DANCE DANCE DANCE

Hey! Okay, so I know, I know, it's been WAY too long since my update! So much has happened-- here we go!

Week one: Move in and training.
I am in an 8-person apartment at the Chatham Square complex. There are 4 CP (College Program) complexes: Chatham, Patterson, The Commons (for international students), and Vista Way (rated #2 in the nation next to Playboy for you can guess what... SICK!) Anyway, I'm glad I got Chatham! If you or anyone you know decides to do the CP, request Chatham or Patterson! The apartments here are beautiful and our apt is in a coldisack area sort-of that is rather quiet. (Except the early-morning MOWERS!) My roomies are great! We all get along great so far, and we try to hang out when we can. It's getting harder now to do that since we all work different shifts and at different locations! Six of us work at Magic Kingdom, one at Animal Kingdom, and one at Hollywood Studios, and we all have totally different experiences to share each day. I love it!

Today I'm doing some much needed laundry. The washers/dryers here are exactly like the ones at OC, so I'm glad I knew how to operate them already. I need to go on a grocery run! There is a Publix within walking distance that most CP students go to if they didn't bring a car, but I like to drive to Walmart. The bus will also take you to Walmart, but the trip could total 2 hrs. No go for me!

Now for the fun stuff: TRAINING!

Disney training is fun although much of the information is your boring safety and standard business talk. Disney Traditions is a 4-hour (one-time) class that all CP students must take before even beginning work. That's where I got my nametag from Mickey! After Traditions, each CP student receives a work schedule and then goes for further specified training within one or several parks. My training mostly took place at EPCOT. All Disney employees are called "cast members", and we can access almost all needed information on a website called "The Hub".

My training lasted 5 days, and almost each day my group of 11 worked with a different pair of trainers. I had a really fun group! Now that I go to work by myself, I'm missing them all! It's not the same showing up each day to get dressed and warm up alone! I am making new friends, though, and I have six more months to meet more people!

If I want to perform in upcoming Halloween and Christmas parades and shows I have to put in a preference request and then, if selected, complete more training. (So I don't actually have a say in what I am/am not selected for, just what I would prefer.) I am considering these options, but right now I have a lot on my plate already! ....But I just keep imagining dressing up fancy for the Christmas parade walking along Main Street--right behind Regis and Kelly!!! So I'll probably try for it...

Sunday is 4th of July! I haven't seen my schedule yet, so I don't know if I'm working or not. I've been hearing great things about the Disney 4th of July fireworks show, so I hope that can work into my evening plans!

Hmm... well tonight I am going to party like a madwoman at the Tomorrowland Dance Party. I was there Saturday night and got a good workout. I must be crazy to go back THREE times this week! Haha, but it's fun. The dance party is a summer thing at a big stage next to Space Mountain where Goofy, Pluto, Stitch, Chip, and Dale take turns dancing along with guests to all kinds of crazy songs. I did not know the Miley Cyrus Ho-Down Throw-Down. Nor did I know the Miley Cyrus Ice Cream dance?? Don't know. But by the end of the week I will probably be dancing it in my sleep. That's unfortunate. On the plus side, I've been sweating so much lately that my sweat seriously does not smell anymore...

For the record, I have also watched the Little Mermaid twice in the past week and consider myself quite the expert now. That's a great movie.

I suppose now I need to go make some early dinner and other general housekeeping things! Until next time, ciao!