angry

i am so angry and blogger. i just wrote a whole post about all of my flights so far... and i clicked publish and it disappeared. its bed time and I have an early report time, so I do not have time to write it again.. maybe it will randomly show up.... if not... i will write it again next time! until then... goodnight! sorry if I have been bad at keeping in touch.. do not worry... it is not just you- it has been that way with everything... still getting into the swing of things!

No.. I did not forget about this...

SO.. at training finals lasted two days. The tests involved an all inclusive computer exam covering everything from the past. There were hands on exams on every single door we learned, including the commands and operations involved during an emergency evacuation. There were group event management tests which ranged from normal procedures to medical to extreme emergency situations. The instructor told my group that we were the best he had ever seen, including current line flight attendants. It was really nice to have some positive feedback and recognition especially because I have felt so on edge about being judged about every little thing since day one. MAY 1ST.. graduation day! I was surprised how quick and small of an event this was. Although it was short but sweet it was nice because as soon as we graduated we were free to head home.. "CLASS DISMISSED!" I took my wings home with me and Vince pinned them on me! After that I was official. I was home for a few days which involved a lot of preparing for what was to come next. BUT FIRST... Vince and I laid sod in the backyard! It looks awesome! I cannot wait to get back and see its progress. I left on the 5th to head to New York, my friend Rhea and I were on the same flight so it was nice to see a familiar face. I am not sure how to put the emotions I was feeling into words. I was very excited, but nervous and still kept thinking... what am I doing. Packed a few small bags and headed to NY with no place to live. I had a hotel for two days, one of which was an all day base orientation. Luckily after some searching and a day of wondering where we were going to sleep we found a crash pad that seemed to be the perfect. This is a shared house with other flight attendants. My room is shared with 6 women- 3 bunk beds... but our schedules are all different. The most i have seen there at one time is 4. I AM POSTING THIS NOW... because i wrote twice this much and it deleted itself without being saved...

Last lecture

Today was my last lecture day.  I have more air time this weekend,  another customer  service flight. Then on Monday finals start! I will be done with all finals on Tuesday afternoon.  TWO DAYS OF TESTS! Tomorrow is my study day,  I will be trying to find a way to solidify and recall the 7 weeks of information that was crammed into my head.

Tech ops building

Where they work on airplanes, such an awesome place!

I hate shoes

Today was a bad day.  I spent 10 hours doing trying to find a pair of compliant shoes that fit me. Guess what, I still didn't find any. EVERY store in the mall, plus dsw, tjmaxx, and nordstrom rack. Boo.

Till next time carlos

Just finished customer service week.  We had a guest instructor this week who was not part of our core instructors. He was so much fun!  Made the long days go by a bit faster. I need to get a method for keeping in touch with everyone I meet her and in my father travels!  Yesterday or uniforms came in,  it was an exciting day,  but overwhelming as always.  You will see a picture eventually!  I'm sure I have so many days inbetween when I last updated this. .. I thought for sure I would have a little bit of free time.  So far that hasn't happened.. tomorrow I do not have class but I have to go and find shoes for Monday that are in compliance.  And I have to study and prepare for my customer service flight in Sunday!  I'm sorry for not keeping in touch!  Miss you all!

Ahhhhh

The pictures below had a post to go with them,  guess who deleted it. Oops. Its too late to write again, so... look forward to it for next time

Here's the burger..yummy

Pictures

One from the aquarium with whale sharks and one from an awesome art sculpture at the airport after my exam flight

A picture from ditching day

Today is day 17!!!

