Things are looking up!

About a month or so ago, I applied at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I had my first interview toward the end of January with a second interview on Weds, Feb 10th. I was told that I would hear back by the end of the week to find out what the deal was. Sadly, Friday rolls around and no calls. So I call up and I ask them what the status is. They told me that they have been jam packed, so unfortunately they didn't know when they were going to be doing the phone calls.

I brushed it off my shoulders, even though I was starting to get extremely nervous. More applicants? That means more competition! I'm not a crazy fan of competition! Do not want! But.. I put it aside, and just kept doing what I was doing with life and threw in a small prayer here and there.

Friday, February  19th.

Work day as usual with my anxiety levels just a tad higher than normal since it had been over a week with no word from Universal. Brenda, the instructor I assist, told me not to worry, that with a huge company like that that there must be alot of paper work to go through and workers to verify. I agreed and continued to work while trying not to think about it.

10:15am One of the clients that uses a wheelchair asks to go to the bathroom. In the middle of helping her onto the toilet (thank goodness she can stand on her own.. just have to hold her belt) my phone rings. Unknown Number. My heart literally jumps to my throat. I answer the phone, and it's a woman from Universal. I ask her if she could hold on a small moment while I quickly take care of a client. So I get the girl on the toilet and run off. 

"Hi, this is So and So from Universal Studios, how are you?" 

"I'm okay, what's up?"

"Hi, So I'm calling to say that we thought you were a great candidate (*insert mini happy dance here*) but sadly all our full time positions are now full."

*Insert heart breaking into a million pieces here* "Oh.. is there any other full time spots available anywhere else in the park? Cause I really really wanna work for you guys."

"Let me check *few seconds later* No, only part time and seasonal."

"Oh.."

"If you want, I can put you on a list in case someone doesn't show up at orientation."

"Yes! Please.."

A few minutes later we hang up, my heart crushed. This was my dream job.. and there was a large possibility at this point that the dream was gone. Surprisingly enough though, I didn't really take it as hard as I thought I would of. The fact that they told me I was a great candidate helped and there were no flash backs to Carnival Cruise Lines (bastards) telling me I wasn't qualified when in fact I was (bastards). So, with a very very small amount of hope in my heart, I dried my tears and went back to work and told myself that whatever happens, happens.

Monday, Feb 22nd: 

I told my co-worker Terri, whose in the workshop two days a week (and will be taking my spot when I leave) what happened and told her about how only the seasonal and part time was available, neither of which I could do. Terri then told me that sometimes Seasonal comes with full time hours and to call and find out. So I agreed. For some reason, I didn't really feel like making the call that day.. I was still a bit bummed, even though deep down I knew this wasn't over.

Tuesday Feb 23rd, Today:

Decided to wear my Gryffindor t-shirt today. Went into work, and told Brenda about what Terri said and asked if I could make a phone call during break. Break rolls around, I call Universal with a slightly renewed ray of hope. I spoke with a lovely woman who explained how Universal's seasons go, and by the end of the conversation, realized that seasonal was much to unpredictable for my liking. I told the woman my situation and she told me she knew exactly how I felt, for she was in a similar position a few years back. She told me not worry about it and feel free to call in every once and a while to see what was available and that since it sounded like they really did like me, my chances of getting in were pretty good. So I thanked her and hung up.

I was basically given permission to pester.

I told Brenda what the deal was. I was disappointed, but knew this wasn't over. It couldn't be.

3:15pm.

All the clients went home for the day and I am now in the process of getting ready to clean the floor of the bathroom. I felt my phone vibrate. I look down, my heart pounding. I have my phone set to go off only if it's a phone call. I take it out of my pocket, Unknown Number. Heart pounds. I answer, 

"Hello, this is Erica."

"Hi Erica! This is Mark from Universal Studios!"

"Hi!"

"So I understand we called you on Friday.."
"Yeah, you guys told me all the full time slots were full.."
"Well, I'm calling to let you know that someone didn't make it to orientation and it was a full time position, and I was wondering if you would like that spot?"
"Yes!" *insert me jumping around like a crazy person "Just to let you  know, you just made me jump around like crazy. Thank you!"

Mark laughs and we begin talking about what ride I might be needed on (Dueling Dragons!) and when I could come in to work on the paper work. I do a little more jumping while talking to him and he laughs and says, "You're jumping right now aren't you?"

"Ha.. Yes..."

We discuss a few more things and we hang up. I then begin to bounce around the workshop squealing in joy as my co-workers either laugh at me or with me (haa.. both knowing a few ;))

So! Friday, at 345 I go in to work on paper work and hopefully then I'll find out when exactly I start and what I'll be doing.

Seriously, God really was looking out for me. I knew, I just knew that in the end, something will work out. Things happen for a reason, I'm a huge huge huge believer in that silly little cliche, but it's true.

