Christmas in the Kingdom

Hey everybody! 

Well today I'm home sick from work :( I knew all of the little germs I come in contact with would catch up with me eventually. Sorry again for the delay, internet around here is pretty much non-existent so yeah, I apologize for my lack of follow up.

How are things for all of you? It sounds like the weather is pretty brutal right now! I honestly do not know how i am going to survive when I get back- I love this 75 during the day 45 at night weather!! 

After several weeks of prayer, deliberation and discussion I've decided to come back to KS rather than extending as Aurora for the spring semester. There's a small small chance something may still work out for next summer, i'm not sure. I have been battling mixed feeling on both sides of the situation but I feel that my apt., school,family, friends and my relationship with Cooper are all things that I need to get back and attend to at this time. While I know that it will be a tricky adjustment to go from Orlando to Manhattan, it's definitely the right move for me to make right now and I know that God will provide and guide me through all of the transitions that will be made in the next month. With that, my last day of work is three weeks from today and I will be flying home on Christmas day. I was granted an educational early release because I had to drop the online class I was taking due to the internet situation. So, I have intercession classes starting on the 29th but at least this gives me time to sign my lease, move everything from KC and get settled before classes start. 

Other than scrambling through all of the meetings and decision making involved with all of the above, we've started celebrating Christmas here at the kingdom :) The apartment is decorated, Amanda and I attended Mickey's christmas party [which was AMAZING!], Meg and I went Magic Kingdom christmas shopping with our 50% discount, my cookie supplies have been purchased and...of course our work schedules are completely out of control!! I am averaging about 50 hours/week.....yikes! 

I was grateful to spend thanksgiving with my family that is here in Orlando. Even though I'm not into thanksgiving at ALL, it was such a strange feeling being away from the people and places I am normally surrounded by during this time of year. Just another lesson on gratitude and humility i've been learning since I got down here :) Anyway, it was a wonderful way to spend the holiday and in just a few weeks my great grandma and grandma will be here to celebrate christmas before I fly home. 

As finals week approaches I pray that all of you have the strength and energy to get through all that the end of the semester brings. Shopping, studying, heading home, preparing for travels etc. are all coming up soon. It is my prayer that all of you bask in The Reason for the season, that He would be with all of us during the holidays this year :) 

Although work has had its ups and downs, I am doing my best to stay positive and really shine God's light onto all of my co-workers during my last couple of weeks. Same with my roomates. Everyone is working a lot and missing family so I'm trying just to step up and do little things. Anyway, I miss you all a lot, keep in touch and make sure I have your address for Christmas cards!!! 

in Him,

Laura

Once Upon A Dream

Hello Everyone!!

I'm going to stop apologizing at the start of each post, even though I'm so angry at our silly internet situation here :( :( 

So, I'm back from KS!!! What an INCREDIBLE trip home, so so so needed and I had an amazing time. Transitioning back was extremely difficult. I felt like I was moving in backwards motion, but knowing that finishing out this program is what I need to do. As of right now I am actually coming home a little early. Due to the internet situation here I had to drop the online class I was taking. Instead I'm going to come home December 26th and take an intercession course :) Well...... that was the plan until I got some news yesterday.......

Ok, are you ready for a story? 

Yesterday I was all ready for work and I suddenly remember that the night before, my ID's weren't where I had left them. Frantic, I searched my entire apt. looking for them. With no luck I went running to the bus stop only to miss my work bus in the time it took for our clubhouse to make me a temporary ID. Sweating and in tears I came to the realization that I was going to have to call in for work :( After doing so, I called my friend Ashley who had brought me home the night before. Luckily- she had my ID's!!! She was also getting ready to head to Disney Auditions. Not sure what else I was going to do with my afternoon....I decided to go along. 

So, the 4 FGITS (Fairy Godmothers in Training) and I are off! We get signed in and numbered and head in for the first movement audition, 200 people to begin with! Really simple but lots and lots of fun :) After this they made cuts and then called back people for an accelerated dance and improv audition and fur character movement. Ashley and I were two of eleven dancers called back from the accelerated dancing. After completing the combo improv/dance portion they released the other ten but asked me to stay.....nerves set in. 

They told me immediately that they were taking me to a costuming fitting for Aurora! I don't know what my face did (she is my FAVORITE)....but I somehow managed to follow the casting director down the hallway where I was met by an entire staff ready to assist me with hair, makeup, costuming etc.  In about 20 minutes I was in full Aurora mode: Dress, necklace, makeup, wig and CROWN. At the same time other Belles, Pocahontas' and Mary Poppins are prancing around as well. Once completely ready I was handed a script and asked to practice my movement, stance, voice and delivery. About 30-45 minutes later photographs were taken of me and I then headed into a one on one acting session with the casting director. Moments later they came out and told me that I had been cast!!!!

