oops...

Well, I certainly fell off the face of the earth, didn't I......

Life has been amazing!! I am still here, still chugging along on my second program, however I know have exactly 7 days of work left, and 9 days til my second program is officially over. I seriously can't believe how time has flown by. This second program definitely went much faster than the first one. The awesome thing is that I applied, and was accepted for, a Part Time position with Photopass attttt..... EPCOT!! That's right, I'm going back to my original home!!! I can't believe how unbelievably lucky I am!!! Generally, it's a 3 month waitlist to go part time, and I got the call a week and a half after applying! Im sure that it has something to do with the Fantasyland expansion that will be opening in a few months. I've heard talk that they're hiring A TON of photographers for there, so I know they're pulling from seasonal and PT to fill the FT positions. So my program is over August 3rd, and I am officially PT starting Aug 5th. I have found an apartment down here with two friends and we get the keys this Friday!! It's pretty easy to find a place to live, but prices depend on location and amenities. Generally it's $1,000 - $1,200 for a 3 bedroom. My two friends and I are living in a 3 BR for $1,200/mo, cable and garbage included. The kitchen is not upgraded, but the rooms are huge, so that's what we went with (after looking for a month).

I am going to do a more complete update later, but here are some pictures of how my life has been:

Cinco de Mayo event at Chatham Square

Ryan ( DAK photopass) Goofy, Me, Erin (roommate, qsfb) Meg (DAK photopass)

Ryan and I on a photo outing

Lotso makes a break for it

Meg and I got along terribly well. 

Meeting Merida before she was officially doing Meet & Greets!!

Ryan, Meg and I at Universal's Curious George Splash and Play zone (I put my iPhone in a plastic bag!)

We fired upon small children who shrieked and ran. It was an unbelievable day :)

 More to come!

Cast Events

So back in March, DAK had two employee parties that were SO MUCH FUN!! EPCOT never had events like this that I was able to go to (Danny was able to go to a Soarin'/Land movie night one time, though) So this was a nice change. The first event was in Dinoland and they opened up Dinorama for all the cast members from 7:30pm-9pm. This meant that Primeval Whirl, Triceratop Spin and the carnival games were open for us to enjoy. We didn't have to pay for the carnival games and we got fun toys as prizes (besides the typical stuffed animals, they also gave out DAK lanyards, Disney mister fans {which are like $10 each!} and other fun things) They also fed us a lovely barbeque.

The following week, they held it at Everest and it was beyond awesome. Seriously, I don't think I've ever had so much fun before with coworkers. I was friends with my EPCOT ppl last year, but not as close as I am to my DAK workers. There was NO ONE really going on Everest, and it was always a walk on. I was one of the few ppl who didn't have to work that day, so I got to go in normal clothes, while everyone else was in work costume. I think I rode it 7 times. And there were no Merchandise ppl working (since everyone but attractions ppl were off), so we weren't able to buy our photos. Luckily I had brought my camera and took pictures of our ride pictures. The event was open from 7:30-9pm again, and in the middle of it, they actually turned on the lights inside the ride. We were not able to take photos while lights were on, but I have to admit that while it was cool to be able to see everything, I prefer the ride in the dark! I love that when you go through the mountain, that you can't see anything! And then the Yeti just comes out of nowhere! At this event we were fed unlimited ice cream bars (frozen banana, mickey bars and mickey ice cream sandwiches) At one point, DAK's Vice President, Michael Colglazier was even in our car and he was super nice and easy to talk to!.This whole event was awesome, and afterwards my coworkers and I all went to Waffle House and ate really bad cheap food.

Rio does not like roller coasters. Ryan however, is very excited...

First ride up!

