Fireworks!

Working at Magic Kingdom is a blast! I am lucky to be working in Out Door Vending for so many reasons! First, I have the best coworkers! They are rediculously nice and exceptionally funny. Second, I work outside, and get to interact with guests all day long. Third, I get bounced around from popcorn cart to popcorn cart, so I get variety in my day! I can think of so many more, but that's just three. 

Working anywhere, your attitude dictates how much you enjoy your job. There is always going to be something not to like, and if you let yourself be negative, you will be miserable. I work to stay positive and it makes all the difference in how much fun I have working.

This week I have been spending my free time in the parks. Yesterday I went to Epcot and just walked through the countries. In China there was an amazing acrobatics show, that I caught the end of after eating Mongolian style beef and noodles, that I will have to go back and see.

Later while waiting for the fireworks, I discovered a croissant doughnut with ice-cream! I'm sure if they gave you a knife instead of just a plastic fork, that there would be a graceful way to eat it, but both my friend and I found that the easiest way is to just bite into it and eat it like a doughnut. The ice-cream melts all over and I felt like a sticky little kid again. Once I found a sink, it was easy to clean up. The doughnut was flakey and came apart in layers. 

While waiting for the fireworks, I was able to see Hollywood studios' fireworks they were beautiful! Then the Epcot show finally came on and it was breathtaking! Water spouts, lights, lasers, flame thrower and fireworks!

I was also able to make it to Magic kingdom to see Wishes! Overall it was a spectacular night!

Casting Disney Program!

So... Magical moments... I'M WORKING FOR DISNEYWORLD!
The first day was crazy! I made quite a few new friends. It is very cold in the morning, especially for a Southern California girl.

I made friends as I checked in. Everyone is super nice and friendly! I loved meeting people who were a lot like me in personality everywhere I went. At check in I got my housing ID, got my key, found out my role (Magic Kingdom!), and found out my apartment number.

Then my new friends and I went to casting!

At casting I met Kent! One of the original cast members and one of the founders of the Disney College Program! I even got to shake his hand!

I also met Randy Gonzales who works with internships and he was super funny, but I don't have a picture.

Afterward I went to my new apartment! So far all my roommates are really awesome and I look forward to this semester.

Practicing Families

Original Photo from Pixabay

Bruce Lee was stating a principle when he said this quote.  What we continually practice is what we achieve.  Goals need to be specific if we want to achieve them.  It is important not to forget the basics of whatever we do.  The best musicians are the ones who are exceptional at the basics.  They practice their scales and arpeggios day after day.  The best artists practice their brush strokes or pencil strokes or the basic form of any medium they work in. 

For society to flourish, it needs to work on its basics.  The family is the basic unit of society.  Families are being choked out by media, government policies, societal messages, laziness and fear.  As a result families and societies are facing increased challenges.

People who join gangs, when interviewed as to why they join, say they are looking for a sense of belonging, it feels like a family.  If we promoted the strength of families, perhaps these people wouldn’t have to go looking elsewhere for that belonging. Fewer people in gangs would mean less gang violence.  Families can increase unity by doing things together.  One thing I have noticed that improves the vibe in the home is family dinner.  People who have family dinner together get to know one another as people.  Then when conflicts come up, they aren’t as big of deal, partially because there is more balance between positive and negative experiences.

National statistics prove a correlation between single parenthood and income.  If families are making less money and have less time, they have less ability to contribute to society.  The more stable families in society, the more likely it is for people to give back.  If there was more of a focus on marriage being something you work at for the rest of your life, instead of something you grow out of, then there would be fewer broken families.  Especially harmful is the idea of a “starter marriage.”  This is a marriage you enter into without the expectation of staying.

There is also a trend of younger families taking on more debt than they used to.  People who borrow money from the government/banks and can’t pay it back contribute to the national debt.  People who are self-sufficient improve the world around them.  People can avoid this by avoiding debt where possible.  Buying a house you can afford, not needing the next best thing, and keeping to the bare necessities where necessary. In short, you can do this by living within your means and spending less than you make.

