Movie Theater Etiquette : What Would You Do?

My fellow Disney Addicts, especially any parents out there. I humbly ask for your advise. WWYD?

Judy and Nick taking selfies! Disney's Zootopia

I was Super Excited to see the new Disney movie Zootopia! I had been looking forward to it and even though I am a 26 year old I am very comfortable at going to see a defined "kid movie" but I was seriously disappointed with my whole movie experience. Not with the movie Zootopia because it was a good movie at least the parts I managed to watch. However, there was a family sitting directly behind me who had a little girl who was just too young to be in a movie theater.(In my opinion) She was not old enough to have the ability to sit through the entire movie quietly. Now I realize it is a "kid movie" but at some point I started to get more annoyed with the parents rather than the little girl. Whining and talking is expected and even slightly tolerated but at some point I expected the parents to take the little girl out of the theater? They never did?! Even the child herself whined to go home?!

 I know it bothered not just me, in fact the little boy sitting behind me turned to his Mommy and said I can't hear the movie. At that point I turned to the Mother and watched her body language, I thought she too was annoyed but nothing was even said.  But it took everything I had to not turn around and say something to those parents. I felt like I was on "What Would You Do?" At some point, do you say something to the parents? I mean you paid to enjoy the movie and the child is making it unbearable to even hear what's going on? It's a movie theater with surround sound and the disruption is that great?!

There were several things that came to mind; which I was ready to share with those parents. 

Maybe you should be considerate of everyone else and take your child outside?

Maybe think ahead and realize she is not old enough to sit through the whole movie. Ever heard of a babysitter? Despite the constant loud disruptions I never said anything. I think it is always hard to get involved when it comes to Parenting, or lack there of in this case. However, I expected the parents to at the very least be considerate of others. Even through I never actually confronted them, I really wanted to! I held my tough and eventually informed the Management later. However, knowing it was defined as a "kid movie" I didn't know if they would actually do anything. They didn't! In fact, they said it was a children's movie and that maybe I shouldn't have been there. Since I do not have children, I suppose I do not fully understand. One would think with the cost of movies now a days that Parents would not waste money and only take children who can actually sit, watch and enjoy the movie.

I would like to hear back from any parents out there or anyone who agrees or disagrees with me. I tried talking to my parents but they think I should just grow up and stop wasting my time and money on Disney animated movies but I never will! So do I get what I deserve for being in a "kid movie" or should there be certain movie theater etiquette for parents and children? Should I have said something to the disruptive family? Or do you just stay quiet and have your movie ruined?

I feel like I should share this with others and who knows I might share this scenarios with ABC's What Would You Do? I felt like I was on the show already? I wonder who any one else would have reacted? Or am I over-reacting?

 

 I plan on going again on a discount day to enjoy Zootopia again. Disney's Zootopia was filled with excitement and anticipations and I would still like those feeling again so when I leave the movie theater. 

Here is the trailer!

One of my biggest dreams is to be a voice in an animated movie

This weekend, was just an ordinary day but a small compliment can change your ordinary day and make it an Animated Day! I had to work this weekend, which is rather typical because I am still at the same job I have had since I was in college. I work at Walgreen's, in the Pharmacy to be specific and helping customers is just apart of the job but the best part of my job is when I get to talk with the customers.
This is something I consider being one of my strengths; because anyone who has ever worked retail, knows it can go either way and the customer is always right. A company wants their employees to be outgoing and friendly, someone who is able to communicate well with their customers. But depending on the time and position the interaction time with customers can be limited. Especially depending on where you work, this time I was managing the pharmacy register. In that short time, you have to able to generate a conversation with little time or availability. And it all depends on the customer too, are they willing to be friendly and talk back to you or do they just want to pay and be done to get back to their busy lives.
I am familuar with all our store's regulars and enjoy talking with each of them when they come in. Which is why I was so ecstatic about a compliment I received this Saturday while I was at work, from a visiting customer. He was just passing through, maybe making his way home or going on a journey to get where he wanted to go, I do not know? But he needed a prescription and I was the one who helped complete his purchase at my local Walgreen's.

As he was leaving, he said this to me:
"You have an animated voice."
My immediate reaction (in my head) was smiles and giggles at the flattery but apparently my initial reaction was an actual gasp* ( a gasp of pure joy and happiness).
"I meant that as a compliment," He reassured me, but then my Pharmacist, Sandra chimed in.
"Oh Sir, believe me. You just made her day!"
And Sandra was right, I was happy for the rest of the day, because in mind I heard a man who barely spent any time with me said he thinks I have an animated voice.

Animated by Google definition means "full of life or excitement," or "lively".
Now, upon much reflection, I decided his compliment "You have an animated voice." He meant he thought my voice has character and expression within it but all I heard was "You should be in an animated movie." (and just any animated movie but a Disney and Pixar animated movie!)

So Walt Disney Studios and Pixar Animation Studios, HERE I AM!!!!

Rachel visiting Princess Aurora at Disneyland Paris

 

 

 

Now then, one thing you should know about me is that I am a Dreamer. I was raised on Disney Movies and all the life lessons that they have shown me throughout my life. I am a hopeless romantic, a day dreamer, a Disney Princess who hasn't left her tower in search for her adventure but eager and waiting, using only my dreams to guide me to a future unknown but blessed with possibilities. I know Adventure is out there! I just have to find the time and money to go find it. So until then I will always be trying and fighting to find my adventure!
 I found a website, asking for voice talent for the upcoming Disney and Pixar film of Finding Dory. Although I find it a little naive to think Disney just has a website that anyone can post on but this website did really make me think about looking into the actual possibility. So I worked on some lines, practicing expressing my feeling and emotions through my voice. Happiness, Sadness, Fear, Anger, Disgust were all inspirations to express through my voice. I made this video and I hope you gain a little glimpse of Rachel in this video!

Disney, Pixar, Dreamworks, Blue Sky, Universal Studios and Warner Brothers Studios I hope my constant tagging of your name gains your attention to my talent and I hope you can consider me professionally if a role ever comes up for me.

One of my biggest dreams is to be a voice in an animated movie. 

Supergirl

Supergirl is a new American TV show that premiered this year (2015) on CBS. I myself am a huge Super heroes girl and I loved all the former TV series involving Superman. It all started with The New Adventures of Lois and Clark in the new adventures of Superman. To this day whenever I see Dean Cain, I still see him as Superman. Which was weird because I saw a movie when he was the bad guy and it just didn't sit well with me. Dean Cain made an appearance in this new Supergirl tv show as Kara's adoptive father.
As I grew up, I watched the Justice League, this is where I learned all about the other superheroes and chose my favorites. Besides the original seven, my favorites were the Green Arrow, Black Canary and Supergirl. But then the CW's tv show Smallville started and I have all the seasons. The best seasons in my opinion are when the other members of the Justice League appeared for the first time and yes, even Kara joined briefly in season seven. Kara is Smallville played by Laura Vanderwoort. She did was the first Kara Kent I saw but honestly this new Tv show and their portrayal of Kara is WAY BETTER! So since Smallville ended in 2011.
I have been on a Super Hero Binge since I came back this summer. Another CW show the Arrow. Oliver Queen was stranded on an island for five years and returns to Starling City to protect the city. The Arrow is a great show and I would totally recommend it to anyone who likes Hero Programs.  It is a little dark, darker than Smallville but not as dark as Gotham ( that show is messed up).

