I hope to one day look back on this post as a time capsule that captures the wackiness of Orlando news happenings.
First of all, the two non-felonious members of the infamous astronaut love triangle announced today that they plan to marry next year. Following a nationwide car trip (and who knows how many adult incontinence products), a creepy encounter between Lisa Nowak and the bride-to-be, Colleen Shipman, took place here in Orlando at the international airport. We don't know for sure what Nowak would've done with the rubber hoses, mallet, BB gun, and garbage bags she packed in her trunk, but we can guess.
Also, soon after the announcement that the H1N1 vaccine will be ready in a few months, a headline popped up on my home page that gave me another reminder that the danger of swine flu hasn't faded away--a busload of tourists checked into Celebration Health today complaining of flu-like symptoms. Yes, that is the hospital where I work, and yes, I did walk by every one of them on their way to the main lobby, and yes, every one of them had a surgical mask on. Did I figure out what was going on?! No, not even after the newspiece yesterday about the vaccine! It was a bunch of kids with chaperones, so I thought they were on some junior surgeon field trip or something. Good thing I wash my hands one time per baby per day, which today was five times in three hours. I hope I got all the flu germs off.
*sanitizes keyboard*
Showing posts with label orlando. Show all posts
Showing posts with label orlando. Show all posts
Friday, July 10, 2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
An Out of This World Day
Eric and I decided to take a little stay-cation to Kennedy Space Center on Tuesday. Neither of us had ever been, and he was particularly excited to see both shuttles simultaneously out on the launch pads for the very last time. It was a beautiful day, and there was lots to do, so we got busy early on. Exhibits we checked out were a display on early space travel, the Rocket Garden blossoming with historical vessels from missions past, and the Astronaut Encounter! No, the latter is not a ride; it's a really awesome and unique opportunity to meet a real live astronaut, hear him (or her, but we met a "he") speak on his missions and other accomplishments, ask him questions, and have a photo op! We met Astronaut John Blaha!
You can also reserve a special lunch with an astronaut, but since it was such an un-crowded day, I got to ask Astronaut Blaha a question myself during his Astronaut Encounter presentation. He was very down-to-earth (haha).We also got to have a (kinda) close look at the shuttles on their respective launch pads ready for Monday's Atlantis launch (Endeavour is being prepared just in case).
Atlantis
We also got to see a Saturn V rocket up close, touch a real moon rock, get jiggled on the Shuttle Launch Experience, and see a spectacular Imax film, Magnificent Desolation, about the moon missions. It's a really fascinating and well done movie produced and narrated by lunatic Tom Hanks. Lots of celebrities voiced poignant quotes from the Apollo astronauts; I recognized Morgan Freeman, Matthew McConaghuey, Gary Sinise, and John Corbett, but the rest slipped through the cracks.
Overall, we had a very educational and cool day at KSC. We've been wanting to go for quite awhile, and it was definitely worth the wait. Loads more photos are waiting for you here!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Digging a Hole to...the Indian Ocean?
No, I didn't really think that I'd come out in China if I dug a hole in my backyard (if I had a backyard). I know I'd eventually burn up in the earth's fiery core. But if I could be come the opposite of flammable (which is NOT what "inflammable" means, by the way) and had reasonable means to make it all the way through from one side of the planet to the other perfectly diametrically, and I had a backyard, where would I potentially end up?
The answer, according to the Internet (which, as we all know, is always reliable) is here:
The answer, according to the Internet (which, as we all know, is always reliable) is here:
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE OCEAN! Good thing I never tried it!
"Try it" yourself, virtually, by heading to this site, If Earth Were a Sandwich, wich (haha) is actually a very logical way to wrap one's inflammable mind around this concept. Enjoy!
P.S. F.Y.I. T.T.Y.L.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Action-Packed Week
We, the Browns, have been pretty busy lately bounding all over central Florida. Eric's brother Jeff and his girlfriend came to Florida for their spring break, so we enjoyed spending time with them, including heading over to the Hoop-De-Doo Revue at Fort Wilderness. Jeff and Marissa even got to be part of the show!
