Concierge

I love my job.

That's something I haven't been able to really say before.  I have loved the money from certain jobs, the people from other jobs, but this time, most of the time, I really love it.  I usually have that nagging feeling when I have jobs that I need to look for what's next and find something better.  However as a concierge I am really enjoying myself.  There are days where it's tough, and a lot of the time in the beginning I found myself never leaving work happy because I felt like I had to ask for help too often. The thing is, we are asked so many random questions about EVERYTHING all the time.  Every single day, every single guest is totally different.  I've been asked anything from the best restaurants on and off property, to secret soft opening information, to where to buy cigarettes at 2am, to where can you buy constipation medication.  My friend got asked for a 1 cent refund.  I've heard incredible stories of love and compassion, of families using this trip to bond back together after tragic events, to celebrating the adoption of their children, to reuniting after deployment.  I've seen proposals, set up numerous magical moments, and turned angry guests into want-to-be friends.  There is so much empowerment as a concierge to own situations and take the opportunity to ensure lifelong guest loyalty.  I know it's a business, and honestly I love that side of it as well.  I think the masterminds behind the marketing, the synergy between products and the understanding of low cost, high impact recovery is incredible.  Yes a lot of my job is checking guests in and booking reservations.  But I'm helping to create memories.  I'm helping to create happiness, excitement and fun.  I may be checking you in, or booking your Chef Mickey reservation, but I'm also the gateway to hopefully one of the best vacations of your life.

I work a lot.  I also am going to university full time.  I thought 'oh full time school, full time work - I got this.' But in all honesty if I wasn't so passionate about both it wouldn't be working.  It's hard.  I have to manage school with work with housework and then throw in some sort of relaxation, fitness, and lets not forget friends.  I know that it will all be worth it when I finally get my degree, and I also know that this degree won't be the last schooling I take.  I definitely see a Masters in my future; especially if my company at the time will help pay for it.

But that, in a nutshell, is the last couple months of my life.  I was a part of the pilot team in the roll out of MagicBands and MyMagic+ as a whole at DisneyWorld.  I've gotten to drive a Cadillac and purchase or create amazing gifts for numerous people.  I made a family cry from happiness with an upgraded room.  I assisted people who had an incredibly tough year, feel like kids again.  I've also seen the magic my co-cast work everyday, and the hard work and ridiculous hours they put in to create the experience.  I work with amazing cast, and throughout meeting with almost all of them by now, amazing managers.  They have been nothing but supportive and hoping to help me get ahead.  I appreciate their advice and assistance so much.

We're going to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party tomorrow and I'm SUPER EXCITED.  The Halloween parade is the best one at Disney World in my opinion and I cannot wait to see those grave diggers!

Accepted!

This morning while having a casual Friday lay in (veggie omelets! YUM) I picked up my phone to check my messages and came across an email from Disney. I opened it and....

Dear Kate,

Congratulations!

You have been selected to participate in the Disney College Program at the Walt Disney World® Resort! This is a valuable résumé-enhancing experience for all students, and we are proud to offer this opportunity to you.

You can find out additional details regarding your offer, including your role and program season, by following the instructions below. You must complete all three steps listed below in order to fully accept your offer.

I got accepted into the College Program! We were having such a laid back morning it took me a moment to actually realize what I was reading! I freaked out and told Francel! Then I had to know what position they were offering!  I had said I would do a bunch of different roles, so I impatiently opened the email on my computer and freaked out in excitement again... 

Dear Kathryn,

Congratulations! On behalf of Disney Worldwide Services, Inc., which is part of a business segment we call Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, we are pleased to let you know that you have been selected to participate as a/an Concierge cast member on the Disney College Program at the Walt Disney World ® Resort for the Fall Advantage 2013 season. This is a valuable résumé-enhancing experience for all students, and we are excited to offer this opportunity to you! This program will allow you to gain academically-oriented work experience - the kind that provides participants in any major with the tools they need to compete effectively in today's job market.