Since the last time I wrote a lot has happened. My emergency management instructor was awesome and I am going to miss her. She is stationed in SLC- that is a senior base, if I learn French I could possibly call there home base. On Monday I had my second emergency management test: Turbulence, smoke & fire, decompression. That is a lot of information and drills for one test, but that is over for now. On tuesday we had 'ditching day'. This is the day we are in the pool learning about water evacuations and survival skills. I am not a fan of life vests, BUT it did feel really nice to be in the water-even if there were no goals/balls involved. On wednesday I woke up for a day full of tests. (keep in mind that none of my class days until today and yesterday were less than 11 hours, some 12+). We had a computer test as well as an equipment test, followed by a day full of hands on mockup scenario tests. IT WAS A LONG DAY-but I made it through! It was also a sad day, until that day we were the only class section who had not lost someone.  (if you do not maintain a 90% or pass on the pass/fail exams then you are released from training-sent home). One person from my class was sent home. The past few days have been all about medical. CPR and first aid certifications. Tomorrow-another test.
I am doing well. I am still missing home cooked meals. I am trying to be as healthy as I can with a microwave and snacks. If any of you have any creative meal ideas please share. I have a feeling the tuna and crackers meal may get old soon. I received my first package-THANKS MOM AND DAD! I am hoping that after I study tonight I will have time to color with my crayons and coloring book you sent me!

Ahhhh.

Today was a long and stressful day.  My head is overflowing with information. I just want to scream-No studying door need tonight.  I don't have a test tomorrow so I made the decision to go out with some people. It was nice to get away since I am stuck in a building all day.  I Knew i needed a break Because everyone was getting on my nerves.  I have so many tests next week! Oye, let's just say I hate having to repeat things verbatim.  I never ever thought I would be in a job where I had to hide my tattoo and conform, aka be a robot. But here I am.

one week, check.

I just noticed that it was a week ago this morning that I left!  The part few days have been crazy, busy as always.  I had a test Saturday,  I had one today,  and I have one tomorrow. Also,  today they sprung a shot on us! You know I loooved that. Side note: I should be able to avoid yellow fever for the next 10 years: aftica here I come!!
I haven't even found a time to fit in a plank challenge-hope you polo ladies are keeping up on it!
the new class starts tomorrow,  so that means senority for me! Wooohooo!

Earning my wings

Kind of a silly picture.  "Earning my wings". On Saturdays we don't have to dress up,  but we do have to wear jeans with this shirt tucked in with a belt and tennis shoes. 
Long day again today, but still fun!   Started doing some hands on things like operating doors.

I also had my first test,  one down 24 more to go! 

Quick update

Sorry it took so long to post.  My past few days have been super full.  I'm talking 13hr+ days.  This will be another quick post (from my phone) before I pass out and wake up for my first exam.
So far a lot of into overview information. 

Some tidbits:
*even though the days are crazy long and exhausting they are still fun.
*my roommate and I get along great,  she is from Detroit. I think I will probably meet some life friends here!
*my instructors are awesome ( they are all flight attendants that come back to be a part of this,  it seems like they have fun too)
*my dorm is set up like a hotel room
*one item today was uniform fitting
*today on a tour I was able to go in the control room and it was awesome,  all the people controlling all aspects of the planes/airline everywhere,  and a section of meteorologists too! This tech room was mind blowing,  wish I could take pictures!
*I learned I'm not supposed to post pictures,  sorry.  I think if I take some of just people it's fine,  but that's not very fun. 

I think I'd you have any specific questions post them as a comment,  lots of people all me the same things so this way everyone can see the answers :)

The eve of Departure

My flight leaves tomorrow, early.
Short post because I still have tons to do:
finish online modules
pack (as well as prepare things to pack)
go get my measurements
double check my paperwork
+more
*I am feeling very anxious about this adventure I am about to take.... and the countdown begins...

Birthday BBQ for Vince

This past Saturday was a busy one. It was a nice break from all of the flight attendant training preparations. I woke up, baked a cake and started preparing everything for Vince's BBQ. It was 80 degrees, perfect weather for a BBQ. A huge thank you to everyone who was able to make it. Vince loved seeing all of you! Sorry, I forgot to take pictures. Thanks to Elvia for sending this one my way: (I love how you can see a spark from the sparkler candles)

When I finally got a second to check my emails on Saturday I found that I finally had an email that told me I would be flying to Atlanta on Tuesday and that I will be staying on campus in the dorms. (The other possibility was possibly a hotel/dorm type situation).

