Blurker No More

Blurker No More: Air France A380 + Louvre Paintings at 38,000 feet = WOW

2011-11-25T07:55:00.000-08:00

I was reading my one of my old posts Blurker No More: Air France A380 + Louvre Paintings at 38,000 feet = WOW and my jaw just dropped.

OMG! It feels so strange to actually see how the things you only thought about became a reality! I am truly amazed how powerful our mind is! A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

When I was making my Paris vacation plans, I did not consider taking any AirFrance flights just because I wanted to use my Delta employee passes and be seated in business class. 30hrs in business just outweighed 18 or so hours in coach. So my plans were fixed. I was to take all Delta flights from Manila, then to Narita, then to JFK and then finally to Paris. And then I lost my luggage in JFK (well, Delta just forgot to put them inside the cargo! so it wasn't really lost, it was just sitting at the Tokyo-Narita airport!)! Because of that misfortune, I missed my Delta flight to Paris. I was a such mess that day. But thanks to my airline privileges with other airlines, I was able to take the next flight out via AF. I didn't even realize that I was going to take the A380 until I was at the departure gate. Seeing the A380 made me so happy that day despite the stress of losing a luggage.

A380 at the CDG airport

Stairs at the aft or rear of the A/C

Revive

2011-11-25T07:28:00.000-08:00

I am getting married next month and I stumbled upon a website of friend's friend where she blogged about her wedding plans and how she was able to realize the wedding of her dreams.

I got jealous and got pissed at myself for not doing the same. I would have wanted to read about my journey towards my big day two, five, ten years from now! But more than the feelings of jealousy and irritation, I felt motivated! Motivated to blog again.

Since I still have one more month to go before I walk down the aisle, I still have a fighting chance to revive this old blog of mine. Yeah!?

Revive.

So I am bringing life to this blog (yet again!), which I have neglected for almost 3 years (woaaah has it been that long?). There can never be enough reasons nor enough excuses why I stopped writing here. So please excuse my laziness and lack of motivation.

Although a lot has happened since the last time I blogged, for sure, there will be more exciting things to come, more destinations to go to and more opportunities about life and love to blog about!

Air France A380 + Louvre Paintings at 38,000 feet = WOW

2010-01-27T17:24:00.000-08:00

I was just browsing through our Delta corporate website and stumbled upon a news headline about Air France. Since I am absolutely dead set on going to Paris for my vacation in July, the news about AF appealed to me. And WOAH! It's amazing! I hope Delta would also feature similar arts and culture stuff inside our planes!

AF is putting an arts and culture gallery in their A380 upper deck! Impressive!

"First class and business class customers aboard Air France’s Airbus A380 aircraft can take a virtual tour of select collections in the Louvre and other renowned European museums."

"Every month, joint venture associate Air France is offering a specially designed video exhibition in the “gallery,” a special area dedicated to culture and the arts located on the aircraft’s upper deck."

Click on the Blog Title for more info.

Merry Christmas!!!

2009-12-24T03:14:00.000-08:00

Christmas is a very special time of the year because it's the season of LOVE, yes more than Valentine's day!!! So it is the best time to be with family, friends and loved ones! Since I not with them and I am flying on Christmas day (I'll spending my Noche Buena with a classmate in Saipan and Christmas day with my classmates in Japan), I have to make the best of this situation and try to be happy by counting the blessings I have received this year. All I can say is I am truly blessed!

So to y'all MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Say I love you to the ones you love and count your blessings!

I'm back and I'm excited!

2009-11-23T00:11:00.000-08:00

There are no words to describe how lazy I was the past year. Many things have happened and I wish I've documented all of those moments. So anyway, I'll start from today.

This is the 7th day of my 11 days off. I arrived in Manila the night of the 16th and should only have 5 days off. BUT since I was flying a LOT (meaning, only 1 day off in between flight patterns; already flew 85 hours which is the max = EXHAUSTED), I was able to drop a 2-day Narita- Tokyo for yesterday and today and thus, making my 5 days off to 11 days off! How cool eh!? I was planning a short trip to the Big Apple but then no one wanted to go with me. :( Everyone is busy flying or busy working. So instead of flying to NYC for some chilly visit to the Central Park, I applied for a Canadian Temporary Visa a.k.a a tourist visa for next year's vacation and to watch some Winter Olympic fun.

And today, I got my visa and I am quite excited to go to Vancouver to visit friends in February! So yeah, I'm quite excited.

Being excited is a new feeling for me since I was a bit down these past few days beginning the night of the 18th when our December schedule was published! Since I am so junior (hello, i'm 5th from the bottom among all the Manila based flight attendants), it's not a surprise that I'm going to be flying on Christmas day and New Year's eve. I was kinda...well not kinda, was REALLY hoping to be home for Christmas and New Year's eve. Fat chance eh? I'm still quite thankful though that I won't be alone ( I have a classmate flying with me) somewhere during a layover or up in the sky flying on those days.

