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!

Finals

I have been crazy busy with school lately.  Pretty much just all the time school. School. School. School.

Which is good! That's what I'm here for.  However it has left my brain drained and my time gone, therefore there hasn't been much time to update the blog.

Nut shell of activity:

-I have my last day of class on Monday!! Then I have two exams on Wednesday and two exams the following Monday!
-Next weekend Francel is going to New York City for his Mum's graduation from culinary school - it's awesome!
-The weekend after that I turn 24 years old!! ahh!!
-That same weekend we leave on the Sunday for Miami because...
-Monday is our cruise!!!

Between myself and the cruise however, is a 15-20 page English paper and presentation of my findings, an english portfolio of all my work and assignments, a 4 page hand written essay on the Gap theory in service, four chapters of review and an exam in lodging! This past week I had two presentations and an extra class for my summer internship.

I am very excited to finally be done my english courses.  You have to take two classes/one year of english as part of the general eduation requirements for graduation, and I'm almost done! My professor was actually really great, very kind and helpful, but it's just not my favourite thing.  Also I chose to write about media sensationalism this semester because I thought it was a broad topic with lots of information, and it is, but it is also draining because it's very sad and hard to read sometimes.  I'm a pretty positive person, I find it hard to focus for a long time on unhappy situations.

Wednesday was a pretty stressful day, after a very stressful week, so it was exciting to just take a day and enjoy ourselves yesterday!  Francel made us breakfast before we headed to Universal Studios!!! It was super busy, but such a blast! We were able to get on most rides within 10-15 minutes, and went to both parks.  I'd been craving a ride on ET lately, so we definitely did that.  We have been watching the Back to the Future Trilogy lately so it was fun to come across Doc Brown, the dolorian and the train engine!! I have so much fun with Francel no matter what we do, it's just so relaxing and we laugh so much.  It was the best destressor and now I'm ready to study and work my butt off all weekend!!

Speaking of which, I have to get to work!! We're setting up for buybacks and graduation next week!
Once this rush is over I'll have lots more updates! I've been reading a bit about concierge lately and I'm so excited to share what I've learned!!

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 ;) )

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.

2 Months!!!!!

Oh my goodness gracious me! Only 2 MONTHS until my Cultural Representative Program starts!!!!! I am So excited! If you can't tell....I CAN'T WAIT TO START!!! Anticipation is a double edged sword - if you're anticipating something it means something awesome is coming up, which is exciting; but I'm crazy UNpatient so it drives me crazy waiting! With all the surprise Disney trip commercials this year I asked my parents why they never surprised us, and they said it was so we could anticipate the trip and that part of the fun was looking forward to it. So I'm trying my best to think of this experience that way as well - I have to enjoy the lead up to it, because once it starts it's fast and hard until it ends again! Plus there are tons of exciting things in between now and August 16th: (Ready for the recap? You must have it memorized by now as well!) 

• My return to Beautiful British Columbia
• My reunion with my long lost sister Carrie who had been living in Toronto for far too long
• Hanging out with the greatest Grandma in the entire world! 
• Getting to hold/cuddle/give-back-to-her-Mum-when-she-cries my beautiful niece Clodagh! (just kidding on that last one ;) )
• July 1st weekend celebration with whole family (finally we can all be together!)
• Running outdoors without choking on thick air (humid 35 degree Orlando makes me die after 2 minutes)
• HARRY POTTER 7 PART 2!!!! Ahhh!!! Opening night baby - yeeeeyahh!!
• Baking/cooking with Carrie! We have SO many yummy recipes to try!
• My friend Claire's Wedding!
• My friend Erica's Wedding!
• Bridesmaid/wedding activities! 
• My sister Kim's Wedding!!!

Plus all the time spent with Friends before moving away for a long period of time.  Here is a secret...I don't know if I'll be visiting Vancouver at all during the year of my program.  It's an expensive flight and although it would be nice to be able to, it's not a guarantee so I want to get lots of friend and family love in while I can! Also my poochie Kona will need some mad love before I leave, pet-less living is HARD!

