Its that time of year again..

So, I can't believe it, but its actually Christmas. Ive just looked over my blogger history and I actually started this blog in October LAST YEAR. How mental is that?!
This time last year, it was the countdown to me leaving. Nothings changed this year but its a very different circumstance. Its mental. I can't get my head around it. If I'm honest? I'm scared. I can't believe the biggest year of my life is drawing to a close so very fast. Come Christmas day, I will have exactly 1 month left. That's 4 weeks. 
Its really strange but I'm starting to get a really panicky feeling in the pit of my stomach. I couldn't tell you why or what its for but I don't understand it. I'm actually excited to come home, I feel like its my time for sure and I'm still dead set against extending anyways, so what?
I figure its the saying goodbye and leaving people behind thing. I really hate goodbyes, Ive definatly had enough of those to last a lifetime. Yes. That must be what it is...?
Speaking of goodbyes, The hardest goodbye of my programme came at the end of November, just after my last blog too.
Ever since the end of August, I became really close with a few people, I think I've mentioned it in previous blogs, but I only really got to know Jenny from the end of August onwards, after her original arrival group left. It sucked when they went as they were such an awesome group but Jenny extended and stayed an extra 3 months. I'm so so glad she did because we had such and amazing time and it really made my programme that much more worth it, to meet such an amazing person. Taking her to the airport was ridiculously tough and very emotional, I'm very glad I went though. Her whole last week, I didn't let emotion get the better of me, I mean, why cry? I'm gonna see her again ridiculously soon! Kept it together for her last lasses (i think a combination of self restraint and the amount of alcohol I consumed, more so the alcohol, helped! I don't really remember much from it but I know for sure i didn't cry!) I was fine the whole week, even at the airport I didn't crack (I'm such a heartless bitch, I know. I really think I'm dead inside) It wasn't until we walked her to security and we hugged to say goodbye that i just fell apart. The whole way home too, Sarah, Hayley, Jeff and I were just soppy gits, it was awful! Nothing a bit of dine-in theatre and Breaking Dawn wouldn't help to fix! Yeah, that's right...America has dine-in theatres and they are THE best thing ever! :)
Its still so strange to not have Jenny and her housemate Ilaria around, living upstairs and it took a few days to get used to but its sunk in. I've spoken to her on Skype a few times and as I said, she's gonna be one of the first people I wanna see when I get home. Its totally sucky that for Hayley's birthday a few days after I get home, a load of people, including Jenny, are going to Vegas. Hayley invited me but I just think for me to go home for a few days to then turn around and fly back out for a week after being away for a year is a bit too much and everyone back home would probably kill me!  
But its okay, I shall definatly be making many trips to Ireland next year! :)
SO. Last Monday, Sarah and I took an impromptu trip to New York, as you do! Ive always wanted to see New York at Christmas time and Sarah had a whole lot of time booked off so I kinda thought, You know what? Fuck it, lets go! I'm so glad that I let that attitude take over because it was AMAZING!
We flew out Monday evening (waiting for that time to come was a killer, i just couldn't sit still, I ended up cleaning the apartment from top to bottom because I was so anxious!) and left Thursday evening, so 2 and a bit days.Was plenty of time and we saw everything, literally everything. Our hotel was literally a box, you could stand in the bathroom and put both arms out straight and touch each side but it was perfect for the time we were there! On the Tuesday, we went up the Empire State Building, which was absolutely incredible, the views were just breath taking, we walked up Broadway and into Times Square and sat on the red steps looking at the Ball Drop and all the huge screens. We got caught by a few ticket scouts and one of them was incredibly rude, telling us that we should come see this show as we weren't really experiencing New York by doing all the generic touristy things! I'm sorry, but I would rather look round and explore than sit in a theatre for 2 hours or more and miss the delights of the city! Arsehole.
We found the Rockefeller centre and the tree and then the big Christmas Bauble and huge fairy light display...if you've seen 'New Years Eve' or been to NYC at Christmas, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about!
On Wednesday we went to Central Park and went Ice Skating, which was so amazing, Ive always wanted to do that so it was so amazing to finally do it! Sarah on stayed on for a bit but i was quite content and going round and round! :) Totally loved it!
Sarah wanted to go and see the Brooklyn Bridge, which is of course in Downtown so we decided to walk the whole way there! Sounds insane right? Well yeah, it was more than 60 blocks we walked, equivalent of 3 hours! But I'm really glad we did because we got to see everything. You don't see everything if you're in a cab as it just flashes by in a second, its kind of a waste really.
We got to the bridge just as the sun was setting and it was breathtaking, to see all the lights illuminate along the bridge was just incredible and a sight I'm sure you and everyone back home will have never seen before. If you ever go to New York, do that. Its indescribable.
We walked all the way around the bottom of the city to where the Staten Island ferry leaves from and headed towards the Statue of Liberty ferry. Unfortunately theres some maintenance being carried on Mrs Liberty so the ferries are limited and stopped at 3.30...we got there at 5.30! GUTTED! You could still see her lit up over the water but I was very disappointed we didn't get to go but luckily I'm going back to New York on my way home so I shall make sure we get there in time! We started to walk back up into the city, and we found the Ground Zero World Trade centre site. There is no other word that I can think of to describe it other than 'eerie'. It was. Sarah and I sat on one of the parking bollards and were just speechless. To think that 2 towers fit into the space that had been left was crazy. I don't think you can understand just how much has gone and was affected there until you go and see it yourself. You could still see some of the damage to some of the surrounding buildings and the site's all boarded up whilst they build a memorial to the lives lost and the site. There was an area where you could see through to the site, but it was just huge holes where the foundations of the trade centres were. They've made a memorial out of it as I said but they charge you to get into it. Whether the money they raise goes to the family and friends of those affected or to the companies rebuilding and creating the monuments, I think its kinda wrong that they are making money from the public for it, charging them to see the devastation that was left after that day.
We walked through Soho, which I was really excited for, but was let down hugely as it doesn't even compare to Soho in London. We found somewhere to eat and gave up on the idea of walking all the way back. You know what you're feet feel like after you've been working all day? Like that but add a shed load of pain to it!
We left on the Thursday but we spent the morning in Times Square, picking up gifts and such, it was such a nice chilled out way to end the trip. It was an amazing experience and I'm so glad i got to go with Sarah :) Simply too excited to go at the end of my programme!
Its obviously Christmas Day in 4 days time. Part of me is excited, i can't wait for Christmas dinner with everyone here, it'll definatly bring up the spirits of those people missing home, and then the other part is dreading it and Im actually feeling very homesick for the first time in months. I would give my right arm to be at home now with my dad and sister and be organising seeing all the family and such. I spoke to my dad this morning (I've literally spent all day on the phone or on Skype, its been great! even though part of it was spent talking to my mother..!) and him and my sister along with most of my family, are going up to my Aunts the day after boxing day and they're all spending the day together and cooking a feast! I'm so very jealous I'm not there. This year Ive missed out on so many family things its crazy! Being here has definatly made me realise I really am a family girl and how much they all do mean to me. I can't wait to see them all. Its not long now! :)
Before I sign off, because I realise how much I've droned on, as per usual, Id like to add in (something that will make all you folks back home groan if you are reading this) that its STILL hot over here. I went to sea world yesterday with Lauren and Lee and oh my god, it may as well have been summer here again, we'll not that hot, but you catch my drift. I was wearing jeans and a T-shirt and i was stupidly hot it was insane! Today has literally been the same. I walked over to the clubhouse earlier and there were people by the pool SUNBATHING. THAT'S NOT RIGHT!!! Its December 21st! I think that's why I probably don't feel christmassy right now. I should be huddled up in a billion layers, not sat here in leggings and a top with my air con on! Its not right people! So to those at home, i WISH i was in the cold weather you're having, I wish i was cuddled up on the sofa in front of my fire, least id feel a little more christmassy then!
I'm off before i say anything else to upset you!

