A new adventure

Looking at my last post, I can't quite believe how much time has passed, how much has gone on and how much has changed. Its almost 6 months since that last post and here I am, writing the conclusion of my adventure.
I think part of me dreaded it because it would mean the realisation and the admission that it was all over. I'm not gonna lie, the past few months have been a roller coaster of emotion, from the joy of finally being home, jet lag and settling back into my life, missing everyone and every little thing, a slight hint of depression, stress, relief of being reunited with loved ones and those who i spent my year with...i could ramble on forever.
So my last week at Disney came all too quick. Filled with lasts, tears, packing, stress and memories that will hold a dear place in my heart, forever.
My last lasses was more emotional and draining than I ever thought it could be. I promised myself i wouldn't lose stand breakdown and I was doing well until we got to the bar. 
My last day at work was strange. It didn't feel like the end but everything just seemed so odd, it was so..normal..not like I expected something amazing but you know when you feel like it should be something amazing!
A group of us went to an indoor arcade type thing in the evening which was so much fun and a great way to see everyone and say goodbye.
We had graduation on the Thursday which was the day myself, Lauren, Kylie, Alan, Kitty and Jaz were due to fly to New York, and to say the day was stressful, is a HUGE understatement. It was an amazing morning and so very emotional. I think we all cried on the way and at the airport.
Waiting at the gate to board the plane was horrific. I think we all stood there and silently cried to ourselves. The realisation that 'this is it' definatly had hit and it was overwhelming to know it was over.
We had an amazing week in New York, it was without a doubt the best way to finish off the most amazing year with the people who I had started my adventure with.
I landed in Heathrow on January 31st, literally a day shy of a full year of being out of the country and the reception I got, was overwhelming. My dad, sister and Sue were there, closely followed by Sam, Tom and Billo with a welcome home banner! Such a great way to be collected. Wish that could happen every time i land!
The first few weeks of being at home were so weird, it felt like i should be getting ready to get back on a plane and go 'home' to Orlando. I think after the 2nd week it hit me and I  sank a little into a depression stage. It totally sucked. I spent hours applying to so many different opportunities, anything to get me out of the UK.
I went back to my old job in Wildwood after 3 weeks of being home. I was so grateful to actually being doing something again and not be sat at home, wallowing and feeling sorry for myself. That 3 weeks of doing nothing killed me! I mean sure i went to see friends at family and caught up with things and sorted my life out so i could fit back into it, but as soon as i sat and did nothing, i moped. I hate not doing anything!
I spent about 3 weeks in my original restaurant just as cover and then i became an opening manager, meaning that I would be travelling around the country to help open new branches of the restaurant.
I spent almost 2 months in Cambridge, commuting and staying up there, about 3 weeks in Market Harborough, just outside Leicester and finally I've spent the past 2 months in Ely, Cambridge. 
In-between all of this I've been seeing family, seeing a lot of my Disney family who live down south, Megan, Antonia and Mo (the best people :)), visiting Sam who's working in Mallorca over the summer and I went to the Disney reunion in Chester, that around 50 people attended..amazing! So it sounds like a lot but Ive not really had much of a social life as of late due to travelling all over the shop and never being at home! Its been so tough and at times I've almost walked away but Ive learnt a lot and learnt a lot more about management and what it takes to run a restaurant. I'm so grateful for it but it has been a huge struggle at time and i have suffered a lot with health and lack of sleep.
My birthdays coming up next weekend so I have a load of my Disney friends coming up/down for it and I'm more than excited to see them, especially Lauren as Ive not seen her since we landed in London in January! 
So i thought id finish off the last post of this amazing adventure with news of an new adventure.
I'm now employed with Disney, again :) I'm going to work for Disney Cruise Lines on August 7th, working on the Disney Fantasy, which does 7 and 8 night East and West Caribbean cruises. I'm too excited, cannot wait to start a new thing and get out of the UK! I'm doing it with Mo who I did the CRP programme with so Ill have someone I adore with me so I hope it will make it easier, for both of us! :)
So this is it. The End. A few months late, but hey ho, better late than never...you almost got never!
Id just like to thank every single person I met on my programme for making my programme memorable, for the ones who I was close to for making my life and for the memories that I have with everyone. Thank you. 

