From China to Wine & Dine- A Nov 2013 'First' PTR (Trip Report Link)

[skier_pete]

We are at Kidani. I am thinking of gong to Saana by myself on the Tuesday before my family arrives (when I check in).

And I know, I know.. I need to work more time in at the resort. Thinking maybe that some of those 2nd day parks (like 2nd day at Epcot) we will maybe spend time at the resort. I dunno.... I got to relook at that...... now... before I put in the ADRS.

We didn't have time to check it out while we were there, but the pool area for Kidani is supposed to be fantastic. Jambo pool was nice, really large, but nothing too spectacular. However, just sitting and watching the animals wandering the savannah can take up an hour. (I thought after a few days it would get old, but looking out your hotel window and seeing Giraffes absolutely never did.)

Hey, and if you can get your mom to watch your kids for a bit, DW and I plan on spending some time at Jellyrolls on 11/16. (Guess we'll have to see whether we actually like spending time together first...)

 

[Tinker326]

Hey, and if you can get your mom to watch your kids for a bit, DW and I plan on spending some time at Jellyrolls on 11/16. (Guess we'll have to see whether we actually like spending time together first...)

This is not a bad idea. Hub would love it. We havn't gone to a piano bar together in YEARS. It will have to hinge on the littlest getting slightly better with her sleep issues. We are still struggling with that (and with me having to be the one to put her to bed) BUT she has come far in 8 months and no doubt will be much farther in another 6.

I will attempt working my magic on mom (she's the type to vocally complain that SHE would like to go to the piano club instead of babysit!) Maybe we'll just use the club..and all go!

 

[OrangeJuice]

Great ADR choices. Now I'm starving
I've been wanting to visit Trex for a while now because of one thing I've heard about there...Cotton-tini. A Martini poured unto a chunk of cotton candy. Looks delicious!

 

[Tinker326]

Great ADR choices. Now I'm starving
I've been wanting to visit Trex for a while now because of one thing I've heard about there...Cotton-tini. A Martini poured unto a chunk of cotton candy. Looks delicious!

I have had a cotton-tini actually. Not there, but at a bar somewhere... at sometime. It wasn't as good as I was hoping. And that's saying alot because I'm somewhat (okay, huge) sugar addict. And cotton candy combined with alcohol SHOULD equate wonderous success........... perhaps I judged too harsh and will give it another try when I go here!

 

[Tinker326]

Oh, I fear this is a rather down post. Sorry.

Let's start with the 'this & that...'

Which is.. my work place.

To give a quick overview of my job (it bores me so I won't bore you) we'll just say it's pretty cyclical. And we have normal business hours (8 hours a day) for about 9 months of the year & INTENSE overtime for 3. Those intense overtime months hit Jan-March for me & basically my life revolves around the job.

70ish hour weeks. Topped with an hour commute each way... leave little time for the three kids, house, hubby..myself.

It's tough, but it's relatively short lived & somewhat easier to deal with because it's in cold, wintery months with no holidays, ect.....

Well, my boss announced 2 days ago that due to the demands of a very high profile (read: high paying) new client, we have to switch everything around. And our 'busy season' will now extend Oct-March- permenantly.

They released the new due date schedule and I have SIX deadlines between Oct 1 and Dec 20th. My first deadline usually hits around January 20th.

Not only am I incredibly bummed at this turn of events, my already half paid for vacation now falls directly in 'busy season'. Typically we are forbidden to take time off in busy season. I'm asking for 8-9 days. Argh!!!

So upset by this. I did already tell my boss that I paid for DVC and registered for a half...and I never expected this to be a problem based on the historical tendancies of the last EIGHT YEARS I HAVE WORKED HERE...... but it doesn't change the fact that I'm REQUIRED to meet my deadlines. And so I work even WAY more before vacation or have work come on vacation with me (no!). It just sucks all around!

Never mind the fact that I CAN NOT PHYSICALLY give up my kids, house, hubby for 6 months for my job. I just can not. And it's NOT FAIR of them to demand it. Corporate America.. you SUCK sometimes!

And because we always need pictures.. .here is a picture of the "Disney on my desk"



Oh, notice in the very top left hand corner..that sheet on the wall is my 1/2 running plan. I just saw that I captured the part that said... "Run 1/2 marathon" and "Celebrate" on it. Good visual reminder here!!

With that depressing work rant still churning in my head... lets move forward to running plans. Which, currently for me, is also very depressing.

Running. Running. Running.....



(my new running shoes!)

