Things that make me go "hmm."

Happy weekend, everyone! Considering I had a friend visiting last weekend and I'm headed to visit Columbia next weekend, I'm looking forward to relaxing this weekend. My plans include taking a nice long bike ride, catching up on some reading and taking a quick jaunt down to Albuquerque to meet my dad, who's coming through New Mexico on a road trip. What are your plans?

Source: cntraveler.com via Megan on Pinterest

Last week, I posted the link to the new Texts from Hillary Tumblr. This week, the creators announced they will not be posting new memes.

This hilarious essay about Disney reminds me of this video ... and this one. And No. 8 had me (morbidly) laughing out loud.

Did you know Channing Tatum used to be a stripper? Well, now you do. (Don't worry; no stripping photos included in this article. Unless that's what you were hoping for, of course; in that case: sorry!) Also, his laugh apparently sounds like this: "Tee-hee-hee!"

These lattes are almost too beautiful to drink. (Almost being the operative word; I would never turn down a latte, of course, no matter how pretty.)

This article asks if traveling domestically is really traveling. I definitely think it is, but I'm interested to hear your thoughts.

Travel + Leisure just released its list of America's Favorite Cities 2011. Santa Fe was voted the best cultural getaway and best for peace and quiet, among other categories. Is your city on the list?

And finally, I've probably shared this blog before, but it's worth sharing again. Such gorgeous photos.

P.S. — My blog survey is still up! I'm hoping to revamp tomorrow if I find the time, so please give me your feedback today!

So you want to be a Disney princess?

A Finnish graphic design student recently created life-like portraits of what he imagines 13 Disney princesses would look like in real life. Neat, right? I'm including my favorite images in this post, but you can see the full collection here.

Ariel is my favorite princess, so I had to include her!

This is my favorite of the bunch, artistically. I think it's the most life-like.

I had to include Megara because that was my nickname as a child. :)

Doesn't Rapunzel look strangely like Amanda Seyfried? (And not Cosette?!)

Plus: The biggest change for Disney since pantyhouse became optional for female workers.

You are more than you have become.

Last night, I saw The Lion King in 3D. I went with four of my female classmates, and we were all amused to notice every person in the theater seemed to be at least 18 years old.

Source: google.com via Danielle on Pinterest

Watching the classic Disney film as a 21-year-old university student was an eye-opening experience. I hold The Lion King close to my heart, as my sorority's mascot is a lion. In fact, it's a running joke among my close sisters that I like to quote inspirational sayings from the movie in my everyday life. My personal favorite is from a leadership conference I attended with Alpha Delta Pi in the summer of 2010. During one workshop, we watched the scene where Simba sees his dad's image in the stars. Mufasa tells his grown-up son (in his deep, oh-so-sexy cartoon voice):

"Look inside yourself, Simba. You are more than what you have become." (Hence my post title.)

So of course, when we discovered the movie was being re-released in 3D, we had to go. I'm proud to say that I contained myself quite well (unlike my embarrassing Harry Potter episode). I stayed dry-eyed through Mufasa's death and Simba's discovery of his body, even when Simba tugged on Mufasa's ear to wake him up. My willpower ran out, however, when Simba began crying and running across the gorge, begging for help from "somebody ... anybody!" Then I cried.

Source: google.de via A on Pinterest

Nine movies in 24 hours.

Saturday/Sunday, July 23/24

At the Amboseli airport, waiting for the flight back to Nairobi.

Finally, after 23 unforgettable days in Africa, it was time to return home to the U.S. It would take me 24 hours and 15 minutes, including a 16-hour flight over the North Pole. Actually, if you want to count from the time we left Amboseli, it took 38 hours and 45 minutes - plus the two-hour drive from San Francisco to my home. That's right, we had a 14-hour layover in Nairobi, which we spent at a little cafe at the airport because we really didn't have anywhere to go in the city. I did get to try Pineapple Fanta, however. That was exciting.

 

I have now tried Citron, Fiesta, Apple, Pineapple, Orange

and Strawberry Fanta. It's kind of a game for me now.

Mom was flying straight to Switzerland for work, so we parted ways in Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. I had a semi-quick layover in Dubai, which gave me the following impressions: Shiny! Western. Unbelievably hot. I felt like I was in a kiln the moment I stepped onto the jetway, despite the fact it was 4:50 in the morning. In the airport, I saw a familiar green straw, so I wandered about the terminal for a few minutes and - sure enough! - there was a Starbucks in the airport. I didn't get in line, though, because I didn't know if they would accept my gift card.