Bucket List 2014

I wish I could say that this summer will be more eventful than last. However, now that I have transferred to a much more expensive school, I may have to get a little creative in order to save as much money as possible. Student loans are in my future, yet I don't want that to stop me from making this summer an adventure. I mean, you're only 20 once, right? I better make it worthwhile.

Skydiving last summer

I find that I accomplish more when I have goals written on paper. Thus, I will be making another bucket list this summer! If you would like to view all the bucket list items I completed last year, click HERE, or click the "Bucket List 2013" tab above. This list includes everything from skydiving to bridge jumping, to hiking to Walt Disney World! As a college student, I completely understand how it feels to have to survive on one meal a day in order to make ends meet, and I have learned to cherish leftovers. So follow me on this journey into the unknown, and hopefully on a manageable budget! Where will we end up? Who knows, because all roads lead to nowhere. There is no certainty. There is only adventure.

New York, New York (Part 1)

All my life, I have dreamed of visiting New York, though I had accepted that it likely would never happen. But in the blink of an eye, I had made it to Walt Disney World, another place I thought I would never see in my life time. So what was stopping me?! In just a few hours, I made the decision and bought my plane ticket. Talk about impulsive.

We first visited Carlo’s Bakery in Hoboken, NJ, which is featured in TLC’s Cake Boss. My Reese’s cupcake was absolutely delicious, but the chocolate covered strawberries were my favorite! With a very sweet lunch in our stomachs, it was finally time to go through the Lincoln Tunnel and into NYC!

That is, until our car began steaming right as we were about to enter the tunnel. After sitting stationary in the far right lane for ten minutes and enduring irritated New York commuters, we pulled off and drove to the ferry dock to let the car cool off. Yes, I was frustrated, but I will always be grateful for this experience because of the beautiful view at the ferry dock! It was simply breathtaking. We hung out and took pictures for about 20 minutes before cautiously heading through the tunnel.

We quickly found a parking garage, locked our car up, and went down the elevator to the main floor. I was awestruck – my first view within the big apple was the New York Times building. One day, I thought, I will be working there! We roamed around, soon finding ourselves in the heart of Times Square. We had finally made it! I felt like a child in a candy store, thriving off of the bustling and overwhelming atmosphere – this had to be a dream, right?

As the skies began to grow darker, the lights grew brighter, and we still didn’t have a place to sleep that night. We hurried to The Paramount, just off of Broadway. I am not even exaggerating when I tell you it was a twenty second walk from the heart of Times Square! After dropping our stuff off, it was time to explore!

I was on the phone when I exited our hotel and stood in front of the building, waiting for the rest of the group. That’s when the screaming began, and all I wanted to do was tell these girls to be quiet. That is, until I noticed why they were going into an absolute frenzy. Right across the narrow two lane street was none other than Orlando Bloom. Less than 30 yards away from me. What?!? I noticed some New York natives walking by like no one was there. Were they blind? Orlando Bloom! Haha, I attempted to suppress the touristy fan girl within me and joined my friends.

Earlier that day, a scalper approached us selling tickets to a comedy show. Naturally, I declined, but the rest of the group was up for adventure! So that night, we got ready and headed to the show. Though I almost fell asleep at one point from exhaustion, I was definitely entertained by the hilarious, and often vulgar, comedians. Unfortunately, we soon found out that there was a drink limit and you had to buy at least two drinks during the show – that’s where they get you! But my virgin daiquiri was delicious so I won’t complain! After the show, we made our way towards our hotel and into the square.

And I thought Times Square was beautiful in the daylight. It was ten times better after midnight with the advertisements illuminating the entire area, and even more people shuffling from store to store.  Soon, we found ourselves a couple blocks away on Fifth Avenue. The shopping temptation was overwhelming, so naturally I indulged in a little Forever 21 and H&M! But as the time approached one or two in the morning, we decided to call it a night.

How could anything top the thrill that I had just experienced?  I could only hope that the next day would impress.

To be continued...

Growing Up

Like most other kids, I was continually anxious to become an adult. I mean, that is what everything in my life was culminating towards. Fourteen years of sports, hundreds of tests and exams, numberless honors and advanced placement classes, hours of volunteer work, and more extracurricular activities than I could handle. Nearly from birth, I was working to develop skills and gain knowledge that would get me into a suitable university.

