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.
Friday, December 30, 2011
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.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Go team!
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.
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.
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.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Mary Poppins and Alcohol
What a crazy few days! So on Wednesday, I ran some errands and around 6, I realized I had nothing to do for the rest of the night. So I hopped on the bus, rode over to Hollywood Studios by myself and ended up having so much fun! I rode the Tower of Terror twice, Rockin Roller Coaster once, bought myself a big mint chocolate chip ice cream cone and shopped until about 8:30. Yesterday I worked 6 hours and today 11. That might normally be tough but the annual Food and Wine festival at the Epcot Word Showcase began yesterday. What an event! Basically, around the 1.3 mile pavilion, we have small tents for about 25 different countries. Each tent sells different types of food and wine representative of that country. It is a huge deal each day of the Food and Wine Festival (it lasts until November 13th) is busier than any other day of the year, besides New Years Eve (where we see an average of 80,000 guests in Epcot alone). So what that all means is... it is packed. All day, every day. We are all a lot more busy working to keep the park as clean as people expect a Disney park to be. I am constantly moving with things to do wherever I turn and it makes the time fly by! Also, something that helps is every single day of the festival, we have a special musical guest performing in the American Garden Theater which is an outdoor amphitheater in the American pavilion. Today is was a girl named Taylor Dane and we have everyone from Boyz 2 Men, Sugar Ray, or Hansen coming in the next month and a half. So I'm pretty excited about that! If you know me, you know I love concerts :)
I do have some great little stories from these two days...
Mary Poppins
-Yesterday I was standing near Mary Poppins and watching kids and adults alike greet and talk with her in adoration. As I was watching, I really began to think of what those people were going through as they watched and met her. Mary Poppins is a nanny who has a magical way of pleasing and entertaining the two children she nannies as well as everyone she meets. She is always happy and always wanting everyone else to be happy. She really is an intriguing character and to meet her with that frame of mind would really be an awe-filled experience. I witnessed that time after time as she knelt to talk with shy little girls, held their hands with great care and appreciation, and gave the most loving, longest hugs to the most awestruck girls who ate up every word Mary spoke to them as she held them close and rubbed their back. Guess what happened to me? I teared up.
-During that same hour, I noticed two grown adult women (presumably sisters) each pushing a stroller past Mary and the long line of people waiting to meet her. Sister #1 excitedly said to the little girl in her stroller, "Look Lacey, it's Little Bo Peep!" Sister #2 disgustedly turns around and screams, "SARAH! That's Mary Poppins!" Sister #1, "Oh," as everyone who witnessed this glares judgmentally at her.
Alcohol
-Today I was cleaning restroom and there was a louder, larger woman making quite a big deal about her new back brace, how she needed a certain stall, and how much pain she was in. Right before she left, she said to her friend, "I would totally pop a Demerol but then I wouldn't be able to drink any more beer." No comment.
-Yesterday a flustered young couple was juggling rain ponchos, two little girls, and newly-bought dinner. The woman grabbed the stroller and as soon as she touched it she yelled, "Tyler, why is this all wet?!" He replies nonchalantly, "It's a margarita." No argument.
-One thing that really whomps about Food and Wine is the smell. To work for 10 hours inside a mixture of Hawaiian barbecue, fresh French rolls, and funnel cakes is torture. I thought it was all over when I clocked out tonight but I happened to sit next to this guy from France on the bus. Apparently France has some kind of wine that smells like portabella mushrooms. I almost had to plug my nose to stop my mouth from watering.
That's all for now! I'm exhausted and tomorrow is the Wine and Dine half-marathon here at Disney World. It begins at 10:30 pm and ends at 3:30 in Epcot. What does that mean? Maddi gets to work from 10 p.m. - 4 a.m. where 10,000 runners end a 13.1 mile race and we give them alcohol. Sounds like a good idea to me.
I do have some great little stories from these two days...
Mary Poppins
-Yesterday I was standing near Mary Poppins and watching kids and adults alike greet and talk with her in adoration. As I was watching, I really began to think of what those people were going through as they watched and met her. Mary Poppins is a nanny who has a magical way of pleasing and entertaining the two children she nannies as well as everyone she meets. She is always happy and always wanting everyone else to be happy. She really is an intriguing character and to meet her with that frame of mind would really be an awe-filled experience. I witnessed that time after time as she knelt to talk with shy little girls, held their hands with great care and appreciation, and gave the most loving, longest hugs to the most awestruck girls who ate up every word Mary spoke to them as she held them close and rubbed their back. Guess what happened to me? I teared up.
