Day 14: Bad News Happens October 5, 2009

Ok so I wouldn’t say that I got horrible news. But I mean it’s another kink in my plans.

So back two weeks ago I emailed the Broadcasting Production head and asked about how I could get involved with them. The guy seemed very excited that I had reached out to them asking about information. So I sent my resume to the guy who he directed me to.

Well that guy called me today. He basically said, we’ll try to help you but it doesn’t look too good. We’ll keep you in mind. He gave me some leads to other places that I could apply to. He was a super nice guy but the news was a little disheartening. I just want to hold a camera for crying out loud. There was something about a union, but it was never specified which one exactly.

The point is, you can try and try and try and you might get bad news every time. Don’t lose hope or give up because of bad news. Bad news happens. Bad news may direct you to good news. I now have a few more places to send my resume and a new contact to add to my book. I also gained experience in talking to professional people. You can learn something from everything, even bad news.

While I am sad that things have to be the way they are right now, it’s ok. I love my job and getting to talk to so many different people. I am content with life for now. That’s all that matters.

Onward to the Dream

Days 12, 13, and 14: The Importance of Friends

This weekend I had some friends come and visit me.

It was a very exciting and fun time. Friends are extremely important in your quest for following your dreams. Surrounding yourself with a network of people that are going to support you helps you grow and gives you some extra courage to continue your quest. Having friends that support you is important for many reasons. Hopefully they are truthful with you. They will help guide you and may even help connect you, if it is at all possible. They encourage you and cheer you up. They laugh with you and are real with you. If they aren’t then they aren’t your friends.

This weekend’s tip is to keep yourself surrounded with supportive friends. They are great for encouragement and guidance. They will help and support you, each step of the way. Also, be sure to laugh and relax as much as possible. Life is too short to be miserable. That’s what friends are for, pick me ups, support, and fun.

Days 10 and 11: Activities October 1, 2009

It’s important to remember, in your quest for chasing your dream, that as hard as you try you need the help of others.

This lesson was made clear to me yesterday and Tuesday when I was able to hang out with Disney friends from all over the resort. On Tuesday night I played softball, I am in the Donald League, with 13 other Disney workers who I knew. Well, I knew 4 of them and got to know the rest. People were from all over the resort but we were all friends. We learned to work as a team and to support one another. After the game we went to hang out and we just talked. It was networking to have fun. Now people know me and know that I am dedicated and willing to work. They know I am fun and creative.  I feel like people need to get to know you out of an office setting, in order to really know who you are and what you are capable of.

Yesterday I simply went to work. When I’m at work I see and hear so much. Yesterday I was so happy to be at work. I was cracking jokes with the guests and they were actually laughing. It was a lot of fun! The day flew by too! I was able to speak with my managers about my move, if I was making the right one, and just live in it. It’s good and it’s healthy!

So get out there and be active. More importantly be active in the community you want to join and work in!

Day 9: Why I would work for Starbucks September 28, 2009

Ok so we all know I am working a part time job at Disney.  But I am really poor and I am trying to find another part time job.

One of the first places I applied to was to the two Starbucks shops by my apartment. I have always wanted to work for Starbucks and I wasn’t sure why. It was just one of those urges you get when you really want to do something.

Well, I was sitting in Starbucks today, reading a book and drinking my grande non fat caramel macchiato, and it occured to me why I wanted to work for Starbucks. There are many reasons why a person would want to work for Starbucks. If you are part time they give you all these cool benefits like health care and tuition reimbursement. But that doesn’t appeal to me. I mean it does, but that’s not what was drawing me to this company or shop.

Coffee brings people together. Coffee makes your day better. Almost every time you walk into Starbucks or drive thru, the barista is friendly. I have run into some really grumpy baristas, but that is besides the point. If you go into the same Starbucks enough times they learn your name, what you do, and exactly how you want your coffee, latte, mocha, frap, whatever. Baristas at Starbucks are great! They usually have a lot of fun and are easy to relate to. Occasionally you run into some Starbucks shops that just have unhappy employees, but that’s something that needs to be taken up with a manager. Coffee with a smile makes people feel better. Besides, for coffee lovers, just being able to get your coffee or beverage is an amazing part of your day. You might really need a coffee pick me up.

