2015 In the Rear View

I feel like this year has flown by so rapidly! As I get older, it seems like New Years Eve and birthdays come back to back, hardly giving me time to rest in between. The saying is that " time flies when you are having fun." So, I guess I must be enjoying my life. Well, I can certainly say I have had a good year but it has also had it's not so great moments. For quite some time now, I have tried to keep a positive attitude and go with the flow when ever possible. This year I didn't get to do everything I wanted to do but I did a lot. I am ever so grateful for the great things I got to experience but also for the chaos because it turned into opportunities to bond with my family and friends.

In 2015 I made my first snowman who was actually a snow-woman. She was fabulous! I treated my guy to a Tesla concert in Troy, Ohio. It was my first Tesla concert and our first time in Troy. The city of Troy is beautiful, by the way. I saw Chris Brown, Trey Songz and Tyga in concert with my sister. I started a list of 101 Cool Places & Things in Ohio. I saw the legend,Stevie Wonder,in concert and was surprised by his special guest India Arie. I saw White Snake & Scorpions in concert. I got to hang out with my nephew all summer for the second year.  I took my nephew to his first concert to see Fall Out Boy and Wiz Khalifa where I blushed and cringed at the sight of large blow up joints being thrown around. I grew great tasting vegetables and fruits in my garden and my parents garden. My family took a trip to Orlando and introduced my nephew to Disney World. I saw my grandpa Robinson who I hadn't seen in ten years also while I was in Florida. My sister and I started a sister trip tradition. We spent a weekend in the Cincinnati area where we checked off four places on my to do list: Loveland Castle, Newport Aquarium, Jungle Jim's International Market & Findlay Market on a tour with Cincinnati Food Tours.  I took a meditation class to introduce the art of meditation into my daily life. To end the year I did my second list of residential holiday light displays and it became the most viewed blog post of any of the ChristinaKristin blogs in three days. Yay!

left to right: Frostine the Snow-woman, Tesla concert, Wiz Khalifa, My veggies, Epcot, Disney, Newport on the Levee with my sister, Findlay Market in Over the Rhine & Columbus KTC Buddhist Center

It has been an amazing year, full of love and color and hope. I can't wait to see what 2016 has in store for me, other than a trip to the dentist next week. Lol. I look forward to spending more time with my friends home and away. I look forward to more travel and more learning. I look forward to really living my life and learning to be more independent.

What were your 2015 highlights?

Top Ten Things To Do In Disney World

Disney World is a place that everyone should experience at least once in their lives. It is after all  "The Happiest Place On Earth".  I remember spending a few days each summer with my dad and sister riding rides, taking photos with Mickey & Minnie and eating sugary concoctions. It was the highlight of the summer each year no matter how many times we'd been. Last week I had the same feeling at 33 years old. I was so excited to be exploring the world of Walt Disney again. I felt like I was a snaggle-tooth child, only this time I had an even greater appreciation for many things I never really payed attention to before. One of those things was Epcot's World Showcase. While there were some positives, there were also some negatives. The affordable family park experience that was once Walt Disney's priority, was now out of reach for many. For those able to handle the price tag, waits for ride lines are over an hour in some cases. Using the wait line apps and fast passes help but the experience is nothing like it was when I was younger. I almost felt bad for my nephew who was experiencing it the first time but then I remembered he didn't have anything to compare the experience to. To him it was still great. Seeing it through his eyes was awesome. 

If Disney is in your near future, I wanted to share a few suggestions. Even with the many changes, I will always love Disney World. You will too, if you plan ahead and keep a sense of calmness. It will be just as magical as you want it to be.  Sign up for the My Disney Experience app before you go, which offers wait line information and allows you to get advance fast passes for rides. Carry extra batteries or some kind of battery pack for your phone if you plan to use the app. Fall is the best time to go if you can.  Get park hopper passes if you can't dedicate a day at each park. Stay hydrated and wear comfortable shoes.

Top Ten Things To Do In Disney World

10. Get 'It's A Small World' stuck in your head.

This is either going to be the cutest or the most irritating part of your Disney experience. It is a ride that everyone can get on, even the elderly. The song will surely be the soundtrack of your Disney experience.

9.  Take photos in front of the Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom and Spaceship Earth at Epcot.

If you don't take photos these days, it's like the experience never happened. If you don't plan to take many photos, you have to pause long enough to at least get photographs in front of  the monuments at the park you are visiting.

8.  Try to catch the lions while they are still active on the Kilimanjaro Safari at Animal Kingdom.

If you are planning to visit Disney Animal Kingdom, early is best to get a peak at the lions before they go to sleep. Remember, lions are most active late in the evenings to early morning. If you miss the lions, there are still plenty of other animals to see on the preserve.

7.  Stay at Magic Kingdom, Epcot or Hollywood Studios long enough to catch the fireworks.

There are fireworks at all the main parks except for Animal Kingdom. They go off in order of closing time, Epcot, Hollywood Studios then Magic Kingdom. Epcot's show includes a light show.

6. Take a stroll through Downtown Disney or Disney Boardwalk.

Both of these areas offer great restaurants, free entertainment and visual stimulation. At Disney Boardwalk you can take free boat rides.

5.  Watch 'It's Tough To Be A Bug' at Animal Kingdom.

Inside this tree is a 4D bug themed show. Grab your 3D glasses and experience a cute show that covers almost all of your senses. There are smells released, liquids thrown (probably just water), and the images coming toward you through the glasses are pretty cool. I won't tell it all, it's just a must. 

4. Ride every ride with the word 'mountain' in the title at The Magic Kingdom.

Living in Ohio near the Roller Coaster Capital has changed my thoughts about coasters and rides but while in Disney, the best rides have mountain in the title. When you get to the park, hopefully early, make sure you go to one of these first because they have the longest lines. For those unfamiliar, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain and Thunder Mountain (seen here).
 

3. Take a picture with your favorite Disney character.

This is a given! These are the celebrities of the parks.

2. Watch the Festival Of The Lion King at Animal Kingdom.

The costumes are amazing! So is the talent! If you have seen The Lion King Broadway Musical, you will love it. The show includes 30 minutes of the best songs from the movie and musical, amazing visual stimulation with parade floats added. If you have never seen the musical, this is the next best thing. Plus it gets you out of the Florida heat for a half hour.

1. Taste your way through the countries of Epcot.

A foodies paradise! This was the highlight of my trip but I wished I had a full day at Epcot dedicated to tasting at all of the countries. The countries I did get to visit were Mexico, Norway, China, Germany & Japan. I had to skip a few countries and purchase food items like candy to take with me. I was full by Germany, alternating between foods and adult beverages. I was also alone at Epcot. I recommend starting early and bringing a friend to share the countries fare with, so the tasting isn't all on you. 

Until Next Time!

Be blessed! Be free! Be adventurous!

Kris,