Oh hello there world!

Wellllll lots has happened since August. haha! I promise I haven't forgotten about this thing, but by the time I am done with work, classes, sleeping, laundry, other random things I barely have two seconds. I have had to journal everyday for my internship credit through GCSU so I have been keeping up with the work aspect of this experience through that, but I haven't posted it on here...maybe I will start....haha.

Anyways here are some highlights and I will try to be better at this thing!

• Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party- AWESOME! I have been to two. One with my family and one with Megan. I might be going to another one next week with a girl from work, but I don't have a costume and she wants to dress up, so we will see.
• I got to see my Uncle Don and Aunt Karen for the first time in 19 or so years. It was so wonderful and they are so fun! My uncle is JUST like my dad. Kinda scary, but Megan totally agreed. Oh those Mateling genes. ;)
• Food and Wine Festival- Absolutely incredible. I love this festival. Just trying all the foods from all the different countries and lets not forget those "slushies" in France. ooh boy! Those are my favorite! It lasts until November 5th so hopefully I will get to go a lot!
• Working in Fantasyland at Winnie the Pooh, Snow White, and Teacups. Sometimes its rough, but the good things definitely outway the bad things. I have met a lot of friends and a lot of my fellow castmembers are super nice. Of course Magic Kingdom has LATE LATE hours a lot of times and I never get to see Megan, but oh well what can ya do?
• Labor Day with the parents and boyfriend :) Fun times. More to come :)
• My favorite places to eat so far: Rainforest Cafe, T-Rex, Tijuana(spelling?) Flats, Earl of Sandwich(thanks to my aunt and uncle), Chili's (duh), and EPCOT F&W fest! haha
• Walking in the tunnels everyday is still really cool to me. It is just crazy to think that I am UNDER the Magic Kingdom. haha! how many people can say they have walked UNDER the castle? not many! I also like walking side by side with Cinderella or Snow White or any of the characters. That is so cool to me!
• Getting a real dose of the real world. It is crazy and overwhelming sometimes, but I think I might be starting to get the swing of things. I feel like I have already grown a lot and have become more independent. I still need my parents for things and I still get homesick, but that is normal. I miss my family so much but I know they will be here soon. I just have to take it one day at a time and when I start to feel down I remember that I am at the Happiest Place on Earth and I go to a park. haha. Usually EPCOT because it is so chill there.
• Losing 20 pounds! weee! That is a real confidence booster. I am almost back down to the weight I was my freshman year. I like where I am right now so I am not intentionally losing weight. It is just all the work and heat.
• Living with Megan has been great too. I am glad we are here together! I also like all my roommates they are all so friendly and fun!

Well that is all for now. I will put pictures up later! love, peace and mickey mouse!

Disney Dreams coming true :)

Oh my gosh! I am here in Disney World. Tomorrow I will check-in. AHHHHH! soooo many emotions going through my mind right now. It's crazy. Am I prepared? will I make friends? Will megan and I get to hang out or will we have total opposite schedules? Will I even have time for a social life between classes and work? Is hurricane season going to be scary? personally I am kinda excited about it...weird I know.

We are staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge right now. I look around at all these "guests" and think to myself...soon I will be the one they see telling them how to get around and telling them where to sit on rides. It's just all so surreal to me!

I left all my paperwork at home though and my insurance stuff so I am real idiot, but luckily it all worked out. :)

I am waiting on Megan and her mom to get her. Both my parents are sleeping. "too much Disney for them" hahaha!

This update is boring. I am hungry. Going over to Coronado to get some grub. Peace & Love!

"You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality." -Walt Disney

well hello there blogging world!!

Its been about 3 months since my last update. CRAZY!

Summer camp has come and gone and left me with a ton of memories and new camper friends. I loved the campers! Their happiness and love kept me going all summer. Even when my counselors were mad at me, the adults were mad at me, and whoever else was mad at me, those kids would run up to me, yelling "CCK, CCK!! we LOVE you!" and those few words were enough to get me through the day! Not that everyone was mad at me ALL the time, but I am only human and I can't make EVERYONE happy ALL the time. ya know? For those who don't know, I was called "Crew Chief Kari" this summer at camp because our camp is a NASCAR themed camp. It is located right beside the Atlanta Motor Speedway so the theme fits. I had a great summer, but it went by super quick! I may write a longer blog about camp later, but for now I am trying to keep this "Disney-fied."

