Time is going so fast!

Ooops! I havn't posted in agesss! I have been so busy and writing a full blog post does take some time. Anyway I the night off so might as well catch up on this! I am not gonna remember everything I have done over the past few weeks but I will try!

So the last day I talked about must have been the 12th July. On the Fri 13th and Sat 14th I was closing Arcade, pretty boring shifts tbh! On Sunday 15th, I was back down at the Marina and was working with Chuck and Steven. I get along really well with these two so it was a good day :) Chuck is the sweetest guy ever, hes probably around 70-75 years old but hes amazing. He always takes the mick out of me and we have a good laugh. It was raining in the afternoon so we just sat in the Marina and chatted and joked around, I realised how much I am gonna miss Chuck, its going to be horrible saying goodbye to him! It was a great shift though :)

On the Monday and Tuesday I was closing arcade again. Then on Wednesday 18th I went to Miami! Me and Kirsty had to be up at like 3am, didn't help that I didn't get in from work til 1.30am but never mind! We got to the bus stop and we were both dead, after faffing around with buses we were on our way. We tried to sleep on the bus but it really didn't happen at all. When we got to Miami we all (all 400 of us in total) went to South Beach, its a really nice beach actually. We sunbathed and went in the sea for a bit before deciding to head off to find Miami Ink! I love that programme so much. It took us ages and noone in Miami knew what it was??? Anyway we got there in the end and it was so surreal being in there, looks completely different to the one on TV though, think in the UK its a bit behind time. I was so tempted to get a tattoo and Chris Garver was there from the show but it would of cost about $400 for a tattoo so I decided against it. We also visited the DASH store which was very overpriced! Then looked in Gift shops and went to TGI's for some food. The journey back was hideous, couldn't sleep again and it takes like 4 hours. Didn't help that the bus drivers credit card wouldn't work when we stopped for fuel so that added more time! We got back home and went to bed, we were shattered!

The Thursday I was off and just slept all day because of the exhaustion from Miami, I rung home and had a trip to Walgreens but nothing too exciting! The Friday, Saturday and Sunday I was working then on the Monday 23rd I had given my shift away so I went to Hollywood Studios with Lauren! We got fast passes for Toy Story Mania and met Woody, Buzz, Mike and Sully then some from the Incredibles. Leanne joined us later on and we got food and stuff before heading to check out the Grand Floridian! It is gorgeous, very luxurious haha. We had a wander round before heading back home. On the Tuesday I was down at the Marina again, it was an average shift, nothing exciting. After work we had all planned to go to Applebees, we got some food and some drinks which was nice. Then we sung Take That on kareoke which was hilarious cos Americans don't know who they are! Was a funny night!

The Weds and Thurs I was off and on the Weds me and Kirsty sunbathed by the Pool before going to Epcot to go around the world. It was good and we got Chinese and the Chinese Pavillion (obviously) it was average though. We then collected stamps and flags from each country which was cool, then I think it was on this night that we went to the Polynesian to watch wishes from the beach, Leanne came to join us too. It was really nice and we sat on the beach for a while. Then I can't really remember what I did on the Thursday!

Anyway I'll end this post now and start another one about thee past week or this will be way too long! xxx

Sooo excited :)

So last Wednesday was the 4th of Julyyyy! I really wanted to go and see some fireworks but that never happened sadly :(. During the day I had a wander to the premium outlets, it was quite busy with it being a bank holiday. The sales were good though! I bought 2 tops and some flip flops from American Eagle, then I got a purse from Juicy Couture! I love those purses. I then had a wander back to my apartment and Me and Kirsty planned to go to Downtown Disney for some food, we went to T-Rex and Lauren joined us after work. I got a steak, wasn't that great tbh, didn't taste of much! Then we also met Leanne at 11pm when she finished work and just had a wander around before getting the bus home.

On the Thursday Me and Kirsty went to Typhoon Lagoon! I had never been before so it was a good day. We went on most of the slides and they were quite good. We also did the Shark Reef where you can swim with stingrays and sharks and tropical fish, it was scary but quite cool! The wave pool there is so dangerous! The waves are huge and I nearly drowned twice cos they hit you so hard. To top off the day we got a sand pale, a bucket full of ice cream and we finished it, it was really good. We then headed home around 8pm to go and see Leanne cos she had finished work. We were going to head to Applebees for food but Leanne didn't feel well so we ordered in instead, from domino's as usual haha! The BBQ chicken pizza is amazing!

The Friday I was doing an Arcade closing which is 3.45pm til 12.15am. I don't mind those shifts but they are a bit boring. I don't remember what I did in the morning before my shift, think I just slept! Then on the Saturday I was in 8.30am til 5pm so I had like 3 hours sleep between the 2 shifts! I was shattered. After my shift on the Saturday I decided to do the dreaded Walmart trip. I was in and out in half an hour so it worked out quite well! Then I just watched a film before going to bed. I watched The Rebound, its really good.

I was back at the Marina again on Sunday working on the dock, I get so sweaty and gross doing these shifts, its minging. The shifts do go by quite quick though. I don't think I did anything on the night time, think I just stayed in and chilled! On the Monday I had another closing shift, wasn't too bad tbh! Nothing exciting. Had the same shift on the Tuesday but in the Morning I went to Applebees with Kirsty, Lauren and Leanne. The food was quite good and its really cheap! I then caught the bus to work while they all went to Walgreens.

