Etsy Treasury Thursday : A Little Fall of Rain

Etsy Treasury by Geeky Bead Designs: A Little Fall of Rain

This handmade gemstone bracelet promotes awareness of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD).

BPD is a serious mental illness that centers on the inability to manage emotions effectively. … The symptoms include: fear of abandonment, impulsivity, anger, bodily self-harm, suicide, and chaotic relationships. While some persons with BPD are high functioning in certain settings, their private lives may be in turmoil. Others are unable to work and require financial support. (from borderlinepersonalitydisorder.com)

May is BPD Awareness month, and the color associated with it is grey. These beautiful stones are Crazy Lace Agate. It is a protective stone that absorbs emotional paint; it is also aids in balancing the physical, emotional and mental which can be greatly helpful to those with BPD who are in recovery. Attached is an antiqued silver ribbon charm with the word ‘HOPE’. This bracelet is about 8 inches long.

Check it out on etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/99686949/borderline-personality-disorder

Wicked Glinda the Good Rose Quartz Healing Bracelet

Galindafy your accessories with this rose quartz bracelet inspired by Glinda the Good from the Broadway Musical WICKED. The 8mm and 6mm round beads are a soft pink color, Glinda's favorite! Attached are two antiqued silver charms: a cute girly letter G, and a star wand with a small pink crystal. The bracelet is about 8 inches long, including the toggle clasps. 

Rose quartz calms and reassures, bringing deep inner healing. It soothes a wounded heart and internalized pain. Rose quartz teaches you how to love yourself and encourages self-forgiveness and acceptance. 

Check it out on in my etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/listing/97685436/wicked-glinda-the-good-rose-quartz

Hope PTSD Awareness Healing and Grounding Bracelet

This grounding bracelet promotes awareness of Post-traumatic stress disorder. It is made with howlite beads that were dyed to be similar in color to turquoise. Teal is the color used for promoting awareness about PTSD.

Posttraumatic stress disorder can occur to anyone who's been through a trauma. According to the National Center for PTSD, 7-8% of the population will have PTSD at some point in their lives.

I was diagnosed with PTSD last summer. I was raised by a mentally ill mother and grew up in an emotionally and mentally abusive environment. I'm on the path to healing and doing very well. My PTSD and healing is actually what got me started making bracelets. I first made a bracelet for myself using semi-precious gemstones for their healing energies, because I felt like it would help me to have something physical I could hold onto. I really feel like my bracelet has helped me stay grounded when I'm having panic attacks or disassociating.

That's why I made these bracelets. I'm hoping they will help others the way they've helped me.

Howlite is a calming stone; it aids in sleeping, calming the overactive mind, and stress relief. Physically it calms the whole body and relieves muscle tension. It helps control anger, and relieves stress and anxiety, by absorbing negative energy.

The bracelet is about 7 inches long, not including the toggle clasps.

Find it on Etsy, here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/97068230/hope-ptsd-awareness-healing-and

Hunger Games Capitol Couture Octavia Inspired Bracelet

Look your best for the 74th Hunger Games! Based on the eccentric fashion of the Capitol in Suzanne Collins' "The Hunger Games" series, this  handmade gemstone bracelet represents Katniss Everdeen's prep team. 

Capitol Couture is all the rage, and Ocatavia's bright dyed green skin is the inspiration for the use of gorgeous apple green impression jasper stones in this bracelet. 

Attached are three antiqued silver charms- a hand mirror, a hanger for your favorite outfits, and a hairbrush to  style your hair- everything a Capitol fashionista needs!

This bracelet measures 7.5 inches long including the antiqued silver toggle clasps.

~Shipping~

*** I AM OFFERING TO SHIP PRIORITY THROUGH MONDAY 3/19 – I can NOT guarantee your bracelet will arrive before The Hunger Games premiere on 3/23, but this option will be your best bet to receive your bracelet in time for the premier. Priority shipping will include a tracking number and insurance. Priority shipping will cost $8. ***

*** Please MESSAGE ME if you would like the PRIORITY SHIPPING OPTION ***

Priority option is only available for shipping within the US.

