Hakuna Matata

Well, things at work haven't picked up much, since the Food and Wine Festival has yet to begin. But that's coming soon, so hopefully it will start to get busier and the time will go by faster.

This past weekend I had sort of a crisis. I started researching all the professional internships I could get in January, and they all had a similar requirement: must be enrolled in a college or university. Since I have already graduated, I panicked. I made a bunch of calls, and no one could seem to give me a definite answer if I was still eligible. Heather and I decided to go to Downtown Disney, so I could drown myself in good food and Strongbow at Raglan Road Irish Pub. It was just the pick-me-up I needed. We did a little shopping too, and it was just a great overall night.

So Monday was the Professional Internship networking soirée, and I just had to bite the bullet and find out from the recruiters if I could still apply. I got to talk to a woman from Disney Event Group, and she told me as long as I do everything consecutively, I was good to go. So I graduated, then am doing my program now, and if I do my internship in January it will still be okay. I was so relieved. Crisis averted. I also talked to people from Management-Rooms and Related and Management-Food Service. Those are other areas I might be interested in, but since I'm eligible for the Event Planning ones, I'll probably apply for the Convention Services and Event Planning internships. I plan on talking to my manager (if I can ever get a hold of him...) and the Event Group woman to see what would be the best fit, a Professional internship or a Management internship. Deadlines to apply are Oct. 3rd, so I'll be making my decisions soon. I'll let you guys know what I choose.

So after the soirée, I went with Heather to Animal Kingdom, where we met up with Kelly, another Epcot Vacation Planner, and her friend Chris from UGA, who brought his friend Jacqui, who is "best friends" with Belle. So that was pretty cool to meet a "friend" of a princess. We did Pocahontas and her Forest Friends show, which is closing soon, and of course Finding Nemo the Musical. I love that show, and Heather bought the soundtrack, so I'm excited to possibly burn it. Then we came back and watched Enchanted because Kelly had never seen it (which is crazy because I've seen it probably a million times and never get sick of it).

On Tuesday, Kelly and I stopped by Property Control, where they have tons of Disney merch that's severely discounted for Cast Members. I got a really cute Tinkerbell watch for 12 dollars, and an oven mitt so I can stop burning myself when I cook. Oh! And I got a haircut earlier that morning. It's kind of short again, but I can still put it up, so that's good. I think I'm growing it out, but it's nice to have a style again, since my last haircut was awful. But anyway, going shopping was fun, and I think I made a new friend. Then, at night, Heather and I were in a musicals mood, so we watched Once and Phantom of the Opera.

Yesterday, I went to work in the morning, and about two hours into it, I got really lightheaded all of a sudden, took my break early, and almost passed out on the way to the break room. I ate a granola bar and sat in the A/C for awhile, but I went home early in case I was overheated or dehydrated or something. It was weird, but I'm feeling better.

So now I'm going in to work from 3:45-9:45, and I hope all goes well.

P.S.-Today, I have officially been here a month. It's crazy how fast time flies. Not sure if I'm in the place I'd thought I'd be a month ago, but life is definitely better than the first week. I have a couple friends, a nice roomie, and I'm liking work. AND I'm still eligible for an internship, the whole reason I came down here.

I'm also excited at the prospect of all the people visiting me soon. Mom and Amanda in less than a month (woo woo!), Anna possibly in November, Mom and Dad in December, and I talked to Andy a couple days ago, and he wants to come down in December. I miss everyone, and the only way I'm getting through work is daydreaming about my loved ones coming down here soon.

Keep it real, folks.

Finally a Fantasmic day!

I had a great day today. Well, it started last night I suppose. I got off work around three (which was soooo boring because there are NO guests) and planned on chilling at home for the rest of the night. But, when I got home, our power wasn't working correctly, so I had no lights, no TV, no internet. I had to find something else to do with my night. Since my roomie and I already had a blast at Magic Kingdom earlier in the week, I wanted to hit up either Hollywood Studios or Animal Kingdom next. So Brian and I went to Hollywood Studios to meet up with Kristen from work, who was out there with her roommates. We rode Star Tours and the Great Movie Ride, and then went to Fantasmic! show to meet up with the other girls. But, we got there and didn't realize what a zoo it would be, and there was no way we could find them in the crowd. But we stayed and watched the show, and it was amazing! I barely remembered it, so it was like I was seeing it for the first time. You see all the important characters (the princesses and princes and Mickey & Co.) and hear a bunch of classic Disney songs. Now I'm in the mood for Disney movies :)