There are many things we could do to try to help society.  By far the most effective way to improve society will be to improve families.

Three Things You Need to Do to Improve Yourself

1. Experiment and make mistakes

Especially before you graduate and start getting paid in money.  Take the opportunity to fail often, so that you can succeed more. Michael Jordan said, "I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."

2. Challenge yourself

If you don't challenge yourself, you aren't learning and growing.  One way to challenge yourself is to look at the work of someone you admire, and imitate it.  Do this with several people.  In music, the more variety of music you listen to and create the more well-rounded your voice gets.  Or you can at least pick and choose what you like and don't like.  It's the same with whatever else you want to do.

3. Love what you do

If you don't love what you do, improve something else.  If you're stuck in a dead end job, do something you love on the side.  Preferably something that gives you fulfillment.

Seven Things Every Designer Needs

   1. Look for opportunities to do real world experience

(Jobs on campus, pro bono, freelance, multiple internships, travel classes, ect.) Entering competitions is a good way to increase credibility and skills.

     2. Create a portfolio website

It needs to load quickly, immediately entertain/impress, and be easy to navigate. “Simple design lets your work shine.”- Brad Woodard, Designer/Illustrator at Brave the Woods.

     3. Start a blog

This boosts your credentials as long as you keep it focused, and stay consistent.  One way to use it is to reach out to professionals who know more than you do “I have a blog and my readers want to know…” You can also guest blog.

     4. Brush up your writing skills

Honestly, writing is so important.  Make sure you edit.  Nothing kills credibility faster than grammatical and spelling errors. 

     5. Share your work online

Using online platforms increases the odds of your work being seen.  It increases your audience, and the more people who see your art, the more potential for someone to have interest in your art.

     6. Don’t get discouraged

Remember where you’ve been and track your progress.

     7. Network

Networking has almost become a bad word in the business world.  Reach out to everyone, everywhere.  It always helps to have a business card on hand.  There are some sites that you can get 250 for $10. 

Bamboo Tablet Review

Wacom Bamboo Splash Pen Tablet (CTL471)

I got this for Thanksgiving.  I've been using it ever since.  It is really nice, it makes graphic design much easier.  Something that surprised me was I thought it work like a mouse where you could scroll.  It's more like an actual drawing pad.  Each point on the tablet correlates with part of the screen and you draw that way.  

Out of Trials Come Triumphs

The thing I've learned from unrequited love is that I can love, even when things aren't going the way I want.  It is because of these people that I have no fear that I can make that part of a relationship work.  There are other parts that I need to work on, but I am confident in my ability to love.

How to Exceed in Business Speech by Jonathan Johnson

1.  Find your own advice.
What has worked for others may not work for you.  Be open to other's advice, try it out, and do what works best for you.
2.Read daily.
Keep up with the news.  Over time business vocabulary grows when you read business section. Reading the news will keep you informed.  This will serve you well
Read 12 books a year.  Reading list is varied. Prepare a short summary so that you can go back.
Read things other than words, numbers and statistics.  This will make learning a lifelong activity.
3.Learn to communicate clearly and succinctly.
Poor communication leads to miscommunication and leads to bad decisions.  "If I had more time, I would have sent a shorter letter."
Politics in the English Language by George Orwell was recommended by Jonathan Johnson.
4. Take blame and give credit.
It gives people in the company the freedom to admit mistakes.  Allowing people to admit mistakes allows them to be decisive.
5. A fair deal is the best deal.
A win-win deal is more profitable and long lasting than a win-lose deal.
6.Make your boss's life better.
What boss's really need are problem solvers.  They need people who are candid and constructive manner.  Look for more ways to assume more responsibility, even if that means doing the tedious.
7. Make the "middle" great.
The point between the beginning and the end result.  When you feel you are here, don't get stuck in an "when...then I'll be happy" attitude.  If you do this, you put your life on hold.

Reality is What You Make of It

Depend on the Lord

But He That Doeth the Will...

Scientific Calculator Shirt

If any of you have ever bought a shirt from shirt.woot.com please go vote for my design. It's awesome. Voting closes Wednesday.

