I have really always loved football. When I was little, I watched my uncles play at BYU and University of Utah and I understand the game pretty well. There are 9 innings, two squads that play against each other, each team has a goalie who has a huge goal to protect, and the team that makes more holes-in-one wins. And then at the end of the season, the two squads that are the most popular and have the most obnoxious fans get together in a big stadium to watch hilarious new commercials and every six or so commercials, they get up and throw the ball around. That's called the Super Cup. That seems right.
But really, I do love football! If there is one thing that I regularly look forward to, it is probably the Superbowl in January. No joke, that Sunday will be one of the happiest days I have had in a long while. It will have everything that I am in desperate need of right now: lots of family, lots of food, cold weather while we're warm inside, home in California, laughing with my favorite people on earth, and a good game. I honestly cannot wait. I miss my cousins, grandparents, aunts, and uncles so much.
And apparently the rest of the country loves football also. Since the season started a few weeks ago, Sundays are crazy around here. When I say here, I mean at work... because my apartment has no TV so sometimes I forget whether it's night or day, winter or summer, 1911 or 2011, just because I don't have TV shows to revolve around. For example, if Deal or No Deal is on, it's night. If The Price is Right is on, it's a day. If American Idol is on, it's Winter. If So You Think You Can Dance is on, it's Summer. If The Brady Bunch is on, it's 1911. If Modern Family is on, it's 2011. I think you get my drift...
So back to football. The people love it. In every break room we have two TV's and on Sundays, they are both on different football games and no one ever complains because everyone loves it! Managers who walk in to make sure no one is sleeping their day away start to reprimand someone but don't get two words out before they realize the game is on and stand for twenty minutes watching it without moving. Just yesterday I was sitting and eating my lunch in the break room with a manager and a young man from Italy. We were all watching the game and I really had no idea who was playing but I was enjoying it. When my manager realized he had company, he took advantage of it. You know how men all think they could manage every college and National football team? And when the football talk starts, it's like you just broke open the flood gates. And it's pouring rain. So it never ends. Anyways, my manager starts his game strategy talk with me. But neither me nor the Italian guy have no idea or interest in his strategies for these two teams. However, he is still my manager and I can't let him notice that I just want him to stop talking so I can enjoy the game. So I nod and add a "yeah" or "seriously" or "I know" or "I agree" or a chuckle or a disproving shake of the head when the time seemed right. And honestly, he is quite difficult to understand in the first place so I really had no idea what he was just talking about. I had to make very quick analyses of his body language and facial expressions to determine how I would react. And it worked - he didn't catch on at all. And every time he turned around, the Italian guy and I laughed our heads off as silently as we could because we knew what was going on.
If I had no clue what day of the week it was and walked onstage and saw football jerseys on several guests around me, I would know it was a Sunday. On Sundays, there are literally as many people wearing football paraphernalia as Disney paraphernalia. It's ridiculous. And most often, it isn't just one person. Whole families are decked out as half of the New Orleans Saints or babies are wearing New York Jets onesies. You have seen those commercials for cell phones where the people are watching the game live and cheering in the middle of the street, right? That's no joke. I counted, and I saw seventeen different people watching games on their phones and giving live updates to family and friends as they walked through the park. These people are serious. I kind of feel bad for us all because once football season ends, everyone is going to be bored because the rich NBA players and the rich NBA executives couldn't come to a rich agreement and now we have a sport-less winter ahead of us.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Imagine all the people... living off the land.
Today is my third day off this week and it has been a wonderful and very eventful one. Let's begin.
Monday:
So during the Food and Wine Festival we have a concert ever night in the World Showcase featuring different artists. A lot of the come back every year and for the past five years, Boyz II Men has been the most popular. Well, they were here on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday this week and it was cuh-razy. I went on Monday with six of my friends and, after waiting for two hours, we were sitting front and center. Literally, the front row and... okay fine not center but it was close enough. They were so good! Some of you know how I can get about concerts (I tend to fall completely in love with the artist for a few weeks-a few years following the concert). And that happened. They waved at me, they pointed at me, they held my hand multiple times, and held the microphone up to me so that I could sing the chorus of End of the Road. So yeah I'm kind of famous now. At least to myself.
Tuesday:
I went to Magic Kingdom with a friend I met during training way back in September. He tries to pretend like he's not, but he's kind of Disney-crazy. Which is fine with me because I have never been to the Magic Kingdom before so I got a complete tour of hidden Mickeys, special meanings, symbolic architecture, and tricky rides. It was extremely not crowded and we rode every non-infant ride in the six hours we spent in the park. The longest we had to wait was maybe eight minutes for Space Mountain. It was so wonderful!
Wednesday:
I did have to work from 2:15 pm - 12:45 am but it kind of wasn't work at all. Me and one of my friends that went to the concert on Monday were both working with no specific assignments so we assigned ourselves to the American Garden Theater (where the Boyz were performing their last shows at Epcot this year). We realized that with our costumes and name tags and brooms, no one really questions us. So between shows we stood outside the amphitheater to "direct people" and "answer questions". Then during the shows we went into the amphitheater and walked right up to the front of the stage to "clean" and "control the crowd". Best job perk ever. We got to watch three shows, the singers recognized us, and no one even cared if we stood in front of them and sang and danced... which we did. We knew where the Boyz' cars were parked and who their family and friends were so after the last show, we "took our break" and "cleaned" backstage as long as we possibly could. Some of the families and crew came back and we smiled and made small talk but once the fireworks started, we left because we actually had somewhere we had to be. So I said to her, "I wish we could have seen just one of them back there." She looked at me like I was crazy and told me that I did. I didn't even realize it but while I was backstage there was a man walking towards me with a friendly smile on his face so I politely smiled and said, "Hello," like I do to any other guest and he said, "How are you tonight?" and I said, "Great!" and kept on walking. I talked to a Boy and didn't even realize it.