And now, the end is near

Well near is an understatement really...its 5 days away..yes DAYS.
The best year of my life end in 5 days.
I can't get my head around it.
I'm looking over my last post now and its all about Jenny leaving and New York, which feels like a million years ago, but scrolling up, it was posted 21st December..only a month ago. And now, here I am, getting ready to leave for good, with a short trip to NYC on the way...I mean, why wouldn't we?! It'd be rude not to!
So, a brief summary of whats happened since I last blogged. I'll try to keep it short and sweet because thinking about it, a lot's gone on since then!
So, Christmas day. To start with I worked in the morning, never worked Christmas Day before and it was horrible. Firstly, Lauren and I had our little present opening time which was fun, video chatted my sister whilst opening her presents, which were all covered in bloody glitter! GAH! Thanks. Spoke to daddy Nixon for a bit which was horrendous and I ended up sobbing my heart out on the phone to him..awkward. I had work at 12 so wasn't too early of a start but it was stinking HOT...totally wrong. All the guests (well most) were rude and no fun at all. I finished at around 4ish so went home to change and went over to one of the apartments in Commons where Antonia, Lee and Dougie had been cooking Christmas dinner for the whole of F&B, all day. It was one of those, when you're finished work/have no plans, drop in and join. It was AMAZING. The BEST meal Ive had all year. Turkey, all the trimmings, the lot. We made the best of what we had and it was an amazing time and I couldn't have imagined anything better.
Obviously, New Years follows Christmas, so it came round mighty quick! I worked in the evening, and to be honest, I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. The people who worked the morning shift, finished and stayed in the park and drank round the world and ended up eating in the restaurant which was nice, as we got to see them whilst working. The atmosphere was amazing though..everyone was so happy and up for a laugh so it made it a lot of fun to work. I did a shout out at 7pm here which would have been midnight at home, and the response was amazing. Literally the whole restaurant was whooping and cheering! Working on the lower deck of the restaurant was knackering as we were literally turning and burning the tables as quick as possible. No one was allowed to stay over a 2 hour time limit which was totally the best rule to ever have come out of the Rose and Crown! The restaurant was seating pretty much straight through to 11.30 so at 11.40 when Illuminations started, all of us pretty much left our tables to it and went and watched the fireworks out the back of the kitchen. They were absolutely amazing, the whole show was incredible and it was so great that we all got to bring in the New Year together. Its probably one of my favourite and best New Years so far if I'm honest.
Okay, so I'm doing well! haven't babbled too much!
So New years came and went in a flash and the whole mindset of 'I leave at the end of THIS month' kicked in. I'd kinda set my last few weeks here out in blocks...so Christmas, then New years, then a week of just work and then Tom coming out, which I had a whole week off for which was amazing, then 2 more weeks and I'm done. Well that's all gone and I have less than a week! Gahhh!
In-between Xmas and New Year, Megan left, which again was awful. She was such an amazing person, someone who could always bring a smile to your face and without her in the kitchen, it was just plain boring. I miss her so much but the upside to this sad tale is that she only lives in Canterbury, not too far from me and I'm following her as the next person to leave so there's not been a vast amount of time since I last saw her. Cannot wait to see her when i get home!
Tom, he came to visit at the beginning of January! :) It was so much fun and so great to see him again after such a long time. We did most things Disney; Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Epcot (obvs) Fantasia Mini Golf...which I was AWESOME at! I swear, I'm crap at the likes of bowling and mini golf when I'm at home but in America, I'm so much better!
He got on so well with everyone out here and it just made me feel better and love my Disney family that much more but filled me with even more dread at the thought of leaving them. He ended up taking literally half my wardrobe home with him in his suitcase, which I'm eternally grateful for! Makes my life a little easier!
Ive literally started packing today. Ive bought a new suitcase as I had to give mine to Ilaria in her panic of not having enough space fore everything when she left, Its huuuge though. Totally got in it the other day and fitted! You can close the lid and pull me along in it too! No, i haven't tried that, but it could defiantly happen!
I really don't wanna have to pay for another suitcase but looking at mine now, I just don't know if i can fit everything into that, my hand luggage and carry on bag! Here's to hoping anyways! 

I think I'm gonna sign off the before I bum myself out even more, great before going to work too...! But I am excited for my last Cowboys, Parliament, Lasses, last day at work and the Graduation so I'm gonna think about those for a while!
Its crazy to think that this time last year, I was sitting in on people lasts and now I'm at my own...  

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..