Down the Rabbit Hole--Moving to Orlando Complete 7/28 About This Page:

[LLaffinPlace]

I'm definitely pulling for you, Heather, thinking good thoughts and wafting pixie dust your way.

It sounds like you have things well in hand. I hope you end up with a great position right away, and I look forward to seeing you at WDW!

[emvenable77]

Sounds like everything is falling into place for you. Good luck with the job search! Can't wait to read more about your new journey!

[jjj6689]

I wonder if you could be a sub teacher. In Ohio they need subs so bad, they take anyone with a bachelors degree. I could be a good way to tide yourself over white you look for another job.

[Tere WDW]

Congratulations on your upcoming move! Good luck with your job search. Teachers do not make great money in FL and substitutes make next to nothing, but a job is a job and teaching certainly is a noble profession! Get yourself a SunPass and you won't have to worry about paying for tolls, you can just drive through all toll plazas and save a small amount on each toll. Publix sells them for $4.99 each and you get most of that back when you activate it.
Welcome to Florida!!! Welcome home

[jlhill4444]

Wow what a whirlwind you seem to have gotten caught in! Good luck and pixies for a job!

[dsteiny23]

Wow Heather! Thing are happening fast and furious but it sounds like you are rolling with it. I wish you luck on the job front. How exciting!!

[ilovedisney247]

Originally Posted by Dlandmom2

So many changes happening in your life, but all seem to be exciting changes! Good luck with the job hunt and the move!

It's all exciting--okay not the cleaning, but everything else.

Originally Posted by kurtholley

Congrats on the move Heather. Good news on the deposit into your account. I think it is great that you are doing the move that you wanted to do.

Hope you get a job that you want very soon

Me too!

Originally Posted by jandsdennis

So sorry things happened the way they did, but it all looks like it was a good thing in the end. Good luck with the job hunt and I would love to meet with you sometime at WDW. Have loved your food blogs and TRs. Let's have a drink sometime We will be down for ten days. Oct 15th thru the 25th. for the move and job search!

Thanks so much--and we can definitely get together for a drink in October!

Originally Posted by buzzspal2

Wow Heather, things are falling into place. I'm looking forward to hearing all about it.

It does seem to be coming together!

Originally Posted by Coop

Plans are sounding good Heather!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by mcc0313

Everything is happening so fast but sometimes it is the best way....leaves you less time to worry about all the what ifs. I know some people say well you need to worry...but I have always figured worrying just takes away time from being productive. I know you will find the perfect job and the apartment location sounds perfect and the rent...definitely a good rate especially since utilities are included in that price. Can't wait to enjoy all the updates...best of luck with the last minute packing.

Me? Worry? I never stop, but I just have a feeling that everything is going to work out. I'm like a cat--I have 9 lives and always land on my feet.

Originally Posted by mechurchlady

Can I come be your neighbor? Rent sounds great. Do not forget to pack all your necessary papers in one spot. I am still looking for my birth certificate for the driver's license. If you have a car make sure you have the pink slip. WOW, you are going to be my neighbor sort of. You will have a blast out here. Bring lots of change for toll roads. One false move and BOOM there is a toll road. Cannot wait to hear more about your move.

Do I need a birthcertificate even if I have a driver's lic from another state?

Originally Posted by chezp

Heather with everything. I have no doubt that we'll soon be congratulating you on your new move and in the meantime, I'm sure you'll have a ball once you get to Orlando and get settled in. I'm also so happy that it means that every time we go to Disney, we'll (hopefully!) get to see you.

You will definitely get to see me when you visit Orlando!

Originally Posted by Wendyismyname

I am feeling relieved to hear about the savings cushion. Girl, you rock!


I am kind of sad though......obviously you won't be able to fit your Papsan Chair in your Civic, will you?

No the Papasan doesn't fit in the civic--it required a bungee cord to get it home when I bought it. However, they are not very expensive so I imagine a new one will be dragged home soon!

Originally Posted by KathyL

Sounds like you have a very busy and exciting time coming up! with your move and your job hunt. Can't wait to hear more.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Irenaroo

Wishing you all the best with the move. Sounds like you are organized and have a great plan. Will be following your blog also!

Thanks so much!

Originally Posted by lauriep

GO, Heather!! Great news about the bank account. You've done an incredible job getting things closed out in LA and starting out in FLA. The apartment sounds good, for a while, at least. For an all-inclusive rent that's a great deal. Hope a job offer comes through soon. Great decision to have both your apartment in LA and the new one cleaned professionally. Lots of people dream, but very few make them come true!

