Sorry for the lapse in writing!

Hey internet!

Sorry it has taken me so long to write on here. I have been so busy with work and vlogging and my internship stufff that I have hardly had the time to write a whole blog. I have been keeping a journal about all of my experiences here and there have been some fun times and some not-so-fun times... There is this one guy who got mad at me on my youtube videos because I said that the program might be a waste of time for some people. He thought that I was singling out musical theatre people and of course you all know that this is not true. I mean, I am not a musical theatre major but I am still in entertainment. I simply make the point that it may not be worth your while if it has little to do with your proposed career. Some people come down here and hate it, I will not lie to you. He seems to think that as a vlogger, I am obligated to recruit more and more people into the program and tell them that they can all benefit from it. THIS IS NOT TRUE! Not everyone will benefit from of like the program! I am not going to lie and tell you that this will be a golden time of your life. It may very well turn out to be a fabulous decision for you, but then again, it might not. The program was fabulous for me. I am benefiting greatly from it, but that does not mean that everyone will. The point of my vlogs it to tell you the truth and give you information so that you can decide what is best for you. I am not going to brainwash you into thinking that it is all pixie dust and ice cream...it is not. For those of you who are serious about working for Disney and want a career in your role...GO FOR IT! For those of you who just want to have a good time...maybe wait until after you graduate college. If you get upset be my portrayal of the program, I am sorry...but the vlogs show my opinion...not what you want to see necessarily. Also, I do apologize for this rant, but people who try to get me to turn you into Disney automatons need to get a reality check and maybe also a life. Thank you for your continued support of my show!

though it is, I admit, the tiniest bit unlike I anticipated, I couldn't be happier!

Hey internet,

So this is week 2 of my Disney College Program! I completed training last week and had my assessment and guess what....I PASSED! Yay! Yesterday was my official first shift out of training and I love my job! After my first half hour a manager came up to me backstage and asked how long I had been doing this. I told her that this was my first day and she was floored! She told me that if I keep that up and just get better and better, then I will have a job here forever! I am not going to lie, I almost cried. I mean, don't get me wrong, this job is not all happiness and roses every minute of every day, but it is something that I know I am called to do! My apologies for not blogging too much, I will make sure to change this as soon as I get some free time! :)

'Cause I'm leavin' on a jet plane, I don't know when I'll be back again...

Hey Internet,

So, this is my last night in New Jersey and I couldn't be happier! All of my stuff is packed up and will be loaded into the car soon...some of my goodbyes are sad, some of them are devastating, and for some of the others...well, it is about time! I know that it's terrible to say that I am glad to be leaving people behind, but, (as I learned while packing) some baggage is just best left behind.

This blog is going to be especially short, but I will leave you with the lyrics that I have been living by for the last few days:

All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go, (this is true)

I'm standing here outside your door, I'd hate to wake you up to say goodbye,

But the dawn is breaking, it's early morn, (this is how it will be at 5 am tomorrow)

The taxi is waiting, he's blowin his horn, (my Grandpa in the car?)

Already I'm so lonesome, I could cry, (eh, not so much)

So kiss me and smile for me, and tell me that you'll wait for me,

hold me like you'll never let me go,

'cause I'm leavin' on a jet plane, I don't know when I'll be back again, (7 mths or so?)

'til then, I'll see you in my dreams!

Have you heard about the mania?

Hey internet,

So, in the last few days I have been talking to my D-fam who have already moved into their CP apartments. It sounds like they are all having a fantastic time and I am super excited for them all!!! (the 'mania' in the title refers to Disney CP, that is the mania) I am still here at home doing all of my packing and preparing for my move. It is going much better than I had originally expected (if you haven't seen it, you should watch my packing vlog). There are a few things that I still have to purchase (like sunblock) but other than that...it is going quite smoothly.

I went to the DMV today and I realized that there is something about the actual building where it is located. I was completely calm and relaxed outside and in my car, but when I went inside I had this wave of impatience rush over me. Anyways, I was sitting, waiting for them to call my number, I then realized that people were staring at me. I was confused...until I realized that there was a 'gentleman' across the room making 'inappropriate' hand motions and then gesturing towards me while talking to his friend. *Awkward* Then this guy gets up and comes over to me and sits down. He asked me what my name was and why I was there....I pretended I was texting and 'didn't hear him'. He asked again....so I lied....I'm Ariel (hahahaha I actually DID enter a Disney reference in real life). He then proceeded to tell me that he was getting his license back after having too many DUIs. (wow, he was a winner) Finally, they called my number and I went up there....got my license and headed towards the door. He stopped me and asked for my number...at this point, I wanted to mess with the guy's head and said 'sure...it is 732 (our county area code) 867-5309 (which, if you have any knowledge of pop culture is not my number...google it). He added it into his phone and I left.....it was at this moment that I realized that I love my life!!!!!

