Disney World!

Disneyworld here we come! On the last day of February Chris and I packed our bags and traveled to Orlando Florida. We flew out of the Dallas airport and left our car at a friends house. Our hotel was located in the Disney World Resort: “All Stars Movies Resort.” We were happy to have the Toy Story themed room! I had never been to Disney World before. Chris worked there for three months as a College Intern a few years ago and was excited to be back and show me around.

We arrived after midnight and woke up early the next morning to begin our week-long adventure at the most magical place on earth. Our first day was at the Magic Kingdom and our first ride was Space Mountain-a tradition for Chris that I was happy to keep going. We went to all four parks throughout the week, arriving before opening and staying until closing every night. We were tired at the end of the day but it was all worth it! 

The Food

Turkey Legs was perhaps my favorite meal there! Who knew, right? We couldn't finish it.  The absolute best thing we ate was the funnel cake topped with ice cream and strawberries. I still dream about them from time to time. I would go back just to have another one of those.

Trying some soda from around the world in Epcot. 

The Rides

We pretty much rode every ride in all four parks. With the exception of Tower of Terror, because I don’t need a greater fear of elevators.

Chris’ top three: Star Tours, Haunted Mansion, Mine Train.

Ashley’s top three: Expedition Everest, Rockin' Roller Coaster and Pirates .

The Shows

So, the shows were all fantastic. I walked out of the theatre and then wanted to walk back in to see it again, they were that good. The best show by far, in my opinion, was Finding Nemo. It was a musical version of the movie with really cool puppets. The Indiana Jones Stunt show was also super neat. Oh, and I can’t forget Beauty and the Beast and the Lights, Camera, Action Car stunt Show! And then there are the fireworks shows. The new Stars Wars Firework show was awesome! Same with Fantasmic and Wishes!

Our time at Disney was truly fantastic. We made amazing memories and I can't wait to go back soon! 

Just because

I know this isn't my usually monthly blog post. (It is the end of March and I haven't even posted about January yet...) Anyways, I liked this page on facebook that is for a theatre company in San Antonio and it asked the question: "Tell us in the comments section, how you got involved in theatre and the performing arts." Normally I don't answer those types of things. And especially a question like that because it is so deeply personal. However, I felt like I should this time and I did. I feel weird because I was the first one to comment and my post was very long but I am glad I did it. The theatre arts is something that is very close to my heart. It changed my life. I wouldn't be the person I am today without it. It is also a very big part of my life right now. Two weeks ago I had the wonderful privilege of being a theatre teacher intern at a place called the Magik Theatre for their Spring Break Camp! I got paid to inspire and teach children about theatre! In a few weeks I will be starting another job in which I will teach  after school theatre classes for elementary school children! I am so excited and I feel so blessed to be able to be starting my dream job so soon! Anyways, for all those who are curious, here is my story on how I found theatre and the performing arts:

I was an extremely shy person growing up. Extremely shy. Talking to other people I didn't know absolutely terrified me. I remember in kindergarten I got hit in the face with a soccer ball really hard but I refused to go to the health room because I was afraid that I might have to talk to someone. I had a few close friends that I did things with but that was about all. I didn't like being shy. I actually hated it. I was always envious of those people who were outgoing; it seemed as if they could do whatever they wanted in life! They were the ones that would go places! I knew being shy was holding me back. I always wanted to be an actress. Something about performing on a stage under lights and having so many eyes looking at me, was interesting to me-absolutely beyond terrifying- but interesting all the same. People used to laugh at me when I told them I wanted to be an actress. I never said anything as they laughed, knowing in my heart of hearts I would one day prove them wrong.  In third grade I decided to audition for the school play. It froze my heart with fear just to think about auditioning, but it attracted me like a moth to a flame. I couldn't get it out of my head! When the days of the auditions came I was a nervous wreck. I thought I was going to pass out. But after it was over, and I saw I made the show, everything became worth it. I was a solider in Lewis and Clark and I had no lines but I worked hard. I tried to stay mostly invisible during rehearsals but one day the director pulled me aside and asked if I could give the “please silence your cell phones” speech before each performance. I consider that the first monologue I ever memorized.

 I knew I loved the rush of being on stage and the fun of working as a team but it wasn't until junior high and high school that I really considered theatre my passion. I was still numbingly shy, but theatre became my escape. I wasn't Ashley Corbaley anymore when I was on stage, I was someone else entirely. The theatre was where I belonged. Theatre kids became my closest and dearest friends and I still think no one can quite understand me like they do. Thanks to a wonderful theatre teacher in high school, I finally came out of my shell and became the person I am today. She gave me a chance-that quiet girl who never spoke except to say her lines-a chance. She challenged me with roles I never thought I could conquer. She believed in me and helped give me the confidence I needed to keep going. As I grew older, I realized I didn’t want to be in the movies or on Broadway. I just wanted to always hold theatre close to my heart and to help someone else maybe discover the wonderful world of theatre. I wanted to teach and inspire. Theatre changed my life. It helped me in so many ways that I don’t even know where to begin. My dream is to spend the rest of my life giving back to theatre for everything that it taught me. If I can inspire just one person then everything would be worth it. 

Myself as the Duchess in my Junior High School Play "Alice in Discoland"

My, at the time future Maid of Honor, and myself in Acting Ensemble in High School. This picture was from our last Improv Shows we put on for the whole school and community. 

Yes I do musicals, although I prefer straight plays. This is from Music Man in Spring 2012.

Mildred Montag in Fahrenheit 451

Sleeping Beauty in... Sleeping Beauty 

Ouiser in Steel Magnolias 

Lady Capulet in Romeo and Juliet 

Marcie in Charlie Brown

Humor Code Sketch Comedy Group 2014

And so much more. Okay, I'll stop now. I just felt I should write this down so I will always remember what theatre means to me. Thanks for reading.

