Everyone has goals January 1st

But it's February 1st when you really see who is sticking to them...come March? There isn't a soul left at the gym.  Not that that is everyone's goal - but quite a few people.

This week is exam week, which of course is also known as brain-drain-find-anything-to-distract-you-from-finals week.  I've been finding inspiration in places I never thought I would lately and I'm excited.  There are some great things coming up and some great things that have just past and I hope to share them.  My blogging skills have been quite horrible, but through my english class this semester I've really started to love writing again.  That being said I'm going to try my best to do my best at this blogging business. But I'm not going to organize and be crazy, i'm going to take baby steps and go from there :)

A lot has changed in the past few months. I, as well as my group of friends, are all adjusting to a new normal - a new way of being and living that no one would have suspected just months ago.  I have had incredible amounts of kindness extended towards me and have been blown away by a powerful love. I have learned so much about hardship and relationships and friendship and honesty and true happiness.  I have learned a ton in both class and life.

I will be in Canada a week tomorrow for quite a while and hope to get this place up to scruff.  I am so excited to see my family, my friends, my puppies and my home.

I'm going to leave you today with this quote, which has been playing on my heart a lot these past few days :

There comes a time in life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it. You surround yourself with people who make you laugh, forget the bad and focus on the good. So love the people who treat you right, pray for the ones who don't. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is a part of life, getting back up is living!

Edited:

I'm back! and it's the same day and I'm still thinking about the same thing - goals.  I just looked through my old bucket list and many of them still hold true - unfortunately.  I would love to pay off my debt, but I haven't yet.  I got caught up in the incredible life of Disney CRPs once again, and didn't save. I would love to run the Disney Marathon, and this time with my training buddy we plan to accomplish that - January 2014! I have a lot of different goals now as well though.  Many revolve around school, career, self improvement, health and family.

Everyone starts their goals in January.  Who wants to cut out alcohol or cookies right before Christmas? Not this girl! So we shall see.

I've always been a planner and a lot of that is taking place lately.  I am starting to focus on healthy breakfasts to power me up for the day, and getting to bed earlier so when those AM workouts begin it won't be such an intense turn around. One thing is for sure - having someone at my side through the entire thing is going to be incredible motivation and help when I don't want to go for a run or I really want ketchup chips!

Okay, to be honest, I don't think ketchup chips are going to get cut.  They are such an anomaly since moving here. However we have been sharing the same bag for like 2 weeks now and it's not gone - if that's not will power I don't know what is.

We also have talked a lot about the importance of home cooked, healthy meals.  The produce section is going to be my eternal best friend, and we're going to see how long we can go without those middle aisles of the grocery store!

I have a lot to save for, and even more to pay off. When you think about a future you don't want to be dragging along extra baggage that it is possible to be rid of just through hard work and smart spending.

My goals haven't changed but my motivations are stronger and based on more than just myself.

Health.
Happiness.
Financial Stability.
Graduation.
Career.

Although career starts before graduation occurs.  In April. The end of April? ASAP!

Not working for a year because of visa requirements? That, my friends, is an entire post of it's own.

Up next: My Disney Christmas Extravaganza...

Just 2 Arrival Groups Away!

That's right! There are only two arrival groups between now and my lovely group of August 16th-ers!! I'm clearly over the moon about this fact! It's also exciting some people have been hearing on the waitlist this week! So if you're on the Canadian waitlist, don't lose hope! Apparently Kristen said that Merch in Canada is understaffed, and Food and Beverage surely always needs someone! Also a girl declined her contract a week or so ago, so you never know! Waiting is stressful and frustrating, and it's hard to get on with your life when things are in limbo, but as soon as you hear, that will all disappear and you'll just be plain elated! Promise!

In other news I got my grades back from Rosen College/ University of Central Florida and I officially got all As! Yay! I feel so smart! haha. Just to point out my total geekiness! It shows the difference between enjoying what you're studying and studying what you think you might enjoy - but then not. Deep down I guess we all knew I'd end up in hospitality, and a lot of people told me to go here and there and take it, but I don't think I would be happy doing hospitality somewhere else.  It's a case of the perfect thing to study in the perfect place! Yay!

