Week 10

As you may have already noticed, I skipped last week's blog update. Let me see if I can call to mind the events of the last two weeks...It is not always undemanding to write about what has happened in my life, mostly because I work hours that should be illegal, but also because I don't know what will come out when I write. But wait, isn't that the beauty of it all? "Writing became such a process of discovery that I couldn't wait to get to work in the morning: I wanted to know what I was going to say." -Sharon O'Brien. This is exactly what I mean. For anyone interested in writing, take this quote to heart, sit down, and delight in the results of simply putting pen to paper. You might impress yourself.

My roommates and I have become cognizant of the rapidly decreasing amount of days that we have left here in Orlando. This seems to have triggered the initiative to do whatever it takes to experience whatever there is that we haven't already. Of course, money will be an issue, but how many times do you get to be here? There are currently 71 days remaining and then my program is finished. So tempting is the thought of staying here, but I'm not sure I can afford to be enrolled in school anymore. With only one semester remaining, hopefully, it's time to get my degree and get out. Coming back here is a likely option, but I am not yet aware of the doors this program will have opened for me when I return home. The thought of going back to school leaves me uncomfortable, but I will have to suck it up and hope those remaining four months fly by.

I finally had the chance to attend one of the three dinner shows on Disney property. It's called the Hoop Dee Doo Revue. Cornbread and salad anticipate your arrival and are absolutely delicious. The performers make their way through the crowd making an uproar and settle up on stage. The skit that they perform is rather corny, but could soak even the driest of humors. Their interaction with the crowd entails picking out random people, asking them where they're from, and using it in a rhyme to the tune of their main song. I was one of these random people. And would you believe that the rhyme poked fun at the ridiculous amount of rain we get in Oregon? Something about hanging out our long johns to dry... Anyway the meal, served family style, consists of all-you-care-to-eat fried chicken, smoked barbecued pork ribs, mashed potatoes and baked beans, followed by a palatable helping of strawberry shortcake for dessert. Also included are all-you-care-to-drink soft drinks, iced tea, juices, coffee, draft Bud Light, Sangría, Chardonnay, Rosé and Merlot. All of this costs, with my cast member discount, around $30. Its worth far surpasses that amount; my stomach and wallet both remain happy.

The Food & Wine Festival is still in progress at Epcot here at Disneyworld. Not only are there authentic taste seminars and culinary demonstrations, but 27 international marketplaces each showcasing scrumptious food and wine for the masses to enjoy. You will find dishes from Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Spain, Poland, China, India, South Africa, Thailand, Australia, Germany, Italy, Austria, USA, Japan, Morocco, France, Ireland, New Zealand, Canada, Greece, Chile, and Puerto Rico. There is also kiosk for desserts & champagne as well as one showcasing different types of cheeses. Unfortunately I have not eaten from a single one of these kiosks. In fact, I am saving that for Monday. Portion sizes are rather small for their cost, but I'm willing to pay a bit extra for these exotic foods. For anyone who has never seen Epcot, it has a world showcase with pavilions representing 11 different countries. This is always here, a permanent fixture of the park. The American Adventure pavilion is currently host to the "Eat to the Beat" series concerts that are a wonderful part of the Food & Wine package. Just a few days ago I saw Boyz II Men. Who knew these guys were still around? Despite the overly romantic nature of the lyrics, these guys put on an incredible show. Still to come are Taylor Hicks, Billy Ocean, and Los Lobos... Would you believe me if I said I get to see all of this for free? Being a cast member has some terrific perks!

Last night at work I had the privilege of stepping away from the front desk and into the haunting darkness of the campground at night. Even more haunting is the competitive nature of the campers when it comes to adorning their campsite with Halloween decorations. There is a contest that happens here, judged by the recreation cast members, for the best-decorated campsite/cabin on resort property. It really is a site to behold, the gigantic inflatable haunted houses, the carrot-orange lights, and even the Tigger/snowman hybrid that has arrived early for the Christmas season. It is humbling to see the comfort in which are guests find at my resort. They truly are the ones making the experience what it is, and I am so glad to be a part of that.

More to come,

Derek

Week 8

It has been nearly two months since arriving in Florida. This means that the program is almost halfway through. It also means that I need to start thinking about school because that will be my sole focus once I get back home. I will be much more content after graduating and knowing that I will never have to lay foot in Newberg for as long as I live; how I hate that place. Anyway, it all has me slightly worried, concerned, and yet anxious for what is to come.

The diversity that engulfs the housing complex in which I live has spurred my curiosity about other cultures. Like I said before, I have met people from all over the world. I will have friends in Italy, Brazil, Korea, Russia, and who knows where else. The opportunity to speak with these individuals and to learn more about where they come from is something that I could not have asked for, it simply happened. My arsenal of one-liners in foreign languages has increased abundantly since I have been here. The most difficult language encountered thus far has to be Korean. Sometimes I am not even sure how to make, let alone speak, the sounds that come out of their mouths. I am not discouraged, just more curious than before. Being able to sample various dishes from around the world have further reinforced my desire to travel the world and see what there is to see. If money were not an issue I would definitely be in another country, with a slim chance of ever returning to America. Again, I need constant change.