Hmm.. let's start this with saying.... me signing up for this 1/2 was a stretch. I do not actually really enjoy running. For me, it's a mental game & I tend to lose, A LOT. I get bored easy...and then it's game over.

BUT.. cardio is also the most effective way for me to attempt to fight the bulge that is a result of age, genetics & bearing 2 children. Becasue I also happen to have a love affair with sugary food... and no matter how much I've tried..I can not muster the willpower to give those up. Sugar is my crack. I fully realize this & I'm not ready to enter the 12 step program to giving it up.

So I choose to cardio exercise to somewhat counteract it.

Signing up for the 1/2 was my way to FORCE myself into the gym because I can be queen of excuses at that.

And physically.. I CAN run. But mentally. Well, it's a struggle folks. A BIG struggle!!!

I have to go 13.1. I'm currently holding a record run of 4 miles. Simple math shows the very far spread between 13.1 and 4. I got a long way to go.

Due to my schedule, I work out mostly on my lunch break at work. Which means treadmill. Which... adds to the problem. Treadmill. Boring. But it's what I have to work with currently...

I need some mental 'tips' to get through this.. anyone? anyone?

GOOD music helps. Here's part of my current playlist...



Anyone have any good running songs (full of pep, tempo) I could add?

I have a nice 1/2 plan printed out & pinned to my cubicle. Intensive training starts in July. So because of the low motovation of current distance runs.. I decided to change things up.

And do an interval/strength training program instead. I find myself less bored with these workouts because I am constantly switching pace & watching time to change. Pace is usually VERY fast for a short time..and my mind is making the switch back and forth between 'survival (of the fast run) and recovery (from the fast run). This helps my time go by MUCH faster & my brain is engaged.

But this leaves me with another dilemna... exercise headaches. I get them when I do strenous exercise. (as in the intensive interval runs). It's not dehydration..but rather... something that happens to around 70% of people who suffer from chronic headaches (I do) from restricted blood vessels. It's a real problem & I need some real advice to get past it.... becasue 13.1 (even at a slower pace) will be strenous for me.

And so there you have it... my lovely running plan. Which currently isn't working all that well for me.

So I want PIXIE RUNNING DUST!!!!!



And now, to leave you with a CUTE picture. And a picture that reminds me that FAMILY is more important than this job..and so I need to find a solution with the three kiddies that matter most in my life forefront!!!

This girl is READY to meet some princesses:

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

You had me at running...

My favorite new song is the new Fallout Boy song, other than that, I have a LOT of 80s music on my phone and often listen to Pandora when running. We need to find a way for you to LOVE running! I want you to love it!

As for the headaches being from restricted blood vessels, do you think caffeine would help? No clue, just a thought.

I'm sorry about the work issues, that is so frustrating! I'm glad you don't have to change your plans though.

 

[skier_pete]

Boy, that really, really, really sucks about work. My job tends to be like that as well, though it's not seasonable. It's more timing based on project schedule, but we will go through a few months of very busy time. (Not always LONG hours, but more like 7-day work with lots of time on the phone in the evenings / overnight as we operate 24-hours a day.)

I wish I could give you some clever advice that would make it all easier, but there isn't any clear answer. The only thing I can say is our jobs should never define who we are. If you find that it gets to be too much for you, remember that.

As far as excercising goes...my advice there might be even worse. I loathe excercise for fitness sake...though i do it, I get no pleasure from it. (I never get people that talk about the high from endorphins or anything like that - I've never felt that ever in my life.) I also could never run any distances...my knees are pretty bad and can't take much compression so while I used to bike 20 miles - now usually around 10-12, I've never been able to run more than about 200 yards.

So, I can't really tell you a good way to make the workout interesting. Lately, I've been listening to some podcasts during excercise, including the DIS ones, though I don't find that they all interest me much. I listen to this one podcast called "FilmSack" where they watch old genre films and sort of make fun of them, and that really gets me laughing and makes the time go by fast. I haven't found any others I like besides those two, though.

For music I like stuff with a nice steady up tempo beat, but tend towards rock n roll. I favorite of mine to keep me moving is Jet - Get Born. There a more recent band though that album is probably 6 years old now, but it feels like something out of the '70s. I see Pink on your playlist, and she has some real good songs too, though typically some down-tempo stuff mixed in. I really love "I'm not Dead" but again there's some real quiet stuff on that album. The Cars Greatest Hits has a nice steady beat to the songs that I use sometimes.

 

[Tinker326]

You had me at running...

My favorite new song is the new Fallout Boy song, other than that, I have a LOT of 80s music on my phone and often listen to Pandora when running. We need to find a way for you to LOVE running! I want you to love it!

