Skydiving Video

My first jump in video format. 15,000 feet at approximately 120 MPH. Skydive Space Center is in Titusville, Florida. You can definitely see the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center. Everyone needs to try this atleast once in their life! :)

Skydiving!

I finally was able to skydive! After two reschedules, we successfully jumped on Friday March 19! Our first attempt, it was too windy. Our second attempt, it was pouring rain. Our third attempt was successful. It was a beautiful day outside – clear skies and windless.

My family was here too, so that made it neat. Nick, my brother, did the jump too. We arrived in Titusville about 10AM. Nick had to fill out all that long “sign your life away” paperwork. Several other people came out to jump that day as well. Since Teresa and I were reschedules, we were priority, so we got on the first plane.

There was a waiting period. But, finally they pulled the plane out and suited us up in harnesses. I also ordered a video. I’ll try to post it on here, but I haven’t been successful with facebook so I don’t know if it will load on here either.

It was such a neat experience. I recommend everyone to do one jump in their life. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. Many people have asked, “What is like a rollercoaster or what?!” I am a rollercoaster junkie and I must say, it felt nothing like a rollercoaster.

It was also such a beautiful view. I was nervous for three seconds. Before I knew it, we were loaded into the plane and the plane was taking off. I did not jump solo; I had an instructor person strapped to me. The training was like two minutes so literally anyone can do this jump.

15,000 feet rushing at 120 MPH = Amazing

My instructor was pointing out the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Canaveral, and The Kennedy Space Center to me. My three seconds of nervousness came when that door opened and it was almost time. The plane honestly leveled out and it felt like we were floating. The standby light turned green and we moved closer to the door to jump.
Nick jumped in front of me. Then, I went out. Teresa brought up the rear. However, Teresa also flew the plane a little bit. We had met the pilot previously when our jump was canceled, so she made buddies with him and he actually let her steer a little bit since she was sitting at the back by him.

I love watching my video over and over to in a sense repeat the experience. However, it was just awesome. I was out in the sky, falling, still hard to believe myself that I did it because it happened so fast. I had to pop my ears a couple of times. And in the video, when we pull the parachute to go under canopy, I look like I almost passed out, but I didn’t. It was just a jolt to go from horizontal to vertical in a few seconds. But, then we drifted the rest of the way down and I was even able to steer my chute by pulling on the sides to turn and spin circles.

We landed on the ground successfully and it was a good day.

Afterwards, for the family, we drove by the Kennedy Space Center and stopped at Cocoa Beach for about an hour. My Aunt had never been out to Florida so we wanted to show her more than just Disney!

Family Visit :)

I am officially behind on everything… including this blog! Therefore, please do not be overwhelmed by three posts in a row.

My family arrived Wednesday March 17 – mom, dad, Nick and Aunt Nancy. They stayed at my cousin Jeff’s house about fifteen miles away. My mom’s brother, Joe and his wife Cynthia live here as well.

The first night, we went to Downtown Disney to walk around. Many locals go here to hang out all the time. It’s always alive and boomin’ with people. I apparently wore them out walking, but little did they know the parks for a full day at a time would be much worse than an evening in Downtown Disney.

Thursday was spent in Magic Kingdom. My favorite park of course because I work there! We ventured around between the different lands and rode some rides. We ate in the park too and it was scrumptious. Magic Kingdom’s nighttime spectacular is Wishes and they have a night parade called SpectroMagic. We hung out and watched both of those before heading home. I always enjoy Wishes because I can sing along. But, I don’t normally get to watch it from the front of the castle; I always watch it back from Toontown at work.

Friday will be an entirely separate blog. Stay tuned.

Saturday we spent the day in E.P.C.O.T.; Experimental Prototype Communities Of Tomorrow. I have only been there once so I enjoyed exploring this park. The front half is Future World and the back half is The World Showcase. I had not been to the countries in the showcase before of memory. As a family we came to WDW (Walt Disney World) four time with family Radio Shack trips. Epcot’s nighttime show is Illuminations: Reflections of the Earth. It’s pretty extravagant.

Sunday we spent the morning in Animal Kingdom and the evening in Hollywood Studios. We had a down pour in the middle, but luckily we were eating a late lunch in the Rainforest Café and missed the big part of the rain. Fantasmic is Hollywood Studios nighttime show and it was magical. Mickey always finds a way to ward off those evil villains in every show.

Then, Monday we had a scheduled tour, Keys the the Kingdom, which takes place at Magic Kingdom. It was about 5 hours of walking and learning about the park and Walt’s dreams and plans. It was similar to my park orientation; I heard many things repeated, but it was neat for my family to see backstage and the Utilador. If you did not know, Magic Kingdom where the guests are is the second floor of the park. There is a floor underneath where the guests play and that’s how we navigate around to different spots. My location is not connected to it though, Toontown gets its own little bus stop.

Tuesday was a lazy day and packing for the family. They flew out in the evening and I worked at 4pm. We parted ways and I told them I’d see them in two months.

I cannot believe my program is already more than half way over.

Catch Up!