That brings us to today! All I have done is spent $40 at Wal-Mart that I'm going to complain about right now. I decided within the last hour that living in a hippie community would be a lot more economical. I'm going to leave food out of the equation for this discussion (we all know that hippies dig through dumpsters and thrive off of us glutenous pigs) because I didn't purchase any food with that $40. Let's take a look at my receipt. Moisturizing Lotion - hippies use animal fat for that, I'm pretty sure. Facial Moisturizer/Sunscreen - as a hippie, you develop natural sunscreen from living outdoors and don't care what your skin looks like because everyone is in the same boat... or, tent, I guess. Deodorant - forget it. Shampoo - they all have dreadlocks, no washing necessary. Curl Sculpting Gel - refer to the shampoo comment. Color Shield Hair Lotion - with the sun's natural highlights each day, it's like a consistent, quality salon treatment. Pumice Stone - isn't that just a rock anyways? Pictures - memories are much higher definition. So I hope you all agree with me and we can protest Wal-Mart and all smelly liquids that we cover our bodies with. Isn't that working for those Wall Street people?
Monday:
So during the Food and Wine Festival we have a concert ever night in the World Showcase featuring different artists. A lot of the come back every year and for the past five years, Boyz II Men has been the most popular. Well, they were here on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday this week and it was cuh-razy. I went on Monday with six of my friends and, after waiting for two hours, we were sitting front and center. Literally, the front row and... okay fine not center but it was close enough. They were so good! Some of you know how I can get about concerts (I tend to fall completely in love with the artist for a few weeks-a few years following the concert). And that happened. They waved at me, they pointed at me, they held my hand multiple times, and held the microphone up to me so that I could sing the chorus of End of the Road. So yeah I'm kind of famous now. At least to myself.
Tuesday:
I went to Magic Kingdom with a friend I met during training way back in September. He tries to pretend like he's not, but he's kind of Disney-crazy. Which is fine with me because I have never been to the Magic Kingdom before so I got a complete tour of hidden Mickeys, special meanings, symbolic architecture, and tricky rides. It was extremely not crowded and we rode every non-infant ride in the six hours we spent in the park. The longest we had to wait was maybe eight minutes for Space Mountain. It was so wonderful!
Wednesday:
I did have to work from 2:15 pm - 12:45 am but it kind of wasn't work at all. Me and one of my friends that went to the concert on Monday were both working with no specific assignments so we assigned ourselves to the American Garden Theater (where the Boyz were performing their last shows at Epcot this year). We realized that with our costumes and name tags and brooms, no one really questions us. So between shows we stood outside the amphitheater to "direct people" and "answer questions". Then during the shows we went into the amphitheater and walked right up to the front of the stage to "clean" and "control the crowd". Best job perk ever. We got to watch three shows, the singers recognized us, and no one even cared if we stood in front of them and sang and danced... which we did. We knew where the Boyz' cars were parked and who their family and friends were so after the last show, we "took our break" and "cleaned" backstage as long as we possibly could. Some of the families and crew came back and we smiled and made small talk but once the fireworks started, we left because we actually had somewhere we had to be. So I said to her, "I wish we could have seen just one of them back there." She looked at me like I was crazy and told me that I did. I didn't even realize it but while I was backstage there was a man walking towards me with a friendly smile on his face so I politely smiled and said, "Hello," like I do to any other guest and he said, "How are you tonight?" and I said, "Great!" and kept on walking. I talked to a Boy and didn't even realize it.
That brings us to today! All I have done is spent $40 at Wal-Mart that I'm going to complain about right now. I decided within the last hour that living in a hippie community would be a lot more economical. I'm going to leave food out of the equation for this discussion (we all know that hippies dig through dumpsters and thrive off of us glutenous pigs) because I didn't purchase any food with that $40. Let's take a look at my receipt. Moisturizing Lotion - hippies use animal fat for that, I'm pretty sure. Facial Moisturizer/Sunscreen - as a hippie, you develop natural sunscreen from living outdoors and don't care what your skin looks like because everyone is in the same boat... or, tent, I guess. Deodorant - forget it. Shampoo - they all have dreadlocks, no washing necessary. Curl Sculpting Gel - refer to the shampoo comment. Color Shield Hair Lotion - with the sun's natural highlights each day, it's like a consistent, quality salon treatment. Pumice Stone - isn't that just a rock anyways? Pictures - memories are much higher definition. So I hope you all agree with me and we can protest Wal-Mart and all smelly liquids that we cover our bodies with. Isn't that working for those Wall Street people?
Sunday, October 23, 2011
My Top 10 List... take that David Letterman
The things that happen at work that make my week:
1. As I stand watching Cinderella and Prince Charming finish their visit with their final family and walk backstage, passers-by continue to wave and yell to them. I can hear the conversation of two sisters near me that consists of the same, "Look, it's Cinderella!" or, "Hi, Prince Charming!" comments as everyone else. They fall silent and after about ten seconds of watching them disappear backstage, one of the sisters says to the other, "They really need a fat princess."
2. Mary Poppins thanking me for "keeping the place nice and tidy."
3. During fireworks one night, I hear random shouts and applause from a group of drunks I had my eye on. It was a strange part of the show to be cheering at so I look around and see a bride and groom, in gown and tux, walking down the street. I was able to shout a congratulations and felt like celebrities had just thanked me as they continued beaming down the lane.
4. An adult British couple holding hands, skipping down the street, and singing, "It's a Jolly Holiday with Mary."
5. A grown father and his two sons sprinting towards the red telephone booths in the UK and yelling, "We're off to the ministry! Dad, we're going to the Ministry of Magic!" (Harry Potter reference... if you don't understand, you are truly missing out.)
6. I'm standing on the side of the street facing the streams of people coming from all directions. I spot a squirrel on the other end of the street. It spots me. It runs toward me, full force. I panic silently. I don't know what to do, I don't want to look like a fool and run but I don't want rabies. So I stand. The squirrel stops three feet in front of me. Eye contact remains, but my eyes are full of fear. The squirrel gives in and runs around me. I breathe a sigh of relief and look up. A seven-year-old girl eating with her family close by had the same relief in her eyes that I did. We both realize what could have just happened. We both realize that no one else in the park realizes what could have just happened. We both start laughing. A lot.