 But the real target of this Ramble is Supergirl.That's why I was really excited when I heard about CBS's new spin with Supergirl.I have watched every episode since the beginning and here are my thoughts.
~ Melissa Benoist is such a good fit for Supergirl. She is an amazing actress and I think her portrayal of Kara is Super- fantastic!
~ Mehcad Brooks as James Olsen is super good looking
~ The under-rated character I think and I would love to see more of in season 2 is Winn. He is a true friend to Kara and I think he really does care for her. Even though I love the pairing of James Olsen and Kara, I am the kind of person who always right to root for the underdog. WINN!!!

Although it has been stated that Superman will not be featured in his show, his support helps shape Kara.Kara maybe sees Clark as a role model, even through she is the older cousin. Clark came out as Superman before she became Supergirl. Kara not only is a great hero, she is a great role model for girls everywhere. I, myself have been waiting for a woman super hero. With all the movies and tv shows I thought I would see Wonder Woman, Batgirl or Supergirl by now, Young girls, teenagers and even me, (a 26 year old woman) need to see a strong, kind, caring, kick ass, awesome super hero. I am excited to see what is to come of this new show!

Adventure is Out There!

So life choices come to you when you least expect it. I wanted a change, I wanted something new, so
in an attempt to change careers, I decided to try to be an Au Pair. Keeping in mind, a movie from my childhood; Au Pair. The 1999 movie staring Heidi Lenhart and Gregory Harrison. This movie gave me an unrealistic view of the job and task of Au Pairing. However, I looked into joining the Au Pair World. I want adventure in the the great wide somewhere? I took some interviews and profiles of different families but essentially I came to the conclusion I really wanted to explore the world. Despite my Parents concerns, I insisted to pursue Au Pairing in a foreign country, The thought of living with a new family, learning a new culture with customs and learning a different language totally appealed to me but also the concerns that I didn't give much face value that was until my 6th Skype interview, when I realized I all I really want is to Explore and Experience. That's when my Dad suggested an alternative; "Why not go visit my sister? Your Aunt who lives in Belgium."
So that is what I am going to do!
This summer I will spending three months with my Aunt, living with her in Aalter Belgium.Getting to know my Aunt, Uncle and cousins. I haven't seen them since I was ten years old. We all spent a couple of weeks with them on a family vacation. My memories are faded but I do remember my Aunt being a great cook, my uncle was quiet because he didn't know much English. My cousins Andrew and Kevin were strange due to the cultural differences and the fact they were boys, didn't help either. So I am looking forward to getting to know them and see them all again after all this time. Getting to know a family, who just so happens to me apart of mine. Getting to live in a new place, explore the different cities and learn a new language. In Belgium, the country is divided; the common languages that are spoken are French and Flemish. I am going to the Flemish speaking side where Aalter is located.
Honestly, when I called my Aunt Kathleen. I was a bit nervous. And when I asked if it would be alright if I came to visit for the summer; coming in June and leaving in August. She sounded so Okay with it. After my Aunt Kathleen and I then began exchanging emails and I prepared for my Adventure.

 Also I think I am going to try and keep a journal of my time in Belgium. So I will try and keep this blog up to date and post some of my adventures in Belgium and with my family. I am so excited to be going somewhere and maybe finally doing somethings on my bucket list! 

Iinchou no Himegoto

Just a thought I'd send this idea out into the world. I wonder if anyone else agrees with me?
So my newest obsession is reading Manga. One of my favorite Artist is Aikawa Saki, I would recommend her work. One of my favorite manga's by her is Iinchou no Himegoto. 

A short summary: Ayano is a class representative who accidentally got drunk at a baseball after-party, She woke up in bed with Kagura, a known mafia leader. What will happen between the two?


So I recently learned that another one of my favorite anime/manga has been turned into a drama. Say I Love You "insert Japanese name here" it was a short live action premiere movie but it followed the manga chapters pretty well. Well, I think it would be nice to the same for Iinchou no Himegoto. My suggestion would be to use the guy from the Korean BOF tv show.

Kim Joon would be Kagura. The 10th generation head of the Kagura Group Mafia.

Pick someone cute for Ayano, some people think she is a weak character but I love her. She reminds me a lot of me. I love how see's the goodness in Kagura.

Aikawa Saki's manga moves kinda fast and there are not a lot of volumes so a complete series would be hard but a movie would be perfect!
Who else would like to see this?
Leave me a message! I'd love to hear from you :)

WoW! FROZEN was soo Cool!

Oooo! It's cold.
It is down right FROZEN!
The cold doesn't bother me anyway.
Do you wanna build a snowman?

Disney's new animated movie Frozen is now in theaters. It was amazing! I was surprised how different it was from the trailer but the most surprising part was the soundtrack. Since the movie, the songs have been replaying in my head and they are actually competing with Christmas Music (it is a tied race for now). Such amazing new fresh songs, created by married couple Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. My favorite is "Let It Go" by Idina Menzel with a close second of "Do you wanna build a snowman?" sung by both sisters Anna and Elsa (Kristen Bell and India Menzel). Songs like "For the First Time in Forever", "Let It Go" and "Do you want to build a snowman?" reminds me of Disney's Hay Day in the 90's. Now I am not saying in no way do they surpass them but they are the closest I have heard in a long time. The movie overall was quite good as well. There were surprises that left everyone in the audience with gasps and lot of laughs.

Disney's Frozen is about two sisters: Elsa and Anna who live in the Kingdom of Arendelle. Elsa and Anna were really close as children but now Anna is on a journey to bring her sister home. Meanwhile the entire Kingdom of Arendelle is covered in a frozen winter. With the help of Kristoff, who owns his own ice business and Sven, his trusty reindeer and Olaf, the magical snowman they set off to help Anna help bring back summer!

This is a recommendation is anyone who was wondering if I should go see it?
You should! I really liked it, well obviously..but then you should come back and tell me if you liked it too?



What was really great, was the surprises, the twists and the unpredictability.

They Don't make them like they used too......

