It's My Last Full Month!

So it's officially my last full month here in Orlando. I know I said this in my last post, but I really am sad about leaving. However, I know that it's time for me to go back home and settle into a "normal" life there. And as much as I love Disney and Orlando, I feel like I've been missing out on a lot back home, and I don't like that. I can't wait to be around my family and friends, and to be able to do the things that I love doing back home. And I'm also looking forward to being able to be back around my dogs! I miss them!

So since I'm leaving my "dream world" in 37 days, I have started trying to find jobs back home. So far, I've applied for one, and I'm getting my resume ready to send out to other places. I've also applied to go back to school for my Masters' degree. All that's left for me to do is to register to take the GRE. I'm dreading that because (a) I hate taking tests like that, and (b) it's expensive. But it's something that has to be done. To be honest, I'm looking forward to going back to school. I feel like I'll be one of those people who is pretty much always in school because there's just so much that I'm interested in and want to learn about. :)

However, I still have over a month left here at Disney, and I plan on making the most of it. Today, since I'm off, I'm planning on going over to the Grand Floridian and seeing the painted Easter eggs that they have on display. And Monday is my birthday, so Kim, Kelly, and I are planning to drive up to St. Augustine for the day to celebrate. I've always wanted to go to St. Augustine, so I'm excited that we're going for my birthday. :) I also have to start packing stuff up so I won't be rushed to do it all my last week here. Let's hope that for once, I'm actually on the ball about this. :p

Oh! And even bigger news--the boyfriend is coming to visit me!!! He'll be here for just 2 days (next Saturday and Sunday), but I'm so excited that he's coming!! He's never been to Disney before, so I'm very excited to get to share this part of my life with him and show him around the place I love so much. He'll be here in 10 days, and I can't wait!!! I just have to get through some crazy hours at work the rest of this week and next week. But it'll be worth it. :)

Well that's all for now. I will definitely try to update next week because I've picked up a PAC (Parade Audience Control) shift over at Magic Kingdom next Wednesday, and I want to tell y'all about that. I'm looking forward to that experience. :) And now I'm off to get ready and head out for the afternoon!

Have a magical day!
-Amanda

Update on Life

I suck at blogging here lately. >.<

Anyway, I finally heard back about the PI I applied for, and........I didn't get it. :( Oh well. At least I still have my extension, so I can stay here a little bit longer. :) That's definitely an upside.

Speaking of staying here, I go next Tuesday to find out my new housing placement. I know I'm going to be living with one of my co-workers (Kim) who is also extending. We've gotten pretty close during this program, so I'm excited that we'll be living together come January 4 (move-out/move-in date). We don't know who else we're going to be living with. I guess we'll find that out next week. :)

So, I know that my blog has been mostly about the positive experiences I've had while I've been down here. And for the most part, this has been a very positive experience for me. However, there are times when it gets hard being here and away from my family. Like the holidays. I have a pretty big family, and I'm used to spending Thanksgiving and Christmas around them. And I love being around them. So, it does suck that this year, I missed Thanksgiving, and I'm going to miss Christmas. And it makes it hard because I haven't really had a chance to incorporate some of my families traditions down here. However, my parents are coming back to visit me over Christmas weekend, so that will definitely help because I'll be around them on Christmas morning. And I'm also planning to Skype with my brother and his family that morning as we open our gifts. :) It's not going to be the same as actually being around my nieces and nephew when they open their presents, but it will definitely help. :)

And the program does a lot to make sure that we have a good holiday season down here, too. They know that we're all away from our families, so they try to make up for that. They had a Thanksgiving feast for us the week before Thanksgiving, and on December 20, they're putting on a special edition of Grocery Bingo. Which reminds me, go to at least one Grocery Bingo game while you're here. They are so much fun, and if you win, you get a ton of stuff. They definitely treat us well here. :)

Plus, Disney has some amazing holiday traditions to experience and be a part of. The Magic Kingdom has Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party on select nights in November and December. That's probably one of my favorite traditions. I've been to the party 3 times in the past 10 years, and it always amazes me. :) Epcot has Holidays Around the World, which is my favorite thing to do. You get to walk around World Showcase and learn about the holiday traditions in the different countries. It's so cool! :) Hollywood Studios has the Osbourne Spectacle of Lights, which is amazing. I need to get over to the Studios to see those this year. And Animal Kingdom has Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade, which I need to go see as well.