Sunday, Vinces actual birthday, I was back at it. I still was in need of khaki pants. Vince went with me to the mall... dun dun dun. It was not a complete failure: I found a pair of ankle boots that cover my tattoo, we shared a cinnabon, found a black suitcase that hopefully lasts me a long time AND ended the adventure with a Yogurtland trip for the birthday boy. Still no pants to be found that would fit me. That night was dinner with his family, then home to bed. It was a long and exhausting day.

Keeping In Touch

Last night was my last 'practice' as the official coach for the workout group. We went out to dinner instead of going to the pool. It seems as if the question of "Swim or Drink?" always leans towards one direction. Swimming in drinks?

I am going to miss going to the pool on T/Th nights. Not because of how cold it is, not because of the armed guards, but because of the women who I would call nothing less than my friends. Each and every one of them has a special place in my heart. I AM GOING TO MISS YOU ALL SOOOO MUCH!

I will definitely be keeping in touch. When I think about keeping in touch (in general, with anyone) one thought comes to mind: keeping in touch is a two way street. Please do not hesitate to shoot me an email/text/im/letter/postcard/video call/phone call. I love to hear what is going on with my friends, so keep me posted as well!!!!

TASK UPDATE: Yesterday I was emailed my log in information for my 5 hours of online flight attendant pre-work! I have already gotten started on the modules. So far they mainly consist of becoming familiar with terms, the interior/exterior of different planes, operating exits, etc.

My Closet is the "Unacceptable Attire" list

Yesterday I received an email that had a 'preparing for takeoff' packet to help me better prepare for training. After looking at it I have decided the packet should be called, "Lets double your to do list 1 week before Training".
Some of the new additions include:
*List of countries visited in the last 10 years including dates: looks like I will be taking a stroll down memory lane- my passport would have been a helpful tool for this list, BUT I had to send it in with my application for a new one. Out of luck there. Good thing digital cameras have a date stamp.
*Professional measurements for uniform fit: I was under the impression we were measured during training, I guess I will have to consult a professional
* I will also have to go shopping. I have decided that whoever put together the "unacceptable attire" list was writing it from inside my closet. Keep in mind this is for training. No jeans or anything denim looking. No cargo anything. No hooded anything. No fleece. No exposed shoulders. No t-shirts. No tightly fitted or stretch fabric. No sandals.  Oh here is a good one: swim suit required for emergency pool procedures but visible tattoos must be covered... hmmm... socks in the pool?
Luggage/lunch bags must be black.. boo. Guess red is not the new black. Purses may be red or black smooth leather.. boo again, I LOVE the fabric purses in fun colors my mom makes!!!

The standards of appearance are not bad, and the rules I need to follow are actually simple, its just that I do not own any of it... so that's a huge task added to my list. If I loved shopping, or was proportional this would be an easier task. I am up for the challenge!!!

Today The Future Seems Real

I am in! I made it to the 1 out of 70,000 in person interviews, and while I was there I was HIRED! March 19th: First day of Flight Attendant Training. Up until today this was one of the only facts I new for sure about the new path I was about to embark on. I opened my email and this was what I read:


Congratulations! You are receiving this email because you have passed all your pre-employment checks and are scheduled to begin Initial Flight Attendant Training on March 12th, 2014!


March 12th, is not the 19th. (hence the crossed out date above). Now you may be thinking, "close enough", BUT when it comes down to it that is less than 2 weeks away. I thought I had almost 3 weeks until my initial day. A week difference is not much for something minor, but I feel as if in less than two weeks my whole life as I know it is going to change: I AM FREAKING OUT.. but just a little bit. My mental checklist is getting longer... I will not bore you with the details of it here.


What is next? I am glad you asked. Next I wait, I wait for the 'further information' I am supposed to get sometime this week to better prepare me for training. While I wait for this information I will be preparing what I can here at home. I asked Vince today if I needed to label everything around the house? His response, "Why, so I know where everything is, OR so I make sure and put things back where they go?" If you know me, you know the answer to this question.