Wednesday and Thursday were my days off! Yayyy. On Weds Kirsty was also off so we decided to go to Magic Kingdom but swing by Cast Connections first. It sells damaged stuff that can't be sold in shops then sells last years discounted stuff too. Its really good! By the time we got to Magic Kingdom, it was like 5pm. We were starving so we went to Cosmin Rays and met Lou on the way. After food we had a wander around and went to dance with Stitch, Chip and Dale haha. It was really cute haha. Was good fun. We then went on the Speedway ride before heading back cos Kirsty and Lou were gonna go out for drinks. Then on Thurs I just went to chill by the pool with Lauren after a nice lie in! I thought I had tanned really well until I had a shower a few hours later and realised I had burnt half my face, my thighs and my boobs! Oh well, hopefully it will turn brown! Then at night me and Leanne went to Downtown Disney, visited Lauren at work and went for Fish and Chips! Actual British fish and chips!!! It was sooo good. We then had a wander through World of Disney and I bought a photoframe, then we met Lauren at Midnight when she finished work and got a lift with her friend home. We then just went to sit in Kirsty and Leannes apartment and ordered Pizza! It was a good laugh.

Anyway today I have work again! Will post again soon! Don't wanna leave this place!!! xxxx

....

Soo, from my last post I am now onto Friday last week which was the 29th June. I had a 3.45pm-12.15am shift, my first night shift! I had a nice lie in in the morning after my two horrible morning shifts. I then got ready for work and got the bus. The shift wasn't actually that bad, and it was really busy in the arcade as people were getting back from the parks and stuff. It flew by and I got home around 1am because the buses are awful! Then on Saturday I had a lie in again then headed to the pool with Lauren and we saw Lou down there so we just did a bit of sunbathing, it was so hot though. After a couple of hours I went back in and got ready for work, I had got a bit darker though so I was happy. My shift was 5pm-10pm which is an easy shift, it was quite busy again so it went by quickly.

Then Sunday was the first of July, can't believe how quick the time goes here! I was back on the Marina on the dock. It was so hot and busy so I was outside the whole day and got so sweaty, it was gross. When I got back I got straight in the shower! I then needed some bits so decided to go to Walgreens cos everyone else was at work. When I got back I just watched some stuff on youtube then went to bed.

Yesterday (Monday) I was on the dock again, and it was hot again. I was looking forward to finishing because Me and Kirsty had planned to go to Beaches and Cream to get the Kitchen Sink. It is at the Yacht and Beach Club which is a deluxe hotel, it is so nice, I would love to be able to stay there but it is so expensive! Me, Kirsty, Claire and two of Kirsty's flat mates went down there at around 8ish. We had to wait around 45 minutes to get a tables then we got the Kitchen Sink! It has like 24 scoops of every flavour ice cream, all the toppings, every flavour sauce and a whole can of whipped cream! It was so good. The 5 of us couldn't finish it though and it is supposed to serve 4 people! Then we had a walk round Boardwalk but because it was late everywhere was closing. We then sat by one of the small pools and chilled for a bit before heading back at half 12ish.

Today I was on 5pm-10pm again, I was planning on going to the pool again but I needed to do washing as I had run out of underwear! It takes like 2 hours to wash and dry stuff, so annoying. I then had to get ready for work. The shift went by so quick because it was busy again! Now I am sat in my apartment. I have the next 2 days off and think I am going to Premium outlets tomorrow then Typhoon Lagoon with Kirsty on Thursday!

xxxx

Ooops

Oooops, I thought it had only been a few days since I last posted but it has turned out to be like over a week. So last time I posted was my social security appointment, since then time has gone rather fast!

On the Saturday (23rd) I was on the Marina as Docker. I can't remember much but I think it was quite bad weather as we had the Tropical storm around us. Then that night Me and Kirsty went to watch Brave! The new pixar film which is Scottish, it was so good and really funny. We did it as a dine in movie so we got drinks and food while the film was on. Bit strange trying to watch a movie and eat at the same time with 3D glasses on! We got home at around 1ish I think and went to bed. Then on the Sunday I was on the Marina again but as Cashier. It was raining all day and at around 1pm we were told to close the Marina and I got sent home! Yayyy. Was so good being able to just go and chill in my apartment although I missed out on 4 hours pay, oh well. I think I did something that night but I really cant remember haha!

On the Monday and Tuesday I was off. On the Monday I was planning to go to Epcot with Lauren and Julia but then remembered I needed to go to Costuming to get my arcade costumes! So me Lauren and Becky went over there before we went back to the apartments and Me, Lauren and Julia went to Epcot! We did Mission Space - Green and I think I need to man up and do the Orange one cos the Green isn't even bad! (The Orange is the more intense one!) We then went over to the Nemo bit and did the Nemo ride and Turtle Talk with Crush, it was so cute! Then we were very hungry so we went to the China pavillion and found out we don't get discount after 6pm and it was like 6.30pm :( so we went to Mexico instead and got some Nacho's which were very nice. We then had a wander round and got Funnel Cake before watching Illuminations which is so cute, then we headed home. On the Tuesday Me and Kirsty decided to go to the Florida Mall, bad idea! I spent like $200 on a cardigan from Hollister, some joggers and a tshirt from Aero, Chanel perfume and some MAC make up! We got back quite late then decided to go to premium outlets too! Was a good day of shopping!

