Continuing On

So my second day of work went okay. I was a Greeter, so the tablet we use to check in reservations took some getting used to, but I think I really enjoy the job. I get to talk to all the people who are coming to eat here as I check them in! The downside is, we're the #1 restaurant on Disney property, apparently, (we overtook Victoria & Albert's at the Grand Floridian, which is kind of a big deal because that's jacket-required, nose-in-the-air kind of dining) so anyone who didn't book a reservation 90-180 days in advance has to get told "I'm sorry, but we're fully booked." I've heard stories from people who've been trying to get into Le Cellier for years, so I guess we're kind of a big deal. I feel so bad for all the people we have to turn away every day, just because they didn't set their alarms for the crack of dawn right at the 90 day mark (which one woman told me she did, just so she could get those reservations) and stayed asleep like any sane person would.

Yesterday was my day off, so I spent some of the afternoon by the pool, because I feel like a china doll compared to everyone else down here. Then my legs started to burn, so I went back to the apartment, changed, and headed to Wal-Mart. Got new shoes for work, because the new ones I'd bought the day before had lost their treads between the bus stop and the restaurant. No, seriously. When I got to the break trailer to put my lunch in the fridge, I looked at my feet because I could feel something dragging, and there's the sole with the treads, just dangling by the toe on both shoes. That was a bit interesting. So yeah, got new shoes, picked up a few other things I needed (FRUIT!), and then headed back out to the bus stop, meeting up with Rob and Carolane, who had left a couple hours previous.

We'd talked about doing something last night, so then Rob called me and said a bunch of us were heading to the AMC theatre at Downtown Disney, so off we went to go see Love Happens (Jennifer Aniston). We were a pretty big group, probably at least a dozen of us, so it was a lot of fun. One of the girls had half a baguette she and another of the girls had bought earlier that day, so that was their movie snack. It was kind of hilarious just to watch them pull this baguette out of a bag and then tear pieces off to eat it. The movie was pretty good. I mean, everyone knows I'm not really one for chick flicks, so naturally I think it would have been better if something had blown up during the course of the plot, but it was alright for what it was. Mom, you should see it; I think you'd really like it.

And now it's off to Animal Kingdom in about an hour and a half with Carolane and Rob, neither of whom have ever seen Expedition: Everest, let alone been on it. This should be fun. *Insert giant trouble-making grin here* I'm evil, and I know it.

First Day of Work

So Discovery Day was, succinctly, deadly dull. We watched a video that Walt Disney had made when he was working on the Florida Project about what he envisioned EPCOT to be, and we saw a lot of the concept art and stuff and that was all fantastic. Then they took us on a tour of the park. Most people reading this know how well I know the parks, so you can imagine how much fun this was for me. The guy leading our group handed out maps to everyone so that they could orient themselves with the tour, and he comes over to me, "English, French, Spanish, or Portuguese?" and I was like, "I don't need one." He kinda looks at me funny for a second. "Are you sure?" I smile and nod, "I'm sure." He kinda shrugs. "Okay then." I don't think he believed me.... So yeah, we went around Futureworld, we actually rode Spaceship Earth (Amy, a fellow Canadian, and I weren't really feeling the Spaceship Earth vibe that early, so to make ourselves more interested, we decided to do the ride in German), and then we did a lagoon tour of all the countries because it's more than a mile walk. I was all for it (again I got a funny look from guide dude), but apparently the boat won out. Then we had lunch with the UK guys again, and headed over for a more in-depth tour of our pavilions. The UKs were dropped off with their manager to go over some paperwork, and we went over to costuming to get our costumes. I don't mind mine as much as I thought I would, really. I just wish that the restaurant pants weren't black polyester, because that's uncomfortable in the heat on the way to work.

