Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Chapter 5: The Post that Should be Chapter 672.

Once upon a time, I decided to start a blog to keep friends and family updated with my adventures on the Disney College Program. However, my posting only lasted until 55 days before I left good ole Rocky Top.

I'm terrible at this game.

I've had fun with a few vlogs since arriving, but with CP Wifi...this is a lot easier. If I can remember to do it, that is.

I feel like Pooh, when I think about all I could put in this thing. "The Many Adventures of Ginger K". I suppose the best place to start is the beginning. Unfortunately, I'm much too lazy to go all the way back there. So we'll just do a review Sparknotes style.

This program has been so much more than I expected. In many ways. My apartment is amazing and a true new home. My roommates are fabulous and always keep me laughing. One, I plan to move in with after our program ends. My role at the Wilderness Lodge is an ever changing adventure. I have had the opportunity to network with some amazing people and leaders while getting to work as the first person many people see on their own Disney journeys. The CP life is...well...a journey. It's unlike anything I've ever experienced before and I am loving every second of it.

Orlando has been my home for almost four months now and there is still so much I haven't seen or done. I still haven't been to all the resorts and I still have one water park to check off the list. But OH, the things I have done. I'm spoiled by my ability to play in the parks whenever I'd like. And I don't think I've lost any weight since arriving due to my fondness for Disney ice cream.

The CP program is truly a learning experience. I've learned so much about myself, different cultures, and of course the Disney Company. The Wilderness Lodge crew went on a backstage tour of the Haunted Mansion last week and made one of my dreams come true. When I was a wee ginger lass, I saw my first backstage Disney clip on the Disney Channel. It was of Haunted Mansion. I've been in love with the ride ever since. The intricate details and immersive storytelling of the ride blow me away every time I ride it. Because of the opportunities and overall AHMAYZINGness of this experience, I have decided to officially move to Orlando in January. This is no longer just an experience, but the start to my Disney career. Whoot whoot. The next step is either a professional internship or going full time while I finish my degree in Business Management. If you didn't see this coming...you don't know me very well.

Wow, this is getting long. Moving right along.

Working for the Boss Mouse is da bomb. More adventures to come. Right now, it's time to watch Mean Girls with the roomies for the 300th time since we've been here.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Chapter 4: Friend Like Me

55 Days.

I've come to one of those "so close, yet so far" times in my life. When I think of when I truly first started on this journey in 2007 to now, I am blown away by the time that has flown by. However, as the countdown inches closer to my departure date, I am growing increasingly impatient and excited for the adventure that awaits me.

About a week ago, I was introduced to the lovely lady I will be rooming with during my stay at Disney. We already had our first adventure together trying to figure out the DCP Roommate Matching System. The match was a true blessing. Meeting my roommate was the one thing I was most anxious about. Would she like me? Would we get along? Would we have anything in common?

I am happy to report that the answer to all of those questions is yes. First of all, she is a fellow Tennessean. She goes to the University of Tennessee at Martin. Our personalities clicked right away and we have quickly become friends. We both feel much less nervous about the moving in process, now that we know who will be sharing our space. Plans have already been put in place for epic Disney birthdays and spontaneous apartment performances. I am excited to get to know her better and have some amazing adventures as we go through the program!

We won't know how many other roommates we will have or who they will be until check in day at Disney. However, we are both excited about all the people we will soon be meeting and sharing new experiences with!

54 Days...

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Chapter 3: Whistle While You Work

74 Days until check in at my dream home for 8 months.

I have started making lists, phone calls, and filling out paperwork for my departure. Then it hit me...I leave in 74 days. Many people have responded to my moving day by saying things like, "Oh May! That's still far away! You have plenty of time!" To these people I respond, I really don't. Not when you think about everything there is to be done while working and taking a full load of classes.

My first daunting task was to get school taken care of. Will I be taking an academic break for a semester or will they make me continue classes to keep my scholarship? We're still in waiting for the answer to that question. I'm pulling for the academic break. Prayers appreciated.

Next, I needed to prepare my room and get things together to move. Seeing as how I haven't really cleaned out my room in a couple of years...this was going to be an adventure. This room cleansing is way overdue. The pack rat gene has begun to kick in and I'm not okay with that. I decided for moving and spiritual (material clutter) reasons, I would get rid of nearly everything.

