2013 Year in Reflection

The year 2013 was a crazy (in the best way possible) one for me. After returning from a cruise to the Panama Canal with my family, I flew across the Atlantic to spend the semester in Genoa, Italy. While living in Genoa, I not only had the opportunity to explore Italy, but I visited Paris, Berlin, Dublin, and Barcelona.  I also ventured into Switzerland with my friends Derrick and Jennifer, and went on a Mediterranean cruise solo and with my family.  After returning to the United States, I had only a few weeks at home before I flew to New York City to spend the summer participating in a Clemson architecture studio.  I then tackled my third move of the year into a cute, new college community with my roommate, Sarah.

My fall semester at Clemson was my final synthesis studio and also the most demanding and exhausting I've ever experienced.  I did, however, get to travel to Chicago with the fourth-year architecture students and also managed to squeeze in a trip to Walt Disney World to celebrate my sister's birthday at the Food & Wine Festival (becoming annual passholders!).  And I got to participate in some monumental celebrations - Clemson School of Architecture celebrated the 40th Anniversary of the Villa in Genoa during my semester abroad (how's that for perfect timing?) and the 100th Anniversary of the School of Architecture with a 50K Beaux Arts Ball in Lee III.  I also celebrated four years with my boyfriend, Max (awww!)..... in a tent, camping out for Clemson football tickets.  And speaking of Clemson football, I got to cheer on the team during one of our best seasons, yet.... and the sign I made for ESPN Game Day got a lot of airtime, thanks to my sister Rachel's hard work holding it up!

Over Thanksgiving, I traveled with my family to Mississippi to remember the life of my sweet MeMaw who passed away on November 23, but also to celebrate the birthday which I share with my dear Granddaddy (November 29 - he's 85, and I'm feelin' 22!).  I stressed over graduate school applications and portfolio (Want to see?  Visit my website!) along with my FINAL final review at Clemson.  But all of the hard work was worth it when I got to celebrate Christmas with my family during our cruise to the Eastern Caribbean on the Royal Princess and ring in the New Year at my favorite place on earth - Walt Disney World!

2013 was an amazing year.  A year of exploration and adventure, loss and remembrance, and celebration of triumphs big and small.  It was a year of growing up - traveling and living by myself (and with some wonderful friends), and then contemplating and working towards my future (as uncertain right now as that may be).  I got to know a lot of amazing people and was touched and inspired by many.  And I've learned that no challenge is too big to overcome, especially when you are surrounded by people who love and care about you.... and believe in you.

Panama Canal (Christmas Day 2012)


Genoa, Italy


Genoa, Italy - the view from my balcony in the villa

Skiing with Derrick and Jennifer in Madesimo, Italy


Eiffel Tower in Paris with Alex, Abby, and Eliza


Disneyland Paris - Parc Disneyland


Berlin Wall - Germany with Alex


Genoa Study Abroad Group at the Villa


Balearic Islands on Norwegian Epic Mediterranean cruise with Rachel, Alec, and Max


NYC Summer Studio


Walt Disney World for Rachel's Birthday


Clemson 100 Years of Architecture Beaux Arts Ball


Rachel with my sign for Clemson's second ESPN Game Day.... let's not talk about game results


Chicago with Amandaleigh, Bria, and Sarah


My 22nd Birthday and Granddaddy's 85th


Christmas Cruise on Royal Princess

New Year's Eve at Walt Disney World

I cannot wait to find out what's in store for 2014!

2013 Disney World Trip Report: Day 4, I Don't Wanna Leave!

Our last day was a gloomy one. There was no sun in the sky. I was bummed because had I known it was going to be overcast, I would've taken more Beach Club photos the day before when the sky was beautiful. I was also really sad that we had to leave! It's so hard to go back after having a wonderful vacation!!!

We woke up early and went to EMH at Epcot. We went straight to Soarin' to ride, then ate breakfast at Sunshine Terrace and used FPs for Soarin' afterwards.









Unfortunately, World Showcase didn't open until 11:00 which was our check-out time. Would've loved to grab a bite to eat from F&W before leaving.



The only thing that makes it easier to leave is knowing that you'll be going back soon! We'll visit again over the Christmas holidays.

2013 Disney World Trip Report: Day 2, Part 2

EPCOT

After resting, we headed to Epcot. Our first stop was Test Track to use our FP+. This was the first time we've done the new Test Track (which was changed from its old GM test track theme in late Fall 2012). It was still a 20-30 minute wait with FP+.

