Earning My Ears

So much has happened in the past couple days. Especially two days ago. I am officially done with my training and am now a cast member who has earned her ears. Yesterday I had my first shift without trainers nearby. It's nerve wracking, but I feel completely comfortable now with the skills I have acquired. With hopes that no one brings in a travelers check or wants something shipped. Knock on wood. 

I also earned my first Four Keys card two days ago which was something completely unexpected, and totally incredible. It's basically something saying that someone saw me do something that deserved to be rewarded. I am so ecstatic about it. It's a really big deal to me, especially getting one on only my third day of training. 

So far merchandise is great. There is definitely a lot that I will come to learn like what kind of merchandise we have and where it's located. But that will just come with time. I love interacting with customers and answering their questions. Plus seeing all of the merchandise is pretty nice.

It's been incredibly fun working everyday and coming to love my fellow Main Street CPs. My carpool buddies are already some of my closest friends. The one downfall to this week is that while I'm getting through all my training, my roommates and other friends have been bonding and running about the parks. It's really difficult seeing their fun and not feel like I'm missing out. I know that I'm getting lots of hours and meeting so many friends at work, but I still wish I could join them. However, my insanely amazing roommates know I feel terrible FOMO right now and wrote me the sweetest note for when I got home. I'm am extremely lucky and blessed to have them. Now if only I had time and a normal schedule to see them more.

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For an update on my first day of work without a trainer! It could not have gone any better! I felt comfortable with clocking in and out, I understood how to bump other cast members for their breaks, and I helped find a lot of items that guests were looking for. I definitely continued to ask hundreds of questions, but I felt like I could handle it on my own. We were oddly quiet today so I got to have a lot of extra time with guests and try and make some magical moments. I awarded two Honorary Citizens of Disneyland pins two these two siblings. They looked like they were on Cloud 9.

I also ran into one friend while coming back from break and then had an old childhood friend stop by to say hello and then come purchase something from my register. I hadn't seen her in years! It was such an incredible moment and definitely made my day :)

Overall, it was the perfect first day of unsupervised work. I know there will be difficult days in the future, but for now I am loving every minute of it.

And I am still blessed for this opportunity everyday.

Princess Katie

Sorry Oprah

A quick little note to all my friends and family reading this...I have become overwhelmingly busy with starting training and work straight after my orientations, so if contact becomes a bit distant do not panic. I realized that this was the first time I have open my laptop and have been on it for longer than ten minutes. I've given up on keeping up with the news and with my tv shows.

Let's talk about two nights ago. I had finished orientations and for the first time ALL the roommates got to go to Disneyland. We met up with another group of CPs and let me tell you...it was probably one of the best nights of my life. Completely magical. I hadn't even started my actual work yet and I felt completely blessed to be here. Almost like a Cloud 9 feeling. I can't even explain it. And not only because I got to go hang out with friends in the park, but I am now a part of the magic there everyday. I see it in a new light now. Plus, I can drop in for an hour or two, wear nicer clothes, and get discounts! And I'm glad we all got to get together  at Disneyland because I know, especially with my schedule, that it might become impossible.

 My roommates as well as quite a lot of other CPs have a nice little weekend right now to explore the parks and relax. But for our little Main Street group, we jumped right in to work. I train for three days (now two, I JUST FINISHED ONE DAY :) ) and then two days of working on my own! 

I was absolutely terrified to start training. I've never done retail before and when they were going over everything I was completely overwhelmed. It definitely got easier once we were on the registers, but I am a bit nervous for when my trainers aren't behind me. I got to converse with guests and give some advice on rides and parades (plus I get to here the fireworks and parade everyday). But one of the most magical moments was when on break, one of the trainers guided us over to an area where we were able to see the fireworks. And to stand there in my costume, after accomplishing something that was initially terrifying, was a feeling I can't begin to put words to. 

I am completely exhausted, but am trying to stay awake because my next few shifts are late ones. 

I remember when I was younger, Oprah said that she never ate after 7:30 because it was bad for digestion or losing weight or something. I remembered this as I sit here eating soup and casserole at midnight. Because this new schedule doesn't accommodate a normal meal schedule.

But I wouldn't change it for the world. 

Princess Katie

It's A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow

I am finally here.

Checked in.

Casted.

Moved in.

The whole process of check in and move in day went a lot more smoothly and quickly than expected. There are tons of employees around helping you out, making the process go easier, and conversing with everyone. After check in we brought all of my luggage in and went off for lunch. The hardest part of the day was sitting in the 100 degree heat for a housing meeting. But I'm super excited about all the amazing events planned for us. After we settled in, me and some roommates went to Target to pick up some house necessities. 

The rest of the week is jammed packed with orientations and events, so it'll be a while before I have a chance to breathe. But I am very much excited and ready to be working at...

Main Street Stores!!!!

How stinking cool is that? Main Street is iconic when it comes to Disneyland and that is where I will be. I'll get to listen and see parades/fireworks every day. Very excited. 

The most consistent thing of all of today (and probably the rest of the week) is exhaustion. We are all so tired from today and from what I've learned, it's something I need to get used to.

We're headed off to Downtown Disney to roam around, but I can pretty much tell this will be an early night. Early morning wake up call tomorrow. 

This post was kind of all over the place, but I just have so many thoughts from today. 

I'm going to try to have a better written post at the end of the week after all of the class orientations are done.

Princess Katie