I can't find a picture of Kona so here is Lily who looks like a tormented
Beaver in the pool. Can't wait :)

My visa arrived at my home this past week and I'm so excited to see it!! There are 9 UK and Canadians arriving on August 16th, 3 being Canadian.  Myself and Tamara are both from the Comox Valley (even though I've never met her) and then there is one other girl whose name is slipping my mind right now but she is friends with my friend Jill so it is a small world. 

This contract is already so different from my last one, for starters I arrived in March in 2009, and got the chance to work my way into the Orlando weather, Disney summer guests, and high season.  This time I'll be arriving at the end of summer, in the heat/thunderstorms, with big crowds, on podium for Food and Wine Festival and then it's right into Christmas! Secondly my arrival group last time had 6 or 7 people and was mostly guys! 

Hopefully I'll be able to meet more people from other countries this time! I know this sounds silly, but I was nervous when I first arrived and spent the first couple days in a pack with the Canadians. This time I'd love to get to know the other 2 girls but we have a better chance of branching out and being part of the other countries crowds in the beginning as well! Also I've already been chatting with August 16th arrivals from Germany, the UK, and Africa so it'll be super exciting getting to meet these people all in person..in 2 MONTHS TODAY!!

School has been crazy busy!!  We just finished mid terms last week and we have finals next week! Ah! Plus group projects in between! I have been doing accounting homework for what feels like 1,000 hours today.  I finished two quizzes and my take home final exam! Phew! I'm pretty nervous about the in class final for accounting and will be studying like a crazy person for it all weekend! And everything else.  Here is my schedule next week:

Monday:

All 3 classes plus:

Quiz/Test in Human Resources

Assignment Due in Human Resources

Group Project due in Accounting plus 2 cheat sheets

Studying

Tuesday:

Entertainment class/Group Project

Insane studying

Wednesday:

Entertainment Project due/Presentation

Human Resource Final Exam

Financial Accounting Final Exam

Studying

Thursday:

Entertainment Final Exam

Looks fun eh? I also have some personal paper work that I have to get done this week as well, which gets to count as my "fun break activities" (isn't that how you always think of paperwork?)

Therefore this weekend is going to have a TON of studying in it, except for a little reprieve to celebrate Yelitza's Birthday with her!!! This weekend is also Father's Day, so even though I'm not home I'm hoping to get a good skype in there!

I actually have a pretty traumatic mid-weekend last weekend that mainly revolved around an incident with a creepy man getting way too personal following me down Universal Blvd in his car as I walked to Universal Studios.  I felt super violated and upset, but a little park time helped a lot. I hung out in Harry Potter work, rode Duelling Dragons 4 times in a row, took in the sounds and scenery and had a really good time.  Also I started the pilgrimage to Universal (it took about 2 hours to walk there...in 35 degree weather + humidity) because they have a Starbucks there and I have a gift card.  However once I finally arrived they had a big ole sign saying "This location is not set up for gift cards." I was a little sad as it was the iced passion tea that had inspired me not to turn back. Can't win them all haha.

Monday after school I hung out with my friend Nick from the Canada Pavilion (Le Cellier) kitchen. We sun tanned for a bit by his pool and then he made me the most delicious dinner! I don't really cook myself actual meals, I usually have some oatmeal, or some quinoa, or a smoothie or something like that, so when he offered to make veggie burritos I was so excited! And MAN was it good!!  The fact that Mexican food is probably my favourite in the world right now helped, and that he's a professional chef, and that I don't usually eat flavourful food, but I was one happy camper! 

That about sums things up I think. Thomas Kinkade was in our class the other day! However we (the class) weren't! We were kicked out for Thomas Kinkade and Professor Logan's meeting (alright, we were kicked out so we could work on our projects) and even though we camped out we didn't see him.  I feel as though Tuesday morning Professor Logan said that Thomas Kinkade either got sick or lost and didn't come, but then I thought it said they did meet so I'm not sure what really happened! (it's an 8am class okay? That's early to fully comprehend! ...just kidding!) I'm sad that my entertainment class is ending. I would go to Professor Logan's class at any time of day everyday for the rest of summer/until he ran out of stories. Yup, I'm just that into class/Disney knowledge.

