Merry Christmas!

I can't believe that Christmas is nearly over. This holiday season went whooshing right past and while we really did enjoy it with our usual Advent traditions, it seemed a bit anticlimactic this year with the packing and prep for our new adventure. I did spend some time this evening soaking in the Christmas lights twinkling on the tree. Even though I will be seeing some completely amazing lights here in a week or so at Walt Disney World, I will still miss my own tree here at home.

My mantra has been "Carpe Diem" (seize the day) all month. I have learned not to wish the days away. Find something to celebrate in each one, something to be thankful for. Rather than tear the page from the calendar, make it something memorable to pin on the wall of your memories.

I wish everyone a wonderful Twelve Days of Christmas!

One Week Until the Journey Begins!

We leave in one week. 7 days. 168 hours. There aren't enough minutes to do everything I feel like I need to get done before I step out of the door. There is packing that has been put off because we still have "time" (tick-tock, tick-tock). There are decisions to be made about what will stay and what will go. There is the feeling of a need to go around my house and mentally tell it good-bye. I'd moved 20 times by my 30th birthday and never quite felt this way before. I think it's because I'm leaving so much behind, my kitchen, my Animal Kingdom Lodge office, my scrap room...all of these spaces I put so much of myself into to get them just so and now, they will be empty.

Then there is the guilt. Ripping my 10yo away from her new BFF has been the one dark spot in this adventure. This will prove to be a valuable lesson for them and for me, however. No matter what happens in life, the people you love and who love you will always be there for you. There are ways to maintain friendships, especially in this wondrous day and age of technology. For me, I continue to learn that grown-ups have to make hard decisions that sometimes upset their children and following one's dreams is NOT necessarily selfish. Don't postpone your dreams.

The Window It Is!

I finally got the email today that says the Professional Intern position I had applied for is "no longer available". It's heartwrenching, but also very scary to be living in these economic times. I am very grateful to have a position at Walt Disney World in January, even though it wasn't my first choice. When I think of the other people who applied for the internships and it was their last chance, it makes me very sad for them and angry for them, too, that the economy has been so poorly managed. At this time of year, I keep remembering the words of Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol, "God bless us...every one!" I hope He does.

The Door and The Window (with it's purple "curtain")

Here's a little backstory on the door/window. Back in January, 2008, I returned to school for my MBA in Management. My resume needed a little refresher after umpteen years of motherhood and self-employment. The idea was planted in my brain that perhaps I could apply for a Professional Internship (PI) for the Spring of 2009. I applied for 5 PIs as soon as the applications opened up, none of which needed prior Walt Disney World College Program (CP) experience. I had my initial interview on August 15, 2008 and was told that I would be moving forward in all five areas! It was very exciting and the waiting began.

Wait and wait and wait. It was excruciating not knowing if any of the departments would want to interview me. Finally, I received an email to schedule an interview for Retail Management! I had that interview on October 22nd and thought it went as well as I could expect with all of my nerves. It's hard not to replay all of the answers in your head afterward thinking of MUCH better answers later on! The interviewers told me I'd hear back in 2-3 weeks. I had been told early on that the deadline for the PIs was November 28th, 2008, so not to lose hope until then.

More waiting, wishing, and hoping with no word, but lots of rumors. WDW departments received their budgets and internships starting dropping like Autumn leaves. It was so sad to see so many people's hopes dashed as the economy crashed their potential jobs against the rocks. Still, while 3 of my internships were cancelled and 1 was filled, Retail Management was still a glimmer of hope. The rumors were fast and furious, however, and I panicked a bit, so decided to interview for the College Program. On November 7, 2008, I had my interview and it went VERY well. My interviewer told me I'd hear back in 2-3 weeks. 5 weeks later on December 12, 2008, my coveted Purple Folder arrived, telling me I'd been invited to become a WDW Cast Member in a merchandise role! My window is open!

I haven't given up hope yet on the door. I understand that departments and locations are still making their decisions so there is still a chance I could get my PI instead of the CP. However it ends up, my dream of being a WDW Cast Member is about to come true, whether by the door or the window, I can still see the blue skies and sunshine and pixie dust and wishes come true!

I now have 14 days to pack and prepare for the journey. Adventure, flexibility, and patience have all been my guides through this process.

Through the Window

They say when God closes a door, He opens a window. So many times it's been impossible for me to see the window. I don't WANT a window, anyway. I want the door. I'm learning, however, that windows aren't such a bad thing. In Peter Pan, the children (Wendy, John, and Michael) had to go through the nursery window before they could fly. Maybe a window isn't such a bad thing after all.

I'm currently waiting for the door to open, but if it doesn't I can see the window this time and it looks pretty magical. If He closes the door, I'll take the window and hopefully He will help me fly.