared), rode Small Word for the first time since it re-opened last month (so cute!), and ate like a million marshmallow sticks. I love those things so much. Surprisingly enough, though, I didn't take many pictures! This was probably a mistake on my part, but I think it's because I take so many pictures at work that, when I'm not working, I find it is kind of nice to be able to see more of the world than what's in a view finder.
Mondays have basically become my favorite day of the week, despite having class on what is usually my day off. For this coming Monday, I believe I am looking forward to a non-dance party at Barnes and Noble, and I'm pretty sure it will be the best non-dance party in the history of non-dance parties.
So, yup. That's basically life right now. I need to run out to Target today to pick up Pinocchio and probably The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, but we'll see if I actually make it that far. I guess it's more of a want than a need, anyway. Probably I will, though, seeing as how I'm nice and don't really know how to say "no" to people, so I'm taking a fellow CP to some train station by the Honda Center in about 20 minutes.
And, oh yeah! Bless the IRS, because I got my tax return today! That was excitement in my bank account. I'm now trying to decide if I can justify buying a macro lens for my camera or not. It's a lot of money for one of those puppies, though, so it may have to wait a little longer. I kind of like seeing bigger numbers in my savings account.
People in California are funny. Or maybe it's just now that I am in California, people are funny.
Anyway, I've actually been sort of on-again, off-again composing this post for a while, but it takes effort to think of 'nyms for everyone that I will remember in the future. And I have met a lot of everyones in the past nearly-two months. Like*, seriously. A lot. But a recent conversation with the leader of TK kind of nudged me to finish the job so that I can prove my point (next time we hang out, I'm taking notes).
Curly: "I'm playing with pigs. I don't think I have any pride."
Christopher Robin: "I feel like you have to show your 'Mormon Stick' before they'll even let you into Utah."
Christopher Robin: "[Katria]. Now do you understand why everything you say should be a Hallmark card?"
Christopher Robin: "You're quiet for like 10 minutes and then you open your mouth and everything that comes out of it is hilarious."
Katria: "You do look like you're from Utah since you're walking around with 3 girls." Christopher Robin: "You just made the joke I have been thinking all day. I can't believe you said that!"
Christopher Robin: "I have the legs of a Greek god. I may be missing a few other things, but my legs are beautiful."
Christopher Robin: "Verbose is just a nice way of saying he won't shut up. Nice try, though."
Rip Torn: "Mater's eyes are hypnotizing. I bet if you watch them long enough, you'll turn redneck."
Katria: "It's Brigham Young University." Bartholomew: "Did you say 'Bring 'em young?'" Katria: "No, but that is very fitting."
Katria: "I watched some seagulls poop on the picture." Doc: "Did you capture the magic?"
Christopher Robin: "If I were related to Kohler, I wouldn't do anything except sit at home on my porcelain throne all day."
Christopher Robin: "I'm proud of the fact that people think of me in their most vulnerable moments"
Captain: "I know there're people in Africa, but there's a lot of work to do."
Geri: "What mountain is that?" Katria: "[Geri], that's a tree."
*As a side note, I'm trying to limit my usage of "like." It is such a Utah word to say, and I've noticed recently (like, as of Monday) that I say it way too much.
(When all else fails for creating Titles, I can always count on Hoops and Yoyo.* This time the title comes from my adorable Hoops and Yoyo perpetual calendar. Which talks to me. Daily.)
Just a few thoughts from my day. And pardon me if they're all disorganized and random, but I'm tired and about to fall asleep.
1) Waking up because the smoke detector's battery in the hallway is dying is really uncool. Coming home from work to find that the battery hasn't been changed yet (even though management has been told about it and it is, supposedly, their responsibility to fix it) is even more uncool.
2) When I went to Target to find some 9v batteries (to replace the dying one, you know), I found Muppets from Space on DVD for less than what the batteries cost me. I couldn't pass up such a good deal. Rizzo, I will love you until the day I die.
3) Chopsticks are so work appropriate. So nyah. (This is the sound of me sticking my tongue out, if you are wondering. Someday I'll have someone spell out my tongue-sticking-out nouse phonetically, because this one is not accurate.)
