Traditions

SOOOOO today was probably in my top 10 list of favorite days.

We had our "Traditions" class- all new cast members have to take this class and learn about being a Disney cast member. We had exclusive backstage tours of Magic Kingdom, met Mickey Mouse and learned all sorts of stuff about Disney- stuff I didn't even know! All of this took place at the Disney University behind Magic Kingdom- TOO COOL! We also got our nametags! EEEEIK

Flip your head I guess.

Anyway, after this we came back to Vista, I had some food, then we took a bus back to the Magic Kingdom- this time as guests!!

We took a BOAT to the MK from the Fort Wilderness Resort. It was so much fun approaching MK from the water- I've never done that before.

Sooooooo this afternoon was pretty much exploring the park like a giddy tourist. It was absolutely amazing. I went on some rides I've never done before like the Monsters Inc Laugh Floor and Mickey's Philharmagic. There was also a group of 12 of us and we managed to stick together.

Other highlights include:

-Riding Pirates of the Caribbean wearing eye patches Ken happened to have on him leftover from the Typhoon Lagoon party. SO FUNNY. I love Pirates of the Caribbean

-Singing "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" EVERYWHERE we went! 

-Not losing people despite being in a group of 12-ish

-Every ride that took on ride photos we tried to do something funny for... one group ended up being photobombed back by two people making out in the front! 

-Riding Space Mountain THREE times... the lines in general were really reasonable today!

-Riding Splash Mountain <3... Still my favorite :)

-Haunted Mansion was cooler than I remembered! 

-Eating supper at Pinocchio's Haus in Fantasyland

-You can see the construction for the new Fantasyland :)

-Had my first "Dole Whip" pineapple ice cream! I think I might stick with MK Popcorn in the future but I was glad I tried this :)

We stayed until Wishes and I cried. It was so beautiful.

I know this is really short but I was up really early and tomorrow is really early for more training. It's so hard to describe how amazing it is here. Being in the Magic Kingdom all day got me so excited to start working there. I saw my costume today cause I creeped on the restaurant and I'm even excited for that. It truly is the happiest place on Earth here! I am so lucky to be able to do this all summer long. We create happiness :)

When it rains it pours...

in a really good way!
I got caught in the rain again today... and it was amazing. I love the Florida rain.. and when it rains it really does pour. Like DOWNPOUR. It's warm and just so refreshing. Love love love it.

Today was more paper work and orientation... I'm officially legal to work in the states now!

This afternoon we laid around the pool with a bunch of Canadians- it was fun getting to know everybody. The weather GORGEOUS and the pool temperature was great. We don't get this weather in Canada or at least Nova Scotia in May. Not this often that's for sure.
Everybody is so nice here!!!

I went to Walmart with Alexis this afternoon. She's so much fun. We got so much stuff- now my apartment is pretty well stocked with stuff which is great because that means less trips to Walmart. It's such a long haul to get to Walmart- a long bus ride and lots of groceries to carry by yourself. But the Walmart is unreal and sells absolutely everything. 

This evening for supper a group of us went to Cici's- a pizza buffet place. It was fun meeting new people and sharing a meal- we also got a cast member discount so it was super cheap. They have maraconi and cheese pizza (only in America eh) I have to admit it was pretty good. We got caught in the rain on the way to Cici's which made the trip even more fun I think 

Yummmmm.

NEW FRIENDS

Florida rain <3

I've also noticed we have a few 'Vista-tors'... I've seen little lizards, squirrels, a duck.. I'm scared to see armadillos or alligators, after all it is Florida! I hear an armadillo once found its way to another apartment complex, Chatham... stay far far away from Vista please. Although I did learn today, if you have to run away from an alligator, run in zig zags! (thanks Eddy)

So tomorrow is Traditions, the big Disney orientation AND I get my pass to the parks! MAGIC KINGDOM HERE I COME! I also found out today I'm working at the castle in MK for sure! SO EXCITING!!! I love my life!!!!