So, even though I'm away from my family this year, there is a lot to do to still get in the holiday spirit. Although, I'm not exactly used to wearing shorts in December, which I was doing up until Wednesday night. Then we actually got a cold front, which meant I could finally wear jeans and a jacket outside. But we're apparently going to be warming back up here today. Our high for the day is 78 degrees. It never stays cold long here in Orlando. I'm still trying to figure out how I feel about that. :p

Well, time to get ready for work! Have a magical day!

Picture Time!

Okay, here is the long awaited picture post I've been promising.

And yes, I'm aware that you all are saying it's about time. :p

So without further ado........I give you:

THE PICTURES.

First roomie picture! Taken at Casting right before we found out where we would be working.

Me and Cayla with Pooh and Tigger

Me and Mexican Donald. :)

Me and Cayla on a boat. :p

The oh-so-attractive costume.

Back when I was training. :)

Finally got to meet Pinocchio!

I sent this picture to my parents. :)

Minnie and Mickey came to my apartment complex for a Western style party. :)

Got to meet Gaston at Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. :)

I met Captain Jack, too. :p

Me and one of my co-workers, Emily. :)

Finally took that hot air balloon ride. This is the view of Downtown Disney.

Panorama shot of World Showcase.

In Canada. ;)

Beautiful sky at sunset.

Found this on my car. I don't know who put it there, but it was definitely a magical moment for me. :)

Sorry it's sideways....but, Kristie, Chris, and Hannah visited Disney! :)

He danced with me. :)

Raspberry wine from South Korea. Yay for the Food & Wine Festival at Epcot!

Tiff and Jordan enjoying F&W, too. :)

Trying out the different sodas from all over the world! :)

I found out I got to audition for my dream job the day F&W started. This is how I celebrated. :)

I came home to find this lovely head in my bed. >.>

Those are just some of the many pictures I've taken since I've been here. Life has been pretty amazing down here. :)

Today is the first day of classes for me, so I'll post a blog later tonight telling ya'll all about them. :)

Signs That I Was Always Meant To Work At Disney Part 2

For my 1st birthday, my parents decided to go with a Mickey Mouse theme. I've told them that they should have realized then that I was going to work at Disney someday. :)

My cake. See? My parents started this. :p

Pretty sure I was telling my mom to leave me alone.

My uncle stole some of my cake. I was not happy. Notice the look on my face.

My daddy and me the day after. Still eating cake. :)

I still think cake is one of the greatest things ever invented. And Disney cakes are the best. :)

Disney has been apart of my life since I can remember. I think it's only fitting that I get to work there now. :)

Reasons Why I Love Disney [[Day 26]]

Source: Simple Disney Things

One of the best things about having celebrations at Disney. Especially at Chef Mickey's. :)

My birthday cupcake from Chef Mickey's. :)

I love how they even give them out for breakfast. This is the best way to start a day. :)

Reasons Why I Love Disney [[Day 14]]

Source: Simple Disney Things

Honestly, having not just Cast Members wish me a happy birthday, but other guests made my 23rd birthday even more amazing than it was. :)

The perfect ending to the perfect birthday. :)

Reasons Why I Love Disney [[Day 2]]

**5 weeks!!!**

Source: Simple Disney Things

If you've never eaten at Chef Mickey's in the Contemporary Resort, do so. It's one of my favorite character meals, and we make sure we eat there every time we visit. They have a part during the meal where everyone gets to twirl their napkins in the air for everyone celebrating something that day. Normally, the napkins are a dark blue....unless you're celebrating something. Then you get a yellow napkin. :) The last 2 visits (back in April and last December), I was celebrating something (college graduation in December, birthday in April), so I got the yellow napkin. :) And a cupcake....but that's for a different post. :p

My yellow birthday napkin. :)