Incredibly delicious biscottis my amazingly talented sister made!!

Yup, I ate that entire bag of ketchup chips...what?! I won't be having any for at least another year!!

Doesn't she kind of look like a sea otter?
Lily = <3

Outside of my Disney Package!

Inside of my Disney Package! It included a sheet about driving the US from Canada,
an over view of the program, living while on the program and learning on the program.
It also had a copy of some housing and work contracts as well as my start date!

Just in case you're a boy and want to know how to grow your hair ;)

The Disney Look Book! Ahh!

Tomorrow I'm going to Tofino for a few days with my dear friend Holly! Then Friday I'm off to Vancouver with my sister Carrie to hopefully buy some bridesmaid dresses!!!! Until then my friends! Stay happy!! And enjoy the Sunshine of Summer - wherever you are :)

PS - I just saw a news story about a dog which went missing in Montreal a year ago.  It was found over 3400kms away a year later in Kamloops!!! How incredible is that?! And the family couldn't afford a plane ticket so the international SPCA flew the doggy home! All together now - Awwwwww!!!

Canada!!!

I have arrived in CANADA! 

I love being home!

YAY!

Also Neil Patrick Harris has been announced as the narrator December 10-12th for Candlelight and I have a feel those nights are going to be CRAZY FULL!

I know I will be going FOR SURE! I love love love him!

I also plan to tweet him until he agrees to come eat in Le Cellier!!

50 Days!

Hippogriff at Universal!!!

It feels like a week ago I was so excited there were only 100 days until I start at Disney again.  Well now there are only 50 days and it's crazy!  Today is also the day that I fly home to Canada for 6 weeks of family, friends, happiness and fun (well and maybe work! I'll keep you posted)!! I am super excited.  I clearly love it down here in Sunny Florida, but my family will always be the most important thing to me, and any time I get to spend time with them I'm super stoked! What is that saying, distance makes the heart grow fonder? Something like that :)

Out for Yelitza's Birthday!

I will back it up a bit though and return to last week when I was a little stress cadet.

We can all take a collective exhale as everything worked out with my presentations and exams! Somehow things always do turn out, we just can't always see that when we're in the thick of it.  After going in and talking to my accounting teacher, we fixed the miss-posted presentation (the girl in my group I guess somehow had a wrong extra couple letters at the end of the link so it wouldn't open, she sent it to me and I posted it). My accounting teacher let me sweat all day though by not responding to my email about posting it, or making it, until 12 hours later! Man did I celebrate when I saw that it was graded!

Beautiful Rosen College

So Wednesday (the big test day!) we started with our presentation for Entertainment, Arts & Events.  We had to create a gala for NACAS (the National Association of College Auxiliary Services) in October.  Ours was a reDiscovering Florida theme where guests would be able to go between the thrill of South Beach, the relaxing Space Coast and the Everglades! We worked pretty hard on the project, and although groups can be frustrating, we ended up with a great product.  Our professor agreed as we got 100% on the project! (Myself and a great girl Stephanie were the team leaders so we actually got 105%...yup I'm a keener! haha).

Next up was my financial accounting final.  We had 89 questions and some people were finished in 15 minutes! I couldn't even click through all the answers (it was on the computer) in 15 minutes, let alone read the questions! I ended up doing alright though so that's good! Our professor is pretty good at marking (minus that presentation problem) so we got our grades the next day which was awesome! I don't think I will become any kind of accountant, but I have a lot of respect for them.  It's a tough tedious job! The slightest error, or misreading of a figure can lead to a whole trail of mistakes that can lead to big issues. I did enjoy journalizing though, it was kind of peaceful haha.

Port Orleans: French Quarters! 

Next up was my Human Resource Exam! (Busy day eh?) It was harder than the other two exams we've had in that class, however I did all the extra credit assignments in the class so I feel like it's all okay.  Although Human Resources is another area that I don't see myself heading into (except maybe Disney college/international recruiting!) I also garnered a huge respect for Human Resource employees. You need a bit of knowledge about a ton of different things, and policies aren't the most thrilling read.