'Sail away with me'

Breathtaking.
Working for Disney has defiantly given me the opportunity to do things I never thought I'd get to do, things that I probably wouldn't have done had I still been in the UK. Purely for the lack of motivation to actually get up and do (lets call that laziness shall we?) or lack of funds and lets face it..I'm making enough to do this kinda thing so to be honest, Id have been a fool to not take the opportunity whilst it presented itself.
I'm not gonna bore you with every single little detail of the cruise, you can see what we did by the photographs on my fb, but id say this it the most important thing that happened for me as its been a goal of mine forever.
Mexico (where i went on this cruise) is the most beautiful place I've visited so far. I was so worried that the weather was not going to be great anymore as theoretically, for us, the weather should be wet, cold and miserable and in Orlando, the temperature is certainly starting to drop. Some days, I feel like I'm home and need to wrap up warm to hide from the cold, where as other days it almost as hot as it was in the summer. Its an odd sensation, its freezing but there a crystal clear blue skies or I'm sat sunbathing and we are coming to the end of NOVEMBER!! Its crazy!
But Cozumel, Mexico was perfect. Probably a little too hot but I believe for living in Orlando over the summer, my body has acclimatized and I don't suffer as much as i would do if i was just on holiday.
We docked at something ridiculous as 7am and we had to be off the ship for 8.15 as we had booked an excursion to swim with Dolphins at a national park on the Island. Now, Dolphins are my favorite animals, snaps for originality, but they always have been. They're such beautiful, graceful and peaceful creatures and so intelligent, whats not to like?! 
Ever since i was little, Ive wanted to swim (totally went to write 'sleep' there...) with Dolphins, from the moment i first visited Sea World and Discovery Cove, I was hooked and would always badger my parents about doing that, but as most parents, the answer was always 'No, its too expensive' I now understand that it IS so expensive to do, so when the experience of swimming with Dolphins, in a natural environment, in Mexico, for less that $150, presented itself, of course the answer was gonna be HELL YES!
My god, it was amazing, i can't even describe how i felt.
We paid for a 'Dolphin push, pull and swim' package, which consisted of being pushed along by your feet in the water by the dolphins nose...incredible, hanging onto the dolphins fins as it pulled you through the water as you laid on its belly...incredible, and having photographs taken the whole time whilst we played with the dolphin. I'll just add in here, to make it even more amazing, there was mummy dolphin and baby dolphin...i mean come on..who could ask for something more perfect than that?!
Its one of those moments that'll stay with me for the rest of my life. I still can't believe Ive done it, in such a beautiful place too and it just made the holiday that much more special.
Bar Vegas, the cruise with Jenny and Jenny (no that's not a typing duplicate, I went with 2 Jennies, and yes, it was bought up the entire trip that they were both called Jenny, I just don't think they could grasp the concept!) is the best thing I've done so far, and as mentioned earlier, I never would have done it if I wasn't living in the states..
So now its back to..well not reality...another bubble. It took me a couple of days to get rid of my sea legs. There were defiantly times when I was walking in the kitchen, where I'd be swaying when stood still or veering off at an angle whilst walking. A very odd sensation but thankfully its stopped! Definatly had cruise blues as well, as we all do when coming home from a holiday, but not as bad as, as I said, it still warm and sunny over here, so its not too bittersweet.
Its strange, we were only away for a week but the reception i got from people when i returned home and to work, was phenomenal. Made me feel really loved and valued. And if that's the reception i got from people I've only really known for a matter of months, then it makes me a little more excited and relaxed for the reception when end up going home.
Talking of home, I have 10 weeks left, as of today actually (I'm talking about leaving on a Thursday here) That's 2 months on the 27th in reality. When you say it in months its not so bad...I'm not gonna entertain weeks anymore. Its disgusting.
I'm gonna change the subject i think...its slightly too depressing for this time in the morning.
I went canoeing on Tuesday with a bunch of friends for Jenny's birthday. (subject change or what?!) It was fantastic, such random thing to do but random things always end up making the best day, and it really was. There was 8 of us and we drove to Wekiwa Springs, about 45 minutes from here and it was like a little country park. We literally just spent 2 hours paddling up a river and back again..saw so many turtles and a few alligators, it was amazing! Like on of those things you'd see teenagers do in a film, just for fun because its in their back yard. It was so peaceful and i was just in awe of the beauty of the surroundings. We swam in the spring as well, which was a little cold, but a lot of fun. Half the time Alex, and I could reach the floor for being too short so that was a little scary, and the bed of the spring was covered in mossy hair like stuff and felt disgusting if you stepped on it! Joe threw the mossy stuff that was on his foot, in my general direction and sods law it would land on my head...had black crap dribbling down my face which was vile. I'd have reacted and probably flown at his if it wasn't for the fact i physically could move without the fear of slipping in the rocks i was stood on and cracking my head open on the ridge behind me! But it was an amazing day and another memory i will treasure forever. Quite content with the fact I can go home with all these little stories about the awesome things I've done and be one of the only ones of my friends to say 'Ive done that'
I feel I've spent a large portion of my morning writing this..probably as i woke up stupidly early and couldn't sleep anymore..strange as sleep has become a huge part of my life now, more so than when i was at home so I think i may try squeeze in a cheeky nap before having to get up and sort my life out for work and partly because I'm away with the fairies and keep loosing my train of thought...no change there then!
I'm gonna sign off before i frustrate myself even further as I'm literally say on my sofa playing with my hair (a sign I'm bored and loosing interest, it means other things too but right now, we'll go with that, that fits my mood)

'Friends are like stars, you can't always see them but you know they're always there'

I love that saying or quote or whatever it is. I think its very true and have always believed it. Like my school friends, the ones you were close with, who were part of your 'group' or close circle, who you hung out with outside of school as well as in. I don't always see them, before America anyways, but I'd see them on occasion when out and about or at a birthday or when we all arranged to meet up for a night. Id spent 7 years with these girls, pretty much everyday of those years and after leaving, i obviously saw less of them due to work or college etc but when i did see them, it was like no time had passed at all. I know that although i don't see them as much as I'd like, when we do see each other, nothing would have changed in our friendship...we'd still have the same banter, the fondness would still be there. Call that being really sad if you will but i love that i have that with my friends.

I received an email from Sam, my best mate, and it literally was the best email i have ever received. The way she had written it, was as if we were talking about it or someone was narrating my life before i left and it bought a tear to my eye, knowing she misses me as much as i do her and although where i call home is not amazing, it is amazing because of her. It made me glad too that i only have something ridiculous as 10 weeks left here in the states. Not in an 'i hate this place and i wanna leave asap' thing, as in an 'i can't wait to see her face and get my best friend back' thing.

So one of my arrival group went home earlier this week. As i said we have 10 weeks left so for him to go now is gutting as we are so close to the end but he has his reasons and i respect that and I'm so very happy for him with what he has waiting for him back home (charlie's one lucky girl!) and at least its not long until i see him again either. I looked at him as a brother, the same as James as they both constantly pick on me whenever possible. James is like the big brother who would do absolutely anything for you and Stephen was the one who would pick on you so much, that you'd end up rocking yourself to sleep crying because he's so mean, but deep deep down, you know he loves you! Its totally not gonna be the same without him singing the chump song to me every hour of the day possible or abusing me in every way possible...kinda glad for it if I'm totally honest but ill miss it after a few weeks peace!

Ive recently booked a cruise with 2 of my close friends out here, Jenny and Jenny (confusing but hey its fun!), going for 4 days in November, leaving from Miami with one fun day sailing, going to Cozumel in Mexico, then to Key West, and back up to Miami! So very excited! Got the cruising bug when I went on a Wedding Mediterranean cruise 2 years ago and for the price we got it for, its totally worth it! :) Cannot wait to get out of the Disney bubble and back 'into' reality for a bit!

The past couple of weeks, I've done so many different things, its been fantastic. Went to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal studios..if you've ever been to Thorpe Park and been on the Saw Maze, its like that but on a totally bigger level! They have 8 themed houses in which you walk around, for example; The Nightingale which is themed to the Trenches from the war and its all people dressed up and scaring you. They have scare zones in which you walk through and the actors follow you round and try to frighten you...with the likes of chainsaws! Totally freaky but absolutely incredible! One of the best things I've done since coming here. On a totally tamer level, the Magic Kingdom hosts something called Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party, where the park is decorated for Halloween big style and you basically go trick or treating around the park. Rare characters come out and its all about the Villains so I did that last week with a few friends and it was so much fun! Got my photo taken with 32 different characters! Amazing! We stayed in the Grand Floridian afterwards...that's the big white hotel with the orange roof, the main Disney hotel..the height of absolute luxury and THE most comfortable bed I've EVER slept in!!

I plucked up the courage..with moral support from Jenny and Lauren, to go and see Paranormal Activity 3...BIG mistake! For any who know what I'm like with scary movies, you can only imagine how i was after if you've seen any or all of them! I spent the whole film behind my scarf with the boys behind me not helping my anxiety at all! And i was shaking like a leaf when we left!