As for the headaches being from restricted blood vessels, do you think caffeine would help? No clue, just a thought.

I'm sorry about the work issues, that is so frustrating! I'm glad you don't have to change your plans though.

Ok. Ready for it? Ready?!? I got to mile 5 today! My personal best run ever!!! It was a nice pace for me that seemed easy after those high interval training runs I had done the previous day... so a 12:45 mile seemed like nothing and I was able to push thorugh to 5!!! I was so excited.... the perfect play list came on for the last push....... Try (Pink), I'm on the Edge (Lady Gaga) & then Catching My Breath (Kelly). It helped me goooooo!!!

Runs like that make me... but I am not here... with running! And that is the end of my smiley usage.

Now I'm off to eat double my lunch because gosh forbid I actaully dont eat back the calories I burn. (ooh- another smiley snuck in!)

 

[Tinker326]

Boy, that really, really, really sucks about work. My job tends to be like that as well, though it's not seasonable. It's more timing based on project schedule, but we will go through a few months of very busy time. (Not always LONG hours, but more like 7-day work with lots of time on the phone in the evenings / overnight as we operate 24-hours a day.)

I wish I could give you some clever advice that would make it all easier, but there isn't any clear answer. The only thing I can say is our jobs should never define who we are. If you find that it gets to be too much for you, remember that.

As far as excercising goes...my advice there might be even worse. I loathe excercise for fitness sake...though i do it, I get no pleasure from it. (I never get people that talk about the high from endorphins or anything like that - I've never felt that ever in my life.) I also could never run any distances...my knees are pretty bad and can't take much compression so while I used to bike 20 miles - now usually around 10-12, I've never been able to run more than about 200 yards.

So, I can't really tell you a good way to make the workout interesting. Lately, I've been listening to some podcasts during excercise, including the DIS ones, though I don't find that they all interest me much. I listen to this one podcast called "FilmSack" where they watch old genre films and sort of make fun of them, and that really gets me laughing and makes the time go by fast. I haven't found any others I like besides those two, though.

For music I like stuff with a nice steady up tempo beat, but tend towards rock n roll. I favorite of mine to keep me moving is Jet - Get Born. There a more recent band though that album is probably 6 years old now, but it feels like something out of the '70s. I see Pink on your playlist, and she has some real good songs too, though typically some down-tempo stuff mixed in. I really love "I'm not Dead" but again there's some real quiet stuff on that album. The Cars Greatest Hits has a nice steady beat to the songs that I use sometimes.

Yhea, when I do busy season it's 7 days a week too- I usually go Jan 1st-Early march without a single day off... and I always work nights in addition.. it stinks. Still not sure what I"m going to do about it with them adding 3 more months to the mix....... Maybe make my boss deal with the tantrums, nighttimes & housework?! That will make her change her mind?!

Podcasts are GREAT idea- thanks- I will look into that for sure! I'm going to check into your songs as well. Gotta get a longer list going if I've got 13.1 miles to kill................ Thanks!!!

I made 5 miles today! My personal best ever. Yes, I am cheering for myself. Ha!

 

[skier_pete]

I made 5 miles today! My personal best ever. Yes, I am cheering for myself. Ha!

I'll throw you a cheer. More miles than I'll ever run.

 

[Tinker326]

So last week when gearing up my final plans to be ready for big ADR day- I came to realize that many of my plans now included 'parks to avoid'. Say what?! I swear when the best days came out, I was kosher. Clearly not.

So I started re-thinking things. Nothing was 'jiving' & things were not panning out like I wanted (you know, like the no crowds thing).

So I thunk and thunk and thunk so more. Winnie the Pooh style.....

And ran some numbers. And decided since I am running the 13.1 miles of dread (new name for it) and qualify for some decent park ticket discounts through that, I would utilize it.... and reward myself...but getting park hoppers.

I NEVER EVER get park hoppers. I am usually a 'go to one park and stay put' kinda gal. So this will be a new touring 'style' for us..

I got everything nailed down & this morning (despite major problems online..finally calling in to an agent) I secured the ADRS I wanted.

And without further ado. I give you the new Schedule. WIth ADRS.
If you make it through the boring plans... I threw some scrapbook pages from our 2009 trip in applicable park day.

Friday, Nov 8th-Tuesday Nov 12th.
This has remained unchanged. Staying at Beach Club, running the half, recovering... with some Jellyrolls thrown in on Sunday, the 10th. Move to Harry Potter on the 11th... No ADRS. Check in AKL on Tuesday Nov 12th

Wed, Nov 13th
EPCOT-
Princess Breakfast for my Princess at 8:05am.


