"I just want to leave you with this thought, that it's just been sort of a dress rehearsal, and we're just getting started...," Walt Disney

Hello Friends,

I'm finally on track with this blog again! Yay.  
The first part of this Walt Disney quote is from his July 18, 1969 address to his cast members at the 10 year celebration of the opening of Disneyland.  It encompasses some the emotions I've been having this week and I'm sure if I'll be able to articulate them.  I guess the core thing I have been feeling...something I like to thing I share in common with Mr. Disney...is knowing this experience will benefit me in my future, in ways I can't see right now or even realize.  I know that in order to make the most of this experience I had to take it for all it was worth.  This week I did that by concentrating on networking in Disney and outside of Disney in order to discover what that next step could be for me after my program is over.  I am very excited about the future. For those of you that know me well you know how much of a planner I am.  While I learning to appreciate and tackle the unexpected and be flexible, the point of something unexpected to happen when you least plan for it.  So here's to moving forward and hoping for the best.

And now to recap my week since my last post.

Saturday:  After blogging I went to work prepared to work my first expediter shift.   It was a nice change of costume though I can't say it was any more flattering for the figure.  Essentially it seems most, if not all, costumes are not necessarily designed with a woman's body in mind and; therefore, are often very unflattering.  Oh well...as Tim Gunn would say...ya gotta make it work.  Saturday's work shift went really well; I really like expediting as it makes the shift go really fast.  After work Kenzie and I went to Wawa.  I am so proud of myself that I have instilled this obsession and lifestyle in her haha.
Also, Saturday was Maggie and Jack's wedding and I know my parents had a great time. Best wishes for the newly weds.

Sunday:  Sunday was Laura (Luisi's) 23rd Birthday so I made a special shout out to my basil best.  I decided to leave for work early and go shopping as the 27th was the first day of the cast member holiday discount (40% woot woot).   I got to the park at about 4.  I was able to shop, eat lunch (which offered a perfect people watching experience), and walk around the park.  I severely over estimated how long this would all take me and wound up having three hours of nothing to do before my shift started and had to get down to our break room because there was a Halloween party.  It was nice though because I got to talk to a lot of fellow cast members and read my book.
                                                                                                                                                                         



 

Pre work stroll around the MK :)

Work went well and Kali was nice enough to drive me home.  

Monday:  I woke up, worked out, to Publix and Walgreens with Thea.  I also got Chinese for lunch. :)  It was my Friday and I could not have been more excited about it as it marked the end of my first 6 day work week.  The week was long but worth it enough...though now I see a greater value of having two days off. 

My shift Saturday went until 3 AM leaving me and my fellow cast members starving. 

So Kenzie, Kate, LeeAnn, Abby, and I went to IHOP. Naturally.  I got home at 5 AM and went to bed.

Tuesday: I did have the day off yesterday but was up at 8 AM because I had set up a meeting with David, who teaches my Disney Heritage Class, to discuss his career with Disney, particularly the roles that took him abroad. I went to Starbucks because coffee was most definitely in order.  The meeting went really well.  I explained my ultimate goal of working for Disney in London and he said it was a great goal and gave me tips on how I might achieve.  

I returned home and took a three hour nap (three hours of sleep leaves you very tired).  I woke and got ready to go to my Disney Heritage Class.  This week we learned about the opening of Disneyland and how television was used during it.  The opening of Disneyland was the first live public television event. We got to see clips from that day and the mistakes and missed ques, etc, are extremely humorous to watch now in 2013, but back on July 17, 1955, I can only imagine how amazing it was for the people who were watching live.  In the class we also talked about Disneyland '59 and the 1964 World's Fair.  

After class I went home and got changed before heading to Epcot to meet up with Kenzie, Thea, Mallorie, and Kenzie's room mate, Kaitie, to see Smash Mouth.  Unfortunately I was a little bit behind schedule and the buses didn't help my case.  I wound up getting to Epcot at about ten of 8 (Smash mouth was scheduled to go on at 8 pm). I knew I probably wouldn't make it to the venue to sit with everyone so I sent a message saying I'd meet them after.  I did a little shopping France and went to America for dinner. I was able to hear Smash Mouth as their stage was set up in front of America.  There were a lot of people so it was hard to see.  

After the show we all stayed to watch Illuminations.  Illuminations, particularly the music, is probably one of my favorite things in Walt Disney World.  

