AS THE SUN SETS ON THE FRONTIER...

Hi everyone! I feel like lately all I've been doing is apologizing for not posting anything, but that ends today because I'm home from Orlando with plenty of time to kill before my friend Brittany flies in on Friday! Yep, that's right, we didn't have to say goodbye (thankfully) because I will be seeing my lovely Disney BFF/roommate in five short days :)

All I've been doing the last few weeks (well, besides working and packing and trying to spend as much time with my friends as possible and squeezing in as much time in the parks as i was humanly able) is reflecting on my time working at Disney World and how it has changed me. Yes, I am definitely aware of how cliche that sounds but it is truly the only way to put it! I know that I am not alone in feeling this way, as I'm sure that my co-workers, friends, and roommates would agree with me.

Now hate is a strong word, but when I first started my journey at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe (whew, that's a mouthful! we all just call it Pecos buttttt that's its formal name) I was not the biggest fan of my role...I remember my first day the thought (and smell) of dealing with other people's trash made me gag beyond belief. After those three days of training I felt like I was drowning in information, struggling to find some way to remember everything that had been thrown at me. 

Let's be real here for a second: Pecos Bill is, when it comes down to it, a really well themed McDonald's. And also the third busiest restaurant in the world after Cosmic Ray's (Tomorrowland, also in Magic Kingdom) and a McDonald's in Shanghai, China. So considering these two facts, I think my anxiety was justified. But as the days went on and I spent practically every waking hour at work (one shift i was at work until 2 a.m...i considered quitting after that ordeal but i talked myself out of that one) I became more comfortable with my responsibilities and the people I was surrounded by.

The Disney College Program is unique in the way that is brings together so many different people. People from different states, different countries, different walks of life, different cultures. When I studied abroad in England, I went there to be immersed in a singular culture. Somewhat unknowingly, living in Orlando and working at Disney World not only immersed me in the Disney culture but countless others as well. I made friends from England, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, China, and Japan as well as all over the United States! It didn't take long for me to figure out the difference between Aussies and Kiwis, and the fact that the difference is everything. My Aussie friends introduced me to Tim Tams (the greatest cookie...or should i say biscuit? on the face of the planet) and explained to me how Australia is made up of states just like the U.S. is.

Weirdly enough, I would say Disney culture is arguably more exotic than any of the aforementioned ways of life. The company that Walt started way back in 1923 has become the leading force in the world of media and entertainment and has created a truly unique environment for cast members and guests alike. The mission and morals that are upheld and promoted by the company are in turn instilled in cast members and therefore the image is perpetuated by all of us who make the magic real. Working at Disney on the college program teaches you a whole new language of ER's, ADO's, and ROS's (early release, additional day off, release of shift, respectively) and probably an actual new language due of the sheer amount of people from all over the world who walk through the gates every single day. I like to think that I know a little bit more Spanish now than before...

Working at Magic Kingdom (more specifically Pecos Bill) taught me more than I ever thought possible.

It taught me how to be the ultimate team player, but also the importance of being able to be independent.

It taught me how to put others before myself, whether that be my fellow cast members or the guests we serve.

It taught me that even the smallest triumphs can be celebrated, but it's the big ones that should be announced to the entire restaurant with a chorus of cowbells and a rowdy yeehaw.

It taught me how a smile can say more than words ever could.

It taught me that even when things seem like they can't possibly get any worse, they can. And they will. But that it can get better in a split second.

It taught me how to be a better friend.

It taught me how to let the little things go, and even some big things.

It taught me that sometimes you have to get a little bit dirty, and that's okay.

It taught me how to prep hot cheese, and that I would be happy if I never had to prep it again.

It taught me that a strong work ethic will get you far in life, no matter what anyone says.

And most of all, it taught me to reach for my dreams no matter the price.

That, my friends, is what I plan to do.

until next time,

MY 10 PERSONAL SUCCESSES

Hi everyone! Today's post is going to be a tad bit different because it is actually an assignment for the class I am taking at Disney called Creativity and Innovation. My teacher Ellen (hi ellen!) asked me and the rest of my class to highlight ten successes that we have experienced in our lifetime. Seeing as my blog is my creative outlet, I decided to post my ten successes on here for you all to see!

1. getting accepted into the disney college program

How could I leave this one out?! It has been a life-long dream of mine to work for Disney in some way or another, and getting accepted into this program is what made my dream come true! I worked my butt off to get to this point in my education and I am truly proud of all that I have accomplished.

2. graduating from high school

Woah, talk about a flashback! I never doubted for a second that I would graduate from high school (clearly, i'm a nerd) but it was a big deal considering the fact that I went to school for 13 years before I could do it!

3. getting accepted into college(s)

Psych! I didn't even get into this college (UCLA) but I wish I did...isn't it beautiful? I got accepted into three other colleges though, so not all hope was lost!

4. surviving my move across the united states

I don't have a picture for this one because at the time of the move I had no desire to document it. I didn't even want to acknowledge that it was happening. I had to leave the place that I loved, my long-time friends, my boyfriend at the time and his family. It was by far the hardest thing I have ever had to do. The successes that I have experienced as a result of my move by far outweigh the hardships I faced during that difficult time. Like...

5. studying abroad in england

need i say more?

