Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?

Well. It's been a long time since I wrote last, but let me tell you how insanely busy life has been. Because it has seriously been crazy.

I drove down the 15th, checked in the 18th, had Traditions the 20th, and started the 21st. I have officially "earned my ears" and am a legitimate character attendant at Animal Kingdom.

Training to be an attendant was beyond amazing. I made so many new friends, both attendant and performer alike. And thankfully I get to see quite a few of them in normal work.

As for my normal shifts, I've been stationed mostly at Dinoland in Animal Kingdom, where I get to work with Pluto and my good pal, Goofy.

It's just amazing working with these beloved characters and seeing everyone meet them for the first time. Though it does absolutely break my heart when a Make A Wish kid comes through to meet them. But then again, it's bittersweet because those kids are so happy to meet the characters and they can't stop smiling.

On my days off, I've either been sleeping or playing in the parks. I've met a lot of characters and rode a ton of attractions. So I will be updating those lists, along with my bucket list. :)

I should be able to write again rather soon. I'm just at a blank now for what to write so I'll just end it here!

They say if you dream a thing more than once, it's sure to come true.

As I write this, it is January 12, 2012. I am leaving on January 15, 2012 to start my journey at Walt Disney World. That means I have all day today (Thursday), Friday, and most of Saturday.

I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around all of this. Seriously. I thought I just applied, and I could have sworn I was going through my whole acceptance fiasco.

It's been one wild ride, and it hasn't even started yet.

With that, I'm going to leave you with this video. It's from the Spring and Spring Advantage '11 program (1 year ago), and is comprised of highlighted moments from their program. Two of my friends (who will be doing the program with me) are in it as well.

I seriously cry when I watch this, just because I hope that my program is half of what is portrayed here.

See ya in Florida!

SQUIRREL!

I seriously feel like Dug (from Up) on a regular basis now. My (self-diagnosed) ADD is through the roof. One person will say something, which causes a spark of something Disney related. Most of the time it's me thinking I NEED TO PACK THAT! or the like.

Things are starting to get very real now. The hotel in Florida is booked, the hotel in Georgia (after much searching) is booked. Plans with Jess have been discussed. Now I need to pack.

I seriously can't believe in less than 2 weeks, I will be in Florida. It's just very surreal.

I also keep having these little revelations that cause me to get super emotional. Like, I swear to you, the first time I get on Haunted Mansion or watch Philharmagic, I will cry. I'm not even kidding. Like, just thinking about those two attractions make me super giddy and kind of emotional.

I don't know what's wrong with me right now.

Money makes the world go 'round.

Sorry I haven't posted in quite a few weeks. Since I have been accepted, payed my fees, and gotten everything in line, nothing new has really come up.

I did register for one class through Disney! I initially wasn't going to but I figured I needed to get my program to the full potential. I signed up for Marketing You - apparently one of the most popular classes they offer. From the syllabus on the website, it's all about how we can market ourselves to future employers and how we can use Disney to our advantage. I'm really hoping this class leads to some awesome networking opportunities and could open up some doors for the future...

In other news, I am ready to get down there and get the ball rolling. However, I must admit I am a bit nervous about my money situation. Right now, I'm not making too much at Macy's - just enough to cover my bills (which is good, right?). And even though I make $8.50 an hour, I'm going to take a hefty paycut at Disney at $7.31 an hour. And I will have to pay rent, bills, and go grocery shopping. So needless to say I'm getting a little bit worried about this.

I talked to my grandma and she said that if I needed money, I knew I could call home and they would help me out as much as they can. But I don't want to be a burden on them. This is MY program and I'm choosing to do it. I could very well stay at Macy's and work for more money, but I know this is what I want to do. So I don't want to stress them out by me needing money.

For Christmas this year, I'm forgoing any type of present. Seriously. I just want gift cards to target or the Visa ones you can spend on anything. Those will help pay for groceries, thankfully.

I do plan on saving some money by couponing while I'm down there. It's a little bit of a time suck, but I find it relaxing and it will help me with my money situation, at least a little bit. So I'm thankful I know how to do that. I'm also saving up all my "Macy Money" that I have gotten from work. That way, if I need anything at Macy's, I'll be able to use that money to save at least a little bit.

I just can't wait to get down there and get everything going. Planning is hard when you have really no idea what to expect.

'Ohana' means 'family' and 'family' means 'no one gets left behind.'

I don't have too much to update anymore, since I have been accepted [thankfully], paid my fees, and have done all necessary paperwork that has been made available to me thus far.

But I got to thinking today. Tomorrow marks another week of waiting for some of my DFam (Disney Family - get it?)... some of them going on to their 5th week of waiting. And I can't help but realize how blessed I am that I found out when I did. If you knew me, I was going INSANE. I think I was stressing everybody out with how impatient I was growing.

But I can't help but still feel that tinge of anticipation and worry while I wait for the rest of my DFam to make it in. I know, it sounds weird, since I've never even really MET these people. But Disney seriously brings people together. The Facebook groups for the program seasons are booming with people and can be overwhelming. But each time I've applied (the two times, I guess I should say), I've been able to find my niche with some amazing people for both seasons. People which I truly consider some of my best friends. And I'm going to be seriously so sad if some of them don't get in and won't get to share this experience with me.

But I must keep a positive outlook. I know they're amazing people who are capable of getting in the program, and most likely WILL. I just hope that they hear back soon so I can stop stressing for them.

For with each dawn, she found new hope that someday, her dreams of happiness would come true.

Wow. It has been a whirlwind these past few days (in the Disney world, I mean). I'm still having a hard time believing this is actually real life. I'm not being facetious, nor am I being dramatic. I'm being 100% honest.

Last time I blogged, I was still in a weird Disney limbo, despite being accepted. I had a hot-mess of a letter - taking me to Disneyland, etc.

Well. I called on Tuesday and got everything straightened out. I waited on hold for over an hour, but that's okay, since I listened to a ton of Disney songs while on hold. Finally, I was put on the phone with a very nice cast member, Kevin, who I told all my woes to concerning my letter and my acceptance. Finally, he was able to figure out a few things... but then my iPhone dropped the call.

Thankfully, Kevin was a nice soul and called back. He said that he figured out I had been sent a Disneyland letter, and that I kept getting reminder emails (I had FIVE) concerning my Disney World email - which I never received. So he put it in the system to send me a new one and get everything figured out. He said it would come either that night or the next morning.

Not even 30 minutes later, I received my 'CONGRATULATIONS' email. And even though I knew I was in the program, I was SO GIDDY when I saw this. It was just too much to handle. So from there, I was able to accept my role, pay my dues, pick my date, etc. etc.

So I can say, without any hesitation or questions, I am moving to Florida and will begin my program on January 18, 2012.

I. Can't. Wait.

IT'S OFFICIAL!