Thursday Rants

Gracey — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 03:27:18 +0000

I haven’t posted an entry for the longest time. Anyway, what’s keeping me busy these days is that I have a new dog! Her name is Alex and she’s a three month golden retriever. Very active, which is kind of good, so I can also run after her for some exercise. I was told to look after what she eats or else she will be overweight for her age. I honestly forgot how to take care of a dog. The last time I had mine was when back when I was 11. And mind the expenses too. Shots, grooming, vitamins, and of course food. Now I’m in the process of training her of where she should do her business and what not. She’s still learning of retrieving things, and keeps on chewing her toys. Alex keeps me relaxed whenever I come home. We don’t put her in a cage yet, not until she’s fully grown. She wanders around the house and the people her helps me train her as well. She sleeps on a doggie bed that my mom gave me inside my room. And what’s sweet is that she wakes me up as if she’s trying to shake my arm. But that’s not good if I came from a long haul. Other than that it’s great to have a dog again running around at home.

Inspite of all the drama and you see on the news for the past few weeks, I hope that everything will be okay. As being a part of the aviation industry, it’s not easy to wake up in the morning, greet passengers as if you had a nice sleep, stay and try to keep awake, keep the passengers safe, comfortable and relaxed, and come back to your domicile. It’s not easy to risk your body on the hazards of flying. It’s not easy to train for two months and memorize the manuals that you should know by heart and soul. And it’s not easy to let your loved ones make them think that it is safer to fly. Other than that, we need to be heard. We need the people let us know that we are also human. It’s not about the money, the per diems, the glamour and all. For me it’s about understanding, compassion and consideration as well.

I’m A Gleek!

Gracey — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 12:05:47 +0000

When Glee started on it’s first few episodes, I thought that it was just the usual high school series where jocks and cheerleaders would appear. My boyfriend told me that it was quite good not until I saw a clip of their rendition of “Don’t Stop Believing” – now I’m hooked! I even have it on my alarm every Wednesdays at 4:00 PM and 10:00 PM. Also fastpasstv.com has the new season so I cannot be left behind.

On the other hand, I called in sick this morning. I have this flu again, which I remember, I should have got the flu vaccine months ago. But nonetheless, with the crazy weather that we’re having right now, anybody could catch it. My head feels so light and nose is so red. To top it all off, I cannot taste anything, and almost finished three large boxes of Kleenex since last night. Now all I need is my bed, a steaming bowl of chicken soup, some siomai, and my laptop to keep me sane.

Here’s the lastest on Glee.

http://www.divxden.com/rhr6glslpbhd/Glee.S01E21.HDTV.XviD-LOL.flv.html

Friday 5 for May 28: Oops

Gracey — Sat, 29 May 2010 02:16:19 +0000

1. In the past month, what was your biggest OOPS? - I was on this walkalator with the rest of the crew. Chatting with one of the crew, I didn’t noticed that we almost reached the end. So I missed a step and almost fell down. Thank God there were helping hands around me. lol.
2. In the past month, what inspired you to let out your most heartfelt WHEW? - When I thought that I almost lost my phone again in an airport.
3. In the past month, what caused you to say, “HUH?” - One passenger asked me if I have extra underwear.
4. In the past month, what influenced the most ZZZZZZZZs? - My crazy May roster.
5. In the past month, what was most GRRRRRRRRR-worthy? - Nothing much. May was quite smooth, minus the crazy sched.

