Live Life to the Fullest

“You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching,
Love like you'll never be hurt,
Sing like there's nobody listening,
And live like it's heaven on earth.” 

 ~ William W. Purkey

 Just a little reminder. :0)

Some days are hard.  Some easy.  Some moments you wish there was a pause button to either take everything in, or get that extra load of laundry finished.  But no matter what, there is always a little something to find joy.  Something to find beautiful.  Take a moment to look, smile, breath, dance, sigh, dream, live.

 Photo might be by me, but there's a chance my Mom took it.  Some of our pictures got mixed up, but regardless it's a beautiful flower.

Visiting Monet's Garden in Giverny France

On a beautiful Spring day in April, 2016, I got to see Monet's garden in Giverny France.  The day was wonderful, and it's a trip I highly recommend.

If only all days can be as wonderful as this.

 

Photos by Sarah and Robin Stufflebeam

Give Me a World and I Shall Live, an original poem, and other doodads

(15 yrs. old, The Fantasticks)

(Written nearly 2 decades ago, sometime when I was 17 or 18.)

Sonnet VIII

Give me a World and I shall live.  Wrap me

up in the land of fantasy.  Beyond

the words and stage are my dreams, and I long

for this reality.  Please, let me see

where imagination has no borders.

Where I have no limits.  Where I am free.

Give me this World, let me escape to be

all that I could wish to be, forever.

Illuminated saw dust tickles my

nose as I stare beyond lights.  Sweet voices

of laughter and love surrounds and rejoice.

And I stand, waiting, breathing, as I fly.

Excitement lingers through all of my soul.

All of my heart sings as I lose control.

~ Sarah Stufflebeam

(I did tweak the words a little.)

I went through a Sonnet writing phase when I was in High School.  Since then I haven't written any, but I found this one and a few others, not all sadly, while sorting through old papers.  It brings back memories.  I haven't performed in a play since college.  Mainly all of my performances have been through chorus, some vocal solos, and the handful of videos online.  Honestly I miss it.  This was my passion when I was younger.  I craved the stage.  Begged my parents to do community theater.  Tried out whenever I could.  Kinda miss the hunger.

 (Kindergarten)

 One of my first performances was when I was in Kindergarten.  I don't remember it, though my Mom said I had the lead, memorized all the lines, and told the kids their lines when they forgot.  Totally was that kind of kid.

I do remember the Christmas performance when I was in Kindergarten, mainly because it was performed in the auditorium.  I memorized all those parts as well and would get my brothers and friends to perform the play in the backyard as I directed.

The very first time I was on stage was when I was four, a dance recital, and I remember every detail. It was a series of moments that woke my spirit. Totally electrifying.

(7th Grade)

The last dance recital I was in was the 7th grade.

Honestly, I haven't been to dance in a year.  I've talked with my dance teacher and even pre-paid several months for the Fall, so I'm committed to get back into it.  I also want to get back into music and doing videos.  That's more of an early next year thing.  I'm going to start learning the guitar, got a video program I'm going to work through, and buckle down on understanding the music software.

Oh, and the VR game my brothers and I have worked on is close to an update.  I'm waiting for the game to get to a certain point, and for other projects to get going, before I talk about it in full. It's a process.

It's good to remember our past and past dreams.

D23 Fall 2018 Magazine Celebrates 90 Years of Mickey

 A surprise came in the mail today: the Fall 2018 D23 magazine.

I got the package, baffled at what it could be as I haven't ordered anything recently.  It came in a very slim box, which is impressive.  This is the second issue I've received.  After years of wanting this magazine, which is pricey at $75, I finally splurged.  If you're not familiar with D23, it's the official Disney fan club.  With the price you get a cool gift full of reproduced memorabilia from the Disney archives, 4 seasonal magazines, and discount tickets to the D23 fan convention,  on sale now for 2019.

When I opened the mysterious box I saw this beautiful painting of Mickey.  It doesn't look like a typical magazine cover!  At first I thought it was a print.  D23 isn't scrolled on the top.  It's a cover that can be framed.  In fact a printed frame lines its border.  "Fall 2018" in small print.  The cover feels special, but Mickey's 90th B-day, this November I believe, is special.

Inside there's an article all about Mickey with gorgeous artwork.

There's also Halloween articles about Jack Skellington and the Haunted Mansion, The Nutcracker, Star Wars Resistance, Hocus Pocus, and the Tokyo Disney Sea expansion.

The Tokyo Disney Sea expansion looks so amazing!!!  The park is already amazing!  It's getting better.  I might just want to live there.  Disney Sea is a bunch of sea ports with different themes, and this new port has a Frozen section, Tangled Section, and Peter Pan section, each getting a ride, Peter Pan getting 2 rides and a Lost Boy Hideaway restaurant.  Doesn't that sound amazing!!?