~Healing Energies~

Jasper – Supreme nurturer. Brings tranquility and wholeness, protection and grounding. Aids quick-thinking and organizational abilities.            

Check it out on Etsy, here: Hunger Games Capitol Couture Octavia Inspired Bracelet

Hunger Games Capitol Couture Venia Inspired Healing Bracelet

 Happy Hunger Games! Be ready for the opening ceremonies with this handmade Capitol Couture bracelet. Inspired by Suzanne Collins' "The Hunger Games" series, this gemstone bracelet is based on the fashion of The Capitol, and represents Katniss Everdeen's prep team. 

The bright blue and teal dragon veined agate stones come from Venia's aqua colored hair, and the golden colored freshwater pearls are for the gold tattoos decorating Venia's face.

Attached are three antiqued silver charms- a cute little party dress, a comb, and stunning high heeled shoes- everything a Capitol fashionista needs!

This bracelet measures 7.5 inches long including the antiqued silver toggle clasps.

~Shipping~
*** I AM OFFERING TO SHIP PRIORITY THROUGH MONDAY 3/19 – I can NOT guarantee your bracelet will arrive before The Hunger Games premiere on 3/23, but this option will be your best bet to receive your bracelet in time for the premier. Priority shipping will include a tracking number and insurance. Priority shipping will cost $8. ***

*** Please MESSAGE ME if you would like the PRIORITY SHIPPING OPTION ***

To contact me just click here: http://www.etsy.com/conversations/new?with_id=17029750

~Healing Energies~
Agate - A grounding stone. Improves perception and analytical qualities. Balances yin and yank, and harmonizes physical, emotional, mental, and etheric qualities. Soothing and calming. Raises consciousness and builds self-confidence. Stabilizes aura, eliminates negativity. Overcomes bitterness of the heart and inner anger. Fosters love, truthfulness, and courage.

Freshwater Pearls symbolize faith, clarity and innocence. They enhance personal integrity and help provide a focus to ones attention. They also symbolize purity and sincerity, bringing truth to situations and loyalty to a cause.         

Find it on Etsy: Hunger Games Capitol Couture Venia Inspired Healing Bracelet

Wicked For Good Inspired Healing Bracelet

Handmade bracelet inspired by the Broadway musical Wicked, I used beads to spell out 'For Good' the title of a duet between Elphaba and Glinda. The green jade bead represents Elphaba and the pink rose quartz bead represents Glinda.

I used 6mm onyx beads, and 8mm jade and rose quartz. Bracelet is 7.5 inches long. I used a simple silver plated toggle clasp on the ends.


~*~Healing Energies~*~
Onyx is a great healing stone and valuable in difficult or confusing times. It is said to help soothe and balance overwhelming fears and worries. It is a protective stone- repelling negative energies. It is extremely helpful for people who are having trouble letting go or releasing the past.

Jade creates calm, harmony and peace. It will counteract depression and soothe the mind. It aids emotional release. Jade also attracts good luck and friendships.

Rose quartz soothes, comforts and reassures, bringing deep emotional healing. It is a stone of unconditional love and opens the heart chakra to all forms of love: self, family, platonic and romantic. Rose quartz brings gentleness, forgiveness, compassion, kindness and tolerance.

Find it here, on etsy: http://www.etsy.com/listing/83742970/wicked-for-good-inspired-healing

OM Chakra Healing Meditation Bracelet

This meditation chakra bracelet is handmade. I used different colored beads to represent the seven chakras. Attached in an antiqued bronze OM charm.

The bracelet measures 7.75 inches long including the antiqued bronze toggle clasps.

