I met a Disney Legend

After spending 2 1/2 hours in line Wednesday morning and being turned away because he ran out of time I finally got to meet Disney Legend Marty Sklar at Downtown Disney Art of Animation shop in the Market Place. I must say it was magical! I'll admit i've only gotten through half of the book so far, but his accomplishments are unparalleled to any other Disney imagineer or Disney Legend! Marty's book "Dream It! Do It!" is about his journey through the Disney company and along side the Disney family. Marty had personal relationships with Walt and Roy Disney through out his life and the stories he has to tell truly put the Disney spirit into perspective!
Before meeting Marty in true fangirl fashion I had a list of questions and things to say, but it all went out the window when I walked up to him and he said Hello and asked me where I was from. I told him that I was from Michigan recalling that he spent quite a time up there in my neck of the woods with Walt working with a handful of businesses GM and Ford being one of them. He proceeded to ask me how it was there and I told him that it could probably be better, but they were working on trying to get everything sorted and fixed. He said at least it isn't cold yet.
I do wish that I had mentioned I was a cast member and I had big dreams in the company, but I was a bit starstruck. Maybe in the future I'll be on the list of Disney Legends right next to Marty Sklar.

My idea of success

I used to think in order to be happy I had to be successful, so i would chase around this shadow of an idea of what I thought success was. I would grieve over an absence from class and shut myself down at the slightest grade under a B because that was not being a success and in my mind it just meant failure. I had been taught by society to believe that success meant having a fortune and a strong job title with a reputation built on the words of my peers, but it was all wrong. In my yearning and searching for this type of success I only ever found anxiety and panic over the fact that I could not live the expected life needed to become that person, to become that success. I spent a long time with this idea that I was a failure, and I won't deny that the constant fear of failing looms over me with every decision I make. I am stronger today because I know that failing is not what I should be afraid of, and not what I should have ever been scared to experience. The experience of failing or making a mistake is the most wonderful thing because with every tiny mistake a lesson is learned and you have the ability to grow as a person! 

I make mistakes everyday, and I am coming to a point where I am no longer ashamed of them I just accept them for what they are which is my learning opportunities. Mistakes should be glorified and praised for their educational capacities not shamed and looked down on. 

I don't know if I will ever have the stereotypical idea of success, but I know that I am successful everyday that I can admit to a flaw and overcome it. I have grown to shine above any mistake or flaw I have and accept them all as my own. Maybe some of them can stand to be changed or adjusted, but some of my flaws are just part of the things that make me who I am and they shouldn't have to be changed. 

The key to being successful is really just being happy with who you are and what you can do, and realizing that if you are not happy with that you can change it all at any time.

Monthiversary!

I moved into my apartment at Disney World one month ago today. Time here is so strange some days feel like years, but other days already feel like distant memories. It is really sad to think that my time here is already 1/5 of the way finished at that before we can even fathom it our programs will be over and it will be time to say good bye.
I am very glad to say that I love it here, I love every aspect of the company and even though I think there are better ways to do things sometimes I know that it is cast members like me who look towards to future who will keep this company on the right track and advancing.
While my ultimate goal is to write music for Disney movies and maybe even the shows they have here in the parks I have come to terms and realized that if I really want to accomplish that goal I must leave Disney in the future to further my education.
I have tons of plans and goals for my university education but nothing it set in stone just yet and I have plenty of time to decide what exactly I will be doing with my life still.
I can honestly say though that I am so excited for the future and for living and just being here and that is the best feeling. I wake up everyday maybe not jumping out of bed, but with a smile on my face because I realize how lucky I am.
I am doing a job that I love, in a place that I could have only ever dreamed of being. I am not sure if fate is being kind to me, or if I've just worked really hard to accomplish this, but I am so grateful for this opportunity and for this experience.

I leave you tonight with my character photo with Peter and Wendy: