My Disneyland Adventure Begins

Where to begin?  Well I have been living in Anaheim California for about a week now and am totally blown away by my experiences so far. I have many new friends, a new place to live, and a better understanding about what goes on behind the scenes at Disneyland that makes it so magical.  And this has all transpired in less than a week.  I am so excited to experience this next step after graduating from college.  In this post I am just going to go through a basic overview of my time here and some goals that I have set to accomplish while I am here.

Last Wednesday I moved into my apartment and met my new living partners (roommates) Adam, Matt, Tim, and Jeff.  They have all been great and we have gotten along very well.  I am so blessed to have them here!  But they are not the only people who I have been introduced to by this Program.  There are so many amazing people who work and live in my building.  You may get to know them a little through my blog over the next couple of months.

My apartment is a two bedroom with three (Me, Tim, Matt) in one room and two (Jeff and Adam) in the other.  It is fully furnished with a full kitchen, living room, and dinning area.  We have had a lot of visitors who have commented, “you suck, your apartment is way bigger than ours,” and it is true.  I love having a kitchen again after living without one this last year at school.  It’s also been nice not to have to find couches and other furniture to use off of Craigslist.  I also have plenty of room to store my clothing so that it is not overflowing and all around my living space.  For those of you that witnessed my room in college you will understand.  I was also lucky to land a big TV (40”) for $20 from some nice ladies upstairs.  So needless to say I am psyched to be living in such a nice place!

I got my first look at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure during my first 3 days of training this last weekend.  All I can say is that I am a little overwhelmed by the massive amount of work that goes in behind the scenes.  Being backstage on the greatest show on earth has made me appreciate my experiences with Disney so much more!  After now my job is specifically to bring happiness to every guest that walks through our gates, by creating magic that only happens with the Disney company.  I get to do this by being the first person that guests interact with.  My official position is in the Parking and Transportation department.  I cannot wait to start this role specific job on Thursday of this week.

I have also gotten to spend some time exploring the local area around our apartment complex and discovered that we are located just a block from the Anaheim Mighty Ducks training facility.  This means that I get to go skate whenever there is free ice time.  This is just one of the many local attractions and perks of living here.  Along with exploring the surroundings I have also gotten to go into both Disney Parks as a guest.  One of the best parts of working for Disney is the perks.  Free admission while off the clock, discounts on hotels and anything else that you can think of.  Oh and free buddy passes!   Anyway, the completion of renovations on California Adventure have just been completed and the park is so much more exciting than when I was here to visit in the early 2000′s, I am still in awe of how elaborate and real it feels when you walk into a new land.  Here you feel as though you have been transported to a magical playground.  I will just say this; when Walt Disney envisioned this park he did a marvelous thing!  Bringing happiness to millions and several generations!

I also have some goals while I am here:  1. Ride every attraction that exists in both Parks.  2. Keep track of how many times I ride Space Mountain, Matterhorn, Car’s Supper Speedway, and the roller coaster in California Adventure.  3. Establish the building blocks for a successful career with the Disney Company.  4. Make memories that will last a lifetime for me and for everyone that I come into contact with.

With that said I am going to sign off.  There will be much more to come from this guy as I am only 5 days into my Disney adventure!  To those of you that took the time to read this, Thank You, now come see me and have a magical time!  Until next time stay classy outside world.

 

A New Beginning

The game of life is afoot. Recently I accepted a position with the Disney Corporation at their resort in California. This is part of the college program that they run, which allows students or post grads to work and take classes in an effort to improve and hone skills. I will be working about 28-40 hours a week in the area of Guest Relations.

This is a big move from college life into the real world. My first post grad job, and it has gotten me thinking about the changes that are in process and will take place. Moving to a new state, new roommates, and responsibilities.

I am nervous about moving away from all my friends and family, but I know that this is the beginning of my life as a college graduate. I will meet new people, make new friends, and have brand new experiences. The world better watch out because I am out for making something of myself, living out my faith wherever I go, and start looking for a woman that I can make very happy. Even if the latter is a few years down the road. Alright world, I am ready for what you throw at me.

