Some of you may know who Katye is. For those of you who don't, here is a little background.
Kathryn Hamilton was born in 1989 to my dad's brother, Dennis, and his wife Michelle. She had a heart defect that doctors attempted to correct with several surgeries over two years, but were not successful. She passed away a month after she turned two and a year after that, I was born. My parents gave me the middle name of "Kathryn" after her, and ever since then, I have found my own reasons for why they did.
The influence of that name has come up in my life regularly and I have had some incredible experiences that really make me feel like I know the kind of person that she is. While I was in Florida, there were a few weeks where I was having a particularly difficult time with everything. I was overwhelmed and I had sunk to complaining to everyone about something different in my life. I have a distinct memory of one day like that. I was on the bus to go to Wal-Mart to pick up some groceries, listening to my iPod on shuffle and this song came on. I've heard it before and, of course, thought of Katye but this time was different. I thought about how I had been acting. Yes, I had been going through rough times but don't we all? I don't have any excuse to complain just because I have a trial in my life. I thought specifically of Katye and the trials she had to go through. She had physical pain for her whole two years of life on this earth but all of the pictures I see, videos I watch, and stories I hear are of how happy and innocent she was. It was in that moment that I felt ashamed. I knew I was going to be okay and I wasn't doing anything good with Katye's name by whining. I knew I had to live up to her legacy and what she established with that sweet name. From that day on, I worked to be more positive and proud of what my name carries.
Last week at work, I was monotonously scanning files of death certificates when Katye's name on a file caught my eye. I went through this one carefully and reminisced on all of the experiences I have had concerning her name. Although we never met in this mortal life, I feel like I know her. I thanked her in my head for helping me through this life with these little reminders of how important it is to stand for something because you have to be proud of what you leave behind. As I finished scanning her documents, I drew a heart on the inside of her file folder, smiled, kissed her name and case number, and continued my work with a little extra spark.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Monday, January 2, 2012
Unfinished Business
Well, well, well. The day has finally come. On September 10th, I was longing for the night I would be sitting in Orlando International Airport waiting for my flight back home to my wonderful family and friends. Never in my wildest dreams would I expect to dread the same night. You may remember this post where I was really struggling to find the positive aspects of this program. Well let me tell you, I found them.
The Walt Disney Company exceeded every expectation I had.
I just found this "unfinished" post. It's exactly two weeks later, to the hour, than when I originally started writing this. I'm sitting in bed, trying to decide how to sum up this adventure. Let's just say they were four months that I will never forget and they will contribute to who I am for the rest of my existence. As for me, I'm continuing many adventures in this crazy life. So much has changed in these last two weeks and I can't begin to imagine where the next two weeks, four months, and beyond will take me. So let's keep this one unfinished.
I just found this "unfinished" post. It's exactly two weeks later, to the hour, than when I originally started writing this. I'm sitting in bed, trying to decide how to sum up this adventure. Let's just say they were four months that I will never forget and they will contribute to who I am for the rest of my existence. As for me, I'm continuing many adventures in this crazy life. So much has changed in these last two weeks and I can't begin to imagine where the next two weeks, four months, and beyond will take me. So let's keep this one unfinished.
Friday, December 30, 2011
7 Lucky Things I've learned In Florida
1. I cannot inhale while chewing Vitamin C tablets. It usually results in a hacking cough and moment of panic where my life flashes before my eyes.
2. Everyone has a story for me to learn from. Whether having a discussion with my manager who has been working in the company for 25 years or a discussion with a drunk co-worker or a discussion with an ex-Mormon while he is smoking a cigarette and I am cleaning the ashtray, there is always something to learn. No matter where we are in our lives right now, we have all been many places that no one else has. Everyone we interact with has so much more to them than we think, and the secret is to figure out as much as you can!
3. Drinking is very over-rated. The first time I was ever offered alcohol or drugs was when I was 18 years old, here in Florida. I have spent a lot of time around my friends as they drink and smoke and let me tell you, it's nothing interesting. They have told me themselves how much they envy people who have the strength to not do it because it isn't worth it so alter your state of thinking on purpose to where you don't remember what you said or did just hours later. I've held back too much hair and held down too many arms to want others to do that for me.
4. Physical appearance is so unimportant. While packing these last couple days, I realized I wore a very little amount of the clothing, jewelry, and make-up I brought s a result of wearing the same all white costume, black shoes, and minimal make-up for 70% of my time here. I still made friends, I still went on dates, and I actually felt a lot more comfortable when appearance meant nothing most of the time. The compliments I receive about the person I am and the standards I have held mean so much more than any hair or beauty compliment I ever get.
