Sin City!

Hey!

I'm in Las Vegas!! :D

Jess T and I arrived last night after 30 hours of travelling from Melbourne to Las Vegas via Auckland and LA. On Wednesday mum and I woke up at around 5am to be at the airport at 7.30am, 3 hours before my flight to Auckland. The plane was delayed an hour but Jess and I went through customs at 9am and that's where we had to say goodbye to our parents :( It was so sad. The flight was sooo bad, the plane kept dropping and there was so much turbulence. Once we arrived in Auckland we had something to eat and browsed around the shops. The flight from Auckland to LA was really smooth but soo boring! I was in the middle seat so it was hard to sleep. But we were lucky and got the row behind the air hostess' food cabin so we had extra leg room. Once we landed in LA we went through customs and it only took around 20 minutes. The guy just needed to see my passport, 1-94 card and declaration form. We then went and had something else to eat lol at maccas. I asked for a small chips and was told they don't have a size small. Only in America. We then boarded our flight to Las Vegas only to be told there was a mechanical fault on the previous flight but they were fixing it while we were sitting there. That made us feel safe :/ It only took 40 minutes to fly too which was good.

Today we are planning on visiting the hotels and going to the outlet mall :)

Packing list

Haha ok one more update before I get to Las Vegas :P

3 DAYS!!

Today I packed my suitcase and carry on bag. I won't be adding anything more to them because I've packed so much already.

Check in

Traditions dress x1
Stockings (traditions) x1
Socks x8
Underwear x14
Bathers x2
Boardshorts x2
Denim shorts x2
Gym shorts x1
Leggings x1
Jammies x3
Cast top x1
Tops x6
Pool dress x1
Dresses x4
Heels x1
Ballet flats x1
Granny shoes x1
Thongs x1
Sunnies x2
Shoulder bag x2
Care bear :p
Solution for contacts x2
Contacts (month use) x5
Toothbrush & toothpaste
Hairspray
Nail polish + kit
Make up
Body wash
Cleanser, toner & moisturiser
Razor
Shampoo & conditioner
Argan oil
Sunscreen
Sea salt spray
Moisturiser
Hair bands & slides
Perfume
Deoderant
Beach towel
Hand towel
Bath towels x2
Power adapter x2
Laptop & camera cords
Hair straightener
Photos

Carry on

Wallet
Phone
Laptop
Camera
Puzzle books
Travel binder (documents, itineraries)
Colgate travel pack
2011/2012 diary
Travel book
Hairbrush
Reading book
Handbag

So that's everything! Hopefully I'm not missing anything important...

My role may also be changing at Disney, but I won't know that until next week so I'll keep you all posted :)

xo

1 week!

I leave in just 7 days.

It seems so crazy but I'm still not excited. I think the cold weather here is just taking away my motivation lol I am so over days where the high is 8 degrees. Bring on Las Vegas!! It's around 40 degress there at the moment.

So what has been happening...we received some more documents to read and sign. Then we had to pay a housing fee. Oh and get another police check because the AFP has decided they are only valid for 6 months instead of 12. I think that's it...sorry my blog isn't very detailed with this whole process.

Aus Jess and I finally decided on our tours for LA and Vegas. This is what we are doing:

http://www.starlinetours.com/los-angeles-tour-2A.asp

http://www.starlinetours.com/los-angeles-tour-7W.asp

http://www.grandcanyontourcompany.com/indian.htm

Ok, I'll probably update next from Las Vegas!

xo

Express Pass.

Hello!

So today Jess and I spoke about getting Express Passes for Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. It's a pass which lets you skip the lines once per ride. Because we are going during peak season the price was $95USD for both days. After chatting about it we decided to buy them because that way we get to go on all of the rides, take some extra time shopping and then decide which rides we want to go on again. Hopefully it's worth it haha.

I also paid my housing fee ($100USD) for Disney last night. A room has been reserved for me :D Yay. I just wish they would assign roommates before we get there. It would be great getting to know someone a little bit before living with them. Oh well!!

Until next time x

Insurance and other stuff.

Hi readers!

The last time I blogged I spoke about my visa. Since then I have organised my insurance. Cover More is apparently the best, but the most expensive, so everyone is getting it price matched at The Flight Centre. I ended up only paying $850 for insurance worth around $1600. Pretty happy about that.

Today I will be picking up 6 months worth of contacts to take with me. Mum will send over another 6 months worth to me in December.

I also booked a dentist and doctor appointment before leaving too.

There isn't much left to organise...which is making me think that I have forgotten something really important haha.

I've been trying to suss out who wil be my housemates on the facebook page but not everyone posts so it's kind of hard. Whoever they are they, like me, will be over 21 and doing the 12 month program.

41 days to go!

Bye x

Visa interview.

Yesterday I had my visa interview. It went well :) It should be arriving in the mail tomorrow along with my passport.

Anyone going for a J-1 visa, don't stress! It's not scary at all.

