Check it out at www.projectemmablog.blogspot.com

Please and thank you :)

I’m kind of bored of this blog… Mainly because it doesn’t really have a purpose.  

A lot has been happening to me lately and it makes me want to start over with my life.  Get a fresh start.  And I’m actually really motivated to actually do that right now!  

So I started a new blog.  It’s actually a blog with a purpose and reason for writing it.  It’s called Project Emma.  It is all about me taking time for me to figure out my life and better myself.  Please follow it, enjoy it, learn from it!  It will be a great place for us all to help each other better ourselves.  It can be found at www.projectemmablog.blogspot.com.

Yes I’m going back to Blogger.  Sorry Tumblr, but you’re kind of like Twitter with more words…

It has been a LONG time since I’ve posted about food/healthy living/etc.  And that is basically because I have been too ashamed.  I don’t intend for this to be a pity post or anything like that, but I do think that, mentally and emotionally, it is important for me to be open about this and get it off of my chest.

Despite my previous expectations about living (for the most part) on my own and making all of my own food choices, I am having a really hard time keeping up with a healthy diet.  The problem isn’t what I choose for my meals, because I have been pretty good about that.  I cook a lot, I use a lot of fresh ingredients, I try not to eat out too much and when I do, I am very conscious about the nutritional value of my choices, and for the most part, my meals are well balanced.  My biggest issue right now is avoiding the sweets and desserts.  

I just have to face facts:  I HAVE A SWEET TOOTH.  And a pretty darn big one at that.  I try as best as I can to keep it under control, but it doesn’t seem to be that easy.  Especially when you have a box full of Easter candy that your parents sent you for the holiday.  Which, don’t get me wrong, I loved and really appreciated!  But it is hard to stay on track.

I think my biggest fear right now is that my lack of self control will turn into binge eating… And I don’t want that to happen.  But I really am afraid that I won’t be able to control myself enough to keep it from progressing to that.  I had been doing SO well.  And then I made a cake for my roommate’s birthday.  And it all went downhill from there.

It’s always at night, after I’ve gotten home from work, after I’ve eaten dinner, that it hits me.  The cravings for the cookies and chocolates and candies and things that I don’t need.  And so I tell myself, ok, you can have one.  And then one turns into two, three, etc.  It never gets to the point of disgusting, but it’s still more than I would like… 

So this is what is happening to me.  I’m succumbing to the sugar.  It’s probably mostly mental and stress-related.  The biggest problem is just figuring out how to overcome it.  Because I don’t want to be unhappy with my body, or my eating habits, anymore.

Here is something that has been on my mind (and the minds of many other fellow cast members) lately and I think that all parents should know and follow these Dos and Don’ts of Character Meet and Greets.  Let’s start with the Don’ts.

DON’T hit characters in the head.  They really don’t like that.  You wouldn’t like it, would you?

DON’T pull on characters’ ears, noses, tongues, or tails.  Would you like it if Pluto stuck his hand in your mouth and played with your tongue?  I don’t think so.

DON’T charge at the characters.  It takes them by surprise and they could fall!  

DON’T treat the characters like they’re dumb.  They’re actually super smart with ridiculously high IQs.

DON’T force your children on the characters.  If they’re scared, that’s ok.  Don’t worry, they will grow out of it!

DON’T make negative/derogatory comments about the characters.  Especially when you are in line or in the company of young children.  There is no reason to ruin the magic for anyone!

DON’T rush your child.  Let them make the memories with the character.  They love that!

*****

And now for the Dos!!!

DO love the characters!  They love you too.

DO give the characters big hugs.  Everyone loves hugs!

DO be gentle with the characters.  They will really appreciate it.

DO try to understand what the characters are saying.  They put a lot of effort into communicating with you!

DO be receptive to the characters.  Your meet and greet will be so much more memorable that way!

DO be energetic!  The characters thrive on your energy!

DO treat the characters with respect.  It’s only polite.

DO open your books and pens for the characters.  It helps them out more than you know.

DO try to be organized about the photos.  It makes things go much more smoothly.

