Month #3

 Sunday, November 3, 2013

I haven't posted recently because my family has been in town. It's been a wild week! We started the vacation off in Clearwater and ended at Disney, of course. We ate around the world in Epcot, climbed Everest in Animal Kingdom, and rode Tower of Terror and Rock 'n' Roller Coaster too many times to count! It was one BUSY and TIRING week, a typical week at Disney World. In addition to our week at amusement parks, we also made a stop at Universal's Islands of Adventure! For those of you who don't know much about Universal Studios, that is the park with Harry Potter world, Dr. Seuss land, and Marvel superheroes. I enjoyed a change from Disney parks; however, I am completely DONE with amusement parks for a while. NEVER ENDING PEOPLE. A girl just needs her space! Overall, it was great to see my family! I really missed them…2 more months to go! Check out all of our pictures under my profile.

I also started working at Magic Kingdom (I'm stationed at Tomorrowland and Fantasyland)…and I'm not sure how it is going to go. For starters, other cast members refer to Magic Kingdom as Tragic Kingdom. So far, I agree with them. However, I'm trying to remain positive and avoid ALL tragedy. Secondly, there is a giant tunnel under the kingdom for all cast members, including all characters and princesses, to exit and enter. Fun fact: Magic Kingdom is actually on the 2nd level, or 2nd story. The cast member tunnel is on ground level. This tunnel is TERRIFYING. It's huge, smelly, and confusing! It's basically another Magic Kingdom underground (or on the 1st floor). I'm frustrated because I get lost EVERY time I'm in it. Thirdly, I work awful hours. All college kids work the night shift, where I could get out of work as late as 4 am. I'm a morning person, so this will be a struggle. As of now, I'm not very excited about this new experience and I've lost a lot of motivation. I already miss my family, I'm very unsure about my new job, and it's going to be hard to miss the holidays! But right now, I'm really trying to remember to enjoy the journey!

My friend Brandon and I also went ice skating! I escaped the Disney bubble for a few hours! Although outdoor ice skating isn't an option here, it felt more like fall/winter…I had to wear a sweatshirt! Brandon lives near Dayton, so I made a trip to the coast!

I've officially lived in Florida for 3 months! Here's a list of things I've learned after month #3:

1. Inspections are terrible and are bound to cause problems between roommates. After month #2, I wrote that I wasn't sure if I lived with pigs or not…it's decided, I live with two pigs.
2. Disney is one BIG company. Although everyone expects it to be magical and full of happiness, big businesses can be mean! Things can definitely be covered up.
3. I NEVER want to live in Florida. Being close to my family is too important and I HATE the weather here. Although it has dropped to the 70s a few times!
4. I'm convinced that I've become a worse driver here in Florida. Florida drivers SUCK, so I have absolutely no patience for how terrible they drive. It's a miracle that I haven't gotten into a car accident.
5. When you see Mickey's without heads or princesses without dresses on in the Magic Kingdom tunnel, the magic is LOST.
6. No one is as ready for Christmas as Disney! Lights are already hung and lit!
7. Katy Perry's new album is GREAT! I find it very relatable and I really love how she "lets the light in". I need that kind of positive energy to finish out this experience!
8. I miss home, I'm exhausted, and I need encouragement!
9. Disney World has room to build 3 more amusement parks!
10. The Halloween fireworks (from Mickey's Not So Scary Party) are better than Wishes (the normal firework show) at Magic Kingdom!
11. Right now I feel done; however, I also know that I'm stronger than people give me credit for/used to be and can finish out this experience in an enjoyable manner.
12. There's a Subway in the Magic Kingdom tunnel! That's how big it is. Even though the tunnel confuses me every time I'm there, I'm eating good sandwiches!

This is definitely an unforgettable experience…with positives and negatives! I'm constantly learning new things about Disney, but also about myself! Two more months to go! I can do it!