it's been two weeks since i've written on here and i'm just too tired to even care about any proper spelling, formatting so that this fits the rest of my blog, or anything in general.
i'm tired. i'm tired in every way possible. i want to talk about this, but i really can't for fear of getting the backlash i already did on another site. when i try and explain myself to people, it just doesn't do anything so i'm at the point where i don't even bother anymore and sit back and just take the abuse.
this is not my fault, but people tell me that it is.
i don't know what i'm doing anymore. i just want the pain to end.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Long Week (Part One)
It's 6:30 AM in the morning and I'm already up. I don't have work, I don't have to be anywhere anytime soon, but I'm up and oddly awake. The silence in this apartment is overwhelming as, once again, I'm left by myself. Every little sound echos in this extremely bare apartment and it's slightly terrifying when you don't expect the little squeaks and creaks that seem to come out of nowhere.
I checked-in on Monday. It was one of the longest days ever. I was up at 5 and was at Vista Way by 5:30 AM. By rights, my one friend was there first, but I was going to be the first in line, but this other person (who I now absolutely love) was technically the first as he was given a ride up to the gate. The time in the line for check-in went by fast. Around 7 AM, the orientation leaders began to come out and started a "pre check-in" and because my friends and I were up front, we were able to be a part of this and were able to go straight into filling out our housing paperwork and receiving our housing assignments and ID's. At 8 AM, we were finally let in to the complex. What made this even cooler was that my friends and I got to lead the way as a "banner" to prevent people from running ahead and because I didn't have any luggage with me, I managed to become the first one to lead everyone through the rest of the check-in line.
I wanted a Patterson one bedroom, but because of my lack of car, I decided to switch to Chatham, which I actually love. My building is actually close to the bus stop and is half yellow and half steel-blue on the outside. I personally think it's pretty.
After we finished all of our housing paperwork, we were sent outside to talk about our onboarding paperwork for before we went to casting. Once that was completed, we were given a nice blue tote bag with a few goodies inside and were told to wait for the bus. In just a few short minutes, we boarded our bus to casting to become the first group of domestic college programmers going through the process that our international friends had done just a few days prior to us arriving.
Casting was extremely nerve wracking and so much information was thrown at you. When you first enter, you're asked to line up around the character entranceway (you'll see what I mean later on) and were given our work locations on a little sticker that went on the back of our program guide. My new home until June 1st has become Fantasyland attractions in the Magic Kingdom. It wasn't what I wanted or was expecting, but I think I will enjoy it immensely.
Once you're given your work location, you proceed through a series of hallways and doors to do different things. Once you meet with someone for the Disney Look you only have one more step to go and that's getting your training schedule for the next few days. My schedule only had one day listed and I was told I would be given another schedule at my first day of class, but I could look it up on the Hub if I really wanted to know right away. After you reach this point, you can choose to get your photo taken in front of a really cute postcard or you can proceed outside to take the bus back to Vista Way where, if you have a ride, you hop back into the car and go to your apartment, or you take a bus over to the apartment.
However, your day isn't over yet when you get back to your apartment. As soon as I got back, it was around 11:30 and the housing meeting I was scheduled for was to be held at 3. With this extra time, I went to Walmart and did some shopping for the apartment, only purchasing the really important needs that I would absolutely need such as food, some cleaning supplies, and a few other little things.
At around 2, my roommate finally arrived. She's culinary and leaves in May, so I'm very confused as to what they'll do when it comes time for her to leave because it's not fair that I picked out this apartment for a reason and they placed someone who leaves a month earlier with me. I contacted price management with my concerns about this, as someone suggested I should, but I have yet to receive any form of response back and can't seem to get ahold of anyone which is very annoying.
I'll write more later; I'm going back to bed. This week has been exceptionally long and this day off is glorious.
I checked-in on Monday. It was one of the longest days ever. I was up at 5 and was at Vista Way by 5:30 AM. By rights, my one friend was there first, but I was going to be the first in line, but this other person (who I now absolutely love) was technically the first as he was given a ride up to the gate. The time in the line for check-in went by fast. Around 7 AM, the orientation leaders began to come out and started a "pre check-in" and because my friends and I were up front, we were able to be a part of this and were able to go straight into filling out our housing paperwork and receiving our housing assignments and ID's. At 8 AM, we were finally let in to the complex. What made this even cooler was that my friends and I got to lead the way as a "banner" to prevent people from running ahead and because I didn't have any luggage with me, I managed to become the first one to lead everyone through the rest of the check-in line.
I wanted a Patterson one bedroom, but because of my lack of car, I decided to switch to Chatham, which I actually love. My building is actually close to the bus stop and is half yellow and half steel-blue on the outside. I personally think it's pretty.