I swear to god, me and Lauren have a ghost in our apartment...I'm being totally serious. Our notice board has fallen off the wall and we've found it propped up against the wall in such a way, there is no way on earth it should be like that and neither of us have touched it, that theres no other real explanation..its happened more than once too! I was also by myself in the apartment and my balcony light was on and a shadow walked across the window and it definatley had to be ON the balcony to cast a shadow that close to the window! Eeeek

But its safe to say, me and Lauren slept with the light on that night and I've had a little difficulty sleeping since then!

Ive become a lot more involved with training recently and the test and everything that servers have to take in order to get into service. Ive strangely enjoyed it and I kinda reminds me of my job back home and it was kinda refreshing to be a little more involved and to be trusted more.

Ive heard things that people think I'm a little strict and maybe harsh? Kinda threw me off a little..i know i shouldn't but i always worry what peoples perception of me is, I mean come on, who doesn't? But i guess it comes from my background and what i do back home. At the end of the day, I'm thorough in my training style and make sure i hit every point so i can give the trainee the best information and training possible so they know everything they possibly can and need to know. Its tough becoming a server out here so if that perceived as me be strict and harsh then so be it. At the end of the day, I'm doing my job and I'm doing all I can for that trainee to pass, that's all I and everyone else want for each and every person that goes through the training.

Ive booked my hotel for when Tom comes out in January now as well so that's another thing to look forward too, as well at New York for Laurens birthday at the end of my programme! :) Its strange to think I'm gonna see Tom in the first few weeks of January and then 2/3 weeks later ill be coming home myself! Eeeep! so strange..its now at the time of year last year, that i was counting down to coming here, and I'm now counting down to going home. Its so much like a dream..

I can't think of a title for this post so this is the title..

When I last left off, the visit of the mother was looming and the Food and Wine festival was just around the corner.
Well, we are in full swing of Food and Wine now, the park is exceedingly more busy and the money I'm earning is starting to pick up which is fantastic! FINALLY! Its only gonna get better too, with Candlelight only being about a month away! I really enjoy being busy, I hate it when you're stood around twiddling your thumbs and waiting for something to happen. Its the worst feeling. Now, I find it so much more fun. I love it when you're so busy, you literally don't have time to think, you just do. That's what I love about Hospitality and waitressing, I think its the rush of adrenaline you get. Yeah, I freak out and go slightly mental..for those of you who work in the R&C or have done or have worked with me back home, you've probably seen it on many occasion! But I find my job more enjoyable that way.
I went round all the food and wine stalls last Sunday with people from work and it was absolutely fantastic! The food was amazing and it was so much fun! If you are ever in Disney when Food and Wine is on in Epcot, I would defiantly recommend doing it, its well worth it!
I'm training a lot now as well, which I do thoroughly enjoy and have missed doing, but I'm glad theres quite a few of us that do it, as to be training every single shift would be a fricking nightmare! 
So...the mother has been and gone. She left yesterday to go onto L.A and Las Vegas! Totally jealous!
She arrived last Wednesday (5th) 
Id already decided that I was gonna rent a car and go to the airport and surprise her (with the moral support of James and Lauren, thank god!) But she emailed me a coupe of days before in a panic about the hotel address and my contact details and when I was gonna turn up at the hotel etc. Got to the point where i felt like shouting at her 'Im bloody coming to the airport to surprise you but you couldn't shut up about everything so Ive had to tell you!' That's what she's like! She rang the apartment like 2 days before she was due to come out and unfortunately Lauren answered and she ended up being late for work because mother just wouldn't shut up!
So..i rented a car (something i didn't think i could do at some places, turns out i can, I'd just have to pay a little extra but being a Disney Cast Member, I got that charge waved! Whoop!)
Waiting for her to come through the arrivals gate was extremely nerve wracking, I have absolutely no idea why but I just couldn't keep still!
She cried when she finally realized it was me..i looked at her and she looked straight back at me, smiled and carried on, stopped and lunged at me! It was kinda cute and I totally didn't expect it.
I spent more time with her than I expected I would and I'm glad I did, not only for the reason to get her off my back about when I was seeing her, but I did actually enjoy myself, something that I really didn't expect from seeing her and my nan.
They both defiantly spoilt me whilst they were here, which I totally didn't not expect. I was nice but i really didn't know how to take it. My mother hasn't really paid anything for me/been there financially for me since I was like 16? Don't think that I was a greedy child or anything. In all honesty, I'm kinda glad it went that way because Ive grown up, buying my own things, working and saving and using that money for me and not asking for much from my dad. I feel its given me more independence and stronger head and I don't rely on other people. Everything I own or have done, Ive paid for myself and I'm glad of it.
But for her to want to pay things for me, annoyed my slightly. I know it shouldn't have and I did let her, just so I didn't get earache but for 2 reasons it really bugged me. 1. I hate not paying my own way, Tom, my best mate back home, is the worst culprit for this..he won't let me pay ANYTHING for food etc and it bugs me because I feel like I'm taking advantage and 2. in a nasty way, I don't want her to think that she can buy me. I don't want her to think that just because she's bought me all these things, it means she's like buying my love or something..that's horrible right? But that's honestly what it felt like.
Ive always wanted to swim with Dolphins..its one of those things you have on a list of what you wanna do before you die (totally morbid i know) but Ive said that I wanna come home and be able to say Ive swum with dolphins. She's given me the money to do this. Its a lot of money and I am very great full and stunned she did that but at the same time, when my nan pairs it with 'thats your Xmas pressie from me and your mum, don't expect anything else!' it makes me feel bad and slightly angry because selfishly, i wanted to pay for it myself!

Now I have something else to look forward to..best mate Tom has just Whatsapped me...HES COMING TO VISIT IN JANUARY!!! AHHHHHHH! Totally freaking out right now! I'm so excited! EEEEEEEEEEEEP! :) I cannot wait to see him! It strange to think when he comes...ill only have a few weeks of my program me left..
I must dash..totally just looked at the clock on the microwave and its 1.50 and I'm not even dressed for work yet! Totally didn't realize how much Id be writing! whoops!
Catch you again soon with an update! By for now..or as mother would say BFN! xxxx

I've gone pro

So after almost 8 months of being here, I've FINALLY got Skype back! Gahh! That's thanks to the 'little' purchase of a Mac Book Pro :) Its amazing..its my baby. We got back from the mall at like 4..its now 7.15 and I've not left it alone...its amazing! Its the love of my life. I totally cannot wait to Skype using it. Yeah i know that sounds really pathetic but to not have had the luxury of it for this long and have to ask for permission to use Lauren's, has been torture, to not have the freedom is a lack of human right! Being 4350 ish miles away from home without it is tough..especially when i can't get the use of it! Okay, you catch my drift..
SO whats happened since my last post?
Well more people have left. Obviously. The last people who've gone have been the hardest. I'm lost but I'll be fine. I figure I've got what? 4 months left. It'll be my time soon so enjoy what I've got left. Ill see them when i get home. Just goes to show how much time you actually do spend with people out here..its weird but you like know that you're spending a lot of time with them and hanging out but you don't, if that makes any sense? 
But in the last month or so, I've become a lot closer to some people than i originally was and  I'm glad as its taken my mind off things and Ive had such a good time with them and love them all dearly and am mighty glad they are here.
I've also had a lot happen at work recently too which help, although I'm thoroughly shattered from it all! I've been made one of the Core Trainers in The Rose and Crown, meaning I'm now one of 5 that will have a lot more involvement and influence in the training process for becoming a server..I'll be one who does all the learning classes before they go onto the floor and train with myself or someone else and I'll be sitting the practical tests and getting involved in the content of the written tests for pre service and service tests. At first I was kind of dreading it as I doubted myself as being strong enough to teach someone else. I mean I train at home all the time and I love it, but here its a total different kettle of fish, unlike anywhere I've worked before. I don't wanna screw up someones training and leave something out if I'm not confident in myself. But the training i received was great and i really enjoyed it and am looking forward to helping people become servers. I think its kinda given me a new perspective of what I wanna do when i get home. I mean I knew I enjoyed what I did back home but I realize I love it and I love being a part of management and being able to lead and make things better.
So yeah, that happened all last week and Im ridiculously shattered from it...long days..intertwined with me going out a lot..probably shouldn't have done that, but hey! you only live once right?! Ive only got one day off this week too which totally sucks but the more i work, the more money i earn so might as well suck it up and get on with it than complain about it!
Something called Food and Wine festival start in Epcot next week so from then its gonna get stupidly busy. Im excited because it means I'll get to make decent money...finally! In the recent weeks, its been so quiet, its ridiculous..cant wait for it to pick up and be busy!
Then we're onto Halloween obviously..everything here has been going mental for it and its still only September! Magic Kingdom has had decorations up for weeks and shows and events for it have been happening for weeks already and go on till after Halloween! Its insane!
2 weeks to go till the pending visit of Mother. Really dreading it. She's become more intense and anal in her emails..demanding lists of things she needs to bring for me, bitching about my younger sister for her lack of contact and the snide comments about MY lack of contact when she's not got long till she's here. I mean Jesus..she asked me if she'd need to bring towels with her or would the hotel provide it?! I mean COME ON?!! Its pretty much a universal thing that hotels provide towels and its Disney for Christ's sake! Gees!
Okay, rant over. 
What else? Oh yeah! My best mate Tom is gonna come visit me too! His parents have given him a flight coupon thing so he can book a flight when he's free and then Im gonna pay for his hotel whilst he's here! Totally cannot wait! We're gonna go to New York for like 2 days as well as that's his 21st present to me and then he'll fly home from there. It'll be cheaper for him too and a flight to New York from Orlando is only like $100 at the moment! Cannot wait! Christmas shopping! :)
So that's basically a short rendition of what I've been up to recently. Its gonna get crazy busy from now on, being Food and Wine as I mentioned, then Candlelight at Christmas which should be fun and need to find more out about and then New Year and then BAM. Im home. Whaaat?! STOP IT!
I'll try and keep you more up to date with whats going on as Im slowly coming to the end of my blog..