I AM running Disney in 2011! Getting into food running gift? (eventually, hopefully!)

Next up was my meeting with the visa advisor!! She was actually SO nice and SO helpful!! I found a lot of the people I've asked for help throughout the school process haven't always given the best answers or advice, but Daren Caine was incredible!!! If you're an international student and need help, talk to her!! She's funny, thoughtful and fully informed about everything!!! Being able to sit and talk to someone who knows the answers to all your questions is amazing and made me feel so much better about returning to school after my CRP. YAY!

Let the Memories Begin!

Wednesday night I studied with my roommate Emily for our Entertainment, Arts and Events exam on Thursday morning. We also baked! Emily's boyfriend is moving back to town so she made him a chocolate cake and I had been itching to create something, and made Margarita cupcakes!! With a home made lime tequila buttercream icing! I'm not going to lie, these were amazing! I'm usually not a fan of cupcakes as they're too cakey (I know I'm weird) but the flavour was perfect on these! They weren't dried out at all and the icing was incredible.  I'm definitely tooting my own horn here, but they're the best cupcakes I've had in about as long as I can remember.

Margarita Cupcakes!

Thursday morning came and went so quickly! My exam took half an hour tops and I was done my first semester back at university!! Going back I was really scared of how it would be, but I absolutely love Rosen College, I love being a part of UCF, and I'm so excited to return to school and finish my degree here.

The rest of Thursday was spent in the true Floridian summer spirit - suntanning and reading by the pool :D

I'm so not a fan. Although I would definitely be happy to
photograph someone wearing this shirt and eating a Turkey Leg.
So odd.

Friday was fun! I caught the Lynx Bus to Downtown Disney and from there resort hopped! Even before going to work at Walt Disney World the first time I always through Port Orleans was the exact resort I wanted to stay at! The pictures always looked so pretty and I throughout my contract I wanted to stay there, but just never did! So it was fun finally getting to go around and check the place out! I also went to Old Key West.  I was going to go to Animal Kingdom Lodge but there was a huge storm on the way and I was getting hungry.  As a celebration for doing so well at school, I treated myself to one of my favourite restaurants ever - Earl Of Sandwich! This place is SO GOOD! If you haven't been immediately google your closest EofS and GO! You're doing yourself a favour, I promise! They have the most delicious sandwiches and their Earl Grey Lemonade is just better than everyone elses! After dinner it really started to downpour and I hoped from store to store when it let up for a bit.

I LOVE that they actually have a shirt of this!
This question gets asked so often!

My friend Poldi is in Orlando on vacation with his Mum from Germany! Poldi was a cast member during my first contract and I haven't seen him in over a year so it was nice to get to hang out! We decided to go to the movies.  The only problem was the extreme downpour that wasn't letting up and the distance between myself and the theatre.

I was at the long yellow trimmed building to the right of the big boat, and had to get to the large brown building by the fountain and blue globe to the left of center.  So I got to run through Downtown Disney without shoes (I had flip flops and would have died!) in a white t shirt in pouring rain.  It's an ongoing theme in my Disney life that everytime I wear white it pours.  Every. single. time.  I looked like a drowned rat by the time I got there! But the movie was hilarious (though I still liked Bridesmaids more!!) and it was fun seeing Poldi.  I had been planning on going to Disney the next day as my fantastic friend Yelitza said she would let me and Poldi in!

It's raining, it's pouring

How cool are these!! Ipod/Ipad/Iphone covers!

Lego Woody!!!

Saturday morning Poldi and his Mum picked me up and we headed to the Boardwalk as Yelitza was meeting us as the World Showcase entrance.  Being the only one who didn't speak Spanish I apparently missed out on a hilarious conversation between Poldi, Yelitza and the security guard checking bags.  I need Rosetta Stone!!! We headed to Soarin' first and then Mission Space! Poldi's old manager Nicholas is now the area manager in Canada so we went to see if he was working, but alas, he was off! We headed over to Hollywood Studios and rode the Tower of Terror and Rockin Roller Coaster! We tried to get a fast pass for Toy Story Mania but at 1230pm they were sold out for the day! I know it's a popular ride, but the park was open until 9 or 10! We also watched an American Idol show which was really fun.  I like seeing them sing - they're usually pretty good!

