Universal Studios Hollywood 2017 Part 1 (Weekly Wrap-up Edition)

So it's been another boring week for me, so instead of hashing out those details, I thought I would get into the last day of my trip after the Star Wars Light Side Half.

If you want to catch up on the previous posts, here are the links.

• Expo
• 5k
• Disneyland Park
• 10k
• Half

I left the Disneyland Hotel on Sunday night and headed to Universal City.  I found a hotel, El Royal Hotel, less then a mile from the park and got an Uber there.  I got to the hotel and they told me that I didn't have a reservation.  What?!?  I had my reservation email printout with me.  They said that they did have a smaller room and they would knock some off my bill and buy me a pizza for dinner.  I asked to have the pizza the next night since I had already eaten at the Catal.

The hotel was nice, and my room was tiny.  Like enough room for a bed and a desk with not a lot of room to walk around the bed.  I didn't mind since I was really just there to sleep.  I got my plan together about what rides to hit when and what is a not to miss.

The park was open at 9 a.m. and since I bought my ticket online I got early admission.  I could get into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at 8 a.m.  The only time I have ever been to an amusement park when it opened was when I went to Disneyland a few days earlier.  There people were lined up an hour early and they let us in to wait on Main Street for 30 minutes.  I assumed it would be the same at Universal so I got there about 7 a.m.  Boy was I wrong.

I took an Uber to the park even though it was less then a mile away from the hotel.  My knee had been hurting all weekend from my fall and I knew I was going to be walking a ton throughout the day.  I got to the front of the park and there was no on there.  At all.

I wandered around and found the gates and where I would need to be.  Then I wandered down to City Walk.  I was hoping that something would be open, like a Starbucks to get something to eat.  No one was around and nothing was open.  This sure was not like my experience a few days earlier.  It was odd.

I had been to Universal Studios once and City Walk once on a different trip.  The first was when my friend was getting married and one evening we all went to Universal.  They had a bunch of front of the line passes and we rode a handful of rides.  I don't remember much of the park except maybe the Mummy ride as I was just following everyone else around.  The time I was at City Walk, I was there with the same friends for a premiere of a movie.  Maybe I'll do a Throwback Thursday about that, as it was a lot of fun.

I got back to the front gates and sat on one of the walls and waited.  Slowly a few people showed up and finally they let us through security.  Then we had to wait some at the front gates.  I talked a little to the lady as I was still first in line (weird, right?)  She exchanged my printout ticket for a real ticket and my front of the line lanyard.  About 20 till we were allowed to head in.  But like Disneyland they stopped us at the end of "Main Street".  When it was about 8 a.m. they walked us to the entrance of  The Wizzarding World.

I made a beeline to Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.  I have been to Universal Studios Orlando twice and this is the same ride that they have there.  It is an indoor ride.  Through a seated ride, it takes you through the Hogwarts Castle and over the grounds.  It uses a ride you sit in like a roller coaster but incorporates the 3-D screens to make you think you are in a different place.

The line getting to the ride was really cool, it had a lot of stuff you would expect to find in the castle like the moving pictures, Dumbledore's office, and the sorting hat. 

This ride is great, I ended up riding it 4 times in a row since I knew that after that the lines were going to get long.  I didn't even use my front of the line pass, just the single rider line. The only thing I did not like about the ride was that it spit in your face.  In fact all rides I went on, except 1 spit water in your face.  It's irritating and gross.  They are trying to incorporate that 4-D crap and really that's not worth it.

After that I headed to the only other ride in the Wizarding World, Flight of the Hippogriff.  It also is a ride at Universal Studios Orlando.

It's more of a kiddy ride, and is a real roller coaster outside.  It was still fun, but only a one time ride.  The best part about this ride was that it didn't spit on me.

By this time it was about the time the park was opening for others and you could tell it was getting crowded.  I decided to get some breakfast at the Three Broomsticks Restaurant.  I had the french toast and it was good.  I tried Pumpkin Juice for the first time and I have to say that stuff is sweet.

I went into all the shops.  Everything was like you were in the Harry Potter world.  There was also Ollivanders where they pick a kid from the audience and had them pick out a wand.

And there was the Hogwarts Express.

I decided to get a Butterbeer as I walk to the next ride.  Mmmmmm is that stuff good!

I headed down to what they call the lower lot.  You take 4 sets of stairs (or escalators) down.  Down in the lower lot are three more rides, the Mummy, Transformers, and Jurassic Park.

I do have to say the views are amazing. 

