Vlog 22

Check out my latest video blog filled with tips, updates, and encouraging words.

It's June ALREADY!?

Hello World.

A lot has happened since I last wrote to you. I work at Autopia at Disneyland, I go to Sovereign Grace Church and Rock Harbor church when I can, I started a bible study that meets in my living room, I have some pretty cool friends here, I have started learning to swing dance, my brother Jon got married to Mallory, I went home for 8 days and got to see my amazing family, my dog, and two of my bestest friends in the whole world.

I am nearing the end of my college program. 8 months really wasn't that long after all. Though I really value the experience I am gaining here, I am finding out more and more that I left my heart at Walt Disney World. It's where all of my Disney enthusiasm was born and It's where I fell in love with the Walt Disney Company. It's the place I want to pursue. I miss working at Kilimanjaro Safaris, I miss going to Jelly Rolls, I miss going to Epcot and eating at Sunshine Seasons, I miss going to property control, I miss looking at the pin books at guest relations in each park, I miss Philharmagic, I miss all the weird little things.

I don't know when or how or by what means I will migrate back to Walt Disney World, but it's what I've got my heart set on right now. We'll see what happens and what God has to say about it. I'm trying to keep all my options open though. I'll try to keep you posted.

I have been having some technical difficulties with my video blog but I think I got them all worked out and I've uploaded a few videos. They are a little rough around the edges but I wanted to just hurry up and get some out there because I've had a lot of footage with guest stars lately that I needed to go ahead and put online. So check them out if you're looking for some entertainment, here.

So, my brother Jer has informed me that I should write more about my life as a cast member. What does the general public want to know about it? It's hard to know what to write about because I am in the middle of it so I don't often think about what is now second nature to me. Any questions or topics that anyone would like to hear more about?

Wrapping up my Walt Disney World College Program

My last episode as a Walt Disney World College Program participant. Soon I'll be updating from Disneyland!!

Halloween Vlog.

Check out my latest video blog!!

Older Vlog post and a video of me as a safari driver!

Kilimanjaro Safaris!

I love working as a safari driver!!!! It rocks!!

Check out my latest vlog:

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Rafiki's Planet Watch

New vlog post!

I'm here...living at the happiest place on earth!!!!

Hellooo!

I'm officially at Disney! Check in was yesterday and it was fun. They had us non-stop busy. Kinda reminded me of the first day at Mars Hill College except with a lot more people and a great disney flare.

First we were at Vista Way for room assignments and such. Then we had a little bit of free time and after that we went to Casting. Casting was AMAZING. That building is gorgeous. It reminded me of those videos of Pixar on the special features of all their DVDs. Very cool environment. I definitely had that whole "oh my gosh I'm really doing this" feeling as soon as I walked through the doors. The doorknobs by the way were like the doorknob from Alice in Wonderland. Super neat. Then there's a great rotunda with are gold disney statues on pillars and a disney cast member to greet you. Then you turn to your left and wall down this beautiful corridor that has awesome paintings on the walls from Alice in Wonderland. After that you follow a maze through the building as you talk to different representatives about what your job, your look, and various other important items. Hmm...I just put that together...the building is very maze-like...and it's Alice in Wonderland themed. I seem to remember a maze at the end of that movie. I wonder if that was intentional. They give you like 5 pounds worth of paper work.

I met some fun people and I'm realllly anxious to meet more.

I had two people recognize me from my vlog updates on youtube!! It went something like "wait...are you Jenny Daws?" and "Jenny Daws!" haha...I was a bit shocked. But verrrry flattered.

Also a few people have asked me if I'm a character performer or if I'm going to be Snow White. Hmm I guess it's the short hair cut. It's a nice compliment tho! I think I will be her for Halloween...I was already toying around with the idea. Tho...I'm not very fond of her or that movie.

I'm sitting in the computer lab waiting on my next vlog to finish uploading. Make sure to check it out. There is someone in here listening to Avril Lavigne very loudly on their headphones. I don't mind because I love her!! Good stuff.

My roomies seem to be pretty nice! We are all very different but I think it's cool because that means we'll have lots to learn from each other.

Oddly enough I haven't met anyone yet who shares my love for High School Musical. Which seems pretty weird!! But I have enjoyed talking to other disney lovers! One of my roomies has Disney Scene It...we will have to have a tournament soon!