-During that same hour, I noticed two grown adult women (presumably sisters) each pushing a stroller past Mary and the long line of people waiting to meet her. Sister #1 excitedly said to the little girl in her stroller, "Look Lacey, it's Little Bo Peep!" Sister #2 disgustedly turns around and screams, "SARAH! That's Mary Poppins!" Sister #1, "Oh," as everyone who witnessed this glares judgmentally at her.
Alcohol
-Today I was cleaning restroom and there was a louder, larger woman making quite a big deal about her new back brace, how she needed a certain stall, and how much pain she was in. Right before she left, she said to her friend, "I would totally pop a Demerol but then I wouldn't be able to drink any more beer." No comment.
-Yesterday a flustered young couple was juggling rain ponchos, two little girls, and newly-bought dinner. The woman grabbed the stroller and as soon as she touched it she yelled, "Tyler, why is this all wet?!" He replies nonchalantly, "It's a margarita." No argument.
-One thing that really whomps about Food and Wine is the smell. To work for 10 hours inside a mixture of Hawaiian barbecue, fresh French rolls, and funnel cakes is torture. I thought it was all over when I clocked out tonight but I happened to sit next to this guy from France on the bus. Apparently France has some kind of wine that smells like portabella mushrooms. I almost had to plug my nose to stop my mouth from watering.
That's all for now! I'm exhausted and tomorrow is the Wine and Dine half-marathon here at Disney World. It begins at 10:30 pm and ends at 3:30 in Epcot. What does that mean? Maddi gets to work from 10 p.m. - 4 a.m. where 10,000 runners end a 13.1 mile race and we give them alcohol. Sounds like a good idea to me.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Attention Women
Well, hello! I know this is my second completely spiritual post in a row but it's good for you, I promise :) I don't know if you were able to watch the Relief Society General Broadcast last Saturday, but it was amazing! My favorite talk was Elder Uchdorf's and I want to share it with you. So call you mom, daughter, or sister over and take 20 minutes out of your busy day and watch this.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Please watch this and laugh.
I saw/listened to this for the first time yesterday and throughout my whole day at work, it would pop into my head and I couldn't hold back my laughter. Yeah, people stared. Click here to enjoy.
My Weekend in Bullet Points
So! The last few days...
- On my name tag, it says "Brigham Young University - Idaho" on the bottom so often times, people notice and comment on it. I have now developed this radar for these type of people. Some people read it, give me the once-over, and walk away. Some people look at it, ask where I'm from, say "Oh cool" and leave. And then all the others... they read it, they get this smug look on their face, they ask me where I go to school and I pretend to not know they already know, I tell them, and they say "Oh! We're from Utah!", they look at me and wait for the fellow-Mormon excitement, I become excited because it's my job and say "Awesome!", they expected more and they're like "Yeah!", then I smile and wait to see if they want to talk about General Conference or what new celebrity is taking the discussions, they never do, they walk away. It happens every time.
- I witnessed my first fight yesterday! We'll call the victims thing 1 and thing 2. So thing 1 comes back to its family with some food and they all get really excited. I spy thing 2 scamper slyly across the sidewalk and make its way over to thing 1 and family. Thing 2 goes in to try and steal the eggs. Thing 1 FREAKS out and screams/chases thing 2. Thing 2 retreats and tries to act like nothing happened. Thing 1 was a bird. Thing 2 was a squirrel.
- After fireworks one night, I was doing my job and sweeping all the trash around the pavilion. I was in an area that was rather shaded and hard to see so I continued to sweep things that had an abnormal shape to them. I came across this fist-sized object and didn't think twice but swept it into my pan. It was a little heavier and more dense than I had expected it to be, but oh well. I kept putting my pan up and down to sweep things into it. About 3 minutes later, I put my pan down and, to my surprise, a bull frog hopped right out. I hap swept and rattled a poor huge frog into my trash-filled pan. I stood there, watching it hop away with an incredulous look on my face for about two minutes straight. I am not used to my trash hopping out of my pan. That was a first.
- There is something else that I have kind of noticed my whole life but more-so in the last couple of weeks. After dark last night, I was walking back to the office to clock out and, like usual, I was walking in awe of the beauty of everything around me. Apparently, someone else noticed the same thing too. Let's call him Mr. Softy. So Mr. Softy had no idea I was watching him this whole time but he was walking and he rounded a corner and saw that huge golf-ball-like Epcot icon (it's actually a ride called spaceship earth). Let me tell you, at night it is breathtaking. It stands 180 feet above the ground (and 180 feet below ground to support it) and has beautiful bluish/purplish lights surrounding it against the dark, cloudy night sky. So Mr. Softy had his breath taken away by the sight of it. He pulls out his cell phone, goes to the camera, notices I am passing behind him, puts his phone down to pretend like he's texting, sees me pass by, lifts his phone again, and snaps a picture. I saw that, Mr. Softy.