So that brings me to my actual first day of work. It was.... well, it was insane. We had a lot of big groups come in to the restaurant, including a family reunion group of almost 40 people! We managed it all, though, because we are thoroughly fantastic. Rob and I were training on seating, and we were taught by Allison, who is eternally perky and positive and I absolutely love her. We had a lot of fun, and I now know how to properly seat people in our restaurant. We also learned a little bit about assigning, which is the job of deciding what reservation goes to what table and when. It's really stressful, because you have to deal with the people who come late with their reservation, and if things start running behind it's your fault, but I think it would be a lot of fun, so I'm going to talk to my managers about learning it (it's not something that's automatically offered to us). I mean, it's all numbers and math and planning ahead, and I'm good at all that. Plus I learned the table numbers in the restaurant really fast, so Allison said she was going to suggest to me that I learn assigning anyway. That makes me happy.

Allison, Rob, and I went out for dinner after work last night, because Allison really wanted to go to this Italian bread/sandwich place, I'd never been there, and neither Rob nor I had any plans. It was really, really good. It's called Panero, I think, and they play classical music all the time! Plus the walls are really nice, warm oranges and reds, and the food is fantastic. Apparently they also have free wi-fi, so I think I've found my new favourite hangout spot. It's only a few minutes' walk away from where I live.

So today is my second day of work, and I'll be training as a greeter. A greeter is the person who checks in reservations, makes other reservations, and has to turn away the people who don't have reservations. You're also the first person a guest has interaction with in the restaurant, so the pressure's on to make a good impression. I have no idea who's training me; Allison said she thinks it's Craig, but she wasn't completely sure. No matter what, though, I hope things go well and that the computer system doesn't crash (apparently it did that a couple nights ago, and they had to do everything by hand). I'm working a closing shift, which means that I have to stay until the last guest leaves the restaurant so that I can wish them a good night. Anyway, I'm off to prepare for this, so I'll end here for the day.

More Stuff

So Rob and I did the Studios yesterday, and we had a blast. He'd only been there once before, like 12 years ago or something, so it was as good as doing it with someone who'd never been there before. Especially when that someone has never done the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster or Tower of Terror before. Hehehe. THAT was fun. Part of me thinks he only really made it onto Tower of Terror because there was a bouncy little girl in front of us, and he knows I wouldn't let him live it down. But we had a lot of fun wandering the park during the day, and waiting in lines, and laughing at the people who were in line in the rain while we were under the covered part of the queue (not that we didn't get wet at all, it's just that by the time the torrential downpour started we were under cover). And then there was Fantasmic. God, I love that show. I mean, the whole thing is pretty cool, but really I like it when the dragon comes out and the lake is set on fire. We had really good seats, too, considering we got to the amphitheatre at 15 minutes to show time.

Today was yet another day of training, this time right in EPCOT. We did another couple hours of computer training (another set of the most boring videos I've ever seen in my life), and then we got a rundown of some of the stuff more specific to us. The woman who led us through all this was really awesome; she's a permanent server at the pub in the UK Pavilion. Then she grabbed the UK Food&Beverage group and we all had lunch together. ....Oddly enough, the entire set of new arrivals in F&B for the UK are guys. It's really kind of strange to see, especially when our own group is 3 girls and 2 guys. Then we went backstage at the Canada Pavilion to meet one of our managers and go over stuff even MORE specific to us.

Tomorrow is my last day of seminar-type training. We have "Discovery Day," where we tour around the park and stuff, and then we'll get our costumes. After that, we start on-the-job (OTJ) training. Rob and I are starting in the restaurant, while Craig (not Magic Kingdom Craig; arrival group Craig) and Melissa are starting out at the popcorn stand. In about a week and a half, we switch places with them. And I have no idea where Amy's going. Anyway, should be fun. But, I am dead tired, so I think I might go have a nap.

