This year I embarked on the most magical journey anyone could ever
dream of; I got the opportunity to work at one of the biggest theme
parks: Walt Disney World. I got to spend my days off playing in these
parks and exploring what
magic really is. I made new friends and met old ones that I watched growing up. I met my favourite Princess and a boy who will never grow up.
I
rocked with Areosmith, went to the 5th dimension
and lived to tell the tale, I found a yeti and survived all 3 mountains
in the Kingdom. I became
best friends
with the dark side, and found a caring Muppet who I don't ever want to
say goodbye to. I learned there is nothing funnier than an Australian
saying
"Aloha" over and over again, and that
O'hana doesn't just include blood. I was taught that my
imagination is all I need to defeat the evil and that
"dreams come true". I joined a castle party and wished upon stars. I traveled all over the world and back in a day.
I learned what real friends are and was reminded that people come
into our lives until we learn a lesson and then they leave. I learned
that I'm
stronger mentally then I was 2 years ago. I was reminded of my past and that it's exactly that - my past. I spent days in bed
doing nothing and others
trying to do everything. I was reminded of a child's innocence and their beliefs. I was reminded that not everyone is young at heart. I watched
5 year old cry at the sight of a
mouse and
85 year olds cry as well. I helped make memories for families and in turn
made my own.
I was reminded that even though I was where all the princes are, my
Prince Charming was not and it's alright, but that doesn't mean I
shouldn't be
treated like a princess. I was reminded what it felt like to be
wanted and what it
should feel like to be someone's
princess. I
danced
with characters and took stupid pictures. I've learned that its okay to
be scared, worried and want to be back in my comfort zone. I've learned
even though I'm 21, I still have lessons to learn and chances are if
I'm smaller than you and we play fight; - I will end up covered in
bruises.
I learned even though it sucks, 6 weeks with someone is better then none.
This year I drove on the
wrong side of the road in my belief, saw the
water spin the other way, ask for chips meaning French Fries and be given a bag of chips.
I left summer one day and arrived to winter on the exact same day. I've said
"Crikey", "A dingo ate my baby", "Put another shrimp on the Barbie" and
"That's not a knife, this is a knife" more then ever. I've eaten at a restaurant and been the
most authentic Australian thing inside. I grew a weird liking for beer and
broke the law.
I went to dinners with my best friends and just talked for hours and
other times sat in complete silence and it was okay. I learned all I
need is a little bit of
faith, trust and pixie dust.
I was taught that
16 hours on a plane is exhausting but it's possible to sleep. I was reminded I wasn't the
best artist but I could always
"Sketch Ya Later". I learned that no one says goodbye rather
"See Ya Real Soon" and diamonds are not only a girls best friend but also a certain mouses. I once again learned that buses run late and I should
always take the earlier
where possible. I learned drinking before a shift and not sleeping may
seem tempting but in reality I should've slept instead. I was reminded
that
24 hours isn't a long time but it is possibly to squeeze in
one more day every 4 years.
I learned you will never be too old to go trick or treating and dress
up or be too old to watch fireworks. I was reminded that promises made
when I was younger were actually followed through unlike the promises
that were made at 21.
I learned that
distance no matter how small or great still sucks. I was reminded how a
smile can light up a room and everyone will notice. I learned no matter how well or ill you may be it is
all forgotten in the Kingdom. I learned
no one is to old to see a princess and no one is too old to believe. I was reminded that a
year is a long time and items can
accumulate quickly. I was reminded how much I
missed good fruit, veggies and
home cooked meals. I was reminded sleep is an important factor that everyone needs - but a 15 minute nap is almost as good. This year I was
reminded that no matter where I was I was
surrounded by people who
loved me and were proud of me.
In the past 366 days I have spent at Walt Disney World I
learned all of those lessons, but the most important one, the big one, the one I will never forget, the whole deal is this:
There are
24 hours in a day; 1440 minutes. That's
1440 reasons to
smile, to make magic, to stop and take it all in. To remind yourself if all the beauty around you. That's
1440 reasons to
love with all your heart,
spend money you don't have, to take
silly photographs, to
miss someone. It's
1440 stars to wish on,
reasons to believe and
memories to be made. I was
reminded this year that
366 days is a long time but it is also a
very short time.
I was reminded to stop and just breathe this year, you can't control
your future and you can't predict it, just sit back and enjoy the
rollercoaster. When you get off you'll wish you could do it
all over again.
Trust me.