To those who have gone, you're sorely missed.

So, we are midway through August now. Times going so fast it needs to slow down. There are so many people leaving right now its insane. Its now at the point that the people who are leaving, have an effect, for me anyways, as they've been here for half my programme..Ive gotten to know them alot better than people who left when id only been here a few months. That's no disrespect at all to anyone reading this (I'm sure you know what i mean), everyone out here is amazing, theres just so many different characters, so many different memories made, its hard to have experienced everything with everyone, due to schedules, job roles or placement.
Working in the Rose and Crown is awesome..yeah like any job, it has its days where you'd rather shoot yourself than serve another guest or even come in to work, but working there and working with those people, is very much like having a family. When a guest asks if we all live together, my generic reaction is ' yes, we all live together in various apartments, we all socialise together and have fun. The relationships you see between each individual is real, its not staged, because we live and work together, its very much like one big family' and it is. Sounds so cliche right? But it is. Working in the kitchen with so many big characters is alot of fun and everyday is different, everyday theres something else to laugh about. We spent a good few hours playing 'tag' or 'tig' in the kitchen the other day..something as stupid as a child's playground game, was surprisingly so much fun. But now, a sizeable amount of these big characters have finished their programme and sadly left. The kitchen is defiantly already a quieter place and they are already sorely missed.
I didn't realise how much of an effect it would have but it really is obvious, obvious in every part of Disney life, be it work or social and the hole that has been left, will not be filled again. I defiantly think that my Disney experience is not gonna be the same without them and I'm sure i speak for everyone when I say that.
Enough with the sadness here I think..
Ive been really ill for the last couple of days..like I dont think Ive ever been this ill. Its weird..you'd think living in a hot country, you wouldn't really catch a cold, but sure as hell I did. Its defiantly going round and people are now starting to catch it.
But yeah..it got to the point where i thought I may have to go to the doctor and get something. Here in America, you have to pay to see a doctor..not like the good old NHS back home..defiantly taken for granted, and now that i dont have that option, Ive kinda realised that..i think everyone out here has too.
I'm now feeling alot better, still a little bit groggy and coughy but defiantly on the mend. Bad thing is..I'm sure Ive now passed it on to Lauren! Oops! not good..her family come out to visit next week..her WHOLE family..like 13 Canavans coming out! Crazy right?! I'm so very jealous but shes gonna have an awesome time and I get the apartment to myself for a bit. Its gonna be so weird..since being here, Ive never stayed by myself for more than one night. Compared to back home when it was the norm, its gonna be odd to be in the apartment without her! I'll defiantly miss her..I've shared a room with her for like 5 months, its gonna be strange being by myself again!
So, I mentioned that my mother dearest has booked to come out and see me in November? Well she is, but something happened with the company she booked her holiday with..something about not getting enough people booked onto the package-she was gonna fly to LA and see Hollywood and Chinatown and got to Las Vegas and then end up in Orlando for a week..well the first bit isn't happening anymore and they had to reschedule her Orlando trip. Turns out shes gonna to LA and Las Vegas afterwards but shes now coming out a month EARLY. GAH. So shes coming in October now..which is like a month and a bit away! Literally dreading it now..cannot think of anything less i would to do right now, than spent 7 days with her..sounds awful, I know. She wants me to stay with her in the hotel and get loads of time off to see her but i just cant do it. I'd rather eat my eyelids.
I'm gonna book her a hotel using my Disney discount for her and my Nan, which I'm more than happy to do for her and i figure it'll make up for me not spending every waking minute with her..She called yesterday and Lauren answered so I kinda made her tell her I wasn't here and Lauren ended up having like a 10 minute phone call with her! Oops! Totally what my mother is like though! I felt so bad but it was kinda funny :) You know when you can quite clearly hear someones trying to get out of a conversation but the other person just wont let them! My bad :) Love you Lauren!
So I believe I've pretty much told you everything that's going on right now..very long essay here so pat on the back for those of you who stick to and actually read the whole thing!
There are more people leaving in the next few weeks that I'll be sad to see go. People need to stop leaving. It totally sucks. It totally make the reality of how quick this time is passing by, real too.
Totally makes me realise how much I do love this place..

Has all this really happened since then?!

So...I so totally went to Vegas for my 21st! Literally THE best thing I've ever done! I love that I am one of the only people I know who can say 'Yeah, I celebrated my 21st in Vegas!' Not only that..whilst I was living in America for a year and working for Disney! Cripes! I'm so lucky to have awesome people out here too who came with me to celebrate. 5 in total..literally the best holiday EVER!
Its was gutting not to have all my usual friends and family around me but the girls defiantly made up for it. I think its the first birthday Ive ever had without my dad and sister too so I defiantly felt that space where they should have been, but its only one birthday and now that 'im all grown up' I'm gonna have to get used to it!
Of course I have now got the freedom of being able to drink again and obviously, I've been taking FULL advantage of it! I fricking love it! Its like Christmas and the novelty still hasn't worn off yet!
So Vegas was just over 2 weeks ago..gees..how time flies...and I've now hit the 6 month mark. Yes..Ive been here 6 months..yesterday actually. That's half my programme gone..in 6 months, this will all be over and ill be at home. That's such a scary thought.
But now that I'm 21..I defiantly feel like I'm enjoying myself alot more because I'm not constantly on edge if I've been drinking (obviously, when you underage drink at home..you get a slap on the wrist or whatever. Here, if I was caught, I'd get into a hell of alot more trouble, be terminated from my programme and sent back home..yeah..a hell of alot more to lose!) But I do feel happier and more at ease and I feel I can get involved alot more..not that I couldn't before, I'm just a big wimp worrier and didn't wanna risk it!
On a slightly related note..to do with birthdays obvs, living abroad when its your birthday does have its upsides...I'm still receiving birthday cards and gifts..its like its being prolonged...I LOVE it! :) And talking of gifts, I'm gonna rant about my mothers gift..she sent me a package that had a note on it telling me I couldn't open it until my birthday and obviously Lauren totally stole it and locked in her locker so I couldn't get to it! Its like she was on her side! But anyways..the night before we left, she let me open one of the bigger presents and just take the cards and smaller presents to open on my actual birthday. So you know when you shake/feel a present to try and guess what it is..well i shook it and it made a noise...a noise that you can tell it shouldn't be making. She sent me a photo frame..which had obviously shattered to bits as she hadnt packed it in a BOX like any normal human being with a brain would do! Not only that...the photo that was in it was of me and my sister, on a photo shoot that she'd asked me to arrange before I left England! Cheeky or what?! Cheers mum! AND...in my cards from her and my nan, I received money...yay i hear you say? nay..she sent me POUNDS not DOLLARS! WTF?! What am i supposed to do with that?! Okay, so that's my rant over. The thought was there...but my mother is stupidly hopeless and a little cheap..especially for my 21st...just saying!
So as I said, yesterday was my 6 month mark..I celebrated by being up at the crack of dawn to be in work for a trainer session as I'm becoming a trainer..well become now..
Stupidly pointless! They scheduled me to work straight after too. YUCK. I get into work and one of the trainers isn't well so I end up having to train...not only that..train in food running...until 9pm at the earliest! GAHH. I ended up doing a 13.5 hour shift yesterday..was actually not bad but talk about being thrown in at the deep end!
I was supposed to be going to see Kings of Leon in concert today...I should be there right now actually, but they've cancelled their world tour! WTF?! So literally the worst day ever yesterday and today!
Ive spent today nursing a stinking hangover from Lasses last night as I needed to blow off some steam, and treating myself to some retail therapy :) Defiantly the best way to cheer myself up! Am totally treating myself more often!
I have my first proper trainer shift on Tuesday which I'm quite apprehensive about but after yesterday, I think I feel a little more comfortable about doing it now.
Theres not alot happening now..its kinda quietened down in Disney life right now...nothings coming up other than training and I cant really think of anything else to add on right now. I'm thinking the hangover has something to do with it!
So with that being said..I'm gonna sign off right now as staring at the screen is making my head hurt and making me feel a little nauseous..oops. So just a little update for you..I shall add more soon!
Miss and love you all xxxx

