Back Again

Welcome back to Taylor Talks!

I know what you're thinking... didn't I say that it wouldn't be so long before I posted again? I know, I know, but there has been a lot ​going on lately.

Alright, so where do I start? When you're asked to pick between good news and bad news, it's a tough choice. Get the bad news out of the way first? Get the excitement first? It's a hard decision to make, but I guess I'll have to start with the bad news first, since that's what deserves the most respect.

This past week, we lost my mom's uncle. The same man with whom we were so fortunate to have a couple of visits while he was in Florida during the winter last year. He was one of the greatest men I have ever known, and today was the day of his wake. It was the first time that we could not be with family in New York during such a difficult time, and this made the heartache even worse. I know that everyone understands that we couldn't get the whole family up the East Coast with just a couple days' notice, but it still hurts. I would have loved to be with everyone, sharing memories and looking through old photos... It's awful that we lost such a wonderful man this week, but it also stings to be missing the Irish celebration of his life that I know has taken place today and that will continue into tomorrow. I will truly miss my great-uncle; the laughs, smiles, hugs, and conversations that we have shared over the years will forever be embedded in my memory.

But as sad as the past few days were for our family, we did have some better days earlier in the month.

The last time I posted, I wrote that I would have big news to share soon. Well, we found out that Twin B needed hearing aids too! In fact, over the past month or so, she has gone through all that Twin A went through over the summer, with testing and getting ear molds and whatnot, and she is now the proud owner of sparkly purple hearing aids! She was so excited to receive them, and the girls are thrilled that they now have this in common with each other. Of course, Twin B pointed out that Twin A would need glasses in order for them to be exactly the same, but they aren't identical, after all.

I've also had a lot going on with work, including being trained for a new position (not a permanent position... I love my current job... this is so that I can fill in and help out as necessary) and continuing to train new Cast Members as well. I did give my first location tour, showing a Cast Member everything that there is to know about where we work, and have continued on the job training as well. ​I even got to attend a meeting with the General Manager of the area where I work, which was insanely awesome! I felt so special to be included in the meeting since I am a trainer!

I've also started (finally) making plans with a friend and have actually gone out and had fun! I mean, I knew with the move that it would be difficult for me to find new friends and all, considering my anxiety when it comes to talking to people outside of work, but I am so happy that this finally happened. This friend and I have been working together since, oh, I don't know, March maybe, and have actually been trying to get together outside of work for almost the entire time that she's been at my location. Unfortunately, life kept getting in the way and we were never able to get together until last week, but wow did we have a good time.

We got together two weeks in a row, first at Animal Kingdom and then at Magic Kingdom. At Animal Kingdom, we participated in a Cast Member photo scavenger hunt, which was a lot of fun. There had been two other photo scavenger hunts that we had wanted to take part in, but we were unable to attend. We're definitely excited to participate in the next one though, because we had a great time together. Then this past Tuesday we went to Magic Kingdom for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. This was my first time visiting Magic Kingdom in the Fall and getting to see all of the leaves and Fall colors; it reminded me of New York! This was also my first time going to MNSSHP (who has time to write out that entire party title?) and it was fabulous! We dressed up in costume (she was Judy Hopps, "Zootopia," and I was Marie, "Aristocats," and it was awesome). There were Trick or Treat trails all over the park and we left with tons of candy. There were special parades and Castle shows, both of which were phenomenal. Characters wore Halloween costumes, villains were out in full force, and the Castle show featured the Sanderson Sisters from my favorite Halloween movie, "Hocus Pocus!" It was absolutely wonderful! I'm definitely looking forward to hanging out with this friend again, whether or not we're in a Disney Park, and I'm glad that she was the first friend I've hung out with here in Florida.

The last thing that I want to mention is my writing. I have a new children's book coming out soon! I'm really excited about it, because it took a lot of work. This book is a children's picture book, but it's also educational. It's aimed toward first/second grade students, but kids who are a little younger would enjoy it as well. I just need to sit down with my editor (you know, whenever my mom isn't busy with everything else that she does in her daily life and can sit down to put the editor cap on) to make sure that everything looks good, and then it will be ready to go. I'm also still working on sending out queries to literary agents for my YA novel, and I have more big news to share... I started writing a new YA novel last night! I don't entirely know exactly where I'm going with this book, but I decided that I'll never figure that out if I don't start somewhere. So sure enough, I've got my first page written, and I've come up with a few character names that I'm deciding between, and I'm ready to embark on this new journey!

I just want to end this post by giving a shout out to my great-uncle. I know that he's in a better place now, golfing with my grandpa and their brothers in between hugs from their sister. The five of them are together once again, and while we may miss them all immensely down here, we all find some comfort knowing that family is reuniting now. Rest in peace... we love and miss you.

​I'd greatly appreciate it if you would share this blog with friends and family through your favorite social media sites. If you're sharing on Twitter, don't forget to tag me (@TayTayK02) and use the hashtag #TaylorTalks. Please don't forget to like and share my Facebook author page and follow me on Instagram as well!

Thanks!
Taylor

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