Family!

It's been awhile and I'm so sorry for that, I just have been so busy! My family was here this past week and it was truly amazing. Here's a break down of our week...

Monday they arrived and I had met them at the hotel they were staying at, Pop Century. They had a long day of traveling, and were hungry so I took them over to the resort I work at for some dinner. We ate dinner and then I showed them around the resort. Mary, Sean, Scott and Keith had never been to Disney World before so everything was so new to them! I enjoyed being their own personal tour guide. They came on the busiest week of the year, Easter and Spring Break, so we knew we were going to be getting up early the next day for the parks, so we just took it easy Monday night.

Tuesday we woke up super early for "Extra Magic Hours" at Hollywood Studios. This means that the parks are only open for Disney Resort guests only. I took them on, Rockin Rollar Coaster for their first ride at 7:30 in the morning....this is a ride where you go 0-60 mph in 2 seconds....everyone had loved it! We then had fast passes for Tower of Terror but not until 8:40 so we raced over to Toy Story Mania and went on that. This is actually the busiest attraction in Disney World so the fact we got on it so quickly, during the busiest week of the year, is amazing. Epcot opened at 9:00 so we did Tower of Terror and then took a bus over there. Did you know Keith is afraid of heights? Sitting next to him on that ride was too funny.

We got to Epcot and we're exhausted and hungry because we hadn't eaten breakfast yet. Unfortunately, the whether wasn't great and it was FREEZING! We rode the Land of Time ride, Finding Nemo and then fast passed Soarin' Over California. I had previously made lunch reservations at the Pizzeria in Italy so we headed there next. It was delicious! I had never been there before but it is definitely somewhere I would go back to! We had kind of hit the wall after lunch so we tried to rally but we were cold and miserable. My mom ran over to fast pass Mission Space and then we went back to the hotel to recharge. We napped for a couple hours and then returned to Epcot at night. Our fast passes were a couple hours over due, so I made up a little white lie, and told the people that "My little sister got sick and we had to take her to the hotel, is there anyway we could still go on?" Well...it worked :) The lines for these rides were both over 100 minutes so without the fast passes we wouldn't have gone on. Epcot was so much better the second time around. We walked the countries, rode Test Track and had a great time.

On Wednesday, Animal Kingdom had extra magic hours in the morning from 7-8! We raced over there and did that park early in the morning. We started on the safari ride then rode the roller coaster Expedition Everest. After that we ate some food at 'Pizzafari" and then finished our morning with the Lion King Show. I think that was my favorite part of the day, because this disney show is like a broadway musical, it's truly fantastic. We headed over to the Animal Kingdom Lodge after that to check out that resort. From there we decided to go back to Epcot because Mary, Keith and my mom had loved it so much the night before. We ate some food in Mexico and Sean, Scott and I decided to go back to the resort and rest while my mom Mary and Keith decided they wanted to stay. Wednesday night I had planned a firework cruise. We had our own boat and drove around the lagoon for a little bit before and then sat in front of the castle and watched the firework show. It was so much fun and such a neat experience. Not having to deal with the crowds was a really big plus as well. Morgan joined us and it was a great day overall.

Thursday we were all pretty tired so we finally got to sleep in a little bit. Those early mornings were killing me because I never wake up that early now that I work nights! Haha so once we finally rallied we decided this was going to be our day to "resort hop". All of Disney's resorts are so detailed and complex so sometimes they're just fun to go explore. We started with Port Orleans French Quarter, then looked at the Polynesian and Grand Floridian. It was the nicest day of the 3 so we were wearing bathings hanging out at the pools. For dinner I made dinner reservations at Kat Kora's restaurant on the boardwalk. I chose this place because Sean, Scott and Keith watch the cooking channel sometimes and she was the first female Iron Chef so I thought they would like it. It was a Greek styled restaurant and the food was amazing. We ended the night at Downtown Disney and then I said goodbye. Everyone knows goodbyes are not my thing...so that was sad but it's okay because hopefully i'll see them again soon! We're talking about maybe doing a cruise this summer?

As you can see we did SO much in the few days they were here. I had such a great time and I know they did too! Here's some pictures from the week!

Infront of Epcot!

Polynesian Resort!

The picture Keith sent me before they arrived! 

Keith, Mary and Mom drinking German steins in Germany!

Sean, Mary, myself and Scott at Art of Animation Resort!

Us and Keith at the Boardwalk!

Mary and I at Animal Kingdom!

View from our hotel room, bowling pin shaped pool!

Funny picture of the boys!

Group picture on the boat!

Class Today!

Every Monday, I sit at home debating whether to go to class or not but as soon as I get home I'm so happy I got myself to go. We are currently working on our resumes, cover letters and references pages in class and their due in 2 weeks. We talked about many things in class today that I really enjoyed. My teacher is one of the most inspirational leaders I've ever had. She shared a quote with us today that I really liked, "Your professionalism has a direct and powerful effect on how you are seen, the impact you make and the success you achieve!" Today was all about how people view you and how your attitude, appearance and image all really matter. She kept saying remember the 12 and explained it like this...

The Rules of 12

1st 12 words: Express gratitude

1st 12 steps: Walk with confidence

1st 12 inches: Have impeccable grooming meaning from your head to shoulders (Including haircut, appropriate jewelry, etc)

Last 12 inches: Be well maintained from your knees to your shoes (Clean shoes, pants the right length, etc)

Being consistent with how people view you in the business world is the main concept I got out of class today. She ended class by showing us an inspirational video that had to do with today's topics, and if you have a chance take a couple minutes to watch this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxPZh4AnWyk

Tonight I got invited to go out with some part time co-workers! My family is coming in exactly 1 week from today and I AM SO EXCITED!!!