4. Public transportation is great and everything, but nothing beats having access to a car. Especially when you realize not all bus drivers care about you as a person. How do I know this? Let's say hypothetically that at about midnight last night I got on the bus to go home from work and realized I dropped something on the ground as I was stepping on the bus minutes before. I tell the bus driver this and proceed to step off the bus when not two seconds later I hear the doors close and the bus pull away. The driver waved and I watched my phone, wallet, ID's, ipod, new tablet, and cash drive away. Hypothetically, of course.
6. As human beings, our we are very adapt-able creatures. Don't be surprised if you hear me now saying "magical" (Disney influence), "wicked" (New Hampshire influence), "yo" (co-worker influence), or "cheers" (UK influence), or kissing anyone I meet or greet on the cheek (French, Puerto Rican, and Italian influence).
7. There is no excuse for a bad day. One of my best days this year was Christmas day when I was on the other side of the country from my family, I opened no presents, I worked for 11 hours cleaning restrooms, and I had a subway footlong for Christmas dinner. But I had a beauty pageant with empty trash bags and two amazing co-workers. I don't remember the last time I laughed that hard.
2. Everyone has a story for me to learn from. Whether having a discussion with my manager who has been working in the company for 25 years or a discussion with a drunk co-worker or a discussion with an ex-Mormon while he is smoking a cigarette and I am cleaning the ashtray, there is always something to learn. No matter where we are in our lives right now, we have all been many places that no one else has. Everyone we interact with has so much more to them than we think, and the secret is to figure out as much as you can!
3. Drinking is very over-rated. The first time I was ever offered alcohol or drugs was when I was 18 years old, here in Florida. I have spent a lot of time around my friends as they drink and smoke and let me tell you, it's nothing interesting. They have told me themselves how much they envy people who have the strength to not do it because it isn't worth it so alter your state of thinking on purpose to where you don't remember what you said or did just hours later. I've held back too much hair and held down too many arms to want others to do that for me.
4. Physical appearance is so unimportant. While packing these last couple days, I realized I wore a very little amount of the clothing, jewelry, and make-up I brought s a result of wearing the same all white costume, black shoes, and minimal make-up for 70% of my time here. I still made friends, I still went on dates, and I actually felt a lot more comfortable when appearance meant nothing most of the time. The compliments I receive about the person I am and the standards I have held mean so much more than any hair or beauty compliment I ever get.
4. Public transportation is great and everything, but nothing beats having access to a car. Especially when you realize not all bus drivers care about you as a person. How do I know this? Let's say hypothetically that at about midnight last night I got on the bus to go home from work and realized I dropped something on the ground as I was stepping on the bus minutes before. I tell the bus driver this and proceed to step off the bus when not two seconds later I hear the doors close and the bus pull away. The driver waved and I watched my phone, wallet, ID's, ipod, new tablet, and cash drive away. Hypothetically, of course.
6. As human beings, our we are very adapt-able creatures. Don't be surprised if you hear me now saying "magical" (Disney influence), "wicked" (New Hampshire influence), "yo" (co-worker influence), or "cheers" (UK influence), or kissing anyone I meet or greet on the cheek (French, Puerto Rican, and Italian influence).
7. There is no excuse for a bad day. One of my best days this year was Christmas day when I was on the other side of the country from my family, I opened no presents, I worked for 11 hours cleaning restrooms, and I had a subway footlong for Christmas dinner. But I had a beauty pageant with empty trash bags and two amazing co-workers. I don't remember the last time I laughed that hard.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
My First
A week before I graduated high school, I made the nine-hour drive down to Disneyland with my senior class in a couple of huge buses. We joined over fifty other high school senior classes in the park from 11 pm - 6 am. It was one of the most enjoyable nights of my entire life. I thought I would be so excited on the way there and on the way home that I wouldn't want to sleep. I slept for most of the two drives.
On countless nights with my best friends, we love to have a sleepover and promise to stay up all night long telling stories and whispering secrets. We surround ourselves with movies, candy, hair dye, and anything else we can think of to make each other laugh. We've made it to the sunrise once or twice, but never without falling silent soon after and silently giving in to our drooping eyes.
