I went to Disneyland today, for the first time since I was a very young girl. Though I had a great time, it was weird to go on the same rides that seemed so fantastical to me the last time I'd visited them. The Haunted House wasn't scary anymore, and The Pirates of the Carribean (which had been my favorite ride) just wasn't as real. Having had the veil of childish innocence lifted from my eyes by the cruel reality of growing up, Disneyland just wasn't as magical.

When I was in Fantasyland, shopping at the Princess store for my friend's little girl, all I could do was look at the images of Snow White, Ariel, and Cinderella with their princes, and think how these fairy tales set up little girls for unrealistic expectations when it comes to romantic relationships. Will I ever see the world through rose-coloured glasses again?

Well, at least the cotton candy tastes the same, though I can't eat the whole thing or my stomach will hurt.



But the princess dresses definitely don't fit me anymore.