After few years, I started my dream finally.
The life in here is quite different from Florida, which is much similar to Taiwan.
For me, it's really start a whole new journey.
There are so many attractive spots for me, such as free admission of museums,
heritages everywhere and cooling weather.
Saturday, June 28, 2014
First Time in UK
After few years, I started my dream finally.
The life in here is quite different from Florida, which is much similar to Taiwan.
For me, it's really start a whole new journey.
There are so many attractive spots for me, such as free admission of museums,
heritages everywhere and cooling weather.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
C4-FLORA EXPO
In 2009, everyone in Taiwan got red envelope from Taiwan government, so did I. Yes, it was consumption vouchers of 3000 NTD. I bought a massage chair and got an invoice. I used the invoice number to join Taipei government online lottery. WOW, I won 3 FLORA EXPO PASSes, which means I can enter for free and unlimitedly!! Have you ever been to FLORA EXPO? As a people of Taiwan, you must take a look!
There are 4 parks and 14 pavilions, I already visited 12 pavilions. In the flora expo, you can not only see a sea of flowers, but also fantabulous shows and fantastic exhibition! Today, I would like to share my favorite show and pavilion with you.
Over the Fine Arts Park Area, the EXPO Hall(舞蝶館) has a design focused on sustainable energy use, because of open area, it has fresh air and natural light. It is the biggest stage of FLOR EXPO, they change the show almost every 3 months. The first show was a musical- the first lily, which adapted from Rukai myth. This story is talking about a princess fell in love with a god of Hundred-pace snake. But the king didn’t want to marry his daughter to a snack, so he said, if this snake can fight off the enemy, then he can marry the princess. The hundred-pace snake was smart and brave, he repelled enemy and saved her tribe, so they married. However, the snake lived in Ghost lake, which means the princess needed to stay with him under the lake. For this aboriginal legend, I feel the love of families and lover. I saw this musical twice, and its powerful music and meaningful lyrics always made me tears and touched.
My favorite pavilion is Dreams! Most people must know that you need to wait for reservation ticket around 5 am! But I didn’t. Tell you a tip entering the pavilion of dreams without waking up early. That is collecting invoice!! Yes! Invoice again. You can use 100 invoices to redeem 2 reservation tickets! This pavilion will bring you to start a journey of searching your dream. It uses technology let you sense the beauty of nature. When you enter the pavilion, you can see the big flower bloom form the sky. At the beginning, you will transform to a bee, pick up pollen to stamen, then come out a seed. You will bring this seed to walk through several places then your dream will bloom a flower of dream. One of my favorite places was sitting in the circle-theater, I took a big ship, flied over the mountain and through the sky. I could just wave my hands and taking a deep breath to let seedling grow up a big tree and pupa become a beautiful butterfly! It was so much fun and amazing!
The most surprise to me that is our technology and innovation make a successful and wonderful flora expo. It will close on April 25th, so grasp the chance to enjoy the flower festival!
There are 4 parks and 14 pavilions, I already visited 12 pavilions. In the flora expo, you can not only see a sea of flowers, but also fantabulous shows and fantastic exhibition! Today, I would like to share my favorite show and pavilion with you.
Over the Fine Arts Park Area, the EXPO Hall(舞蝶館) has a design focused on sustainable energy use, because of open area, it has fresh air and natural light. It is the biggest stage of FLOR EXPO, they change the show almost every 3 months. The first show was a musical- the first lily, which adapted from Rukai myth. This story is talking about a princess fell in love with a god of Hundred-pace snake. But the king didn’t want to marry his daughter to a snack, so he said, if this snake can fight off the enemy, then he can marry the princess. The hundred-pace snake was smart and brave, he repelled enemy and saved her tribe, so they married. However, the snake lived in Ghost lake, which means the princess needed to stay with him under the lake. For this aboriginal legend, I feel the love of families and lover. I saw this musical twice, and its powerful music and meaningful lyrics always made me tears and touched.
My favorite pavilion is Dreams! Most people must know that you need to wait for reservation ticket around 5 am! But I didn’t. Tell you a tip entering the pavilion of dreams without waking up early. That is collecting invoice!! Yes! Invoice again. You can use 100 invoices to redeem 2 reservation tickets! This pavilion will bring you to start a journey of searching your dream. It uses technology let you sense the beauty of nature. When you enter the pavilion, you can see the big flower bloom form the sky. At the beginning, you will transform to a bee, pick up pollen to stamen, then come out a seed. You will bring this seed to walk through several places then your dream will bloom a flower of dream. One of my favorite places was sitting in the circle-theater, I took a big ship, flied over the mountain and through the sky. I could just wave my hands and taking a deep breath to let seedling grow up a big tree and pupa become a beautiful butterfly! It was so much fun and amazing!
The most surprise to me that is our technology and innovation make a successful and wonderful flora expo. It will close on April 25th, so grasp the chance to enjoy the flower festival!
Friday, December 31, 2010
2 Be our guest: perfecting the art of customer service
Toastmaster of the day, dear fellow members and most welcome guests. Good afternoon.
Opening-
Long time ago, Mr. Disney brought his 2 daughters to amusement park, where was dirty and dangerous, Inspired him making the whole new park, where guests can join in different atmosphere.
In 1971, Walt Disney World (WDW) resorts opened in Orlando, Florida. This is the biggest Disneyland in the world. There are around 60,000 cast members(employee) work here. They compose in 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, 1 shopping avenue, more than 27 resorts and 300 restaurants. How the big amusement park makes 70% guests keep coming back? The reason is the “quality service”!
Today, I want to share how Disney makes magical moment.
Disney like to say ”pixie dust” ,to make magical moment. It’s a kind of service. There are 4 elements to complete quality service cycle:service, cast member, stage-setting, process & integration.
Disney is the first one invent ”Guestology”, they focus on guests’ need , feelings and emotion. So, knowing the customers is important. Disney set the tone, guest want the happy and unforgettable memory in Disneyworld, so they work hard on completing this goal!
As the cast member, the first day you worked in Disney, need to take the class –Disney Tradition in Disney University. One of principles for cast members- Disney quality standards: safety, courtesy, show & efficiency.
Safety-There is noting more important than safety. Safety begins with cast members. Before launching the ride, need to be checked over and over again.
Cast member respects everyon,like when you show the direction, need to use 2 fingers to point, or bring them to the right place. Mr. Walt Disney said “we love to entertain kings & queens, but everyone here is a V.I.P.”, Cast members is on the stage, they are the actress or actor, so need to performance well. The are also the host to welcome guests.
Follow the quality standards, come out Disney service basics, if the organization or person can put the basics in mind, will perform the good service –
1. You need to smile all the time, look approachable, look happy & interested, model the disney look, keep conservations positive.In Disney All the cast members should follow the “Disney Look”, tidy costumes, no dying colorful hair & nail polish, no weird make-up, only wear black or white shoes.
Disneyorld is a stage, so all employee is actor/actress.
2.Try to make eye contact & smile, engage in guests interaction, treat guests as individuals, greet and welcome each guests, thank all guests & invite them back.
3.preserve & protect the magic, provide excellent show quality & safety, perform role efficiently by reducing hassles & inconveniences.
4.Offer anticipate needs and assistance, create surprises and magical moments, provide immediate service recovery.
You can notice that Disney focus on service and cast members a lot, coz he thinks they are the most important elements.
He once said- “You can dream, create, design and build the most wonderful place in the world…but it requires people to make the dream a reality.(-Walt Disney.)
I remembered one day morning, I heading to work by change the bus, on the way to resort, only me on the bus, the driver know I rush to work, so he dropped me off the back-stage. That really surprised me, and this was not the first time, other driver also provided me the same exceptional service. That is what Disney wants to make-the "Wowing guests."
