Merry Christmas

"Maybe Christmas" he thought "doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a bit more!" ~ Dr.Seuss How The Grinch Stole Christmas

As I sit here waiting for the rest of my family to wake up, I want to say Merry Christmas everyone from Jingles and I! I hope you are all having an amazing day with your family or if your festivities were last night I hope it was amazing as well. I hope your day/night was spent with those you love the most. Remember to take this Christmas spirit with you all throughout the rest of this year and next year. I believe we need to keep spreading this good cheer for all to hear because I think that is what the world needs now-a-days.

Transported to another country.

Last weekend my family and I spent a few days at Universal's Portofino Bay Hotel for my birthday and it was amazing. As we were driving onto the hotel property I instantly felt like I wasn't in the U.S any more but that I was actually in Italy. If you have ever stayed at the Portofino before then you know exactly what I am talking about. Now I have stayed at the Portofino before but I am always amazed with how well of a job Universal does in making you feel like you are somewhere else.

Not only are the grounds beyond gorgeous but the rooms were breath taking as well. We have stayed in nice hotels before but this one was defiantly on the top of the list. The one thing in the room that I thought was both cool and weird was that there was this "window" in the bathroom that if opened and while laying on the bed you could see right in. I can imagine that it would be nice for couples if they were super close or families with little children where the parents can see everything that the little ones were doing in the bathroom, however for a family with older children it was a bit weird. The view from our room was nice as well especially because we had our own balcony.

With staying at the Portofino you also get a few Universal perks as well. Guest of not only the Portofino but also the Hard Rock Hotel and the Pacific Royal Hotel get early park admission so that they can experience the Wizarding World of Harry Potter before there is a huge crowd. Guest of the hotels also get a complementary unlimited express ticket that are good for every ride except the Harry Potter ones, which is why get to go into the parks early to ride those rides first.

If you are visiting the Orlando area and can't decide if you are going to stay at a hotel on Universal property, or if you are going to stay at a hotel around there I would defiantly choose a hotel on Universal property. They may be just a tad bit on the pricey side but the way they look and the perks that come along with it staying on property is defiantly worth it.


 

More Loved Than You Can Imagine!

One of my favorite YouTubers! She has an amazing heart but this quote by here is something that always resonates with me. We live in a society that is so caught up on image and superficial things, I admit that at times I am caught up in it as well, but because of this there are so many people out there that don't think that they are good enough. To everyone out there that thinks like that I want you to know that you are more than good enough! Forget what society says, don't listen to those people out there that say all those negative things and bring you down. I want you all to know exactly what Kandee said "You are more beautiful than you know, more talented than you think, and more loved than you can imagine."

I know that there are a lot of people out there that say all of these things but don't really mean it. Well I do! Growing up I was more of an observer than an outgoing child and I've seen how listing to a message like that can change a person's entire out look because it's what everyone needs to hear. I've also seen that unless you are willing to fully listen to this only then will it have the effect it needs to you on. So when you are ready know that you are the most beautiful, smart, talented creature on this earth and whoever says otherwise is just projecting their own insecurities on you. And if anyone tries to tell you otherwise ignore them and read this over again because I love you and want you to know that.

A Can of Who Hash

The other day I had to run into my second job to pick up some Grinch things to decorate my communications center for Christmas and found a pleasant surprise that Green Eggs and Ham was finally opened again. If you have visited Universal Orlando's Island of Adventure before you know that this restaurant had been closed for a while. They have finally reopened and they are now serving pizza tots, buffalo chicken tots, green eggs and ham tots, smores and one of the best things in my personal opinion.....Cans of Who Hash! I had one and it was super delicious. It comes in an actual can and is filled with potato tots, corned beef, onions, scallions  and white cheese sauce. I'm so excited to go back and try the smores and the rest of the tots that they serve. If you do plan to visit Green Eggs and Ham then I would suggest getting there before 430p because they close at that time. 

Christmas Swag

Hello lovies, so I know its been a little bit since I posted last. I've just been a little bit busy with helping one of my best friend with wedding duties since I'm her maid of honor and with getting ready for Christmas. Speaking of getting ready for Christmas I wanted to share some swag that I bought. 

I love getting things from small businesses because I know they work so hard getting their products out there for people to enjoy. A lot of the time I notice something on Instagram and think that is really cute then get sucked into the page and fall in love with the items, or a friend recommends that I look into a store because I complimented them on something that they bought from there. Before I go on I feel the need to say I am in no way affiliated to or sponsored by these shops I just really love their products and want to share with you all!

A friend of mine at work had this beautiful case from an online store called Pixie Cases awhile back and when I went on her store I fell in love with all of the cases that was on there. When they came out with this Grinch cases I knew I had to get it immediately for my new iPhone 11 Pro Max. The cases are reasonably priced and durable. Right now the shop owner has closed the store for the season to catch up on all of her black Friday orders and to get ready for the new year. When it opens I defiantly recommend taking a look at her store nd picking up one of the cute case designs she offers. Pixie Cases also have pop phone holders that match the design that also have a magnetic insert if you have a magnetic car mount like I do. 

I came across this Once Upon a Tee Shirt while I was scrolling through Instagram. And I know there are a lot of shirt stores on Etsy but I always find myself coming back to this store whenever I'm looking for a Disney shirt. The shirt is so comfortable and I'm super excited to wear this at Disney and during this month. They also offer these really nice looking magnets that match the shirts as well. If you are looking for a super cool and nice feeling shirt for Disney I suggest giving them a look. Also if you follow them on Instagram they sometimes do magnet drops in the Disney parks here in Florida for some lucky person to find.

I hope you enjoyed my small Christmas swag I know I'm enjoying them. My elf on the shelf Jingles are enjoying them as well. 

Wisdom Wednesdays

"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things." ~Robert Brault

In our day in age we put too much focus on "The next BIG thing" that we often forget to take the time to stop and enjoy the little things that we have day in and day out. It's those little things that we experience that have the most impact on our lives, from the smell of your favorite food to the enjoyable silence between you and a loved one when you are spending time together. Those are the things that we will remember most in the end and how they made us feel in that moment. So take the time to take it all in because you never know that little thing might just turn out to be the next BIG thing that you were waiting for!

Welcome

Here it is....the very first blog post on my new blog, Carpe Hana! Now I've blogged before but there were always things happening in my life that would prevent me from keeping up with my blog. Now that I have the time and everything in my life has calmed down I think it's time I took up blogging again. And with that I decided that it was time for a fresh start with blogging and create a new blog hence Carpe Hana being born.

Since I'm starting over again from scratch I should take the time and introduce myself. My name is Johana, most people call me Jo while my family calls me Hana. You all can call me Hana as well because I want to consider me as part of your extended family. I'm 28 years old and at the moment I work two jobs, one at a theme park and the second at a 911 call center.




Now here is a list of a few of my favorite things:

Movie: I have too many but just to name a few..... The Goonies, The Breakfast Club, Pitch Black, The Chronicles of Riddick.

Music: Rock...but I listen to every genre except for gospel (My favorite musicians are Avenged Sevenfold and Halestorm)

Artist: Salvatore Dali

Book: I have two. The Manhattan Hunt Club and Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

TV show: Criminal Minds

Disney Character: Stich and Alice

Disney Movie: Alice in Wonderland

Theme Park Attraction: The Mummy and the Hunted Mansion

Color: Green

That's all that I can think of for now. If you have any questions to get to know me better feel free to write them in the comments and I'll make sure to answer you. Before I go I have one question to get to know you better, since I work at a theme park what is your favorite theme park attraction? Let me know in the comments below.