Friday, May 29, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
John Pinette. Is. HILARIOUS!!
Ohh MYYY GOOODDD... I haven't laughed this hard in a very long time
.. Let it load and play.... there's two, so that you can get an idea about what he looks like first.. and then hear his comments about Disneyworld in the second. WOW!!
.. Let it load and play.... there's two, so that you can get an idea about what he looks like first.. and then hear his comments about Disneyworld in the second. WOW!!
Monday, May 25, 2009
May 25
As I told you, I've been sick. I actually had to call in sick Saturday, because when I finally had the will to move, my entire body hurt. My throat had swollen shut, and I knew there would be no way for me to squeak out a speech on the boat.. So I called in sick. Now I'll explain the "point" system here. There are three sections: Attendance (number of sick days, number of days missed,etc) Safety and Performance (if I bump another boat, if I hurt a guest, if people hate my performance on a boat, or if I am rude to anyone) and Clock In/Out (clocking in late, forgetting to clock in or out).
Depending on what you do wrong, you get points deducted. Sometimes it's only half a point, in worse situations its 2 points. For every three points, you get one reprimand. Three reprimands and you're out the door on a flight home. But this is the part even I get confused with.... Points stay within their sections. You can have one point in each section and not have a reprimand (they don't combine). Currently, I have one point in Attendance (called in sick) and a half point in Clock In/Out (forgot to clock out on a training day).
Now a cool thing is that points can be erased after a period of time "being good". Points don't stay on my record, reprimands do. So if I am good for the month of June, in July I should have a clean slate again. Take note new recruits!
As for yesterday.. I felt a whole helluva lot better when I woke up... generally only my throat and sinuses were in pain. I took some dayquil and started my day at work. My shift started at 5. At 5 15 we got closed for inclement weather (awesome!). Then we opened for about 10 minutes at like 8 I think, which was about enough time to load two boats and send them off before pissing off every other guest in line when we closed again. I can't remember if I've explained the inclement weather stuff..
Jungle Cruise and all other outdoor attractions close due to high winds, lightning and thunder, and sometimes in heavy rain (but it has to be practically hailing for them to close in rain). Instructions on when to close down rides come from Tomorrowland tower (refer again to the map I posted earlier to see why this is a problem when storms always come left to right)... Generally we have a full 10 boats loaded on the river, with lightning everywhere before we get the call to close. After we close in a lightning storm, the rule of thumb is after ever flash of lightning are 20 minutes of being closed. The countdown starts again at the next flash. If for 20 minutes there is no flash, they will open us again (but sometime like yesterday, we close immediately again because of another flash).
Oh, and before I started work, I realized I forgot my nametag (still attached to my jacket in the laundry). So I had to go to the office and the secretary traded me a "Pat" from Florida nametag for my very important Disney ID. At the end of my shift, I found out that only a manager has keys to that drawer to give me back my ID. There is one manager for all of Adventureland and Liberty Square. I had to wait for him to finish clearing guests from his areas before he could get my ID.
We were open until 2am last night (12 til 2 were Magic Hours for hotel guests).. which means it's pretty slow. I clocked out at 2 15.... and promptly waited (unpaid) for the manager until roughly 3. I was in my door and in bed round 4 30, 4 45 after the bus rides. Yesterday also kinda sucked because guests were very unhappy. Its hard to remain in character and happy when the guests are staring at you wide mouthed and picking their noses, wondering why they just waited 45 minutes in line to stare at me and listen to my lame jokes. A lot of skippers were reporting that people were gettin on the boats, and leaning back and falling asleep. Talk about rude. Kids, take note.
Depending on what you do wrong, you get points deducted. Sometimes it's only half a point, in worse situations its 2 points. For every three points, you get one reprimand. Three reprimands and you're out the door on a flight home. But this is the part even I get confused with.... Points stay within their sections. You can have one point in each section and not have a reprimand (they don't combine). Currently, I have one point in Attendance (called in sick) and a half point in Clock In/Out (forgot to clock out on a training day).