Hoax

2009-10-26T21:42:00.001-07:00

Okay, I recently learned that the moolah making opportunity i previously posted is a FAUX! Sorrry about that guys! Luckily I only lasted a day...

Anyway, vacation bidding is coming up and I bid July-August for my vacation because I WANT TO GO TRAVELING around EUROPE during the SUMMER! Yeah baby!!! Considering my seniority (5th from the bottom!), I'm praying really really hard. ;)

Extra income

2009-10-02T11:04:00.001-07:00

A friend referred me to this site and I got interested. Instead of playing Farmville at Facebook, why not earn real moolah!? Right?

On a side note, there are twin storms at the Pacific right now...one right beside the Philippines and another one near Saipan and Guam. Our flights from Tokyo have been already been cancelled to Saipan. I just hope it doesn't get worse anytime soon. I don't want any turbulence but I kinda want a cancellation...I don't want to go to Guam tomorrow. =(

Flood in Manila =(

2009-09-26T02:22:00.000-07:00

Everyone in Manila is affected by the storm Ondoy! I'm quite lucky that I'm not in Manila right now but I am sad that most of the Filipinos are wet, cold, and stuck somewhere right now. To think that I was so disappointed when crew scheduling rescheduled me. I was supposed to go home last night, but they made me fly to Saipan and Tokyo instead...and I am not going home until the 30th!!!

This is it!!!

2009-06-30T03:01:00.000-07:00

Gone are the days that I have so much days off! How I missed those days... Due to special circumstances, I've had so much flights this month, the bulk being flown 14 days in 17 days. Read: only 3 days off!

After going back home in the province (after 10 months!) to celebrate the Independence Day with my family and to witness a special day of my big sister, my schedule has been very dizzying and hectic...

Day 1: MNL-NRT
Day 2: NRT-GUM-KIX
Day 3: KIX-GUM
Day 4: GUM-KIX (Had a layover in KOBE! Such a nice city!)
Day 5: KIX-GUM-NGO
Day 6: NGO-NRT
Day 7: NRT-MNL
1 day off: Slept the whole day
Day 1: MNL-NRT
Day 2: NRT-SPN
Day 3: SPN-NGO-NRT
Day 4: NRT-MNL
1 day off: Watched Transformers (I'm so amazed how they made Megan's lip gloss so impermeable)
Day 1: MNL-NRT-KIX
Day 2: KIX-GUM-NGO
Day 3: NGO-MNL
2 days off
...

I'm just glad that I was able to go home because the next few months are going to be so busy! I'm going to Atlanta, Minneapolis and then Salt Lake! I should be careful of what I wish for..this is it! I shouldn't be complaining...

14 days.

2009-05-04T04:45:00.000-07:00

14 days that i haven't been flying. it is both a blessing and a curse. a lot of people would like to have no work but actually being paid. not me. it's not that i'm such a workaholic that i don't like days off. i like days off too...during my 14 days without work, i've eaten at more than 7 resturants, watched 17 again and wolverine, drank few bottles of beer and glasses of margaritas, watched a professional basketball game, bonded with my dad before he went to india, made a money-making "plan" with my sister, annoyed my boyfriend to death (hehe) , and caught a flu, not swine, just the common flu. but i miss flying. it seems like i've missed out a lot...like new stories with batchmates, new discoveries, new food trip, new duty free stuff to buy and most of all, per diem!!! haha

Catching a flu sucks...

2009-04-28T05:57:00.000-07:00

Catching a flu sucks...especially now that everyone is scared of the swine flu sprea around the globe. Summer is here but the rain drops are falling. Global warming in action...the normally rain-free summer of Manila is now wet, warm and humid making lots of people sick. :( Me included. Well not really, but almost.

Nobody likes to wait...but waiting is what I did for the past 8 days. Being on Reserved sucks. 8 days and counting, and not a single flight assignment from crew sched! I could have done a lot in 8 days...I could have gone to the province and visit my family...I could have gone out of town and enjoy the summer sun in Boracay...I could have applied for a Canadian visa (I'm planning to visit Vancouver soon)...lots of could haves...But being on reserved means being on call 24 hours. Boo. I miss flying. I miss going to a new place and exploring great simple things. I hate waiting...Boohoo.

