It's September now?!

I can't believe we're almost half way through September! Time is definitely flying by... so where was I?

Thursday (August 28th), I worked as a PM Greeter. We were running way behind and so there were some pretty angry tables, but overall it was not a bad night. After all, it can't be a bad night if it ends with pretzel bread!

Friday I worked as a PM seater. For some reason, I wasn't super excited to go into work, but on my way in I ran into Tori! It was perfect timing because I'd just responded to her comment about how we should meet. It totally made my day. Again the restaurant was pretty busy, we were running behind, and there were only a couple of us working at the end of the night which meant we couldn't even play trivia to entertain the guests because we were all needed to bus tables, and seat guests.

Saturday I spent the morning working on memorizing my menu. It was really rainy, so I wasn't missing anything. I called in to check if I was still supposed to work, and they said yes. Turned out to be the most unproductive shift of my life. I arrived at 4 for my 4:30pm, and the girls had just gone out to restart the cart. Around 4:15 it started pouring so the came in and decided to go on break, since there was nothing else to do. While they were on break it cleared up, but since I couldn't take out a cash, I just did a stock run, folded some popcorn boxes, made some buckets, and folded some napkins. It had been raining on and off but we decided to reopen the cart, shortly after which it poured again ( we hid under the sides of the cart to avoid getting soaked), and were finally told to close. Shortly after, it stopped raining (go figure), and it didn't rain the rest of the night... but I didn't care, I got to go home early! I went to Meaghan's where we played Disney Princess Uno, as a drinking game. Yep, only at Disney does that happen. We were supposed to go to Cowboy's in Orlando after, but we just stayed in. It was a good girl's night!

Sunday I played catch up all day. Krista called and we chatted for hours (thank goodness for unlimited long distance), and then a went for a Walmart run. In the evening we all went to Bennigan's for Justin's going away party. It was so incredibly sad to see him leave, even though I didn't know him as well as the others, he was one of the last people I expected to leave early. He loved and was absolutely amazing at his job.

Monday (September 1st) I worked as an AM greeter, and then it was Pirates and Princesses Theme at Girls! It was so much fun! Everyone who knows me can guess that I dressed up like a Princess... I never miss an opportunity to be a princess! It was also a great night because it was my first night at Pleasure Island (PI), the set of bars in Downtown Disney. We went to 8 TRAX which plays 80's music (and music videos) it was so much fun! I got one of the fancy drinks so now I have a souvenir cup before PI closes at the end of September.


Tuesday I worked as a PM Seater, but before I went into work I got to pick up my Candlelight music! SO exciting! Immediately I opened the package and read it all... it's pretty high, but not out of my vocal range if I practice! Unfortunately they didn't have all the CD's, so I won't get one until my first rehearsal (which is on Monday!). That night, I just hung out by the pool and then watched some Gossip Girl. It was nice and relaxing.


Wendesday I was a PM Seater, and then relaxed all night. Not really exciting at all, except that I found out Susie self-termed, which means she chose to terminate her contract, and so was leaving the next day.

Thursday I woke up early to drive Susie to the airport. I was definitely sad to see her go, but I know she's doing what's best for herself, so it's kind of hard not to smile when you know she's going to be happier. Work was a lot of fun, just joking around on podium, and then we decided we should have a movie night! So Kristen, Laura, Chelsey, Collin, Ty, and I met up in Collin's apartment to for Aladdin and pizza. We really only watched up to "A Whole New World" and then switched to Fantasia and You Tube Videos, but that's good enough for me! Colin and I were reciting the script for most of the movie, annoying for everyone else, but so much fun!

Friday was another PM seating shift. I always find that when I work late I have fairly unprodutive days. Usually I sleep in, and even when I do get up early I don't get much done... people always seem to distract me on msn... not that it's a bad thing! Then, I'm usually so tired when I get home, I don't do much. Colin and I plan to go park hopping tomorrow, which is going to be a ton of fun, so Idon't mind staying in and relaxing tonight.

Saturday I did go park hopping with Collin! We went straight to Toy Story Mania in Hollywood Studios. It was a 50 minute wait, but since that really beats the 180 minute waits we're used to seeing for it we decided to wait it out. It meant that I got these awesome pictures of the cue line though... since Rob and I used Fast Passes, we didn't really see all of this...

Note the Canadian and American pricing and you can tell Disney loves Canadians...

Tinkertoys! Enough said.