Great quote from Laurie! I've been dreaming this dream for a few years now. I'm sort of glad I got the unexpected motivation to make it happen.

Originally Posted by JKnott17

Things sound like they are moving along nicely! What a great deal on the rent. I'm hoping that a job offer comes in for you soon!

Me too!

Originally Posted by Luvsun

What an exciting time for you Heather! With all of your planning, it sounds like the move should go very smoothly!
I look forward to reading all about the move and this new chapter in your life!
I hope to see you in a couple of weeks!!!

Trust me--nothing is going to go smoothly--I've moved a lot of times and always seem to be loading the car/truck in the middle of the night with the apartment half empty/half cleaned etc because I ran out of time. It will however GET DONE--it always does.

Originally Posted by sc507

Good luck finalizing everything for your move! And pixies that you find a job ASAP!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Colexis Mom

Congrats on the extra money Heather! I'm glad that gives you some cushion room! Can't wait to hear all about your adventures!

I'm ready for adventure--bring it on!

Originally Posted by cajunlace

Good Luck Heather with everything! I know how hard it is to find a job I have been looking for a long while now. Keep positive!!

You can have my job! We're very much in need of help at work.

Originally Posted by OhToodles!

Heather I just know you'll be ok. I'm happy to hear things are a bit better between you & Brandon. Sounds like things are all in place for you to move, so good luck things go smoothly.

Thanks! Can't wait to see you!

Originally Posted by lexiemom

A week and a half! Does it seem real and surreal to you all at the same time? It sounds like everything is falling right into place and you are ready to move ahead. that employment is the next step that falls right into place for you.

It seems super surreal, but once I signed the lease I knew it was for real, for real!

Originally Posted by DawnK

Congrats to you on making your big move. Safe travel
for you drive down. I hope you find a job you like soon.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by njlaura

What an exciting time this will be for you! Good luck finding a job that will make you happy! It sounds like you won't be lonely with all your passporter friends visiting.

I can't wait to see my PassPorter friends and make lots of new ones too!

Originally Posted by Pris

How exciting and a little scary! Good luck with everything!!

Scary! Yup!

Originally Posted by Teresa

That's quite a change! I'm always a little envious of those of you who just decide to move and hope a job opens up. I'm too old, too settled, too close to my family (literally) and too worried about security to do that, but kudos to you!
Pixies for a safe, easy move and for a new job being found quickly.
Have you thought about going back to teaching? I know that in FL, they WILL employ any idiot who can pass a short test (I think you have to have a bachelor's, but it doesn't have to be in teaching.) I know this because they hired my cousin to teach in Jacksonville schools. Those poor kids. If anyone doesn't have any business teaching, it's my cousin. You should be a shoe-in, and end up head of the school district in a few months!

Not going back to teaching . . . too much heartache for too little pay.

Originally Posted by lazanya

I wish you all the best Heather! Hope you find a job very soon!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by bgdiznee

Hi Heather and welcome to central Florida! As you can see by my post numbers I am more of a lurker, but I do love the boards and follow lots of fellow PP's adventures. We just re-located to Fl/Disney ourselves July 2011. It had been a long time dream of ours. So as soon as the last youngster moved out we moved down. Probably the hardest part to get use to is not feeling like you are on an extended vacation and really do live in the bubble now. I live across 192 from Disney property. Please ask any questions about the area or anything else. Once again, Welcome Home, for real!

Thanks so much for chiming in! I am worried about the "vacation" aspect of the move, but I'm pretty sure once I'm working I'll settle into a routine, just like I have here. Coming from New Orleans with the party all the time atmosphere that exists right outside my door, I'm probably a little more prepared for that feeling.

Originally Posted by abubbles77

Good luck on the move. Hope a new job falls in place soon like everything else is.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by JoanneS

Good luck with the move. Congratulations!! You really seem to have it all together. I'm sure you'll find a job in no time.

If only you knew me and could see the condition of my house at present--you'd laugh--nothing is together.

Originally Posted by cubfancolleen

Wow, great news about the teacher account! Seems like that's just another sign that you were meant to do this!
I think your former roommates should pay for the cleaning service, given all the work you've had to put in to getting the place vacated. If you are feeling good about sort of talking to B again, then I'm glad for you. But if you want all the PP's to beat him up, say the word!
Can't believe how soon you'll be done in NOLA!! I'm a little sad that if I ever make it there, you won't be there to be my guide. It sounded like Tracy had a great time on her trip there - no small part from hanging out with you!
Good luck finishing everything up there, and still keeping my fingers crossed that a job in Orlando comes your way soon!