After we finished all of our housing paperwork, we were sent outside to talk about our onboarding paperwork for before we went to casting. Once that was completed, we were given a nice blue tote bag with a few goodies inside and were told to wait for the bus. In just a few short minutes, we boarded our bus to casting to become the first group of domestic college programmers going through the process that our international friends had done just a few days prior to us arriving.
Casting was extremely nerve wracking and so much information was thrown at you. When you first enter, you're asked to line up around the character entranceway (you'll see what I mean later on) and were given our work locations on a little sticker that went on the back of our program guide. My new home until June 1st has become Fantasyland attractions in the Magic Kingdom. It wasn't what I wanted or was expecting, but I think I will enjoy it immensely.
Once you're given your work location, you proceed through a series of hallways and doors to do different things. Once you meet with someone for the Disney Look you only have one more step to go and that's getting your training schedule for the next few days. My schedule only had one day listed and I was told I would be given another schedule at my first day of class, but I could look it up on the Hub if I really wanted to know right away. After you reach this point, you can choose to get your photo taken in front of a really cute postcard or you can proceed outside to take the bus back to Vista Way where, if you have a ride, you hop back into the car and go to your apartment, or you take a bus over to the apartment.
However, your day isn't over yet when you get back to your apartment. As soon as I got back, it was around 11:30 and the housing meeting I was scheduled for was to be held at 3. With this extra time, I went to Walmart and did some shopping for the apartment, only purchasing the really important needs that I would absolutely need such as food, some cleaning supplies, and a few other little things.
At around 2, my roommate finally arrived. She's culinary and leaves in May, so I'm very confused as to what they'll do when it comes time for her to leave because it's not fair that I picked out this apartment for a reason and they placed someone who leaves a month earlier with me. I contacted price management with my concerns about this, as someone suggested I should, but I have yet to receive any form of response back and can't seem to get ahold of anyone which is very annoying.
I'll write more later; I'm going back to bed. This week has been exceptionally long and this day off is glorious.
See ya real soon!
Thursday, January 5, 2012
48 Hours (+ 2)
Well, it's time. The next 48 hours are going to be a whirlwind. Actually a little more than 48, more like 50, because I'll be in Orlando at 10 am Saturday.
Wow, just wow. I never expected any of this to happen at all. I was rejected right at the web based interview the last time I applied for the program, but I wasn't ever expecting to get in this time. The fact all of this is even happening is still completely unreal. I feel so completely sick right now because of everything; the idea of playing in the parks isn't even making me feel any better.
I guess I should probably go back to cleaning my room. It's a very scary task.
Wow, just wow. I never expected any of this to happen at all. I was rejected right at the web based interview the last time I applied for the program, but I wasn't ever expecting to get in this time. The fact all of this is even happening is still completely unreal. I feel so completely sick right now because of everything; the idea of playing in the parks isn't even making me feel any better.
I guess I should probably go back to cleaning my room. It's a very scary task.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Almost There
Right at this very moment I'm sitting and charging all of the electronics that I own in preparation for Saturday and thinking of all the random things I still need to do.
Right now I'm focusing on charging all of my electronics, especially the ones I'm not using right away and then doing a quick clean of my room, in the hopes that I'll be able to keep it clean until Friday night. It's only now that I realize I have a ton of things that need charging, but not enough plugs to use them. I'm the opposite of everyone else and I seem to be bringing more electronic items than anything else, but it's because it only seems like I'm doing that. In fact, with the exception of my gaming consoles, really everything fits together and for what I plan on doing when I'm down and traveling around Lake Buena Vista (the true location of Walt Disney World) and the Orlando, it all makes sense. Maybe not to someone else, but it makes plenty of sense to me.
I guess that brings me to another thought that's going through my head - video blogging is really hard. I'm hoping it's only like this because I'm just starting, but you really need to sit and think Oh hey, maybe I should vlog right now. It might not be a significant moment, but just anything to get yourself to video what you're doing. It also doesn't help that I'm a shy vlogger and I'm absolutely terrified of looking weird, which is ironic because I do some weird things when I'm out in public, such as awkwardly dancing at Great Adventure. I'm sorry, but if that's not weird then I don't know what it is. I'm figuring because I want to take and make a video every day, I'll start getting into the swing of things.
All of Saturday and Sunday will probably be when I start to get into it. I'll be completely out of my element so it won't really matter that I'm talking to a camera, plus everyone else has their camera out so I'm not too worried. I'm already sitting and thinking of everything I really want to take video of just so I know when I get there I'll make sure to do it. The two days that I have to myself I plan on taking to my advantage and doing everything I've never done before. If I can find that list, I'll make sure to post it here but I have to do some searching for it. It's not an exceptionally long list and can be done probably all in one day if I really wanted to, but I don't so I'll take both days to do it.
