hablas español?

Big news! We have new internet! All thanks to mommy dearest. I received a package from her today and in it I found an umbrella (it rains here, like, every day), top ramen, peanut butter, dark chocolate-covered raisins, muffin mixes, shoes, licorice, and an internet router! Woohoo! So, I am actually writing this from my bed. Big deal people. Speaking of my bed, I think I'll include a picture of it with this post. It pretty much looks like a prison cot and makes me want to laugh and cry all at the same time when I look at it. Except whenever I look at it, I am always so exhausted from the day that I fall into a deep sleep before my head even hits the pillow... but then I usually wake up right when I land because the mattress is covered in plastic (I don't ask) and it is so loud and the walls are so thin that I wake myself and my two roommates up every time I move. But after that shock, I fall right back asleep.
So it is Thursday night and I have worked for 8-9 hours the past five days! I know that isn't shocking to most adults because that is very normal for a mature and responsible adult; I have had a job at Old Navy for almost three years, but that has always been part-time. I feel like I have joined this club that should be called "Oh, you know, we just work to support ourselves". Okay, I know that was bad but really! I am supporting myself and it's fun. I am now balancing the feelings of loneliness and true independence very carefully.
For the last three days I have had actual on-the-job training with three different trainers and I'll give you a little overview because they were each very unique:
-Trainer 1: He's only three years older than me and we had a lot of interesting discussions that made me feel kind of smart. So that was a plus. As a trainer, he was interesting. He would tell us "what he was supposed to tell us" and then he would teach us "how he did it." He has only been here a year and he is a very nice person but not what I expected in a trainer. Definitely more socially-oriented than anything and he didn't try to hide it.
-Trainer 2: My favorite! She was a middle-aged mother from New Jersey who loves her job so much. She trained us on restroom cleaning and she was so happy! She made sure we knew everything and felt completely comfortable. The thing that I got out of her training the most is that, if we love this work, it isn't work anymore. And let me tell you, she loves this work. There were a few times when she was talking to us about the difference we actually make in people's vacations and lives and I had to, once again, swallow my tears. One metaphor she told me that I will never forget is that we need to see ourselves as Minnie Mouse. We are married to Mickey and he has a really, really big house. He has a lot of family and friends over all of the time and we want them to enjoy themselves in a clean house so we need to do that for them!
-Trainer 3: I actually had him last week in some of my early training and I really like him! He is a really funny guy and definitely makes personal connections. He emphasized human relations and workplace safety. He actually pulled me aside (the other trainee was a guy) to tell me that if I ever feel uncomfortable around another guest or cast member, I need to report it immediately. And he instructed the male trainee to take care of me and every other female cast member. Definitely not something I expected at Disney, but it made me feel great!
So I am now officially done with training! I am a cast member at Walt Disney World, Epcot! For the second half of my shift today (after my written and manager assessments, which I aced) I was able to walk around the World Showcase and clean and interact with guests. I know this is a long post already but I just wanted to point out a few things I noticed:
-Because of my appearance, I had three different parties come up to me and ask if I spoke Spanish or just began speaking in Spanish and expected me to follow. That's what I get for forgetting three years of high school Spanish and dishonoring my heritage. I discovered that through Disney, I can take a free Rosetta Stone Spanish course. Now might be the time.
-Disney has these different colored pins for guests celebrating special occasions (i.e. "Happy Anniversary", "Just Engaged", "Family Reunion", "Happy Birthday", "Just Married", "I'm Celebrating", or "1st Visit"). The next time you visit, if one of these is applicable, and if you aren't bothered by smiling people around you, please put it on. They are so nice because other guests who see you and read it will smile at you and cast members will always congratulate you. I love it!
-Smiling. I always forget how happy people are. Half of the people I make eye contact with are already smiling which makes my job so much easier! While I was taking my last break, I was the only one in the break room and I caught myself smiling at nothing. As soon as I enter the park and a guest smiles at me, my smile comes... and stays. I'm going to have some major wrinkles around my eyes when I get home so don't stare.
What else is going on in my life? Tori is going to Homecoming on Saturday and I'm very stoked for her! Garrett (now Elder Chugg) reported to the MTC yesterday! I got to talk to him a couple of last times this week and it was so great. He was so ready to finally be out there and I am extremely excited for him! He is really going to be so great. No... like, really. I have the next two days off! I'm planning a huge Wal-mart trip and exploring the gym here at the complex. Maybe spend my evenings in the parks to watch fireworks. Maybe if I have a spare hour, I'll catch a bus to Hollywood Studios and ride The Tower of Terror. We'll see...

My work costume... nice, eh? :)

the cot.

Garrett and his sister, Ashlyn the last time I skyped them the day before he left!