...and a Happy Birthday to you!

Studying & working for 6 months can be a long time, and when it’s abroad it can feel endless and very stressful - for some members of my program this was their first time

away from home, let alone out of the country.

I’m very glad that I got the chance to celebrate my birthday in Walt Disney World and I’m very thankful for all of the friends and coworkers who gave me such beautiful wishes throughout the day.

Despite not having much contact with family or some of my dear friends over this “working vacation” and unfortunately having the majority of my friends working during the afternoon and hunting me down in the evening, I managed to have what I think was a decent 23rd Birthday.

Phineas & Ferb both gave me big birthday hugs when they met me and we danced a little before getting our pictures taken. I think I even seen

Perry the Platypus!

While waiting in line to meet ‘Santa Goofy’ I briefly spoke to a family ahead of me. What touched me was their grandmother. The mother and grandmother both thanked me for moving aside and helping her get aside and helping her get back in line when they were up next and explained how it was her 80th birthday today. They both said how happy they were for me and I gave the grandmother a hug and gave my hug and gave my

congratulations right back. The mother laughed as we both teared up and it made me realize how much I miss my Nanna and how much I would’ve loved to bring her here with me if only once here with me if only once for a little while, so that she could see how wonderful Disney World can be.During every Fantasmic show I kiss my Nanna’s ring for goodluck and I proudly celebrated my Polish/Ukraine heritage for her in EPCOT during hte Food&Wine Festival.Not a day goes by where I Not a day goes by where I dont think of her and I hope that I’m still making her proud. This birthday is for Frances Pommer <3

Santa Goofy was excited to see me and when he noticed my ‘birthday button’ wished me a Happt Birthday and gave me the biggest hug I think I’ve ever had...

After spending my afternoon at Hollywood S

tudios taking

pictures and meeting friends I watched Fanta

smic for the last

time. I was able to meet some of my dear frien

ds after the

show and they all congratulated me on my bir

thday and

hoped to see me soon before I leave.

I'd like to thank my dear Minnie, Sorcerer

Mickey, Mary Poppins, Bert and Jasmine for meeting me after

probably my last viewing of FANTASMIC. I've never been so proud to never been so proud to know such wonderful people on thus program.