I thought 7 was supposed to be a lucky number?? Sept TR **Life & PTR Update 5/11**

[taaren]

Hello all!

So, I know I kind of disappeared and I'm sorry about that. I'm struggling a bit with writing this, for several reasons. First, and most obvious I'm sure, is the job loss. I'm spending hours a day filling out applications, emailing my resume, searching for opportunites....it's exhausting and somewhat depressing. I'm still also trying to figure out what exactly I want to do, as I would love to use this as an oppotunity to move to Florida, but don't know if I could pull it off right now with such limited funds. Not to mention that I was feeling slightly better as last week I got the paperwork back from the DLLR saying I was approved for unemployment and the amount was enough to cover my bills until I got a job. Well, I got a letter yesterday now saying payment was delayed as they review my case as I now may not be eligible. All I got when I called this morning was attitude from the woman who told me that it normally takes weeks and I would get a letter about what time and day they will call me to discuss the matter.

The second reason is the trip itself. It had lots of great moments for sure, and I enjoyed a lot of it. However, the trip wasn't great overall for me. I was right in my first thought that I didn't want to do another solo trip. I just felt lonely and bummed about being there alone the whole time and it put a damper on the whole trip. I was actually kind of glad to be leaving and heading home, and ironically told Steve while talking before my flight that I was looking forward to getting back to work the next day so I could make more money toward moving. Totally jinxed myself there, didn't I?

I do still want to do the TR, and I'm hoping that in re-living the trip I will start to think more fondly about it. I really did enjoy so many things about the trip and had a good time on most of the things I did, it was just the sadness that sorta hung over my head that makes it difficult to think about in a positive light.

I'll be back soon with the rest of the Day 1 update, and I hope everyone else is having a good week so far!


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I'm sorry things feel so down right now. I've noticed that in general, bad things come in pairs or threes, then usually some good things happen, usually 2-3 at once. Hopefully it'll be your turn for positive stuff soon.

We really do need to plan a DISser trip with a bunch of the Dec 2012 group. Maybe Dec 2014? Then nobody would be solo!

 

[PhoenixStrength]

I'm sorry things feel so down right now. I've noticed that in general, bad things come in pairs or threes, then usually some good things happen, usually 2-3 at once. Hopefully it'll be your turn for positive stuff soon.

We really do need to plan a DISser trip with a bunch of the Dec 2012 group. Maybe Dec 2014? Then nobody would be solo!

Thanks! A trip with the 2012 December DISers would be fun for sure!

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Hello All!!!!

Sorry I've been MIA for a while, I've been busy trying to find a job as well as just feeling depressed about everything that's happened. Not to mention fighting with Photopass as the CD was ordered on September 15th and I was supposed to get it by the 23rd. Well, the 30th I still didn't have it and the website said it was still in processing. I spent an hour and 15 minutes on hold early last week until I finally got someone who told me their new software was messed up and not processing orders right. They re-submitted it and I got the CD earlier this week.

I'm going to quickly catch up on the TRs and PTRs I'm following, then get started on this TR again!

Be back very soon with an update!


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[KatMark]

Hello All!!!!

Sorry I've been MIA for a while, I've been busy trying to find a job as well as just feeling depressed about everything that's happened. Not to mention fighting with Photopass as the CD was ordered on September 15th and I was supposed to get it by the 23rd. Well, the 30th I still didn't have it and the website said it was still in processing. I spent an hour and 15 minutes on hold early last week until I finally got someone who told me their new software was messed up and not processing orders right. They re-submitted it and I got the CD earlier this week.

I'm going to quickly catch up on the TRs and PTRs I'm following, then get started on this TR again!

Be back very soon with an update!


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Good to see you back, Stephanie. That's a real pain with the CD; I would have been very unhappy too.

Can't wait until you start reporting again.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Forgot to mention one thing on my previous post. I got a job! I start on Tuesday as an Office Receptionist for a non-profit spay and neuter clinic. I had a working interview this week and really enjoyed it. So, a lot less stress now!

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[KatMark]

Forgot to mention one thing on my previous post. I got a job! I start on Tuesday as an Office Receptionist for a non-profit spay and neuter clinic. I had a working interview this week and really enjoyed it. So, a lot less stress now!

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I wondered why you hadn't mentioned it.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Good to see you back, Stephanie. That's a real pain with the CD; I would have been very unhappy too.

Can't wait until you start reporting again.

I wondered why you hadn't mentioned it.

Glad to be back! Funny enough I received a second PP+ CD with all of my pictures today.

I meant to mention it in my first post, but didn't realize until a bit later that I hadn't!

 

[SAT887]

That's great about the job!! So glad things are on the up!!

 

[mickeystoontown]

I'm so happy that you got the job. It sounds like it's right up your alley too.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

That's great about the job!! So glad things are on the up!!

Thanks, I'm quite glad too!

I'm so happy that you got the job. It sounds like it's right up your alley too.

It definitely is!

 

[afwdwfan]

Sorry about the Photopass CD. That's a headache you really didn't need on top of everything else that has been going on.

Congrats on the new job!!!