The theme is honoring scientists.  In honor of student scientists everywhere I give you, the Scientific Calculator!

It will look something like this.  You really should go vote. It would help a budding artist to make a name and a living.

Finding Passion

When on the brink of a career, there is a lot to think about.  The ideal is to find something you can enjoy and be passionate about that you can make enough money at to live decently or well.

I am inspired by Will Smith.  When I need motivation, or a little pep talk, I watch this video :

I was watching it, and the idea struck me that I want to leave this world better than how I found it.  I want to find a way to improve the lives of everyone I come in contact with like he says.  I've begun a four question survey to find out what people would change in their lives and in the world.

5 Things to Learn Before Going Camping with Friends

1. How to make a camp fire from scratch.
One of the best parts of camping is roasting marshmallows and telling stories around a campfire, not to mention the wonderful campfire smell lingering afterwards.  This camp fire has to come from somewhere.  For steps go here.

2. How to extinguish a fire properly.
Only you can prevent forest fires.  Proper fire care is important.  You can wait till it burns out, watching to make sure every ember is out, you can pour water on it until it stops hissing, or your can smother it.

For more info. go here.

3. How to cook in a Dutch Oven.

Whether it is stew or peach cobbler, it makes for a great dinner and awesome bragging rights if you're a successful cook.  

For steps go here.

4. How to set up your tent.

You have to sleep somewhere, and if you don't want to wake up wet in the morning, you will need protection from dew and possibly rain.  It will also reduce bug exposure. There are many different kinds of tents.  They are significantly easier to set up than they were even a decade ago.  Many of them require no effort.  

For more information go here.

5. Basic First Aid

Before girls camp or scout camp, the campers are usually given lessons in first aid in case something goes wrong.  First thing you do is assign someone specifically to call for help.  Then diagnose the problem.  A broken bone can be splinted or put in a sling.  A shirt can make a nice sling. The principle is to immobilize the injury.  Other important things to know are the Heimlich, chest compressions, treating someone for shock, burns, lacerations and abrasions, poisoning, and concussions.

For a comprehensive guide go here.

Or you can register for CPR training.

Selling Ourselves

The past two weeks I have been looking for employment and trying to figure out what kind of career I want to get into.  In this process, I actually stumbled onto something rather surprising.

Sales plays a bigger and better role in our lives than we realize.  Each of us has to "sell ourselves" as a product on a regular basis.  We sell a projected image of ourselves to potential employers, to potential dates, to clients, to a future mother-in-law, to teachers as the great student or the terrible student and so many others.

From my interviews, especially with Verizon and my Media Sales class I have learned that salesmanship is often the difference between getting a job and being unemployed.

It is important to care about the people and make them feel important.  "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." -John C. Maxwell

Know about what you are talking about.  In this case, know about yourself.  What have you accomplished what are your strengths and weaknesses? Get to know about and believe in the product.

Finally, don't go overboard.  People don't like to feel like they're being pushed off an edge.  Sometimes all you need to do is talk, just tell people you know what you are up to and what your dreams are.  Often you will find someone else who is interested as well.

10 Ways to Stay Close When You’re Far Away

1.            Communicate

   Some ideas for communicating long distance would be text, phone, video chat, Snap Chat, letters, email, and Facebook.  Find what works for you.

   2.      Use your imagination

   Describe what you’re doing, what you would do, flirt some, hugs kisses, trace your “fingers” along their hand, describe what you’re wearing, paint a picture with your words.

   3.      Play games

   Tag works over text. (Try different kind of tags like flying ninja kick tag, or penguin tag.) You can also play Yatzee, Uno, Pictionary, and charades, over Skype.

   4.      Send a hug

   Two paper hands tied to a string. It’s a long distance hug.  These cheesy ideas are fun and usually get at least a giggle.

   5.      Write a story together

   A story has an introduction, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution.  (Person 1: Once upon a time there was a hippo, his name was bill… Person 2: …bill loved to play outside…)

   6.      Give sincere compliments

   I’m really proud of you.  I believe in you.  You are awesome because ____. You are so attractive.  The more specific it is the better. This applies whether you’re far away or close together.