Friday5.org

One Passenger I’ll Never Forget

Gracey — Sun, 23 May 2010 06:40:23 +0000

One thing I also love about flying is that you can get as intimate as you can with a total stranger. For an hour you will know his or her life story, what does he or she do, and the list goes on. I always feel good if a guest from a flight would remember me. I’ve heard a lot like “You were in our flight last blah blah – I remember you!” After that flight, you will totally forget about everything not unless there’s a particular incident with a passenger. On this flight to SFO, one passenger caught my attention. She was alone. Seated at the bulkhead area, aisle seat. Carrying a coat, her own blanket and eye mask, some magazines and an iPod. I greeted her and she greeted me back with a warm smile. After take off I gave her, her meal and some juice. I took her tray as she opened the reading light and pulled out a magazine. A few minutes later I checked the cabin and saw her sleeping, then I turned her reading light off. Before preparing for my crew rest, I talked to my fellow cabin crew and I saw her coming towards me. My colleague left me and I started talking to her. She said she wants some water. I told her I will bring it to her seat instead. Brought her water and she thanked me. Quickly she asked me if I can sit beside her because she needs to talk to someone because she’s getting bored. The seat right next to her was empty so I sat down. I thought that it would be a quick chat, but I know she will talk about her life, like any passenger would.

She first asked me when did I start to fly. I told her my story of quitting QR too because my mother wants me home. She said how brave I was being in a Middle Eastern country away from my family. That was back then, when airlines were not yet mass hiring Pinays here. She also said how brave I was on quitting QR – on giving up a dream just to stay at home for my family. You see I’m an only girl and the youngest. At first my parents are skeptical at me on sending me away to Doha after graduation. And then on being proud that I’m already flying – they asked me to come home and fly with the flag carrier instead. It was not easy. I gave myself two months thinking about it. Then I said yes. I’ll come home. A few weeks after, I started to train for PAL.

After telling my story, she told me hers. She said that she has three kids. The oldest as my age, middle one is 19, the youngest is 15, and the only girl. Her husband moved to San Francisco almost five years ago for an IT job. That’s why her family is traveling back and forth. On this flight she was alone. Her kids are at school and work. She told me that she loves to cook and bake. She also loves the band U2. How rare to meet someone at her age loving U2. At least we have something in common. For minutes she keeps on talking about her kids and her interests as I listen. Just like to any passenger. It’s interesting to listen to their stories. If only I can write down all of their wonderful stories about life, I could have made a book. I was glancing onto my watch, worrying about my turn for crew when suddenly she told me her real purpose of going to SFO. She told me she has cancer. Surviving cancer almost three years ago, then the cells came back last year. It’s the time again for chemotherapy and the likes in the US. She chose to be there since her husband cannot come home. It’s an expensive one, but it would be better. Honestly I wasn’t that surprised when she told me she has cancer. Because I know that she will be okay. A few minutes my colleague finally called me. She thought I was again in a trap. I excused myself and I said I’ll be back. She smiled and thanked me.

After my crew rest I went back to check her and she was sleeping. Before final descent she again talked to me, thanked me on listening to her and wishes that I will be on the flight again on her way home. We exchanged emails. She wished me good luck and she told me that she’ll pray for me for my safe travels. I think I should be the one who should pray for her. So she can get a lot better. How nice of her. Anyway on deplaning we bid goodbyes and waved her hand and gave me that warm smile.

A bit long post huh?

Since then we started to send emails to each other. But because of my schedule I couldn’t answer back right away. She told me that her chemo is doing good and her kids will visit her soon after school in SFO. I even asked her to tell me the flight number of her kids so I can be in charge for them. Or request that flight for that matter. So April came and her kids were my passenger on that SFO flight. They were really nice like their mother. I can say she and her husband raised them well. Well behaved and mannered. They showed me pictures too of their family last Christmas. They said they will bring those to their mom. Days after the flight I opened my email and read this message from her, thanking me of taking care of her children. She told me they will have their vacation until May before school starts. After a few weeks, I never heard anything from her again.

Yesterday after my long haul flight, I went to the mailboxes to check some mails. I always go there before coming home. Bills and some more bills were in there. Then I noticed this letter sealed in a cream envelope. Written with my name. No name or address where it came. I shoved my mails in my bag and headed home. As soon as I entered my room, I dropped my bag onto my bed and I saw those mails. Telling myself to read it later after waking up. Mid afternoon I woke up and I was still looking at my bag. I was thinking of opening the mysterious letter but something a the back of my mind keeps on saying “later”. After my merienda, I then decided to open it.