Bring back the Awesomeness! Recently I have revisiting my childhoodisms, I went through my past and started re-watching old favorites tv movies of mine. Most of them are Disney Channel Original Movies and ABC Family Original Movies. I wish they sold those movies on dvd so I could buy them and watch them whenever instead of trying to find them online somewhere. I just watched My Date with the President's Daughter. I love the actor Will Friedle and I recently decided to watch all his movies and TV shows. Which I am looking forward too. H-E Double Hockey Sticks; a Disney tv movie and the ever popular Boy meets World tv show and even the Kim Possible series oh and the Batman Beyond series too. Ah my I LOVE my Childhoodisms!
One thing, you may not know about me is I am a Soap Girl and I was a fan of All My Children, One Life to Live and General Hospital (pre-webisodes). To my fellow GH Fans, I know many of you are  favoring Robin's return but I have mixed feelings. So I recently started re-watching her when she was with Stone and Jason in the early 1990's. I know I like Robin in her early years but she has been gone so long from the show and I like Sabrina with Patrick. (Yeah, that's right I said it!!!)
Following within the timeline of my childhood, I started thinking of Holiday movies. I think it is really funny how some holidays get forgotten or pasted over too quickly. Being as I work in retail, I know better than anyone how it works: After Halloween, we go straight into Christmas and Poor lil Turkey Tom gets passed up. So the only Thanksgiving movie I remember reviewing was the holiday movie called Pieces of April. I watched this movies while in my early years of college, I remember identifying with the main character April who was played by Katie Holmes. A new and different character from Joey Potter from the tv show Dawson's Creek. April is estranged from her family but invites her family over to her apartment for Thanksgiving but she has trouble with the cooking part so she goes out to her neighbors and together they all interact in unique ways on Thanksgiving. I think you, guys should check it out, Here is the trailer:

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween my Friends!
So there are a few movies I like to watch around this time of Halloween.I enjoy the ABC Family's 13 Nights of Halloween and reliving my childhood days. Trick-or-Treating, watching movies while eating candy and cookies. I really wish Disney could replay those movies again. 

Here is my Halloween Movie List:
Hocus Pocus
I saw it this year, not on Halloween0
Disney's The Scream Team
Disney's Tower of Terror 
Mom's Got a Date with a Vampire
The Little Vampire
Halloweentown
Halloweentown High 
The Darklings

This Halloween was pretty laid back but in the future I plan on attending Halloween Parties. The one party I want to attend most of all, (and someday I will even if I have to plan the party myself) a Masquerade Ball!!!
Sometime I feel like I was born in the wrong era, I wish there were parties like these more often. I have seen them in movies, in my dreams and someday I will experience one! I already have my mask, someday I will aquire a dress and dance! "Dance, Dance until you die! Because I put a spell on you and now you are mine!"
This is a line from Hocus Pocus!

             Happy

         Halloween!

Wow Award Nomination!

I got an award nomination from Ali, another blogger and I am soo happy and excited that others view my blog and actually read it! XD Anyways, Thank you Ali!! :) All right, this is my first time doing something like this but I'm excited to be apart of it. So now comes the rules:
1. Link back to the person who nominated you
2. Attach the icon to your site
3. Answer the attached questions
4. Nominate six bloggers who you feel deserve this award and notify them about their nominations

 Okay, here I go!
1. What's your favorite outfit?
Whatever, as long as I am comfortable. Most times it is short and cute tops including the ever so comfortable t-shirts and comfortable/cute flats!
2. What is a typical day in school like and what is your favorite subject?
Wake up at the last possible moment with just enough time to get ready and out the door, stop by coffee shop for a doughnut and a mango smoothie then I'm off to class. My favorite subject is history with a side of mythology. That stuff fascinates me especially old myths and legends. So cool! 
3. Do you prefer comic books to detective books or vice versa? 
Both sounds good to me. I love comic book heroes, Marvel comics or DC all are my Fav. I also really love mystery books. I have read the Adventures of Northwoods Books by Lois Walfrid Johnson when I was young and now I have read the Sherlock Homes books as well. So Both!
5. What kind of book have you read recently?
I read Manga constantly but I just finished the Hunger Games series and a friend recommended a new book for me so I will be starting that book soon! Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
7. What is your favorite beauty product?
umm...I really love Bare Minerals especially Mineral Veil. What I love about it is it looks so natural and I always feel so pretty with it on. but other than that, I don't know very much, I'm a Photo girl not a Cosmetic girl. 
8. Describe your life(What you do on weekdays and week ends, etc)
I work as a photo girl at a local walgreens and when I dont work. I read manga, watch anime, watch TV, check out pinterest, play tetris, swimming, taking pictures and writing short stories.
10. My question of choice?
I have two which comes to mind, Favorite TV show? and On your PB&J what sort of jelly do you like?
Favorite TV Show: NCIS "Always follow you gut!"
I like strawberry jelly! on my PB&J :)
Ali's questions:
1. . What do you like to eat for snack?
Oreo's and milk!
3. What does your favorite shirt look like?
I don't know?! Probably has a Disney character on it?
4. What's your favourite ice cream flavour? Why?
Country Style Ice Cream is my favorite kind of ice cream and my favorite is a strawberry banana Boston! 
Basically soft serve is the way to go! Black Raspberry soft serve! Non soft serve ice cream fav. flavor is cookie dough.
5. How many languages do you speak?
One: English
little Spanish just to get by and Japanese what I've pick up from Anime.
6. Why did you start a blog?
I like that fact I can share my ideas, stories and experiences with others and possibly meet people I wouldn't normally meet. Blogging allows you to express yourself! I created Rachel Writes because I created Rachel Rambles for a class project. I really liked the concept of sharing your thoughts and writings with others but over time I have come to realize it has been more of an outlet for me and my writings. So I thanks everyone who as read my blogs and comments on them! My history has been pretty sporadic but I try very hard with what I say and how I write it. .
7. What is your best friend like?
Just like me! She is friendly, funny, outgoing, a little crazy, a bit goofy but most importantly she accepts me and encourages me. She is special and unique, Just like Me~!
8. Are you proud of being nominated?
The biggest smile and proudest moment when I heard someone nominated my blog and just hearing about how someone thought my blog had nice stories and neat pictures. Made my Day! No Week!
9. What movie genre do you like best?
Romance, Adventure, Animation, Action and a little bit of Mystery are my kind of movies!
10.  Describe the best and worst things about yourself.
I'm friendly, bubbly and outgoing most times but shy other times.

Growing Pains

Sisters are like Best Friends and there comes a time when even the closest of friends become distant. This how I have been feeling lately. Ever since I have left home and gone to college I felt like I have lost the close connection I once shared with my little sister. I can't help but look at our past and smile but that is all it is in the past. Time changes and people grow up and sometimes people grow apart even sisters.

My little sister; Emily.
She is the sweetest, the funniest, the goofiest, she has a kind heart, an open mind, an accepting perspective and a sparkling personality. She is also very mature for her age. She has always been like like but I think that is because she the youngest of three and forced to grow up fast. She is way more level headed than our brother and she is way more sociable than me the older sister. She is seven years younger than me but I still consider her my bestest and most truest friend. She is my rock, she has my back when I doubt myself, she is my confidante, she is my sister.  Emily is out there, grabbing what she wants and exploring the world. She is in high school now and she is a teenager now.She is growing into who she wants to be.
 I am trying to accept the fact She is growing up and how different she has become but it is just so hard to not see her as the little sister who would come to me and beg me to take her with me.
"Please Rachel! Pretty Please Rae-who?!"