I can hardly believe that there are ONLY 17 DAYS until I move to FLORIDA!! ahh!!

I have SOOOOOOOOOO much to do before then, but for some reason I am not worried! haha

I went "business attire" shopping on Friday. I got a lot of stuff. Still gotta get some closed toed shoes and a cute business suit/jacket and I'll be set! I also bought some casual everyday clothes too. yay! :) I found a pair of sperrys that ended up only being $12 marked down from $60!! sweet!!

OK, sorry back on track...I also have to fill out about a bazillion pages of paperwork and I hear its basically like signing your soul away to the Disney company...YAY! Megan and I finally did the whole roommate confirmation thing so we are officially living together! double yay!! Still not sure where we are going to live, but neither one of us really cares...God will put us where he wants us! As I said a lot this summer, "If you want to hear God laugh, tell Him your plans." I have gotten to the point in this whole process where I just let God place me where He wants. I think that is the best way to be.

My parents will be visiting every month but October...:) i love them!

If youd like to come along, just let them know! haha :) The more the merrier!

Thats all the Disney updates for now! See ya REAL soon!!

Shout out to Nick! Happy Birthday!! Can't wait to hang out with you and Cordi VERY soon!!!

So No One Told You Life was Gonna Be this Way...

I haven't updated in AWHILE!! whew! SO much has been going on. It's crazy! Since the last time I updated this is what has happened:

-My birthday...22...cool? Not really. But I am a young lady in my early twenties who has a lot going for her, so I can't complain much!

-Disney College Program Send-off Party: FUN! Free lunch and the meeting of other people who are going down there from GCSU for the DCP as well! I was the only attractions person there...pretty cool I think!

-Lifeguard Certification: I am still certified, but I went to help and I got to drown 6 times in a row at the end of the day on Saturday. I was exhausted, but it was a lot of fun too.

-Braves game: We lost to the Mets. Go figure.

-First GCSU Baseball game: We beat Columbus State! yay! :)

-FINALS: UGHHHH! Along with all the papers, projects, and other crap teachers assign at the end of the semester, I had to take multiple tests. I did okay I guess. My classes were all hard this semester.

-This week has been a week of "lasts." The last Bible Study dinner. The last time to eat at El Tequila. The last Thursday night in Milledgeville. Although I will be back here in the spring for one more semester, everything is coming to a end for our group of friends. Brittany and Brittani are moving to Athens. Megan and I are moving to Florida. Vanessa is moving wherever God leads her. Callie is staying in Milledgeville by herself...poor girl. Magen is getting married. Its just all happening so fast and I want it to slow down, but I am not sure how to make it slow down. I have felt this way A LOT lately. Sometimes I feel like I am watching my life happen through a window. Like I am a spectator watching a reality show. There are moments when I want to press pause and live in that exact minute for days and days. Like at El Tequila on Cinco de Mayo. All my girls were there and we were all laughing and just having fun. Sure, we all had stuff to do or work to be turned in, but for a little while we forgot about our stress and it felt like that moment would never end, but it too ended.

College is ending and it's terrifying. I don't know what I want to do with my life. I don't know where I will be living in a year. No I am not graduating, but in a sense I feel like I am. I am moving from my comfort zone to a whole different state. I won't be able to drive home every other weekend when I need a mom fix and a hug from my daddy. I won't be able to drive to see my big brother or sister in law when I want to vent about the stupid boy who is being an idiot. I won't be able to watch my niece grow or play peek-a-boo with her. There are so many things that I feel like I am losing and I am going to miss out on. That's the thing with life though. Once you finally get comfortable and gain a sense of normalcy something happens and it is all mixed up and changed. We have to learn to adapt and carry on, no matter how hard it may seem.

Through all the craziness though I can rest assured that there is one thing that never changes; the love my Heavenly Father's has for me. God is my strength. I know He won't let anything happen to me that He and I can't handle together. I know He will be there for me when I need my parents to hug and comfort me but are back in Georgia. He will listen to me and guide me when my best friends are thousands of miles away. God is everlasting and I know He will never leave my side.