6. being in a successful long distance relationship

We met in a slightly non ideal situation (i was leaving england approximately a month and a half after we met) and we are currently in a non ideal situation (mike lives in england, i live in america) however we make it work! And that in itself is a triumph. Or so I've been told by the dozens of people that have told me that they could never do it!

7. distinguished community service award

In high school I completed over 250 hours of community service in a variety of places! Volunteering at my local SPCA was definitely my favorite :)

8. sticking with french all four years of high school

I loved my French teacher and I feel like that was part of the reason why I stuck with it for so long! I don't think French has been too useful in my life just yet, however I did speak it when I went to France much to the dismay of the Parisians I encountered...

9. changing my major halfway through college

I wish I would have chosen English from the beginning but I guess it took me a while to realize that it was always the right path for me. Ever since I changed my major I have felt more confident in myself and my schoolwork.

10. starting this blog

As I have said before, I started this blog as a way to keep myself busy while Mike and I were apart. Of course, I also started this blog because I have a passion for writing and a love of beauty and fashion among many other things. I would consider Essentially Shannon to be a success and I only hope that it will continue to grow!

What are some of your personal successes? Let me know in the comments down below!

until next time,

WHAT'S ON MY IPHONE?

Hi everyone! I must admit, as much as I've always tried to reassure myself that I would never become one of those people when it comes to my smartphone, I think I've failed. I love my iPhone, and I'm not ashamed to admit it! I had an Android phone (some crappy little thing, i don't even remember what it was) before I got my first iPhone and I can say with surety that I will never go back! Not only do I love my iPhone, but I love apps! They are such an interesting concept to me and so helpful in everyday life! Unless we're talking about games...in that case, definitely counterproductive. If you're anything like me, you love peeking at what people have on their iPhone...and if you are one of those people, you'll love this post because I'm going to show you what's on mine! Let's get into it, shall we?

First up, my lock screen! Surprise, surprise...it's a picture of my lovely beau and I ;) I love this picture that Mike and I took when we went ice skating, so obviously I had to make it my lock screen! Every time I unlock my phone, I smile :)

Aaaaaaand this is my home screen! If you've been here for a while, you know I love Pulp Fiction, and that it's my favorite movie! I especially love Mia Wallace, aka Uma Thurman...she's the bomb <3 I used to have a different version of this as my lock screen, but I found this illustrated one which I think is much cooler!

Here is my screen once I unlock my phone...nothing too exciting yet. All of the typical iPhone apps that come with the phone!

From left to right, the first folder I have holds all of my "social apps": Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Tumblr, Snapchat, Facebook Messenger (basically Mike and I's lifeblood, it's what we use to text each other! stupid international texting charges), Bloglovin, and Viber (what i use to talk to my parents when i'm abroad)

Next folder is my "random" folder...because I couldn't really find a home for these apps so I just decided to group them all together! In here I have: the Blogilates app (i wrote a post a few months back about blogilates and my fitness routine...click the link to read!), Pic Stitch (for when i need to make a killer collage for my instagram), Skype (a must have for anyone in a long distance relationship...let's be real!), Timehop (isn't it brilliant to be reminded of the embarassing Facebook statuses you posted four years ago when you were young and stupid? oh, and the cool stuff you did too), Shift Planning for my job, Buzzfeed (aka my one true love), MyFitnessPal which tracks what you eat every day (shoutout to Mike for this one), Netflix (duh), and The Hunt which is an app you can use to find bascially anything on the internet.

My "music" folder consists of: Spotify, Shazam, Songza, Pandora, Radio 94.7 (my favorite radio station that I listened to in California...the fact that I can stream it on my phone makes me the happiest girl in the world), BandsinTown, and SoundCloud. I listen to Spotify practically nonstop, but usually on my laptop...so my most used music app on my phone would have to be Pandora!

My "lifestyle" folder is pretty sad looking...it only has two apps in it, Etsy and Pinterest. As of late, I haven't been using either but I do like to keep them in case I ever get bored!

Here we have my "games" folder, which is significantly smaller than it used to be. I was living in England when Flappy Bird came out and my friends and I became obsessed with it! We would sit around the table at every meal and play it together, it got pretty ugly sometimes. You know what I mean if you've ever played it...it makes you want to smash everything in sight when your bird crash lands into the ground. I still play it sometimes...usually for about 5 minutes and then I give up because I get too frustrated! I also have Duolingo, which isn't really a "game" really...but it does make practicing my French fun! I downloaded Trivia Crack but I don't understand why everyone thinks it's so addicting...I usually use all my lives pretty quickly and then I forget about it.

Next up is the slightly boring "utilities" folder: Calculator (which i use way too much), Compass and Voice Memos (which i never use), Flashlight (which i also use way too much), my bank app, Podcasts, and the Square app which I use sometimes when I go to events for work (it lets you swipe credit cards and such)

My "travel" folder is pretty sparse: XE Currency Converter (so handy), and Skyscanner which searches for cheap flights.

Lastly, we have the most exciting folder on my iPhone: the "disney" folder! :) Seeing as I am moving to Florida in 3 days (!!!) for my Disney College Program internship, I thought it was only appropriate to download some fun apps that I can use in the parks! I have the WDW Lines app which tells you wait times for attractions in all of the parks and the official Disney World app which tells you anything you could ever want to know about visiting the parks!

Do you use any of these apps? What's your lock/home screen? Any app recommendations? Comment down below :)

until next time,