7. Two grown women twins (again!) in matching motor scooters calling me over to them to look at how beautiful my costume is. My costume? Really? Need a reminder?
8. After fireworks, I was sweeping trash near the front of the showcase, where you have the most beautiful view of every country. The area is really sparse and I'm about to leave until I see a man get down on one knee in front of his new fiance. I stood and watched as they laughed and cried and hugged. No one else saw. And they'll never know I did. It was awesome.
9. I was walking backstage before my shift started in a tired, lazy mood. I approached a crosswalk and as I passed a streetlight, my movement activated a sensor that started playing "Whistle While You Work" all the way to my cast services building. What else could I expect, Disney?
10. I was standing and watching kids of all ages meet Mary Poppins. Besides watching the people who are actually meeting her, I love to see the reactions of the guests walking past her when they notice her. And I can usually tell what kind of person is going to get really excited about it. I did notice this younger, trendy couple with beers in their hands on their way to see Howard Jones perform. As they saw Mary, the woman was excited and pointed to her, but the man... He whipped out his camera phone, got the happiest look on his face, yelled, "You never see her!!" and approached the parents taking pictures of their children who were meeting Mary at the time to snap some of his own. Some people surprise me!
1. As I stand watching Cinderella and Prince Charming finish their visit with their final family and walk backstage, passers-by continue to wave and yell to them. I can hear the conversation of two sisters near me that consists of the same, "Look, it's Cinderella!" or, "Hi, Prince Charming!" comments as everyone else. They fall silent and after about ten seconds of watching them disappear backstage, one of the sisters says to the other, "They really need a fat princess."
2. Mary Poppins thanking me for "keeping the place nice and tidy."
3. During fireworks one night, I hear random shouts and applause from a group of drunks I had my eye on. It was a strange part of the show to be cheering at so I look around and see a bride and groom, in gown and tux, walking down the street. I was able to shout a congratulations and felt like celebrities had just thanked me as they continued beaming down the lane.
4. An adult British couple holding hands, skipping down the street, and singing, "It's a Jolly Holiday with Mary."
5. A grown father and his two sons sprinting towards the red telephone booths in the UK and yelling, "We're off to the ministry! Dad, we're going to the Ministry of Magic!" (Harry Potter reference... if you don't understand, you are truly missing out.)
6. I'm standing on the side of the street facing the streams of people coming from all directions. I spot a squirrel on the other end of the street. It spots me. It runs toward me, full force. I panic silently. I don't know what to do, I don't want to look like a fool and run but I don't want rabies. So I stand. The squirrel stops three feet in front of me. Eye contact remains, but my eyes are full of fear. The squirrel gives in and runs around me. I breathe a sigh of relief and look up. A seven-year-old girl eating with her family close by had the same relief in her eyes that I did. We both realize what could have just happened. We both realize that no one else in the park realizes what could have just happened. We both start laughing. A lot.
7. Two grown women twins (again!) in matching motor scooters calling me over to them to look at how beautiful my costume is. My costume? Really? Need a reminder?
8. After fireworks, I was sweeping trash near the front of the showcase, where you have the most beautiful view of every country. The area is really sparse and I'm about to leave until I see a man get down on one knee in front of his new fiance. I stood and watched as they laughed and cried and hugged. No one else saw. And they'll never know I did. It was awesome.
9. I was walking backstage before my shift started in a tired, lazy mood. I approached a crosswalk and as I passed a streetlight, my movement activated a sensor that started playing "Whistle While You Work" all the way to my cast services building. What else could I expect, Disney?
10. I was standing and watching kids of all ages meet Mary Poppins. Besides watching the people who are actually meeting her, I love to see the reactions of the guests walking past her when they notice her. And I can usually tell what kind of person is going to get really excited about it. I did notice this younger, trendy couple with beers in their hands on their way to see Howard Jones perform. As they saw Mary, the woman was excited and pointed to her, but the man... He whipped out his camera phone, got the happiest look on his face, yelled, "You never see her!!" and approached the parents taking pictures of their children who were meeting Mary at the time to snap some of his own. Some people surprise me!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
All aboard my train of thought...
When I moved away from home for the first time a little over a year ago, I promised myself I would never resort to spaghetti-o's, cup-o-soups, or top ramen. Well, I am proud to say that I purchased all three today at the store. Times are tough, people...
I had a wonderful birthday on Saturday! I did have to work, but received many messages, texts, gifts, cards, calls, and offers to buy me a margarita when I got off work. And I appreciate them all :)
I have a bone to pick with everyone who has ever lived in Florida that didn't warn me about the lizards. I have honestly seen close to a million in the six weeks I have been here. As I make the two minute walk to the mailbox (one of my favorite hobbies) I count the ones that run across my path. The results are an average of seven to fifteen, not including the ones I see hiding the the grass or rustling through the bushes...
Have you ever noticed that, when someone says, "Wow, something smells good," it is almost always the smell of a deep fryer they are referring to? What is this world coming to?
There is this person who owns a small plane in Florida who finds it his/her duty to write messages in the sky. These messages usually say, "God+U= :) Jesus" or "Jesus loves U" and they appear about four days out of the week in the sky above Walt Disney World. In a way, I admire this person. He/she captivates the attention of thousands of people every day he/she goes up in that little plane. I call him/her the "sky writer"...
I don't know if this is just an east coast thing, but I never realized how many people in this world smoke. Whether I am at the bus stop, at Wal-Mart, in my apartment complex, or backstage at work there is always someone smoking. The question I get asked most often, yes even more than restroom locations, is smoking areas. It's kind of ridiculous...
Today on my way home from grocery shopping, I saw a man and a woman on the side of the road staking a homemade sign into the ground that read, "gater jerky/boiled p-nuts." Only in Florida...