Find it on etsy: http://www.etsy.com/listing/93124589/om-chakra-healing-meditation-bracelet

Healing Buddha Triple Chakra Yoga Bracelet

Handmade yoga chakra healing bracelet with a Buddha charm. I used different colored beads to represent the seven chakras. An antiqued bronze charm of the Buddha reminds the wearer t strive for peace and enlightenment. The bracelet measures 7.75 inches long including the antiqued silver toggle clasps.

Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/listing/93123708/healing-buddha-triple-chakra-yoga

Slytherin Harry Potter Bracelet

Are you in Slytherin? Show off your Slytherin Pride with this handmade Harry Potter themed bracelet!! Inspired by Harry Potter, I made this bracelet representing the Slytherin house using 8mm green jade beads, and silver colored freshwater pearls. The bracelet has an antiqued silver plated snake charm- Slytherin's mascot- and toggle clasps at the end. The bracelet is 7.5 inches long including clasps.


~Healing Energies~
Jade is a symbol of purity and serenity. It is a protective stone that keeps the wearer from harm. Jade is said to attractive good luck and friendship. ("The Crystal Bible" by Judy Hall.)

Freshwater Pearls symbolize faith, clarity and innocence. They enhance personal integrity and help provide a focus to ones attention. They also symbolize purity and sincerity, bringing truth to situations and loyalty to a cause. (powersthatbe.com)

Check it out on: http://www.etsy.com/listing/84907849/slytherin-harry-potter-bracelet

Double Chakra OM Healing Meditation Bracelet

Handmade chakra healing meditation gemstone bracelet. The gemstones represent the chakras- red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet. The antiqued bronze OM charm is the symbol of the Hindu and Buddhist sacred sound that is considered the greatest of all mantras. The sound OM is said to be the root of the universe, everything that exists, and OM continues to hold everything together.

This bracelet measures 7.75 inches long including the antiqued silver toggle clasps.

Check it out on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/listing/91425133/double-chakra-om-healing-meditation

Yoga Downward Dog Healing Chakra Bracelet

I used healing gemstone beads to handmake this yoga bracelet. The stones represent the chakras- red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet. Attached is an antiqued silver charm of a figure practicing the downward facing dog yoga pose. This bracelet measures 7.75 inches long including the antiqued silver toggle clasps. This is the perfect gift for those who love yoga.

Check it out on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/listing/91355794/yoga-downward-dog-healing-chakra

Yoga Warrior Healing Bracelet

This yoga bracelet is handmade with healing gemstones representing the chakra- red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet- and an antiqued silver charm of a figure practicing yoga in the warrior pose. This bracelet measures 7.75 inches long including the antiqued silver toggle clasps. This is the perfect gift for those who love yoga.


~Healing Energies~
Poppy Jasper - Supreme nurturer. Brings tranquility and wholeness, protection and grounding. Aids quick-thinking and organizational abilities, ability to see projects through. Aligns chakra, facilitates shamanic journeys and dream recall.

Carnelian - grounds and anchors you in the present reality. It gives courage, promotes positive life choices, dispels apathy. Carnelian is useful for overcoming abuse of any kind. This stone helps your trust yourself and your perceptions. Overcomes negative conditioning, and encourages steadfastness.

Green Aventurine is a great healing stone, used to open the heart chakra and for protecting the heart. It is a gentle stone that gives a sense of calm and balance that enhances happiness. It promotes compassion and empathy. Green Aventurine helps bring in good fortune, money, abundance and overall happiness.

Blue Aventurine - Mental healer. Enhances creativity, brings prosperity. Diffuses negative energy.

Amethyst - Powerful healer and protector, enhances psychic abilities and spiritual awareness. Calms mind, enhances meditation and visualization. Disperses psychic attack. Ameliorates anger, rage, fear, and resentment. Connects cause and effect. Promotes selflessness. Supports sobriety. Relieves physical and emotional pain. Aids insomnia.

Onyx is a great healing stone and valuable in difficult or confusing times. It is said to help soothe and balance overwhelming fears and worries. It is a protective stone- repelling negative energies. It is extremely helpful for people who are having trouble letting go or releasing the past.

