Soul Surfer

Last night, Wednesday April 6, 2011  I had the opportunity to preview the movie Soul Surfer. The feature films release date is set for April 8, 2011. A friend of mine got free ticket vouchers through someone she works with. Honestly, I had no plans to see this movie, but who will turn down free tickets in today's economy?  The movie was at the Regal Winter Park Village. This was the second time I have visited this theater. It is in a beautiful outdoor mall. The mall is filled with outdoor restaurants such as The Cheesecake Factory and Mitchell's Fish Market and shops.

I didn't know much about how the preview worked until I showed up. Apparently, it was a first come first serve situation on the seating. My friend and I were told to arrive at 6:30, but we didn't make it until 6:50. We lucked out and got great seats. Basically we walked right into the theater. We flashed are tickets to the ladies sitting at a table in front of the viewing theater's main door and they let us walk right in. The people who put on the viewing event seemed to be very organized. Before the movie began a lady came in front of the theater and thanked us for attending and told us to turn off our phones. She said if we were caught on our phone at all, for any reason, we would be escorted out. I loved this! How many times have you gone to the movies and the person in front of you, or behind, was texting and the light from the phone distracted you? This should be a universal rule! There is a time and place to use your phone.

Spring Fiesta in the Park

Today was a beautiful day in Orlando, Florida to attend the Spring Fiesta in the Park at Lake Eola. Lake Eola is located in downtown Orlando. The "Fiesta" was an outdoor event that included vendors of all types. This event was very pet and kid friendly. It is really a great event for all ages. There is something for everyone. Not only could you walk around and enjoy the vendors, you could sit on a bench and enjoy the beautiful lake and its wild life. I was very fortunate to witness some nesting black swans. The swans were in a roped off area and more then half their eggs had hatched.

If you are a swan lover, you are in luck. They are everywhere, black and white. Not only can you view them you can ride one! Not a real one, but a swan boat! I have not had a chance to do it myself, but it looks like a lot of fun. The cost is around fifteen dollars a half an hour.

Examples of what the vendors sold were handmade jewelry, art, clothing, food, plants, and hand made soaps. Also a lot of local non-profit agencies were out explaining their causes. My personal favorite was the pet adoption agencies. There were so many adorable puppies they’re awaiting their new home. 

You could purchase your puppy for only two hundred and fifty dollars. That price included everything, even their required new puppy shots.

I spent time walking around the "Fiesta" checking out each individual booth and I have narrowed down my top ten favorites: