Ben and Kyle Go Back! A 2013 PTR *Updated 5/22*

[BenKling]

Hello dear readers!

I hope everyone is doing well. Happy Wednesday! This isn't a trip plan update, but some major things happened today!

I think I mentioned this before, but I work for a non-profit organization that focuses on higher education issues here in WI. I've been in the position since I graduated from college, and it's been a wonderful and transformative experience.

However, the job is designed to be a launching pad to other opportunities, and after 3 years it's time for me to pass the torch. Since December, I've had my eyes out for other opportunities in Madison. Along the way, I've had many networking opportunities, a few interviews, and some really great learning experiences...

TODAY, I got a call from not one, but TWO of my prospects, saying that I was the top finalist for the position, and that my name was being sent to the HR department for approval. They aren't official offers, but they were letting me know to expect one soon.

Both jobs are in WI state agencies, and I would be happy at either location... so now I just have to wait for my official offers and decide where I want to work!

I told Kyle the best part of this is now I can get an "I'm Celebrating" button at Disney that says NEW JOB!

 

[scottny]

That is great and I hope you get the job, if offered.

If I do not get back in time I hope you both have a magical trip. I am going to Aruba next week and not sure if I will be back here before then.

Have fun.

 

[BenKling]

That is great and I hope you get the job, if offered.

If I do not get back in time I hope you both have a magical trip. I am going to Aruba next week and not sure if I will be back here before then.

Have fun.

Thanks! I'm just waiting for my official offer. I've officially decided to go with the job that gets back to me first. Both positions are very similar, and I know I would be happy at either location.

I'm hoping that the holiday weekend doesn't leave HR too backed up, and hopefully I'll hear something tomorrow. Any time this week is fine, but I really would like the offer before I get to Florida... I just don't want to have to worry about it on vacation!

And speaking of vacation, I hope you have a wonderful time in Aruba!

 

[BenKling]

Happy Memorial Day Everyone! I hope you had a chance to spend some quality time with friends and family this weekend. If you're a veteran or currently serving, thanks so much for your service!

I came back from my family's cabin today. We spent most of the weekend doing some maintenance work on the flower beds/landscaping there, and got everything opened up for the summer. It was a lot of work, but a nice distraction from my long week, which went from being really awesome to terribly stressful pretty quickly.

The conference that I'm planning is only 4 days away, and I got an email today from one of the workshop presenters. They are cancelling on me, which means I'm left to find someone to fill their spot.

Not the most terrible of needs, but being only a few days out it's not really something that I wanted to do. I'll be busy enough ironing out all the little details and worrying about everything running smoothly.

I mentioned in one of my last updates that I was notified of my candidacy for positions in two different state agencies. I'm still waiting to get an "official" job offer from either place, but I've decided to take whichever one gets back to me first. I'm really excited and grateful for these new career opportunities, but I hate this limbo feeling of knowing that an offer is coming, but not getting it yet. I'm hoping that the holiday weekend doesn't doesn't end up delaying anything too badly, and that'll I'll hear something this week. If all goes well, I'll be starting a new job sometime after July 1!!

But onto what you REALLY care about!

I've decided to wrap up the day-by-day portion of the PTR today, for a couple of reasons.

1. My life is likely to get crazy hectic these last few days, and I'm really sure I'm going to have the time or energy to post after today.

2. I really want to talk about the rest of the ADRs I have scheduled, as that's pretty much what I'm looking forward to the most on this trip!

So here we go!

6/7: Garden Grill
I was excited about this restaurant because I LOVE Living with the Land, and thought the idea of getting to see the different scenes during the meal would be really fun. Kyle also ate here as a little kid, and has good memories of the place so I thought it would be nice for him to revisit.

I did not realize this was a character meal when I made the ADR, but I'm actually pretty amused by that. We don't usually stop to take pictures with characters, but I guess we will have to this time!

6/8: Liberty Tree Tavern
This is a place that I've always wanted to try. I really like Thanksgiving, so i thought the dinner would be a nice time to take a break on our second day at MK. Also, piles of meat and gravy, can you really go wrong?!

This is also the day that MK has EMH scheduled until 1am. We had an AMAZING time staying at the park until 2am last year, so I knew I had to repeat the experience. I just hope this time we see fewer crying children. They were absolutely miserable, and up waaaaay past their bedtime. Their parents weren't having it I guess,

6/10: Tusker House
Our final ADR is at AK, and is the only TS we're doing in that particular park. I'm a little bit concerned about the timing for this meal, as it's scheduled so much earlier that our other dinners on the trip (5:35), but that's just unavoidable with AK's early close times.

As we'll be finished up earlier this day, the plan is to go back to the resort and pack for departure the next day, and then perhaps do some more exploring at DTD. All in all, it's probably ok that we're wrapping up early as we'll most likely still be tired from our EMH.

I'll chat about our departure day some time later.

As always, thanks for reading!

 

[BenKling]

Today is the start of the conference! Which means that after 4pm on Sunday, I'm officially on vacation!

 

[BenKling]

I JUST GOT AN OFFICIAL JOB OFFER!

And I accepted!

Looks like I'll be starting on July 1 or the pay period after. Hooray!!

I so glad that I won't have to worry about this on the trip. *whew*

 

[wiigirl]

Congrats on the job!

 

[BenKling]

The conference is over! And it was a success!

Now I just have to get back to Madison and pack. Flying to the world tomorrow!!

 

[BenKling]

Today is the day!!!

After finishing up the conference yesterday, I got back to town just in time to pick Kyle up from work. We gassed up the car, and took the cat to spend the week with my parents.

We had a nice dinner with the folks, and headed to Madison to finish up laundry and packing. By the time every thing was said and done, I only took about a 45 minute nap. But I just couldn't seem to fall asleep!

I decided that it'll be easier to sleep on the plane, so I'm up and ready to hit the road. I'll let Kyle sleep a little bit longer but I expect to be on the way to Milwaukee by 5.

So excited!

 

[scottny]

I missed your sendoff. Hope you both have a magical trip.

Congrats on the job.

 

[scottny]

Did you have a good time?