September 17, 2018

Job Update: 2 Weeks

Stephanie Kamp Blog: Job Update: 2 Weeks

Hey guys,

So I've officially been at my job for two weeks now! I can say that I have learned A LOT!!! Like so much its crazy! At first I thought my job was going to be boring and mundane but I was wrong! I actually really enjoy my job, it's a lot of fun to do what I do. Everyone I work with is so nice and working there does not make me miss my old job at all. Like I will probably never go back to working at DSW because it just makes me look back and think about how miserable I was there. I am so happy at my current job and I really can't wait to see what the future holds! 

So my official title is Customer Service Specialist. I haven't really gotten too much into the assisting customers portion yet because I don't really know that much yet but I've already taken 2 phone calls from customers that I have been dealing with and I was thankfully able to help both of them and both of them hung up happy so that's good! The first phone call was a little rough because I accidentally left the person on hold for 18 minutes! I thought she had hung up and then she called back but she told me that she had been on hold the whole time! Anyways I was able to solve her issue so thankfully it ended up working out just fine. The second phone call I was able to answer her question without even needing any help from any of the other women I work with so I was very proud of myself! 

So let me explain a little bit about what I do. Even though my title is customer service specialist, my actual role is a permit representative. So what I actually do is sift through all of the documents that our customers give to use when they send us their permit and I make sure that we have everything we might need before the permit gets sent onto the next department. Some permits have to go to different departments for approval before the contractors can start working on the project. It's actually all very fascinating! I really enjoy this job because I'm such a nosy person and this job allows me to find out about things that are being built around town before anyone else! There are also some other things I get to learn about before some people but I'm not really supposed to share of them because I'm technically a government employee now! 

This job also seems to never be the same thing every day! I get to look at the plans for houses that range from $200,000 to $2 million! I also get to learn what restaurants and stores are going to look like before they're even built! It's very exciting and I actually really enjoy my work! I also feel very privileged because I actually am allowed to issue quite a few permits myself. They don't have to be approved by anyone else other than me. It's not too big but I honestly can't believe how many people don't have shutters living in hurricane central haha! Actually my sister and I don't have shutters on our house and most of our neighbors don't either! It's crazy! But the permits that I get to issue include shutters, windows, and doors, certain types of fences, garage doors and there might be some more. I don't think I've technically learned all of the permits that exist yet! 

Crazy thing is that I was kind of on my own after about 3 days! I issued several permits with my supervisor and then once my computer was officially all ready to go I was on my own issuing permits, except my supervisor sits like right next to me so thankfully if I had a question she was right there waiting to answer it! Everyone I work with is so very helpful and no one really seems to have a bad attitude or seems to be negative which is so refreshing compared to my old job! It's like I'm working a real job rather than going back to high school! Anyways, I might do another job update once I'm like 6 months in but I think this is going to be it for now! I hope you enjoyed this post! I will hopefully have another one posted for you guys on Wednesday! Anyways, I hope everyone has a fantastic week!

Thanks for stopping by!
XO, Steph

September 09, 2018

Taking a Break September 2018

Hey guys,

Happy Sunday! I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend! So this post is going to be very short and this is my first post ever without a picture which is crazy! But this is just a short little update for you guys!  I'm gonna be taking this week off and maybe the next week as well! I need to catch up on a few things and come up with some ideas for some new blog posts! I also have a lot of outfits that I can take pictures of but so far I have like zero time to go out and actually take them! So hopefully a couple nights this week and/or next my sister and I will be able to go out and take a few outfit pictures! And then I can work on those posts!

I have a couple ideas for posts that I want to write but I need sometime to actually research and write them all up! What I usually try to do is write and schedule a few posts at a time so that way I can stay ahead. I was able to do that somewhat when I took my two week vacation after I quite my old job but my posts and days have caught up with me and now I am all out! So hopefully I'll be able to work on some new posts for you guys and have some written up and scheduled by the end of the week! 

Anyways, I hope you all have a fantastic week and keep checking back for new posts! 

Thanks for stopping by!
XO, Steph

September 07, 2018

Life Update September 2018

Stephanie Kamp Blog: Life Update September 2018
Hey guys,

Welcome to September and happy Friday! I hope everyone had a great weekend and ready to enjoy their weekend! If you work, I am very sorry and I can relate I know that it can be challenging to work on the weekends. But growing up with a mom who is a nurse, I know that not every job can have weekends off. As someone who now gets weekends off, honestly it's not something I am going to brag about because I personally think it's so rude to brag about it, especially in front of people who don't get the weekends off. 