On Wednesday I had to be at Pop Century for 6.30am! Luckily my trainer gave me a lift so I didn't have to worry about buses! I was so tired all day, and my feet were killing cos all you can do is just stand there and make sure everything is ok! When I got back from work at 4pmish I went to meet Kirsty at the Pool then we went up to her apartment to see Leanne and we just chatted for a bit. They decided to go to Hooters but cos I was in at 6.30am again on Thursday I decided to go home to bed haha. Thursday was horrible, I had to be up at 4am and the buses were a nightmare! I had to order a bus because they don't run at that time in the morning, stupid! I ended up on a minibus which was annoying, again it was boring but I was at Art of Animation this time, which is the brand new hotel. I finished at 3pm and got home at around 4ish again. I downloaded Netflix and watched No Strings Attached which was a really good film. I then went to bed.

I am off to work now but will post about the recent days when I get back! xxx

Second week

Last time I posted it was just before my first day on my own as Cashier. It was on Tuesday and I was in work 9-5.30 which isn't too bad but the buses here are awful so I have to get a bus an hour before I start which means waking up quite early! I really am not a morning person. As I was in at 9 I had to sort out all the Pirate Cruise payments, it really wasn't that hard. I then helped a bit on the dock before opening the Marina at 11. Considering Monday was pretty dead, it was just my luck for it to be really busy on the Tuesday. We had a lot of customers and it can get crazy cos people wander off to fill in paperwork then another family comes up to the window then the first family has to wait again, but its not too bad. At about 10 to 5 so like 10 mins before we close, two families came to rent out boats, we can't say no but can persuade them not to rent boats but they really wanted to. This meant that I had to wait for the boats to come in which ended up being at 5.20 then I still had to bank out by 5.30, I ended up getting out at 5.45 but they pay time and a half for anything over your normal shift so I got 15 mins overtimes :) Some of us then went to Downtown Disney that night to see Cirque du soleil but we were too tired and hungry so went to the Rainforest Cafe instead :) They do such good food.

Wednesday was my day off, after sleeping til about half 11I finally got up. Me and Lauren then had a wander to Premium Outlets which really isnt far away. I bought a dress for $11 from American Eagle Outfitters, Lauren had work at 5 so we wandered back, really need a full day to spend in that place haha. I then made food at my apartment, then got really bored. I needed a few things so got the bus to Vista then walked to Walgreens. I then went back home and watched some Toddlers and Tiara's on youtube haha, I really was bored!

Thursday was my second day off and Me and Lauren had planned to go to Animal Kingdom. We got there at 11ish and went to see the Lion King show, it was so good. Then we did A Bugs Life and went to meet some Characters! I met Minnie, Donald, Pluto, Goofy, Chip n Dale, Russell and Dug from Up, Winnie the Pooh, Eeyore and Tigger :) Managed to get a few signatures in my autograph book! Im trying to get as many as I can while im here. We then watched Finding Nemo the musical, I saw it last year and it is so cute, then we went on Dinosaur, think we will do the rides another time. We also got Chinese food at the Yak and Yeti restaurant in the park. It was so good, nice to have a chinese after a few weeks haha. Then we managed to gather a few of us up to go to see Cirque du Soleil! We went to Downtown Disney, bought tickets which were $47 then got some food. The show was so good, I got a Souvenier Cup cos I wanted one last year but never got one. It really was amazing and everyone loved it. We then got the next bus home which was packed and we didn't get back til half midnight :(

On Friday (Today) I had to be up really early for my social security appointment which was a 6am, everyone was so tired, we all slept on the bus down there. It didn't take too long to sort out then we get the bus back, and I made some breakfast and got ready for work. My managers had said that it was okay if I was late and to just get there when I could. I started at 10.30 but didnt get there til just after 11am. I was so tired and felt so sick. I was on dock and it was boiling, luckily I had my lunch break, then did cashier for an hour then we had thunderstorms! We get weather updates through the radio telling us how close the storms are. So we shut the marina and all gathered inside for nearly 2 hours, they don't often let you go early :( We then closed the dock and I finished at 6pm. The next bus home was at 6.26pm but it never showed up, I was so tired and angry. I tried to ring the bus dispatch office but couldn't get through, and I had some woman asking me if I wanted to pray about it! Finally the bus came at 7.30, so I marched on and had a go at the driver, who just said that the weather is bad and so is the traffic cos Barrack Obama is in Orlando. I just gave him a dirty look and sat down. I got back to my apartment and stressed out. I needed to do some washing so I put that in while I made dinner, then went to put it in the dryer then ate dinner haha. Now I am waiting for it to finish in the dryer, then I can have a shower and get into bed!

I am in at 10.30am again tomorrow, I just want to sleep all day! Anyway I will post again soon! xxxx

Earning my ears!

So it has been nearly a week since my last post! I never have time to just sit down and relax anymore haha. This past week I have been training in Caribbean Beach on the Marina, nothing massively exciting has happened but I'll try and remember what I did on most days :)

On Tuesday I had my first day at Caribbean Beach, I got told to go to the wrong place so I got told off cos I was late :/ I really didn't enjoy it at all cos my trainer was just ignoring me all day and talking to the other girl loads. I was taught how to get guests onto the different boats and how to dry dock the smaller ones. We got to ride out on the lake in the little sea raycers but dry docking was really hard. I didn't enjoy any of it really and went home in a bad mood! Haha.