My parents were way ahead of the game when they named me. And it turned out to be a huge game. If I had to guess, according to the parents I hear addressing their kids every day, I would say that 20% of young girls are named Maddi/Maddie/Maddy/Madi. So I have had to develop a split-second decision making process. Here is what happens in my head when I hear that name: Do I recognize that voice? Is there a supervisor around me? Am I currently doing something wrong/have I recently made a mistake? Is the voice coming from someone in a position where they can read my name tag? Am I in a situation where I can inconspicuously turn me head in the direction of the voice and play it off if I'm wrong but address the person if I'm right? That gets tiring, people. It wouldn't be so hard, but about half of the time, they are referring to me. I never realized how common it is for guests to feel comfortable calling you by name just because they can read it on your costume. And every time, I react a little shocked and they react a little proud...
I had a wonderful birthday on Saturday! I did have to work, but received many messages, texts, gifts, cards, calls, and offers to buy me a margarita when I got off work. And I appreciate them all :)
I have a bone to pick with everyone who has ever lived in Florida that didn't warn me about the lizards. I have honestly seen close to a million in the six weeks I have been here. As I make the two minute walk to the mailbox (one of my favorite hobbies) I count the ones that run across my path. The results are an average of seven to fifteen, not including the ones I see hiding the the grass or rustling through the bushes...
Have you ever noticed that, when someone says, "Wow, something smells good," it is almost always the smell of a deep fryer they are referring to? What is this world coming to?
There is this person who owns a small plane in Florida who finds it his/her duty to write messages in the sky. These messages usually say, "God+U= :) Jesus" or "Jesus loves U" and they appear about four days out of the week in the sky above Walt Disney World. In a way, I admire this person. He/she captivates the attention of thousands of people every day he/she goes up in that little plane. I call him/her the "sky writer"...
I don't know if this is just an east coast thing, but I never realized how many people in this world smoke. Whether I am at the bus stop, at Wal-Mart, in my apartment complex, or backstage at work there is always someone smoking. The question I get asked most often, yes even more than restroom locations, is smoking areas. It's kind of ridiculous...
Today on my way home from grocery shopping, I saw a man and a woman on the side of the road staking a homemade sign into the ground that read, "gater jerky/boiled p-nuts." Only in Florida...
My parents were way ahead of the game when they named me. And it turned out to be a huge game. If I had to guess, according to the parents I hear addressing their kids every day, I would say that 20% of young girls are named Maddi/Maddie/Maddy/Madi. So I have had to develop a split-second decision making process. Here is what happens in my head when I hear that name: Do I recognize that voice? Is there a supervisor around me? Am I currently doing something wrong/have I recently made a mistake? Is the voice coming from someone in a position where they can read my name tag? Am I in a situation where I can inconspicuously turn me head in the direction of the voice and play it off if I'm wrong but address the person if I'm right? That gets tiring, people. It wouldn't be so hard, but about half of the time, they are referring to me. I never realized how common it is for guests to feel comfortable calling you by name just because they can read it on your costume. And every time, I react a little shocked and they react a little proud...
Friday, October 14, 2011
Rochester Police Department. Off duty - Save yourself.
Yes, a man was wearing a shirt saying that today.
I'm just going to jump right in. First, the laughs.
-An older couple approached me and our conversation went like this:
Woman: Hi, are there any rides in any of these countries?
Me: Yep, there are two rides in Mexico and Norway.
Man: Massacre your way?!
Me: No, in MEXICO and NORWAY.
Man: Oh, oh...
Woman: Okay thank you. And what is in the big ball?
Me: That's a ride as well called Spaceship Earth.
Man: Honey, I knew that. (He looks at me) That's the Epcot, right?
Me: Yes. Yes it is.
-Only in a Disney cast break room will you have grown adults arguing over whether we are going to watch Good Morning America or The Suite Life Of Zach and Cody. It has happened more than once.
- I participated in the most awkward conversation of my entire life the other day. One of my coordinators was talking with me and a girl that I work with. This girl is one of my closer friends and we went through a lot of training together; and she is on the heavy side. The coordinator was talking about some singer he saw in concert recently and said, "The last time I saw her ten years ago, she looked thin like you (gestured to me). But now she's ballooned up and looks like you (gestures to girl). I don't know what happened." Most awkward silence I have experienced. I pretty much walked away.
- You know how parents dress up their twins in matching outfits and it's really cute and socially acceptable? I think that rule should end at age twelve or so. At least it shouldn't reach the point where you and your twin vacation in Walt Disney World together. In matching dresses. With matching braided pigtails. With the EXACT SAME rings, earrings, bracelets, and necklace. Wearing the same shoes. And be over the age of fifty. People were pointing and laughing.
Now get the tissues out.
- This one isn't just a one time thing but it's something I have found to make my day SO much better. It all starts when a distracted parent pushing a stroller and trying to stay on top of everything going on decides to park it somewhere near me. I catch the attention of the cute little kid and proceed to play hide-and-seek with them for a minute or two. As they transform from sleepy to smiling and laughing, I walk away before the parents realize what just happened. It's always our little secret :)
- The other day I was working "Extra Magic Hours" which is fancy for saying that the park is open three extra hours and all of the cast members get to stay an hour after that, usually resulting in getting home around 2:30 am. Needless to say, I was a little tired already and discouraged that I wouldn't be getting much sleep before my shift the next day. But, I forced my spirits up and ended up having a conversation with a very nice family from the Bay Area. I was asking about their vacation and what parks they loved and telling them that I'm really homesick but it's good for me. They talked to me like family and it was so refreshing and comforting! Then they started asking me about my job. I love it when that happens! One of the fathers in the group asked what the company is like to work for. I went on and on. And on. The feelings that I have for the Disney company are so incredible. I wasn't able to put it into words that well on the spot, but I have been thinking a lot about that question since he asked me. However great I thought it would be to work for this marvelous company; it is at least ten times better. My job is the best part of my day-to-day life. I don't know many people who can say that and Disney has set a standard for me because I want to be able to say that for the rest of my life.