So I created these special days called: "You and Me" Days which would consist of shopping at the mall, going to a movie, going out to lunch basically just spending time together. These were a way for me to spend time with Emily when I was in high school/college and now I find it that is is not me who is seeking these days anymore. I understand she was young and she had not yet established her "life" yet but when the time came and I knew it would come I just thought she would still set aside time for a "You and Me" day again. As I sit here writing I can not help but notice I sound jealous and I admit it I am. Jealous of the life she has. jealous of the relationships she shares with others and jealous of the people she has chosen to rank higher than her older sister.

Slowly I have realized I have lost small bits of our close relationship.When we talk, it is nothing more than generic questions with meaningless responses. When we go out to lunch, we eat and that's it.When we hang out, there are new people who come added to the equation. Today, I learned she has a new career goal. I've known about all the other career goals ever since she was three and she wanted to be a Movie Star.
I've been aware of all them, she wanted to be a Pop Star like Brittany Spears, then she wanted to be a movie star, then maybe a Soap Star because the paparazzi wouldn't be so bad, after that she wanted to be a paleontologist, discover a new dinosaur somewhere. Then She went through a period when she wanted to be a Chief. We went to go see Ratatouille together and she fell asleep the first time so we saw it twice and she loved it. She would spin and twirl around the kitchen trying to create new dishes while listening to Les Fin (soundtrack from Ratatouille). Her more recent life calling as far as I knew, she wanted to be a therapist but even to this day it has changed. What lies ahead for her now is Pharmacy!

That is not the only new change in her life but now my little sister has a boyfriend. She has had them in the past but this one is different. He is different because she actually has a personality and he isn't afraid to interact with others beside his girlfriend. My parents like him and in all honesty I really like him too. He really does seem to care about my sister and he treats her like she deserves. Right now they are completely infatuated with each other and spend every spare second with each other. It is soo adorable!
But he is one of the people she has decided to place in priority above me. So I can't help but feel jealous. I have tried to spend time with them but I feel like I don't know what to say and everything I say could be construed as a diss or an embarrassment so I feel like I just can't win. I decided today I am just gonna pull myself out of the situation all together. There is no reason I should place myself in the position of the third wheel.    

Besides, It shouldn't be this way, I should not care!She should never have to feel bad for the wonderful life she has. It should not even matter to me, in fact I should be happy for her and just because I have no one doesn't mean I should bring her down with me but I still can't help but feel a bit lonely.
The reason I feel this way, is my own fault. It yet again comes back to my failures, failures to form relationships, being a failure because I let my fear restrict my life. My sister doesn't and when I finally learned not to let the fear restrict your life but I feel it is too late for me. I feel like it is again too late to change my life. I have become to accustomed my choice of lifestyle. I am not a party seeker nor do I like wasting my time nor my money at the bars. I have a bunch of great friends I have gained during my time at college but being summer.

We are all are spending time home. During this time, I was looking forward to spending the summer with my sister/sisters. Emily has her best friend Bailey who is practically like another sister but both of them are growing up. I can see them running ahead and I watch them as they run off into the light. I can't help but smile while I watch them. As much as I miss them and wish it could go back the way it was. I know it can not be as it was before, so now this must be my way of venting and gaining acceptance and peace. I want to be the proper older sister just like all those cool older sisters in animes who are encouraging their younger sibling. They are such wise and encouraging and that is what I want to be like for Emily. I will become that kind of older sister, The older sister who is supposed to cheer them on and encourage them to keep moving forward and continue growing into the strong, independent women I want them to become. So I will cheer for them loudly but in the deepest depths of my heart I will be holding back the tears of sadness but I will cherish the memories and fun times we have shared.

I'm smiling because I am your sister, I'm laughing because there is nothing you can do about that!

Rachel Rambles

It has been awhile since I have written and I have to admit I have missed it. I take such Pride in this blog and I always get so excited when I publish a new post. Lately I've been so busy, I am approaching the near to the end of yet another semester of college. I have only one semester left after I complete this one. That fact in and of itself is quite scary. I've been a student all my life and moving on from that can seem exciting but also
scary because it it all I have ever known. Yes! The idea of no more early classes, long monotone lectures and research papers are reasons for celebration but what of all the people I have met through those times. I will be moving on into the World, while some friends are joining me in the World while other still remain in the College Scene I feel the worry of losing connections with friends. It is just like the whole High School Graduation all over again except this time we will not have a hometown to link us back together. However seeing my Mom and Dad's relationships with their friends give me hope. My Mom has this friend Tammy and she lives in Kansas City while my Mom lives in Des Moines and despite the distance they have remained close friends to this day. Same with my Dad and his high school friends, Dave and Pat. Weekend trips and joined vacations and simple hours long phone calls are just the beginning of how they keep in touch, plus with technology growing like Skype I have no doubt in the relationships and friendships I have made. As long as I make an effort to keep that connection and my friends do too then I guess all that worry will melt away. Just like I am hoping all this bizarre snow will melt away by tomorrow! I mean, Come On Mother Nature. It is MAY there should me no snow and only rays of sunshine falling from the sky.
Today was the one day, I really wished more than anything the Weather reports were wrong. I mean I can handle Rain, I actually enjoy the Thunderstorms. I just enjoyed my first Thunderstorm at UNI two nights ago. I enjoy watching the lightning light up the night and the sound of thunder shake the sleeping people. It is like the thunder is shouting "Wake up! Your missing out on my night!" Then the sound of the rain, I sleep more with the sound of heavy rain against the window but now all that rain is turning into little ice daggers which is not Cool! Walking to my Final this afternoon was not very enjoyable and my umbrella is officially broken. However on a more positive note, my stress and worry for this week is over. (Until Friday, when I will have to make revisions on my research paper due Tuesday. But I am not going think about that! Anyway I was saying...) I have just finished one of two finals I had this week. I only have two left next week and my summer will start!!!! I am so excited!!! I have lots of plans for the Summer!
This Summer will be filled with adventures. I plan on having many fun adventures this summer which you will all be able to read about because I will probably post all the adventures I have this summer on the blog because...Hi That's what blogs are for...right! :)   Also this summer I am looking forward in rejoining my Walgreeen's Family and working for that Casheesh! In between work and adventures I plan on making Major Headway on my Prophecy Book, I can't explain why but whenever I tried studying I found myself thinking about anything other than that and my mind would always wander off into that world. So I have many new chapters and idea's to work out. My book is something else I am not going to let get away from me not this summer!  
Another thing I will not let get away is all the new techniques I have learned this year. This semester I took a Stress Management Class and I learned about some Awesome relaxation techniques which I plan on implementing into my life. I am now a proud participant in Yoga. I am still a beginner and haven't even gone out and bought a yoga mat or anything yet but I find it very relaxing and I could see myself getting more flexible and enhance my balance. Something I look forward to because *I am not clumsy! It is just the floor hates me, the tables and chairs are bullies and the walls get in my way!.....Literally.
Before getting too far into the future, I am still one weekend away of that relaxing and exciting summer. As for now I am still in the intense study and homework mode. I have even missed my T.V. shows recently with all my work. Having nothing pressing due tomorrow I am not stressed and catching up on some relaxing TV shows. However since I have been gone I have found my relaxing show has been mixing some things up while I have been away. General Hospital is a soap I watch since One Life to Live and All My Children has been taken off the Air (cable). Since leaving I have always been a fan of GH and since then I have been even more immersed in Port Charles soap drama. But recently OLTL and AMC have returned to the Internet. Prospect Park and HULU to be more specific and I am trying to have an open mind about the returning shows I really am but it is so hard with the new characters. Let's start on a positive note instead of a negative one.