Wednesday was another training day, I was with the same trainer but she was a bit nicer this time. We learnt how to fuel the boats and clean them. Not much happened really but I knew for the next 2 days I had a different trainer and everyone kept telling me how boring he is and that I wouldn't enjoy working with him. I went in on the Thursday and he was such a nice guy! Felt sorry for him that everyone was being mean about him. He was training me on the cash register so that I can give guests the right paperwork and then take their payments when they come back after renting stuff. We had to stay til 7, which was pointless cos it started raining at like 5 and the marina was closed anyway. So we just sat in the office and talked about random stuff, was quite funny!

On the Friday I had the same guy training me again, it was a Pirate Cruise day! Its where kids can go on a 2 hour Pirate treasure hunt with the kids entertainers, they always seem to love it. So I got trained how to do that aswell! Its pretty hectic to get so many parents to sign paperwork and pay while telling them the information they need to know about the cruise. We then just chilled until 11am when the marina opened and we learnt more about being a cashier and I had a go at a few transactions and I did fine! We also learnt how to cash in and back out in the mornings and the evenings. On the Friday night, I think we went to Downtown Disney to look at Cirque du Soleil prices, then we went to hour of blues for some drinks, non-alcoholic for me of course! We were there til around half 12 then headed home to bed!

Saturday was my day off! After having a nice long lie in, I went over to the pool to meet Kirsty, Lauren and Claire. It was nice to just chill in the sun and get a bit of a tan. I went back to my apartment early though to book the new Art of Animation hotel for my mum and dad when they come over at the end of August. Later on that night we went to Walmart for food! I spent about $60 but I needed it all to make lunches to take to work and stuff. Kirsty and Leanne then came round for a bit.

Yesterday I was only in work 9-3 cos I had my assessment to see if I had learnt everything right. It was so easy, was 2 written test which were multiple choice then 2 practical tests, 1 on dock and 1 on cashier. I passed so was quite pleased! Then last night I just chilled by the pool with Kirsty and Leanne for a bit. Today was my first day on my own, its was fine and I didn't have any problems! Yayy. Back in tomorrow as Cashier at 9 then get 2 days off!

xxxxx

Crazy times!

So trying to remember what I have done since I last posted.

On friday as I said we were going to the Magic Kingdom, when we tried to get in they were refusing entry because our park passes weren't activated? But they eventually let us in. We first went to the Haunted Mansion then to the Country Bear Jamboree haha, we then headed to Splash Mountain but it had started to rain so we wouldn't be able to dry off after it, then Thunder Mountain had a 60 minute wait so we skipped that too. We just ended up on Lilo and Stitch and Buzz Lightyear before getting food and heading to watch Wishes. The Magic, Memories and Me was on first and that was good, different to last year when I was here but it was good, then as always Wishes was amazing, got so many good pictures. It was raining but we weren't bothered haha. We then headed home.

On Saturday I was back at Disney University for training. It was rather boring, just sat on a computer all day doing E-learning, I nearly fell asleep in the Morning cos I was so tired. We managed to finish at about half 3ish instead of 5 so I wasn't complaining. As I was clocking out I got a text to say that people were heading to Downtown Disney to meet Lauren and Leanne cos they had been training there. I met Kirsty at the Downtown bus stop and we had a wander before the heavens opened and there was some awful rain and a storm right above us. In the end we decided to head to Planet Hollywood where they seated us straight away. I had Pasta which was very nice and drank Pink Lemonade which I think I may have become a bit obsessed with. We then headed to Walgreens, I think. Got some food and stuff then headed home.

Yesterday (Sunday) we all went to Hollywood studios! One of my favourite parks. We went straight to queue for Rock n Rollercoaster, took about 70 mins but its worth the wait. I was so nervous about it but it was just as good as I remember. Still one of my favourite rides. We then looked at Tower of Terror but it was like 2 hours wait I think? So we gave that a miss, I wouldn't have gone on it anyway cos I really don't like it haha. I can't really remember the order of stuff after that but we wanted to go on Toy Story 3 but it was a 2 hour wait and fast passes had run out. We watched the Little Mermaid Show and The Muppets 3D and we also had fast passes for Star tours so we did that too. I twas the last day of star wars weekend so it was quite busy! We also ate at Pizza Planet! Always wanted to eat there, it was yummy. We then started to head over to watch Fantasmic but as we stopped to buy sweets the heavens opened again and there was an electric storm, apparently there was 18,000 lightening strikes in 1 hour, it was horrible and scary. So obviously Fantasmic was cancelled so we made a run for it and got soaked. We luckily just caught the bus in time but we were dripping wet, it was quite funny though. We got in and got to bed.

Today I was training again but at Pop Century, because I am supposed to be training for the rest of the week in Caribbean beach I was a bit confused. It was quite boring again. But then I got to go on a tour of the Brand new Art of Animation resort which opened last week cos I could be working there too! It was amazing, its so good. After training I went to costuming to get my costumes, they hardly had any recreation stuff left so only managed to get one small shirt, 3 large shorts and 3 medium swimsuits. Don't know why I need a swimsuit when I'm not by a pool but never mind. Leanne had also bought me some trainers from Walmart which was very nice of her, they fit perfect aswell. Then we went to Epcot tonight, only managed to go on the ride in the big ball haha then went to the Rose and Crown to get a drink then watch Illuminations which was good. Now I am sat in my room, need to go to bed because I have training early again tomorrow! Yay. I will try and post again soon!
xxxxx

I'm in Orlando!