- Later that same night, I had four little girls in princess dresses run up to me and ask to trade pins. My heart melted. So I knelt down and let them choose what pins they wanted to trade as I told them how pretty they looked and listened to stories of meeting Belle and Cinderella. Before they left, one of them walked up right next to me, gave me the biggest hug I've had in a month and a half, and thanked me. I loved that moment.
- Sometimes I strategically place myself across the way from an area where I know a character is about to make an appearance so that I can watch all of the excitement and magic as it is happening. Today I was watching a line of anxious children and impatient parents waiting for Snow White. The girl in front is always the one I focus on, and today I know why. As soon as Snow White walked out, she was wonderstruck. Snow White immediately took her hand and skipped around in circles for a good minute. the girl was probably about four and kept up as good as she could while listening to Snow White talking to her. Then they stopped and the princess sat down on the curb so she could be at eye level with the girl. The girl followed suit and, still holding her hand, found a spot to sit right next to her while smiling and whispering secrets to her new best friend. That was when I started to feel the tears in my eyes. And they just continued as I watched teenagers hug their childhood hero, Snow White hold and kiss a baby and talk to her as if she could understand, the real princess talk to young girls as if they were the only person in the world, and parents setting their cameras down because they didn't want to miss the real magical memory being made right in front of them. It all hit me again. There is so much more than rides and restaurants and clean bathrooms here. These streets are where millions of people have seen magic with their own eyes. Magic that isn't possible anywhere else in the word. Magic that is so irreplaceable that every day I see grown adults coming back to experience it all over again. I may be homesick, lonely, malnourished, and overtired. But it's all gone as soon as I see that magic in a little girls' eyes.
I'm just going to jump right in. First, the laughs.
-An older couple approached me and our conversation went like this:
Woman: Hi, are there any rides in any of these countries?
Me: Yep, there are two rides in Mexico and Norway.
Man: Massacre your way?!
Me: No, in MEXICO and NORWAY.
Man: Oh, oh...
Woman: Okay thank you. And what is in the big ball?
Me: That's a ride as well called Spaceship Earth.
Man: Honey, I knew that. (He looks at me) That's the Epcot, right?
Me: Yes. Yes it is.
-Only in a Disney cast break room will you have grown adults arguing over whether we are going to watch Good Morning America or The Suite Life Of Zach and Cody. It has happened more than once.
- I participated in the most awkward conversation of my entire life the other day. One of my coordinators was talking with me and a girl that I work with. This girl is one of my closer friends and we went through a lot of training together; and she is on the heavy side. The coordinator was talking about some singer he saw in concert recently and said, "The last time I saw her ten years ago, she looked thin like you (gestured to me). But now she's ballooned up and looks like you (gestures to girl). I don't know what happened." Most awkward silence I have experienced. I pretty much walked away.
- You know how parents dress up their twins in matching outfits and it's really cute and socially acceptable? I think that rule should end at age twelve or so. At least it shouldn't reach the point where you and your twin vacation in Walt Disney World together. In matching dresses. With matching braided pigtails. With the EXACT SAME rings, earrings, bracelets, and necklace. Wearing the same shoes. And be over the age of fifty. People were pointing and laughing.
Now get the tissues out.
- This one isn't just a one time thing but it's something I have found to make my day SO much better. It all starts when a distracted parent pushing a stroller and trying to stay on top of everything going on decides to park it somewhere near me. I catch the attention of the cute little kid and proceed to play hide-and-seek with them for a minute or two. As they transform from sleepy to smiling and laughing, I walk away before the parents realize what just happened. It's always our little secret :)
- The other day I was working "Extra Magic Hours" which is fancy for saying that the park is open three extra hours and all of the cast members get to stay an hour after that, usually resulting in getting home around 2:30 am. Needless to say, I was a little tired already and discouraged that I wouldn't be getting much sleep before my shift the next day. But, I forced my spirits up and ended up having a conversation with a very nice family from the Bay Area. I was asking about their vacation and what parks they loved and telling them that I'm really homesick but it's good for me. They talked to me like family and it was so refreshing and comforting! Then they started asking me about my job. I love it when that happens! One of the fathers in the group asked what the company is like to work for. I went on and on. And on. The feelings that I have for the Disney company are so incredible. I wasn't able to put it into words that well on the spot, but I have been thinking a lot about that question since he asked me. However great I thought it would be to work for this marvelous company; it is at least ten times better. My job is the best part of my day-to-day life. I don't know many people who can say that and Disney has set a standard for me because I want to be able to say that for the rest of my life.
- Later that same night, I had four little girls in princess dresses run up to me and ask to trade pins. My heart melted. So I knelt down and let them choose what pins they wanted to trade as I told them how pretty they looked and listened to stories of meeting Belle and Cinderella. Before they left, one of them walked up right next to me, gave me the biggest hug I've had in a month and a half, and thanked me. I loved that moment.
- Sometimes I strategically place myself across the way from an area where I know a character is about to make an appearance so that I can watch all of the excitement and magic as it is happening. Today I was watching a line of anxious children and impatient parents waiting for Snow White. The girl in front is always the one I focus on, and today I know why. As soon as Snow White walked out, she was wonderstruck. Snow White immediately took her hand and skipped around in circles for a good minute. the girl was probably about four and kept up as good as she could while listening to Snow White talking to her. Then they stopped and the princess sat down on the curb so she could be at eye level with the girl. The girl followed suit and, still holding her hand, found a spot to sit right next to her while smiling and whispering secrets to her new best friend. That was when I started to feel the tears in my eyes. And they just continued as I watched teenagers hug their childhood hero, Snow White hold and kiss a baby and talk to her as if she could understand, the real princess talk to young girls as if they were the only person in the world, and parents setting their cameras down because they didn't want to miss the real magical memory being made right in front of them. It all hit me again. There is so much more than rides and restaurants and clean bathrooms here. These streets are where millions of people have seen magic with their own eyes. Magic that isn't possible anywhere else in the word. Magic that is so irreplaceable that every day I see grown adults coming back to experience it all over again. I may be homesick, lonely, malnourished, and overtired. But it's all gone as soon as I see that magic in a little girls' eyes.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Sorry, I don't speak Mexican.
