As is the wont at this time of year, I find myself being reflective these past few days. Looking back on the year that was 2024, I can’t help but be amazed. As much as it was a year of grieving, it was also a year of taking full advantage of the opportunities afforded me in life.
Continue reading “From Grief to Adventure: My 2024 Journey”
This is part three of a three part series. You can read part one here and part two here.
Continue reading “Hawaiian Adventures Part 3: Aloha from Aulani”
I recently wrote a blog post where I discussed how I was taking a page from my wife’s playbook and setting myself some intentions for this summer. Rather than have a checklist of things that I feel like I need to do, I am giving myself the gift of simplicity for the summer.
My first intention was to watch old, classic movies, which I’ve been doing for a few weeks now. Intention number two? Disney-fy my summer.
Continue reading “An Intentional Summer part 2”
I am now a week removed from my long-awaited Disney World vacation. I can hardly believe that a week has passed, but that is what the calendar is telling me. While out on our daily walk yesterday, the realization came to me that I am now fully into my post-Disney blues. It happens inevitably after every trip. Once you’ve been away from that magic bubble and reintegrated into the “real” world, it’s only a matter of time before the Disney Blues settle in.
So what better time for me to revisit some of those memories via a blog post? Maybe looking back will help me get over the blues. (added bonus: I’ve added a bunch of pictures!)
Continue reading “Making Magical Memories”
I have come to realize that I’m writing and posting blogs much less frequently than I have been historically. For a few years, I endeavored to write at least 1-2 posts per month, but this has fallen by the wayside over the course of the post-COVID world. When taking a moment to assess, I’ve realized recently that I have not been at my best. I think one of the reasons (not the sole source of my lower-energy states, but one factor) is that I haven’t really had anything major to look forward to in some time. Yes, we went to Paris last spring, but that was a semi-impulsive trip that was only planned out a few weeks prior. And since then, there has been nothing big to speak of.
Until this past week.
Continue reading “Let the Magic Begin”
If everything were to go according to plan, in 298 days, my wife and I, along with my brother and his wife, would be arriving in Walt Disney World. The purpose of our trip – twofold. Firstly, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World on October 1st. Secondly, and more importantly, to celebrate mine and Isabelle’s 10th wedding anniversary on October 1st.
Of course, our long-gestating plan may not play out as intended thanks to this lovely pandemic that we are still dealing with.
Continue reading “298 Days”
With Hallowe’en fast approaching, I thought it was time to face up to one of my fears.
As a child, I was scarred by a movie. Both scared and scarred. I had nightmares for a week following my viewing of said movie. I have not seen this movie again, until today. I’ve decided that I was tired of being a slave to this horrific nightmare that has engulfed nearly my entire life. It was time to take back the power. It was time to confront the monster.
Continue reading “Confronting Your Fear”
While chatting with a coworker this morning, I was reminded about an article I’d read last week that had caught my attention. The headline read:
Psychiatrist Prescribes New Mental Health Treatment: Disney Trips!
Earlier this week, we crossed the two month mark from my return to the real world after spending 10 glorious days in Disney World for my 40th birthday. (You can read about the trip in this previous post.) As with each visit to the Happiest Place on Earth, the return to normality brings with it a bit of a feeling of blahness after a while. I’m usually able to ride the high of the Disney magic for a good 6-8 weeks, but then the inevitable crash occurs.
Here are my top 4 tips on how to avoid the post-Disney blues, and to keep that magic alive and kicking long after you’ve returned home.
Although this was our third trip to Disney World for my birthday, this was the first year where our dates worked out so that Isabelle would celebrate hers as well. Isabelle and I are born 5 days apart (well, 1 year and 5 days). I’m the 22nd of August, she’s the 27th. As a teacher, and due to her return to work at the end of August, we haven’t been able to arrange the trips to allow her to experience the joys of a Disney World birthday. This year; however, the calendar worked with us. She only had to go back to school on the 29th, so we were able to shift the dates a bit to get both of our birthdays in. Continue reading “Day 7 – Happy Birthday Isabelle! (aka The End)”
Musings of A Boxhead 