Where Dreams Are Real: CRP

Showing posts with label CRP. Show all posts

Friday, May 13, 2011

Trip To Orlando and Orientation Day 1

The flight from Vancouver went well. I was sitting in the bulk head (front? Right behind the rich people where they constantly were making sure the see-through curtain was closed?) which meant no where to put my bags..but more leg room! The two men beside me were talking a lot to each other about the most bizarre things. The middle gentlemen was older and had packed sooo many snacks! It was pretty cute! He offered me nut mix and those little cheese and cracker kits with the red sticks? I took some nut mix because he wouldn't take no for an answer. I know I know, never take food from strangers, he did offer candy at one point even…The older gentlemen was also from Victoria and use to vacation in Comox at a cabin with his family when he was young. He now lives in Vancouver. Usually I really don't like talking to people on flights but this guy was pretty nice. Plus I only talked to him once I had to take off my headphones.

The Phoenix to Orlando leg was about 4 hours. I was in the same row but the other side of the aisle and there was so middle person to that was nice. I just slept a bit and read.

Stepping off the plane in Orlando always feels so good. The rush of humidity and warmth that hits you is only second to landing in Hawaii, because they also have the incredible smell of tropical flowers.

Trips to Orlando only seem real once I get on the monorail (sky train? Tram? I’m not even sure what they call it at the airport), its when I feel like I’ve really arrived. Although walking out to a Harry Potter Universal Store, a Sea World Store and of course, A Disney Store also helps. Luggage took a bit of time and then I went downstairs and outside to catch the shuttle to Payless Car Rentals! I’ve never rented from them before (I’ve done Budget a few times and Dollar) but they were a lot cheaper than the other ones because it was off airport property so they were the choice of the day. When myself and a few other younger people got on the shuttle the driver made sure we know where we were going, and another lady said I should be flattered I don’t look old enough to rent a car…. It was kind of awkward. Haha

The rental lady was super nice though and the process was easy for pick up. I’ll let you know if there were any secret evil fees or anything when I return it tomorrow night!!

I drove away in my beauty Kia Forte SX

It's a pretty decent car! Vroooooom!

and headed for Downtown Disney! I am staying with my dear friend (and old manager Yelitza) until Sunday morning when I move into housing! However she didn’t get off work until 1230am so I went to DTD for a little stroll about and to see Water for Elephants! I bought the book after ~~the love of my life~~ this nice guy I met in Winnipeg when I was blizzarded (it’s a word…) in recommended it. It was an amazing book, I, just like him, couldn’t put it down!! I would highly recommend it to any and everyone, and if I hadn’t given my copy to my Mum I would have given it to you! The movie was pretty good, although they changed a few details…like cutting out the guy who actually ran and owned the circus Al I believe his name is…but overall it was good. The book was leaps and bounds better, but I dare you to tell me a movie that is better than the book it’s based on.

Yelitza and I from my Disney Grad!

After the movie I headed over to Yelitza’s and after a little mix up on apartments (whoops!) we chatted a bit and headed to bed. It was a long travelling day!!

Wednesday I just used as a day to get things together. I had a great catch up with Yelitza before heading out and getting a cell phone organized. I also went to UCF to drop off proof of health insurance so they would take their block off my account. I walked around a bit and the excitement crept through me again! I couldn’t stop smiling thinking this is all real. I also checked out the exact building I’ll be living in. Looks like typical residence, it’s only 6 weeks, I’m not worried! I met up with Ashley later on and it was a bit surreal being signed into the Commons! We caught up for a bit and then went to Oscar and Kristin’s (where we stayed on our road trip) and picked up my suitcase! It was sooo nice to have clothes again! My suitcase I just brought down was pretty much all bedding and towels so it’s nice to have something to wear. Ashley is spieling her menu this week so she was practising in the car. Some of the meals are the same as when I was here before (besides the obviously cheese soup) so that’s pretty nice, some of it was coming back to me! I’m going to try and steal a menu off Ash before I head back to Canada pre-Disney post-school to study study study!

Today I had International Student Orientation! I arrived around 830, signed in and we started at 9am. The people who put on the presentation were really friendly and actually made boring visa/immigration/taxes information seem interesting. We played a few games including Jeopardy! The lady asked if anyone had watched the show before and I said yes, as I thought everyone had, but I was the only one! That made my team (our table) decide to name our team Team Kate which added no pressure at all. Haha. Luckily we ended up winning due to pure genius on our part and I didn’t let down my fellow Canadian, Alex Trebek. We won a UCF USB 2GB stick so that was pretty sweet. We played Bingo at one point too but I didn’t win which was sad because the prize was a cool UCF penchant for the wall…and we all know how I enjoy branding myself with whatever I’m doing at that point. Haha. See I can be honest about it.

