Friday, March 12, 2010

Life Developments

In an attempt to collect myself and update the world abroad, here is my life:

One: I'm withdrawing from my classes. I'm so far behind its ridiculous and I just don't have the stress capacity to attempt to catch up. Unfortunately, this puts me in a bad spot in two ways. The first, Texas has a law where you can only withdraw from six classes during your college career. This will make three for me, and I'm probably halfway done with school. "Probably" because I have yet to pick a major or a university to transfer to. The second, I'll have to pay back the student loan I received this semester, which I've already spent. This adds financial pressure, which brings me to my next point.

Two: I'm broker than broke. Yesterday I went to the bank to pay back my negative balance of $362. Repaying my loan will be on top of paying rent on my apartment in Texas that I'm currently not living in since I'm in Florida, paying car insurance which I haven't been able to afford since January, and catching up on medical bills from my year of hell where I continued to be sick without health insurance... plus living here on eight dollars an hour. I'll manage, I just need to reorganize my spending priorities. 

Three: My boyfriend, Charlie, and I broke up. We ended six mostly wonderful years together and while I'm entirely devastated and disappointed that things didn't work out, I think we'll both benefit from it in the long run. Of course, I'll always love him and he'll continue to be one of the most important and influential people in my life, but I just don't think we're right for each other anymore. <3

Four:  Applications for program extensions go up March 15th and I'm applying. Khristine and I are going to try to be roommates. I'm still on the fence about whether I want to try to extend in Photopass or not. While I love my role, the equipment is really difficult for me to handle. Its ridiculously heavy and my wrist is in a constant state of injury. I've already been sent to health services and I wear a brace when I shoot, and most of the time at home as well. I think I'm going to try to extend into Character Attendant. The only downsides are that I love taking pictures. When I'm shooting characters especially, I still get super giddy and happy when I know I'm capturing amazing moments. Secondly, the paycut from PhotoPass to Character attendant is 75 cents less an hour. Considering my current financial predicament, I may try to choose another high paying role if I can help it. Happiness or security? The ever present life question. 

Five: I've been trying to consider different options I may have after the summer is over, should I get the extension. Since I'm moving out of my apartment with Charlie, my stuff and my dogs will be at my mom's house, where she said I could stay for as long as I wanted.  My mom is one of my best friends and I know we'd have a blast together. Should things continue to go well here at Disney World, I could extend a second time to stay here through January on the college program. Or, as a wild and exciting and not-well-thought-out idea, I could try to move into the Adventures By Disney side of the company and see the freaking world. We'll see haha. I have a few months before I need to pick a path. Hopefully the decision comes easily.
 

8 comments:

Jenn said...

Wow, sounds pretty stressful! I honestly with you good luck and hope it all works out soon.

Also, I hope you extend so we can hang out when I get there in June. You sound like you're having a lot of fun even with the stress!

Abigail said...

I'm glad to hear from you, even if it's because you're dealing with a bunch of stressful things. BUT you sound like you love the program despite all that, which makes me happy!

And I agree with Jenn, extend so we can meet this summer!!

Kristin said...

Thanks for taking the time to update us.

Good luck with all of that stress you have to handle. Money used to be a huge stressor of mine, but once you realize what you need to do and start turning the wheels to get there, it does work out. I'm sure you will figure it out, maybe I'll see you in August!

laurie said...

So, sorry to hear about all the stress!!

I have a question...My daughter was just accepted last Monday and her role will be photopass!! What kind of shoes do you have to wear? She was just diagnosed with Plantar Fascitis and has started Physical therapy so I would love to be able for her to get the shoes ahead of time so she can brake them in!!

laurie said...

Oh, she will be doing Fall advantage arriving May 19th!! She is so looking forward to taking pics of guests with characters!!

Do you stay in the same park the whole program or do you park hop?

Thanks!!

Marina said...

hi Laurie -

She'll need completely white tennis shoes/sneakers. Get some with good support for standing/walking.

As photopass, you are scheduled in only one park but she will have the opportunity to pick up additional shifts in other parks and possibly get trained to work in the water parks.

Let me know if yall have any more questions and congrats to her!

laurie said...

Marina,

Wow, I wasn't expecting to get such a fast response!! Thanks you soooo much!!!

What kind of sneakers do you wear? I know Disney doesn't like to promote other brands so are Nikes ok since their icon is on the shoe.

Would you suggest her requesting a park? She wants to be at MGM. What is your favorite park to work at?

I forgot to tell you how imformative your blog is!! So much great info!! I really appreciate it as does my daughter!!

Maybe she will get a chance to meet you while there!!

Thanks again,
Laurie

Marina said...

Nikes are fine. Any brand names are okay as long as they are ALL white.

She can put in a request but it won't be a guarantee. If she wants to work at Hollywood Studios, tell her to put in the request. I work at Epcot and haven't worked anywhere else so I can't say much. I did have my icon training at Hollywood Studios and it seemed like a nice place to work.

I'm planning on extending through August 13th so hopefully we'll get a chance to meet!