Dear Reader,
Do you have any idea what an impact you have made on my life? Yes. YOU! I'm writing this letter to you. Like the card? Wasn't too expensive. Got it at Hallmark.
I know. I'm not funny.
Alright--get to the point, Kayla.
Now seriously, reader, reader(s) [doubt it], you really have made a huge impact on my life. Otherwise I wouldn't be writing this letter in the first place.
Christmas has arrived, or for some, your holiday has passed. But around Holiday time, I become very nostalgic and grateful. At times, a tear comes to the eye. I ponder about life, family, friends, relationships with people, the way my life has changed or not changed in the past year. And this year, I sure have a lot to be thankful for.
One of the biggest things is all of you reading this. (If there is anyone reading this at all.) Over the course of a year and a half, I have met some of the most spectacular, supportive, outstanding human beings on the face of this earth. And we all have one thing in common: our love for Disney. Sure, the love varies from person to person. Some love just the Parks, others love just the movies, and some, like myself, love anything and everything Disney even if it's a one-dollar Princess pen filled with candy inside. Regardless of the extremity of affection, we can all relate and come together for this one thing; this one amazing factor in our lives that touches us in such a way that we feel the need to reach out and communicate with others that have this same passion. I believe everything happens for a reason and God definitely put all of you in my plan, and I am freaking grateful.
As most of you know, I was having quite a challenging semester. I had to put together one of the most complex, difficult, demanding projects of all time: the one-person show. Not only did I have to compose this work, I had to perform it, direct it, and produce it. If you’re getting a headache just conjuring up an image of yourself doing all of that in a matter of a few short months, you get the picture. Now for a while, I had planned to make a one-person show on a historical figure that I admire and sympathize for. And even with all of my knowledge and information and passion for this person, try as I did for most of the semester, it just wasn’t working out. Something in my gut said “Kayla, what the heck are you doing? You KNOW what you should be writing. Just do it, dang it!” So for a couple of days, I contemplated the pros and cons of writing a new show that I knew I would get crap for, but also knew it would be a success; at least MY terms of success. I wrote a new show, all Disney, and all Kayla, and it was actually approved. My colleagues, professors, and Dean, were in love with it. I had a blast and it was definitely an experience I’ll never forget. In it, I mention Disney Twitter friends. And if it weren’t for you guys, I never would have been able to have the courage to write the show.
So thank you all SO MUCH for your continuing support and love and faith in me. I have a ridiculously low self-esteem (I’m working on it), and to have what some people would call “complete strangers” lift my spirits up and believe in me when I don’t believe in myself most of the time is something I’ve never really had before. Not that I don’t have support and love in my life, because I have 2 of the best friends ever, an amazing boyfriend, and such a great family support group. But knowing that not just the people that I see almost day-to-day have faith in me is just that extra bit of pixie dust I need, and I’m sure many others need, to get through those tough days. Being nominated, and actually winning (still can’t believe it), the DDL Award was seriously such a huge shock. I thought for sure I would come in last. Chris and Nicole are extremely talented and more well-known in the Disney community than I am. But there it is, and I for sure extend the award and share it with my fellow thespians.
To my BOGP Family, my special extended family. Every time I tune into a live show in any way, calling in, chatting on Friend Feed, or just listening on iTunes if I miss it, I get teary-eyed. Truly, I care for each and every one of you. I hope that our relationship grows more and more as time goes on and that I have the honor to meet all of you in person one day. Hopefully, another Treehouse meet this coming new year.
Mike, Rikki, Pam, and Debbie: thank you SO MUCH for making my day every time I turn on the BOGP podcast. I smile and laugh and wish I was actually in a room with the four of you just talking Disney. I can honestly say that your podcast changed my life because it introduced me to you and to the other hundreds of amazing people that are also touched by your weekly episodes. Please, keep this thing going for as long as possible. You are each such supercalifragilisticexpialidocious people that have no idea of the gift you give to so many people all around the world. Thank you.
DisneyDrivenLife: JL, this blog/website is such an ingenious idea and I really enjoy reading all of the Neurotic Disney People’s blogs all day, every day. Extending it to making a DDL Academy Awards was hilarious, and fun, and extremely exciting! I hope it’s an annual tradition for quite a long time. Innermouse is so great! I really need to catch up but I absolutely love all of you!
Ricky Brigante: If you read this blog, first off thank you. I know you’re busy. Second, your podcast introduced me to podcasts in general, and more so, the Disney podcasts. Since 2005, when ITM started, I have listened every single week and looked forward to every Halloween for that special episode. I’m constantly reciting the little intros and such throughout the podcasts for each little section. I called in for your anniversary episode a little while back, and you used my recording so from that you know the impact your show has made on me. But I just want to write in text, here, on your second favorite holiday, thank you so much for all you do for the Disney community. If any of you tweeps are reading this and have not check out Inside the Magic, DO SO! One of the top 5 Disney podcasts out there in my opinion.
To everyone else out there, I hope we get to know each other better as time goes on. You are just all so awesome, I can’t handle it all at once!
I truly hope that all of you have a very Merry Christmas, and if you celebrated Chanukah a little while back, I’m sorry I didn’t say “Happy Chanukah!”
Stay safe, stay warm, be happy, be jolly, be grateful, be giving, be merry.
Have a Magical and Merry Christmas!
With lots of love,
Kayla L.
@DisneySoprano
P.S. I made a virtual video Christmas Card too. I sing a song. I don't know if it's good. Check it out if you want!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE_PUfEFV9c <---clickety click!