Now a cool thing is that points can be erased after a period of time "being good". Points don't stay on my record, reprimands do. So if I am good for the month of June, in July I should have a clean slate again. Take note new recruits!
As for yesterday.. I felt a whole helluva lot better when I woke up... generally only my throat and sinuses were in pain. I took some dayquil and started my day at work. My shift started at 5. At 5 15 we got closed for inclement weather (awesome!). Then we opened for about 10 minutes at like 8 I think, which was about enough time to load two boats and send them off before pissing off every other guest in line when we closed again. I can't remember if I've explained the inclement weather stuff..
Jungle Cruise and all other outdoor attractions close due to high winds, lightning and thunder, and sometimes in heavy rain (but it has to be practically hailing for them to close in rain). Instructions on when to close down rides come from Tomorrowland tower (refer again to the map I posted earlier to see why this is a problem when storms always come left to right)... Generally we have a full 10 boats loaded on the river, with lightning everywhere before we get the call to close. After we close in a lightning storm, the rule of thumb is after ever flash of lightning are 20 minutes of being closed. The countdown starts again at the next flash. If for 20 minutes there is no flash, they will open us again (but sometime like yesterday, we close immediately again because of another flash).
Oh, and before I started work, I realized I forgot my nametag (still attached to my jacket in the laundry). So I had to go to the office and the secretary traded me a "Pat" from Florida nametag for my very important Disney ID. At the end of my shift, I found out that only a manager has keys to that drawer to give me back my ID. There is one manager for all of Adventureland and Liberty Square. I had to wait for him to finish clearing guests from his areas before he could get my ID.
We were open until 2am last night (12 til 2 were Magic Hours for hotel guests).. which means it's pretty slow. I clocked out at 2 15.... and promptly waited (unpaid) for the manager until roughly 3. I was in my door and in bed round 4 30, 4 45 after the bus rides. Yesterday also kinda sucked because guests were very unhappy. Its hard to remain in character and happy when the guests are staring at you wide mouthed and picking their noses, wondering why they just waited 45 minutes in line to stare at me and listen to my lame jokes. A lot of skippers were reporting that people were gettin on the boats, and leaning back and falling asleep. Talk about rude. Kids, take note.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
May 23
So after a long deviation from writing, I figured I needed to post an update.
I was home for 3 days for my grandfather's funeral service. It was nice being home, and the service was beautiful. I loved seeing everyone, but I wish it could have happened under more happier circumstances (obviously). The flight there was good, nothing special.. But the flight home yesterday was horrible. Turbulence and the roller coaster drops made me feel quite queasy... And to add a cherry on top, I'm sick... I think the lack of sleep and two plane flights gave me these flu-like symptoms... I'm being teased that it's swine flu... and mom is telling me to take my Oinkment. (haha mom!)
While home, everyone asked about my Disney job. I had to tell the story probably 20 times.. and almost everyone was so surprised that I had the courage and the opportunity to do it. Pretty cool. While home, I also realized that I am getting a lot of confidence from my job... I feel empowered driving the boat myself, and that it is solely my job to entertain a boat of 20+ people. I make the Disney ride for them, and that is so very cool.
My roommates are starting to be very clique-like. They are also bringing people over at all hours of the day for parties and games and dinner. My "home life" here is kinda strained (different from when we first started out right).. but I figure I only come home to sleep, and my bedroom mate is still great.
I'm worried about work today and tomorrow. Being sick, I have sore throat, raspy voice and the sneezies... I wonder if they'll try and send me home... I am also worried that doing a boat cruise might ruin it for the guests if I sound like I have swine flu or something. Wonderful. I think that if I can get thru today and tomorrow ok, I have monday and tuesday off to recuperate. Fingers crossed right?