After Illuminations we traveled on the Monorail back to Magic Kingdom where Kenzie's car was parked.  We all went back to Kenzie and Kaitie's where Cliff joined us.  It was a fun night.  I also stopped back at my apartment to give Katie (one of my room mates) her birthday card as today is her birthday.  It's funny - out of six girls - three of them had October birthdays. 

I got home and went right to bed after a very enjoyable evening.   

Illuminations

Here is the caption I put with this photo on social media: 

"But you know...happiness can be found even in the darkest of times.  If only one remembers to turn on the light," Albus Dumbledore

Love these girls :)

Tuesday: Today I spelt in because, frankly, I deserved to.  I cleaned the bathroom before coming here to Starbucks to blog and apply for some jobs.  Tonight I think all the roomies are going out for Katie's birthday so it should be fun!

Here's to moving forward as Walt was always determined to do.  Here is the rest of his quote:

 "...So if any of you start resting on your laurels, I mean just forget it, because...we are just getting started," Walt Disney.

Cheers to just getting started and a future full of bright possibilities. 

Until next time friends....

Keep Dreaming,

Mary-Kate 

"We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leadings us down new paths," Walt Disney

Hello Friends,

In conjunction with becoming nocturnal I believe I am having more senior moments (as in I need to rely on facebook/pictures/status'/my planner) in order to figure out what I did the past week and a half.

I do apologize for my delay (I think this is the longest I've ever gone with out blogging). This past week and half has proven to be quite stressful and a little disheartening in some ways....but as Walt said in my last post title and this one....challenge is something we face everyday and perhaps the best way we can solve it is not only to move forward but move forward with innate curiosity.
I was also reminded this week that I am not alone in my struggles and challenges and support is all around me.  No matter the experience or challenge, I know I can learn from it and (ultimately) make the result/outcome a positive one.  

So in replying on social media let me recap my past week and a half with some bonus tid bits added in.....

[Probably the best tid bit ----- this post contains a lot of pictures :)]

Saturday-Monday (10/12-10/14) - The only real great important aspects of these days was I went to work and made money and had a lot of great interactions with guests.

Tuesday (10/15): Tuesday turned out to be a really enjoyable day.  I woke up around my usual time of 11:30 am and worked out before heading to my Disney Heritage Class where we learned about the early history of the Walt Disney Company. Lots of great information.  Yes, there were more tears in the class - I've gotten use to it.

Tuesday night Thea and I wanted to get out of the apartment but weren't quite up for a theme park so we decided to head to Downtown Disney.  This turned out to be the best decision we've ever made.  Right when we got there we decided to eat at Raglan Road - the Irish Pub - where I hadn't eaten before during any of my previous trips to Orlando.  We didn't call ahead to make a reservation so we knew to probably expect an hour to an hour and a half wait...but the Irish luck was on our side as we were told we could simply wait in line for patio seating so we could get seated sooner.  So we wound up being the first couple of people in that line and though the wait was still 30 mins or so we were not phased because that was the time the band (from Ireland who have only been in the states a couple of months) just so happened to be playing their set outside.  Live, authentic, Irish music...at the pub...there is nothing better.  We got to see the dancers too (who were also from Ireland)!  Lovely dancers.  I even talked to a few of them and they suggested I start taking classes again! Maybe I will!

I did feel bad as Thea could not partake in a cider so I enjoyed it for the both of us.  And I got fish and chips as my meal - classic!  It felt like I was back in Ireland/England for a moment and just reinforced in my mind how much I want to go back there!

Nothing better than Irish men singing live.  

:) 

Wednesday (10/16):  Wednesday was also a great day! I went to gym early and then took a field trip to Target with Britt.  At Target I found something I have been searching for for going on two now (almost)...yes we're going back to London for a moment.  I FOUND STELLA CIDER! That's right folks. I found it, in Target.  I, of course, bought some and immediately texted all my London lassies.  Special shout out to Laura McSherry as her place of employment is the best!!!! 

Need less to say I was one happy girl.  Britt was humored by it all.

I spent the afternoon relaxing before Alexis and I headed to Epcot for the food and wine festival at night. 

Food and Wine is an annual festival at Epcot where carts from different nations sample their best food and wines (and beers) in addition to the parade of nations.  It's literally the perfect drinking around the world opportunity....though it's probably best to do it over a matter of days/weeks. Responsibility and class people.  

We had a great time and got to end the night drinking champagne and watching Illuminations.  