An interactive Mr. Potato Head. He sang, danced, and talked with Guests in line...
"Give me a D... Give me another D... Give me another D.... What's that spell? 3D!"

We then headed towards "Sounds Dangerous" but on our way down the Streets of America I noticed something. Yes, it's just the start of September, and they're already celebrating Halloween... but Christmas Lights?! I guess it takes a long time to put up all the lights for Christmas... after all, there are millions of them!

So then we headed to the Magic Kingdom. I got all the way to the front entrance before realizing that I left my Cast ID (the pass to get me into the park) in my car. For those of you who've driven to the Magic Kingdom you'll know you have to take a tram from your car to the Ticket and Transportation Centre, and then either a boat or a monorail to the Magic Kingdom. So I jumped back on the monorail and headed back to my car, and just around the Polynesian Resort the monorail broke down... I guess I should have taken the boat! Either way, I made it back to the park in about 45 minutes (which isn't too bad) and met up with Collin for some Buzz Lightyear and dinner!

We wandered around the park going on as many rides as possible and then headed over to Adventureland for Dole Whips before leaving the park. I'd heard about these delicious treats, but in all my years of going to Disney, I'd never had one. A Dole Whip is pineapple flavoured soft serve ice cream. It's amazing. Even better? The Dole Whip Float... pineapple flavoured ice cream with pineapple juice. That's what I had, and it was incredible. I feel like I've been missing out big time. If you're ever in the Magic Kingdom, you definitely need to try one!

Sunday was a relaxing/lazy day. I pretty much just watched tv, cleaned, decorated (a little), and ran errands. I really hate not doing anything on my days off because it feels like a waste, but everyone else wanted to do the exact same thing.

Monday (September 8th) I worked as a Seater from 12-7pm so I could make my Candlelight rehearsal at 7:30pm. I was a little worried I'd be late, but I figured it was worth a shot. I clocked out right on time and pretty much speed walked to my car. Then headed off to the Disney Events area. I was there by 7:20, no problem. Now I know I don't have to worry if I want to do that again! Rehearsal was amazing. On the way in I met so many cool people! One of the ladies I was talking to was my instructor in some of the F&B classes, the other worked for the Magical Express, and the other gentleman we were talking to is an archetect.... and guess what he built?!?! He was the lead on the Cinderella Suite!!!! I tried to act cool but that is the awesomest thing ever! Clearly, I still get excited about it. I've decided to sing second soprano (which means I'm singing high and I get to sing harmony sometimes). It also means I get to sit in the front row at rehearsals... keener! Monday night's is usually Canadian Girls for me, and although I had something planned for the "ABC - Anything But Clothes" theme, I just didn't want to go. Weird, but I decided I was so tired from the day I could use a night in.

Tuesday I was an afernoon Seater. I sat some of the most awesome tables ever. One girl was so adorable, she definiely made my day. As usual, while walking down the ramp into the dining room I asked the family how their vacation was going, and the one girls eyes lit right up, and she tugged on her mom's shirt "Mom, mom... how does she know we're on vacation?". Priceless. A girl from the same table told Mariah that she looks just like Belle so when they came up from dinner we gave them special wish bracelets. They are hemp bracelets with beads, and it's said that when the beads fall off, your wish will come true.

Another awesome thing? Christine called me at work! Christine is one of my friends from first year (yay Wally!) and she was visiting Disney on her honeymoon! Krista had told her I worked at Disney and she was able to phone the podium to say "hi" and find out when I was working. It was so random, I walked up from seating a table, and one of the other seater's looked confused and said "Jenn, the phone's for you". It was awesome, and perfect because I'd managed to get them a reservation for the following night, and I wasn't sure how to contact them to tell them!

After work I went to Benni's with some new arrivals and old friends... Casey, James, Tracey, Spike, Chloe, and Nathan. It was SO much fun! I said I wasn't hungry but then I suddenly craved a burger... I definitely got one! It was gigantic! We were joking that it was roughly the size of my head... still, I finished it like a champ!

The end of the night was Carly and Travis's throw-out. It was my first throw-out, so I don't think I've described what they are. Basically, it's the Wednesday night before you leave at the end of your program. All the Canadians get together around midnight at the carwash and the people leaving bring all the stuff they couldn't fit into their suitcases, and give it away to their friends. It's also their final words and goodbyes to their Canadian families. It's really quite sad... I don't know what I'll do when it's my time to leave, or when the people I'm really close with leave. I guess this is the big downside to life at Disney... people are always leaving.