 

[Pluto0809]

I never made it back here before my trip to say congratulations on the new job! Hope all is going well for you.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Hi all!!!!

I know I've been MIA again for a while, but I promise I will be back this afternoon with a nice size update and some good news!!!

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[SAT887]

Hi all!!!! I know I've been MIA again for a while, but I promise I will be back this afternoon with a nice size update and some good news!!!

Oooo! Can't wait!

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Sorry about the Photopass CD. That's a headache you really didn't need on top of everything else that has been going on.

Congrats on the new job!!!

Thank you!

I never made it back here before my trip to say congratulations on the new job! Hope all is going well for you.

Thanks, all is well, just a bit crazy while I adjusted to the new schedule.

Oooo! Can't wait!

It'll be up soon!!!

 

[PhoenixStrength]

NEWS!!!!

So, quick explanation of my job to make the news make a bit more sense:

I work at a low-cost spay and neuter clinic that is run around the umbrella of an animal rescue run by the same couple. They are wonderful people and definitely the best bosses I have ever had, and I've been lucky enough to have good bosses at most jobs I've held. I work 3 days a week there, ~10 hours a day, plus I get paid to answer the after-hours emergency phone line too. Because we are a small company the business is more flexible. The owners are a married couple whose 20th anniversary is coming up so from December 20th to January 5th we are closed while they are in Hawaii celebrating.

So, that means I have 2.5 weeks off work with nothing to do. Or so I thought. This morning I found out I have some unexpected money to use toward only certain things (I won't get into the details, but it ain't cash, but is appreciated!!!). One option is a trip. So, I'm sure you can see where this is going....I'm going to Iowa!!!!











No, not Iowa, I'm going to Walt Disney World for 11 days!!! I'll be there December 24th until January 3rd. And yes, I'll be by myself again, but I have figured out why I had a bad time alone for this trip so I know I can enjoy myself immensely this time. I am kicking this TR in high gear to finish it and then start a PTR for the next trip.

So, I'm finishing up the next update now and will be posting it shortly.


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[SAT887]

So glad you have found such a great workplace!! Sounds very positive - and a Disney trip?!? Woooo hoo!!

 

[PhoenixStrength]

DAY ONE, SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 7TH, PART 2

Once I got settled in my room and unpacked I ventured out to explore the resort, and get dinner! I left my room just after 5pm and while there was some low rumbles of thunder there was no rain. Here is the view from just walking out of my room, toward the parking lot:






The promenade was right around the corner so I was soon on it and walking around the lake. I headed toward Aruba, crossed the lake at Caribbean Cay and then was at Centertown and Old Port Royale. I'll just post some of the pictures I took along the way rather than try to explain them all!

























































CONTINUED IN THE NEXT POST


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[PhoenixStrength]

I made it to Old Port Royale and the pool was still closed due to the thunder, but it opened shortly after. Before it did though I got some pictures!









And the line of people waiting for it to re-open:






I took a quick picture...






...then went inside. I walked around the Trading Post store for a while, then went to get dinner. I love the look and feel of their "food court". It really feels like an open-air market.






I looked around then wound up getting the roast turkey with cornbread and 2 sides. I picked up my free resort mug too. The Rapid Fill dispensers had just started working that week at CBR, so I took pictures of them:









A couple pics from the area I sat in. You may be able to tell that it was quite quiet there that evening.












Oh, and my food, before I forget!









It was all very delicious and I ate every bite of it all. Once I finished eating I walked around inside and took pictures of all of the food choices available (I won't post all of those here, but if anyone has a request I can post what I took) and some pictures of the inside in general.





















I walked back outside, then had to wait to let a family pass by!






The pool was already back open, and I got a couple more pictures of it.








I wanted to see more of the resort, so I got back to the Promenade and walked around the other way back to my room, toward Martinique. The first few pictures are still in Old Port Royale.












CONTINUED IN THE NEXT POST


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[PhoenixStrength]

I stopped at the marshmallow roast in the fire pit by Martinique and got one quick picture roasting my marshmallow...






...and then my stick caught on fire and the CM had to help me put it out! Thankfully all was safe, but I didn't get to eat that marshmallow!

I continued around the promenade, back to my room in Barbados. I will once again let the pictures do the talking for me!







































Once back in my room I rested for about an hour and watched a little TV. Around 8pm I left my room again to head back to Old Port Royale to watch the nightly movie! I got some nice nighttime pictures while on my walk.





















I went inside and got a refill on my mug and a bag of popcorn, then headed back out. The movie screen was already blown up, and there were chairs all lined up. I didn't sit in them though, as there were many kids and families already waiting. I sat on a fountain edge right behind the chairs. The fountain was being repaired so no worries of water hitting my back!





After a few minutes Tangled started!






About a half-hour into the movie we could see (and hear!) Illuminations above the buildings of Barbados, right across from us.









The movie ended around 10pm and I walked back around to my room, only taking one picture on the way.






I downloaded my pictures, watched a little TV, checked in online briefly and was in bed by 11am.


NEXT TIME: WHO KNEW YOU REALLY GOT A KEY???

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