We Are The In Crowd signing

So as you may or may not know, I have been living in Florida. And living here has brought a lot of awesome experiences, like the one I'm going to tell you about today (the story isn't too long so don't click that x button just yet). So a few months ago one of my favorite bands, We Are The In Crowd, was doing a signing at Zumiez at one of the local malls here by my apartment building. Well me and a girl who I've become pretty good friends with over the last few months found out about the WATIC signing via Facebook (it was actually good for something, I know shocker) and since the band was only going to do like 300 signing we decided to leave and try to be at the mall before it opened so we knew for sure we had a spot in line and that we were getting that signed poster (we were determined). We got to the mall at like 9:00am thinking we had the right location, well we didn't. We ended up waiting for about 2 or 3 hours before we thought to ask someone if the signing was happening or not (there was one at the place we were at but it happened the day before) but luckily we still had plenty of time and the other location wasn't but about 10 minutes away from where we were. After finding out we had the wrong location we literally booked it to where we were suppose to be, and some how managed to find a parking stop that was very close where the store was (the parking lot was literally so full we thought about just making our own parking space), but we somehow got lucky. We ran to find the store and sure enough when we turned the corner, we saw the line. The signing started at 1:00pm and we probably made it there by about 12 and to our surprise, the line had maybe 20 people in it.. Now I know that WATIC isn't a very big band in the music scene here (I'm not sure why though because they are amazing) and that fact that the signing was on a Sunday, but I thought that at least 100 people would have shown instead of maybe 30. While we were waiting on the band to get there, the people hosting the event had so much going on the pass the time, (there twerking contests, rap battles, random questions, whatever you can think of and who ever won got free stuff), they made the wait in line, in the heat pretty fun. WATIC showed up and everyone who was waiting was excited. We went through the line and got the poster they had signed by each member and Tay told me she liked my shift (I had bought the Weird Kids shirt by Glamour Kills earlier that day at the other location) and I took some pretty stalker like pictures of the band (we weren't allowed to take pictures with the band for whatever reason) and waited around for a bit and then snuck a picture with Jordan (shhh don't tell). And after that it was time for us to head back and start getting ready for work. WATIC was playing a show here in Orlando that night, but sadly due to work I couldn't go. But now that they are playing Warped Tour, I will be seeing them in a few months and I'm so excited! Who knows, maybe I'll be able to get a picture with the whole band this time.. (:

Make it a sweet goodbye.

The day started out like any other. I woke up, ate breakfast, and started to get ready for the day. Little did anyone know that our lives would drastically change in a matter of minutes with one phone call...

As I went to get ready to take a shower, my mom received a phone a call. I could hear her talking in the disbelief tone of voice, trying so hard to keep her composure. I ran into the room my mom was in to try to get some information of what was going on. When I reached my mom, she had tears streaming down her face, gasping for air. I assumed the worst, thinking it was about my dad. I was able to calm my mom down enough for her to say "Dawn....dead". With this news, I took a breathe of relief, thankful nothing had happened to my dad, but heart broken about her friend. Trying my best to keep my composure, I told my mom to get dressed and we'll go to the hospital and find out what exactly is going on. Maybe something got lost in translation and someone is making the situation worse than it actually is. We got dressed as fast as we could, my mom was in no condition to drive so I grabbed my keys and we left for the hospital. Driving as fast and safe as I could, we arrived at the hospital just before 11:30AM. We made our way to the ER so we could find the family. Once we found the family, the next order of business was finding out what exactly happened. The time was maybe 11:35AM when we found out that our family friend had indeed passed away. Family and friends gathered in the hallway, crying and wondering why. We all just wanted answers. She was so young, but the only thing anyone could think of was that God has called her home to His kingdom. But the weird thing is, just this past Monday she was out running and doing her every day activities with no problems, and this morning there was no sign of anything wrong. Se had taken the dog out and got short of breath so she went back in and used her asthma inhaler, which according to her husband didn't really help much. The ambulance was called and by the time they had arrived, she was gone. We don't know all the details just yet but from the looks of it, we think she passed of a heart attack.

We went back to her room and saw her her just lying there lifelessly. It was so hard to see my mom in the state she was in at that very moment. Seeing my mom hold her dead friend's hand and begging her to just simply wake up, is something I don't think I'll ever be able to forget. Me and mom went over to the family's house to be with them during this hard time. No one really knows what to do, we all keep thinking that she's going to walk through the door wondering why so many people are in her house. Nothing is ever going to be the same. The days my mom walks into work and her not being there to great her, the days I go to visit mom and her coworkers and she not be there, nothing will ever be the same. Even her family at Christmas time will never be the same, just a constant reminder that she will not be there with them to enjoy her family opening their gifts and seeing the excitement on their face. Mom is upset about the whole situation, wishing for just a few minutes with her so she could talk to her. We'll get through this hard time as the time passes but for right now, if any of you out there reading this is religious, please pray for all the families affected by this.  