Starlit Splash

Simple Disney Things- the blog where the picture above is from- you are a genius. When it rains at Typhoon Lagoon- it is AMAZING.

So my boss is kind of AWESOME.... and the Mouse rented out Typhoon Lagoon for all the college programs to use tonight- yep, just us for four hours at night at Typhoon Lagoon with all the rides...
SOOOO Alexis, my roomies and our new friend Alex went on all the slides with basically no lines... how cool is that! On top of that, it was raining- we were freezing but yet not freezing... such a weird but amazing experience.

I faced a huge fear- we swam with sharks. Yup I know Disney wouldn't let kids swim with blood thirsty ravenous sharks but still! Sharks! Real, live sharks! The water was a brisk 16 degrees but it was salt water and reminded me of home. I didn't actually see any of the sharks but I think I might've seen a sting ray type animal.

We also went int he HUGE wave pool- apparently during the day they only put out one of the HUGE waves every hour or so- here they put a massive tsunami type wave every five minutes. it was AMAZING. We were falling over each other and under water and stuff- SO cool.

Disney also had a buffet supper for us- FREE FOOD. It was amazing. We ate in the pouring rain which was cold and slightly uncomfortable but it was amazing food- mmhmhm Disney mashed potatoes.

Disney also hired a DJ to host a Typhoon Lagoon beach party for us! We danced to Sexy and I Know It and Starships- all the best songs hehe.
SO THEN.. my boss is THE coolest...all these PIRATES (disney performers) came out and 'crashed' our party- it was soooo fun. Dancing around with these crazy people. Too cool.
The DJ also threw out a TON of free stuff- we all got free Starlit Splash t-shirts when we first came but he also threw out beach balls, sun glasses, pirate merch... too cool for words.

So the dance floor, picture this, was like... the fun not sketchy crowd of the Axe on a Friday night, with the music of the Vil, except on sand, with better lights, a huge wave pool in the background and about five times the amount of people (and all extremely enthusiastic Disney people) all in bathing suits, in the pouring rain. THAT was the dance floor. I will never ever forget the excitement of this evening.

Disney Life!!!

HELLO FROM SUNNY ORLANDO

I have officially arrived and settled in to Vista Way apartments here in Orlando!

I left Sunday morning really early from Halifax. That was really sad to leave my parents... I did cry! I knew I was going to a happy place but fear of the unknown really made it difficult. Luckily I had a travel buddy, Syed, and we managed to get on a plane to Montreal.

We had to get on a different plane after Montreal- this was pure h-e-double hockey stick. We got off our plane and had to navigate to the other side of the Montreal airport. We were told to go into wrong (long) lines TWICE which really took away some of our time. Trying to get through customs- the customs officer told me we had missed our flight! I also cried a bit here... it was terrifying! But when Syed and I got our tickets scanned, the lady said RUN RUN RUN. Syed and I started SPRINTING through the Montreal airport, and with some help from an Air Canada lady radio-ing our flight, we managed to make the flight that, according to the customs officer, had already left. On top of all this- I'm soooo bad with flying so I got really sick too. pleasant.

We landed in Orlando and met two other people from our program, that were on the plane we were on- Victor and Sandra! The four of us got a Mears taxi to Vista Way!

Arrival was really smooth- it just felt hectic because it was a lot of stuff to take in. Victor, Syed and I were all in Vista- in fact all on the same floor in the same complex (20)- Sandra went to another complex though..
When I moved in, my other room mates weren't here yet :( But I did get to meet Alexis right away! Alexis knows my friend Lidia so we knew of each other before hand :)

We decided to go to Walmart first. This was so confusing to find the buses.. and Walmart was so HUGE! It was bigger than Chester I think. But I got everything I needed and some friendly ICP people helped me carry  my groceries up the stairs.

I met my room mates! They're amazing!
In my room is Steph Boden- she's from England! I love her accent! She's a total blast. I also have Erica and Saira in the other room (we have two bedrooms, 4 people) Saira is also from England, and Erica is from Ontario All of us seem so excited about being here and they're all super friendly- I can't wait for some bonding nights!

