hollywood

yesterday was my day off. well sort of. i had class my guest service class in the morning. but this time, it wasn't at the usual classroom we normally go to; it was at the animal kingdom lodge, which was really interesting. i got a ride with a friend of mine instead of taking the bus. that worked out great, but because we didn't know where we were going, we left super early, and got there an hour early. but nonetheless, we made the most of it and went and got a quick breakfast and sat in the lobby and enjoyed it, while the rest of the class filtered in. we went under the hotel's tunnel into a huge boardroom where a class-like setting was created for us and we just talked about different services that the different types of resorts at disney world provide. after class, i was going to do my laundry and go to costuming to get new costumes since my costumes get so disgusting on a day since i swim in garbage (pretty much.) they definitely do not last as long as they did on perfectly clean mainstreet where the garbage smells like candy and chocolates (wise words from a friend of mine, which are actually very true.) i got the costumes, but couldn't be bothered to do my laundry since plans were made to go to the movies at downtown disney to see the lucky one.

the movie was great, and exactly my type of movie. funny thing is, i only read the book because of the movie trailer, but obviously, the book was way better. but still both were amazing, and as usual, i shed a few tears. i'm such a softie these days (years.) afterwards, we walked around downtown disney, which is always one of my favourite things to do. it's so simple but everything is so beautiful. i can't get enough. i told niza i wanted to live there, and while i thought she might have been a bit sad she figured she would just get two beds instead of one. we got hot chocolate from ghiradelli, which was nice because it was freezing outside! much like it is today. it has been so chilly the past couple days and it's so annoying. it's nearly may! and silly me for thinking that i wouldn't need a coat for my new costume this time of year, right?

my assessment for training was today. work was scheduled from 9.15 in the morning until 5.45 this eveneing, which was really upsetting because 'night of stars' was on tonight at hollywood studios, which is a talent competition for all the students on the college and international programs only. our trainer today was a little old lady called gwen. she was such a trip. she was so confused and me and my other friends that i was in training with couldn't help but laugh. she was crazy. she was shorter than all of us, and had gray long hair that she obviously took the time to curl because it bounced with pride every step she took. we (i) kind of took the mickey out of her (been trying to fit that in somewhere since i've been at disney because it's just hilarious) because she was giving us a tour of frontierland and adventureland where our restaurants are (even though we already had one,) and was taking us to all the different stores and attractions and we told her we wanted to do so many things, like take pictures with pooh and tigger, and ride splash mountain and pirates of the caribbean, and she went and was talking to all the attendants asking if it was okay. she was a bit afraid to do splash mountain, and didn't want to wait in line to take pictures with pooh, so she took us to pirates of the caribbean. and i think she was excited because she hadn't been on since before it was refurbished, but she refused to sit on the end, so she sat herself awkwardly in between me and my two other friends. and since she was sitting next to me, i excitedly pointed out everything to her, as if a child was sitting next to me in awe at the ride. she teased us about getting an er (early release) because the manager's assessment usually didn't take long so we were so excited that we might have been able to get to go to night of stars, but then she broke the news to us that the assessment wasn't until three in the afternoon. even though we were a bit disappointed, she made it a little bit better by taking us to the country bear jamboree (which is the most boring show ever, but it wasn't so bad since we were technically at work.) after that she told us we needed our break, which was kind of funny because it was as if we were working hard all day. but clearly, we didn't complain and we took our break happily and ate together in the mousketeria, where we chatted and chatted, finding out about each other and each other's countries (barbados, mexico and china - quite an international group, eh?) after break, we had our written assessment, which was multiple choice and it was a breeze. we flew by that, and then the manager came in for the little chat, which was his assessment. he asked questions, and i was a bit nervous, which ended up in me being more talkative than normal, and he eventually told the others not to be afraid to talk. he then gave us a quick assignment (whereby we had to look around the restaurant and find one good thing and one bad thing tying into the basics (safety, courtesy, show and efficiency), and report back to him.) after that, he said he deemed us assessed and let us go. little miss gwen gave us our er and we still had time to make it to night of stars, which started at 6.

after the bus ride home, we got off at our respective stops and rushed to get ready and my friend met me at my bus stop a little while after with his friends. we took a special bus to the night of stars location in hollywood studios, and when we parked, we were greeted by a friendly cast member who told us that it was full. even though we didn't get to see the talent competition, we were still in hollywood studios and could still make good use of our time. it was just me and the boys, and they were astonished by the fact that i had never done tower of terror, which of course they made me do. i was so nervous waiting and the ride was insane. they kept scaring me and jumping me making me think something else was going to happen, but it really wasn't that bad. it gives you such a unique feeling and energy that i would imagine is hard to feel anywhere else. everytime the elevator dropped down, i felt my hair flying up, and my feet wouldn't even stay secure on the ground. but it was a good thrill. after that we got something quick to eat, and then we went to watch fantasmic, which is an illuminated show, with characters, including mickey, who of course is the star. the show was packed with thousands of people and we had to stand but it was okay. the show was incredible, and the music that went with it definitely triggered a little emotion, as all the disney shows seem to do. my favourite part, was when some of the princesses and their princes sail around the little lagoon or whatever it is on boats, dancing to a mixture of the princesses' movie songs. it was beautiful. afterwards, we went to do tower of terror again, but it was closed. so we headed back to the bus stop to get the bus home, which was so crowded since everyone was at hollywood studios. we managed to get on the bus, but we couldn't sit and i felt exhausted. but the day was so good. i laughed constantly and i met new people, which i always love, and i answered tons of questions about barbados and myself, which i never really have a problem with either. still, no one believes two things about me: one, that i'm eighteen. and two, that i'm from barbados because i'm so white. one guy said "i understand that you're not black, but you don't even have a little tan." that one cut like a knife. i know i can't tan! i'm kidding, i don't really care, but it's so funny because no one believes anything i say about myself. i probably could tell people anything now. i may just try that game. i continue to have great times and alongside that, i continue to miss my family and friends and i hope everyone is still safe and is laughing lots and lots. love to everyone, as always.