Long time no post.

Looking back at the date of my last post and reading what Ive written is so very strange! Its been close to 2 months since I updated last...it seems like a lifetime ago that what I have written was happening! So I apologise profusely to those who have avidly been waiting for a post from me! It wasn't until a friend told me she missed my blog updates and hearing what I'm doing, that I realised, so much has happened its unreal. Its gonna be difficult for me to get it all in order and it may be a very long post so bare with me and I apologise now!
So..the last time I blogged, I was just starting my service training (Jesus..I'm having to refer back to what Ive written so I can remember what's happened!)
I did about a week and a half of training with my service test being on the second Thursday. I'm not gonna lie..it was the hardest few days Ive had in a while and I broke down a few times with the pressure (mainly from myself may I add. I need to learn to control this vice I have...its not healthy and I'm realising how much I often put pressure on myself) But everything paid off and I passed with flying colours, first time, and the relief I felt was exhilarating..I was on top of the world. I'd said to myself that if i didn't pass first time or the retake, I'd have self termed and come home. The money I earned on podium was ridiculous and now I'm earning so much money through serving, I have no idea how people can survive on that wage, how was are expected to survive on that wage!
I plan to save as much as I can to take home with me...I figure as long as I can save a substantial amount that will pay for car insurance as soon as I set foot in the UK, for a deposit on a flat and then money to live off for the first few months of being home, I'll be grand. Its ridiculous what you can earn here in service so Ill be taking full advantage of it!
So I passed my test mid may which was the time frame I wanted so I had a month to save as much money as I could for Ben's visit. I set myself a goal of earning to pay for the hotel and then any money I saved over that would be a bonus so Ben and I could have the most amazing time. Ive never had a holiday with a boyfriend before so it was more than important for me to do that. I made up my mind that whatever happens, I'd be paying for the hotel. He'd spent alot of money on a ticket to come see me, how could I then take half of what he'd earned to pay for the hotel, when I could earn that money in a couple of weeks? I don't mean to be big headed about it, but Id feel so bad for taking his money as he wouldn't have had all he'd saved to spend on himself.
So as you can imagine, in the weeks and days leading up to his arrival, I was acting ridiculous, as if i was on something constantly. I don't know how Lauren or anyone I work with put up with me as the running countdown just got bigger and louder! I got my lasses name 2 days before Ben arrived..Ive told you about lasses...the social thing that happens every Monday for the UK girls. Well I got initiated the week before and we were give our names which would be on the back of our shirts that every lass gets when she initiates. Mine is 'Countdown Darling' courtesy of my countdown for Ben coming and for my over use of the word 'darlin'! I absolutely love it! :) I'm already on my next one...my 21st! But we'll get onto that in a minute.
So Wednesday 22nd June arrived...I defiantly didn't sleep much the night before for being to excited...defiantly kept Lauren up, chattering away! Kitty rented a car for me and Lauren, Kitty and I went for IHOP breakfast before setting off to Sanford to collect the boy. To say the journey there was interesting, is a HUGE understatement. FYI (He was due to land at 3.05 but the flight was scheduled to land earlier at 2.40 so we left just after 1pm to give us 'plenty of time') For starters...Kitty thought he was flying into Orlando Intl so set off in that direction...! Lluckily I clocked on before we got too far! We turned around and headed in the direction of what we thought would take us to Sanford. Yeah, no. 45 minutes later, still no signs for Sanford..Im panicing in the back seat, being THE worst backseat driver ever, I'm surprised Kitty didn't pull over and kick me out of the car! So all 3 of us are then calling 3 different people asking where to go and receiving 3 DIFFERENT sets of directions. As you can imagine...right now I'm on the verge of total meltdown. I HAVE to be there when he walks out of arrivals...I'll hate myself if I'm not. I'll just add that at this point its now just turned 2pm (plane lands at 2.40) so we had 40 minute to drive back the way we came AND further on to Sanford, which is like another 30 minutes away...yeah. AHHHHH! I had conveniently forgotten that a. it would take him a good 10 minutes to get off the plane and into the terminal, b. it takes a ridiculous amount of time to get through customs when you land in the US, c. that it would probably take him a while to get his luggage and d. the car clock was 15 minutes fast! Bless Kitty and I love her so much for it, I don't know how we managed it but we got to Sanford for 3.10pm and luckily he wasn't there yet! After alot of confusion about where he'd be coming out from, I finally made it to where I needed to be! I literally just got there when the doors opened and Kitty shouted 'I see Ben!' I turned round and there he was :) Literally the best moment of my programme. I cannot even begin to describe the rush of feelings at that moment. It was euphoric.
I'm not gonna bore you all with the details of everything we did for the week as I'll also make myself very sad, but I'll just say we did EVERYTHING Disney!
I didn't realise just how much I miss home until Ben arrived. Ben's been a big part of my life for quite a while so for me, he's associated with alot of things from home, alot of memories too, not just mine and his.
Now he's gone, life sucks again. I'm so glad he came to see me, I love him so much for it and I cant believe how quick its come round and gone. It just goes to show though, how quick time does fly by and before I know it, ill be on a plane back home.
Ive realised how lucky I am. I love Ben with all my heart. That hasn't changed since the day I left home and its not gonna. Kitty described him as 'the boy version of Claire!' I flipping told them! :)
So now Ben's gone :( life is back to reality. It sucks majorly.
BUT. My 21st birthday is in LESS THAT 3 WEEKS! Tomorrow, me and 5 other friends are booking LAS VEGAS to celebrate! I literally cannot control my excitement! 21st, 22nd and 23rd July cannot come any quicker! I cannot wait, not just for the fact that its a HUGE birthday and I'll FINALLY be legal to drink, but just to get out of Disney, for a few days...I cannot fricking wait!
I had an interview the days after I came back to work, to become a Disney Trainer and I found out today that I got it! :) Im actually really excited about it. I kinda wanted to wait until Id been in service a little longer but now that I've got it, Im not hugely fussed. I dunno when I start but im excited to get the training pin (yeah i know thats gay, but who cares?!) Plus...it will look awesome on my CV! :D yeaaahh!
Sooo. Thats a very quick overview of whats happened in the past few months. I could have added loads of other little things but then this would be even longer for you to read and we all know I have tendencies to go off on one and go into ridiculous details that are seriously not necessary...probably like right now?!
Im trying to think of anything else thats happened in my life...
Ohhh. My dad and his girlfriend are getting on very well apparently and the prospect of them moving in together is looming! Im so happy for him but he keeps worrying about me! Silly man!
Ive run out of steam...i dont know what else to write about! Laurens just come in and said 'I hope you're writing wonderful things about me!' and then said...'I hope you're now not writing what I've just said in your blog!' Well! Seeing as Ive just written this, I feel Im obliged to write something nice about her, otherwise that would be just plain rude! :) Im joking! But seriously...the past few weeks, Laurens been amazing and been there when Im just to proud to say. Shes fricking awesome and I dunno what id do without her right now. I love her to pieces and im so glad shes my roomie here. Saying that...im so glad ive had everyone around me...Meena, Kitty, Kylie and Alan..I love them all to pieces...they're my Disney family. They keep me sane and keep me me when I feel down or so lost, even If they do love to take the piss out of me CONSTANTLY. Although, I guess that happens wherever I go, whatever country Im in! Its like they're keeping me in practice for when I go home and endure a years worth of abuse from Sam and Adam...we all know thats gunna happen as soon as I set foot on UK soil! God I miss those two insanely! Sam's off in Mallorca, working in a bar with some friends. Im so so proud of her, im so glad shes actually gone and done what we were talking about doing, months and months ago. I soo wanna visit her in Spain whilst shes working! Would be so awesome! I shall contemplate that now as its just popped into my head!
Right, im gunna sign off now as im just gunna keep babbling and writing and writing!
I promise to keep you all more updated! I think theres gunna be alot more happening here as the end of the year starts to come close so watch this space :)
Miss everyone from home dearly and I love you all xxxx

On and upwards as they say.