Every single year (aside from 2008, spent revolving around hospital trips) on Christmas Eve, as my family drives home from our extended family celebration, I search the night sky for Santa and his sleigh. We always get home, set up the milk and cookies, open our Christmas pajamas to dance around in them for a few minutes, and head off to bed. I always lay in bed, waiting and listening for the sound of my new gifts, willing myself to stay awake, but I have yet to resist the urges to doze off before Santa arrives.
At every Girls' Camp and EFY program I have participated in, it is an unspoken challenge/tradition to stay up all night long on the last night. Many have tried, but few that I know of have endured the whole night. I usually tend to lose consciousness somewhere between the ghost stories, harmless pranks, and mysterious phone calls.
I am sitting on my bed at 3:21 am. My family, whom I have not seen, laughed with, or hugged for 101 long days, are in the air somewhere over Georgia right now. Their plane lands in Orlando in an hour and twenty minutes. I am catching the first possible bus to meet them at Disney's Port Orleans Resort in about two and a half hours. Every time I close my eyes to try and sleep, I picture Tori's teary eyes in front of my face, Isaac's beaming smile, my dad's contagious laugh, and my mom's warm hug. No matter how hard I may try, I have never before experienced excitement to the point where I cannot sleep. It couldn't be done with candy, girlfriends, the thrill of new gifts, energy drinks, or the promise of a fun night. All it takes is me in a quiet, empty apartment, with the full heart and anxious knowledge that I get to see my family in 180 short minutes. Ladies and gentlemen, I am about to accomplish my first all-nighter.
On countless nights with my best friends, we love to have a sleepover and promise to stay up all night long telling stories and whispering secrets. We surround ourselves with movies, candy, hair dye, and anything else we can think of to make each other laugh. We've made it to the sunrise once or twice, but never without falling silent soon after and silently giving in to our drooping eyes.
Every single year (aside from 2008, spent revolving around hospital trips) on Christmas Eve, as my family drives home from our extended family celebration, I search the night sky for Santa and his sleigh. We always get home, set up the milk and cookies, open our Christmas pajamas to dance around in them for a few minutes, and head off to bed. I always lay in bed, waiting and listening for the sound of my new gifts, willing myself to stay awake, but I have yet to resist the urges to doze off before Santa arrives.
At every Girls' Camp and EFY program I have participated in, it is an unspoken challenge/tradition to stay up all night long on the last night. Many have tried, but few that I know of have endured the whole night. I usually tend to lose consciousness somewhere between the ghost stories, harmless pranks, and mysterious phone calls.
I am sitting on my bed at 3:21 am. My family, whom I have not seen, laughed with, or hugged for 101 long days, are in the air somewhere over Georgia right now. Their plane lands in Orlando in an hour and twenty minutes. I am catching the first possible bus to meet them at Disney's Port Orleans Resort in about two and a half hours. Every time I close my eyes to try and sleep, I picture Tori's teary eyes in front of my face, Isaac's beaming smile, my dad's contagious laugh, and my mom's warm hug. No matter how hard I may try, I have never before experienced excitement to the point where I cannot sleep. It couldn't be done with candy, girlfriends, the thrill of new gifts, energy drinks, or the promise of a fun night. All it takes is me in a quiet, empty apartment, with the full heart and anxious knowledge that I get to see my family in 180 short minutes. Ladies and gentlemen, I am about to accomplish my first all-nighter.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
What's In a (few) Name(s)?
You remember this, right? Well if not, this is my name tag for work. It has been read by thousands, sparked many conversations, and I have always loved looking at it. On Tuesday night at about 10:30 pm, I was finishing wiping down trash cans in an empty park with Christmas hymns playing on the speaker system, and garlands and lights on most buildings. There was literally no one in sight and I got to thinking about this name tag. Look at it again... notice anything? No, it's the same. It pins onto my costume every day and allows people to recognize me as knowing the answer to any question they have and lost children to identify me as a safe stranger. It represents me. Well, I noticed something different. My name tag doesn't have one, or even two names on it. There are three names on my name tag that represent me. Look again... you see them all, right?Walt Disney - This man. Words cannot describe how much admiration I have for him. In my eyes, he was the most influential non-religious person that ever walked the face of the earth. Before coming here I loved Walt like anyone else did; we all enjoy Disneyland, those classic feel-good fairy tales, and a good excuse for a vacation. That is barely the beginning of the happiness that exists on this earth because of his life and work. I've always heard quotes about dreams and brushed them off as reasons for dancers and singers to keep doing what they love, but he has taught me and I understand that a dream is much more than that. A dream is something you want for yourself and others and you're willing to do anything to achieve it. We are all familiar with Walt's dream as it is often manifested when we turn on a game on ESPN, watch Pirates of the Caribbean, Modern Family, or the ABC World News, meet Mickey Mouse, and sing along to A Whole New World. One day, Walt wanted to spend time with his two daughters so they went to a park and he sat and watched them play. He began to wonder why it is that parents have to sit and watch their children play and what kind of place could facilitate happiness for all ages. If you ask me, he succeeded. Because of him, I have realized my dream and there is no way to repay anyone for that.