I won't be able to guide you through New Orleans, but pretty soon I'll be able to join you for some WDW touring!

Originally Posted by mcneal

Girl, you are amazing! I am impressed with how well you seem to be handling all of this. You made a great plan and implemented with skills! Have a safe drive; it will be much less stressful driving at nite since I10 can be such a pain with construction. Oldest DD lived in Orlando for 4-5 years and really loved it. She was young, single and enjoying life...surfing, riding her motorcycle and just hanging with friends. I am sure you will be able to find a job rather quickly but having the cushion is soothing. WAY TO GO!!!!!!

Thanks so much for the support!

Originally Posted by LLaffinPlace

I'm definitely pulling for you, Heather, thinking good thoughts and wafting pixie dust your way.

It sounds like you have things well in hand. I hope you end up with a great position right away, and I look forward to seeing you at WDW!

I can't wait to see you too Larry!

Originally Posted by emvenable77

Sounds like everything is falling into place for you. Good luck with the job search! Can't wait to read more about your new journey!

It certainly will be a journey!

Originally Posted by jjj6689

I wonder if you could be a sub teacher. In Ohio they need subs so bad, they take anyone with a bachelors degree. I could be a good way to tide yourself over white you look for another job.

That's not a bad idea, but I don't really want to go back to education. I'll find something soon I hope!

Originally Posted by Tere WDW

Congratulations on your upcoming move! Good luck with your job search. Teachers do not make great money in FL and substitutes make next to nothing, but a job is a job and teaching certainly is a noble profession! Get yourself a SunPass and you won't have to worry about paying for tolls, you can just drive through all toll plazas and save a small amount on each toll. Publix sells them for $4.99 each and you get most of that back when you activate it.
Welcome to Florida!!! Welcome home

Thanks for the advice! I'll definitely be getting a SunPass!

Originally Posted by jlhill4444

Wow what a whirlwind you seem to have gotten caught in! Good luck and pixies for a job!

It's kind of like a tornado actually!

Originally Posted by dsteiny23

Wow Heather! Thing are happening fast and furious but it sounds like you are rolling with it. I wish you luck on the job front. How exciting!!

Thanks so much!

[ilovedisney247]

First and foremost I want to thank all of you who are reading for the support you are giving me! This is an awesome community. Those of you I haven't met yet, I really look forward to meeting you sometime in the future! You can just send me your vacation plans and I'll try to work in a meet! (Close to the time of your trip will probably work best for me.) I've already got my first meet planned! I'll be having lunch with Kelly and her family on the Saturday after I arrive. I'm working on some others as well!

I have a job interview on Tuesday with a Marriott managed golf course in Orlando. It's promising because the woman who called me today used to work in New Orleans for the man who was my first F&B manager. Also, someone slipped me the interview questions that are used in the form interview, which is nice because I was completely unprepared for the first interview I had. Marriott has completely changed it's hiring practices since I was hired. My interview was super casual and there was nothing form about it--I was hired in 15 minutes! Now there is a formula and a specific set of questions--about 6 questions of which you get one in 6 different areas. Your answers are judged by the interviewer on a set of standards and that determines if you are eligible to proceed, which doesn't mean you get the job, it means that they can consider you for the position against other candidates who successfully pass the "test." Holy complicated Batman!

I'm hoping to get some more phone calls this week and I'll let you know when I have interviews and when I get a job. I probably won't share when I don't get the job because it's depressing and I don't want a pity party--I'm trying to keep super positive!

[disneymom57]

Good luck with the interviews. Your positive attitude will come through in your interviews too.

[cubfancolleen]

Great that you were able to get the questions! I understand the need to make hiring processes more uniform, but sometimes I think that's gone too far.
Good luck!!

[materstater]

Have a good day today-remember to breathe--sounds like an exciting journey. I'm back in LA close to New Orleans. I was born here and moved when I was 5 to Indiana and then after 26 yrs in IN we moved back here. It was exciting but hard and I got homesick but it's turned out well. Pixies to you!!!

[Wendyismyname]

I love your attitude Heather!!!

Interview

[Mouseketeer]

Good luck with the move to Orlando, Heather, and especially with your upcoming job interview. Sending your way that everything goes well for you.

[HiddenMickey]

Heather, having just stayed at the Marriott Grande Vista last month, I think the area you are going to live sounds pretty good. You are so close to so much.

You sound very organized for your move and I'm sure it will all go off well for you.

Good luck on the interview!

[Colexis Mom]

Good luck in the interview!