Nerdgizmo Takes on the World: January 2015

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Training, Training, Training...

Hey guys! Sorry I haven’t updated in a while! Things have been super crazy down here in Orlando, in the best way possible of course! The big news is that I've been training in my position as a salesman at the Art of Disney gallery in Downtown Disney! Training has been super long and in parts definitely boring, but I've loved every minute of it so far. Interacting and talking with guests has made all the boring and repetitive moments worth it in my mind. I've gotten to meet some really cool people already in my short time here, and even learn about the art that we carry in the gallery, which is great for an art lover like myself!

I've even received cross training on how to make one of the most iconic pieces anyone could buy on their Disney vacation: Mickey Mouse ears! To be honest, the process of stitching names on the ears is far from the most exciting thing in the world, thanks to the advent of computer run sewing machines, but again, it’s the moments with the guests receiving their ears, the smiles and laughter as they put them on for the first time, that really makes it a truly amazing job. It just hit me the other day that though I’m just a small cog in the machine, I’m nonetheless apart of something far bigger than I could ever hope to be, something that’s been going on long before I was here and something that will probably go on long after I’m gone, and that’s super surreal. Sure, the job itself is far from glamorous, but when you look at it from a different perspective, it’s hard not to see the importance of it. We’re apart of people’s vacation, the moments they’ll remember, the anecdotes they’ll tell all their friends, the memories they’ll cherish. That’s pretty awesome!

Of course, outside of work I've gotten to make my own memories, along with my new friends that I’ve made here! There’s so much that we've done in just a few short days that I’ll just do a big ole’ picture dump with a few of my lovely comments added along the way. Enjoy!

My first view of the castle! Eeeeep!

My name tag. I may or many not have cried.

My new friend Sylvia and I in Epcot #golfballselfie

#smallworldselfie

Joey (on the left) got to meet Belle

Fireworks by Ariel's castle!

#heaven

My costume for Art of Disney

My pins!!!!

Meeting Tinkerbell! Apparently I need more pixie dust I'm so tall.

Marie the cat!

Merida! I only talked her ear off a little bit, but I was too excited lol

Sylvia, me, Ariel, Joey, Josh, and James!

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

WE WON, WE WON, WE WON!!!! also I'm all moved in...

UNDISPUTABLE CHAMPS!!!!! I seriously cannot believe that the Buckeyes beat Oregon last night to become national champions! I've always been proud to be a Buckeye, but last night was so amazing that I can't even describe it. It was so much fun watching them work as a team and come back from what I thought was a series of game-ending mistakes to hoist up the trophy. I can't wait to get my championship gear and wear it obnoxiously around all the parks!

In other news, I moved into my apartment yesterday and took my first steps towards becoming a fully official Disney employee! I'd be lying if I said that the process wasn't stressful. Check in was at nine and from there I didn't get fully moved in until 5. It was definitely a long day, but there were a lot of great things that happened during the day:

- I finally found out where I'd be working! I will be a salesman in the Art of Disney Gallery in Downtown Disney! I think that there was definitely some sort of divine intervention that had to occur, because this just seems too perfect for me. My love of Disney could only be challenged by my love of art and collecting, so its great to be working in a place that melds the two! I haven't officially started training (that happens Thursday) but I certainly can't wait!

- I found out where I'll be living and who I'll be living with. I was placed in Patterson Court, the newest apartment complex at Disney, with five other guys. The place itself is very nice, nicer perhaps than any other place I've lived in during college. While I'm definitely going to have to get used to with rooming with someone after having my own room, my roommate, as well as the other guys in my apartment, are pretty cool, if a little quiet (though it is just the first day). I look forward to getting to know them.

Today has been much more relaxed, if a bit sad. I had to finally say goodbye to mom and Greg after a fun three days of traveling and adventures. To say that I'll miss them while I'm here is a massive understatement. They are the reason why I've been able to come so far and there love and support are something that I'll cherish forever. I can't possibly thank them enough for all of the things they've done for me, but it doesn't hurt to try. Mom and Gred, thank you!

I love you so much.

Sunday, January 11, 2015

Shop shop shop till you drop!

My oh my, today was a busy day. We started off early (for me at least) at 8:00 in the morning for our free breakfast buffet at the hotel. Now normally this wouldn't be anything special of note, but I mention it only because of how nice it was to see the other families starting their day and felling their infectious energy as they set out to wherever the day took them. It was especially nice to see the runners taking part in the Disney Marathon. To see such energy and excitement in one place made me even more excited then I already was to start working and do my best so that I too could be a part of the atmosphere!

After breakfast we decided to stop at the Orlando Premium Outlets, one of the premiere shopping destinations in the city, and let me tell you, that place was swanky! Prada, Burberry, Fendi, Armani, if you can name it they had it! And at great prices too (though most was waaaayyyy out of my college graduate price range)! I was able to find a Prada tie for only thirty bucks, as well as a Disney pin to start of my collection!

For lunch we headed to Downtown Disney, and ate at perhaps my favorite restaurant on Disney property, T-Rex Cafe. Any place with full sized animatronic dinosaurs is already tops in my book, and the large portions of yummy food didn't hurt at all!

(Posing with mom and flowers at Downtown Disney)

(We survived a "meteor shower"!!!!)

After lunch we continued to do what we do best, and shop. In the process I ended up with four more Disney pins, two of which are limited edition! I can definitely see pin purchasing being a reoccurring theme in this blog. They're just so fun and collectible, which is right up my alley coming from a family of collectors. They also make a better souvenir than a t-shirt, which is what I'd probably buy instead if I didn't have a million ready.

(My pins)

We ended the night with a nice relaxing dinner at Bahama Breeze, sitting outside and enjoying the calypso music. The food was good and the company was excellent as always!

(I look dumb here)

(And here)

(I promise this isn't mine..... More of a martini man myself)

And now I'm in bed watching the Simpsons. I'm not going to lie, I'm nervous about moving in tomorrow and starting my journey proper. I feel like I'm a freshman in college all over again, without the almost dying part. But at the same time I'm so so excited too. I feel ready for this, like this is something I'm meant to do. I'm ready to prove myself and to start the next leg of my life's journey, wherever it takes me!

Saturday, January 10, 2015

Selfie Saturday: The Trip Down

Today, after much anticipation, stress, and most of all, excitement, we finally made the long drive down to Disney World to drop me off. I wanted to document the trip, but I wanted to do it in a new and exciting way, so I decided on selfies. Each hour I took a different selfie, and I think they all speak for themselves. Enjoy!

8:00 AM- #startingselfie