While I was home, I also talked to dad and my uncles about Property Control here at Disney. They are shocked and amazed at golf carts for 350 bucks, and 125 dollar watches for 75% off for employees. Pretty neat stuff, and I was getting "orders" for cameras, shoes, Oakley glasses and x-l shirts. Haha.
My shift today is from 6 30 til 1 am Tomorrow is from 5 30 til 2. According to my Disney bank account, I've made 400 bucks so far (in what, 2 weeks?) .. I'm not sure yet if that is good or bad, considering I know I have already spent that much on groceries, a phone and phone cards, and shopping at Property Control. I guess I need to make a paper record and try to track my expenses!!
Love you guys, miss you too... I also found out at the service how many people are actually following my blog. I am... scared? Haha, no pressure right? I'm going to try and figure out if I can put a view counter and a countdown tracker. Mom tells me its 58 days until they come down to Florida. :)
Talk to you guys soon!
I was home for 3 days for my grandfather's funeral service. It was nice being home, and the service was beautiful. I loved seeing everyone, but I wish it could have happened under more happier circumstances (obviously). The flight there was good, nothing special.. But the flight home yesterday was horrible. Turbulence and the roller coaster drops made me feel quite queasy... And to add a cherry on top, I'm sick... I think the lack of sleep and two plane flights gave me these flu-like symptoms... I'm being teased that it's swine flu... and mom is telling me to take my Oinkment. (haha mom!)
While home, everyone asked about my Disney job. I had to tell the story probably 20 times.. and almost everyone was so surprised that I had the courage and the opportunity to do it. Pretty cool. While home, I also realized that I am getting a lot of confidence from my job... I feel empowered driving the boat myself, and that it is solely my job to entertain a boat of 20+ people. I make the Disney ride for them, and that is so very cool.
My roommates are starting to be very clique-like. They are also bringing people over at all hours of the day for parties and games and dinner. My "home life" here is kinda strained (different from when we first started out right).. but I figure I only come home to sleep, and my bedroom mate is still great.
I'm worried about work today and tomorrow. Being sick, I have sore throat, raspy voice and the sneezies... I wonder if they'll try and send me home... I am also worried that doing a boat cruise might ruin it for the guests if I sound like I have swine flu or something. Wonderful. I think that if I can get thru today and tomorrow ok, I have monday and tuesday off to recuperate. Fingers crossed right?
While I was home, I also talked to dad and my uncles about Property Control here at Disney. They are shocked and amazed at golf carts for 350 bucks, and 125 dollar watches for 75% off for employees. Pretty neat stuff, and I was getting "orders" for cameras, shoes, Oakley glasses and x-l shirts. Haha.
My shift today is from 6 30 til 1 am Tomorrow is from 5 30 til 2. According to my Disney bank account, I've made 400 bucks so far (in what, 2 weeks?) .. I'm not sure yet if that is good or bad, considering I know I have already spent that much on groceries, a phone and phone cards, and shopping at Property Control. I guess I need to make a paper record and try to track my expenses!!
Love you guys, miss you too... I also found out at the service how many people are actually following my blog. I am... scared? Haha, no pressure right? I'm going to try and figure out if I can put a view counter and a countdown tracker. Mom tells me its 58 days until they come down to Florida. :)
Talk to you guys soon!
Friday, May 15, 2009
May 15
Just a quickie here... I went "live" yesterday!! It was so nerve wracking. We also experienced closing the ride for 3 hours due to a thunderstorm.
For the first 2 hours of my shift, I rode boats and listened to other skippers spieling. Then the storm rolled in, and we had to close the ride. We still run the ride if its only rain.. But if there is lightning and thunder, we must close. We then all went to the break room and hung around eating. It was an awesome "break". Haha. We went down at like 5, opened at 7 and the lightning had stopped (but not the heavy rain!).. and were fully up and running like normal by 8. Since this is Florida, we should have a storm every day!) After our "break" we took turns driving the boat and spieling to each other (my trainer and the other trainee) without any guests (called a dead boat).
