HARRY POTTER IS THE COOLEST.

“Mr. and Mrs. Dursley of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much.” However, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter was quite unordinary; in fact, it was extraordinary, exquisite, and everything in between. Just picture Diagon Alley. No, wait, here, I’ll just show it to you.

Now, picture yourself walking through it….oh wait, you can actually walk through it. Check it out….

Woah. Crazy right! Look at all these random people. They’re actually walking though Diagon Alley. Trust me, I did it too. Proof? I took this picture, doiii. ☺ SO EXCITING RIGHT!!!!

YES. Obviously that’s exciting. And if you don’t think so then stop reading now because that’s lame and crazy and I can’t have crazy people trying to comprehend the absolute AWESOMENESS that is Harry Potter.

Okay, so here’s the deal. There is (was) a Wizarding World of Harry Potter at one of the parks at Universal Studios in Orlando. And then, people (aka me) were all, “WE WANT MORE!” So Universal was just like, well, OK! Let’s do it! So they built another park. AND IT’S FRIGGIN COOL. (Duh, it’s Harry Potter) And it opened in July…and I went in July…so it was packed. So there’s this ride there. The Escape from Gringotts (the wizarding bank). Aka it’s brand new. And it takes you through (in the 7^th book) Harry and his “posse’s” [get this] escape from Gringotts [wow]. And if you’ve seen the movie, it’s a pretty intense, awesome, radical scene. So we get in line for this ride. The park opened July 8, 2014. I went on July 16, 2014. So it’s brand new. So the wait time was about 5 hours (and that was us being one of the first people in the park). So naturally, Paige (that’s me!), takes on the endeavor of live tweeting her progression and status as she waits in line. Check it.

Paige Matacchiera @paigeamber29 · Jul 15

The five hours was well worth the wait

Paige Matacchiera @paigeamber29 · Jul 15

Guys that was so good. Maybe I cried a bit.

Paige Matacchiera @paigeamber29 · Jul 15

And here we go! pic.twitter.com/q9ObaTCN8e

Paige Matacchiera @paigeamber29 · Jul 15

People are applauding as they get off! #goodsign

Paige Matacchiera @paigeamber29 · Jul 15

Doing calf raises in line to pass the time #stayingfit

Paige Matacchiera @paigeamber29 · Jul 15

But I got some cool shades pic.twitter.com/SsoasoLEDE

Paige Matacchiera @paigeamber29 · Jul 15

Thought I was in... just to find another line.....

Paige Matacchiera @paigeamber29 · Jul 15

GUYS. IM IN. pic.twitter.com/nVJ2siYpqY

Paige Matacchiera @paigeamber29 · Jul 15

The things some people wear to these parks......

Paige Matacchiera @paigeamber29 · Jul 15

So close pic.twitter.com/4IvQZQz1c0      

Paige Matacchiera @paigeamber29 · Jul 15

3 hours down, 1.5 to go

Paige Matacchiera @paigeamber29 · Jul 15

Some girl just said "I dont wanna ride this.." im sorry. What. Are you insane. #bye

Paige Matacchiera @paigeamber29 · Jul 15

They only let a certain number of people in Harry Potter world #exclusive

Paige Matacchiera @paigeamber29 · Jul 15

Lets play a game: how many more delays will there be before paige rides the escape from gringotts

Paige Matacchiera @paigeamber29 · Jul 15

We have once again returned to normal operations. WOOHOO ONLY TWO MORE HOURS TILL I RIDE IT

Paige Matacchiera @paigeamber29 · Jul 15

Getting a death glare from a 12 year old across the line... dont look at me like that I didnt make this line stop

Paige Matacchiera @paigeamber29 · Jul 15

Gringotts is experiencing more delays....oh the things I do for you harry potter

Paige Matacchiera @paigeamber29 · Jul 15

Snoozin' while we wait #lines pic.twitter.com/gq4tZHE6jF

Paige Matacchiera @paigeamber29 · Jul 15

The girl next to me is explaining everything about harry potter to her friend.... if you aren't a fan, leave. I WANNA RIDE

