I’ll Be Home For Christmas

It’s after midnight here which means it is officially Christmas day along the east coast of Australia. I’m sitting on my couch at home enjoying my compulsory yearly viewing of Love Actually and it got me thinking about exactly where I was one year ago today. To be quite honest, I was actually on the other side of the world, sitting on the floor of my apartment crying because my room mate had unknowingly blocked the toilet, gone out, and left me to deal with a toilet that had overflowed and left her shit all over the bathroom floor – one of the less glamorous moments of my life. Holy shit, literally! Holy because, well, it was Christmas, and I’m pretty sure the shit part is self explanatory.

I have spent the last 12 months trying to erase the above memory, but sadly to no avail.  Despite that one shitty moment, Christmas last year was one of the best times of my life at the happiest place on earth – Disney World.

There’s not a single day that goes by where I do not think about my year abroad working there. I miss it so much – the lifestyle, my job, the people, my Disney family and the best friend I grew to love and adore so much.

I feel guilty complaining, really, I do. I know how many people would give anything to be home for Christmas with their family, and although I am grateful for this, nothing will ever compare to Christmas of 2009 – the most magical Christmas ever…

We marked the beginning of the festive season with a trip to Hollywood Studios to visit the Osbourne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights – truly one of the most spectacular things I have ever seen!

2009 Osbourne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights @ Hollywood Studios

2009 Osbourne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights @ Hollywood Studios

The crew at the 2009 Osbourne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights @ Hollywood Studios

The single most enjoyable highlight of my entire time working at Disney World was attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom – the experience was just indescribable so much so that I think I even ended up crying during Holiday Wishes, the extended holiday fireworks show!

Back stage near Cinderella's Castle with the stage dance crew!

With my hot cocoa and cookies at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party!

Holiday Wishes at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party - Magic KingdomMe in front of Cinderella's Castle at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party - Magic Kingdom

The Disney Winter Formal was another amazing night. If I had to pick one stand out moment from that event, it would probably be having formal photos with Sorcerer Mickey!

The crew at the Disney Winter Formal 2009

Oh, and then there was that wicked day we went to have our photo taken with Santa at Downtown Disney and later that night, ventured out of the Disney bubble and headed on over to Gaylord Palms Resort to the ICE! exhibit! Seriously cool fun – no pun intended!

Meeting Santa at Downtown Disney - 2009

Riding an ice carousel at ICE! Gaylord Palms, Orlando, FLGaylord Palms Resort Lobby, Orlando, FL

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ICE! at the Gaylord Palms, Orlando, FL 2009

And after standing in the freezing cold for roughly two hours, we finally got a seat to see Whoopi Goldberg read the Christmas story, backed by a full orchestra and choir at Epcot – was definitely a great but then we had to go back to the hotel room as it was the only place with a heater installation working.

Whoopi Goldberg reading the Christmas Story at Epcot, 2009

Whoopi Goldberg reading the Christmas Story at Epcot, 2009

So now you see why a regular Christmas at home in Australia just can’t be compared to my Christmas of 2009?

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

xo

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