This one's my favorite! I love my smile :)

I may love DAK more than EPCOT now... :D

Midnight musings

So it's actually after 2 am, but I like the title. So last spring break, when I was at EPCOT, I maintained my normal hours and was scheduled like 36.  This year I actually made it up to 40 hours. I picked up the PAC shift for almost 4 hour for one of my days off, and then base called me asking if I could come in on my other day off, and I ended up working 5 hours that day, ending at basically 50 hours for the day (rounding). The next official Spring Break week I again had 40 hours and 45 minutes, and I will tell you, I did NOTHING my days off but sleep and it was amazing. Because of the fact that I didn't have a day off the week before, i worked like almost 70 hours before a real day off.... I don't think I'll be doing that again, lol. This week is not Spring Break, and as such we have Disney classes again, but I was still scheduled 40 hours and 45 minutes. I picked up a short shift in the West on my "saturday" and I imagine I'll have fun with it. :) This shift brings my total to 45 hours even. I have to admit that the overtime from that 50 hour week made my pay check REALLY nice. :))
Next week I took Tuesday off (for a total of 3 days off) and so have 30 hours BUT my friend Jasmine won tickets to go see The Lion King from Broadway when it comes to Orlando and invited me to go with her!! I'm super excited!!!! I have ALWAYS wanted to go see it, and now I finally get to!!!!
The Expedition Everest Challenge is only 2.5 weeks away, and if I haven't mentioned it, it's a 5K that I signed up for... and I HATE running. We'll see how this goes.......
On a completely random note, I have applied for the Wild Africa Trek job posting from work here.... and I really really want it. The posting is actually for a bench position, so they're not hiring right now for it, but kind of hiring a bunch of people that they can pick from when a position opens up. It's a pool, but now they call it a bench. This is the initial stage, so if I make it past this stage, I'll be offered an interview. I REALLY hope I can get at least part way into it.  Forget that.. I want the job!!! I feel like I would be perfect for it!! I love to talk and take pictures. Done.

Look at that! Some of my photos!

Bed.

Special Moments

So I forgot to mention some really fun/funny moments from yesterday.
The first actually happened at Typhoon Lagoon, where I went with my friend Mackenzie. We were floating down the lazy river and it was breezy. Leaves had been falling on us and into the river. I was floating in an  innertube when I felt something land on my thigh. Not thinking much of it, I lifted my head to look at this leaf, and discovered that it was NOT a leaf, but in fact a green tree lizard, staring right at me. Now, before I continue, I'd like to mention that I am not a girly girl. I played waterpolo in highschool and paintball with my dad. Last college program, I actually had guys ask me to come and remove spiders from their rooms. Yet when I saw this lizard, I had full on freak out, complete with hand flailing, and according to Mackenzie, a blood curdling scream. As I was thrashing about, I felt the lizard run up my leg and across my stomach, where he discovered we were currently surrounded by water. He then ran down my other leg, stopping at my knee. It was about this time that I realized he couldn't do anything to me, and probably desperately wanted off. So as Mackenzie laughed and laughed, I stuck my leg straight out (en pointe) and paddled my way to the shore, where the lizard proceeded to run further down my foot, eventually leaping from my toes into the dirt on the shore. It was probably the funniest thing that has happened to me in Florida.

The second moment happened later when I was working the PAC shift. It was a short time between the marching bands and the electrical light parade. I was wandering back and forth on the street when I came across a group of like 8 girls, made up of different groups of guests, all sitting together on the ground. One girl asked how long until the next parade. I responded that it would be in 7 minutes. "oh." I talk to some of the other girls for a bit when the girl asks, "How many minutes now."
"Well now there's six minuites!"
"oh....How many now?!"
"5 minutes, 30 seconds."
Another girl looks at me and says, "Can you just stay here and count it down for us?!"
I said no, because then it would seem like it would take forever! I wandered off down the street, keeping an eye on the time. Right before 9, I started making my way back to the group with a plan, when the announcer comes on the loud speaker, introducing the parade (and, I thought, ruining my plan). I get back to the group and say, "Guys! Guess how many minutes now?!" And at this moment, all the lights go off on main street. Oh my gosh, I was not expecting that to happen and I could not have planned this any better. I mean, I found myself thinking, 'Stuff like this doesn't happen in real life!" All the girls yell out, "ZERO!!!" which I echoed back to them, and then continued on to my parade spot. I felt pretty damn cool :D

