How Do You Get To Wonderland?

Wow so I've been working as a Magic Kingdom "show-keeper" for roughly a month and a half now. It's pretty easy work but recently it had been getting really dull and I hadn't been hating it but I just was not feeling it. Do you know what I mean? I just got a pick-me-up this week and its like a whole new fresh start. I have made new goals and I like where its headed. Although if I have to be honest, I am still worried if this whole experience is going to be worth it or not. I'm losing a lot of money by working here instead of at a restaurant, I'm pretty sure most won't remember me 2 years from now when I come back to try to get an internship, I don't have any family or friends here (only made about 4 that I may keep in touch with after departure), and I am missing quite a lot of things by being here.

The most important being the marriages of two of my other best friends.

Shannon and Erica.
Shannon is my best friend from church.. she's the bomb. And she is a great momma. And now she's finally found her match, and Dominic is going to have an awesome daddy. I haven't met Zach Bundy yet, but he sounds exactly like her.. and if there's anyone who knows what exactly they want it is Shannon. I know he's a good match for her, I feel it in my gut. Two adventurous spirits
The second, Erica, is my one of my favorite roommates ever (second only to my best friend Inga). We were supposed to room together in the spring, but of course she'll have a different roommate :) Mark Thompson was one of the favorite FHE brothers I've ever had. I knew him before I knew Erica. The two are the nicest people I've ever met - though Erica will surprise you with some sass every now and again hahaha. But seriously, if you knew anyone nicer than these two, it would make you sick. They are so sweet to each other and I couldn't be happier.
Shannon will be married in the San Diego Temple on November 21. Erica will be married in the Nauvoo Temple (I believe) on December 22. I would have been in the wedding party for both, if not maid of honor in Erica's (Shannon has sisters). I would love to go to both weddings.. There is no way for me to go to Shannons, and only a sliver of a chance to go to Erica's reception on the 23rd in Missouri, if I get a free flight, if I can get the day off. All of my best friends are now either engaged or married. Best friend - Inga, 2nd Best friend/roommate - Erica, Best church friend/"twin :)" - Shannon, and my best friend from high school - Alyssa Foo. Although I still have a chance to go to hers, since they aren't planning on the marriage for 3 years. But it pretty much sucks that the only real thing in my way is Disney... which, although its a great experience and I'm grateful for it, if I don't end up getting an internship... it will not have been worth it I feel. And for that I don't know if it is worth the risk or what? I don't know. I love working here, but it will not have been worth it! Idk.. I've put a lot of thought and prayer into it and I just wish I could get an answer to that problem. If you have any input on which way to go, let me know.

On a less depressing note. Let me update you on my life. Here's some really beautiful pictures from kayaking here in Florida. That gator? Yea.. we were right next to him. And just when we were passing, the HUGE dude leaps into the water, and my heart stopped. But somehow my paddling arms really picked up speed? hahaha. It was intense.



I'm going out of order. Recently, my aunt Mindy and her family came to visit. In many ways I felt closer to them than others, even though I hardly know Mindy's family. Misty & Jeff are great, as are Mindy's parents. I felt so welcomed and happy when I was with them, and I was only too happy to help lighten the load when it came to relieving some stress. Hahah part of that was holding Emerson in all the pictures we took with characters, while I was with them. I don't have them all here, but there are a few. I had the privilege of seeing them for a few hours one day (before working), and then the whole next day both at Magic Kingdom. I also spent some time with them at Epcot, which was great. I wish I could have spent more time though..

Sloane is a freaking gorgeous baby. I loved him!
And he's such a kook. hahah he makes the funniest faces..

Right after we 'defeated Emperor Zurg' on the Buzz Lightyear space arcade ride. From left:
Trevor, Morgan, Parker, Wylie, Emerson, and Presley holding Sloane.

The next morning, when the girls got all princessed up for the Magic Kingdom!!By the way, sometimes when you click on the pictures, you can see a larger version of them. It seems that blogspot shrinks some pictures waaay too much.

I had to talk Emerson into giving Snow White a hug. Hahaha, from Stitch to even Princesses, she wanted to be held at first! hahaha

We rode a bunch of rides! Although I only have pictures from a few.

Here is the Tomorrowland raceway - I was in charge of the pedal and Morgan drove. Hahaha it was crazy.. left and right, left and right, bang bang bang. It'll be awhile till she gets her own car I think lol.