(Kellybell City of Tomorrow)


(Brittish Designs- Imperial Girl, template from Mousescrappers)

Thursday, Nov 14th
HS- This day is early close at 4pm so should be light crowds.
Lunch at Sci-Fi at 11:35am
Some Pool Time at Kidani/Nap for Minnie
Hop over to EPCOT for late dinner with DisFriends at Garden Grill at 7:15
Illuminations tonight!


(Brittish Designs- Galaxy Far Away)

Friday, Nov 15th
Magic Kingdom
Lunch- we will wait for Be Our Guest.
Dinner- Hoop De Doo Revue at 6:15pm


(Penny S. December)

Saturday, Nov 16th
Animal Kingdom
Downtown Disney
Dinner at T-Rex at 6pm


(Brittish Designs & Kellybell)


(Jenn Barrette)

Sunday, Nov 17th
Magic Kingdom
Late afternoon Break for Swim/Naps
Hop to MGM for Fantasmic
Late Dinner at Prime Time at 7:50pm

This is my cousin who works at Pirates Leauge. He is AWESOME!

(Brittish Design- Ahoy Matey)

Monday, Nov 18th
EPCOT
Lunch at Tepan Edo (if it opens up for lunch- currently not allowed ressies)
Afternoon Break for Swim/Naps
Hop to Magic Kingdom for Late Nighter!! Wishes!!
Possible add Wishes Dessert Party.


(Imagination Colab Kit- Mousescrappers)

Tueday, Nov 19th
Departure Day. No plans except getting on an airplane!

There you have it........... Basic plans in a nutshell. Woo.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

WOOT! I LOVE hoppers! It just makes me feel more relaxed and free, I can go wherever. Your plans look great!

Have you done the dessert party before? Savannah & I LOVED it and after Rey saw the pictures, he wants to do it as well. That will be a harder pill to swallow...paying for 6 people to go instead of 2, but it was so nice to relax for Wishes instead of stress about crowds on Main Street. Different perspective with fireworks more to the side, but I liked it.

How's the training for this "dreaded" run going? You know I'm going to keep bugging you about it!

 

[Victoriasmom98]

I agree with Karen --- your plans look wonderful!!! I'm one of those NEVER EVER buy park hoppers. We like to stay put and I think hopping takes up time I don't want to give up!! Oh, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the scrapbook pages, but then again, you knew that I would!!!!

 

[skier_pete]

That's great about the hoppers. I have to say we are in the never hop boat, but if I could get them for near the same price as standard tickets...well, then I would do it. (When we got APs for our 3 '09-'10 trips, we bought the APs because it gave us free hopping!)

Hey, and we rate as DisFriends! Better than DisStrangers or DisEnemies!

And I like your plan changes as well. Because you've synched up with us even better! You've wisely decided to hit MK on Friday the 15th. Trust me, MK on a party day...super low crowds in the AM! We also may be trying to get in to Be Our Guest for lunch. (Still hoping we can get in for Dinner on the 11th, will know in 2 days.)

As we talked about before, MK may not be as easy a park to synch up our plans, but I really think we should see how we get along at dinner on Thursday, and if we decide to maybe we could meet up somewhere along the way on Friday (afternoon parade perhaps?). I tend to run very "commando" on my park touring for the first 2 or 3 hours of the day, and then relax. Except at DAK, where it's pretty much a "take it as it goes" attitude after the 9 AM safari!

 

[Tinker326]

WOOT! I LOVE hoppers! It just makes me feel more relaxed and free, I can go wherever. Your plans look great!

Have you done the dessert party before? Savannah & I LOVED it and after Rey saw the pictures, he wants to do it as well. That will be a harder pill to swallow...paying for 6 people to go instead of 2, but it was so nice to relax for Wishes instead of stress about crowds on Main Street. Different perspective with fireworks more to the side, but I liked it.

How's the training for this "dreaded" run going? You know I'm going to keep bugging you about it!

I am thinking of the Wishes Dessert Party just to avoid the crowds. This day is supposed to be 'high crowd'. And also because I love sugar.

The run. The run. Blech. My new shoes are giving me major ankle problems. I actaully stopped 1.25 miles into a run last week and just started sobbing on the side of the road. I went back to the running store and they think that because I ran for so long on unstabilized shoes (with a HORRIBLE pronation) that running 'correctly' actaully hurts my body. He showed me some exercises and I dropped a small fortune on what I like to call "The World's Most Expensive Should Be Gold Plated" Compression Socks.