An Everyday Conversation II

This takes place several weeks ago. It is night time and I am photographing families in front of the tree of life. Since it's dark, they have to stand still for almost a second so as to not blur out. This can be hard for kids...
Me: Alright guys! I'm going to have you stand really still like Popsicles! Ready??
I take two photos
Me: And you're done! You did great! What flavor did you pretend to be?
Son, looks to be 8ish: I was grape!
Daughter, age 4ish: Guess what! But I'm not sweet, I'm spoiled!
Me: .........
Mom bursts out laughing.

oops

Hello, friends! It's been a month since my last update, which is TERRIBLE. Seriously, I have no excuse. But it's been an amazing month! I have a lot to write, so I'm going to break it up into several posts. First will be all about me! (surprise...)
 My birthday was on the 9th, and my friends Kelsey and Jasmine went with me to Tusker House for my birthday Brunch. We met Donald, Mickey, Daisy and Goofy, and ate some seriously good food. I made the reservation for 10:45am, so that we would go in at breakfast, and be there through the lunch changeover, which happened at like 11:30. And yes, I planned it that way
 on purpose. What really did us in was when they brought out the dessert buffet at 11:45... so much food.

I was finally trained to work Tusker House. I'm not sure if I mentioned that in my previous posts, but basically I was trained on how to take the Donald Picture that you see here, how to assemble the packages that we offer to the guests, and how to run them out to the tables. It's really different from what I do normally in the parks, and I actually really enjoy it. Many of the people who work there have bid for that location, and so may only work in Tusker House (as opposed to out in the parks). I don't know if I could do it everyday, but I have been picking up shifts and trading with people here and there. You have to not take anything personally and be really open to people, but it's a lot of fun to watch the kids dance with the characters and talk with families about their trip.
I really am falling in love with DAK. I'll be honest in that I was really apprehensive about being assigned here (as I've mentioned) but it is definitely growing on me. The cp's that I'm with are pretty awesome, as are the regular cast members. I love working at Boat Landing, which is where you can find Winnie the Pooh and friends. Pooh is just unbelievable and loves kids, and I feel like I take the best pictures when working with him. SPEAKING OF! My photo that I took with Pocahontas back in February, that won photo of the week? It won photo of the month for DAK!!! I was so shocked! And then a couple weeks ago, I took the CUTEST picture of this little girl just laughing and laughing at meeting Goofy. Her hair was all curly and she has just this look on her face as she's squealing at him. And THAT photo was selected as a photo of the week. It feels really good, but I know a lot of it is about timing, and really luck. There's been so many times I've thought, "Oh man! That would have been an awesome shot if I had grabbed it!!" I think that soooo many times a day, it can get you down if you let it, but you have to focus on what you can do and just never put the camera down (which isn't possible, lol). There's usually five or six photo's of the week so it's nice to see what other people are doing and get ideas from there.
Today I picked up at Parade Audience Control shift in the Magic Kingdom. I worked 1900-2245 and got to pick up the COOLEST costume!! I normally can't see these shifts to pick up on the HUB, but since it's spring break and there are a lot of guests in the parks, they needed extra help. I had always wanted to work one, as my roommate last year Tracy loved them, so I jumped at the chance. It was a little hard to find the base, but luckily there were a lot of people in the costume so I just followed them. I was assigned to stand in front of Mickey's Town Square Theater from 1900-21:30. I had a giant container for bubbles to play with forever until we had to start clearing the streets and getting ready for the Electrical Light Parade. Then it was my job to make sure people stayed on the curb and anyone who was recording, that they didn't have a spot light to blind the performers. I then moved allll the way down to the popcorn cart on by the castle and helped direct traffic during Wishes!. I didn't see one minute of Wishes! even thought i was RIGHT there, as I was constantly trying to keep people moving. I tried to make it funny because people were tired and since it was so crowded, they couldn't move very fast (sometimes barely at all.) So I'd yell out, "You're doing great, friends! Just channel your inner Dori and just keep swimming! You're in the EAC!!" Several people actually thought this was funny and helped break up the tension of trying to get out of the park, so I feel I did my duty. I really loved every minute of it and will definitely pick up more (whenever I can.)