Dumbo - which they will be redoing, by the way, in the next few years.
it's a small world - which Sloane LOVED
... and the carousel! Hardly any lines all day

..after which we tried to become Kings and Queens of the Kingdom haha
Hahah even held for Donald Duck!

Then the girls got redressed and went to Cinderella's Royal Table
Funny faces!!
In the meantime, we went on Peter Pan's Flight.
Sloane and I hung out for a bit while the boys went on Big Thunder Mountain
.. and we chased "DUCKS!!" everywhere
And then the boys and us met up again and we all went over to Liberty Tree for dinner. It was amazing... I got sooooo full!! And the pile of apple cobbler was the best.
Sloane was hyper and being goofy during dinner..
..we met up with the girls again and.. Fireworks!!

I get to see this every single evening. And let me tell you.. it does not get old. And it never loses its magic.

Okay, something else I should mention. I had a relationship in the time since my last post. A little over a month, it lasted. His name was David Schmuki and I broke it off yesterday, because even though he was an great guy and a perfect gentleman, I just couldn't see him as a boyfriend anymore. Something inside of me just saw him as only a friend. Sad day. Well anyways, we went to the Kennedy Space Center not too long ago - it was great! So awesome to see all the space stuff and it reminded me of my old job in Houston and I love space so it was great. Unfortunately I was way sick that day so I was probably not TOO much fun to be with hahaha.
Yea.. he was pretty tall.
He had a hard time getting into position in the capsule
I had no problem; coulda fit like 3 of me in there comfortably hahah
I really loved the space art gallery. Posted are some nice ones... man I wish I could paint or watercolor!! haha




I have friends here but as I said, maybe 4 I will keep in touch with. I don't include my roommate in this although we will probably see eachother at school. We're friends, but I mean I'm always gone in the evenings when she's not working so we haven't really built a relationship at all, though we did go to Epcot together awhile ago. I don't really have a close relationship with either of my roommates. It's okay, actually its nice for our house, but ya know.. sometimes you want a friend. Luckily most of the time at home I don't so thats good. hahah.

So I have this goal to eat at all the countries - I got Mexico with Kierstin (roomie), and it was pure, unfiltered awesomeness. I love Morocco and Mexico, for sure. The only one I've added to those and Japan is China. And it was good, but again like Japan I've had better for cheaper outside of Disney World. But keep in mind, I went to the cheaper of the restaurants - usually there's like a way expensive place and a cheaper place in most countries.

Beautiful view from Mexico that day, and it was nicely temperatured as well
The Aquarium!! I love it there; its where you exit into after riding the Finding Nemo ride. Which, by the way, you ride in... CLAM-MOBILES! haha its so cute I love it.Recently I've also met Prince Caspian, in Narnia. He is intrigued by all the lands that there are here in contrast to in Narnia - "there's Florida and this Texas and even some place I have heard of... ehh.. Ken-tucky?" Haha I had to inform him that Texas was the bigger and better land than both of those ones hahahah he said he would not know, but he'd like to visit haa. I haven't been to Hollywood Studios much since arriving. I mostly like to just chill in Magic and Epcot it seems, and thats WHEN I have time to do so.
My friend Cameron and I actually just went to Epcot a few days ago with the goal of doing Food and Wine Festival. We went on a few rides and saw shows we hadn't yet - one of them being the China one with circle-vision (it was amazing and takes exactly 9 cameras to produce.. wow) and it was amazing.

I didn't sample from too many this time, but here's what I did. I ate:

- A beef empanada with tomato salsa from Buenos Aires, Argentina. (WAY good salsa)

- Chilled mango lassi from New Delhi, India (my first bite of this made me feel like it was a fail, but after I kept on through it, it became amazing. I LOVED it and want more)

- Lobster & scallop fisherman's pie from Cork, Ireland (Cam actually got this and I just had a few bites. I actually liked it - though idk if I got seafood in my bites. But if I did - okay!)

- A lamb slider with tomato chutney from Wellington, New Zealand (definitely the weirdest tasting of them all - I'm still not sure how I felt about it! haha)

- Chicken souvlaki with tzatziki from Athens, Greece (I knew I'd like this one! Tzatziki is great!)

- and chicken with rice as well as a guava 'cookie' from San Juan, Puerto Rico (idk what it was actually called, they just told me it was like a cookie. Whatever it was, it was amazing.)