I arrived at the US consulate half an hour early and waited in line until I was called into a room where all I had to do was enter my name and passport number into a computer and walk through a metal detector. They will give you a name tag with a barcode on it. After that I was escorted upstairs to where the visas are issued. It didn't take long for my number to be called to the window. The man asked for my important documents and asked what role I was doing at Disney and then told me to sit back down and wait for my number to be called again. I waited for just under an hour but my number was finally called and I went to a different window. I was asked where I would be working and if I study. I replied yes and showed the man my uni transcript. I was then told to take a seat and I would be called shorty to pay for my visa. That is all! Very simple. As long as you are eligable and remember your documents it's pretty cruisy.

Now all I have to do is buy insurance :D

56 days!!

Never ending paperwork...

I just finished booking my visa appointment :D

Let's just say I wouldn't wish that amount of paperwork on anyone! But now it's done I can sit back and relax....just kidding. Now I have to gather a ton of supporting documents haha yay...

My appointment is booked for the 11th of May. Originally it was for the 23rd but more appointments became available so I opted for the first one. You never know, they may think I'm dodgy and then I'd have to make my way back to the Melbourne consulate all over again. So to prove I am there to indeed travel/work I need to provide the following:

• Purpose of trip to US
• Sufficient funds
• Proof of return (Half done)
• Academic record
• Passport
• DS-2019
• DS-160
• Issuance fee
• Application receipt
• Self addressed platinum express post envelope

I will be doing a lot of running around next week trying to get this organised. But it's worth it. It better be worth it haha.

Bye :)

Welcome packs!

My welcome pack arrived 2 weeks ago :D

So that was very exciting.

My pay for lifeguard is the shallow water rate which is a huge relief because I did not want to end up guarding the wave pool! lol. Way too stressful.

I'm hoping to book my visa interview for the 9th of May but I might have left it too late so I'll just have to wait and see.

I still have to buy insurance and try to gather some spending money haha but everything seems to be working out well :)

Only 70 days to go! 9 short weeks. I'm so nervous but this is a once in a lifetime opportunity that I don't want to waste.

Anyway. I will update soon about my visa interview.

Bye :)

Pre-Disney adventures.

New plans! :D

Aus Jess and I spoke today and we finally picked our hotels/flights for LA and Las Vegas! We are booking tomorrow which is really exciting. I think Jess will be relieved that I won't be annoying her anymore about this :p I like to be organised lol.  

Here is what's happening:

6th July
Fly to LA.
Fly from LA to Las Vegas
Check in at Harrah's Las Vegas Casino and Hotel

7th - 10th
Shopping, sightseeing etc

10th
Check out of Harrah's
Fly from Las Vegas to LA
Check in at the Comfort Inn

11th - 12th
Shopping, sightseeing and all that jazz

12th
Check out of the Comfort Inn
LA to Orlando flight

We picked Harrah's because STA recommended it and it is right in the middle of the Strip. We also receive a discount booklet for staying at Harrah's for heaps of the shows and restaurants which will be useful. I have no idea what the Comfort Inn is like. It was another one that STA said would suit us and it comes with breakfast so that's good.

Anyway so for flights, 6 nights accommodation, a discount booklet and breakfast for 2 mornings it came to $439.70 each which I think is pretty awesome.

Just waiting on the welcome pack now. Hurry up March! :)

Bye.

We're off to Hogwarts :D

That's right. We just booked our Harry Potter vacation package!! I know last time I posted I said we were staying at Pop Century but after having a look on the Universal website I came across a special deal. It includes:

- 4 nights accommodation at a Universal partner hotel
- 3 day park entry
- Breakfast at the Three Broomsticks
- Early entry into WWoHP
- Hotel to park transfers
- Free entry in to the Citywalk clubs

All for just under $200 USD!! I went straight onto facebook to message both Jess' and Ashley about the deal. They were all keen so NZ Jess booked it tonight :) I'M EXCITED!!! Jake, Elissa and Reece booked the deal today as well :D :D It's going to be amazing!!

LA to Orlando flight.

I now have a ticket from LA to Orlando! It's pretty random seeing as I don't have a ticket to LA yet but it's the same flight as Jess and Ashley so we'll all arrive in Orlando at the same time.

We have 6 people keen for Universal and WWoHP so far :D It's going to be heaps of fun!

181 days!!!

Happy New Year!

It's finally 2011!! Only 196 days until Disney World. Hurry up!! :)

I received my Aussie cast top in the mail not too long ago, here it is:



It's a pretty dark photo but it's awesome!

Natalie won't be joining in our pre Disney activities anymore but another girl named Jess from Melbourne will be :) Just so it doesn't get confusing I will call the Jess' Aus Jess and NZ Jess in my blog posts.

I'm pretty sure by the end of this month flights will be booked as well. The plan is for Aus Jess and I to fly out earlier to travel to LA and Vegas. Then on the 12th we will be meeting up with NZ Jess and Ashley at LA X. We will arrive in Orlando on the 13th at 6am. Hotel check in isn't until 4pm but perhaps we can find wal mart or something to get sim cards, phones and bedding or whatever so we have them when we arrive at Vista on the 16th.

I can't wait to spend the 2 days beforehand at Universal and WWoHP!! All of the rides look like heaps of fun. Can't wait!! :D

Apparently room mates can be requested before leaving but I'm not sure...a surprise would be nice but then again knowing someone would be good because you can get to know them before moving in. Ah well I'll see what happens in the next few months :)

Good bye!