I feel like I am living in a bad MTV reality show...

Hey internet,

My apologies for not blogging or vlogging or anything in the last few days. Now everything is fine and I am back to my regular internet-ing once again. So, my family has yet to make my flight arrangements, but I have been told that tonight all of the plans will be set in stone. It looks like I will be flying down on either Monday or Tuesday...I am not sure if I will have a family member with me or not...I suppose we will see tonight.

Moving on to the title of this blog...as most of you may or may not know, I am a vlogger. I live the vlogger life, this means that my life from October 2009-August 2010 has been and will be documented. My vlogging experience is very different from the experience of some of the other Disney vloggers (like Ryan O, John Henselmeier, or Will). These vloggers film episodes with a product (finished episode) in mind. If you have seen my show, then you know that I generally always have a camera with me and film even the not so fun and glamorous moments of my experience. This is both a blessing and a curse. The negatives with this is that I do not have a clear distinction between my vlogging life/persona and my actual persona. What you see is what you get...so my private life isn't really so private. The blessing behind this is that I have become more and more comfortable with myself physically, mentally, and emotionally. At the beginning, you would never catch me dead on camera without make-up or a perfect hair style. Now, I don't even think twice about it... At the beginning, I would do take after take to make sure that my speaking was perfect or that I was even following a makeshift script that I had written beforehand. Now, I sometimes will film for 20 mins or so of me just making faces to react to my situations. I have become comfortable with showing my family on camera, my friends, my pets, etc. SOOOO...now that I have rambled...what does this come down to? I think I kind of understand how these reality show people feel sometimes. I mean, aside from the fact that I think that my vlog is more reality than they would ever hope to experience....

This brings me to my goal for the rest of my vlog: be me and be real!

"Is this really a question that you should be asking me now?"

Hey internet,

So, I am currently sitting the airport flying back to NJ! I am both excited and irritated. I mean, once I get back to NJ I can begin packing to leave for Florida! This being said, I got a call from my Grandmother and then from my Grandfather (speaking on my father's behalf). They both decided to have a conversation with me about finishing school at the Mount when I am done with my program. Their main question was regarding my ability to finish college on time. Really people? I began looking into the College Program in April '09 (actually November '07 was the first time I watched the online presentation), I applied in late August, got my letter in September, had my audition in early November, etc....ARE THEY REALLY HAVING THIS CONVERSATION WITH ME NOW???? I move in 2 weeks from tomorrow! It doesn't matter either way, but this is hardly the time to ask me that question...PLUS...even if my some miracle, I wanted to go to the Mount this Spring, I CAN'T! I am way past registration, like hardcore! I love how they are so desperate to keep me from performing that it has come to this... get over it people! Seriously!!! Would you rather I be a miserable Attorney or a blissfully content performer? Ugh!!!!

2009, the year that I became me again...

Hey Internet!

So...sitting here with my mother, I cannot help but reflect on the last year. (as I am sure you all have been doing, it just is a part of New Years) When I do this, I cannot help but smile. I think, 'am I at all different?' or 'what have I learned this year that I didn't know last year?' or "am I even the same person?'. To be honest, I don't really know the answer...

Did I learn anything? Of course. I learned how to properly use a twitter account...how to convert and edit video from my flip cam (youtube.com/user/broadwayjessica)...how to do something for me. (the last one is the most significant) A year ago I don't think I would have had the motivation or courage to do what I have done in the last year. This time last year I was broken...hurt by a guy who valued me so little as to cheat on me. Looking back, I am glad that it happened...if I had not gone through that heartache and that growth (with the help of my friend, Sean!) I wouldn't have had the push that I needed to apply for the college program or to especially audition for an entertainment role. I recently made it a point to thank this ex-boyfriend for that motivation (I know you think I am crazy for this), but I really do appreciate it now. I mean, if it weren't for his idiotic mistake I would never have met my new boyfriend (who I adore!).

DISNEY WATCH: So I have 20 days until move in...I CAN'T WAIT!!! Each day I get more and more excited...I almost want to cry! I can't believe that it is already here!!! OH! I recently heard that Cinderella Castle is going under renovation and I was like...?!?!?!?!? I am kinda disappointed, I mean, when I get there...Cinderella Castle is going to be all 'under construction-y' and not as pretty...this saddens me. :( I heard that it should be done in early March which actually makes me smile because my 21st birthday is around then...so I see it as kind of a birthday present for me :)!!!!

Have a fabulous new year!!! My love to all of your families and friends!