Yes a little bit of time has passed since I last posted...by work schedule took a few early morning turns, a few mornings in a row, and seems my mornings/days off have been all about getting back on to a normal sleeping schedule and getting things done. I hate the idea of waking up after 11 AM but it's been happening. I also hate the feeling of not getting (what I would consider) productive things done in the day and to some extent I feel like I've just been a zombie going from day to day. Sleep work sleep.
But today I put my food down because a change was in order.
Now to recap the past week and a half or so....
Tuesday (11/5): This day had some adventure for sure.
I spent the morning at the gym, getting Starbucks, all the little things here and there.
I headed to Magic Kingdom round 2 pm as my Disney Heritage class was to be a walking tour of the park. I arrived in Magic Kingdom (after having left it only some 12 hours before) to find it totally transformed for Christmas. Now while I was working there until 2 am Tuesday morning I did hear the performers practicing for the parade and white stuff outside the windows but I wasn't quite prepared when I saw all of this.....
When I updated these pictures to facebook I simply wrote "Et tu, Magic Kingdom?" As many of you know Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and while I understand the need, in Disney's case, to skip right over it, it still upsets me. Of course it make sense for Disney to target the mindset of our guests who visit this time of year but to see the nation driven in such a consumer, commercialized way is rather irritating.
But since it's Walt Disney World, I'll let it go, but I'm so quick to let any of my fellow Cast Members forget Thanksgiving. I'm told there is Thanksgiving-esq meals around dinning areas around property on Thanksgiving day; I'll be sure to go to one of those.
The class itself was interesting with some material I had heard before and some material I had not. It was nice to see things in person as we were talking about them. It was also nice to go and watch Mickey's Philarmagic with real guests (especially the young children) around us.
After class I boarded the monorail set for Epcot and the next adventure of the night: HANSON.
I met Kenzie and Kaitie outside the ticket gates and we walked around the lands before stopping at American Adventure (and having no luck finding Thea or Mallorie) but we stayed and jammed out none the less. Hanson played three shows that night and we got there for the 6:45 show and to our out right dismay they did not play Mmmbop at the 6:45 show leaving us no choice but to stay for the 8 pm showing (the last one) because we knew they'd play Mmmbop then.
We caught Thea and Mallorie after the 6:45 show let out and Mallorie headed to Magic Kingdom to catch the Castle lighting up while Thea and Kenzie went to eat at the Italy stand and Kaitie and I stayed to eat in America. It was nice talking to Kaitie about the Jonas brothers and our favorites, One Direction.
Soon enough it was 8 pm and we got to hear Mmmbop. I must say the Hanson brothers aged nicely and I'm happy I got to see them even if it was a 90s-self-indulgent-moment. I reminded myself I'll have to try their Whiskey soon :)
Hanson on stage :)
After the show I went back to Kaitie and Kenzie's and we all watched Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince before I went home and slept.
Wednesday (11/6): On my second day off I pretty much relaxed and did nothing until the evening time when I watched the CMAs with Katie and Britt.
Thursday (11/7): My Monday started out rather nicely as I went to Panera for lunch with Gina before heading to work. Work was alright and I knew it was the calm before the storm.
Friday (11/8): Friday marked the first Christmas Party and was, hands down, the most insane day at work I've had at the Emporium thus far (as Cast Members we're still talking about it). I was in the room that particularly busy as it held all the Christmas Party Merchandise. The only way I can describe it is that it reminded me of Black Friday (or what I suspect Black Friday to be like if I shopped that day). Localized and organized (fighting for control): chaos.
I was/am proud I can say I am a part of such an amazing group of Cast Members because I think we all did amazingly if I do say so myself. Our guests....were clearly in a hurry and a bit meaner they I was prepared to handle this time of year. I figured this kind of holiday shopper didn't make an appearance until end of November time -- I was wrong.
Never the less, we made it through, but we were left at the end of the night looking at each other going, "What just happened?" But it's the Big E - we gotta under control!!!
Saturday (11/9) and Sunday (11/10): Basically I worked until 4 am for both of these shifts and slept for the better part of these days (when I wasn't working). I was left feeling very very tired and worn out and after Friday -- oh lordy. Sunday was another Christmas party and although it wasn't insane like Friday it was still busy but I got to talk to a lot of guests who ran in the Wine and Dine runs in Epcot the night before and I decided it is a new goal of mine to run a 5K next year :)
Monday (11/11): Monday was a welcomed day off as I traded shifts with Gina. I spelt it and felt recovered before going to enjoy the last day of Food and Wine with Thea and Mallorie. I arrived at Epcot to find them in the UK (of course) watching a comedy show. I sat and watched the end. It was SO funny!
After the show I went to grab a beer as I had felt entitled to it after the few days of work we had all had (for their sake, in knowing they deserved one too, I was so wishing Thea and Mal were 21 but alas we must wait a few more months).
Cheering to a day off and end to Food and Wine! :)
We walked around a little bit and got lunch and headed to France where I got some yummy macaroons and a chocolate croissant. Next it was onward to America to see Big Bad Vooodoo Daddy, a cool slick jazz band that ROCKED it! I was reminded how much I love jazz so that was nice! They were awesome.
Happy Veteran's Day from American Adventure!
We ended our time at Food and Wine at Australia (I told Thea and Mallorie I wasn't going to their with out them)!
Me and my Aussie chicks :)
After a lovely time at Food and Wine we decided to end to Downtown for dinner and dessert.
Dinner: Raglan Road, of course. The band was about an hour late so we staked out for almost two hours to see them. They were good and we were able to enjoy food and coffee.
Dessert: Ghirardelli's Chocolate Ice Cream :)
Downtown looked like a little Christmas Village. It was a really nice night.
Went home and went right to bed.
Thea and Mal at Raglan :)
Tuesday (11/12/13): Yesterday was 11/12/13 so that was cool. Also I heard it was snowing at home...it was 73 degrees here. I spent yesterday reading and writing before heading to class at 4. Class was nice. We had a guest speaker who talked all about Epcot from Walt Disney's original idea to the present day we know today. Walt's original idea was complex and interesting for sure but I think he'd still be happy with the park today. It's one of my favorites!
When I got home from class I ordered Benihana's with Katie and Brit and we watched Love Actually. Successful night indeed.
Wednesday: Today I woke up and went to the gym before doing some laundry and reading. I came here to Starbucks to blog before I head off the work. It's been a cool 65 and windy. If I think 65 is cold - I'm in trouble.
My blog title reflects the fact that I've been able to read and write a lot lately which I'm grateful for, it's a gift Disney has shown me I truly love and I am happy and proud I am incorporating them into my daily life again. Along with eating better and being healthy: 2014 looks to be a great year. Although there have been upsets I can't wait to see what January has in store.
In the mean time my family comes in 3 shorts weeks and I CAN NOT BELIEVE IT! I'm so excited to see them.
Hope you all enjoy this post.
Until next time friends...
Keep Dreaming,
Mary-Kate
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