Ho. Ho. Ho.

In my 23 years of living in this world I have never been away for a major holiday. Sure, I spent one Easter with the Thornton's in Virginia but it was still family. Being away for Christmas was a feeling that I never want to feel again; it was almost sad. I'm not sure if it didn't feel like Christmas because I was in denial my program is ending soon, if I was too lazy to go Christmas shopping, or if the 83 degree holiday weekend screwed up my spirits, but regardless, it was not the Holly Jolly Christmas I am used to.

First off, on Christmas Eve I had chicken tenders and fries. At home they ate a huge Italian feast. That same day I was sweating at the pool. At home they were "warm" in their 40 degree weather. I got off work at 9pm and went for a run. At home they were just cleaning up and eating dessert.

Christmas day was no different except it marked the last day I would be working at the Boardwalk Resort. It was another sunny day with the parks at full capacity, the pool was steady with guests, and memories were being made. Only difference was instead of playing Radio Disney songs we played Christmas music and said "Merry Christmas" every so often.  One of our coordinators wives made us a turkey and a ham so we all were able to have a nice meal and although I ate a bunch it still didn't stop me from eating at Denny's  : The American Institution with Colleen after work.   But back to Christmas away--I am not sure of what is more depressing; me being away because I had work down here or families that would be away from home by choice. Sure, a great Christmas surprise would be a trip to Disney but you know what, Santa doesn't want to have to deliver presents to your hotel room nor does he want to tackle the large crowds and traffic while down here.

I asked kids what they got for Christmas and the spoiled brats said "nothing." I asked them to explain and they said, "Well, I only got an Ipod touch and some clothes." I kindly explained to them that they should appreciate everything they get because one day Santa is going to stop giving them gifts and will only get them stuff if they are very specific and they should appreciate what they get now.  I felt like the Grinch, but kids these days are spoiled. O and hello, you came to Disney for Christmas, that is a gift enough.

So back to me ending this program soon. My last official day is January 1st and I have to be out of my apartment by 11 am on January 3rd. Six months ago I purposely decided not to rush everything here because I had six months to do it all. Well, six months later I haven't gotten  as much as I wanted to and that is sad.  Although the thought of me bearing children is a horrific thought, I will want to bring them down here one day and I can experience things with them that maybe I didn't get to. However, like I tell people, I am moving not dying, so I will be back here before they can even miss me.

Stay tuned for a farewell blog but for now here are some pictures

True story 

CP Formal 

Photo shoot! 

Senor Frogs 

Matching PJs!

Future Endeavors

Many of you have been asking what my future hold since in two weeks I will be unemployed. Sounds sad, doesn't it? Happy New Years! Now you have 48 hours to move out and move on with your life. To say these decisions were easy would be a gross understatement so here is how I came about my choices in case some readers  were confused. Some don't agree with all my decisions, but as I said, I like to "marinate" on my decisions and although there have been a lot of decisions I haven't clearly thought out, I would like to think I am making  the right decision for me at this point in time.

First, I didn't get my program extension which was BOGUS  because 1) that was my back up plan and 2) I thought i was a good cast member 3) I hate being rejected for no reason.  In reality, getting an extension wouldn't have been the best because in six months I would have been no further in the company then I am right now and still probably hating making minimum wage. I also hated living in CP housing and all their rules but  I loved my job about 88% of the time. Sure, there were times where I didn't want to be there, people annoyed me, I had to work with cast members  I didn't care for, it was hot, it was cold, I was cranky, you know the deal, but overall I loved my job. Knowing I can put a smile on some kids face for winning a stupid plastic duck we got on Page 39 in Oriental Trading was really awesome. Going the extra step for a guest not because I had to but because I wanted to made me realize that I do enjoy people. It's like in the movie "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and his heart suddenly gets bigger. Not getting my extension was a kick to the gut and I was very confused as to why I didn't get it especially since I wanted to stay down here longer. I also knew since I didn't get it I....

2) Didn't get a professional Internship. If you can't get a program extension for a job you were good at, got positive feedback in, and had a good record card , then you won't get a Professional Internship where hundreds if not thousands of people are itching to get. It came as no surprise when I looked up if I got the job or not and it said "No longer in consideration."  For those wondering I applied to the two housing ones. Basically being an RA. A job I did for 3 years, HRA for 2, rookie of the year, RA of the year, and at one point thought I wanted to make my career. After that news, I week later I went to

3) Casting, where I was laughed at because there aren't any job openings in January. Sure, there are jobs in custodial or housekeeping, but those weren't the jobs I was looking to do. Discouraged, I put in for as many transfers in the recreation department as possible (since I couldn't for security) and went on my sad way. For good measure I applied to SeaWorld, I wasn't qualified for them, either.

Ah security you say! Didn't Sarah graduate with honors with a degree in Criminology? Why yes, she did. What is she going to do with her degree? O grad school called? Outstanding! Well is she going to go?

No. I know, I know. You might think I didn't marinate this decision but this was the decision I marinated in the most. I ended up getting a call from a grad school saying if I wanted to start in January I could. That's awesome, but since it was 6 weeks away I had alot to think about. The degree would have been an MS in CJ and although it has been my childhood dream to catch someone on John Walsh's most wanted list, I havne't really entertained the idea of being a cop in a while. I came down here thinking I would contemplate what I wanted in life but it just made me more confused. I decided the other day that 1) if I don't know if  I want to be in that field forever, I shouldn't go to grad school right now 2) I can defer and 3) I have serious commitment issues as it is and two years is a long time for something I'm only eh on.

Speaking of commitment issues I'm seeing someone. He's okay. No but really, he is.

