My new coping strategy

I don't know if this is just Delaware of if is the whole country, but teachers have this weekly team meeting called a PLC to go to.  We talk about standards and what we are teaching and curriculum and lots of other teachery things, I won't bore the non-teachers with the details. Anyway, during these meetings, at the beginning, we try to come up with a Celebration from the past week. This is something that happened, no matter how small or big, that was a good. I realized that I haven't really had much to say at these because I'm so focused on what has to be done and what is required of us and what I have to do as a first year teacher and how I am going to get the support I need for this kid and that kid......the list goes on....

So, in order to keep me from burning out in my first 3 months of teaching, I have decided to make quality time for myself, even if it is 5 minutes, and think about a Celebration each day.  Something that happened that was good that day.  I am hoping this will keep me focused on the good side of this job and help me through the rough patches.

And, for myself and my Disney friends who read this, I will do some reading related to Disney every day and have something I've learned about Disney along with my Celebration. Hey, maybe my fact can be from Celebrations Magazine!! (yea, I know, shameless plug, what can I say)

So, today's Celebration: I have 3 of my 4 IEPs in the next 2 months scheduled! And, they will all be done before I go to WDW on Dec 9! (more info on that coming soon)

My Disney fact of the day comes from the newest Celebrations actually, just worked out that way...Captain Jack Sparrow sailed on 15 ships as either the captain or the crew, and this does include the little dingy that he sailed off in at the end of "At World's End".

My Californian Adventure

Two years ago this September, for four days, I was glued to my computer as Lou Mongello and some people who I recognized from their twitter names told me about what was said and done at the first ever D23 Expo.

This time tomorrow, I will be on a plane heading to Anaheim, California to meet Lou Mongello and Tim Foster there, among many of my very good friends who I have met because of twitter, to be at the Second D23 Expo.

Wow how things do change in two years!!!

That's right, instead of just writing posts about what happens, I will be tweeting live from the D23 Expo as major announcements occur! I will be there, in the Convention Center for all three days of Expo, covering events and the happenings within the Collector's Forum from the most happening booth there, the MEI/Mousefan, WDW Radio and Celebrations Magazine booth!

Besides all of that excitement, I will also be visiting the Disneyland Resort for the first time in my life! I will tweet pictures and my reactions to the parks as well as collect lots of video to be edited for Youtube viewing in the (hopefully) near future!

Want to follow my California shenanigans? Follow me on twitter at twitter.com/lady_aurora as well as my tweets from the Celebrations Magazine twitter at twitter.com/celebrationsmag. Celebrations is also on facebook at facebook.com/celebrationsmag.

Steve Barrett's Awesome Interview!

Chris, Jess and Steve with an Animal Kingdom Lodge Hidden Mickey

Back in June, when Chris and I went to Walt Disney World, we had the great pleasure of meeting many wonderful people.  Two of those wonderful people were Steve Barrett and his wife Vickie.  If you are a Disney fan of any sort, you probably know the name Steve Barrett from many areas; Celebrations Magazine, Cosmic Reid's Starlight Cafe, WDW Radio....but when you hear his name, there is one main thing he is associated with: Hidden Mickeys! His Hidden Mickeys books are very popular, so much, in fact, they are sold ON Disney Property! Not just there of course, you can also buy them at local bookstores and at the Intrepid Traveler website.

The reason I bring up Steve right now is because recently, he was interviewed by ABC/Travel about his beloved Hidden Mickeys! Here is the video interview that Steve did with Scott Mayerowitz:

There is also a written article on Steve and his Hidden Mickeys, which can be viewed by clicking here and if you would like to see some pictures of Hidden Mickeys, click here for a photo slideshow featured on ABC's website. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

The True Disney Fan would like to wish all of her American friends a Happy Thanksgiving!

This is what The True Disney Fan is Thankful For:

• Her Mother, Father and little sister
• Her loving boyfriend, Chris
  
• All of her great friends from her University
• Food on the table
• Walt Disney and his many visions
• All of her great friends she has met at Sorcerer Radio
• The opportunity to work with Celebrations Magazine
  
• The amazing people she has met on Twitter, Facebook, and other awesome Disney sites
  

Last, but not least, She wants to thank all of the awesome people who read and enjoy her blog posts! If it was not for all of the positive responses she has gotten from her readers, she would not be so enthusiastic about writing!

Have a safe, happy and delicious Thanksgiving!!

The Disney Fun Just Keeps on Comin'!

First, I got to do this great Disney radio show called Imagine the Magic on my University radio station, every Monday at 4pm EST. Then, I got the position as the Social Media Admin for Celebrations Magazine! And now, as if my luck could not get any better, some more pixie dust heads my way in the form of the Sorcom Review on Sorcerer Radio.