The article is a great read with more concept art.

A few years ago I wrote my experience visiting Tokyo Disney Sea: Part 1 and Part 2.

Returning again would be so amazing, allowing more time to take it all in.

All in all, D23 is a nice magazine with cool info.

Though I have a year subscription, I have seen it in the past at Barnes and Noble.

With the Mickey Memories Plush monthly madness, I only have May, there's been hype surrounding Mickey's Birthday.  A lot of special memorabilia.  I like what I have, though my Mom surprised me with this bracelet from Kohls.  Totally wearing it now, and now I want to go to Disneyland.

Everyday is a good day for Disneyland.

Caught in the Rain

"Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet."

~ Roger Miller

Last night, around dusk, I decided to take a little walk.

The temperature was perfect, cool air mixed with warm bursts.  The rain was light, sprinkle like.  Who needs an umbrella when a cap will do?  Flashes of lightning bounced around the upper clouds, bolts hidden.  People were out playing, enjoying the weather, ignoring the thunder.

I sought cover as I battled a Pokemon Raid. (Okay, that's why I really went out, mainly because I'm trying to get Mew, and I'm super close.  Why am I suddenly embarrassed to admit this?  Eh . . .)

As I stood, enjoying the increasing wind, I noticed a cloud of rain inching forward along the mountain with great speed.  This wasn't troubling at all.  I was fascinated.  The lightning flashes followed by thunder were quickly aligning.  The rain pummeling to the ground.  Those who were out were running for shelter.  I realized then that I needed to do the same.

I couldn't run as I was wearing slippery flip-flops.  So I briskly walked, mental chatter questioning my sanity.  At a cross walk I realized that it was probably not a good idea to stand next to tall metal polls. I started wondering what would happen if lightning struck a tree.  Then I realized that if I was struck by lighting I totally deserved it for being so stupid.

Needless to say, I wasn't scared at all, merely energized.

As soon as I got home, soaked, the heavens opened and it seemed as if a monsoon hit.  There was so much wind, hail, and rain.  My Mom was outside grilling steaks.  I ran to grab the umbrella's and my youngest brother helped her as she opened the grill.  Every time it rains hard the roof in the sun-room leaks, so we were grabbing bowls and pushing away a couch that got wet.  We found humor in it.

 There was a lull in the storm where the sun came out, illuminating a soft rainbow.  The air was crisp. There's been so much fire smoke this last month.  Any reprieve is nice.  Then it started raining like crazy again.

I hope the rain helped the local fires and that lightning didn't start any new blazes.  A lightning storm is nice, but there's always that worry.

Still, I love a good storm and a stroll through the rain.

 

Finally Receiving the July Wizarding World LootCrate Shirt

The July Wizarding World LootCrate didn't have the shirt that was supposed to be in last months box.  We were given a note of apology with the promise that when the shirts were ready they would be shipped.  I received the main box on August 2nd, which is reviewed on this blog, and the shirt came yesterday.  That's an 18 day difference.  The main box was late as well.  I am glad they sent the main box without the shirt, and was able to send the shirt in a timely fashion.

The shirt itself is interesting, albeit a little chaotic.  I do like the color scheme, and it's different than a lot of shirts out there.  It's definitely in preparation for the upcoming Fantastic Beast film.

Visiting Monet's Home in Giverny France

On Friday, April 15, 2016, I had the amazing opportunity to visit Monet's home in Giverny France.  This is where you can find his Japanese Garden, which I'll share in my next France post.  This was my favorite day during the entire month long trip.  As a child I've always loved Monet and his artwork.  His dabs of paint that form complete pictures is simply fascinating.  Visiting his home was far more amazing than I could have imagined.  I loved every moment.

 Figuring out how to get to Monet's home from the parking lot.

My Mom was super excited.

 What I found so amazing was all the original Japanese wood prints.

They were amazing!

I love Japanese culture, and I had no idea Monet collected this Japanese art form.  Every room seemed to have these wood prints covering the walls.  I found myself getting caught up studying both Monet's art and these prints.  Pictured above to the left is Asakusa, one of the places I visited in 2015.  Just gorgeous.

Monet's art studio.

My Mom's favorite room.

If she could live here she probably would.

We spent so much time here.

The dining room.  See all the wood prints?  Ah man.

 My Mom loved this little cat and got a replica from the gift shop.

 The kitchen.  I loved going from the yellow room to a blue tiled room.  Such wonderful contrast.

A beckoning garden.

If you love Monet you HAVE to visit his home in Giverny.  It's amazing.

(I'll blog Monet's Garden by the end of the week.)

Photos by Sarah and Robin Stufflebeam