2. The magic of stage-setting
Besides magical cast members, also needs wonderful place to create joyful environment. The element of stage-setting including – architecture-design, light, color, material of carpet, music, fragrance, food…etc. When you walk in Disney parks, you can see each decoration has its meaning. They are go-well with the theme. Even the restroom has special fragrance.” Like the adventure land and fantasy land in magic kingdom, the floor, outfits of cast members are matched together. You won’t see the Buzz Lightyear show up in Winnie's home!
3. The magic of process
Parade and fireworks are the distinguished feature in Disney Park. before the show, cast members will set the line of viewing place, ask guests move to safe place. The Cast members know the smooth process in each show or ride, such as the process of emergency, like fire. While working in resorts, we have service process, such as speaking the theme to each guests: welcome home. Remember when I worked in the resort, hurricane came, we published the emergency call list to each cast member and hand out the essential information to guests. We need to make everyone safe.
Cast members try hard to make magical moment to guests, not only give stickers to children, like in the crowded park, you can use your tickets to get fast-pass, then come back on time, you can save the time of waiting. Some attractions in Disney is popular, you might need to wait 120 minutes. Therefore, Disney design some interactive game, you won’t feel bored while you waiting in line. Some people might be have experience of parking in the big parking-lot and forget your parking place, so Disney design the cute sign to remember easily,show you the parking-space and provides train bring guests from parking-lot to the park back and forth.
Those are the examples of the magic of process.
At the beginning, I mention there are 4 elements in Disney quality service cycle: service, cast member, stage-setting, process & integration. The integration means combining these 3 elements: service, cast member, stage-setting & process, it will come out this service matrix- We take Disney Vacation Club as example. Disney Vacation Club is the club you can purchase the points to have ownership of several Disney resorts. So, you can map out the matrix like this: I take some to illustrate:
*Safety & Cast members--“Safe D start with me.”
*Show & stage setting-- Smelling, tasting, listening…etc.
I just summarize some tips of Disney quality service. People might be wonder how can these elements keep each cast member on the right track? I think "the continous training" is the key, they have complete interior tutor training system and training for each levels. Take me as example, I almost had 180 hours training, including OJT in 6 months. If you want to know more about the perfecting the art of customers service of Disney, you can read this book. And it may give you the inspiration for work and for yourself. Toastmaster of the Day.
Opening-
Long time ago, Mr. Disney brought his 2 daughters to amusement park, where was dirty and dangerous, Inspired him making the whole new park, where guests can join in different atmosphere.
In 1971, Walt Disney World (WDW) resorts opened in Orlando, Florida. This is the biggest Disneyland in the world. There are around 60,000 cast members(employee) work here. They compose in 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, 1 shopping avenue, more than 27 resorts and 300 restaurants. How the big amusement park makes 70% guests keep coming back? The reason is the “quality service”!
Today, I want to share how Disney makes magical moment.
Disney like to say ”pixie dust” ,to make magical moment. It’s a kind of service. There are 4 elements to complete quality service cycle:service, cast member, stage-setting, process & integration.
Disney is the first one invent ”Guestology”, they focus on guests’ need , feelings and emotion. So, knowing the customers is important. Disney set the tone, guest want the happy and unforgettable memory in Disneyworld, so they work hard on completing this goal!
As the cast member, the first day you worked in Disney, need to take the class –Disney Tradition in Disney University. One of principles for cast members- Disney quality standards: safety, courtesy, show & efficiency.
Safety-There is noting more important than safety. Safety begins with cast members. Before launching the ride, need to be checked over and over again.
Cast member respects everyon,like when you show the direction, need to use 2 fingers to point, or bring them to the right place. Mr. Walt Disney said “we love to entertain kings & queens, but everyone here is a V.I.P.”, Cast members is on the stage, they are the actress or actor, so need to performance well. The are also the host to welcome guests.
Follow the quality standards, come out Disney service basics, if the organization or person can put the basics in mind, will perform the good service –
1. You need to smile all the time, look approachable, look happy & interested, model the disney look, keep conservations positive.In Disney All the cast members should follow the “Disney Look”, tidy costumes, no dying colorful hair & nail polish, no weird make-up, only wear black or white shoes.
Disneyorld is a stage, so all employee is actor/actress.
2.Try to make eye contact & smile, engage in guests interaction, treat guests as individuals, greet and welcome each guests, thank all guests & invite them back.
3.preserve & protect the magic, provide excellent show quality & safety, perform role efficiently by reducing hassles & inconveniences.
4.Offer anticipate needs and assistance, create surprises and magical moments, provide immediate service recovery.
You can notice that Disney focus on service and cast members a lot, coz he thinks they are the most important elements.
He once said- “You can dream, create, design and build the most wonderful place in the world…but it requires people to make the dream a reality.(-Walt Disney.)
I remembered one day morning, I heading to work by change the bus, on the way to resort, only me on the bus, the driver know I rush to work, so he dropped me off the back-stage. That really surprised me, and this was not the first time, other driver also provided me the same exceptional service. That is what Disney wants to make-the "Wowing guests."
2. The magic of stage-setting
Besides magical cast members, also needs wonderful place to create joyful environment. The element of stage-setting including – architecture-design, light, color, material of carpet, music, fragrance, food…etc. When you walk in Disney parks, you can see each decoration has its meaning. They are go-well with the theme. Even the restroom has special fragrance.” Like the adventure land and fantasy land in magic kingdom, the floor, outfits of cast members are matched together. You won’t see the Buzz Lightyear show up in Winnie's home!
3. The magic of process
Parade and fireworks are the distinguished feature in Disney Park. before the show, cast members will set the line of viewing place, ask guests move to safe place. The Cast members know the smooth process in each show or ride, such as the process of emergency, like fire. While working in resorts, we have service process, such as speaking the theme to each guests: welcome home. Remember when I worked in the resort, hurricane came, we published the emergency call list to each cast member and hand out the essential information to guests. We need to make everyone safe.
Cast members try hard to make magical moment to guests, not only give stickers to children, like in the crowded park, you can use your tickets to get fast-pass, then come back on time, you can save the time of waiting. Some attractions in Disney is popular, you might need to wait 120 minutes. Therefore, Disney design some interactive game, you won’t feel bored while you waiting in line. Some people might be have experience of parking in the big parking-lot and forget your parking place, so Disney design the cute sign to remember easily,show you the parking-space and provides train bring guests from parking-lot to the park back and forth.
Those are the examples of the magic of process.
At the beginning, I mention there are 4 elements in Disney quality service cycle: service, cast member, stage-setting, process & integration. The integration means combining these 3 elements: service, cast member, stage-setting & process, it will come out this service matrix- We take Disney Vacation Club as example. Disney Vacation Club is the club you can purchase the points to have ownership of several Disney resorts. So, you can map out the matrix like this: I take some to illustrate:
*Safety & Cast members--“Safe D start with me.”
*Show & stage setting-- Smelling, tasting, listening…etc.
I just summarize some tips of Disney quality service. People might be wonder how can these elements keep each cast member on the right track? I think "the continous training" is the key, they have complete interior tutor training system and training for each levels. Take me as example, I almost had 180 hours training, including OJT in 6 months. If you want to know more about the perfecting the art of customers service of Disney, you can read this book. And it may give you the inspiration for work and for yourself. Toastmaster of the Day.
1-My Childhood & English Learning
Good evening everyone. My name is WEIYU.
It’s my honor to introduce myself in this meeting.
The meaning of WEI is books made of leather and YU is the name for Chinese brush. The reason my parents gave me the name with book and pen is that they want me good at reading and writing. However, I prefer watching cartoons and animations, especially Disney one.
I also like to see the musical, such as Jekyll and Hyde, the phantom of the opera and Lion king. I enjoy the breath-taking stage settings and touching story.
My dream is traveling around the world and eating delicious food but gain no pounds. I have several stories about me want to share, due to the time limit. Today, I’m going to share my childhood and my English learning story.
I born in a historical town, where is popular recently because of this movie- MONGA(艋舺). My parents owns men’s clothes stand at night market next to Longshan temple(龍山寺). Since I was 7, I need to help them set up the stand after school till 12. Later on, they rent a shop to expand the business and instead of stand-setting.