I am so incredibly happy right now :)

Sign Language

Ever since I was a kid, I've always had a fascination with sign language. It really is a very useful tool to have on hand, and also, it's fun. I talk with my hands alot anyway, so why not put my flailing around to some use? There have been times while working in retail where my small knowledge of the language had to come into play, and ever time I found myself in that position, I always wish I knew more, since half the time I'd have to break down to mostly finger spelling with some words here and there.

Thankfully, because of work, my skills in sign language have slowly been improving, but it's not enough to where I feel comfortable holding an actual conversation with someone who is deaf.

I've taken a course while I was in college, and since then I've been looking up words and phrases online.. but I really miss the classroom setting. So I've recently been seriously thinking about going back to school to learn sign language. One of my dreams (ever since I was little) was to actually be an ASL interpreter. Weird eh?

It's just a matter of trying to find classes in my area.. free or somewhat cheap..

Rollercoasters

It's only weds and I can't even begin to describe how this week has been. I've been so incredibly stressed and strung out that it's been effecting my personality and sadly, my co-worker has noticed, and that bothers me. Normally I'm fairly chipper, but lately..to be honest, I haven't been very pleasant to be around. I dunno it's just hard to explain, but my co-worker and I talked about it and in the end I was in tears. Things between us are cool, but I just felt, and still feel, incredibly bad for how I've been. I'm glad she understands, but she shouldn't have to put up with that.

There's just so much on my plate right now.. and really, compared to everyone else, it's peanuts.. but still, it's weighing.

So here's a list of things that are currently hassling my mind:

Possible New Job: 2nd interview went great, but everything is still up in the air. The interview itself went really well and I'm fairly confident I'll get the job, but at the same time I keep thinking about the what if's. I can't stand the wait because the entire time I keep thinking back to when Carnival said they'd call me and let me know, but instead got a letter in the mail saying my skills didn't reflect the ones they needed for that position. Which is honestly complete bullshit because it was an entry level position and I was fully qualified for that spot. Everybody told me there's a chance it was because I was a female. Wouldn't surprised me. But it's good I didn't get the job because I can't do 6 months out at sea and be away from Jeff for that long. 

Work itself: Finally, after 3-4 weeks of not having any contract work, we FINALLY get something in so we can stop scrambling around to find things to do for the clients..that in itself has been a stress..But before all that..Last week while at lunch we saw an ambulance and a fire truck across the campus at the other cafeteria. One of the clients was choking... well.. all in all, said client passed away this passed Sunday. I didn't really know her that well, but hearing that she passed was somewhat hard.

Moving: Jeff and I have to move sometime with in the next month or two.. our lease is up in Feb, and the landlord said we could pay month to month till we find another place. Which is nice.. but trying to find a place around Orlando with in our price range is a pain in the arse...

And of course, the one thing that's always bothering me and is constantly on my mind is my stupid debt. I have a huge chunk of it already under control and steady, which is good, except for one which I'm having a hard time dealing with, and because of this, I have to call up certain people tomorrow (already had to call a few tonight) and see what my options are. I'm not in trouble, I'm just not liking where my current position is. Does that make sense?

And then of course there's that awesome lovey dovey day called Valentines Day.... sarcasm? I have a love/hate relationship with this hallmark holiday..and that's all I'm gonna say about that.

Then on top of all that, there are a few friends I've been out of touch with (twitter/facebook) and I've noticed because of this, I've been slowly pushed outside. It's partially my fault since I haven't been interacting as much as I should be, but all in all.. it hurts to be the one always looking in through the window... I'm always that person..

So all in all.... I'm pretty frazzled.. and I feel like curling up under a rock till I hear some shred of good news.

:'(

The woes of writing

All day today I have been staring at a blinking cursor, mocking my ability to write down a string of letters that in turn form words and in turn form sentences and yadda yadda yadda yadda...It sucks, because I love writing and lately one of my outlets haven't been available, so I've been working on another.

Thing is though, when I have all this creative stuff running around in my head, it can be hard for me to get it out properly to the point where I'm happy with it. If it doesn't come out decent the first time, it doesn't come out at all. It's frustrating and as much as I hate to admit it, it actually effects my mood. I get cranky. It's not a pleasant experience to say the least.

What I really need to do is find someplace other than home to write music and also write my silly little story which none of you will read most likely (and not because it'll suck, but because I won't let you)

Oi..

This night though wasn't completely horrible. I chatted w/ my buddy Alan who came up with an awesome idea for our gathering. I'm excited and can't wait for that. It'll be great to finally meet him irl. :) Seriously, it should be against the law for nerdfighters to be so far away from each other..

On a slightly good note: I managed to pick out a little bit of the intro to Extra Ordinary by Better Than Ezra. Woot. <3 them. Saw 'em in concert actually and met them afterwards a few years back. Lead singer thought I was cute. I may or may not have swooned...

actually it was more like 'Huh? Oh....thanks?'

okay! Done rambling and wasting your time now! :)