Coincidentally, on the same day as our dinner at the Hoop, Eric was offered a free pair of tickets to see Cirque du Soleil - La Nouba at Downtown Disney, and who could pass that up? The show was amazing, and I consider myself to be the perfect audience member with my mouth hanging wide open the whole time with unintelligible expressions of surprise and pleasure dutifully escaping from it on cue with each "Ta-Da!"
Also, within the same week, we decided to buy a house, and then we undecided. I think we were bamboozled by talk of "it's a great time to invest" and "it's a buyers' market" and "there's a huge tax credit," when, truthfully, we weren't ready for such a big step. Well, we're emotionally ready--and SO weary of the condo lifestyle--but we definitely need to save more before we take the plunge. As much as we want the economy to improve, perhaps between now and this time in 2010 when our next lease will inevitably expire, home values and prices will not change too drastically and we can still get a great deal. In the meantime, it still might be time for an upgrade. The sounds of Eric's dutiful docility--the dishwasher, pots and pans pounding, the washer and dryer--awake me every morning (I know, what a grateful wife am I), so now we're hoping for a house with a garage so he can make his noises down there tinkering instead. He does love his tinkering so!
Additionally, I recently made a solo trip to Gatorland. A friend gave us free passes that expired too quickly for Eric to get a day off to go. We decided they shouldn't both go to waste, and the photo album linked below is the result of my wonderfully natural and educational day.
Coincidentally, on the same day as our dinner at the Hoop, Eric was offered a free pair of tickets to see Cirque du Soleil - La Nouba at Downtown Disney, and who could pass that up? The show was amazing, and I consider myself to be the perfect audience member with my mouth hanging wide open the whole time with unintelligible expressions of surprise and pleasure dutifully escaping from it on cue with each "Ta-Da!"
Also, within the same week, we decided to buy a house, and then we undecided. I think we were bamboozled by talk of "it's a great time to invest" and "it's a buyers' market" and "there's a huge tax credit," when, truthfully, we weren't ready for such a big step. Well, we're emotionally ready--and SO weary of the condo lifestyle--but we definitely need to save more before we take the plunge. As much as we want the economy to improve, perhaps between now and this time in 2010 when our next lease will inevitably expire, home values and prices will not change too drastically and we can still get a great deal. In the meantime, it still might be time for an upgrade. The sounds of Eric's dutiful docility--the dishwasher, pots and pans pounding, the washer and dryer--awake me every morning (I know, what a grateful wife am I), so now we're hoping for a house with a garage so he can make his noises down there tinkering instead. He does love his tinkering so!
Additionally, I recently made a solo trip to Gatorland. A friend gave us free passes that expired too quickly for Eric to get a day off to go. We decided they shouldn't both go to waste, and the photo album linked below is the result of my wonderfully natural and educational day.
Click to go to my Gatorland Photo Album
Starring:
Evil Parrot
(much more effective when viewed at full-size)
(much more effective when viewed at full-size)
Not-Quite-As-Evil-But-Still-Scary Emu
Tortoise with a Future in Modeling
and the Amazing Albino Alligators!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Mini-Vacay at Universal
Universal Orlando sent Eric a free ticket in hopes that he would buy another one. It worked. Check out the evidence here!
Homer burped in my ear.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Our Lives Thus Far
So you've read about the wedding and the events leading up to it. Now here's a quick update on what's been going on with us lately.
Eric moved to Orlando in June 2007 after resigning his position as a manager at the Herkimer Area Resource Center and selling his house in Mohawk, New York. Having earned his associate's degree from Herkimer County Community College, Eric had already begun taking courses online toward his bachelor's in business administration from Everest University.
He began his career with Walt Disney World as a front desk concierge at Disney's Boardwalk Resort. Very early on, he was chosen as a trainer for front desk cast and a facilitator of the training class for all new Boardwalk cast members. Soon after he was trained as an FSA (I don't know what that stands for, but basically it means you're in charge of the whole front desk), Eric applied for a management position and was chosen to be part of a pilot program designed for approximately 30 of the company's top management candidates. He completed the Emerging Leaders program two days before the wedding and, on that day, the official announcement was made that he had been permantently placed as a front desk manager for Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa and Disney's Old Key West Resort.
