Every Job is Important

Growing up, my Dad used to tell us that he didn't care what job we had, just so we did it to the best of our abilities. I'm learning that lesson here at WDW. Yesterday, it was my job to stock drinks and ice to the merchandise carts. It was a very warm day (at least for this Yankee!) and I was hauling huge bags of ice and bottles of soda all day long (and I'm no young pup!). IAPTS kept leaping to mind (It All Pays The Same), plus my Dad's encouragement to do my best, no matter what I'm doing. It was actually a joy for me, knowing that guests in my area had fresh, ice cold beverages ready for them and knowing that the other CMs working the area didn't have to worry about whether they were fully stocked.

I've had several people ask me if what I'm doing is a step backward and I tell them this: It is an honor and a privilege to be a Walt Disney World Cast Member. There are thousands of people out there who wish they had my job right now and I am grateful for it. I serve my fellow Cast Members and I serve our Guests and I do it to the best of my abilities. My Dad is proud of me. It is absolutely NOT a step backward. Any day that you are doing your best, learning and growing, is a day that you are moving forward.

A Week Already?

It's hard to believe that a week has passed since I checked in for my College Program, but what a week it has been! There has been a lot of training with a lot to remember. I finally got to use my ID to enter the parks for the first time on Monday. That was exciting watching the little card go whooshing through the machine and the green light flashing. Simple things, but important pieces when one is talking about dream-building.

I'm also happy to say that I passed the German language test, so will be wearing a name tag indicating that on it.

I have 2 more days of training and then I will be on my regular schedule next week. There have been a few days that I've been a bit panicky, wondering what I'm doing here, but then I look at my girls and remember I'm showing them that it doesn't matter how old you are, you can still follow your dreams.

Diggin' in Dinoland

I finally got my work location. I'll be in the Animal Kingdom in the Dinoland area working merchandise. I am delighted that I got "AK", not so sure about the Dinoland part...I did find it ironic considering my daughters seem to think I had dinosaurs as pets when I was a child.

The first arrival day was very exciting. Disney literally rolled out the red carpet! It's one of those touches that seems almost too cheesy, but really does enhance the experience, at least for me. After having to convince a few people that no, I wasn't a parent of a CP this semester, and no, I wasn't a volunteer, I made my way through the line in about an hour, including fingerprints. The second day, I barely slept the night before, wondering what my work location would be. Thankfully, Disney understands and it's the first thing they tell you. That day only took about 30 minutes to get through all of the stations.

Today is my "Traditions" day. It's the organizational culture class that all new hires must take. It's also when I become an official WDW Cast Member and get my ID and name tag (I also get paid starting today! ;)

The best part so far, however, was coming back to the villa yesterday with "Yay, Mom!" pictures my girls had made me hanging on the fridge. They have been great cheerleaders through this whole process and I hope they are learning that reaching dreams is possible.

2009, a New Year with New Possibilities

Wow, this holiday season went fast! We have safely arrived at the Animal Kingdom Lodge for the first chapter of our new adventure. We are here for a little over three weeks before moving to our new townhouse. This morning, the girls did their math while giraffes walked by our balcony. They could get used to that... ;)

We did have a little excitement along the way. I don't know what it is with me and tires, but during a lunch stop, I had a flat. Thank heavens we weren't driving at the time or it could have been very bad. We gave it a little air and gimped to a tire repair to find that it was split open 6"! After about 30 minutes, I had a new "shoe" on my van and we were underway safely.

We spent some time on Friday visiting 3 different parks at Walt Disney World for the Christmas decorations. I'm not ready for it to be over yet, but tomorrow is Epiphany, 12th Night, the 12th Day of Christmas and that's that for another year. It went much too fast, but I hope I savored each day at least a little.