Kate. Belle. Poldi

We headed back to Epcot and travelled around the world a bit! We watched the show in the Beirgarden and rode the Mexico Boat Ride, which is and will always be my favourite Epcot ride! It's SO fun! haha. We also got to meet Belle, Goofy and Duffy! We decided to watch the UK players tell the story of King Arthur which was fine and good until they made me be in the Show!!! I was the witch who turned herself into a pretty lady and had the holy grail they were looking for.  I had to say some interesting lines and couldn't stop laughing.  It was a little embarrassing but fun to be in the show! They gave us 'honourary World Showcase players' pins but mine fell off at some point later in the day and I didn't notice!! It was pretty sad!

Beer/Cider Sampler at the UK Pub

We had dinner in Germany because Poldi really wanted to.  It was pretty delicious and we got to have hilarious conversation with the two American families at our table. And the food was yummy! All the Germans kept coming to talk to Poldi so I got to meet some girls that will be there when I arrive in a month and a half. The band leader also came over for a chat, and as I find him to be quite the celebrity it was exciting!

After dinner we watched Illuminations and headed for the Monorail to the Magic Kingdom.  I'd never down it before, but we arrived right near the end of Magic, Memories and You and then watched Wishes! It was so cool seeing Illuminations and Wishes in the same night! Then we rode Big Thunder Mountain and The Haunted Mansion before watching the Main Street Electrical Parade!

Yay!

How incredible was that day!!!

We took the lynx bus back to I-drive, where Poldi's Mum said I couldn't walk 2 miles home alone (thank goodness!) so invited me to stay at their hotel suite with them! I got my own big comfy double bed, brand new clean jammies and fell asleep right away! It was sooooo nice! My apartment mattress is the same as the Commons ones - plasticy blue uncomfortableness! A real bed was such a treat! Then in the morning they got a free continental breakfast so I got to have waffles!!! Man o' Man! Could life get any better? Then Poldi's Mum was reading/teaching me some German language and about what is going on in their country through magazines she had brought for the plane!! So much fun!!! The scandals are fantastic over there!

Goofy's Candy Co. Rice Krispie Cake!

The Mickey Counterpart!

Yesterday (Sunday) was a pretty relaxing day! I packed everything up, took a final stroll around the school and did more packing.  I was suppose to go out to Howl at the Moon with some friends however it didn't work out. Ashley had some crazy bank issues arise (plus had the longest day known to man) so we didn't go out but we had a great catch up chat.  She is storing a bag for me while I'm at home so I can pack more!! (Friend award!) So she came over to grab my things and we had a great chat about our weekends. I can't wait to be able to work everyday with her again, and all my other Disney friends - and all the new ones I'll make! Fun!!

Baby Ducky in Canada (Pavilion)!

Today is Monday, aka flight home to Canada Day!!  My friend Nick is driving me to the airport and hopefully everything will go smoothly.  I'm flying through Houston and arrive in Vancouver at 1130pm...so 2:30am my time.  Amy is picking me up in Vancouver and it will be sooo great to see her!! I'm excited!

Random people trying to brake into the Cottage in Canada!
You aren't allowed to hop fences :)

There will be some changes to the blog happening soon! I start my marathon training on July 1st (Canada Day! Yay!) and will be tracking workouts and posting training tips etc on a separate page.  Also I have been getting a ton of questions on the blog as well as in person about how as an international student, and specifically as a Canadian, how the process of getting into and coming to Rosen College went.  I'm going to create a separate page all about Rosen as well to try and help answer those questions and help people out who also want to go to school down here!! So stay tuned! I'm always willing to answer questions and do whatever I can so let me know if you have any questions about me, working for Disney, attending Rosen College or UCF or on Disney/Orlando vacation planning! The email is katewdw@live.ca !!

