Things don't always go as planned

I'll never lead a normal life. As much as I try to ignore it, my multitude of diseases will always play a role in my life. As it happens, I ended up getting quite sick in Florida, to the point of no longer being able to function. I decided to come home for three days to come see my GI and try to get all of this fixed. I ended up spending almost the entire three days at Mass General Hospital getting test after test after test, and my three days at home ended up being a lot more. I ended up having to go back to Florida to sort things out and actually move home to get healthy in time for SAS. It was so hard to do, but I knew that if I tried to suck it up for another month, I wouldn't have the health to go on Semester at Sea. Thankfully, I found some wonderful managers over at Hollywood Studios, and although everything is a work in progress, they've been amazing at helping me figure it out and I hope to god that I can remain seasonal. The thought of not being able to do this job again just kills me, and I pray this all works out.

As it is, I am in Boston and hyped on a bunch of meds, but feeling a lot better. I'm not totally there yet, but I have continued faith of this improving and being ready to set sail by January 15th. Helping that, of course, is the fact that I have the best GI in the world and appointments to get checked-up galore. And though I miss Disney terribly, I had another absolutely amazing semester there and for that I am so thankful. I had the most amazing roommates in the world, and truthfully, I may even miss them more than I miss the fireworks, rides, parades and gluten-free chicken fingers.

All of this extra time does make it a little bit easier to pack though. I admit, it's a lot easier this way rather than trying to unpack from Disney and pack for SAS all at once. I have three giant piles in my room, and other than buying 4 months worth of toiletries, I am pretty much ready to load up these suit cases. Which is good, since Dain is flying in tomorrow and I have a feeling he will have absolutely nothing packed and ready to go.

For field programs, I was able to get everything I tried for through SAS. I'm not sure if I wanted that, because I do like the spontaneity idea, but at the same time, I choose these big trips because I felt safer traveling with SAS than on my own. And I'm sure either way, independent or not, every day will be amazing.
The trips I ended up getting are:
Brazil - Amazon and Rio 4 Day-Trip
Ghana - Not a trip through SAS, but I registered for the Senase Village homestay through Can Do Tours. I've heard amazing things about this trip, and honestly, this is what I am most excited for on the whole voyage.
South Africa - Habitat for Humanity day trip
India - 5 Day trip to Agra and Jaipur
Vietnam - 2 Service trips -- one to the Zoo with a school, another to a school for the deaf
Japan - One day homestay

I'm hoping my FDPs don't turn out to be as time consuming as I currently think (I've heard teachers are really flexible) because as of right now almost every day in South Africa is taken up by FDPs, as all my classes have at least one here. I'd really love to enjoy this amazing country, so I'm really hoping it will work out so I can have at least a couple free days.

Anyway, I guess the moral of this story is that life is unpredictable. But all you really need is faith, trust and pixiedust and everything will play out as it should. In this situation, I might have lost a few weeks at Disney, but if I had to miss out on a last few weeks at Disney and an entire semester at sea, well..the choice is rather obvious.

Figuring out field programs is such a headache.

Argghhh

Six more weeks.

Truthfully, I'm ready to be done. I've felt that way for quite some time now. Not that I am not happy. I am. Seriously. I love my job and I feel so rewarded and fulfilled doing it. But the excitement of being at Disney is no longer a substitute for the low pay, poor treatment, and politics of this all. I haven't met as many new people as before. But then again, I didn't go through traditions or training since I was in the same role as last time, and that's where I met everyone last year. I've had a lot of problems with housing, and I am just over all of the politics that come with such a large company. That said, I will still remain seasonal for as long as I can, but as much as I thought I didn't want to move to Florida for the sole purpose of working for Disney before, I know for sure that is not what I want now. I love Disney. I always will. I love walking around the parks and the life that Orlando brings. I love the magic. I love my job. And I feel so blessed that I've gotten the chance to do it, twice. But I would be lying if I said I wasn't ready for these next 6 weeks to be over.

Disney updates

I know, I am HORRIBLE at updating. But here's a brief recap of the past couple of months in Florida


Magic Kingdom turned 40. We got in line at 5am (after being at MK for a Halloween party the night before until 1) to get merchandise wristbands. There was a parade and dedication, but other than that the "celebration" was pretty weak and it was really crowded for nothing. Still an adventure though.


I went to not one, not two, but three Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween parties. I made sure to meet Flynn Rider at each one :). If ever I were to have a crush on a fictional cartoon, it would be Flynn.


I saw Hanson three times in one night at the Food and Wine festival! Still love them.


My family came to visit!

And Christmas is in full swing at Disney!




My obsession with Duffy is becoming a problem. As of current count, I have one giant duffy, 6 normal sized ones, a magnet, a keychain and a purse.


And I met Barney!

La La La La

I am absolutely horrible at updating my blog. It's always in the back of my mind, but somehow it never seems to happen. Life here is Disney is, as Dain would say, 'just dandy.' I've been spending quite some time at Town Square Theater lately, and I'm growing more fond of it each day. I have become quite tainted against Animal Kingdom and Dinosaur after some unnecessary-for-blogging events unfolded. I've been to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party twice, with a third happening tomorrow. Today I got to me in the water scene at Hollywood Studios and pretty much had a bunch of other amazing things happen.

This past weekend Dain came into town to visit me. I couldn't get 2 of 3 days off work, so that was rather sad, but we tried to make the best of it. It's truly not the same being down here without him, and as much fun as I'm having I really do miss him constantly. I cannot thank my parents enough for buying him a ticket to visit me, it really was so amazing just to be able to see him. He also booked his trip to come visit me over Thanksgiving, and I cannot wait! Also, I had been waiting to reveal to him in person that I was no longer planning on going to grad school straight after SAS and instead am going to move to Michigan for a year until he graduates. So that went over quite well and I'm so very excited for our futures together.

I finally got to meet the prettiest kitty I know - miss Marie - when we got to spend the day at the France Pavillion at Epcot. I've always wanted to meet her and have some time playing with her, so it was really cool to finally get to do so.

I've grown really close with my roomates and I consider myself to have made a couple really strong, lasting friendships, for which I am quite thankful for. And despite temporary eviction, separation and price management woes, i'm glad to be living with them and consider them my closest friends down here.

Oh, and I am very much addicted to Hershey's drops. Nom Nom Nom.

SAS classes!

I was able (with some help) to get all of the courses that I wanted! This was especially stressful as a poorly designed system combined with even poorer internet speeds led to a constant refresh in 4 different windows trying to get in. It was vital that I got into a certain class as it was literally the only one I have left for graduation. Needless to say, I was starting to have a serious case of the shivers, but thankfully it all worked out and I got in! My schedule will look like this:

A Days:
1045 - 12 History of Modern China
1420 - 1535 Social Movement Media

B Days:
8 - 915 Sociology of Marriage and Family
920 - 1035 Global Studies

On the MV classes do not run on the typical M/W/F or T/TH schedule. Instead, classes are held every single day (including weekends and holidays) that we are at sea and not at all (minus required FDP's - or field trips for classes) while in port. So, classes run A-B-A-B-A-B-A-B and so on, simply alternating each day. While my ideal schedule is to have 4 classes back-to-back every other day, like I've been doing all through college, this wasn't possible this time around and I'll have to learn to actually have school everyday. I know, poor me, having to go to class on a ship sailing around the world every day (i'm currently accepting any "i'm sorry" cards and gifts).

I had more to say, but alas, time is never on my side.
Bon Voyage! T-minus 99 days!

im backkk!