Goooooood eating. While there I also decided to get a few pictures taken with characters (no one was ever waiting in line for them - even Belle! They were like.. invisible or something)
Mulan!!:
Belle - she asked if Cameron was my 'Beast' and I just said no he's just a friend, more like a Lumiere to me haha. After we walked away I found out Cameron was irritated with Belle for calling him a beast. He has decided she's def at the bottom of the princess list for him now.
Then I went back home.. to Magic Kingdom! For the evening, before the Halloween party started - even cast members have to pay to get into that, although for us its discounted a lot.



Well what else to say? I don't really know.. I just keep on living life and recently making a lot more goals. There's a lot that I have to get done, so I guess I'd better start at the top of the list!

But.. here's a preview for what my next post hopefully will contain... can you guess? (btw, no, I didn't draw them myself, though I wish I did!)

Glimmering, Shimmering, Carousel-ling...

Welllllll. I've been living in Florida for a bit.

Like my hat?? It's my favorite part of my outfit. Oh.. besides the lovely PLEATED PANTS!
You can tell how excited I am. hahah actually I like my costume. I just hate that the pants sometimes fall because of all the stuff (not pictured) I have to have clamped to it. It isn't even an embarrassing costume at all, just irritating because even when my pants are hanging at the waist (usually I can get away with wearing them lower), the crotch of the pants is still at the mid thigh and that's really uncomfortable. Oh well.. I just have to wear leggings under my pants. No big deal.


A few weeks ago, I had an opportunity to stay at Kidani Village - a part of the Animal Kingdom lodgings. The difference between this one and Jambo house is that the one I stayed at will only be available for Disney Vacation Club members now that it is open. I got to sleep in a room never slept in by anyone else. And it was an amazing resort - the attention to detail! And I had giraffes, zebra, ostriches.. etc all right outside the window! I promised my mom pictures so here we go. (Btw, mom, whenever you want me to post, put a better comment than 'POST NOW' or else I wont. Okay? Okay.)

Entrance:

Front lobby - aren't the lights sweeeet!
Lobby's savannah view
The outdoor bonfire pit patio area where you can be surrounded by animals
View of the Lobby from the patio thing
Hallway view of the outdoor patio/bonfire pit
One of the lounge areas
One of the lounge patios
Hallway near elevators - yes, the entire resort is decorated with real african artifacts/art

Savannah view from 3rd floor hallway - ZEBRA :)

Kitchen area

Dining/living room
Look at the chairs/entertainment center

Savannah view from our patio

Bedroom desk/entertainment center

The bed was awesome! and I love the headboard - with Nala & Simba together :)

Close-up on the lamp - I love it hahah

My favorite part of the trip - the bathtub. It was probably the best bath I've ever had - and I love the Lion King tile strip!!

One of the hot tubs

At the top of the waterfall in the water area - they had a huge pool with a few slides, and a mini water park for the kids which was SWEEEEEEET but I wasn't taking my camera down there haha.
Overall it was an amazing stay. I really could live there hahaha. But then again that is the idea or attractive pull to the resort in the first place


So.. besides getting to do super cool stuff randomly, what else do I do?

So.. typical off-day for me would be wake up, eat some frosted flakes, get ready for the day. Florida water smells and tastes a bit like what I would imagine unsoiled toilet water smells and tastes like. We have Brita water and I'm going to buy some water bottles soon. Then I catch a bus - I'll tell you a bit later of my sentiments on public transportation - and I can choose where to go. I might go to a resort, a water park, Hollywood Studios, the most magical place on earth, an exploration Zoo, or maybe if I want I can step into the future or visit 14 countries. All for free.

I really do love doing that stuff in my free time. Unfortunately, the bus system sucks so much that I can't enjoy most of my time off because its during the day before I'll have a shift at like 4, and I can't guarantee bus travel to be on schedule or empty enough to be able to get to work on time. Sometimes the buses leave earlier than they are supposed to (so you miss it), sometimes they leave way past the mark (so you're late) and sometimes the driver is just dumb and takes FOREVER so because of his or her slowness (trust me, it's a decision) in driving, your trip can take 10-15 min longer than it needs to. You can never plan accordingly to get to work or anywhere at the right time, which irritates me. I like to plan to be somewhere at a time and then be able to do it at that time. Here, we're kind of at the mercy of the bus driver. I hate depending on other people like that for something important like work and getting money and not getting fired. The rides take SOOO LONG. If I want to go to work, I have to get ready 2 hours in advance, and 1 1/3 of that time is devoted to the bus. Oh yes. It takes an hour and 15 minutes, generally, to get to work on time. It takes the bus an hour to do a 15-20 minute ride. I hate buses. If I had a car, I could really use my time for the fullest - it's one of the reasons I don't take more opportunities and why I don't do many things I should. Because then I have to put my trust in unreliable public transportation and I have to have that extra time that I generally cannot afford to give. Unfortunately, I cannot afford to purchase or rent a car. But, I digress.