Growing up is scary. As much as I try to fight it, it is happening and it isn't slowing down.

I love you ladies. Ya'll are some of the best friends a girl could ever ask for :)

Disney Survey!

I was tagged on Facebook to do this, but I am just going to make it a blog instead. Feel free to fill it out about yourself too!

1. Your name?: Kari
2. Are you legal (over 21)?: yes
3. Male or female?: Female
4. Gay, straight, bi (optional): straight
5. Where do you live?: Georgia
6. What role will you have at Disney?: Attractions
7. What are your arrival/departure dates/program (fall, fall advantage, fall quarter)?: Fall 09 Aug 19th-Jan 8th
8.Which apartment complex would you prefer to live at? Do you prefer wellness or non-wellness (if over 21)?: Dont care. Non-wellness probably
9. How many roommates/rooms would you like? (1-7 roommates, 1-4 rooms)?: 3-4 rooms, 5-7 roommates
10. Do you like to party? Will you be hosting parties in your apartment?: Not really a party-hardy type person, but I like to meet new people. Megan and I are known for our themed parties! :)
11. What's your favorite food, and more importantly, can you cook well?: I like any form of potatoes! Mashed, fried, baked, etc... I can cook well when I feel like it and have time
12. If your friends could describe you in three words what would they be?: happy, funny, friendly
13. What kind of music/movies do you like?: Adventure, Comedy, Chick-Flicks
14. Do you smoke, and if so, inside or outside?: I have asthma. If I smoke I'll die.
15. Are you a night person or a morning person?: Night
16. Are you driving or flying down?: driving
17. What do you do for fun?: sleep, scrapbook, hike, lay-out
18. What is your favorite quote?: "His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts." Isaiah 55:8
19. What are you most excited about in being in the WDWCP?: Working for Disney, meeting new people, being able to call Disney World my "home"
20. Favorite things to do when not working: uhh sleep, scrapbook, hike, and lay-out
21. Name one good quality about yourself: friendly and always smiling
22. Name one bad quality about yourself: very critical of myself
23: Your college: Georgia College & State University
24: Your major: Business Management
25. Any medical conditions (optional): Asthma
26. Are you messy/tidy?: Both
27. Anything else you want to state: I cant wait for this semester to be OVER.

The more you like yourself, the less you are like anyone else, which makes you unique. -Walt Disney

eeeep!!! SO good news my presentation is OVER and my paper is turned in!!!!!!!! I am so freakin relieved I feel like running around my house. oh wait I already did. haha!

Dr. Flynn's feedback was that I swayed too much during my presentation. Other than that she surprisingly gave somewhat nice feedback. I prayed she would be in a good mood and she definitely was. yay God!

Anyways- After class I went to Dr. Flynn's office. I signed all this paperwork for the DCP and she told me what classes to take while I am down in Florida. I will be taking HR Management, some hospitality class, and something else? I probably should of paid more attention, but I was still in nervous presentation mode and I couldn't really think. It was really hard for me to even tell her the classes I am in now. So yeh I guess she is going to take care of other stuff? She didn't really tell me what to do next...haha I guess I now just try to figure out which apartments I want to live in.

I did learn that 22 people applied from GCSU and so far she has only heard about 4 others getting accepted...Me being one and Megan being another. WOW! I feel really special.

RANDOM:
Lately I have been obsessed with some REO Speedwagon. OLD SCHOOL. love it.
I love finding really cheap/tacky earrings on sale.
Braves Baseball: 4 days until the season opener. 9 days until the home opener!

Life doesnt get much better than this!

Adults Are Only Grown-Up Kids Anyways- Walt Disney

Soooo there isn't much going on, but I felt like updating a little.

First off: My WONDERFUL parents sent me flowers and a balloon for getting into the Disney College Program!! It was such a nice surprise!! Here is a picture of the beautiful flowers...I look like poo, but the flowers are perfect :)

I am going to talk to the Disney advisor on campus sometime this week. I will probably talk to her on Wednesday after I give a presentation in her class. UGH. stupid group projects always put a damper on EVERYTHING.

Anyways- she is going to tell me what classes I need to take while I am down there and what I need to do between now and August.

Megan Francis Bailey and I are going to be roommates while we are down there!!!! EXCITING!! We are also going to be doing a Vlog (video blog) sometime this week, so ya'll should all be pretty excited about that!!