Most shocking, it was from her. The lady on my flight. She told me she cannot stand up and open her email because she was getting weak. Instead she wrote a traditional letter. She wrote that she was at her happiest times with her family in the US, with her kids and husband around her. She thanked me, and thanked God that we met. Also telling me that it might be her last letter, so she was saying goodbye. Inside the envelope was this small angel lapel pin. Stuck in a small card written, “I know you already have angels on the wings on your plane. Let me be with them so I can watch over you.” I cried. My mom hugged me. She knows the story.

Late last night, I was on Facebook. A mysterious guy tried to add me up. I didn’t recognized him at first. Surprisingly it was his son. I added him and we chatted. Absolutely no idea how he found me on Facebook. He’s still in the US with his siblings. He told me that her mother died last Thursday. Also her mom asked her nephew who’s living here in Manila to drop the letter in the office. Again I cried. I know she’s in a happy place right now, minus the pain and the agony from chemo, and seeing her family sad around her. Her body was cremated and will be brought back here. They will all come back before school starts.

I will never forget the first and the last time we talked. The first time she smiled at me, and waved goodbye at me. She’s a strong woman. I saw it in her eyes. My prayers are with her and her family.

In our flights, God sends angels. You just have to take time, look around, and discover them yourself. I will wear that angel pin as long as I fly, as long as I live.

From gettyimages.com

Formspring anyone?

Gracey — Tue, 18 May 2010 14:02:10 +0000

I’ve missed a couple of emails regarding questions about my job. So I decided to make a Formspring too so I can reply instantly. Sometimes I do not have the time to open emails. I have different emails so I can’t barely to open all of it. Add me if you have Formpsring too.

http://www.formspring.me/trolleydolly

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

Gracey — Sun, 09 May 2010 06:46:53 +0000

One clip from an episode from Family Guy would be perfect. I really enjoy watching this one.

Again, Happy Mother’s Day!

On Call/Reserve

Gracey — Thu, 06 May 2010 22:11:10 +0000

So I am here at the terminal being on duty for reserve. Honestly I do not like being a reserve since I have to wait for someone who will call in sick, or be a no show. Waiting for some morning flights though. But really. I’d rather fly than be stuck here doing nothing. I forgot my laptop, and maybe a dvd player. I don’t feel like reading my book. Already ate breakfast by myself. Saw a couple of set of crew passed by. And yeah I am typing from an iTouch. Thank God for technology. Ok so enough about me ranting again. I think I’ll just watch people pass by, or spot for a celebrity. Happy Friday!

Friday 5 for April 9

Gracey — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 10:27:13 +0000

What Rolling Stones song best summarizes the week you just had? – I”m Alright
What movie reminds you most of your childhood? – Home Alone
What part of the newspaper do you never (or almost never) read? – None. I usually read the paper from cover to cover.
What television show is a lot better than you thought it would be? – Glee! I thought it was boring at first, like your typical high school setting type of show. But now I’m hooked!
What station is the radio nearest you set on at this moment? - It’s off at this very moment.

I’m Back!

Gracey — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 11:20:20 +0000

Finally recurrent training is over. Flight attendants are required to attend their recurrent training annually. It’s like you are renewing your driver’s license every year minus the fire fighting drill. Hehe. We have to do all of those things again that we did when we had initial training. Aircraft familiarization, it depends on which type of aircraft that we’re qualified for. First aid, fire drills, ditching, emergency procedures, etc. We have to take those long tests again too. This is required to all as per FAA and ATO requirements.

After the RT as what we call, we are also required to have check rides. Wherein a supervisor would board a flight with us, non-operational, and therefore conduct the check ride on which leg that he is assigned too. It begins with the briefing, the preparation of the aircraft, boarding, compliance, service, and everything else that needs to be checked. We are also asked a few questions regarding all of the things that we took up from the previous RT days. It might be stressful for the first timers because they have no idea on what will happen in the next few days. But if it is your second of third, it will just be a breeze.

After the busy week, we headed south to Laiya and took a break. Now I’m all tanned, hyped up, and ready to fly again.

Will Be Back Soon :)

Gracey — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 11:40:05 +0000