Also, I really appreciated Lex drinking us back to the apartment after I realized I had forgotten my wallet.  Typical.  

Also, Illuminations music is fantastic!!! 

                                                

Food and Wine Welcome Sign in Front of Spaceship Earth!!! 

 O.K. beer in Poland :)

Guinness in Ireland :)

Chalk Writing of one of Walt's most famous quotes in front of the UK :)

Champagne and Illuminations. Just livin' the dream.  

Thursday (10/17): Thursday it was time to go back to work.  But during the day I was able to work out and get laundry done as well as send some important emails so I'd say the day was successful.  

Friday (10/18): Friday morning I went to a presentation/workshop hosted by the Disney College Program called, "Presenting with Confidence."  I learned a lot of great information I can use in interviews and the work force.  

Friday night I had work and it went well.  After work Kenzie, Kate, Thea and I went to McDonalds and it was fun...and filling haha.  

Saturday:  Thea, Kenzie, and I met up hoping to plan a Disney cruise for ourselves (and Gina) but we failed (aka nothing is available).  We hope to do a girls weekend (in the sense of a Disney weekend) soon.  Saturday night at work proved to be very stressful and I did not leave work until 4:30 am and what better way to celebrate than to go to Ihop.  That is exactly what Kenzie, Thea, Gina and I did.   We got home at about 6 am.  Yes, long night. A silver lining of this night was also seeing Caroline (one of my sorority sisters who was visiting Disney)!!!

Sunday (10/20): After getting home at 6 AM earlier that morning I spelt til about 1:30 pm and woke up with enough time to shower and get ready to head back to work for my 4:30-1 am shift.  It was perhaps the laziest day I have spent thus far on my program. I literally woke up, ate, slept, woke up, ate, and worked again.  

Monday (10/21):  Monday kind of threw me for a loop as my work day was 10:30 AM to 7:15 pm (part of this time was spent in training).  I was so tired in the beginning of the day.  And while the store is normally slow in the morning/early afternoon...on this day is was quite busy.  The highlight of this shift for me was the magical moment I got to share with a little princess who wanted pixie dust.  Luckily my friend Tink was able to spare me just enough pixie dust for this little princess.  I had her make a wish and gave her a special so she'd always remember the wish she made.  Her Mom and Grandmother were happy and it was so nice to see that little girl smile!

After the rest of my shift and training were over LeeAnn and I decided to go into MK to get dinner as we were, in every way, hangry (so hungry that we very angry).  We went to cosmic rays and literally did not speak to each other for 20 minutes as we ate our food.  I don't think I've had a more satisfying meal the whole time I've been here.  

A nice perk of getting off at work at 7:15 PM is that we got to enjoy some time actually in the park as guests.  

I wanted to go on Jungle Cruise as I hadn't been on it since it reopened in September.  Worth the wait! The skipper was so good, though I will ALWAYS wish (and am waiting for the day) to jump on one of Skipper Sheila's tours!!! Something happened at Jungle Cruise that we never happen again - it was a 5 min. wait! Unheard of!  Because we made such good time we decided to go Pirates and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.  Pirates was awesome.  

We got stopped by the electric parade trying to make our way over the Big Thunder Railroad.  I got to see Alexis as she works at Big Thunder  so that was cool.  We were on the ride at the start of wishes at it was amazing to see the fireworks from the roller coaster....a "this is what Disney is about" moment.  

After we got off the ride we got treats and watched the rest of Wishes....Frointerland is a great place to watch fireworks - for future reference.  I had my first Mickey Premium bar and it was as delicious as I always hoped it would be.  

                                              

My first Mickey Bar with Wishes in the Background.

After the fireworks we spent some time in the Christmas shoppe in Liberty square before heading back to Main Street.  LeeAnn went to meet up with another friend and I decided I was going to head home.  Or so I thought....  It seems there was some kind of issue in directing guests who left Crystal Palace and there was a human traffic jam.....hundreds and hundreds of people at a stand still.....it took me almost 45  mins to get from the Castle to a cast area near the Emporium.

Soon enough though I was on the bus and in bed after an amazing "Friday!"

Tuesday (10/22): Tuesday Kenzie was nice enough to drive me to my follow up doctor's appointment with my breathing doctor down here.  We got dunkin for breakfast and headed to the doctor.  We were there at the time I was told to be because I was scheduled for allergy testing.  Turns out I didn't have to be there that early so I felt bad. All my allergy tests came back negative so that was good and the doctor was happy with the improvement of my breathing.  