I figured a revert to eye makeup was appropriate for the
ANIMAL KINGDOM
Animal kingdom.. eh. It's mostly an enhanced zoo - there's not a lot that I personally can do there because they have rides but those are too much for my motion sickness. I will go there after being medicated one day though, because they added a new jurassic park-like ride i'm stoked to go on. Other than that, I watched the on stage production of Finding Nemo - there's one song I like, but the others are more just talking to the same tune over and over again. Meh. I love the visual part of it though! Also, one of my favorite things to watch is at Animal Kingdom - THE LION KING SHOW!!!!!! It also has live performers - instead of people just lip syncing - and it's got stuff from the broadway show, the costumes and visual part of it are awesome, I get to be a LION cuz I always sit in the lion box, and... ITS LION KING, how can you dislike it??


EPCOT

Epcot is fast and coming up to being my second favorite park. Before coming here, I'd never been able to spend more than a few hours there (first time we had to leave because of a band performance, second time I was ridiculously ill and had to return to the condo). I really love it there, except they need parkwide transportation, cuz it just takes too long getting from one place to the next, as its spread out weird. I have a goal while I'm here - to eat in every country. Africa is excluded, since it is just an outpost with general American soda products. So far I have eaten in Japan, Morocco, and Mexico. I'm pretty sure that's all so far. I still have: Norway, UK, Canada, US, Italy, France, Germany, and China. So far.. I can't decide if I liked Mexico or Morocco better; they were both excellent. Apparently I didn't go to the Japanese restaurant I should have, and I wasn't very fond of my dish. It was okay, but far from worth 10 dollars.

This is the japanese candy I got in Japan - the restaurant dish aside, I love Japan because of all the stuff they have there. They have so much Japanese stuff - from snacks to clothing to toys to shampoos to.. cellulite remover??!?! haha I kid you not, they have that in the store. It's a great place to be. Also, I got a free Ponyo poster there - Ponyo is the newest Miyazaki film - he's the guy that did 'Spirited Away,' if you know about that movie. I thought it was pretty cute - although it has its weird, unique parts due to the different kind of imagination involved in it. Nothing bad-weird, just different stuff - if you've seen his other films you know what I'm talking about haha. Anyways i loved it.



HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

It's where I really want to go when I get another day off not already dedicated to other people. I have only been there once this entire 3 weeks, and it was just to stop in to watch Fantasmic, because that is another favorite show of mine. One reason I love it is because it has a cool focus on Pocahontas during one of the scenes. Also at the end, the ferry goes by with tons of characters that aren't usually celebrated.

Usually you only hear of these characters: Minnie, Mickey, Goofy, Donald, Pluto, Ariel, Cinderella, Tinkerbell, Belle, Sleeping Beauty, and occasionally Snow White, Jasmine & Aladdin, Peter Pan, Wendy, Alice, the princes of the aforementioned princesses, and Mary Poppins. Other than that even you'll see a few others, but people that just don't seem to be celebrated much that I'd like to see more of are Meg & Hercules, Mulan, Pocahontas, Esmeralda, Tarzan & Jane, Kronk & Yzma & Kuzco, Jim from Treasure Planet, Merlin from Sword in the Stone and characters from some older favorites who are 'going out of style' in the eyes of kids today who are too focused on watching Hannah Montana through bedazzled rose spectacles. Ugh.

Though I am incredibly proud that Disney still sets a foundation with playing Fantasia, Jiminy cricket, pinocchio and the Blue fairy up a bit, even though most kids today I would say have never seen Fantasia or Pinocchio. I currently have a pin with the blue fairy on it in blue, and everyone I ask, young and old, pretty much tell me its Snow White... but why has her hair grown?? Yea. No. Anyways, now that the tangent is over, I will continue with saying I can't wait to spend more time at Hollywood Studios. When I get a chance.



WHICH brings me to... the MAGIC KINGDOM!