Please review your major responsibilities below:

Responsibilities may include completing check in/check out process for concierge club-level guests by inputting and retrieving information from resort computer system; proactively greeting guests, exhibiting the expected high level of Disney show quality, often times interacting with VIP's, celebrities, and executives; creating individualized ticket packages; being comfortable in a strong sales environment; making reservations and handling any special requests from guests; handling cash and other forms of payment, including foreign currencies exchange; maintaining cleanliness of common guest living/dining areas within concierge club-level; assisting with luggage and other deliveries to guest rooms; working concierge buffet line which can include maintaining overall cleanliness of buffet area and replenishing food, washing dishes, serving alcohol, maintaining inventory of liquor, and partnering with culinary team to ensure food quantity; partnering with property VIP tour guides. 

CONCIERGE!!!! I can't quite believe it's real still! Concierge was definitely my top choice! I can't believe I'm going to be doing a Disney College Program! 

Step one was accepting the offer, then paying program fees.  I am planning on opting out of housing (that's a whole other post :) ) but still had to pay a housing fee.  Once they approve of me not living in housing, then I have to work in the program for a month, then I'll get the fees back.  There is also a $100 program fee and a $4.50 processing fee.  Bye Money! Hello Disney!

Step three was my arrival date!!

JUNE 3RD, 2013!!! I start June 3rd!!! June 3rd until January 3rd 2014!!!

I can't believe this is real!

It also will count as my internship for my degree and I'll be able to go to school during the fall still of course! It's so exciting.  I'm on cloud 9 :)

I don't get to know which resort I'll be in until my start date.  Of course I'd like a deluxe because they have club levels and I'd get to deal with the club lounge and such, but any resort will be incredible! It's just so neat to think that I'll be working for Disney somewhere other than Canada!!! I LOVE Canada (the pavilion and actual country) but as I can't be a server at Le Cells, the fact that I can work somewhere else is SOOOO COOL! And my name tag will say my university instead of my hometown.  Kind of neat! Costuming will be somewhere else! I won't have Discovery Day! Gosh, it'll be so different!

I love that I get to go to Traditions again too!!! I LOVE Traditions! It's so magical! 

So my day has been full of excitedly tell my family then friends then the world! I'm going to be a cast member again! I get to go to the parks! I'm SO excited!!!!!!

Being Aware

Life can slip right past us.  That's where the idea for a 2013 Jar of Happy came from.  That's a work in progress name, it make be changed. But the premise (thank you pinterest) is to have a mason jar, and every time something fun happens, you do something enjoyable, you write it down and put it in the jar. Then at the end of the year, New Years Eve 2013, you pour the jar out and remember all the amazing things you did that year.

Of course you're going to remember your birthdays, your anniversary, big special events - but I'm trying to write the smaller day to day happenings that bring a smile to my face.  The things 333 days from now I won't recall.  Such as earlier in the month: I had been talking for 2 months about going to see This is 40. I thought it looked awesome! So one night Francel surprised me by having it so we could watch at home and got cold stone ice cream! Movie and ice cream night? Awesome! It was so fun and relaxing getting to watch at home - and ice cream is a big treat!

Would I remember that 10 months from now? Probably not.  Will I be excited to relive how we couldn't stop laughing at things that weren't even funny most of the movie now that I jotted it down and tossed it in the jar? Yes.

I hope I can keep it up.  Jot down your happy moments and toss them on a container.  New Years Resolution.  Track your happy :)

Speaking of New Years Resolutions.  We're going to break them into smaller goals.

True Fact:

Smaller goals are easier to reach and make the large goal less daunting.

Most people set goals in January and bail on them by February.  I'm setting a few in February and hopefully will succeed at them by March.  Month goals - yearly goals are scary.

This month is a little different that most months in that MY SISTER IS COMING TO VISIT!!!
AND I"M SOOOOOO EXCITED!

Carrie is coming to see me the last week of February and I cannot wait!  I am also moving this month so packing everything up once again.  Hopefully it'll be the last move for a while.

But alas, my goals for February:

Money: Don't spend it.
How we accomplish this: Don't eat out.  Pack lunches. No unnecessary purchases.