1955
1971
1996
2010Brigham Young - This man was a living prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the 1800's. He literally led the Mormon pioneers across the country in extreme conditions and trying circumstances. There is no way I could ever do what he or the saints who traveled with him did. The reason he is on my name tag is because he established the beginnings of the wonderful university that I am blessed to attend. In my entire life, I never imagined I would find a school that made me feel so at home. It is the only place I have ever been without my family that I have called my home. Every day I spend in those buildings, with those people, and around that spirit makes me a better person and I could not ask for anything more from a school.
From the students
From Elder Eyring
From Elder Bednar
Maddi - Hi, my name is Maddi. I am a sophomore in college and I love life. I love and trust way too easily, but I think that's the only way for me to learn the most. My family is everything to me and I have been blessed with the best friends in the world. I love my church, my Savior, and my Father in Heaven more than I ever thought possible. My favorite feeling in the entire world is seeing other people happy. Unlike the two men above, my story on this earth isn't completed yet. Like Walt, I have a dream to make people happy. I want so badly for everyone to see how wonderful this life is that we have been given. Like President Young, I want to make a difference. I want people to learn as much as they can about the world around us because there is too much to miss out on if you don't go looking for it. For now, this name tag only says Maddi. But someday, it will have a last name and a lifetime of memories and influence behind it.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Disney's Clean Secrets
Today I realized that I have never really shared much about my actual job in Epcot. You might say, "Maddi. You're a custodian. You bump into people with a mop bucket and jingle keys around all day." And I might reply, "I'm sorry sir/ma'am. You're sorely mistaken. You forgot the part where I clean toilets and disinfect vomitey sidewalks." And then you might reply, "Well, then. Please tell me more." And so I shall.
I really do love my job. It's probably a good thing that my dad is such a clean freak because I grew up to be a natural organizer and perfectionist in that sense. And the things that I'm about to discuss make up about 35% of my time working. The other 65% of my time is spent standing or walking around the World Showcase with my pan and broom, keeping things tidy and answering hundreds of guest's questions every single day. Those are the things I usually blog about, so here are the tasks that make up the 35%!
Bathroom Mirrors - This floored me during training. Do you want to know how Disney keeps streak-free mirrors? Water and paper towels. That's it! And it works! So save yourself some money and toxic inhalants and stick with a moist paper towel next time.
Dispensers - When it comes to paper towel dispensers, soap dispensers, trash can holders, and all of the stainless steel hardware in the restroom, we have very specific instructions. I was never aware that this happened, but apparently some guests like to check the cleanliness of the restroom by opening anything they can find. I don't know about you, but when I'm in a public restroom, the last desire I have is to touch an extra handle to see how grimy the employees let the inside of the trash can get. But, that's not important. So, when we clean the restroom every 45 minutes, we wipe these down inside and out. Check it out next time... if you dare.
Trash Liners - When it comes to the plastic trash liners, the more the merrier. At the minimum, there should be three in each trash can. Do you want to know why? Here is an example. The other day I went to pull a trash can and my eyes beheld an overflowing can. Those are lovely. This one happened to be filled with a couple hundred half-full soda cups and weighed about 80 pounds and leaked out of the bottom a mixture of beer, strawberry icee, and diet coke. If there were only one liner I would have been in trouble. However, I was just able to pull two more liners out with the top bag and carry a non-leaking, more sturdy bag to the trash compactor. And I was excited about that... Winning!
Trash Wipe-Downs - As the trash gets pulled every hour and a half or so, we wipe down and disinfect the trash cans. Those things are cleaner than your hands, people.