For dinner we took a bus to Downtown Disney- around 20 Canadians. We were caught in a HUGE downpour- and had to huddle under a bus shelter until it let up. It was fun though! We ate at Earl of Sandwich.. I'm a terrible flyer so my stomach still felt bad so I just had a salad. Downtown Disney is soooo cute at night= lots of lights, lots of people, lots of fun. It's also free to go and just look around so that's definitely going to be an option when I'm bored. If I ever get bored

After dinner we took a bus to the Polynesian Resort. This is one of Disney's more expensive resorts in the Magic Kingdom area (across the lake from the MK) We sat on the beach and watched Wishes, the MK fireworks! It was a total dream come true. In that moment, I was like... I am where I am supposed to be. It was breathtaking. All of us, (most Canadians were there) were so awestruck. Definitely a favorite moment.

I went to bed as soon as I could last night!

This morning we slept in a bit, and then Erica, Alexis and I went for a walk around Vista. Vista Way is gorgeous! There are two pools, fitness center, a place where you can use computers, rent books and DVDs, and tennis, basketball and beach volleyball courts. The weather here is gorgeous- yesterday was humid but today is just soooo nice.

We got our housing IDs and filled out some paperwork.

Soon we're going to Chatham to fill out some more paperwork I think.... and guess what.. TYPHOON LAGOON IS OPEN FOR JUST THE ICP CREW TONIGHT!!! Party at Typhoon Lagoon! I hear there will be Disney characters there, free food, DJ... I cannot WAIT!

I love it so much here! Everyone is so nice! It seems like everybody I meet lives in 20 Vista which is my house. Everyone is so friendly and so enthusiastic. not to mention, it's BEAUTIFUL here. I'm so excited for what's going to come. It feels like I've been here forever already too which is strange because it's been just 24 hours recently. I can already tell it's going to be tricky to leave.

I do miss everyone at home and I think of all of you every single moment- I just wish you all could be here enjoying this AMAZING experience with me!

I'm so happy I had the courage to leave the Halifax airport:

"A ship in the harbor is safe, but that's not why ships were built"


Here are some pictures of around Vista:

Pre Disney Life

I am leaving for Walt Disney World TOMORROW. Tomorrow night I will be (if all goes well) watching Wishes, the Magic Kingdom fireworks show from the Polynesian Resort! This doesn't seem real yet but I am pretty excited.

What have I done lately to prepare for my trip?

Well, I've tried to see as many people as possible. Unfortunately there are a few people I did say I'd see but haven't gotten to :( but I did get to see Lisa, Shelby, Katerina, my brother! Lisa and I had a wonderful meal at Swiss Chalet. Shelby and I saw the Five Year Engagement in Bridgewater- it was a terrible movie, we ended up walking out but it was really fun to complain about it! Kat and I had some s'mores in her apartment (we're always so rec department like that). Jake came last night and it was great to see him!

I've also had a lot of things to buy and take care of. Dad and I spent an afternoon/evening together in Halifax. We figured out my phone by going to Bell. GOOD NEWS: I get to keep my iPhone and text as much as I want while I'm in the states (thank YOU, Bell and my parents!). We then went to Montana's for supper and I had the best veggie burger of my life.

Mum and I spent TWO days shopping in Halifax. We had so much fun! I got a lot of cute tank tops and two bathing suits and some Canadian merch, on top of tons of other stuff to get ready for my trip. I loved spending time with my parents! They're awesome. 

So I also read the first two books of the Hunger Games..... highly recommended! The second was better than the first, I can't wait to get my hands on the third.. hopefully at an airport somewhere.

Anyway, folks... The next blog post will be from Orlando! See you then bloggas! Text me! 