Check it out in my Etsy Shop Geeky Bead Designs: http://www.etsy.com/listing/91079944/yoga-warrior-healing-chakra-bracelet

Yoga Tree Healing Chakra Bracelet

I handmade this yoga bracelet with gemstone beads to represent the seven chakras, and a antiqued silver charm with a figure in the tree yoga pose. Perfect gift who anyone who loves yoga.

~Healing Energies~
Poppy Jasper - Supreme nurturer. Brings tranquility and wholeness, protection and grounding. Aids quick-thinking and organizational abilities, ability to see projects through. Aligns chakra, facilitates shamanic journeys and dream recall.

Carnelian - grounds and anchors you in the present reality. It gives courage, promotes positive life choices, dispels apathy. Carnelian is useful for overcoming abuse of any kind. This stone helps your trust yourself and your perceptions. Overcomes negative conditioning, and encourages steadfastness.

Green Aventurine is a great healing stone, used to open the heart chakra and for protecting the heart. It is a gentle stone that gives a sense of calm and balance that enhances happiness. It promotes compassion and empathy. Green Aventurine helps bring in good fortune, money, abundance and overall happiness.

Blue Aventurine - Mental healer. Enhances creativity, brings prosperity. Diffuses negative energy.

Amethyst - Powerful healer and protector, enhances psychic abilities and spiritual awareness. Calms mind, enhances meditation and visualization. Disperses psychic attack. Ameliorates anger, rage, fear, and resentment. Connects cause and effect. Promotes selflessness. Supports sobriety. Relieves physical and emotional pain. Aids insomnia.

Onyx is a great healing stone and valuable in difficult or confusing times. It is said to help soothe and balance overwhelming fears and worries. It is a protective stone- repelling negative energies. It is extremely helpful for people who are having trouble letting go or releasing the past.

Check it out in my etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/listing/90677662/yoga-tree-healing-chakra-bracelet

Lotus Blossom Chakra Healing Yoga Bracelet

Handmade healing chakra yoga bracelet with a lotus blossom charm.. I used different colored beads- red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and lilac- to represent the seven chakras. An antiqued silver charm of a lotus flower symbolizes purity.


~Healing Energies~
Poppy Jasper - Supreme nurturer. Brings tranquility and wholeness, protection and grounding. Aids quick-thinking and organizational abilities, ability to see projects through. Aligns chakra, facilitates shamanic journeys and dream recall.

Carnelian - grounds and anchors you in the present reality. It gives courage, promotes positive life choices, dispels apathy. Carnelian is useful for overcoming abuse of any kind. This stone helps your trust yourself and your perceptions. Overcomes negative conditioning, and encourages steadfastness.

Yellow Jade - Energetic and quietly stimulating, bringing joy. Teaches interconnectedness of all beings.

Yellow Turquoise - Strengthens and aligns all chakras. Increases serenity, protection, meditation energies, balance, honesty and love. A wonderful healing stone, fosters empathy, positive thinking and sensitivity.

Blue Aventurine - Mental healer. Enhances creativity, brings prosperity. Diffuses negative energy.

Amethyst - Powerful healer and protector, enhances psychic abilities and spiritual awareness. Calms mind, enhances meditation and visualization. Disperses psychic attack. Ameliorates anger, rage, fear, and resentment. Connects cause and effect. Promotes selflessness. Supports sobriety. Relieves physical and emotional pain. Aids insomnia.

Onyx is a great healing stone and valuable in difficult or confusing times. It is said to help soothe and balance overwhelming fears and worries. It is a protective stone- repelling negative energies. It is extremely helpful for people who are having trouble letting go or releasing the past.

Check it out on Etsy Here: Lotus Blossom Chakra Healing Yoga Bracelet

Yoga Chakra Buddha Healing Bracelet

Handmade healing chakra yoga bracelet with Buddha charm. I used different colored beads to represent the seven chakras. An antiqued bronze charm of the Buddha reminds the wearer t strive for peace and enlightenment. 

