Things are still going well here in Orlando. The roommates are getting along well (except for one who I won't waste my time talking about) and we are becoming a tight-knit group. I am slowly beginning to feel more comfortable in my workplace and getting to know my coworkers. Many of them are also college program (CP) students and are very nice. There are several cast members, however, who need to step back and recharge their pixie dust. Why on earth someone would be allowed to deal with guests onstage when they are nasty to everyone around them and never smile is something I don't understand at all. I am tired of receiving dirty looks and being yelled at (in FRONT of guests) by a couple of uptight old bitties who have been working for the Mouse for a few too many years. Hakuna Matata, right?

The apartment

I don't think I have even mentioned what I am doing down here yet. I work merchandise in the Oasis in Animal Kingdom. I rotate between different locations in the very front of the park, including stroller and wheelchair rental, The Outpost Shop, and Garden Gate Gifts. I really enjoy talking to the guests, especially little kids. It's fun to hear them talk about being chased by dinosaurs or being ten feet away from a giraffe or even being in The Festival of the Lion King show. The really young ones make me miss Laura and look forward to her visit in October.

On my days off I tend to wander around the parks if it is not too horribly hot. Unfortunately it has been at or above 93 for the last several weeks with only a few exceptions so outside activities are kept to a minimum for now unless they involve water. Typhoon Lagoon has become one of my favorite getaways (I really can't believe it either) because it is so relaxing. Cabanas, the lazy river, and snorkeling in a salt water pool with sting rays and sharks call my name when I am not working. Magic Kingdom is another place that I am trying to frequent whenever possible to try and find the hidden Mickeys within the attractions. It's not as easy as you might think.

I was lucky enough to attend a cast preview of Mickey's Boo to You Halloween Parade in MK a few nights ago, which is only run during Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (a special event that you have to buy tickets to get into). It was one of the best parades I have ever seen! The headless horseman rides down Main Street, the hitchhiking ghosts from Haunted Mansion have their own float, gravediggers send sparks flying as they scrape their shovels down the street, and the characters are dressed up in their Halloween costumes. There were so many great floats and fun characters that are rarely seen, such as Captains Barbosa and Jack Sparrow. I nearly screamed myself hoarse trying to get Barbosa to come over to me. Several of the roommates and I were so excited every time a float turned the corner at the end of Main Street to come towards us, you would have thought there were true celebrities there. It was so much fun and I am really mad at myself for forgetting my camera!

(Photo found on Flickr)

At least I get to see the decorations, even if I don't go to the party itself