A Pirates Life for Me

Ahoy mates! I suppose I should update y’all on my program! 

If you did not already know, I am an attractions hostess at Pirates of the Caribbean. I absolutely love my job. The ride is definitely temperamental which makes my days quite interesting. The cast there are fantastic. I had such a close knit family back in Fantasyland, and made some great friends at the All Stars; so I was doubtful my new cast would be anywhere near as great as my past CP. I am glad to say I was proven wrong in so many ways. 

This CP is already completely different than my last. First off, I have my car! Thank goodness for that is all I can say. No more Transtar! I live in a 4 bedroom at Chatham Square, meaning there are 8 girls in this apartment. It’s definitely an adjustment for sure, but most of the kinks have been worked out which is fantastic. 

The bonds I have created with so many people have already greatly impacted my life. Some Spring Advantage CP’s just recently left. The issue is I wasn’t planning to create strong relationships with people this early and then saying goodbye to them almost immediately. I had to say goodbye to some amazing Cast Member’s and friends which is always the worst part about the College Program. But I know that they will all do great things in the future and am excited to see where their futures lead them. 

I was scheduled for my first ever PAC (Parade Control) shifts during the 3rd and 4th of July. It was definitely interesting, and I am glad that I was scheduled to them; however, I will be completely content living my life without ever doing another PAC shift. I definitely haven’t been getting the hours that I was used to in Fantasyland. I am more often than not scheduled a consistent 35-40 hours. I still haven’t decided if I am thankful for the shorter hours or want the overtime, I like money what can I say!

I will be turning 21 on this program! We already celebrated one of my roommates 21st at Crystal Palace a few weeks ago, and mine is coming up in a little under 2 weeks, exciting stuff. I’m excited to finally be 21 because I can go out to bars and what not with everyone, instead of saying oh no, I can’t I’m not old enough… Acca-awkward. 

I still love the Magic Kingdom with my whole heart. I don’t believe I will ever lose the magic that comes with walking down Main Street and seeing Cinderella Castle ahead of me. It’s weird for me not to be right behind the castle anymore, but I can still see Wishes and the parades pass by which is new and fun! 

Anyways, y’all have a lovely day and make sure you keep your hands, arms, feet, and legs inside the boat at all times. We don’t want y’all to have to abandon ship!

Check-in Day

Hey everyone! Today is my 4th day of my second DCP and I wanted to update y’all on whats going on!My check-in date was June 9th and I received an email notifying me to arrive between 8-9 a.m. at Vista Way. I am lucky enough to have my car during this program so I was able to drive over to Vista which was fantastic if I do say so myself. Anyways, when I arrived I could tell that Disney Internships have definitely tried to make the check-in process easier and faster which was fantastic. I started off in a general line where you receive a name tag and your planner guide for the DCP that has all of the answers you have questions to regarding your program, housing, work, etc. Then we separated into two lines by last name; in these lines you received your work location. I will be working at Adventureland/Liberty Square Attractions, yay for Magic Kingdom! I then got in a general line where we were notified where we would be living. Before arriving I found roommates on the DCP Facebook page again. There are 6 of us and we were trying to live in a 3-bedroom at Chatham Square with no triple occupancy. We have been placed in a 4-bedroom at Chatham Square with no triple occupancy instead. Meaning there are 8 girls with 2 to a bedroom. Housing was able to keep the 6 of us together and added to girls to the mix. I have already met all 7 of my roommates and I definitely believed I lucked out with these girls. Following our housing assignments we took pictures for our housing ID’s, mine looks terrible, received apartment keys, and were given our training schedules with a Cast Member explaining to us what to expect from our schedules and what we need to do to ensure everything works out smoothly. The final steps of check-in were confirming your direct deposit for paychecks, filling out an I9 form, listening to a spiel from Internships Education, a CentraCare speech, and finally waiting to go to Casting. Everyone receives a time to attend Casting, my time was at 10:30 which was about 50 minutes later so I just hung around the Vista Way pavilion until the Casting shuttle arrived. Once I arrived at Casting several CP’s and I were ushered into a line where we received a folder with some papers/documents and were asked to verify some information we provided. I also received my lovely name tag because I won’t be attending Traditions — where you usually receive your name tag — because I am still an active Cast Member. After receiving that folder they ordered a background check. I was then led to the next step which is receiving your work training schedule, which consists of your orientation days. Since I was an active CM they had to call someone for my training schedule because it was my entire on the job training schedule instead of the first few days because I had already completed some of that training. After a little bit of seeking they found my schedule which told me my actual attraction I’ll be working. I’m excited to tell y’all that I am going to be a Pirate! I’ll be working at Pirates of the Caribbean which I am completely ecstatic about! It’s definitely on of my favorite rides and I believe it will be awesome to be part of the crew there for the next several months.Anyways, I then met with a trainer and Casting CM to confirm my I9 information and explain to me my schedule. It was pretty quick and easy. My final step was I9 submission/verification; however, mine was already on file so they didn’t have to do anything for me. I finally got back to Vista Way after a little over an hour at casting, and headed straight to Chatham Square. I got all my stuffed moved in, got my parking decal, and grocery shopped! Overall it was definitely a far smoother check-in day than my first program was. I am now living with all of lovely roommates, we headed to DTD last night for a girls night and had fun there! And I will likely start my training tomorrow as long as my drug test results come back in time. And that’s about it for now, y’all have a magical day!