- I don't know if you knew this, but Florida is the lightning capital of the world. And they don't just say that to brag. It's a daily occurrence. Last night, it accompanied the fireworks show in Epcot perfectly.
- Speaking of fireworks, I spent an evening at Hollywood Studios this last week with a couple friends where (it poured the entire night and...) I got to see Fantasmic! I have seen it at Disneyland, but it has been a while and it is a little different here. So amazing! Also speaking of fireworks, the firework show at Epcot every night? Blows me away. I get chills every time. And I've seen it almost ten times now. It is so great! I just have a thing for colorful fire and the smell of sulfur...
- Today I got to go to Sacrament Meeting again! Yay! And the girls I get a ride with wanted to go early to choir practice. I have never sang in a church choir before but I figured it was more time that I could spend in the chapel, which is the closest place I have felt to being home while I have been here. So we get there and find out the song we're singing in Sacrament Meeting. It was the As Sisters In Zion/We'll Bring The World His Truth Medley. I was floored. Not only is this one of my favorite songs of all time and the soundtrack to some of the most spiritual moments I have ever had at EFY, but the last time I sang it was at stadium singing up at BYU-Idaho with Garrett and my roommates from the spring, all of whom I love and miss so dearly. So I was privileged to stand and sing this song in front of the entire congregation, including the Orlando Temple President and his wife. It was one of the most incredible moments I've had in my experience here. I've never been an avid singer, but have always enjoyed it. I have never before felt the true meaning to the words of a song and truly been able to sing it with everything that I am. It was my testimony and I was sharing it so freely and loudly. I felt the spirit with every single person in that room. It was an incredible feeling.
- So I'm doing pretty well! I love my job and have been talking with family of friends on the phone several times a day which really helps with everything. It lightens up my whole day to get a text or message or call from someone. I love it :) I still have my lonely moments where I see a plane flying away from the Orlando Airport and desperately wish I was on it. But that's natural! Thank you all for your love and support and friendship. It means the world to me! I love you! Have a beautiful Sunday!
First, work-related:
- I watched an elderly couple race each other the other day. Like, ready-set-go status. They were probably about 80. He was running. She was driving a scooter.- On my name tag, it says "Brigham Young University - Idaho" on the bottom so often times, people notice and comment on it. I have now developed this radar for these type of people. Some people read it, give me the once-over, and walk away. Some people look at it, ask where I'm from, say "Oh cool" and leave. And then all the others... they read it, they get this smug look on their face, they ask me where I go to school and I pretend to not know they already know, I tell them, and they say "Oh! We're from Utah!", they look at me and wait for the fellow-Mormon excitement, I become excited because it's my job and say "Awesome!", they expected more and they're like "Yeah!", then I smile and wait to see if they want to talk about General Conference or what new celebrity is taking the discussions, they never do, they walk away. It happens every time.
- I witnessed my first fight yesterday! We'll call the victims thing 1 and thing 2. So thing 1 comes back to its family with some food and they all get really excited. I spy thing 2 scamper slyly across the sidewalk and make its way over to thing 1 and family. Thing 2 goes in to try and steal the eggs. Thing 1 FREAKS out and screams/chases thing 2. Thing 2 retreats and tries to act like nothing happened. Thing 1 was a bird. Thing 2 was a squirrel.
- After fireworks one night, I was doing my job and sweeping all the trash around the pavilion. I was in an area that was rather shaded and hard to see so I continued to sweep things that had an abnormal shape to them. I came across this fist-sized object and didn't think twice but swept it into my pan. It was a little heavier and more dense than I had expected it to be, but oh well. I kept putting my pan up and down to sweep things into it. About 3 minutes later, I put my pan down and, to my surprise, a bull frog hopped right out. I hap swept and rattled a poor huge frog into my trash-filled pan. I stood there, watching it hop away with an incredulous look on my face for about two minutes straight. I am not used to my trash hopping out of my pan. That was a first.
- There is something else that I have kind of noticed my whole life but more-so in the last couple of weeks. After dark last night, I was walking back to the office to clock out and, like usual, I was walking in awe of the beauty of everything around me. Apparently, someone else noticed the same thing too. Let's call him Mr. Softy. So Mr. Softy had no idea I was watching him this whole time but he was walking and he rounded a corner and saw that huge golf-ball-like Epcot icon (it's actually a ride called spaceship earth). Let me tell you, at night it is breathtaking. It stands 180 feet above the ground (and 180 feet below ground to support it) and has beautiful bluish/purplish lights surrounding it against the dark, cloudy night sky. So Mr. Softy had his breath taken away by the sight of it. He pulls out his cell phone, goes to the camera, notices I am passing behind him, puts his phone down to pretend like he's texting, sees me pass by, lifts his phone again, and snaps a picture. I saw that, Mr. Softy.
