Check In
(January 15th, 2003...still seems like yesterday)
I checked in on January 15th, 2003. If anyone plans to do this
program I recommend arriving early. I got there about an hour early
and check in took only 1 1/2 hours. Those who arrived "on-time" had
to wait much much longer to get everything done. You check in at
the Vista Way housing complex, on Meadow Creek Drive. You fill
out multiple papers, basically signing your rights away should
anything happen to you while you're here. Also, if you're a lifeguard
you take an eye exam making sure you can see well enough. After
all your paper work is completed you are finally given the key
to your room, don't loose it or you're in trouble.
Vista is a little confusing at first, so finding your building may take some
time. I lived in building 8, which is in the back left corner. If you're unlucky
you'll get stuck in buildings like 3, that are right on the main street and
always have traffic going by. Our place was quiet, but still close to everything.
We're near the pool, computer lab, weight room, mailbox, vollyball pit, bbq
area, and the price desk (where you pick up packages and stuff). So, I went
to check into my apartment...
Two of the guys had already checked in, Mike and Rob. They were
here first, so they got the room with the private bathroom. I was
the third, and picked one of the remaining two rooms. Fourth to
arrive was Dave, who decided to room with me. Fifth came Ryan,
who took the remaining room. The last guy to arrive was Derek,
who roomed with Ryan.
After all the morning moving in type stuff is done, you go to a meeting that
you fill out more paperwork at. You're also given the option to sign up with
a Vista Federal Credit Union account. This is Disney's Credit Union, I recommend
you get an account, as (in my case) there are NO Wells Fargo branchs in Florida.
The whole meeting is about two hours.
After that is the first trip to Super Walmart. Plan to be there quite a while.
You're gonna have to buy most everything you need for your apartment. We spent
over and hour and a half there. And each of us guys spent over a hundred per
person. You're gonna wanna buy food, keep in mind you don't have things like
Salt & Pepper, butter, mayo, flour, sugar, and all the other staples you
usually have at home and don't need to buy. We also had to get toilet paper,
dish soap, sponges, hangers, bathroom cleaners, air freshner, etc. Since then
we bought a broom and dustpan, extra frying pans, bigger drinking cups, platic/tupperware
type bowls, blender, mixer, toaster, bigger garbage can, lamps, the works.
Getting it home became somewhat of a problem later on.
Later that night is the welcoming dinner for all the new CP's that just checked
in. They give you a hotdog, potato salad and iced tea. During the dinner (which
is held at the clubhouse) they play games to win prizes. Stuff like Disney
Trivia, or eating a plate full of SourStraws. And the evening is concluded
with an appearance by Mickey.
please allow time to load...
(there is 37 pics)

It's FREEZING. It was about 50 out that morning...

Jen and I getting turning in our Check In paperwork.

John...Remus? No, you're not on here, did you send
in your roomate preferences?

Yeah, I sent them in. Did you not get them?

I had to fill out a new "Roommate Sheet".

Jen and I getting our Apartment assignments,
Jen ended up across the hall and upstairs from me.


Check In table where you get a "name-tag",
and clipboard with all your paperwork...




Here is where we received even more paperwork...

Starting to unpack in my room...it's so empty


Our living room

Kitchen..

That hall in the back led to Dave and my room,
and Ryan and Dereks, and also our bathroom

"Yes mom, I'm here unpacking"
Notice the ensentials; clothes, licorice, and toilet paper...haha

My half of the closet

Dave's half. I think I opened my locker there twice...

I brought four suitcases worth of stuff, and you
can't even tell.
In August I brought about eight suitcases worth home though...

Our dresser, Dave's stereo he bought that day at
Wal Mart.

Dave's half of the room.

Vanity area shared by Me, Dave, Ryan, and Derek.


Later that night, we're a little more settled in.

Our tiny bathroom for four guys.

Rob and Mike's room, they had the private bathroom
in the back too.

Rob's bed, Mike's is in the left corner.


Derek and Ryan's room.

Ryan settin up all his stuff.

Rob: "wait, i'm not ready"


Apartment 806
1-15-2003
Michael Sandercock, Derek Collum, Robert Roberts II, David Nordahl, John Remus
III, Ryan Moody