The General

Sound: Toaster oven ticking for my breakfast at seven a.m. because my roommate snores so loudly

As you know, I get to work on The Seas attraction! I work with guests inside and outside all day long, from 30-50 hours a week, every week. I’ve been here just over a month now [say what?!] and I’d like to offer you the basics of what you should know for amusement parks:

-Be Aware. We tell you things for safety reasons, and we point as well. Look around and listen, because we don’t like seeing you trip. Because we’re the ones watching everyone so we definitely saw that.

-Safety is one of our top priorities. It’s so important that if we have to yell, we will yell. But it’s like your parents- we’re doing it to protect you.

-Yes, we know you paid a lot of money to come here. But everyone wearing those nametags are human just as much as you are, and we have feelings. And we’re not transparent so when you walk into us, we really are there. If you have a problem or want to compliment us even, you can go to guest relations and fill out a card of where we work and our names and that will eventually reach us.
It’s kind of silly, I know. But there we have it, folks.

^Picture of puppy because IT IS CUTE OKAY?

So Valentine’s Day came around as usual, and I really honestly did mean to do a post on that. It was a wonderful day after all. Last year, I dyed my hair black. This year, I slept in, shopped a little, splurged at the Ghiradelli chocolate shop, and then saw ‘The Magic, The Memories, And You’ which was a night time show at the Magic Kingdom. They bring up pictures every day of guests and display it on the castle!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYIoUVc_cuw&feature=youtube

^Link to video because I obviously couldn't figure how to properly post it. Watch it.

I know, it’s long. But it’s super adorable and worth it!
Oh and I was going to ask Peter Pan to be mine Valentine but he must have stayed in Neverland for the day and I was only in Downtown Disney for a while so I asked Buzz Lightyear. He said yes!

OH and I guess I forgot as well: the day before was spent at… [drum roll] UNIVERSAL STUDIOS!
And Islands of Adventure.
Harry Potter land!!!!!

^Yaya! I even made a friend on the bus there and hung out there again. I haven't seen Megan since but it's only been a week. I'm sure she'll show up again somewhere... But it was a blast! I'm restraining myself from not posting every picture.
However since I did go, I haven't been able to use either mug I got [a butterbeer "honeydukes" one and a Marvel decorated with some superheroes], but I do keep my Minion close by and he's the one with two eyes and open laughing smile... Remember that first movie trailer for Despicable Me and he has the cow-can? Yeah, Him. I keep him in bed and so he's the first thing I see. Think of that laugh. Smiling yet? Well, now that's how I wake up. Yay!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsiayV5LuD0
^ Here's the link if you can't remember it. Or if you just want to watch it again. Like I did.

Anything else?
Well... I do need that pick-me-up upon waking. My roommate hasn't really talked to me in a week. I tried asking her what the issue is but she wouldn't even look at me. Then she has two of our other roommates starting on that.

If you know me at all, you'll know that in some ways I'm stubborn. And lazy. So it goes against my nature to pack up and move somewhere towards some more strangers. Even though the person who shares my bedroom snores so much I wear earplugs so often my ears still hurt.
-Hoping to sort this out in a week or so, I could use some prayers?

Working at Epcot seems to have stolen over my life and I was aware that this happens often- so though I know it's happening, I don't feel like there's too much I can even do about it? I have to think about the bus schedule, having food while I'm there, and then I have to shower constantly and eat [I'm hungry all the time], and I always have to run to Walgreens for stupid things like band-aids, rubbing alcohol, allergies...

OH OH OH OH

I went to movie night at some guys' place in my YSA ward, and we talked how I had been feeling ill over the weekend and a coworker mentioned it was most likely allergies even though I've never had that as a problem in my life before. Anyways, he said that's my "official welcome to Florida" really. It totally sucks, but I haven't had a problem for the last few days so I'm glad it's not that bad.

Can't think of too much else?
NO WAIT

I was working at strollers the other day and this little boy, I believe his name was David, came around and I helped him with his stroller [he was four], and his mom explained pin trading and we talked about our pins we both had on our lanyards. He came around twice and in the end he gave me a hug.
A hug!! I nearly squealed but that would scare people.

