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 :)
Ive made it to Disneyworld! This blog is for you guys to keep up to date with what Im doing and how Im feeling! Hope you guys enjoy!
Sunday, 8 May 2011
Monday, 25 April 2011
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.
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.
Sunday, 17 April 2011
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! :)
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! :)
Sunday, 3 April 2011
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! :)
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! :)
Friday, 25 March 2011
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!)
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!)
Saturday, 12 March 2011
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!
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!
Wednesday, 2 March 2011
1 month down, 11 to go!
I have been here 1 month. Its official! As of yesterday! Eeeep!
Its so weird...still doesn't feel real somehow. Over here, theres no perception of time or days, you are literally in a bubble. Like I have no idea what today is..its like Wednesday right? I just had to look at my laptop calender to double check! Theres no real definition of a weekend so weeks just slip by! Its weird too as we have 2 days off a week and they're classed as your weekend, so your weekend could be Tuesday, Wednesday or like me, Friday, Saturday...which is quite cool. Its gonna be weird going back to reality at home and not living this way!
Ive finally gotten a bank account sorted! Went with Kylie on Saturday to do it at Walmart...yes...theres a bank INSIDE walmart! How odd is that?! Ive set up a savings account as well as a checking, so I'm just waiting for my card to come through the post, which will probably come next week now and then ill transfer those details to Disney so i get paid into that account, not my paycard. The pay card is a good idea but it only gives you one free withdrawal a week and then it charges you to take cash out of an ATM! WTF?! So advice for peoples coming out...open a bank account so it doesn't charge you to take your own money out!
I can transfer funds and receive them too but its does cost if its international...bummer but at least it doesn't charge me to take my own fricking money out!
Out here, every Monday they have whats called Lads and Lasses. Its a UK thing and each week the lads and lasses meet at different apartments before going out. The lads meet girls from a different country and the lasses meet boys from a different country. Its such a typical England thing as theres lots of drinking games, fines and fun going on...its a great way to meet people and make new friends and if you go 6 times in a row, you get your own personalised lasses shirt! I went for the first time on Monday as Ive missed every one of them since i got here, so i figured it was about time i went! It was a masquerade theme and we had to wear masks...i didn't have time to buy one (Claire's accessories over here doesn't sell masks! wtf?!) so i made mine :) using the 3D glasses id gotten from the cinema and some cardboard and decorated it! didn't look too bad to be fair!
But I had like my initiation into lasses with Lauren which basically consisted of drinking a dirty pint...not too bad...apparently the one when you earn your shirt is bad...so I'm building myself up to that! But this pint, which i can only describe as looking like mouthwash, wasn't overly bad...just very very sweet! I think there was melon and peach schnapps in it, vodka, apple sours, lemonade and other spirits which i cant remember! We basically had to down it in one...i did but felt incredibly sick afterwards!
We got a taxi to a bar called Murphy's...I don't remember the taxi journey...purely because i was sat on the arch of the wheel and spent the whole journey there trying not to throw my guts up! But after that, it turned out to be a really good night...we met Canada and played flip cup which i managed to master, even though i was mighty drunk!
I spoke to Ben on the phone finally :) Literally the best thing ever. Was so so good to hear his voice...didn't realise just how much i missed him and I felt so much better for it, so much more calm and happy..was in my own little bubble for the rest of the day! :)
Cannot wait to get my phone sorted out so i can talk to him more and people back home. I MISS MY BLACKBERRY!
Been speaking to daddy Nixon alot too and hes apparently very happy with his lady :) I'm so so happy for him, has defiantly restored my faith in love and relationships...if my dad can, then so can the rest of the world :D
Still waiting on my fluffing package from home to come! Alice said shed send me a load of things, but in true Alice style, 2 weeks later, she STILL hasn't! :)
I'm gonna start up with the gym again, i miss it and luckily they have one here :)
Gonna go and try it out now and I'm thinking i may start with running again but it all depend on how warm it is outside!
Its so weird...still doesn't feel real somehow. Over here, theres no perception of time or days, you are literally in a bubble. Like I have no idea what today is..its like Wednesday right? I just had to look at my laptop calender to double check! Theres no real definition of a weekend so weeks just slip by! Its weird too as we have 2 days off a week and they're classed as your weekend, so your weekend could be Tuesday, Wednesday or like me, Friday, Saturday...which is quite cool. Its gonna be weird going back to reality at home and not living this way!
Ive finally gotten a bank account sorted! Went with Kylie on Saturday to do it at Walmart...yes...theres a bank INSIDE walmart! How odd is that?! Ive set up a savings account as well as a checking, so I'm just waiting for my card to come through the post, which will probably come next week now and then ill transfer those details to Disney so i get paid into that account, not my paycard. The pay card is a good idea but it only gives you one free withdrawal a week and then it charges you to take cash out of an ATM! WTF?! So advice for peoples coming out...open a bank account so it doesn't charge you to take your own money out!
I can transfer funds and receive them too but its does cost if its international...bummer but at least it doesn't charge me to take my own fricking money out!
Out here, every Monday they have whats called Lads and Lasses. Its a UK thing and each week the lads and lasses meet at different apartments before going out. The lads meet girls from a different country and the lasses meet boys from a different country. Its such a typical England thing as theres lots of drinking games, fines and fun going on...its a great way to meet people and make new friends and if you go 6 times in a row, you get your own personalised lasses shirt! I went for the first time on Monday as Ive missed every one of them since i got here, so i figured it was about time i went! It was a masquerade theme and we had to wear masks...i didn't have time to buy one (Claire's accessories over here doesn't sell masks! wtf?!) so i made mine :) using the 3D glasses id gotten from the cinema and some cardboard and decorated it! didn't look too bad to be fair!
But I had like my initiation into lasses with Lauren which basically consisted of drinking a dirty pint...not too bad...apparently the one when you earn your shirt is bad...so I'm building myself up to that! But this pint, which i can only describe as looking like mouthwash, wasn't overly bad...just very very sweet! I think there was melon and peach schnapps in it, vodka, apple sours, lemonade and other spirits which i cant remember! We basically had to down it in one...i did but felt incredibly sick afterwards!
We got a taxi to a bar called Murphy's...I don't remember the taxi journey...purely because i was sat on the arch of the wheel and spent the whole journey there trying not to throw my guts up! But after that, it turned out to be a really good night...we met Canada and played flip cup which i managed to master, even though i was mighty drunk!
I spoke to Ben on the phone finally :) Literally the best thing ever. Was so so good to hear his voice...didn't realise just how much i missed him and I felt so much better for it, so much more calm and happy..was in my own little bubble for the rest of the day! :)
Cannot wait to get my phone sorted out so i can talk to him more and people back home. I MISS MY BLACKBERRY!
Been speaking to daddy Nixon alot too and hes apparently very happy with his lady :) I'm so so happy for him, has defiantly restored my faith in love and relationships...if my dad can, then so can the rest of the world :D
Still waiting on my fluffing package from home to come! Alice said shed send me a load of things, but in true Alice style, 2 weeks later, she STILL hasn't! :)
I'm gonna start up with the gym again, i miss it and luckily they have one here :)
Gonna go and try it out now and I'm thinking i may start with running again but it all depend on how warm it is outside!
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