DORMS

It is a DCP update! My second program starts June 9th, which means in 11 days I will be a CP again! I am not nearly as nervous as I was for my last program, which is really nice. I feel far more prepared for the program this time around. And since my College Program is almost here, Disney sent me an email regarding housing!

Disney utilizes a format called DORMS (Disney Onsite Resident Management System) to speed up the check-in process. This is the first time I have used DORMS in its full format. For my first DCP in Spring 2013 everything was done on check-in day, and when I extended my program I had a quick form to fill out in DORMS regarding where I wanted to be placed in regards to my new apartment. However, this time it was far more detailed.

I received my DORMS email on May 27th but didn’t fill it out until today, May 29th, because not all of my roommates had received their emails regarding housing and their housing ID’s. This was important because we all wanted to room together we had to wait until everyone had their roommate ID’s so that Disney and Lincoln Properties will hopefully room us all together.

Anyways, once I logged into DORMS I filled out info regarding whether I was planning on living in Disney housing, if I needed an ADA accessible apartment, if I was bringing a car, and other basic questions. Since I will have my car this program (THANK GOODNESS) I filled out some extra info regarding my vehicle. After that I signed and submitted some housing forms, including: housing rules, alcohol policies, rent prices, and vehicle rules. 

Following the forms I was asked if I was ok with the roommates that had been selected for me. DORMS asks that every roommate group has one roommate link every roommate up together on their form with each persons housing ID’s and then select preferred housing arrangements afterwards. Once one person finishes this DORMS will send every roommate who had been linked to the apartment an email stating they had been connected to these people: [insert roommate names here]. Every participant also has the option of going random in terms of roommates or unlinking themselves from their roommates (this will remove you from your roommates who you had grouped up with). Following my confirmation of my roommates DORMS displayed the preferences our group made in terms of housing. For complexes, in order: 1. Chatham Square, 2. Patterson, 3. The Commons; and for apartments: 1. 3 bedroom, 2. 4 bedroom, 3. 2 bedroom. There are 6 of us at the moment and we are hoping to avoid triple occupancy so cross your fingers for us, and I’ll let y’all know where we are placed!

Anyways thanks for reading guys I’ll update y’all again when the days get closer and my second CP starts!

Fall Advantage Here I Come!

Well, I have some exciting news for y’all! I was accepted for another College Program! I will be participating in the 2014 Fall Advantage program in Attractions. I am so excited to be placed in this role again and receiving the opportunity to be able to create more magic at the Most Magical Place on Earth! 

Anyways, my arrival date is June 9th, 2014. I am actually officially moving to Florida this Sunday! So I’ll be living in Tampa until my arrival date and then I’ll be staying in Disney once I complete my program. 

Hopefully I can keep y’all updated on my progress with this CP and all the new and exciting things that are happening back at WDW! 

Everything Disney Blog!