Which I can still say is my favorite park. It's just.. magical. That really is the only way to explain it. The other day I ate funnel cake in 1776. Then walked through a castle and the mansion part of the haunted mansion. I defeated an evil space emperor and chilled in an overgrown rodent's kitchen. I went to a hoedown with cowboys and bears, and got candy from a parade. I witness miracles and dreams coming true on a daily basis. I see princesses constantly and every night I wish with a fairy & a cricket & 14,000 other people (absolute minimum)... its normal.

Even though I am employed by a mouse to clean, it still retains its wonder and magic. I work the streets of Fantasyland, Frontierland, and Liberty Square. I love Liberty Square most of all three, because it is the least magic place in all of the Magical Kingdom. People enter it, and all of the sudden they panic wondering where the heck they ended up and how to get out of there as fast as possible. Someone actually came looking for the Hall of Presidents the other day and I was taken aback. Btw - I now work side by side with Obama, because he now resides in the Hall. Nope, not the White House - that's all a sham. He lives here at Disney World. Anyways, all Liberty Square has is my favorite Disney ride - the Haunted Mansion, the Christmas Shoppe that just radiates happiness, and its the only place in the park you can get those deliciously messy funnel cakes. But really, it is my favorite area to work. A few reasons in particular are it's just busy enough, directions are easy to give, AND the music never irritates.

Not like Fantasyland. Oh gosh. When I'm there, I can't stand to be near Pan's Flight (I know, not what you'd think right?) or small world, which are right across from each other. You probably think you know why right? But no - I'd be GLAD if all they played constantly was 'it's a small world.' But no. No, no.. they play the bad side of yodeling (def NOT the good kind i like) and nasal, weird, child choir music that just makes you want to become a permanent resident at the Haunted Mansion. Those are only 2 of 4 areas you could be in Fantasyland, but I've been in both already. The worst is when you work the bathroom there, because then you can't even leave and walk around to escape it.

Frontierland - well HOW-DEE!! We get a lot more traffic there now that Space Mountain is closed, because we have the only other rollercoasters in the park - Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Frontierland makes me smile, because it has nothing that most kids today would have any idea about. It has the Country Bears, Tom Sawyer's Island and a whole focus on a banned movie one can't even get anymore - Song of the South! Even I don't know about Brer Rabbit or the Bears!! They go far before anything I even know.. and I'm only slightly familiar with Tom Sawyer cuz I had to read it once. Something funny about working in Frontierland... every time I work there, for some reason, I develop a sick Southern accent. I don't even get an accent IN Texas, but for some reason when I'm at Disney World, it comes out everywhere! Idk why! But its ridiculous! haha. Speaking of Texas, I love that one of the songs played in Frontierland (where I love the general music played) is Deep in the Heart of Texas. Any time that line comes up in the song I sing it and I don't care who sees or hears it. Boo-yah.

So far working with the Mouse has not ruined the magic, even though I've had a couple bad days - one where it was restrooms in Fantasyland, of course. At the end of each day, my feet tend to hurt, no matter how long I've been working, which is kind of irritating. Sometimes you just get beat up even if it was an easy day, and that's mostly just from standing/walking a lot in heat and humidity. Sometimes you'll get ridiculous tasks or you'll have to pick up from someone who never does their part but somehow magically is still employed. But then it was all worth it because when it stops im in the middle of a 360 fireworks shoot off, full of dreams and 'Wishes.' Amazing.



I think I could live in Florida - Just if I avoid outside from about 11-4 ish (unless doing something like water parks or beach or outdoorsy stuff where you get wet). Orlando has a period of sicknasty during the day that you just do not want to be outside in, but after that it can get pretty nice. Seriously? I thought Houston was bad with humidity. Ugh. I don't like the afternoon showers that happen all the time. I wouldn't mind - really, I wouldn't - except for the fact that our delicious pleated outfits are COMPLETELY WHITE. Also, then I'm required to put on rain gear that makes me sweaty enough that I might as well not wear a poncho. Further than the poncho, when its even a sprinkle, I have to walk all the way back to base and put my awesome hat away because if I wear it, the water will ruin my hat and it will never hold shape again. Very depressing.

But aside from the weird roads and weather during those few hours, I really do like it. I even like the humidity in the evening. I think a resort town suits me - there's always something to do and it can be open pretty late! I would go pretty broke if I didn't make well though. I do like the idea of being in the hotel/resort/adventure park business. Especially after hearing about the future Disney expansion to be completed in 2013!! I'M SO STOKED IT WILL BE AMAZING. But anyways, it is something I enjoy, especially with the creative freedom and encouragement we're given at Disney to make magic.

Ciao!!