Now, non-work-related:
- I got my first letter from Elder Chugg! I was shocked by how much he has grown already. My heart is so full and I couldn't be happier! Also concerning Elder Chugg, he has some medical concerns to make decisions on soon so it would be greatly appreciated to keep him in your prayers!- I don't know if you knew this, but Florida is the lightning capital of the world. And they don't just say that to brag. It's a daily occurrence. Last night, it accompanied the fireworks show in Epcot perfectly.
- Speaking of fireworks, I spent an evening at Hollywood Studios this last week with a couple friends where (it poured the entire night and...) I got to see Fantasmic! I have seen it at Disneyland, but it has been a while and it is a little different here. So amazing! Also speaking of fireworks, the firework show at Epcot every night? Blows me away. I get chills every time. And I've seen it almost ten times now. It is so great! I just have a thing for colorful fire and the smell of sulfur...
- Today I got to go to Sacrament Meeting again! Yay! And the girls I get a ride with wanted to go early to choir practice. I have never sang in a church choir before but I figured it was more time that I could spend in the chapel, which is the closest place I have felt to being home while I have been here. So we get there and find out the song we're singing in Sacrament Meeting. It was the As Sisters In Zion/We'll Bring The World His Truth Medley. I was floored. Not only is this one of my favorite songs of all time and the soundtrack to some of the most spiritual moments I have ever had at EFY, but the last time I sang it was at stadium singing up at BYU-Idaho with Garrett and my roommates from the spring, all of whom I love and miss so dearly. So I was privileged to stand and sing this song in front of the entire congregation, including the Orlando Temple President and his wife. It was one of the most incredible moments I've had in my experience here. I've never been an avid singer, but have always enjoyed it. I have never before felt the true meaning to the words of a song and truly been able to sing it with everything that I am. It was my testimony and I was sharing it so freely and loudly. I felt the spirit with every single person in that room. It was an incredible feeling.
- So I'm doing pretty well! I love my job and have been talking with family of friends on the phone several times a day which really helps with everything. It lightens up my whole day to get a text or message or call from someone. I love it :) I still have my lonely moments where I see a plane flying away from the Orlando Airport and desperately wish I was on it. But that's natural! Thank you all for your love and support and friendship. It means the world to me! I love you! Have a beautiful Sunday!
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Magic Moments
These are what we learned about in training as those things you see in Disney commercials. Those things that we are now responsible for thinking of and making happen. I had my first one today.
It all started when I was changing trash liners and watching guests pass by underneath the daily thunderstorm forming. A woman in a wheelchair and her husband about 20 feet away from me were working on getting an umbrella out and open when the handle completely snapped. I approached them and all I could see was cracked wood and splinters everywhere. I asked if that had just happened, they said yes and asked for tape to fix it, and I told them I would be right back... I had something better in mind.
Many of you may know that most every major customer-oriented company holds to the motto that "The customer is always right." Well, Disney changed it up a bit and we believe that "The guest is not always right. But they are still our guest." With this in my head, I continued on my mission.
I made my way to the nearest gift shop and after a very short chat with the manager, I walked out of the shop and back towards the couple with a brand new Mickey Mouse umbrella in my hand. As I approached, the husband looked somewhat confused and I handed the umbrella to the woman and said, "This one might work a little better." She looked at me in awe and was speechless. Her husband thanked me and asked to where and when they should return it. I informed him that the umbrella was their newest souvenir. The woman gasped and they both shared that biggest smiles and thanks they could possibly muster. She grabbed my hand and shook it ever-so meaningfully. I told them it was my pleasure and went about my trash bag business. I could see them looking at their brand new umbrella and smiling at each other and before they walked off, the husband walked over to me, looked at my name tag, shook my hand, and said, "Thank you so much, Maddi." My eyes filled once more as I watched him and his wife walk away waving at me.
What a telling story. All I did was replace a broken umbrella. It was really so simple and something I would have done for anyone in any situation. But the legacy of Disney and their impeccable customer service turned this act of kindness into a surreal moment for two grown adults who probably could have afforded another umbrella and would have had a wonderful day anyways. It feels amazing to know that I was part of making their wonderful day something truly magical that they may not forget for a long time. That umbrella is going back home with them in a few days and may sit in a closet and never get used again. But it will always have some pixie dust on it...
