After school was over on Friday, I left as fast as I could so I could get over to Naples to pick up the guys: Andy, Brian, and Doug. I didn't speed though so don't let that sentence fool you. There were so many cops on I-75 I didn't even think about it. We packed up my car with their food and bags and were on our way. Andy was the navigator and the 3 of them provided the comedy for pretty much the entire trip. Brian is Andy's roommate and Doug is a friend from law school. They kept the drive fun and comical. My funny/awkward moment of that drive though was our stop at the gas station so I could go to the bathroom. I went inside the gas station and noticed that someone was in the bathroom so I was waiting patiently for my turn. When the door opened to the girls bathroom, a guy came out. He looked at me so confused but my face was probably worse. I went in and of course, the seat was up and just kind of laughed to myself. After I got back to the car, him and his friends were a little bit in front of me and they were laughing and looking at me awkwardly. Needless to say, I told the boys once they were all back in the car. We got to the guys' hotel that they only had to pay $9 a night for and then decided to go on what ended up being a long excursion. We wanted to go to this big music store because all 3 of them play guitar but ended up missing that turn so then Andy decided we should go the City Walk that is inside the Universal Studios park. Their hotel was only 10 minutes away so it was a quick drive. We were having a hard time trying to figure out how to get into the parking garage. We ended up missing the turn and after a few other wrong turns, ended back up on I-4 in the complete opposite direction! There wasn't an exit for a good 10 miles so by the time we got off, we were pretty much at Downtown Disney. I got off and turned around though. Eventually, the four of us made it back to Universal and found the correct way to get into the parking garage. We only paid $3 for parking and then were able to walk around and look at all the different shops and restaurants in the area. The four of us stopped in to an Irish restaurant/bar and hung out for a little bit, had a drink, and then decided to go back and get some sleep. I stayed at another volunteer's house, Marissa, who was coming with us to the park the next two days.
Saturday
We woke up bright and early so we could get to Island of Adventures right when it opened. Marissa and I picked up the boys from the hotel and were on our way. We learned our lesson from the night before and got into the parking garage on the first time. Once everyone had their tickets, we made our way into Island of Adventures. The guys were all about riding all the roller coasters, Marissa doesn't ride them, and I hadn't made up my mind quite yet. We approached the Hulk roller coaster and I was starting to feel a little uneasy. The guys had told me I had to ride them but I was not a big fan of heights or putting my faith into lots of steel. After much peer pressure, they talked me into it. I was feeling very nervous and shaky to say the least. The wait was only 5 minutes though so I didn't have time to think about it. Before I knew it, it was our turn to hop on. My goal was to open my eyes for at least part of it. We shot off, did some loops, and all that other roller coaster stuff where you go at lightening speed and then it was over! I was so proud of myself when I was done! I screamed, naturally, but I was alive and in one piece so I didn't care. The four of us looked at each other and then due to peer pressure once again, we went a second time and I kept my eyes open the whole time for it! I became a roller coaster-riding fiend for the rest of the trip! I went on every coaster with them after that! Marissa waited for us every time we went on one that day which I was very appreciative of. Once we finished the Hulk, it was time for the moment I'd been waiting for--Harry Potter World! We walked through Jurassic Park and I could see Hogwarts in the distance. We came up to the Hogsmeade sign (a little town that the characters visit frequently in the book) and I knew my dream was about to come true! I stood in awe of Hogwarts and the small town of snow-covered buildings. After a few pictures, we entered in and decided to hit up the rides immediately. The authentic Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride was great. Although it was an hour wait, I didn't expect anything less. Once the line went inside the castle, I became even more excited. They decorated the castle very well; from moving pictures, to the Pensieve, Triwizard Cup, and House decorations as well as holograms of the characters, everything was very true to the books. I was extremely impressed. The ride was very realistic as well. You were simulated to be riding on a broom through this wild adventure where we escaped a dragon and dementors, went through the Forbidden Forest, and even played a little Quidditch. Needless to say, the creators of the ride did their homework. We hung out in Hogsmeade for the rest of the morning and had a little Butterbeer as well. Butterbeer is a drink in Harry Potter that tastes like butterscotch and definitely gives you your sugar intake for the day. It was delicious though. We went and watched a want demonstration and then the boys and I rode two more rollercoasters. We left HP World and went to Jurassic Park to go on a water ride. The 5 of us got drenched with water but it was a blast. It was lunch time after that so we walked back to the car, ate some sandwiches, and waited for our 2nd wind to kick in. We continued on with our afternoon. We went on another water ride, a Spiderman simulator, and the boys and I did the big tower drop! There was a water ride that was shut down while we were waiting in line but that's okay. Better safe than sorry we decided. After finishing up our rides and shows for the day, we decided to go eat at Margaritaville for dinner at the City Walk. There was live music and the food was delicious. The 5 of us were tuckered out so it was nice to relax and just enjoy the atmosphere outside. We left the park around 8:30 or 9 I believe and mapped out our plan for Sunday. Marissa and I got back to her place and stayed up for little bit to talk with Nicole, one of the other volunteers but then I went to bed.
Sunday
We woke up and went to Mass at 7 so we could get to the park when it opened again. After Mass though, we stopped and ate breakfast at the world's biggest McDonald's! It had a fancy menu with pastas, nice sandwiches, and desserts. There was a large upstairs arcade and big room reserved for birthdays I'm sure. After taking a look around there, we went back to the hotel, changed to head to the park, and packed the car. Just like Saturday, the guys wanted to hit up the roller coasters immediately. I was not convinced about the roller coaster they were trying to convince me to go on this time though. The Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster had music for each passenger to listen to but it also took you up at a 90 degree angle. I kept looking at it and once again, caved in to peer pressure. My stomach was knotting up even though I had gone on them all day yesterday. We got on, I picked my song (Livin' in Fast Forward by Kenny Chesney) and shut my eyes once we started going up. I opened my eyes right when we got to the top and shot down. Screaming commenced and we were rocketing through. By the end, I was proud of myself for doing it. We went a second time and I kept my eyes open the whole time while jamming out to "I Will Survive". I found it fitting. The 5 of us went and watched Shrek 4-D and then staked out to take a picture with Alex and the penguins from Madagascar. The Blues Brothers graced us with a performance in the street and then we rode an indoor roller coaster to escape the Mummy! I demolished some aliens at the Men in Black ride and went on a simulated roller coaster ride with the Simpsons. To complete the day, Andy decided we had to ride the Rockit one last time so off we went. I jammed out to "Stronger" by Kanye West this time and even put my hands in the air a few times! We left the park a little after 3 so the guys and I could get back to Naples at a decent hour. I gave Marissa a hug and we headed out. We got back to Naples a little before 8. I hung around, said my "thank you"s for letting me come and hit the road to get back to Hollywood. I crashed pretty fast once I got back last night.
Today/Monday
I slept in til 11 today! That is not like me at all but I guess I was more exhausted than I had thought. I stayed in my pajamas for a little while and then decided it was time to get down to business with lesson planning. That has been the bulk of my day. I also looked up a church that I am going to try to go by this week. They have a young adult program so that really interests me. I've just been feeling this gap due to not having a permanent church to go to. I can just tell that my faith life hasn't been where it should be so I really need to start focusing on that.
Below: Doug, myself, the conductor, Marissa, Andy, and Brian in front of the Hogwarts Express!
Me with my first Butterbeer!! So tasty!
Our last group shot with the Madagascar characters!
I feel so grateful to have had the chance to go on this trip and am realizing more and more that God has great things planned for this year. I love you all!
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