Turbulence

2009-02-21T19:31:00.000-08:00

4 of my batchmates were on the NW2 flight that experienced severe turbulence in Japan. They're all okay now but their stories scared the hell out of me. One of them hit the ceiling twice! This happened 25-30 minutes before landing. I can imagine what they were all doing during this time. As this was unexpected, they were just about to start going out in the aisles to collect service items and prepare the cabin for landing. Naturally, they were all standing and not yet in their jumpseats.

I'm just really thankful that they're all okay now, despite the bruises and scratches. And I'm also thankful that I wasn't on that flight as I arrived from Japan the night before.

Hiatus

2009-01-31T08:35:00.001-08:00

I haven't been blogging since I get the most tiring flights! But I will be back soon! Just organizing some pictures and stories....

Be right back.

5 Day Trip

2009-01-03T19:38:00.000-08:00

Manila-Nagoya-Saipan-Osaka-Guam-Nagoya-Manila
Dec. 28, 2008 - Jan. 1/2, 2008

My first 5 day pattern after doing a few 2 day trips just in and out of Japan. So glad that I flew with Reigh, my batchmate, for most of my flights! He just had to leave me in Nagoya to continue on to his 6 day pattern. I was scared that I'd get lost in one of the airports!

Dec 28 MNL-NGO :Flew with Edward, Reigh and Ms Tessa going to Nagoya. Saw JR, Andrea, and Mikko. Too bad they had to go home that night. Saw Mikah and Les the next day. Had fun during YM conference among the gang!

Dec 29 NGO-SPN :Left Nagoya at 10, arrived in Saipan at around 2 in the morning Saipan time. Flew with Mau and Mikki.

Cheap food, nice weather, wonderful sun and cool sea breeze made my day.

Dec 30 SPN- KIX : Flew with Tomoko and Keiko. Saw Abby at the airport. . :(( I miss you Abby!

What can I say about Osaka? Hmmm nothing?! Only stayed there for 12 hours at the airport hotel. Didn't go downtown because it was an hour drive away from the airport. Next time...

Dec 31 KIX-GUM-NGO : Waaaah my first turnaround!!! So tiring! But it was good since i flew with very nice crew from HNL, Kevin and Hae; and from KIX, Saki.

Saw Alain in Guam. Miss you Alain!
Spent New Year with Reigh. We ate at an Italian Restuarant to celebrate the New Year. I was too tired and fell asleep by 11:30 :( Wasn't able to jump! Boohoo!.

Jan 1 NGO-MNL : I was so excited to go home! I prepared early and even left the hotel and hour early only to find out that the rest of the crew were already there! Good thing I left early!

Saw ALAIN in Guam

Beautiful beach in Saipan!

Uber cute hangers in a cute Japanese shop!

Yummy beef noodles in Nagoya.

Northwest Pacific Division 02-08

2008-12-15T17:43:00.000-08:00

Since Northwest will soon become Delta Airlines, NWA Pacific Division 02-08 is the last batch to graduate under the Northwest Airlines name.

Class Video :)

Finally...

2008-11-27T09:28:00.000-08:00

After 5 long grueling weeks of the US based training, I am finally home! But training is not over yet...I still have my training flights to Nagoya and then back here...then a Tokyo based training and then graduation on the 12th...eeggcited!:D

Memories during the US training "graduation":

Goodbye NWA

2008-11-03T18:16:00.000-08:00

the sun will never set on northwest airlines...

blah blah

2008-11-03T17:44:00.000-08:00

3rd week of training and counting... I have never had so much information bombarded in front of me. While in class today, it seemed that my head was going to burst...talk about information overload. I hate you Boeing 757!!! I hate you! 4 757 configurations in 2 days!!! Waaaaaahhuhuhu! Help me!

Anyway, i need happy thoughts!!! Any ideas?

Good thing my batchmates are super cool and easy to get along with! Below are some of the gazillions of photos!

i like dresses dresses dresses!

2008-10-09T15:03:00.001-07:00

My NWA Story

2008-10-08T14:40:00.000-07:00

In about 10 days, I will have a major career shift from an HR professional to a flight attendant. On October 19, my batchmates and I are going to Minneapolis for a 5-week FAA Cabin Crew Qualification Training. Although it has been my dream to become a flight attendant for as long as I can remember, I can't help but feel overwhelmed by the fact that it's soon going to be a reality. (WoooT woot!) I am scared. (Booo.) I understand that aside from all the "glamour" and the perks that the job will bring, it will be very challenging. I am a bit unsure now if I can handle having to work with different people all the time - something that is very different from my current job where I have constant team mates/ good friends. Working in a dynamic environment would really be something out of my comfort zone. It is really weird because while I was applying to different airlines for around 2 years now, I was truly convinced that I wouldn't have to face these issues...

