Even though I did not last the whole 18 months like I had planned, through no fault of my own, the four months I was there really taught me a lot about myself. I really used to think of myself as weak and could never be as strong as I wanted but that is one thing that Florida really brought out in me. I did SO many things that I never thought I would have the guts to do. I wanted to work for Disney which is a multi-million dollar company, and most people think it's difficult to get hired there but I just stuck with my plan and succeeded! I started working for Disney World which has 68,000 cast members and I did not know one person and when I left, I left with so many friends that care about me. I will never forget them because they are amazing people from all over the world that I got to experience an amazing opportunity with. And who can say they get to go to work and stare at Cinderella's Castle or play with Mickey and Minnie all day?
Also, while I was in Orlando, I did not have a vehicle and I did not let that stop me. I rode public transportation for the first time in my life and with many times going in the wrong direction, I finally got it down and could get anywhere I needed to. One thing that was really difficult was having to ride the bus to and from work for 4 hours a day on a bus with complete strangers and crazy people. Having to ride the bus 4 hours a day for work was definitely an obstacle that I just succumbed to and get over and I did!
Another obstacle I tackled was grocery shopping without a car! Wal-Mart was pretty close to us, it took about 10-15 to walk to but it was still a long trek back with $100 worth of groceries but I couldn't not get the things we need! It was definitely really hot and tiring but I always tried to see the positive in everything, so I'd just look at it as a workout. That is one thing though that I did wish I had more help with but what can you do? Floridians are definitely nothing like Texans, if I was in Texas I'm sure many people would have asked if I need help but things need to be done and you may not be able to rely on someone else but you can always rely on yourself.
The last thing that I never thought I would be able to do ever in my life was one night after work, I was stranded at the Central Lynx bus station downtown because the buses in Orlando stop running after midnight. At first I just sat there and cried because I was so scared and didn't know what to do. I couldn't get a ride home and a security guard offered to give me a ride but it wouldn't be until 6 a.m. and this was about 12:30. SO, I put in my address in my phone for directions and just started walking. I was 7 miles away and it took me 3 and a half hours to get home. Many, many strange men stopped their cars and asked if I needed help or a ride and that was so terrifying. I could have easily been kidnapped and killed. I honestly do not know how I didn't just give up and stop and cry on the side of the road but I just kept walking and didn't stop. I don't think I had ever been so happy to get home in my life.
So, even though I did not last the whole 18 months like I wanted to, I can still tell my children one day that anything is possible and tell them about this one chapter in my life and hopefully make them proud. You just have to keep going and not give up no matter what kind of hurdle or even mountain is in your way! If YOU ever feel like you cannot succeed or complete something in life just think about my time in Florida and remember anything is possible. Florida definitely showed me how strong I actually am and I am forever changed because of it.