At about 9, I was brave enough to say to my trainer that I could try a live run. He was impressed since the other trainee is.. well.. incredibly lazy. She hates Jungle Cruise and isn't trying at all, so she whined that she'd go live tomorrow (today, HAH!). I stumbled and stuttered a few times, but something that almost never happens on first live runs, I actually had some guests laughing. That was pretty cool. At the end of the ride, I said to everyone, thanks for being such a great crew, this was my first time. And they all applauded. I also got a couple people that came up to me and told me I was great. It was very cool.
Today I'll be doing more live runs. Laughing at the other trainee as she fails hers (sorry to be mean). Doing an evaluation of my trainer and my knowledge about the attraction.. etc.... I also have a dumb class today about how to lift things properly, and obvious safety concerns to be aware of. Overall, I'm kinda sliding in: I'm having fun, I'm enjoying the various jobs, and people are starting to accept me. It'll be a good summer I think. :)
For the first 2 hours of my shift, I rode boats and listened to other skippers spieling. Then the storm rolled in, and we had to close the ride. We still run the ride if its only rain.. But if there is lightning and thunder, we must close. We then all went to the break room and hung around eating. It was an awesome "break". Haha. We went down at like 5, opened at 7 and the lightning had stopped (but not the heavy rain!).. and were fully up and running like normal by 8. Since this is Florida, we should have a storm every day!) After our "break" we took turns driving the boat and spieling to each other (my trainer and the other trainee) without any guests (called a dead boat).
At about 9, I was brave enough to say to my trainer that I could try a live run. He was impressed since the other trainee is.. well.. incredibly lazy. She hates Jungle Cruise and isn't trying at all, so she whined that she'd go live tomorrow (today, HAH!). I stumbled and stuttered a few times, but something that almost never happens on first live runs, I actually had some guests laughing. That was pretty cool. At the end of the ride, I said to everyone, thanks for being such a great crew, this was my first time. And they all applauded. I also got a couple people that came up to me and told me I was great. It was very cool.
Today I'll be doing more live runs. Laughing at the other trainee as she fails hers (sorry to be mean). Doing an evaluation of my trainer and my knowledge about the attraction.. etc.... I also have a dumb class today about how to lift things properly, and obvious safety concerns to be aware of. Overall, I'm kinda sliding in: I'm having fun, I'm enjoying the various jobs, and people are starting to accept me. It'll be a good summer I think. :)
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Oh, by the way
Commenting on any post is now unlocked. I figured out how to do it!! WOOOPEEEE!
What this means, is that anyone can leave a comment on a post (you don't have to be a "follower").. It just names them as anonymous. So if you want to leave a message, you can now, just sign your name! YAY!
What this means, is that anyone can leave a comment on a post (you don't have to be a "follower").. It just names them as anonymous. So if you want to leave a message, you can now, just sign your name! YAY!
May 13
Stupid May 9th post didn't work. Oh Mr. Techie Paul, I need a way to record a video using my Mac webcam without it stopping randomly somewhere in the beginning and not telling me, so I think I'm recording an 8 minute long video, when in actuality only like 2 minutes is taped. It's infuriating if you get my drift....
Its been a busy couple of days. I'm being crammed with so much information that is supposed to become natural it's scary. On my first day of on the job training, we learned stuff like how to drive, steer, reverse and park a boat... the timings that are needed when loading and unloading, since a boat should be full and off within 58 seconds.. and opening checklist for "on stage", aka what you guys would see if you came. It involves checking for debris and broken stuff, checking to make sure all the fire extinguishers work, making sure all ropes are in good condition, etc. That day we also got out spiels, which are like 12 pages long. In fact, that is what today at work is supposed to be completely, learning out spiels by riding a million boats and listening to others, and then spieling to our trainer a million times. Kinda nerve wracking!