It's my day off! And how sweet it is. I have worked at least ten hours a day for the last four days straight. Let me tell you, that is tiring! To top it all off, I had my first Disney University class at 8:30 this morning. It was so great! It is a People Management class, and since I am pursuing Human Relations in my studies, it fits perfectly. Each week for the next eight weeks, we will have two to five speakers from different Human Relations departments of the Disney company, and the chance to meet and network with them. How awesome is that?! Really awesome, I know.
Speaking of networking, I have had a couple really neat experiences within the last month. The first one began while I was watching fireworks... of course. This manager of some sort (I know he is a manager because of the professional clothes and relaxed walk) comes up to me and starts a conversation. He is extremely kind and really takes an interest in what I had to say (don't you love it when people do that?) and gave me really great tips on taking advantage of the College Program. Come to find out, Justin (the manager... don't get lost) is the entertainment manager of Epcot; which includes the three live bands that perform daily, the street performers in each country, and the musical guests. He was very encouraging to me and gave me some wonderful advice, making sure that I was comfortable stopping him to ask questions or talk whenever I saw him. Since then, I have seen him about four times in the park and each time, he greets me by name and asks how everything is going for me. Once I actually get over the shock of his kindness, I'll come up with some good questions for him, I promise!
Another experience I had was on that crazy night shift I had during the Wine and Dine half-marathon. One of my managers pulled me aside at one point and asked if I had met Allen, as we approached this kind-looking man. I said no, introduced myself to Allen, and talked with him about my program, home, and school. Throughout the night, as I continued to see him one or two more times, I remained very comfortable and unintimidated by him as I asked about his 28 years working at Walt Disney World, opening Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. At one point I finally asked what his job title was. Operations Manager. At Epcot. I don't know exactly what that job description is but I'm pretty sure it's important. So that was cool.
Some equally entertaining moments I have yet to share:
-A couple and an elderly woman walking along the pavilion. Husband to grandma, "Come on, you're so slow!" Wife to husband, "Chris, she's 70." Husband to wife, "How old?" Wife to husband, "70." Husband to wife, "How old?" Wife to husband, "70!" Husband laughs. Maddi laughs.
- The other day as the entire cast and crew of Cake Boss was at Epcot filming an episode involving the Food and Wine Festival, one of the hundreds of managers out that day approached me and said, "Churches or menial." At least that was what his Jamaican accent made it sound like. I asked him to repeat himself and he said, "Are you Turkish or Armenian?" That's a tough question for me to answer...
- I was working in restrooms and two young sisters walk in (about four and six) and enter different stalls. They were talking to each other very sweetly the whole time but all I happened to hear was one of them say, "I hope mom doesn't ruin our chances because I really want to go to Animal Kingdom."
- I was working in Mexico and a rather intoxicated gentleman with a new drink in his hand came up to me and asked me a question in Spanish (happens very often...) and I proceeded to tell him that I don't speak Spanish. He looked shocked and said, "You're Mexican, you work in Mexico, and you don't speak Mexican?!" A man nearby standing with his wife yelled towards him, "Sir, I don't think you need that drink," then looked at me and said, "Since you probably couldn't say it..." I smiled, nodded, and walked away.
That's all for the moment! I'm actually very happy about the rest of my week! I should be getting a letter from Elder Chugg today, a package from my family tomorrow, and the remaining four working day of the week are only eight hour days! Plus, on Saturday I turn 19! I'm growing up so fast...
Speaking of networking, I have had a couple really neat experiences within the last month. The first one began while I was watching fireworks... of course. This manager of some sort (I know he is a manager because of the professional clothes and relaxed walk) comes up to me and starts a conversation. He is extremely kind and really takes an interest in what I had to say (don't you love it when people do that?) and gave me really great tips on taking advantage of the College Program. Come to find out, Justin (the manager... don't get lost) is the entertainment manager of Epcot; which includes the three live bands that perform daily, the street performers in each country, and the musical guests. He was very encouraging to me and gave me some wonderful advice, making sure that I was comfortable stopping him to ask questions or talk whenever I saw him. Since then, I have seen him about four times in the park and each time, he greets me by name and asks how everything is going for me. Once I actually get over the shock of his kindness, I'll come up with some good questions for him, I promise!
Another experience I had was on that crazy night shift I had during the Wine and Dine half-marathon. One of my managers pulled me aside at one point and asked if I had met Allen, as we approached this kind-looking man. I said no, introduced myself to Allen, and talked with him about my program, home, and school. Throughout the night, as I continued to see him one or two more times, I remained very comfortable and unintimidated by him as I asked about his 28 years working at Walt Disney World, opening Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. At one point I finally asked what his job title was. Operations Manager. At Epcot. I don't know exactly what that job description is but I'm pretty sure it's important. So that was cool.
Some equally entertaining moments I have yet to share:
-A couple and an elderly woman walking along the pavilion. Husband to grandma, "Come on, you're so slow!" Wife to husband, "Chris, she's 70." Husband to wife, "How old?" Wife to husband, "70." Husband to wife, "How old?" Wife to husband, "70!" Husband laughs. Maddi laughs.
- The other day as the entire cast and crew of Cake Boss was at Epcot filming an episode involving the Food and Wine Festival, one of the hundreds of managers out that day approached me and said, "Churches or menial." At least that was what his Jamaican accent made it sound like. I asked him to repeat himself and he said, "Are you Turkish or Armenian?" That's a tough question for me to answer...
- I was working in restrooms and two young sisters walk in (about four and six) and enter different stalls. They were talking to each other very sweetly the whole time but all I happened to hear was one of them say, "I hope mom doesn't ruin our chances because I really want to go to Animal Kingdom."
- I was working in Mexico and a rather intoxicated gentleman with a new drink in his hand came up to me and asked me a question in Spanish (happens very often...) and I proceeded to tell him that I don't speak Spanish. He looked shocked and said, "You're Mexican, you work in Mexico, and you don't speak Mexican?!" A man nearby standing with his wife yelled towards him, "Sir, I don't think you need that drink," then looked at me and said, "Since you probably couldn't say it..." I smiled, nodded, and walked away.