Due to MONGA is a famous scenic spot, sometimes you need to do the business with foreign travelers. My Dad knows the importance of English. One day, I got the DM from English school, he thought I want to learn then registered for me right away. I started my classes, but I couldn’t speak with foreigners and made my Dad upset.
I try to find out my problem, I told my Dad, ”I think my English poor, the reason is I never been to America!”
Therefore I grasped the chance to America. I stayed in home stay in CA for one month in 16 and was US politics intern in Washington DC for 2 months in 26. However my English communication didn’t improved.
I didn’t give up and kept practicing. I got the internship in Walt Disney World 2 years ago. In order to pursuing my Disney and English dream, I resigned my original job and flied to Orlando as a concierge in several resorts.
Besides working 40 hours a week, I took hospitality management classes in University of Central Florida and Disney University twice a week. I passed the training class and on job training. I still remembered the first day I do on my own, it was Saturday morning. Can you believe that? There were lots of guests occupied the lobby and waited to check-in. I did very slow and couldn’t understand some guests’ request. It was a frustrated moment, I came here so far away to here, but didn’t see any performance.
One day, I found a good way to practice English, is toll free numbers! I called cell-phone company and Disney reservation number, tried to ask more questions to practice my listening comprehension and communication skill in several days. WOW! I improved a lot, even difficult assent.
I just realize that the best way to build communication ability is learning by doing!
Most people know I’m one of the members to run the Far Eastern International Bank toastmasters club. When I was student, my friends invited me join, but I refused, because I afraid to deliver speech in public, even English!
Now, I’m standing here deliver the speech. I never think about that I need to join it and to run the toastmasters club for our company! If we prepare ourselves all the time, then the chance will come to us! Just dare to speak, dare to dream!
It’s my honor to introduce myself in this meeting.
The meaning of WEI is books made of leather and YU is the name for Chinese brush. The reason my parents gave me the name with book and pen is that they want me good at reading and writing. However, I prefer watching cartoons and animations, especially Disney one.
I also like to see the musical, such as Jekyll and Hyde, the phantom of the opera and Lion king. I enjoy the breath-taking stage settings and touching story.
My dream is traveling around the world and eating delicious food but gain no pounds. I have several stories about me want to share, due to the time limit. Today, I’m going to share my childhood and my English learning story.
I born in a historical town, where is popular recently because of this movie- MONGA(艋舺). My parents owns men’s clothes stand at night market next to Longshan temple(龍山寺). Since I was 7, I need to help them set up the stand after school till 12. Later on, they rent a shop to expand the business and instead of stand-setting.
Due to MONGA is a famous scenic spot, sometimes you need to do the business with foreign travelers. My Dad knows the importance of English. One day, I got the DM from English school, he thought I want to learn then registered for me right away. I started my classes, but I couldn’t speak with foreigners and made my Dad upset.
I try to find out my problem, I told my Dad, ”I think my English poor, the reason is I never been to America!”
Therefore I grasped the chance to America. I stayed in home stay in CA for one month in 16 and was US politics intern in Washington DC for 2 months in 26. However my English communication didn’t improved.
I didn’t give up and kept practicing. I got the internship in Walt Disney World 2 years ago. In order to pursuing my Disney and English dream, I resigned my original job and flied to Orlando as a concierge in several resorts.
Besides working 40 hours a week, I took hospitality management classes in University of Central Florida and Disney University twice a week. I passed the training class and on job training. I still remembered the first day I do on my own, it was Saturday morning. Can you believe that? There were lots of guests occupied the lobby and waited to check-in. I did very slow and couldn’t understand some guests’ request. It was a frustrated moment, I came here so far away to here, but didn’t see any performance.
One day, I found a good way to practice English, is toll free numbers! I called cell-phone company and Disney reservation number, tried to ask more questions to practice my listening comprehension and communication skill in several days. WOW! I improved a lot, even difficult assent.
I just realize that the best way to build communication ability is learning by doing!
Most people know I’m one of the members to run the Far Eastern International Bank toastmasters club. When I was student, my friends invited me join, but I refused, because I afraid to deliver speech in public, even English!
Now, I’m standing here deliver the speech. I never think about that I need to join it and to run the toastmasters club for our company! If we prepare ourselves all the time, then the chance will come to us! Just dare to speak, dare to dream!
3-Christmas Spirit for me
I can’t remember when I start to celebrate the Christmas, although I’m not the Christian. I enjoy the holy song and ornaments with Christmas atmosphere. My family will set up the Christmas tree every year, put everything we like on it. (On Christmas Day, my Dad will put red envelope for everyone!) Not only eating Christmas feast, I prefer reading and watching some movies and stories related to the Christmas.
Today, I want to share you some Christmas spirit for me, which base on the movies I like. for me, Christmas is the time for believing,cherish and retrospection.
When I was kid, I like to read picture book, especially the western one, such as prince save princess’s live, some fairy tales. They always bring me to the fantasy land. Especially the Christmas one, I know being a good kid, I can get the gift form Santa Claus, my daddy!
The polar express is the first 3D movies I saw.It’s talking about the boy who didn’t believe the Santa Claus until he saw him. This movie express the power of believing! Such as the popular book “secret”! If we believe we can do it, and work hard on it, i will achieve my goal. I never see the Santa Claus, but I believe everyone will become other’s Santa Claus, bring cheers and gifts to the person who being nice and good.
In my teenage, I like to song ”walk in the air” , when I listened to the song, it seems like I flying with snowman, dancing in the midnight sky.
This story –snowman, talking about the little boy build the snowman in the snowing morning. At the midnight, the snowman come to live! And play with him, they flew miles away to meet the Santa Claus! The next day, snowman has melt. It is a Pure and simple story, No words, only pictures and music. But I feel the strength of imagination and cherish every moment in my life! No matter I’m up or down, I’ll try my best to see the bright side.
When I grow up, I prefer seeing movie about life and relationship. I think Christmas is a Time for retrospection. In the end of year, I will review what I did in 2010, anything wrong? I need to revise it; anything good? I need to keep it! And make some new plan for this year.
In this movie, Nicolas cage left his girlfriend and went to London for finance business, 13 years later, he became the rich successful bussiness man. On the Christmas Day, when he woke up, something happen! he becomes a family man with children and wife. The wife was his ex-girlfriend. He experienced the life with love from family and friendship, but with low income. However, his heart is full of warm.It’s a good movie for me to rethink my life and rebuilt it! what I want in my life? Money? Love? Or family?
Last week, I took the class of Management by Objectives. Teacher said we need to set up our goal and get the successful, but you need to define your own success. Goal should be specific and measurable. Follow the Christmas spirit, I hope I can make a clear and challenge goal for 2011. I’ll keep believing that everything is wonderful in the future, cherish what I have and retrospect thoroughly what I did in 2010. Wish everyone have a wonderful Christmas!
Today, I want to share you some Christmas spirit for me, which base on the movies I like. for me, Christmas is the time for believing,cherish and retrospection.
When I was kid, I like to read picture book, especially the western one, such as prince save princess’s live, some fairy tales. They always bring me to the fantasy land. Especially the Christmas one, I know being a good kid, I can get the gift form Santa Claus, my daddy!
The polar express is the first 3D movies I saw.It’s talking about the boy who didn’t believe the Santa Claus until he saw him. This movie express the power of believing! Such as the popular book “secret”! If we believe we can do it, and work hard on it, i will achieve my goal. I never see the Santa Claus, but I believe everyone will become other’s Santa Claus, bring cheers and gifts to the person who being nice and good.
In my teenage, I like to song ”walk in the air” , when I listened to the song, it seems like I flying with snowman, dancing in the midnight sky.
This story –snowman, talking about the little boy build the snowman in the snowing morning. At the midnight, the snowman come to live! And play with him, they flew miles away to meet the Santa Claus! The next day, snowman has melt. It is a Pure and simple story, No words, only pictures and music. But I feel the strength of imagination and cherish every moment in my life! No matter I’m up or down, I’ll try my best to see the bright side.
