The month of April has flown by! I think because I've been having so much fun. The past 2 weeks I went swing dancing, AND a spring fling dance party. It was my first time swing dancing and it was a lot of fun! A Mexican guy from church came to my apartment complex and taught a group of about 8 of us how to swing dance. Afterward we all went to "atomic ballroom" in Irvine to practice our new skills (at a beginner level of course). The ballroom was crowded that night, and WOW I couldn't believe how good some of these dancers were! I definitely have a new appreciation for swing dancing.
Every Monday night here at the college program we have "mashed-up mondays". Basically just something fun to do on a Monday night. Normally consists of ping pong, movies, Disney trivia, etc. But this past Monday we had "open-mic night". I knew this night was coming so I spent the past 2 weeks writing a song for this mashed-up Mondays open-mic night. The song is called "Mashed-up Mondays" and it's to the tune of "Manic Monday" by the Bangles. The song was a parody of all the various events we've done in the program and some inside jokes regarding our living situation from roommates to our landlord. The song was a big success and they had me play it again at the end of the night for all those who didn't hear it. I gave the lyrics to our housing office manager and he's going to e-mail the lyrics out to everyone in the program. I'm glad I can still make people laugh with my guitar (maybe they're laughing at me though, not with me).
Work is getting better and better. 2 days ago I started "tram training!" This is where I stand on the back of a 200 seater tram and give a 2 page speech from memorization over the loud microphone system. The speech is hard to remember but I think I have it completely memorized (I better have it memorized as I'm taking my final test today at 3:00pm - super nervous!).
It's interesting, when I tell people I work at Disneyland they immediately ask where in the park I work.... to which I tell them - I work in parking. Normally the person says, "I'm sorry" or "haha!" but believe it or not I wouldn't have it any other way. See I'm sure it would seem cooler to say, "I work on Indiana Jones" or "Space Mountain!" But man, I do not want to sit on a chair all day pushing a button and maybe if I'm lucky be transferred to ANOTHER button. Now that almost 4 months have gone by, everyone, and I mean EVERYONE is sick of their jobs - except for the 10 of us in parking. See, our job isn't routine, sure at times we're parking cars, but 90% of the time we're in charge of keeping guests company while they wait for shuttles to take them or pick them up from the park. And now I get to make speeches on trams on a microphone!
We're not stuck in one position all day either. I walked a foreign couple 200 yards to get them where they needed to be for a shuttle to LA. The whole time I talked to them about India and the surrounding countries. Unfortunately many people don't have this opportunity to help guests out the way parking can because they're stuck in costume at their specific place.
Imagine being at the park all day then having to leave.... you have to wait 10 minutes for your shuttle that takes you back to your car... then you can leave. What an awful process! But imagine while you're waiting you get a guy (or girl) from parking come up to you with a super cheerful smile and they totally make your day by acting goofy or just saying something nice and being genuinely awesome to you. Wouldn't that make that awful process of leaving just a little bit better? :)
If you're thinking of doing the Disney internship and you get put in parking, don't be quick to judge. It's the most fun in a job you'll probably ever have in your life. You won't believe you're getting paid to have this kinda fun.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Mid-April Update
A lot to update about, try to keep up! (if you want)
Been working a ton. Seems every morning I wake in a good mood to the beautiful California sun, enjoy a 20 min slow-paced bike ride to work then face what adults face - an 8 hr work day (5 days a week). I know it's nothing to complain about but hey I'm just a kid!
All that to say I've been able to squeeze a LOT of fun in lately. The beginning of April brought my brother Nick to visit! Had an incredible time. I got time off of work so we were able to spend our time at 2 beaches (newport & huntington), a day trip to Hollywood and a nice Easter service followed by a delicious Easter lunch with a surprise 5.1 earthquake. My first earthquake! (that I was awake for). Left me feeling a little motion sick as it lasted about 20 seconds. It started in Baja California (which is actually a place in Mexico). It was a 7.1 there and killed at least 2 people. :( Luckily it was tame by the time it got to us. It was weird, not like I expected. I always assumed during any type of earthquake the ground would crack open and swallow some cars (or children, maybe some women). But all I could feel was my chair vibrating as I watched the chandeliers sway.
I'm glad Nick could experience the earthquake with me.
Due to heavy attendance at Disneyland for spring break, us cast members (employees) are "blocked-out" from getting friends and family into the park for free during this time. Nick was a great sport about not getting to go into the park during his 1 week visit. We did enjoy the fireworks from the park from my apartment here on the 4th floor.
My roommates miss Nick as much as I do. Nick was a big hit here in Anaheim.
I'm becoming quite the reader. I'm really intrigued about other countries & cultures. I got a book on Europe from the local library (which will hopefully help spur on motivation for a 'nick and brian' trip to Italy, France, Germany, and whatever else we can fit in on our journey... next year?). Also fascinated by a book titled Hidden Children of the Holocaust. Sad book, but incredibly interesting. Almost finished with Bruchko. A book about a missionary my age who spent years in South America in the 1950's. A crazy awesome story!
Nick left April 8th. After I waved him goodbye at 4 a.m. I welcomed Megan and Brad at 10 a.m. There trip was extra cool because they rented a car! Not to downplay my visit with Nick, but he and I were limited to local spots. Brad and Megan drove me to San Diego (probably my 2nd favorite city in the US! New York City being number 1). I'll post some pictures in the next link so you can see the view of the city from the famous Coronado bridge.
