It's not you, it's me (but really, it's you)

Loved this part of Eat, Pray, Love that I read today, I feel like this pretty much sums up my dating past.

"I have a history of making decisions very quickly about men. I have always fallen in love fast and without measuring risks. I have a tendency not only to see the best in everyone, but to assume that everyone is emotionally capable of reaching their highest potential. I have fallen in love more times than I care to count with the highest potential of a man, rather than with the man himself, and then I have held on to the relationship for a long time (sometimes far too long) waiting for the man to ascend to his own greatness. Many times in romance I have been a victim of my own optimism. " --Elizabeth Gilbert

I always seem to get stuck on these little glimpses of good character that men show me occasionally and then I seem to glaze over the fact that the rest of the time they aren't what I want at all.

Treasure

At work we have a cleaning crew that comes in the afternoon and works through the night.  As usual with people who hold these types of jobs, they are very under appreciated and are often the hardest workers in the company.  There is a woman I see almost everyday in her mid to late 50's and from South America, and she is probably the sweetest person you could ever meet.  She practices English with me and asks me to write down new words for her so she can remember them. 

Last Friday I wrote an e-mail to her manager about what a fantastic job she does.  It is obvious that she really cares about doing well instead of just doing the bare minimum.  She is always so friendly and willing to go the extra mile.  You can just tell that she has a truly beautiful soul.

It is a nice feeling to let someone know when they are doing a great job instead of just letting people know when there is a problem. 

When she came in to work today she thanked me profusely for the letter I had written and in her broken English told me that I am her treasure and that she keeps me in her heart.  Made my day (:

Eat, Pray, Read

Most likely you have heard of this book by Elizabeth Gilbert, and if you haven't then you probably live in a remote village similar to the one she lived in on the island of Bali. 

I have always had this urge to go against the norm and to shun what is popular and this book is huge right now.  But as much as I hate being part of the trend I cannot deny the fact that I adore this book. 

It is the most beneficial self-help book I have ever read, so honest and relatable.  The best part is that it is not even really meant to be a self-help book, but it most definitely is for me.

I am in the middle of the Love section and it is just as great as the two preceding parts.  I loved the Eat part of course, what's not to love? Dark, handsome men, pizza, pasta, Italy.  Perfection.  I have to admit that I was not really looking forward to the Pray section of the book mostly because I thought it would be really heavy, but wow...it has really changed me.  Gilbert does an amazing job at explaining her experience at the ashram in India and admitting her challenges.  This section of the book offered so many morsels of wisdom and joy and has really piqued my interest in meditation and the Hindu religion. 

There are many inspiring quotes in the book but one of my favorite parts is a little mantra that she shares with us and says that she says it to herself at least 70 times a day: I will not harbor these unhealthy thoughts anymore. This phrase might just change my life. I have said it to myself over and over since first reading it last week.  I say it when I am dwelling on negative experiences, obsessing over poisonous people, worrying about the future, and overall just feeling sorry for myself.  Once I say it, the thought is gone and I focus my energy on to more positive forces in my life.  I made a commitment to myself to get rid of all poisonous relationships that I was holding on to and vowed that only positive people who respect me will make it into my life from now on. 

Now if only World Market would stop selling an Eat, Pray, Love bucket hat like the one worn by Julia Roberts in the movie, then I could be proud of this little gem instead of ashamed by the trend of it all.

Harry, Butterbeer, Hogwarts ...Oh My!

A few months ago I met a guy online who shares some mutual friends with me. We talked everyday and became really close, well as close as you can get over the phone and internet. I decided to go visit him in Orlando where he was going to school. I had never been to Florida before and had some pretty beautiful images in my mind, I was dying to go to the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios in Orlando, and I really wanted to meet this Dream Guy in person who I was sure would prove that love at first sight is real. Well, thank goodness we had Universal Studios. One out of three ain't bad.

First of all, I have always been a Disneyland girl and have never been to Universal Studios before. We got the park hopper pass and it was well worth it. I loved both parks a lot, the rides were really fun, and both of the parks just looked really awesome. Universal is huge, there is a ton to do there and a lot of shops and restaurants to enjoy.  Some of the attractions were a little cheesy (Twister) but for the most part it was all really unique, there was a 3D ride for Spiderman and The Simpsons that were really cool but a little nausea-inducing.

Unfortunately, it was pouring rain as soon as we got out of the car. I mean POURING. Some wise people brought ponchos, others bought them, and my date for the day decided that 8 dollars was too expensive for a "garbage bag" and made the choice for us to go sans ponchos. Two seconds in the rain and I looked like I had jumped in a lake. Being an AZ native, I am not used to rain like that, I am used to little raindrops not buckets of water being thrown on my head. I was a little pissed at his cheapness (I mean, I did pay for a plane ticket to fly across the country after all) and after I was already drenched he decided maybe ponchos would be a good idea. Duh.  I am pretty sure he wantedit to be like a romantic movie where we run around in the rain and giggle, but my shit was see through and I was not happy.  But I figured out a way to turn the Bitch in me off and I proceeded to have a fun day. 

NOT MY BEST LOOK

Anyway, the Wizarding World was amazing! With the gray, cloudy sky it felt even more legit, like I was actually stepping into Hogsmeade. It was crazy busy, but that was expected. Butterbeer was incredible, soooooo tasty...I am totally craving it right now as I write this. It tasted like Creme Soda with a Butterscoth Cream. Totally refreshing. Also, the strawberry peanut butter ice cream was so unique and definitely a Must Try.  And the Fish n' Chips were decent...but, I've had better.  And I swear I did more than just eat all day.

HOGSMEADE IN THE EVENING TWILIGHT

The Harry Potter ride was indescribable. I have never had more fun on a ride or been more fascinated...a sentiment many shared as we were exiting the ride. It was so much fun, I went on it three times and saw something new every time. The technology was absolutely breathtaking and exciting. I also went on the dueling dragons coaster which I also loved immensely, but it is not really anything special like the other ride.  But for me it was a big step because I am a giant pussy.  I was saying my prayers before I got on the ride and honestly trying not to cry haha.  But, it was such a blast, made me feel high, and I got a lot of cussing out on the ride so that was probably a good release.

AT THE ENTRANCE OF HOGWARTS CASTLE FOR THE HARRY POTTER RIDE

All in all it was a great day. Universal Studios defnitely saved my Orlando Trip. The rain cleared up after a bit, but we did bust out our ponchos a few more times. My advice to you is to cough up the 8 bucks and just buy a poncho if it is raining. And go on the Harry Potter ride more than once!

ZONKO'S JOKE SHOP