Ok, I made it. Now what?

Almost two weeks ago, I walked into the College of Fine Arts and Communications here at BYU, and walked out not three minutes later with a different major.

Last year I was making money dishwashing. Last semester I was making pizzas and frying chicken nuggets at Walt Disney World. Now I’m sitting in a small cubical typing away at my keyboard, writing updates and small articles for BYU Magazine.

In August I flew out of Seattle, not fully comprehending that it was the last time I would live there for any extended period of time. I dropped everything and moved as far away as possible within the country: Florida. And after five short months, I am settled once again in Utah.

Faster than we know it, everything is changing. Before I could even understand where my life was taking me, I was already there.

www.naijastories.com

Today I decide to take a few short minutes to step off of this high speed train and simply watch it as it shoots past me in a blur. I look around at my life, not entirely sure how I got here, and with no idea as to where the train will take me next. Yet despite all of the confusion, I am satisfied. Even though it may travel through a few dark tunnels, pass over some extremely tall mountains, endure through storm after storm, and stop to drop off a few loved passengers here and there, I feel assured that I am going to love where this train takes me. And who knows, maybe we’ll pick up a few straggling travelers in a stop or two, with the hope that some of them will stay on this train until it reaches its final destination.

Yes, I am growing up. Yes, I am traveling on a train moving at a dangerously fast speed. No, I do not know where it is going. So now what?

I look up to see the train slowing to a halt. Before it takes off without me, I step off the platform and into the coach. I find a seat next to a kind stranger, and look out the window to see the vast landscape roll by once again.

Hello, Internet!

It's been three long months, but I am finally sitting comfortably in front of my computer screen once again. My adventures at Walt Disney World have sadly come to an end, and I have returned to BYU for the semester. It has definitely been a struggle, going from the happiest place on earth to a world of homework, exams, and more homework. However, I am confident that I will be able to cope with this change as long as I have Hulu, Netflix, and an huge supply of hot cocoa and coffee at my disposal (which I do)! If you are dying to hear more about my time working for Disney over the last five months, visit my Disney College Program blog HERE. On that blog, I will reflect on my program, detail my various adventures, and provide information about the DCP in Walt Disney World. On this blog, I don't plan on talking about the program as extensively, but I will provide a brief reflection on the program and how I am holding up at the moment. Now, with that said...

The Disney College Program was the greatest experience of my life and I absolutely do not, in any way, regret picking up and moving to Florida for a semester. 

It doesn't get any simpler than that. I spent every waking moment surrounded by my coworkers. To some of you reading this, you may think that sounds like a nightmare, but I assure you that it wasn't! It didn't take long at all for those people I worked with to become my family. When we were working at Pinocchio's Village Haus (PVH), would go out for dinner after work, or spend our days off in the parks together, I was having the time of my life. Heck, we even got together and had thanksgiving dinner on the apartment floor (once we all got off work, of course...)! We went out at night all the time, traveled to New York, and spent every bit of money we made at Disney - together. 

I cannot tell you how hard it is to go from that, to nothing. No PVH. No Disney Parks. No Universal Studios. No beaches. No clubs. No one.

Though the BYU campus is crowded and bustling with chatting students, there are moments when everything is quiet, everything is calm. And I am alone. In those moments, I think about the Magic Kingdom filled to capacity at almost 100,000 people. I think about working 14 hour shifts during the holiday season. I think about the music pounding in my ears at House of Blues. I think about the fireworks going off every night like clockwork.

And all too soon, I am pulled back down to earth as my phone notifies me that I have an essay due tomorrow and two exams next week. Right now, this is my reality.

But one day, I will go back.

Thoughtful Thursday | Money

And by "shoes", I mean
scuba diving lessons!

Welcome back to Thoughtful Thursday here on All Roads Lead To Nowhere! Let's talk about money, shall we? For our entire lives, this is the reason we slave away for eight hours a day. But it doesn't start here, it starts way back when we were kids. Time and time again, it was drilled into our heads that we need to get a good education, so that we can get a good job, so that we could make good money, so that we can live a good life. But as we all know, that money goes to pay off college debts, credit card bills, rent, gas, and much more. It isn't until we are old and retired that we have the time and money to do anything. But are you really going to live out your dreams - travel the world, skydive, swim with dolphins - when you're 80 years old? Stay with me, there is a point to all of this.

This post is absolutely contrary to the mantra that has been instilled in my mind since birth - save every penny, save every penny! But you know what I think? You can spend a bit here and there if it makes you happy! No, this doesn't mean go spend all your money on clothes, alcohol, and video games. Spend it on something that will broaden your horizons - see the world, try new things! I had to remember that when I went skydiving, or when I moved across the country to Walt Disney World. It was worth it because of the experience I was gaining! So go out there, spend a little cash (please, don't get yourself into debt) and do something you've never done before!

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#20 - Go to Walt Disney World

They say it's the happiest place on earth, but I used to only imagine fanny packs, sweaty parents, and spoiled children. Of course I watched my share of Disney movies as a child, but I was never "raised on Disney", I guess you could say. Plus, I knew all my money would be going toward college, so I never raised my hopes about going to Disneyland or Walt Disney World.

Then the Disney College Program came along - an opportunity where I can advance my education, work, and enjoy the parks here in Orlando! After a few days of check-in and training, I finally had my orientation yesterday, which was technically my first day of work. You know what that means?! We got our park passes, so today we hit up Magic Kingdom!

I didn't get to the park until a bit after noon, but I was able to ride the Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain, Jungle Cruise, and Pirates of the Caribbean. Roller coasters are definitely my thing, so Space Mountain is currently my favorite attraction. I was also able to experience the infamous jumbo turkey leg and pineapple dole whip. I wasn't able to finish the turkey leg, but I'm sure the caloric intake was still ridiculous.

But my views of the Disney parks have definitely changed. The experience there truly is magical, and I couldn't help but smile the entire time! It is definitely something that takes time in order to have the full experience, which is why tomorrow night after work, we're hitting up Hollywood Studios!

This is where I'll be working for the next four months!

To read more about my Disney College Program, visit my secondary blog HERE.

A World of Possibility

Well, we've hit the halfway point for July. This summer seems to be going by so quickly! It's crazy to think that in just four weeks, I'll be all moved into my new apartment in Orlando, training as an employee at Walt Disney World. Honestly, it doesn't feel real - any minute now, I'll wake up and start packing to go back to school next month. But it's not a dream, it's just something I've never experienced before.

Despite the fact that I have moved very frequently, I had grown up in the same general area all my life. I had the same group of friends for six years, the same teachers, the same coaches. In fact, the only places I had even vacationed at outside of Washington were Oregon, Montana, and North
Dakota (exciting, I know). So it's safe to say that I was in my own little bubble, deprived of all the inter-state and international travels that many of my friends had experienced at some time or another. Places like Hawaii, New York City, the Eiffel Tower, Australia, or even Disneyland - they could all be in another dimension as far as I knew. My family never really had the money to travel, so I accepted at an early age that I would be in Seattle for the rest of my life.

But all of a sudden, it was time for college. Hold on a second, I thought to myself, you mean I can go to school anywhere? Well, not anywhere, but somewhere outside of Seattle, and I was thrilled! Despite my scholarships, I still had to keep money in mind, so places like NYU or USC that were over $30k a year were definitely out of the question. I had to figure out my college criteria in order to pick the right place for me:

• Four-year university
• Out-of state
• Under $20k a year
• Rigorous academics
• Relatively low acceptance rate

And in the Fall of 2012, I found myself at Brigham Young University. Before my arrival, it all seemed like a dream, and I would wake up and find myself slumping through another year of high school. After a few pinches and a pile of exams, I knew this was the real deal. That's how I feel about Orlando. I've never experienced anything like it, but once I pinch myself and work my first 10-hour shift, I'm sure reality will set in.

This realization that I can have a life outside of Seattle has opened up a world of possibilities. I even hear a study abroad in Romania calling my name! So stop dreaming about your adventure, and get out there and make it happen! As Lemony Snicket put it, "If we wait until we're ready, we'll be waiting for the rest of our lives."

If you are interested in following my journey through the Disney College Program in Orlando, visit my secondary blog, All Roads Lead To Disney!

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