~A XMAS STORY~decorations, crowds, pixies..AND A BLOODY NOSE~ACTUAL UPDATE 11/9 p190

[DisneyLaura]

Hey I get excited looking at other people's trips here

 

[xoktenox]

for more planning! Like all of us on the DIS know, planning is half of the fun! I'm sure you'll help make your boss's trip tons of fun.

What ever happened with your neighbor and their trip?

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Being a Disney travel specialist is on my wish list too! Let's all open an agency together!

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

You are like me! You have just as much fun planning the trip as you do going on it! I'd like to be a Disney travel agent! How fun would that be? I get to start my ADR's in a few more days!!!!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

You are like me! You have just as much fun planning the trip as you do going on it! I'd like to be a Disney travel agent! How fun would that be? I get to start my ADR's in a few more days!!!!

Me too! My travel agent actually had an ad running on her website looking for people who would like to be a Disney TA from their home. I would so love to do that! I just didn't think she would hire me since I've only been once. But I agree that the planning is just as fun as going!

 

[punkin413]

Great pictures! We've never stopped to see the parade over at DHS. But after seeing your pictures, we just may.

thanks! it's a really good parade.

That food looks delicious!

it is! if i didn't hate atlanta so much i'd go there more often.

Too Funny

that guy was a trip.

What an awesome moment to catch.

they have lots of cute moments. they're a very affectionate family. ray and i are just the opposite -no PDA here. but of course we don't have kids yet so that will probably change someday.

Okay..caught up.....

can't wait to hear about your china trip! i'm sure it's gonna make me add more places to my list of places to go before i die.

Awesome parade pictures!! I hope I can get my fiance to get into the parades and watch them. He doesn't sound to excited about them right now. But it is our first trip to Disney we have to at least see a couple. Luke has the cutest reactions to everything. We aren't taking our daughter until next year after our honeymoon. She will be five then. I can't wait to see what she will think of all of it.

thanks! i didn't think ray would be into any parades or shows before our first trip together and he really liked them! he kept commenting on how talented all the performers were. i'm sure your daughter will love it next year!

I hope we get to see these guys, I think they're really cute

he was awesome!

I want one of these bracelets

well, now you know they're $5.95!

We had the same thing happen to us. These two older ladies were pushing their way in front of my stroller and almost sat on my kids in the stroller. My DH finally said something like "excuse me but the kids can't see now that you stood in front of us" and then they moved but not without rolling their eyes at us

what is WITH people???

Oh and I had to post this for you, sorry's it so big

oh, my gosh.....look at her! she's just adorable. and i love that dress!!!

Great parade update Dawn! I love the extression on Lukes' face as he's looking at Slim! You nailed it when you said he was naunch... (can't spell it ) HA! I haven't seen the Block Party parade yet and am looking forward to seeing it in June. Those green army guys are SO funny!!! We saw them scare someone who was staring at them trying to figure out if they were real or not.

thanks! nonchalant? i'm not even sure if that's right but it looks good to me. you guys will love the block party. it's just very entertaining. that's too funny about the army guys.

I've never seen the parade at DHS........we always plan to do it, but either forget or do something else.

I saw the army guy for the first time on my last trip. I can't imagine walking with those feet things.........I'd be falling all over the place.

that's happened to me a couple of times too but i've seen it the last two trips. i never did see the motor cars one because i'd always forget about it! i'd be fallnig down, too....i'm such a klutz!

 

[punkin413]

Yay for more planning!!!

I'm planning my sister's trip to WDW right now. They're going in May and I'm sending her lots of emails with restaurant suggestions at the moment! It's a bit hard to know where to start helping someone who knows absolutely nothing about Disney World. She still calls it Disneyland, for goodness sake!! I don't want to to overwhelm her. Where do you normally start when you help someone with their planning, Dawn?

I'm sure they'll have a blast though!

fun! it's so exciting to help someone with their trip because you can actually help them have a better time! a disney vacation done the wrong way could be miserable. i normally start out with if they have base tickets or park hoppers, if they're on a meal plan and if so, which one, if they are early risers or stay up late, if they want to have a break in the afternoons, if they have kids, if they are interested in the water parks. then i go from there.

