Sea World...What an amazing adventure!

Well the season was trudging along and I’ve yet to do anything amazing yet. My housemates and I decided on a whim to rent a car for a weekend and take a trip up on a Monday to Sea World.

I’ve been to Sea World before, but it was at least 6yrs ago after a very long and tiring season, so I was really looking forward to this trip. We got up early in the morning and packed up the car for the 2 hours drive north to Orlando.

Walking into Sea World you are greeted by the Manta, one of the craziest rollercoasters I’ve ever seen. You basically hang like a stingray facing the ground and fly through the air and around some very twisty bends. After the rush of the first ride, we immediately ran back to do the ride again, and again.

One of the most amazing things is watching the Orca Whale show, Shamu. There is nothing more awe inspiring than watching these giants of the oceans perform majestic routines.

We then moved on to ride the Kraken. A rollercoaster that is almost 2 minutes long of twists and turns. It whips you along like a sea serpent moving through the seas. Of course after the trill of the ride, we had to do it again. I did feel like my spinal cord had been detached from brain after all the rides.

Later in the day we headed to Downtown Disney and got to like all the magic of the Disney characters as well as browsing through some very cool shops. The day ended with dinner at Planet Hollywood.

The next adventure planned is a 4-day trip next week to St. Augustine, one of the oldest cities in the USA. Founded in 1512, this historic city has still kept its old world charm. I will be there to attend a true American beach wedding.

After the wedding, I’ll be heading with the whole group from Addison Reserve to Universal Studios, so it will be a good 5 day mini vacation.

So, there will be more of my adventures to report in my next blog.

I also can’t believe that I am over half way through my stay here in the USA for this season and soon it will be time to return home to start the new recruitment season with Workaway. Presentation dates have already been posted on the Workaway website. Looking forward to seeing all the new recruits and to those that are on the program, don’t forget to refer your friends to the program for an incentive bonus at the end of the recruitment season.

Author: Andre Smith

Great work, great fun!

So...the season is in full swing now, everyone is running around and so busy at work. So many things going on but this is what we are here for... to work hard.

Is that time of the season when everyone is working so hard so we can get an opportunity to go up north for the next season, with interviews that have just happened we all very anxious to see how we did and who will be going to which club, it’s very exciting but on the other hand very nervous times for all, all you have to hope for is the best. We all can’t stop talking about what we will do when we “hopefully” get there :)

In the meantime you just have to make the best of the time while you are here, I Always have such a great time knowing that I’m so lucky to be here and experiencing all these great things that the US has to offer.

There is just so many things we are planning to do, Universal studios in the next few weeks is going to be amazing, all the AWESOME rides and roller coasters are overwhelming, if you think Gold Reef City or Ratanga Junction is fun you have seen nothing yet until you get to Universal,

CANT WAIT!!!!

So many things to do but time just goes by so quick...

Hope everyone in the USA is having lots of fun and the people reading this in South Africa get over here it is all worth it, you will have the time of your life!!!!

Author: Tyrone Havenga

Weeds!

The creation of weeds is a beautiful thing.

It’s that time of the season. Everyone hustling to try and go up north or making up their minds to go home and work beginning to get the better of us all. 'Uncle' meets with us to chat and keep us motivated, managers try to keep us going and so do your friends and family you make during your time here. Keeping yourself motivated at this point is essential to your survival (corny but true) so basically what I’m saying is, you got to laugh and smile, even if it’s at silly things, even if it’s at yourself. Things actually aren’t that bad when you really look at it. I'm glad I’m here, the experiences I’ve gained while here are priceless and worth all the emo times. I’m good for now (till I eat too many sweeties and get sugar rushes late at night) so…

I’m keeping this short and sweet because sometimes less is more (think about that!). It’s true that the little things in life sometimes matter the most so smile guys, it could be worse.

Author: Michelle Lowe

So America is still treating us well!

We have no car, and so is going out are limited. So we bought bicycles! It helps keep us fit and it helps us get around, coz everything is not really that far away. However, our fellow workers have been ever so accommodating. I work in the spa and one of the American girls oh so kindly hosted a secret Santa Christmas party at her house. It was great fun with all the girls getting together and giving out their gifts. And there was great food! I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jaleigh for the memorable night.

We have also spent a day in Miami. It is just a hop, skip and a jump away, or more like a cycle train and bus ride to Miami. We spent a lovely day on the beach and went bar hopping along the gorgeous Ocean Drive. All the restaurants are on the pavement and they all have great specials. We can’t wait to go back!

It’s now the end of January, and our country club is taking us to Busch Gardens, which is an Adventure Park, next weekend. We are very excited and cannot wait to go on all the thrilling rides, and they have a zoo, so that will be super interesting to see. But apparently there is this ride that goes up 130 feet high, and it takes you down a 90degree slope head first!!!! EEEKKK. Can’t wait!

Well next blog I will tell you how awesome all the rides are! We plan to go to Universal Studios next month. That will be EPIC!

Till next time!
Big hug from America!