Anyways, I didn't really mean to start this post off with a rant. I just wanted to give you guys a little life update and let you know what's b

een going on! So about a little over 3 weekends ago I went to Miami to see the Taylor Swift concert as all of you saw and it was absolutely amazing! I wish I could see another show! We also took a trip to Ikea while we were over there and bought a couple things for our house! We found an outdoor coffee table for our back porch in their clearance section and then we also bought a another shelving unit for the closet in our office.

The office is probably the one room in our house that still really needs a lot of work! We have so much stuff from two desks, plenty of crafting and scrapbooking supplies and workout equipment. It's basically like our catchall room. If we don't really have space for it in our rooms or it doesn't really belong anywhere else in the house then it pretty much ends up in the office. We also store all of our wrapping paper and present supplies in the office. There's also twin pull-out loveseat in the room that we use for whenever we have guests stay the night! I am constantly trying to think of new and more storage ideas without making the room seem more cluttered. It's a very big challenge!

Anyways, the following weekend we took a last minute trip to Disney because it was my last weekend before I started my new job which you guys would have read about that too! We went to 3 out of the 4 parks during this trip and it was a lot of fun! I really enjoy going to Disney and I will take  advantage of any opportunity to take a trip up there! So far we don't really have any trips planned back up there but most of the time we plan last minute trips anyways!

And then last weekend we to Tampa to celebrate my grandma's (on my dad's side) 80th birthday! It was really fun! We completely surprised her and she had no idea that any of us were going to be in town. I also got to see my brother and his family because they drove into town for the celebration so that was fun too! On Sunday morning my sister and I drove to Orlando from Lakeland (that's where my grandparents actually live) because we threw a baby shower for one of our friends who is having a baby in mid October! It's her first baby and we are so excite for her! Also, we can't wait to meet her little one!

This weekend will be the first weekend that I haven't gone out of town in a while so I am really looking forward to spending time at home and finding stuff to do around the house and running a few errands. I really enjoy being able to get home before 5 but I have to admit that waking up at 5:30 has been a little bit of a challenge! So far I've been going to bed at like 9:30 which is something I don't really enjoy! I think I just have to figure out how to live with less sleep because I don't really want to come home and be tired and then feel like I'm wasting the rest of my day away! I want to be able to go out and do stuff but at the moment my new sleep schedule has been annoying! I know that with time I will get better but it's just going to take a couple weeks. I used to go to bed at midnight every night and then wake up at 7 am the next morning and it was no problem at all so it would be nice to feel that way again.

Also, so far I am liking my job! It's actually really interesting. A little challenging because there is a lot that I have to learn and know and remember but so far I'm picking everything up pretty well. However, since I don't really know that much yet I get really nervous every time my phone rings because I don't really know how I'm going to help the person on the other end when they probably know just as much as I do so far haha! I can't wait until I know everything but in my interview they pretty much said that I probably won't really know everything until after 6 months! Like I said in an earlier post, I will probably do a full post on my job later, I just feel like I need to be there at least like a month before I can really say too much!

I hope you guys enjoyed this life update! I might do another one later on in the month, it just depends on what's going on and how busy I am. 

Thanks for stopping by!
XO, Steph

September 05, 2018

Review of the new Disney World Toy Story Land

Hey guys,

So here is my review of Disney's new Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios in Florida! The land opened in July and this was our first time going! We went towards the end of August and it was super hot but I am really glad that we were able to go check out the new land. We got to ride the Slinky Dog Dash but we chose not to ride the Alien Saucers because we don't really like spinning rides like that. We get a little too dizzy and motion sick! 

The ride was a lot of fun and I will definitely go on it again. In my opinion, they did a great job making you feel like you are a slinky! My sister and I rode in the very last row of the coaster and when we went over one of the hills it felt like we were going to fall backwards which something that a slinky would do. 
Stephanie Kamp Blog: Review of the new Disney World Toy Story Land
They also moved the entrance to Toy Story Mania to be a part of the land which was a great idea because it would have been a total hassle to have to walk around and out of the land just to get on the ride. Also, I think of the benefits of them opening up two new rides is that the wait time for Toy Story Mania went way down. We only waited for about 30 minutes or less each time. It was great! Normally the wait time is ridiculous and it was so hard to get a fastpass even. 

They have a place to get food in the new land. It's called Andy's Lunch Box and it's just a small little outdoor sit-down place. We ate there for breakfast and I would definitely like to go back an eat there for either lunch or dinner some time. The food was pretty good and I wanted try some of the items on their lunch menu!