Sidewalks - Every night after the park closes, a crew comes in a power washes every square inch of the park. Also, every time there is a wine, soda, vomit, beer, poop, ice cream, gum, coffee or food spill (and yes, I have experienced each and every one of those) someone is radioed to take care of it. We don't just leave it to wash away naturally, we make sure the sidewalk is as good as new before any staining happens. When you're in a Disney Park, take a good look at the ground and keep in mind that it is, for the most part, the same spotless cement poured 29 (Epcot), 40 (Magic Kingdom), or 56 (Disneyland) years ago. Dang impressive.
There is much more but those are my favorites at the moment :) So the next time you're child touches a trash can or crawls on the floor in a restroom, lower your voice when you yell at them. I know it's a disgusting thought and I would probably yell about how dirty it is too, but it's a stab in the heart to the custodian standing behind you holding towels and disinfectant who had been slaving away for an hour straight on that floor. I've held my tears in though ;)
I really do love my job. It's probably a good thing that my dad is such a clean freak because I grew up to be a natural organizer and perfectionist in that sense. And the things that I'm about to discuss make up about 35% of my time working. The other 65% of my time is spent standing or walking around the World Showcase with my pan and broom, keeping things tidy and answering hundreds of guest's questions every single day. Those are the things I usually blog about, so here are the tasks that make up the 35%!
Bathroom Mirrors - This floored me during training. Do you want to know how Disney keeps streak-free mirrors? Water and paper towels. That's it! And it works! So save yourself some money and toxic inhalants and stick with a moist paper towel next time.
Dispensers - When it comes to paper towel dispensers, soap dispensers, trash can holders, and all of the stainless steel hardware in the restroom, we have very specific instructions. I was never aware that this happened, but apparently some guests like to check the cleanliness of the restroom by opening anything they can find. I don't know about you, but when I'm in a public restroom, the last desire I have is to touch an extra handle to see how grimy the employees let the inside of the trash can get. But, that's not important. So, when we clean the restroom every 45 minutes, we wipe these down inside and out. Check it out next time... if you dare.
Trash Liners - When it comes to the plastic trash liners, the more the merrier. At the minimum, there should be three in each trash can. Do you want to know why? Here is an example. The other day I went to pull a trash can and my eyes beheld an overflowing can. Those are lovely. This one happened to be filled with a couple hundred half-full soda cups and weighed about 80 pounds and leaked out of the bottom a mixture of beer, strawberry icee, and diet coke. If there were only one liner I would have been in trouble. However, I was just able to pull two more liners out with the top bag and carry a non-leaking, more sturdy bag to the trash compactor. And I was excited about that... Winning!
Trash Wipe-Downs - As the trash gets pulled every hour and a half or so, we wipe down and disinfect the trash cans. Those things are cleaner than your hands, people.
Sidewalks - Every night after the park closes, a crew comes in a power washes every square inch of the park. Also, every time there is a wine, soda, vomit, beer, poop, ice cream, gum, coffee or food spill (and yes, I have experienced each and every one of those) someone is radioed to take care of it. We don't just leave it to wash away naturally, we make sure the sidewalk is as good as new before any staining happens. When you're in a Disney Park, take a good look at the ground and keep in mind that it is, for the most part, the same spotless cement poured 29 (Epcot), 40 (Magic Kingdom), or 56 (Disneyland) years ago. Dang impressive.
There is much more but those are my favorites at the moment :) So the next time you're child touches a trash can or crawls on the floor in a restroom, lower your voice when you yell at them. I know it's a disgusting thought and I would probably yell about how dirty it is too, but it's a stab in the heart to the custodian standing behind you holding towels and disinfectant who had been slaving away for an hour straight on that floor. I've held my tears in though ;)
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Grateful to be Alone
It's a funny thing, living alone in Orlando for four months. I didn't think it would be much different than living alone in Rexburg for four months. News flash: it is. The biggest difference is the definition of alone. Being alone in Rexburg meant living with or within walking distance from my best friends from high school. It meant having family a short 30 minute drive away and more family a four hour drive away. It meant living with roommates who turned into some of the best friends I've ever had. It meant church every Sunday, devotional every Tuesday, and a temple just a twenty minute walk away. It meant being able to go home for Thanksgiving and Christmas. On the other hand, being alone in Orlando means living in separate states as my best friends from high school and missing two of their weddings. It means having family a 6 hour, $300 plane ride away. It means living in an empty, quiet apartment because my roommates and I have opposite working schedules. It means church every other Sunday if I'm lucky. It means working 12 hours on Thanksgiving and Christmas, knowing how much fun my family is having.
