First Day Flying Solo

So today was my first day "flying solo." It was pretty uneventful, as they have trained us very well.

I suppose I should inform the audience what exactly it is that I do as I believe I have neglected to do so in prior posts. SO, my official title is Conservation Education Presenter, AKA Education Presenter or just Presenter... depends on how lazy the person talking is (I usually say Education Presenter, so that only makes me half lazy). Our job is to staff the six Kids' Discovery Clubs (KDCs) throughout the park. At each KDC there is a different "task" a child has to complete that has a certain conservation message associated with it. We also act as animal "interpreters" and teach guests about some of the animals around the park. My favorite activity is actually something we do in the morning. Each team member either has a bug, a prop, or an animal position and try to slow the guests down when first arriving. This is called awakenings, to try and open guests eyes to all the the natural wonder there is to see at DAK. We do not get through to everyone as some are just in the mad rush to get to Everest, but I will let you in on a little secret. Everest's wait first thing in the morning is never long... neither is the mountain going anywhere. So, if you visit DAK and are first in line in the morning, please stop and take a moment to look around at all of the beauty there is to see at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

So today there was a group of boys... all brothers and of various ages. The youngest was probably around 8 or so and the oldest had to be around 15 or 16. The oldest was obviously too old for the KDCs, but he was still doing the activities with his younger brothers, and they all seemed to be enjoying themselves. This really touched me because the day before there was a similar situation. Only this time the oldest brother was "too cool" to do the activities, so the younger brothers who were starting to do the activities were suddenly uninterested after their older brother did not want to do them. I just thought it was very honerable for the other older brother to actually participate with his brothers, and have a good time doing it.

I think I am also becoming acclimated to the climate here in Florida, which is not a good thing. Today the high was 62, and I was FREEZING! If I was back home and the high was 62 I would be in a t-shirt and shorts and ready to hit the beach... today I was bundled up with a heavy coat, and wishing I had a hat and some gloves. Very sad indeed.

Other than that I am looking forward to seeing my aunt and uncle down there in the next few days... I just hope they remember I am down here! It is supposed to rain all week with the exception of Wednesday... so at least they will get one sunny day.

Hope everyone has a Magical Week! :-)