Today Brian and I came back to the Studios to take on the full park. We hit up Aerosmith Rock'n Roller Coaster first, since there was only a 10-minute wait. It rocked! (obviously). Then we wanted food, so we grabbed a bite at the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater. THAT was awesome as well. We want to go back and get a car next time, we'll just have to make reservations. So then we went to the Studios new ride Toy Story Midway Mania, which was completely not what I expected...it was BETTER! I highly recommend it, and I plan on riding it several more times to improve my score (it's like Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin where you shoot targets, but waaaay cooler). And then we did (in no particular order) Muppet 3D, Backlot Tour, Little Mermaid show, Beauty and the Beast show, and Rock'n Roller Coaster AGAIN because we grabbed FastPass for it again (but there was still only a 10-min wait). And I got chocolate-covered marshmallows on a stick, which were so tasty, but they made me homesick because I thought of Christkindlmarkt, and how I'm not going to be able to go.

But we kept on trucking, and took the boat to Epcot because we apparently can't have a day go by without being there. I bought some stuff for Anna because she sent me the sweetest care package ever, and I thought some Disney stuff would only be an appropriate thank-you. So then we caught the bus back, and wanted to take a dip in the pool after being in the sun all day and being gross and sweaty. So we went for a night swim, which is always nice because the pool is really warm at night somehow. Once we were good and pruney, we left.

I just had a really great day, and it lifted my sunken spirits. Even though I don't have a lot of friends yet, Disney felt a little bit like home today. Brian and I know each other better, my roomie and I are making plans to hang out whenever we can, and Epcot is the best office I could have. I do get sad sometimes, because I miss home and Madison, and it's hard to see/hear about people doing tons of stuff with tons of roomies and friends, whereas I have one friend and one roomie and a few acquaintances, but I'm trying to make the best of what I have. I have the day off tomorrow, and I'm going to run errands, but maybe do something fun in the evening. Then it's back to the turnstiles from Wed to Sun.

Some exciting things coming up:
1. Hibachi in Japan with Heather (my roomie) on Wed before work. Another World Showcase restaurant I can check off!
2. Professional Internship Soiree next Monday. I get to schmooze with recruiters and pass on my resume. Wish me luck!
3. Day-trip to Cocoa Beach next week Tuesday. If Brian has the day off, we may go with other CPs to Cocoa Beach! And if he doesn't have the day off, I might be brave and go anyway. Ahhh! We'll see. That'd be a HUGE step going on a day trip, not knowing anyone. 'Cause if I'm having a rotten time, I'm stuck there all day. But the prospect of some ocean water--not fake pool water--sounds pretty good. I could always resort to my book and iPod if I'm having a bad time. Anyway, we'll see.
4. Spotlight on Disney Fairy Tale Weddings seminar. Does this need an explanation?!?!

Ok, as Tigger would say, Ta-Ta For Now!

Labor Day weekend (lots and lots of labor)

Tomorrow will be my seventh day in a row working. Whew, am I tired. Most days have been six hours, but a couple, like today, have been eight hours. Wednesday and Thursday are my two days off, and I can't wait. I think Wednesday Heather and I are going to try to do something since we never see each other because our schedules are always opposite. I'll probably invite Brian and the girls we met at the pool, and maybe try to get some other park greeters involved. Hollywood Studios is my pick for Wednesday, but we'll see where we end up.

Before work today, Brian and I got sushi in Japan, and it was delicious! They also have another side of the restaurant where they do hibachi, so I really want to go back for that. I think it would be fun with a big group, so hopefully I'll make more friends and we can all go together.

Work is going well. I'm learning the tricks of the trade very quickly, as I'm starting to realize how shitty people can be sometimes. They take advantage of us, and I'm sick of putting up with it. So from now on, no more Miss Nice Heather. If your finger doesn't match your ticket, or your ticket says recently used, you're not getting in unless my manager says so. I'm not a pushover anymore. So there. But yes, all in all, work is good. It's been really hot lately (I know, duh, it's Florida) but I'm under a covering so I haven't been getting burned or too overheated. The other park greeters are really cool. Lots of CPs to meet and lots of really cool old people.

Anyway, I'm super tired, can't wait for my days off, and I'm encouraging all of you to visit Disney World on Labor Day weekend because we were bored out of our minds this weekend while working from the lack of guests. Just some advice.

Goodnight and good luck.