I'm going to try and knock out my cheat sheet assignment for Monday before heading to the gym for a sweat fest. Hope where ever you are in the world the sun is shining and you've got a smile on your face. 

Life is good today!

Ps- I have a confession today was well...I have been listening to Christmas music on Pandora while studying!! It's both soothing, happy and somehow keeps the stress levels down! 

Are you the type to count down for Christmas from 6 months out? 

Or do you not allow any Christmas music or decorations until December 1st?

Know what's even better? Disney Christmas, especially fireworks! I know, I have a problem...

This Week at 204B

That's my apartment number ;)

This past week went by pretty darn fast.  Monday I had all three classes then went out with my room mates because Emily's friend John was visiting from Gainesville, it was fun.  Tuesday morning I had Entertainment, Arts and Events which is always my favourite! To be honest I currently cannot remember what I did with the rest of the day besides work out.  Wednesday I had all three classes again (including an exam) and then worked out with Emily twice! We went to her Gold's Gym because they have a movie theatre! There is a ton of cardio in a big dark cold room and then a huge movie screen! Public Enemies was the movie of the day, and was a big gun happy for my liking.  It was a really neat concept though, I'm a fan!

On Thursday I had class with Professor Logan which brings me to our weekly

7 Facts I have Learned from Professor Logan This Week:

• At Walt Disney World they had to rebuild the Liberty Square bridge to be able to support the weight of the carousel float in SpectroMagic
• Disney had to take TweedleDee and TweedleDum out of the parks and parades for a period of time because it was politically incorrect to call someone 'dumb.'
• LiteMagic was a short run parade at Disneyland that followed the Main Street Electrical Parade.  Jane Eisner, Michael's wife, was very into RiverDance at the time and told Michael to insist the parade was set to Irish Dance music.  It was a major flop. 
• The spitting Camels in Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom are originally from the tongue-in-cheek Aladdin Parade that ran in Hollywood Studios.  Frank Wells loved the camels!
• Gavin Greenway created the music for Illuminations, Tapestry of Dreams AND the Vancouver 2010 Olympics! 
• Ron Logan originally tried to become a violinist, however he didn't like that he could hear the violin right beside his head, so he switched the the trumpet and life took off!
• If you're moving (dancing) you're lip syncing! Rarely rarely can people ever dance and sing at the same time.
• Bonus: Warren Beatty was apparently a shluck/jerk! He stuttered, was a pain in the ass and didn't care to follow a program.  He may be nicer these days ;)

After class I was lucky enough to get to sit down with Professor Logan for an hour to discuss my future, his past/present and everything in between! It was absolutely incredible and I came out of it with the hugest grin on my face and so much excitement! He is such an intelligent, wonderful person and I am very eager to work on everything he mentioned.  He did tell me that I shouldn't watch reality TV, especially mentioning the Kardashians, as if he secretly somehow knew I was super excited about the Khloe & Lamar finale tomorrow night! My last reality show - promise? I'm trying.... Don't worry, I never actually admitted to Professor Logan that I have/do watch reality shows.

After this great great discussion my friend Doug picked me up for a fun day exploring! We went out to Cocoa Beach and the Disney Dream was docked! Just seeing it brought me back to when I went on my first and only cruise on the Disney Wonder in November 2009.  I am so excited to someday sail on either the Dream or the Fantasy! We drove over for a close up of the ship :)

Space Cadet Kate?

As we were crossing a causeway we saw a ton of dolphins!!! It was so exciting!!!

Doesn't he look like he's either Roaring or yelling BOO!

$46 a day

Next we headed over to Merritt Island to explore a little NASA! We didn't go into the Visitor's Center because I can get half price tickets from school, plus it wasn't the plan! But we looked around and saw rockets, a shuttle, and the fuel tanks that fall off the shuttle! We then check out the Astronaut's Hall of Fame a bit which had the Police Hall of Fame across the street....with one of these:

No comment is probably the best comment :)

We went to the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge and drove through these really cool trails that were in the water. I don't know how to explain it...check out the pictures:

There is water all around you and the path is just wide enough for a truck

It was beautiful!

