The End

Well everyone, this will be the last blog. As I sit here on the plane ride back to Vancouver, I don't even know where to begin or how to express the feelings I have about this whole program but I am going to try my hardest.

As most of you know, I was very nervous to embark on a 6 month journey half way across the US, in another time zone. I was afraid of not being able to make new friends and being left all alone. I was excited to live on my own and be able to experience what that feels like. I was excited to go and work for Disney. Now 6 months later, my whole perspective has changed. I feel like this experience has changed me for the better, and I have met so many people I call friends for life. I have work experience I know will set me apart from others and I have knowledge about things I didn't have before. Most importantly, I feel I have succeeded in going outside my comfort zone and trying new things won't be so hard for me from now on. 

How do I even begin to talk about all the lovely people I met at Disney. I began this program with 1 Canadian that I had met through school (Gabby), and little did I know I would get to UCR in California and within the first few days bond with 7 other Canadians (Matty, Tyler, Michael, Kyley, Julianna, Stephanie, Susan) let alone meet 2 amazing British Girls (Becca and Lucy), who I can't imagine this experience without. Then out of no where, the sweetest french girl (Tania) appears and just fits into our group like a glove. We became the great friends those initial 2 weeks at UCR. Then in Orlando, we just continued to hang out all the time. Yes we all came and went from the group, some people developed relationships, which are going to withstand the distance (I have faith in you girls and boy). Others made friends at their workplaces and with their roommates and thats who they spent their time with. But we never lost sight of the original group and we found time to spend with each other. Even though time flashed before our eyes, we came together at the end and for the last time absorbed everything we could in the place that is the staple of Disney.... the Magic Kingdom. Space Mountain with 16 people will forever be my favourite, so thank you Kevin for that. I never thought I would stay up all night, but I wouldn't have had last night any other way. I am glad I got to see my friends off and I know we will plan some meets up in Vancouver. At the end of the night, saying goodbye to my dear Lucy and Becca was all but bittersweet. It was the simplest goodbye but still meant the world to me. At 4:30am, I watched the 2 of them walk back to their apartment, ready to push through the next few days!! Girls keep making that Magic for US!!! 

At Animal Kingdom Carnivale Show

Our Last Night in Magic Kingdom

Now onto some other very special people that are near and dear to my heart. Back in August, I randomly met a few of my coworkers getting off the bus at Chatham. After a long day at Sunset, we stood outside talking in a circle. The next day one of the coworkers (Alex) saw me on the bus and struck up up a conversation with me. We hit it off that night on the bus and never looked back. Thanks to Alex, I not only became best friends with him but he introduced me to another girl at Sunset (Sandra) and we quickly became the 3 musketeers. If not for them, I wouldn't have had as many laughs, late nights, rides, eating out at restaurants just cause and quick trips whenever our schedules allowed for it. I would have never gotten to know them on another level. We truly bonded in just 4 short months before Sandra left us. At this point, Alex and I were lost and unsure about how it would be without Sandra. But we managed to survive and I think (for me anyways) we became closer. As I stood at the airport today, he was my final goodbye and the hardest goodbye. I didn't expect the reaction from him that I received but I am truly thankful we said goodbye the right way. Its been a whole 7 hours and I have talked to both of them so many times today. It's almost like we are all in the same place, yet we are not. So Alex, push through my friend, only 2 weeks left and counting for you.

( My Besties)

Sunset Ranch Market was my location for the first part of my program. At first I didn't really like food and beverage nor the people at the location. But as CP's came and left, I got to know all the new people and working became much better. I also got to know some of my coordinators and leaders, which definitely made working funner, and smoother. Even though their were days I didn't want to be there, the positives out weighed the negatives and as I sit here writing this, I can still say I will miss Sunset and the people. I will miss those positions that I loved so much (Scooping, Fairfax Kitchen, Rosie's Anchor, Prepping) and being able to talk to cast members during the slower times. 

Star Wars Launch Bay was my location for the second half of my program. At first, I was very negative about working at this attraction. I didn't like Star Wars, and at the beginning I wasn't sure how I would fit in with the other Cast Members. It took me a good 2 weeks and I finally got to know some of the cast members. I was very fortunate to have Thanksgiving off and having a home cooked meal. This just made Thanksgiving extra special. I am thankful I got to see some of my coworkers outside of work and the conversations were just on a different level. Now I can without a doubt say, that I actually like Star Wars and I also loved working at the Launch Bay. Although I did give away a lot of my shifts, those that I did work were always filled with interesting stories during Track Talk and experiences (like riding Rockin' Rollercoaster with the lights on) that I wouldn't have experienced otherwise. It was also very rewarding to be able to make Magic for families whenever you wanted. I have been touched by talking to so many different families, kids, and adults.