One of the live DJ's on Sorcerer Radio, Chris Reid, was doing two shows on SR, the Tiki Room Morning Show and the Sorcom Review. Unfortunately, his schedule became very busy and he was no longer able to broadcast both shows during their regular times. So in the last week, major changes have come to the Sorcerer Radio Schedule, including the change of the TRMS from being 5 days a week to being just 1 day a week for 2 hours, every Friday. What is taking the place of the TRMS Monday through Thursday? Why the other live shows on srsounds.com of course! DW_60 with Jeff Davis is now every Thursday at 8 am EST and his new show, SRN Top 10, which lists off the top 10 songs for the week on Sorcerer Radio, airs every Monday at 8am EST. Backstage with Krystal is Wednesdays at 8am EST. This leaves the Sorcom Review. Chris could no longer broadcast this show, so who could they get to replace him? Why who else but the girl who filled in on the TRMS the one day that Chris was sick a few weeks ago....what was her name again??...

Yep, that's right! I am the new host of the Sorcom Review, bringing you the news from the Sorcerer Radio message boards and playing your favorite Disney music at 8am EST every Tuesday. I will talk about videos, trip reports, community birthdays and big stories that are happening on the Sorcerer Forums as well as let everyone know how they can get involved it the community.

I am so grateful to Sorcerer, the owner and head honcho of Sorcerer Radio, for letting me become a part of his great community and family of DJ's!!

So make sure to tune in every Tuesday at 8am EST and for the replay at 7pm EST for the Sorcom Review! Send me any requests and comments to lady_aurora_yensid@hotmail.com. And check out all of the other great programming that is on Sorcerer Radio as well, just visit their website at www.srsounds.com. From there you can enter the chatroom, the forums and get lots more great Disney information!

"Dream" Dream Job Realized

Yes, I am going to Neumann University to be an elementary school teacher and Yes, that is what I want to do. I love teaching and working with the children and I’ve wanted to do this since I was a little girl. This job is what I would call my “Real” Dream Job, but this is not the only Dream Job that I have. I also have my “Dream” Dream Job as I call it, the job that I would absolutely love to have more than anything, but its not as realistic or practical. This job is working in some way, shape, or form with Disney. It does not have to be anything official in the Disney Company itself, (though that would be AMAZING) but just something related to Disney in some way.

As of a couple weeks ago, this dream of mine finally came true! I am now the Social Media Admin and all around tech girl for Celebrations Magazine! I take care of the Magazine’s Twitter, Facebook page and advertise the magazine where I can online. I have been having a blast with this and love working with everyone associated with the Magazine and I look forward to my future work! When big things are happening with the magazine, I will make sure to post something about it here on my blog as well.

For anyone who is interested in checking out the magazine, go to www.celebrationspress.com

Well Known Names Getting Billing at D23 Expo

If you a Disney fan, there are some names that are synonymous with being a fan. I mean, obviously there's Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks, but there are other names also, the names that help bring the magic to you at home; names like Lou Mongello, host of the WDW Radio Show and author of the Walt Disney World Trivia Books, and Steven Barrett, author of the Hidden Mickeys Guide. Both of these outstanding gentlemen are out in Anaheim as I write this, getting ready for their debuts at Disney's First D23 Expo!

Both authors will have their own booth at the Collectors' Forum, where all attendees of the Expo will be able to walk around the various showcases and see what each has to offer. For D23 members, the Collectors' Forum is open every day from 8am to 5pm while for non-D23 attendees of the Expo are able to view the Forum from 9am to 5pm daily.

Steven Barrett will be at his table throughout the event, signing copies of his books; his Walt Disney World Hidden Mickeys just released its 4th edition while his Disneyland Hidden Mickeys Guide released its 2nd edition. He also is looking forward to meeting some of the people who helped him uncover hidden mickeys for his Disneyland book.

Lou Mongello will not only be promoting his Walt Disney World Trivia Books, his WDW Radio Show and his Walt Disney World Audio Guides, but he will also be promoting the newest undertaking of his and co-editor Tim Foster's (Author of Guide to the Magic), the Celebrations Magazine. Lou is looking forward to meeting everyone and sharing his experiences not only with the attendees, but using the gift of technology to share it with all of us non-attendees that follow him on facebook, twitter (@loumongello) and on his website.

To Visit Lou Mongello's Website, go to www.wdwradio.com

To check out or subscribe to Celebrations Magazine, go to www.celebrationspress.com or click the magazine cover on the side bar of my blog.

To visit Steven Barrett's Website, visit www.hiddenmickeysguide.com

For more information on Barrett's new books, check out www.theotherorlando.com/hm4.html