Dawn Know what you mean about planning DD has all her co workerscall me when they are planning a trip!!

almost everyone i know knows to call me when they're going to disney. EXCEPT my neighbor. her husband developed mouth cancer last year (he's fine now) and her work sent them on a disney vacation. well, i didn't even know about it until they got back. i was SO MAD. and even worse she complained about a couple of things that i would've told her to avoid or whatever. then recently another neighbor of ours went to disney world (back in december) and she had called me and i helped her LOTS with her trip. well, she told the first neighbor about it and she had the nerve to say to me, "you didn't help me with my trip!" THAT'S BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW - YOU DIDN'T TELL ME!!!! she said she did but i KNOW i would remember that. i know how i am about disney and i would've been so excited to help her.

Sorry for hijacking your thread, Dawn!

no problemo!

Seriously Dawn I'm with you there! Sometimes I dream of ditching the years of my education (and thousands of dollars!) to become a Disney travel specialist and just do that for a living (which of course would require lots of in person research). Put it on my "if I ever win the lottery" list of things-to-do

i think that's what i want to do part-time when i retire!

Can I work in your agency?

Please?

me too!!!!! we should all totally look into getting the okay from disney (i'm sure you have to take a class or something even though we all know this stuff!) and create a website or something!

All caught up! Great updates! I love Luke's faces!

thanks! yes, luke is quite the comedian.

How cool, have fun planning!

thanks!

Hey I get excited looking at other people's trips here

me too! and i'm sure it will get worse the longer i have to wait to go back!

for more planning! Like all of us on the DIS know, planning is half of the fun! I'm sure you'll help make your boss's trip tons of fun.

What ever happened with your neighbor and their trip?

thanks! my neighbor is there AS WE TYPE!!! today was their first day. if she's following my schedule, they spent the day at DHS, had dinner at kona cafe and they're watching illuminations right now!

Being a Disney travel specialist is on my wish list too! Let's all open an agency together!

i'm in!

You are like me! You have just as much fun planning the trip as you do going on it! I'd like to be a Disney travel agent! How fun would that be? I get to start my ADR's in a few more days!!!!

seriously! i'm so glad ray lets me do it because i dont know if i could handle his input or not. yay for ADRs!!!!!!

Me too! My travel agent actually had an ad running on her website looking for people who would like to be a Disney TA from their home. I would so love to do that! I just didn't think she would hire me since I've only been once. But I agree that the planning is just as fun as going!

you don't live in georgia, do you?????? i'd TOTALLY apply for that job.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

No, I'm in NC, but the TA was in Pennsylvania. I think she was looking for people anywhere in the US. The ad said the only requirement was travel experience to Disney World, Disneyland, or Disney Cruise Line. I'll check her site and see if she still has the ad. Last time I saw it was probably around September. I wanted to be a TA when I was in highschool but I decided to be a teacher instead. I've always regretted that decision. I called that TA on atleast 3 occasions during the planning period of my trip (7 months or so) that she was gone on a Dis cruise or at WDW. That made me regret becoming a teacher even more !

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

She still has the ad running. Here's the link:

http://www.*************.com/Join_our_team.htm

Now I can't reccomend her or her company or anything b/c I don't know a thing about her. I had already booked my trip (just tranferred my reservation to her) and I planned it all myself. I only transferred my trip to her because she was offering a good deal if you did that. But I didn't hardly talk to her at all and I have never used her before. Not saying there is anything wrong with her.........my trip went fine. Just wanted you to know that I don't know her personally. But I think I would love that job!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

sorry, it double posted.

 

[mickeyfan71]

Dawn, You are too cute! I have enjoyed your TR's so much! I finally finished yours and Ericas and have now started on this one. I have alot of catching up to do! I feel like I know you already-LOL. I realized we have ALOT in common-I love American Idol, Big Brother (even watch BB afterdark on Showtime) and Jon & Kate Plus 8!!! I was born and raised in Savannah and I am NOT a Georgia fan-so I know what you mean about the fans! Can't wait to catch up and see how the trip went! You and Ray are the custest couple! Hope you have a BLESSED 2009!

 

[punkin413]

No, I'm in NC, but the TA was in Pennsylvania. I think she was looking for people anywhere in the US. The ad said the only requirement was travel experience to Disney World, Disneyland, or Disney Cruise Line. I'll check her site and see if she still has the ad. Last time I saw it was probably around September. I wanted to be a TA when I was in highschool but I decided to be a teacher instead. I've always regretted that decision. I called that TA on atleast 3 occasions during the planning period of my trip (7 months or so) that she was gone on a Dis cruise or at WDW. That made me regret becoming a teacher even more !