All My Children has been a show, that even before I heard it was being canceled. I had lost interest in it and and I dislikes some of the characters and where the Writers left my favorites. I Never Understood the whole fascination with Kendall and I hated Greenlee but I like Kendall more than her. I did like the whole Kendall and Zach combo. Zach has always been an interesting character to me. Ryan was a favorite and I was a Fan of Ryan and Annie and their daughter Emma. I never understood the Erica Cane character either but I accepted the fact she was a Star and I sort of liked her whole family acceptance and her love for her daughters. Bianca and her daughter Miranda I really liked and the fact this time around Miranda and AJ are teens and I would like to see a romance happen between those two. I was excited to see Pete...whoever he is? I really liked that fact that he is good looking, confident and a bit of a computer nerd. I am excited to see who this mysterious Guardian is when it comes to a new girl. And Each time I see a returning AMC Character I get excited. I can't wait to see Ryan return and hopefully Emma return as a teenager. Because before the show being cancelled I often thought what it would be like to see Emma as a teenager and I always thought maybe Emma and AJ would be GF/BF but since Emma isn't here yet I really like Miranda and AJ together. I am excited to see what else is in store for this show and I will continue to watch it.
One Life to Live on the other hand, I have mixed feelings about. I told myself I would give it 10 episodes until I make a decision. There are several things I dislike about OLTL.
1. The drama and "rights" to the name Starr Manning and John McBain. and the fact they can no longer return to General Hospital. The fact Cole, Starr and Hope are gone. (Nooooooo!)
2. The fact they have none of my favorite characters back on the show like Gigi, Rex and Shane and others. Another thing I do not like is that fact they changed the character Destiny. Now she is a skinny little twig of a person and the girl is not Destiny! So the reason I think I like All My Children better than OLTL is because they managed to get back all the original characters and the actors who played them. There have been no recasting which I think is what is most annoying and disappointing is the fact OLTL hasn't done that. I was surprised when I discovered Corbin Bleu on the show and I was actually happy! I am excited to see what his character will bring to the show.
General Hospital is my show and when I when returned to it Lulu was missing and I found out she lost her memory?! WTF! The actress changed and she lost her memory and is kissing Milo?! So many things wrong in that show and the What are the Writers thinking? Connie returns integrated but can not be with Sonny?! But on OLTL Jessica and Tess loved Nash and once they were integrated Jessica and Nash could live happily but Sonny and Connie can't? WHY? But maybe Sonny and Olivia can be together because I sort of liked them together but because of Claudia and Jonny the timing was off but maybe they can finally try a romance? Maybe! "Yeah, Maybe. It could happen." I love that movie; Angels in the Outfield. I just watched it and it reminded me of my childhood. So I watched that and the Adventures in Babysitting. Awesome movies down memory lane.
Back to Dante and Lulu in General Hospital, There baby is dead and they don't even know yet and now Lulu lost her memory and love for Dante. Why is the Writers so cruel to Dante! He is my favorite. Michael is also a favorite and he has just lost Starr and I REALLY LIKED them together! Why?! Milo is the sweetest but NO Lulu. Just NO! Sabina and Patrick are finally together Yay! But I cant help but remember Robin is still out there too so it is bitter sweet. Speaking of Bitter Is Britt the Bitch really prego because since when? Blah she is like Lisa Niles and will not just lose and still interrupt Sabina and Patrick. I dont now what the F is up with Carly and AJ but all I know is they are having sex way too much to supposedly hating each other?
To Any General Hospital Fans out there, Please be my Geek friend so we can Geek about GH!!!!

So this long rant, has made me think of creating another blog: Rachel Rambles and make it into a journal type blog but who knows? For now these rants will just be titled Rachel Rambles because that is what it is. So I am Rachel and I need to ramble on about my life to someone who understands or to no one out on a blogger. 

   

Ripples

One of my favorite quotes is from a wise willow tree who once said:     
"The Ripples, so small at first but then look how they grow, but Someone has to start them."

I think I am going to start making some ripples, Something as small as saying hello to a stranger.

This is something I have been told I do too many times. My Mom, my Sister and sometimes my Friends tell me I talk to people too easily. Truthfully I am sometimes too friendly but I do enjoy talking to others.Truthfully I think this can be a small ripple I want to start, due to something I personally have noticed since coming to UNI. I was surprised to notice that many if not all of the students avoid direct eye contact with other students while walking to or from place to place.

So Starting today I will be keeping my chin up, walk straight and tall and just say "Hello!" to everyone I meet while passing on the street. I will encourage my friends to take part and maybe this will change. My Dad told me in his college years, attending Texas A&M it was customary to say "Howdee" to everyone you passed on campus. I don't know if I will be able to start a cool word like "Howdee" but Hello is simply enough and that's all I really want is a little "Hello!".   




So I send this challenge to my fellow UNI students, Be Friendly and say Hello to someone you don't know. It maybe hard but "sometimes the right path is not always the easiest one."

Just Another Day for Me to Tell You I Love You!

Valentines Day is a day set aside for Love, but not just for the one you love but for all those whom you love. I have no guy in my life right now but I do have a bunch of Awesome Friends whom I would like to send out this poem just for you! 