I am most definitely working at Animal Kingdom at in "Africa" at Rafiki's Planet Watch and I'm very very excited about my job there! What more could a girl want?! Working at the happiest place on earth, at Disney's Animal Kingdom, in "Africa", working with and around exotic (mostly African) animals every day, with unlimited access to the parks!!!??!! How did I get here?!?! Thank you, God!! Thank you thank you thank youuuuuuuu!

I'm taking Corporate Analysis and Exploring Guest Services at Disney. Sadly, they don't start for a month or two.

Also I found out a cool place to volunteer with if my schedule works out. Give Kids the World. Terminally ill kids and their families can come and go to the parks for free!! ALSO...John Stamos is one of the chairman of the organization!!! WOW WOW WOW. There are DEFINITELY perks to volunteering ;). Thank God for the Bonner scholarship and giving me a love for volunteer work!

I could go on for hours typing about my adventures, but my vlog just ended and I'm finally having the urge to do some cooking. I better run and get something going before I loose that urge!! I'd say that cooking for me is kind of like blogging, vlogging, collaging, and writing...I can't really do it unless I'm inspired. Which means I might be starving for this little bit. :P

Watch my vlog here :)

Last vlog before I become a Disney Cast Member!

I'll be arriving in the Orlando area in 3 days and checking into the Disney College Program on Wednesday, which is in 4 days! Check out my last vlog until I am officially a Disney Cast Member!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMr77MDEoCs

Bittersweet.

I'm worried, sad, and bummed out about a few key things in my life tonight. Most of them having to do with leaving my family in 15 days to move to Orlando, FL for the Disney College Program and the various issues related to that.

I kinda wish I could be transported back to 1998 in Rome, GA, in the front yard of our house at 1863 Floyd Springs Rd. Once again playing in the fall leaves with my bestest little girl friends without a care in the world about where I'm going to be, or how I'm going to keep my family safe, close, and happy. We were golden then. Instead I would just be in that peaceful state of mind that goes along with being an 11 year old kid. Not worrying about what the rest of my life will look like at all. Back then the thought never crossed my mind that someday my family wouldn't be together, or that there would come a day when I would have to miss holidays with my family to pursue my dreams. It was just certainty that we'd be a unit always.

And now, the thought of moving away, to possibly never be a resident in my parents home again, to start my own path is tearing me apart. Thoughts of not being able to come home for the weekend if I need to. Or the ever real fact that Jer no longer lives here and that he's not on vacation, he's really gone to start his own path as well and I don't even know when I'll see my brother again :,(. Thoughts of what I'll be missing while I'm gone, Christmas with my family, my animals, my nephew, quality time with my parents and siblings that still live here. It rips me apart. My brothers, Becca, and I have finally reached an age where we are all on the same page and I love them so much more now that we're all adults than ever before, and now I'm leaving? Just when I'm starting to build such great relationships with them? Where will I be in the next 6 months? Where will the rest of my family be? Who is gonna take care of Molly?

When I said "goodnight" to Molly tonight and she licked me on the nose like she often does, I couldn't help but shed a tear...How can I leave her? It's not like college where I can come home every few weeks. 5 months away from her? What will she think? How will she feel?

I just don't know about all this growing up business. I keep thinking of all the wonderful things that I've taken for granted about the infamous Daws family all these years, and now that I finally appreciate everything that is the essence of Daws and everyone in this amazing unit I was born into, I'm leaving and everyone is going there separate ways and all manner of changes are taking place! It's just not fair. I dare anyone to say that we are not a special family. There's just something about the Daws family that is magical.

I just wish I could fast forward and make certain that the future of the Daws family will be bright. I think then I could leave a little easier.

I'm reminded of a quote from Father of the Bride,

"I mean, I know I can't stay, but it's like I don't want to leave." - Annie Banks

:,(

23 days til Disney!

I have two new blog posts. Episodes 6 and 7.

Check them out here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_LDJFJD8AQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VkZ4oKLRAA

I spent the week before last in Asheville, NC. I have sooo many awesome friends who live there. It might be one of my favorite places in the world. So many great memories from college there too.

I found out that I will likely be working at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Sweet! I just might get to use my biology degree after all! I love that.

I'm so stinkin' excited. I'm really gonna miss my family and my pets though. :/

2 new "vlog" posts! check it out!!

Here's an update of what I've been up to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDyLktkEAbo&feature=channel_page

Here's a little slide show music video I put together of past times at Disney World with my family and friends! The song is a pretty awesome remix of attractions sounds and songs from different parks. I'm not sure where the song came from ...but it's great for diehard disney fans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIZ972o2o_g&feature=channel_page

60 days and counting...

