American Giving Awards

During the month of December, keep your email open! This was the first annual Chase American Giving Awards! They allowed the first 10 college program interns to go! I got to rub elbows with celebrities and see wonderful performances. It was amazing! I got to see Colin Ferrel, Miley Cyrus, Will.I.Am, Rodney Atkins, and many more! 

Graduation!!!

DCA Day

GO TO DCA!

Alright, I will be the first to admit that I am not the biggest fan of DCA. I think it is because I am from California, so it doesn't interest me. I usually pop in to ride Tower of Terror and then leave. Well I spent one full visit in DCA. Mainly because I knew I'd kick myself if I ignored it with such an opportunity. I ended up having a blast! Go see ALADDIN! It's like a free Broadway play! I referred every guest who had a park hopper over to that show. Also, go to the Writing Academy. It's like a free souvenir! I spent hours in that place. Ended up drawing 8 or so characters in one visit. I'm going to frame them and put them up in my room, which is themed black, white and green. They're very cute and very fun. I went on a couple rides. Surprisingly, now that I think of it, I never went on any of the water rides. Ever. In either park. Not a fan of being wet. Maybe when I repeat the program I'll dedicate a day to just being wet! Now that that is settled, please pick a day to spend time in DCA. It's a nice park to walk around and explore in. The Muppets Show is really very good.  And while I never got to visit Electronica, I've heard lots of good things about it. And by the time you, reader, get around to doing the program, Carsland will be built! Hope you get the time to take advantage of DCA!

November 22

Today a little girl sat next to me with her family. She kept looking at me. Her father apologized. I says it wasn't a problem because of where I work. We talked a not and it turned out they were from Sacramento. The little girl promised to come see me tomorrow. I decided to give them these cast cards that were being handed out. They had pictures of everything new and coming to one of the parks. The parents were grateful and the little girl got a kick out of them. She left her cup on my table. And this message was facing me :)

Club 33!

This is NOT a College Program event. I was so lucky as to get the hook up from a family friend =]

 

So the place was everything I could have dreamed it to be. Everything was just perfect. I will make a video collage of pictures if I get a request to do so. Otherwise I can put them on a separate page of this blog altogether or just leave it to you to add me on facebook to see the pictures.

If you have the means, please go. It is a wonderful experience =] 

Blended Learning

Class began today :)

This day was filled with "get to know you" tasks and time fillers. It is a fun class, there is just a lot of down time and small tasks that aren't completely necessary. I'm excited though. After a few weeks of classes, things get going.

The class entails a couple of tasks. A short essay, a project, and I believe another bit of writing on networking. 

September 26: Cross Training

I'm trained in TWO lands!

I was trained this day in Village Haus. I can't say much about my trainer here. We didn't do too much, and it continued into the next day of training. Pretty sure they were hung over, and all we really needed to know was the new menu. I'm glad I picked a field that I already had experience in, because it was easy to just pick up the few differences and move on. Anyway, I like the new places and enjoy getting out of my Toon Town costume every now and again. 

September 16-20

I took some time off in addition to the days I already had off and headed back up north for my sister's baby shower! It was wonderful to go back home and see everyone. I didn't put my dog down unless I absolutely had to and brought all the toys for my sister's soon to come little girl. It was a wonderful few days off :) 

Broken

Getting things fixed in the apartment is advertised as an easy task. It takes "three days" after putting in your request to have something fixed, to get it taken care of. It usually takes around a week or even two. We ended up cleaning the lamp problem and replacing the light bulb ourselves. Recently, we had our refrigerator completely replaced, finally, because the ice machine was broken. Stay on top of what needs to be fixed, and you'll be okay. And continuously take pictures of anything you find wrong with the apartment that wasn't your fault. :) 

September 14th: Inspections!

Inspections started! They happen every 2 weeks on a Wednesday. I have yet to be there during the inspection. But, from what I hear, it isn't as strict as every makes it out to be. Depends on who checks the room really. Everything must be cleaned, microwave must be wiped down, no trash, and there can't be any dishes in the dishwasher. If you pass with No points, you will get a prize :) 

Company D

On September 11th, I visited Company D. It was not as amazing as I thought it'd be. If I had all the money in the world and was a lot more of a Disney Fanatic, then maybe I'd have thought differently. But it did have quite a few great deals. My sister was having a baby shower later on that month, so I spent quite a bit of money on Pook-A-Loo dolls. Very very cute :)

August 17th: On the Job Training

This day we got our costumes and schedule. You should be aware that, excluding this blog, you will not have any clue what you are doing. They basically tell you the day before what you will be doing. It is really frustrating, but eventually the schedules will roll in regularly.

