Eye is on the mouseketeer and I know he watches me.

I lucked out. It's not even luck really, more like The Big Guy Up Top really looking out for me. I have a fabulous roommate, Megan, and really chill apartment-mates. Really, what are the chances that the person I would be sharing my room with would be in love with Disney, cry during every animated movie she watched, was best friends with her sibling, and had the same sense of humor as me? And! is as big a Harry Potter geek as I am with Wonder Woman and Predator. Now that is something special.

I am, again, really tired as I write this... and staring at the sad block of uncooked rice on my plate (that I'm pretending is pegao). A half failed dinner on that part-- my chicken came out ace, though, and I have none other than my pops to thank for that. Next time I won't be so gung-ho about with the Adobo, though.

Anyway! I know my family doesn't drop by here to read about what I'm having for dinner (or maybe they do, just to make sure I'm eating). Just what! have I been up to?

I'm a little mad at Disney, to be honest. I mean, not every aspect, but with the working aspect. I understand customer service, but the scheduling hours for my work weeks don't jive well with me. I'm not a huge fan of having to work late one day and then having to work early the next day. I clocked five hours of sleep last night. Not only that, but they haven't fixed my schedule and I spoke to three people about it already. With a full-time job and a four hour lecture class, this is unnecessary stress. I was told by one manager that it would be taken care of and I would just need to check my schedule the day following, only to be told by another manager that 'it didn't work' followed by 'go back to Stephanie while I figure this out.' I always jump to worst case scenario, but really? Class comes before work. I'm not going to skip class to work, that's ridiculous.

Now, I completely understand that I signed up late (a lot of people did), but they were supposed to work our class schedule around our work schedule and vice versa. I made a call to the education office and was told that I would be called back after 'I'll see what I can do.' I waited until eight, periodically checked The Hub, and got nothing. Now that entire portion of the site will be down at 6 A.M., when I planned on waking up to check it (JUST IN CASE). I refuse to miss my second day of class though! Ugh, stress.

THAT aside, before classes and work started, Megan, Charles (a boy from my uni), and I went exploring. Let me tell you, the World of Disney store is massive and yet managed to have absolutely nothing I wanted to buy. Okay, so I very nearly bought a stuffed animal of Lady, but I refrained. I'm on the hunt for Dug from the movie Up as it is. Walking around downtown Disney was a lot more fun when you're people watching. The couples and kids milling around with their families is much more appealing. Everything is lit up like a tiny park, and they had music playing over multiple speakers. Charles managed to drag me into a miniature competition taking place in the square with a bunch of half-sober adults and their kids. Two lines, linked hands, and hula hoops that we all had to shimmy ourselves out of. I think the best part of that was just losing-- we had to do the chicken dance, and after a while of wacky dancing, the kids joined in, and there was this adorable little girl watching me to see what the next moves were.

There is just magic when a kid is literally looking up to you to mimic your movements. It's beyond endearing and it just reminded me why I accepted this job down here away from my family and friends in the first place. Tiny moments like that. The little girl might not remember it down the road, but I will remember her.

My class opened up in the most awesome manner as well. I don't even know my professor's name! He insists that we call him Obi Wan, and continually refers to himself as such (I just asked Megan if she remembered and she just stared and said 'Could be Stewart? Or I could have just made that up'). He tells wonderful stories, and manages to keep my attention without even trying. A definite plus and another reason I am determined not to miss the class! Come on, Disney, do your job!

On Saturday, we (Megan, Justin, TJ, and I) went to Animal Kingdom after my park orientation. Megan was DETERMINED that I ride Everest and Dinosaur, the latter of which I realized I had ridden upon approaching it. Megan, by the way, practically lives at Disney. It's like her family's go-to spot for vacation, so she's the WDW pro. It's pretty sweet.

So, right, both rides were fantastic. Dinosaur for opening up with Mrs. Cosby, and Everest for the phenomenal set-up. Disney puts a lot of care into the making of its park rides. However, I have to admit, seeing as Everest goes forwards and backwards, beware. We were all really light-headed after the ride, so I'm not sure I would ride it again. It's weird how we were at the park for maybe four hours and only rode two rides. Buuut! We also stood in line to meet characters, so that may have been another part of it.

Speaking of characters, that 100 Acre Woods... what ARE they putting in their water? Megan and I got really excited when we saw Tigger from on the bridge, so we headed over there with TJ and Justin, determined to meet them. Just as we were taking the little walkway to get to the meeting place, Eeyore and Tigger were leaving. I stopped them both for a hug before they got too far. Pooh Bear was up ahead (he's Meg's favorite), so we stopped to snap some pictures with him (which are forthcoming, I promise!). Most lethargic Pooh ever, actually. They probably didn't give him honey.

Eeyore and Tigger came back, though. I was super stoked for that. Eeyore actually waltzed with Megan, which was super adorable. They were so animated! When I went up to him [Eeyore] next, he pretended to be shy before hugging me... and then grabbing my hand and smooching his way up my arm to my shoulder! I was so stunned all I could do was laugh and bark, "Eeyore, I thought you were shy!" His response? A big shake of his head before falling to one knee and proposing to me.



I would like you all to know that as of Saturday, February 13, 2010, I am engaged to a manic-depressive donkey with a removable tail. The wedding'll be in September.



After all THAT craziness, I moved over to take pictures with Tigger. He was much more chill, hugging me tight, but as the group moved to leave, he motioned 'call me' with his paw. I don't think I've ever laughed so hard. What are they putting in the water at the 100 Acre Woods? My theory is that they were just happy to see people above the age of 12-- I don't think Christopher Robin cuts it. Yikes!

We also stopped to say hi to Goofy and Pluto. So totally worth it! I think Goofy is my favorite from the original cast-- he's so... okay, so saying 'goofy' is utterly redundant, but it's late and I can't think of anything witty. Pluto had me scratch his nose and he kicked his leg out like I was itching his sweet spot; it was so cute! And Goofy, holy cow, we got into a hugging war. He nearly crushed my ribs! It was awesome! I realized that in meeting the characters, that's what made visiting the parks for me. Characters transcend costume. When you get coddled by Pluto or hugged and kissed by Mickey, it isn't a cast-member in a suit, it's the character showing you affection. I honestly can't see past 'Pluto' or 'Goofy' or 'Tigger.' In the end, it brought out an excitement and giddiness I haven't felt since I first saw Pluto step out into Mickey's Toontown in Disneyland so many years ago.



I have pictures of all of this, swear, but I keep forgetting to tell Meg to give me her log-in to her Photopass account.

Anyway, this is it for tonight. I'm exhausted! I'll see what I can remember for tomorrow. I'll be posting my work summary next~




P.S. I'm used to the buses zooming by outside. Now, if I could get that guy with the leaf-blower to cut it out at 8 in the morning....