I want to fly like I'm eagle, to the sea...

..fly like an eagle let my spirit carry me. (Yes I know these aren't eagles)

It was a bright beautiful day, you could see forever, it was gorgeous :) We were trying to find alligators but only saw the tip of one of their noses! After the drive through the water, we went to a canal that all the Manatees that go in and out of the river have to go through.  We waited a little bit but didn't see any so we went to Manatee Park and there were a ton!! They were hard to see/take pictures of because they kind of just looked like smooth rocks peaking out of the water, but every now and then they would breath or move their fins around and it was pretty neat!

The Manatee Canal

MANATEE

AKA SEA COW

Cocoa Beach from the Pier! Sooo nice!

By this time it was dinner time so we went to one of Doug's favourites in Cocoa Beach, Florida's Seafood. It has fish tanks all around it and was pretty cute.  We agreed our server must have been on something though, she was a little crazy to say the least.

The Blues Brothers Are Coming!

The next day (Friday) I decided to take my phone back. I had a Sprint Blackberry which cost 69.99 a month, plus a $10 mandatory data package, and a $4.00 international calling package that just made calling Canada cheaper, not free. So then I was going to have the additional fees of calling (which in 2 weeks were already 20 dollars) and then the taxes, so it didn't make sense. I had Sprint last time but I guess I just didn't care how much my bills were.  I'm a little more thrifty/realistic now, and took the phone back within the 30 days and got a full refund and don't have to pay for the time I used.  I went for a Metro PCS blackberry instead.  It's 70/month flat with unlimited calling and texting to Canada so it seems to make a lot more sense.  However I've been having a few problems with it sending emails so I'm a little weary still. Here's hoping it works out alright!

The Car!

After the phone situation we went to Universal Studios!!! I got the annual pass on the flex payment plan so it's $12.00/month.  I was going to get a pass once my Disney program starts anyways so I thought I might as well just do it now.  We had a really fun day and rode a lot of the rides, including Rip Ride Rock It twice in 10 minutes! Soooo sweet!

My favourite ride! Especially when you sit in the font!

I don't really remember what I did Saturday! haha. I know it involved school work though :)

Ash "petting" a swan

Sunday I went to the farmer's market with Ashley and her friend Megan! It was so nice! I absolutely love it and it makes missing the market at home not so bad.  I even bought my first loaf of bread ever! Yes I've eaten bread before, but I've never bought it for myself, so that was something new.  It's a garlic and asiago cheese load that was made fresh that morning and now lives in my freezer! haha. It is delicious though. After the market we went to the Flea Market and then walked around Old Town! Then I did schoool work! Yeeehaw!

Sunbathing turtles!

Monday I was suppose to go to Islands of Adventure as I thought I had all my school work down but at the last minute realize I had to do something for class that my professor changed from in class to online at the last minute, so instead I did that then went to the Shingle Creek pool with my room mate Emily and her friend before going for sushi with Emily and her mum! It ended up being a nice day after I thought it was going to be a flop.  

This is from the Simpsons Ride at Universal

This morning we were given our class project for Entertainment, Events and Arts! We have to put together the gala for the National Association of College Auxiliary Services (NACAS) Convention! We are in groups of 6, have a 60,000 dollar budget and the best presentation/event gets hired on as interns and actually put together the event! My group has some people that seem to have some good contacts in the area so that's good, should be interesting! I'll keep you in the loop!

Alllll right, that should do it for now! 

Last Week at a Glance

You may recall this little thing I was doing called the 30 Day Disney Challenge.  Somehow that Challenge has turned into the 60 Day Disney Challenge.  But I'm going to try and creep the rest of them in here along the way, as I'm sure hearing what I learn in class everyday isn't going to be all that entertaining (although it will save you tuition fees ;) ).  Actually I find my classes super interesting and I enjoy going to them, even though it means I have 8am class 4 times a week, I wouldn't miss one for the world.