I told Kenzie I would treat to lunch.  We went to Wawa and I was so happy I could introduce her to the magic that is Wawa....she loved it (or at least she said so to humor me).  I got back with just enough time to make it to my class where we had a guest speaker, Michael Lyons.  Michael talked to us about the Golden Age of Animation and Walt (and the company) used television when it was introduced to benefit projects --- a lot of great information and awesome videos and recordings. I spent the night relaxing with the roomies. We watched the Pretty Little Liars Halloween Special.  There was a moment of creepy coincidence when we though something was wrong with Allie but was okay (those of you that know the show can see the connection there).  

The Wawa down here has this "how to order" sheet.  Cracks me up!

Wednesday (10/23): I picked up a shift on Wednesday night so I could make a little extra cash.  I went to the gym and spent the day cleaning and such before going to work for my shift from 8 pm-2 am.  This shift was kinda hectic and I had to deal with a few guest and housekeeping situations but it felt rewarding at the same time.  

Thursday (10/24):  Yesterday I woke up around 10 am and walked around town for a little bit.  Yesterday's weather was absolutely GORGEOUS!  71 degrees, soft breeze, no humidity.  It was almost like fall.  Put it to ya this way - I wore a sweat shirt and yoga pants comfortably.  

Work last night proved to be very busy and stressful but we survived it. Kenzie and I were so hungry after work we wanted to head to McDonald's but it was close - naturally...so we went to Perkins instead.  I'm pretty sure there were a couple of guys there who said they just out of jail (this was 4 am mind you) so we ate and left as fast as we could.  

Friday (10/25): This morning I went to another session/work shop hosted by the program called "Professionalism in the Work place" - again a lot of great information. I was able to get ready and come here to Starbucks to blog before heading to work a little early in order to pick up a different costume I have to wear tomorrow. 

For those of you that were wondering...this is my costume as I am a Hostess at the Emporium on Main Street.  1901 best dressed listed! 

Thank you to my best friends for their love and support this week.  I'm also lucky to have such amazing Disney friends.  This week has caused me to ponder a lot and I wanted to share a facebook status I wrote and posted the other day:

A dream or a wish, by themselves, can not change the past, better the present or brightened the future. They come true with the real work - blood, sweat, and tears we put into them. Holding onto hope they will come true but never being certain, until you realize the journey was really the dream and getting to a point of love and happiness was the wish. So then, just maybe, somewhere down the road when someone asks you "Did your dream or wish come true yet?" you can say..."No, something even greater than that came true."



Until next time friends!

Keep Dreaming,
Mary-Kate

"I have been up against tough competition all my life. I wouldn't know how to get along without it," Walt Disney

 Hello Friends,
I'm starting to feel as though I'm becoming nocturnal as my shifts go later and later into the evenings.  Yet, no matter what time I get home in the AM I always wake up around 11am.  So if 10 am was London, 11 am is Orlando time.

This week has been eventful and the reality of how fast time is flying is become more and more clear.  I counted it today and I leave for Horsham in 12 weeks  - crazy right.
And considering Thanksgiving week until January 3rd will be nothing but non stop work I have about 6 weeks left to really enjoy Disney for all it's work - so I'll make it count.

As for this past week:
After I finished my blog post I noticed my computer was acting up...until I realized my mouse pad stopped working.
So my Friday night to Tuesday night was spent without a working laptop but no one would have known that because the 21st century never allows you to be unconnected.  Well, you yourself could choose to remain unconnected, unattached, not chained to technology, but sadly I did not have that option. So in order to keep checking my schedule and email I trusted my phone or went to the Patterson Computer lab.

Saturday:  Saturday was Allie's Birthday and Britt and Lauren did a great job decorating her door.
Allie had some visitors in town so I didn't get to see her on her birthday but I made sure she got her card of course.  I worked out before heading to work.
All of us there for the night shift wound up getting ERs (early releases) so Kenzie, Thea, and I decided to go to Ihop because we were super hungry! I got chicken and fries and it was so good!

Allie's and Alexis' door decorated for Allie's 24th Birthday!

Sunday: Sunday - day was pretty uneventful. Woke, breakfast, work out, work. Excitement came after work at we all got ER'd again and decided to go to Ihop - again.  This time the group was of 14 of us and we got to introduce Gina to Ihop!  I literally think she did not know what to do as she was overwhelmed by the first two pages of the menu...I looked over and went "Gina, turn the page."  She did, went open mouthed, and repeat "Oh my God" at least 70 times, there were several "God Bless America"s thrown in there too :)

We all got home at 5 AM.  The Emporium Gang loves the early morning!