~Healing Energies~

Poppy Jasper - Supreme nurturer. Brings tranquility and wholeness, protection and grounding. Aids quick-thinking and organizational abilities, ability to see projects through. Aligns chakra, facilitates shamanic journeys and dream recall. 

Carnelian - grounds and anchors you in the present reality. A stabilizing stone with high energy, it is excellent for restoring vitality and motivation, and for stimulating creativity. It gives courage, promotes positive life choices, dispels apathy, and motivates for success in business and other matters. Carnelian is useful for overcoming abuse of any kind. This stone helps your trust yourself and your perceptions. It gets to the bottom of what makes you tick, overcomes negative condition, and encourages steadfastness.

Agate - A grounding stone. Improves perception and analytical qualities. Balances yin and yank, and harmonizes physical, emotional, mental, and etheric qualities. Soothing and calming. Raises consciousness and builds self-confidence. Stabilizes aura, eliminates negativity. Overcomes bitterness of the heart and inner anger. Fosters love, truthfulness, and courage. 

Fancy Jasper - grounds your mental energies. It can focus your thinking so you can deal with any problem. Fancy jasper slowly brings you into balance.

Blue Aventurine - Mental healer. Enhances creativity, brings prosperity. Diffuses negative energy. 

Amethyst - Powerful healer and protector, enhances psychic abilities and spiritual awareness. Stimulates throat chakra, clears aura, transmutes negative energy. Calms mind, enhances meditation and visualization. Disperses psychic attack. Ameliorates anger, rage, fear, and resentment. Aids assimilation of new ideas. Connects cause and effect. Promotes selflessness. Supports sobriety. Relieves physical and emotional pain. Aids insomnia.

Onyx is a great healing stone and valuable in difficult or confusing times. It is said to help soothe and balance overwhelming fears and worries. It is a protective stone- repelling negative energies. It is extremely helpful for people who are having trouble letting go or releasing the past.

Check it out here, on Etsy: Yoga Chakra Healing Buddha Bracelet

Blogger Confuses Me

Okay. I know I'm not stupid. I'm extremely computer and internet savvy.

But for the life of me, I do not understand this 'blog following' thing here on Blogger. It's not working.

I 'follow' blogs, then when I go back to my dashboard thingy, it says I'm not following any. WTF. It's getting annoying.

First trip to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios' Islands of Adventure

Two weeks ago, my dad and I went to Universal Studios Orlando, and I got to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter for the first time.

First of all, it was an extremely slow day in the parks. Here's proof:

1 – Universal Studios has two parking garages; one of the parking garages was completely closed and not being used.

2 – We WALKED ON to rides all day long. There was literally no wait time for anything, even at 1-2pm. This includes Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. It was awesome.

It was a very chilly day down here in Florida; it was in the upper 40's F when we go to the park in the morning. I was freezing so I was all bundled up in a sweat and coat and scarf. Later in the day it got up into the 70's and I ditched the sweater, but I kept the coat because I was still cold, plus the coat had pockets.

So, yes. We got there just after the park opened at 9am; the only line we waited in was the one to get our tickets. I was somewhat annoyed since I'd already paid for the tickets online, but since we go the Florida resident tickets, of course, they need to check our I.D.'s. Anyway, we got in the park and by this time I was hungry. I only ate a tiny bit of fruit before we left because I was anxious and it upsets my stomach. I'm always super nervous until I finally arrive at the parks. We stopped in the bakery and I got this yummy cream cheese croissant and some milk. It was so good.

Then we proceeded to Wizarding World. It felt like forever, going through Dr. Seuess land then the Lost Continent. Then I saw the entrance to Hogsmeade and I was literally like, "EEEEEEEEEE!!!!! IT'S HOGSMEADE!!!!" 