I went to see the Mummy first, I remember this not only from my one other time there, but also from Orlando.  It's a fun ride.  It's a roller coaster type ride inside.  It includes some fire special effects which was different.  And guess what, it spits in your face.

As I headed to the Transformers ride two of the Transformers were having a meet and greet.

The ride is also inside and it is a car like coaster which also uses 3-D technology to think you are helping to blow up and save a city.  I believe that it's the same ride as the one in Orlando.  And yes, the ride spits on you.

I then headed to the Jurassic Park ride.  I was a bit hesitant on riding this as it was a water ride.  It was getting warm and I was hoping not to get too wet.

I didn't get too wet and some of the robotics for the dinosaurs were really cool.  This ride really doesn't spit, but you still do get somewhat wet.

I decided that I was done with the lower level and started to head back up.  As I was getting to the stairs one of the dinosaurs was coming out for a meet and greet.  It looked like someone in a puppet type suit and was really life like.  They even played at the fact that he was dangerous and needed chains to keep from killing everyone.

This post is getting really long, so I'm going to split this into two.  I'll have the second half up next week.  Please come back to hear how I wrapped up the day and my trip to California!

Read it here!!

Also, check out my vlog about my day at Universal!

Linking up with Holly and Tricia's Weekly Wrap Up.

Star Wars Light Side Half 2017 (Weekly Wrap-up Edition)

My week has been good.  I have been loving this weather.  The next week will be up and down on cool and warm days.  I got in three mid-week runs and a long run.  I feel like I'm really getting back on track.  This week has been too boring, so I'll finally get around to recapping my Star Wars Half Marathon from last month.  Perfect timing as it's Princess Weekend.  Hope everyone that ran it had a great time.

If you want to catch up on the previous posts, here are the links.

• Expo
• 5k
• Disneyland Park
• 10k

After the 10k I really wasn't sure about the half.  But after getting some sleep, I felt like I could tackle the half.  I was a little worried since I had barely run in the month before.  My last long run was on Christmas Eve and it was only 10 miles.

We ended up standing behind two guys with these shirts on.  It's a saying from the new Star Wars movie, Rouge One.  I ended up seeing them several times on the course.  I took my 5 Hour Energy and I knew I was ready to go.


The race started off heading into Disneyland.  I'm not sure, but it seemed to be a lot of the same course as the 10k.  We made it to the castle and around to Main Street and there were the horses again.

I don't remember his name but he was so cute.

Chad from the 10k was out again.

I got to the beginning of Main Street and they were offering this photo op.


Above the bridge Captain Phasma from The Force Awakens was there again.


We made it through California Adventure and about half way through the 4th mile we headed out of the parks.  While I do enjoy running through the parks, running through Anniheim is just as fun.  There are tons of spectators, a lot of bands and cheerleaders, and of course the Cos Players and the 501st Legion.

About the half way point I found this photo op from Mouse Planet.


I happened to see this street sign, for those non-Star Wars fans, it's the title of the first movie done in 1977.


Here was a fun little car with an R2 unit, like the X-Wing Fighters.


And of course the second cutest robot, BB-8.


My knee was hurting a little, but nothing like it was for the 10k.  I was really starting to enjoy running again.  Especially seeing the 501st Legion.

 

 

 

After the 501st Legion we hit mile 9.  Just 4 more miles to go and I was truly having a blast.  I saw the shirt guys again.


There were more bands and cheerleaders.  I always have a blast high-fiving the cheerleaders.  We turned down Katella Avenue, I knew we were almost done.  I was glad to have the run almost over with, but I knew that it was just as much fun as I had last year.  Running might not be as bad as I thought it had been.

I crossed the finish line and the runs for the weekend were done.  I made my way and got some ice for my knee.  It still was bothering me, but I knew it would be fine in a day or two.  I got back to the hotel and met back up with Kelly.

 

We showered and rested for a little bit.  Kelly had a special surprise of afternoon tea.  At the Steakhouse 55 restaurant at the Disneyland Hotel they started an afternoon tea.  We were served a pot of tea (or more) with scones, tea sandwiches, and deserts.  This is something that I would defiantly do again.  It was the perfect amount of food for the afternoon after a half marathon.


We went back to the hotel room to rest some and for me to finish packing.  I was heading to Universal City so that I could hit Universal Studio first thing in the morning.  For dinner we headed to Catal Restaurant in Downtown Disney where we had a couple of drinks and a great celebration dinner.  We were seated on the balcony and had fun watching the crowds.



Check out my vlog for the Half.

My next day was spent at Universal.

Have you ever had an official afternoon tea?  Did you run Star Wars?  Or Princess this weekend?

Linking up with Holly and Tricia's Weekly Wrap Up.