Oh, my trainer is awesome. He's funny and teaches by example. I'm a visual learner so it works well for how I learn. He said most other trainers like to teach in a classroom first and then throw you out onto the boat, or the dock to do the job (which is really confusing to translate from paper instructions). My trainer, who's name is Sean, lets you watch how he does the job, then asks you to do the job a few times, then tells you what to do better, and lets you do it until you are comfortable with it. So.. yesterday we spent like an hour just doing "Merger". Then like 2 hours unloading guests... All until we felt confident doing it.
Theres like ten positions you can have, and in one shift, you're likely to do all of them 2 or 3 times. Theres two loaders for boats, and one guy that times everything, counts people etc. Theres one person called the Merger who chooses whichline people go to, once they take their fastpass. Theres the fastpass distributor up at the front and a fastpass checker also at the front. Theres a greeter who wanders around the entrance getting baked by the sun too. There are usually about 4 or 5 people who help with unloading at one time. Theres also someone who acts as wheelchair assist (who may or may not be there). There should also be two managers who wander around (these positions are held by.. well.. managers only). Oh, and of course, there's being a skipper on the boats - spieling and driving.
Yesterday flew by, I felt like an 8 hour shift went by in 3 hours. I understand now why people try to "extend" their shift each day (something you request during your shift, and is approved or declined before the end of your shift)... I was wide awake and still in work mode when I got home, I would have been able to work until 7 or 8 (instead of 3 pm). More money! .. Once I learn everything I need to learn, this'll probably something I will try to do.
Oh, and I went to the place where you can buy discount merchandise, tools, lost and found items that have been around too long... etc. .. The place is nuts! .. 3 buildings, each with a specific function, and lots of people scooping up all the good deals early on.. and no wonder! Building A is 10 - 35% off regular price and also has stuff like hotel lamps, carpets, pots and pans, glasses, old posters etc that are no longer needed by Disney. Basically anything Disney has that they want to throw out, they try to sell first.. And people lap it up! Building B is the best. You have to get there early and grab what you want when you see it - things fly out the door. This building is lost and found items that have basic prices (like $1 for a camera case, or charger, or sunglasses, etc).. and damaged or discontinued merchandise (which is 75% off regular price!!!) ... Put it this way... I came out with 3 bags of stuff, 6 beautiful Disney watches, a $50 dollar sweater and $35 pair of pants, along with other goodies... for only $100 bucks. Not too bad eh? I'm thinking about stopping in today before y shift, just to see how much things change in half a week. :)
K I think I'm nearing my max amount for one post, so I shall sign off with I love you guys and let me know if theres anything from this place (building A or B) that you would be interested in. Also let me know if I'm missing to tell you anything. Miss you!
Its been a busy couple of days. I'm being crammed with so much information that is supposed to become natural it's scary. On my first day of on the job training, we learned stuff like how to drive, steer, reverse and park a boat... the timings that are needed when loading and unloading, since a boat should be full and off within 58 seconds.. and opening checklist for "on stage", aka what you guys would see if you came. It involves checking for debris and broken stuff, checking to make sure all the fire extinguishers work, making sure all ropes are in good condition, etc. That day we also got out spiels, which are like 12 pages long. In fact, that is what today at work is supposed to be completely, learning out spiels by riding a million boats and listening to others, and then spieling to our trainer a million times. Kinda nerve wracking!
Oh, my trainer is awesome. He's funny and teaches by example. I'm a visual learner so it works well for how I learn. He said most other trainers like to teach in a classroom first and then throw you out onto the boat, or the dock to do the job (which is really confusing to translate from paper instructions). My trainer, who's name is Sean, lets you watch how he does the job, then asks you to do the job a few times, then tells you what to do better, and lets you do it until you are comfortable with it. So.. yesterday we spent like an hour just doing "Merger". Then like 2 hours unloading guests... All until we felt confident doing it.