The Hogwarts Express

I could see the Hogwarts Express and I started walking faster to get to it. Entering Hogsmeade is completely magical; it's like walking right into the Harry Potters books and movies. It was a bit overwhelming. There's just SO MUCH to take in all at once. I snapped pictures of the train and shops as I made a beeline for the Hogwarts castle.

Hogsmeade

You can't quite see it at first, but as you get closer, you begin to see it looming over Hogsmeade. Then you turn a corner and... there it is-- Hogwarts.

It was magical. There's no other words to describe it.

Honestly, I felt like a little kid seeing Cinderella's castle for the first time over Disney World. I was there. I was at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It's breathtaking. I think I even forgot that I was in Florida for a little while.

So, we enter Hogwarts to ride the Forbidden Journey. I don't have any good pictures because I had to stash my things in the locker, and I never got the chance to come back just to tour the castle. I went through the entire line the first time, and it's amazing. I go through the dungeons, and the greenhouse, and the portraits hall, and Gryffindor common room, and the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. There's so much attention to detail.

Also, the hologram projection technology they use is amazing. When Harry, Hermione, and Ron appear from under the invisibility cloak in the DADA classroom... it's like they're REALLY there. It's so realistic.

As for the ride itself; it is honestly like nothing I have ever been on in my entire life. I can't even begin to describe it. It's like a roller coaster, mashed up with a simulation ride, but so much more than that. You sit in these 'benches' they're called I think, and there's speakers so that you can hear the soundtrack and story line. You ride along and then you're lifted up into the air. You're tilted all around and taken through different rooms and sets and screens; it really feels like you're flying. The technology behind it is brand new and cutting edge; I believe the mechanism is actually some kind of 'arm' type thing. I can't remember, though I have read up about it.

It's thrilling and a lot more awesome than any roller coaster I've been on. As soon as we got off, I road it again while my dad waited. I used the single rider line this time, because it cuts straight to the common room and right before you board. I'm sure I could have gotten on just as quickly taken the regular line.

If you want to ride Forbidden Journey more than once without waiting in a long line on the busier days; definitely use the single rider lines. The seats on the actual ride have these partitions between them so you can't see anyone else; it's like you're riding all by yourself anyway. So the single rider line is the best way to go. I've heard that on the busy days when Forbidden Journey has a 2 hour+ line, if you take the single riders line you can get on in 5-10 minutes.

The second go on Forbidden Journey did make me a little queasy, and I'm not prone to motion sickness. Afterwards I met up with my dad again, and we heading over to Dragon Challenge (formerly Dueling Dragons). We waited like 5 minutes for this ride because I wanted to sit in the front row- when I got on the ride I remembered the dragons no longer "duel" and there is no "near collision" because some punk kid had to throw stuff that ended up injuring people while on the ride, and thus ruined it for everyone. Oh well. I'd never been in the front row before (which would have been more exciting if there was the near collision with the other coaster, but whatever).

Of course, it also wasn't until I was about to get on the coaster that I realized... oh hey, it's 50 degrees out and the cold air is going to be whipping all over the place. Sure enough, I was a whole lot colder after I got off the ride.

The line for Dragon Challenge was redone with a Harry Potter theme; it's very cute. It's themed on the Triwizard Cup and they have all sorts of banners and signs like "Support Potter!" and "Go Diggory!" and signs for Fleur and Krum as well. Once you get to the inside part of the line, it is extremely dark; it's even harder to see because your eyes need time to adjust. I honestly couldn't hardly see a thing.

Honeydukes

After Dragon Challenge, we explored the shops and bought lots of things. The shops are replicas of the ones we see in the movies... including the sizes.

This is my one complaint. The shops are way too small. I understand they wanted to keep the shops authentic, but it was extremely hard to move around in the shops and this was on a REALLY SLOW day. The shops barely fit 15-20 people inside them. It's extremely hard to browse through the merchandise, because you're constantly bumping into and trying to squeeze past people.

As such, if you have issues with crowds or small spaces, you definitely need to be ready to use any coping skills or self-soothing techniques.  I definitely had trouble.