Training

So Traditions was mostly a blast. We got on the bus at an ungodly hour in the dark, and were trucked over to the Disney University. There we were bombarded with Disney values and legacy until our brains exploded. ...Yes, I realize that doesn't particularly sound like fun, but the two guys who were running the class were really entertaining. It was kind of a had-to-be-there thing. Then we were handed our schedules for the next two days, and were released. So Carolane, one of my fellow Canadian arrivals, and I headed over to EPCOT to do some rides (she'd only been there once, and just walked around World Showcase) and watch the fireworks. Also to eat and drink, because the food and wine festival is on right now, so we get to eat and drink all over the world! I only grabbed an ale in the UK, though. Best part of the day: we ate lunch backstage at the Magic Kingdom. I'm not really allowed to tell you what it's like or what goes on back there, but suffice to say it's pretty awesome.

Today was more training, this time specifically for Food & Beverage, at the Disney University. Again, a bus in the dark; this time I had to walk to it, because that bus doesn't even come to my housing complex. Today was boring, tedious, and all other synonyms for Dull and Mostly Common Sense, as well as What We Already Covered Yesterday. A lot of it was training on a computer, with some of the most mind-numbingly dull training videos you've ever seen. They were still better than Tim Horton's, though.

And now I'm headed back to Disney's Hollywood Studios with another of the Canadian arrivals. Fantasmic is playing tonight, and I can't wait! Yay dragon and water-on-fire!

Parks

Well, before I even get into the parks, I should probably talk about the party. Except that there isn't really much to talk about. It was a giant welcoming party with viturally all the Canada pavilion cultural reps, and we were so hot all shoved in one apartment's living room that as soon as the obligatory welcome stuff was over, most people left. That was probably less than an hour long, and before it ended my can of beer had gone flat from the heat. Whatever. Met a lot of people, most of whom I won't remember the names of for a while yet, but it was a good time.

So yesterday I had my second day of orientation, wherein I signed another seven pages of paperwork, sat through an immigrations presentation, and then got my card that allows me to get paid. ...Well, I get paid either way; it's the card that allows me to ACCESS my pay. Heather and I were planning to go to Downtown Disney when she got home from late in the afternoon, but then she called me when she was on the bus and was like, "We're doing Magic Kingdom, I'll be home in fifteen, and give me about five or ten minutes to change." So that's what we did. We met up with a small group of Canadians who were finishing up a Four Park Challenge (this is where you do three rides in each of the four parks - the major draw attraction, a classic attraction, and a random choice - and use as many modes of transportation as possible to get there; depending on who you're with and the time of season, there may be additional rules to adhere to) after doing The Haunted Mansion as my first ride as a Cast Member. We lined up for the SpectroMagic parade, watched David pseudo-dance to Hannah Montana, watched the parade (during which Craig got some attention from Pluto and Kim got some from Peter Pan, who is really kind of creepy because he's older than he should be), and then went to the fireworks show Wishes. That was a lot of fun.

Today Heather, David and I headed over to Disney's Hollywood Studios to play for the day. We hit almost every show, including Playhouse Disney (NEVER AGAIN. EVER) - we only missed the stunt car show and Fantasmic because they weren't running today - and most of the other attractions and rides. Tower of Terror was as awesome as I remember. There's a new area that was added since the last time I was here: Pixar Land. This is particularly awesome because they have a ride called Midway Mania, and it is one of the most fun rides I've been on in a while. For those of you who've been before, think of the Buzz Lightyear ride, but with the targets as computer-animated video sequences designed to look like midway games. And you wear 3D glasses, which just makes it even better. My personal best of the day (we rode is twice) was 139200, which was a lot better than my first score of 97500. We got group pictures with Woody and Buzz, as well as Mike and Sully, and I have a picture of me with a Green Army Man. Lunch was at the Sci-Fi Dine In, which was really cool because I'd never been there before. You sit in a car-shaped booth in mostly darkness while a giant movie screen in front of you shows trailer after trailer for the worst sci-fi horror black-and-white films of the fifties era (Dad, we have to see some of those). Our server was really fantastic, and brought us out a sundae at the end to share since we were cast members (we could barely eat it, though, because our oreo cookie ice cream milkshakes were filling enough!), and we got glow-in-the-dark souvenir cups (the kind with a lid and straw) filled with caramel corn at the end! All in all it was a fantastic day, but I'm going to get ready for bed soon since I have to board the bus tomorrow for Traditions at 6:15 in the morning. I have to look professional for that, and I'm pretty sure that part of "professional" is "awake."