I am loving all the new friends I have been talking to on facebook, disboards, and AIM. Its so great knowing that there are other people who are going through the same things I am going through! They are also really helpful in telling the new CP's what to bring and stuff. I was able to find a church to go to (if I have time off) while I am down in Orlando on the program. AND I have found some people who are interested in doing a bible study!! YAY!! Jesus+Disney+friends = LOVE!!

Megan told me about this book called "Dream Factory" by Brad Barkley and Heather Hepler. Its about two people people who are working at Disney. Its so cool, because its about kids my age. My mom ordered it for me and it arrived in 2 days!! Its fiction, but so far I love it! Its kinda sad, but for some reason I think its going to end really happy, because well thats how Disney is. We shall see, and I will let yall know :)

Random: We have had a ton of rain lately and I love it! It was my spring break, but I really did enjoy just doing nothing and sleeping a lot. Although, I was working on a paper and presentation for the majority of my break, so that was kind of a bummer. yeh-the same one that I was talking about up there. I CANT WAIT TO BE DONE WITH IT. Once I am done with this project I can focus on happier things for a little while, before finals start.

I know my parents are going to miss my cookin' after being home for this entire past week. Dont worry Ill be back for Easter and my birthday! Not sure how I feel about turning 22...it seems so much older than 21. :/ at least I'm not too old for Disney. right?

My family waiting to watch Its a Bugs Life at Animal Kingdom. Love them all and yes my brother and dad are special ed. hehe just kidding :)

My exciting life!

My dreams are Coming True!!!!!!
Friday, March 20th, 10:30AM: A day and time I will NEVER forget. I was walking out of my house to go to the store. I happened to glance at my mailbox and saw 2 large white envelopes in the mail. One addressed to me, the other addressed to Megan, both from the Walt Disney Company!!!!!!!

This is the first line of my letter:
"Congratulations! You have been selected to participate as an Attractions Cast Member on the Disney College Program in the Fall 2009 Season."

I ripped mine open and immediately called my parents. I was shaking, crying, and could barely speak. I read the letter to my parents. They were ecstactic as well! I then texted Megan even though she was at placement and told her to find a way to call me. Megan called me and told me to open her letter! She is a lifeguard!

Anywho- on the way to Fortson Training Weekend we called EVERYONE we could think of. We left some pretty entertaining messages. I am SOOOOOOOOOOOO excited and happy to have been given this opportunity!!! Every time I think about it I just thank God and am so thankful for all he is doing in my life.

I paid my assessment fee of $100 last night and reserved my check-in for August 19th! My family is going down a few days early and I am super pumped! We are also going in May after exams for a vacation before I move into camp!

Next week I will talk to the Disney rep on campus about what classes to take while I am down there and anything else I need to do.

In other News:
Fortson Training Weekend was AWESOME as well! We hiked all the way to the top of Stone Mountain! We also got a lot done and planned for the summer! I am so excited about this summer. I love my counselors and their craziness! I have a lot to do between now and camp but I know I will get it done! Only 69 days to go!! Can't wait!!

My busy busy life this week

Camp....

This past weekend I went to High Ropes Training at Rock Eagle. I was so worried about it because it had been a year since I had done any high ropes and I am not a fan of heights... But it was actually a lot of fun and not hard at all! Once I started belaying again everything just kind of came back to me and I remembered what I was supposed to do. My body was a little sore though, but oh well. It was also so awesome to spend time with my lovely counselors. I love them all and they make me smile. :)

*Dad- I learned how to tie a Double Figure 8 knot with a safety knot! AND I learned how to tie a fishermen's knot. You should be proud and the picture shows it...do you like it?! hahaha :D

Disney...

On Tuesday Megan and I attended the Disney Presentation on campus. After the meeting I called and scheduled my phone interview for this Friday at 12:00 pm! The interview will take place in Conyers, with all my family there so I am pretty pumped about that! I am also extremely nervous, but "It's all in God's Hands." I ended up applying for Quick Service Food and Beverage, Merchandise, Attractions, Main Entrance Operations, Recreation, Hospitality, Character Attendant, and Costuming. Although I don't really mind doing whatever they assign me because I just really want to work there, my top 3 choices are 1) Recreation, 2) Character Attendant, & 3) Attractions. But like I said I really don't care what I am doing as long as I am there! 

