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...