Those Who Matter Don't Mind

Disney Photos

alyceharman — Thu, 27 May 2010 00:33:56 +0000

I had intended to write something about each day of the trip, but by mid-afternoon, I was always exhausted. I generally came back to the hotel room, showered, and got into bed. Overall, the trip was not nearly as exciting as I had anticipated for many reasons. After having been to Disney World in 2006, much of what we did/saw this time was exactly the same. Also, it was ridiculously humid, which made it really hard to enjoy anything at all. No one really wants to stand in line for a ride or a show for an hour when it is over 100 degrees….but had it not been for the heat and the fact that the trip lacked novelty, I still don’t think it could have possibly turned out to be a great 5 days. My parents and I have a very strained relationship at best, and although I was trying hard to be upbeat and happy, I am having trouble mustering up those faux-emotions lately. We got through the trip, though, with only a few arguments, which is as good as I could have hoped for, I suppose. Anyway, here are some of the pictures that I took:

Dining in Disney

alyceharman — Mon, 24 May 2010 00:51:21 +0000

During this trip to Walt Disney World, Florida, the biggest problem that we, and many other park patrons encountered, was finding food that was both affordable and edible…and you’d be surprised by how infrequently those two things can be found together. I think that overall, though, if you take the time and the effort, you can, in fact, find food there that is quite good. For all of those people out there who warned us over and over that dining in Disney is a frustrating and often disgusting experience, I give you this:

Disney World (Day 1)- Epcot

alyceharman — Sun, 23 May 2010 01:34:34 +0000

Got up early this morning and headed to Epcot! The park wasn’t actually as awesome as I remembered from four years ago, but we had fun nonetheless. First, we road on the ride inside the Epcot ball itself. I *think* it is called Spaceship Earth and essentially, it is about past, present, and future technology. Next, we went to a show called, “Universe of Energy” which is hosted by Ellen (who I absolutely LOVE!) and it involves learning about energy, how it is created, and new methods of producing energy in a sustainable way. It’s also really cool because it involves a ride that was great animatronics (very awesome dinosaurs!). Third, we went to ride my dad’s favorite ride, called “Test Track.” That ride mimicks a test track for cars and the riders are basically test dummies. It is very fast, but it was really fun. We had to wait in line for like an hour though, which sucked. After “Test Track” we got some lunch (I had a chicken caesar salad, of course…and I took a picture of it!). Then we went to see each country that is represented in the Disney World-thing. The first one was Canada, which was pretty lame, then England (also lame), then France, Morocco (that one was great because it featured a bazaar), and Japan (where I bought some gifts for A and saw giant koi fish). After Japan was Deutschland, which I was really looking forward to. Unfortunately, it turned out to suck. A lot. I guess it was probably because I’ve spent so much time learning about German culture and I was annoyed by the stereotypes. Also, I’m very familiar with the language, so it lacked its novelty, I suppose. I felt really bad for the German employees too, because they had to wear lederhosen and stupid hats and listen to polka all day. After getting over my disappointment with Germany, we passed America by (I concluded that the shops would probably be full of Republicans anyway) and then we saw Norway, which was pretty lame because the shops were full of these weird sweaters that cost $300. I know it is cold in Norway, but no one should ever wear a sweater like that.

After the countries, we took a boat tour of the Disney food engineering research lab. I loved it! It was so fascinating to see all of the new ways that researchers are developing to produce food. One the the best ways was to take vegetables that typically grow underground and put them on platforms, allowing the vegetable to grow hanging below the platform. Also, growing food on platforms that have fish tanks below them is a great idea, because the fish fertilize the plants and the plants clean the water, which is mutally beneficial. I also saw a 9 lb lemon and have no words to describe how awesome that was! Then we watched a film about protecting the environment. The film was called, “The Circle of Life” and was basically modelled after “The Lion King.”

After the boat ride and the film, we went to my favorite ride, “Soarin.” The line was so long all day that we had to get Fast Passes at noon to ride on “Soarin” at 6pm! In the ride, “Soarin” you sit in these seats and the rows of seats are lifted up and placed directly in front of a huge movie screen. Your feet are hanging below you and the screen shows landscapes. The seats tilt and smells (like oranges) are emitted that accompany the landscapes. It looks and feels and smells as if you are flying over these landscapes. My favorite landscape was the city one. It was exactly like flying over New York City on a hang-glider. Also, going over the ocean was amazing too because you felt as if you should be able to feel the water. “Soarin” is definitely worth the wait! It is definitely my favorite ride so far!