Hello everyone! I am hoping to keep you all updated on my future with the Disney company soon! I am excited to announce that I will be officially moving down to Florida March 2nd. I am so excited to begin this new journey in my life.
In other news, I would really appreciate it if y'all would visit my blog that I created with my best friend! It's all things Disney and we hope y'all really love it! Feel free to click here to head on over!
I'll talk to y'all soon, but until then much love.
Kelsey

My Post DCP Life

It has been a few months since my College Program has ended and I wanted to update y'all on what's been going on in my life, and what life is like after the college program!
I came home in early August and was lucky enough to find an amazing job at a Market. I absolutely love my job I have consistent hours and work with completely wonderful people. I never dread going into work, and those 8 hour days never feel like 8 hours. I truly believe Disney helped me out in being able to handle constant hours at work, and standing all the time. I definitely don't work 60 hour weeks anymore but it's easy for me to stand in one place for 8 hours a day because I did double that in Florida. So I am definitely grateful for the work ethic and strength I gained at WDW.
I am almost done with my first actual semester back at school following my program. I am only taking two online courses through my current school so I wouldn't be overwhelmed by taking on 30 hour work weeks and 15 credit hours. I am actually transferring to an online school this coming semester, I'll be taking 12 credit hours and will continue to work part time. I decided to transfer to an online school because I can then travel, give full availability to my job, and can spend more time with my family and friends. It also doesn't hurt that I can look over lectures at 11 at night if I want, instead of waking up at the crack of dawn.
Let me address this next section with a bit of warning, if you plan on participating in the college program just know that the people you are closest with now will continue their lives when you leave. It's hard to stay connected with people from home and school because you are working, out with the new friends you made, or sleeping! When you come back you kind of expect that time stood still and everyone will pick right back up where you left off. You'll notice that you probably missed out on quite a few events in your friends lives and they did in yours as well. You'll be a completely different person when you come back, and that is alright! If you want to ensure you keep those relationships that you are leaving back home just make sure y'all text and talk, and set up some skype dates!
Now I know that the talk of losing people in your life may make some people sad; but let me just say that by the end of my program I had created lifelong friendships and my own Disney family that I'm not quite sure how I lived my life before them. My disney family and I have done google hangouts and have a group text going on all the time. They are always there for me and I completely adore them. I also have other friends from my positions who I talk to constantly; we text, skype, snapchat you name it. These are the people whom you can reminisce with about memories from the parks, works, your apartment, and wherever else! They'll also be the people you can turn to when you have that post DCP depression or want to share something you find funny or interesting but no one else will understand because they didn't experience it with you. My disney friends are the greatest friends I've ever made, and I absolutely love every single one of them.
I am still seasonal at WDW in Fantasyland and have already been back to cover some shifts. I plan on returning to Walt Disney World and becoming a Florida resident. I hope to do a Professional internship and maybe another College Program before that. And following those internships I plan on staying with The Walt Disney Company and climbing up the ranks!

I did it.

My long awaited final Disney College Program post! I’m sorry it’s so late, and I don’t really have an excuse because I have just been enjoying life outside of work and relaxing. But I am here now, and that is what counts, right?! Anyways, my program end date was August 2^nd, 2013—and my last day of work was July 31^st. I’m not going to lie, I was very anxious for my program to end; almost every one of my CP friends’ was as well. I absolutely loved the program; but after a while sharing a 3 bedroom apartment with 5 other girls, having no other transportation options except for Transtar, and getting silly hours because you were a CP was a little exhausting. This caused me to make this post a list of things that I wish I would’ve done or had known before, during, and after the program.

Before I came down to Florida for my program, I believe that I prepared myself quite well for what I was going to experience. I knew that I would work hard and consistently long hours, and that I was basically at the bottom rung of the ladder. If you decide to participate in the Facebook groups, Google hangouts, and any other way to meet new people before you arrive, just know you probably won’t hang out with half the people you met or friended on Facebook. My best friend was one of my roommates who I hadn’t even said a word to before we arrived in Florida. However, some of the greatest people whom I am blessed to call my friends and Disney family—I met over Google hangouts. You just never really know who you’re going to get along with and become friends with until you meet everyone in person. I also would highly suggest bringing your own car down with you. I knew that I’d regret not bringing mine down with me; however, it just wasn’t feasible for me. While I did have some memorable moments on those lovely buses (A, B, and K buses I’m talking to you…) my life would’ve been so much simpler if I had my own car. Just make sure you can afford the gas down there, and that you don’t mind being used as a shuttle service for some of your lovely DCP friends… I may have been guilty of this.

During the program you will have some time to play but you will definitely spend most of your time working. When you have free time go do something fun!!!!! On my days off I always tried to do something; whether it was going to the parks, watching the fireworks, tanning at the pool or water parks, planning a beach day, or just shopping at Downtown Disney. You have so many options available to you, most of which are free for your use! Don’t get me wrong a chill and relax day is definitely nice after a long work week, but just make sure your taking advantage of all of the wonderful things to do around you. You’re living next to “The Most Magical Place on Earth” which people pay thousands of dollars to visit for just one week. Visit, have fun, and enjoy your time down there.