Anyways, it was so much more nice than to have children crying about not talking to Crush or people getting mad at me about something out of my control. But hey, what can I do? Definitely trying my best!

Happy Mardi Gras!
[so many people dressed up for that today it was so crazy!!]
Sometimes I don't know what to post, but thank you for reading and if you ever have any questions, I'll try and find you answers? LOVE!

Discovery Channel

Sound: "Messy Mondays" on youtube.com by blimeycow

Saturday Update: Chillaxin! I had no work, nothing. I wanted to go to the parks but at the same time, I didn't want to go alone. I was extremely lazy, unfortunately. I got a few extra kitchen utensils and I got a book or two from the Vista library [they don't have my favorites but its still decent!], and hung around. My roommates later got home and I joined Shelby and Mandy into the Magic Kingdom around 7-8, joining three french boys [we could barely understand them, but we are neighbors here!], for a few rides before closing.

Sunday Update: I made it to my new ward! Our Sunday School time was setting up all of the newbies in the ward, including me, to get our documents in and all. I met John who was going to help with some papers for us to get Sundays off, and apparently he works with the Nemo ride there. Also made a friend or two on the bus ride home- there's quite a few BYU-I students here I didn't know about, all living together in Chattham! They've promised to call me if they do anything as a group, because all the swearing in my house can be a bother.



Monday-

DISCOVERY DAAAAYYYY

I took an early bus with a few other students to Epcot, and we arrived at seven in the morning. Chilly and tired, we hung around and talked to each other until everyone began to form together. We clocked in, WOOO, and headed into a room to start the introduction!

After that, we headed into the actual park, Epcot, for a look around. We met Lennard [I don't think that's his name, I'm so sorry!], a really cool guy on a segway who gives tours and kept popping up to "raise the roof" at us whenever he saw us. We split our group in half to keep it smaller, and went through Innovations, both East and West, which is incredible.

We rode... shoot. Spaceman something. Nice and slow that talks about the history of man's inventions and the like. From cavemen with fire, to talking to computers onto the moon, amazing! After that, we wandered around.

Cool Fact #1: 'Club Cool' is hosted by Coca-Cola. For free, you can wander around in the store with a mini cup and try different sodas from all around the world.
Guess who's going to chill there on her free day? ;)

Cool Fact #2: When the park opened, they had about 7 International Houses and Walt Disney wanted to represent all of the world. So the fountain you can see there- they had 22 representatives on opening day bring in water from their own country to really come together. Amazing!

We also saw Graffiki there! Pretty fun :D

After that, we returned to our building to talk about cultures which was so much fun. I can't wait for extra time to go around to the different places and see Norway and China a little bit, you know? It's going to be fun!

Then! After that, we got our assignments! Well, at least half of it! I'll be working at the Nemo ride AND Turtle Talk with Crush! [Remember I mentioned John from church? He'll be one of my trainers, I think] I have my work schedule for the week- 9 hours every day until the weekend which I have off. Yay! This is going to be tough but I'll give it my best! I'm going there in about an hour, where I'll get my costume and then head off. I also met Joe, who'll be working with me!

After that, I rushed home to get groceries, spent about 50 dollars at Wal-Mart. I bought boys' black socks and black velcro shoes [cheapest things possible, still amounting to about $20]

I was going to hit the parks and stuff early then make it to FHE, but I ended up waiting two hours for my roommates and we all had to take showers and by then, I couldn't make it to FHE and they convinced me to end the evening at the park.

Like I could pass that up?

^Marie and Victoria in the evening :D

We chilled in Main Street especially during the parade which was awesome! Then we got dinner. Marie got a taco salad hot dog. Victoria got a philly cheese steak hot dog.

I bought a sweet cream cheese pretzel. IT WAS AMAZING. Sounds weird, right? And it just looks like a basic pretzel with cinnamon sprinkled on top. But it's so much more than that, I can assure you. It's SO GOOD. Incredible. Life changing.

Then we took to a few rides! The People Mover, It's A Small World, The Haunted Mansion [we walked through their little graveyard, and all three of us squished into one seat which was like being in a can of sardines, we laughed about it later. But this was so cool. I prefer the Small World back home but the Haunted Mansion is SO GOOD. Ugh amazing.