(Me at the Launch Bay in my Costume)

Lastly, how could I forget my roomie for most of the program. The first month and half wasn't the best. But August 25th, Gabby moved into my room and that was the best thing that could have ever happened. It was so much easier having someone I liked in my room that was just as neat and organized as me. I'm grateful for her friendship, the late night talking sessions we would have when we both got home at the same time and her listening to all of my stories. I am also thankful she put up with my craziness a couple times because I had to much fun. I couldn't have lasted so long without her and her sanity in our room. Bedroom #4 roomies for life!

(Gabby and I at our Front Door #427)

One final note, none of this would have been possible without the support of my family and friends. So thank you to all of you for allowing me to take this leap of faith. I wouldn't have ever done this otherwise.

I will end on this note - Goodbyes are not forever. Goodbyes are not the end. They simply mean I'll miss you until we meet again.

Meesh
xoxo

Another 4 Parks, 1 Day Challenge and A Disney Birthday

I'm sorry I have gone dormant again. It has been very challenging to find time to right my blog these last couple of week. Between working, finishing both of my classes and hanging out with my friends, I have been quite busy. I am going to try my best to keep up with writing my blog for the last 2 weeks I am here. In any case, here are some of the highlights of the last couple of weeks.

On Saturday December 3rd, I conquered another 4 parks in 1 day challenge. This time I completed it with Alex. We started off our day in Animal Kingdom and went to the Lion King show. We also rode Expedition Everest. We then headed over to Hollywood Studios. Here we had lunch at my favourite restaurant 50's Prime Time. We then went on Rockin' Roller coaster. We were also going to do Tower of Terror but the line was long. We headed over to Epcot and we went on Soarin'. We also walked around the world showcase to check out Holiday's Around the World. It was nothing compared to food and wine. Lastly we ended our day off the Magic Kingdom. We went to see Philarmagic, Big Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain and the Haunted Mansion. We also saw the Fireworks. Overall it was a great day. Busy as always and full of laughs and some good talks!

I also had the pleasure of seeing Moana. It was such a cute a movie. I will admit, my friends and I went at like 10:30 at night and I was exhausted that day so I fell asleep during a couple parts of it. I will have to see it again but I saw the major parts and I was very intrigued by the story line. I thought the music throughout the movie was also very good.

Last week, we celebrated my friend Stephanie's birthday. We went to Trails End for a buffet breakfast. It was affordable with our discount and it was actually really good food. We then went to Animal Kingdom (that's her favourite park) and we went on Expedition Everest twice, Dinosaur, and Primeevil Whirl. Also since on of my friends work with the Carnival show, we got to participate in the show. We had so much fun.

On another note, I have officially finished my Disney class. Our final presentation went really well and I think my group had one of the best presentations in the class. I did very well in the class and I am very proud of myself. I also received my certification of participation for the UCR portion of my program. I didn't attend the event because I had to work but I can't believe i am almost done with those classes too.

That's all for me now. I promise you will get another recap on Saturday/Sunday.

Until then,
Michelle
xoxo

(The gang at Carnival)

Disney Isn't Always So Magical

It was my first and probably only thanksgiving in the US and I have to say it was a great one. I never really realized how great my coworkers at Launch Bay are and I am truly thankful to have been able to meet most of them. But this was the toughest week here both mentally and physically. 

I never thought I would experience fatigue like I did last week. I was scheduled 51 hours with only one day off. At the beginning of the week I had 3 shorter shifts and the end of the week 3 longer shifts. Although the week started off slowly, I was not prepared for what was to come. The first part of my week was fine except it was a tad boring. The second part of my week was terrible. Working 12 hour days and starting at 9 am everyday was very difficult. I am the type of person who needs variety and change. Yes we get rotated every 45 minutes to a new position but that doesn't mean anything. When you get assigned the same position every time you are sent back to the computer, it becomes very frustrating and boring. I found it difficult to get through the day and my attitude was negative from the start of my shift. Luckily, the coworkers that I am friends with, did make the time go faster. By the end of the week I was exhausted. As I sit here, writing this I am on my last of 7 days... finally tomorrow I get my day off!! Now onto more exciting things.

US Thanksgiving was the best holiday I could have spent here. Our housing team put on a thanksgiving feats for us on Monday Nov. 21st. They had lots of food, a live DJ, character meetings with Chip and Dale and Mickey and Minnie, as well as a scavenger hunt and a photo booth. It was a great event, the MC was fantastic and the lines to meet the characters were not very long. I went with on of my roommates and her friends. We all had a great time.

On Thanksgiving day, I was fortunate enough to be invited to one of my coworkers house for a feast. I spent the day with some of my coworkers from Launch Bay and then we headed to her house around 4pm. We had so much food to choose from, it was crazy. Everything was so delicious and homemade by my coworker. I got to meet her kids and all of her dogs. It was so nice to be around so many people and have such a great time. I really enjoyed myself and getting to see some of my coworkers outside of work was also nice. 

Thats all for me today, I didn't have to much extra time to go anywhere last week.

Michelle 

xoxo

Look at all the Yummy Food.

My coworkers having fun together.