I have arrived in Orlando and have been here for 3 days! It has been so hectic and crazy so this is the first chance I have had to sit down with my laptop and update this. I'll give a quick summary of what has happened since I got here.

Tuesday

Well first I flew over to Orlando direct from Manchester, no delays or anything so it was pretty good. The flight was fine, I watched Jonny English Reborn and The Descendants so it was good except from the landing, we were trying to get through big storm clouds and there was horrible turbulance and at one point we started freefalling which was very scary! In the end we had to fly over Orlando and come in to land from the South. Anyway getting through passport control was fine, the queue wasn't very long and it only took about 5 mins for the guy to check my visa and take my fingerprints. Then we grabbed our bags and headed out of the airport, went to the transportation desk and had to wait about 20 mins for the next coach. We then got dropped off at Vista Way welcome centre and we went to find out our apartments. I got put in Patterson Court! I was hoping for this cos it is the newest lot of apartments with Wifi and modern kitchens. Then all the girls I had met also got put in Patterson Court which was great but we weren't in apartments together :(. We then got taken over to Patterson and shown to our apartments, 4 people had already got there so I grabbed a bed in the empty room and pretty much went straight out to go to Walmart as it was getting to around 7ish. We got McDonalds for our first meal cos we were all starving then I spent about $60 on a pillow, duvet, cereal, milk, butter, pasta, water and hangers. It was such a nightmare but we ended up getting back around 12ish and all going to bed. My room mate is from France and is called Camille, then there are 3 girls from HongKong; Heidi, Phoebe and Shasha then Becky from Liverpool.

Wednesday

I didn't have to be anywhere til 2ish so I had a lie in then got ready so head back to check in to sort some more stuff out. I can't really remember what we did at the meeting but then we had to go and sit in a Welcome session that went on and on about safety and alcohol and everything we already know. It was quite boring. Then later on Me, Kirsty, Lauren, Leanne and Lou decided to go to Downtown Disney and get some food. We went to book a table at the rainforest cafe and were told in would be 2 1/2 hours but when we mentioned we were cast members she said to come back in an hour! So we had a look round and I bought a pen, autograph book and some 3D postcards.Then we went back to Rainforest and got food, it was so good. We got nacho's and onion rings to start then I got ribs and chips which was so nice but I could hardly manage any of it cos I was so stuffed. The bill came to nearly $200! We then looked round again and got stuck in horrible rain before running to get the next bus back home.

Thursday
We had to be at a session by 8.30am which meant an early morning :( As we were going into the session I was told that my hair wasn't suitable and I needed to dye it. It was fine, its just blonde highlights, nothing major. Anyway I then found out I was working in the Pop Century resort! Bit gutted cos I wanted to be in the waterparks but nevermind. We then did social security forms and other stuff before being told to come back later on at a specific time. Mine was 4pm so as it was only 11am I went to Walgreens and got some hair dye :(. Then I went back to the apartment and made some lunch and dyed my hair. It was so ginger when I got out of the shower. I then went to my next meeting where I handed in all my paperwork from earlier and I found out I was on the Marina in Pop century so I was happy :) Later that night there was a pool party so we headed over to that and got free pizza but it was pissing it down. In the end we all ended up in the pool fully clothed and dancing to all the songs so it was quite fun. I had to get our after a couple of hours cos my lips had gone blue and I was freezing haha. I got a shower then to bed.

Friday
Today I had Traditions so I had to be up at 6am :( I nearly fell asleep in the first part of the class but then I woke up when we had a back stage tour of magic kingdom! It was so strange being directly underneath Cinderella's castle and seeing Cinderella in her dressing room haha. After the tour we went back to the  Disney University for more talks on safety and all that jazz. In total it was 4 and 1/2 hours but it wasn't too boring. My group had 2 funny guys doing the class so it was alright. We then got name tags! It was so exciting. Now I am back in my apartment, going to get some food then head to Magic Kingdom cos we have our free passes! Exciting.

xxxx

Tomorroww!

So tomorrow I fly to Florida! I can't believe how quick it has come around, its quite scary. Last weekend I had a bit of a leaving party with all my friends, it was a good laugh and we had plenty of drink for my last night out before my 3 month detox! Haha. It was nice for us all to be out together because everyone is so busy and we never get to all go out together any more :( It was a good night though. Then this weekend just gone was mine and my boyfriends 2 year anniversary so we went out for a meal, I thought I would cry all the way through it but I was actually fine! It was a nice night together :)

Then last night my friends came round again to say goodbye, we just got chinese and had some drinks so it was nice. I cried haha, and a couple of others did too which we ended up laughing at cos its not like I'm dying or anything haha. Then today my grandparents came round for lunch which was nice, then they said goodbye. My mum also decided that she wanted to repack my suitcase, but she made an absolute mess out of it cos it wouldn't all fit back in! So then we had to take a trip to buy a bigger suitcase. I don't mind, its got Daisy's on it and its much better. So now I have repacked, still quite a tight squeeze though! Just the odd bit left to go in.

I have also now checked in online and in the process of arranging to meet people at the airport! I am going to my boyfriends tonight though and I bet I end up crying when I say goodbye haha. I'm such an emotional wreck sometimes. I won't be able to sleep tonight either, will just be so nervous but also excited. I'm gonna have to get up at around 6am to set off at 7am to get to Manchester for 8.30am for the flight at 11am haha. Gonna be a busy day but I am actually looking forward to the flight just to relax haha.