I did run 4 (but it hurt) on Friday & then 3.1 today (and was OK). So we'll see..... Still have low confidence in my ability to pull this off.

I agree with Karen --- your plans look wonderful!!! I'm one of those NEVER EVER buy park hoppers. We like to stay put and I think hopping takes up time I don't want to give up!! Oh, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the scrapbook pages, but then again, you knew that I would!!!!

Yhea, I agree Ann, I usually just don't like to take time moving from park to park... but it was this or be stuck in 'crowded' parks. This plan allows us time to go back and take some naps & enjoy the resort too. So hoping for the best! Thanks for the props on the scrap pages! When you gonna post some more pictures of yours????

That's great about the hoppers. I have to say we are in the never hop boat, but if I could get them for near the same price as standard tickets...well, then I would do it. (When we got APs for our 3 '09-'10 trips, we bought the APs because it gave us free hopping!)

Hey, and we rate as DisFriends! Better than DisStrangers or DisEnemies!

And I like your plan changes as well. Because you've synched up with us even better! You've wisely decided to hit MK on Friday the 15th. Trust me, MK on a party day...super low crowds in the AM! We also may be trying to get in to Be Our Guest for lunch. (Still hoping we can get in for Dinner on the 11th, will know in 2 days.)

As we talked about before, MK may not be as easy a park to synch up our plans, but I really think we should see how we get along at dinner on Thursday, and if we decide to maybe we could meet up somewhere along the way on Friday (afternoon parade perhaps?). I tend to run very "commando" on my park touring for the first 2 or 3 hours of the day, and then relax. Except at DAK, where it's pretty much a "take it as it goes" attitude after the 9 AM safari!

I am pretty commando too with my park touring. Especially at MK but I REALLY want to force myself to slow down for the kids . Especially Minnie- since this will be all new to her- I want her to experience it all.... immerse herself in it without mama rushing her through! So that's gonna be my goal. We will see how well I do! Hahahaha!!!

We certainly can plan some more meet up time on Friday- parade sounds good. Tom Sawyers Island...... Small World for the 100th time?

Good luck with BOG dinner- reports on the Nov. Facebook thread are people can't get it even 10 days plus on the 180. I didn't even try because the menu didn't look that great for dinner.. so I'll pay less for the lunch where at least I can have a grilled cheese! (and ALL the desserts!!!) Hahahaha!!!

 

[Tinker326]

I interrupt this trip report to gloat just a little bit about my new personal best.......



I am like this...

Because the past few weeks were rough, rough, rough...and my self-confidence was low, low, low on my ability to get through a 1/2.

I have way more hard days with running than good days. My ankles were hurting horribly from new shoes. I was hard on myself & my bucket was not so full of good vibes for myself.

So this, this is HUGE for me. I have a wee bit more confidence... I'm almost halfway there.......

And I ran this without stopping to walk/take a break but at a slow pace of 12:15 per mile (I'm a slow runner- in it to finish- NOT win any time records)

So today... right now...

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.............. right? RIGHT!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

YOU CAN! YOU WILL! WOOT!!!

Yay on the 6 miles! That is fantastic! You totally got this!

 

[skier_pete]

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.............. right? RIGHT!

YOU GO, GIRL!!!!



I'll be over here eating popcorn while you run.


Actually, I'll probably be at Carribean Beach doing this or this

I was just looking at the map. I don't know if they let spectators along the course, but it looks like they pass pretty near CBR. Wonder if I can come out to the course to cheer you on? DD and DW will probably be asleep by then anyways!

 

[Tinker326]

YOU CAN! YOU WILL! WOOT!!!

Yay on the 6 miles! That is fantastic! You totally got this!

Hahahaha. Thanks. Remind me to dial you in next week when I'm back in a slump and need a pick me up!

YOU GO, GIRL!!!!



I'll be over here eating popcorn while you run.


Actually, I'll probably be at Carribean Beach doing this or this

I was just looking at the map. I don't know if they let spectators along the course, but it looks like they pass pretty near CBR. Wonder if I can come out to the course to cheer you on? DD and DW will probably be asleep by then anyways!

I hope do be doing LOTS of on Sunday!!!

I have to ask my sis-in-law if they allow spectators along the whole course (she ran the Princess 1/2). I know they are allowed, just not sure if it's in specific areas. Course if you are anywhere in the later half you may be waiting and I may be... 2 miles back!

No of course not, at my 'awesome' rate, I'll be running the whole race at this energy...


ha. right!

 

[wiigirl]

Awesome!