"Caitlyn, you're going to be a cast member! You don't need to get everything done right now!"
That statement has been said so many times by so many people lately. Yes, I'm going to be a cast member, but this will be the only time I get to do this as a guest in probably a really long time. Saturday will be the first time I'm going to the park in six years! So, who knows how long it'll be before I can go to the park being something other than a cast member? I really plan on doing whatever I can this weekend, then maybe do a little traveling around Monday and Tuesday with my roommate, whoever she may be. In my mind, provided neither of us are ridiculously tired, I would like to go to Downtown Disney and then maybe go resort hopping Tuesday, or just take a ride on the I-Drive Trolley. Anything, just to get out before Traditions which should be on Wednesday.
Oh, on one more (final) note for this entry, here's to hoping I have the morning session for Traditions. I don't mind waking up early for it at all.
Right now I'm focusing on charging all of my electronics, especially the ones I'm not using right away and then doing a quick clean of my room, in the hopes that I'll be able to keep it clean until Friday night. It's only now that I realize I have a ton of things that need charging, but not enough plugs to use them. I'm the opposite of everyone else and I seem to be bringing more electronic items than anything else, but it's because it only seems like I'm doing that. In fact, with the exception of my gaming consoles, really everything fits together and for what I plan on doing when I'm down and traveling around Lake Buena Vista (the true location of Walt Disney World) and the Orlando, it all makes sense. Maybe not to someone else, but it makes plenty of sense to me.
I guess that brings me to another thought that's going through my head - video blogging is really hard. I'm hoping it's only like this because I'm just starting, but you really need to sit and think Oh hey, maybe I should vlog right now. It might not be a significant moment, but just anything to get yourself to video what you're doing. It also doesn't help that I'm a shy vlogger and I'm absolutely terrified of looking weird, which is ironic because I do some weird things when I'm out in public, such as awkwardly dancing at Great Adventure. I'm sorry, but if that's not weird then I don't know what it is. I'm figuring because I want to take and make a video every day, I'll start getting into the swing of things.
All of Saturday and Sunday will probably be when I start to get into it. I'll be completely out of my element so it won't really matter that I'm talking to a camera, plus everyone else has their camera out so I'm not too worried. I'm already sitting and thinking of everything I really want to take video of just so I know when I get there I'll make sure to do it. The two days that I have to myself I plan on taking to my advantage and doing everything I've never done before. If I can find that list, I'll make sure to post it here but I have to do some searching for it. It's not an exceptionally long list and can be done probably all in one day if I really wanted to, but I don't so I'll take both days to do it.
"Caitlyn, you're going to be a cast member! You don't need to get everything done right now!"
That statement has been said so many times by so many people lately. Yes, I'm going to be a cast member, but this will be the only time I get to do this as a guest in probably a really long time. Saturday will be the first time I'm going to the park in six years! So, who knows how long it'll be before I can go to the park being something other than a cast member? I really plan on doing whatever I can this weekend, then maybe do a little traveling around Monday and Tuesday with my roommate, whoever she may be. In my mind, provided neither of us are ridiculously tired, I would like to go to Downtown Disney and then maybe go resort hopping Tuesday, or just take a ride on the I-Drive Trolley. Anything, just to get out before Traditions which should be on Wednesday.
Oh, on one more (final) note for this entry, here's to hoping I have the morning session for Traditions. I don't mind waking up early for it at all.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Project 365(6)
So, I've decided to do the yearly photo challenge in addition to my year-long video quest. It's going to be really hard making a video a day, but as long as I'm taking pictures, I might as well try. I'll put up yesterday's photo later on because I'm going out shopping with my mom. Hey, at least I can get some photos when I'm out.
I guess the video will have to follow.
Going Insane
It's the middle of the night and all I can do is sit and watch Disney videos. I really want to sleep, but I just can't.
So many emotions and thoughts are flooding through me right now; I'm terrified, I'm excited, I want to go, I don't want to go, I'm afraid my roommate is going to suck, I'm so freaked out about having to do everything on my own, and I just want someone to be doing this with me.
I've made some friends already, but nothing is going to compare to what I have at home and that worries me. My one friend was making fun of me earlier because I've never really been away from home before, but it's a seriously odd feeling. The sudden realization that you have to make your own food, live in an apartment and pay rent and all of this other crazy stuff is really strange. These are all things that I was expecting to do when I was done with college or at the very least in a better position than I am now.
I don't think people really realize how expensive it is to just prepare for the program before you even get on property. There are so many expenses it isn't funny.