First of all, I have a humorous story for you. If any of you know my flash player download story; it could be considered very similar. For dinner one evening, I wanted to cook my chicken pot pie. It takes an hour in the oven and only 6 minutes in the microwave oven. I was obviously misinformed about microwaves and microwave ovens, because I thought they were two different things. For microwave oven instructions I was supposed to leave the pie in the box and just open the side. This did not really seem logical when I placed it in our, what I now know as “Toaster Oven,” but I placed it in there and cranked the dial to six minutes. I am intelligent, sometimes, so I made the connection that the cardboard box would not survive the toaster oven. I sat diligently waiting, and sure enough the box began smoking. This is when I decided a microwave and a microwave oven must be the same thing. However, it still amazes me that it only takes six minutes verse an hour in the real oven.

That same night, I went on a Toonie Outing for Micole’s birthday. We gathered at TGI Fridays and enjoyed each other’s company for a while. I think it’s always fun to get together and hang out outside of work.

I realized that I have been here for two months and not really mentioned much about my roommates. Disney’s theme of the CP is Living, Learning, and Earning. Obviously living on your own and with roomies is a big part of the program. Let me give you a short bio of each member of the apartment.

Kaitlyn – is the direct roommate. She sleeps across the carpet from me. She is from Indiana and attends Ball State University where she is an entrepreneur major. You have sorta kind of already heard about her since she was a prearranged roommate. Kaitlyn works at Wilderness Lodge as a bell hop dispatch.

Teresa – is from Indiana as well and attends Indiana University where she majors in astronomy and physics. I believe you have heard tiny pieces about her as she tends to be the one that I go on adventures with. Teresa works in Epcot at Test Track and Mission Space Merchandise.

Erin – is Teresa’s roomie. She is from Wisconsin and happens to be friends with Mickey, Minnie, Lilo, Stich, Donald, Daisy, and so forth. She actually has a degree in mortuary science; she was previously employed by a funeral home.

Betsy – is from Michigan. I believe she majors in Business. Betsy works at the Polynesian Resort as a bell hop dispatch. We have definitely deemed her “best dressed” in our apartment.

Kourtney – is Betsy’s roomie. She is from Las Vegas. Kourtney works in outdoor food and beverage in Hollywood Studios. She is looking to extend her program until August and transfer out to a Florida college and go part time with Disney.

I think we have a very unique mixture of girls in our apartment. I enjoy living with them. We all have our quirks and pet peeves, but life goes on. I’m certainly looking forward to a room to myself again.

Next update much sooner! :)

Productivity

Teresa and I decided to be productive one morning. We scoped out the Florida Blood Center and donated. The center was very nice and welcoming and overall I had a good donation. Sometimes I’m low in iron, other times, I get light headed while donating, but neither of those occurred this time.

We also received a “Local Heros” blood donor t-shirt. We have started a pile of t-shirts to tye-dye. In April, we are going to have one big roomie tye-dye party! I’m pretty excited about that! Last week, at property damages, I found two white shirts with 2010 Disney stuff on it and couldn’t find anything wrong with them. They are also in the tye-dye t-shirt pile. I’m researching mickey tye-dye patterns too so we can attempt that!

After donating blood, we found a Hair Masters to get our hair trimmed at. It is always interesting to travel outside of the “Disney Bubble.” At work and around the apartment, we are surrounded by cast members, so everyone you meet is pretty nice. But when we venture out, you never know what you will encounter. However, giving blood and getting my hair trimmed, I came across extremely nice people. I felt like I was still in the Disney Bubble.

Last Sunday I found a church nearby to attend. Fellowship Orlando is nondenominational and contemporary. I went by myself, which I surprised myself because normally that would be out of my comfort zone. I really enjoyed the church. I haven’t decided if I will go back, or try another, or what.

Monday was our apartment inspection. Of course, we passed with flying colors. We are pretty clean people so it wasn’t extremely difficult to tidy up the place for inspection. We should have gotten the “White Glove” Award. Basically, the guy told us we didn’t get it cause our trash wasn’t empty and some beds weren’t made. Well, one, we live here and the trash was empty until we all woke up and made breakfast and what not, but the trash was not over flowing out of control. And, second, the beds that were not made were people that just woke up when they knocked on the door to do the inspection. It was all a tad humorous to me, but hey, we got M&M Cookies out of the deal.

Monday night, Erin, Teresa, Betsy, and I participated in a Cast Quest Interactive Gaming Competition at Disney Quest in Downtown Disney. It was a CP Event that people signed up teams for. While we did not win anything, it was a fun evening running around Disney Quest for free.

My family will be here in about a week. I’m really excited to spend time with them. Plus, I’m ready to enjoy the parks. I have been to all four parks once with the exception of Magic Kingdom. With work, we are scheduled two days off a week, but my classes are on those days. Plus, I’m trying to keep up with online classes and my blog. It’s hard to venture out into the parks and enjoy them when I’m always catching stuff up. It will be a very nice week with them here. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the days I requested off for while they are here, so I’m in the process of giving those shifts away.

Also, skydiving is rescheduled for Friday March 19 with Teresa and Nick!!!