Theres like ten positions you can have, and in one shift, you're likely to do all of them 2 or 3 times. Theres two loaders for boats, and one guy that times everything, counts people etc. Theres one person called the Merger who chooses whichline people go to, once they take their fastpass. Theres the fastpass distributor up at the front and a fastpass checker also at the front. Theres a greeter who wanders around the entrance getting baked by the sun too. There are usually about 4 or 5 people who help with unloading at one time. Theres also someone who acts as wheelchair assist (who may or may not be there). There should also be two managers who wander around (these positions are held by.. well.. managers only). Oh, and of course, there's being a skipper on the boats - spieling and driving.
Yesterday flew by, I felt like an 8 hour shift went by in 3 hours. I understand now why people try to "extend" their shift each day (something you request during your shift, and is approved or declined before the end of your shift)... I was wide awake and still in work mode when I got home, I would have been able to work until 7 or 8 (instead of 3 pm). More money! .. Once I learn everything I need to learn, this'll probably something I will try to do.
Oh, and I went to the place where you can buy discount merchandise, tools, lost and found items that have been around too long... etc. .. The place is nuts! .. 3 buildings, each with a specific function, and lots of people scooping up all the good deals early on.. and no wonder! Building A is 10 - 35% off regular price and also has stuff like hotel lamps, carpets, pots and pans, glasses, old posters etc that are no longer needed by Disney. Basically anything Disney has that they want to throw out, they try to sell first.. And people lap it up! Building B is the best. You have to get there early and grab what you want when you see it - things fly out the door. This building is lost and found items that have basic prices (like $1 for a camera case, or charger, or sunglasses, etc).. and damaged or discontinued merchandise (which is 75% off regular price!!!) ... Put it this way... I came out with 3 bags of stuff, 6 beautiful Disney watches, a $50 dollar sweater and $35 pair of pants, along with other goodies... for only $100 bucks. Not too bad eh? I'm thinking about stopping in today before y shift, just to see how much things change in half a week. :)
K I think I'm nearing my max amount for one post, so I shall sign off with I love you guys and let me know if theres anything from this place (building A or B) that you would be interested in. Also let me know if I'm missing to tell you anything. Miss you!
Friday, May 8, 2009
May 8
I know where I work!!!
And I think it is going to rock.. Not what I expected, but very cool none the less. And I have potential to make my performance different each time the ride leaves (every 10 minutes!!). At work each day I will board a boat, and head deep into the jungle, into the 4 major rivers - encountering fearsome animals, wild locals... and bad jokes. Where is this magical work environment in the Magic Kingdom? Well... Its the Jungle Cruise!!
This means I'll rotate between three jobs - one is the greeter, meeting and talking to people waiting in line. Two is a person who helps with the loading and unloading of the guests. Finally, I get to be the boat driver and tour guide (with a lengthy speech and bad jokes to cover).
Yesterday was a long day - 2 miles of walking in the Magic Kingdom (in high heels because I missed the part where it said "Wear professional attire, but comfortable walking shoes" since the day before we were expected to be wearing professional clothes and dressy shoes. We got to know a bit of history of the park, and certain "tricks" that go into making the Magic Kingdom so magic. After that long tour we got to meet our first trainer who gave us our locations (FINALLY!) and took us for a tour of our "areas" (Adventureland and Liberty Square). Disney is all about the details, and we learned why things are the way they are in Disney.
We also got our costumes. My costume looks more like a safari guide, but it is comfy, and I can wear shorts (without pantyhose). Mom and dad and I went to buy me my "rugged looking" shoes last night so now my costume is complete. I wear a jungle guide shirt and long shorts with a braided belt - which hangs my rain poncho holder and water bottle holder. I also have a dorky hat and my rugged mountain boots to complete the look.
http://www.stitchkingdom.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/wdwalexbeth1_02354_orig.jpg
It was certainly a long day yesterday, and kinda sad at the end since mom and dad are leaving today for home. Momma cried and I was sad when I got back to my room, cuz now I am on my own...