December! The Corbaley's first Christmas together :)

December gets an exclamation mark in the title because it is the best month ever. I know its February and no one wants to hear about Christmas but November was my last blog post and I'm not going to skip over the best month ever. I started work and a new semester of school in the beginning of January so that is my excuse for not getting to blog about December yet. December of 2014 was amazing for several reasons. One major reason was that Chris and I got to visit my parents for Christmas! We left on December 18th and Chris stayed for a week and I stayed for two. I've been looking through the pictures on my phone for December to help me remember everything. First of all was the ward Christmas party. I made cinnamon rolls and we had breakfast tacos and fruit. After we ate, the primary room had a snowball fight for children which consisted of throwing balled up notebook paper at each other. I guess that is the closest thing to a snowball fight the kids of Texas can have. 

My 20th birthday was on December 16th, and I had a really great day. Chris made me breakfast in bed. Chocolate chip pancakes, eggs and bacon (except he forgot the chocolate chips, haha). Then he went to work and since I finished all my homework the day before, I just chilled at home and watched Clueless (one of the greatest movies of all time, in my opinion). Chris came home a early  and had the whole day planned out with several surprises for me! I opened a card from him that had tickets to the Theory of Everything and a gift card to a manicure and pedicure! He was sweet as he drove me to my mani pedi appointment and waited on the couch for it to be finished. The Theory of Everything was a movie I had been wanting to see for a long time and it was really, really good. I recommend it to all who haven't seen it yet because it was amazing! We ended the day with delicious red velvet peppermint cake from Cold Stone. I had a wonderful birthday and thank you to everyone for the amazing presents! 

   

I found a picture on my phone of my nails. I decided on a french manicure and Christmasy red toes. 

My LITT UP mug I got from my parents. I love it and I use it all the time. If you don't get it watch Suits, you won't regret it. 

My delicious cake! Don't mind the slight melting. I was too eager to eat it and put it in the fridge too long instead of putting it in the freezer. The best past about this cake was that Chris didn't like it so that means I get to eat it all by myself. Haha.

Oh, and did I mention I got an Iphone 6 for my bday! I also got a cool paris case for it and officially named my phone the french pronunciation of Paris. I feel old now that I'm 20. It feels so much older than 19. However, I'm going to make my 20's the best years of my life and enjoy every minute of it!

The day after my birthday was the day Chris and I deemed as the day we will celebrate our first Christmas together since we would be leaving the next day to visit my parents. All of our presents to each other were carefully wrapped and labeled under our humble Christmas tree and the stockings were hung by the fireplace with care. We opened our stocking gifts before Chris went to work and then I patiently waited for Chris to get off of work before we began exchanging presents. (side note: as soon as I began putting presents under the tree, Chris started shaking each of them and asking if he can open just one present please and that started in the beginning of December. Haha). 

 

 We now have SOO many movies! Which is great because we LOVE movies! Chris actually bought me the second Hunger Games movie twice for meand I informed him that buying the second one twice does not make it the first and the second one. He also was so excited opening presents that he ripped into one of mine only to realize that "wait a minute I bought that stuff, oh this is yours Ashley." Oh, Chris. Haha. The last picture is of Chris' new messenger bag he has been wanting for a long time so he can be like Mike Ross from Suits and feel cool at work. I searched FOREVER trying to find him the perfect one and I had SO. MANY. PROBLEMS with it (it kept getting delayed, blah, blah, blah.) But I am so glad it got here finally in good condition and Chris really liked it so it was all worth it :) 

OFF TO WASHINGTON! I've had this trip on my phone and on my Miniature Schnauzer calendar since we bought our tickets in October. On the way to the airport I got a phone call saying I got offered the job as a teacher at a child development center. I was really excited to start working after I came back from vacation. 

Our flight was really long and we finally made it to Seattle really early in the morning. It was so nice seeing my family and my Charlie again! I had missed them so much and it was great to finally be in Washington again. I think it is best to describe my two week visit in pictures. We did so many fun things that it is impossible for me to write them all down but pictures speak louder than words and so I will let them do the talking this time. I do warn you that these pictures do go into January a bit. Also, these pictures are in no particular order. Sorry for the inconvenience :) 

The beautiful Christmas tree :) My family does a wonderful job decorating!

It has been a tradition in our family that we grab hot chocolate and go visit the most decked out house in town!

 

The gingerbread houses in Seattle were amazing!

At the 5th ave with my Mom spending our traditional day in Seattle :) 

 

"You'll shoot your eye out"/ "Frag-eel-a must be Italian." 

 

 

This is what charlie would look like if he was a reindeer. He doesn't look too happy about it...

What is Christmas without some holiday baking? 

The hot chocolate buffet my family created for the Christmas Eve party! Easily the best hot coco I've ever had. 

How Dallin waits for his turn to open presents :) 

The Sounders Jersey Chris loves!

Charlie is patiently waiting for his turn to open his present. 

ZOO LIGHTS!

Epic Fail. 

Christmas Eve Pjs :) BATMAN!

I saw Into the Woods with my mom and loved it!

Boys will be boys. 

Seattle adventures take 2. 

The blanket fort my brother and I built one night because you are never to old to build a blanket fort. 

I decided to get highlights. 

The view from my plane window on my flight back to San Antonio. I will miss you, Washington!

Froyo with the cousins :) 

This is a favorite of me and my Dad's. 

I love my puppy.

We were sad we couldn't visit Chris' family because Chris only had a few days in Washington but we are excited to visit next year! Blogging about December in February really makes me wish it was Christmas time again. Oh well :( Now its time to get out my flip flops and t-shirts in hopes of Spring! Although its been in the 30's in Texas lately...