Hey Stranger! + Starbucks Challenge Update!

Wow! I took a lot of time off from this blog... That was was not my intention at all, but things have been so busy here since my California trip this past June. Along with the summer crowd and the start of Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party on September 2nd, I've been busy capturing memories for guests. The same can also be said for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party that has now finished for the 2016 season. I'm also busy trying to get back into a healthier lifestyle by working out regularly and eating healthier.

I just wanted to check in with everyone to let you know that I'm still here and plan on updating this blog regularly. My plan is to post new entries twice a week on my days off, so that would be either Sunday/Monday or Monday/Tuesday. If you are new to my blog and to those that have been with me since I started this journey, Chasing Dreams is going to be a place for me to share stories from work, document my weight loss journey, share what God has been teaching me, interests/hobbies, and so much more! I've always liked the idea of blogging about such things and going back years later to read and think back back on those memories. Blogging has also been a suggestion from my friends encouraging me with my weight loss journey!

To start things off with this goal of updating Chasing Dreams regularly, I want to take this time and update everyone on my progress with my Starbucks Challenge. If we're friends on either Instagram or Facebook, than you probably already know about my goal to avoid my usual drink of choice for one month. Over the past two years I have gained the weight that I lost back, which has proven to be very discouraging when I look back when I first started to lose weight about 3 years ago.

I always get a grande Peppermint Mocha whenever I visit Starbucks. My drink is at least $5 and with the amount of times I visit Starbucks... well... haha that's just a lot to spend on coffee. My drink is also over 400 calories. As someone who is trying to get back into eating healthier and working out regularly, I would rather eat those 400 calories than drink them. I decided on December 1st that I wouldn't buy my drink for one month. If I do step foot in a Starbucks to visit with a friend or on my way to work, then I will get a healthier alternative instead.

It's now the evening on December 28th and I'm proud to say that I haven't given in. I've avoided my drink and made healthier choices instead when visiting Starbucks. In fact, whenever I visit the Disney parks on my days off or after work, I always find myself going into Starbucks. I've been ordering a tall coffee so I can monitor the amount of cream and sugar I put in myself. Not ordering my usual drink has been hard, but I'm really proud of myself for sticking with it. During these past few weeks of avoiding my drink and working out, I've also managed to lose six pounds out of the ten I want to lose before my birthday on January 17th. If I continue to stick with this over these the few days, my prize to myself is a new outfit for the new year. The timing is perfect as I will be attending a wedding next month for one of my best friends.

Thank you all for your support and encouragement through this and resuming my blogging hobby. Again, I hope to have a new post for you all every Monday and Tuesday, so be sure to check back often!

Lastly, if you have any suggestions on what you would like to see here, just comment on this post and I will refer to it for future entries!

I hope you all have a lovely evening.

xoxo

Bethany

California Series: Hooray for Hollywood

I'm not sure if I stated this in my introduction post, but I participated in two internships with the Walt Disney Company. In 2012, the roommates I had for my second program became family to me, and we have remained close ever since. It became a yearly tradition for us to have reunion trips once our program ended, so this year we decided to do something different from our usual Walt Disney World vacations.

Disneyland had always been on our bucket list since the program, but were never able to find the right time to go. Our original California vacation was set for a week at Disneyland, but we changed plans yet again by taking part in our first Adventures by Disney vacation that consisted of Hollywood and Disneyland. What was our destination package? Backstage Magic of Hollywood and Disneyland! If you're like me and have never taken an Adventures by Disney trip, I highly recommend starting with the Backstage Magic tour.

Flying out of Orlando at 6:20 AM with Jackie was exhausting as we didn't get much sleep beforehand, but it was all worth it knowing that Hollywood and Disneyland were waiting for us. We landed in Los Angeles with Meagan landing a few minutes after us. I think the reality hit then that we were in Los Angeles and about to embark on a fun adventure once we were all reunited and then picked up by drivers... DRIVERS! Being treated like a celebrity for a day was quite nice, especially when our driver gave us a quick tour before dropping us off at the Loews Hollywood Hotel.

We met our tour guides (Lori and Lauren) once we arrived where we got a welcome packet and a time to come back for our first dinner. I knew right away that this trip was worth every penny as our guides had so much energy and made us excited for the week. They gave us our room keys and we decided to drop off our bags before getting lunch at In-n-Out Burger. In the last few pictures above, you can see our room and the incredible view we had.

We spent the rest of our afternoon at the pool and exploring our hotel before we met everyone in the group for our welcome dinner. There were about thirty people on the tour, so we were able to mingle with other Disney fans and get to know our guides better. The tables were decorated to celebrate Disneyland's Diamond Celebration, and we even played a quick ABC game involving Disney characters as an ice breaker.

We weren't expecting to do much on our first day, but our guides surprised everyone with a trip to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum! It was a great way to start our week.

Is it possible to go back right now? Please? haha! 

Stay tuned for the next post!

-B

"Adventure is out there."

A week of glitz, glitter, and fantasy is over and now I'm home getting ready to go back to work. Why is that weeks and months leading up to vacations always go by so slow while the vacation itself goes by fast? This was my first trip with Adventures by Disney and it definitely won't be the last. I've been to California once prior to this trip and going back a second time opened my eyes to more sights that the beautiful state has to offer. I even learned some new things about the sights I've been to before thanks to the knowledge our tour guides had.