4) We played BINGO at work today. That was kind of awesome and made the time go by a lot faster. I was winning when I left, but I have a feeling that some of the people who still had a few hours left on their shifts probably got black-outs. Considering I only worked 4 hours, though, and also considering the fact that we didn't start BINGO until half-way through my shift, I think I did pretty well. Also, there were TOPS coins involved (which, admittedly, means basically nothing to the vast majority of my readership. Sorry. Just accept the fact that I am awesome).
5) And last, but not least, it was Family Reunion Day today! Today marks the second time in the history of my career that my whole training group has been working in one location at the same time. It was almost perfect. We just needed our Favorite Trainer there with us, and then life would have been complete.
*Dood, I never said my titles would have anything to do with my posts!
So, like... our fridge handle fell off. Well, half of it did. I mean, that's cool, right? Sure, we keep wacking ourselves in the face pretty much every time we go to get some food or a drink, but at least it is all stainless steel and stuff.
Right?
Meanwhile, as I am thinking pretty definitely of staying on at Disney after my internship is over (granted, this is still like... 6 months away or something), I have started looking into housing. I've found this one place in Anaheim that's like, way nice looking and brand spanking new and I think I really want to live there. Problem is, living anywhere in California, especially when you want to live alone and not have to deal with the whole roommate thing anymore, is very expensive. So if anyone wants to donate to my cause, I won't say no. I also won't forget about you.
And my brownie cake is done now. So, you know, I'm going to go take care of that.
P.S. I've also finished seasons 1 and 2 of NCIS. I am now accepting seasons 3 and/or 4 on DVD.
If you are wondering, your stake/ward website (on lds.org) will be unavailable to you when your records are in transit. You won't even be able to log in. I know this from experience. But, good news! My records have been officially moved to California! Sacrament meeting is going to be really hard for me to get to like... oh, probably always, but I think I can at least go to RS and part of Sunday School on Sunday. I am well pleased about this.
If you don't like big crowds, don't come to Disney on a Sunday, long weekend, holiday, or any combination of the above.
In other news, I did at least get to pet a dog today. A guy came to view his photos and had a service/companion dog with him named Cookie and he let me pet it. I felt really bad for this guy, though. His wife (of several years) cheated on him, they got divorced, he went on a business trip (like just this past week or so) and came home to find all the furniture had been moved out, and today was his birthday. But at least he got to spend it at the Happiest Place on Earth with his dog. And they got their picture taken with Pluto.
Tonight on the Cast Shuttle back to the parking lot, the radio was playing "Sexy Back" (by Justin Timberlake) and I started snickering because all I heard was "I got a sexy stache." Thank you, Divine Comedy.
Also yesterday someone who is leaving in a week gave me his really, really nice neck-strap, saying that they were hard to come by and he wanted me to have it (even though we've never met!).
And I'm perfect more often than not when it comes to Primary shots (which are the portrait ones). I think this is because I prefer to shoot portrait as opposed to landscape (we're talking format here, not like actual portraits/landscapes). My secondary shots (landscape) are usually perfect, but not as often as the Primaries. And my trainer says I've caught on too fast. All of us in TK (team [my trainer's name]) have caught on too fast, actually, and we ran out of things to do tonight so we had a long... discussion about the college program.
Man, you guys. I love my job so much. Tomorrow we shoot Characters!
The other night, after training, I got home from a very unsuccessful round of shoe shopping. My roommate was sitting on the couch and said, "Did you feel the earthquake?"
...
My first California earthquake and I missed it! I must have been driving around in my car or something. It was a ways away, but I guess some people were still able to feel it near Disney. (This actually explains why my bed was no longer against the wall and why my ethernet cord wasn't under my bed anymore.) I am actually kind of bummed out about this, but oh well. I'm sure there will be plenty more earthquakes in California before my life is over. Maybe I'll be here (and not driving around) for one of them.
Who on earth wants to be awake this early? Oh, not me. But I am and have been since 5 when my roommate's alarm went off. I kept having panic that it was almost 6 (when my alarm was supposed to go off) and it never was almost 6, but because of the panic I could not fall back asleep.
This is completely normal.