When I grow up, I prefer seeing movie about life and relationship. I think Christmas is a Time for retrospection. In the end of year, I will review what I did in 2010, anything wrong? I need to revise it; anything good? I need to keep it! And make some new plan for this year.
In this movie, Nicolas cage left his girlfriend and went to London for finance business, 13 years later, he became the rich successful bussiness man. On the Christmas Day, when he woke up, something happen! he becomes a family man with children and wife. The wife was his ex-girlfriend. He experienced the life with love from family and friendship, but with low income. However, his heart is full of warm.It’s a good movie for me to rethink my life and rebuilt it! what I want in my life? Money? Love? Or family?
Last week, I took the class of Management by Objectives. Teacher said we need to set up our goal and get the successful, but you need to define your own success. Goal should be specific and measurable. Follow the Christmas spirit, I hope I can make a clear and challenge goal for 2011. I’ll keep believing that everything is wonderful in the future, cherish what I have and retrospect thoroughly what I did in 2010. Wish everyone have a wonderful Christmas!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
跨年煙火
隨著2009年將至，飯店的住宿率直直攀高，像我們實習計畫的學生免不了得在聖誕節和新年上班，讓正職員工可以放假。迪士尼在好萊塢樂園、愛波卡特、魔法公園都有跨年煙火秀，但是隨著經濟衰退，取消了在迪士尼市中心的煙火秀，取而代之的是DJ派對。聽同事說一定要看艾波卡特的煙火秀，但是我超想看魔法公園的煙火秀，所以計畫跨年前一天先去看魔法公園的，跨年當天再去看愛波卡特的煙火。
魔法公園的煙火真的沒讓我失望，隨著迪士尼卡通的經典音樂律動，煙火跟著音樂跳舞，我卡在冒險島(ADVENTURE ISLAND)好位置看著煙火從城堡後方和魔法公園正門口成雙成對的綻放，將近倒數之際，米老鼠要大家跟著煙火數字倒數，整個煙火環繞著魔法公園施放，成一個圓圈，我就站在中心，天空頓時變成白天，覺得自己真是奢侈，享受美麗絢爛。所有的遊客鼓掌歡呼、隨著音樂跳舞參加跨年派對!從來沒有看過遊客超級快樂的模樣，自己也忍不住跳舞起來。
跨年當天，還是要上班，客人大多跑去公園玩，因為人大多擠到魔法公園，好幾度發布暫停遊客入園通知，只有住迪士尼飯店或是買年票的客人可以進入，一方面慶幸前一天跑去看魔法公園的煙火，又擔心自己下班後，也沒辦法進入艾波卡特。過了中午，買票的客人減少，大多是訂餐廳的客人，老實說，這時才來訂餐廳都只剩很晚的時間和比較沒這麼美味的餐廳了。還有客人問我怎樣才能同時看到三場煙火，或是不要買票可以怎樣看到煙火，或是問我在飯店可以看到煙火嗎??真是讓我啼笑皆非，因為我們飯店靠近迪士尼市中心(downdisney)，但是沒有想到今年取消煙火，讓很多遊客失望透頂。只好問上班十年的同事幫忙解答。
這天一樣做到晚上十點半，一下班就衝去搭巴士，我在想跨年煙火會不會是因為迪士尼帶動的呢?往艾波卡特的路上漸漸壅擠，停車場外面也一堆排隊等著車位的汽車，好險艾波卡特還開放一般遊客進園。
艾波卡特的正中央是一片大湖，圍繞著世界村，什麼叫寸步難行，在這裡有深刻的體驗，我想跟101跨年煙火一樣的擁擠，迪士尼也派員工指揮交通，在人潮中仍有路可以通行。我照往常走到”中國”，占了一個好位置。終於捱到十一點五十分，開始放一般的煙火:ILLUMINATION，老實說我已經看到快要背起來了，但是還是會被美麗的、大地音樂搭配煙火給吸引。接近倒數時，從”美國”開始綻放，然後隨著時區，每一個國家有自己的音樂搭配不同的煙火和各國語言向我們道新年快樂!真是特別。我最喜歡的是法國，煙火從巴黎鐵塔竄出，直衝天際，隨著法國香頌，非常浪漫。不過中國放著新年恭喜的音樂，彷彿已經走進農曆年了!倒有點回到台灣過年的感覺了。
當煙火結束，還有幾處有派隊讓遊客跳舞盡興，我卻發現”美國”建築物後還閃耀著小小的煙火，原來是好萊塢影城的煙火，覺得自己好幸運唷，三個煙火都看到了，不知道以後看到煙火還可以這樣感動嗎?
Monday, December 29, 2008
支援露營飯店區(FORT WILDERNESS)
在迪士尼眾多飯店中，有一家是露營小木屋和帳棚區，美國人異常喜好露營，種類很多，有帳篷式、pop-up(一個小車廂，開到空地可以從窗戶往外推出，增加空間、可睡覺、有廚房)、RV(我覺得就像行動式住家，已經不像露營了)，另外還有提供小木屋的選擇。在這裡，每天晚上都可以和奇奇弟弟一起營火晚會，然後播迪士尼的經典電影。還有兩場晚餐秀可以選擇，一個是露天的米奇米妮BBQ，可以邊吃烤肉邊看他們表演、和他們吃飯；另外一場是看音樂劇吃到飽。如果喜歡卡通人物，邊吃飯邊和他們照相的經驗是很有趣的，上次和朋友與小熊維尼和跳跳虎吃早餐，特別愉快呢。
如果晚上去露營區晃一晃，你會看到滿是霓虹燈的裝飾，美國人會竭盡所能地布置自己的家(帳篷)，就像遊樂區，旋轉的小型摩天輪，充氣的迪士尼卡通人物(客人會故意帶迪士尼的聖誕裝卡通人物)，非常可愛，所以會有客人租高爾夫球車，純粹來這邊參觀大家的裝飾。
為了安全著想，迪士尼不准客人燒營火，只能在封閉式的烤爐上烤東西、燒火，不然會被取締。飯店是一座樹林，為了讓房客有在森林中的感覺，一個房間(或是帳棚區)只能停一輛車，不然就只能開高爾夫球車。沒想到美國人很喜歡在假日露營，有個客人竟然就住一個月；或是為了省錢，就搭帳篷露營，白天去迪士尼玩耍。
不知道為什麼，這裡很多員工是被派來支援的，常駐員工不多，當我通知調到這裡還很開心，很想體驗牛仔風，沒想到上班後跟想像完全不一樣。一來CONCIERGE的櫃台只有兩個，當一個去休息，另一個就得獨撐大局；之前被調來的朋友跟我說很輕鬆，都沒什麼客人，但是我支援的時間接近聖誕節，客人常常擠滿大廳；二來員工洗手間和休息室竟然在大廳對面的二樓小木屋><，如果尿急，就得趕緊小跑步衝去廁所，不知情的客人可能以為我們跑去偷懶；三來太多支援的員工了，所以對這裡不大了解，往往客人的問題，得問兩個以上得到答案。
這裡的風氣非常輕鬆自在，畢竟是露營風，所以員工也比較不拘小節，以往在原本飯店嚴肅的態度，迥異於露營區。
我除了原本的訂餐廳、推薦餐廳、賣票工作外，有不少的餐廳秀的票要印出來，還要幫客人訂高爾夫球車，每一個預約輸入系統中，大約要花上二分鐘，加上我是被調來支援，就沒有權限預約隔天的高爾夫球車，常常得麻煩同事，讓我覺得很不喜歡。而且不知怎麼搞的，來到這裡，都會遇到以前沒遇過的問題，或是問有關露營的東西，顯得自己非常笨拙，感覺自己沒有幫上忙，還出大錯。
上班八小時，都讓我覺得像上班二十小時，原以為只要來支援一周，沒想到被派了二周，害我好想念以前的飯店。終於在最後一天支援，平安的度過，沒有刁難的客人、正確的BANKOUT(帳務總結)報告，結束了我在露營區的工作!