Running and Training (Tuesdays on the Run Edition)

I know I haven't posted much, especially about my running in training.  I have been saying the last few months how much I have disliked running.  After two marathons last fall and not really taking any time off, running seemed more like a chore then the fun it should be.


I pushed through in December because I had a half marathon in January.  By the beginning of January I only got a couple of short runs in.  Mid-January I went to Disneyland and made it through the three races.  I was really nervous about the half but it was the most fun I have had running in a long time.

I knew that I had to take a couple of weeks off from running after the races which was good for me.  I enjoyed sleeping in and not forcing myself to run.  I told myself at least two weeks of no running, and if I needed more time then I would take more time off.

After the two weeks I started to get the itch to run.  I knew it was time to get back into the swing of things and get into a good routine.  I still wasn't loving running, but I wasn't hating every minute I was out there.

I took the first week slowly.  I hadn't run much in the last few months and I didn't want to hurt myself.  I tried not to look at my time and just run by feel.  I wasn't any slower or faster then I was last fall, so that was good.  But man I was winded by the end of each run for the first few runs.

I've been in a good routine for the last three weeks.  I've only had a chance to run twice during the week and one long run.  I've been trying to get three weekly runs during the week, but something always seem to get in my way.  But I've been happy with what I have been doing.  This warmer weather we have been having has really helped too.  I really hope it stays this way for awhile.  Mostly springs around here last a few weeks and then it just gets hot.

Over the last week my runs have been getting faster and stronger.  My last long run was 8 miles and it was about as fast as my shorter runs.  Yesterday I had my first run that averaged in the 12 minute mile.  I haven't done a run that fast in over a year.  I've been working on progressive runs in the last week and can feel myself pushing while I'm running.  It feels good that I'm starting to get my speed back.  It's been too long.

I have another half in April.  I'll keep training for that and hopefully keep feeling strong.  I'm still not sure what I want to do for the rest of the year, but I am thinking shorter races.  I have missed the shorter miles.  My fast 10k time for Disney has expired and I'd like to try to get a good one again.  Maybe.  It will take a lot of work though.

That's how my training has been going.  Nothing exciting.  I'm not 100% back in love with running yet, but I'm getting there.

How has your training been going?  Has the warmer weather helped?

I’m linking up with with MCM Mama Runs, Marcia’s Healthy Slice, and My No Guilt Life for the Tuesdays on the Run linkup.

Murder Mystery Dinner (Friday Five Edition)

So on Tuesday instead of sitting at home doing nothing on Valentine's Day, friends and I went out and had a Murder Mystery dinner.  We were being called "Gal-intine".  It was a really fun night.  Here are some things about it.


1. We went to Maggiano's Italian Restaurant.  They do this about once a month, usually on holidays.  The mystery part of the dinner was put on by Keith & Margo's Murder Mystery USA.  They sat us at a table with two other couples.

2.  Included in the price was a three course dinner, chocolates, and a glass of champagne.  Any other drinks were for sale.  The first and last course was AMAZING.  The main course was just OK.  I will look to see to get some of those appetizers next time I go there for dinner.


3.  They started the first part of the mystery while they were delivering the first course, so we were distracted while trying to figure out what was going on.  I wish they would have waited till we had our food on the table.

4.  They started off with a hit woman that came in and the detective stopped and killed her before she could kill her target.  I yelled out that the detective did it, but they wouldn't take that as the answer as that wasn't the actual murder. 

The man standing was the detective

5. The murdered person and a couple of the witnesses were there like they were guests.  They were seated and ate dinner with us (till they were accused or murdered).  They had several clues, which all were some sort of written notes and a news paper article.

Different notes found on the ground throughout the night

In the end we figured out the basis of the who done it.  We were to write down our answers, but I guess ours were not the best.  Overall it was a lot of fun.  I would defiantly do something like that again.

The "Gal-intine" Girls

Did you do anything fun for Valentine's?  Have you ever done a murder mystery dinner? 

I'm linking up with Fairytales and Fitness and Running on Happy for Friday Five 2.0

What I'm Loving (Friday Five Edition)

I have to admit I've been a bit slacked on the blogging front.  Most of that is not having a real routine right now, but I'm slowly figuring that out.  But for now here are a few random things that I have been loving recently.  



1. Not Working - I am really enjoying my time off right now.  Like really really a lot.  That thought might change in 6+ months, but I love having my days to spend how I want.  I go to the gym, I go out to lunch, I read, I watch TV.  Whatever I'm wanting to do.  If I didn't have my pesky bills, I think I would enjoy an early retirement.  I could find a Sugar Daddy, but I don't want to be dependent on someone that way.  Or I could win the Lotto, but that would mean I would have to play it.  For now, I will enjoy my time while looking for another job.

2. Cleaning - I have to admit, I hate cleaning, but I have been on a mission to declutter my house.  I am basically done with my upstairs and halfway done with downstairs.  This is more then just cleaning, but getting rid of things.  I've taken several trips to the Goodwill and a ton of things have been recycled and thrown out.  When I'm closer to being done, I'll do a post about it.

3. Avenger Movies - I have been watching all of the Avenger movies from the first Iron Man to Captain America: Civil War.  These are fun movies and the more you watch them, the more you see how they are all connected.  All the little details and Easter Eggs are fun to figure out.  And there are some really good looking heroes to watch.  Yum.  I wold love for them to do an origins story of Black Widow.  I find her very fascinating being a bad-ass chick in a room of super powered testosterone.  Very unlike the boring waifs of Pepper and Jane, waiting for someone to save them. 

4. Trigger Point Foam Roller - I got this roller for Christmas and I LOVE it.  It's a bit harder then traditional foam rollers and get deep into those tight muscles.  It hurts so good.

5. Snuggle Time - With all this time off I get extra time to cuddle and snuggle with my kitties.  Brianna is 17 and while she still is getting around well, I know she doesn't have that many years left.  And Riley still has a lot of feral in him, and even though he has been with me for almost 3 years, he still is very skittish.  The more time I'm home, the more he seems to relax.  And then there is Aiden, my snuggle bug.  I just love spending time with him.

Brianna, Aiden, and Riley watching Big Bang Theory with me

Brianna, Riley, and Aiden

OK, there is one last thing that I have loved this week.  The weather.  We had a couple days of beautiful weather this week and I tried to take full advantage of it.  I actually enjoyed running on Wednesday because it was almost 60 degrees when I went out first thing in the morning.  All the windows in my house were open for two days strait.  A cold front has come through and we are back to normal 40 degree high temperatures, but the sneak peak of spring has made me so happy.  I can't wait for the spring!

What are you loving?

I'm linking up with Fairytales and Fitness and Running on Happy for Friday Five 2.0

Functional Training (Friday Five Edition)

So I have been wanting to post about the class I take at the gym for awhile, but never got around to do it.  Friday Five topic works perfectly into this.


I have been taking a class at the gym for about 5 years now.  It's a class full of regulars and an amazing teacher.  It's called Functional Training, or FT for short.  This class has been going on for almost 20 years.  One of the guys has been going to it for 18 years.

The teacher is an older gentleman from Turkey.  He is short, quiet, and has a heavy accent and he works us hard.  He is also a runner.  Not only a runner, but back in the day he won the Athens Marathon.  Yes, won it.  He also almost went to the Olympics, but he hurt his knee just before.

The class is offered three days a week at 7 AM.  This works out well for me, as when I was working, I could shower there and head strait to work.  Now it's a good reason for me to get up and get my day moving.

Each of the three days is set up differently.  On Tuesdays we have our mats at the back of the class and do abs and weights for the first 20 minutes.  Then he will have us go run the track a few times.  We will either have stations set up for the rest of the class or something else that he has set up for us.  During this time he will send us out to run a few more laps.  In total we run 6 laps for a total of a mile.


On Thursdays we each have our own station set up with a mat and steps.  We do different ab, arm, and step workouts.  We will do group things like lunges, ab workout on the ball, and running back and forth on the side of the room.  There is no running on the track on Thursdays.


On Friday there about 25 stations set up around the room.  Each station is done for a minute then move to the next.  Throughout the class, we are to run 1-3 laps around the track, equaling 6 laps for a mile.  I usually do not go to Friday's class as I am either running or swimming that day.  I also found the same setup each week makes me not push myself as much.


No matter what type of shape you are in or if you have something that is bothering you, you can work at your own speed.  Use heavier or lighter weights, do all the reps or sit some out, or even walk or use the elliptical instead of running the laps.  No one cares how much you do, they are just happy you are there.  It's nice that everyone knows everyone and notices if you miss a day.  It's a great motivator to keep coming back.

What I like about this class is that on Tuesday and Thursday everything is different.  We might do a lot of the same exercises, but none of them are in the same order.  He always likes to throw new things in every so often to throw us off our game.  But we always get strength and aerobic exercise in. 

Do you have a class at the gym you go to regularly?  Or are you motivated enough to do something on your own?

I'm linking up with Fairytales and Fitness and Running on Happy for Friday Five 2.0