Beaches, Bugs, Best Friends and Beauty

I hate bugs. Always have, most likely always will. There are bugs in Florida-A LOT of bugs. Let me give you an analogy to help clarify: Mormon is to Utah as Bug is to Florida. Yes. THAT many. And to make matters worse..... it's mating season for them. So you see a ton of these "double" black bugs that just fly right into you.  It's worse than BYU in springtime (that was a joke).The first few days here I felt like I shouldn't even open my mouth for fear of something flying in there. But now I've calmed down a bit- Calm it down! Calm it down! Calm. It. Down. At one of my orientations our speaker was telling us about keeping our windows completely shut so no bugs or lizards could get in. I'm wondering what in the world place I'm living in where lizards would come in through the windows. But anyway....
On Thursday my roommates and I went to Cocoa Beach-home of the most famous Ron Jon's Surf Shop. We didn't go to it, but still! It took us almost twice as long to get there as it should have, because none of us really know our way down here. But eventually we found it and had a marvelous time. Ok, we basically slept on the beach the whole time and ended up with sunburns, but it was a great time. To get to Cocoa Beach you have to cross this bridge that goes over a lake. On our way home we went over the bridge and were deciding which road to take to get back to Orlando. We thought we were going the right way, but before we knew it, we were going back over the bridge! Apparently we had done a huge circle that was taking us right back to Cocoa Beach. It was so funny. We eventually made it back to our apartments safe and sound.
In my title I mentioned Best Friends. Isn't it funny how much someone can influence your life and you have no idea about it? I'm just barely recognizing how strong of a bond I had with my roommates Felicia and Shelby at BYU. It's been so hard to be here without them. Luckily, I can see them in about a month, but I just wanted them to know how much I love them. (For Felicia and Shelby) I miss you guys so much! And I'm so grateful for how much support and unconditional love you always show me! You truly have become my sisters in the gospel."Friends on Earth and Friends Above" has never meant as much to me as it does now. I love you guys with all of my heart!
I should also mention how great of a family I have for supporting my decision to come down here and for helping me along the way. I love you all so much!! I can't wait to see you in June! Mom and Dad are on their way home now, so all will go back to normal (haha). And give Zak a big hug for me!
One last thing I want to mention is how Beautiful life is. It is so Beautiful that Heavenly Father directs our paths and comes with us everywhere he sends us. It is so Beautiful to know that whatever happens, His love provides comfort and strength. It is so Beautiful to know that he speaks directly to us through scriptures and thoughts and feelings. It is Beautiful down here, and although I miss everyone a lot already, I'm enjoying every minute of my time. Love you all!
****More to come on work, my apartment, and people I've met!****

Airplanes, Alchemy, and Other Things of That Sort

You know that little kid in movies that always kicks the main character's seat when they're on an airplane? I met him on Monday. Yup, he sat RIGHT behind me.  I thought about getting his autograph, but the forward lurching  movement of my seat wouldn't allow for me to do so. Anyway... during our flight, my mother and I were watching "Life with Father" (an old black and white movie that my mom has been dying to watch because she likes the way they say "bap-tized". And if you ever bring it up around her, you too will have the privilege of hearing her impersonate it at least four times before you have the wits to change the subject. Anyway....). So we're watching this movie, and all of a sudden our plane swoons to the left-yes, i just used the word "swoon".  And then a whole bunch of bumps and veers follow, until I realize that watching a movie and being thrown into the airplane wall do NOT mesh well together. I turned to tell my mother that we should stop watching, and she is grasping the arm rests of her seat with her eyes pinched shut. After much settling of the stomach, the plane landed safely into Orlando. Later, we heard the flight attendant saying that after 10 years of flying, that was one of the worst cases of turbulence she's experienced-- thanks lady!
So the point of me telling you my flight experience is to inform everyone of why in the heck we were flying in the first place. This summer I am working at Blizzard Beach in Disneyworld selling merchandise. My friend Kyler told me to start a blog, and I said I couldn't start one without a cute name. Luckily, my wonderful and adorable roommate Shelby, approved of the title "Afternoons with Allison". Thanks Shelbster! Hopefully I can keep everyone who doesn't have better things to do amused by relaying what happens in my life over the next three months.... don't feel obligated to keep reading though. It's mostly for my own sanity :)Anyway....
On to the Alchemy portion of my title. On Tuesday, my father, mother, and I took a spur of the moment trip to Universal Studios and-dare I say it- HARRY POTTER WORLD!!! Ok, sorry for the caps lock. But Harry Potter World deserves caps lock. As you walk up to the entry of HPW, you can hear the tinkling of the HP theme song. I felt like I was actually walking into Diagon Alley (spell check), but then I had to turn around so my parents could take my picture-good feeling gone. I really wanted to get some butterbeer, pumpkin juice, and chocolate frogs... but my mom restrained me, which was probably for the best considering we still had to go on the "Forbidden Journey" in Hogwarts castle. Anyway.... HPW was amazing, and I think I will probably be going back there due to the fact that my new roommate loves HP too (Thank goodness)!
****More to come regarding my new living conditions and such!****