After almost three months, I've realized how different alone can be and I have learned a very valuable lesson from it. First of all, alone never really means alone. My Savior has been by my side this entire time and He is my best friend. He has made up for all of the hugs I have missed out on from my best friends in California, Idaho, Utah, Oregon, and Colombia. I have been blessed to have family members and friends who will spend hours on the phone with me when they don't really know that that is what keeps me going. I'm not alone, but moments like these are more difficult. I'm sitting in my room, in my empty apartment knowing that my family is making the 75 minute drive to Modesto accompanied by Christmas music, cold weather, and holiday decorations to visit family, watch the news with Grandma and Grandpa late into the night, wake up in the morning to the smell of turkey and curl up in a blanket on the couch to watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade, and volunteer at the dinner for the homeless. I would give absolutely anything to be there with them.
Being home for the holidays is something I will cherish every year. So please don't ever take it for granted. Every time you walk into a house filled with people who love you, take a deep breath and look around. The laughter, the hugs, and the stories are things that may not come every year. The magic of Disney is amazing, but nothing is comparable to the magic of the Holidays with people you love. I feel lucky to have this experience to teach me this lesson. I could not have learned it any other way than for it to break me down the way it has. I am so grateful for the memories I have of years past with my family, for the knowledge that being alone sucks and this is the only year I will ever do this to myself, and for the opportunity to make more memories in the years to come.
Happy Thanksgiving!
I love you!
After almost three months, I've realized how different alone can be and I have learned a very valuable lesson from it. First of all, alone never really means alone. My Savior has been by my side this entire time and He is my best friend. He has made up for all of the hugs I have missed out on from my best friends in California, Idaho, Utah, Oregon, and Colombia. I have been blessed to have family members and friends who will spend hours on the phone with me when they don't really know that that is what keeps me going. I'm not alone, but moments like these are more difficult. I'm sitting in my room, in my empty apartment knowing that my family is making the 75 minute drive to Modesto accompanied by Christmas music, cold weather, and holiday decorations to visit family, watch the news with Grandma and Grandpa late into the night, wake up in the morning to the smell of turkey and curl up in a blanket on the couch to watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade, and volunteer at the dinner for the homeless. I would give absolutely anything to be there with them.
Being home for the holidays is something I will cherish every year. So please don't ever take it for granted. Every time you walk into a house filled with people who love you, take a deep breath and look around. The laughter, the hugs, and the stories are things that may not come every year. The magic of Disney is amazing, but nothing is comparable to the magic of the Holidays with people you love. I feel lucky to have this experience to teach me this lesson. I could not have learned it any other way than for it to break me down the way it has. I am so grateful for the memories I have of years past with my family, for the knowledge that being alone sucks and this is the only year I will ever do this to myself, and for the opportunity to make more memories in the years to come.
Happy Thanksgiving!
I love you!
Friday, November 18, 2011
An End, a Favor, and an Invention
The Food and Wine Festival is over! It went out with a bang... literally... as I stood among 60,000 guests in the World Showcase watching fireworks at 9:00 on Sunday evening. It was a crazy six weeks but I actually teared up during those last few moments. I had grown to love the 13-hour-shifts, the exotic smells every few steps, the drunken compliments, and the live concerts every night. The break rooms always filled with cooks, custodians, character assistants, and craftsmen comparing hours of sleep and hours worked that day. We all became one big team because, when a baby's diaper explodes on the sidewalk and an intoxicated woman is vomiting a few feet away, costumes and titles don't matter anymore. It was tough, it was long, but it was so memorable. And the next day we were back to 17,000 guests in the park. And holiday decorations :) The 80 foot Christmas tree, no I'm not exaggerating, the garlands, the wreaths, the poinsettias, the ornaments, the classic Christmas instrumental soundtrack, and the re-enactment stages are beautiful. It's just kind of a bummer when I have to experience them while sweating in 85 degree weather. It doesn't seem right...
I now have one favor to ask of everyone and one idea for a new invention to share.
The favor is whenever you are in public and you decide to drop your trash on the ground, do it obviously. I truly don't mind sweeping up trash - it's my job. I won't ever understand the difficulty of reaching a trash can, but it is difficult for some. The point when it becomes frustrating is when I have to reach my broom over and under and around tables and benches because you thought you were so sneaky in setting your soda cup out of the way. News flash: that was not cool. If you're going to litter, do it where I can see it and pick or sweep it up easily.
