* The Adventure Begins... *

Where do I even try to begin...I guess at the beginning! Well, today was IOA NOW! Day two orientation (for those who do not know, IOA stands for Islands of Adventure which is a theme park in Orlando). This is where we had a detailed tour of IOA which told the theme for the islands and how they "came to be". And no, we are not talking about buldozers and cranes, I'm talking about the Myth the Islands are based upon. I will TRY to give the story, but it may be a little off because I just heard it today :

Light houses have been around for as long as men can remember beckoning explorers to their shores. There was one particular, the one here on Islands of Adventure. When explorers came, they found it to be mystical and powerful. Suddenly, out of the darkness appeared a boy; some believe this to be a spirit, an essence if you will, of a boy. The boy spoke, "Let the adventure begin!" and held out a five sided stone and tossed it into the water. The stone then skipped five times, the plummeted to the sea. Then a red light appeared where the stone had landed. The explorers searched where the stone had landed, but they soon found it was not the stone, but a huge fire ball falling to the earth right where they were. The fireball suddenly slowed, then hovered just above the sea. That is where Marvel Super Hero Island was born. Then, out in the distance, a sound could be heard: the sound of a ship. This ship was none other that Popeye's ship, "The Olive", docking on what is now "Toon Lagoon". Then, a roar came like none have ever heard. Tall, scaly animal-like creatures could be seen in the distance. Then, two torches lit up to reveal "Jurassic Park". Suddenly there was a huge orb of light. This light was so intense that no one could look directly into it. Then the ground began to shake, and then the Lost Continent revealed itself after being lost for thousands of years. Then out of the sky, came a large fork and when it hit the sea, instead of the sounds one would expect, the explorers hear "Boing!, Splash!, Ker-Ching!" The fork then lifted up and then there stood "Suess Landing". The explorers were astounded by the amazing things they had just witnessed. However, when they turned to look for the boy, he was gone. Then they found engraved in stone, "The Adventure Lives On...”

Doesn't that just make you want to see this place! I recommend everyone to come out and take a look. It is truly a site to behold. But after our tours and all the fun stuff, we then meet with out managers. It was there that I was told that I was starting TOMORROW!!! I mean, it was sort of sudden, but I think I am ready. And besides, I'M PLAYING GAMES! It can't be hard at all. All I am worried about is giving guests correct information. Well, I better go get some rest!

~James