There could not be a more round about way to get to Orlando, Florida from Vancouver, BC. I fly Vancouver-Calgary, Calgary-Toronto, then Toronto-Orlando.

At least, I’m trying to.

I checked earlier today and all three flights were on time, ready to go. When I get to the Vancouver airport, I find out that my first flight is about an hour and a half late.

It’s delayed because it’s snowing in Calgary and they were unprepared for snow in May.

I find this whole ordeal so incredibly ironic. I’m going somewhere where snow is a foreign concept, yet my travels are delayed because of it. Oh well. I’ll brush it off - I’m going to the happiest place on earth. The only thing that irks me about this delay is that I could’ve spent the day with my friends at ODS prepping for the alumni party and open house. Oh well. C’est la vie.

It hasn’t hit me yet that I won’t be home for a very long time. I guess I’m just so used to traveling since I frequently commute between Victoria and Vancouver for school. Once I get on the plane, I predict that will all change.

This summer is forcing me to be independent. I like to think of myself as a very independent person, but ICP is taking that to an entire different level. This summer is throwing me into the metaphorical deep end without my water wings. Good thing I am a strong swimmer. 

As much as I would love to say I am nothing but excited, nerves are weighing on my mind - and have been for a while now. The unknown is always scary. This has always been a fault of mine - fear of the unknown, fear of change. I’m completely uprooting my life and moving it across the continent for 3 months to do something I never thought I would have the opportunity to do. Don’t get me wrong, this is going to be an amazing summer and I can’t wait to meet everybody tomorrow, but I am scared.

Speaking of fears, let’s address the one about flying. The next 15 hours are going to be a gong show. Granted that my longest flight is just under 4 hours, I have to ascend and descend 3 different times and endure being in a confined, air-recycled tube for longer than I care for. Flying has always scared me. I used to get horrible panic attacks when I would fly - friends that have traveled with me can attest that it was not fun. Hopefully, today and tomorrow will be smooth sailings.

I am so excited to start this chapter of my life, but I’m also sad that I’ll be missing out on things at home. Like this weekend, Open House at ODS and Spencer’s birthday. My sister graduates next month. All my camps are happening this summer without my name on the counselling staff.

Before I sign off and go watch Grey’s Anatomy before my flight, some things for some certain people to know.

Genny: You are a fantastic Sr. Counsellor and I love you to pieces. I’m sure this weekend will be amazing and everybody has you to thank for that.

Emma/Heather: You are both such fantastic camp directors. I am so sad I am missing out on what you have in store for camp this summer, but I have no doubts that it will be the best Artaban will see all year.

My lovely ladies: I will miss you all so much. You don’t even know. Please make sure I have your addresses so I can email you wonderful Disney things.

Spencer: You know. I know you know. And happy birthday my love.

And now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to get comfy at a different gate. Apparently YVR just doesn’t want this flight to happen.

This whole process of getting a background check is really getting on my nerves. I mean, I know it has to be done, and I will do it, but nobody at the Police Station seems to be able to get their head out of the sand to help me.

True story.

I have no problem with the police investigating me. I don’t have a criminal record and I don’t owe millions and millions of dollars (not yet anyways, it’s only my first year of student loans). What I do have a problem with, is the fact that if you need this check for work, it will cost you $50. If you need the exact same check for a volunteer position, it’s free.

How does that make sense?

Whether you’re getting paid or not, the background check the police do comes out with the exact same information. Exactly the same. 

Now, I’ve had my fair share of criminal record checks. I work with a lot of kids at a lot of different camps, each that require their own check. Every time I go to get that check done, it’s cost free and hassle free. It’s a wonderful life. But now, since Disney World decided that they were going to pay me for my work (which is very kind of them), the police have decided to take that money. $50 of it.

It’s just frustrating. The police clearly don’t understand that I am a poor student and dishing out $50 is like, my monthly allowance. #uncool

Oh well. The things I do for you, Disney World job.

Yes, I just addressed my job like it’s a person. Deal with it.

Flying with Peter Pan at Tokyo Disneyland.

April 2009

<3

My first of many ICP vlogs!

This is the first chance I’ve gotten to document how I feel about this whole thing. Sure, I made my happiness and excitement well known to those around me in the past two days, but now I can finally get it all down.

I was working at Outdoor School this week so I wasn’t able to be checking my email constantly like all the other students who applied for the program. But every time I saw that little email icon on my phone, my heart started to race and the butterflies in my stomach were working overtime. On Wednesday afternoon, I finally got my answer.

I was offered a job as a life guard in the Walt Disney World International College Program for the summer of 2012.

Not to sound cocky, but I kinda of already knew what the outcome was. Or, I guess, my hope turned into knowledge. I’m really good at interviews - probably because I’m such a people person (which is excellent since I will be working at Disney World and I’ll need customer service to come out of my ears). The lady that interviewed me, Jeni, really connected with me and I knew walking out of that room at the Sutton Place Hotel, which is pretty much the definition of swanky, that I wouldn’t be disappointed.

When I got the news, I screamed. No surprise there. I’m so glad I had two of my best friends, Genny and Paige, along with so many other people that I love around me to celebrate. Outdoor School was the best place to get the news. When I ran out screaming with excitement, the kids automatically knew that I got the job and gave me a huge cheer. It was the cutest thing ever.

I’m still reeling from all the excitement. I’ve been invested in this since early December. It almost seems unreal. That will most likely change as soon as I start doing all of the mandatory paperwork.

I just can’t believe this is happening to me. This is easily going to be one of the best experiences of my life - I already know that.

So I created this blog. Quite a few people have already told me that they want to know absolutely everything - so I’ll put it all here. Pictures, stories, videos, blogs - all easily accessible. I’m sure future-me will thank present-me for it later, too.