I can't say that much has changed from the way I felt last week. Everything is fairly neutral right now and we're all still going through the motions. One encouraging thing to note is that I have begun to develop a story line/plot for a book. Character analyses are to follow shortly... If only I had the kind of time I need to dedicate to this sort of project. I have run the idea past multiple people and it seems to have already sparked interest amongst my avid book-reading friends (though there aren't many that like to read!). I will probably not discuss it for awhile since much of it is still ambiguous and there is some research to be done. Just know that there's a start!

There is still so much here to do that we have not done yet, and at this rate I know we will fall short of time. I don't want to miss out on anything, but work is absolutely taking its toll on everyone's schedule. If anybody can send, via expedited shipping, some spare time, please do.

-Derek

Week 7

With too much time to think I find myself all but thinking. An idle mind is a terrible thing, and mine has slipped into a lethargic state. Proof of this may be evident in the fact that I am currently discussing it. It would be a different situation entirely if this were writer's block, but unfortunately, even outside of this text, there isn't much happening. I have thus decided to blame it on work. Countless hours are logged, all of them in the evening, making it impossible to make plans for the day. I can think of few things worse than the feeling of knowing you must be at work just as the afternoon is coming to a close and normal employees have just begun their commute home, eager for dinner, something that you won't be able to enjoy for several more hours. Each day begins and ends the same. This cycle is beyond vicious, taking not only a mental toll, but a physical one as well. Excessive repetition of this is borderline abusive leaving me to wonder if it's all worth it. 

I have begun realizing that without change, I cannot be happy. While some don't welcome it, I have to be honest when I say that I absolutely need it. With change comes the unknown, and with the unknown comes adventure. And with adventure comes every feeling that is desired at the very core of man: fear, excitement and uncertainty. I want to travel, experience the multitude of cultures that make up our world. I want to skydive, rock climb, snowboard, and maybe even go streaking down a crowded street. "Frank the Tank!," they'll scream. Okay, so maybe it won't be exactly like Old School, but the spontaneity and degree of inappropriateness that go along with it are pretty accurate descriptors of what I'm looking for. 

Things happen quickly here. Forming relationships, trying new things, and sometimes even my day at work. I attribute this to an underlying awareness of the temporary state in which I am currently living. This underlying notion perhaps speeds up the process of things that normally take noticeable time to develop. As a result, people have already come and gone from my life, relationships have formed and been defined, and new experiences are an incessant occurrence. When I think of words that identify this current state I think of these: efficient, resourceful, practical. Being able to constantly move forward leaves little time for pithy and unwanted things. Why get caught up on something or someone when the next best thing is just around the corner? For too many years I have been caught up on the contrasting idea, giving into stagnation and being stuck for weeks on end. This way of living does little to improve one's quality of life. If you feel unappreciated by someone, stop wasting your time. They aren't worth your time and energy.

-Derek

Week 6

Lately I have been toying with the thought of writing a novel, something fictional with non-fictional elements, i.e. characters, setting, etc. The lack of plot used to write this blog does little to justify my true writing ability, but in the words of Leon Battista Alberti, "A man can do all things if he but wills them." 

Heavy footsteps pace the roof above me, no identifiable route perceivable. Dawn has just settled upon these parts and it seems so have any number of people on my roof. The sound did not bring back memories of fictional Christmas stories involving reindeer or sleighs, but instead woke me up thinking I was in the midst of a natural disaster that would hopefully excuse me from work for the entire day. My hope was shattered when instead shattered a tile from the top of the building in which I reside. I assure you, this is not one of the best things to wake up to. The paper-thin ceiling gave way just outside the front door when a hole was punched through it from the top. The result of a well-swung hammer? I think not. No, just more proof that I live in a deathtrap. It's difficult to say what household appliance or shoddy construction job might take my life here...

The highlight of my week finds myself and many others having rendezvoused at a local restaurant, the last supper for those who will be leaving us. There are College Program students, and there are International College Program students, many of whom are flying out on this very day to parts of the world that I have only dreamt of visiting. As a celebratory and farewell occasion most of us were able to attend, the first and last time I will see this many of us together in one room. The emotions and energy in this room run high. Any epileptic would seize upon entering this room, the flashes from multiple cameras bathing the room in scintillating white light. Hold that smile a bit longer, it's one of the few memories we have together, at least outside the workplace. I will never forget that night we were all together nor will I forget the lasting impact these incredible people have left on me. Today I get to take one of them to lunch. Can't wait!

So little time, short update... Thanks for reading

-D