Sign at Lake Eola

Alrighty, we're going to run down the last week quickly and then I'll focus on keeping more up to date.

Monday
This was my first day of classes! I was nervous walking over for my 8am class, but that is when I met Professor Logan.  He is a really interesting guy and tells some pretty incredible stories about himself and Disney.

7 Facts I have Learned from Professor Logan This Week:

-The Osmond Brothers were discovered at Disneyland by asking the Dapper Dans if they could sing for them.
-Cary Grant had a cockney accent and his real name was Archibald Leech
-Hollywood Studios was originally planned with the Hollywood 'actors' (The gossip, the Director, the star etc) as the only entertainment.  Now the park is over 50% entertainment.
-When Disney executives produced a parade for Carnival in Rio some of them got guns pulled on them in a car, but were all right once the gunmen realized they weren't who they were looking for.
-(I should have figured this one out myself)  Parades were scheduled when the rides were busiest (to shorten lines) or near closing (to keep crowds from leaving).
-If you wanted to see and be seen by the hollywood elite you would go to Morton's East Hollywood, where you could always find Bernie Brillstein at his usual table; one of the most successful Hollywood agents and the author of "Where Did I go Right? You're no one in Hollywood unless someone wants you Dead"
-Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade floats are made in South Dakota

Stay tuned for Next weeks edition....;)

Next up was Financial Accounting. My professor seems pretty good as long as you do everything she wants and she likes you. haha.  I've heard from many people that it all depends on if she likes you because she has a lot of discretionary assignments.  I answered a few questions in class and showed I actually did the work, so hopefully that works in my favour.  There is an accounting club you can join, but I would only be able to go to one meeting, so I'm going to hold off until I return to school.  Also she is writing her PhD exam (apparently it's 8 hour days long) so she will either be super happy or super unhappy after that.

My final class is Human Resource Management.  My professor is very kind and from Korea.  He makes some pretty hilarious jokes/comments. Such as "Why do you call it going South when things go wrong? Hopefully it doesn't come from the civil war. In Korea the South is good and the North is...anyways, I just don't understand." He also told us a cute story about his 16 year old son getting invited to a few Sweet 16 parties and how he thought it meant he was popular until he realized the girls invited everyone in their class to the parties. hehehe.  The course itself is interesting.  Everyone got in a big debate over whether employers should be able to dictate if employees can smoke cigarettes or not, and if they should have to pay higher wages.  My homework assignment was about obesity and if the American Disabilities Act should/does count obesity as a disability and therefore they should get coverage.  (The ADA actually only covers morbidly obese Americans, that is people who weigh 100% more than their ideal body weight).  See I'm learning ;)

Baby Swans at Lake Eola!

Besides class I have been trying to adjust to running in the Florida heat.  Dang does it hit you hard.  No matter how much water I drink I get dry mouth like no ones business part way through.  (Because you all wanted to know that! TMI!) But I'm getting better so that's good. I need one of those running water bottles with the hand grippy thing. My roommate Emily has p90x so we're going to try doing that in the mornings before class. Yikes! Apparently it's going to kick my a** so bad I won't be able to walk/sit/move. Sounds great :)

I've been trying to enjoy the sun a bit, and have been spending time with my roommates, who are amazing! They were so welcoming and kind and fun.  This morning Emily and I went to the Lake Eola Farmer's Market, walked the mile loop around the lake, talked to all the vendors, I ate wayyy tooo many plantain chips, and we both nearly cried from the spice of some sauces.  It was a gorgeous day and so much fun.  We went early but apparently they have live music and an organic beer and wine garden around noon! It just has such a great vibe :)

Swans at Lake Eola!

