To Infinity and Beyond!

So my college program is coming to a close. It is over on January 6th. Back in October, I started looking for the next step. I saw several different avenues, and began following three of them. I was also going to pursue one or two more, but it never came down to that.

The first avenue was a temporary assignment. It would have been for the spring, and to do it, I would also have to have a "home" position (as part time or full time). The temporary assignment would be working for Magic Music Days and the students who come down to perform. I turned in my application and was given an interview. At the interview, part one was to give a presentation. After, 50 percent of the people are asked to stay for a question/answer section. I was one to be asked to stay and went in for the interview. One week later I received a call. Unfortunately, I did not get it.

The next avenue was extending my current program. During that application process, I was able to pick my preference on position. I could choose to stay where I am currently working or ask to be moved. I really wanted to work attractions so I put that down as my first choice. I put down custodial for my second choice. And then for my third, I asked to stay where I am.

At the same time I was applying for the extension, I was also applying for a Professional Internship. These are much more prestigious and competitive. There are far fewer positions compared to the college internships. I applied for a few internships that were for College Program Alumni. I received a phone call asking to set up an interview for one of them and went in later that week.

One day I heard back from the extension saying that I was chosen to extend and would be moved to attractions. I was really excited, but I had to give them an answer by the end of the week. I still had not heard back from the Professional Internship. I did not want to commit to the extension and then also receive the Professional Internship. On the other hand, I did not want to deny the extension and then not receive the other internship and then be out on both. I was freaking out just a little because I did not know when I would hear back from the Professional Internship.

One hour after I received the notification of the extension, I received a phone call and was offered the Professional Internship! Needless to say, I was ecstatic! So now, I did accept the Professional Internship. The title of the internship is the College and International Program Housing Office Coordinator. I'll be doing a lot of different things. I will no longer be located in any of the Disney parks; instead, I'll be in one of the living complexes, in an office. I'm very excited for it! When I interviewed, they said this position was a nice springboard into leadership and management.

The internship pays more and I will be getting more hours. I'll still get the same benefits as I do now. The new internship is from January until the beginning of June. After that, we'll see what comes my way! I will be signing a year-long lease with some friends. So at the very lease, I'll be here in Florida until the end of 2012.

No Time to Say Hello, Goodbye!

I'm late, I'm late, I'm late!

For real though, I'm super sorry to everybody who likes reading my blog (cough Hannah cough). I know I should update more often. But I get super duper lazy. When I have free time, I don't feel like writing. So here is the update you've all been waiting for. Hopefully it's not too long.

A lot has happened that I've wanted to write about since my last post. So, now that means this post is going to be a conglomeration of everything. Let's start off with Halloween. Yes, I know tomorrow is Thanksgiving, but it's been that long since I've posted.

In September, my roommates and I went to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. It's a special event held a couple times a week at the Magic Kingdom. They kick everybody out who does not have a special ticket, and then they stay open until midnight. In addition to the normal rides and frivolity, Disney provides special events and appearances. For instance, in front of the castle, they have a villain dance party, followed by meet and greets. So I got to meet Jafar and Gaston. Sadly, I did not wait in the lines to meet the other villains. Disney also offers meet and greets with other characters that are not usually out. So I also got to meet Jane Porter and (my personal favorite special meet and greet) Tarzan. We were going to try to meet the seven dwarfs, but the line was too long. Disney also provides a special Halloween version of their nightly show (Wishes) called HalloWishes. And they have a (really super cool) Halloween parade! It was a blast and I am glad I was able to go. You can view pictures on my facebook of these events!!

On October 1, Disney World celebrated their 40th Anniversary. On October 1, 1971, the Magic Kingdom opened its doors to the public. And 40 years later, they had an awesome celebration. They had a special ceremony (televised) with the President of the company and other special guests. I got to meet the Tremaines (Evil step mother and ugly step sisters). It seems that they are not out very often at the Magic Kingdom, so I am glad I waited to meet them. They are by far my favorite characters to meet! But the whole event was really something awesome to be at. I am so glad I went.

Then on November 1st, Disney World did a quick change from Halloween to Christmas. Literally over night, at Hollywood Studios, a lot of Decorations were put up all over the place. The same thing happened at the other parks, I'm just not sure exactly what date. Christmas is a big deal here at Disney. Every park has special Christmas events. The Magic Kingdom has Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. This is similar to the Halloween Party, but obviously for Christmas. They also have Cinderella's Castle that is covered in magical ice and a show you can watch as the fairy godmother covers the castle in the ice. Epcot has Christmas Around the World. I have not been over there yet for that. Animal Kingdom has a special parade. And Hollywood Studios has the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. The entire back part of the park (Streets of America) are covered with 5,000,000 (or more?) led lights. And every few minutes, they "dance" to a song. It really is really super duper cool! If you are ever in Disney between November and December, you should definitely check them out!

Some of my aunts and uncles are in town right now, so I'm going to eat lunch with them today before they leave. Then my parents and godparents are coming down the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. And then my best friend (Mandi) from college is coming down with her mother after my parents leave. I'm so excited for all of these events! I'm taking my parents and godparents and Mandi to the parks!

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. But to me, it still feels like September. If not, it definitely does not feel like tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I have to work 2:15 till 10pm tomorrow. But after, all the college students I work with are going out for a Thanksgiving Meal. We are going to a really classy place. Not sure which, but we have it narrowed down to Perkins, IHOP, or Denny's!

This is getting pretty super long, and kinda random. So I'm going to end it there. I do have more to say, so hopefully it won't be two months before I post again! Check out my facebook page for pictures of all my adventures. I just uploaded a lot of them yesterday!