On a random note, my purse has finally met it's end.  I got this purse at a throw out from Miss. Alysha Adcock a reallly long time ago.  Like in May or so of 2009.  I have used it religiously and it started to fall apart...a bit.  It got to the point where some friends said they wouldn't hang out with me if I didn't get a new purse.  So, I finally gave in and it met it's demise! RIP Purse!!

You can see about half of the outer layer had fallen off...

Until next time!!

Vice President Job Swap!

Big Management News on the Walt Disney World Parks front today! Here is the article from "The Disney Blog" reposted.  I have added my own opinions are the end + other exciting things ;) 

Cockerell and Carter to switch VP roles at EPCOT and DHS

Posted on June 17, 2011 by John Frost

Some interesting news (via @Figgy999 on Twitter) coming from Walt Disney World’s theme park management today. Rilous Carter, the current VP at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be moving to the same position in EPCOT and Dan Cockerell, the current VP at EPCOT will be moving to the same position at DHS.

I’m not sure what inspired this shake-up, but if it’s true, I have a few ideas about what it might mean.

Rilous took over as VP at Disney’s Hollywood Studios shortly after it changed its name from Disney MGM-Studios. He effectively managed that transition. Rilous was previously the general manager for food and beverage at EPCOT. As it turns out that is one area where EPCOT has made some great strides (excellent Food & Wine festivals and two new restaurants), but also has some serious deficiencies. Rilous might be just the guy to make sure EPCOT continues on the right path.

Cockerell started working in the parking lot at EPCOT and later went to help open Disneyland Paris. His father was longtime WDW Operations manager Lee Cockerell. So expectations were high when he took over EPCOT from much loved Jim McPhee. Cockerell’s reign has been generally well received and Cockerell stewarded EPCOT’s two main festivals through economic tough times with minimal damage.

Cockerell is the only park Vice President I’ve spotted regularly walking through the parks, both in his official capacity and as a guest visiting with his family. That sort of attention to the guest experience had distinguished Cockerell as park VP.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios also has a couple of festivals, but I think there’s room for improvement there. It’s also the park most likely to have a massive expansion once the Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland is finished. Putting Cockerell in charge of improving the festivals, improving the maintenance of the park, and a possible expansion is a good idea.

While Cockerell wasn’t responsible for removing the giant EPCOT sign from Spaceship Earth. He’s seen the power of restoring a park icon. So there’s hope that the Mickey Hat at DHS will be removed from its current location, that obscures the park’s Chinese Theater icon, to the front of the park, where it was originally intended. (Of course, I might win the lottery too.)

Disney parks has a long history of moving Vice Presidents around, so this move is really no surprise. It provides new experiences for the manager and gives them the chance to shine in a new area when a vertical move may not be available anytime soon.

So Dan Cockerell has always been a favourite of mine.  When we met him during an Epcot tour he was so approachable and kind, and while working I often saw him around the park - both while working and I even spotted him in casual clothes once! This reminded me a lot of Walt, as well as the fact that I hold his father's career in high esteem (I know fathers and sons are very different people, it just got him bonus points to start).  I don't know that much about Rilous Carter besides what I just learned from this article.  I think Disney's Hollywood Studios is the park that needs the most help right now, and if Disney thinks Dan's the man to do it, then he will.  I hope that Mr. Carter can have a positive impact at Epcot, and keep expanding the Food & Wine Festival because it's amazing! I also hope he's very open and friendly to his cast like Dan was.  We shall see soon!

Speaking of Food and Wine Festival, if you are a fan check out THIS POST over at The Disney Food Blog. It talks about the new food and drinks to be offered at the Hawaiian (Seven Tiki Mai Tai!), Caribbean (Frozen Rock Coconut Mojito), Portugal (Calamari Salad with Olives and Smoked Paprika), Scandinavian (Swedish Meatballs with Lingon Berries..sounds like Ikea!!), and *Canada* (Apple Ice Wine) booths! They also list a few desserts (OMG White Chocolate Macadamia Mousse with Dark Chocolate Pearls!) and a news about a new HGTV event.  As well as mention this:

Cranberry Bog!!! Apparently with Ocean Sprays sponsorship there will be a Cranberry Bog at the Food and Wine Festival...I do hope it's the whole World Showcase Lagoon !!! :D

Here is The Disney Food Blog link again: Click Here!!!!