We watched a few minutes of the fireworks and kept wandering around through a few shops. They had too many cute things, I had to suppress my urges so much, seriously.

Fun stuff :) Then we caught up to Space Mountain [the fast pass is so perfect there, you have no idea] which isn't smooth like it is at Disneyland, but that's seriously okay. My glasses nearly flew off so many times. SO FUN! After that, they got some ice cream, and we headed back.

My feet were killing me, which sucks. BUT THAT'S OKAY!

Anyways, in all, it was a good weekend. Too easy, really. So now it's my first week of real training and let's see how that goes! :D

A Whole New World

Song:'Mary Jane's Last Dance' by Tom Petty

Mood: Why is my headache so tiny and yet so painful?

I DID IT! I flew across the States all by myself [to my layover in a squished plane ride I saw this CUTE guy getting ready to backpack through Australia and Peru. He helped me put my backpack up and he was reading 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance' which is one of the craziest coolest stories EVER.], hopped on a bus to watch a Eastern sunrise and by eight in the morning [east coast time], I was at Vista Way Apartments, in line.

To be honest the whole set up here to get signed in, is between being in lines for rides at any Disney Resort Parks and a tax line. There are lots of papers shuffled around but everyone is so friendly and helpful!

We went to Casting where I found I will be working at the.... flip. South or East Attractions at Epcot Park [meaning, I believe, Finding Nemo or a Space ride], yay! But seriously, we were going through lines to be fingerprinted, get property I.D.'s, go to a "Welcome Introduction" and all.

Oh, I have to mention this: I found my apartment [three bedroom, two bathroom place with Cable and wi-fi but nothing to really cook with]. It was across the park from the Pavilion where we had our luggage stashed. Do you see the beginning of my problem? If you know me, the problem is multiplied. There are so many different paths- I had to make THREE trips and EVERY way turned out DIFFERENT. I do not lie.

But hey, it's an adventure!

I have pretty cool roommates [when they cut down the swearing and hopes to party], and our main problem is getting enough things for our kitchen [I just bought a muffin pan and tomorrow I'm picking up a cookie sheet. Another girl just got us a microwave oven.], and finding how messy our apartment was beforehand [dirt in the showers, ew!]

Anyways!!!

Yesterday I had the day off from everything, thank goodness, because the day before I didn't get a meal until ten in the evening- beforehand I lived off six mini cookies and half a waterbottle!- but my roommate, Marie, made me delicious food. Reinforces my belief that most people outside of America cook the best.

SHOPPING. Gotta love Wal-Mart. AND they have a dollar tree just down the road! Marie and I walked on over and they have a FREEZER section! My life was made. Orange chicken and ice cream, booyah! Then we just chilled out, watched a movie, and she blowdried my hair [because we all know if my hair doesn't look fine after five minutes, I will give up]

Sorry, I'm getting distracted.

TODAY! Was our "Traditions" class where things started to click. FIRST OFF, I got my badge! That and I got my technical pass that lets me into all Disney Resort Parks FREE. Jealous? I thought so. [And for the next two weeks, I have 40% off of all things, then it goes down to 20. I'm already planning on a little splurging, I'm afraid! haha :D]

^My badge!!!!

After some rules and regulations and a game or two, we headed out in our groups out into the Magic Kingdom and you know it- we went underground! Pictures not allowed, of course, but it's not that flashy, just really cool. We ran into Cinderella on our way! Then we came out the back doors and right before we were heading out, our leader, Gio, asked if anyone hadn't been there before....

SO yeah, I've had Disneyland but not here so I had to raise my hand and so she pulled me up to the front and I was the first one to walk into Main Street! It was embarrassing, to be honest [girls behind me were "awww"ing] and while it held a lot of similiarties of Disneyland, it was still different and so awesome!

(^At the park we had radios with ear pieces and I felt so pro!)

We didn't go far, unfortunately, just a few minutes through to talk about Safety, Courtesy, Show and Effeciency.

It was great and Mickey Mouse brought us our pins in the end!

