First night at Vista Way- tick. And quite a few hours sleep to log in the book. All our beds squeak when we move so you have to move carefully.
My alarm brought me out of my beautiful dreams (Dame Edna, and the cast of Wicked, Birkenhead library closing forever) and I somehow managed to pull myself from my little nest.
Stacey was already up and practically ready to head to the Drug testing, so I jumped in the shower, got dressed, and had a quick breakfast. Only two of us out of our apartment have roles which require this. Off to the Drug testing we went. It was in one of the other apartments within the Vista Way complex so we didn't have far to go. I was second in line so went on in to pee in the cup. They wanted a pretty decent amount of urine from us, and despite not having been yet this morning, my attempt wasn't even half complete. I talked to the dr lady and she said they couldn't use it and flushed it down the loo :(
My alarm brought me out of my beautiful dreams (Dame Edna, and the cast of Wicked, Birkenhead library closing forever) and I somehow managed to pull myself from my little nest.
Stacey was already up and practically ready to head to the Drug testing, so I jumped in the shower, got dressed, and had a quick breakfast. Only two of us out of our apartment have roles which require this. Off to the Drug testing we went. It was in one of the other apartments within the Vista Way complex so we didn't have far to go. I was second in line so went on in to pee in the cup. They wanted a pretty decent amount of urine from us, and despite not having been yet this morning, my attempt wasn't even half complete. I talked to the dr lady and she said they couldn't use it and flushed it down the loo :(
I was then instructed to sit down and drink drink drink water. I had 5 bottles of water over an hour (I wasn't allowed to leave the room), and then I realised I was ready to attempt again. But at this point there were 5 others in the line in front of me. We were allocated 4 minutes each to attempt and that meant I had a bit of a wait. I jiggled on the spot whilst applauding loudly (with quite a lot of jealousy included) for those in front of me who had succeeded at the deed. Some people had gone in and not been able to produce a single drip- too much pressure! It didn't help that they had told us if we failed to produce enough the second time, our start date for our working would be delayed substantially. Man I had a weight on my shoulders (and bladder). I was so worried that I wouldn't be able to do the deed.
I need not have worried as the second attempt was remarkably more successful than the first. I would have been able to fill at least 2 and a half full cups as opposed to the pittance of a try I had given first round. Hooray. I was done. I came out for my lap of victory!
I need not have worried as the second attempt was remarkably more successful than the first. I would have been able to fill at least 2 and a half full cups as opposed to the pittance of a try I had given first round. Hooray. I was done. I came out for my lap of victory!
I met a few people in the peeing suite (waiting area) and introduced myself whilst making a variety of wonderful urine related jokes. Stacey had waited to have her first attempt after hearing about my initial failure. We ended up going in about the same time for our successful cups so walked back to the apartment together.
We had just under an hour to dilly dally until our next scheduled event. I had to use the bathroom a few times! I also finished last nights leftovers for lunch. Then we went on our merry way to get the bus to 'Orientation1' at one of the other complexes. The bus ride was about 10 minutes. We arrived to a cinema like sign over some closed doors. We had to wait outside for a little which gave us another opportunity to mix and mingle. Then the doors opened.
We had just under an hour to dilly dally until our next scheduled event. I had to use the bathroom a few times! I also finished last nights leftovers for lunch. Then we went on our merry way to get the bus to 'Orientation1' at one of the other complexes. The bus ride was about 10 minutes. We arrived to a cinema like sign over some closed doors. We had to wait outside for a little which gave us another opportunity to mix and mingle. Then the doors opened.
I had had no idea what was going to happen. Never in my dreams would I have been able to predict the extremeness of this welcome talk. We walked into a room which appeared to be a rave- lights were dimmed, laser lights were dancing around the room, and dry ice was floating about whilst loud Loud LOUD music blared at us. The happiest people in the world welcomed us into what was actually a big seminar type room and we made our way in the dark along the rows of tables to our seats. I took a small recording to try and show the unusualness of this meeting we had arrived at. But then a message came up asking us to put our phones away for now.
I wish we could have had them out because Sara Smiles would have brightened anyones day. She was the churpiest human I have ever seen. EVER. She never stopped smiling. Sometimes I didn't know if she was smiling from happiness or wincing in pain.
The talk covered a variety of aspects of the programme. Safety, rules, housing issues etc. We were told not to threaten to harm people, not to walk through dark car parks on our own at night, hand in all our weapons within the next 48 hours etc. We were also told we were special individuals and that if needed we can go to the office for a hug, or a free cookie which they bake every day. I am actually considering going for a hug one time because the man who offered them is called Mickey and he is like a real teddy bear. I suggested we all go together each day and line up in single file for our hugs! Seemed to be some agreement of this being a good idea amongst our little group. They threw in a couple of Disney trivia questions with prizes for those who knew the answers.
