Monday, 31 October 2011

'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..

Thursday, 13 October 2011

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