8 boxes later, my clothes have been gone through, organized, and cleaned out. How did I have the room for 8 boxes worth of clothing plus the small amount I now own? Oh, the great mysteries of a girl's closet. Tomorrow starts the de-clutter process of the cleaning adventure.

The entire time I'm working I'm singing along with the Disney Pandora station until "Happy Working Song" from Enchanted comes on. I had forgotten how amazing that movie and soundtrack is. This song is my cleaning theme song from now on.

I have several lists with many things to do or get on each one before May 21. While feeling slightly overwhelmed, I have a basic game plan started and feel good about the progress made so far. I've always worked for my dreams, I'm not going to stop now.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Chapter 2: The Countdown.

"Congratulations! You have been accepted to take part in the Disney College Program! Please complete these 3 steps to accept this offer. If not completed within 10 days, your response will be taken as declined."

The steps were pretty simple and should not take anyone 10 days unless the following are relevant:
1. The person needs time to think about the offer.
2. You are deathly ill in the hospital.
3. You passed out because of dehydration due to excitement and it took you several days to rehydrate and recover.

If the first....WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? Disney just offered you a position to live on their property, PAY YOU, and let you work at the place where magic happens everyday. Excuse me, but how high is your fever? We should get you to a hospital right away.

If the second or third, I'm sorry about your illness and I hope you recover quickly. I know how intense the happy dance can get. That's serious business.

Today, I completed my 3 steps to magic. I paid my fees, confirmed my arrival date, and filled out the paperwork needed for the program. I am officially in the Disney College Program. I will be arriving to my Vista Way Apartment on May 21.

83 Days from now.

"But Peter, how do we get to Neverland?" I plan on driving my trusty Honda Civic to Florida, but using the wonderful Disney transportation system as much as possible while there.

The excitement of being on my own and living out my dream for 8 months is still unbelievable. As the countdown begins, I realize I have about two and a half months to get my self together and move to a whole other state. A big deal for a girl who is, currently, still living at home. Nervous? A little. Excited? Unimaginably. Ready to go, now? Most definitely.

Let the adventure begin.

Monday, February 27, 2012

Chapter 1: New Beginnings

While not always referred to as a princess, I have been a Disney girl from the start. The magic, the dream making, the escape to another world all captivated me. They still do. In this insane asylum we call a world, isn't it great to have a place where we can go through a book, movie, or resort to just escape into a childhood fantasy? A place where dreams do come true and happily ever after is the status quo.

Peter Pan has always and will always be my favorite Disney character. Besides being a fellow redhead, his ability to make me keep pushing for my dreams and never lose sight of who I truly am is amazing. I was the little girl who would secretly unlock her window at night, just in case Peter had realized an American redhead is the perfect companion. Now, I have a gorgeous painting by my best friend of Peter Pan hanging on my wall reminding me to never lose faith. Faith, trust, and a little hard work on my part can get me anywhere. And it has.

The same best friend and I have been talking about applying for a college program through the Disney Company since we were sophomores in high school. He waited patiently until he was personally ready. I had to be pushed past my fear and have God shut and open some doors for me. Long story short...we both applied the beginning of this month. The process was incredibly fast. The application was almost immediately followed by a web interview. After both passing the web interview, we were asked to do a phone interview. Exactly a week after his interview, my friend found out he had been accepted. He will be doing food service at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida for the Fall (August-January).

A couple of days went by as I pensively watched my email for my verification. The week after my interview was a Friday. The longest Friday of my life was followed by the longest weekend with no word from Disney, sending me into a spiral of emotions.

Finally, I checked my email Monday morning and received the confirmation email giving me my congratulations on being accepted into the program. This was followed by a happy dance and many squeals.

Now, I start the process of paying my initial fees and paperwork to find out what my apartment assignment is and what my exact departure date will be. Right now, I know that I will be working as Hospitality for the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida for the Fall Advantage (May-January).

Many DCP members keep their family and friends posted and updated on their journey through a video blog. I thought I would do it this way, instead. So feel free to travel along this exciting journey with me! God has blessed me beyond measure by giving me this opportunity. I am incredibly grateful to Him and to the family and friends supporting me throughout this internship.

Here we go!...