Health: 5 vegan days a week.
How we accomplish this: Dairy is pretty easy to avoid when you pack your own meals. Meal planning

Exercise: 5 workouts a week. At least of them as AM workouts.
How we accomplish this: 5 out of 7 isn't that bad a way to start.  Support is key too. Thank goodness for that fit loving boyfriend.  I'd like everyday to be a morning workout eventually, but we're taking baby steps.

Time Management: Try it!
How we accomplish this: Don't procrastinate.  Set aside time and use it wisely.  I am super good at planning in my planner, I just need to follow it.


So those are my February goals.  I'll let you know how it's going in a week.

Oh and when it works guess what we're motivating ourselves for?

BATHING SUIT WEATHER!

Post Holidays

So I am horrible at catching up and I kind of don't like catching up because I just like to write whatever I want when the feeling hits.  However I did have an amazingly epic New Years Eve that I would like to remember in writing.

I have the most incredible Grandparents in the world.  Their love for one another is the most spectacular example I have ever experienced and I aspire to be as in love as they are after 55+ years of marriage.  They also have an incredible love for their family.  The caring, kind spirit they share is humbling.  The way my Grandma lights up when I talk to her about Disney or school or whatever I'm doing really - it makes me feel so unbelievably good inside.  It's as if she really cares about how many doombuggies are in the Haunted Mansion or what exactly they are doing with the newest expansion - and I know she does care because she loves Disney as well, but I also know part of it is that she cares about me and loves to see and encourage the passion to pour out of me about these things.  The amount of times both my grandparents have told me to follow my heart and do what makes me happy and pursue my dreams - I couldn't do any of it without them. And I am so eternally grateful and thankful to have been blessed with them as my Grandparents.

You should hear what my Grandma is going to do to any boy who breaks my heart - watch out!!

I could go on for pages about how incredible my Grandparents are, however I started this post with another goal...to discuss New Years Eve.  I emailed my Grandparents my best account of New Years and being the uninspired typist I am thought I would pull a couple segments from my email to share with everyone else.  So Grandpa and Grandma, if you read this, I'm sorry it's about to get a bit repetitive!!

New Years Eve was amazing! My boyfriend Francel planned out the whole day and completely spoiled me! I got to get my nails, hair and makeup done and then went to Epcot around 3.  [The hairdresser was interesting to say the least!! She really liked going to haunted places and exploring and told me stories all about this old hospital for a disease they didn't have a cure for at the time and many patients passed away in. She had spent the night in it twice and had weird stories of people 'not there' in her photographs and hearing talking and such.  Not what you usually expect to discuss with the hairdresser, but it was entertaining nonetheless.]  

I spent a couple hours with my friend Rebecca who I hadn't seen since April and we went to a funny dance party in the american pavilion. The DJ was leading some pretty hilarious/ridiculous dance moves and we were laughing so much! Then Rebecca left to have dinner with her family and I met up with Francel and we changed into our outfits for dinner. 

We walked around the world and took silly pictures in all the countries such as me in a sombrero in Mexico, and him wearing a Panda Bear hat in China and us both in berets in France - things like that. We had a blast! A few of the different countries had music and laser lights and fire that shot up to the beat of the music (China), it was pretty amazing! 

Then we went to dinner at Le Cellier Steakhouse.  It was a four course meal with my favourite wine! Francel loved it because for the courses that were only meat he got both! So he had a potted pork amuse busche, lobster bisque, scallops with caviar, filet mignon with HUGE prawns, steak tartar and a trio of desserts. I had a salad and a butternut squash ravioli (that was delicious) and pink champagne sorbet for dessert. (the perks of being a meat eater eh? hehe).  Then we went outside and had special firework viewing for the midnight illuminations and New Years fireworks with Champagne! It was amazing! 

They went through the countries as a countdown celebrating who had their new years first (for example They lit up Japan, and then played Japanese inspired music and set off fireworks behind their pavilion) and went through the countries until Canada, Mexico and the US were left. Then they did a big countdown with shooting star fireworks until midnight and then just lit up the entire sky! It was breathtaking!

