Numb

These days I feel as though my body's been running on auto-pilot. All I remember doing during the day is wake up, gym, work, home, eat, sleep - and do it all over again... until of course my day off. I'm at that point where I can't even remember what day it is, nor do I have any clue, when asked, what time of the day it is. It's just so weird. It's as if I'm a machine, but a machine with the ability to swear when pushed to the edge and even cry when overly frustrated. Yep, that's been happening lately, but I know this won't last long. I'll get used to it in no time. I've already expected that the first few weeks or even months would be hard, and hopefully this is the worst that it gets, hopefully.

It takes a lot out of someone to exert so much effort into their work one day only to feel like they have to keep up the same effort the day after. Sooner or later, you're going to have to give in and loosen up a little. Even though I think it's too soon, I'm already starting to realise this - you feel like you have to constantly live up to people's expectations, which is impossible. It's amazing how most people that work in Disney are still so passionate about their job and become so animated when they talk about it; these people are the ones that make me have a reason to come to work. I want to have that same dedication and excitement they have that will make me get up in the morning. In time, I know I will.

This week all of us July intake students applied for our social security number, which allows us to legally work here in the US and also apply for such things like a bank account. We should be getting that in about 3-4 weeks' time. I've been working late nights every night this week, allowing me to be able to watch the Summer Nightastic fireworks at 10pm in the Magic Kingdom. This never fails to put a smile on my face, especially seeing all the guests' faces light up, and even their jaws drop. Hehehe.

My job allows me to meet people from all over the world, and they get a kick out of discovering where I come from since I don't particularly have such an OZ accent. It's kind of flattering actually, I think I'm getting a bit of OZ pride in me, especially when guests say that Australia is one place they would love to visit. I guess you can say that this is another part I like about my job, that I can educate and amuse people about my new home country, whilst at the same time, feeling proud.

Til next time again.

xx aBz

[[Update...]]

So, here's a continuation of my life here in Orlando at the moment...

I moved in to Vista Way on the 17th of July, and this will be my new home til January. The first few days was ridiculously awesome. I get to gym it everyday and lounge round the pools whenever I wanted. My roomies are always game as well. We had the first three days off to adjust from jet lag, time difference, etc. We were then informed of our positions and which theme park we were to work in, and this was mine:

Position: Merchandising
Location: Magic Kingdom, Fantasyland

My reaction: chyeeaahhhhh! =)

Afterwards, we received our Disney IDs and had the privilege to tour the parks for free; our IDs now served as our free ticket entry into any of the 4 major theme parks in Walt Disney World (WDW) - Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom.

Magic Kingdom is THE place to see when you're in Orlando, so I'm very blessed to have been assigned here. I went through training for about 5 days (3 of which were one-on-one days with a trainer), and before I knew it, I've as they say, 'earned my ears' and I was without a trainer. I gotta admit, it was daunting. I felt quite sick in the stomach just at the thought that I was on my own. I thought to myself, 'God, Abbie, MAN UP!' Hahaha! 'Just be yourself and keep your training in mind'. Eventually, I got a hang of their system, and felt myself loosen up, and most importantly, having fun!

In my first week, the hours were long, but bearable. I'd go to work early morning, and before I knew it, it was night. The days were long and uncomfortably hot, the nights were quite short, yet still hot - but I managed nonetheless. Although the hours were long, I still found myself thinking that I was so blessed with such an opportunity. I'd go home thinking that I was so lucky. But soon enough, not getting enough sleep, not eating properly and an overall lack of energy took its toll, and dare I say, I felt REALLY homesick... I was at my lowest.

More next time.

xx aBz