That's all for the moment! I'm actually very happy about the rest of my week! I should be getting a letter from Elder Chugg today, a package from my family tomorrow, and the remaining four working day of the week are only eight hour days! Plus, on Saturday I turn 19! I'm growing up so fast...
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
My Problems
I had the day off today so I got up early (okay, 9:00 but it felt early) and went to explore Animal Kingdom for a few hours. It was one of the more enjoyable things I've done alone while being here. Usually at a theme park like this, you are with a group of people who always have something different they want to do, always someone who has to go to the bathroom, always someone who left something somewhere, etc. Well you just don't have those problems when you're alone and it's pretty cool! I got through three major rides, one show, four shops, and one sugar free strawberry popsicle in less than three hours. Thank you, thank you very much.
So I've been in a bit of a pickle for the last few weeks... I have had trash accumulating very slowly in the trash cans in my bedroom and bathroom. I'm only here for a couple waking hours every day so it is not that much but I'm at a crossroads. The problem is I don't know where the dumpster is. And I have no problem asking one of my roommates but I don't want them to realize that I have been here for four whole weeks and haven't taken out the kitchen trash yet. I do feel kind of bad about it but I do the dishes nearly every day so I figured that makes up for it... My problem is the two bags of trash sitting in my room. And it isn't even that. It's that the trash bags are clear and every day I have to look at the empty Halloween candy wrappers that I may or may not have bought for myself.
Also, I have a work-related issue. I work closing shifts every single night which I love because I haven't missed a fireworks show yet while I have been working. And I'm still not tired of it! But my problem occurs every single evening at dusk from about 6:30 - 7:30 pm. The gnats come out. It's gross. I know you have experienced it before; you're walking along peacefully and all of a sudden you see little moving black dots EVERYWHERE and you start flailing your arms and walking faster to get away but they seem to follow you. Yeah, so the gnat pockets start showing up. And it's not a huge deal... except part of my job is to stand on the street and wait for people to approach me and ask questions. I wouldn't even mind if there were a few gnats around and only I could see them. But this is what it all boils down to... my worst fear is for a guest to be enjoying the lovely evening, look around for a cast member to ask for directions, and see me. A custodian. Holding a pan and broom. Surrounded by gnats. I cannot picture a more disturbing stereotype and it makes me sick to think about. Therefore, I spend this special hour every evening slowly walking and staring off into space trying to find a place the gnats are avoiding. I know it must look strange but it sounds a whole lot better than looking like a smelly, dirty janitor.
So I've been in a bit of a pickle for the last few weeks... I have had trash accumulating very slowly in the trash cans in my bedroom and bathroom. I'm only here for a couple waking hours every day so it is not that much but I'm at a crossroads. The problem is I don't know where the dumpster is. And I have no problem asking one of my roommates but I don't want them to realize that I have been here for four whole weeks and haven't taken out the kitchen trash yet. I do feel kind of bad about it but I do the dishes nearly every day so I figured that makes up for it... My problem is the two bags of trash sitting in my room. And it isn't even that. It's that the trash bags are clear and every day I have to look at the empty Halloween candy wrappers that I may or may not have bought for myself.
Also, I have a work-related issue. I work closing shifts every single night which I love because I haven't missed a fireworks show yet while I have been working. And I'm still not tired of it! But my problem occurs every single evening at dusk from about 6:30 - 7:30 pm. The gnats come out. It's gross. I know you have experienced it before; you're walking along peacefully and all of a sudden you see little moving black dots EVERYWHERE and you start flailing your arms and walking faster to get away but they seem to follow you. Yeah, so the gnat pockets start showing up. And it's not a huge deal... except part of my job is to stand on the street and wait for people to approach me and ask questions. I wouldn't even mind if there were a few gnats around and only I could see them. But this is what it all boils down to... my worst fear is for a guest to be enjoying the lovely evening, look around for a cast member to ask for directions, and see me. A custodian. Holding a pan and broom. Surrounded by gnats. I cannot picture a more disturbing stereotype and it makes me sick to think about. Therefore, I spend this special hour every evening slowly walking and staring off into space trying to find a place the gnats are avoiding. I know it must look strange but it sounds a whole lot better than looking like a smelly, dirty janitor.
Monday, October 3, 2011
You know you're fat when you see a trash can and think "dining table"
This was something I heard a guest say at about 2:30 am on Sunday morning that made me chuckle to myself. Yes, you heard me right, I was awake. And happy. At 2:30 am. Walt Disney world has an annual event called, "Disney Wine and Dine Half-Marathon" where about 12,000 runners begin at 10:00 pm and run 13.1 miles through three of the Disney parks and end at Epcot where they receive a free beer or glass of wine at the finish line.
If anyone knows or has met the person came up with this idea and conveniently doesn't work at Epcot, please send me a message with their name and address. Or phone number. I don't like confrontation.
So I get to work at 10:00 pm on Saturday evening and left at 4:30 am on Sunday morning. To your and my surprise, it was probably the best shift of my life. I had prepared by watching General Conference, receiving a package from Elder Chugg, and taking a nap on Saturday. I got to the park and there were already about 10,000 guests drinking the night away and waiting to greet the runners. Every attraction and all 27 food kiosks were open until 3:00 am and by the time the park filled with all of the runners, it was packed! We had a live DJ and music and lights all night which helped only added to the energized, drunk mood. I had a very interesting might observing and interacting with a lot of different guests and cast members and it was a lot of fun! I didn't have to deal with any angry drunks, only happy drunks. We were told repeatedly to expect a lot of vomit, so I was all pumped up for that! Unfortunately... fortunately... not one person threw up the the World Showcase! As one of my co-workers said to me, "Tonight they went straight from drinking to passing out and skipped the whole vomit step." He was right - I saw about four different people passed out and receiving medical attention. All in all, it was a fun night and by the time I got home, I had about six hours before I had to leave for my next shift. Yippee.