Yesterday was pretty not exciting. There was trying to sleep in, but house keeping knocked on the door way early (I spent the night at the hotel with The Mom and The Dad), so getting dressed happened. Then we came to my apartment, found my roommates, and we all went grocery shopping. Yea! At 1:15 there was checking-in for New Hires and all the fun stuff that goes along with that (such as paperwork and talking about scheduling) and I learned 2 things: 1) Mormons are weird. I missed why Mormons are weird, but they're weird. Something about liquor stores. I wanted to ask the kid who made this announcement why, but didn't have the guts. Plus that would have required moving, and I was tired. 2) My school is sneered upon by more people than I thought. When asked which school I went to, I either got a sneer or a blank look (several people have never heard of us and at least one had no idea where School is, but had heard of us). So, whee, right?
Oh, here is some great news that I had yesterday, though. Disney is a very union-oriented company. This should be no surprise to any of us. I thought for sure I was going to have to join a union and there would go $15 out of every pay check (at least!), but PHOTO IMAGING PEOPLE DON'T HAVE A UNION!!!!!! I am so happy about this, I can't even tell you. It's like being a scab, but with nobody hating me for it. I think. (I don't actually know because I've never had to deal with unions before)
Anyway, that was yesterday. Today training things start at 8, but we have to be to TDA* by 7:30 to check-in which means leaving in about an hour. We go until 4 this afternoon! Tomorrow is training free unless I start work. Then there is on-the-job training. So much! I will be tired tonight.
Well, the good news is that I have an apartment now. Granted, I stood in a line for six hours yesterday to get said apartment, but at least now I have one. It wasn't all bad times, though. Yes, the hallway was crowded and I'm pretty sure we were breaking at least 10 different fire codes. Yes, it smelled like dorm rooms. And, sure, I didn't get to eat at all until about 4:30 (pm) due to the whole standing in line thing, but it wasn't all bad. I met some cool people in that line and, I swear we were best friends by the time we all got into the housing office. One of the guys behind me had this game called "Pass the Pigs" and we played that several times. Weirdest game ever, yet strangely fun. We even played for prizes, but I didn't win anything. First prize was the extra McDonalds french fries (gross- I was actually winning this round and then they announced the prize and I purposely kept shaking the pigs until I was sure to loose all my points from that round), second prize was this talking baby Shrek figurine and the third prize was a wrist laser pointer thing (happy meals- they don't do Barbies and Hotwheels appartently anymore). I also had a headache by the time we started playing for prizes and was losing interest in being social. Also that many people around me causes Vast Tensions inside of me and I was clenching my jaw so bad that by the time last night rolled around, I couldn't even open my mouth (remember those fun times how my jaw locks up really bad ever since I got my wisdom teeth out?). My mouth stil doesn't open very wide right now, but it opens enough that I can eat and talk and drink liquid and that is all tha matters.
Other fun things that happened in line yesterday (but that I had too much dignity to participate in- I know, party-pooper, right?) was a napkin eating contest. Dr. Suess, one of the three people that played Pigs with us (the game actually belongs to him) pulled out some napkins. The object of the game is to see who can get the napkin completely into their mouth the fastest without using their hands. Dr. Suess won. He says he has lots of practice and after watching him, I believe it. Some girl's mother video-taped it and is going to put it up on youtube. So, if you are really bored, you can try finding it. I have no idea how.
Getting the internet here is like playing musical chairs. Ever time the music stops, you have to find a new internet. Problem is, we don't know what the music is or how to make it keep going, so instead my roommates and I just keep switching to different internet connections. For some reason, the connection in our apartment is.... lacking to say the least. We've tried everything we can think of (short of going up to the housing office, but none of us actually want to put shoes on or call them, we're just all complaining about it instead), and it still doesn't work. So instead we are mooching off all the other Disney connections (it's all the same, really, and doesn't matter). But I can't get the connection that my two roommates are getting and they can't get the connection I am getting and it's "What signal are you using right now?!" ever 5 minutes until we are all able to get connected. So, I guess, just don't expect too much internet time from me for the next little while. We are still trying to get settled in, anyway, and there are all kinds of training things going on this week, so that keeps us quite busy and doesn't allow for a lot of down time.
Speaking of training things, it's time to leave for one right now.
We took pictures (mostly me) at the temple, and then we went and found DINNER!!!! Because my People love me, we ordered my three favorite items off the menu at P.F. Chang's and then we ate everything and still had room for....