   7.      Do the things that you did before. 

   It might have to be modified and done differently to work long distance, but if you used to go bike ride, each go for a bike ride and tell the other person about it, or get a video camera for your helmet and video the experience.  If you liked to snuggle up and watch a movie, put in your favorite movie and Skype while cuddling a pillow.

   8.      Take pictures

   If you miss someone pictures help you stay connected.  You can see what they’re up to, and if there have been any drastic changes.  It can also supplement describing things, sometimes it’s best to leave it to the imagination, but every once in a while, shoot them a picture of you doing what you’re describing.

   9.      Be there for them

   If they’re having a crisis, be the cyber shoulder to lean on.  If they’re making a huge decision give them some encouragement and reassurance.  If they’re sad talk it through.  If they have nightmares, send them a teddy bear and sing them a lullaby.  (You know how to be there for your friend)

   10.  Send gifts

   Getting snail mail is fun, especially when it is something unexpected.  It doesn’t have to be extravagant, it could be something you made, or a little trinket that meant something.  Look up the area, sometimes flower shops will do delivery.

   
   

   
   

Poster project Abram Games

Blessings in Disguise

This past week I've been ill with a sinus infection.  Usually this would be seen as a negative, especially since I had to stay home from work and go to the doctor, thereby missing the revenue I would have made had I worked.  However, the time to rest and recuperate my body was also useful in recuperating my mind, and I came back rested, refreshed and ready to work.  Work then becomes far less of a boring task to be checked off and more of a pleasant experience.

What I have learned: be grateful for trials, they are often blessings in disguise.

Stress: treating the symptoms

In my previous post, I talked about how "stress-ers" are the disease, and stress is just the symptom.
Sometimes you need to treat symptoms till you can cure the disease, so here are some ideas of how to do just that:

Cleaning (I find sweeping/ scrubbing something to work best)

In home spa (get candles or a scented plug in if you can't have candles and take a bubble bath. Pamper yourself with a new hair style or do your nails)

(Pinterest.com has ideas on hair)
Pop Balloons (This really does work, stepping on them works best.) or get yourself a balloon.  this always brightens my day

Spend time with friends

Accomplish something (the feeling of success is euphoric)

Listen to fun music

Look up and smile (just doing this action sends happiness chemicals into action)

Paint (wear a smock and get messy with it)

Take a nap

Do something inspiring

And I recommend prayer.  In each of these or any activities you do.  Prayer will make it so you get more out of the experience.

Ways to De-Stress

I am stressed a lot, so I decided to study the topic. I figured I would share what I have gathered so far:
1. It is okay to feel stress.

• A lot of times people get more stressed because they get worked up about feeling stressed.  Life isn't supposed to be peachy keen all the time.  Negative emotions are just as important as positive ones and should be accepted.  If you don't accept them, they are harder to let go of.
• Sometimes emotions are irrational, sometimes it's your body saying, I need pressure release.  It's okay to cry.  Crying is a natural tension release.

2. Figure out what things commonly "trigger" your stress.

• This could be anything from traffic to the weather to marital problems.  Once you have figured out what causes your stress you can deal with those problems head on.  (curing the illness vs. treating the symptoms)
• I've seen recommended that you keep a stress journal.  Write down what time you are stressed and what the situation is.  You may find commonalities.

3. Evaluate whether your stress can be dealt with or if it is beyond your control.

• If it can be dealt with, deal with it.  If it can't, pray and use the atonement to help you let it go.  (I recently learned that there is a difference between saying prayers and praying.  The sincerity and the honesty is different, and the results are different)

4. Don't let it take over.

• If stress is impeding your work, schedule a time to think about it.  Write down the things that pop up and say I will think about this at 5:00 p.m. or whatever time works.  Then concentrate on something else (Kind of check it off your list, it's an appointment that has been rescheduled)

Diet and exercise also contribute to stress.  If stress is a reoccurring issue, look at what you eat and if your body is getting worked up just by living.