I whipped back to the apartment to see Yelitza before work and then went suntanning at the Polynesian! I wanted soo badly to go to a park, but I feel too guilty asking a friend to use their main gate (except Ashley who offered once she gets hers and I’m sooo excited!), so instead of a park to feed my Disney itch I parked at the Polynesian and walked around. It was a beautiful day, there were tons of kids in the pool splashing around and dancing with a lifeguard, parents and drinks everywhere. I borrowed a few towels and went to the secret beach on the side of the Polynesian. It’s the greatest beach on property and so under utilized. I use to go here a bunch on my last contract and there were never people there. As I was laying out Dream Along with Mickey could be heard over the Seven Seas Lagoon, it was pretty great. I even fell asleep for a little cat nap under the shade of a few big leafy tree bushes! I strolled around the shops at the resort checking everything out (I think I found a birthday present for my Dad! And a dress I could wear to two of my weddings this summer!) and then made the best decision ever…and got Dole Whip!!! So far this vegan thing is ~~a total fail~~ not going as well as planned, however I made it very clear from the start that Dole Whip resides above everything else in the food pyramid. I also may have checked out the other MK resorts a bit J I miss Disney World.

Tomorrow morning I have regular new student orientation at UCF and I should be registered for classes by the end (thank goodness!).

Check this picture out:

The quality isn't too good...but I think you get it.

Hehehehe.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Accepted Times Two!

I interrupt our regular programming to bring you this message from our sponsors:

(aka ME!)

You may notice a countdown to the right there, as well as a spot just under it that says "Follow by email." If you want to, you can type your email in there and instead of having to check all the time if I've updated, apparently it will email you when there is a new post! Exciting!

Also if you have any questions - whether you're about to start the program yourself and want to know more about it, or more specifics, or if you have any questions about me, if I keep mentioning someone or something and you don't know who or what it is, you can email me or leave a comment at the bottom of the post! Email me at: katewdw@live.ca and I'll respond as fast as my little fingers can type! If there are lots of questions I'll even make a post of it. Feel free to ask anything :) Now back to regular programming...

May love and laughter light your days,

and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life's passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

On my way out the door to my first ever Zumba class this morning I found this email in my inbox:

Good morning Kathryn!

I have some great news for you, you have been successful in your interview with Disney cruise line last week so congratulations!

You have been chosen for “Assistant Dining room Server”

Please stand by and I will get back to you as soon as I have more details on when we will start your process with your medical and criminal background check.

Let me know if you have any questions!

It was a pleasure meeting with you!

Eric Theriault

CEO-Co-Founder/Director of Recruiting

Cast-A-Way Cruise and Resort Hiring Agency

Exciting!!! It's nice to be accepted, especially after I didn't think the interview went so well. However I most definitely am going to do the Cultural Representative Program at Walt Disney World and am sooo pumped for that to begin!! Maybe sometime in the future I'll do a cruise line contract :)

In other news I did a Zumba class this morning because I bought LivingSocial deal for 10 classes for $20 dollars, and usually they are $10 a class so it was a pretty baller deal! I can also take spin classes with it, but they all seemed to be full. I was super nervous going, as I am not a dancer at all, but it was really fun. The beats are great, the instructor, Inna, was amazing, and I found myself smiling at points which doesn't happen that often when working out.

I got my sweat on a bit, and then the run/walk 4 miles home made for a pretty great workout. My sister Kim's baby is coming pretty soon so I'm going to spend the rest of the day making a few different meals I can freeze for when they are tired out by the newborn, as well as some of the yummiest Energy Bars I've ever had!! They are great for on the go and are packed with yumminess!

Almond Butter Energy Bars

1 cup Crunchy Almond Butter

1 cup Brown Rice Syrup

1 cup Liquid Honey

4 Tbsp Molasses

2 Tsp vanilla (extract works!)

1 cup chopped dried apricos

1 cup dried blueberries (or currants)

1 cup sliced almonds

1/2 cup sesame seeds

1/2 cup flax seeds

1/2 cup sunflower seeds

5 cups Bran Cereal (like Raisin Bran...I use Nature's Path Flax Plus Pumpkin Raisin Crunch Cereal)

2.5 cups Quick Rolled Oats

Method:

1. In a large saucepan, over low heat, cook almond butter, rice syrup, molasses, honey and vanilla until blended.

2. Add apricots, blueberries, almonds, sesame seeds, flaxseeds and sunflower seeds and mix well.

3. Add cereal and oats; mix well.

4. Pour mixture into two 9 inch square baking pans (or a 9x13), lightly greased (I didn't do this). Place down with clean damp hands to compact evenly.

