Everything happens for a reason.
I began college with a dream to be a music teacher, though art has always been my passion. I was accepted and attended Michigan State University, which was my 3rd greatest decision. Shortly after, I joined Alpha Omicron Pi, my second greatest decision. When you join a sorority, all the best things in life will come to you. One of those things is getting a big sister. I met Sam on a "panda pal" date. She was perfect- blonde, pretty, smart, she balanced work, sorority life, school, and fun. Basically she is who I've always wanted to be.
She became my big and I could not be happier. I started learning more about her, and to my surprise it was only her second semester in AOII. She had spend the last spring semester working for Walt Disney World though their internship program. I had always, always, always loved Disney EVERYTHING, so of course having Sam as my big just kept getting better. This was my first interaction with someone from the DCP.
Through the encouragement of my sisters, I pursued my artistic tenancies and added another major, Studio Art. At the time, I wanted to be an apparel designer. I maintained my enthusiasm for AOII and MSU throughout my freshman year, where I met Sam (not my big) and Gabby. Sam and Gabby are the most selfless, happy, hardworking, and greatest sisters anyone could ever have. During my sophomore year of college, I lived in my sorority house, with Sam. Sam was chosen to participate in the DCP at WDW for our spring semester as well. I thought wow, I need to do this. This would be PERFECT for me, and my future career goals started evolving into something bigger.
Right around the time that Sam was accepted, I met another amazing woman in my life, my very own little sister. Her name is Gabi, and Ironically enough, she lives very close to Disneyland in California. Around this time, I had only been at Disneyland since I had family that lived in Perris and Corona CA, so I have always been pretty biased to which park I liked better. I would get snapchats from my little of her in front of the castle, and I would get so jealous! My little is my favorite person ever, so I just knew I had to work there, so I could visit her and we could be the best big/little pair ever (we already are, duh). So that's when I decided, I was going to apply.
This is where Gabby comes in. Gabby is my best friend in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD. If Gabby says lets quit school and run away to Morocco, I would do it. Gabby is always right, and she is the most trustworthy person I know. She has totally encouraged all of my dreams and makes me feel like I can do anything. So at this point, its spring semester and spring break is quickly approaching. Sam has been in Florida for about a month, and her best friend (and very good friend of mine as well) Eliza Doll comes up to me and says lets go to Florida. I went up to Gabby and said well girl, what do you think? Gabby said yes, and on March 2, 2014, we were in my car driving down to Florida to meet Sam.
Going to visit Sam made me want in even more. I fell in love. I had to do it.
I thought about it all summer, and as soon as the applications came out, I applied. Shortly after came my WBI. Then my phone interview was a week later. That's when my DCP anxiety started! I had never wanted anything more in my life, and for whatever reason my dashboard was stuck on "In Progress". Waiting to hear back was literally the longest month and a half of my life. I was miserable. I was constantly checking my dashboard and I couldn't really enjoy myself at college. I do not recommend letting yourself get that upset over it. I was miserable and there was nothing I could do about it. And then people were getting accepted to WDW, and I knew that a considerably smaller amount of students are chosen for Disneyland, which heightened my anxiety even more.
Every day I had a different sister ask me if I had heard back. Every day I had to answer no and silently cry inside because I knew they were just as excited and hopeful for me as I was, but the constant reminder was tough. Gabby had tried to keep my mind off of it as best she could, and I couldn't thank her more for that. Finally, on October 6th, 2014, I was eating lunch with my house mother and my sister Devon. Devon asked me, "Have you heard back from Disney? My friend from back home was just accepted." I was playing around on my phone and started to say no, when I pulled down my notification menu and saw an email from Disney Recruiting, with "Congratulations!" in the subject. I didn't even open it before throwing my phone, jumping up and down, and crying. No one knew what to do with me, I just was sobbing and trying to squeak out the words, "I'm going to Disneyland!" I called my mom balling, and she of course, being my mom, could actually understand my muffled sobs and understood that my dream was finally coming true.
Its Wednesday now, and I could not be more excited. I can't wait to pick my arrival and departure dates, as well as meet my new roommates.
I hope through this blog I can both document and answer any questions that I couldn't find answers to when I was doing my research.
I am ready for my magical journey!