.....at this point I am having trouble wrapping my head around all that's happened. No one even knew I was auditioning!!! I still am not sure how it will work out- my audition results are good for six months so there's a chance I can move my finals around and make it back for a summer gig. Anyway, that's where I'm at now, trying to figure out how and if things will work out. I already have an apt. in Manhattan for January so I don't know that it would work to extend....I just really don't know!! So, I am so excited that you are all the first to hear this story and news, second I am asking for your prayers for guidance and direction. It could be that the moment ends here, knowing that I've been cast and have had the priviledge of enjoying the Disney Audition process, who knows. 

Anywho, again, thanks for listening! I hope you are all doing wonderfully= staying warm I hope!!! 

in His love,

Laura (Princess Aurora!!!!)

It's been far too long....!

Hey there :)

Ok, so we are having EXTREME internet issues here in #13101 and they have been going on for the past month which is why my poor blog has been so neglected :( Hopefully things will be fixed soon...it's been nearly impossible to work on my nutrition class which has been kind of stressful. 

The past month has been so so SO busy and I can't believe that in four days i'll be HEADING HOME!!!!!!! 

October has consisted of :

*Decorating the apartment with pretty fall decorations- making things feel more like home :)

*Working.working.working but LOVING my job and starting to really get to know my staff! 

*Starting an online class, on top of my disney class :(....not a good idea. 

*A very fun halloween package from my mom which my roomates and I used to throw a "family friendly" halloween party: costumes, snacks, cupcake decorating, caramel apples and the nightmare before christmas. 

* Sleepovers and baking parties at Amanda's

* Shopping at the amazing outlets and malls here- I hadn't been yet and I am in love!!!

* Taking walks and discovering an amazing smoothie place that we have now been to twice just this week :) 

* Switching roomates just for the sake of sleep schedules. Meg and I are now in the same room :) We re-arranged and cleaned this weekend and it is SO SO cozy, we love it! She is also a wonderful sister in christ and definitely some of the support I need. 

...... I know there's more but that's the list I can think of for now! I've got a lot on my plate the next three days but then I get to click my heels! I cannot wait to visit campus- I knew I would miss fall but I had no idea I would miss it this much. Of course I am thrilled to spend time with my family. I miss my sister a lot and she is at school in St. Louis now so I'm not sure how many months it will be until I see here again......My mom and Dad have also been really busy with work so it'll be wonderful to see, talk and spend time with them. 

I hope things are going well for all of you!!! Keep in touch and enjoy a cup of hot cider for me :)

Love,

Laura

PS. Holiday discounts have kicked in so if any of you need a vacation please let me know....!!!! :)

Beach Escape

                                                        

I had to post a few pictures from amanda and I's amazing beach adventure! Both of us had the day off on Monday and I had no class so we decided it was time for a much needed get away.  We drove about an hour and a half (still can't believe we're so close!) to beautiful Clearwater Beach. We packed a picnic lunch, stuck a handful of quarters in the parking meter and spent a wonderful day on the beach swimming in the gulf and collecting seashells! The day ended with a beachside dinner and incredible sunset :)  I caught a few too many rays but slept for 14 hours last night and am feeling a lot better now! Anyway, back to work for the next couple of days but thought i'd give you a peak into our Monday. 

PS. Interesting news of the day: the K-State Royal Purple yearbook contacted me and is writing a story about me and my experience as a Disney Intern! Crazy.. :) 

Have a wonderful rest of the week!!

Laura

La la la...life is wonderful!

Whew!! 

Thanks again for your patience! I think I've finally been able to make some much needed phone calls this week so I felt like a lot more of you had the real updates :)

The tides have turned a LOT over the past couple of weeks. Work has just become... amazing! I LOVE my job and I know that the spirit is constantly pulsing through me. New stories and beautiful moments occur every day and it is so neat to see His plan coming to life after all the anxiety I had to overcome at the beginning. This week a really neat moment happened when I came up with an entirely new "wish sequence" for the very end of the princess transformation, when I get to turn the chair around so the little girls can finally have their big reveal! I was also able to spend an afternoon in fantasyland, the area of Magic Kingdom where I work, just absorbing everything from a child's point of view. 

Cinderella got a new throne!!               