Reading back over my previous post, I'm struggling to remember everything that has happened in the last week. I mean, not a huge amount has happened but enough to make you question the order in what things happened it. So I'll try my best to piece it back together now. I'm actually having to look back over my facebook wall to see whats happened! How mad is that! I have a memory like a fish but this is beyond a joke! So from looking back over my page this is what I've come up with!
Wednesday 27th, Kitty, Meena (2 of the girls in my arrival group) 2 German girls who Kitty works with, Linda and Alina (i hope that's right!) and myself, hired a car and drove down across to Sarasota..well Kitty drove, as you have to be 25 with most hire company's in America, bloody ridiculous! It took us 2 hours to get there but it was well worth it, the beach was breathtaking...actual white white sand..powdery too, not the coarse stuff that you get on most beaches! But it was mighty windy so we all spent the day sporting the windswept look but it was an amazing day all the same!
Friday was of course, royal wedding day, a day that literally EVERY guest had been talking about for the past like 2 months. The question 'so were you invited to the wedding?' had been completely worn out and became quite annoying to answer actually. The day of the wedding was actually a really fun one. Most of the UK cast members got up early to be in Epcot for 8am as there was a commemorative photograph being taken and we'll all receive one at some point. They had food prepared for us as well and they made a 'wedding cake' for William and Kate, which was a little sad to be honest, but bloody yummy! I also managed to trap my finger in one of the huuuuge doors that lead backstage...hurt like a absolute bitch and looked absolutely disgusting after it had finished swelling and transforming into ET's finger! Luckily i didn't break or fracture it, would have cost me dearly in hospital fees if i needed x-rays, even for a flipping doctors appointment it costs! Was petrified i was gonna loose my nail but its fine now, just have a black mark on my nail and its almost back to normal thank god...just in time for me to go into my service training! :) Ill come to that in a sec...trying to keep everything in order here, doesn't help when you're shattered!
I received my first package from home on Sunday! Was from my cousin Wendy who had asked if i wanted anything without me even asking which was really sweet. Her 3 boys had said they were gonna send me things that they think someone living in America should have as they didn't want me getting homesick, bless their hearts! I received numerous amounts of English sweeties, an Easter egg, some Union Jack cupcake cases, footsie tights and 2 cans of spray deodorant. So the last 2 items may sound weird but the footsies line my shoes because i cant wear tights or knee highs anymore...its too darn warm now! And for some reason, Americans don't believe in spray deodorant! If you manage to be lucky and fine some...i guarantee it'll smell like shite! So for people reading this, who are coming out, especially girls...stock up on spray deodorant if you don't like roll on!
This Monday just gone, Disney hosted a Spring Formal for all its cast members which, I honestly thought, was gonna be shocking! But it was actually alot of fun. They do 2 a year..the spring one and then a winter one, so I'll get to go to both which is quite exciting. They had tables upon tables of food, a decent DJ and the evil characters from Disney films with whom you could get your photograph taken with.
So today was my last podium shift. Tomorrow i go into my training for service! I'm doing like an 8 hour shift of food running then Monday I'm doing a day in the kitchen and Tuesday I'm doing a bar day. I then have 3 days off, then on Saturday i have another food running shift and then Sunday I'm into my service training where ill actually be serving tables! eeeep! its so scary that its finally come! I'm so excited but I'm so nervous too!
Oh! I received the first half of my package from my sister that Ive been asking for since February! 2 MONTHS its taken and its finally here! I'm waiting of the other part of it, as there was too much stuff to put in one packet! Oops!
So that's been my past week in a nutshell, taken from my facebook page! Its probably a little scrambled and doesn't make much sense, so I apologise if it didn't and you got bored half way through!
Ive decided to really knuckle down and sort myself out, starting with eating healthier and going to the gym more. Ive actually been sticking to it which is surprising as it takes alot of effort for me to get into a habit of things! But this week Ive gone to the gym 3 times and cycled 8 miles and ran 2 miles...very proud of myself although my legs are now suffering! I'm also knuckling down with revision of the menu from tomorrow so I'm confident with my knowledge of it. Also cutting back the social life a smidge, just until I'm through on service...will also help with monies too!
That being said, I must go to bed as I wanna be awake and alert for training! I always hated it when people didn't put effort in back home when i was training them, so i don't wanna become one of those people! That, and also I'm literally falling asleep as i type, I'm constantly hitting caps lock by accident and writing everything as if I'm shouting it and have probably sent you all off to sleep! So goodnight :) 

Loving Life

Everyone has a passion in life, something that they are really comfortable doing and excell in. Something which gives their life purpose and meaning, i suppose you could say? For example dance or some sort of musical talent, something that stands them apart from others and something that makes them come alive inside. Okay so I've not got an amazing passion, i used to dance; ballet, modern, tap the lot, gymnastics and drama too. I was really into it as a child but as i grew older i lost interest and slowly stopped. I then got back into it but then lost interest again and don't really bother with it anymore. My passion, the thing i love, that I'm really good at, is waitressing. I know that may sound odd to some of you, others will get what i mean...i hope anyways! I love talking to other people about their lives and meeting people through service. Every day is different and you meet a whole host of different people from different places. I love that I can have an influence on someones day, I can make it better for them, i can cheer them up and they leave with a smile on their face and greet them with open arms when they return (okay how cheese does that sound?! but you catch my drift..comes from being a supervisor too!)
Ever since I found and applied for this job in Disney, I knew that's what I wanted to do, and I'd do whatever i needed to do to get there.
When I arrived here, i knew I'd have to wait a specific amount of time until i could transfer into service but i knew right away that I'd be doing it as soon as i could.
As much as I have enjoyed the roles I have been playing since i got here, (chippie tills, chippie filler..I DESPISE THIS ROLE (only because i practically live in that place, i did a straight week of chippie filler shifts...not fun), seater, greater, beer cart and finally stocker (considered the guys role but everyone has to be trained on it...basically means you change kegs and the gas that runs the whole pub and literally make sure every area of the food and bev side of the UK pavilion runs smoothly)) I've not really felt the sense of purpose you get when you are serving people (with stocking, it was similar because it felt like you have purpose, that people need you and appreciate you more..if that makes sense?)
It made me appreciate my job back home alot more and also made me miss it.
But I've now been here what, 83 days? Close to 3 months now. I could pick up my pre service pack at 30 days and take my pre service test at 60 days. You have to pass that stage, otherwise you cannot move on to the next stage.
From my last post, I'm pretty sure i told you i was revising a shed load? Well from last Sunday, I've been revising non stop. Every night after work id sit and write everything out and go over and over it in my head. Id set myself the time scale of a week to take it in as it'll take me 2 weeks or so after i pass it to get my dates of when i have my training, I then have a week of food running and then a week of service training with my actual test being on the Thursday. Also, because this is a lengthy process, id set myself the target of being in service by mid May so i can start saving all my money and tips for when Ben comes out. A fair time schedule I'd say, even if it did drive me insane and my personal life suffered a little!
But yesterday, being Sunday, was the day id told myself i was gonna sit this test, and i felt i was pretty much ready. I felt calm and not really fussed about it if I'm honest, which is weird as at tests and exams, i usually am a wreck!
I went in and sat that test at 4.45 but it wasn't marked by the time i finished work...almost 5 hours later! As you can probably imagine, i was dying slightly but i made my manager sit down with me and mark it.
I passed.
Not even by a little bit. The pass mark is like 85%?
I got 96%.
I didn't just pass it, I near on aced it, words of my manager, not mine. Thats not me gloating and being all competitive or anything...Im shit at tests and never was really good at anything other than english and art so its a real achievement for me to have done so well.
I've never felt such relief in my life! i really need to have more faith in myself...everyone keeps saying it but i never believe it! I guess all those hours of studying did alot more than i thought they would!
So right now, I literally am the happiest i have been since I got here. I'm finally loving life! Don't get me wrong, its not horrible here at all, it is amazing and the people here are amazing and the experience here is amazing, but everyone is different so what i may be feeling now, may not be the experience others want. We all differ and this is my happiness :)
So I have an amazingly beautiful apartment which i love so very much and feel so much at home in, an amazingly awesome housemate, who I love to bits. My boy is coming to visit me in 58 days, which i am EXSTATIC about and love him so very muich for...literally, still buzzing! And I'm now going back into my passion, serving (and consequently, earning more money :)). Literally cannot tell you how happy I am.