Authors: Roxane Gordon and Daniel Pfeil

The thing about the weather in Florida!

The other day I woke up and it was over cast and cloudy. I was overjoyed that I got to spend 6 more hours in bed before I had to go to work.

Quick run to the shop, perhaps, for rainy day supplies then a ''How I Met Your Mother'' marathon before my late shift. Bundle up, scarf, beanie - the works - walk two steps out of my front door and BAM! Hit by this massive, humid wave.

I thought it was supposed to be cold? Wet? But alas, there have been a grand total of 6 or 7 cold days this winter. All of the others have been damp and humid.

The upside of course is that I never have to wear socks...I hate wearing socks...and that you can literally dance around in the rain or take a swim and you won't get sick.

This afternoon I walked out of my flat and again it was humid and overcast. But today there was something different, today it smelt like a dam!. The Vaal or Haartebeespoort, it was amazing. Reminded me of home and that its just past our half-way mark here in the States.

Its gone past in something of a blur. Presidents week is coming up, it's described as the madness of Christmas and New years all rolled into 1 week. I can't wait. We're hoping for a bit of sunshine to break through these clouds.

Even though the weather here doesn't seem to get the correct details on how its supposed to be on most days... Warm hot summer days, cold dry winterones, I don't think its time to leave just yet.

Author: Melissa Rauch

One World!

An experience we’ll share now and forever…………. One World brought together by One Ocean.

What an incredible day, our apartment decided that it was time for us as a “family” to go on an outing. So we decided on Sea World Orlando.

At Sea World we got to experience a multi-sensory celebration of life under the sea that entertains educates and inspires. Majestic killer whales joined us on a journey into a world that drenched our senses in the vivid colours, vitality and global rhythms of the ocean.

Dancing fountains set the stage as we realize we are part of one world, one ocean.

Then off to be entertained by BLUE HORIZONS, an incredible dolphin theatrical performance with a spirit all its own, featuring acrobatic dancing dolphins, soaring birds and leaping water.

Now time to fly, glide and soar headfirst like a ray, on the ride of our life aboard the Manta flying roller coaster, next was fierce, floorless and may I add one of the fastest steel coasters in Orlando the KRAKEN. But that is not all there was still the journey to Atlantis, water coaster full of twists, turns and falls and yes soaked we were.

To end off our day we went off to Down Town Disney, walking the streets we got to go down memory lane with Walt Disney. Emotions gripping through the pictures and events of Disney World, remembering it all started with just a mouse.

We got to enjoy a delicious dinner and drinks at Hard Rock Café before heading home.

Closing thought:
It’s time to celebrate the power we all have to make a difference.

Author: Lucille Earle

New Year...New Beginnings...New Things!

Well, the crazy busy festive season has come and gone with work starting to settle down into a groove now.

Americans sure know how to do Christmas... Decorations in the malls, on their houses and even their cars. I do love Christmas here as everyone gets into the spirit of the Holiday and you’re surrounded by Christmas music where ever you go, just to remind you what time of the year it is.

Being away from home during the Holidays can be difficult, but as a group we collectively held a Christmas party inviting all us South Africans, Irish, Romanian and those Americans who didn’t have family with them. Being such a big group we hosted it at the pool of our apartment complex with my housemate, Sam doing all the cooking. Everyone had to buy a gift for another person, which created much excitement and gave everyone the opportunity to find out more about our group. It was a lot of fun and helped everyone forget about being away from home.

I was fortunate not having to work on Christmas Eve, which is generally when the Americans celebrate family time. This allowed me to spend time with my “adoptive” American family whom I get to spend each Christmas with for the past couple of years.

After we rolled through Christmas, along came the New Year. The club hosted a huge NYE event with a street carnival for the earlier part of the evening outside. It had everything from ferris wheels, a band and food stations from all around the world.

The later part of the evening was for those that wanted to see in the New Year with a dinner dance party in the main clubhouse. Although we all had to work, we all got to spend time together and be a part of the celebrations welcoming in the New Year.

Having worked so much over the past couple of weeks, we all made lots of $$$. So shopping was on everyones agenda for the next week to feel some validation for what we had worked for.

The favorite place for me to hang out is the Apple Store at the Boca Town Center Mall. No matter what time of day or night you go there, it is the most popular place to be. It’s ALWAYS busy.

So the day came to upgrade my MacBook Pro and off I went to the Apple Store, believe it or not, there was a queue of people waiting outside the store for it to open. After a short wait my shopping gratification was satisfied with my purchase of a new MacBook Air. I LOVE IT!

Another new beginning for me this year, was after having worm reading glasses for over 10 years, I decided to “upgrade” that too to contact lenses. WOW! What have I been missing out on. It still takes me some time to get used to putting them in and taking them out at night, but I’m so glad I made the switch. For those of you that have worn glasses and then contacts will know what I am talking about.
So whats next on my agenda... It is planing some time way to either go to New Orleans or Las Vegas, definitely need to get some sight-seeing in. Watch this space.

Author: Andre Smith