It's hard to believe that in 60 days I'll be working at Disney World with unlimited access to all 4 parks whenever I feel like going. WTF!?! Crazzzzzzy!

Not too much has been going on...

Here's another video update!

Learning how to use iMovie!

I am trying to learn how to use iMovie so that my video blogs can be much more entertaining :)  

Here's my first try...tell me what ya think!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCPK_RO_I0w

Video Blog!?!

Check out my new youtube account!

I am now a video blogger...crazzzzy!

So, I didn't realize how ridiculously shy I am.  I can do all sorts of stupid silly things in front of a camera....but when it comes to being serious...I need some practice.  I wonder if there is any deeper meaning to that...do I not take myself seriously enough?  Maybe that's why I always have trouble getting everyone else to take me seriously!  Hmm...who knew you could learn so much about yourself just from making a video blog.  :-P

My new video blog endeavour is made possible by my brand NEW MacBook!! Yay!

Also I have a NEW hair cut!  It's super short.  I've always wanted to cut it this short...It definitely takes some getting used to though.  I go back and forth between loving it and hating it...I'm quite the indecisive woman.  

We'll see what comes of this whole video blogging thing...I'm just testing the waters.  

http://www.youtube.com/user/jennydaws

Mars Hill College Alumni!

Hello, from the Mars Hill College graduate!

I graduated with a degree in Biology on May 9th.
The week after graduation I went to Merritt Island, FL to visit my Aunt and Uncle with Kristina (my roommate from college). I took Kristina to disney for the first time! We had lots of fun. I also got to meet some fellow upcoming disney college program participants.
The week after that (last week) I subbed every day at the daycare that my mom works at. It was really fun, though I'm glad I have this week to chill out now.
On saturday was my graduation reception. It was great! I'm glad so many people were able to come to it.

I am going to do the Disney College Program on August 12th. Until then I'm just chilling out at home, learning to cook, reorganizing my life, and looking for summer work.

Tonight I cooked my first meal of the summer, chicken tetrazzini. It turned out pretty well, I definitely ate WAYY too much of it. I'm stuffed.

And the winner is....

I chose to do the college program at Disney World in FL!

CA was just wayy too expensive and unrealistic. Maybe I could transfer there later...but for now I'm very content with my decision to go to FL. I'm excited to be living there again...especially since it will be near my extended family which I don't get to see very often. I will be there from August 12-January 2. :) In the mean time, I'm going to try to get my old retail job back at Nordstrom in the Mall of Georgia. I hope that works out so I can make some money before I go to FL.


13 days til I graduate!

Lyrics.

I got accepted into the Disney College Program at Disney Land in California! Now I have a decision to make. FL or CA?

Whether or not I like a song usually depends on whether or not I connect with the lyrics in someway. I love lyrics. I get pretty darn impatient with songs that have really long intros because I love the lyrics so much. I totally think in song lyrics and movie quotes. So when I was trying to put into words how I am feeling about getting accepted into both Disney World and Disney Land College Programs...these words came to mind from the musical Wicked:

That's why I couldn't be happier
No, I couldn't be happier
Though it is, I admit
The tiniest bit
Unlike I anticipated
But I couldn't be happier
Simply couldn't be happier
(spoken) Well - not "simply":
(sung) 'Cause getting your dreams
It's strange, but it seems
A little - well - complicated
There's a kind of a sort of : cost
There's a couple of things get: lost
There are bridges you cross
You didn't know you crossed
Until you've crossed
And if that joy, that thrill
Doesn't thrill you like you think it will
Still -
With this perfect finale
The cheers and ballyhoo
Who
Wouldn't be happier?
So I couldn't be happier
Because happy is what happens
When all your dreams come true
Well, isn't it?
Happy is what happens
When your dreams come true!

-Glenda the "Good" Witch

It's really interesting how this has all hit me. My dreams have come true...I should be bouncing on the walls with excitement, right!? I'm learning that dreams are pretty scary once they become reality...that's when you have to think about all the little details like money and time! Either way I'm going to miss thanksgiving and Christmas with my family. Either way I'm missing out on priceless time with my nephew, my pets (especially my dog, Molly, she's getting pretty old), and my family. Either way I'm moving out and who knows if I'll live at home again. Either way I'm becoming an adult! Just as the song says "'...Getting your dreams, It's strange, but it seems, A little - well - complicated. There's a kind of a sort of : cost,There's a couple of things get: lost"

Yesterday I was leaning towards Disney Land. Today I'm leaning towards Disney World. There are pros and cons to both. Ultimately I need to spend time praying and asking God what HE wants me to do. For all I know HE might not even want me to go to either one. I need direction...I've always struggled with praying for things...perhaps this is a great opportunity for me to conquer that.