As for myself, after I graduated from Stetson, I secured a gig as a full-time piano player at the Marriott World Center for a while, and, until the show ceased broadcast in July, I also wrote for the online trivia game EAgameshow.com by EA Sports. I continued working for Disney in the entertainment department and consequently as a photographer up to the present. In January, my friend Gretchen open her own business, an after-school performing arts academy, and I joined the faculty as a part-time drama, piano, voice, photography, and ballroom teacher. I've also been performing at Kimonos at the Walt Disney World Swan since last May. It's a fun gig!
Outside of work, I sang with the Orlando Chamber Singers and the Orlando Chorale last season, and I also volunteer from time to time at Give Kids the World Village. My songwriting has been coming along as well. I entered a piece in the contest to select a new Florida state song, and it was one of the top 20 contenders. A holiday piece I wrote was premiered by Gretchen's massed choirs at East Ridge High School, and the Orlando Gay Chorus has expressed interest in performing it for their winter concert this year.
Eric rowed for a team from his work location for a regatta called Canoe Races of the World, held annually in the Rivers of America at the Magic Kingdom. The team didn't place, but he enjoyed training for the race and being in the park before opening!
We also both performed for the second straight year in Encore! Cast Choir and Orchestra, an annual charity performance put on by Disney cast members. This year's concerts raised $25,940 for United Arts of Central Florida. Also, we'll be performing as part of the cast choir for Epcot's Christmas Candlelight concerts.
We're keeping busy, that's for sure, but Eric secured vacation time for the week of my birthday in October, and we're going on a four-night Royal Caribbean cruise! 19 days 'til we depart! Bon voyage!
Eric moved to Orlando in June 2007 after resigning his position as a manager at the Herkimer Area Resource Center and selling his house in Mohawk, New York. Having earned his associate's degree from Herkimer County Community College, Eric had already begun taking courses online toward his bachelor's in business administration from Everest University.
He began his career with Walt Disney World as a front desk concierge at Disney's Boardwalk Resort. Very early on, he was chosen as a trainer for front desk cast and a facilitator of the training class for all new Boardwalk cast members. Soon after he was trained as an FSA (I don't know what that stands for, but basically it means you're in charge of the whole front desk), Eric applied for a management position and was chosen to be part of a pilot program designed for approximately 30 of the company's top management candidates. He completed the Emerging Leaders program two days before the wedding and, on that day, the official announcement was made that he had been permantently placed as a front desk manager for Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa and Disney's Old Key West Resort.
As for myself, after I graduated from Stetson, I secured a gig as a full-time piano player at the Marriott World Center for a while, and, until the show ceased broadcast in July, I also wrote for the online trivia game EAgameshow.com by EA Sports. I continued working for Disney in the entertainment department and consequently as a photographer up to the present. In January, my friend Gretchen open her own business, an after-school performing arts academy, and I joined the faculty as a part-time drama, piano, voice, photography, and ballroom teacher. I've also been performing at Kimonos at the Walt Disney World Swan since last May. It's a fun gig!
Outside of work, I sang with the Orlando Chamber Singers and the Orlando Chorale last season, and I also volunteer from time to time at Give Kids the World Village. My songwriting has been coming along as well. I entered a piece in the contest to select a new Florida state song, and it was one of the top 20 contenders. A holiday piece I wrote was premiered by Gretchen's massed choirs at East Ridge High School, and the Orlando Gay Chorus has expressed interest in performing it for their winter concert this year.
Eric rowed for a team from his work location for a regatta called Canoe Races of the World, held annually in the Rivers of America at the Magic Kingdom. The team didn't place, but he enjoyed training for the race and being in the park before opening!
We also both performed for the second straight year in Encore! Cast Choir and Orchestra, an annual charity performance put on by Disney cast members. This year's concerts raised $25,940 for United Arts of Central Florida. Also, we'll be performing as part of the cast choir for Epcot's Christmas Candlelight concerts.
We're keeping busy, that's for sure, but Eric secured vacation time for the week of my birthday in October, and we're going on a four-night Royal Caribbean cruise! 19 days 'til we depart! Bon voyage!
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