If your program is anything remotely like mine you will probably have two separate groups of ‘families’ as I like to call them. One will be your roommates and friends that you have met, the other will be your work family. I honestly believe with my entire heart that I had the greatest work family a girl could ever ask for, and I know that you’ll feel the same way. These people make you you feel okay working a 15 hour shift because at least you’ll get to see their face for a few minutes. If we had someone who had a car when we closed the park, you could guarantee that you would find us at IHOP or Ale House that night after work, maybe even “waffley house”. These are the people that will probably either make or break your experience down in Disney. Just know that you will get close to your fellow cast members, no matter how hard you try to tell yourself that you won’t care when you leave, you will—it’s inevitable. I know a bunch of part timers and full timers who hate CP’s because they become friends with us and become friends with us, and then their hearts are broken when we leave. It’s a terribly wonderful and horrible process that happens every semester and maybe if you’re lucky it won’t hurt as much when you leave. Because I know when I left it was the most painful thing I ever had to do; to leave these people whom you saw every day for 5 or 7 months, and then they’re just gone.

I am lucky though because I was able to go into a seasonal position at Fantasyland when my program ended. This is where I believe one of the most important aspects of this program came into play for me, networking. I hate that word; I hate the idea of it and everything that comes with it. I wish people could get an interview or a job based on their motivation, work ethic, education, and values. Unfortunately, life doesn’t like to play that game, so you need to network if you want to move up or around. Thankfully Disney makes networking pretty simple for you. They have all sorts of workshops, meet and greets, and you will have several managers whom you can always talk to and get to know. If you show them your determination and how hard of a worker you are you’ll have no issues networking.  I was lucky enough that managers got to know who I was for good reasons! I emailed my old homeroom manager and asked if it were possible for me to go seasonal in my old role; she was able to contact casting and scheduling and they were able to open a seasonal fantasyland attractions position for me! So I am still an official Walt Disney World Cast Member, and hope to continue my career with Disney far into the future.

Well guys, this’ll be the last post I make in reference to my Spring 2013 Disney College Program. Hopefully, I’ll be able to keep y’all updated on where life takes me—PI’s, management internships, coordinator positon, CEO! The possibilities are endless.

All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them. – Walt Disney

T-minus One Month...

I have one month left of my program. I don’t like reading those words because this program was the greatest decision I have made for myself. However, I am going to finish school and I will get my butt back down here as quickly as humanly possible! So for this update I’m going to talk about extensions, my new position, and any other things that are on my mind at the moment!

            Extensions!!! Oh, extensions… once these come out during the last 6 weeks of your program you will probably see three different types of people: those who apply, those who want to but won’t/can’t, and those who basically think the DCP is hell on earth. Let’s start off with those unhappy DCPers, shall we? Basically, they hate the program and Disney. They met some great people but they hate their job, hate the hours, don’t go to the parks and take advantage of the perks, and just want to get back home. There’s nothing wrong with these people, just that they didn’t have the experience they thought they would and they’re over it. If you don’t let them bother you then you won’t even notice them! :- ) Then we have the kids who would like to apply to extend – or at least like the idea of it – but they won’t or can’t. At the moment that is me and several of my friends. We are either need to finish school, have to go back home, or have different plans for our futures. Then we have the kids who will apply for extensions. You apply, then you get an email saying okay thanks we’ll let you know later, and then you wait. And the waiting sucks, and basically all you can think about is whether you were approved to extend or not. Then you get an email saying yay or nay and your plans will basically be made for the next few months!

            On to my position at All Star! There are sooo many cast members within the Front Desk role alone, but luckily I have been getting to know everyone a little more and feeling more comfortable in my position. I love being a runner; I can move around all day, walk outside, converse with CM’s and guests and face some fun challenges along the way. I’m probably at the actual front desk once or twice a week and runner 3-4 times a week. This isn’t common, but I believe the managers and scheduling knows that I like being a runner and they always see me as one so my schedule has kind of shifted towards that role. Front desk is definitely interesting, I like the ability to converse with CM’s near you and that you are one of the first people guests will see when arriving. There is a lot of responsibility such as making sure guests rooms are clean and ready, finding their reservation and ensuring everything is correct, fixing any issues a guest may have whether it was at the parks or in the resort, and making sure your bank is even. I don’t mind the bank until I pull cash (so when someone pays with cash) then it becomes a bit of a hassle. Usually, it’s just a few extra steps and then you are done; however, for me something always goes wrong! The machine will break, I can’t figure out why the computer is saying my bank isn’t even when I have counted it 30 times and I can guarantee it is. It’s just stupid things that make my day a little more difficult, but everything works out! I also just had my first curbside shift which I liked! Basically we walk around the lobby with an iPad and greet guests getting off the Magical Express, or answer any questions they may have, and try to contain the line by getting as much information as possible so that the cashier (a.k.a front desk) doesn’t have to ask. It is fun and easy, and I get to talk to a lot of people which is great for me!