Everybody will have a different experience with their trainers. My trainers let us take extended breaks and answered as many questions as possible. It was quite a lot of fun. You will wear Professional Attire and bring your New Hire Sheet/Cast Member ID

August 16

Day 3

Traditions!
You will arrive at 7:30 and be ready at 8am in the traditions building. TDA. You must be dressed in Business attire and ready for a loooong day. From 8am-3pm your day will be filled with long sits, speeches, a bit of networking, and a brief tour.

It was soooo very hot that day! And the tour was not very fun in a formal outfit, but the lunch afterwards is very nice. If you bring a lunch it must be completely disposable. Brown paper bag.

At the end of the day, you will be greeted by a very special guest with a very special gift :) 

August 15

Day 2

Some of the blogs/videos I had encountered before coming down here said that Monday would be the day to relax, move in, buy groceries. Well, it's true if you have a car. I did not end up bringing my baby down, so Monday is more of a move in, run around frantically, say goodbye to your family if you get the time day. There is a 2:30 meeting (may change) in the courtyard this day. It is a brief, "please don't destroy the place" speech with a great welcome.

For me, this day was very busy. That morning I ran around to have breakfast with my boyfriend's family so that mine could meet them before going back up north. Then we bolted back for this mandatory meeting. Afterwards, it was all cleaning and meeting until the party at 5pm.

The party is awesome! Free pizza, lots of people, a photobooth and prizes. If you aren't a dancer than you will probably be a bit bored. But if you don't mind having fun and shaking your tail feathers, you'll be just fine. 

Dream Suite Tour!

Absolutely wonderful! Do it Do it Do it! DO IT!

What a wonderful tour full of magic and great information. 

August 14th: Check In!

The day finally came!!!
I stayed in Anaheim for two days prior to my check in date. The check in time I was given was 10am. But I showed up at 8:30 or so to see the line and try and jump in with a roommate who was given an earlier time. I met up with her in the surprisingly short line and we started introductions. There was a lot of just waiting in line and chit chat. You finally make it through the line to the second floor courtyard. There you will see lots of friendly faces and tables. Make sure you have your insurance and 2 forms of identification ready to go. And please don't lose them like I lost my license! Ugh! Anyway, you'll be herded from table to table like freshman orientation in high school and then finally given your room key. I met another roommate on the way up. The room was extremely nice.

FUNNY STORY: ...kinda
I saw a lamp on a side table that was suspiciously left pulled out. The entire apartment had signs of last minute preparation. Well, I decided to push the table back and plug it into the outlet. No note from housing on why not to do this by the way. The minute I plugged it in IT EXPLODED! The bulb, the wires, everything! Well we eventually cleaned it up because housing didn't take care of it for a good week and then we ended up having to bring the lamp to them and received a new lamp about two or so weeks later. Yeah...

Note the broken lamp! 

Moving In!!!

Overpacking?

So my end result of packing was: 6 boxes.

Why so much??
Well I only have 1 box with clothes. And the hangers are still on each item!
So what's in the other boxes?
Lots of items that I will use up during the program. Things like shampoo or lotion. I'm a serious penny pincher and did not want to rebuy something. Especially since I'm considering moving to that area. I don't want to come back for old shampoo. Gross. I'm also bringing tons of organizational items and office supplies. Clear containers, journals, my printer, spare ink, paper, stapler, a mirror, a desk lamp, a pinboard, blah blah blah. Lots of stuff! So while it seems like I'm bringing a lot of stuff. I won't be bringing back nearly as much. I just don't like spending money if I don't have. A little extra effort on my part by packing and bringing down all of those things had to be spent, but effort is free.

Break Down of My Boxes: (I'm highlighting the things that will be used up during the program)

Box 1 Clothes
Box 2 Loose fitting clothes/Exercise clothes, Printer, Shoes
Box 3 Locking jewelry box, Hanging Shower Caddy, Carrying Shower Caddy, Lamp, Mirror, Storage containers, a recipe book, bed risers, etc.
Box 4 Shampoos/Conditioners, Lotions, Movies, Feminine Products, DVD's, paper, spare ink for printer, other office supplies, and a shadow box with the very first flowers my boyfriend gave me ^.^
Box 5 Books, purses, smaller containers, garbage bags, some every day plastic dishes, and more.
Box 6 "Last Minute Box" for clothes I'm currently using, makeup, nail supplies, anything else.

