"That's my dad!"

"...I knew all along/Underneath...he's really brave and strong./He's on his way now/and I'm so glad./Of all the fish in the ocean...that's my dad!"

The girl's eyes welled up with tears. This scene from Finding Nemo, The Musical at Disney's Animal Kingdom had always made her emotional, but this time was different. The homesickness had begun to rear its ugly head. By about now in college she would have hopped on a bus to see her mom and dad. But here she was, 800+ miles away, all on her own.

But as she looked to her left and behind her, she saw some new friends that would help ease her pain and make her look forward to yet another wonderful day at Walt Disney World.

Pardon the fact that POTC is the video.

It was the only version of "That's My Dad" that was any good.

(Though you guys know how much I love POTC...so this is pretty good too!)

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Wish my parents could come visit now. I know it's only two weeks in, but that's about the right amount of time for me, as I would normally head home, even for less than 24 hours to see my family.

But the good news is that I made some new friendships today. I hope that, in time, these (and other) people will become my family down here. Today, the six of us (Ashlie, Ashton, Eric, Amanda, Sam, and Josh) created many more exciting memories.

"And here...are just a few of my favorites!'

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

(That's a GMR quote above, btw...I can't help but go around quoting my attraction all the time! I even go around pointing out safety features around WDW. Gotta love being a CM...I know I do!)

Have a magical night!

"TADA!"

...the smoke cleared, allowing the girl's vision to focus again.

She grinned at the people in the vehicle below her and waited to see the reaction...it would be different every time.

Cheers erupted from the vehicle as the guests' faces turned to an expression of relief as they saw their tour guide reappear after being possibly dead or kidnapped by gangsters or bandits!

Just a few hours later...cheers would also meet the girl as she entered the Cast Communication Center and her trainer proclaimed..."Assessed!"

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I PASSED MY ASSESSMENT ON FEBRUARY 1, 2010!!!

It was a very nerve-wracking day but I was proud to show off all that I had learned, and interested in finding out anything I had missed or could improve upon. Everyone there was very supportive and kind throughout the day, and especially welcoming when I had completed my day. It was like being accepted into the DCP all over again. What a wonderful feeling!

Almost every person who has worked the Great Movie Ride since its opening in 1989 has put his or her painted hand print on the famous "Wall of Hand Prints" backstage at the GMR. Many have special designs or little messages.

I had the wonderful opportunity to add my hand print to those immortalized on the wall of fame. It was truly an honor.

Picking a color was not easy, but after much debate (which probably took much longer than it was supposed to) I chose red and yellow...colors of both the Great Movie Ride costumes, and Mickey Mouse's shorts. Can you see the red with the two yellow buttons? :)

Have a magical night!

PS - I had to scratch out my last name for safety, so the odd blank spot between the fingers is where my last name is in real life :)

Two Words...

Assessment Tomorrow...

Burning Water

Woke up late. Check. Made a fool of myself over GMR loudspeaker? Double check. Almost burned dinner and set off smoke alarm for the second time in 10 days? Triple check.

EPIC FAIL.

On the good side...I did both an A show (Bandit) and a B show behind an A (Gangster) LIVE today, in front of an audience, and didn't royally screw up!!! I was soooo happy!

I also think I'm on my way to making a good friendship...we'll see how that pans out...but I'm REALLY excited :)

I also met Zoe for a split second as she went through when I was casting director. I felt SO bad because I was doing that position for the first time and I was SO into it that I just blurted "HI! Nice to meet you! ENJOY!" and waved her through. SORRY ZOE!!!

7AM tomorrow! (I STILL CAN'T WAIT! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!?)

Have a magical night!

"REACH FOR THE SKY!!!"

...the sheriff demanded of the bandit cowboy and the girl.

"I'm reachin'!" The girl, no longer so little, threw her hands up in the air as high as she could.

She felt the warm, dry air brush her hair off her neck as the dust flew in her face. She squinted her eyes in the high-noon sun and glanced at the tumbleweed that rolled by her feet. One foot rested on red rock, the other on the wooden porch of the local bank. She trembled as the shotgun behind her seemed to be aimed directly for her heart.

Would she be shot by the villain or the hero? What would be her fate?! Where was her heroic moment?

"Get in there!" yelled the cowboy who had plowed out of the bank's swinging doors just a minute previously.

Suddenly the air turned cool and the girl's vision went back into focus, as though she had been dreaming. Right on cue, the girl "Disney pointed" with two hands, gesturing toward the bank door she was supposed to hurry through. She grinned at the kind strawberry-blonde girl waiting in her vehicle and bounced down the stairs. It was another successful rehearsal. This was no Western Town, just a magical scene from the Great Movie Ride...her new job!

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How is it even possible that every day is as great as the one previous? Today I had Training: Part II. We blocked the Bandit and Anubis scenes. (Anubis is the jackel-headed Greek god of mummification for those of you who didn't know.) I had an AMAZING time! People were telling me how stressed out they were and how there was so much information that was just sooooo hard to learn, so by the time I got to work I was freaking out. Driving was really a piece of cake and learning all the road-bed sensors and block-lights (yes, I know most of you have no idea what I'm talking about, nor will I explain them to you because they will ruin some of the magic) will come with just a bit of studying!

My trainer Erica is SO amazing! We "click" together, as she said. She explains everything slowly, clearly, and simply, so I understand it all so well. She's patient, encouraging, even-tempered, and really kind. She always asks me if I have questions, lets me go over things I am nervous about, and never makes me feel dumb. She is so well-liked by everyone at GMR. I am SO LUCKY to have her guiding me along the way! THANK YOU, ERICA!!!

