Back in Nihonland.

Hi Everyone!

I just got back to Japan from a magical two weeks in L.A. spent exploring behind-the-scenes at Disney, meeting some legendary imagineers and some future ones, making great friends, getting VIP treatment at Disneyland, and in general having the time of my life. Who would have known that entering this competition would have taken me on such an adventure? We didn't end up winning, but it didn't matter because in the end we all felt like winners. The grand prize was a 10-day trip to Disney, and that was already won! Plus, I ended up with my dream-internship, and my partner Kay got offered one as well with ride engineering! Who could ask for more?


It's always been my dream to go into Disney's animation studio, and not only did we get to go in, but they showed us awesome stuff on their upcoming films and sent us away with bulging goody-bags of souvenirs to take home!


And the best souvenir of all was my own name tag, fashioned to look like those of Disney cast members. The Disney freak in me got all giddy when we were walking through Disney's California Adventure and got asked by guests where the nearest bathroom was. They thought we were real cast members, yay!!!


My partner Kay and I got to preview California Adventure's soon-to-open attraction, Toy Story Midway Mania. You should all go after it opens on June 17, 2008 because it was really fun!


Kay and me in front of Disney's corporate Team Disney building. I remember seeing this building as a little kid and have always wanted to come back again. This time we even got to go in and check out Disney's archives!


We got to explore Hollywood Boulevard, during the premiere of The Love Guru. Some of us got up-close glimpses of Mike Myers and Justin Timberlake! But I was even more excited to find one of my heroes on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Disney really knows how to take care of their guests. And I just can't wait to go back in a week to intern! It's all happening so fast and everything's so exciting!