The Owlery

As soon as I entered the shops, my anxiety shot up to about a 7 on a scale of 10 and I felt my chest get tight. Zonko's/Honeydukes was definitely the hardest shop for me to be in. It seemed to be constantly packed, and I frequently got dizzy while inside the shop. I did my best to stay in the present though; I was focused on trying to find the merchandise I wanted to buy. It didn't get so bad that it triggered my need to escape, but it almost did. The other shops weren't so bad because the crowds seemed to ebb and flow; I assume with when people came out of Ollivander's. I just remember for a moment there'd only be a few people in the shop and then a minute later it would be packed and impossible to move again. Also, Devish and Banges/The Owelry seemed to have a lot more exits available, so it's easier to get out of them if you need to escape.

The shops are just far too small in my opinion; I'm pretty sure this has to be bad for business and is turning people away. I imagine on a crowded day, this probably would have been what sent me into a panic attack.

After that,  I got some Butterbeer and we sat out on the patio behind The Hog's Head. I tried it cold, because I figured that's closer to what it's like in the books. I kind of wish you could get it hot, but I've never heard of anything hot being served on draft, so...

Butterbeer!

It's sweet, but not sickeningly sweet like I was sort of expecting. It's butterscotchy and sweet. It wasn't bad. I liked it; I was fine with just having the one. I got the souvenir mug, which is ridiculously priced, but whatever.  Of course, no one told me that with the souvenir mug you could get like .75 cent sodas and stuff; we could've saved money because my dad was getting soda with every meal. (I don't drink soda, but I kept having to buy water because I was an idiot and left my water bottle in the car.)

We then decided to leave Wizarding World for a little while. We road Cat in the Hat- which I didn't care for cause I was never a Dr. Seuss fan. Then we headed over to ride the Incredible Hulk roller coaster. It was 1 in the afternoon and we walked right onto the ride. No wait whatsoever. We couldn't get over how awesome this way. Next we road Spiderman. We then got lunch before heading over to Universal Studios. We skipped Toon land because it's all water rides and it was too cold for that; we also skipped Jurassic Park because I hate that ride and area; the movie terrified me when I was a kid.

We picked up all the things I got in Harry Potter land and took them back to our car- this was when we discovered one of the parking garages was closed and not being used. I kept laughing about it, we picked the best day ever to go to the parks. Dropped off our things at the car- where I, again, forgot my water bottles- then heading over to Universal Studios.

Rip Ride Rockit Coastet zooming through
a building in New York

We walked on to Rip Ride Rocket, which is an awesome roller coaster. The ascent at the very beginning is completely vertical. It feels so crazy. The ride itself is awesome, and it's cool how you can pick the music you want to play.

I'm apparently getting old. I kept getting headaches after every single roller coaster. I used to ride these things without being phased, not it does take a little bit out of me. Boooo. I'm only 23!!

New York area in Universal Studios Orlando

Anyway. We were both a little dizzy after Rip Ride Rockit so we took our time. We wandered around New York and took lots of pictures there. It's my dad's favorite part of the park; he kept going on about how he'd love to just sit on some steps with a beer and listen to music and stuff. I think it makes him a bit nostalgic too, because he grew up in the North East, and he says it looks just like it.

We rode The Mummy next; another walk on. I hated the line for the mummy though. It kept twisting and turning and was making me dizzy. I guess it's not so bad on days when it's busy and you actually have to wait in line, so you're not walking through it very fast. The ride was awesome. I'm not a fan of The Mummy or anything, but the ride was thrilling and generally awesome. I love coasters that are in the dark

The Blues Brothers
at Universal Studios Orlando

We caught the Blues Brother's show and watched for a few minutes. Then I got bored and wanted to move on. It was a good thing we did, because we were able to catch the Beetlejuice Show. We would have missed it otherwise, and I'm sure my dad would have been disappointed. He's a huge fan.