Let the new experiences shape me into a well rounded individual who never forgets that people are the most important thing, everyone has a story to tell!

Insomniacs Unite Later Today?

Well it’s me again, another late night, soon to be remedied with some music and melatonin. But while I wait for that to kick in I just wanted to take the time to update my readers/followers on some thoughts I have been having lately. And yes, it has been 4 month’s since I have posted anything. Sorry to those of you who wanted me to keep writing regularly. Anyway here it goes:

As most of you that know me, know that I am graduating in May (super psyched). At this point I have been hard at work sending in applications and constantly updating my resume, LinkedIn, and Facebook accounts. Something that stood out to me. What comes next, what new things are out there for me? I mean I am leaving college a single guy (never thought that would happen). I am not staying in the same state where I went to school. But most of all I will be leaving the wonderful family of college friends (brothers & sisters) that I have known for the last 4 years. There have been ups and downs, friends come and go, but this is my life we are talking about…… I am almost in disbelief that I will have to start over again making new friends creating a new life somewhere else.

Now this may sound depressing, but I am ready for the change, bigger responsibility, and freedom to choose any path that I have a passion for. This will not include watching movies 24/7 or playing video games. I am ready to move past entertaining myself and start living. Phases in life are full of excitement, sadness, and newness.

What I am really trying to get across is that I am finally realizing what I am truly passionate about. It is life! The chance to live not only for my self but for others. But most of all for God. My faith has alway impacted decisions that I make, but I am ready for it to start becoming part of my life, not something that I hide until I need it. If it is true that God is all I need to sustain me, then I don’t have to worry about where I will go, or who I will be with, because he will always be with me!

The people who I interact with on a daily basis are a gift. I really do care about each and every person that I come into contact with, because you have been placed in my life for a reason. Although sometimes that brings pain, it is a growing experience that will help shape who I am in this life. I am still waiting to meet the one that I will spend the rest of my earthly life with, and I continue to pray for you daily. That you will have the courage to accept a broken sinner like me, and that we would be able to challenge each other to grow, share in our successes, and comfort in our failures.

Finally, I leave you with this thought. “although change may occurs one thing stays constant, we live, we die, it is in either that we are remembered”. Which one will you choose? To live positive, overcoming obstacles, knowing that there is a bigger plan? Or die someone who was afraid to live passionately?

That’s all I have for now. The next challenge awaits me. Spring Break 2012 is going to be one to remember! I will write next from location in Breckenridge, Colorado, where my brother and I are going to do some real living on the mountains!

Night Owl

Well it’s 5am and I’m on another late night no sleep run. And it got me thinking about how lonesome these times are. Consuming my time with movies and homework but no human interaction. It makes me wonder how my life will be in 20 years. Will I still be having these late nighters? Will I still be by myself? Is there anyone that can truly understand who I am?

The answer to that question seems to be that God is the only one that can truly understand me, after all he created me. But I do pursue the question, “will another person be able to understand me”? As I sit here in my suite alone consuming my time with entertainment, my life seems a little pathetic. I don’t know if anybody who is reading this feels the same some times. But it’s at times like this when I envey those that have already found the company of another. Hopefully my day will come, but if not, I only hope and wait for the time when this earth will pass away and leave me in the presence of the almighty.

I would also just like to write a little something to my brother, who is going through a rough time. I love ya man. Although this time in your life is painful I’m sure that you will find comfort someday. Your one of the best people I know. A loyal, caring, and devoted person. Those that are blinded to this fact don’t deserve you. Thanks for always being there for me. I will always be here for you as well.

The Friendship Factor

Upon this fine Monday morning I have decided to write about something that I think every senior in college probably goes through. The choice of who your close friends will be after you depart the university setting.

Someone once said to me; “if you don’t fight for the friendships that really matter to you, you won’t have any that matter.” I was thinking about this and how my life and friendships have changed since I graduated from high school. Because if I’m honest I really don’t talk to or hang out with manny of my friends from that point in my life. Not because they are not important to me, but because I do not want a one sided friendship. If you are a close friend of mine you know that I am not the kind of person who takes the idea of friendship lightly, nor do I casually make friendships. What I mean by this is that if you call yourself my friend, it would be nice to know that you care about me. Even if that is asking how I am doing, or wanting to know what has been going on in my life.