It all started when I was changing trash liners and watching guests pass by underneath the daily thunderstorm forming. A woman in a wheelchair and her husband about 20 feet away from me were working on getting an umbrella out and open when the handle completely snapped. I approached them and all I could see was cracked wood and splinters everywhere. I asked if that had just happened, they said yes and asked for tape to fix it, and I told them I would be right back... I had something better in mind.
Many of you may know that most every major customer-oriented company holds to the motto that "The customer is always right." Well, Disney changed it up a bit and we believe that "The guest is not always right. But they are still our guest." With this in my head, I continued on my mission.
I made my way to the nearest gift shop and after a very short chat with the manager, I walked out of the shop and back towards the couple with a brand new Mickey Mouse umbrella in my hand. As I approached, the husband looked somewhat confused and I handed the umbrella to the woman and said, "This one might work a little better." She looked at me in awe and was speechless. Her husband thanked me and asked to where and when they should return it. I informed him that the umbrella was their newest souvenir. The woman gasped and they both shared that biggest smiles and thanks they could possibly muster. She grabbed my hand and shook it ever-so meaningfully. I told them it was my pleasure and went about my trash bag business. I could see them looking at their brand new umbrella and smiling at each other and before they walked off, the husband walked over to me, looked at my name tag, shook my hand, and said, "Thank you so much, Maddi." My eyes filled once more as I watched him and his wife walk away waving at me.
What a telling story. All I did was replace a broken umbrella. It was really so simple and something I would have done for anyone in any situation. But the legacy of Disney and their impeccable customer service turned this act of kindness into a surreal moment for two grown adults who probably could have afforded another umbrella and would have had a wonderful day anyways. It feels amazing to know that I was part of making their wonderful day something truly magical that they may not forget for a long time. That umbrella is going back home with them in a few days and may sit in a closet and never get used again. But it will always have some pixie dust on it...
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
If a tree falls in the middle of a forest... do the other trees laugh at it?
That was the wording on the shirt of a guest today. I was laughing so hard... because I always laugh when someone falls... and if I was a tree and I saw another tree fall... then I would probably laugh too... anyways. I probably had my best day yet today! And nothing extraordinary happened, but it was still the best day! I do have a compilation of small stories that might contribute to that title:
A family of five was walking, the dad pushing the stroller and a ten-year-old girl walking in front of it. About 20 yards ahead of them a duck crawled out of the bushes and was clearly in their way. The girl yells, "Dad, watch out for the duck!" The dad sarcastically replies, "Duck? What duck? I don't see a duck..." Girl, "Dad! Stop! Ah! Ugh..." That sooooo reminded me of my dad and Isaac. I was smiling.
A middle aged man holding hands with one of his children was speed-walking toward Norway and said, "Hurry, honey! We have to make it to the ride in Norweigia!" Serious.
I was standing in Mexico facing the huge Mexican Temple when and older woman walked over to me. I got ready to answer her question or graciously receive her compliment on my hair when she stood next to me and smiled straight ahead. After watching her, perplexed, I realized her daughter was taking a picture of the two of us. So I smiled, the camera flashed, she thanked me and walked away. I'm still confused.
I was sweeping the streets and a woman was walking the opposite direction with her mom. The daughter was talking and the only part of the conversation I heard was, "...he hadn't even been alive one second and I was completely in love..." Ahh :) I got chills.
After dark, I was walking the street and a little boy stopped me to trade Disney pins. After 2 seconds, I realized that his family was from England, because of their accents. Boy one, 5 years old, and boy 2, three years old, decided what pins they wanted and their parents helped them take off the pins from their lanyards that were now mine. We have finished our little transaction and the dad said to the younger boy, "Sebastian, you remember what we do when we pin trade with someone?" The boy looks at me and motions for me to come down to his level. I do and he gives me the sweetest, most adorable kiss on the cheek. I think I blushed. It made my whole year.
Just before the fireworks, this group of four loud, happy adults came walking towards me saying, "Let's just ask Sally!" One walked up to me, looked at my name tag and said, "Her name is Maddi!" I was a little lost but he continued, "Maddi, we need you to make a decision for us. Beer or a margarita?" Without missing a beat, I said, "Margarita." He replied, "Margarita, huh? Are you of age? Do you even drink?" I said, "No and no but where else are you going to get an authentic Mexican margarita like the ones in Mexico in Disney World?" That was acceptable and all four of them walked away with margaritas in their hands. You're welcome, Walt. That's $36 right there.
