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!

The First Ugly

Sound: "Hook" movie beginning

[Just read the book Peter Pan again. Watching Hook and in the morning, getting Peter Pan- every version- from the library]

So, my morning began at 7AM, a time that is WAY TOO EARLY FOR ANYONE TO EVER EVEN BE ALIVE OKAY WAY TOO EARLY. I showered, did my hair, dressed up, and headed off to church. More people coming in and our little chapel was full! It was really neat, seeing so many people in a YSA ward like this.

I did fast, by the way, no worries! Fast and Testimony meeting was seriously incredible. To be honest, I was ready to doze through the whole thing, I was so tired. But we had person after person going up, we went over by about ten minutes because there were so many people. It was great.

Inspiration!
While sitting there, I was a little overcome. I was sitting with girls I couldn't remember the names of though we had a nice chat beforehand. But others had crossed the country with friends, come from other countries with their friends. Here I was, surrounded by strangers.

Sure, you can say every member is a friend but honestly, it takes a lot to be a true friend for me, and I don't really have many of those. I don't have someone I can call any time, guaranteed they will respond quickly and sympathize or tell me what I need to hear.

Until I realized that this last week, I'd done a lot of praying on the job for some help. To keep walking, to keep my head up, to smile, to laugh things off. I needed energy I couldn't drink and a hug no one was about to give me. So this Sunday, I realized more than ever Jesus Christ is my best friend, and He'll never leave me, and He'll always keep His word. It's something you don't really find often and I know that I probably wouldn't be here today if I didn't have the gospel.

Anyways, I headed home early because if I took the buses I would have been late to work. I was given a ride all the way back to Vista, where I changed, gathered my things, grabbed food [I was starving and needed something if I was going to work], and headed off to the bus.

It rained randomly tonight at work just before closing. A lot harder than it usually comes, strangely, but hey it was still pretty warm. I really liked it, except for what it's done to my hair [let's not dwell on that, though]

HOWEVER even better news that got me literally jumping up and down-
I have three days off next week INCLUDING MONDAY which is when there's a trip to Universal Studios!! I wasn't too sure about going. 80 dollars for both parks and the bus is good but I'd also add in money for souvineers. Okay, my MAIN issue was going alone. I'm sick of having adventures on my own. Even Peter Pan wasn't alone on his adventures, you know?

BUT Jonathon [one of the super nice and awesome guys hanging about at The Seas] came by whilst I was near the theatre and I was rambling on about my schedule and mentioned the park and I had the day off and he was like "Hey I have the day off too!" [Insert Pause] "hey you want to come- you want to come with me??!" And that's when I jumped up and down several times, nodding.
-Buying my ticket in the morninggggg. So at least something came out good today from working!

Final Decision: Working on Sunday was just uncomfortable. There were tons of people on the bus which is always a problem [hate standing on my feet and had to do it both ways meaning over an hour of standing round]. But I just missed the relaxation I feel, closer to the spirit.
It was a little tough to keep myself focused and I kept forgetting what the day was. I don't like it, but He knows I'm trying and that's the point, right?

Unanniversary!

Sound: The Notebook (playing on ABC)

Guess who's one of the trainees at The Seas With Nemo And Friends? ME!
Obviously, of course.

I don't have a complete picture of my uniform but here we go. My roommates actually don't think it's too bad but I try not to think about it too much. I've already been reprimanded for keeping my hands in my pockets [they're just so big and my hands get cold] and not having the top button buttoned [I'm claustrophobic].

Um, so I can't say too much, of course. But I'm already having issues because we get paid every Thursday and my roommates have gotten their paycheck and I haven't... It should get sorted out soon, though. At least I had the weekend off!


I meant to get this out last Wednesday because that was the anniversary of my real arrival! It already feels like I've been here forever, practically. But I was lazy.

BUT I DID MY FIRST TURTLE TALK. I was so nervous, you have no idea. I've gotten out of it twice but there's always that one time you get tricked into it, you know?

Still training with Joe. Our trainer, Ariel, said that we appear like brother and sister. He's such a kid making weird noises and claiming to be a player but he can't keep to his script, whereas I work hard and try to do everything right- which I do- and I just roll my eyes at his antics. I can't keep track of how many times I've done that, to be honest.


Friday I wandered around Epcot finally.

I wandered around Future World into Innovations [you can see how sturdy television screens are supposed to see and try and drop a heavy weight on a hard hat, etc.], then on Spaceship: Mars. That ride was GENIUS. I got pretty claustrophobic because it's a simulation with no space at all but wow it was incredible!

Then I headed to the International Realm um, place. I wandered from Europe to Morroco to Mexico in less than three hours, hitting about twelve or so countries. They all have at least a few [fake] buildings to celebrate their culture, along with a restaurant and a gift shop or two. Plus they bring out characters from those countries [Belle from France, Pooh Bear from America, etc], AND everyone working in those countries has literally come from that country and speak the native language and everything. It's so incredible!

Norway even has a ride. France has a patisserie that had a LONG line going out. I'll have to go some time! They have fireworks about nine but I didn't stay for that. Hanging alone is something I'm used to but it eventually gets tiring.

^Plus I'd just worked from about 7am to 4 in the afternoon. So I walked around the place, mocked my sister [Hi, Nessa!], for about four hours and headed out.

Last things: I went to Hollywood Studios- they put on a live 30mn show of Indiana Jones AND Beauty and The Beast. I saw a partial film/show of The Little Mermaid but I was there late so I didn't get to see the first few. YET anyways!! But it's such a fun place, mostly shops but still cool.
There and both in the International area they do live music- BRITISH ROCK BANDS ARE BEAUTIFUL- and they have a stage at the big hat in HS which is awesome.

Then work:
-I met Jaime, a BYU student and I feel not too alone in preferring clean language at The Seas
-TUESDAY is my final test to see if I can do everything at The Seas. This includes being followed around to prove I can perform every position [there's at least twelve of them], and taking a few tests. Wish me luck! I'm so nervous. I'm not good at testing at all.

Anything else? I don't think so. After my testing [about four hours], I have the day off in the afternoon and I'm going to check out Disney's Animal Kingdom!

And we have a little library here on the grounds and they actually had MY FAVORITE BOOK OF ALL TIME. Does anyone know what it is? GUESS!

We've had lovely weather, by the way. Nice seventies, a few breezes.