A Snapshot in Erica's Life: Holiday Season!

‘Tis the season to be jolly!

Matt was told he was naughty this year.

Yes, the holidays are upon us! And coming and going they are doing just that! It’s quite difficult to say “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas” when it’s 75 degrees out and sunny. What?? Some of you reading this may be jealous or wishing you had that weather—but not me! Christmas needs to be cold so you can snuggle up to blankies and hot cocoa.

Recap:

Birthday was so fun in Disney! I rode Space Mountain and Buzz Lightyear with the lights on as the start of my birthday and went to the Halloween party that night. Super cool to be in the park on your birthday and to wear the birthday button!

My roommate, Paige, treated me with my favorite Mickey rice krispie treats. Work treated me with my other favorite white chocolate macadamia nut cookies as well as a card and streamers. And my parents sent me fun stuff as well as Arielle, my best friend from back home. Ashley, my old roommate, was here and decorated my entire room and was absolutely adorable and still have the streamers up to this day. And my favorite present might have been this video.......

Halloween was a rock-in. Quite strange here that the holidays are celebrated basically an entire month early for cast to get their discount. Let’s just say.. I have been entirely screwed up. Celebrating Halloween in September, going to a Halloween party before my birthday (Sept 18), weather in the 80’s, and decorations all over the place doesn’t quite give you a clear mindset with all the confusion. On top of that, Disney skips right over Thanksgiving. No decorations. Nothing besides specialized food options across property. Not sure why this is—maybe because it’s an American holiday? Thanksgiving is overlooked? Who knows. But it goes Halloween till Nov 2nd, then Nov 3rd is Christmas. Talk about messing your mind up!! But did go to more Christmas parties. Went to 2 and glad I did! Here are my favorites:

Thanksgiving was AWESOME! We had a “Friendsgiving” with 7 of us all chowing down on good food and good company. We even had an actual turkey that we didn’t burn! Surprise, surprise. We then played a few games and just had a great night. This Thanksgiving, however, was a bit different than most. I met 2 people from France in July and have been in touch here and there with them. They contacted me and asked me what I was doing for Thanksgiving and I told them they were welcome to join us. I didn’t realize until after picking them up that they have never celebrated Thanksgiving before! Of course they wouldn’t have, it is an American holiday. They asked us what our traditions were and what we do. I basically said we eat (Isn’t that what the holidays are for anyways??). They asked us if we could go around saying what we were thankful for. They both said they were very thankful that they were able to celebrate their very first American holiday with us and for us to show them what our culture was like. Jokingly, they said it was the best American holiday they’ve ever had (since it was their first one). How adorable. I was tickled pink and speechless. Where else are you ever going to have an experience like that?? Experiences like those make me never want to leave here.

Busch Gardens: Oh my goodness is this place fantastic! I hadn’t been before so wasn’t exactly sure what to expect except just a ton of crazy roller coasters that I kept hearing from other people. My friend and I made a little vacay out of it in Tampa, since it was an hour away and enjoyed going to Busch Gardens for 2 days since they had a deal for buying 1 park ticket gets you in the park twice in one week. We went to Splitsville, an amazinggg bowling alley and restaurant (which there’s one in Downtown Disney), and wanted to compare it between ours and the one in Tampa. Our was obviously better, but it was because the demand was so much greater.

I can’t even begin to explain how thrilling the rides are there! So many of them took my breath away. To me, Busch Gardens felt like a combination between a zoo, Animal Kingdom, and Cedar Point. Pretty rockin’ ! Here are 2 videos I took of my 2 favorite rides there---- craaaaaazy.

Oh, and this for kicks & giggles. I will forever cherish this video.

Christmas: Christmas was so lovely! It was definitely odd not being with my family for the first time. However, I thought it was just so precious that I was able to spend it with my childhood best friend who moved down here and her family! We ate yummy food and then played euchre for hours! How fun! (Much different than my family who collapses on the couches after having intense food coma). Then after I stopped at my neighbors who I spent Thanksgiving with and we played cards and games. As perfect as a Christmas I could get without my family there!