So that was my day at work! Today I actually had a realization. A really big one too. Like, so big that I had tears in my eyes. It started when I was talking to a couple and the woman told me that she had heard about the college program and was supposed to do presentations on it at the local college and wanted to know what I thought of it. Without thinking first, I replied so honestly. I said, "Honestly, it's a job. I work 40 to 50 hours every week." I took a second and looked around at the lights on the different landmark replications and beautiful buildings around the 1.3 mile pavillion. I saw the sun waiting as long as it could to set behind blue/pink clouds and reflecting off of the lagoon. I watched two girls dressed up as Belle and Ariel run to have dinner with their favorite princesses. I continued, "But look at where I work. I get to be inside of this happiness all day long. I'm never going to get this opportunity again in my life. The people I work with are some of the kindest, most interesting people I have ever met in my life. And I get to be a part of all of this. I absolutely love it." I did have tears brimming at this point and the couple thanked me and walked off. But I took a minute to stand in awe. I do have a full-time job where I come home alone to a silent apartment that I wish was filled with my family or friends. But that would take away from the experience that I am going through personally. It is a tough situation for me, but let me just tell you, it pays for itself many times over. When I have a frantic mom come up to me, I spend 5 minutes doing some detective work, and I get to kneel down and let her watch me tell her two daughters that their favorite character is right inside the building, waiting especially to meet them, and their faces light up. Or when a newlywed couple taking pictures of each other is so grateful when I offer to take a picture of them together and it might just be the only picture they have of both of them on their whole trip. Or when a family excitedly approaches me and tell me about all of the fun they had doing the things I suggested when I met them the week before in another park. Or when I get to high-five little kids with a mickey glove on and they think they just touched gold. Or when there is a tired-looking toddler in a stroller passing by and I catch her eye and smile and she beams back. Or when I get to wish Happy 50th Anniversary to a couple walking hand-in-hand down the street. I am so blessed to be able to do what I do. These moments are ones that I will never forget. I was lucky enough to grow up with hundreds of Disney memories and to think that I am taking part in making them now blows my mind. Every time I go to Disneyland, I look at those "Cast Member Only" doors and daydream. As I was turning the key in one today, I realized I don't have to anymore. My dreams have come true in the happiest place on earth.
A family of five was walking, the dad pushing the stroller and a ten-year-old girl walking in front of it. About 20 yards ahead of them a duck crawled out of the bushes and was clearly in their way. The girl yells, "Dad, watch out for the duck!" The dad sarcastically replies, "Duck? What duck? I don't see a duck..." Girl, "Dad! Stop! Ah! Ugh..." That sooooo reminded me of my dad and Isaac. I was smiling.
A middle aged man holding hands with one of his children was speed-walking toward Norway and said, "Hurry, honey! We have to make it to the ride in Norweigia!" Serious.
I was standing in Mexico facing the huge Mexican Temple when and older woman walked over to me. I got ready to answer her question or graciously receive her compliment on my hair when she stood next to me and smiled straight ahead. After watching her, perplexed, I realized her daughter was taking a picture of the two of us. So I smiled, the camera flashed, she thanked me and walked away. I'm still confused.
I was sweeping the streets and a woman was walking the opposite direction with her mom. The daughter was talking and the only part of the conversation I heard was, "...he hadn't even been alive one second and I was completely in love..." Ahh :) I got chills.
After dark, I was walking the street and a little boy stopped me to trade Disney pins. After 2 seconds, I realized that his family was from England, because of their accents. Boy one, 5 years old, and boy 2, three years old, decided what pins they wanted and their parents helped them take off the pins from their lanyards that were now mine. We have finished our little transaction and the dad said to the younger boy, "Sebastian, you remember what we do when we pin trade with someone?" The boy looks at me and motions for me to come down to his level. I do and he gives me the sweetest, most adorable kiss on the cheek. I think I blushed. It made my whole year.
Just before the fireworks, this group of four loud, happy adults came walking towards me saying, "Let's just ask Sally!" One walked up to me, looked at my name tag and said, "Her name is Maddi!" I was a little lost but he continued, "Maddi, we need you to make a decision for us. Beer or a margarita?" Without missing a beat, I said, "Margarita." He replied, "Margarita, huh? Are you of age? Do you even drink?" I said, "No and no but where else are you going to get an authentic Mexican margarita like the ones in Mexico in Disney World?" That was acceptable and all four of them walked away with margaritas in their hands. You're welcome, Walt. That's $36 right there.