                           

Post Exam Life

Every year it's the same story.
School ends, and I SHOULD feel relieved and happy.. but no, that's never the case.
It's really hard going from COMPLETELY immersing yourself into something- like school- and then having it be finished. It was your stress, your enjoyment, your frustration, your goal, your life for so long and now you're done.
Not to mention this year, it was especially a struggle to leave Acadia. I've made some fantastic friends this year and developed friendships from last year. I've also really enjoyed being on the SRC as well as being Tully House President. I will miss Tully, Acadia and even Wolfville, but especially the people. I did not leave Acadia without many many tears.
I also had to drive my friend Lidia to the airport- that was also one of the hardest things to do ever! We got to be so close this year, essentially sisters. But I know we'll have new memories and always be in each other's lives so that thought does really calm me.
I'm going to miss all my friends so much.. Living together like we do, eating every meal, sharing laughter, tears, joy, sadness... they are such a part of me, and I do feel emptier without them around!
So needless to say I've had post-exam sadness like I always do, on top of missing my friends, but I have to admit it has been kinda nice to be home.

So what have I been up to without the stress of school?
I went to Halifax one night with Mum to see La Cage aux Folles at Neptune- that was incredible! I really enjoyed that evening.
I also volunteered at the NSSSA Skillbuilding Retreat at FHCS which was a lot of fun to see all the NSSSA folks again. Great people.
I've also been getting my sleeping and eating back on schedule. Exams takes a lot out of you. I went to bed at TEN the other night! HUGE ACCOMPLISHMENT.
I've also visited CMRD- my old workplace, and I'm going to visit my high school FHCS before I leave.
And lastly.. I'm doing some relaxing things like having baths, reading books for fun and playing Nancy Drew games.. things I can't do at school.. and I'm getting ready to go to DISNEY WORLD one week from today!

Lots of things are changing. Change is scary. But change is how we grow. I'm terrified, excited, scared, happy, sad, so many emotions right now. But I know God will see me through and my friends and family will always be with me. So bring on the new adventures, I may not be ready, but the timing is never right for these things.. stepping out of my comfort zone to have an amazing summer!

I would put a picture to accompany this post but the only thing I could think of was the picture Lidia and I took the day she left.. .and that just makes me sad. Instead, I leave you with a quote from La Cage aux Folles:

"face life though it's sometimes sweet and sometimes bitter; face life, with a little guts and lots of glitter." -la cage aux folles

Exam Life

Ahhh exam period.

I'm officially done 3/5 of my courses. I can't say all my finals have gone as well as planned but at least they're done. I still have Differential Equations and History of Medicine left. One should be good, one should be a toughie. Three guesses to guess which is which.

I just wanted to comment on exam period a little bit..

Basically, to go off my blog post about change, it is a transition period. I haven't started packing up my room yet but I really should be doing it soon. I want to be done soooo badly but yet I don't- I don't want to leave Acadia, Tully, my friends.. but I don't want to get on that topic

again.

Exam period often features interesting choices on food. My snack of choice has been pumpkin seeds and chocolate. I go to mealhall once a day on average. I've had Joe's, Boston Pizza, Subway.. It's been interesting that's for sure.

I always get a new obsession every exam period. This time it's Dance Moms. It's such a terrible show but I'm so addicted.. I'm glad my dance studio was nothing like that one! Those girls are super talented though I really enjoy watching the actual dances.

I've also watched a few movies I've been meaning to watch.. the Little Mermaid, Psycho and Pocahontas (little diverse I know)

Psycho was so good! So scary... I still get really nervous when showering. That scene is so brutal. The movie, however, is phenomenal.. Alfred Hitchock is a genius!

Pocahontas is way better now that I'm older too. I watched the Colors of the Wind scene three times in a row. This is like Hunchback of Notre Dame... its theme is inappropriate for ch

ildren but the movie is really good.

It's funny that the songs I found boring when I was little are now my favorites.. I used to fast forward through the ballads and now I listen to them on repeat :)

Private Practice is also new tonight! Yay!

And yeah... I try to study a bit too..

I got the Pocahontas picture from a really cute Tumblr about Simple Disney Things!