I'm thinking about reopening the boxes to make sure that I absolutely have no room in them or really need what is inside of them. But, remember, you can always send stuff home. :)

::You Will Always Over Pack::

Disney College

Link for Registration:

https://www.disneynow.com/profile/web/index.cfm?PKWebId=0x1210462a4

The Courses:

Marketing U- Learn how to present yourself. Create a resume, learn how to interview, and master networking.

Corporate Analysis- Study the Disney Company from inside out

Blended Learning- Supposedly one of the funner classes. Outdoor and onsite activities.

Leadership Speaker Series- Hear from senior leaders and employees for Disney. Lots of insight.


Registration:

Super easy! I fill silly even writing a blog on it. If you have a last name, an email address, and know when you're starting then you're in. You can only pick one class online. You can get more when you move in. It will let you know the specific dates of when you can add more classes. Some of the courses allow college credit. You have to check with your specific college for that information, however.

Otherwise, read the class descriptions and print the syllabus of the one you pick. Pick your back ups if you plan on adding more when you get there. :)

I chose:

Blended learning. Tuesday.
and then I plan on adding....
Corporate Analysis. Monday.

Hope this helps! Have a magical day! 

Should I Bring A TV?

I say no. 

1. You can win a TV in a raffle when you get there.

2. It's easier to buy a tv after you move than to bring one. 

-Or, if you already own one, to have it shipped to you from home. 

3. We are going to be very very very busy. Most people report that didn't turn their televisions on more than twice during their entire stay.

I'm absolutely bringing movies. But I can watch them at my own time on my laptop without bothering my roommates. If you desperately need television. Or if you are dedicated to watching a show every Tuesday at 6pm, then that is all on you. But as for my vote, I say no. 

The Magic of Last Minute

Make a list of everything you are keeping to use right now. It's a lot, right?

-Cosmetics
-Wires
-Some Clothes
-Some Shoes
-That book you've been trying to finish for over a year now....

I'm keeping one empty box that will be labeled "Last Minute." Everything you needed to survive the few weeks before the move should go in here. Otherwise it should go in a carry on/your purse. I can't pack away my cosmetics until the day before so they'll be at the top of this box. And it is probably best if I don't pack away the GPS before the long drive to SoCal. So be smart, and keep some things last minute.  :) 

The Chain :D

Today :D

Sometime in between

March 23rd 

QUICK TRICK: Important Files

Another Quick Tip.

Keep all of your files in one binder. Social Security card, copy of you birth certificate, bank notes, etc.

This should easily fit into your locker. Use a key lock people! Combination locks are easy to break into. This way you don't keep a safe under your bed or run the risk of losing anything in the move. Please remember to be careful with this information. You want your roommates to be your new family, but remember that you could also spend the rest of your life dealing with identity theft if you don't keep it safe.

Be careful :) Keep it organized and safe.

Packing Like A Pro

What You Have

Take out everything that is in the box. Step one would be to make sure that all the items are related in some way. These are all room accessories. Things that can go up after I make the bed and hang up clothes.  

 Start packing and make a list of everything inside. :)

 I suggest putting a piece of lined paper in that section between the box edges. This way you don't tape up your things. Which suuuucks if you get it on clothes or journals. 

 Staple your lists to the outside of the now packed box. Staple all sides and tape down if you need to. 

Tah Dah! Now you're a pro!

My Kind of Organization

You may have realized by now that I am kind of OCD about being organized. This is because I keep myself Very busy. Two semesters ago I had 3 jobs and 17 units and my junior college. I needed a way to hang on! So this is "My Life Binder."

Yep, that's right! I'm taking you inside to the very inner workings of how I get everything done.

A blank piece of paper for lists of what to buy or quick notes. And a post it held all ghetto by two bobby pins xD But whatever works, right? 

Newest edition. A "Walk Away Folder" is sooo nice. The Binder is super bulky. So this works nicely.

I filled with paper for notes or, usually, an itinerary of my day. And the other side is for materials that I need for the day. Example here: phone numbers and a receipt to pick up the first season of The Big Bang Theory at Walmart. ^.^

I keep cards for birthdays so I don't lose them. I don't keep a year's worth or anything lol. Just that month or week's worth. 

I happen to be religious, Catholic to be specific. So I keep a section for a weekly mass. I get mine from DemocratCatholics.com :) 

Usually says "Monthly or My Month." And then I have all the weeks behind each month. But because it was the summer and I didn't need to have each week planned out. Especially since I decided on no summer courses before I leave. So yeah, this just says summer. But Before I leave it will be My Month and then the weeks behind each month.  