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Yesterday I also had a magical moment. Someone who reads this blog made it for me. :) I went to Epcot last night after a long day of doing adult-responsible things like getting my sneakers for work, doing lots of loans/financial aid business, and activating my pay card. I saw a very special Photopass worker that I have been really looking forward to meeting. I was going to say "Hi, you probably don't know me, but I'm Ashlie, and I'm so excited to meet you!" Instead, as I stood behind her and waited for her to finish with the group she was with, she turned, saw me, said "Hi" originally as if to a guest, then instant recognition passed over her face and she nearly jumped on me for the warmest hug I've received here at WDW yet. Thank you, Marina, for making my night truly special :)

Last night I wandered around a few countries and watched Illuminations again. If someone told me I could only do one thing the rest of my life, I'd probably tell them I want to watch/listen to Illuminations over and over again.

Well, time to study my script...since my spieling today was NOT UP TO PAR at ALL! Boo, me.

I hope you all are at least trying to have as much fun as I am!!! Am I seriously paid to do all of this?

Have a magical evening!

PS - The poster is courtesy of glassgiant.com and says "Ashlie 'Chica' TG" as in "Tour Guide." Weirdly, everyone has taken to calling me "chica"...starting with Charlie, next Allison, then Gina my apartment mate, then two DCP guys who barely know me, haha! Cool!

Welcome foolish mortals, to the Haunted Mansion...

...the little girl held her dad's hand and squeezed as close to him as she possibly could. She couldn't help but let her eyes wander to the pictures up on the wall as they seemed to stretch up. She was baffled and terrified at the same time.

"...There's no turning back now," maliciously laughed the ghostly voice.

Then, the lights went out, someone hung from the ceiling, and screamed. Bubbles of large, salty tears started rolling down her face.

"I don't want to go!!!" she bawled.

It was too late...the door room opened and she was ushered with the rest of the guests toward the Doom Buggies. What was to await her in that terrifying mansion? She would not know for many years, as she spent the entire ride with her head buried in her father's chest as she cried and cried and cried and he held her close, protecting her from the 999 Happy Haunts.

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The Haunted Mansion was my first stop on my MK adventures yesterday!

But let's back up a few steps...I have been sitting on my computer reading everyone's blogs/catching up with friends on FB & Twitter for the last hour and a half. I got up "early" (9:30am, haha!) so I would be productive on my day off! It's now 11:30am and I'm still in bed...way to be, Ash.

Basically, yesterday was yet ANOTHER magical day! I got to meet Jen, who I had basically only talked to on FB/Twitter and she was sooo nice! Finally found someone who is as OBSESSED with Disney as me. For you future CPers...be prepared for not everyone to love Disney as much as you do. Or not be as impressed by the magic. Because you can see the people who believe in it and the people who see it as just a fun place to be. Sure, they like Disney a lot, but they don't eat, sleep, live, and breathe Disney like you. Jen did yesterday with me. We thought almost the same things at the same times, gave each other Disney trivia that the other did not know (though that was difficult cuz a lot of responses to one another were "I know, cool right?" hahahaha), and had SO much fun!

Ashlie and Jen on Main Street, USA

We spent the day in MK doing everything! I rode Space Mtn for the first time since the refurb! (Which, btw...is exactly the same except for some lights, some pictures, some games, and the

gates where you enter the ride...yeah...it's not much of a difference at all. I was relieved and disappointed at the same time.) But we did all the major attractions plus some minor ones too. I rode the Tea Cups for the first time in my LIFE (Jen was nice enough to check on me when she was spinning it), and Jungle Cruise for the first time in so many years that I had forgotten about it all!

Ashlie at Mickey's Philharmagic and"The 3-D Glasses Pose"

Jen - before becoming a Space Cadet, 1st Class

Not to mention we saw the Celebrate a Dream Come True parade, the Move It, Shake It,

Celebrate It parade/danced in it, and part of Dream Along with Mickey too. :) Then we watched Wishes and booked it over to Epcot for Illuminations. I have GOT to stop doing that; it's exhausting! HAHA! But seriously...it's worth it.

Cinderella Castle, minutes before Wishes

I am looking forward to resort hopping...I want to swim in their pools, nap in their hammocks, and hang in their lobbies. There is DEFINITELY not enough time to do everything I want to do. Actually, there probably would be more if I stopped laying in bed until 11 on my days off...yeahhhh.

List of things to do today:

Cook myself dinner for the week (mmm, spaghetti with hamburger and Ragu sauce!)

Buy black sneakers

Work on my script

Defer financial aid loans (EW)

Do my Exit Counseling (DOUBLE EW!)

Yeah...I was gonna go to the MK to play, but I'm not sure I see that happening. We'll see....

Maybe I'll go over to the GF lobby and work on my script...that might be nice.

I'll let you guys know what I decide!!!

Until then...please gather your belongings and take small children by the hand. :)

Have a magical day!

PS - I just discovered that I can stick my camera memory stick RIGHT into my computer...which means be prepared for easy uploads and more pictures soon!

Ready when you are, C.B.!

My name is Ashlie and I will be your guide during this magical journey into the movies! It's the perfect job for me because I LOVE movies! Is everybody ready?!

Enough said?!?!

Everyone, please have as magical a night as I did on my Day 1 of Training!

PS - I really had the white writing because I couldn't fix the HTML all that well (or if I did, it would take a million hours...so I figured I'd survey the text color instead :) ). Welcome back pink!