The show was really funny; there was a ton of pop culture references, so obviously the show will be a bit different every time you see it. I took a ton of pictures, I guess because I was sitting down and bored and could just hold the shutter down and take like 10 pics in a row.

I don't have a lot of pictures of Wizarding World; I never got the chance to just tour the castle and take photos. I think I was too caught up in the EXPERIENCE to stop take pictures.

After that, we road Disaster. Then we decided to skip the rest of the park; there was nothing we really wanted to do- and I was dying to go back to Wizarding World.

On our way back, finding something to eat was a pain. The places we wanted to eat at were closed, but we didn't know until we got to them; I started getting annoyed and frustrated, because we kept passing places that WERE open, in favor of wanting to go to the "better" restaurants like Mythos. In the end we had to settle for a burger and fries which weren't very good, but we were starving.

Then we went to Wizarding World and I road Forbidden Journey one more time. It was getting dark by then; Hogsmeade is even prettier at night- the "snow" on the buildings begins to look REAL. I bought some more stuff and then we started to leave because the park was closing. We got some frozen Butterbeer on the way out- which is really good; it's all slushie like.

We headed home after that; we were both exhausted. It was a long day, but it was fun. Yay! I got lots of cool things, and awesome Christmas presents for my bff. 

Yoga Open House

So, I've been getting ready for an event at my yoga studio this Saturday. They're having a small open house and opened it to local artists to come in sell their stuff. So, I contacted them and signed up to try and sell some of my bracelets. It's a very tiny event; the studio owner said they have room for maybe 10 vendors.

I'm excited, and nervous. This is my first time doing anything like this. I'm glad it's a small event and with my yoga studio, so I think I'll feel comfortable and I won't be triggered for any anxiety or panic attacks. I don't expect to it get crowded, but even if it does I'll be behind my table so I'll be able to maintain my personal space.

I've been making a lot of healing yoga themed bracelets. I bought a bunch of stones to represent the chakra colors, and a bunch of neat charms. I got some nice Om and Buddha head charms, and lotus flower charms from Zenbu Trading Co on Etsy. Then I got these adorable yoga position charms- they have a silver human figure in a yoga pose inside a silver circle- from Art Passions Design on Etsy. The poses are tree, downward facing dog, and warrior 1. They're so cute. I love them. I think they're kind of unique too. I'm hoping people at the open house will like them too.

Yoga Themed Healing Chakra Bracelets by Geeky Bead Designs

Here's a quick picture that I took with my phone of the finished bracelets so far. I really like them.

Anything I have left over, I'll be putting up in my Etsy shop.

What do I want to blog about?

So, I made this blog thing. I'm not sure what I want to write in it. Obviously, I can talk about my art and bracelets, or the books and movies and things that inspire me.

I also might write about gemstones/crystals and their healing energies, since that's why I use gemstones in my bracelets. I might write about yoga, too, because I love it. I only started going a few months ago, but it is amazing. I practice meditation as well, and I might write about that as I learn more.

I'm also studying Buddhism. I plan to write up some posts on that subject as I learn more about it. I wouldn't quite say I am Buddhist or that I'm practicing it just yet, mainly because I don't feel I know enough about it. I'm still exploring and learning about the Buddha and the practices. So yes, I'll probably make some posts with my notes on what I've learned from that in books I've read or Dharma talks I've listened to.

I'll always probably write up a little on Borderline Personality Disorder, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. These are two extremely important subjects in my life right now. My mother has Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and she's gotten much worse over the past couple years, especially now that I'm pulling away and trying to enforce boundaries and be independent. I'm currently no contact with my mother, because I refuse to put up with her rages anymore. I'm seeing an amazing therapist and she's helped me immensely in the past 6 months. Then there's Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder; I was diagnosed with PTSD a few months ago, because I was emotionally abused my BPD mother.

So, yes.  Kind of a mixed bag. =)

Namaste,
Kate
GeekyBeadDesigns