My Goal Chart. 

This is the best thing ever. The first column is 1-31. The circled days are days that I get paid. The important ones lol The labels at the top are goals. For each day that I complete one of these goals, whether it be running, writing, doing yoga, whatever I mark the box. You can visually see where you lagging behind in the things you want to accomplish :) Very nice for a visual person. 

:) :) :) :) :)

Cornell Note Paper left over from high school. Whatevs, regular paper works fine. 

No longer taking college classes during the internship. But this is where I'd put that stuff. Unless they require more space. Usually they don't, but if the teacher loves paper work or an individual binder, then go on and conform lol 

Sections for le school stuffs. 

I stayed in town a lot. Between classes or work, I had some time to kill...sometimes. 

SOOO I put menus, deals, phone numbers, and a small calendar of events of the town I was in most. 

This section also has tabs for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Desserts, and Snacks

Root Beer Waffles, need to try these :) I get my recipes from TraderJoes.com and other places I plan on shopping. 

I don't think I'm going to keep coupons here. I have a special coupon binder. But I don't know if I really need a separate binder yet. If I don't, then I'll move them here. Otherwise I just keep GROUPONS and Notes. 

Just a divider. Doesn't serve a purpose, really xD 

Where the magic happens! I had 3 blogs, hence the post its. 

The End. I highly encourage you all to try making your own Life Binder. :) It helps. 

QUICK TRICK: Easiest Way to Shop...EVER

So you plan on buying things once you get down there? Yeah, so does everyone else. But what to get? Are you sure you know everything that you aren't bringing? Are you positive you aren't going to buy something you packed? Maybe you aren't sure that you've packed everything in the first place!!

Quick trick.

These are pictures from my phone. I went through a Wal-Mart while waiting on some friends. This took maybe half an hour or more. Start at one end of the store and go through every single aisle. If you see anything and everything you could ever think to need- TAKE A PICTURE OF IT. But remember to include the price! Use this as your checklist. Delete each picture as you pack it or find an equivalent to. Anything left over, is what you need. Some things will need to be bought Communally. Meaning, you aren't going to buy your own Windex. So remember to save the pictures for when you sit down with your roommates to make your "What WE need to buy" list. :) 

Have a Magical Day!  

Organizing Clothing aka "The Purge"

This is your chance ladies! Time to empty out that closet :) You're going to start seeing what you wear the most. If you wouldn't wear it in the next 6 months, why do you still have it? (Excluding out of season items.)

Steps to concise closet:

1. Try on EVERYTHING! 
          This is going to take an entire afternoon. Be devoted and excited before beginning. Try on every tank top, every bra, and every pair of jeans.

Here are two pairs of jeans that did not fit me. They were too long. I pinned a post it with the amount I should have tailored. If I don't have them fixed before I leave, then they didn't mean that much to me, and I'm selling them or giving them away ASAP. 

2. Sort out Everything 

          Here are your categories: Goodwill, Consignment, Fix and Keep

              Goodwill- Give Away

              Consignment- Sell to a consignment store or host a yard sale 

              Fix- Have tailored or sew them yourself 

              Keep- Duh :P 

This is a picture of my two bags. One is for Goodwill and the other is for Plato's Closet, a local consignment store. Remember, if you aren't sure about what you want to do, just keep them in the bags and store them in your closet until you arrive. I've recently come to the conclusion that I want to keep the bags so that if (hopefully) lose any weight during the internship I can go back and try these on. :) 

3. Divide and Conquer! 

         Divide your closet into two. On one side, put everything you love and adore and plan to take with you. And on the other side, put everything you aren't sure about. For the next month, try very very very very hard to only take things from the 2nd side. If you don't wear it, don't take it. But you loved it enough to keep it this long, so maybe leave it hanging until you come back. There are different reasons for keeping different articles of clothing. Don't let me be the dictator here. They're your clothes! 

I was able to get my "adore and love" section down to 2 feet!! You may be sharing your closet with up to 3 other people. You need to consider how much space you can demand. This 2 foot section is just what I absolute want to take and want to be hung up. Of course I have sweats and jeans and such that will need drawers. But now I can get a cheep plastic set of drawers to put under my clothes and not have to worry about space. This 2 foot section includes: Spaghetti straps, Tanks, T-shirts, 3/4 sleeves, long sleeves, dresses and formal dress clothing for our classes and outings. 

Good Luck Everyone!