My first complaint is that when they have you stand on the numbers outside of the car design room, they want two to three people to stand on a single number. This really confuses people, and everyone seemed to want to stand on different numbers. The CM then had to explain over and over that two/three people needed to stand on the SAME number. Which is impossible because the dots are small and they are close together. They really should put three number 5s on the ground or whatever so that everyone gets their own individual "dot" to stand on.

Rachel and I designed a car together, and my mom and dad did a car together. Rachel and I just clicked stuff, but my dad was trying really hard to make a good car.

 Here's ours:



I think we should've gotten some extra design points because the kids behind us thought it was awesome.



Yeah, we didn't really try for anything except a cool-looking car. Here is Dad's:



I didn't photograph his stats, but he won power for our group.

Something important to note is that you put the car on only one person's band, even though multiple people work together to customize it. If you want to race the car you designed, make sure you have the person who scanned their band to design the car scan your screen before getting in the ride vehicle. Otherwise, you'll be racing a generic car. Mom and Rachel both raced generic cars, and I found it funny that the generic cars won in efficiency against all of the customized ones. So if you want to win a category, I would suggest trying for efficiency because it seems to be the afterthought for most people (perhaps just because it's the last category you get to when designing the car).

I'm not crazy about the new Test Track design. What they lost when they redesigned it was humor and the "cute factor." The ride video to Test Track was one of my favorites ("Surprise tests?" "Yeah, surprise tests."). I feel like there wasn't a real story to the ride. My mom said that this new Test Track reminded her of the Epcot of the 80s when they were all about efficiency, design, and predicting the future.

What we did love are these picture stations with the cars after the ride. You could scan your Magic Band, and it would take three pictures of you with the car and email them to you. We had a little bit of fun...







After Test Track, we tasted some Coca Cola products from around the world because my mother likes to feel like she's getting something for free from Disney (I complained that the floors are already sticky....). We then used our FP+ for Soarin' - this is the first time EVER that I've been on the ride and people didn't start clapping as we began descending after the ride. Rachel and I both looked at eachother - "No clapping???" And then a few people started clapping once we landed. It was weird. Maybe Soarin's magic is beginning to fade. I still dig it, though.

I like to poke a little fun at my dad (don't worry - he pokes just as much fun back!)....



He stops us outside the Imagination Pavilion. "Girls - LOOK! The water is going the wrong way!!!" "Dad - you've been to Epcot HOW MANY TIMES? And you JUST NOTICED that the water is going the opposite way????"

Food and Wine Festival



We circled the lagoon counter-clockwise, starting with Greece. Mom, Dad, and I got the chicken gyro, and Rachel tried the "taste of Greece."





We got Dragonberry Coladas at the Refreshment Port (last year, they were at the Caribbean stand, but the Caribbean wasn't represented this year).



Made our way to France. Unfortunately, they didn't have any of the pink, sparkling Grey Goose vodka drink they sold for $15 last year. I was disappointed



Rachel and I met Sleeping Beauty.



Instead opted for the Eiffel Sour Cosmo Slush from France.





Dad got beer from Japan. Don't ask me what kind.



We wanted our photo taken at the American Pavilion because Rachel and I were both wearing our American flag shorts. Dad tried...







And then Mom goes, "Ohhhhh.... this is cute because you both have on patriotic shorts!"



You go, Dad! Drink your Japanese beer in America, you hipster, you!

Mom learned that The Manhattan Transfer was performing and wanted to watch. Dad got American beer for the show, but I wanted wine. I just didn't feel right spending $7 on a glass of Sutter Home Pinot Grigio which I buy from the grocery store at $12 a bottle, so I went to Italy for prosecco.



Dad was disappointed that The Manhattan Transfer didn't perform any of their own songs. My mom thought they were trying to set the mood for Food & Wine, and that's why.





Rachel and I went ahead. We stopped at Poland of all places, and we tried the Zapiekanki (toasted mushroom) which Rachel loved.

We then realized we should go ahead and claim a fireworks spot. I had brought my tripod with me and wanted to take photos. We found a spot on the Future World side which we've actually stood near before.





A few of my favorite Illuminations shots -

Magic Kingdom

And the party wasn't over, yet. Epcot was closing, but we decided to take the monorail over to Magic Kingdom to get in some New Fantasyland attractions tonight.

We caught the end of the parade, so we just joined in!





We followed the parade to the castle, then made a bee-line for Dumbo!







After Dumbo, we went on Voyage of the Little Mermaid and then ate a cinnamon roll from Gaston's Tavern. What a night!