She still has the ad running. Here's the link:

http://www.*************.com/Join_our_team.htm

Now I can't reccomend her or her company or anything b/c I don't know a thing about her. I had already booked my trip (just tranferred my reservation to her) and I planned it all myself. I only transferred my trip to her because she was offering a good deal if you did that. But I didn't hardly talk to her at all and I have never used her before. Not saying there is anything wrong with her.........my trip went fine. Just wanted you to know that I don't know her personally. But I think I would love that job!

i just went there and applied! i'd love to do this part-time. and to be able to claim part of vacations as a tax deduction sounds great to me!!! i will let you know if i hear back from her. thanks!!!

Dawn, You are too cute! I have enjoyed your TR's so much! I finally finished yours and Ericas and have now started on this one. I have alot of catching up to do! I feel like I know you already-LOL. I realized we have ALOT in common-I love American Idol, Big Brother (even watch BB afterdark on Showtime) and Jon & Kate Plus 8!!! I was born and raised in Savannah and I am NOT a Georgia fan-so I know what you mean about the fans! Can't wait to catch up and see how the trip went! You and Ray are the custest couple! Hope you have a BLESSED 2009!

hi! thanks so much for reading and for your sweet compliments! erica and i aren't done yet - we're on our last day though. erica doesn't want the TR to end! ray and i come to savannah a good bit. we love it down there! we didn't go last year but that's because i went to disney 3 times. the last time we were there was september 2007. i was in the middle of a pre-TR then and i did a little mini trip report (if you're interested):

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=20743181&postcount=190

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=20743240&postcount=191

 

[punkin413]

i just wanted to take the opportunity to apologize in advance for the lack of updates for the next few days. i am SWAMPED!!!! as of this morning i already had 5 depositions, 1 motion to suppress hearing and 1 guilty plea to type. i did a deposition today that the guy needs on monday, so i'm doing that now. and then i have another deposition scheduled tomorrow. so i'm gonna be a VERY busy girl the next couple of weeks!!! i'm not complaining though - i'd much rather be busy than not have any work. but when it rains, it pours!

oh, and to top that off anna and i are going roller skating with some girlfriends on saturday night, so that will take up more of my typing time. but i'm not cancelling because it was my idea and some of the girls have gotten sitters, so i don't want to mess with their plans. i'm sure i will have some very comical pictures from that little adventure!

hope everyone's doing well!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Absolutely! I want to hear every detail if you hear anything back. And if you don't mind, I would love to know how you got into doing what you do now? Do you work solely from home? I am a SAHM and would love some income but I have a DD to take care of right now. I was just wondering if your job is a position that all courts have or if you're an independt contractor or something. I hope you don't mind the questions or think they are too personal. Thanks!

BTW, I'm sure she is not the only TA who is looking for help like that. Maybe when you have time, you should google it and see what you can find. Good Luck!

 

[MeMom]

Yeah, you need to go out and have fun with the girls! All work and no play is not good for Dawn! It'll be fun, and I'm sure we will get to see some great pictures from it, as well.

 

[lmillercrew]

Glad to hear that you are busy, especially in times like these! We'll all be here when you get a little less busy. Have fun roller skating... "in the opposite direction"

 

[End_User-X]

me too!!!!! we should all totally look into getting the okay from disney (i'm sure you have to take a class or something even though we all know this stuff!) and create a website or something!

5 year plan: TourGuideDawn.

i will PM you about what chris said

PM me too please. I have no idea what he meant either, and I'm a guy.


It's hard to believe you never saw the other parade! A lot of people were up in arms about it when they changed. The Stars and Motorcars parade had Star Wars characters, classic characters, characters from Disney movies, etc...it was a good mix. The new one is Pixar only.

 

[hlrababy]

Ooooh, take lots of pictures of the rollerskating! Girl, I haven't done that in years!!I would be just awful at it!! lol!!

 

[punkin413]

Absolutely! I want to hear every detail if you hear anything back. And if you don't mind, I would love to know how you got into doing what you do now? Do you work solely from home? I am a SAHM and would love some income but I have a DD to take care of right now. I was just wondering if your job is a position that all courts have or if you're an independt contractor or something. I hope you don't mind the questions or think they are too personal. Thanks!