Here are some weekend highlights:
-A middle-aged man caught my eye the other day and started walking toward me. I assumed he had a question about directions or food recommendations but I soon spotted the lit cigarette in his hand. I started psyching myself up for a smoking-section confrontation but as he got closer he mouthed, "I know, I know." Once he reached me, he took one last drag from his cigarette and proceeded to put it out in his hand. He motioned for my trash pan and I let him put the cigarette butt in the pan and before he walked away he muttered, "You didn't see anything" and displayed his ash-filled hand behind his back for all to see. Someone is looking for attention.
-Shortly after midnight on Sunday, a tipsy man approached me and asked how to get to the "big ball" which is a question that I get a lot. I directed him to the Epcot icon and he walked away. About 7 seconds later he approached me and said, "We can do this one of two ways. I can sneak around you and secretly take a picture of you or I can just ask to take a picture of you for your smile." I laughed strangely and told him he had my permission. He continued to ramble about me not having a Disney-issued smile and custodians and his daughter-in-law and sweeping leaves. I really don't know. All I know is that he took my picture, showed it to me, and left. All I learned from that is that my genuine happiness shows while I'm working! At least in the eyes of drunk people...
-So there is this older guy. I've seen him probably five times in the four weeks that I've been here. He comes out after dark and rides around World Showcase in a motor wheelchair/scooter with a mad hatter hat that is decorated to the brim with lights. I have yet to see his face because it is dark when he is out and the lights around his face are so bright that they make it impossible to make out any features. Sometimes when he is driving past people and the stare or make a comment, he'll give them something to stare at and he flips a switch that lights up the entire wheelchair. Very fancy. I haven't even gotten to the strange part yet. He is always alone and he rarely stops moving. Except when he reaches the front of a country around the promenade. He turns to face the front of the country with his back toward the lagoon, puts it in park, lifts his hat with both hands, and rotates it in a circular motion for about five rotations. Then he places his hat back on his head, kicks it back into gear, and continues on to the next country. I am determined to find out his motives one day.
-A little girl, probably four years old, approached me to trade pins and after she picked out a Mickey Mouse pin of mine that she wanted, she asked me if I liked Ariel. I told her I love Ariel and she is one of my favorites. The girl's eyes lit up and she replied, "Then it's your lucky day!" and handed me an Ariel pin in exchange for my Mickey pin. I smiled as she ran away. Sometimes you need a four year old girl to remind you how luck you really are.
If anyone knows or has met the person came up with this idea and conveniently doesn't work at Epcot, please send me a message with their name and address. Or phone number. I don't like confrontation.
So I get to work at 10:00 pm on Saturday evening and left at 4:30 am on Sunday morning. To your and my surprise, it was probably the best shift of my life. I had prepared by watching General Conference, receiving a package from Elder Chugg, and taking a nap on Saturday. I got to the park and there were already about 10,000 guests drinking the night away and waiting to greet the runners. Every attraction and all 27 food kiosks were open until 3:00 am and by the time the park filled with all of the runners, it was packed! We had a live DJ and music and lights all night which helped only added to the energized, drunk mood. I had a very interesting might observing and interacting with a lot of different guests and cast members and it was a lot of fun! I didn't have to deal with any angry drunks, only happy drunks. We were told repeatedly to expect a lot of vomit, so I was all pumped up for that! Unfortunately... fortunately... not one person threw up the the World Showcase! As one of my co-workers said to me, "Tonight they went straight from drinking to passing out and skipped the whole vomit step." He was right - I saw about four different people passed out and receiving medical attention. All in all, it was a fun night and by the time I got home, I had about six hours before I had to leave for my next shift. Yippee.
Here are some weekend highlights:
-A middle-aged man caught my eye the other day and started walking toward me. I assumed he had a question about directions or food recommendations but I soon spotted the lit cigarette in his hand. I started psyching myself up for a smoking-section confrontation but as he got closer he mouthed, "I know, I know." Once he reached me, he took one last drag from his cigarette and proceeded to put it out in his hand. He motioned for my trash pan and I let him put the cigarette butt in the pan and before he walked away he muttered, "You didn't see anything" and displayed his ash-filled hand behind his back for all to see. Someone is looking for attention.
-Shortly after midnight on Sunday, a tipsy man approached me and asked how to get to the "big ball" which is a question that I get a lot. I directed him to the Epcot icon and he walked away. About 7 seconds later he approached me and said, "We can do this one of two ways. I can sneak around you and secretly take a picture of you or I can just ask to take a picture of you for your smile." I laughed strangely and told him he had my permission. He continued to ramble about me not having a Disney-issued smile and custodians and his daughter-in-law and sweeping leaves. I really don't know. All I know is that he took my picture, showed it to me, and left. All I learned from that is that my genuine happiness shows while I'm working! At least in the eyes of drunk people...
-So there is this older guy. I've seen him probably five times in the four weeks that I've been here. He comes out after dark and rides around World Showcase in a motor wheelchair/scooter with a mad hatter hat that is decorated to the brim with lights. I have yet to see his face because it is dark when he is out and the lights around his face are so bright that they make it impossible to make out any features. Sometimes when he is driving past people and the stare or make a comment, he'll give them something to stare at and he flips a switch that lights up the entire wheelchair. Very fancy. I haven't even gotten to the strange part yet. He is always alone and he rarely stops moving. Except when he reaches the front of a country around the promenade. He turns to face the front of the country with his back toward the lagoon, puts it in park, lifts his hat with both hands, and rotates it in a circular motion for about five rotations. Then he places his hat back on his head, kicks it back into gear, and continues on to the next country. I am determined to find out his motives one day.
-A little girl, probably four years old, approached me to trade pins and after she picked out a Mickey Mouse pin of mine that she wanted, she asked me if I liked Ariel. I told her I love Ariel and she is one of my favorites. The girl's eyes lit up and she replied, "Then it's your lucky day!" and handed me an Ariel pin in exchange for my Mickey pin. I smiled as she ran away. Sometimes you need a four year old girl to remind you how luck you really are.
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