And last, but certainly not least,

DO enjoy your meet and greet!  It is a unique experience with the most famous television/movie stars in the world!  Make memories to last a lifetime :)

What is going on in the Emma’s Wonderful World, you may ask?  Well, it’s pretty much the same thing that has been going on since I got here!  I work almost every day.  When I’m not working, I’m chilling out in my apartment (usually alone, since my roommates and I do not have similar schedules) or in class.  Life here can be pretty boring for me.  Finding friends is proving to be more difficult than it was in the past…  Mostly because as a character performer, I work with different people every day.  But now I’m actually starting to see familiar faces over and over again and it’s nice!  

Also, I have been trained in a show!  I am now trained and approved in a show at the Magic Kingdom!  I have also had my parade orientation, so hopefully I’ll be trained in parades soon as well!

I will soon be posting pictures of the Flower and Garden Festival that is going on here in Disney World at Epcot!  I need to finish photographing it, but as soon as I’ve done that, you will all be able to marvel at my amazing photography skills and the stunning gardens and topiaries that have taken over the park.  It is truly gorgeous and I am so lucky that I get to be here to see it!

I think that is about all for the updates.  Keep an eye out for the photos!

For those of you who don’t know, I was an exchange student last year in Belgium with the Rotary International Youth Exchange.  And if you didn’t know that, then you have obviously not been paying attention because I talk about it ALL the time.  

The reason I bring it up this time is because yesterday, I had the enormous pleasure of spending my day with some wonderful Rotary exchange students in the happiest place on Earth!  Disney World!  I met people from France, Spain, Italy, Turkey, Switzerland, Hungary, and of course, Belgium!!  It was so great to be in the company of exchange students once again.  I miss Belgium, I miss my host families, I miss my friends, and I miss the experience.  Being with them really reminded me of all the great opportunities and exciting things that I got to experience while I was in Belgium.  Just like they are taking opportunities and experiencing great things on their exchange!  Like Disney World!

We spent all of yesterday morning at Epcot.  Which was superb timing because Epcot is currently holding the annual Flower and Garden Festival.  Which, I might add, is breathtaking.  I had to leave for class around 2, but I met back up with them in the evening at Downtown Disney and we spent even more time together!  I had a great day!  And whether or not I realized it at the time, I really needed it.  I’ve been so Belgium-sick lately!  

One of the best things about being an exchange student is the instant bond that you have with other exchange students.  You can’t help it.  It’s just something about having that shared experience that brings you together.  It doesn’t matter what nationality you are, what language you speak, or even when you did your exchange!  We are all connected on some crazy level.  I love that!  I loved being an exchange student.  I love looking back on my year.  I love reminiscing about it.  And I love being a part of someone else’s experience. 

Sometimes I do have doubts about whether or not I made the right decision, being an exchange student.  Mostly because I am a year behind in school now and it’s been difficult for me to catch back up in my dancing and vocals.  But then something like this happens and I see how much of an important impact my year had on my life, and then I realize that it could not have been more worth it.  

To all the exchange students out there: You only live once, so live it up!  Don’t regret a single thing, and always keep that spirit in your heart.  You are one of a handful of smart, outgoing, adventurous people who decided to be proactive and get out there in the world!  Remember how important that is, and even after your exchange, don’t let the experience die.  Continue growing and learning from your amazing time abroad!  It’s who you are.  Keep it alive!

We all know who Walt Disney is.  To an extent.  But the more I work here, the more I learn about him!  And he was just an inspiring man.  The ideas, concepts, and innovations that he had were so far ahead of his time.  Everything that he has done is truly incredible.  He released first after first after first, always pushing limits and creating amazing and quality entertainment.  And it hasn’t stopped since his death.  That is because he also left a legacy, and quite a large one at that.  It is simply mind-boggling, the story of Disney.