My life is awesome

I've been pretty busy these past couple days. It's so hard because when I'm off all I want to do is sleep sometimes because of how tired I am, but I also don't want to waste the days away! Allie's friends are checking into Cornoado Springs which is a Disney resort I hadn't been to yet. It was beautiful! Below I posted a picture that showed up on my camera really well, but int he hotel was not as visible. This was the hidden mickey at this resort. 

 Walking around Cornado Springs!

Allie had never been to Art of Animations, so we Allie Hailey and I went and walked around on Monday. Here's a silly picture of us in The Lion King section of the resort. 

A picture of us in the cars section!

Monday night we went out to a club called Falefel. It's fun because we get in for really cheap because we're Disney employees. It's amazing how many places offer discounts just because we work for Disney. Below is a picture of some girls I work with!

Tuesday we decided to go back to Universal Studios. I got to check out the park I hadn't been to yet and it was really cool. There were some fun rides but I think I liked Islands of Adventures more because I'm just obsessed with the Harry Potter section of it. I got to ride the rollar coaster in that section this time and it was SOOO much fun! Here's a picture of me and another work friend practicing being wizards :)  We ended the day eating at City Walk at The Bob Marley restaurant. It was really cool and fun but we had terrible service so it was a bummer. 

I woke up this morning, went to Starbucks and then laid out by the pool. Now I'm just getting ready for work, listening to Luke Bryan's new album! Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Adventures!

I have been very busy these past 2 days but it's been so much fun! Yesterday was Kristen's birthday so we decided to go to Cocoa Beach for the day. It was a little chilly but the beach was beautiful! It was really cool because they were setting up for a surf competition that was happening there this weekend so they're we lots of people, tents and food vendors out. Below is a picture of Morgan, myself and Kristen. We went with her roommates and it was a nice day. The beach was only about 45 minutes away so we will definitely go again soon.

During the night we went to a "Paint Party". Basically, you wear all white and everyone has paint bottles and you dance and get squirted with paint. It was honestly a blast. By the end of the night I was COVERED! But it was something different and if they have another one I would totally go again. 

Today we started off the morning by going to the Victoria Secret Outlet. It was awesome because all the bathing suits were on sale for super cheap. Hailey and I then decided to go to Universal Studios. I decided to buy a season pass, with a helpful donation from my dad, because if I go more than twice it's paid off for. I was mostly excited to go see the "Wizardly World of Harry Potter!" It was sooo cool! It's pretty small but they did a great job with the replica. I went on the ride inside the castle and I loved it. It was a mix between and ride and a virtual movie...kind of like "Soarin" but you move more. It freaked me out at some parts because of how realistic it was but overall it was great. We walked around one of the Universal parks called, Island of Adventures and then came home. I work again tomorrow and Sunday and then have another 2 days off which is really nice. Here's some pictures of me in the Harry Potter world!

OFFICIALLY EARNED MY EARS!

I have officially earned my ears and I can't even explain how good it feels! I had a great day today but it was so long....

I went into work early again to interview my other manager. Yesterday I interviewed Jeremy and that went great and today I interviewed Liz and that was good as well. I'm so happy I got to do that because I found it very interesting and they both offered me great advice. Liz had even said to me, "I'm glad you want to stay with the company because you're a rock star worker. The guests love you and so do all your cast members." This made me feel so good because she's the type of person that either likes you or she doesn't so to get a compliment from her really felt good. Next time I see the manager of food service and the manager of our hotel I want to ask for 10-15 minutes of their time to sit down and talk with them as well. Disney is all about who you know and who knows you so I think the more people I meet with the more it's just going to help me in the long run. Also, I love hearing how they got where they are today.

So back to earning my ears...I finished my cash training and it's so cool. I took a picture with a couple of my trainers at the end of work and we had a little "ceremony" to rip off my ribbon. As you saw earlier that ribbon was attached to my name tag so now I can no longer use it as an excuse when I mess up ;) haha just kidding. Anyways, I have the next 2 days off and Lyssa's mom and dad are in town so I'll probably spend the day with them tomorrow and then Monday I have class.

On a more serious note I found out that my manager that was hurt in the accident is still in critical condition in the ICU....please keep him in your prayers, he really needs it! I was so sad when I found out today and I really hope he makes it! Keep on praying :( hope everyone had a good weekend.

Cash Training

So the passed 2 days I have been training on cash register and my training days are over!! Technically I won't have earned my ears until after tomorrow because these next 2 days are my support days. I really like cash but it's a lot different and way more tiring. Normally, I will never be on it for 8.5 hours but because I'm still learning it, thats the only thing I've been doing. It's really exhausting...unlike the food shops, you cannot leave and its a constant flow of people. So I feel like I'm ALWAYS talking and you just stand in one place. I think I'm going to enjoy it more when I do it for a couple hours rather than my whole shift. I feel really tired today and am really looking forward to Sunday and Monday, my next days off.

Today I am going into work early though to interview my manager for my Disney class and actually one of my NAU classes. I have to interview 2 people so today I am interviewing Jeremy and tomorrow I will be interviewing Elizabeth. I am curious to see how it will go, but at the same time I'm not too worried.

We have lots of visitors coming in. Lyssa's family is here for the weekend, Michelle's is here for the week, my family is coming in about 3 weeks and Lexie's and Allie's are coming within the next month. 

Hope everyone has a great weekend! Miss you all!