            Other than work and extensions, Disney has been swell! I am trying to get everything that I want to do into my last month here, so wish me luck on that! I am also trying to hang out with everyone who is leaving or lives here before I leave, I hate goodbyes and I have to do them again! But this program has been wonderful and I cannot wait to return to Florida, I just have to get that degree and then I’m golden! :- ) 

Hospitality Training and All Star

So I thought I would share a little bit about my new position with y’all!

I now work Hospitality at Disney’s All Star Resorts, I work two positions: front desk and runner. Front Desk is pretty self-explanatory; I check people in and out, give them directions, explain dining plans, extra magic hours, keys, etc. And the runner is an interesting position. Basically you drive around the All Star property for your shift, helping guests who were locked out of their rooms, delivering packages they had ordered, surprising them with floral arrangements, sometimes driving them to their room or possibly to a park or other location on and off property.

I finished my training for Front Desk on Saturday. It was four 8 hour days of training at Disney University. These days consisted of learning Lilo (the reservation system, also the name of my dog!), how to do check-ins, check-outs, exchange foreign currency, paid outs, refunds, room changes, and all that jazz. It was a little overwhelming because there is so much information you need to know, but by the fourth day I felt a little more comfortable about what I was doing. I will say that the way Disney University trains you is very cool. They have an actual little lobby set up like the check-in desks, so you do different scenarios with your ‘guests’ and that helps you get more hands-on training. Once I was done with my four days at Disney University I started my All Star training.

It’s actually funny because out of all of the Disney resorts on property, All Star is the only one that I had never visited before. So I knew the least about it, but after our property orientation I had a better feel of the resort. The nice thing is all three resorts—sports, music, and movies—basically have the same set up, so it isn’t too confusing when you switch resorts constantly because everything is in the same general area. After my property orientation, I received my costume, which is all blue. Blue pants, blue top, blue bag… everything is blue, I look like a mail man. And then I had my first day of training on the desk!

I was lucky enough to have the same trainer, Edward, for all 5 days. Edward was very nice and extremely helpful! He knew exactly what he was doing and wasn’t afraid to ask managers if I had a question he could not answer. He definitely better prepared me for the desk, which I am very thankful for. Throughout my training I got a little bit of everything; I received cash, paid outs, refunds, foreign guests (thank goodness for the language bank!), cancelled reservations, groups, etc. Basically what Disney University told me might happen during my time in hospitality; I got in my first week. The interesting thing is All Star is the largest resort on property (when you put the three themes together) and they have hundreds of check-ins in one day. But, it’s a lot calmer than Magic Kingdom. Unlike MK you have downtime, and I don’t really know what to do with myself. The managers don’t really care if you talk with your fellow cast members as long as you are there to help a guest should they need it. One suggestion during down times is to blow up balloons; they even have a whole helium tank and a balloon animal guide. It’s just a very different setting than Magic Kingdom, which I will have to get used to.

My homeroom managers seem awesome, and the FSA’s are great as well! That is definitely something I like about my resort, I have actually met my managers, where in Fantasyland I didn’t know half of them by May. All Star is extremely different from Magic Kingdom and I’m assuming the other theme parks, you have guests there 24/7, so you are basically always on call. But you also have those down times, and from what I’ve been told when people are deployed from another resort to All Star, they are always surprised at how busy it is. However, I would like to try to cover shifts at other resorts, because once you are front desk trained you can pick up shifts at any resort on property which I believe could be fun!

Alright I believe I covered everything in this little post for y’all. But if anyone has any questions about hospitality, All Star, my extension, or the College Program feel free to ask! Have a philharmagical day everyone!

