Greetings! I have had the best attitude at work the last few days and it has made things so much easier here. I spent an entire evening earlier this week watching videos of children being surprised with a trip to Disney World. If that doesn't bring you joy, I don't know what would. I spent the next couple days of work pretending that each family I met was just as excited as the children in those videos when they found out they were coming to Disney World. And guess what? It made my days so much better! When I moved back to Florida and went through training again, one of my trainers said something that really stuck with me. "Always remember to feel the hug." It may seem silly to you. Feel the hug? Of course you feel the hug. If you're involved in the hug, you're going to feel it. But that's not what he meant. But there's such a difference between putting your arms around someone and actually feeling the hug. It makes everything so much better. Sometimes Minnie Mouse needs the hug just as much as you do.
The Future
Speaking of things getting better, I got some wonderful news recently. As some of you may know, I spend most of my time in the circus with Miss Minnie. It's been a good few months there, but I'm excited for something new. That's why, during the summer at least, I will be spending my weekends with Tinker Bell! I'll spend Monday and Tuesday with Mickey and Minnie in Epcot at the VISA private meet and greet area and then at Character Spot. I could not be more happy about this. I love those two meet and greet areas at Epcot more than any other! And to actually have scheduled time with my favorite fairy every single week??! I've been waiting a whole year for this.
Story Time
I had a request for funny things I've experienced working at Disney. It's difficult for me to recall specific things that happen because the second I come off set, it's almost all gone from my memory. Tink spends 70 seconds with a family and then has to create an entirely new experience for the next 70 seconds with the next family. It's hard to hold on to any specific memory when you're constantly thinking so hard to create a new experience every 70 seconds. I try though! There have been some days that I come back and start writing down things that happened during the day. Most days I don't do that though.
This has nothing to do with Disney, but both the kittens and Michael were napping beside me on the couch when Luke tried to roll over and instead he rolled off the couch. Poor baby looked so confused as he tried to stand back up and get comfortable again. That was funny to me at least. He probably didn't think so.
The other day, a family from the mainland came to visit Tink. There were three teenage daughters, one adult son, and the parents. All the girls took a group photo and then they each had individual photos with Tink. Before everyone left, the son ran up to Tink, got down on one knee, and held out his hand to her, flat as if he was expecting her to place a pumpkin muffin in his hand or something.
"What are you doing?" Tink asked.
"I'm proposing."
"Proposing what? And why are you holding out your hands like that? Is something going to happen?"
"So what's your answer?" As he's looking at the camera, not Tinker Bell.
"What is he even talking about? Nothing has happened with his hand yet."
"So will you marry me?"
"Marry you? We just met. What are you even talking about?" Looks at his parents. "He didn't even bring me pumpkin muffins. Tell him next time he proposes to a girl, whatever that is, that he should bring her a gift. Like pumpkin muffins or a really sparkly thingy."
Questions
People often ask me questions that I really can't answer. Whether it's a question about the audition process, my character friends, or what it's like to have the particular job I have, I never know exactly how to properly answer. For obvious reasons, I have to be careful what I say. Let's just leave it at this: I love my job. It's one of the coolest things I've ever done. The best part though, is the people I meet and the things I get to do. Just the other day I went bowling (where we get a huge discount) with my roommates and then we went to House Of Blues for Rewind Wednesday (which apparently we get into for free). I know people from all over the country because of this job. Next week, my roommates and I are flying to California to visit Disneyland (where we have free admission). All of these are things I would not be doing if I didn't have this job. How did I get this job? I walked into an open audition for Walt Disney World, hosted in a Dallas dance studio. What did I wear? Honestly I don't remember, but it was probably a green v-neck shirt with biker shorts from Academy Sports and Outdoors and jazz shoes. I do specifically remember that I wore my bangs braided to the side so they would not be in my face and I wore natural looking make up. The most important thing you can do on your own when attending a Disney audition is smile. Be comfortable and confident and SMILE! They want to know you are happy and having fun. Nobody wants to meet a Disney cast member who is unhappy at work. If you're at an audition, it should be because you chose to go. Nobody is paying you to be there, it's on your own time. So the assumption would be that you are happy to be there. Show it! That is truly the best thing you can do for yourself at a Disney audition!
Disneyland
Next week, after making a two day pit stop in Dallas, I'm headed to California to go to Disneyland! I got to go to Disneyland once when I was 10 or 12, but I hardly remember it. That being said, I'm going to pretend for the weekend that it's my first visit and get a "1st Visit" button to wear proudly. I don't really know what I'm in for out there. I still haven't even figured out my transportation from LAX to Disneyland Hotel. I'm excited though! I arrive early Friday morning and have the entire day to check things out before my roommates arrive! If anyone has any advice, send it my way! I want to do as much as I can in the short time I'm there, but I have no idea where to start.
My Overall Love for the Animals of the World
Due to a last minute trip to Dallas last weekend, I was able to see my babies, Luke and Leia! Luke it still our silly boy. Whenever we can't find him, we have to watch out if we walk by the bed. There's a good chance he is stalking us from under it and will pop out once we've passed him, spider monkey style. Have I mentioned how much he has grown? He's going to be a big boy! He's already 9 pounds. Leia, on the other hand, is our sweet little girl. She's becoming less shy and finally starting to grow into her personality. It's kind of a pain when she does something we don't like because she has one of those cute little faces you can never get mad at. I guess Michael is probably used to that after all his time with me though. (I'm sort of joking here. Mostly not though.) I have to admit, it was pretty smart of him to get the cats while I'm living in Florida. Ever since we got them, I have stopped asking him to come visit me here and instead ask if I can come home. This is my public announcement that I see your plan and it worked. And I'll continue to let it work because I get to see my family too! Hopefully some time soon I can go to the puppy store again to play! And this weekend my roommates and I are going to visit some very stylish pigs! (More on that later)
My Overall Love for the Tiny Humans of the World
Fairly recently, I've been able to spend some time as myself, hanging out at the parks with friends and children. Before this, I'd never really known how much I enjoyed spending time with kids. Most of my life, little ones have always preferred spending time with someone other than me, usually my brother or my boyfriend. Now that I've had my own opportunity though, I see that kids can be so fun! They say funny things and see the world in a way most adults have forgotten. Being able to see the wonder in their eyes always makes my job more fun.
I think I'm all out of thoughts to be shared this evening! I hope everyone has the most splendid week!