期末作業
下學期的課異常輕鬆，上午的事件管理沒有期末報告和考試，下午的食物與飲品課只有簡單的餐廳設計報告，就這樣結束了八周的課程。
在課程結束之前，班上同學要做幾道菜給所有的國際學生吃，我們以國家分組，有墨西哥、大陸、台灣、法國等等，在很會者菜同學的努力之下，我們做成了"鳳梨蝦球"和"椹果奶茶"(原本要做珍奶的，但是老師買不到珍珠，只好作罷)，將熱騰騰的蝦球擺進空心鳳梨，美麗的擺盤讓老師讚不絕口，很多外國人一試吃，就衝來續盤，不到三十分鐘，一千多隻蝦球全部消光!!雖然我只是在旁邊切菜、擺盤、夾菜給大家，同學還以為是我煮的，真是不好意思。
在課程結束之前，班上同學要做幾道菜給所有的國際學生吃，我們以國家分組，有墨西哥、大陸、台灣、法國等等，在很會者菜同學的努力之下，我們做成了"鳳梨蝦球"和"椹果奶茶"(原本要做珍奶的，但是老師買不到珍珠，只好作罷)，將熱騰騰的蝦球擺進空心鳳梨，美麗的擺盤讓老師讚不絕口，很多外國人一試吃，就衝來續盤，不到三十分鐘，一千多隻蝦球全部消光!!雖然我只是在旁邊切菜、擺盤、夾菜給大家，同學還以為是我煮的，真是不好意思。
畢業典禮
從小到大畢業典禮沒有一次好過，國中畢業典禮完就回教室考試；高中畢業典禮因為禮堂整修只好搬到操場舉行，就像辦桌；大學畢業典禮遇到SARS，一班只能有一位代表到禮堂參加典禮，當天還下大雨；研究所畢業典禮，我沒參加到><”
沒想到在迪士尼竟然提早一個多月幫我們舉辦畢業典禮，為了讓大家都可以參加，在米奇的度假中心舉辦了三天，沒想到我選不用上班的星期四竟然下起傾盆大雨，氣溫驟降，壞了大家的興致。
這裡少了莊嚴，多了輕鬆感，非常像派對，還有DJ炒熱氣氛。大家排排隊拿了證書，再排排隊領食物，有學士服的米奇和米妮可以照相，但是下雨我只有跟高飛和唐老鴨照到相。
沒想到六個月的實習，就快要結束了，除了英文進步不少，還可以跟客人聊天或開玩笑；覺得自己的臉皮變得比較厚，在這裡如果不為自己的權益爭取，是沒有人會幫你的。
在大雨中，我們狼狽的拿著證書和米奇學士帽大搭巴士回家，有種捨不得的落寞感。
Monday, December 08, 2008
迪士尼驚奇郵輪之旅(disney wonder)
佛羅里達的迪士尼樂園不僅規模大，也因為靠近巴哈馬群島，而有了"郵輪之旅"的行程，從四天到七天都有，明年還有航行歐洲的行程。如果是迪士尼員工有五折的優惠，一天大約一百美金，原本想省錢的，但是看了郵輪的簡介，忍不住就排除萬難，和同事換班、給班，終於挪出了四天假出航!!
但是在出發之前，光是到港口的交通就令人頭痛，因為迪士尼郵輪巴士一趟一人就要三十五美金，實在花不下手，只好拼命找人幫忙，給他四十元當油錢，終於找到好心的同事願意載我們兩個小女子，當場就省下三十美金。
當我們開心的踏進港口CHECK-IN時，看見可愛的郵輪模型和米老鼠頭入口，開始有度假的感覺，沒想到櫃檯除了要出示護照外，還要J-1文件，我們兩個當場傻眼，櫃台小姐說沒有文件就不能上船!天那，有掉到地獄的無助感，因為從港口到家要一小時車程，同事也早已離開。我們趕緊打電話給學校，卻一直轉接轉不到人幫忙，只好打電話給室友，好險我們兩個人的室友都在家，也順利找到我們的文件，即時的傳真給郵輪，真是令人提心吊膽的四十分鐘，還真的是"驚奇"之旅!
當我們一上船，放好行李，下午四點就從港口出發(port canaveral)，隔天會到巴哈馬群島中的NASSAU島嶼，第三天到巴哈馬群島中迪士尼自己的小島CASTAWAY CAY，最後一天大約上午抵達港口。
船上有十層樓，光是房間就占了六層樓，一間房最多可以住四人；頂樓是三座游泳池、四個SPA、三間簡餐店(無限供應披薩、漢堡、三明治和冰淇淋、飲料等)；另有四家高級餐廳:義大利菜(PALO)、加勒比海菜(PARROT CAY)、美式餐廳(ARTIST PALATE)、海產(TUTIONS)，除了義大利餐廳要另外付費外，其他都有供應早午晚餐，讓你無限免費使用，食物都算精緻也很美味，所以四天下來，我都快穿不下制服了><
原以為搭郵輪旅遊會很無聊，沒想到行程多到玩不完:三天晚上都有精緻的音樂劇，一是"golden mickey(黃金米奇)"述說迪士尼的卡通歷史、演出一連串迪士尼經典卡通，如白雪公主、花木蘭、泰山等等，回味好聽的旋律和故事；二是"玩具總動員"的音樂劇，彷彿自己是玩具，看著放大的世界，舞台效果做得非常好；三是"dream(夢想)"，彼得潘告訴小女孩別忘記了自己的夢想，帶出很多迪士尼經典卡通及美麗的童話故事，害我感動到掉淚。
除此之外，還有最新的迪士尼電影，在劇院放映，看完電影還可以到三家不同風格的酒吧喝酒、看表演，最後一晚我到鋼琴酒吧，聽一聽黑人演唱的爵士樂、喝著調酒咖啡，非常享受、頓時覺得自己實在太奢侈了。
第二天抵達巴哈馬小島，我們在島上遊走，看看小島風光，大部分的建築都是粉紅色系，在巷弄間，有精緻小巧的餐廳和商店，走到島上的最高點，俯瞰港口，可以看到米老鼠頭油輪就豎立在港口邊，有一種安心的感覺。
第三天即將到達迪士尼私人小島，所以前一晚在船頂辦了一場海盜派對，派對供應炭烤美食，有我最愛的超大火雞腿(像上手臂一樣粗)，熱鬧非凡的歌舞聲中，看著一望無際的黑暗，放射出閃耀的花火，很難想像自己是在船上。一大早，我們就到了小島，島上應該是沒有居民，所有的商店和餐廳都是郵輪上的工作人員開設的，烹調出又香又甜的BBQ烤肉及熱帶水果(一樣已經包在團費裡了)。很幸運地，這幾天陽光普照，我們租了游泳圈躺在海上曬太陽，還可以看到"加勒比海海盜"的鬼盜船出沒在海邊，再跟傑克船長照相，彷彿自己也是海盜一員。迪士尼規畫了家庭海灘、青少年海灘和成人海灘，不必擔心人擠人，海水碧藍清澈，透過透明游泳圈，你可以看到海底貝殼、成群的魚，有時還有魟魚，好險有救生員提醒，不然差點就被刺到了。
如果不喜歡在島上活動，船上還有BINGO遊戲、迪士尼畫作拍賣、給小朋友玩的活動、做SPA、跟無限多的迪士尼卡通人物照相等等，活動多到參加不完，好險房間非常舒適，晚上可以好好休息。
在船上的工作人員非常辛苦，因為郵輪是密閉空間，必須隨時隨地清掃所有環境，避免遊客身體不適或互相傳染，最後一天吃完早餐要準備離開時，餐廳的工作人員已經把餐廳整理乾淨、擺上新的碗盤，似乎在等待下一批新的客人，回到客房也已經在清理其他房間，他們把床鋪搬開，做最徹底的清潔，看到他們這樣整理，覺得很安心衛生。
離開郵輪，有回到平地的實在感，在出航跟回程時，因為船速較快，令人暈頭轉向；但是中間兩天就像是在平地上沒有感覺，若一望窗外或是到頂樓，就能享受海風及藍天，非常舒暢。不過晚上的海洋是一望無際的黑暗，不禁想到電影"鐵達尼號"，挺恐怖的。
ARABIANS NIGHTS(阿拉伯之夜)
在迪士尼上班雖然薪水不多，但是合作的廠商很多，包括餐廳、眼鏡行、化妝品店、觀光巴士等等，只要你出示職員證，大多有九折的優惠。同事告訴我"阿拉伯之夜"在每個月的第一個星期二有給迪士尼優惠，只要付十元(原價要四五十元左右)，就能享用餐廳秀，當然要去一探究竟囉!