The new invention is adult strollers. You might say, don't they have wheelchairs and scooters for that? Let's compare. Do wheelchairs have sun covers? Padded, reclining seats? Food trays? Cup holders? Seat belts? No. Several times a day, I find myself watching a child passing by being pushed in a stroller and wonder why that can't be me. I know it may not look socially acceptable at first to see an adult in an adult-sized stroller, belted in, napping as his/her spouse pushes him/her around, but we have to start somewhere. You can make a difference. This is how. Jump into a stroller.
I now have one favor to ask of everyone and one idea for a new invention to share.
The favor is whenever you are in public and you decide to drop your trash on the ground, do it obviously. I truly don't mind sweeping up trash - it's my job. I won't ever understand the difficulty of reaching a trash can, but it is difficult for some. The point when it becomes frustrating is when I have to reach my broom over and under and around tables and benches because you thought you were so sneaky in setting your soda cup out of the way. News flash: that was not cool. If you're going to litter, do it where I can see it and pick or sweep it up easily.
The new invention is adult strollers. You might say, don't they have wheelchairs and scooters for that? Let's compare. Do wheelchairs have sun covers? Padded, reclining seats? Food trays? Cup holders? Seat belts? No. Several times a day, I find myself watching a child passing by being pushed in a stroller and wonder why that can't be me. I know it may not look socially acceptable at first to see an adult in an adult-sized stroller, belted in, napping as his/her spouse pushes him/her around, but we have to start somewhere. You can make a difference. This is how. Jump into a stroller.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Parlex-vous español?
I know I have made small comments about the international-ness of my job before, but I don't think I've done it justice yet. I work in World Showcase in Epcot which consists of eleven different pavilions representing eleven different countries (Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, America, Japan, Morocco, France, UK, and Canada). The over 500 cast members who work in those pavilions are actually from the country they represent, usually here on a one-year Visa. I, being a custodial cast member and assigned to a different country every day, have the opportunity to talk with and get to know people that are my age from around the world... literally. I have daily experiences with them that make me laugh, broaden my thinking, or teach me something. And here is a sneak peak at some of those moments.
Some of these people make me feel like I accomplish nothing in my life. I have been on the bus many times, sitting next to people from China and obviously, addictingly watching them text on their phones. Half of it is in English and half is in Chinese characters. How can they transition from one to the other so quickly when they are so different looking and sounding? Their brains must be really big. Also, cast members who speak a language other than English (fun fact: it is not a requirement to speak English to work at Walt Disney World) have a gold language pin on their name tag to help guests communicate effectively with them. Whenever I see one of those, that person is a hero. I laugh at their jokes, I let them take the dry seat on the rainy bus, I smile and bow my head when I pass by them, etc. I took three years of Spanish in high school and I barely remember how to count to fifteen. To top it all off, there are some people I see with three golden language pins. Those people fluently, comfortably, and effectively speak four languages. Why aren't they working for NASA?
I work in a different country every day and I have learned quickly that there are certain things I cannot do when I am working in Mexico, Italy, Morocco, or France. I cannot speak one word in Spanish, Italian, Arabic, or French either to myself, another cast member, or a guest. Since my ethnicity is questionable in the first place, the moment an Hola or Ciao slips out of my mouth, I am 100%, born and raised, native of that country and I am swimming in a sea of foreign trouble. The guest believes I know what they are rambling to me about and they expect to get this authentic experience. I shake my head and, in my American accent, say, "Sorry, I only speak English."
I have worked in the two restrooms in Italy several times and I have found a disturbing ongoing occurrence. I have come to believe that it is a traditional Italian custom to enter a bathroom stall, remove a stack of toilet seat covers, soak them in toilet water, and leave them in the toilet, on the floor, in the trash, or replace them into the dispenser. All I can say is that is has happened more than once. Or five times.
Besides the nearest restroom or smoking areas, the question I get asked the most is, "Where are you from?" More often than not, this person is already looking at my name tag so I have to decide what kind of answer they want. Do they want to know that I was born and raised in California? Do they want to know that I attend school in Idaho? Do they want to know that I live in Chatham Square in Orlando? Or do they want to know that I am 1/4 Hispanic and 3/4 White? I make a quick stereotypical judgement of their accent, age, appearance, and gender before I give them an answer. And I usually end up explaining all four.
My favorite country to work is usually Italy and this is why:
One of my happiest moments was when I was sitting backstage, listening to a group of Italian girls blabber to each other. I could tell the conversation topic was getting intense and the great exclamation, "Mamma Mia!" from more than one of them just made my day.