Be Mine 

Be My Friend and I'll be Loyal to you til the End

Be My Neighbor and We will owe Favors and mock all those Haters

Be My Roommate and We will have lunch dates and make cakes

Be My Buddy and I'll be your Study Buddy

 Be Mine and I'll be Yours

Happy Valentines Day

To my Parents,
Happy Valentines Day
Thanks for always supporting me
I Miss you and I Love You
Rachel 

To my Brother, Ryan Bergez
Ryan, You will always be my little brother
I used to think you were quite a bother
but now I've realized there is no other brother quite like you!
So that I am Happy! Happy Valentines Day!
Love, Rachel

To my Sister, Emily Bergez
Emily, I Miss you the Most sometimes. You are my little star of a sister whom shines brightly in the world with endless possibilities. I truly believe your dreams will shine through your life. You are my sister and you have seen me at my worst, my best and those moments in between and yet You still continue to love and support me. I will Always Love and Support you in whatever you do! Happy Valentines Day!P.S. I still have the Valentines day card you gave me last year! Look forward to mine this year!
Love
Rachel

To my Puppy, Lucky
My little puppy, I'm so lucky to have
you my little fur ball in my life!
Love You!
Rachel

To my Family,
Uncles, Aunts, Cousins and Grandma

Here is a E card just for you!

Happy Valentines Day Everyone! 

Neverland in 2011

So this week I found this awesome miniseries on Netflix called NEVERLAND. It's a prequel to the Peter Pan Story. This is a story about how Peter, the Lost Boys and Hook came to NEVERLAND. I found these episodes on Netflix and when I realized they were a miniseries I was like "why not?"  Last time I found my Absolute Favorite TV Show of all Time on Netflix called MERLIN but I guess alas I was still a bit late once again. When I found MERLIN, that TV show had been on TV for at least a year and I am still a bit late finding NEVERLAND. Apparently this TV show appeared last year in 2011 on the Syfy network.

I grew up on the Disney Movies, so I grew up knowing Peter Pan in their light. I've always seen Peter Pan as a lucky boy who never wanted to grow up and who got to live in Neverland and have adventures for the rest of his life. Playing pirates with Captain Hook, Swimming with the Mermaids or Having fun with the Indians.
 Right now, actually I wish I were Wendy and Peter came to take me to Neverland. I would run as fast as possible to Neverland in a heart beat right now. I am finishing up my final years of college and I will have to finally "grow up" and get a job. Anyways NEVERLAND would be a blissfull paradise if it was anything like what I saw except for the giant scary crocodiles.

Since finding this TV show; NEVERLAND. I've been hooked!!! I wish the show would continue on and create new adventures of Peter and his friends, even include Wendy and her brothers. It would be a nice new spin on the Peter Pan I knew from the past.
 
To anyone of my Readers, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this Show!
Science Fiction and Fantasy mixed with the back story of Peter Pan.
NEVERLAND (2011) Written and directed by Nick Willing; produced by Parallel Films on behalf of MNG Films in association with Syfy and Sky Movies HD. Distributed by RHI Entertainment. It can be seen on Netflix or Youtube or maybe even the Syfy network website. If you Google it, you can find it!

I've looked online to find more information on the TV show but all I could find were stories bashing the show. So I am writing this in the Hope that Nick Willing, the writer and director knows that Someone other than critics watched your show NEVERLAND and that I loved it! Those writers who wrote negative articles on your TV show are one person's opinions and here is mine.

I absolutely loved Charlie Rowe as Peter. he was able to portray all the characteristics of Pan.
Brave, Cocky, Headstrong, Impulsive, Loyal and Resourceful everything needed to become the Hero we all know as Peter Pan. I enjoyed  seeing a new spin on familiar characters we have seen in the past come into a new light. Seeing Peter and Jimmy together I was able to see what events happened to change their relationship into Pan and Hook. The Female Pirate was quite an interesting new addition to the story. She brought more maturity to the Tale and her womanly wiles that made Hook's head turn. Seeing Hook join her crew was a major turning point for Jimmy and Peter. The Native Americans were exciting except I figured Tiger Lily would be younger, plus the utopia made of trees was amazing along with the band of Lost Boys, seeing them in London as well in Neverland. I could see their friendship change and grow stronger throughout the series. The giant crocs were a bit scary but overall I thought this series was very imaginative and full of  adventure!

The only bit I would have liked to see was more of a character development but I guess with only two episodes that is kinda hard to do. The actors though were quite good.
Rhys Ifans played the role of Captain James Hook
Charlie Rowe played the role of Peter Pan
Bob Hoskins played the role of Mr. Smee
Tinkerbell was a bit of a disappointment because she looked so different but she was voiced by Keira Knightly.  

Finding NEVERLAND in 2011 was an adventure for me and since I am in away at college preparing for my final stage of "growing up" It was a nice little burst of Pixie Dust to lift my spirits once more and let my daydreams soar!

The Call of the Theatre ~Creative Drama~

I was in a play once,

The Lights,
The stage,
The Curtain
and all those empty seats.

I am there now
on the stage, in the center looking out at all those empty seats. What a feeling to know all those seats will be filled soon just to see me on this stage.
Yes, I am in an empty room, with a clear black stage all alone. If someone were to come in and see me sitting on stage, I'd be embarrassed and quickly step away from the stage for I do not belong up here. But really who does belong up here? Only someone who is brave enough to audition and act dramatic in front of other people. I envy theater people, for I wish I could be so brave.

Confidence, Bravery, Adventurous....They all have it.

Confidence: For someone to be so comfortable and confident within themselves and be able to portray another side of themselves and become another character all together.
Bravery: Their bravery and talent are displayed for all to see.
Adventurous: Waning to explore

I was in a play once,
In 8th grade, it was called Cactus Pass. Cactus Pass was a twist on Romero and Juliet, two families that live in the wild wild west were feuding and Tim and Melissa were secret lovers. I had a small role; (but I heard there are no such thing of small roles in the theater)  I was one of the little sister's of Melissa and we are the prim and proper side of the family. Back then when I was in junior high I was a different person. I was shy and I hid myself from others, afraid to be mocked and teased for being different.  Now I smile, I talk to everyone, Anyone!
Now I have embraced my differences.  I say I don't care what others think but truthfully I do, how can you not? But whenever I get down, I always get back up again. ;)

My little sister Emily wants to be a actress, she wants to be a star in Hollywood but to me she is already a star for she has the adventurous side of herself and her bravery is shown each day as she practices for her audition into Baker's Dozen. For her high school dream is to be a mime. I can see why, knowing all these seats will be filled with someone's who want to see you!
Aziza was in a play once, She loved it! She made a lot of friends.

I was in a play once.

Cross Roads

"Where do I go from here? 
So many voices ringing in my ear, Which is the voice I was meant to hear? How will I know, Where do I go from here?"

These are lyrics from a song I feel very close to right now. A song from Disney's Pocahontas II: where she expresses her feelings of confusion and uncertainty. While trying to find the right path for her take, she turns to the Spirits to guide her to her path. I have similar feelings just like Pocahontas and right now this song helps me know I am not alone. I am having trouble finding the right path for me to take in life.
"The paths ahead is so hard to see, it winds and bends but where it ends depends on only me." I have a decision to make and I am so unsure which is the right path for me. I find myself at some cross roads, Child's Life Specialist, General Studies or Teaching? My original goal was Teaching and there were times where it felt so right. In that path there were doubts, I finally found something that felt like home but is there another path out there for me to find? How do I know? Which should I choose? I look to the Great Spirits for help, lead me to the path I am meant to take. I look to my Great Spirit, God. Help guide me to my destiny, Where do I go from here?