In other news it is definitely thunderstorm season!! Oh my goodness! The lightning and thunder lately has been crazy!! It lights up the whole sky and the lightning forks are so huge and defined! Definitely a time to stay inside :)

Hidden Mickey Forest!

I saw this on Facebook and thought it was kind of awesome! Enjoy!

Bday Celebration + Disney Challenge Day 5!

It was my dear soon-to-be-brother-in-law Gareth's birthday today! After much super obvious sly question asking about Gar's favourite dessert I asked him Mum to send over his favourite childhood cheesecake recipe and ended up with this:

It was a no bake cheesecake, and my bro is Irish, which explains that beauty shamrock!

We went out for a lovely dinner/hockey game watching with my sister and Gar's good friends Damien and Angie! It was great fun and not only did the Canucks win, they clinched the President's Trophy...aka top in the whole league! What's up NHL! Good thing I...

now for the...

DISNEY CHALLENGE DAY 5: FAVOURITE DISNEY HERO

Since Mulan is the greatest Disney Heroine, I have to chose a guy. And clearly this guy is my favourite.  He may not be the best looking, but that's not what being a hero is about.  He is completely unassuming, kind of awkward, totally self-concious but with a heart of gold.  He would do anything to help others and even though he's been brainwashed, deep down he knows what is true and good.  When he saves Esmeralda from burning at the stake he truly kicks butt! You got it, my favourite Disney Hero is...

Sorry for the short post! Tomorrow is my last day of work at Hollyburn, I also have to finish packing my room!!!! (ahhhh!), finish packing my bags for my trip, finish my Canadian taxes, finish my school budget, visit the phone store, and figure out the bus/skytrain to the airport for Saturday morning early early! I can't believe it's actually time for all of this to start happening! I'm going to do my best to update while on the road, but it may be a huge one/two parter upon my return.  

Friends + Disney Challenge Day 3

Jill and I at Le Cellier folding napkins during pre-meal!

Today was a great day! I went for coffee with Jill. She was my roommate for a month at the end of my contract in Patterson Court and I hadn't seen her since I left except for a few hours during a visit last July! To be honest I was a bit apprehensive about hanging out because we haven't really stayed friends in the last while. It ended up really great though and we hung out a lot longer than I thought we would! Time flew by. It was really nice. Jill is reapplying for the program as well so hopefully she will be returning to Florida next March and I'll see her down there!

Jill after a glorious day at Universal!

Speaking of which, here's a little tidbit you don't really find out until afterwards. Yummy Jobs doesn't allow you to reapply for another program until you've been home for 6 months, and you cannot return to the states on another Q1 visa until you've been out of the country for the length of your contract. For example I had a 12 month contract (minus a week) so I technically couldn't go back until March 17th of this year. However I vacationed in the states for about a week and a half in the past year and didn't leave from my contract until the 22nd of March, therefore I actually couldn't return on the visa until April 8th! I'll all good thought because I start in August! Weeee! Jill got extended on her contract so it was 15 months long, therefore even though Jill returned in December 2010, she cannot go return for another contract until March 2012. Just in case you're making some plans ;)

No Access to America until you wait a year!

Also I don't think I reported this yet but I have my first visitor already!! I haven't even booked my flight to Orlando and my dear friend Emma has booked hers from Australia!!! Emma was my flat mate in second year university as she was on exchange from Sydney, Australia. I haven't seen her since November 2008 (crazzzzyness!!!) and she is landing in Orlando November 5th!! So it's nearly 3 years to the day that I'll be seeing her and I'm out of this world excited!! Emma and I, as well as our other flat mate Heather were super close and I hope Heather comes down too! Although she's in grad school so I don't know how great a time November is for her. I can not wait for this visit! Such an incredible reunion!! YAY!

We named our floor Ustrali after the horrible stiff zip ups they sell where the As are under your armpits..