大約容納一千人的場地，大家圍坐在馬蹄形的觀眾席，讓你邊享用餐點，邊欣賞表演及特技。"阿拉伯之夜"是以"馬"為主的表演，挺特別的，我從來沒有看過可以利用馬匹做舞台劇的表演。由於聖誕節將近，所以用阿拉伯公主過聖誕節與王子相遇的故事為主軸，再用馬匹帶出故事。餐點有沙拉、主菜、甜點、飲料、麵包，讓你像在家裡看戲又可以大快朵頤的享受。
每一匹馬都照顧得很漂亮，也都訓練有術，有一幕是表演者在馬身上翻筋斗和跳舞，好害怕表演者掉下來、又擔心馬會痛，讓我有看馬戲團表演的感覺。
Monday, December 01, 2008
主題樂園展&感恩節假期
奧蘭多是一個觀光城市，集合許多大型主題樂園，除了迪士尼、環球影城，還有海洋世界，鄰近有布希花園(聚集一堆雲霄飛車的樂園)，所以在橘郡的會議中心就順理成章辦成了大型的"主題樂園展"，世界各國經銷或販售跟主題樂園相關的廠商紛紛參加四天的盛會，有雲霄飛車廠商、食品廠商(例如爆米花、甜甜圈)、科技公司(許多樂園儀器)、雜誌公司、紀念品公司等等，一共有一千兩百個廠商，除了美國本身的廠商，也有從台灣、大陸、杜拜的廠商；預計有兩萬五千人來參展，所以附近的飯店不敷使用，還在建造當中。
因為一開學，老師有帶我們去參觀尚未搭建攤位的空曠展場，而這一天親眼見識到一千兩百個攤位，有雲霄飛車、旋轉木馬豎立在會場中，不得不讚嘆大型的會展竟是如此盛大，台灣像市集的會展是無法比擬的。現場並搭配教育參觀活動，除了相關的演講，還有到主題樂園的參觀行程，了解他們規畫一個attrection(例如:獅子王的音樂劇表演)背後的故事和源由；並有各國翻譯人員，解決不同語言溝通上的問題。
由於我們參與會展的最後一天，人潮非常稀少，老師請現場的工作人員帶我們參觀幾個廠商，他說前幾天已經有不少廠商有簽約成功。我想美國的經濟不景氣，有反應到觀光事業，即使是迪士尼不但縮減我們的工時，有些工作寧願讓經理來做，而減少時薪員工的加班機會，原本供應給員工的熱可可和巧克力，也剩下咖啡了。還有其他實習生被調去其他單位，我想是因為飯店不需要這麼多人力，只好開始轉調。
即使如此，上一周剛好是感恩節假期，大部分美國人有一周的假期，飯店難得重回暑假的盛景，幾乎所有餐廳全部客滿，住房率將近百分之百，而每天也有一百人到三百人住房，很久沒有這樣忙碌的上班了，感覺還不錯。加上飯店特別訂了大火雞和火腿大餐給我們享用，平衡我們不能放假的心情!
在感恩節過後的星期五，美國稱為黑色星期五(black friday)，所有的廠商會做清倉大拍賣，因為那一天要上班，只好趁上班前去逛個小街，不少商店做全店五折的優惠，或是買一送一，或是買第二樣五折。像沃爾瑪超市就凌晨四點開始大打折，新聞上都可看到人滿為患的情景，原來有便宜的商品，不管是哪個國家，都會萬人空巷。
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
ATM
美國ATM
迪士尼有一家合作的銀行叫做PARTNERS，當我們剛開始實習計畫時，會希望我們在這銀行開設帳戶，薪水就會入戶頭，若你不開設帳戶，就得每周去上班的地方拿支票。有些同學不想開帳戶，就得去銀行兌換支票，或是拿去超市兌換現金，但是超市會酌收手續費。
我當然選擇開戶，把薪水匯入戶頭。銀行會發一張現金卡給你，裡面分成兌現帳戶(checking account)和存款帳戶(savings account)，存款帳戶會每個月底給你微薄的利息，所以我把大部份的薪水都轉入存款帳戶賺小錢。
但是在宿舍的ATM經常不靈光，就沒辦法提款，只好刷卡買東西。那天到epcot去逛街，因為佳節將近迪士尼給員工在樂園買東西有五折優惠，一不小心卡刷到透支，趕緊跑去提款機存錢。
但是當我把十元美金放進機器，atm竟然沒有把錢吃進去，我就小心翼翼的把鈔票放進孔裡，結果atm完全沒有反應，說我的交易不成功!!!!天那，我的十元就在機器裡，我左看右看，旁邊有放一疊空白信封，原來，這裡存款的方式是要先讀卡，說要存錢，再把鈔票放進信封，然後上面寫你的姓名和帳戶號碼，再將信封彌封放進存款孔!!!真的很笨ㄟ，因為公司都使用鈔票機了，為什麼atm還用這種人工方式存款??我只好拿了空白信封，寫明我的十元就丟在機器裡，希望它們還我十元。
我用了十元，上了一課><”
結果昨天上班，客人要我幫忙查美國銀行的分行，他想要存錢，我問他為什麼不用atm，他說他不相信機器，而且等人工存錢就來不及了。原來，美國人自己也不相信這樣的存款方式。
迪士尼有一家合作的銀行叫做PARTNERS，當我們剛開始實習計畫時，會希望我們在這銀行開設帳戶，薪水就會入戶頭，若你不開設帳戶，就得每周去上班的地方拿支票。有些同學不想開帳戶，就得去銀行兌換支票，或是拿去超市兌換現金，但是超市會酌收手續費。
我當然選擇開戶，把薪水匯入戶頭。銀行會發一張現金卡給你，裡面分成兌現帳戶(checking account)和存款帳戶(savings account)，存款帳戶會每個月底給你微薄的利息，所以我把大部份的薪水都轉入存款帳戶賺小錢。
但是在宿舍的ATM經常不靈光，就沒辦法提款，只好刷卡買東西。那天到epcot去逛街，因為佳節將近迪士尼給員工在樂園買東西有五折優惠，一不小心卡刷到透支，趕緊跑去提款機存錢。
但是當我把十元美金放進機器，atm竟然沒有把錢吃進去，我就小心翼翼的把鈔票放進孔裡，結果atm完全沒有反應，說我的交易不成功!!!!天那，我的十元就在機器裡，我左看右看，旁邊有放一疊空白信封，原來，這裡存款的方式是要先讀卡，說要存錢，再把鈔票放進信封，然後上面寫你的姓名和帳戶號碼，再將信封彌封放進存款孔!!!真的很笨ㄟ，因為公司都使用鈔票機了，為什麼atm還用這種人工方式存款??我只好拿了空白信封，寫明我的十元就丟在機器裡，希望它們還我十元。
我用了十元，上了一課><”
結果昨天上班，客人要我幫忙查美國銀行的分行，他想要存錢，我問他為什麼不用atm，他說他不相信機器，而且等人工存錢就來不及了。原來，美國人自己也不相信這樣的存款方式。
Friday, November 14, 2008
科羅納多飯店(coronado resort)
美國景氣衰退，迪士尼的生意似乎不如以往，從飯店的住宿率來看是比暑假差很多，所以大幅縮減大家的工作時數，原本每周有四十小時，大多只剩三十小時。若有其他飯店缺人手，就會把多餘的人手調過去幫忙，他們稱為deployment，這樣就可以增加上班時數，已足以應付生活。
所以這一周，我就被調到科羅納多飯店幫忙一周，同樣是擔任concierge。為了瞭解狀況，還要拿制服，先跑去看路，天那~~我好喜歡這家的感覺，原來是以墨西哥風情為主，所以造型非常可愛，餐廳像極了市集，有日本小吃、台灣煎餃。戶外有馬雅造型游泳池、一大片湖泊可以釣魚、開船，整個飯店塑造出可愛的情調。由於這家飯店有會議中心，不少客人是商務目的，所以還設有酒吧、理髮廳、spa讓客人可以在忙碌之餘，好好休息一下。也因此有優惠的商務門票，他們可以在上午開完會後，下午到樂園裡去玩耍，門票就分為下午兩點入場與下午四點以後入場。那天下班天氣晴，我還跑去沙灘草地邊的吊床，給他好好的躺了一下，輕風吹來，舒服極了!