Monday: I had to wake up at 10 in order to get ready and get back to work on time.  I had a short training and then worked until 10 pm.  It was a long day but it was my Friday and the fun I had the night before made up for it.  I was also craving a Wawa milkshake and after Mary Kate and I fought whether the Wawa down here sold them or not (they sell THICK milkshakes but not the f'real ones) she took Tori, Marty, and I to get some. It was Tori's second time at Wawa and Marty's first - I love introducing people to Wawa - it's like taking them to my house.  Need less to say I went home and crashed.

Tuesday: Tuesday was Britt's 23rd Birthday!!! I had to get up early to head to the FL Mall and to the Apple Store. After waiting a little bit I was told the repairs wouldn't be done for a few hours. I couldn't stay as I had my first Heritage class in the afternoon so I had to let Apple know I would return after my class.  Before I left the mall I stopped in the Michael Kors shop and wished I had money but managed to pick up my own MK stylist, Nicole for when I do make my first million.  (I do think I'll treat myself to an MK bag on sale for Christmas).  

I returned home to find Katie had already decorated a lot of the door and the Britt's side of their bedroom. I had gotten supplies the night before and spent some time decorating the door and Katie finished up the bedroom and door frame.  Katie went all out on Rapunzel - way to go Katie! I place the Iron Man birthday card on the door and Katie and I realized all that was missing was a cut out of Justin Timberlake.  ;)

I was sad I wouldn't be able to see Britt's reaction when she got home but Katie assured me she'd film it. I headed to my first Disney Heritage class really, really, really excited!  

The teacher of our class - David has been with the company for almost 20 years and has had an amazing career.  During our first class we got to know more about David, his career, how the course would unfold and some about the Disney family.  Now I know I said I was excited but compared to some of these kids - I probably appeared not to have a soul let alone any feelings.  Let's put it this way - there were tears shed on day 1.  I had an "OMG"-Laura-and-I-stuck-in-the-sea-of-Emma-Watson-fans-at-Selfridge's-moment.  But I'm still so stocked for the rest of the seven weeks of the seminar.

After class I jumped back on the bus to the FL mall to get my laptop.  One fixed laptop and bus ride later I was back at the apartment where Britt and Katie picked me up and we headed to Lobster House to go to dinner for Britt's birthday. It was a really nice time. We returned home and were all really tired so we were able to get some rest. 

PS - Shout out to my Aunt Mar and Uncle Jamie for their lovely care package.

Wednesday: During the day Wednesday I cleaned, went to the gym, and sat by the pool with Britt. Alexis' boyfriend Greg came into town so it was nice to get to meet him.   That night Lauren, Britt, Katie, and I headed to Disney's boardwalk as Britt wanted to go dancing. Sadly, when we go to dance hall we found out it had been rented out for a conference - :(.  Off to BDubs (Buffalo Wild Wings) it was.  Before we left boardwalk though we go to talking to the cutest little seven year old named Sam and her mom.  Katie and Britt played chess with Sam for a little bit and I talked to her Mom.  

Alexis and Greg met up with us while we were at Boardwalk and then we all headed over to the bar where Allie met up with us after she got off work.  

It was really great having the six of us out together.  Britt seemed to have a great time on her birthday and I'm happy we got to share it with her and also be able to celebrate Allie's birthday too. 

Britt's door for her Birthday!

The 10 by 6 foot Rapunzel birthday sign - great job Katie! 

All six of us celebrating the birthday girls!

Thursday: Thursday I took time to relax as it was a fresh start of the work week.  Thankfully my shift went fast and I was able to come home and get some sleep.  

Friday: Yesterday I went over to Thea's to watch the Glee tribute episode to Cory Monteith and farewell to the character of Finn.  It was so terribly sad.  So sad in fact that we were crying so hard we forgot we had made popcorn....the popcorn burned, the fire alarm went off, and we almost were overcome by smoke.  .....So sad.  :(

After we were left feeling sad I decided to go gym and spent some time by the pool.

Before I knew it it was time to head back to work.  Last night's shift wasn't all that bad either.