Once done we headed out to wait for the bus back to our complex. When home I decorated my pin board with the pictures and things I had brought from home. Dan, one of the boys from nextdoor, came up to see if any of us would like to head over to try out their new coffee machine. Emily, Melissa and I went on down. The coffee was lovely- unusual when you think I am not a coffee drinker. One of the guys down there is lactose intolerant too (destined to be buddies right from the start!) so I could use his soy milk.
I wish we could have had them out because Sara Smiles would have brightened anyones day. She was the churpiest human I have ever seen. EVER. She never stopped smiling. Sometimes I didn't know if she was smiling from happiness or wincing in pain.
The talk covered a variety of aspects of the programme. Safety, rules, housing issues etc. We were told not to threaten to harm people, not to walk through dark car parks on our own at night, hand in all our weapons within the next 48 hours etc. We were also told we were special individuals and that if needed we can go to the office for a hug, or a free cookie which they bake every day. I am actually considering going for a hug one time because the man who offered them is called Mickey and he is like a real teddy bear. I suggested we all go together each day and line up in single file for our hugs! Seemed to be some agreement of this being a good idea amongst our little group. They threw in a couple of Disney trivia questions with prizes for those who knew the answers.
Once done we headed out to wait for the bus back to our complex. When home I decorated my pin board with the pictures and things I had brought from home. Dan, one of the boys from nextdoor, came up to see if any of us would like to head over to try out their new coffee machine. Emily, Melissa and I went on down. The coffee was lovely- unusual when you think I am not a coffee drinker. One of the guys down there is lactose intolerant too (destined to be buddies right from the start!) so I could use his soy milk.
After helping put together their clothes horse I headed back up to our place. I hopped online and chatted with a few people via instant messanger. Then knock knock knock, the internet repair guy was at the door. He came in and fixed out internet so now we have wireless. HOORAY!
I got on Viber straight away and called Mana and Dad.
We went to Downtown Disney for dinner as an apartment (despite there being one person who has still not arrived). The bus took FOREVER. It turns out the Disney marathon is THIS weekend and I think maybe some roads have been closed in preparation making our trip longer? Anyway, an hour later we turned up at DD. We tried to get a table at Rainforest Cafe but the wait was going to be 55 mins. NO WAY. We were hungry. We settled on a Mexican restaurant which I think was called Pier 37. We had a seat outside and I had a delicious tortilla chicken salad, without the tortilla strips! Turns out there is free Wi-fi at DD which meant I could message Kate who was at work in NZ whilst I enjoyed my dinner.
I got on Viber straight away and called Mana and Dad.
We went to Downtown Disney for dinner as an apartment (despite there being one person who has still not arrived). The bus took FOREVER. It turns out the Disney marathon is THIS weekend and I think maybe some roads have been closed in preparation making our trip longer? Anyway, an hour later we turned up at DD. We tried to get a table at Rainforest Cafe but the wait was going to be 55 mins. NO WAY. We were hungry. We settled on a Mexican restaurant which I think was called Pier 37. We had a seat outside and I had a delicious tortilla chicken salad, without the tortilla strips! Turns out there is free Wi-fi at DD which meant I could message Kate who was at work in NZ whilst I enjoyed my dinner.
The bus ride home was even worse than the ride to DD. Even though we were the first stop, traffic was super busy and it took forever for the bus to arrive, and then to actually make its way out of the carpark.
I quickly walked back to the apartment from our on site bus stop so I could Viber Kate. Finally got to talk to that beauty after a few days of non-verbal communication. There is so much here, and so many people that I cannot wait to show and introduce her and Mum to.
We have an early start tomorrow for our second Orientation meeting. It is back at the same place as we were today so I am wondering if we will get the rave reception once more. We also will finally find out our positions at some point tomorrow which is extremely exciting for all of us. How long to go? Not long at all!
From the happiest place in the world, where dreams come true, urine is extremely valuable, and all weapons need to be handed in in the next few days,
Paulie (Polly in an american accent)
I quickly walked back to the apartment from our on site bus stop so I could Viber Kate. Finally got to talk to that beauty after a few days of non-verbal communication. There is so much here, and so many people that I cannot wait to show and introduce her and Mum to.
We have an early start tomorrow for our second Orientation meeting. It is back at the same place as we were today so I am wondering if we will get the rave reception once more. We also will finally find out our positions at some point tomorrow which is extremely exciting for all of us. How long to go? Not long at all!
From the happiest place in the world, where dreams come true, urine is extremely valuable, and all weapons need to be handed in in the next few days,
Paulie (Polly in an american accent)