As seen here modelled by Emma!

and now for...

DISNEY CHALLENGE DAY 3: FAVOURITE HEROINE

A heroine is defined as distinguished by exceptional courage, nobility and strength. I feel like it is extremely obvious that Mulan is the greatest Disney Heroine. She disguised herself as a man saving her father's life, beat up tons of bad guys, proved to all of China that girls were just an tough and amazing, if not more so then men and got a hunky guy (after saving HIS life too!). Tiana works hard to follow her dreams, and would probably be my second choice, but really, I don't know how you can pick anyone besides...

She's so tough...!

Update and News!

I took this lovely snapshot myself! And without pulling over in the "Do not pull over here" spot!

Well first of all I'm sorry for falsely promising an exciting post the other day and then writing nothing. Also if you make that apple sundae don't over do it with the syrup and you should add toasted shredded coconut! Yummmm!

Now for an email from Kristen:

Greetings,

Once again Congratulations on being offered a role representing Canada on the Cultural Representative Program at Walt Disney World! I hope you are still very much excited for the adventure you are able to take to Walt Disney World. I just wanted to touch base with some information to assist you between now and your arrival of August 16^th.

Arrival Date of August 16^th: This arrival date is the date you will want to arrive in Florida, and is the day your housing will be ready. If you do decide to arrive earlier than this date, you will need to provide your own accommodation. However, you will not be starting work on the16^th, so please do not feel you need to arrive earlier. Instead, when you arrive you will have the 16^th of August to get use to the Florida weather, meet your new roommates, and meet all the other people around the world arriving to Disney with you. You would then start orientations the following days. For the orientation you will need to wear professional attire and this can be what you wore to the interviews. So do pack at least one professional outfit for Florida.

End Date of August 10^th, 2012: This is the day you will need to check out of your housing. You do have 30 days to travel after this date, and there will be many students around the world who I am sure would love to have you as a travel buddy!

Background/Police Check: This document is currently the most important for you to be concentrating on. However, this document does not need to be an advance check, instead you will want to visit your local police department to have the form completed. Once you have this form done, you will need to scan and email it or fax it directly to me. Please do this by June 1^st.

Step by Step Guide: To assist you in the adventure to Florida, Yummy Jobs has put together a Step by Step Guide that will answer many questions, such as about visas, police checks, and everything in between. To access this document, you are now able to log into your profile onwww.yummyjobs.com and view the “Documents” tab. Please be sure to read the Canadian Guide, as the other countries will vary in information.

Visas: Walt Disney World is currently working on these documents for you, which you will have about 2-4 weeks before your arrival to Florida.

Program Assessment Fee: As mentioned during the interview, you will need to pay the program assessment fee ($100 US) before your arrival to Florida. This fee acts as a deposit to reserve your room. You will be receiving an email from Walt Disney World regarding this fee about one month before your arrival to the US. You will not be able to pay this fee until you receive this email, so do keep an eye on your inbox in July!

And if at any time you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact myself. I will be here to assist you Every Step of the Way!

Have a Great Day,

Kristen Thornton

Yummy Jobs

I have noticed a lot of people asking if they have to arrive before their arrival date, and as Kristen pointed out above, you don't! The day you arrive you don't have to do anything but check in at Vista Way, and then they drive you over to your apartment (either at Patterson or the Commons) and you have the rest of the day to shop, meet people and do whatever you need to do. I won't be arriving early, I will be flying out the night of the 15th though red-eye style so that I can arrive in the morning and not crazy late. Plus as anyone who really knows me knows, I really like red eye flights, as well as layovers! I love layovers in random places and tend to take the most layover/stopovers I can get (as they also are usually the cheapest!). I also need to be at the front of the plane on the aisle. As you saw with my trip to Toronto I will never sit in a window seat again, and the thought of the middle seat? Where are you suppose to look when you're sleeping? So awkward! Plus I just like getting up and not feeling trapped in there by other people. Phew.

Now for much awaited very exciting news!

I'M GOING ON A ROAD TRIP AND GOING TO UNIVERSITY AND WORKING AT DISNEY WORLD!