67

The title of this post doesn't exactly give much away as to what the topic is gonna be about, for those of you reading who are here and know me well, will know exactly what it means without the slightest of explanations needed.
You'll be forgiven in thinking that its the amount of days Ive been here, but its actually not 67, its more than that. Its not the amount of days till my birthday, as again for those of you reading this, who are out here will know that I'm desperate to turn 21 and be legal again!
I'll cut the crap now and stop the 'climax' that's building. On Tuesday, when I was moving to Patterson (I'll come back to that once I've told you this!) i received a message which is the best news carrying message Ive received since arriving in Orlando. It read 'im flying out to see you on June 22nd till June 29th! :)' Yes. BEN'S COMING TO SEE ME!!!!!
Okay that's a little toned down as to the one I gave on Tuesday, mostly consisting of screaming, jumping on the spot and frantically calling Lauren to scream down the phone at her!
Literally Tuesday, was the happiest day I've had here. I cannot believe hes actually coming to see me...little old me, some 4350 miles away from home! I literally cannot contain my excitement. I love him so so much for doing this, I still cant believe he has and I'm counting down the days till he comes! EEEP! Up in my living room is a whiteboard which Ive got a countdown on...love it! Everyone at work is fed up of it now and cant wait till he gets here either, purely for the fact that ill no longer be annoying them with my countdown :) Don't care, so excited! I get to experience everything that I'm doing out here, with him, for a week. Its our own little holiday, something I've never done with a guy before so its gonna be awesome! Making a list of everything we can do as I've managed to get 6 out of the 7 days I've requested, off! Jammy right?! :) But closer to the time ill see if i can swap that day with someone so i can have the whole week with him :)
SO going back to the bit about moving, I'm now no longer living in The Commons, I've moved in with Lauren, to a 1 bed apartment in Patterson Court, just down the road. I'm LOVING it. Its so much cleaner and nicer and more homely that The Commons, although I would have liked to have stayed in The Commons as Kylie, Kitty and Meena are still there.
But I'm feeling more homely and comfortable here than I did at The Commons. On Wednesday, Lauren and I went to Typhoon Lagoon and sunbathed all day after a hectic day of moving! She then cooked me tea and we watched movies and ate very British food which was awesome...loving living with her! :)
I'm currently being swot and studying, blurgh.
I have to learn the menu from the Rose and Crown pub to be able to go into service, that's the WHOLE menu..so appetizers, entrees and desserts, kids menu, coffees, wines, cocktails, beers, scotches...the list goes on and on!
Ive so far learnt my appetizers, just done that now in like an hour, so I'm gonna get Lauren to keep testing me so it sticks better. Going to James and Stephens apartment later to have a revising session which will be good too :)
My aim is to take my test next week and then I'll go into my food running and service week at the end of April, beginning of May, which means I'll be in service mid may and earning more for when Ben gets out here! That's my aim anyways.
So that being said, I'm gonna cut off and go back to revising! :)

2 months down, 10 to go!

FML. 2 months? Really?
According to my little badge at the side, Ive been here bang on 60 days.Wowzer.
This week has been pretty chilled and a good one..I've had all daytime shifts so since last Sunday, Ive had every night off! Such a novelty back home seeing as management works more than floor staff and pretty much every evening!
Ive kinda laid back and done the bare minimum too..i mean it doesn't help with the fact that there have been tornado warnings for the best part of the week and there being no guests in Epcot! Being ER'd (early released for those who don't know) was literally the story of every ones lives this week as we literally spent the day tasking and shitting around chatting!
Ive never seen rain, or weather for that fact, like it! One minute the suns shining and its blue skies, next minute its literally pelting it down with rain, thunder and lightening like you've never seen or heard. There was one crack of thunder on Monday which sounded like someone had shot a gun just outside chippie! Ridiculous!
Also experienced first tornado warnings ever...quite scary honestly but i think it'd be quite cool to see one...obviously from very very VERY far away! They have tornado warning that come through the radio too, it sounds like my alarm clock!
Its also so random that people STILL come to the parks in weather like that! Its funny to see everyone walking around in ponchos and flip flops, trying to stay dry!
We also get macs to add to our 'beautiful' costumes...make you look like you're wearing a huuuge condom, but hey! keeps you dry! :)

A friend of mine who i haven't seen in like 9 months was in Orlando this week, to end his travel there before flying home. Hes actually like Ben's best mate too. We both said that, if i got the job at Disney, then he'd come visit on his travels and we'd meet up, so it was actually quite cool that we actually got to do that :)
Was so so good to see a familiar face and someone from home. Had so much fun...had my first experience of hooters (obviously with James!) and it was actually really cool, not as sleazy and degrading as i had imagined! We got pulled over by a cop too because the tail light and indicators were out on the back of his car! oops! but they did that thing like they do in the movies where they use a microphone to tell you what they want you to do! It was so odd! But luckily, playing the whole 'im english' thing, worked and he got off with a warning! But hes gotta drive the car back to Miami before flying home! Good luck to him! :p
He flying back to England on Monday..its so weird that Ive seen him, and in like 3 days hes gonna get to see Ben. I hate that, I'm so jealous of him! :(

Now that I'm at my 60 day mark, i can take my pre-service test, something that you have to do to get into service. Its such a pain because you have to learn so much for it but its gotta be done. Ive written out all my cue cards for the menu items , i just need to learn them now! Its gonna be such a pain, but so worth it. I'm wanting to9 get into service now...Ive enjoyed the roles that Ive done but i just don't feel challenged and I'm one who gets bored of things quickly. I'm bored and i miss serving! The moneys also an attraction!
So after Ive had my service class on Monday (8am start at Disney University..FML right?!) I'm gonna really knuckle down and start learning and then take my test as i then have to wait like 3-4 weeks before i have my service week and further tests before becoming a fully fledged server. The know how is there, its just getting there that's worrying me as i know what I'm like with remembering things and studying. Its taken me like 2 and a half years to know my menu at home inside out and back to front! and even then i still ask questions! But I'm just gonna do my best as that's all i can do!
Once I start earning that extra money then ill feel alot more comfortable and hopefully then Ben can come visit which would be amazing! But no pressure because I know how expensive it is to get here..i don't hold it against anyone who doesn't...I'm only here for a year...i don't want people to waste money on coming to see me!
But i hope he can.
I miss him so much..ahh, I'm gunna loose my head! But its fine. I find talking about him, oddly calms that and makes me happier.Like the memories. Like i feel privileged and i smile to myself because i have him and i have that with him. SAP! yeah i know, shhhh!
I've just realised how many times Ive just said 'like',oops!
I have a tendency to do that with certain words...i don't realise i do it and i don't mean to...just kinda happens and i overuse some certain words!
People pick up on it all the time and I'm like ooop! :)

Up goes my seniority!

So ive been a little slack on my blog for the past 2 weeks..sorry guys! In all honesty ive been a little homesick and just generally meh for the last week or so. You know when all you wanna do is just curl up and sleep and just keep yourself to yourself? I just kinda wanted to spend a bit of time by myself and just kinda chill and shake off the mood and not drag anyone down with me. And because of this, i just didnt feel like blogging and sharing my depression with you!
I dont know what it was that made me feel so shit but i hope it doesnt come back!
I knew i was gunna have downtimes and such, Ben said i would get times when i just want to come home and Im not gunna lie, I did think about it, but it was only a thought. I dont think I'd ever actually quit before my time was up, this is such an amazing opportunity, there are people who would literally kill to be in my position, it would be such a waste. A waste of money, opportunity and the chance to learn and grow. It bugs me when there are people here who are just not bothered and moan constantly. It like, if you dont wanna be here, then fine, go home, at least then it'll give other people who really want this a chance.
Plus if i came home early, I'd probably dissapoint a few people who are backing me all the way, like family, like Ben. He wants me to be happy and he knows how much this means and I think he knows better than anyone how much I'd hate myself if i threw in the towel early!