Last Thursday I got to hang out with my friend Kristin! We went to Downtown Disney and got ourselves a Baileys iced shake, which I'm going to tell you, is the greatest thing ever! I really don't like dairy, but I'll make an exception for this drink.  It's a huge treat, and a once in a long while thing, but worth it.  It's from the Hole in the Wall pub beside Raglan Roads and if you are heading down there anytime soon....get one!! We took them with us over to Earl of Sandwich and it was the best meal ever. Earl of Sandwich is the bomb. They always have the longest time, and it's very obvious why. After dinner we headed back to Kristin's to hang out and relax.  I ended up staying over because we got hooked watching old episodes of Weeds, and when I got home the next day my roommates said they almost texted because they didn't know where I was. It was cute, I think they like me :)

Showing Carrie my bad hair! I curled that whole thing and nothing!

I think that pretty well sums things up except for Saturday night which was incredibly special.  On Monday morning Professor Logan told us about a foundation event he was playing trumpet for/MCing on Saturday and asked for volunteers.  I gave them my name and am so glad I did.  We arrived around 430pm and helped finish setting everything up, then I was a greeter and welcomed the guests.  The event was for The Pink Ribbon Princess Foundation which raises money to help local Orlando cancer patients pay for the incredibly crazy medical bills they get.  It was the foundations first event and I think it went incredibly.  They had a raffle and a silent auction, the yummiest cupcakes ever and the star of the event was Debbie.  She is an incredibly courageous and radiant woman and was the belle of the ball.  Please check out their website, they have a brand new one that is up/should be up soon!! Many cancer survivors shared stories and testimonies which were incredible (one lady lost three siblings, and her husband to cancer before being diagnosed herself), it's such an epidemic, it blows you away the strength these people have.  Another highlight for me at least, was when I walked into the room and all the volunteers were dancing to "Oh when the Saints Go Marching In," we were clapping and having fun and an older gentleman popped in and starting singing! So then Professor Logan said "Follow Me" and led us in a parade around the room through the guests playing his trumpet! It was really cool.

I have an early morning tomorrow so I'm going to pass out, I hope everyone else had an amazing weekend (especially because it seems as though the world didn't end on Saturday) and let me know if you have any questions, comments, or things you want me to find out! 

UCF Orientation & The Weekend

 Orientation started around 10am.  I got there a little early, okay they were running a bit late, and this girl with very bright red/pink hair started talking to me.  She had already finished a degree in psychology at UF and was now taking micro engineering or something like that.  She currently however was a server at a Sushi restaurant where they "got to" dress up like Harajuku Girls aka Japanese Girl Dolls. It was an interesting 4 minutes... I'll never see her again yet know so much about her....

Since I did part of my orientation online we got to go straight to the Rosen College part.  All of the new Rosen students were brought upstairs to a room and talked to about the history of Rosen.  Here is the inside scoop:   


Hospitality use to be part of the Business School at UCF, but 8 years ago Harris Rosen (who owns many Hotels, golf courses and resorts) went to the head of the hospitality department and asked how much it would cost to build a Hospitality College in the tourist area of Orlando because the area really needed it and it would be great for the students.  The head of the department said $18 million and Mr. Rosen pulled out his cheque book and wrote a cheque that day.  In Florida the state has to match large donations, so they had 36 million dollars to build the campus and attract professors, plus Mr. Rosen donated the land, and that is how Rosen College was created. :)

Then we registered for classes.  In Florida you have to complete a General Education Program, taking certain classes from English, Science, Math and Social Sciences to complete a certain amount of course hours.   Upon arrival I thought you had to complete this General Education Program before taking any hospitality courses, therefore I had planned to take class and live on the main UCF campus.  However during orientation they told me I didn't have to complete all the general courses before I took hospitality courses as I had assumed, so I decided to register for hospitality courses and live at Rosen.  It wasn't just that simply though.  I didn't think I could just suddenly change everything, but I asked one of the girls doing orientation who lived at Rosen and she said there were definitely rooms available.  So during our lunch break I called my parents for a conference (yup, even 3000 miles away I still need their thoughts on big decisions), and then called the housing people to see if it could happen.  Turns out they had space for me, so 2 days before moving in, I changed my housing location! Then I was sneaky and called my Dad to register me in my classes while everyone else was eating.  This actually worked out great, I was in 3 classes, one that had only had 2 spots left at the beginning of the day, and was all set. Until I went with the rest of the new students just to double check everything and found out I didn't have the prerequisites for one of the classes, even though it let me register for it.  I kind of freaked out because nothing else seemed to be able to fit in my schedule that didn't have prerequisites.  Finally I talked to another girl who said if the class lets you in, you're in and said she was in a class called Entertainment, Arts and Events, which fit in my schedule. So I signed up. And went to buy my books.  The three courses I'm taking are Hospitality Human Resources Management, Hospitality Financial Accounting and Entertainment, Arts and Events. 