I’m exhausted from today, but tomorrow we have to get up early to go to Magic Kingdom. My sister’s jazz and marching band performances are tomorrow, so it will be a loooong day. I also have to try to find some more gifts to bring back for A, who I continue to wish was here with me. Maybe someday we’ll come back here with our own children, which is something that I am sure will be on my mind tonight when I lay down to go to sleep…

In Disney World!

alyceharman — Fri, 21 May 2010 20:36:15 +0000

My parents and I took a flight from BWI to O’hare Airport in Chicago, then from O’hare to Orlando this morning. The jazz band that my sister is a member of is performing at a cafe in Disney and later, her marching band is playing in a parade as well. We came down here four years ago, when both my sister and I were members of the bands and I have been looking forward to coming back ever since. We’ve been travelling all morning, but it was actually pretty fun and not as stressful as my mom was anticipating. The only thing that puts a damper on the fun is thinking about how much I miss A. I wish we could be here together…

So far, we’ve just unpacked our stuff in our hotel room, had dinner at this Chinese place which turned out to not be as good as we had hoped, and then went to the bar downstairs for a little while. I had a strawberry daquiri and now am getting ready for a shower/bed. I’m exhausted! I hope that I can find something nice for A tomorrow…I’ve looked in a couple stores, but so far no luck. We haven’t been in any of the actual Disney World parks yet, and we’re going to Epcot tomorrow, so I should have better luck. And hopefully I will have some cool pics to upload by then!

Sometimes You Just Know…

alyceharman — Wed, 19 May 2010 00:19:47 +0000

I have had one serious relationship and a few other short ones, but up until March, I couldn’t really say that I ever felt like I was in love. It was something that always bothered me; I felt like I couldn’t get attached to people, couldn’t put myself and my feelings other there for another person to control. When you love someone, you give them your life, your happiness…everything is in their hands and they have the power. And quite frankly, that is scary, especially for a control freak like me. I was in control most of the time when I dated someone, and the older I got, the more guarded I became until it got to the point where I would be the one making every decision in a relationship, and when I wanted to end it, I ended it. I had all the power and that was a safe position for me. Over the last few years, I pretty much came to accept that this was how it was always going to be–I would be with someone for some shallow benefits and when I didn’t need that person anymore, I would simply stop seeing them. I never thought that I would ever have real feelings for another person, and I definitely didn’t think that I would ever fall in love, out of my own choosing or otherwise.

But one person changed all that for me and it still leaves me in awe that they possessed this ability to simply come into my life and take away all of my power, tear down my walls, and take control. I have to admit–at first, I was terrified. I thought I was going to get hurt. But I’ve developed a lot of trust in this person over the last two months and I don’t worry about being hurt anymore. Surprisingly, I have come to see this relinquishing of power as a relief…I have someone who loves me, wants to be with me and wants me to be happy, and that is a relief. It is like a huge weight lifted off my shoulders to know that I am loved and can love.

Meeting A was probably one of the best things that has ever happened to me and in spite of the fact that I refuse to believe in fate or anything like that, I have to admit that I feel as if we were supposed to meet, supposed to be together. I really feel as if we were drawn together…we needed each other and I think that our relationship is going to do great things for both of us. I cannot imagine my life without A in it and I also cannot imagine how much I would have missed out on if we had never met each other. I am just thankful every day to whatever it was that brought us together. Be it fate or coincidence or whatever…I am eternally grateful because the most amazing person has come into my life and over the course of less than two months, has improved my life significantly. I never imagined that I would be so grateful for being proven wrong…but there was a period of several years when I really thought that I was incapable of loving someone or being loved myself. A has proven me wrong (I am sure this won’t be the only time during our lives when this happens!) but I am thrilled to know that I was wrong. I’m in love…I can’t believe that I am able to say that. I’m in love. I met someone, and I just knew. It is a truly incredible feeling. <3 A.

