The First Few Days

Well it's been a couple days since I last wrote! I figured I would try and write every couple days :)

I have been experiencing SO much magic! This place is just incredible! I can't believe everything that is being shown to me.  So much I never knew about!

On Thursday, we didn't have to get up early. We only had a welcome session meeting. It was pretty interesting.  It just explained all the rules of our housing complexes. It also told us about the housing events we have for just Disney College Program Cast Members! They all look like a lot of fun! One thing I am looking forward to at the end of my program is formal.  It will be so much fun to go dress shopping again and do hair and makeup :) Thursday night my roommates, Jamie, Danielle, Sawyer, and myself went to play putt putt. We had a blast just getting to know each other and become more comfortable around each other.  Jamie won. She was like a pro putt putter.  Danielle lost and I came in second to last. It was a lot of fun! Once we got back, we all just hung out together. Then we remembered we had traditions the next day and needed to get out our business clothes.  We all showed each other what we were wearing to make sure we thought it was appropriate. We had to iron our clothes! I accomplished that task for the first time! :)

Friday was going to be a LONG day.  Charleen and I had to be up at 5 am because our Traditions class started at 8, but we had to be at the bus at 6:30am.  Traditions was incredible! The class introduced us to Disney past, present, and future! I pretty much cried through the whole thing. I can't believe I am apart of such a life changing company.  This class only fueled my passions for Disney and accomplishing all of my goals.  I will work for this company for the rest of my life. 

At Traditions, we got separated into groups.  We then went to classrooms and sat at tables with other CP's.  Once class started we were there for about an hour and a half.  We then went to Magic Kingdom for some "behind the scenes" training! It was sooo cool! I cried when we first walked into the park! The girl who I was sorta partnered up with was just as excited as I was, so it made the experience that much better! We walked back to the Mad Tea Cups, and just as we were getting there, Alice in Wonderland and the rabbit showed up! They picked a little girl, and then they went on the ride with her! It was such an incredible sight to see. It made me happier than a few mere words on this blog can describe.  Disney Magic Moments are like nothing else in the world. They make you feel so good inside.  It was so beautiful! We went back to the class room and did some more work on past, present, and future Disney :) It was so much fun! My boss even came and visited! MICKEY MOUSE! If we answered questions correctly we got little Disney figurines.  My question was answered when Mickey was in the room, so he gave me mine and gave me a big hug! It was SO great! I answered another question after Mickey left, and I got the  Minnie figurine! So my collection consists of Mickey and Minnie :) At the end of Traditions, we got our NAME TAGS! Everyone was so happy and excited!

Friday night, we decided to go to the park :) We went to Magic Kingdom! We arrived during "Wishes" which is the fireworks show! It was very exciting! We went straight to Space Mountain, but then it ended up breaking :( So we rode Peter Pan and then saw PhilarMagic :) It was a fun way to end the night! We left the park and went to Downtown Disney! It was crazy there! Lots of people! We ate dinner at a little chicken and burger place.  Sawyer's food got lost, and the chef came and gave her her food. It was funny! We walked around there for awhile in the big Disney store, and put funny hats on and took lots of silly pictures! It was great bonding time for us. We had a lot of fun!

 

^^^^^I took this last night :)

That's all for now! I'll update again soon!

Peace and Blessings, Peace and Blessings!

The Beginning

Wow, I can't believe I am here. This post is going to cover from Sunday all the way up until today, Thursday.

Sunday-  This was my going away party. It was sooo much fun. So many people that I didn't expect to come showed up! It was so wonderful to see all my loving family and friends there all for me.  My best friend Joe even showed up, and he was supposed to be at school! My Aunt Goldie and cousin Lisa were there too! Just so many people I didn't expect to see, but was so grateful that I got to say goodbye to before I left.  I also got a couple presents:) (wasn't expecting those either).  It was such a wonderful night full of laughs and smiles :) To the right is a picture of my Grandma Sally, Dad, Me and my mom.  This was taken at my going away party.  The minnie mouse ears are little clip ins! I love them! My cousin Laurie gave them to me :) I will definitely wear them while I am here!