Goodbyes

            So this has probably been one of the hardest months of my life. The Disney College Program started out as a dream of mine that I had 10 years ago. I could work in Walt Disney World, visit the parks whenever I wanted, and still get credit for school while in Florida? Sounded like a great gig to me! Now, here I am 4 ½ months after I began my program and I have a completely different view of this program. Yes, this is an internship, and you get crazy hours, and the shifts everyone hates. But you meet the greatest people you’ll ever know. I met my best friend, made lifelong friends whom I will never stop talking to, and found myself. I know where I’m supposed to be, and I hate the fact that this will all have to end at some point.

            I’ve already said some goodbyes and I know next week I’m going to be an absolute wreck. My best friend will be moving out, the guys’ who I feel like I can call my brothers are leaving for home, and some of my amazing Fantasyland ladies will be working their last Philhar shifts. This is the moment where I wonder why I did the program. By having this program end I feel like my heart is being broken each and every time someone leaves. Yet, I know it was all completely worth it. These people made me who I am today. They know me inside and out; we shared stories about guests who got under our skin, shared all the details about our lives, had hearts to hearts when we were half asleep, and I fell in love with each and every one of you.

            So I’m going to be sappy for the next few lines…

Thank you to my entire Fantasyland family. You guys tried to help me keep my sanity through those 3:45 a.m. shifts. We may have clumped at guest flow a few times, or had sticker wars between all of us, and blew bubbles when there were no more strollers to move. When I’d pull Carrousel rotation and you all understood the hatred I had for CDS at that moment. Listening to all of my life drama which wasn’t all that important, but seemed like it at the time. Helping me fill the shows that were at capacity, and guests’ constantly listening to us say “move all the way down the row, please do NOT stop in the middle. That is a safety hazard for everyone. Sir, please move all the way down, yes you, the one wearing the hat. Yep, I need you to move all the way down, please”. So thank you to every single person I worked with: Andria, Cait, Chad, TJ, Edson, Daniel, Natasha, Jen, Melissa Emma, Jacob, Jackie, Austen, Pedro, Paulina, Ryan, Jonathan, Analia, Eric, and everyone I left out!

Sarah Mae, Angela, and Gemma! You ladies didn’t think I’d forget about you?!?! You three are wonderful people. Y’all made me so happy every time I worked with you. You listened to me vent to you about whatever drama was happening that week, complain about the positions I pulled at work that day, and act like my psychotic self. You girls are amazing human beings, and I know I wouldn’t have had nearly as much fun at and outside of work without you! Angela, Beaches will always be here for you; so make sure you visit! Gemma, I’ll miss my kiwi, and please visit me in the states whenever you decide to come back! Sarah Mae, girly we’re here till August, but you are rocktastic. You were so quiet at the beginning of the program and now I can’t get you to stop yelling and screaming about your day! I love all of you girls’ so much and I hope we will stay in contact for the years to come!

My Pan peep’s: Erica, Blas, Stefen, Mason, Megan Adele, Sean, Wan-Ling, and Rumi.  Thank you for dealing with my weirdness in CDS! I became good friends with y’all and I hope I didn’t bother you too much with my loudness and random awkwardness!

Natalia, you were a wonderful roommate, I was so lucky to have you living with me! Thank you for dealing with my three alarms in the morning, my messiness, my constant discussions about the same topics until I completely overanalyzed everything, and for forcing me to watch The Vampire Diaries! You are wonderful girly, and I miss you a whole bunch!

            Paul, thankfully I have until August to say goodbye. But, what I’m going to say now is thank you for absolutely everything you have done. You are a wonderful person, and I’m so blessed to have you in my life. I don’t know how I’m going to leave in August, but right now I just want to say thank you.

            Kevin and Kody! You two are like my brothers. I talked to you over Google hangout’s before the program even started, and I had no idea that we would become so close. Kody, your awesome thanks for all the advice and you know just being your awesome self! Kevin Bear, if you ever turned into a slug I would still love you. You are one of my best friends, a fantastic artist, and an amazing human being thank you love for being you. We all better meet up at least once every few years, if not annually!

            Kristen. Hmmmmm, I never thought I would meet someone like you. You are crazy, weird, cool, silly, ridiculous, and just all around awesome. You are my Buzz Lightyear! I hope we do another program, and we move down here and live together. You are so wonderful and I know I will be an absolute mess on Thursday when you leave. Skype will be in our future, so will Facebook, letters, packages, and any other form of communication there is! I love you girly and I’m so glad that you are a part of my life now and forever.

            Alright, that’s enough good byes or as I hope to put it, “See you real soon”.