We had such an incredible night, I've never had such an extravagant New Years Eve before!

[I also started school again and here is a bit of a run down of my first week of classes and what I'm taking:]

Last week was my first week of classes.  I love them so far! I have theme park management with Ron Logan who was the Vice President of Disney Entertainment Worldwide and is a Disney legend with a window on Main Street (it's pretty much the highest Disney honour).  He tells magnificent stories and clearly knows a ton about the business.  The neatest thing I learned last week (relevant because fireworks have been on my mind) is that Disney has a patent on Airlaunch technology for fireworks.  That most fireworks are launched by gun powder off the ground.  Disney has technology where a computer chip is embedded in each firework.  They airlaunch the firework and it won't ignite until a button is pressed on the computer.  He said that the firework could fall back to the ground if it isn't activated by the computer and you could bounce it around and it wouldn't go off because the technology makes it so safe!  This technology also allows them to launch fireworks sideways and that is how they do all their shooting star effect fireworks.  I thought it was pretty neat. 

I also am taking English 1102 which is the second half of the year of English it is mandatory to take.  I have the same professor as first semester and she seems to like me and I understand her teaching style so it will be fine.  The subject doesn't really excite me, but it has to be done.  The main premise of the semester is an ongoing academic argument and inquiry where we will end up writing a 20 page paper for the end of the semester.  

My next class is Guest Service Management and it seems pretty interesting! My professor is very eccentric but very smart.  He has a ton of experience but many funny quirks.  Efficiency and time management are  extremely important to him, so much so that he said since he lives alone he sometimes eats his dinner at the grocery store instead of spending all the time getting home to have it.  He has serviced in some extremely fine dining restaurants and has a doctorate in guest service. He is quite the entertainer and there is no way you can't take in what he is saying because he presents it in such a dynamic way.  We are going to explore our leadership styles, our personality types and how that relates to service and that sort of thing in class as well so it should be interesting.  I love guest service and creating experiences - all that stuff - so it is an exciting class to be in.

My last class is probably my favourite mainly because I feel like I'm waiting on every word the professor says because I want to take absolutely everything in.  It's Lodging Management and the more I learn about it the more I feel like it's probably what I want to go into. My professor is originally from Holland but has worked in over 40 countries and was a corporate trainer for Intercontinental for many years.  He was in the hotel business when it was booming - when brands were diversifying and a lot of interesting things were happening in the industry so his stories are wonderful.  I feel like I can learn a ton from him and I'm very excited to.

So overall classes are going well.  Of course it's only the beginning of the second week so if they weren't going well we would have a problem.  :)

[Okay so we had an epic date day that first week as well. Bowling, mini-golf, yummy treats, fireworks.  It's almost as if I live in the happiest place on earth***]

***I say almost because we all know the actual happiest place on earth is Disneyland, California. ;)

On my day off last week (Friday!) Francel and I had so much fun! We started the day bowling at the new bowling alley/restaurant at Downtown Disney called Splitsville! It's this huge two story, 30 lane bowling alley with bars and a restaurant.  We bowled 4.5 games in an hour and a half for $20 total so it seemed like a good deal! He won by a lot overall but I did manage to win one game.  Apparently he was in a bowling league when he was little, whereas we only had 5 pin bowling growing up so I think I did alright!

We then took a stroll around downtown disney looking in the shops and just people watching for a bit! 

Then we competed again but this time at Mini golf! For Christmas Disney gives it's cast members a bunch of free or discounted activities an one of them was a couple rounds of mini golf.  We went about a week ago as well and I won!  I won this round too! (Thanks to your excellent teaching I'm sure Grandpa ;) ).  The course was called Winter-Summerland so the first 18 were as if Santa and the elves went on vacation so the holes are all sand and surf boards.  The second course was all snow castles and Frosty the Snowman, it was pretty cute! 

Last week when we mini golfed it was Fantasia themed so there were dancing hippos and alligators, Sorcerer Mickey and bigs waves of water over the course, music started randomly - it was super neat!