Anyway I'm gonna finish packing and getting organised so my next post will be when I am in Florida!!!
xxxxxx

2 weeks :)

Sooo it is now only 2 weeks until I get to Florida. Time is going so fast I can't believe it. Like every morning I wake up with butterflies cos Im so nervous but also quite excited! I have finally emptied my uni room so I have been able to start packing my suitcase for Florida, I thought I had loads of clothes but I actually don't so I think Im gonna have to go shopping for some more! Haha. There are so many things that I need to remember to pack! Like all my toilettries and business wear for traditions and all sorts haha! I just keep getting the odd thought about something I need to remember, then I forget about it. I also just found out that I have "graduation" at the end of my programme so I need to take a formal dress.

Eeee cannot believe its only 2 weeks away! Still doesn't feel real though, so many emotions going through my head right now! Just gonna miss so many people! I have also now paid for my travel insurance and ordered a Caxton card for when I get there :) Thought I would add a couple more pics that I like :)

I LOVE LOTSO SO MUCH!

3 weeks to go!

Arghhh it is only 3 weeks until I go to Floridaaaa! 21 days! It has gone so fast, I can remember when it was like 99 days, can't believe it. Last night a few of us had a video chat and it was so good to be able to see people properly and have a real chat haha. It made everything seem much more real and now I am just getting so excited, more excited than nervous now! Now that people are already out there and giving us advice I feel much more relaxed about everything. I don't really have much to say on this post so thought I would add pictures that I like :)

Eeeeeee :)

So it is now only 4 weeks until I get to Florida, so literally 4 weeks from now I would have landed in Orlando and will have moved into my apartment! It still doesn't feel real and I don't think it will until the day I go or probably until I get there! Some people from the UK have already flown out to start their programs as one of the starts dates was the 6th May. They keep updating the rest of us on facebook and it sounds like they are having a good time so far! Last night there was a late night pool party in Typhoon Lagoon for Disney cast members, it looked so good..have seen some of the pics! Unfortunately I think it was only a one off so don't think there will be another one when I get there! There will be other events though which hopefully will be just as good :)

Today I did a bit of shopping for some more summer clothes, i need to stop spending money! But you can never have enough clothes. I just keep thinking I need more but I keep forgetting that there are plenty of malls and stuff out there to buy stuff that I need! Cant wait to go to Walmart and buy stuff! I also hope that I get put in an apartment with people I fly over with cos that is what happened with the people that already flew out, but I suppose I will make friends with whoever I end up living with!

Can't wait to get into the Disney parks! So excited and so nervous too! Starting to plan leaving parties and things now! 28 days!

5 weeks to go!

I cant believe its only 5 weeks til I go! Its gone so quick, only seems like yesterday when I first found out I had been accepted onto the programme. I thought I would use this post to write down the different things that I am excited about and nervous about! Just because I am bored and I have so many things that I keep thinking about so thought it would be quite good to write them down :)

Excited for-
The sunny weather and the warm rain!
Trying some of the amazing food in the restaurants over there.
Pancakes at IHOP!
Shopping at the Malls and clothes and things being much cheaper!
Getting to spend more than just one day in the Disney parks
Going to Universal again
Being in Florida for my Birthday
Just basically living in America!

Nervous for-
Having to leave all my friends and family for 3 months!
Saying goodbye to my boyfriend :(
The plane journey there on my own with no family.
Moving into the apartment with randomers!
Getting to my first day at work
Getting homesick and missing everyone
Spending all my money when I need to save it!

Hopefully I will be fine once I get there and Im sure everyone else is feeling the same as me! I still have so much to do! Still need to buy a suitcase and get all my money sorted! Anyway this was a random post but its only 36 days to go!

7 weeks!

I really need to start posting on here a bit more, but I have been enjoying my time off Uni too much, but now I am back in the lovely town of Preston so I thought I would write a post because I'm bored of Uni work!

Over the last week not much has happened except from getting my passport back from the embassy. It took a week to get back to me but that was because of the Easter weekend. I thought the Visa would be an actual page in my passport but its just like a sticker stuck on one of the pages :/ My picture is disgusting! It's a right mugshot, I look like a criminal haha. I've put a picture below.

Now that I have my Visa sorted its starting to feel a bit more real but it still feels like its ages away but its only 48 days! Just under 7 weeks! Its gonna come around so fast. I have also started doing a bit of summer shopping cos Im gonna need to take a lot of clothes, even though I will probably buy a lot out there. Now all I have left to do is my medical insurance and programme assessment fee which I will do this weekend when I go back home :) I think I might also need to buy a suitcase, I already have a biggish one but I think Im gonna need a much bigger one with all the clothes Im gonna take, I'll also need room to bring the stuff I buy out there back with me so I think I'll have a look for a bigger suitcase.

Looking at the miserable weather outside makes me really excited for all the sun, only 48 days left!!

London time :)

Its been quite a while since my last blog post cos I have now moved home from Uni and have been too busy relaxing haha. This post is just about what happened with going down to London to the embassy to get my Visa :)

So on Wednesday I got up at 5.30am :( to get the train down to London. My appointment wasn't until 11.30am but I wanted to get there in plenty of time and it takes about 3 hours to get to London from where I live anyway. I met a girl called Laura who had her appointment at the same time as me and we headed to the embassy together, we got a bit lost but ended up getting there in the end. After a bit of breakfast we dropped all our electricals off at the pharmacy down the road which cost £3 which isn't too bad. The embassy says not to queue for your appointment more than half an hour before but we decided to just go early anyway to see if they would let us in...and they did :) So after going through security, just like at the airport, they let us into the building.

