Workin' It

Oops. I failed again on keeping this thing updated.... People may think that working at Disney World is the easiest job in the world. And while it may be true that being an entertainment performer doesn't exactly require a great expenditure of mental activity every second of the day, we all work extremely hard. This is no 9:00-5:00 job. My days have started at 4:30am and gone as late as 2:30am. I typically work 6 days a week. Battling the intense heat and humidity alone is enough to take down the weak, not to mention the layers of hot, heavy clothing we swaddle ourselves in and balance on our heads. The sun boils our brains and forces us to rely on muscle memory to get through each show and parade. This is definitely no ordinary job. People think we are crazy and I might have to agree with them... But down here, we are all crazy together and it keeps life interesting. I love my job and wish everyone could experience just a taste of it because that is the only way anyone can truly understand what we do and why we do it. The fact of the matter is once we step out from behind the gate and click into performance mode, nothing can take away from the lit up faces of awe and admiration from the guests. I am and forever will be an entertainer, whether or not I am at Disney. No one can ever take that away from me.

My Disney Life

I just realized I haven't posted anything in over a year... since before I moved to Florida and have an unbelievable amount of things I could write about. For my sister, who is always insisting on an update, I promise I will get back on this tomorrow! I have a lot I could share.... :D Stay posted!

After 8 years....

I can still flip! Last month I started working at Gymnastics, Etc. coaching tumbling, trampoline, and double mini, and filling in for some gymnastics classes. It feels so great being back in a gym but it really makes me want to get back in it!! The head coach and I are going to start working out and I already know I can still do punch fronts and baranis... Last night I decided to try flip flops even though the last time I did one was 8 years ago (at a volleyball practice freshman year of high school). I was a little nervous because obviously everyone was watching...and I did it!! Twice. Today my back feels broken. I can't wait to start working out on Monday!! :)

Tim Gunn

....because my mom doesn't quite know who he is...

Relay For Life

Relay for Life is coming up again here April 25-26th. Like last year, I am participating on the Apparel Merchandising and Design Team. If you are unaware of the event, hundreds of people camp out on the quad from 6pm-6am. Someone from each team has to be walking around the quad at all times. There are games, activities, bands, a drag show, etc. to help pass the night. The sole purpose of the event is to raise money for cancer. Each team sets a goal and each individual team member has a goal as well. My personal goal is $100 and our team goal is $600. That shouldn't be hard to accomplish, but we need help! I'm not sure yet what our on-site fundraiser is going to be, but last year we did an impromptu "Pie in the Face" to raise more money. Hopefully it won't snow like it did last year. If you would like to help support Relay For Life, please click on the link here http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RelayForLifeIllinoisDivision?px=3677104&pg=personal&fr_id=7618 which goes to my personal page and make a donation!! :) Any contribution you might be able to make will be greatly appreciated!!

Spring Break is Over...

...and I just can't seem to do anything right. After a short week off of school that was filled with too much driving but some quality time with family and friends I never see, I just can't seem to get back into the swing of things. Yesterday started off fairly well. I woke up late but still had time to shower and made it to my 8am meeting at work with enough time to type up my report. I made it through a couple classes on an empty stomach (typical during the week as I never have time for breakfast), registered for classes for next semester, and realized I left my stuff for apparel design and my school i.d. at home, which I needed to get an academic progress report for my appointment with my advisor. Fortunately I have an hour break between all of my classes. So I run home, grab my stuff, eat a nice lean cuisine, and head out again. Then my phone went off in mads, I dropped my folder, spilling music all over the room, my stand wouldn't stand straight, I couldn't read right, and as everyone left for a delicious lunch at McAllister's, I had to leave to go to my advising appointment...which actually isn't until tomorrow. It was also pouring at this point so I sit in the lobby of Turner soaking wet and trying to finish up my drawings for apparel design. I couldn't finish my collages in the 2 hours we have for class, so now I have to go buy a glue gun so I can finish them for tomorrow. I took a short nap and went to a 2 hour recital that I fell asleep at...all so I don't have to do my theory homework for tomorrow.

I got to bed around midnight last night and set my alarm for 9am thinking I didn't have class till 11. Around 9:15 I realized that actually my voice lesson is at 10! I still made it on time but accidently threw my pencil across the room once. I somehow made it through my next 2 classes, ran home real quick and then off to work where it was completely dead. The rain must have scared people off because we had 0 appointments all day and very few phone calls. I then proceeded to make numerous silly mistakes that had no affect on anything but my self esteem since everyone continued to make fun of me. I got home after my rehearsal for John Todd's recital (where I nearly fell off of my wobbly chair) and I realized I forgot to go buy a glue gun, among other things I am in need of. So I decided to watch American Idol and will head out soon. I only hope I don't have any accidents like burning my hand off....

I love the Beatles. And Richard Avedon (who made this one). He was a fashion photographer. You should google him. He's awesome. :)

Ouch

This next story will come as no surprise. Soooo, I'm running a little late to work this morning but I figure it's ok because someone will be there to open the office and turn on the lights and let our 10:00am appointment in. But as I run through the slush and snow up to the door, I realize it's still locked. I quickly unlock the back door, turn on the lights, and rush to the front of the office. Sure enough, our first appointment is standing outside the front door. I'm flustered at this point and rushing to put my things down so I can unlock the door and let them in. Well, wet slushy shoes and a little wood flooring do not go well together. Before I know it, my feet are in the air and I am crashing to the floor, landing directly on my tail bone and hitting my head. It was such a terrible experience and all I wanted to do was lay there in agony, but I had to jump up and open the door before anyone saw me. I let the people in and immediately go to the back, only to have Dan come in to find me laughing/crying at my little incident. Surprisingly, he was pretty sympathetic. Ulises, on the other hand...couldn't stop laughing. I think my tail bone is cracked. Ouch...