Saturday: I woke up today, went to gym, showered, and came here.  This afternoon I'm heading over to Gina's apartment to watch an English TV show her and Thea love before heading back to work....and work until 4:15 AM.  It is also one of the girl's we work with, Chanelle's last night at the Emporium (before going to Food and Beverage) so I'm sure we'll be headed to IHOP.  Sunrise with the Emporium Gang - woot woot!

This week's quote is to remind me to keep pushing myself forward.  I have found out I haven't gotten three out the five internships I've applied for, but I'm still holding on hope for the last two.  In life, competition can be adversity - of all sorts.  Hope you respond and move forward after adversity and adjustments says a lot about you and I hope I'm taking all the right steps on my college program so I'll be able to get the most out of it and have a successful future.  

As always thank you all for all your support.  

I think I'll be seeing a couple of visitors I know to Walt Disney World this week so I'm looking forward to that.

Until next time friends...

Keep Dreaming,

Mary-Kate 

"Every man is captain of his own career," Walt Disney

Hello Friends,

Been a little late with this blog and I apologize for that but here it is so here we go...

This week was not the greatest week for me in Disney but it's okay because it was filled with lessons and at least I had my co-Cast Members.  It's awesome when you get to work with your friends!!!

So let's recap the past week...

Wednesday: I took time Wednesday night to upload all my pictures from Mickey's Not so Scary and catch up with some friends.

Thursday: I had a phone interview and I thought it went really well.  I dressed the part and everything. I figured no matter the outcome it would serve as great practice, which it did.  After the interview I got myself together and headed to work.  It was kind of bizarre getting off of work at 11:30pm because that meant I was ending my shift and leaving work the same day said shift started - odd. haha.
But alas, while I was at work I got an email saying I didn't get any of the internships I was interviewed for. :( I was disappointed but thankful for being able to learn from the phone interview and two thoughts: 1.) There's always next time and 2.) As a writer rejection is the thing.  What is almost a compliment is how said rejection is given to you.

Friday: I woke up a little later than I wanted to which made me a little frazzled. I headed to get coffee and apply for another internship before heading back to work.  All in all work on Friday wasn't too bad.  I got home (in the wee hours of the morning) just in time to be notified via e-mail that I didn't get the internship I had applied for in the morning.  I thought of Dory saying "just keep swimming, just keep swimming." So I decided I'd sleep and then keep swimming.

Saturday: Lauren and I spent Saturday morning cleaning our bedroom from ceiling (almost) to the floor, including the bathroom.  We opened the window to air the room, vacuumed, windexed, bleached, scrubbed, the whole nine yards.  We have both been sick/troubled with allergies so we knew it had to be done and it's really seemed to helped (as we knew it would)! I also was able to get laundry done, go to the gym, and go to the pool :) My shift on Saturday was only a six hour shift and it was a lot of fun.
There was a Halloween Party and there may or may not have been a serious dance party thrown by me, Melissa, and Kate.  When waiting for a bus at 3:30 am it's nice to have friends.  When we got home and 4 am we saw people getting ON the buses to GO to work.  Basically, Disney never sleeps.  I finally got into bed at 4:15 am :) It was also Laura McSherry's birthday on Saturday which made me remember I must get to Minnesota eventually :)
I shared this status on Sunday about my shift on Sunday:
"I only hope we never loose sight of one thing - that it was all started by a mouse," Walt Disney. Last night at about 1 am I got to see a 5 month old baby boy receive his first Mickey Mouse stuffed animal. Every time Mickey waved at him he laughed with glee. His Mom put Mickey in the stroller and the little guy grabbed on tight and wouldn't let go. It was a magical moment. 


Sunday: Sunday I had a nice 6 hour stocking shift from 3-9 pm (same day shift woot woot)! I went to MK a little to buy a little gift for a friend of the family and then it was off to work.  Gina and I wound up being on door assignments next to each other at the start of the party (aka letting people with party wrist bands into the store while apologizing to day guests that the store - and the park - are closed for them). Needless to say there are usually quite a few angry guests but I didn't encounter any. I also saw a little boy with an SJU shirt on!  #THWND!  Also it another great aspect of getting out of work that early meant I got to see Hallowishes while waiting for the bus - classic working in Disney moment. It made my night!