So that was my day at work! Today I actually had a realization. A really big one too. Like, so big that I had tears in my eyes. It started when I was talking to a couple and the woman told me that she had heard about the college program and was supposed to do presentations on it at the local college and wanted to know what I thought of it. Without thinking first, I replied so honestly. I said, "Honestly, it's a job. I work 40 to 50 hours every week." I took a second and looked around at the lights on the different landmark replications and beautiful buildings around the 1.3 mile pavillion. I saw the sun waiting as long as it could to set behind blue/pink clouds and reflecting off of the lagoon. I watched two girls dressed up as Belle and Ariel run to have dinner with their favorite princesses. I continued, "But look at where I work. I get to be inside of this happiness all day long. I'm never going to get this opportunity again in my life. The people I work with are some of the kindest, most interesting people I have ever met in my life. And I get to be a part of all of this. I absolutely love it." I did have tears brimming at this point and the couple thanked me and walked off. But I took a minute to stand in awe. I do have a full-time job where I come home alone to a silent apartment that I wish was filled with my family or friends. But that would take away from the experience that I am going through personally. It is a tough situation for me, but let me just tell you, it pays for itself many times over. When I have a frantic mom come up to me, I spend 5 minutes doing some detective work, and I get to kneel down and let her watch me tell her two daughters that their favorite character is right inside the building, waiting especially to meet them, and their faces light up. Or when a newlywed couple taking pictures of each other is so grateful when I offer to take a picture of them together and it might just be the only picture they have of both of them on their whole trip. Or when a family excitedly approaches me and tell me about all of the fun they had doing the things I suggested when I met them the week before in another park. Or when I get to high-five little kids with a mickey glove on and they think they just touched gold. Or when there is a tired-looking toddler in a stroller passing by and I catch her eye and smile and she beams back. Or when I get to wish Happy 50th Anniversary to a couple walking hand-in-hand down the street. I am so blessed to be able to do what I do. These moments are ones that I will never forget. I was lucky enough to grow up with hundreds of Disney memories and to think that I am taking part in making them now blows my mind. Every time I go to Disneyland, I look at those "Cast Member Only" doors and daydream. As I was turning the key in one today, I realized I don't have to anymore. My dreams have come true in the happiest place on earth.
Monday, September 19, 2011
I smell like beer, sweat, and vomit.
It's true. Beer? People drink like crazzzzzy in Epcot. It's definitely more of an adult park so you can get it on every corner. And today, while doing a "trash run", I threw a full bag of trash into the trash compressor not knowing there was a gaping hole in the bottom. Therefore, someone's can of beer all over me. Sweat? Well this one is for a lot of reasons but mainly because I got to my locker tonight and realized I still had my work radio on my belt. So I had to RUN back to the park and RUN back to the locker room so I didn't miss my bus. And I did it :) Vomit? I had my first "code V" today. That's Disney language for "someone just puked all over the floor on their way to the nearest bathroom". We learned a lot about them and I was hoping I would never have to deal with one but I did on my second day and it was great! Haha it was inside a restaurant in Germany and I got to use this sawdust-like stuff (yes dad, you called it) and Disney has that solidifies any liquid instantly. It's pretty sweet, actually!
So here's a little recap on my last four days. Friday, the roommates worked all day so I cleaned the apartment and ran errands. Saturday, I went to Animal Kingdom and Epcot with one of my friends. SO fun! Sunday, I went to church which was amazing. Then I worked my first two real shifts yesterday and today. It has been wonderful so far! I love my managers, co-workers, the guests are mostly splendid, and the work is easy. As a custodian, I either get assigned streets or restrooms. Streets are when I spend two hours taking trash out and cleaning trash cans, and the rest of my shift is spent walking up and down the streets sweeping trash into my pan and talking to people. Restrooms are when I clean restrooms. That's it! It's almost too easy but The Food and Wine Festival starts next week. That's when we get code V's left and right and have to help people to benches. I'm looking forward to that!
Everyone I have worked with is soooo nice. They know I'm new so they go out of their way to show me where everything is and to check up on me in the kindest way possible. I have been so lucky in meeting people from so many different places and with so many different stories. Today on one of my breaks, I sat down across the table from an older man. I noticed his name tag said he was from Colombia (where Garrett is serving) and I started to ask him about it. He spoke broken English and I speak fragmented Spanish so that didn't work out very well. However, the third person at the table was a man from Haiti who spoke English and Spanish and acted as our translator for the whole conversation. What did he say about Colombia? He LOVES it. I have met a few other people from there also and they all can't say enough good things about it. He asked where Garrett is going and I told him Cali. The first thing he talked about was Salsa Dancing. Literally, all four people I have talked to about Cali, Colombia while I have been here have talked about how it's famous for Salsa dancing. So Garrett better come home ready to impress...