 

Supposed-villains turned to Under-dog Hero's from History to Hollywood

Charles Arthur, Lester Gillis, Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker, do those names ring any bells? Recently I have discovered that children today do not know the simplest pop culture references. This was going to be an entry about a few of these references but then my curiosity caught the better of me.

One reference I thought was important to address is typical Disney references in our culture. I was working recently with a bunch of youngster and made a comment on how to be as swift as a coursing river, with all the force of a great typhoon, with all the strength of a raging fire and mysterious as the moon. All the kids looked confused and laughed  because they thought I was being typically funny. I was a bit disturb to find not one of these kids have ever seen the movie Mulan. I concluded the age difference and the fact Mulan is not your typical Disney Princess but instead an extraordinary Disney Heroine.

 Mulan is a Disney animated film that came out in the 1998. Mulan was the 36th Animated Disney Movie and one of the only three feature films completed at the Walt Disney MGM Studio in Orlando Florida. This movie was nominated  for the Golden Globe and the Academy Awards and won the Best Animated Feature. For those of you who do not know; Mulan is based off a Chinese legend. Mulan is the only child of the Fa Family. When the Huns invade China, one man from every family is required to serve in China's Imperial Army. To save her father's life, Mulan steals her father's armor, impersonates a soldier...AND.... Watch the movie to find out!!!

 However my recent realization is much more disturbing. That my own little sister plus two other teenagers whom did not know who Bonnie and Clyde were. Even my best friend who thought Bonnie and Clyde were two chicks who lead a dangerous life. None of these people knew or recognized the references that is until my little brother gave me a sense of relief. "Yeah, they were a pair of bank robbers or something." A pair they were, so I decided to do some investigating and discovered the truth behind the old stereotypes and the truth behind these American legends. Before my research, all I knew about these two were they were imfamous in American History. Bonnie and Clyde were known for being a tight duo of robbers that lived during the Great Depression.

Looking deeper I found the real story (granted the information came from Wikipedia) remember when I asked you about these names Charles Arthur and Lester Gillis did those names ring any bells? Maybe you will recognize these names a bit more. Pretty Boy Floyd and John Dillinger were both American bank robbers who lived during the Great Depression. The 1930's must really have been a hard time for many Americans but this is when the crime spree's of the public-enemy era began.

Baby Face Nelson

Charles Arthur aka Pretty Boy Floyd was known throughout Arkansas,Missouri and Kansas. Arthur got the nickname Pretty Boy during his time working in the underworld. One of the witness's from the bank robbery identified him as a mere boy with rosy apple cheeks that's when he received the nickname Pretty Boy, which he despised. He is known as a Gangster and Bank Robber. Pretty Boy Floyd 's most imfamous crime was the Kansas City Massacre.

 Lester Gillis aka Baby Face Nelson or Jimmy Nelson to his gang members. His nickname Baby Face was given due to his young appearance and small stature. Nelson was from Chicago IL, not too far away from my hometown Rockford IL. Baby Face Nelson teamed up with John Dillinger in a prison break. Nelson was responsible for robbing banks and murder. Murders of mostly police officers and FBI agents.

However my real interest I have saved the best for last; Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker. are my two favorites hands down.Bonnie Parker was from Texas and lived there with her family. When she was in school she was very intelligent and enjoyed writing poems. She married when she was 16 years old but not to Clyde Barrow but to Ray Thorton. However Thorton and Bonnie were separated when Thorton went to prison, even though they were separated Bonnie never took off their wedding band even when she met Clyde. However, some say Clyde was the reason Bonnie turned to a life of crime but many don't know Bonnie was no stranger to the law even before she met Clyde.

Clyde Barrow was one of seven children, born to a poor farming family. Clyde's first run-ins with the law were youthful indiscretions is how I would classify it but stealing turkeys most likely for food and then going away for four years in prison I think was a total unnecessary punishment. During his time in prison, Clyde committed his first serious crime; murder. He beat a guy to death but this guy sexually assaulted him while Clyde was in prison and he blames the so-called justice system. They treat him as a criminal and he ended up being a victim. This experience changed Clyde and when he came out of prison he was a different person. Some believe Clyde's violence towards police officers and FBI agents stem from his experience in prison. He blames them for what happened to him and I don't blame him in the least. I think he is a victim of hard times and  unfortunate to be dealt a cruel hand in fate but I think a part of him changed when he met Bonnie. Love might have been able to find its way into his life, even though most of his life he spent on the run and in the slums. When Bonnie and Clyde met their were instantly drawn to one another, They were never married but their love story still lives on today and in history.

   The Barrow Gang

Clyde was the leader of the Barrow Gang and its members included Bonnie Parker, his brother Buck Barrow, his brother's wife Blanche Barrow, childhood friend W.D. Jones, Henry Methvin, Joe Palmer and Ralph Frults. The Barrow Gang robbed throughout the Central United States mostly banks and a few gas stations here and there. This time, (the Great Depression) was labeled the public-enemy era Bonnie and Clyde were no strangers with the other outlaws in fact partnerships have been formed and alliances alined.

Where there is a villain there is always a hero. The heroes' this time are the police officers, those who are supposed to uphold the law and protect the people. However, when I was reading about Clyde, Bonnie and their gang I found myself immersed in their world of crime and adventure but like all adventures they must end. The Gibsland Posse ambushed them on a dirt road in Louisiana. Their public image of guns blazing and bullets flying was what the public thought of the couple. Bonnie and Clyde's car was shot up in a blaze of bullets. Clyde died first with a bullet to the head, once Bonnie realized Clyde was dead. Bonnie's scream rang throughout the entire field until she followed him in death. 50 bullets total were used to kill the couple The news of their swarmed the nearby town, the posse went to the sheriff's office and left their bodies to get their reward money. 

This is the real sick part, a public swarm of people started raiding the car and disrespecting their bodies. People would cut off Bonnie's hair and pieces of her bloody clothing. Grabbing glass from their car or fragments of the crime scene, several people cut up their bodies, one man even took Clyde's trigger finger all as souvenirs. For their reputations were popular among the public but what disgusts me is how much the public benefited from their deaths. People from all over the country would come to see their bodies and all the surrounding towns made profit off food, gas and beer from the tourists who came to Bonnie and Clyde's funerals.Bonnie and Clyde wished to buried together but her family would never allow it so they are separated only physically but spiritually they are together or so I believe. Bonnie Parker is buried in Dallas Texas and Clyde Barrow is buried with his brother in Dallas as well but in different cemeteries.With the the death of Bonnie and Clyde came the beginning of the end of the public-enemy era.Two months after Bonnie and Clyde's death, John Dillinger was killed in the city of Chicago, then Pretty Boy got shot and killed in Ohio and one month later Baby Face Nelson rounded up the end of the Public-Enemy Era in Illinois.

