My Wizarding Story
I first heard of Harry Potter back in grad school, I was only ten years old. I remember going to the library as a class in fourth grade and the librarian introduced us to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. I won’t go into much detail for this wasn’t the steam of my wizarding story, but I did wish I had continued on the readings after that. What truly started my Wizarding story was when I got a job at Universal Studios Hollywood. Yup, the theme park in California.
I was fortunate enough to be chosen to work the Land and Open it on April 7, 2016. That is where my Wizarding story began. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter provided me a job and not only that it gave me the chance to interact and be apart of the land and welcome witches, wizards and muggles! I even got to celebrate my birthday at the Three Broomsticks and blossomed a new love for the Harry Potter franchise. I even have my own wand! But what really captivated me was when I got to be apart of the Grand Opening Ceremony and had the honor to have witness the beauty of John Williams conducting the LA Philharmonic and seeing the fireworks finale. It is an event I will never forget. A true beauty it was and I even got to met a few of the Harry Potter Cast for instance Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood), James and Oliver Phelps (The Weasley Twins), Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy) and Warwick Davis (Professor Flitwich/Goblin Bank Teller) a complete ah moment. I remember being in charge of the incendio spell when the Universal Studios Hollywood president at the time (Larry Katz) was going to use his wand and show his incendio spell. My task was to keep the muggles at a safe distance from the arising flame.
Overall, my experience working in the land has been a great blessing and a lot of memories made and forever cherish. From witnessing and being apart of Wedding proposals in front of the Hogwarts Castle, to role play with wizards and taking photos that bring out their wizarding experience and having the opportunity to build my character in the theme park. I for instance did not recieve my Hogwarts letter but I have lived in Hogsmead and was home schooled by witches and wizards and it is now I live in the land. How does it play when I am seen around the Frog Choir and the Triwizard Spirit Rally. It is because we are all friends and it shows that Hogwarts students and Hogsmead villagers can also be friends as you can see through the films/books. I also wanted to aadd on how astonishing it is to witness the guests who come in with their wizarding attire and singing and dancing along with the Frog Choir especially the little ones. My job doesn’t seem like a job afterall, but a second home. And now I am siting in a college class that is based off J.K Rowlings impact of her Harry Potter books. The wizarding adventure doesn’t stop form here.
Because of Harry Potter or shall I saw J.K Rowlings brilliant imagination, it has given me and as well as many others, hope, endless opportunities and friendships…to my life at least.