Still waiting...

So, this wait time is dragging by. I think I'm going to look for a part time job tomorrow since I'm truly not sure how much longer this wait will be and while I saved a substantial amount of money to hold me for a couple months, we're hitting the 2 month period already and I really don't want to dip into my savings past the 2 month mark.

I've been feeling a little uninspired lately. I'm someone that loves going to work and having a purpose and so without it, life just feels like it's dragging. I plan on changing that tomorrow. I'm going to spend the first half of the day giving myself a girl's day. I desperately need a haircut and blowout, etc. I used to do things like that almost weekly. Sounds high maintenance, but it was a perk I gave myself that always left me happy and confident. I'm not dating or hanging out with friends a lot because I just feel blah, but really, it's a state of mind that I need to fix. I did go to Jacksonville last week to visit an old friend and I need more weekends like that.

Anyways, didn't mean to ramble. I figured since I'm in such a lull and I'm really looking to kickstart my life again, i'd declare it on here. Hopefully next time I post I will have a lot more positive news !!

I want to shoot myself

That's not very Disney of me, I know! But goodness, this wait period. I found out I got the job on February 11th, we're now already almost one month out. From what I've read on the wdwip.com cruise line discussion forum, it took some people appx 5 months to get their dates :x I truly hope that's not the case. I've already left my job and this is the first time in 5 years I've been "unemployed" and I haven't had anything to do and it's killing me. A month or two off is fine, but more than that sounds counterproductive to me.

The medical was done almost 2 wks ago. They did request my immunization records if I had them, so I'm actually picking them up tomorrow from my childhood pediatrician and I'm going to drop those off tomorrow. I don't believe that should be delaying the start date, but who knows. I'm also still waiting on my passport, but again that should not be delaying anything, as I'm just waiting for it and was told by my interviewer that was fine. I'm making sure those two are finalized by the end of today and I'll also drop my recruiter an email.

Everyone around me is as anxious as I am about the date. It's the first thing I'm asked when I talk to people. Once I know, trust me when I say I'll be shouting it from the rooftops ;)

Wish me luck on having some major updates soon!!!

Applying, interviews, etc

    With recently being offered the position for guest services with Disney Cruise Line (DCL), I've tried to find more info other than the propaganda (kidding!) on their site. And it's been near impossible. I have found probably 5 or so blogs that have helped me out. All super detailed. So, I'm going to try to do the same to help anyone in the future. That sounded time travel-y almost.. *insert reference to Doc and Back to the Future here*
    So, the basics are my name is Zahra, I'm American, I've done the college program (years ago), but DCL is definitely a new, confusing, and exciting experience to take on. I've wanted to work on a cruise for years and have mentioned it casually to friends and family, but never really thought of it as a reality. Yet, here I am. The real challenge for me will be to continuously update this blog. As my brother pointed out, "You seem like someone who would get excited by the idea of writing a blog and then forget about it 2 entries in." He is right. Here's hoping, though.
    The interview process was fairly smooth. Both of mine were done via Skype, although I've seen most people have a face to face interview for the second part.
 
This has been the step by step for me:

1. January 15th -sent in my resume to the recruiter
2. January 16th -Got an email from said recruiter showing interest and asking more questions about my previous experience
3. Approximately a week later, I had my first skype interview and she wanted to conduct my second interview in person just 2 days later, but I was unavailable
4. A few days later I got my official application 
5. Took me a week or so to fill out and it took them approximately a week to get back to me

That brings me to this past week, the recruiter sent me an email mid afternoon Monday asking if I was available for another video interview the next morning at 8:30. I, of course, said yes.
The second interviewer was a little more strict and detailed, understandably so. We spoke for almost an hour. And then approximately an hour later I got an email congratulating me on being hired (pending the background check and physical). So now I enter the dreaded wait period that I have heard so much about. I've sent in all my background info they requested, aside from my passport (which I've lost and am trying to figure out a way to get a new one without making the 4 hr drive to Miami where the official offices are!!). They haven't set my physical date yet, so that at least buys me some time to figure things out. I do wish I had a leaving date though, just so I can figure out when to leave my job and what items to bring (if I'll be gone in winter, for example), how much time I have to see people, etc. I will update as more info comes in (or try to, at least!!) From what I've been told by my recruiters, interviewers, and from what I've read- basically, the background check takes 2 weeks to finalize, then there's the physical. After that it can be as quickly as 2 weeks for you to leave. It's all dependent on what's available at that time, regarding ships and position.

Ooh, and a side note: I reallyy want either the Magic or Wonder. The Magic goes to Europe and the Wonder goes to Hawaii/Alaska. It'll be interesting to see what I get and I cannot wait to find out!