*A few days later*

The funeral was beautiful but gloomy. Knowing she was only a year or two younger than my mom and still had so much in life to come, it was hard to lay her body to rest.We learned that it was a blood clot in her lung. She was such a beautiful lady and will be missed greatly. She could light up a room with one little phrase or simply just by flashing a smile. Rest in peace dear friend, we love you and miss you so much. 

*A few months later* 
Her family is still finding it hard to come to reality with the death of our dear friend. My mom tells me everyday how her children come to her explaining how they just want their mom back. They do know she is in a better place now though, but even that being said it does not make the pain they fell any less painful. Losing a loved one is not easy on any one. My mom seems to be doing a lot better though. Even though she lost a dear friend she seems as if she has accepted what happened. It is still hard though, walking in the class room and not seeing her welcoming face but that's just something new to get use to, if we will ever get use to it..

So I've Been Living In Disney

For the past few months I have been living in Orlando, Florida. But not only that, I’ve been working for the happiest place on Earth: Walt Disney World!! It has been the most exciting part of my life up to this point. I’ve met so many people from all over the world and have been a part in helping dreams come true! I’ve also become friends with people from all over the U.S as well as people from other countries, whom I’m going to miss terribly once my time here ends.

So what is it like working for WDW you may ask? Well, it’s exactly like you would imagine! Magical! I have a role in Quick Service Food & Beverage (QSFB for short) and to be completely honest I was not too thrilled when I started my first day of work. I was new to the area and not to mention never worked a day in my life so it was all a bit over whelming. But as my first day progressed I became a little more comfortable with my job and of course started making friends with some of the other newbies in my location. My coworkers are like my family and I would not trade them for anything in the world. Are they annoying? Yes. But they are some of the most down to Earth people I have ever met and I love them more than anything, even though some of them like to talk in our Facebook group until 3am after working a six hour shift. We are like our own little tightly knit family. But the down side to being so close to one another, nothing gets past any one. If something happens to one person, we all know within a matter of seconds. It’s almost as if you’re back in high school and you say something to your best friends and someone overheard you and then a rumor has caught like wildfire and everyone knows.

The housing situation is pretty interesting though. I live with 3 other girls in a 2 bedroom apartment, and it seems like we do not have enough room to put things away. Every place I look there is always, and I mean ALWAYS, something that belongs to someone just laying around somewhere. Now we aren’t slobs or anything but we just tend to leave things in every room. The only room that is a real mess is the kitchen and that is because we never want to clean up the dishes we use, so they usually just end up sitting in the sink until someone decides to wash them (which is pretty gross I know) but it works for us. It doesn’t really make sense but whatever works. Now of course we have our share of dumb fights (most of which revolve around the dishes) but in the end whatever we were arguing about is usually taken care of and everything is back to how it was before.

Days off are some of the best days of my life. Not only do I get to spend it with friends but I always to get to go play in the parks that is known as the happiest place on Earth. And I can assure you, I have never been happier in my life than I am now. I’ve gotten to meet so many of my favorite Disney characters (including Peter Pan and Wendy!!) which could not have been a greater experience. Disney is truly magical! From the shows I’ve seen probably 100 times by now (which NEVER get old) to just simply walking around the parks with my 5 best friends, Disney will be and is a home to me. If any of you out there reading this post are thinking of doing the Disney College Program, I highly suggest you do it. DCP has been the best experience of my life and I would do it all over again if I could, which speaking of, I’ve extended my program until August, so be on the lookout for some wild stories of the crazy things me and my friends get into. 

Warped Story

The lights go dim, your heart starts to race, the excitement rushing through your veins; "this is it, this is finally happening" you think to yourself as the Intro song starts. The veil between you and your heroes is dropped as the fist chord of the first song begins. You're so filled with excitement that you begin jumping up and down and singing and screaming and crying all at the same time. You've dreamed about this day for years and it's finally here. All the listening to song after song on repeat, the patiently waiting for the next album and music videos, watching YouTube videos obsessively to try to prepare for this moment that has finally come. The show was the best show you've ever been to, not to mention it was your favorite band playing. You were able to sing alone to every song, including the new single that was put out last month. It was the time of your life. You've taken loads of pictures and used all the money you brought with you on merch. As you leave the venue, all sticky and sweaty from being in the pit, you have the biggest smile on your face and you know that this is a night that you will not soon forget. And this is the story of my first time seeing All Time Low, A.K.A my favorite band.