To quote one of my favorite movies, "Do what you love and F the rest." Well, I don't know what I really love besides having fun, making people happy, and making a difference so finding what path I want to take is very hard. I ask myself daily what I want to do and I still always come up blank. Weird, right? I'm normally always planned out and opinionated but I am indecisive at this point in my life. I thought I was too young to have a mid life crisis.

Since I was hired seasonally I will be back often to work. Again, some might find that decision odd but it's my decision so hush. There are a few rules for when I come home though so take note (I already ran these by mom so she knows the deal).
1) no asking what i'm going to do with my life. I will let you know when I make a decision. Mom is allowed to ask me after 10 days.
2) No mentioning Mickey or anything that will remind me of Disney for two weeks
3) I will be in a mourning period. I keep telling people that "I'm moving, not dying" but it will still be awful when I leave sunny Florida.


Thanks, folks, for being supportive of me during this transitional period in my life. It's swell to have good people like you in life.

Things I've Learned

Since my time here quickly coming to an end, I want to tell you all the things I have learned while being down here for six short months. Some things are cliche, some are sarcastic, but all of them are true.

1) Time really does fly when you're having fun.
2) Sharing a room was actually fun 
3) Disney really is magical
4) Fanny packs are attractive on everyone
5) Children don't bug the crap out of me anymore
6)Parents bug the crap out of me
7) My mom is still always right about majority of things
8) I have a soft side, you just have to find it
9) Nice people will track you down to give a wallet back
10) it is possible to party all night and get to work with just 2 hours of sleep
11) Summers here are HOT
12) Like the boys
13) Just kidding
14) Party Rock Anthem is the most overplayed song in history
15) Cupid Shuffle time is my favorite time of day at Stormalong Bay
16) I can fit in a child's size sneaker
17) Being from Jersey makes you a novelty item
18) Being from Carolina, Puerto Rico makes you awesome (O Lariza)
19) I can finally drink more then 2 watered down drinks without getting drunk
20) I can get lost on Disney Property and always end up back to where I started
21) The utilidors are indeed cool.....for the first two times
22) Parade guests are the crankiest people. I am not a fan of them
23) I can survive on $7.31 an hour
24) I HATE  Walmart.
25) Track Suits should never be worn by anyone.
26) Worst Traffic day is Sunday
27) Fireworks are I guess now cool
28) Food and Wine fest was bad for my weight and wallet
29) the campfire smell gets old
30) the  Buddies movies are an embarrassment
31) You can go to the same bar every Thursday and still not know what to order
32) Piano Bars are legit
33) I am a perfectionist when it comes to serving fast food
34) I actually enjoyed working in quick service food
35) There are more uncomfortable beds then college ones--they are called Disney housing beds
36) I still hate babysitting
37) I'm kick ass at Just Dance
38) I"m terrible at all other video games
39) Cruises are the best investments
40) You can never have enough white socks
41) I severely under pack for all events (Shockingly true)
42) Housing Security is tougher than Border Patrol
43) There is a difference between a dry heat and wet heat
44) Driving a boat is like driving a car ...if the car was large and in the water
45) You can loose track of time on Lazy Rivers
46) I marinate on decisions
47) I clearly don't marinate on some
48) I believe everything happens for a reason
49) I believe this was the best decision of my life
50) I believe I have met some of the most amazing people down here that will be in my life for a long time .

Haven't forgotten about you all...

First off, I am sorry that I haven't written in almost a month. Life here is a fast moving roller coaster and the ride is almost over. I'll highlight some Ups and Downs of the past month

Up

I got to work a few shifts at Magic Kingdom which was really neat. One was tray filler at Peco's Bills and the other was 3 parade audience control shifts on Thanksgiving. They were both neat and let me tell you, NEVER EVER  go to MK on Thanksgiving. People are crazy. O and those turkey legs aren't really turkey.

Down
Since I worked 10 hours on Turkey day it didn't feel like a holiday at all. I had some frosted flakes for dinner along with chicken nuggets and that was my day. I was also yelled at by many guests and was called an idiot, moron, and stupid because I wouldn't let them stand in my no standing zone. I just smiled and said "Happy Holidays"

UP

the cruise was sooooo much fun! and so worth it. Although Lauren, Colleen, and I didn't feel entertained enough on our day at sea, the whole cruise in itself was a blast. Highlight was doing "Baby Got Back" kareoke and taking awkward photos. (Photos will be up shortly once I find my cord)

Down
I was DENIED my program extension even though in my eyes I am good at my job, had a good record card, and am pretty much awesome.  I had a pity party for myself because that was my back up plan and then decided to wait to hear back on a professional internship for housing, a job I did for 3 years in college, had a successful career in, and for a while wanted to make my future in. I didn't get the job and so now in January I am jobless.

UP
I got into graduate school! That's right, folks. I can't keep a job here that I am over qualified for but I can get into graduate school for my Masters of Science in Criminal Justice. It all happened randomly while I was on break one day but it worked out for the best and I am happy to be starting in January. It's all online so I can stay down here and do it or go home and use our pathetically slow internet.

Down
It's the final month of our program and I feel like it's gone by sooo fast. I haven't gotten to do all that I wanted, but I am trying to get it all done in case of the sad event I do leave in January. But to be honest, I don't want to leave at all just yet so if you don't see me right away in January, you know where to find me.....

Up
it was Lauren's birthday! We went to O'Hanas at the Polynesian and let me tell you, for someone who doesn't eat alot of meat, that was the BEST MEAL EVER. Hands down. You must try it if you are ever down here. They just keep bringing out food and making your tummy happy.

Down
The temperature down here. The other day it was 83. Next day, 62! what is up with that?!


Well folks, there you have it. The past month in a nut shell. I hope everyone is having a relaxing holiday season and I hope to see or hear from everyone soon. People ask me if I miss it at home and I do, I really do but I think staying down here is the best for my sanity. Maybe not forever, but for now.