 When we sat down for breakfast the green army men came and sat down next to this little boy that was saving a table for his family while they were waiting in line getting food. It was super cute because they tried socializing with him but he was not having it. He basically looked down the whole time and I think he might have been a little sacred the whole time but when they left they tried to steal his chairs and he just sat there. It was so funny, they brought them back of course but they tried so hard to make him laugh! 
Stephanie Kamp Blog: Review of the new Disney World Toy Story Land
This was my breakfast! It was actually on the kids menu because I wanted some tater tots and I also didn't want a whole sandwich. The kids menu also comes with a drink which is nice too! I also don't really eat a lot so it's nice to be able to get a kids meal and actually eat the whole thing! I got the s'more sandwich and it was tasty but a little dry. It would have been better with some syrup but it didn't come with any and I didn't feel like asking for any! 
Stephanie Kamp Blog: Review of the new Disney World Toy Story Land
So the picture below was taken in the morning at around 7 something! I love the entrance, it is so cute  and a great picture opportunity with a giant Woody!
Stephanie Kamp Blog: Review of the new Disney World Toy Story Land
So I know this isn't the greatest picture but I took it to shower the giant boot print because Disney did such a great at making you feel like you are a toy and that's a human's foot print. They were so creative this part of the park and I can't wait to see the new Star Wars land next fall! I also can't wait to see all of the new things that are coming to all of the Disney parks in the future! 
Stephanie Kamp Blog: Review of the new Disney World Toy Story Land
Overall, I highly recommend visiting this part of the park during the day and during the night! Everything is all lit up at night and it's super cute and festive! I hope you enjoyed this post! I plan on writing more Disney posts in the future because I am constantly at Disney and it's one of my favorite places to be!

Thanks for stopping by!
XO, Steph

September 03, 2018

Disney August 2018

Hey guys,

Happy Labor Day everyone! I hope you guys are enjoying your holiday! So I recently went to Disney with my family! We decided on a semi-last minute trip because we hadn't really gone all summer. We went in June but we didn't go at all in July and we weren't really planning on going in August either but we decided to take a trip before I started my new job and because I quit my old job so soon. We thought it would be a fun nice little vacation!
Stephanie Kamp Blog: Disney August 2018
Anyways we left Friday after my sister got off from work at around 4:45ish. Our parents actually left a little bit before us since neither of them worked and then sometimes it's just easier to have two cars when you want to split off and do your own thing! So my sister and I got on the road after I picked her up from work (I dropped her off there that morning) and then we usually drive half way and switch drivers and get something to eat and go to the bathroom. This time we decided to stop somewhere else and switch drivers and eat at a Wendy's. We used to stop at McDonalds but we never really got anything to eat there unless it was breakfast time. I actually don't eat McDonald's and haven't in years except for the two times I ate there in Paris because I'm such a picky eater haha. 
Stephanie Kamp Blog: Disney August 2018
Anyways once we got there we decided to take a walk on over to the Polynesian resort and see if we could see some fireworks. The resort we stayed at is called Shades of Green and it's their military resort. So you can only stay there if you are in the military or are retire from the military. It's not an official Disney Resort but it is on Disney Resort property so you kind of get all of the same perks except they don't have the typical buses and I believe you also won't get free parking at the parks. But the resort is like a 15 minute walk from the Polynesian resort which is great because from there you can hop on a bus or take the monorail somewhere. 
Stephanie Kamp Blog: Disney August 2018
Stephanie Kamp Blog: Disney August 2018
Anyways, once we made it to the Polynesian we kind of figured out that there wasn't going to be any fireworks that night because of a special event. So we ended deciding to go back to the hotel room and my sister and I took advantage of the extra magic hours and headed on over to Hollywood Studios. We ended up driving there because it seemed so much easier than taking a bus and I am so glad that we did because we basically got front row parking which like never happens for us!
Stephanie Kamp Blog: Disney August 2018
The downside to going to Hollywood Studios is that currently it is still majorly under construction because they are adding a new Star Wars land next fall and they are also adding gondola rides to transport people from Hollywood Studios to different resorts and maybe some other areas but I'm not entirely sure where. I think tat it will be very exciting when they open them because they haven't added anymore monorails because of how expensive it is but it will be very nice for there to be a different way to transport people from parks to resorts.

