The Ending of a Chapter

I have been putting off this post for several days because I know it's going to be hard for me to write. It's so sad to think that this incredible journey that I've been on is over. I could write a book on how this experience has changed my life, but I'm not even going to get into that right now. 

During the two weeks prior to my last week I did a lot of packing. I knew that my last week would be filled with work and playing, so I wanted to get as much done as possible. I also knew there were several things that I wanted to do before I left, so I was sure to do those too. One thing I had really been wanting to try was a Dole Whip Waffle at Epcot. It's a limited time food item for Flower and Garden Festival. It is a sweet potato cinnamon waffle topped with Dole Whip and it is amazing! I'm so glad I tried it. I also knew that I wanted to see Beauty and the Beast one last time, since it's my favorite show at Disney. So I made sure that I saw it. 

Monday night my friend, Jordan, flew in. After I got off work I went to see her and we ended up staying up all night long talking. That was the first time I've stayed up all night in a REALLY long time, and I definitely felt it throughout the day. We had a breakfast reservation at Kona Cafe, which is a full service restaurant at the Polynesian. I had always heard that their Tonga Toast was really good and I wanted to try it. It was definitely yummy! 

Jordan hadn't been to Animal Kingdom much, so we went there after breakfast and when we finished there we went to Hollywood Studios. The wait times were really short so we were able to do several things before it was time for me to go to work.

Jordan likes to take pictures with strangers...and they always ask her to!

I worked a pretty long shift that day and was definitely relying on caffeine to keep me awake, due to the lack of sleep. Wednesday Jordan and I went to Epcot for a little while before I had to go to work. We didn't have much time because I worked earlier than normal.

Wednesday was my last day of work at the Polynesian and it was so bittersweet. We were a much smaller team at the Poly than at Epcot, so I had gotten close to everyone, even part time and full time people. Although I didn't really like the Polynesian itself, I loved my coworkers and it was so hard to say goodbye. 

Sydney had driven down on Wednesday, so that night we all went to CJ and Logan's house to hang out. Meghan was there, too! 

Thursday was my last day to play in the parks. Logan, Jordan, Sydney, and I went to Hollywood Studios. We got a late start but we still got to do a lot. We only waited 25 minutes for Toy Story Mania, which is the shortest I have ever seen it! They were hot and tired so they went back and rested that afternoon. I knew that it was my last day and that I could keep going, so I did. I went to my apartment and finished packing the last of my things and then headed to Magic Kingdom. 

I had been wanting to take a picture in front of the castle with my graduation ears and I knew I needed to do if before the sun went down. I was planning on meeting a friend there, but he was running late so I hung out by myself. I made pictures in front of the castle and met Mickey one last time. I also stopped by Jungle Cruise to see Meghan. I decided to see the 9 o'clock parade so I found an empty spot in Frontierland. At this point I was starting to get very emotional. I was still by myself and I was just so overwhelmed with thoughts of leaving. The parade ended up being cancelled due to technical difficulties, which was probably a blessing in disguise. I think if I had watched the parade, I would have completely lost it right there in Magic Kingdom. I went and got myself a Dole Whip and found a spot on Main Street to see Wishes. Logan, Jordan, and Sydney were on their way to Magic Kingdom and so was Yetziel. He got there first and I was so relieved to see him. We watched Celebrate the Magic (the projection on the castle) and Wishes with his friends. 

After that, I said goodbye to Yetziel which was so hard. He has been here through it all, ever since August. We had so much fun together and I'm really going to miss him! However this isn't goodbye for us. He got a seasonal position at Epcot as well, so hopefully we can work together sometime. 

After that Jordan, Sydney, Logan, and I went and rode several of my favorite rides, including the teacups, carousel, and Pooh. We ended the night with my absolute favorite: Space Mountain. This was my very first roller coaster as a child and I fell in love with it. Space Mountain is in the dark, and I have always wanted to see it with the lights on, just to see what it's like. For some reason, in the last few seconds of the ride that night, the lights suddenly came on and I could have cried! It was the perfect way to end my program. We took lots of pictures in front of the castle and then headed out. 

Last Dole Whip! :(

I am so thankful that Logan has been here with me the past few months. Knowing someone from home makes it so much easier. It was also nice knowing someone who had their own washer and dryer, not a community one! Haha in all seriousness, I can't thank him enough for everything he did for me, just by being there. We've always been friends but we got even closer at Disney. I am truly blessed by our friendship! 

It was so hard to say goodbye to this sweet girl! I'm so glad that I met Meghan and will always treasure the memories we made. I can't wait to visit her in California!

Love these three!

That night I went to eat IHOP with my coworkers from the Poly. This was our last time going out to eat together. We had fun talking and laughing together. It was so hard to say goodbye to them. We had all gotten very close. But hopefully it wasn't goodbye, it was just "see ya real soon!"

Nathan! 

Estefania!

Marisa!

Reiley!

Gabbie!

Friday morning I got up and packed what little was left and told Alicia goodbye. I'm really going to miss her, even though we didn't see each other a whole lot because of our schedules! I went to pick Jordan up and say goodbye to CJ, Logan, and Sydney. CJ was already gone to work so we said our final goodbyes to Sydney and Logan. As soon as we walked out the door I realized that I didn't tell Nala, CJ's dog, bye and ran back in to tell her goodbye! I thought that was kind of funny. I have gotten really attached to Nala, which is odd since I don't really like dogs. 

I had to go to casting to fill out some paperwork for my transfer to seasonal custodial, so Jordan and I finally hit the road around1 o'clock. Jordan rode back with me so that I wouldn't be alone. We made excellent time and there was hardly any traffic. When we got to Tifton, I saw a car that looked just like my friend Kaytlyn's. When we got closer, I realized it was her. She was one of my best friends in high school and I haven't seen her in at least nine months. We got off at the Chick Fil A in Cordele and ate together, and said hello to MeriBeth, a friend from home who owns that particular Chick Fil A. I finally got home around 10 o'clock and my family had a sign and balloons for me. Pulling into my driveway was such a bittersweet feeling.