5. Let stand for 30 minutes, until firm, then cut into squares.

6. Freeze 1/2 the batch for next month. (I didn't do this either...they are toooo delicious, eat them!)

Right now I'm just trying to figure out summer university things and get everything together hopefully.

Here's a little Disney tidbit for you. This is my absolute favourite Disney World Commercial. I am only slightly embarrassed to admit that I cry every single time I watch it. Perhaps because her curly locks remind me of mine when I was little, or because of her determination to be just right and do it herself. Or because this is how I hope every little girl feels when she goes to a Disney park.

Monday, March 14, 2011

And that would be...

AN ACCEPTANCE!!!!

I start August 16th, 2011 until August 10th 2012!!!!

Sunday, March 6, 2011

News! Just not for me...

At my Disney World CRP interviews, as I previously mentioned, there were also people interviewing for the ICP - International College Program. They go down just during their summers to work for the Mouse! They were told they would have to wait 2-3 weeks for their interview results...and found out yesterday!!!! That's right, they only waited ONE WEEK!

This news has got all the CRPs going crazy hoping they (we) will hear sooner than the 3-4 weeks we were quoted.

Here are my well thought out thoughts... hahaha

-Most likely all the decisions have been made. All the interviews are done, and I'm assuming Jeni and Shandon have decided who is going down, who is waitlisted, and who isn't accepted.

-The ICP interviewees were easier to place because they all go down the same day, or the same few days, however they would take more work in that they have to be placed in numerous work locations all over the Disney World.

-The CRP interviewees (us) would take longer to find start dates for, however we all work in the same 3 locations within the Canada pavilion therefore that wouldn't take as long.

-Jeni and Shandon have to return to Orlando, go into work on Monday and start processing all this information in their computers. As well as talk to staffing and figure out all the dates they need different amounts of people for.

-I have no idea when they are going to contact us. I just know if it's Friday, I am going to be on an airplane and out of cell phone territory from 1pm eastern time on. That gives Kristen 4 hours to call or email me and give me news that I won't be able to see until 11:45 Friday night...which means I wouldn't be able to respond all weekend until she's back in the office Monday! Ahh!

-I think that we won't find out until the week after this one coming up...that's my prediction.

If you are wondering why I'm going on an airplane Friday it's because I have to fly back to Vancouver...from Toronto!! Yes, I am going to Toronto on Monday (in two days!!) for a Disney Cruise Line interview!!! I'm very excited! It's my back up if I don't get a CRP contact. I am excited about the cruise ship in an entirely different way than the CRP. It's hard to explain. I know that it would be way way harder, and way more work, but I really think that I can do it, I know I can. Stand up for Canadians and prove we do have strong work ethic ;) So wish me luck with that!

I'm also really excited because I get to see my sister Carrie!! She's the greatest person, I look up to her so much and I'm inspired by the incredible way she lives a healthy life. She's so fun to talk to, hang out with and just be around and I'm ecstatic about it! I also get to see my wonderful Aunties!! and cousins!! AND hopefully a few dear dear friends! It's such a silly short visit, and I'm sad I won't be able to see everyone that I want to! It's tough having so many incredible people you love all over, however it is also humbling that people would want to drive, travel and change plans just to see me. It really means a lot to me to know there are people that I don't get to see often but who truly care that much. Thank you all so much.

I'm off now to sleep, then work tomorrow :) I'm so excited to find out what is going to happen, I'm kind of majorly stressed about a lot of things, but I know that 3 months from now I'm going to be in a totally different place with totally different stresses and feelings and I'm so excited to find out where that is and what I'll be doing!! Sorry there aren't any pictures in this blog!! I'll get better I promise! I'll try to take some while in TO!!! :D

19 and a half days until we hear from Disney!

Monday, February 7, 2011

Graduation!!

Ridiculously early morning shot!

When you get near the end of the Disney Program you are invited to graduation - a breakfast you get up at a ridiculous early (comparatively) time and in our case, be bussed to the Contemporary Resort for a free (that is a big word down there: FREE) breakfast!! Everyone dresses up classy and it's a pretty fun event!