Universal + Disney + kids + New Orleans + 1 Crazy Family = 1 Exhausted Lauren

Ok, where to start?

Florida:

FL was interesting, to say the least. As I've told you the other night, Yamanda, I have a better perspective on your feelings for not wanting to have kids. Universal and Disney theme parks possess the power to stop anyone's biological ticking clock. "They" claim that Disney is the "happiest place on earth," but after hearing countless parents yelling at their kids to shut up or to stop crying I'm beginning to think that's false advertisement. Fortunately, the kids I was with (18 month old Dylan, 4 yr. old Arianna,and 7 yr. old Nick) were relatively well behaved. Besides the occassional outburst of, "It's hot!" in that whining, annoying voice kids pull out whenever they feel it's the only way to get their point across they didn't cause too much trouble.

We checked out Universal's theme parks first. We rode on the Spiderman ride and afterwards I took Nick and Arianna over to meet the masked web crawler himself in the convienently place souvenir shop next to the ride. Spiderman proceeded to ask Nick for help fighting crime, and at the end of the day poor Nick never did figure out why this crime fighting had yet to start happening. We went on several more rides and stood in lines five times long as the actual rides lasted, but the kids were enjoying themselves and that's all that matters right? Ok, this is the part were you all say, "RIGHT!" reassuring me that I didn't waste my time. Reply quicker next time guys. Help me out a little. ;o)

Alright, so it's a little after midday, the sun is blazing and we've finished all there is to do in the Islands of Adventure theme park, so we decide to stop in the first decently priced restaurant with A/C to grab a bit to eat. Well, as some of you have already heard this restaurant might possibly be my version of hell. If Disney is Yamanda's hell, then the Nascar Cafe is my hell, but at least my hell has A/C. ;o) So we stopped there. I've posted the pictures to prove it. The car hanging from the ceiling would spin it's tires every half hour or so, there were Nascar jackets everywhere, Nascar on big screens, pictures of Nascar drivers and their Nascar families. Oh yeah, it's was great! Never again, never again.

After lunch we headed over to Universal Studios, hit up a few rides there before heading back to Islands of Adventure. It was a long, fun, hot day.

The next morning we went to Disney's Polynesian Resort where we ate breakfast with the characters. By the end of breakfast the kids had autographs from Chip N Dale, Goofy, and of course Mickey. They loved it!

Day three was all Disney World. I won't bore you with details. There were lines. There were lots of kids: cranky ones, smiling ones, sleeping ones. And there were ocassional characters and rides. Let me just point out that Fatasy Land was ridic! People EVERYWHERE! You could barely walk. It was practically a mosh pit. I was waiting to see some 6 yr. old kid crowd surfing yelling out, "Mickey is God!" or something to that effect. It never happened, but if I stayed there longer I'm sure it would have.

All in all though Orlando was a success. The kids enjoyed it and I enjoyed it because they did. Yeah, I know I'll probably be the first mom out of everyone, but I've accepted this fact and I'm okay with it as long as it doesn't happen too soon. At my rate, I really don't think I have anything to worry about though.

Next stop...
New Orleans:

Alright, can I just point out just how completely insane my family is! I have an uncle that basically doesn't have a liver because he's an alcoholic (he was in the hospital...again for part of my visit). I have another uncle that is the biggest Prince fanatic that he just can't accept that his 4 yr. old daughter's favorite color is blue and not purple. I have another uncle who thinks he's African even though he's like 1/1000 black. Oh, and I can't forget my crazy cousin. No, she really is certifiably insane. This past week she made a death threat against my grandmother, called my aunt a crackhead, and said my uncle was in the hospital because he had AIDS. Needless to say before being committed this past week she was taken to jail. I love my family. Don't you wish you had one just like it?! I know you do, don't deny it.

Anyways, besides catching up with all of them I caught up with Jules a couple of times during my stay. We enjoyed some beignets, a movie, a snowball, some of her mom's good cookin', some of her much talked about cornbread, and some hilarious laughter from comedienne Kathy Griffin. Good times, good times.

Ok, well that's the update of my life. Hoped you enjoyed it as much as I did. Next on the agenda: preparing for departure to Nassau for Semester at Sea!

Lauren Noelle Turpin - glad to hear Ohio is treatin' you well!
Nadya - hope Africa is fun!
Yamanda - I applaud your will power!
Nora - don't get into too much trouble in China!
Dina - I'm so glad you are exploring what truly makes you happy!
Annie - Stay strong, physics will be over eventually.
Jeanette - so excited about your pending work endeavor!
Jules - so fun hanging out this past week...hope you had fun in Baton Rouge
Pat - getting excited about China yet?