 Paige Matacchiera retweeted

Chelsea Ratterman @Cinephile_Chels · Jul 15

@paigeamber29 I eat Ravenclaws for lunch. #slytherinpride

Paige Matacchiera @paigeamber29 · Jul 15

Got some butterbeer #happy pic.twitter.com/XGKh4yfYtK

Paige Matacchiera @paigeamber29 · Jul 15

She's a Ravencaw. She says, "the cleverest"

Paige Matacchiera @paigeamber29 · Jul 15

20 bucks shes a hufflepuff

Paige Matacchiera @paigeamber29 · Jul 15

Making my sister get a pottermore before I let her ride this ride

Paige Matacchiera @paigeamber29 · Jul 15

Girl in her Gryffindor gear. Got the lanyard, the shirt, and my personal favorite, shorts with Gryffindor on the butt pic.twitter.com/SqrNI9L27p

Paige Matacchiera @paigeamber29 · Jul 15

Live tweeting from the line, it might be awhile but fingers crossed for some twitter worthy news

Paige Matacchiera @paigeamber29 · Jul 15

I AM SO EXCITED

Paige Matacchiera @paigeamber29 · Jul 15

And so the 5 hour wait begins

Paige Matacchiera @paigeamber29 · Jul 15

"We are pleased to announce that the ride is restored and fully operational...." *entire line erupts into loud cheers*

Paige Matacchiera @paigeamber29 · Jul 15

Gringotts ride delayed.......

Okay, so maybe I’m a little insane…. But really I just love Harry Potter so you can’t actually hate on that. Anyway, as I waited in this 5 hour line, the anticipation built up higher and higher and my expectations for this ride were through the roof. I mean, this ride had to be GOOOOOOD for how long I waited. I cried. *I CRIED.*I CRIED*  It was amazing and perfect in every single way. I can’t even begin to describe how spot on, wonderful it was.

Okay. What else happened?

BUTTERBEER.

So good.

So good.

Honestly, I didn’t think I would like it. People described it as “butterscotch-y”…ew? NO. heaven. I can’t describe it. It’s indescribable. Also delicious.

Olivander’s wand shop. Okay, so you know in the movies. And Hagrid’s all, “You’re a wizard Harry.” And then they’re shopping for wands. And then this happens:

Okay, well that happened to me. LEGIT. It did. Swear. My wand is 11¹/₂” Ivy with a dragon heart string core. (so what? I’m a nerd. Just deal with it). Usually, you can only buy character wands (so like Harry’s or Draco’s or the Elder Wand, etc. you get the gist) unless you get chosen to get “fitted” for a wand. WELL I DID. So I got a special wand. JUST FOR ME. That’s really cool.

Basically I went to HP World 2 days and they were the best 2 days of my life. Here are some pretty rad pictures of the rest of it. ☺

 

Ze castle                                                                     Hagrid’s Hut

WOW SO COOL IM SUCH A NERD AND I DON’T EVEN CARE CAUSE IT’S AWESOME.

I left HP World incredibly happy. Nothing could bring me down. “All was well.”

☺

She's alive! She's alive! She is so alive!

8:00 am Monday morning, she rolls over to check the time. 8:00 am? She wants to be a little annoyed with how early it is but she can't; she feels perfectly rested, she woke up on her own, no alarms buzzing in the background. As standard in this day and age, she reaches for her phone and checks all the social media apps she can find before realizing there's no hope in going back to sleep. She hops out of bed and into the bathroom, brushing her teeth and hair and deciding today is a no make up day. She goes back to her room and pulls on the closest clean t-shirt she can find - she's definitely going for the comfortable look today. She grabs her backpack and computer and heads straight for Starbucks. "Grande caramel iced coffee and a lemon pound cake please," as she partakes in early morning exchanges with the barista. She gets her coffee, pulls out her computer, and begins to write. 