Other...

Tomorrow I have to work on a project, take a test, and then wait for my brother to get to Milly.  I can't wait to have my car or a car so I can stop feeling stranded. I have had 3 tests this week and I have 2 next week. Spring break cant get here soon enough!!

I CANT WAIT TO SEE MY FAMILY TOMORROW!!!!

8 Days and Counting...

Where to begin:

It snowed in Georgia and I got to drive through it. The driving through it wasn't so fun, but it sure was pretty. It was probably the most snow I can remember seeing in Georgia. Of course here in the "armpit of hell" aka Milledgeville nothing stuck, and we had classes. Go figure.

For some reason my car is going through all sorts of difficulties. The speedometer stopped working, the mileage calculator stopped calculating, my back window is leaking water whenever it rains or snows which is causing my car to smell like mold, the ABS light is on, the brake light is on, and I can't accelerate or drive the speed limit for that matter....not that I can really tell what speed I am driving, but I can tell I am going very slow. Hopefully it will get fixed soon!

This morning I talked to the on campus Disney representative who is also my Travel and Tourism teacher. She told me to bring the application, checklist, and resume to the meeting next week. 8 DAYS!!! I was wondering because the whole application process is all online now. She answered my questions and was really excited! I have talked to her before, but I am sure she doesn't remember. She is kind of on the "older" side. No offense to my older viewers... :D I am still praying about what to check off, but I guess it won't matter because God is going to put me where he wants to. 

At the meeting I will schedule a phone interview and then it will be 2-3 weeks if not longer before I know whether I was accepted into the program. Thank you all for the prayers and support through all this! I will keep everyone updated! :)

Well thats really all the updates I have! Love to all! 

One Step at a Time...

I felt compelled to start a blog. I guess there are a lot changes happening in my life right now and by writing a "journal" everyday I will hopefully be able to sort out my thoughts.

First off I have the privilege of being the lead counselor at Fortson 4-H Center in Hampton, Georgia for the 2009 summer camping season. Since I was 10 years old, I have dreamed of being a counselor and one day becoming a leadership counselor. Although I thought I would one day be a "princess" at Rock Eagle, I have found that my heart is truly at Fortson. I missed it last summer when I wasn't there and to be back is such a blessing. I am the "Crew Chief" and that's pretty awesome because I am the only "Chief" left in the Georgia 4-H Camping Program. :)

I am in charge of 6 other counselors and I could not of asked for a better group. They are all so different and unique but we all come together for one reason: to have the BEST summer ever and to Love Those Kids! It is going to be different being a leadership counselor and not just a regular counselor, but I am so excited about this opportunity. We have 6 weeks of Junior Camp and then 2 weeks of Community Camp. Junior Camp is for kids going into the 8th and 9th grades. They are a hand full but I absolutely love them! Community Camp is for kids ages 6 through 18 from around the area. So all together I will be at camp for 8 weeks plus one week of training. It will be a long summer but I CANNOT WAIT!

Next up on the agenda...In 10 days I will be applying for the Disney College Program. Its nerve wracking, scary, intimidating, and exciting. To feel all these emotions at the same time is intense. I have given up trying to grow nails, because they have all been bitten off. I have been researching and learning as much as I can about the program. Whenever I feel myself getting overwhelmed I just say to myself "It's all in God's hands" over and over. It really does help bring a peace to me. :D

I think I get scared because the thought of moving away from all my family, friends, school, & comfort zone is terrifying. I am sooooooo glad Megan Francis and I are applying together because it helps me to think I could have my bestie down there with me. At least I would know one person in the "big city."

I know I need to apply first and then worry about moving away, but I can't help it. I also don't really know what I should apply for. I am thinking about these: 1)Recreation, 2) Merchandise, 3)Main Entrance Operations, 4)Attractions, and 5) Food and Beverage. It keeps changing though. So I am sure I will change my mind at least 5 more times. If you talk to my father he thinks I could do every job on the list, but that's what dads are supposed to think. :)

Anywho this blog is probably boring to anyone who is reading it. I will try to make them more entertaining in the future! Love Love!