Except for the blisters. Ouch :/

My conclusion of our day was riding the bus around town for an hour, talking to others getting off their shifts. Turns out, the park had closed at nine! Silly, right? But tomorrow it's open later and we're going out, my roommates and I.

Shall keep you updated with my adventures! :D

The End Of The End

2011 was a tough year in a lot of ways.

It was supposed to be a good, fresh start- my first semester of college had been extremely tough and I hadn't wanted to return in the first place. And then starting the new year in tears hadn't been the plan either.

HOWEVER, I shall cover my favorite things of the year.

First, I did return to Cedar City for school, where I found the best of roommates-

[Somehow I don't have a picture of Lindsey who was always disappearing.]

Then I almost FINALLY met my favorite band of forever, The Maine. They were in a small venue in St. George with a few other local bands and I learned the week before they showed up they would be there. I scrambled for someone to join me but everyone was... what's the term? "Grouping up" or something. Let's just say I was single and they weren't.

I went anyways. Second row and I met them all!

I bought a poster and got that signed- the lead singer loved my 50 cent vest. ^ that's Garrett Nickelsen, their crazy bassist who I adore most because... well, there are too many reasons.

What else? Well, January-April were literally the best months of my life. I was constantly the third-, fifth-, or even the seventh-wheel, but I lived through it. I went dancing, won a hula-hoop contest, got clothes, had several game nights, I cried,I laughed, I ran barefoot in the rain- those days really were the best.

SUMMERRRRR

Wasn't too bad!

June, I spent as a live-in nanny. They picked me up Sunday evenings and brought me home Friday afternoons to watch their cute kid, Abby. I have too many adorable pictures, umm.....

I went to Warped once again, the "traveling concert" with Kei Riggins and her bro, Drex who were awesome. We met a few bands and I saw some of my new favorite musicians like Go Radio, Every Avenue, and more! It was incredible, hot, and too much fun.

OH OH OH OH OH OH.
Back in June, I saw The Maine AGAIN with Augustana and Austin Gibbs. It sort of beat the first concert, but in a way it didn't because my sisters picked me up too early so I didn't get the chance to meet any of them.

^ In order of their set, that's Austin Gibbs, John O'Callaghan of the The Maine, and Dan Layus of Augustana^

The weekend after my birthday, I also saw This Century who are personally good friends with The Maine, and I got to meet 3/4 of the band [ryan was deliberately avoiding us or something] But these guys were amazing though they had such a tiny crowd [somehow for some wierd reason, because the building should have been properly crowded]

THENNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN Before summer could end, my family and I made our final trip with our family passes to Disneyland and California Adventures! We split up a time or two in various ways and grabbed pictures with some of our favorite people! I'll never be able to get enough of that magical place!

Shortly after, I returned to Cedar City after a bit of deciding. I remained a few days at home to give a lecture for her school group about the little voices in our heads that went well. Then I was up in Cedar, pretty alone without Jenessa there.

Still, I was living in the same house as Katie Barnes so that was good enough. I met the other girls as well as Jenee, who's just precious, and the crazy women, Jordann and Aleshea. Weird things happened but we went with the flow! A few parties, movie nights, bowls of popcorn and boys, and everything went well.

The last thing I should mention is the progression intooooo 2012!!

I'M GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And not to visit- but to work there! I got accepted into their college program and chose that over Disneyland because it's cheaper [that defines half of mine decisions, I swear]. I'll get paid practically nothing and do a lot of boring work forever.

BUT it's a new place. New people. New everything.

And quite frankly, that's just what I need. A seriously new clean slate. It's something I've never really faced- anything I ever do, I do with someone else be it Jordyn my younger sister, Jenessa my older sister, or a friend- Stephanie, Kei, or Katie.

I've bought the plane tickets and I head out this following Tuesday for a flight to LA and then to Florida- a red eye, my favorite. It'll be my first time flying alone for one thing, and then trying to sort out everything after that.

Scared out of my wits like you have no idea but so excited. I'm ready for an adventure. 2012, HERE I COME!

*I intend, once I arrive, to update my blog every Sunday, if I'm lucky, to share how my new life is going! If there are certain details or anything you're ever looking for. My new address, a Disney discount, let me know ;)