
Lately, I've been sitting back and have taken an outside view of my life, and I've realized it's great. Everyday I think about how fortunate I am with all I have. The biggest things that come to mind are my family, my girlfriend, and my job. Sure, there are so many other things to name, but those are definitely my top 3. This job has lead me to learn so much about life. I've learned that life is not about what circumstances arise, but how a person perceives them. Everyday, I put a smile on my face and take on all challenges.
Right now, the biggest challenge is having my girlfriend be across the Atlantic Ocean. Never in my life have a met a person like her. We have so much in common, and we both view life very similarly. Everyday I speak with her is another day I learn something about her and how much we have in common. In fact, I know God has a very mysterious way of working, and I believe that's how I met her - in a mysterious way. Here's the low down...
To start from the beginning, there was a huge problem about me being accepted to the Disney Program. I received an e-mail from my recruiter stating I was in! However, later that month, I read a letter that stated I was not accepted. If it weren't for such a persistent mother and my own determination, I would not have been here today with my friend Zak who also suffered the same mistake as I did.
But, after being in the program for about a month, I was pulled be trained in the Welcome Show and Trolley Parade for the Magic Kingdom. Knowing what these two shows were, I did not want to do them. So, my ultimate plan was to be disapproved on purpose, so I would never have to do them! I guess I could just say I wasn't interested, but I thought I'd have an interesting story to tell. In the process, I embarrassed myself, because I never put on a good show for the judges to approve me. Oh well. Finally, on the night of approvals (1 am - 7 am), I am pretty sure I put on one of the worst performances of my life for these people. It paid off, because I was disapproved! Trust me, this has something to do with Ashton.
By not being approved in the Welcome Show, I would not be moving on to learn the Trolley Show. However, there was a mistake in the scheduling, because first thing next week, I showed up at the Magic Kingdom's Production Center to learn Trolley. I walked in, and the first thing everyone said to me is, "what are you doing here?" I told them, "I have no idea." Finally, the manager walked in, and I approached him with the confusion of how I believed you had to be approved to move on. The only thing he could say was, "I am confused too." Eventually, he called the duty base for entertainment so I would have something else to do that day.
I headed back to the base and was told I had a position to fill. In fact, I was going to be friends with the Queen of Hearts, who rarely makes an appearance with Alice and the Mad hatter. I went to go help the Queen get her clothes picked out for her park appearance and headed up to the break room. It was in this break room where I met Ashton who is friends with Alice. We sort of talked a bit, but the whole time the only thing I could think about is how fun this girl would be to take out on a date. Eventually, I played my cards right, and she invited me to eat lunch with her. I said yes.
After lunch, the Queen and Alice were going separate ways because the Queen had more guests to see while Alice had a parade to do. However, while I was walking back up to where the Queen was, Ashton followed me. I thought she said goodbye a long time ago, because she stopped to say hi to several people, and I continued on my way. Fortunately, she said wait up every so often and followed me all the way to the break room. She asked if there was some way she could get a hold of me, and I told her about the internet, and it's fascinating application and how she could reach me, as she told me the same. She gave me a hug and headed back downstairs as I helped prepare the Queen for her next debut.
After the Queen's meet and greets were over, her and I headed back into the break room to relax. On the chair I had my backpack was a little note scribbled on a paper towel that reminded me of how I could get a hold of Ashton.

That's how I met her, and I guess I left out some of the minor details. As you can see, there was some sort of coincidence in how I met such a fascinating person.
Meanwhile, I am still working at Woody's Cowboy Camp and am having a great time. It's a fun gig, and the people I work with make it all the better.

I am also doing the parades at the Magic Kingdom. I am doing the Dreams Come True Parades in the day and then Spectromagic at night. I have learned that the Big Bad Wolf has not had any more problems with his lights either!

To more fun!