Today is a repeat time schedule as yesterday, except I receive training on a different attraction today (with a different costume which makes me look like a popcorn vendor at a bad local fair). I will be indoors getting training for half the day, and the remaining half will be spent in/ on/ around parade(S). My feet still hurt from yesterday, but I still have to --Smiileee--
Hope you guys are all ok. I love you. Hi NayNay!!
And I think it is going to rock.. Not what I expected, but very cool none the less. And I have potential to make my performance different each time the ride leaves (every 10 minutes!!). At work each day I will board a boat, and head deep into the jungle, into the 4 major rivers - encountering fearsome animals, wild locals... and bad jokes. Where is this magical work environment in the Magic Kingdom? Well... Its the Jungle Cruise!!
This means I'll rotate between three jobs - one is the greeter, meeting and talking to people waiting in line. Two is a person who helps with the loading and unloading of the guests. Finally, I get to be the boat driver and tour guide (with a lengthy speech and bad jokes to cover).
Yesterday was a long day - 2 miles of walking in the Magic Kingdom (in high heels because I missed the part where it said "Wear professional attire, but comfortable walking shoes" since the day before we were expected to be wearing professional clothes and dressy shoes. We got to know a bit of history of the park, and certain "tricks" that go into making the Magic Kingdom so magic. After that long tour we got to meet our first trainer who gave us our locations (FINALLY!) and took us for a tour of our "areas" (Adventureland and Liberty Square). Disney is all about the details, and we learned why things are the way they are in Disney.
We also got our costumes. My costume looks more like a safari guide, but it is comfy, and I can wear shorts (without pantyhose). Mom and dad and I went to buy me my "rugged looking" shoes last night so now my costume is complete. I wear a jungle guide shirt and long shorts with a braided belt - which hangs my rain poncho holder and water bottle holder. I also have a dorky hat and my rugged mountain boots to complete the look.
http://www.stitchkingdom.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/wdwalexbeth1_02354_orig.jpg
It was certainly a long day yesterday, and kinda sad at the end since mom and dad are leaving today for home. Momma cried and I was sad when I got back to my room, cuz now I am on my own...
Today is a repeat time schedule as yesterday, except I receive training on a different attraction today (with a different costume which makes me look like a popcorn vendor at a bad local fair). I will be indoors getting training for half the day, and the remaining half will be spent in/ on/ around parade(S). My feet still hurt from yesterday, but I still have to --Smiileee--
Hope you guys are all ok. I love you. Hi NayNay!!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
WED 6th
WOOHOOOO!!!.. they... kinda..... told me where I work.. kinda......
MAGIC KINGDOM.... In ADVENTURELAND/ LIBERTY SQUARE
So theres like 8 locations I could work - And they all seem pretty rock on to me. Stupid hat and long dress still a maybe though.
Today I got my ID card, the one that actually lets me into parks for free and buy stuff for a discount. I also got my Official Nametag - which has "Samantha, Rockton Ontario" on it. Other people has little extensions on their nametags that list the languages they speak. We also got our first training session - which talked about things like Safety, Integrity and Respect while working for the Disney Company. We also talked about Networking and Volunteering, two things I very much want to know more about. I have pretty much the same schedule tomorrow as I did today.. except I get on the 6:15 bus to Magic Kingdom (rather than todays 7 oclock).. I also dunno where I go when the bus drops me off tomorrow. This should be fun!
Um.. To answer Nuna's question - theres a lot of Canadians here. There are mainly three groups for this May 3 start date.. Canadians, Brazilians and Koreans. Everyone has formed little "cliques" appropriately. Haha. As for the buckets of stuff I brought, yep, most everything --was-- being used. Now everyone has bought items they needed or got stuff delivered to us from the Front Desk (from a "Missing Items" form we filled out). The toaster is being used a lot, and the paper towel stuff too - but everything else has been bought at the neighbouring Walmart by the roomies.