There are 20 days until I graduate. Yay!!!!!!

I'm doing my Senior Seminar Presentation on Monday! Ahhhh! I keep going back and forth between being crazy nervous and being really calm about the whole thing. I just want to get it over with! I've been freaking out about this for about a year...I can't believe it's finally here! Yikes!

Prickly

I graduate in 23 days. I love that. Really I just love that this whole stressful time will be finished. It's making me find fault with everything and everybody...it's not the Jenny we all know and love. I just need some alone time lately just to de-stress. Soon the stress will be over...I just hope I don't go too insane before it does.

BTW...Guess what!?
I got accepted into the Disney College Program at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL! Heck yea!
That's pretty freaking sweet! I'm still waiting on Disneyland in CA (my preference). But either way I suppose I'll be working for Disney in the fall. You would think I'd be crazy excited right? I'm actually seriously nervous and scared of the commitment I'm about to enter. But I'm sure I'll do great and love it.
I think I just have random commitment issues sometimes...anything long term scares me. Which is why I dislike committing to long term projects...I like short term goals. They are so much less scary and do-able. I suppose that's just my personality...maybe I don't believe in myself enough or something...who knows.

In other news...


I got my cap and gown!! Yay!

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Check this out...My brother's band, Stellate, is in AP magazine!! He's the second one from the left. I'm so freaking proud! I carry the pages around with me everywhere I go.


ALSO... A friend of mine, Ashley Griffin, is a graduating art major and I'm in her art exhibit this weekend at my college (sadly I can't be there)! She took photographs of a bunch of people with a creative item that defines them. (I took a picture with the t-shirt quilt that I made this past summer.) She made the person black and white and bumped up the contrast of the item. It looks pretty awesome...I'm so proud of her! Here's one of the invitations:


My photo of the invitation is pretty crappy...but you get the idea!


I also finished my senior seminar paper...but I don't have a nifty photo for that yet.

Florida or California?

It's been wayyy too long!

I will be graduating college in 51 days. That is, if I can pass all my classes. I can honestly say I'm a little worried. But I'm trying not to think about it. I am so completely over biology. It's draining the life out of me...it's so hard! I will be so relieved once I've completed these last three biology classes I'm taking. Also I'm taking a decorative and wearable arts class...aside from being lots of work...this class is pretty easy.

I had previously applied to the Disney College Program at Disney World in Orlando, FL. I have not heard anything yet, except for a letter telling me that I should know by April 17th. I know that some people have already been rejected or accepted. I am on spring break though...away from my PO Box. I called the mailroom, but alas...still no letter.

My brother, Jer, is possibly moving out to California to pursue his film making dreams. My cousin and his wife are quite possibly moving out there as well. That got me thinking about Disney Land in Anaheim, California. So I have applied and had an interview with the college program at Disney Land as well.

Who knows where I'll end up. Now all I have to do is wait until April 17th. I'm not a fan of waiting.

I'm also looking for a summer job here in Georgia from May to August, if anyone knows of any!

In other news, I turned 22 last friday! I don't feel as though I'm qualified to be 22 yet! It feels weird! I went to the Magic Kingdom for my birthday. It was awesome. I got in for free and they gave me a pin that says "Happy Birthday, Jenny" ...so all the cast members kept telling me "happy birthday" all day.

The next day we went to the beach where I got scorched! I am not a sunscreen user...I just can't wrap my head around the idea of the sun being bad for me. That just can't be! I love the sun!

While in FL, I stayed with my Aunt Cindy and Uncle Vic and hung out with my cousins Paul and April and their spouses Kelly and John. I finally got to meet my cousin April's son, Dante...he is 18 months old and really well behaved. I love the Berry/Tomassoni's! I wish I loved closer to them so we could hang out more often!

I'm about to go be a good aunt and hang out with my sister-in-law, Becca and my nephew, Grant. Grant is 4 months old and super cute!

Spring break is going great.

I'll try to be better about updating.