It's been brought to my attention, by me, that I've been negligent of this blog. Sorry 'bout that...
So here's what's new!
It's November! Yep, I've successfully made it through the Halloween season. It's not as big a deal in Studios because there's very little they change for Halloween. But Magic Kingdom was DECKED OUT! I'll post pictures later of it. For select days during September and October, Magic Kingdom was hosting Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. For those of you who don't know what it is, it's a special event (which requires a special ticket). It lasts from 7pm-Midnight and there are all sorts of fun things. There's the "Boo to You" parade, as well as Hallowishes: A Grim Grinning Ghosts Spooktacular in the Sky, and lots of candy. Here's a youtube version of Hallowishes that's really good. I love the music from Hallowishes!

The event has limited tickets, so it's a great chance to enjoy the Magic Kingdom with practically no wait on just about every ride. Of course you have to dress up for it! I went as Batgirl. Again, photos to come. While my night to enjoy Not-So-Scary as a guest was at the end of September, closer to Halloween I also got to enjoy Not-So-Scary as a Cast Member. I picked up shifts at Splashdown Photos (Splash Mountain) and I also picked up a glow shift. My favorite was the Glow shift, because not only was I located right next to the carousal with a panoramic view of Hallowishes, I also got to wear the special events costume for Not-So-Scary. If there's one thing I love about picking up shifts, it's getting to wear funny costumes.
So now Halloween is over and the parks are decorated for Christmas. At Magic Kingdom, I got to see the first castle lighting. That was really exciting. Also, The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights has arrived at Hollywood Studios. This coming Thursday (the 14th of November), I will be enjoying Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (think Not-So-Scary but with more holly). I realize that it's not even Thanksgiving yet, but with all this Christmas around, I'm feeling very festive. A quick trip back to Pennsylvania for a weekend visit also reminded me that, while down here the warmth is lingering, winter is definitely coming, as is the end of my College Program. So what's the plan?
Recently, I have committed myself to staying down here in Florida for another seven months after January. Yep, I now have a roommate, and we've been officially approved for our apartment come January. I'm still waiting to hear about my Professional Internship (hopefully news will come sometime this week!), but I've decided that I'm just not done with Disney yet. Whether this means I continue on as a Casual Regular (part-time in Disney-speak) or as a Professional Intern, I'm sticking it out down here. The truth of the matter is, yes, my job can be difficult at times, but every time I look forwards, I can easily see myself still working for Disney. Am I drinking the Kool-Aid? You betcha! Out of my Beauty and the Beast souvenir goblet! I like the people I work with and I like what I do. On paper it might look like I'm just doing retail, but being a Disney Cast Member is so much more. For example, did you know that I also bring out smiles? Whether it's after Tower of Terror, or in the dark part with the dragon of Fantasmic, I've gotten really good at bringing out smiles. The best part of my job is that I make memories. Whatever role I end up in at Disney, I hope that I always get to continue doing that.
So that's what's new with me. To all my friends up north, I'm sending warm thoughts your way. As soon as I know about my new internship, I will let you know.

Wow! I can't believe it's already September! Where did the summer go?? I know it's been a while since I've published anything and I apologize for that. We'll just have to make up for lost time now, I guess!
So you all know that I've been taking an American Sign Language course for the last few weeks. It's been going great! We just have one more class left, a silent dinner. We'll all go to Chili's and we won't say a word. It'll be tricky, especially since I don't think our vocabulary list included "I'd like a burger, hold the pickles." Oh well, that's what paper is for, I guess. I've really been having a blast in this class and have been learning a lot. I've also met a lot of cool people (i.e. a former Power Ranger). Next week I plan to test for my ASL language pin, so I will officially have it on my nametag. Cool huh?
August has past since the last time I updated you guys and I must say, it was interesting. Still quite busy, although now it's tapering off. If July is the month of the Portuguese tour groups, August is the month of the Brits and the Northeasterners. Is that even a word? Now, these groups are significantly easier to handle than the tour groups, mainly because they generally speak English (although some of those accents are a little hard to read through) and they generally aren't as rowdy. There are also less of them. With school back in session for the Floridians pretty early (like early August, early), the parks are less crowded and that means less lines, but also more downtime on the part of Cast Members. It's been a little hard to keep working the same hours I was during the heavy summer months, but I have little worry. Soon Christmas will be upon us. Now isn't that ominous!
In addition to ASL and less Guests, it's also APPLICATION TIME! Yep, the most dreaded part that just about every college student hates, applying for jobs/internships. I've applied for three different Professional Internships, in hopes that I will get them all and have to decide between the three of them. Barring that, I wouldn't mind getting at least one. The good news is, I've just had my phone interview! Whew! So the interview process is behind me. Now I just have an information session about the YES program and then an in-person audition and then it will be out of my hands.
The three Professional Internships I've applied for are Youth Education Series (YES) Facilitator, Guest Relations, and Services for Guests with Disabilities. YES is really cool because it's teaching school-age children, in the Disney parks! It's right up my alley. I mean, I've been teaching karate for years now, and I did all that YLT stuff. Guest Relations and Services for Guest with Disabilities were more recent thoughts. Since I've gotten here, I've come to realize that what I like most about my job is making peoples' vacations. I've gotten pretty good at making kids smile and when the kid is smiling, the parents usually are too (as long as it hasn't cost them an arm and a leg). Guest Relations is more for troubleshooting, I think. Maybe your day hasn't been so magical. Not a problem. Guest Relations Woman to save the day! Services for Guests with Disabilities was even more recent. Actually it came about as a result of my ASL class. As I've been learning more about Deaf culture, I've become more aware to people who have disabilities. I want to make sure they have what they need, even if maybe it's just a little bit extra. All three of them are internships that obviously sounded interesting to me, but are also internships that I think I could excel at. I'm not going to give you my cover letter in summary here, but let's just say my fingers are crossed and I'm checking my dashboard everyday. As soon as I know more, obviously it will go on Facebook, then it will come here.
Whew! I know I promised you a long post, but...really I think I've covered it. Right now I'm just waiting I guess. Ugh! I hate the Waiting Game! It's almost as bad as the Quiet Game!