When I went to the book store to pick up my textbooks my heart started pounding and my jaw dropped - My coursework had Mickey Mouse on the front of it!!! 

My Entertainment, Arts and Events class is taught by Ron Logan, an ex-executive vice president of entertainment at Disney World, as well as one of the people who opened Disneyland Paris and he also helped produce and direct Lion King on Broadway!!!!! Among many, many other things if you read my last post.  I'm so excited! The course is a retrospective look on Disney Entertainment from 1955-2000.  My other classes text books weren't as friendly looking..and were sooooo pricey! Gross. 

After orientation I met up with my friend Doug and he helped me return my rental car.  As we were driving I heard a severe weather warning on the radio for 60 mile and hour winds, hail and rain by the airport...exactly where we were going.

I honestly couldn't see for more than 3 seconds when the windsheild wipers would first go across.  It was super intense. We pulled over for a while (that's when I took the video) and then had to get the car back before 8.  We ended up getting there perfectly fine, and took some back roads to get away from the bad tourist drivers....slash that's the way the GPS said to go.  There were puddles so high the waves went all the way up my car! Yikes!!

That night we went out to Alehouse with Ashley and Yelitza which was super fun!  We just shared a pitcher and chatted and had a blast.  We also saw a girl that was seriously 6'7...and then looked tiny compared to the guy she was with who must have been close to 7 feet tall!!! 

The next morning we did something I super love.... Breakfast!! I lived near the Golden Coral for a year and never went, even though a bunch of my friends would.  I have a weird thing with buffets...where I want to eat everything..all of it...three times!  Let's just say they are too tempting, so I never went.  However on this bright beautiful morning Doug and I decided to go and it was actually really yummy.  I didn't over indulge (my worse was a corn bread muffin, but common, those things are magic!) but was really stoked on the whole place.  I dare anyone to argue that breakfast isn't the best meal of the day! 

Then we got to do something really exciting.....wait for an hour and a half at the Car Rental place! I did something utterly dumb in the rain storm the night before...and left my credit card in the car! I was on hold to cancel it when Doug suggested I call the car place.  They had it in a safe that I could go pick up.  So we went to get it, and unfortuantely they hadn't mentioned that there were only two people who had access to the safe...and neither were working.  They called one in early (although he was half and hour later than she said she would be) and so we got to sit and watch Monsters Inc...the whole movie!  I enjoyed it. hehehe. Then we got to go to ....EPCOT!

We were lucky enough to have my friend Nick let us into Epcot and we went to visit Ashley in Canada who was greeting for the restaurant.   

All Star Greeter

She didn't want this picture taken :)

She called up Janice who I haven't seen in so long and we got to have a great chat! I miss her, she's such a great lady.  Sometimes a bit crazy about cleanliness of the popcorn cart, but a really good person, she use to give me great chats. We went into the Pixar Weekend event in the World Showplace but there were crazy lines for the characters so I just snapped a few shots of them and strangers ;)

It's true, My heart DOES beat for the Canucks <3

They had some great walls/signs up with Pixar info

They mentioned all the things that were in each movie...Like a Nemo toy in Monsters Inc
and the mobile over the Dentist's chair was from Monsters Inc.

The Luxo Jr. Ball is in every Pixar movie!

The old man who plays Chess with himself in the short is the restoration guy when Woody gets beat up!

Andy's neighbour Sid from Toy Story is the garbage man in Toy Story 3!

There were more but my other pictures didn't turn out so well...

