Learning To Be Me: My Party In The USA... Part 1!

Upgrading a former holiday destination and a cityscape dream, I worked in the United States of America twice between June 2011 and January 2013. A period of study split my two American work opportunities, parting the 'Disney Magic' and 'Airport Placement' I experienced. From 'Orlando, Florida' to 'Newark, 'New Jersey', I worked alongside greatness and found myself, BB! 

I had just mastered university living in Birmingham, England before I saw a very 'Magical' poster on the wall at my university campus. The first semester was progressing well, none of the assignments went to my final grade, I knew something extra wouldn't take me over board! Did I think little old me could bag a summer job at Orlando's own Walt Disney World Resort? I got my name down for the interview, it was like a mass processing of people as the recruiters looked for those special few to invite to Mickey's own Clubhouse! I smiled my way through that interview, recounting how my childhood experiences at the parks had showed me what magic could be. I tried to be the best ambassador for my country, they were looking for clear and crips accents and they knew what they wanted! Was that me? I did my best, that was enough, it was more than enough because I got the job! Summer 2011 would be looking very different! Don't be jealous of my personality, it was quite awkward breaking the news to friends at uni, don't be bitter, babes! 

I took my first solo long haul flight from Manchester to Orlando via Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport. Settling into my 'Chatham Square' apartment allowed me to meet 'Zach', he would become a lifelong friend who I would revisit in 2013! I was thrown into inductions, registrations and was able to meet people from far and wide! I would be working in the Merchandise department at EPCOT, the area around 'Spaceship Earth' would be my workplace for under three months. I was able to obtain my own 'Social Security Number', a future USA working gig was already in the works, I just didn't know it! I got to know those United States coins, from quarters I knew four made one Dollar! Dimes and Nickles were lost on me! I got to visit Disney University and that's where I met Mickey Mouse for the first time as an employee! I made it my mission to soak in every bit of this 'International College Program' experience! Merchantaning was allowed, it was risky business serving those sparkly Minnie ears in the South! It was magic! 

According to U.S. law, I wasn't allowed to drink alcohol because I was only 20 years old and the drinking age was 21! I dropped weight upon the booze being banned in my life, I didn't have time to take any risks because I played in the parks on my days off! I made it my mission to get autographs from the character performers I wanted to see! Evenings were random, I had made friends from different British universities and other parts of the United States including Puerto Rico. We had pizza nights at 'Cici's Pizza' and even went to 'Hooters' one evening, I wasn't there for that kind of view! Spanish was something I was listening to on the regular, outside of work I was able to brush up on my Spanish skills! Shopping centre outings were the one, 'Panda Express' was a treat but those 'Outlet Malls' hit the spot! Puerto Rico came into my life in more ways than one, I made a special connection of a kind, opening up new possibilities. I was no longer an innocent soul! My summer in Orlando was like no other, it was life affirming! Oh, M! 

Travel time outside of Orlando was almost non-existent but I made it down to Miami for the day! Getting on a bus at an ungodly hour unlocked the key to an immense day out, Miami Beach we did see! The minibus was questionable but Miami was in our sights, we all just wanted to have a great day! I had managed to get the day off work, it was like Miami knew we needed the break! We saw those South Beach buildings, we posed on the beach for those necessary photos and even saw police helicopters circle those who were living the 'GTA' fantasy! Making friends from many Spanish speaking countries was a lot because I didn't understand their conversations, towards the end I was able to listen well! Making those nights count, I was afforded a sober night out at 'Pulse!' Another hotspot held a great night! I loved not being able to drink alcohol, it made me see things a lot clearer! The autumn semester called me back to my university reality in Birmingham, I had finished my time as a 'Walt Disney World Cast Member!'

Learning to be who? During 2012 I flew stateside with a dream to do the most! I had been selected to be one of the three newest intakes at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, USA! The newest what? Passenger Services Agent, that was what! Hallmark Aviation Services had done their interviews at my University College Birmingham and something from my interview had impressed them! The other interviews didn't feel right but the wait to find out the answer was not fun, it was downright horrible! The enormity of the the situation didn't hit me until I was handed five passports during an 'OTJ' shift, I felt very out of my depth but in time I was able to unknowingly carve out my 'Britney Bitch' personality. Virgin Atlantic Airways, I represented their brand in the 'Clubhouse', greeting the likes of 'Kate Winslet' and 'David Furnish'. It was the most challenging work year of my life, it was what I wanted to do! It wasn't all passports and boarding procedures, I learned a lot during that eleven month placement. So?

As the months passed by, I was able to shrug off the nerves and navigate the ways of the connecting passengers. I strangely enjoyed the early shifts, those morning to afternoon naps were absolute bliss. I got into the rhythm of the airport, pre-check in briefings became the norm, the gossip in the baggage room was off the chain! I worked the late shift a couple of times but the GO28 bus home to Newark Penn Station via Market Street was no joke! I was 'Arrivals Lead' and 'Clubhouse Host' many times, the latter became a love of mine. 'Arrivals Lead' was hectic, it was such a thrill to do those announcements. Interacting with the cabin crew was my kryptonite, I had my sights set on becoming a cabin crew member in the future. Airport life suited me, I had forgotten what a good nights sleep actually was, I was running on coffee and Subway cookies and Wendy's meals! Newark's Terminal B became my new home away from home! University modules beckoned, I wasn't stupid, I got my assignment completed before heading back! I did!

Life wasn't all about work, I carved out my own 'American Life' away from the regiment of the airport. I hopped on the 'PATH' most weekends to 'the city' because we never referred to 'NYC' in the conventional way! I ventured past those Times Square lights, checking out secret neighbourhoods in Queens and also in Brooklyn. I fell in love with the cutesy nature of 'Christopher Street' with 'Greenwich Village' becoming my favourite memory. I remember meeting a mysterious friend in Jersey, we would take his car under the Holland Tunnel and the rest was easy living in 'the city' during the twilight. Chinatown and the Downtown didn't give me those 'Battery Park Blues' because I was already 'Desperately Seeking Adventure!' My blog was birthed amongst those NY Harbour settings. I remember one of my last times in NYC during 2012, it was to the 'High Line', I had fallen into a routine and really couldn't image going back to Birmingham for university! Lady Liberty had guided me, I had became my own fierce persona! 

It wasn't just about NYC, I ran those Ironbound streets to and from those airport shifts! Did I, though? I took the bus at all hours from Newark Penn Station! It was all character building for me! Brick City built my Britney being, I needed to embrace that Fuego! Don't leave out Philadelphia! Leaving the Tri-State area saw me visiting 'Washington, D.C.' during the days of Obama! Did I gate-crash a birthday trip to 'Las Vegas?' Yes, I did that! I snatched five days in Puerto Rico, getting to know those historic calles of 'El Viejo San Juan' was unlike no other! My Spanish wasn't bad! Baltimore showed me realness, I didn't need to know the rest! Bolt Bus hooked me up! I stepped across the border line twice, I saw snapshots of both Toronto and Montreal, Canada! I loved receiving that email from HR, I had exceeded my holiday allowance, those are the emails that confirm you've been living life correctly! I definitely didn't just work during that work placement, there was a lot of love, secrets and exploring! I'll go back one day! 

Where's My Green Card?! 

Desperately Seeking Adventure