Some of My Favorite Photos (National Geographic)

alyceharman — Tue, 18 May 2010 14:48:52 +0000

I’d Rather Be With You- Joshua Radin

alyceharman — Mon, 17 May 2010 23:14:40 +0000

Over the last two months, this song has become incredibly meaningful to me and lately, it is one of the only things keeping me going. The person who has become the most important person in my life has gone on a long trip; we’ve already been separated for 9 days, and probably won’t get to see each other again for another two weeks or more. It is very difficult to be away from A because from the first moment that we started dating, we have spent most of our time together, day and night. I knew that I would miss us being together this summer, and especially during May, when we wouldn’t get to really be together at all, but I didn’t realize that I could love someone and miss someone so much that I would physically feel it. I always thought that when people said they missed someone so much it hurt, that they were exaggerating, but there is a real physical sensation that comes with missing someone so intensely.

Other than this separation, I am the happiest that I have been in years…I can finally say that I am in love and that isn’t something that I ever thought I would be able to say. I never really believed that I would find someone who made me so happy that I couldn’t imagine my life without them and that I would immediately feel so attached to. But A…is everything that I could have ever wanted or hoped for and my life really feels complete now. It’s a phenomenal feeling.

Sitting here, on this lonely dock                                  Now here’s the sun, come to dry the rain                                   I could have saved so much time for us
Watch the rain play on the ocean top                        Warm my shoulders and relieve my pain                                   Had I seen the way to get to where I am today
All the things I feel I need to say                                 You’re the one thing that I’m missing here                                You waited on me for so long
I can’t explain in any other way                                   With you beside me I no longer fear                                            So now, listen to me say:

I need to be bold                                                            I need to be bold                                                                              I need to be bold
Need to jump in the cold water                                  Need to jump in the cold water                                                      Need to jump in the cold water
Need to grow older with a girl like you                      Need to grow older with a girl like you                                         Need to grow older with a girl like you
Finally see you are naturally                                       Finally see you are naturally                                                          Finally see you are naturally
The one to make it so easy                                        The one to make it so easy                                                            The one to make it so easy
When you show me the truth                                      When you show me the truth                                                        When you show me the truth
Yeah, I’d rather be with you                                         Yeah, I’d rather be with you                                                           Yeah, I’d rather be with you
Say you want the same thing too                               Say you want the same thing too                                                  Say you want the same thing too
                                                                                                                                                                                                      Say you feel the way I do

LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIADdtY9pQA

Spring 2010- My First Attempt at Photography

alyceharman — Sun, 16 May 2010 15:00:46 +0000

Here without You: My First Poem for A

alyceharman — Sat, 15 May 2010 22:22:35 +0000

This is my first real attempt at poetry, and in spite of the fact that it doesn’t flow quite as well I would have liked, I think that it at least accurately conveys what I am trying to say…

Every individual possesses certain innate characteristics                                   If we could spend all of our time together
And those of one person can nicely compliment those of another                     Day and especially night,
When this happens, the resulting emotions are undeniable                               I believe that both of us would be quite content
And any period of separation                                                                                      And everything in the world would seem right
Becomes increasingly painful
                                                                                                                                          But right now you are gone from me
I have found that person                                                                                              And I lie awake alone at night
Whose personality, intellect, and humor                                                                  Dreaming of the moment
Compliment mine in a way that makes us both complete                                   When you’ll come back
In two short months we have made so many happy memories                         And the darkness that surrounds me
In spite of the fact that we’ve had to be discreet                                                     Will be overcome with elation and light

Graduation!

alyceharman — Sat, 08 May 2010 23:03:37 +0000

I graduated Magna Cum Laude from Shippensburg University today! I received my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology (with a minor in German Studies) and it is an immense relief to have the another part of my education completed. The next step is my Master’s Degree, which will take between a year and a half and two years. I’ll begin working on that at Shippensburg in the Fall and although this wasn’t exactly the plan that I had in mind (I had hoped to get accepted directly in to a PhD program for the Fall), I am trying to make the best of it and have actually come to the realization that there are many potential benefits that come with remaining at Ship. Left is a photo of my dad and I in front of the Shippensburg University sign in front of Rowland Hall.

Last night, A made me the most romantic dinner. I was kicked out of my apartment, and when I returned to my room, my desk was in the middle of the room with a chair on each side. The lights were out, but there were three candles on the right and the window was open, providing a soft breeze. Everything was perfect. Dinner was fantastic…absolutely delicious. I never knew A could cook so well! The best part, though, was spending time with the person that I love the most; I couldn’t think of a more perfect evening. A is…the best thing that has ever happened to me. Our relationship comes so easily, so naturally and I consider myself a very lucky girl.