After mini golf we shared some ice cream (it was the winning prize! mint chocolate chip with caramel sauce and whipped cream from Ghiradelli's! Did I mention our day off is also our cheat day on our healthy eating plan? hehe).

After ice cream we went home for a little bit, walked Francel's dog, and got ready for dinner! We went to California Grill for wine and cheese in the lounge. It was so much fun! It was really casual because we were just in the lounge so we shared a cheese plate (they have 5 cheeses with accompaniments) and they give you a sheet with a description of the cheeses so we were reading them and trying to pick out the 'flavour profiles' they describe. It was pretty funny - not always easy to pick up the floral hints in cheese. [California Grill is our favourite restaurant and it's going down for refurb until something crazy like September so we wanted to get in one last visit before the closure]

 At 8 o'clock the Magic Kingdom has it's fireworks, and the California Grill happens to be on the 15th floor of the Contemporary Resort which is right beside Magic Kingdom. So we went out on the observation deck and watched the fireworks as they played the music! 

Can you believe that was all the same day?! It was absolutely incredible! 

Yup.  We do fun things sometimes.  Rereading that made me feel pretty charmed and lucky.  Which I am.  I am trying to learn to not stress out about situations that are out of my control - visa requirements, jobs, student loans etc.  It just so happens all the big things are the ones that I can't control! And I love life planning.  I like to know what i'll be doing over the next week, month, 6 months, year, 5 years, 10 years.  I love plans.  I don't always follow plans, but I've always had direction.  Breathing easy about things I can't control is not something I'm used to.  It's not something that comes easy and it's something I have to actively remind myself of each day.  Little goals.  I have an incredible support system and I am very thankful for having them.  

In all honesty, It's been a little tough lately wishing my friends and family from home were here.  Or i could somehow meld the two worlds together.  I know everyone is just a phone call or text message or email away.  But when I was sick last week I wanted my Mum so much, or when I was trying to figure out a situation I wanted nothing more than to grab a tea with my best friend and talk it over.  Face to face contact is important.  We all are able to pick up where we left off and have an incredible time together, which the holidays at home clearly proved once more.  But I miss my girlfriends, I miss my family, I miss my puppies, I miss my mountains and oceans. Homesickness comes in varying waves over the times I'm away, and its been a rather strong tide lately.

I WAS IN DISNEYWORLD!.....

For a whole year.  You may not be aware of this because I'm probably the world's worst blogger.  However I am somewhat of an amazing taker of photographs with my telephone.  This being said I don't have a computer of my own currently. So herein lies the problem.  I would love to post all these incredible photos as it is a lot easier for me to update you with photo updates than with all these silly words in a huge block of letters....

...I am in the midst of receiving a computer.  My friend has an old one and for however much it costs to get all of his stuff off of it I'm going to have it. Yay! However it's a wee bit of a process. So just a bit more patience... if I even have readers anymore.

I'm also going to be diversifying the blog a little bit.  Obviously I love Disney and Disney World and I live about 10 minutes from it and frequent it often.  However I'm not a cast member anymore.  I do however have many incredible friends who are that allow me the privilege of going all the time! I also have a SeaWorld pass (Sorry Carrie) until the end of the year and a Universal pass until next November.  In general I'm going to broaden my Orlando view point a little bit.  I also am attending this little thing called University! and will be talking about that a bit as well.

So we can look forward to some future posts about:

• I'm done a lot of dining out so we're going to do some restaurant reviews both on property and off.
• Updates on Harry Potter World expansions
• Updates on Fantasyland Expansions (yes I've done the Enchanted Storytime with Belle that is in test phases/soft opening) 
• Updates on the Beauty and the Beast Restaurant (I bet I knew about the alcohol being served there before you did...and that it's only beer and wine and 3 of the bottles are over $17/glass. And it was Tom Staggs idea!)
• Interesting things I learned in class today: Such as why Burger King started advertising with that creepy King mascot. 
• Running!!! You got it, Kate is getting back into the world of running in circles. And since I've become a stagnant non-mover it's going to be ROUGH and SWEATY (thank you 80-90 degree weather) and we're going to suffer through it together!
• I have an intense love of PINTEREST ...so look at my pinterest, follow it, love it!
• Random photos of random fun/awkward/hilarious (to me) things!
• Super deep thought provoking posts which cause my family alarm. (Just Kidding! I'm honestly doing awesome, self reflection is wonderful ;) )