Monday- All I did today was pack. Oh and I spent time with my best friend Rachel. She took me out on a date! haha We went to panara (where she works, so that doesn't count as a date because she gets a discount!) and then we went to the movies (her old work...) and saw Joyful Noise. It was awesome! I absolutely loved it! Then I came home and continued packing for the rest of the night.  My mom was freaking out and yelling that I should have done it the week before.... that's not how I operate. I always leave everything to the last minute. That's just how I roll! Went to bed early, because I had to be up for my flight the next day!

Tuesday-  TODAY WAS THE DAY! I woke up and cuddled with my dad for a little bit, and then my mom came and cuddled with me :) My sister was getting ready for school and I laid in bed till she was out of the bathroom.  I said goodbye to her.  We left for the airport around 8:40 am and arrived there around 10:30.  I'm pretty sure we took the longest route possible to get there.  We were following Phil... BUT we made it :) got my bags checked in and then sat together for a minute.  Finally I figured it was probably time for me to get to my gate. I said goodbye to my parents. There were many tears.  Mom and Dad watched me through security and then I waved and kissed goodbye as I walked to my gate.  It was hard. Something I've never felt before.  I knew it was going to be good though.  This was going to be an experience I would never forget. The hardest part was getting on the plane.  Flight went very well.  A little girl watched the end of Monsters Inc and the beginning of Beauty and the Beast with me! I had already started making Disney Magic Moments, and I wasn't even there yet! Uncle Tom, Aunt Mary, and Uncle Bobby picked me up from the airport.  Aunt Mary had a sandwich waiting for me once I got in the car. Uncle Tom had his famous chocolate chip cookies too! We arrived at there beautiful estate in Heartland Estates Mobile Home :) We sat down together and had a glass of ice cold tea. Uncle Bobby picked a lemon from their lemon tree in the back yard. We sat and caught up on life. Showed each other pictures.  It was wonderful.  Uncle Bobby made me laugh so hard! He is such a funny man! We went and had dinner at a place called Beefs. We shared wings and onion rings! It was yummy! Next we ran to the grocery store to pick up a few things! I got Uncle Tom into Walmart for the first time!!! He said he was getting a rash the whole time we were in there. He was just fine and made it out alive with nothing wrong with him! Once we got back we watched American Idol, and then I went to bed.  Wednesday was going to be a big day!

Wednesday-  I arrived at Disney around 9 am. Checked in, got my room key, took my housing id picture, met a new friend and roommate Sawyer, and then unpacked the car and loaded it into my room! I have 5 roommates from all over! Sawyer is from Illinois, Ashlee is from Pennsylvania, Jamie is from Maryland, Danielle is from Texas, and Charleen is from Puerto Rico.  I share a room with Charleen.  We had our casting meeting where we all got our jobs and turned in our paperwork. I am working at Disney's All Star Movies Resort as a concierge! I am very very excited! After casting we got back and went and had some lunch at Chik-fil-a. It was full of awkward silences, and get to know you questions! Once we got back we made a grocery list and headed to the store. We got lost probably 3 times, but we now know pretty much every where in Orlando!  We spent a total of $150 and split it  6 ways. It wasn't to bad actually. Then we each bought our own individual stuff :) Ashlee made dinner for everyone, and then we had arts and crafts! We made name tags for our bedroom doors and little Disney princess door things.  Everyone went to bed after that.  So far everything is great! We are all getting along and just getting to know each other. 

I am so excited for what God has in store for me. I know He has an incredible plan for me and my future.

Time for this new day! I'll post again soon!

Peace and Blessings, Peace and Blessings

One Week!