Most conversations with the international students consist of how tired we are and how many hours we have worked this week since it is the only thing we really have in common. I love these conversations but especially the end of them because I get some great advice from them. My favorite from a cute Italian girl (in a thick Italian accent) has been, "Good luck til the end! Be strong."
The other day I was sitting on a picnic table backstage with my head down and I hear an Italian man yell, "Maddi, don't be sad!" (They all know my name and love talking to me... makes it so much more fun) I replied, "I'm not sad, I'm tired!" He said, "Oh, you too?" I said, "Yes, I've been here for ten hours today!" He said, "Maddi, we will always be tired. Welcome to life."
All in all, they are some of the most hard-working people I have ever met. That last short story really sums it up. Especially during this Food and Wine Festival, everyone is working nine to sixteen hours days, five or six days a week. I think I'm far away from my family... these people are in another country for a whole year. And they are constantly happy, energetic, and so grateful to be where they are! They are a wonderful reminder that this is an incredible place to be every single day.
Some of these people make me feel like I accomplish nothing in my life. I have been on the bus many times, sitting next to people from China and obviously, addictingly watching them text on their phones. Half of it is in English and half is in Chinese characters. How can they transition from one to the other so quickly when they are so different looking and sounding? Their brains must be really big. Also, cast members who speak a language other than English (fun fact: it is not a requirement to speak English to work at Walt Disney World) have a gold language pin on their name tag to help guests communicate effectively with them. Whenever I see one of those, that person is a hero. I laugh at their jokes, I let them take the dry seat on the rainy bus, I smile and bow my head when I pass by them, etc. I took three years of Spanish in high school and I barely remember how to count to fifteen. To top it all off, there are some people I see with three golden language pins. Those people fluently, comfortably, and effectively speak four languages. Why aren't they working for NASA?
I work in a different country every day and I have learned quickly that there are certain things I cannot do when I am working in Mexico, Italy, Morocco, or France. I cannot speak one word in Spanish, Italian, Arabic, or French either to myself, another cast member, or a guest. Since my ethnicity is questionable in the first place, the moment an Hola or Ciao slips out of my mouth, I am 100%, born and raised, native of that country and I am swimming in a sea of foreign trouble. The guest believes I know what they are rambling to me about and they expect to get this authentic experience. I shake my head and, in my American accent, say, "Sorry, I only speak English."
I have worked in the two restrooms in Italy several times and I have found a disturbing ongoing occurrence. I have come to believe that it is a traditional Italian custom to enter a bathroom stall, remove a stack of toilet seat covers, soak them in toilet water, and leave them in the toilet, on the floor, in the trash, or replace them into the dispenser. All I can say is that is has happened more than once. Or five times.
Besides the nearest restroom or smoking areas, the question I get asked the most is, "Where are you from?" More often than not, this person is already looking at my name tag so I have to decide what kind of answer they want. Do they want to know that I was born and raised in California? Do they want to know that I attend school in Idaho? Do they want to know that I live in Chatham Square in Orlando? Or do they want to know that I am 1/4 Hispanic and 3/4 White? I make a quick stereotypical judgement of their accent, age, appearance, and gender before I give them an answer. And I usually end up explaining all four.
My favorite country to work is usually Italy and this is why:
One of my happiest moments was when I was sitting backstage, listening to a group of Italian girls blabber to each other. I could tell the conversation topic was getting intense and the great exclamation, "Mamma Mia!" from more than one of them just made my day.
Most conversations with the international students consist of how tired we are and how many hours we have worked this week since it is the only thing we really have in common. I love these conversations but especially the end of them because I get some great advice from them. My favorite from a cute Italian girl (in a thick Italian accent) has been, "Good luck til the end! Be strong."
The other day I was sitting on a picnic table backstage with my head down and I hear an Italian man yell, "Maddi, don't be sad!" (They all know my name and love talking to me... makes it so much more fun) I replied, "I'm not sad, I'm tired!" He said, "Oh, you too?" I said, "Yes, I've been here for ten hours today!" He said, "Maddi, we will always be tired. Welcome to life."
All in all, they are some of the most hard-working people I have ever met. That last short story really sums it up. Especially during this Food and Wine Festival, everyone is working nine to sixteen hours days, five or six days a week. I think I'm far away from my family... these people are in another country for a whole year. And they are constantly happy, energetic, and so grateful to be where they are! They are a wonderful reminder that this is an incredible place to be every single day.
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