Let the good times roll!

Hey Folks. So much had happened since I have updated this blog last. I have not only moved in and settled into my apartment but I have begun the process of training. I will try and detail this day by day and with as much information as I can provide. The day after we checked in everyone had the day off to get settled in and unpack. I had Traditions on Saturday morning bright and early at 7:45 am. It was basically all about the Walt Disney Company's past, present, and future. It also taught us the basic things about being a cast member within this amazing company but more specifically here at Walt Disney World. After that my team of presenters did some mandatory company computer training.

Again, bright and early Sunday morning we had DAKlimations, DAK standing for Disney's Animal Kingdom. This is a basic orientation of specifically that theme park were I learned the stories behind the themes, emergency procedures, and all about the attractions and animals. It was a fun time and lasted all day in the hot sun.

On Monday I spent the day with my parents as it was their last day here in Florida. We drove around Orlando going to different shops and stores. It was nice to spend the day with them before they headed home. Dropping them off at the airport might have been one of the hardest things to do but one of the best things for me. No offense to the parents, but I haven't even looked back. I love every moment of being here and the job is exactly what I want to do with the rest of my life.

We began our training with our leaders. I am learning so much about my role and the animals that we will be handling. Besides staffing the Kids' Discovery Clubs we also greet guests each morning at the front of the park with a "bug box" that has many 'bugs', an African bullfrog, or even the occasional snake. We use this creatures as learning tools to teach each of our guests about their importance to our ecosystem. We also staff various 'animal positions' at different habitats throughout the park. It seems really cool and I am really excited. I work with a great group of cast members and the leaders are great as well.

Tonight I am staying in and reading up on some tarancula facts and preparing for my presentation on shade grown coffee on Friday. But until next time friends, family, co-workers, and/or strangers! I leave you with this quote (more like a paragraph)...

"Landscapes of great wonder and beauty lie under our feet and all around us. They are discovered in tunnels in the ground, the heart of flowers, the hollows of trees, fresh-water ponds, seaweed jungles between tides, and even drops of water.Life in these hidden worlds is more startling in reality than anything we can imagine. How could this earth of ours, which is only a speck in the heavens, have so much variety of life, so many curious and exciting creatures?” —Walt Disney (1901-1966)