You should be Belle

A few days ago my roommate and I went shopping at a store called Property Control it is a store that sells lots of special Disney Stuff.  When we went to check out as usual the cast members working were an absolute delight.  But, this cast member really made my day.  She told me that I should audition to be a Character Performer.  She told me that I would be a really good Belle.  I've had people tell me before that I should be a character but, never has a cast member told me that.  And there are auditions coming up next week.  Debating if I should go or not.  But it was a special Disney moment for me and has been on my mind lately.  So I just thought I would share that part of my journey.  Other than that there are not too many exciting things going on other than working in the Happiest place on earth.

Non Disney Days

I'm on the tail end of my two days off and it has been quite nice. I've enjoyed being care free for a few days.  It's funny though I am so used to having lots of responsibilities like homework and chores that on my days off I feel like I should have more to do.  I clean and get my laundry done and that's pretty much all that needs to be done. I've been doing homework so much for the past how many years of my life that now my days feel empty without all the homework that needs to be done.

Also my roommates and I have grown so accustomed to things being done the Disney Way that when we go off property we are always a little culture shocked.  We're so used to the Disney way of interacting with people.  Something that is truly Disney apparently.  Because as soon as we venture off of property customer service is quite different.  We now love being on property just for the good customer service and hate it for the expensive prices.  We are loving our discounts though!

Having two consecutive days off it a nice new experience thing for me.  I'm used to working lots and lots and although I am working lots here it is more long days than I used to have.  I always feel like I'm on a little vacation when I get my 2 days off.  So I like this. It is sort of like being a grown up but not really since my 2 days are a for sure thing and they have been moving around so I don't always get my weekends at the same time.

So far I have been making it through everything alive. I have yet to get back into my work out regimen like I had thought I would.  I laugh a little when I think about the fact that I thought I would have the time and energy for that.  But I am hoping soon I'll have found the balance so that I can fit it all in.  My roommates and I are thinking about doing the Princess 5k next month and that might just be the motivation I need.

This post is really unorganized and a little scatter brained.  But, that is just sort of how life goes right now!

Part of Their World

I can now say I have been part of both worlds.  The guest world and the cast member world.  And my journey on both roads is no where near complete.  I am so grateful for this opportunity I have.  This chance to get some of the very best job training out there and work for one of the world's most recognized and renowned companies.  But, on the other hand I also love being on the other side of the invisible rope.  I love the magic of being a guest.  One of the very best parts of this experience is getting to be on both sides.  I could wake up leave my apartment head to a resort of park and be a part of the guest magic then head over to the Magic Kingdom and clock in for work and be part of the team that creates the magic for others.

I have now been here for 11 days.  But, as my roommates and I discussed earlier today it feels as if we have been here for weeks now.  In just 2 short months my family will be here to visit and I will have the opportunity to create some magic for them.  More so than usual ;).  Once they arrive it is hard to believe that my program will already be half over!  These eleven days have already been a whirlwind of exhaustion, anxiety, magic, fun, laughs, stress and a mess of other emotions.  I can hardly even begin to think what the next 2 months or 4.5 months will have in store for me.  There is so much to do, see, and experience. There are sleepless nights ahead of me and what seem like impossibly long days.  But, I am finally feeling prepared to conquer all of the struggles.

I have just enjoyed two wonderful days off! It was quite wonderful to have the time to sleep in and take things at my own pace.  5 days of work and I get another 2 off! So wonderful I cannot wait!! haha.  Yesterday I spent most of my day being lost trying to get an oil change and not being able to find the joint.  Then sitting in urgent care for another 3 hours.  Was not at all what I had originally planned for my day. But, the good news is that I knew I had the rest of my day and the next day off! Now there is no need to worry. It was nothing serious just a little pain that I needed diagnosed so that I could get the right medication to fix it and I already feel better! Doctors have a way of being very magical people sometimes!  Today went much better! I got to sleep in and relax in the apartment all morning and then head to Downtown Disney with my delightful roommates and do a little shopping! And I'm so proud of my self there were so many adorable Minnie Mouse things and I didn't buy a single thing for myself.  After our shopping was done we went on over to Disney's Hollywood Studios!  It rather crowded due to the fact that it was a holiday weekend. The good thing is that Hollywood Studios is always a good park to just walk around.  We did tough it out and waited in line for Tower of Terror and it was as usual an absolutely fabulous ride.  Had a good dinner at Sci-fi cafe which is a fun restaurant to go to!  Then was the fun of trying to catch a lousy bus ride home! It took forever and it was freezing out.  But, I am cozy and snug at home now.  I have my lunch and dinner made for tomorrow. A clean kitchen and dinning room.  Soon a clean bedroom.

The thing is that I am trying to stay up as late as possible.  Because you see the thing is that I have to work from 2:00pm until………. 3:00am so I want to make sure I am as prepared as possible for this!! My week is going to be a long due to the fact that my shifts are either obnoxiously long or right on top of each other. Or someday's both!  But, this is what I signed up for.  It is funny to me because I knew exactly what I was in store for once I got here. But, I never really put any thought into exactly what it would be like or what a toll it would take on me! To me the fact that some people live like this for years is incredible! They must be machines! I am a bit of a workaholic but, I am no machine! I like sleep! So I guess over the next 5 months I will learn how to be a machine and not need sleep.  Skills I am sure will be helpful in the future!!  None the less work me to pieces and I will still be happy to be in Florida. Not just Florida, but Orlando.  And not just Orlando, but Walt Disney World! Basically every single day!!  I think every day since Sunday I have been to a Disney Park all but one day!!  

Well I feel as if I have given y'all enough to read for the night, morning, afternoon.  Whenever it is you choose to read! Till next time enjoy the magic of your life! Everyday has a little sparkle if you believe.