Last week my roomates and I discovered the Beaches and Cream restaurant at the Yacht and Beach club. We enjoyed the GIGANTIC kitchen sink sundae while exploring the sand bottom pools and real beach! I had a picture hayday :)

Last weekend I finally got to spend time with my great aunt and uncle and cousins who are here in Orlando. Everyone is busy so I hadn't seen them since the night I landed and it was SO wonderful! Nothing like a home cooked meal and a warm bed :) I also got to go to church with them which was wonderful. Do NOT take advantage of all the fellowship opportunities you have around you- I didn't know how blessed we were until I came here and am on my own in the desert most of the time. After church we spent some time in downtown Orlando and I LOVED IT. Orlando has such a unique feel to it, a lot like Overland Park but ...less busy! Pretty amazing :) 

This week there was some roughness in the apartment--to be expected after a month! I started a "forum" aka. several sheets of paper taped to the counter where we can post thoughts, issues, questions, news etc. It has helped so much since everyone is on a different schedule! I think the forum will be around for a while, just to help us keep in touch as the season pick up :) I've had lots of one on one roomie dates with different girls from the house as well so that has been nice. My best friend Amanda and I are auditioning for Night Of Stars, a CP talent contest, next week so that should be fun :) This monday she and I are planning a beach adventure!!!! FINALLY!!!! Get ready for picture mania because I am just DYING to take sunset beach pictures :)

Other than all of that I guess the most exciting news is that i'll be home in a month!! I had requested off for some random three day weekends and I was approved for two of them :) I am SO SO excited, it will be the perfect half way through my internship trip. I fly out of Orlando at 6:30am on Thursday November 6th and land in KC at 8:30am (time change!) My plan is to be in Manhattan for Singer's practice at 3pm followed by dinner at the Derb and Challenge. Friday late afternoon I will head back to KC, where I will stay until I fly back to Orlando Monday evening. I know I won't be able to see everyone but I hope to see some of you! :) :)

I know that the semester is starting to REALLY pick up...to say the least, so I hope all of you are doing well! Take time everyday for a walk around campus and find those leaves that are falling. You don't realize how lucky you are...I am missing fall SO SO much :( 

I am praying for all of you and I want you to know that you're on my heart everyday!! Thanks for your prayers and support :) 

Love,

Laura

Sorry sorry!

Yikes! I am SO SO sorry I haven't updated. I'm actually running out the door to catch the bus for work right now but I promise an update in the next 24 hours :) In short:

Time with my family in orlando was amazing.

Roomies are doing ok, everyone kind of doing their own thing....

Work is INCREDIBLE- I love my job!

I am coming home for a weekend in a month!! 

.....

Updates on all of this as well as the adventures i've been having tonight :) 

Miss you all, love love!

Middle of the Road

Hi There!!

I am SO sorry this post has taken me a week- yikes! I had a 44 hour work week so I guess that may explain a little of my absence :)

Things here have changed direction since last weekend and it's been really nice. While I was working a LOT [two 12 hour days in a row!], I also had the chance to enjoy myself at night and have a little fun :) 

Last week the college program threw a blast off party for all college program employees of the Magic Kingdom. After work, the girls and I headed into tomorrowland for an evening of free snacks and tomorrowland rides, including space mountain with the LIGHTS ON!!!!! We had so much fun and it was wonderful to spend time with my co-workers away from the boutique. I am gettem a lot better which makes work a lot easier to get through :) 

        

Above are pictures of some of my fellow FGIT's at the blast off party :)

Last week I also headed to Universal's "City Walk" just to get out of the apartment and away from work! Lights, Music and Food are everywhere and it was a lot of fun just to walk around and get starbucks :) We are heading back there soon because there is a huge karaoke club with a live band and background dancers! Although we weren't there for long, we managed to get some pictures!! 

    

Other interesting info for the week......

1. A lizard got into my room somehow and I was freaking out because he was running around my ceiling! A friend caught him with a cup ...whew!

2.  I had to handle 2 CASES of head lice this week at the boutique :( After doing a little math and realizing that you CANNOT have any problem with germs to work at disney here's what I've come up with: 

We see 200 kids a day in the boutique and out of that group 1-2 will have head lice. The total number of guests in the park right now is approx. 22,000/day. .... This means that there are 120-220 cases of un-diagnosed head lice in Magic Kingdom EVERY DAY! AHHHHHH. Freaky haha, but welcome to my world! 

3. I've really been praying for my spiritual walk during my time here. These prayers have been for myself as well as my apartment, friends and roomates. Some really cool opportunities have presented themselves this week for me to talk with my roomates and some even shared that they'd been waiting for me to talk about religion...That was a little strange to hear at first but I guess it makes sense and I'm sure they were watching kind of carefully to see what kind of religious girl I am. Anyway, they asked me to start a bible study in our apartment! I am still praying about the details, but I think I know the needs of the girls involved and am excited to see what God does :) What an incredible transformation from last week! Prayers for everyone's hearts and for guidance from Him would be so wonderful. 

Tonight I am preparing for 5 more days of work- thank goodness I have sunday and monday off next weekend!! I am not sure what exciting events this week will hold, but if I can get through my 13 hour day tomorrow i'll be fine! Bible Study may be happening sometime on wednesday so prayers throughout the day and evening would be great :)

I miss you all so much!! It looks like I may have a 4 day weekend to run home to KC but we'll see :) Have a FANTASTIC week, praying for you all!! 

Love,

Laura