Think about it.  How did it all start?  Two brothers, a lot of lost money, a cartoon studio in a garage, and a corrupt contract.  What did it become?  One.  Mouse.  And not just any mouse.  Mickey Mouse.  And what came out of that mouse?  An empire.  A worldwide sensation!  And it all started with a mouse.  Now, there are hundreds of classic movies that the whole world knows.  There are characters with which the world has fallen in love.  There are theme parks all over the globe and even more resort locations.  There are TV shows, radio channels, stores, merchandise, endless possibilities!  In a way, he shaped American culture.  Disney is a huge part of our culture!  And it all came from one man and his vision.  And his mouse.  And the story is truly magical.  It inspires me every single day.  Just how much work he did, how he followed his dreams and never gave up.  And what came out of it?  All of this.  How many people do you know that have never heard of Mickey Mouse?  His hard work, perseverance, dedication, passion, talent, and spirit is what created all of this success.  

I’ve always been one to follow my dreams, but learning the story of Walt Disney in more detail truly is inspiring me to continue trying and to never give up. 

I am enrolled in two classes here with the Disney College Program.  However, today I received two emails, each saying that I have been unenrolled in class.  Naturally, I called right away about the matter and told them what had happened.  Apparently, someone called saying they were Emma Clark and told the people at the Education Office that they wanted to drop their classes.  And the lady told me that there is only one Emma Clark…  Well, I never called and said that.  So it looks like someone is either thoroughly confused or is pretending to be me…  This concerns me greatly.  I’m not sure what is going on, but I hope nothing else comes of it…

One thing that people warned me about when I said that I was going to work at Disney World was that they would crush my artistry and I would become nothing more than their puppet.

After working here for a couple of weeks, I would say that those people are misinformed.

The fact is that as a performer at Disney World, obviously there are certain guidelines that I have to follow.  Disney Characters can’t run around the park and jump off of buildings or do cartwheels in the middle of the road.  We also can’t be rude to guests :P  However, my job is 100% improvisation.  It is totally and completely up to ME how I want to do things.  It is my job to work off of not only my character’s personality, but also what the guests give me.  In reality, this job is teaching me quick thinking and creativity.  Not every child is going to react to the same things.  Sometimes, you have to think on your feet and come with something totally different and wild to get that guest to smile.  Sometimes those guests surprise you!  They may ask you questions that you don’t know how to answer.  But you have to figure out how to give them a creative and simple response.  They may not think that anything that you’re doing is remotely entertaining.  But you need to pay attention and figure out how to get that guest to smile.  And not only do you have to change it up for your guests, but also for yourself!  It’s also our job to keep it fresh and interesting each time.  We cannot fall into patterns.  How in the world could we ever be believable?  It’s all Acting 101.  It’s all improvisation.  It’s all about using your imagination.  And that is what I do every day.  I use my creative mind to make magic.

So to everyone who thinks that Disney is crushing my creative spirit, just know that that is not at all the case and I exercise my artistic mind all the time here.  No worries, just smiles and memories! :)

I really do.  I mean, maybe I wouldn’t be so bitter if my boyfriend wasn’t 4,000 miles away from me today and I wasn’t off of work and sitting alone in my apartment with nothing to do… But it just seems like I’ve never had a real Valentine’s Day.  I’m always alone on the evening of Valentine’s Day.

Skype is a marvelous invention that allows me to talk in real time to my boyfriend in Belgium even with the distance.  However, I believe that Skype mocks me.  It’s kinda like, hey here he is, but OH NO you can’t hug him or lay next to him or anything because he’s not actually there.  I don’t know, I’m obviously in a terrible mood and nothing I’m saying is making any sense.  

People call Valentine’s Day, Singles Awareness Day.  But it’s not just singles… How about, Loneliness Awareness Day?  Yah that sounds better.  Because that is the truth.  I am alone.  Literally.  I am sitting in this apartment right now, alone.  And why?  Because my roommates are all out.  All of my friends and family are back in Ohio, and I don’t yet have any close friends here at Disney World who I could just call up and say hey, let’s go catch a movie.  Nope nope nope nope nope.

Really, Valentine’s Day makes me feel pathetic.  And that is the cold hard truth.