After high school I tried to hold onto friendships that I thought were close, but in reality I was the only one that valued that bond. So as I am getting ready to graduate in 6 months, I find myself at a crossroad. Should I stay or should I go? That is the real question about a lot of people I know. Because honestly I feel as though I may have casual friendships, after I graduate and move on from this place, reallity is that the majority will also move on, and those so called bonds will be broken and forgotten about.

So the question that I leave you with is: what people in your life are worth fighting for, and Which ones are you going to have to leave by the wayside?

That Time of Year……Again

So its been a while since my last post, so I figured I would start writing once again.

I am back at Trinity International University for my Senior year.  Yeah I know, it hard to believe how fast time flies.  To think that in about 6 months I will be graduating and moving on from this walk of life.  I really don’t know yet what God has in store for my life, but I am excited to find out.

This past summer I worked for YouthWorks, as a work projects coordinator in Cheyenne River, South Dakota.  God did so much there in the community and in the lives of the individuals that visited over the summer.  But one thing that I can say for sure is that my life was impacted and changed for the better.  God really showed me a purpose in life, and that I was not just being passed by.  I know that this experience will stick with me for the rest of my life.  And to ensure that I don’t forget about the changes and commitments that I made this summer, I had my left ear double pierced.  And don’t worry its the straight ear…….

So as I move into this semester I am taking 18 credit hours.  It’s a busy load but I am excited to learn what I can to help me in my future.  I have a crazy roommate; Alex Peterson, he’s kinda one of the best guys I know, I am so thankful for his friendship, and his willingness to put up with me.  Because lets face it, I can be a little unbearable at times…….well lets just call it craziness.  I am looking forward to some great memories this year.

On another note, I would just like to bring up the issue of singleness.  I have now been single for about a year and a half.  I don’t know what God’s plan is for my life.  If you had asked me at this time 2 years ago, I would have told you that I would be married by now.  But that is just not my reality.  God has a bigger plan.  I guess that is something that I learned this summer.  Being satisfied with where I am in life is not always easy especially when it feels like everyone around me is getting engaged or married.  I have come to the conclusion that there are people put in your pathway, but it is what you choose to do with those friendships that makes your way.  If I am single the rest of my life it will not be the worst thing, God will just have to keep me busy.                   To find true happiness all I need is Him.  If that is all that I take out of this point in my life then I have accomplished something.  But for all of you ladies out there just know that I am keeping my eyes open.

Well that’s all the insight into my life that I have for now.  I hope to write more often and share whats on my mind.  Thanks for reading!

2011: My New Years Resolution

Its been a while since my last post, but I would like to update you on what I am doing next.  I have decided to record all the movies and TV series that I watch/view in 2011.  Along with keeping track of each film, I will also begin writing reviews on each new adventure that I undertake, through the world of film.  The point is that I tend to escape into different places when I watch films.  Not that I do not enjoy who I am or think that I should be something else.  I just enjoy adventure through my imagination.  It’s like reading a book, but enhances my feelings and emotions.

It has been a while since I started keeping track of all the things that I watch this year seeing as it is almost March.  I have a total of 105 films/tv series that I have watched so far in 2011.  I have been so many places!  I learned how to be a serial killer (don’t worry I didn’t become one ;) ).  I have been inside the mind of poets and romantics from the 18th and 19th centuries.  Including a trip to Middle Earth this past weekend.  I am going to try to start writing reviews of the films I watch but it could take a while for me to post them….(It takes me 2 or 3 views of the same film before I can write a good review) 

So if you are interested, I am currently working my way through the ABC Family series “The Secret Life of the American Teenager.”  Other films that I have on the docket for this week include:  Legends of the Fall, Day of the Dead, The Karate Kid, and Apollo 13.

Let me know if you ever want to discuss film or just catch a show together