I had a really cool experience with two fellow cast members yesterday and today. We were actually talking about long-distance relationships and I brought Garrett up and the "Mormon" word kind of stalled both of them... I waited for someone to say something but soon I just asked what they thought about Mormons. They both admitted they had heard really strange things and were hesitant but weren't sure because I seemed like a cool person. So we kept talking about it and soon they were asking me really good questions. Some of them were hard too but I had the coolest experience! For every single question they asked, I thought for a second and soon a young womens meeting, a fireside, an efy class, a byu-i devotional, even scriptures came right to my head so clearly. I was able to answer all of their questions and they both seemed very interested and I was very relieved. We had talked about it for over an hour and it was such a cool feeling! And today I was working in the same area as the guy who seemed interested and he asked me more! Ahh I'm loving this! Maybe this is why I'm here.
I do have some quotes of the day...
There was a woman waiting with her three young kids for her husband to re-join them out of a pub so they could continue walking. He walks out with ONE beer in his hand and immediately regretted it. She glared at him for several seconds before yelling, "You seriously didn't get me a beer?!" And walking away with the kids while he scrambled for an excuse.
Right after that there was an older couple, probably 80, each on a scooter thing. The husband stopped along the promenade for her to catch up and as she did, she yelled at him, "Hey sexy, you headed my way?"
The last one was a couple with their adult daughter who stopped to ask me where the nearest smoking section was. I showed them and as the father and daughter started walking away, the mom came back to me and said, "We don't smoke, but the person we're looking for does." Don't worry, judgment not made.
So here's a little recap on my last four days. Friday, the roommates worked all day so I cleaned the apartment and ran errands. Saturday, I went to Animal Kingdom and Epcot with one of my friends. SO fun! Sunday, I went to church which was amazing. Then I worked my first two real shifts yesterday and today. It has been wonderful so far! I love my managers, co-workers, the guests are mostly splendid, and the work is easy. As a custodian, I either get assigned streets or restrooms. Streets are when I spend two hours taking trash out and cleaning trash cans, and the rest of my shift is spent walking up and down the streets sweeping trash into my pan and talking to people. Restrooms are when I clean restrooms. That's it! It's almost too easy but The Food and Wine Festival starts next week. That's when we get code V's left and right and have to help people to benches. I'm looking forward to that!
Everyone I have worked with is soooo nice. They know I'm new so they go out of their way to show me where everything is and to check up on me in the kindest way possible. I have been so lucky in meeting people from so many different places and with so many different stories. Today on one of my breaks, I sat down across the table from an older man. I noticed his name tag said he was from Colombia (where Garrett is serving) and I started to ask him about it. He spoke broken English and I speak fragmented Spanish so that didn't work out very well. However, the third person at the table was a man from Haiti who spoke English and Spanish and acted as our translator for the whole conversation. What did he say about Colombia? He LOVES it. I have met a few other people from there also and they all can't say enough good things about it. He asked where Garrett is going and I told him Cali. The first thing he talked about was Salsa Dancing. Literally, all four people I have talked to about Cali, Colombia while I have been here have talked about how it's famous for Salsa dancing. So Garrett better come home ready to impress...
I had a really cool experience with two fellow cast members yesterday and today. We were actually talking about long-distance relationships and I brought Garrett up and the "Mormon" word kind of stalled both of them... I waited for someone to say something but soon I just asked what they thought about Mormons. They both admitted they had heard really strange things and were hesitant but weren't sure because I seemed like a cool person. So we kept talking about it and soon they were asking me really good questions. Some of them were hard too but I had the coolest experience! For every single question they asked, I thought for a second and soon a young womens meeting, a fireside, an efy class, a byu-i devotional, even scriptures came right to my head so clearly. I was able to answer all of their questions and they both seemed very interested and I was very relieved. We had talked about it for over an hour and it was such a cool feeling! And today I was working in the same area as the guy who seemed interested and he asked me more! Ahh I'm loving this! Maybe this is why I'm here.
I do have some quotes of the day...
There was a woman waiting with her three young kids for her husband to re-join them out of a pub so they could continue walking. He walks out with ONE beer in his hand and immediately regretted it. She glared at him for several seconds before yelling, "You seriously didn't get me a beer?!" And walking away with the kids while he scrambled for an excuse.
Right after that there was an older couple, probably 80, each on a scooter thing. The husband stopped along the promenade for her to catch up and as she did, she yelled at him, "Hey sexy, you headed my way?"
The last one was a couple with their adult daughter who stopped to ask me where the nearest smoking section was. I showed them and as the father and daughter started walking away, the mom came back to me and said, "We don't smoke, but the person we're looking for does." Don't worry, judgment not made.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
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!
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!
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