I then got given a number and was told to wait for this number to be called. So we then went into the waiting room which was very full! My number was called after about half an hour which wasn't too bad and I just had to go up to a desk where a woman took my documents off me and took my fingerprints. She then told me to sit down again and wait for my number to be called again. After hearing stories about being in there for hours and hours I was feeling quite optimistic. The numbers before mine were being called quite slowly but a man kept calling numbers for the J1 visa's, which is the one Im getting so it would be much quicker because there were loads of us. He was calling numbers higher and higher so I was getting ready to be called, but then suddenly the whole of the embassy decided to go on a lunch break between 1pm and 2pm so no one was called in this hour at all, everyone was getting very frustrated!! However at about 10 past 2 my number was finally called so I went to another desk where I had to verify my fingerprints by doing them again, then they man said "thank you, I am going to process your visa today". AND THAT WAS IT! I waited for 3 HOURS just for someone to say that!!! Then I had to queue for another 10 mins to pay for my passport courier fee which was £14.80.

Anyway I then went to get my electicals back then headed to Oxford street to do a bit of shopping :) I then met my mum and sister and went for a nice meal for tea before heading back to Euston to get the train home. My passport should come on Tuesday because of all of the bank holidays this weekend. Nearly done everything I need to do now :)

Only 58 days to gooo!!!!

Hoodies

When I got home from Uni on Friday, there was a lovely package waiting for me! I knew it was my Cast Member hoodie because a lot of other people had already got theirs. I was a bit nervous about opening because I ordered a size Medium because I didn't want it to be too small but then I was worrying a Medium would be too big! Anyway when I opened it, the hoodie looked really wide so I panicked a bit. Anyway when I tried it on it wasn't too bad, not too big and not too small so it was fine. I ordered it in a Navy colour as well and it is a very dark navy because it looks like its black! Oh well, the design shows up really well on the dark colours so I don't mind :) I'm really happy with it but now I'm too scared to wear it in case I ruin it! Haha. Ive uploaded a couple of pictures of it below.

My visa appointment is also a week today! Quite scared! My mum and sister are now coming down to London with me, so it shouldn't be too bad, I hope I don't have to wait ages in the embassy because I want some time to go shopping as spend some time with my mum and sister rather than just meeting them at the station or something. Some people have said they have been in and out the embassy in an hour but some others have been in there for about 4 hours! A lot of people have interviews on the same day as me so I am betting that I am in there a while!

69 Days!!

Not long now :)

Im really really bored sat in my room at Uni, so thought I'd do a little post. It is now 76 days until I fly to America which is the exact number of days I will be spending out there :) Now that I have done most of the preperation I am just really excited to get out there. I love the American way of life so much. I've only been to Florida once last August for two weeks but I just loved it. I loved the way everything is so big and branded, even though thats probably a bad thing but I just love how it is so much different to the UK. I also love the weather, obviously. The sun is so nice and I even like the rain over there cos it cools you down and the sun goes in for a while :)

I'm also excited to do everything that I didn't do last time, like some of the rides we had to miss out cos we had such busy days. I'd like to go back to do that but I would NEVER EVER go back on Tower of Terror, no one will ever get me back on that ride, it was the worst feeling ever, I can't stand freefall!

I would love to be able to go and see some more of the shows and parades again, I think they are so good. I love the Cinderella castle at night with the lights and the fireworks, I can't wait to see it again. I just love Disney haha. Anyway this was just a little post cos I was bored :) 76 days!!!

I'm not a criminal :)

This last week has been quite hectic, after scheduling my Visa appointment, I still had quite a few things to do. Whilst at home over the weekend I paid my SEVIS fee, don't actually know what it is for :/, but it was $35 so about £22 which isn't that bad. I then had to print out the confirmation of this so I can take it to my Visa appointment. It then had to fill out my Visa application online, it was so stressful and annoying. I had to take a passport type picture for it but I couldn't take a decent one so had to just use a really bad one! I hope the picture doesn't actually end up on the Visa in my passport! Anyway, I then had to pretty much answer questions about my whole life, it also asked me if I had ever kidnapped a child or made a child into a soldier, I'm really not that weird!! The page also kept freezing so I had to wait ages, then when it asked me for my work history, it only let me put 2 jobs in! Anyway I finally got it done and printed out the confirmation that I also need to take to the embassy with me. There's so much paper work, I bet I forget to take something.

Now all I need to do is pay my program assessment fee which is $100 and get medical insurance which is £100 again :( Hopefully I can get these paid soon though so I'm all ready to go! I really can't wait for the hot weather, so cold in England. I also got my CRB check back, which says I'm not a criminal!!! Obviously I knew that though haha. I also need to go shopping for some Summer clothes! Its just an excuse to go shopping haha. Also found out the Hoodies should be here by the 22nd! So only a few days away :)

Only 78 days to go until I go to Disney!!!

I'm going to Disney World!!!

Yesterday, I got up and got the train back to Uni in Preston after being home for the weekend, as soon as I got back to my flat, everyone had received their Welcome Packs! Can't believe I only just missed them coming! I was so annoyed. Later on I rang home to see if mine had come, and it had, so I got my mum to open it for me and to read some of the things for me. I found out I get paid $7.67 an hour!! Thought it would be a bit more but the majority of roles get paid this amount and I think we get time and a half for working over 40 hours a week or something which will most likely happen. This was on my official job offer letter :) makes it feel a bit more real now that I have a letter directly from Disney!