Moved In

Well, as my mother saw fit to point out, I've been here for a day and a half (though not REALLY, because that marker isn't until 2 in the morning, technically) and haven't updated yet. However, I've been busy. With what, you may ask? Stuff. Mind your own business.

Kidding. Anyway, so after driving all the way here with Daddy, trying to find a new classic rock station every time we lost the previous one and playing the License Plate Game (36 states in 19 hours!), we unpacked my stuff and headed to Wal-Mart. It was a bit strange, because I'm living in a 4-bedroom (8 person) apartment and I was the only new person in it, but when I got here NO ONE WAS HOME. When we were heading out to Wal-Mart, though, one of my housemates came home. Her name is Serena, and she's from China. After getting groceries, finding a place to shove them in the fridge since it's insanely full (we have 2 fridges, but still that's 4 people per fridge), and putting pantry food away in my room (there was no shelf space for me at that point, and again no one was home so that I could ask if things could be moved), Dad left and I started unpacking my stuff. That took a long time, during which I discovered that our apartment had no running water. Joys. So I called security to see what was up, and the man on the phone told me that a pipe had burst somewhere, and that it would be fixed soon. This was at 7pm.; apparently "soon" means "just after midnight." In that time, though, I managed to meet a few of my housemates: Francesca from Germany, Stine from Norway, and Nancy from China. I also met my roommate, who, of all places, is from JAPAN! Yes, I am an anime and gaming nerd, and my roommate is Sayaka from Tokyo. I don't think it gets much better than that (well, maybe if I'd ended up in the same apartment as Heather, since she's a friend AND she's next to the bus stop...). She's really nice, and seems to be amused by my scattered knowledge of her culture.

Today I woke up early because we had our first day of orientation. This included a lot of useless information that is just common sense for someone who's lived in residence at university. Especially a university in Canada. They went over housing and activities and rules and a bunch of stuff that I admittedly didn't pay a lot of attention to. The videos were full of overly peppy, over-scripted, slightly frightening actors. We also filled out loads of paperwork, and had our housing ID cards made. My picture is horrible, as all my ID card photos tend to be, but whatever. It gets me on the buses and into my complex, so that's all I care about. After all that was done, I headed back to Wal-Mart on the bus with one of my fellow Canadians, Rob, after stopping briefly at the pool party that was going on for a pop and cupcake (Mom, the icing on it tasted just like your buttercream! And it was blue and had Mickey sprinkles on it, which was awesome). Then I got home and made a fajita! Be proud, Ros; I didn't burn anything and it tasted almost as good as yours (that may also be because the cheese down here tastes a bit odd). And now I'm sitting here waiting for Heather to get back from her own Wal-Mart trip so that we can hang out before the big 'Welcome New Canadians' party thing (commonly known as a Throw-In). Then I will be off to bed before an afternoon of orientation tomorrow.

Is there anything I've left out? ...I don't really think so. Heather and I are going to do the Disney Hollywood Studios on Friday, and I can't wait!

Oh. Even with air conditioning, I feel like I'm breathing water in this apartment. That kind of sucks.

2 Weeks To Go

Two weeks down, two weeks to go. Things have been pretty crazy, between appointments and paperwork and trying to see people before I go. I don't really have a bedroom floor at the moment, because most of it is taken up by things to bring with me (non-perishable groceries, linens, etc). I bought an address book, and have been trying to add the address of everyone who might potentially want a piece of mail while I'm away (Mia, if you're reading this, I need yours).

I'm also now a certified Wedding Planner, which is pretty awesome. I can't wait to get into that once I finish my contract down in Florida!