So, I bet you're wondering what I got (unless you read Tracey's blog). Well, Travis gave me a "3-man helmet". 3 man is a drinking game... look it up... play it with your friends.

Wednesday morning I took my car in for servicing. It's very first servicing! It went pretty well and I had the chance to study my menu while waiting... plus they had awesome hot chocolate at the Toyota dealership. Definitely a good morning. The afternoon was another pointless popcorn shift, though not as pointless as my last one since we opened the cart for a little bit. As I was closing Christine and Joe stopped by. They are so cute! I was able to take a picture with them... it probably looks aweful (yay hot, sweaty, rainy days on popcorn cart) but I'll love it anyway! After work I went home, relaxed, studied... I've signed up to spiel the menu to Christina (the area manager) on the 16th, so I want to be prepared!

Thursday I worked as a PM Seater and then went to Patterson for a flip cup tournament (Commons vs. Patterson). It was so much fun! I'm better at flip cup than I thought I was!

Friday I rocked the 12-7pm shift again and then went to Candlelight Rehearsal. Candlelight is awesome, it makes me soooooo happy. Kevin, another one of the VOL (Voices of Liberty) ran the rehearsal this time. He is friendly, animated, hilarious, and amazingly talented. I am so lucky to be a part of this show!

Saturday I phoned my mom and we started planning her vacation. We're going to do Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, Princess Dining, Canada Dining, and Dining at the Animal Kingdom Lodge... I still have to book it, though I've requested the time off work! I'm still not sure what to wear to the Halloween party. I want to go as Cinderella, but I need to find a dress. All the "adult" dresses are too big!

Determining what to do Saturday was hard, there were so many offers. Boating around the 7 Seas Lagoon, going to Howl at the Moon, clubbing for Ashley's birthday, or the Magic Kingdom with Tracey following her Traditions class. I decided to stay in during the day and study (remember, I'm spieling on Tuesday!) and then I went to the Magic Kingdom with Ty, Tracey, Casey, James, Emily, and Joanne.

As we walked in, Emily and Ty grabbed "Just Married" buttons... aren't they a cute newly-wed couple? Actually... almost not... Ty kept trying to take his button off because he realized he didn't have a wedding ring, and his keychain was too big to be a ring.
When we arrived, of course we went for Dole Whips (or Dole Whip Floats in my case) first... and here's some pictures along the way. Rob, this is for you. I know that Disney is big on safety... but look what they allowed in their park!

A bunny! It's right beside the castle too. I just thought you'd want to see that.

I also took a picture of this duck, just to bother Ty. He's very annoyed with all the tourists that come to Disney, wander around, and then only take pictures of the ducks, squirrels, and other animals around the parks instead of the gorgeous scenery and pavillions that Disney has designed.
So here is the very interesting duck.

From the Dole Whips we headed to the mountains... here's the Splash Mountain photo.

Yay moose antlers!

We watched Spectro and Wishes, which were absolutely amazing. Tracey has some fantastic photos from them! Afterwards, walking through the shops I came to the sad realization that I could probably fit into the child's Cinderella dress... I'm going to have to check that out (and try it on) and maybe my dress problem is resolved!

Sunday I went to Sea World with Chloe and Andy! We went to the Whale and Dolphin show, saw the penguins, had a yummy stir fry lunch (while watching a new show... Wild Things), saw the Shamu show, and the Wild Arctic animals. I was very tempted by the huge, cuddly stuffed animals in the wild arctic shop. I'm always tempted by them. They are adorable... darn my addiction to teddy bears! Afterwards we wandered to the games section... Andy and Chloe *almost* won prizes. Then we went to the beer "sampling" area. Free beer. Best. Thing. Ever. It even deserved a picture!
Next up was Clyde and Seamore Take Pirate Island, Kraken (the best roller coaster in Orlando), and Journey to Atantis. Andy and I almost stayed relatively dry on Atlantis, but they have these darn water cannons at the end of the big drop and a guy aimed right at us! I have to admit, it's really funny to watch... which is why we spent about 15 minutes watching other people get soaked by the cannons. Priceless. Then we watched the baby dolphins swim and play, and headed home.

It was an absolutely amazing day! Chloe, Andy... you two are awesome... Shamu, Shamu!


Well, I guess that's enough of an update for now... I'll try to be more on top of my blog now... ha ha. Yeah, I said try, I can't promise.