I also really needed to get my Visa appointment booked in London as I didn't want all the appointments to be taken. So I got my mum to scan all the information about it and email it to me. However, the scanner wouldn't work, so she had to take photos of the letters with the Ipad and email them to me, but the pictures were blurry!  In the end I just got the Embassy number off the Yummy jobs instructions that they sent us a couple of weeks ago and got the information that I needed and rung up on my mobile. But that didn't work cos my mobile wouldn't let me ring cos it costs too much! So after ringing my mum and dad back, they decided to ring the Embassy for me to book an appointment, I was a bit scared in case they got it wrong or something but it all turned out fine :) My appointment is in the Easter holidays, which is good so that I don't miss any uni, and I think my mum will be able to come down to London with me :) I am gonna have to get like the 7am train as my appointment is at 11.30 then ill have to find my way to the Embassy from the station but I think I will be fine!

Now all I need to do is pay another fee for my visa just before I go to London, then I need to pay my program assessment fee to secure my job and housing. I think my parents are paying my medical insurance so thats not too bad :) I have also found out that Hoodies should be coming next week!!!! Can't wait, Im gonna wear it all the time haha!

Anyway only 84 days to go!!!!
xx

Visa's!!!

I got an email from Yummy Jobs (the agency that Disney use to recruit from the UK) which told me that I should be receiving my Welcome pack through the post soon! In the Welcome pack it gives us instructions of how to book our Visa appointments, I thought it would be easy, just ring up to book it, head down to London and back again, but it is so complicated and expensive! I have to ring up at a cost of £1.24 a minute, then pay a $140 fee, then choose an appointment, then pay another $35 fee, then pay for travel down to London which will be about £50, then pay £14 for them to send my passport back to me! Ends up at about £200! Plus there are a million different forms I have to fill in and loads of documents I need to take! Oh well, hopefully it will all be worth it in the end.

I can't wait to actually receive my official Disney job offer letter, I think it will start to make things feel a bit more real. I also managed to find a couple of other people doing Recreation. I only thought there was me and another girl but I have found another two people. None of us have any idea about what we will actually be doing over there, I just really want to know. I hope I get to be a slide operator in the water parks, I would love to do that, but I suppose I will enjoy whatever I get to do. Working in a hotel would also be great as it would be easier when my family come over to stay :)

Anyway I am still waiting to receive my Welcome pack, then I am going to get organising my Visa appointment. The cast hoodies should also be arriving in the next couple of weeks too! Can't wait to get mine. 91 days to go!!!!

99 days!

So it is 99 days until I jet off to Florida :) Feels weird now that my countdown widget on my phone is only showing two numbers instead of three, its getting closer and closer. This time in 99 days I will be sat on the place about to take off :) I am flying with Virgin, cos i'm cool and a member of their flying club so used up some miles haha, made the price cheaper. I fly at 11am on 5th June from Manchester, so gonna have to be an early morning to get to the Airport, takes about an hour and a half from where I live. 

We are also all still waiting on our Disney Welcome packs and people are starting to panic because they contain our Visa petitions and apparently the American Embassy aren't giving out any J1 Visa's until the Olympics are over or something :/ which would be a big problem cos I need a Visa to get to America. Hopefully the packs will come soon and everything will be fine, I'm sure it will be anyway.

Also waiting for my hoodie to arrive :) I got a navy blue one and they are going to be sent out after the online shops closes which is on Thursday :) Probably won't take it off once I get it haha.

Anyway this was just a little random update, 99 days! 

Disney Welcome Email!

Today I received my Disney Welcome email!

Dear Daisy, We are excited that you will be a part of the Disney International Programmes at the Walt Disney World resort!

The email also gave me a few different passwords and usernames to on to the website to pay my housing fee and to see if I am eligible for the room mate matching system. I don't think people from the UK are eligible as I think we just get put in an apartment automatically once we get there. Also because I am under 21, I will be put in a "wellness" apartment, which means no alcohol is allowed on the premises or I will be in big trouble and probably lose my job! It will probably do me good not drinking for 3 months though haha.

I have also added the picture that was on the email. I'm starting to get really excited about the whole thing now :) Only 103 days to go!!!

My First Post :)

I decided to create this blog mainly so that I can write down all the different things I do whilst in America so I can remember what I did but also so that anyone that is interested in what I'm doing can have a look.


I know it is a bit early because it is only February and I don't go til June, but I got bored and thought I might as well make at least one post about what I have done so far to prepare for the programme and stuff.


At the moment I have my flights to Florida booked, only cost about £500 so not too bad. I also paid for my CRB check just to prove that I'm not a criminal or anything haha. Now I am just waiting for my Disney welcome pack to come in the post. I was told it would come in February but apparently they aren't coming for another couple of weeks now. Once I get this I will be booking my Visa appointment at the American Embassy in London, which will cost a bomb to get down there and involve a lot of waiting around to get my interview. I then have to get medical and travel insurance and pay a $100 programme assessment fee, don't really understand what thats for :/. 


I have also just bought a Disney cast member hoodie that a few of the other girls designed :) It looks quite cool and everyone will be wearing them so I thought I would get one as well. Other than that there isn't much going on at the moment, just waiting to get the Disney packs in the post then I can sort out the next lot of things I need to do :)