My sister and I walked around Hollywood Studios for a bit and rode Tower of Terror which is our favorite Disney ride and then we were deciding whether or not we should wait in line for the new Slinky Dog Dash roller coaster. The wait time wasn't too bad but we decided not to wait and take advantage of the extra magic hours the next morning and ride the ride then.
Stephanie Kamp Blog: Disney August 2018
Stephanie Kamp Blog: Disney August 2018
The next day we woke up at like 6 and then got to the park by 7 so we could hop in line for the Slinky Dog Dash. We waited about 30 minutes for the ride and I am very glad we did! Then we walked over to the other side of the park and hopped on Rockin' Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror, both had very short wait times! After we got off of both of those rides we walked back over to the new Toy Story Land because we hungry for breakfast and there aren't that many places that sell breakfast at Hollywood Studios I guess. Also, we figured we would try out the new food at Toy Story Land! After breakfast we rode Toy Story Mania and then we headed back to the hotel because it was like 10 and we wanted to go back to take a nap!

Honestly, I really like the way we did things on Saturday because we got there before like most other people and we were able to ride so many rides with barely any wait times. And then all we did was go back to our hotel after like 3 hours and took a nap for like an hour! Our parent's ended up doing their own thing in the morning. They went to Animal Kingdom and rode a couple rides over there and checked out all of the animals. The morning really is the best time to go see the animals! After they were done there they came back to the hotel and we ended up eating lunch together at one of the restaurants at our hotel.
Stephanie Kamp Blog: Disney August 2018
Then we all went to Epcot together so we could ride Frozen together and a couple other rides! My sister and I went ahead of our parents because they wanted to stay behind a little bit and relax before going back out. My parent's had reservations at the German restaurant in Epcot and that's one of the main reasons we went. Plus Epcot is like the food park so it's nice to go to enjoy the food. Which is kind of ironic because the food that my sister and I got wasn't really the greatest. The best part was the dessert which we chose chocolate mouse! We all also rode Soarin' before separating which is a ride I hadn't been on in like 12 or 13 years. The last time I rode it was in California in 2005. The main reason I don't ride it is because I tend to get motion sick and I am also afraid of heights! We of course ended up right in the front row so that was great! But I actually enjoyed the ride for the most part and only had to close my eyes for a few parts. The taking off and landing parts were the hardest for me!
Stephanie Kamp Blog: Disney August 2018
Anyways, after my sister and I finished with out dinner one of my friends that I've known since elementary school happened to be at the park as well and so we went to go visit with her for a little bit! It was a lot of fun catching up with her because we haven't seen each other in years but we still occasionally chat with each on social media! After we finished meeting with my friend, our parents were done with their dinner and so we all went back to Hollywood Studios so our parents could check out the new Toy Story Land. My dad had no interest in it whatsoever until my sister and I couldn't stop talking about it so of course he had to go check it out for himself.
Stephanie Kamp Blog: Disney August 2018
Stephanie Kamp Blog: Disney August 2018
Stephanie Kamp Blog: Disney August 2018
Stephanie Kamp Blog: Disney August 2018
Stephanie Kamp Blog: Disney August 2018
Stephanie Kamp Blog: Disney August 2018
Stephanie Kamp Blog: Disney August 2018
Stephanie Kamp Blog: Disney August 2018 
Stephanie Kamp Blog: Disney August 2018
Stephanie Kamp Blog: Disney August 2018
While we were back at Hollywood Studios we first went to watch Fantasmic because it had been years since we had all seen in. After we headed back to check out the new land with our parent's and we all rode Toy Story Mania because the wait times weren't too bad. After that our parent's went back to hotel and my sister and I stuck around for the Star Wars show that they have at the end of the night. It was pretty neat show but I'm not really a big Star Wars fan so I didn't really know much about what was going on!
Stephanie Kamp Blog: Disney August 2018
On Sunday we went to Magic Kingdom and we had fast passes for a few different rides that we rode together and then some that we didn't ride together. Some of the rides that my sister and I rode include, Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain, and Peter Pan. Together as a family we rode Haunted Mansion, Pirates, and The People Mover. Pirates was our last ride and after that we split up again and  my sister and I went to go look for stuff for a baby shower that we threw yesterday for one of our friends! She's having a little boy and the theme was Peter Pan! We actually didn't end up finding anything because apparently the parks don't really sell too much Peter Pan stuff anymore. After that we all headed back to our hotel to grab our cars. We somehow ended up beating our parents because they stopped to get ice cream and they took their sweet time exiting the park as well. My mom didn't really want to push herself because she knew she'd have to work for 12 hours the next day!

I plan on doing an entire post about the new Toy Story Land so keep an eye for that, which is why I didn't give too many details about the new section in this post! I hope you guys enjoyed this post and keep an eye out for more Disney Posts in the future! 

Thanks for stopping By!
XO, Steph