The stereotypes of these two has been exaggerated over the years. Something about these two have intrigued the nation now and even back then in the 1930's. Public impressions of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow are misconceived. Bonnie was this malicious woman who smoked cigars and just as trigger happy as her boyfriend Clyde which is false. W.D Jones former member of the Barrow gang said Bonnie disliked guns and he never saw her ever shoot a gun. All the photos taken were for their fun times and completely harmless. Clyde however was very cold and often trigger happy when dealing with police officers but even though he was said to be cold and heartless he never lacked loyalty. He would never leave any member of his gang behind. He even went as far to spring his friends out of prison and cared very deeply for Bonnie. All impressions I had of those two were from the television show The New Adventures of Superman: Lois and Clark. There is an episode where a scientist brought their clones back to life and I caught a glimpse of their persona's. 

Hollywood has immortalized many of these gangsters in feature films but then Hollywood gives us many supposed-villains to hate but then we end up rooting for them and they end up being our hero's. One commonly thought of supposed-villain that comes to mind with this famous quote:  "You will always remember this as the day you almost caught Captain Jack Sparrow."  

That's right, Captain Jack Sparrow is a pirate and by definition a person who robs or commits illegal violence at sea or on the shores of the sea. Just like Bonnie and Clyde; Jack Sparrow is a thief and robber but he is also our underdog and an unlikely hero that we end up falling in love with. Jack Sparrow is consistently getting into trouble, he plans to steal a ship to go after his "baby" the Black Pearl but ends up saving Miss Elizabeth from drowning and almost getting caught. He desperately wants his ship back and have his revenge on his first mate who betrayed him. The audiences end up rooting for the pirates and in a way I ended up rooting for Bonnie and Clyde. So you all know the saying: "Don't judge a book by its cover." I think this was a tribute to all those unsung misunderstood supposed-villains that turn into our favorite underdog hero's.     

A simple thought

Sometimes I wish I could escape from this world. Go to a place much simpler than here.
Everyone talks about all our achievements over the span of time and how our world is different from the past. But is it all for the better, I wish I could go back to a time when things were simpler.

It's a Walgreen's World

When I turned 16 years old, I got my very first paycheck job. I had done the whole babysitting gig for three years since I was 13 years old but this was my first official real job. I took a job in food service at a restaurant called Lucky's Red Hots. It was a family owned and a native to Rockford restaurant. The Owners were friends of mine and I was their former babysitter. When their kids out grew the need for a babysitter; George offered me a position at their newest restaurant. I got the job as front cashier and food maker.

Lucky's Red Hots were known for their Chicago style hot dogs, before I worked there I had no idea there were different style's of dressing hot dogs. In case anyone wanted to know; a Chicago Style hot dog is dressed in a squirt of mustard down the side, two sliced tomato halves on the other side, neon-glow in the dark electric relish on the top, a sprinkle of diced onions, a long slice of pickle and two shakes of celery salt. Along with learning to make food and wrap dogs I got a chance to meet different people. Scott, Robert, Rachel and Timmy were my co-worker at Lucky's. All four were different people than who I was typically exposed to but when you begin working it is normal to be exposed to the world. Back in that time, I was still fresh on life and young, naive and sheltered. Well these four helped me realize how lucky I was be young and how lucky I was to still be able to make good decisions. I had a hard time fitting in with Scott, Robert and Rachel, I am most definitely sure they found me to a hindrance and an annoyance. There is one person who stands out above all the rest, Timmy was different. He was funny, smart and we shared many interesting conversations together. Shelia and Timmy were my favorite people; Shelia was the best boss and Timmy and I became good friends and we are still friends to this day. I feel accomplished!

After my time at Lucky's, I realized I needed a change. I did not want to return to food service so when I moved to Des Moines, Iowa I got my first job in retail at Walgreen's. I've been at the same Walgreen's store for about 3 years almost 4 this Christmas. I love it!When I first started working there, my Mom used to tease me because anything I saw advised on TV, I would say: "We sell that at Walgreen's." She used to call me the "poster child" for Walgreen's because of how immersed I became within my job.

I am a Certified Photo Technician a.k.a. a Photo Girl. Which I think suits me, I feel the need to document all fun and exciting things that happen to me or within my life. Or that is at least me rationalizing my strange need to take pictures. Sometimes my friends call me "camera crazed" but I know they don't really mean it. I know they really mean to say that they love it when I take pictures of them. Since I work at Walgreen's and I am a photo girl I get to see all the awesome pictures from the customers.
I've been on an African safari, seen ancient Greece and the ruins of Rome all through the photo's of customers. I plan on going to all those places one day but for now I can watch from photographs.
                                        Plus, I get employee discount on photo's of my very own!   

I enjoy my job, the people, the customers and the life lessons I have gained since working there.I have enjoyed my time at Walgreen's, so much so I have decided to share some of my experiences within a book I entitled; It's a Walgreen's World.

Look forward to It!

Rachel takes a Walk into the Wild

Tonight I went to support the Blank Park Zoo and Wildlife Conservation in Des Moines Iowa.
I met Jack Hanna; a TV Wildlife Advocate was the main speaker at the benefit. Jack Hanna or Jungle Jack. Interesting Fact: I saw Jack Hanna swimming with Sea Turtles while talking with Al Roker underwater. I was watching the weather channel while preparing to go to class and I recognized Al Roker and heard him mention Jack Hanna. I was happy get a glimpse of him considering I was going to the benefit the next night.

So tonight when I met Jack Hanna, I had something interesting to talk to him about. I stood in a long line, I received a free book which I was able to have him sign and I got my picture taken with Jack Hanna. I got to have like a 2 minute conversation with him, he laughed about the sea turtle playing in his air bubbles and I felt like I was talking to a friend.

Jack Hanna is a famous and popular wildlife conversationalist who is a celebrity, but he is a real person. I know "they are just like us" but I could see his passion for animals and nature. Jack shared his experiences was to why we need to Be Aware! and Care! Rhinos, Giraffes and Gorilla's need to be saved from the poachers. Even though he made me cry, he did make me laugh and he allowed me a glimpse into his world.

My Dad & Jack Hanna

"Thank You!!" I love animals and when I was a child I wanted to be a zoo keeper, even though my dream has changed I still have a strong passion and love for Nature and Animals. For having an opportunity like this, I have three people to thank.
1. Thank you Dad, for buying the tickets and for inviting me.
2. Thank You Jack Hanna for coming to Des Moines Iowa and supporting the Blank Park Zoo.
3. Thank You Nationwide Insurance Company for being such a wonderful company for supporting wildlife, supporting our zoo and for being friends with Jack Hanna.

Here are some of the animals I got to meet!

Ivan; a albino joey kangaroo

A baby girl porcupine

A real cheetah like 10 feet away from our table