In order to save money for the first two weeks, Disney asks for two weeks worth of rent upfront, so instead of paying $100 at acceptance, you're paying $300 + a service charge, which rounds up to around $305. On top of the required fee upon acceptance, then you need to start figuring transportation costs, a hotel cost if you're staying somewhere before check-in, then all of the money that will be spent to prepare for the program. If you're staying on Disney property and you're forced to go to a moderate resort and you're flying in and you get a really expensive flight, you're put at almost $1000 just to get to the program. If you're like me and have a really terrible wardrobe because you don't ever buy any clothes, well, figure in a hefty cost just for clothing. Even more additional costs show up the first few weeks you're there when you need to buy your food (grocery bingo will clearly be my best friend) and other things, such as cleaning supplies, bedding (if you didn't buy it beforehand), and so much more. It's really stressful and I feel people really underestimate how costly it all really is. I can't even imagine how it is for the International College Program students.
Now, the roommate situation. I've talked to a few people, but we just haven't meshed. I haven't found someone where I've had an instant connection with. I have, but they already have roommates and I lost out my chance a while ago because I was too afraid to go with more than one bedroom. I've realized now that I totally would've been able to handle a multiple bedroom apartment now because I love the girls and they're so much fun. Oh, well. I'm used to missed opportunities. It's just so nerve-racking wondering who I'll be rooming with and I wish I could find someone now that I could just mesh with. It shouldn't bother me so much just jumping into things, but I'm very uncomfortable with not knowing who I'm rooming with because I'm not a confrontational person. I'm so terrified of being walked all over, or worse…
I have no idea. Maybe it's just really late right now and I'm just completely out of my mind, but I've had some of the same thoughts repeatedly. I guess the only thing that helps me out in the roommate department is something that my sister had done when she was working at Cedar Point…I will absolutely utilize that tactic if it comes down to it. It's probably the most fantastic and genius thing ever.
I guess I'll go for now. I need to watch some more Disney videos and cry some more because I can't help myself and can't believe I'm actually going to be there on Saturday.
So many emotions and thoughts are flooding through me right now; I'm terrified, I'm excited, I want to go, I don't want to go, I'm afraid my roommate is going to suck, I'm so freaked out about having to do everything on my own, and I just want someone to be doing this with me.
I've made some friends already, but nothing is going to compare to what I have at home and that worries me. My one friend was making fun of me earlier because I've never really been away from home before, but it's a seriously odd feeling. The sudden realization that you have to make your own food, live in an apartment and pay rent and all of this other crazy stuff is really strange. These are all things that I was expecting to do when I was done with college or at the very least in a better position than I am now.
I don't think people really realize how expensive it is to just prepare for the program before you even get on property. There are so many expenses it isn't funny.
In order to save money for the first two weeks, Disney asks for two weeks worth of rent upfront, so instead of paying $100 at acceptance, you're paying $300 + a service charge, which rounds up to around $305. On top of the required fee upon acceptance, then you need to start figuring transportation costs, a hotel cost if you're staying somewhere before check-in, then all of the money that will be spent to prepare for the program. If you're staying on Disney property and you're forced to go to a moderate resort and you're flying in and you get a really expensive flight, you're put at almost $1000 just to get to the program. If you're like me and have a really terrible wardrobe because you don't ever buy any clothes, well, figure in a hefty cost just for clothing. Even more additional costs show up the first few weeks you're there when you need to buy your food (grocery bingo will clearly be my best friend) and other things, such as cleaning supplies, bedding (if you didn't buy it beforehand), and so much more. It's really stressful and I feel people really underestimate how costly it all really is. I can't even imagine how it is for the International College Program students.
Now, the roommate situation. I've talked to a few people, but we just haven't meshed. I haven't found someone where I've had an instant connection with. I have, but they already have roommates and I lost out my chance a while ago because I was too afraid to go with more than one bedroom. I've realized now that I totally would've been able to handle a multiple bedroom apartment now because I love the girls and they're so much fun. Oh, well. I'm used to missed opportunities. It's just so nerve-racking wondering who I'll be rooming with and I wish I could find someone now that I could just mesh with. It shouldn't bother me so much just jumping into things, but I'm very uncomfortable with not knowing who I'm rooming with because I'm not a confrontational person. I'm so terrified of being walked all over, or worse…
I have no idea. Maybe it's just really late right now and I'm just completely out of my mind, but I've had some of the same thoughts repeatedly. I guess the only thing that helps me out in the roommate department is something that my sister had done when she was working at Cedar Point…I will absolutely utilize that tactic if it comes down to it. It's probably the most fantastic and genius thing ever.
I guess I'll go for now. I need to watch some more Disney videos and cry some more because I can't help myself and can't believe I'm actually going to be there on Saturday.
See ya real soon!
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