I got to speak to my sister face to face for the first time in like a month and a half of being here. It was so relieving to do that. I think its what got me out of my depressed and ugly state!
You know the whole, you didnt realise how much you missed someone till they're gone, kinda senario...well shes not gone, im gone, but it works both ways!
I've not always gotton on with my sister..a few years ago when we had to share a room, i loathed her! She knows this so i dont feel so bad for writing it! But going from having your own bedroom for 18 years to having to share for a year SUCKS! We constantly bickered and argued, simply because she kept stealing my things! ARGH!
But now, i could ask for a better sister, a best friend. I love her and miss her so much, its unreal. Shes like the other part of me. Not just because shes like my 'twin' because she knows me, because she gets me, because we have that relationship where you bounce off each other. Evident in our skype call when she was make funny faces about my mother when she was stood right behind her! Love it! With alice, its like no time has passed when we talk, its like ive been talking to her everyday and seeing her everyday. I miss that.
She currently got a photo of her with Ben as her profile picture on fb, It makes me wanna cry! I love it so much and when he sent it to me on tuesday i just wanted to burst into tears! I miss them both sooo much :(

Mother is coming out to see me. Its OFFICIAL.
Shes booked the flights. Its now on me to sort out the hotel for her. Good old Disney discount! Im dreading her coming out, but at the same time, im secretly a little excited. A feeling ive not experienced about my mother in over 3 YEARS. But i know ill wanna kill her after about 3 hours! But my nan is coming too which is kinda cool actually. I feel really touched that my 80 year old nan is coming all the way over here to see me!

So, last week, one of my managers, Yelitza, approached me and asked if i wanted to become a trainer...OMG! Thats insane...at that point i'd only been here for a month and a half! I never, ever thought i'd be good enough to train here. I mean ive trained back home, ive trained soo many waitresses but thats because i know what im doing! Im not saying i dont here but its all still so new and fresh, but she said im doing so well and i seem to be able to carry myself well so she though id be perfect for it. Means i get paid an extra $1 an hour too..not much but it'll make a difference all the same! It also doesnt stop me getting into service either. Talking of that...im almost at my 60 day mark..52 i think, to be precise..thats 2 MONTHS! AHHHH!
But that means i'll be able to take my pre service test and start food running and learning to become a server. OMG! Theyre fast tracking as loads of peoples programmes are ending so they need people! YAY!
I need to buckle down and start learning so I can take my test!
All of the people who have trained me are now moving into service so my seniorty is getting higher as my arrival group are now dominating the areas in knowledge..ITS INSANE how fast its all moving! Eeeeep!
With high seniority, comes nicer shifts...ever since ive got here, ive worked all evening and close shifts, so shifts from 2 till 9/10 ish. I dont mind it as i was new but now, theres been 3 arrival groups since i got here so im no longer newbie, which means nicer shifts! Next week all my shifts are 11am starts with 5/6 finishes...sooo fricking excited to get my evenings back! :)
I have my first extra magic (tragic) hours tonight...its where the park stays open later for the resort guests...my shift today...2-11pm! FML!
So with that being said, i must dash and shower and get myself ready!
Toodle-pip! (Im not crazy, a guest asked me yesterday what the English term for goodbye was! Yeah, that sounds like a dumb question! But he was like it begins with 't'...ill forgive him because he meant the way people say goodbye years ago when everything was mega posh and prim and proper!)

5 weeks in. Wait, so im not going home..?

So. 5 weeks have slipped by. That's 39 daysish. Golly Gosh.
I'm not gonna lie...its taken me this long to feel normal but even then I still don't somehow.
I think its always been hitting me that I'm not going home until next year, that this is my home for now. Well I wouldn't call it home...lets just say for the next year, this is where I'm living. But now, its defiantly sunk in and sometimes i find it difficult to get my head around it, to believe that I'm not gonna see everyone i love till next year. But at the same time, i feel that if i can go the whole year without seeing them, without going home, ill know i can do it by myself, that i can survive in this world and be happy and know that i  will always have the people i love and the people who love me, behind me every step of the way, even if i don't see them.

I HAVE MY BLACKBERRY BACK IN MY LIFE! I have James Dunkin to thank for this and i will be forever grateful for helping me with it as I'm shite at technology and what to do with it!
I got it sorted out last Saturday...literally was screaming with happiness :) I'm so happy i am finally back in contact with the rest of the world! For anyone coming out here soon, try and get a phone sorted as soon as possible...its difficult to keep up and get ahold of people over here without one!
Because I haven't got skype either, I'm appreciating it so much more too as i can use the unlimited Internet i have to use whatsapp to talk to Ben :) that's the reason why i wanted it sooo bad and now i have constant contact with him :) YAY!
I spoke to him last Saturday on skype for like an hour or more? Loved it. Was sooo good to see and speak to him and i love my roommate for lending me her computer. I truly appreciate the time I do get to speak to him as it has been limited and i love every second of it. Yeah that's kinda cheesy and what not but i really couldn't care less! Hes my boyfriend so I'm entitled :D

I went to the Magic Kingdom with a couple of the girls from work yesterday, pretty awesome day even though it was bitterly cold most of it!
We didn't really go on any rides, literally just walked around the park, taking everything in and watching numerous amounts of parades and shows! They insisted I watch them as i hadn't seen them before and I'm glad i did to be honest! Although i now have the songs permanently stamped on my brain as they were constantly singing the tunes!
It was nice though, as when you're on holiday here, you have a limited amount of time and you wanna rush round and see and go on everything, that you don't have time to take everything in and you miss the really good parts of Disney, so I'm glad i did it!
They took me into Castle Couture where we got sprinkled with 'pixie dust'. From the punctuation i put around the words pixie dust, you should be able to tell that it is in fact not pixie dust but GLITTER. I loathe glitter! Think about something you hate, that makes you feel sick or makes your skin crawl...that's how i feel about glitter! It gets EVERYWHERE! And takes for ever to come off! I brushed it out of my hair last night but my pillow is covered in it and its still all over my head! I'm still gonna be finding it weeks into the future! AHHHH! We also bough princess tiaras and spent the day wearing them round the park! So much fun!

We've had another round of newbies arrive...2nd since I've been here so I'm no longer newbie! :) And then we've got more coming on March 22nd! Literally newbie takeover!
Its so weird to think that i was them 5 weeks ago and now ill have higher seniority when it comes to schedule bids and rotas etc! Insane!
But in the arrival group that came on Tuesday, is a girl called Charlotte who i actually interviewed with back in October in London! So I'm really excited shes here and once shes settled down and gone through all the traditions classes, we are so going out for dinner to celebrate! :)

My mothers been back in contact and shes coming out to see me...She said before I left that she was gonna look into it but shes actually picked dates and started to arrange details of the holiday! Shes coming out with my nan, who's in her 80's! So i feel quite touched that she wants to come out as well and see me :) But shes looking at 7 DAYS here..a whooole week! I find more than 3 hours with my mother taxing, so how i am gonna cope with her for a week, I do not know! Its known that if you've got family staying, you take advantage of the fact that they're staying in a Disney hotel, using your discount, and stay with them. Yeah, I DO NOT see that happening with my mother. I think ill end up committing suicide or something! I know that's an awful thing to say and it sounds SO bad but for those of you reading this who know about my mother situation, you will understand completely and probably chuckle at that comment!

Ive got my longest week coming up next week..when you start out in F&B you are contracted to 30 hour weeks minimum with 2 days off. If you work over 40 hours, you get paid over time. When you get into service after you've been here 90 days, then you drop down to 1 day off a week and you work more hours. Next week I'm working 41 hours with 1 day off! The longest and hardest i will have worked since my 2nd to last week at Wildwood back in January now. WOW! Seems like a lifetime ago!
But to be honest, I'm kinda excited about it! Sad right?! But after working in a fast paced restaurant, working 6 days a week, anywhere between 35 and 50 hours to coming to this..5 days a week with a minimum of 30 hours...its quite nice to be picking up the pace and longer shifts that I'm used to and programmed to do! If anything i WANT to do it. I miss the chaos and i miss being sooo busy that you have no time to think, you just do. That's why i cant wait to get into service over here..i miss it! I hate not being busy and having something to do...the fact that its quiet season over here at the moment, doesn't help as usually theres not alot to do! But that's all gonna change, very soon i hope!