What a perfect way to begin the morning. Hello world, it’s actually me! I’m alive! You may be wondering where the heck I’ve been for the past two months, but don’t worry, I didn’t actually die – it only felt like it. I suppose here is where I begin a “life update” so to speak. I’ll let you in on all my happenings and whereabouts and such and tell you all my secrets from the past couple months! (wow so exciting right! …Obviously… my life is full of secrets *insert hair flip emoji and sarcastic face emoji*)

Now before I begin, why should you, a perfectly spectacular, random in all the best ways, typical human want to read this post (or blog in general) or even care about my “life update”. In a lot of ways, I really can’t answer that question. Maybe I’m crazy and that’s intriguing. Maybe, just maybe, I might say something interesting. It’s possible that I’ve faced something in my life that you can relate to and that gives you hope in knowing that you are NOT alone! (how exciting!) Or maybe my weird quirks just happen to be entertaining and I can put a smile on your face for even a short time.

Okay, but here’s the deal. Two months is a lot to sum up. So throughout the week (hopefully *fingers crossed*) I’ll be posting smaller posts about my life. WOOO! Get excited, because lemme tell ya, it’s pretty exciting! Okay? Okay. Class time now so I shall "see" you crazy, beautiful souls soon!

L8r friends 

☺

Paige

It's Not Goodbye, Just See Ya Later: ADPi Internship 2K14

As the first goodbyes are said, and the first of tears are shed, our time in this office has officially come to an end. We all look back to the beginning. Eight complete strangers wander into the bunk room. The only thing we knew was that we were all stuck in one room and we were all interns at Alpha Delta Pi.

Who would have guessed that eight women would get so close in six short weeks. My time here has been completely life changing. Each and every day I found another reason to love this sorority. I felt challenged to grow, and by golly, I did! I formed relationships that will last longer than a lifetime and strengthened the bonds of sisterhood we all share.

The seven women I was lucky enough to share the summer with are inspiring. They are perfect role models and great leaders. I feel so blessed to be able to call them my sisters. I know that our love for Alpha Delta Pi and each other will bring us back.

It's never goodbye, just see ya later. ☺

Love and Loyally,
Paige☺

Can't Beat this Summer: ADPi Internship 2014

The last week here at Executive Office has been wonderful.

On Monday morning, Catherine Joiner came to EO to do a resume workshop with us. She went through the do's and don'ts and we were able to ask questions about our resumes. It was a great workshop! Not only is Alpha Delta Pi committed to our values within our sorority, but Alpha Delta Pi, and the staff here at EO, want to prepare us for our futures as women in the working world.  Throughout our time here at Executive Office, we had the opportunity to shadow many different staff members to learn about their roles and what their jobs are. We also had the opportunity to ask questions if we were interested in related fields.

Then on Monday evening we went to make dinner at the Ronald McDonald House in Atlanta. We got to make them tacos! Volunteering there is an really great experience.

Being able to help the families at RMH is life changing. It really makes you put life back into perspective. Often we get so involved in the most trivial things, we forget tho appreciate the value of a home cooked meal with your family. Being able to provide this to the families staying at RMH is truly a blessing.

On Tuesday night, we all decided to make a family style dinner. Lucky for us, Katie (a senior LC) and Ms. Pinkston were at the house and joined us for dinner. We had a lot of great laughs around the table.

Most of the week was spent stuffing Alpha Packets. Each new member is considered an Alpha Member until she is initiated, upon which, she is a Delta Member, or chapter member in full standing. During Alpha membership, women are led ,by their New Member Coordinator, through Alpha Member Education sessions. In these sessions, they learn about the history and inner workings of Alpha Delta Pi. The Alpha Packets are a supplementary material provided by EO that Alphas receive on bid day.

On Wednesday we went to froyo with the foundation and had a blast. Later that evening, we all hiked Stone Mountain. It was breathtaking. A mile hike up and back down right at sunset! It was so much fun! Definitely a major "to do" while you're in Atlanta. And it's free! ☺

  

Today was the last official day of the internship. It has truly been a life changing experience. I know I will have friendships that will last a lifetime with the wonderful women I got to spend the summer with. It is truly amazing how close eight women (sisters) can get in just six short weeks.

Signing off after an amazing summer!

Loyally, 

Paige ☺