6 Things I've learned from 6 Months at Disney >> December

6 Things I've learned from 6 Months at Disney

december

See you later, my friends

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This is the final post of this series.

If I had to use one word to describe December, it would be "bittersweet." December was indeed, very bittersweet. 

At first, it was only sweet. I had the privilege of traveling to the Bahamas with some of the best people I know, and I was also more than ready to go home. But as soon as December 13th came rolling along, it suddenly dawned on me that in 2 weeks time I would be gone, forever. I know it sounds a little melodramatic, but after spending 6 months with friends that have become like family, it is not easy to say good bye. Ironically, the final countdown was an uphill battle. Suddenly, it was very bitter...

The last two days, December 26th and 27th, were the days that I had to say good bye to all my friends, and it was one of the hardest things I have had to do. Christmas day was my last day at work. Being away from home and having to work on Christmas day from 10:15-23:00 was brutal...and saying good bye to the best coworkers I've ever had made it worse...I was such a mess that day. I have no idea what the future brings, but those coworkers have set the bar high, and in that sense I have been spoiled. :)

On the 27th, I was invited to a Christmas dinner with my friends from Spain. My first Spanish meal. One of them brought three kinds of cured meat (jamón, lomo, and fuet) from Spain. His family brought it over while they were visiting a month ago and he saved it for this day, respect. We also had Spanish tortillas, empanada, ensalada, a hot turkey to name a few. For dessert we had arroz con leche. The meal was delicious and so authentic, and I felt so blessed that they invited me to share it with them. Their hospitality and kindness moved me and made me incredibly emotional. After having to say good bye, I went to watch the Christmas edition of the Wishes fireworks at Magic Kingdom for the last time with my fellow Canadians. If only I had a way to preserve those moments...How am I so blessed?

I remember one evening, I was on the bus with my Spanish friend, and he told me that it was not a good bye, but a "see you later."  So on my last month I've learned one of the most important lessons of all. People come into our lives to brighten our lives, some to teach us lessons, and other to show us who we are. Sometimes, we get to decide who stay in our lives.  For those that we can't hold onto, they teach us that "c'est la vie," we still have to move on. Those two nights, I said good bye to some, but a see you later to others. Because I know that if I really wanted to, (and I do,) I will find a way to see them again. But life is all about closing doors and opening new ones. So here's to new doors. Here's to 2014. I know that for myself, it will be a year of surprises. 

Thank you Mickey Mouse, thank you Mr. Walt Disney, thank you Mickey's of Hollywood, thank you Sunset Ranch, thank you Canada, thank you Spain, thank you France, thank you Macau, thank you Mexico, thank you Puerto Rico, thank you America, thank you Italy, thank you Britain, and thank you Colombia. I'll never forget what we shared.

I love you all and...see you later :)

6 Things from 6 Months at Disney >> OCTOBER // NOVEMBER

6 Things I've learned from 6 Months at Disney

october // november

Thankful on Thanksgiving

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Unfortunately I've had to mash two months worth of experiences into one post, but since October is the month of thanksgiving in Canada and November is the month of thanksgiving in the USA, what better way to share it all than to dedicate this post to being thankful?

Thanksgiving dinner with the Spanish at Chatham Square, Lake Buena Vista, FL. (November 2013)

These past two months I have learned so much, especially being around people of all personalities. The saying that there are all kinds of people out there is very true. Meeting these people has made me realize the importance of integrity; that you always have the choice to disassociate yourself from others who simply have none and that it is not healthy to be around people that have no credibility.

6 Things from 6 Months at Disney >> SEPTEMBER

6 Things I've learned from 6 Months at Disney

september

Balance // Equilibrar

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I know I keep disappearing for a month at a time and I apologize! This is a late post but still incredibly important. 

Moving to a new country, into a new home, and settling into a new job sounds crazy, but in reality it isn't all that bad. The real challenge is learning how to balance work, school, and a social life altogether (and more often than not, the social life takes the biggest hit). For example, this week has been a 40 hour work week, which leaves little time on the side to do much else. And while school assignments have been easy, they require time to complete, a precious commodity we do not have much of. 

Star Dust over Pixie Dust

Okay...so after a while, Disney gets a little overwhelming.  So I finally had my fix of the "outside/real" world last week after going climbing at the gym.

Star Dust is now my new favourite dig! 

6 Things from 6 Months at Disney >> AUGUST

6 Things I've learned from 6 Months at Disney

august

Accepting Change // Becoming Stronger

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Two months have gone by and while I've had my moments, I have also experienced lows like never before, and more frequently than ever. Because of these lows, I have been overcome by homesickness; overwhelmed and desperate for the comfort of "normalcy" in Vancouver, whatever that may mean. On those darker days, the only reason why I had still been around was because of the amazing people who I have gotten to know and love. 

It was here that I ended up closing a chapter of my life which sent me spiraling uncontrollably. And now my emotions have become an utter mess. I have never been so confused about myself before. Not being in control of your emotions is one of the scariest things I've ever had to endure, and when it gets to the point where you drive yourself to nausea, you know it's time to end the suffering.

6 Things from 6 Months at Disney >> JULY

6 Things I've learned from 6 Months at Disney

July

No Matter How Difficult // No Importa La Dificultad

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It has been a month since moving to Orlando, FL, and the first month here was arguably the most challenging. Despite coming here with many friends, the loneliness in my heart had been relentless. I let it overcome all my other emotions, and I let it break me down. But I knew that I was doing it to myself. In an eerie sense, I was watching myself as I inflicted self-torture.

Living alone, cooking for myself, and being independent was something I've never really had the opportunity to do. So being here and having to take care of myself is exciting, but it's still a new routine. It's simply too easy for one to amplify the little problems and create a monster where one never existed. But it's also easy to control such imaginations...and that is what I have learned to do.

       “If you are depressed you are living in the past.
If you are anxious you are living in the future.
If you are at peace you are living in the present.”

― Lao Tzu

Learning to deal with those problems was difficult but it has taught me to pave my own road. And with each challenge, my skin grows thicker. All I know for certain is that I need to continue on through my path and overcome those fears.

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