I will go into more detail over the next several days with photos and stories from the trip, so this entry is just making an announcement for all of you to know what is to come. There is far too much to write for just one blog post. :)

I left my heart in California, folks. I'm already counting the days until I can go back! 

-B

There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow...

...just a dream away!

This past month went by so slow once I knew my vacation was just around the corner. I tried focusing on other things and yet mind wouldn't stop focusing on all that I would be experiencing in California. It's June 18th and the wait is almost over for I board the plane for Hollywood and Disneyland tomorrow!

I participated in the Walt Disney World College Program in Fall 2012. The roommates I had were absolutely wonderful and we created a close friendship. I think of them as my sisters and we have been getting together for reunion trips ever since. The past two summer reunion trips have been at Walt Disney World, but this year we decided to change things up a bit with Adventures by Disney!

The last time I visited Hollywood and Disneyland was back in 2007. I went with my family when my Dad won a business trip, but we spent a few extra days in Hollywood. I knew majoring in film was something I wanted to pursue back then, so we spent the majority of our time touring Hollywood. We only spent one day at Disneyland and I don't remember much because of how excited I was to be in the first park. I'm so excited to go back for a week and re-visit the places I loved while experiencing new things.

There are quite a few adventures planned for this upcoming week! Our first day (tomorrow) is going to be a bit laid back as there is an orientation and a welcome dinner, but the following are just a few the many adventures our tour guides will be taking us on: 

• Private Hollywood Excursion 
• The Jim Henson Company (original site of Charlie Chaplin's movie studio)
• Walt Disney Studios and Walt Disney Archives Tour 
• Walt Disney Imagineering Tour 
• VIP visit to Disneyland (Walt's apartment included) 
• VIP visit to Disney's California Adventure 

As someone with a film major background, I'm really excited for the Hollywood and Walt Disney Studios and Archives Tour. Getting the chance to see Walt's apartment for the first time is another thing I can't wait to see. Honestly? I'm really excited to see everything! My camera will never leave my side either. This will more than likely be my last blog for the week, but be sure to check back next weekend for an entry all about my time in California. :) 

Is there anything you want me to take photos of or talk about in the next entry? If so, comment below and I will consider it! 

-B

First Subscription Box Unboxing with FabFitFun

Looking for a theme that best fits my liking is a bit exhausting, but at least it took me 24 hours to find one instead of several days... :) I really like the overall look of the blog. I have to include the basics when I have time, which will more than likely take place once I get back from my California vacation. I know, folks. California. Home of celebrities and Disneyland. Jealous yet? I will be sure to blog about it once I return.

I typically browse the YouTube world when I'm sick in bed. Videos I stumble across vary between funny videos, music videos of my favorite artists that I binge watch (old school Backstreet Boys, Nsync, and Taylor Swift... ;) shhh), and various video blogs. In one of the many videos I watched on there about a month ago, I came across an unboxing video and I immediately fell in love with the concept. It lead me into watching other YouTube videos for subscription companies like Birchbox and Ipsy. After watching several videos and researching, I came to the conclusion FabFitFun would best suit my interests.

FabFitFun is a seasonal subscription box that delivers a new box to your door every 3 months. What I love about this box is that the products they give you are full size and not sample sizes. The price is $49.99 and it's charged four times a year. The necklace that was include in the box pictured below by itself is $65. That's more than what the box costs, so you're getting a really good deal! Once you get your first box delivered to you, you have the option to upgrade your membership and make additional add-ons for your next box from previous subscriptions. Each box consists of items that will improve your health along with items to pamper yourself whenever your body needs it.

I've had this box for several weeks now and I'm just now getting around to blogging about it... but knowing that I have a box coming to my door every 3 months excites me and I wanted to share it all of you. I love it and I can't wait for the summer box! I highly recommend you to look into this fun idea, especially with this $10 off coupon for your first box!

-B

Get To Know Me

"The more you are like yourself, the less you are like anyone else, which makes you unique." - Walter Elias Disney

Before I start writing bits about my life to bring a smile or laugh into people's lives for those who stumble here, let me first say welcome and introduce you to the person behind this blog.

I'm Bethany. :) I've been working as a full-time Cast Member for the Walt Disney Company for over a year since graduating college back in Maryland in December 2014. I made the move to Florida back in January of 2015 to pursue a career for the same company. Working as a full-time PhotoPass Photographer has been a dream of mine since my first college program in 2010.

I love old movies and vintage clothing. I love to travel. I majored in film production in college. I love music. I love art. I love people and making others smiles. Lastly, I'm a Christian. <33

Why did I create this blog? Well, folks, that is very good question! I had a blog a few years ago where I wrote about my weight loss and health goals. I've been watching video blogs and reading blogs from other lifestyle bloggers lately and it rekindled my passion for blogging. This blog will consist of hilarious stories from my life, stories from work that I want to remember, recipes, my travels, encouragement, and more. It's just going to be your average lifestyle blog, I guess. :)

Thank you for checking out my blog and I hope you will check back frequently.