The date was July 26, 2012. I had just graduated from high school and had decided to treat my self and attend Warped Tour for the first time ever! Now Warped is an experience all in itself, so I'll leave that story for another day. Anyways, it was a hot summer's day and I had been outside in this awful Georgia heat all day long. It's bad enough being out in the heat by yourself, but when you are surrounded by thousands of people for roughly 9 hours, woah buddy does it get hot! As I was waiting in line for the gates to open, you will never believe who I saw ride by on bikes. Jack and Rian (and I think I saw Alex walking around later that day). Now when I first saw them I thought they were just some of the roadies, but once it registered in my head of who it was, I just had to tell every one. I must have texted about five or six different people (my parents included, even though they really didn't know who they are) and some were jealous and others could really care less. Once the gates had opened and I got in, it was time to start watching bands play! I saw all the bands I had came for (with the exception of one because of a timing issue and tough choices) and it was now time to wait for the band I had came to see, All Time Low. I so badly wanted to be in the pit for them and thought that if I stood in the back while the band that was currently playing, which was Pierce The Veil, that then most of the people currently in the pit would clear out. Boy was I wrong.. If anything, the pit became more crowded! But I somehow got lucky and was able to get maybe four people back from the front row. The crowd was wonderful. We all jumped and sang along in harmony. Alex picked on Jack like normal. Zack was shirtless and was playing with his pink bass. Rian doing his thing on the drums. Flyzik doing the thing that he does. It was absolutely perfect. Alex even called someone out for trying to leave early. The crowd was so big (like the actual arena part was full) that is almost seems like everyone at Warped that day was there just for the purpose to see All Time Low, and who could blame them? 

The day all in all was literally the best day ever. From the drive there to that sad drive back home. Of course I spent all the money I had taken with me on band shirts, but come on I was doing some school shopping while I was there too. I will never forget that day, and I hope I am able to go back to Warped this year (of course depending on the line up). 

Medicine or Music?

Ever since I was a little girl I've always wanted to go into medicine. I would watch all the shows on TV and think to myself "I'm going to be a doctor or a nurse one day and save someone's life." I went all through out high school taking the medical career pathway classes and loved every second of them. I got to college and started taking my core classes thinking I would soon be in the nursing program at my school, but after I finished my third semester of class I no longer have that same dream.
Music has always been a huge part of my life. Now, I don't play any instruments or sing very well or write any decent songs, but I really would love to have a career in the music industry. I don't want to be a face someone sees in the tabloids or on the news, but rather someone who is behind the scenes of it all. Producing music would be the dream. Seeing how all of my favorite songs have come together. From the creating the music and the words to recording and getting the music out to the people. Help creating the music that I love.
I went to my parents about this change of heart and they don't seem to support my change of major for school. Now I know that they are like any other parent and want me succeed in life and be able to support myself especially since my dream city is Los Angeles, but they could at least try to support me and not try to force me to continue in a nursing degree right? My friends and my extended family think music production is something I would be great at, especially since music is something I love and have a burning passion for, but my parents don't seem to think it's a great idea. They want me to continue with nursing and get a degree, then if music is still something I wish to pursue then go back to school and get a degree. But why waste the money on a program for a degree in a field that I no longer have a passion for? Wouldn't that be a waste of time and money? Shouldn't I have a love and passion for a career that I am going to be doing for the rest of my life? But it's like with every little thing in my day to day life, my parents are still trying to make little efforts to keep me on the nursing track.
Now I haven't changed my major yet, and I'm taking some time off school to try to figure out exactly what it is that I want to do with my life. During my time off school, I'll be participating in the Disney College Program. So while I'm working for the happiest place on Earth, I'll be searching for my place in the business world, rather that be with nursing or music or something completely different.
I guess the point of this post is to tell others who are in a similar situation to follow their dreams. We only have one life and one chance to do it right, so why not make the most of it? Who cares if you don't want to go to college and be a big shot for a big business? Do what you love. Make yourself happy first and once others see you enjoying your life they will soon follow. Now they may not approve, hell they may never approve, but don't let that keep you from following your dreams. Go out there in the scary world and make the most of your life. As the boy who never wanted to grow up said.. "All it takes is some faith, trust, and pixie dust".