What?! I have a night off that I don’t have to do anything
or see anyone?! I don’t get many days like this, where I don’t work super
early, or work super late and when I actually have time to write about what is
happening. Lot of things are happening. My program is quickly coming to an end,
and as much as I didn’t think I would say this, I am ready for it to be over. I
miss home. A lot of my current co-workers that are College Program students are
extending their program to stay living down here and working for Orlando
through the end of May. And well, all I really want to do is move back to
Wisconsin and continue on pursuing what I know I can accomplish.
A lot of the people that I started working with when I first
moved down here, have left. They’ve “self-termed” to move back home and either
get a “real job” or finish up school. Out of the 15 or so of us that started at
Seasons back in May, I believe 4 of us are going to actually stay and finish
our program. The hardest friend that I had self-term happened last week, with
my friend Lawrence. It’s going to be hard and different not having him around
for the remainder of my program, but I know he’s back in New York pursuing is
goals of working with a marketing firm and doing what he loves in a place that
he can call home.
I’ve come to determine that only the strong survive working
for Disney. Especially the College Program. There is nothing that is saying
that I have to stay here and finish my program. I could, in theory, walk over
to the main office building and say I wanted to go home and I would have 24
hours to be off property. It takes a certain type of person to stick through
the program. Disney works the CPs the hardest because they are the cheapest
labor, and they aren’t part of the union. It’s typical to have 12 hour shifts
multiple times a week, doing physical labor, and interacting with guests the
entire time. And we have to maintain the Disney smile the whole time that we
are “on stage” in front of the guest. I set out to be part of this program, and
I knew that it wasn’t going to be easy, but I never imagined it to be this hard
either. I’m going to take the last few months to soak in all that I can and
grow as much as possible, because I know this is an opportunity that many
people dream of having.
One of the hardest things that I have had to deal with is
seeing all of my co-workers and roommates being able to see their families and
fly home to see friends, and I haven’t been able to afford to do that. I’m
overjoyed with the opportunity to be able to fly home for an extended weekend
to spend time with my family. I know that I won’t want to come back once I’m
there, but I need to be able to have that time with them. And it’s helpful
knowing that they are going to be visiting me a few short weeks after I come
back. And then approximately a month later, I can call Wisconsin my home again.
I excited to be able to drive in Wisconsin again. And be able to see the
landmarks and buildings that I grew up with. And go to familiar places. And
smell comforting smells. And I’m overjoyed that I get to see my puppies again.
I miss them more than most could understand. I envision a scene much like those
that are shown of a soldier coming home, which might be a little exaggerated,
but that’s what I see happening with Pal and I. I can’t wait to be able to see
my little sister again. And to be able to see Nana all grown up from when I
left her and she was barely taller than my shin.
As excited as I am to be able to return to Wisconsin for a
few days, I’m still excited to be able to spend time with my family here, in
Orlando, when they come and visit. I want to be able to show them all of the
things that I’ve learned and how I go about a “typical” day as a Cast Member.
And I don’t have to sleep in this awful apartment when they’re here!