我超愛這一家飯店的制服，非常有質感，而且是我喜歡的大圓裙，我想家人就不會再笑我的制服醜了><上班的第一天，他們安排一位資深的trainer帶著我了解環境，她是一位熱情的黑人媽媽，開起高爾夫球車超級猛，害我差點飛出去，我們逛了整個飯店，以了解地理位置。它們有將近兩千間的房間，幾乎每天都有五六百人住宿，所以我們經常要幫忙check-in,check-out。
大概是不能怠慢餐與會議的客人吧，這裡的經理都會站在大廳或是在我們的櫃檯附近遊走，隨時幫排隊的客人找到可以服務的櫃檯，或是隨時幫忙棘手的問題，讓我覺得這在邊工作，經理會給予及時協助是非常幸福的事情。但是同事就比較會等你提出問題時，他來協助你，也等於是尊重你跟客人的互動，而不會隨時隨地插手你與客人之間的對話和互動。上了四天班，挺希望能夠繼續在這邊上班，但是他們的人手足夠，所以下周就回原飯店上班了。
沒想到昨天最後一天在這家上班時，我收的現金竟然超過報表，只好趕緊請經理幫忙，原來我收了客人的現金，卻在系統上選成信用卡，導致現金超出，好險我有紀錄我收的每一筆現金，馬上就發現問題，立即修正，但是也搞了將近一小時才處理好。原本希望自己可以在這家飯店表現良好，希望他們下次需要concierge時，可以選我，雖然他們都謝謝我這一周的幫忙，我想大概不會再找我了><"
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
美國總統大選
記得四年前美國總統大選，"比較政治"的老師要我們做一份美國總統大選的報告和分析，當時是共和黨的小布希和民主黨的高爾競爭，雖然高爾獲得多數選民的支持，但是選舉人票數少於布希，所以布希獲勝了。這一次大選，歐巴馬獲得過半數的選民支持(52%)，選舉人票數有三百四十九張(過270即獲勝)，昨天看新聞時，歐巴馬得到兩百出頭選舉人票時，媒體就自動宣布歐巴馬為第四十四屆美國總統。
雖然沒有能在華府或紐約躬逢其盛，但能在大州佛羅里達州體會這場歷史性的總統大選真的很難得，加上是美國史上第一位黑人總統，不管是否代表種族歧視在美已經消弭了?仍是歷史性的一刻。
這裡沒有像台灣大選滿是競選旗幟飄揚，但是電視及廣播到處是選舉廣告，也有攻擊對方政策的語言出現。之前也看了兩場政治辯論賽，會有一位專門發問的主持人，針對政策和議題做詢問。至於投票制度，是我更感興趣的，由於各州自治，在佛羅里達可以提早兩周開始投票(early voting)，因為大選日是11月4日，早上七點到晚上七點，並非假日，所以投票方式非常自由，如果你班到其他城市，就可以申請在該城市投票，並沒有很嚴格的一定要居住到幾個月才有投票資格。有同事就提早一個月申請更換地址，所以他的選票由美國郵政寄給他，他只要用筆勾選，再用回郵信封寄回家鄉即可；也有同事投票當天跑去投票所申請現場投票，因為他的家鄉有兩小時的車程，所以現場選務人員打電話過去家鄉確認他的投票資格，就讓他在奧蘭多投票。風險是有些人會有兩次投票(同事說若抓到要做十年的牢)，但之前新聞報出有數千人投兩次票了，畢竟各州之間的聯繫並分如此緊密，才會發生這樣的情況。投完票以後，有一張"I VOTED"(我投票了)的貼紙可以貼在身上，間接鼓勵大家多投票。
選票非常複雜，因為是投給選舉人，所以很長一列，報紙還提供線上選票樣本供大家參考，現場也有諮詢人員可以詢問，投完票後再拿到機器去輸入，由電腦去計算票數，如果電腦當機，就只好由人工計算。我告訴同事台灣是由人工讀票的，我就做過幾次選務人員，他覺得非常不可思議，因為台灣電腦技術很強，我說因為我們擅於電腦，才會不相信電腦，加上我們國家小並沒有時區的問題，大概四個小時就可以完成開票了。
老實說，我超想去看他們的投票所(有圖書館、HOLIDAY INN等等，連飯店都可以當投票所)和選票。老早就申請這一天休假，卻沒給假，只好聽同事說、看新聞去體會了!
Saturday, November 01, 2008
wine seminar
這一個月EPCOT(主題樂園)正在舉辦"FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL"(佳餚與美酒節)。由於這樂園有一個園區是世界城，有世界各國的建築物和餐廳，因此在周邊擺設各城市的攤位，烹調各國美食與酒，逛一圈下來就可以享受異國美食和香醇的酒，但是一小小盤菜不便宜，大約要美金三塊到四塊錢。
上次到中國那一區，展覽縮小版的兵馬俑群，許多外國人看了嘆為觀止，介紹大陸的影片也非常有深度，相較於其他國家的影片介紹，我覺得有深度許多，影片竟然利用李白來講中國的歷史和介紹，可惜演李白的人不夠帥。
原以為佳餚與美酒節只是吃吃喝喝的活動，沒想到還有邀請廚師大展廚藝、烹調食譜、酒廠老闆教大家如何品嘗酒。
這一天我就跑來參加品酒，開場前三十分鐘才發門票，必須在現場等待入座。沒想到一百人的座位全部爆滿，老實說，現場其他活動也是爆滿。一共有四種酒，一款白酒、三款紅酒，酒廠在加州地震帶附近，這位酒廠老闆已經是第七代了，他們一代傳一代，葡萄場竟比迪士尼大。我很喜歡他們的chardnoy，香醇又帶甜味。因為它們曾經歷舊金山大地震，因此那一年釀出"地震紅酒"，喝了果然像地震，有很濃的果香和木桶香，現場很多人喜歡，但是我覺得太濃烈了，沒想到品嘗完四種酒，又醉醺醺了><
又開學了!
上周五又開始上課的日子，老實說，寧願去上班也不想上課。我覺得上班學到的東西，比上課學到的東西多很多，但是當時都已經繳了學費，加上翹課兩次，就會被遣送回台，還是乖乖地上課為妙!