There we go. You know that point in life when you have worked really hard and planned and dreamed and then all of a sudden you realize everything you've ever dreamed of is starting to happen and becoming real? That's the moment I'm having right now. And it's absolutely incredible. I have been very overwhelmed and stressed out the last couple of months and now it's as if I have taken a huge deep breath, let it all out and can see everything coming together. Here's the run down:

March 25th: That's today! A good place to start I figured... I returned home from an 8 hour day of work and have to work on packing up my room a bit more before going to bed for my shift tomorrow morning. I work tomorrow, Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday so that's good!

March 27th: This is my sister's due date for my incredible niece or nephew! I wouldn't normally share such an intimate moment but my sister and brother-in-law allowed me to be at their midwife appointment to hear the baby's heartbeat and it was such an incredibly moving and momentous occurrence. I will admit I was moved to tears, I'm so amazed at this life growing inside my sister and the immense impact it will have on all of our lives, and already has had. I've never had a maternal instinct in my life but this whole experience has changed me and just thinking about meeting this little Munchkin gets me all verklempt. I'm going to buy it every single Disney thing ever ... don't tell Gareth! :) hehehe. I guessed the baby would be born yesterday (Thursday the 23rd) and I was wrong. Someone had to be the number 1 loser though, and I'm glad to claim the prize.

This is the halloween costume my niece or nephew will be wearing come October 31st, I don't care if it's a girl and Chewbacca is a boy. This is the costume her pug Lily will be wear to accompany Munchkin:

I dare anyone to try and say that is not the greatest combination of halloween costumes ever! I've actually been planning this since I found out my sister was pregnant. It doesn't even have to be halloween! So exciting!

March 31st: Gareth's birthday! yay!

April 1st: My last day of work at Hollyburn!! Yeeehaww! This is actually a really big boxing fundraiser (I'm pretty sure) and should be a somewhat interesting last shift!

This is the background on my computer currently. Or it was until it mysteriously got changed to a picture of Mr. Ryan Kesler, of Vancouver Canucks hockey, who may I say, is lovely.

*~*Precursor to Road Trip Itineray: This is all approximation and may not be reliable at all...you'll just have to wait and see!*~*

April 2nd: Jet setting off to Winnipeg this morning (after a layover in Saskatoon which I'm Super Excited for as it'll mean I've been to every province besides the Maritimes!) and arriving to my dear friend Ashley and her car for the beginning of our road trip!!! Ah, I'm actually super excited about this trip. We are driving down through Minnesota with such notable locations as Grand Forks, Fargo, St. Cloud (which I'm going to pretend is in reference to the Zac Efron movie) and Minneapolis (where my sister things I'll get lipped for my fake Minnesotian accent) to Wisconsin where we're staying in a little town called Eau Claire! Eau Claire is a Tree City, which means they have to celebrate Arbor Day and have a tree planting program and so I'm hoping it's pretty! Also it's suppose to be a great place for young people, and I like to consider myself youthful. It seems like it has a lot of factories/plants though as well, we'll see!

April 3: Pardeeville! Population: 1,982. LOVE IT! I'm so excited for this stop because this is actually a pretty special location...I won't say why now, but if you know, you'd want to go to! haha. I will mention that the town's biggest event is it's Watermelon Festival. Ohhhh small towns :) Departing Wisconsin we head towards the home of the President.. the Windy City it's self...CHICAGO! I can't believe I get to go to Chicago! It's so exciting! We're going to eat deep dish pizza, visit Hyde Park, watch some Blackhawk hockey (Ashley is a diehard Jonathan Toews fan, I'm scared I'll get kicked out of town if I say I'm from Vancouver), and hopefully do an amazing driveby past HARPO STUDIOS!! AHH! OPRAH!

This is not a picture of Oprah (I wish!). This is Janice. She is a secret clue as to why we are making a certain pit stop on the road trip.

how do my blogs always end with Oprah? I actually got super distracted and sent Oprah a letter. With that I need to sleep...so you will find out all about Chicago plans and beyond tomorrow!

Spoiler Alert: I'm going to be a Knight!