Disneyland: Never Too Late

Easter Sunday 2009. I got to know myself a as a little girl and I love being with her.

When Lito told me we were going to Disneyland Hongkong, I felt like a little girl being handed her first ever favorite doll (though not in my case as I don't like dolls. Bicycle perhaps?). I was so excited, I wanted to sleep early and can't. They even joked around and deep inside, I was feeling jittery because it might come true (not going to Disneyland after all).

When I saw the gates of Disneyland, I took into account the smell of caramelized popcorn and cotton candy, the hidden Mickeys in the streets, the character hats, the customized streets with Lumiere posters and Hercules drawings. I was so excited I didn't mind I only had 44 Hongkong dollars. J
Off we went to Space Mountain where my thirst for adventure rides was quenched, leaving Lito having a headache and another reason to eat barbecue pork (again!) and at Disneyland (oh well). Then we went to the shooting range for Buzz Lightyear where I was dubbed as a Ranger (forgot the level).  We then proceeded to this boat ride called “It's a Small World” where different cultures were depicted using small dolls. It was awesome even if Lito had a headache again due to him videoing it all. I was so happy because we were able to capture the twin of AG's nightmares – the scary goat of the Sound of Music. Hehehe...

Amidst lots of popcorn and eating turkey legs, we had our engagement pictures done at Disneyland (Part 2! Part 1 was in Venetian Macau) where we were able to capture the playful/ child personalities of Lito and I. We also went to the Festival of the Lion King where I tagged it as one of my personal faves. It was so theatrical with fire acts and big Simba characters. It was so nice, I would recommend the lead characters to join American Idol. Hahaha..

Another personal fave was the 3D Philharmagic Theatre where the splashes of water and the Dolby surround audio made me reach out to air as if Donald Duck was really there and as if I was flying with Jasmine and Aladdin in the flying carpet. Too bad Genie wasn't there, I would've hugged the air. J
We were able to purchase GoodBoy Pooh, who will later become Porky's best friend. And will then become our 57th baby. Yes, we tried to family plan, but we just can't. J  Of course, who could forget the parade at Mainstreet where most of the dancers are Filipinos? They would come close to us and say, “Mabuhay!” They were so amazing, I could not help but clap out of pride!

So anyway, the last adventure was for the firework finale. It was raining and we had to be at Mainstreet USA an hour before the scheduled fireworks just so we can have the best view for Lito's video. When the fireworks started, I couldn't help but shed a few tears. Others might find this corny but I don't care. For it was in that moment that I realized, somehow... one of my dreams as a little girl was realized. And I will forever freeze this memory in time.

I am 27 years old as of this writing but at that moment, I was living the dream that I had when I was a little girl--- my bottom drenched from sitting n the sidewalk for an hour under the rain (well not too dreamy). While my favorite Disney shows were replayed made me nostalgic, together with the amazing fireworks show and the enchanting soundtracks, sharing a jacket with my wab ©, him secretly giving me smacks under the rain and the fireworks and telling me he loves me—this is something I will forever hold in my heart. This will be one of my best memories that I will share to my children-- that on that fateful Easter of 2009, I was with my prince, I was a princess... and with that memory, I know that we can achieve that happily ever after they are always talking about.

I went into Disneyland as a 27year-old-woman with too much stress. I came out as a little girl full of dreams. Might be delayed but at least I have found my way home...

I encourage you that when you want to get to know that child in you, Disneyland is the place. It is never too late.


© Erratum. April 14, 2009.