So that’s why I would work for Starbucks. I have applied and I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to be part of a Starbucks team but like the rest of the world, they really aren’t hiring. I really wish they were though.

Day 8: Bills September 27, 2009

Eventually, on your quest to reach your dream/ dream job, you have to face real life. Real life is hard. It can be really really hard.

My first set of bills started to come in yesterday. I sat down and started writing them, making sure I would have enough money. I have enough money, but barely. This means I will have to start dipping into my savings. Especially since I will have to start paying back my school loans in November. I don’t think that I am ready for all of this, but I’m going to have to be.

It’s not that I haven’t been searching for a job. I totally have. I have even been sending resumes everywhere, but it’s hard. Things will be better once I go through with my Part Time transfer. Hopefully in working at MK I will get to know more people who can help me reach my goal of management or entertainment work. For now, it’s a hard thing.

Best thing is to never give up. I am going to help out over at the club house and close for a few nights. That should get me some extra cash or a small break on my rent. I’m not sure yet, I have to go over and talk to them tomorrow. Always good to keep your head high and your sights long.

P.S. I went to a church today. It was cool, but small and that’s different from what I am used to. I am going to check out a different one next week and see which one I prefer.

Day 6 & 7: Remember why you started

So yesterday I was busy. I was busy remembering why I wanted to follow this dream in the first place. I took some time to visit the Magic Kingdom and to go to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.

Today I was just lazy. I hang out around the complex and had some very stimulating conversations in the clubhouse about Film and Government/Socialism. It was interesting. Apparently I did learn a lot in school.

But these two days have proved to be a good learning/stepping stone for me.

The first thing I learned was that it is good to remember why you started chasing your dream in the first place. I was able to see this during my time at the Magic Kingdom. Kids and adults were just amazed at what happens. Of course, you get those few people who are grumpy, mean, and rude, but for the most part everything just wanted to have an awesome time. If someone can put a smile on their faces, it makes me smile. As I like to say, I’m in the business of smiles. Also, Disney is in the Entertainment business. I LOVE entertaining people. It is so much fun and it brings so much joy to others.

One of my life goals is to be a part of something bigger than myself. Disney helps me do that, but I can’t work in attractions my entire life. I was meant to do more. I wish I could help Disney as a company remember that it all started with a dream. Disney is supposed to be in the business of Dreams and they seem to be forgetting that. We all forget about what business we are in sometimes.

I also learned that you can learn a LOT from others. If we all just took the time to listen to one another and to hear their point of view on things, we may find the answers to a lot of big questions. It is so awesome to have stimulating conversations. I am going to strive to have one every day.

Day 5: Finding Passions September 25, 2009

Today was a great day. I was able to get a few things finished before having to spend the rest of the night in the apartment.

I cleaned and did some job hunting. I also went over to Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival. It was awesome. It was a nice relaxing day and then it rained so I came back and spent the night in the apartment.

I was able to talk to a good friend of mine. She is amazing and I hope that she gets a professional internship with Disney because she deserves it. Also, because she is thinking of living with me, which would help me out A LOT with bills!

Tonight while I was alone something wonderful happened. My voice finally returned. I have been sick and sans voice for almost a week. I have suffered sounding like a man…which is not cool being that I am a girl. I even had to cancel a Disney interview because of it. But tonight I was able to SING! So I spent a good hour or two rediscovering my passion to sing. I went through half of my voice lesson binder and I think my voice teachers would be proud of me. The sound that came out of me tonight was one of much practice and focus. If only I could show someone this beautiful passion of mine. I guess I will have to wait to be discovered. Is that how people make a living on singing? Not only was I singing the best I have in a long time, I was feeling it too. There was emotion in my voice, the emotion that my teachers have been trying to instill in me. For each song there was meaning and life to the words. I LOVED it!!

So find your passions and pursue them. You don’t have to make a career out of them, but keep up with them. They will help to make you happy in life.

Day 4: It could get boring September 24, 2009

So today was a rough day. I found out that I didn’t have to go into work today so I had the day to myself. Sure I got some things done, but for the most part it was boring.