Monday:  So one can look at my Monday as typical Manic Monday or TGIF (seriously)!  I'll go with the latter.  I say this because I was having a great morning.  Went to the UPS store...lalala.  On my way home from the UPS store I tripped - somehow - and fell on the concrete.  While I didn't even fall that hard my ipod did....front screen completely smashed.  I actually sat on the ground for a few while what had actually happened registered in my head.  The irony - I saw the whole thing happening, almost in slow motion and couldn't stop it.  Resigned to the fact that I'd have to get a new ipod I went to work a little frustrated already.  Monday proved to be quite busy and very hectic and just a long shift.  When I got home at 3 am I was never so happy to see my bed, fall in it, and sleep.

Tuesday: October.  New month.  New start.  Yesterday, I slept in, because I felt entitled to do so.  Soon enough it was time to head to mall and the apple to store for my ipod to face it's fate.  Aside from the two hour wait the trip to apple was a success and I made sure I bought a protective case.  I got home with just enough time to set it up for heading over to join Thea and Mallorie at their neighbor, Cliff's, apartment to play Crimes Against Humanity aka Apple to Apples for adults - SO FUN and FUNNY!
Around 8 pm we headed to the Polynesian to get dole whip and watch Wishes from the beach as our way of celebrating Walt Disney World, Magic Kingdom, and Epcot's birthdays!!!
It was such a relaxing way to spend the evening.  And the best part: after the fireworks I got to catch a little bit of Halloweentown that was playing on the big screen.  Sadly Thea, Mallorie, and Cliff (who is from New Zealand) had never seen the movie nor had any clue what about the movie.  It was a great throwback to classic late 90s/early 00s Disney Channel.
We all returned home and went to bed.

Happy Birthday WDW, MK, and Epcot!!!!  Please note, 2nd picture: classic move America. 

Wednesday: After having the best sleep I've had since I got to Disney (10 hours to boot) I went to Starbucks to submit a final internship application for Disney. Feeling happy and accomplished I then went to Dunkin Donuts to grab munchkins for the dinner Gina was hosting at her apartment that night (classic American move). Before getting ready for dinner I was able to catch up with Rachel via facetime which was really nice; I love talking to my best friend. We always have the best conversations.  I then headed to the pool to relax in the sun. Alexis, Britt, Allie, and Katie had already been there and it was nice having five out of the six roomies together in one place since it's quite rare for that to happen with all our work schedules...We missed Lauren though of course!!!

I wound up getting a phone call from a Disney office that there was a mix up with one of my applications or something of the sort.  Long story short I got to reapply for an internship I thought I'd been previously told I wasn't been considered for - talk about some pixie dust on my side! 

After all that was taken care of I got ready for the dinner.  I went over to Thea's to taste test her dessert - apple crumble - it was so good.  We got to Gina's and hung out with Gina and her room mate Natalie before Marty arrived.  Marty works with us in the Emporium.  Natalie works in Epcot.

Dinner was a home cooked English meal Gina made Cottage pie with cheesy potatoes and side salad.  It was absolutely delicious.  We had a lovely chat over dinner about cultural differences and other things haha. After dinner we all watched the English film The Inbetweeners.  I had heard of it but had never seen it; it was so funny! Thea's apple crumble went over very well.  We were to full for munchkins haha. 

Marty, Thea, and I walked back to Patterson.  I went home and right to bed. 

Thursday: I didn't have the best night sleep Wednesday night so I woke up around 11 and ate breakfast while watching TV with Britt.  I went to the gym and surfed the web and then read before heading to work. My Monday work shift was really quiet as the store wasn't busy at all and it was only a six hour shift so it went pretty fast. 

Friday:  Today I've just been milling around a little bit. I convinced Thea to come to the gym with me so that was a success.  Allie's birthday is tomorrow and Britt's birthday is Tuesday so I have some great things to look forward to over the next week days.  Tuesday also marks the start of my Disney Heritage Class - so so so pumped for that class! 

Looking forward to a good week this week - positive thinking.  I will finally allow myself to get more into the Halloween spirit as it is officially October - bring on 13 nights of Halloween and Hocus Pocus multiple times a week :) And lots more pumpkin coffees and pumpkin flavored things (that was one thing I couldn't hold off til October for - clearly).

My family is coming in nine weeks. Seems a long way but short at the same time as the weeks do seem to fly by here! I can't wait to see them.

The title of this blog has quite a simple explanation: I must go get the job I want, go fight for it, be patient, persistent, and passionate.  I know it will all work out :) And I guess I'll forgive Walt for the male wording of his remarks...

Until next time friends...

Keep Dreaming,

Mary-Kate 

P.S. Happy Birthday shout out to Mrs. Donohoe who reads my posts :) Hope you had a great day!