The One where I turn 21 (in a manner of speaking)

My birthday this year was on the verge of being tragic. Having made plans to go away to the condo in Clearwater for the weekend and then having those plans ruined by a demanding work schedule, I had all but conceded to stay in on my birthday, get in pajamas and watch a movie. All by myself. Just for dramatic effect. 

However, thanks to an amazing co-worker who switched days off with me so I could at least have my birthday off (Thanks, Ayumi!) and thanks to some amazing friends, I managed to have a very memorable birthday celebration after all. It was called Alliepalooza.

For those of you who couldn't be there, I made this for you...don't get too excited. I am no Oscar winning documentarian. 

I could tell you about how fun the party was, or I could show you...

 We started out the night early with a little game of Cranium...

 

 Some people were more into it than others....

 

Let's not forget there was karaoke...kinda...we didn't have a karaoke machine but I had music playing and a lollipop for a mic so I'm pretty much set. 

 

 

Now keep in mind, the singing all happened BEFORE this next video...

If you don't know the whole story, then here is 25% of it. In High School I decided I never wanted to drink. Ever. Now for the past year I've been thinking hmmm, maybe I should just TRY it one time. Cross it off the list and call it a day. Well when you've waited 24 years to try alcohol, you can't just like grab a beer on a Thursday because how uneventful is that!? Very. So after much contemplation I figured I would possibly have a drink on my 25th Birthday IF and only IF the moment felt right. If it didn't, then no worries because I didn't promise anyone anything. But when Tim showed up with Pink Champagne and I was surrounded by friends who are the antithesis of peer pressure, I felt comfortable enough to give it a whirl...and it tasted horrible but now I can cross it off my list!

The whole birthday crew...minus Chris, who was late. =)

 

I am told by my roommate that the baker thought she was picking up this cake for her child, hahaha eventually I will grow up and be all sophisticated, but until then, I will enjoy my pink cake with a tiara, thank you kindly!

All in all, it was a great birthday. Obviously there are a lot of family members and friends I wish I could have celebrated with (holla Minnesotans!!) but as cheesy as it sounds, I could feel your Birthday wishes all the way from home and I can't wait to see you guys in January!! 

The One Where I Get All Caught Up!

Oh my word it's been over a MONTH since I updated. What is wrong with me? I've been overwhelmed with SO MANY good things to discuss that I simply didn't post at all. I am not kidding. I wanted to do an individual blog about each and every topic below because it was all so awesome, so here is the Cliffs Notes version I guess! 

The biggest change in the last month? I don't work at Animal Kingdom Lodge right now! Say what?!!? 

Well, the week I started at Animal Kingdom Lodge was the same week they posted a hiring notice for Guest Relations. Now, Guest Relations has been a job I've had my eye on for some time. It is the whole reason I went to Concierge as Concierge does a lot of similar things to Guest Relations (GR), the major difference being that one is at the resorts and one is at the theme parks. Anyhow, hundreds of people apply for GR and from the power of prayer and pixie dust, I was chosen! And at Magic Kingdom, of course! (Magic Kingdom is always where I am placed, it is my home I feel like.) The job, as of now, is a temporary assignment through January 1st. There may or may not be room to make it a permanent placement, so only time will tell. I love Animal Kingdom Lodge and I love Magic Kingdom. I feel like I am in a win-win situation right now.

Having a job as a Concierge though over the past month has proven to be quite advantageous. 

I went on 2 fireworks cruises....

Nothing beats seeing the fireworks from the water. There are no distractions. No annoyingly tall people blocking your view (ha, who me?). It's just so calm and beautiful.

 Had a private tour of the Savannahs at AKL...

Saw Cirque Du Soliel from the 3rd row.....

That is my friend Marianna, she is an ICP from Mexico. She is precious. I feel lucky to have her as a friend!

Did the Tom Petty Driving Experience....

That guy was trying to be nice helping me get in the car, but I was a pro.

Even outside of my work-provided fun, it has been crazy! My mom and her friends came to Florida to celebrate her 50th Birthday. I had a great time showing them around the Magic Kingdom. We also got in some much needed relaxation time at the condo in Clearwater. My mom and her friends sure know how to have a good time...

In addition to seeing my mom, I also got to see my good friends Jon and Shanelle. We surprised Jon at Hollywood Studios with a Birthday Party! It was pretty epic. Jon says he didn't cry. A picture is worth a thousand words, but I only need 3: Yes he did.

As a part of the birthday celebration, we got seated in VIP at Fantasmic. We ever so discretely took photos of Jason Castro from American Idol who happened to be sitting behind us. (He's the one w/the dreads for you "too cool" people who claim to be above watching Idol =)

Funny story: that GR CM in the photo, yep, totally one of my trainers this week and I just noticed that. It's a small world after all! I will have to tell her about this lol

Bonus Features - Picture Edition!! 

 

I made a friend named Kyle, he was 1 of my Concierge trainers. 

And I bought a Mickey straw, both epic in their own ways. 

I wanted to go to the Halloween party as Tinker-Belle. Essentially Princess Belle in fairy form, but I couldn't find yellow wings so I was Summer-Time Belle instead. It was fun!

I learned it is funny, yet frowned upon, to give Cinderella Bunny ears in a photo.

Never take for granted sitting around a table for dinner with Family. I couldn't remember the last time I had this, so when it happened in Clearwater with my mom and her friends (who are practically family), I just had to take a photo. It's the simple things in life that matter =)

Coming Attractions:

I made a fort with Becca and Cory, I broke my camera, I replaced my camera, I saw the Cinderella Castle Suite, I went to Drag Bingo. (Disclaimer: Not all events stated just now happened in 1 day, but what a day that woulda been, right?!) Stay tuned friends. I won't keep you waiting so long next time! I promise!

The One when I became a Concierge

"A concierge is the Winnipeg equivalent of a geisha. This is a woman who has been trained in the fine art of fanciness and pleasure. And when you meet one it is intoxicating. Just what the doctor ordered" -Michael Scott

After about a month of working front desk, yesterday I finally finished my last day of on-the-job training for Concierge at Animal Kingdom Lodge. My job title is now OFFICIALLY Concierge. The job description is pretty close to what Michael Scott described above haha almost. Basically, I answer random questions, make dining reservations and sell tickets. Surprisingly, Disney uses a computer system straight out of the 80's, so for the first time in my life I use the function keys at the top of keyboards. I am not kidding when I say the screen is black and the font is green and you CANNOT use a mouse to navigate. The TAB key is my new best friend. Guests have NO idea the crazy weird steps I have to take just to sell them a ticket, and they shouldn't know, because it's not very magical, but I am telling you, I am not a fan of 1980's computer systems.

Despite the computers, I don't know when it happened exactly, but at some point in the last month and a half, I started loving Animal Kingdom Lodge. At first I felt out of place in the African Safari, just out of my element I suppose. But my co-workers are great, the managers are amazing and being indoors is excellent too! Work-wise, everything is dandy and with the exception of a promotion, I can see myself at AKL for a while.

Jon and Shanelle just visited from Nashville. I always love seeing them. We had a fun, but much too fast 3 days together. We celebrated Jon's 25th Birthday at Hollywood Studios with a mini surprise party. We even got VIP seating at Fantasmic, the view was just about the same as anywhere else but it was just nice to have reserved seats and lots of space!

Anyhow, the MTV Video Music Awards are on tonight and friends are coming over, so until next time. =)