Waiting for the job of your dreams may get boring, but don’t let that stop you from going. One suggestion I have is to find ways to do what you love. If you love to write, then keep a journal, go outside and write about a certain spot you visited or something you saw, maybe write a story. If you are like me and like to work with cameras then go outside and take some still shots or record yourself doing things like fake reporting or something of the sort. If you like working with you numbers then, well that’s not really my area of expertise so I’m not sure what you should do in your spare time.

However, it is good to have a few lazy days. I believe they are good for the health. You need days to get yourself organized, clean, read a book, etc.

Remember that you should always be looking for connections. You could find one on a website or just walking around your living area. You could run into by accident in the grocery store. But you should always have your eyes and ears open for people that may be able to help you.

Sorry that today’s lesson is kind of boring. It’s just a boring day. I also was just writing my article for the Orlando Examiner so I am bit tired in the writing department. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

Day 3: Do not get discouraged! September 23, 2009

So I haven’t heard anything from Mr. Ashe, the man I was told to send my resume to. I have decided to give it a week before emailing him again. But this lesson today is a good one. Discouragement.

I find that it is very easy to get discouraged. Now, more than ever, it is a good idea to teach ourselves to hold our heads high. Having and upbeat and positive attitude throughout your day, no matter what is going on, will help you have a positive attitude in all situations.

For example, today they asked me to come into work. Since I am broke and have lots of bills to pay I literally jumped out of bed, freshened up, packed lunch and headed to work. Now would be a good time to mention that I am sick with a nasty congestion. My voice comes and goes and I have coughing fits. It has made me tired and sometimes cranky. To put it simple, my couch and I have been good friends for the past few days. But I went to work anyway. I had to remind myself to stay positive and cheerful and so I did. Lots of other people were down, but I had already made up my mind to stay cheerful. Which is why the no response thing isn’t bothering me too much.

I have dedicated my night to watching youtube videos of my favorite Broadway singers, singing songs that you normally wouldn’t hear them sing.

Adam Pascal ~What I Did For Love

John Tartaglia ~ Disney Whore

etc.

I also got some cool news in the mail. I had sent away for information about Full Sail University. A University that specializes in show production, video production, film, video games, basically a school for creative arts and media. It is very interesting and I am considering going to see the campus. I am hoping that I can find a job that will help with tuition reimbursement and be able to go. It looks interesting.

I am dreading my bills coming in at the end of the week and having to pay them later this week. But this is life and this is life trying to make your dreams come true. It may mean living on the rough side for a bit, but I’m prepared.

“Always look on the bright side of life” ~ Monty Python

Day 2: Follow Your Heart To Pursue Your Dreams September 21, 2009

Hey All!

Today is Day 2 in my 365 days of Following Your Dreams blog! An Amazing Series of events have happened to me.

As I have stated one of my passions is video production. I love the idea of entertaining people through videos. There’s something about creating a commercial that will catch people’s eyes or shooting an interview promoting a new film or TV show. I love being able to hold a camera and just record. It’s actually a lot of fun. I have a creative mind so it works.

Today, while I was at the outlets filling out applications for a part time job a thought occurred to me. Why not go over to Downtown Disney and try to apply at some of the restaurants there because they are not staffed through Disney. So I walked over and got the same response from most of the restaurants, “we’re not hiring right now.” I am beginning to resent that phrase. I decided to walk around and just enjoy the beginning of the afternoon before it got too hot. I was walking past Ghirardelli Chocolate when I was stopped. Then I noticed that I was stopped because there was filming going on. So I asked the man who had stopped me if this was something that occurred through Disney. He replied yes and he gave me the name of the production company and the name of the man in charge of the broadcast production area of Disney. I was Thrilled! I walked around for a little and then ran to my car, drove home (Happily singing Shania Twain’s UP) and emailed this man right away.

The response: They are always interested in part time cast members who have production knowledge. This made me extremely excited and I am off to send my resume to their Resource Manager.

Lesson: When you are feeling compelled about something, follow that feeling. It will most likely lead you to something that may change your course forever!

NEVER STOP BELIEVING IN YOUR DREAMS!