So in general...anything I want that fits into these subcategories of my life:

1. Parks/Orlando
2. Ramblings
3. Dining
4. Health
5. Learning

And of course the Bucket List! Which will be expanding to include so many more things. Like hot air balloon, who doesn't want to go hot air ballooning?!

(This post obviously falls into 'Ramblings' in case you couldn't tell ;) )

Quickie!

It is so bizarre seeing that countdown at 1 day!!!  From the looks of facebook it seems a few of the other people I know of arriving the same day as me have already landed in Orlando and checked some things out.  I'm currently in the airport waiting for my flight to Houston where I have a wee layover before flying to Orlando. All I can think about is how much I love my family.  They are such incredibly amazing people and I'm going to miss them so much.  Of course I'm excited for Disney and it still doesn't feel totally real that it's happening.

The last week has been a whirlwind of emotions, fun, laughter, love and wonderfulness.

Kim and Gareth's wedding was like a fairytale.  The entire day was so full of love, excitement, happiness, dancing and fun. It was incredible.  There aren't really words for how great the whole time was. I'm so incredibly happy for my sister and brother in law. Much more to come on this event

I have a feeling Gar's family isn't like all other brother-in-law's families. It doesn't feel like I've just gained a brother, it feels like I've gained a whole new addition to the family, cousins included. It was awesome getting to see my own cousins/aunts/uncles as well!! So much fun!!!

I haven't uploaded photos yet but will do when I get a chance.

I'm in the middle of moving to Disneyworld...who woulda thought ;)

We interupt regular programming to bring you this...

Little known fact about Kate: When I get stressed out, it's no good. haha. Usually I handle everything pretty darn well (in my own humble opinion) and can juggle (literally) super well. But sometimes, that extra straw of hay makes me hit: Stress Level 94!
That is where I am currently residing. I was fine with having an assignment, a class presentation, 2 two hour final exams and a meeting with a visa advisor tomorrow all before studying for another final exam the following morning, but it's the incorrect submission of a group project leading to me currently having no marks for it (even though I finished my part 4 days early) that is making me teeter on the edge.

Me in my Fun and Fancy Free days of joyous stress free living :D

When I was 14 I had my first job interview at a Wendy's and the manager asked me how I handle stress. I answered that "I drink tea." Yup, actually said that. Then I probably giggled, and corrected my answer talking about taking a step back, organizing everything by priority in my head, taking a deep breath, and going at it.  (The manager called and hired me before I even got home by the way! Yeeyah first job!)

So following my 14 year old self's very wise advise, I first made myself a steamy cup of Chai Tea (which is also nice because air conditioning is INSANE in Florida) and then I sat down, took a deep breath and organized everything in order of importance/things I can fix now.  I can't make my teacher mark our assignment, or email me back, so I just have to give it a bit more time.  I can however study my little life away and ace my finals tomorrow.  I have to give up a little control on our presentation and believe my group can do the tasks laid out for them, and I pretty much know exactly what I need to tell the visa advisor. I can do the final assignment (he only told us about it yesterday, it's extra credit and not due until Thursday at 2pm) on Thursday after my 8am exam.  See....stress level back down to a 52 :D

Stress isn't what you all want to read about...and I have to get back to analyzing financial statements and figuring out the purpose of cash flow statements per each group of interested investors and creditors, but here are so great links that I love to check out, oh you know, daily:

Peanut Butter Fingers: Julie Fagon is a realistic healthy food blogger, Orlando-ite, and writes my favourite blog!!

Oh She Glows: Angela Liddon makes the most incredible vegan cooking/baking and I want to make every recipe!