It is the height of Spring Break right now, and we have one more week to go of it. I know that DAK has been really crowded and we were expecting to hit capacity today, but I'm not sure if we did as it was my day off. Cast members are blocked out of visiting WaterParks for free right now, but we do still get our discount (half off). I'm was assigned 41 hours this week, and am at just over 45 with the PAC shift tonight. My roommate is Merch in DAK with me and she was assigned 57 hours, but is at about 60 now due to forced extensions. That is going to be something you have to deal with. (It's also REALLY warm right now for March/April). It's been 90 the past few days, so you're going to have to ask yourself how you're going to keep the magic going. I know I've said this before, but several people are having a hard time of it now that we're busy and its hot. Make sure you take a job that you're willing to work. If you don't love food service and you don't love the heat, dont' put down qsfb! lol, sure you could end up in an air conditioned location in a park, but you could also be selling pretzels in the sun, or in a resort (not even in a park!) If this sounds fine to you, then go for it! Just make sure you're going to love it! Cause that's whats going to get you up in the morning.

That's all for now (that was a lot). More coming (unlike those fabled Africa Trek photos... which are still coming!!!)

An Everyday Conversation

The following is an actual conversation I had today:
The Setting: I am at Boat Landing, where one can find Pooh, Eeyore and Tigger. We are running a bit behind and normally Pooh will go off for some honey, followed shortly by Eeyore and then Tigger. Today though, Pooh has made it back from his snack before Eeyore and Tigger have left. As such, I have to make sure Eeyore leaves after his last family, and explain to the new family that he'll be right back. Please note, there are two families in this story, A and B.


{Family leaves}
Me: Okay, Eeyore, go grab some thistles real quick. Turning to girl 1 from Family A Sorry Princess, but Eeyore will be right back, okay?
Dad 1A: Oh okay, no problem. Proceeds to walk towards Tigger
Me: Actually, if I can just have you stay right here for Eeyore.
Dad 1A: Oh, we were just going to go see Tigger while we wait.
Me: Actually, Tigger is going to be leaving right after that family, too, but he'll be right back.
Child 1A: Tigger's leaving too?
Me: Yup! He's just going to get some cake real quick, and then he'll be back.
Child 2A: Cake?! I like cake!
Me: You do?! I like cake, too!
Child 1A: Pooh already left (she states, matter of factly)
Me: He did! You saw him leave, and waited for him, didn't you? He ate some honey and then he came right back.
Child 1A: Honey? I like honey!
Me: Me too. I put it in my tea sometimes. Which do you think you'd like better: Honey, Thistles or Cake?
Child 1 and 2A: Ummm.......
Child 1A: Honey! My mom gives me honey cause it's kind of like medicine. She gives it to me on a spoon sometimes. Look at my baby! It's a mere cat! And she has a baby fox! (points to Child 2A)
Child 2A literally puts baby fox about 2 inches from my face
Me: Those are really neat babies!
A wild Child 1B appears!
Child 1B: Look what I can do! Proceeds to hop on one foot across the set
Me: Look at you! You're hoping on one foot! Make sure you show that to Tigger when you see him!
Child 1B: ....Whaaaaa?
Me: Make sure to show Tigger how you bounce! Hey look, I can see Eeyore coming down the pathway!
Child 1A: I see him too! And Tigger!

About 4 minutes later, I look over to Tigger just in time to see Child 1B slooooooowwwwly hopping towards Tigger. Tigger looks down at him and then begins to hop in place, which causes Child 1B to explode in giggles. I go back to shooting my family at Eeyore.