The Aftermath

Fun Fact of the day: When everything seems awesome, something is going to go wrong.

I'm really excited about the college program, but I'm a little realistic too, and it seemed to good to be true.  So I emailed international services at my university.  I was a bit worried (okay..almost had a mini melt down) when they said I had to be taking classes to be able to participate.

I don't have a scholarship for summer courses.

Que: freakout.

After a few emails back and forth I figured out I could take just the internship course, which is a one credit course and the adviser said I get to pay instate for it...soooo it seems like I'll only have to foot out an extra $100+ to work this summer.

There are 10000+ stipulations when you are going to school on a visa, I have to make the government happy, the scholarship people happy, my school happy and now soon Disney happy.
Oh, and myself :D

I also then thought I could take an internship as my fourth class in the fall....however it's only 1 credit. So I have to rework my schedule and fit in another class to make it to 12 credits, aka full time.  I get to pick my classes for the next three semester next Monday so that'll be good.  I know it's silly, but choosing classes always seems exciting to me.  This time will be a little different because a lot of the classes I have to take, especially in the spring semester are General Education classes (science, math, socials etc) and I have to do them all on the main UCF campus.  An hour from home.  At least it'll only be twice a week if I work it out correctly.

So long story short, I'm really excited to work concierge! Every time I tell someone I just get the hugest grin on my face and I feel so, so happy! Everytime I'm in lodging class learning about the PMS system and PBX and all that jazz, I get excited because it's what I'll be doing.

Those of you who know me well also know I'm obsessed with making reservations, and I've eaten at pretty much every Disney restaurant, and done a lot of the other extra neat recreation offerings so I think I'll be able to help guests out! A lot to learn, but it'll be amazing!

And I get to do Traditions again!!! I may be one of the few people excited to do it three times! Can't Wait!

In totally different news I had an amazing weekend! A bunch of friends and I participated in the Highlander IV Mud Run! It was 5km/3m with like 30 obstacles along the trail including A LOT of crawling through mud! Some people had to be pulled out with ropes! It was craziness!! I'll get some photos added! We actually already signed up for our next race in September, and I honestly am so excited for it! My thighs were killing me from yanking my legs up out of the mud, climbing over walls and all other general ninja-ry.

Sunday I made an epic dinner for Francel! Since we aren't eating out but we like to, especially at Disney, I made different courses from different restaurants!! I made Pineapple-Coconut bread from Ohana with Macadamia nut-honey butter from Kona Cafe. I've never made bread before!! It was soo yummy!
Then I did a cheese plate (France ..really i just love cheese).
Then a tomato and gin soup from Raglan Road. It was cool, it went from 2 1/2 pounds of tomatoes..to soup!
For the main course we had Le Cellier's Filet Mignon with Mushroom risotto and a white truffle butter sauce (Francel cooked the steak, we took a 6 minute break! lol).
Next  we had double dessert! Mini chocolate Lava cakes from California Grill and...
Walt's Favourite Lemon Meringue Pie! It was soooo yummy if i do say so myself!
Francel knew I was making dinner, but didn't know it was special! I met him at the door in a dress and heels and a glass of champagne and a card that I have been saving since Canada.  He showered and got dressed up too, and we ate at the dining room tale with the fancy dishes, it felt like we went out for this crazy nice meal! It was such a fun day/evening!  Francel does a ton of incredible things for me, and with me, and I just wanted to show him how much I appreciate him in return.

I'm kind of completely in love :)

That's all for now kiddos, I'm off to make some quinoa + veggies. Yum!

Student Visa? Check!

I left my sister Kim's house at 11:20pm last night and it is currently 6:26am and I am awake!! I took the bus from West Vancouver to downtown and then the skytrain to the airport, arriving around 1230am.  I found the general area of my check in desks and curled up on a row of seats for some shut eye! Some people thing it is weird to sleep in the airport, but I had to be here so early anyways, and it was way wayyyy cheaper than a taxi! Plus there were SO many people!! It was almost hard finding a bench because of all the sleeping people.  Just like a huge airport slumber party! Weeeeee!

Customs/Security. So I went through and they checked my boarding pass probably 12 times. Then I got "randomly selected" to go in the full body scanner.  I will point out that I was wearing a tshirt, lululemon pants and lululemon socks...and that's all.  I didn't even have a pocket! I asked them if it was the machine that saw you naked and they just laughed.  One said "No" I think, but you can never be so sure with these machines.  Then they looked through all my carry ons! This never happens to me! I swear it's because my hair is red and curly, they just suspect trouble from a redhead.
After this was all done and I was able to put my shoes and zip up back on I ventured on to Customs.  I walked up to the officer and gave him my papers. Apparently I had to fill out a different form as well and he sent me away.  He was pretty mean about it though.  So I went back and filled out another form and then went to the other set of officers in hopes of a nicer one. Boy did I get lucky! The new officer was so friendly and thought school sounded amazing! He looked over my paperwork and then filled out the visa!!! I now currently am the proud recipient of a F-1 student visa! Yay! I walked away just so excited and so ready for some learning!
I am currently waiting at my gate, which happens to be right because the "Christmas in Vancouver" store! How lucky can a girl get! I LOVE Christmas! I LOVE Orlando! and I LOVE Canada! And they are currently all rolled up into one delicious moment in time.  I'm on an I'm-getting-an-education high!  Also I have Starbucks which also makes me happy :)
My flight for Phoenix leaves at 7:44am arriving around 10:30am.  Then I have a little less than a two hour layover and leave for Orlando at 12:15pm arriving at 7:18pm - if all goes according to plan!

Currently it is 26 degrees in Orlando, 9 degrees in Vancouver and 10 degrees in Courtenay. For you Ontario-ians it'2 15 degrees in Toronto! This will all have changed by the time you read this though ;)

Orlando Forecast:
Tuesday 34°C / 93°F
Wednesday 35°C / 95°F
Thursday 33°C / 91°F
Friday 33°C / 91°F
Saturday 32°C / 90°F

Vancouver Forecast:
Tuesday 16°C / 60°F
Wednesday 12°C / 53°F
Thursday 14°C / 58°F
Friday 17°C / 63°F
Saturday 17°C / 63°F
Rainfall Warning. (It actually isn't even cold!!!)

Toronto Forecast:
Tuesday 15°C / 59°F
Wednesday 19°C / 66°F
Thursday 18°C / 64°F
Friday 18°C / 65°F
Saturday 16°C / 60°F


So clearing Orlando wins, however it looks as though summer is trying to sneak into May in Canada and 
that's fantastic!! Everyone is always happier when it's warm.  Also if you are in Vancouver today look out 
for the Disney Wonder!!

The pilot of the plane just came up to the gate and said he wanted to run and grab some duty free first...making the joke "well they can't go anywhere without me anyways."  The lady at the desk asked which type of duty free he wanted...he said "the hard stuff." Should be a good flight!