Well, today I realized I leave a in exactly one week! It is so hard to believe that it is so close.  It was just in October I was applying for my dream, and now this dream is becoming a reality! People ask me how excited are you, and I just reply with "I am beyond excited, but so nervous.  It's scary when you have a dream that you never imagine coming true, and now it is.  I never in a MILLION years thought I would be working for the company that has provided me with so many memories, inside jokes, laughs, smiles, friendships, and love. I am so honored to be going and living out my dream. It's something I never thought would happen, and it is the GREATEST feeling knowing that it is."

I remember my first time do Disney. It was with my Girl Scout troop. I was with my "sisters," and we were about to embark on one of our greatest trips together.  What more could a girl ask for, the happiest place on earth, with the girls that I have grown up with and love so much. I remember the night before we got on our plane.  Laying on Sherry's floor giggling till all hours of the night. 4 am came really fast haha and we did not want to get up when it was time to head to the airport.  (Luckily my flight is at 11:30 am this time) The trip was incredible.  The memories I made there with those girls are ones that I will NEVER forget.

I haven't done a single thing yet to prepare. Well, I guess I did two things, I got some business clothes ($150 at New York and Company :/ ) and printed and filled out my Disney paperwork. I will probably start making a packing list and things I need from the store tomorrow. 

My mom and dad are having a going away party for me on Sunday, which I am very excited about. I can't wait to see our family and friends and have a chance to say goodbye to them before I am gone.  As many people know my family and friends are my everything. They are what keeps me going every single day.  As I have stated in probably every post, it is going to be so hard to leave them. They are my everything. 

Peace and Blessings. Peace and Blessings. 

Flight is Booked!

Well, yesterday my flight was booked! I fly out the 24th! Can't believe it. It is actually happening! I am so nervous as the days pass and Disney approaches.  I know I  need to do this, but those nerves seem to get in the way a lot! I've just been hanging out with as many people as I can before they all go back to school and I get to stay home a little longer.  One of my best friends, Kristin, is leaving for France on Friday for the semester, so I guess I shouldn't be to scared, she is going out of the country! It has been pretty cold here in Michigan, so I am SO ready for the warm weather! Currently I'm listening to the tangled soundtrack :) I have been helping at my high school for there spring musical auditions, and they are doing Mulan.  I hear the music, and I watch the kids perform different scenes, and I just get so excited! Nerves may be present, but the excitement is starting to take over all the nerves.  This is quite the random post, but I haven't uploaded one in a while so that's why I am a bit random.  I haven't even started packing, or even thinking about packing... oops. 20 more days!!!!!

It's Getting Closer

So the days are going and Disney is approaching! I can't believe it! My family had our annual Christmas Caroling party on saturday, and everyone was asking me how excited I was for my big trip! It hasn't really hit me yet.  It was weird to pack all of my stuff up in my dorm.  I can't explain my excitement! but my nerves are also very present. I know this will be the best thing for me, but I'm nervous to be so far away from my family. They mean more to me than life itself.  I will have to miss many things, but I know that they want nothing but the best for me, and love me unconditionally.  I'll keep you updated on new things that happen! love to all of you!

My Job

Not to long ago, I was emailed about the job I will be doing while at Disney.  I was so nervous! No offense, but I did not want to be stationed at attractions. Not that I don't LOVE riding the rides, I didn't really want to be operating them. 

I was so happy to see that I would be a concierge.  I am going to be helping plan people's days and make dinner reservations for them.  It is going to be wonderful! I was also told that I could have opportunities to work with VIP, celebrity, and Executive guests! How cool is that!??!  I have talked with a few people who worked previously, and they said that I have one of the best jobs you can get in the program! That made me feel so much better because I didn't really know what to think about concierge. I didn't know if it was good or a really bad job. I definitely lucked out. 

While I am there I am also taking a leadership seminar. I can't wait. I feel like I am going to learn so much valuable information. 

My experience on this program is going to be once in a lifetime! I cannot wait to be there soaking up the sun, meeting new friends, but most importantly learning what my future could possibly be!