上午我選修"EVENT MANAGEMENT"(事件管理)，老師是橘郡會議中心的經理，工作經驗豐富，曾經簽過很多會展到奧蘭多展覽。就像台灣的世貿中心舉辦的電腦展，主要讓相關企業到展場選購他們所需要的技術與產品。但是這裡的會議中心規模相當大，十一月中旬將舉辦主題樂園會展，有兩千一百多的廠商擺攤，推銷雲霄飛車、科技產品、食物等等可以用於遊樂園的產品，主要的買家當然是迪士尼、環球影城、海洋世界等主題樂園。所以這堂課老師會讓我們了解會展中心怎樣運作、如何策展。我挺喜歡這堂課，第一天老師就帶我們去參觀會場，應該有世貿的三倍大吧!周邊的飯店有二十五家，以容納到時來參展和參觀的人員。印象中，台中也積極在建設會展中心，也開始招商了!希望台灣能夠運用會展中心，提升經濟力。
下午，原本選修品牌管理，但是需要小組討論，我覺得大家很難去找出小組討論的時間，加上八周有五周都在小組簡報中度過，所以我就改修"食物和飲品管理"，老師有二十五年主廚的經驗，對她來說煮菜是他的興趣和工作，今天還去參觀了學校的超大廚房，各種餐具、廚具應有盡有，就像電影料理鼠王中的廚房。課程中我們要去設計餐廳(包含菜單、風格、擺設)以及如何安排菜色管理餐廳，還有煮菜!因為期末耶誕派對時，我們要煮250人份的菜給同學們吃，原以為會比較輕鬆，不過有趣很多!我想得趕緊跟媽媽討教炒米粉的菜單了!
拿到米老鼠耳朵了
這一天上班依舊忙碌，因為是周末，雖然晚上十點就要關櫃檯，客人還是源源不絕地站在等候區等待。好的FSA(前線技術支援人員)會幫我們在等候區告訴客人我們已經關櫃檯，請他們明天請早，或是能夠現場解決問題的，就現場解決。
今天因為顧著跟客人聊天，沒有注意我只需要幫兩個房客買票，卻賣給了四個房客，所以要把兩張多餘的票退錢到他們的帳戶，所以系統紊亂，我以為處理好了，沒想到被經理發現，原來他們會去看系統處理一些問題，而我們做的每一步驟，包括CHECK-IN、售票、更動任何住房資料，都可以查出是哪位人員經手的。所以下班後，還被叫去問會什麼有那麼多筆售票和退票資料。沒想到，他和幾位同事拿出米老鼠耳朵帽、汽球還有獎狀恭喜我拿到米老鼠耳朵了!!代表我在迪士尼順利度過九十個天。九十天!時光飛逝，回想自己受訓到現在，從結結巴巴的英文到大致能跟客人聊天，系統使用也越來越順手，竟也花了九十天，得再加把勁了!!
Monday, October 27, 2008
boardwalk village加班!!
上一周因為工作時數沒到四十小時，所以上網撿到了一個別人釋放出來的職缺，是在BOARDWALK飯店擔任CONCIERGE。這家飯店也是迪士尼度假俱樂部(DVC)的飯店之一，還有會議中心，所以不少遊客是洽公為主，玩樂為輔，因此這類型的會議飯店會提供優惠價格讓開會的房客進入樂園遊玩，譬如早上開完會你可以購買下午兩點或下午四點以後入園的優惠門票。
由於，這類型的飯店跟我目前工作的飯店類型迥異，加上BOARDWALK和YACHT&BEACH CLUB飯店相連，形成一個鄰近EPCOT的購物廣場，有餐廳、街頭藝人表演，並可以搭船到HOLLYWOOD STUDIO和EPCOT，非常熱鬧的飯店，所以我很開心撿到這個缺，體驗不同的飯店工作內容。
在上班前一天，我還特別去拿了制服，是很正式的七分裙套裝。老實說，心情滿緊張的，因為我對這一家飯店的地理位置和工作型態都不了解，但是又很期待新環境的體驗。經理幫我設定了帳號讓我可以使用他們的系統後，就請一位資深的CONCIERGE帶我，讓我熟悉一下文件位置擺放，還有系統登入，以及最後BANKOUT程序；若是VIP客人，就必須要連絡VIP區帶客人去訂房，而且要按鈴請行李員提行李。這一位CONCIERGE在迪士尼將近十年，之前曾被迪士尼開除，當時是擔任魔法公園的販售員，因為太胖制服穿不整齊，所以被開除，之後去了環球影城上班，但是還是喜歡迪士尼的員工福利和感覺，所以又應徵回迪士尼。
這一天是個忙碌的早上，大多客人是來買票的，好險我都能處理，但是問到去哪一家餐廳用餐、怎樣走，我就得麻煩同事幫忙了。不過這裡的CONCIERGE還要管理scotter(給行動不便的人騎的摩托車)，但是跟台灣的摩托車不一樣，當我要牽摩托車出來時，還被狠狠的撞了一下，連經理都很訝異我不會騎><"
當我快要下班時，下午班的CONCIERGE出現了，他們會到大廳詢問排隊的客人需要怎樣的服務，如果只是問問題而不需要買票或訂餐廳時，他們就可以立即幫客人解決，減少客人等待的時間。
我們會有三十分鐘的BANKOUT時間，就是把當天工作所有的經手財務報告印出來，還有交出所收的現金，大約有七、八份報告，分別裝在三個袋子。至於現金要丟到機器裡讓他數並印出報告，若今天的交易和你繳出的錢是平衡，就代表今天你可以平安的回家了!幸好有同事帶著我做這些程序，我在三十分鐘內完成bankout，但是若要我在自己做一次，還是沒辦法記住那些程序。
下班後，我很開心的拿制服去還(因為制服部門今天休假，你只要把衣服丟入像郵筒的地方，他會掃描顯示你的資料和歸還物品)，便趕緊跑去搭巴士回家，沒想到沒趕上巴士，在等待的時候，才猛然想起來我把名牌別在制服上沒拆下來...頓時覺得自己好糊塗，只好跑去辦公室問問看能不能幫我開門讓我找名牌。好險制服部門有緊急鈕，裡面的員工讓我在一堆髒衣服中尋找我的名牌，好險唷，還在我的衣服上，真是虛驚一場!!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
名牌&國旗
還記得面試時，迪士尼面試官有問我有沒有比較常用的英文名字，我當時就跟他說”RITA”，沒想到來到迪士尼，不少人問我為什麼叫RITA，跟我的中文姓名有關連嗎?為什麼是西班牙文姓名呢(原來RITA來自西班牙文)，我只好老實說出，小學學英文時，補習班老師給我英文名字，其實和中文名字完全沒有關聯，當他們聽到以後都忍不住笑了出來!加上迪士尼內部給我的文件和班表都是用中文姓名，有些同事也鼓勵我應該要尊重自己的姓名，加上迪士尼認定從台灣來的只會講閩南話，所以我的語言只有閩南話，考慮了幾天，我就跑去跟經理說明我的困擾，當時經理說我若要改名牌需要付五美金，我就放棄了，但是另外一位經理她了解我的問題(我們一共有十四位經理)，她主動幫我申請新的名牌。
但是拿到新名牌後，我發現缺點是外國人大多不知道怎樣念我的名字，雖然拼音已經是很簡單的了(”玉”的因為他們來說太困難)。以前別”RITA”的名牌，還有很多客人叫我的名字，現在就非常少了；當然，有些同事或客人非常認真問我該怎樣發音，表示對我的尊重。畢竟有些外國人的姓落落長，真的很難正確發音，我也會問他們該怎樣念，因此每當客人向前我要開始要自我介紹，免得大家都不知道該怎樣叫我。
解決了名牌的問題，再來是飯店內部有懸掛”世界地圖”，只要是參與”大學計畫”的學生的照片和國旗都會被懸掛在上面，但我等了兩個月都沒看到我的照片和中華民國國旗，加上跟我同期的法國同學都被掛在上面了，所以我決定要再跟經理講一次，我想經理一定覺得我很麻煩，一天到晚在吵東西，大約等了兩周都沒回應。但是我想到台灣只有我在這裡當櫃台，要是我不去講，那還有誰會幫我講呢?因此我跑去跟更高層的經理說，他跟我說抱歉，也立即幫我處理，所以就可以在世界地圖上看到中華民國國旗和我的照片囉!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