All you need is faith, trust and a little pixie dust!!

It's Magically Exhausting

So I'm all ready for my second day of work. Hoping it isn't nearly as exhausting as yesterday.

My first day was very long. I was up incredibly early with my stomach in knots.  The butterflies didn't feel like butterflies they felt more like spiked wrecking balls.  Since I'd arisen so early I had ample time to get ready and wait for my bus that was dreadfully late.  After waiting and waiting one finally arrived.  We all climbed aboard and waiting for our stops.  We pull up to the Magic Kingdom and I headed off the bus to costuming.  Where I was fitted and tried on lots and lots of different sizes.  Upon finally finding the right sizes I gathered up enough to have 5 costumes.  We then left costuming and headed for the park!

Once there I was able to get changed and put on my costume!  I spent the day being showed around my area of the park and doing lots of online training modules.  It was a crazy long day and I was super tired once I got to clock out.  I then got to lug my 5 costumes and myself all the way to the bus stop to wait for the bus.  Then got to take a nice bus ride back to the apartment complexes and walk back with my big ol laundry bag.  I was so grateful to be home!  I relaxed for a little while and then a roommate and I went to run a couple errands. We did our grocery shopping and got her some work shoes.  Turns out I should have bought myself a pair as well. But, oh well I can go and get some tomorrow.  We came home and ate some sushi carry out that we had picked up and then it was finally time to hit the showers and hit the hay.  

Today was another long day of work but, not as long as yesterday.  I was up nice and early and today instead of taking the bus to work we drove.  That made it easier and I was more comfortable being in control of when I would arrive at work.  Today we had some hands on training with the registers and learned lots of stuff.  Then we got our lunch break. After lunch was more of those super fun online training modules.  I was very grateful for the shorter day and have been enjoying my time to relax.  I am anxious to crawl into bed though and call it a night.  

I have been so incredibly grateful though for my family, boyfriend and friends! They have all been so super supportive and keep sending me lots of positive energy.  If it wasn't for my strong support system I would not be able to do this.  The whole situation has been a lot harder, more exhausting, and more overwhelming that I had anticipated.  I had grown so anxious to get here that I hadn't spent any time thinking about what my life would be like once I was here.  I am hoping soon that things will get easier and I'll be better able to balance and manage everything.  But, still a million thanks to my incredibly wonderful support system.  Here's to keeping my chin up!

Settling In

So after the long and stressful drive through a blizzard to get here and after thawing out my car we arrived in Disney! The butterflies were intense and it felt as if I had cramme millions of them into my tummy. After a night of relaxing the next morning was check in. 

I rose bright and early to get ready for the check in process. As we drove over to the Vista Way Apartment Complex and it finally began to set in. That the girls I had been talking to for months would now be my roommates and we would be living in Disney. As we parked at Vista and got out of the car I saw a few famiar faces. 2 of my 3 roommates were there headed to check-in.

We went and got in line and waited and waited. We soon found out we would be living in Paterson, our top choice. After that we got to take our beautiful ID pictures. Just kidding they made me take my headband off which totally screwed up my hair and ruined my picture. Not fun. Then was some paperwork and getting our keys. Then after that we found out where we would be working. Aaaannnnddddddd I'll be working at Storybook Circus which is in the new Fantsyland so I'm super excited about that. 

After all of the check in stuff was done we were able to head to our apartment finally. Where our fourth roommate was waiting! We started moving in and are stilling finishing unpacking today. 3 days later. 

That evening we had to go to casting which took forevvvverr and was very repetitive and monotonous. But it's all part of the magical journey. 

On our second day here yesterday we had an easy morning and then went to a very boring housing meeting. After our housing meeting was a little more unpacking and some relaxing. Then we had a delicious dinner at Paradiso 37. Then we finally got to see Saving Mr. Banks! Which was quite a good movie. 

Today was our first official day on our own without any parents. We slept in and had an easy morning. A roommate and I went and had a super duper delicious breakfast. Then the four of us went through Wal-Mart and bought lots and lots of stuff! We filled an entire SUV and had to delay the rest of our shopping. Once back at our apartment I was able to unpack my last box and organize everything. It feels good to be mostly settled in. We're finishing up our second trip now. We've got another filled trunk not nearly as full as our first trip. We also picked up some dinner from Zaxby's and southern joint. I'm excited to try something new for dinner. 

Tonight we're hanging out and taking it easy. We'll go to bed early and be ready for our 6:45 bus tomorrow to another exciting part of our journey Disney's Traditions!

Until then you're now caught up on my journey thus far into the magic of Disney!

Departure Day is Approaching

So the packing is done and the car is loaded.  Now it is time to enjoy my last night at home before me and my father hit the road for the 20 hour ride down to Orlando!! It is hard to believe that all of this is coming true.  The last few days have been a whirlwind of emotions and chaos. Between everyone wanting to see me one last time and all of the packing and such that needed to be done.  It has been exhausting.  Hopefully once I arrive there will be an opportunity for me to take a nap or two.  

Packing was impossible for me though.  Every time I would start I would pack like 3 things and be like yup that is enough I am done now.  Or it would be this battle of "Do I really need a Nerf Gun?" "Ya I do!"  "Wait no I don't!" And I still haven't decided. That Nerf Gun may really come in handy.  I won't be bringing my Light Saber though. That suffered some breakage during a recent battle.  "Do I need all 10 seasons of Friends?"  Which when I asked my roommates one promptly responded with "Ya! Do it!"  Distractions were ample and motivation was absent.  

But, my mother finally got my butt in gear. The packing is done and the car has been loaded.  Headed south we will be long before sunset.  So with a box of Kleenex handy I prepare to embark on a journey of a lifetime.

I've got my Minnie and Mickey ready to journey their little bags packed.  Stay tuned for more as the excitement has just begun.