How it all happened!

How my dreams came true!

I am a student at Michigan State University. I am currently a sophomore. While I am only sophomore, I have been through 4 different majors trying to find what is right for me.  I am currently a hospitality business major. I seem to enjoy it right now, and I think I will in the future :)

This past summer, I worked in Charlevoix, Mi.  It is a beautiful city where I discovered what I want to do for the rest of my life.  I was living with my Grandpa and step Grandma. I was sitting at the bar in the kitchen, and we were talking about school. They asked me why I wanted to be a teacher. I could think of reasons, and I told them to them, but they didn't believe me. I didn't believe me.  I wanted to something extraordinary with my life. I am not an ordinary person. I have not done ordinary things.  So then I thought a little more about the question. "What do I want to do with my life?" I told them I want to work at Disney. That would be my dream job.  If I could do management for Disney, or anything related to working with them, I would be the happiest girl on earth. 

I have a huge passion for Disney. Anything Disney.  Sometimes it may seem unhealthy.  :) I planned my senior year spring break in Florida just so I could go to Disney for 1 day. Not like the whole week, one day.  Greatest day ever.  My love for Disney started when my Girl Scout leader first introduced me to the wonders of Disney.  I had grown up watching the classics. "The Puppy Movie," aka 101 Dalmatians, was my absolute favorite when I was younger.  My Girl Scout troop went to Disney World when I was in 5th grade I think.  It was my first time to the beautiful place.  I immediately fell in love. The moment I stepped off the plane and got into the car to head to our resort, Disney All Star Sports, I knew this was where I wanted to work.  My first trip to Disney was so incredible. I discovered a place where I was most happy. 

Okay, back to how my dream came true. So I spent the summer in Charlevoix, and figured out what I wanted to do. I was going to change my major to Hospitality Business once I got back to school, and I was going to apply to the Disney College Program.  That was the plan.  So I got back to school, changed my major, talked with my new adviser, and started planning my future.  I expressed to him that I wanted to do the Disney College Program and he was more than happy to help me look into it, and support my decision to apply to the program. 

Campus was buzzing, and I began to see chalk writings on the sidewalk saying, "Disney College Program Meeting." Immediately I got excited.  I was going to make my dreams come true.  I attended the meeting where I learned that the program is a semester long.  While this kind of crushed my dreams at first, I began to think.  "You only live once." "Follow your dreams." "Do what makes you happy."  I couldn't help but listen to these.  I applied to the program, and next thing I know, a get an email saying I have a web interview.  Then I was scheduling my phone interview.  It was all falling into place.  I had my phone interview, which went great, and knew in my heart that what I was about to do was what I was meant to do.  I had no doubts about leaving the spring semester. This was my dream and I was getting a chance to make it come true.  Nothing and no one was going to hold me back. Luckily, my parents are behind me a 100%. I have the greatest parents in the world. They have supported me 100% in everything I do. 

I was accepted to my dream job on October 28, 2011. I was sitting in Econ 201 (worst class ever, not really, I just suck at econ...) when I opened up my email, and sitting in my inbox was wdw.college.recruiting@disney.com- CONGRATULATIONS! It took everything in me to stay in my seat and not stand up and scream and cry and jump for joy.  I got my phone out and texted my mom, dad, cousin, and best friends.  It happened, I got the job.  I could not believe it.  Everything happened so fast, but it was the such a rush. Best day ever.  Everyone was so happy for me.  It was  great day.   Nothing was stopping me that day. I enjoyed every single second of that day. 

If there is anything I have learned in this experience, it's to always follow your dreams.  I remember talking with my best friend Ally about how I would love to work at Disney.  I wanted to play Belle in the Beauty and the Beast show at  MGM Studios.  While I may not be playing Belle, I am a cast member with Disney.  I am making my dreams come true, and not looking back.  Nothing can stop me now, because I know I can achieve anything.  Never give up on what matters to you.