He pretended to fix his hearing aid

They were outside in a Flower and Garden garden

I didn't realize Pixar puts so many little details in their movies connecting them all. It's pretty incredible.  Then we ventured over to see Yelitza in the UK before heading to France to watch the movie.  Originally the plan was to say hi, then go to Animal Kingdom then Magic Kingdom, but our passes didn't let us into MK (they had blocked it out), so we decided to go around Epcot and then Animal Kingdom.  I'd never bothered to see the French movie before and although it was very beautiful, it seemed kind of pompous... We travelled from France to the America Pavilion where I finally agreed to see the American Adventure show.  We stubbled upon the Voices of Liberty group and they sang K-k-k-katie, the song my Grandma and Grandpa use to sing me when I was little.  They use to take us out individually so we got to have our own special time together and they would always sing me this song:

I loveee it. 

The American Adventure was an experience and a half.  I will admit I was laughing at one point, but overall it was good. I wouldn't watch it again, and they brushed over a lot of American History details that weren't so favourable but it was fine.  When we came out our Animal Kingdom hopes were somewhat squandered because we found this:

African Outpost hiding from the rain

 DOWNPOUR! We tried to brave it and make it to Mexico but it was too much by the time we got to Africa and we had to hide out for a bit.  Eventually it let up and we got the best thing going in Epcot...Margaritas! and headed for lunch in the land.

The Best thing about Epcot is not Soarin', nor is it Test Track, Illuminations (although it's pretty close), Spaceship Earth, or the countries.  The best thing about Epcot is The Circle of Life movie in the Land.  I think every single person who enters Epcot should have to watch it, actually every 5th grader in the world should have to watch it! It gets the message about conservation across very well and very simplified (not that I think some people need simple) and it's also beautiful.  I will admit I cried the first time I saw it and have been dragging people in there ever since.  I think it's important, and made me respect Disney even more.

We also rode the Living with the Land boat ride and then headed to the Sea where I stared down this little guy:

So cool!

Next we headed to Hollywood Studios and took in some good ole fashioned Great Movie Ride.  I try every time to get the Cowboy, but they never have his/her scene going! I need to wait in one of those crazy long summer lines I guess...

On our way to the Studios we saw this little babies..

and these ones!

When we got off the Great Movie Ride we didn't know what to do and it hit me to ride Star Tours.  I wasn't sure if it was open yet, or what was going on, but I really wanted to check.  When the ride came into sight I got crazy excited because it was the first day of soft openings!!!! I couldn't believe it!! Immediately we jumped in line.  This ride is so good. Let's repeat that...this ride is SO GOOD! It's 3D now and has 54 different ride sequences you could end up with.  I guess there are different segments, and the computer system randomly puts them together to create a different experience each time, therefore making guests want to ride over and over and over again...the brillance of Disney, gets me everytime ;)  In our ride there Darth Vader, an Alliance (those are the good guys right?) spy on board that we had to protect and deliver somewhere (they took a picture and showed it of a little boy onboard) and an amazing holigram of Yoda is how we knew to protect him! Chewbacca was in the ride, a huge city, some Ewok, it was amazing! The only thing is it kind of felt a bit short - I never wanted it to end. New Star Tours? A++

We headed back to Epcot to watch Illuminations: Reflections of Earth....which I loveeee!!! They say the best place to watch them is from inbetween the two towers at the entrance to the World Showcase, but the two times I've watched from there we've gotten so much smoke and firework debris in our eyes/hair/clothes...

Sunday afternoon Ashley came over and drove me to Rosen College Apartments to move in! Once we found the room we went in and found Kelly, one of my new roommates. She was super nice and welcoming and got rid of all the girl who was here before me's stuff that she has left.  I was pretty nervous, moving in with two girls that were good friends, but so far everything has been great! They are so helpful and friendly and fun, so it's great. Kelly is freshly 24 and from Tampa, and my other roommate Emily is 23 and from Cincinnati, Ohio/has lived in California as well!

 This is where I was going to move into:

Lake Claire Apartments at UCF

This is where I live now:

Rosen Apartments at Rosen College

I think I made the right choice ;)

Do you know where this gazebo picture is taken?