I'm heading to the pool later.. the weather says it should get up to 90º and a bit breezy (perfect for tanning... or burning)... And I might try going to a park later just to see what its like to get entry for free!!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Monday May 4th
So my roommates are awesome. We all seem to be getting along great so far. We have the Canadian Corner - Logan from Nova Scotia, Valerie from Quebec, Natalie from Owen Sound, Kathy from Niagara Falls, Me, and Victoria from Vancouver.
Currently, as I'm waiting for my videos to upload, Logan is havin a helluva time trying to cook KD on the stove and wieners in her George Foreman grill. Its quite comical because (so far) the pot has boiled over twice, rattled the pot on the burner, and is now beeping at her like a "wrong" buzzer on a game show. We're giggling, but she's frustrated too... Oh and the grill has been passed around to different plugs – we've now established that there is nothing wrong with her grill, just the 4 outlets she's tried.
The roomies have all been to the pool, to the clubhouse, to Walmart, and to a dollar store. We've also managed to set up three of the 6 computers with the WiFi router (but only after ---each--- of us being on the phone with the WiFi guy for like a half hour. The other three don't seem too inclined to go thru the same process just to get wireless. Haha
We found out through the presentations today that the room automatically locks like a hotel and that each bedroom has a personal lock on it. We talked about schedules, like how two of us need 9 hours of sleep, and another 3 need maybe 4 or 5 hours. We all also found out that we're not loved, as we're not expecting calls or parcels or mail here. --collective awwwww--
I went for a walk today, and am surprised that 2500 kids can fit into a complex that is rather small. I had walked the whole perimeter of the complex within 4 songs (4 times 3 minutes so 12 minutes?). The complex is very pretty though - they keep it well groomed.
Anyways, miss you, love you, and only 2 1/2 more months til I'm home!
Currently, as I'm waiting for my videos to upload, Logan is havin a helluva time trying to cook KD on the stove and wieners in her George Foreman grill. Its quite comical because (so far) the pot has boiled over twice, rattled the pot on the burner, and is now beeping at her like a "wrong" buzzer on a game show. We're giggling, but she's frustrated too... Oh and the grill has been passed around to different plugs – we've now established that there is nothing wrong with her grill, just the 4 outlets she's tried.
The roomies have all been to the pool, to the clubhouse, to Walmart, and to a dollar store. We've also managed to set up three of the 6 computers with the WiFi router (but only after ---each--- of us being on the phone with the WiFi guy for like a half hour. The other three don't seem too inclined to go thru the same process just to get wireless. Haha
We found out through the presentations today that the room automatically locks like a hotel and that each bedroom has a personal lock on it. We talked about schedules, like how two of us need 9 hours of sleep, and another 3 need maybe 4 or 5 hours. We all also found out that we're not loved, as we're not expecting calls or parcels or mail here. --collective awwwww--
I went for a walk today, and am surprised that 2500 kids can fit into a complex that is rather small. I had walked the whole perimeter of the complex within 4 songs (4 times 3 minutes so 12 minutes?). The complex is very pretty though - they keep it well groomed.
Anyways, miss you, love you, and only 2 1/2 more months til I'm home!
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Wow... Two days on the road.. and now I'm typing from Richmond Hill Georgia at a Quality Inn we got for a very good price. We stopped the night before at a Knights Inn in Pittsburgh. Nothing really exciting to report (other than -my- excitement), its been raining for most of the trip...
Temperatures according to my computer have been around 60-75º. We're seeing palm trees so I know we're close! Dad says we're like 280 miles from Orlando (like, 4 hours). I'm missing my Nay-Nay though – weird not sleeping beside her.
So we're heading off now... I'll post again once we get settled.. maybe give future kids doing this program a special packing list!
Temperatures according to my computer have been around 60-75º. We're seeing palm trees so I know we're close! Dad says we're like 280 miles from Orlando (like, 4 hours). I'm missing my Nay-Nay though – weird not sleeping beside her.
So we're heading off now... I'll post again once we get settled.. maybe give future kids doing this program a special packing list!
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