BTW, I'm sure she is not the only TA who is looking for help like that. Maybe when you have time, you should google it and see what you can find. Good Luck!

i will definitely let you know if i hear from her!

i don't mind at all! i got into it because i went to college to be a paralegal and hated it! i wanted to stay in the legal field and the more i found out about court reporting, the more interested i became in it. i really feel like i was born to do this job. it's perfect for me. we all have complaints about our jobs but mine are minimal and i love what i do.

i am considered a freelance reporter but that's only because i am not assigned to a judge. if you're assigned to a judge then you're an "official" reporter. i am with a court reporting firm and there are 5 of us. i am number 4 on the totem pole, so to speak. the 3 above me are "officials" and have their own judges, but my circuit is number one in georgia on the list to get another judge, so as soon as that happens i will be an official. the plus with that is that i will be guaranteed a certain amount of money every month (for court work) and everything i do above that (depositions and any transcripts ordered from court) are bonus. as far as every court having a court reporter, they are usually assigned by judge. in georgia every superior court and state court judge has their own court reporter. juvenile, probate and magistrate court judges usually don't and they just use freelance reporters to do the work they need done because not everything has to be taken down by a court reporter in those courts. but every state is different so i'm not sure how your state is organized.

i do half my work at home. for example, this week i was off monday, i had a 5-hour deposition tuesday, a had 2 hours of guilty pleas in court yesterday, today i had a 1-hour deposition and tomorrow i have a deposition in atlanta. so that's the time i spend out of home working. some weeks i work every day, some weeks i work 1 day - just depends on how busy we are. but the typing from that is done at home. but take into account that a 1-hour deposition takes on average 3 hours to type. so you have to be really self-motivated in order to keep up with the work.

i thought when i first started that this would be a great job to have with kids because they could stay at home with me when i was at home. a good friend of mine who went to school with me had a baby about 6 months before she started court reporting and she learned really quick that's not the case. unless you have time to DEDICATE to sit down and really work on your transcripts, you'll never get anything done. and kids don't really understand that just because mommy's home doesn't mean she can't be with them constantly. kids deserve a lot of attention and from what i understand it's really difficult to get work done with having kids at home. but of course you do have days when you're caught up on your work and you get a "free" day off and that would be nice to spend with the kids unexpectedly!

another thing to be aware of is that most court reporters are self-employed, meaning you have to pay quarterly taxes. no fun! and you get no benefits, as in no health insurance or vacation pay. but the plus side of that is i don't have a 9-5 schedule and if i want i can do my work in the middle of the night in my PJs!

oh, another disadvantage - i can no longer watch shows like CSI because they're all so unrealistic and it makes me mad!

if you're really interested, if i were you i'd contact your state board of court reporting, see what the requirements are and see if they know of a website you can look at to find out if any court reporters in your area are looking for typists. that's the quickest way you will find out if you want to do this or not. of course they'd have to train you because typing verbatim what people say is NOTHING like typing a letter or an e-mail or even on the disboards. it takes time to learn how to do it because you can't change anything anyone says, even if it's wrong, yet you have to make it make sense. and grammar skills are definitely a requirement. hope this helps!

Yeah, you need to go out and have fun with the girls! All work and no play is not good for Dawn! It'll be fun, and I'm sure we will get to see some great pictures from it, as well.

i'm sure it will be fun. we are eating mexican food beforehand which means margaritas will be involved. i hope no one gets hurt!!!! the good thing is that anna will be there and she doesn't drink, so we will have a completely sober driver to take us to the hospital!!!

Glad to hear that you are busy, especially in times like these! We'll all be here when you get a little less busy. Have fun roller skating... "in the opposite direction"

me too! january was SCARY. we were so slow. but it's really picked up!

5 year plan: TourGuideDawn.

It's hard to believe you never saw the other parade! A lot of people were up in arms about it when they changed. The Stars and Motorcars parade had Star Wars characters, classic characters, characters from Disney movies, etc...it was a good mix. The new one is Pixar only.

tourguidedawn - that's hilarious! it does have a certain ring to it, though.

i actually saw the end of it. the very first time ray and i were at MGM (before it was changed to DHS) we got stuck on the great (lame) movie ride and that's why we missed it that time. but we did manage to run up and see the star wars part.

i'm PMing you right now!

 

[punkin413]

Ooooh, take lots of pictures of the rollerskating! Girl, I haven't done that in years!!I would be just awful at it!! lol!!

i'm sure we will!!! anna went to a birthday party with luke a couple weeks ago and it was a skating party and when she was telling me about it, i was like, "we gotta go!!!" i haven't been since i was 19. i have been roller blading since then. hopefully i won't break my neck!