Unfortunately I had to work 3 out of the 4 days Megan and Brad were visiting. As they proceeded to travel around Southern California the next 3 days I worked at the Toy Story parking lot greeting guests, handing out maps, loading guests onto shuttles, and of course - making dreams come true! haha. In the evening we always met up for dinner and dessert. I also took them to downtown Disney (the free, public area of Disneyland). Their last night here ended on a great note as we turned down the idea of eating out and went to Von's (local grocery store), picked up some key ingredients, and I got to make them fish tacos in my apartment.
It's very sad to see the last of my family leave knowing I won't see them again until August.
I feel as though I take advantage of every opportunity out here. Including buying a season pass to Universal Studios Hollywood yesterday! What an awesome place!!!! Spent the whole day there with a friend (who has a car, and his own season pass). I wish I would have taken Nick Megan and Brad to Universal Studios. There's no "block out" dates there. Though there aren't as many rides at Universal as there are at Disney, the rides they do have are INCREDIBLE! The Jurassic Park ride alone makes me want to watch the movies again. :) Stephen Spielberg helped make the ride, and it's so much fun. Also rode The Mummy, The Simpson's Ride (2nd favorite ride) and watched a presentation of Terminator 2: Judgment Day in 3-D. Can't wait to go back now that I have a season pass. By the way they hand out free tickets to live TV show tapings at the park. Looks like The Tonight Show will be an easy possibility.
I'm sure you all (my Ohio readers) are enjoying Swensons and the Browns and the Cleveland Cavs and Stan Hywett Hall and everything. I have to get the apartment ready for inspections in a couple hours. Wash me luck! (pun).
Been working a ton. Seems every morning I wake in a good mood to the beautiful California sun, enjoy a 20 min slow-paced bike ride to work then face what adults face - an 8 hr work day (5 days a week). I know it's nothing to complain about but hey I'm just a kid!
All that to say I've been able to squeeze a LOT of fun in lately. The beginning of April brought my brother Nick to visit! Had an incredible time. I got time off of work so we were able to spend our time at 2 beaches (newport & huntington), a day trip to Hollywood and a nice Easter service followed by a delicious Easter lunch with a surprise 5.1 earthquake. My first earthquake! (that I was awake for). Left me feeling a little motion sick as it lasted about 20 seconds. It started in Baja California (which is actually a place in Mexico). It was a 7.1 there and killed at least 2 people. :( Luckily it was tame by the time it got to us. It was weird, not like I expected. I always assumed during any type of earthquake the ground would crack open and swallow some cars (or children, maybe some women). But all I could feel was my chair vibrating as I watched the chandeliers sway.
I'm glad Nick could experience the earthquake with me.
Due to heavy attendance at Disneyland for spring break, us cast members (employees) are "blocked-out" from getting friends and family into the park for free during this time. Nick was a great sport about not getting to go into the park during his 1 week visit. We did enjoy the fireworks from the park from my apartment here on the 4th floor.
My roommates miss Nick as much as I do. Nick was a big hit here in Anaheim.
I'm becoming quite the reader. I'm really intrigued about other countries & cultures. I got a book on Europe from the local library (which will hopefully help spur on motivation for a 'nick and brian' trip to Italy, France, Germany, and whatever else we can fit in on our journey... next year?). Also fascinated by a book titled Hidden Children of the Holocaust. Sad book, but incredibly interesting. Almost finished with Bruchko. A book about a missionary my age who spent years in South America in the 1950's. A crazy awesome story!
Nick left April 8th. After I waved him goodbye at 4 a.m. I welcomed Megan and Brad at 10 a.m. There trip was extra cool because they rented a car! Not to downplay my visit with Nick, but he and I were limited to local spots. Brad and Megan drove me to San Diego (probably my 2nd favorite city in the US! New York City being number 1). I'll post some pictures in the next link so you can see the view of the city from the famous Coronado bridge.
Unfortunately I had to work 3 out of the 4 days Megan and Brad were visiting. As they proceeded to travel around Southern California the next 3 days I worked at the Toy Story parking lot greeting guests, handing out maps, loading guests onto shuttles, and of course - making dreams come true! haha. In the evening we always met up for dinner and dessert. I also took them to downtown Disney (the free, public area of Disneyland). Their last night here ended on a great note as we turned down the idea of eating out and went to Von's (local grocery store), picked up some key ingredients, and I got to make them fish tacos in my apartment.
It's very sad to see the last of my family leave knowing I won't see them again until August.
I feel as though I take advantage of every opportunity out here. Including buying a season pass to Universal Studios Hollywood yesterday! What an awesome place!!!! Spent the whole day there with a friend (who has a car, and his own season pass). I wish I would have taken Nick Megan and Brad to Universal Studios. There's no "block out" dates there. Though there aren't as many rides at Universal as there are at Disney, the rides they do have are INCREDIBLE! The Jurassic Park ride alone makes me want to watch the movies again. :) Stephen Spielberg helped make the ride, and it's so much fun. Also rode The Mummy, The Simpson's Ride (2nd favorite ride) and watched a presentation of Terminator 2: Judgment Day in 3-D. Can't wait to go back now that I have a season pass. By the way they hand out free tickets to live TV show tapings at the park. Looks like The Tonight Show will be an easy possibility.
I'm sure you all (my Ohio readers) are enjoying Swensons and the Browns and the Cleveland Cavs and Stan Hywett Hall and everything. I have to get the apartment ready for inspections in a couple hours. Wash me luck! (pun).
Saturday, April 10, 2010
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