Disney Things: If you have Disney friends on facebook, you've probably seen one of these pictures.  They are all the 'simple' things about Disney we love

The Wonderful World Of Disney: Louisa was on her second UK pavilion contract when I went on my first contract.  She has done a J1 program (as a Jungle Cruise Skipper!), 2 CRPs and currently works on the Disney Cruise Line. Pretty much she knows everything!

Another Amazing Summer at Disney: Devon works at the Magic Kingdom turnstiles and the Town Square Theater where you can meet Mickey (and Co) & the Princesses! I don't know him, but I like his blog and if I ever spot him will going in MK I'll probably tell him I read his blog and he'll be either creeped out or shocked :) (If someone who reads my blog ever comes up and tells me I'll be the happiest person in the world, and then maybe we could have a Dole Whip together ;) )

The Disney Food Blog: I feel like this blogger and I are kindred souls. Especially when I saw together was a round the (Disney) world trip of Margaritas!! Soooo yummy!

The Disney Parks Blog: Oh course the official blog of Disney, they had a really good read about father/son Imagineers Rolly and Chris Crump.

Hope something in there keeps you a little entertained, of course there are also my favourite to read all the time Disney blogs featured in the "Check-check-check it out!' roll to the right of this post!! They are even listed for most recently updated on (I'm kind like that!! Okay..it does it itself), but Ariella just started her Canadian Cultural Representative Program over at My Year At Disney, Lisa at Disney ICP Summer 2011 just finished training in Tomorrowland (Congrats!), and Vicky is letting you all know about her cultural representative application process over at Another Disney Cultural Rep Blog (Vicky and I share an arrival date!).

If you want your blog featured on here let me know and I'll pass on the good word about your exciting blog! Or if you have any good ones that you know I'd love, please let me know!!

Enjoy the rest of your days! Remember: 

Adopting the right attitude can convert a negative stress into a positive one. 

-Hans Selye 

This has nothing to do with anything really...but I watched Star Wars this week and
realized that Anakin Skywalker slaughters all of these guys! Plus their wives and children!
Now instead of being totally creeped out by them, I'm both creeped out and feel like telling them
not to kidnap his Mother and they could have saved the whole galaxy a huge mess.

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.

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!

Chowdah, Red Sox & the Freedom Trail

BOSTON

We flew through North Carolina and got upgraded to first class because our flight was cancelled! Sooo exciting!

We were only in Boston for a few nights.

We decided to follow the Freedom Trail, here's the Wiki blurb:

The Freedom Trail is a red (mostly brick) path through downtown Boston, Massachusettsthat leads to 16 significant historic sites. It is a 2.5-mile walk from Boston Common to Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown with simple ground markers, graveyards, notable churches and other buildings, and a historic naval frigate along the way.

We started at the USS Constitution and then moved on to the Bunker Hill Monument.

We travelled all along the trail to Quincy Market

Where the fake Cheers is located!

Below is a few random Trail pictures!!

Yay Duckies!

The next day we did a tour of Fenway Park! It was super awesome! We had a great guide with a baller Boston accent just like you would imagine. The NHL Winter Classic was a few days before we got there and they were taking down the ice while we did the tour. Here are some Fenway pictures! We got to hear some great stories, sit on the Green Monster, tour the press box etc. Even though I'm not a big baseball fan the stadium was so steeped in history, it was phenomenal.

I don't know how to make the underlining go away...Sorry! Anyways that was about Boston, it was super short but so much fun! We stayed at a great hostel and roomed with an Australian named Lauren and went to the pub with her one of the nights! She was a lot of fun and is always welcome for a visit!!

I would love to go back to Boston, especially during the baseball season! It would be amazing to watch a game in Fenway. There is just way too much to the city than can be seen in two and a half days.

Melissa, the girl I went with, did have New England Clam Chowder as well and said it was

delicious!

Sorry for the weak post, I tried! Disney Grad is next!

17 days 1 hour and 11 minutes until my Disney Face to Face Interview!

Sooo sooo nervous? Yup!