Anyway...for those who want to know my NWA story...here goes:

Lets go back to the first week of August when learned that Northwest Airlines had an opening. I was blurking around, as usual, when I saw the ad. I was at PEX or pinoyexchange, actually, reading my daily dose of chismis from all the FA wannabees like me. The opening was for a Inflight Service Representatives or IFSR. I didn't have the slightest idea what IFSR means. I assumed it just another term for a flight attendant. I was really not interested at all because my heart and mind was still with Emirates. I didn't have the enthusiasm nor the slightest interest to apply especially when I saw the list of requirements that we needed to submit and it that it included a copy of a barangay clearance, a police clearance, a PNP clearance and an NBI clearance. What the hell!?! I didn't even know where the barangay hall in our barangay is!And why do they need all those clearances anyway!?

I work at night. And sleep is very important to me. After work at 6am, I go to the gym for at least an hour. Attend body combat class, go home and then sleep all day until 8pm. That's how my week usually goes. I don't like missing sleep. I don't want to get stressed. I'm lazy, I know.

Just a week before the 20th, which was the last day of submitting the requirements to TRI or the agency handling the recruitment, I decided I might as well try and apply. After all, I won't lose anything except sleep, diba? So I moved my butt and gathered all the requirements. Thankfully, I finished everything by the 14th as I had already booked a ticket home on the 15th to celebrate my youngest sister's birthday (and my birthday too!). It was quite a stress knowing how government offices here in the country go.

August 19 - my 23rd birthday. Wearing my cream colored suit or my "FA costume" as my boyfriend calls it, I went to TRI somewhere along Roxas Blvd. to submit all my requirements. When I went there, I met a lot of handsome boys and pretty girls wearing their best suits. They were all there to submit their application too. I got there at 9 am. They had us fill out the NWA application form where we had to answer an essay that goes something like this: "Why would NWA consider hiring you as cabin crew?" I panicked. I didn't know a thing about Northwest! haha Remembering it now, I can't even remember what I wrote.

2 hours later, I was still waiting for my turn to submit the requirements. Apparently, a lot of applicants arrived before me. While I was waiting, I prayed and asked God to give me the opportunity to go to the next stage, which I had no idea what.

A guy working as an intern called me. It was my turn. Finally! He led me to a girl, Ms Joyce, who pre-screens applicants. I greeted her a good day! She said hello. I then gave her all the requirements. She scanned through it and checked if everything's complete. She then asked me if I have applied to an FA position before. I simply said "Yes, with Emirates". She then told me to go back on August 21st for the first screening with the Northwest people and emphasized to be there by 8am. I concluded that she was nice and the whole experience was not at all intimidating.

August 21 - First screening

I woke up at 4 am feeling that something wonderful is going to happen. I just had a big feeling that I will do well.

It took me 2 hours to fix my hair and my make-up. Of course, sariling kayod talaga. I had to fix my hair in a bun and put on nice make up. It was such a struggle to fix my hair! Best effort to make it look sleek and clean!

Anyway, I arrived at the venue super early! I think it was around 6:45 am! hahaha Excited ba? I was the fourth person to arrive!!!

8 am came and around a hundred handsome and beautiful applicants were already there. We were told to fix ourselves by 5's by order of who arrived first...simply first come first serve.

A few minutes later, Ms Joyce announced that the initial screening process was going to start - starting with our group - the first 5 people to arrive! We went inside a room, followed the arrows that will guide us where to walk and stop and stand and face the panel of 2 interviewers (can you call it a panel if they were only 2?). It felt like we were in a firing squad. They asked a series of questions that you had to answer quickly. It was as if we were going to be booted out if we didn't answer the questions fast enough! hahaha Well, at least that's what I felt.

Questions asked that I can recall:

Introduce yourself

Why do you want to be a flight attendant?

Define discipline.

What do you know about Northwest?

After the panel interview, we were asked to wait for a communication by Monday, August 25, if we did well or not.

Highlight of that day:

I made new friends!!!! yay!!! Hello to Jaja, Bennett, and Irene!

I saw a friend I met online, Trissia.

August 25 - Monday

I was so restless.

I was afraid that they wouldn't call.

They didn't call!

It was a holiday after all! BOOO!

August 26 - Tuesday

The feeling of Monday came all over.

I was anxious.

I was waiting for a call or a text, whatever.

As expected, I couldn't sleep.

2:21 pm

An unknown number texed: "Congratulations! You will be part of the the final screening for NWA. Please come on Thursday August 28. 1st come 1st serve. Thanks! " Hurraaah!

Highlights:

I heard, out of 800+ who applied, only about 250 were invited for the final screening. Still had no IDEA about the job.

August 28 - Final Screening

I went there around lunch time since I received a text the day before that I should go there by 1. Like in all applications, it entails waiting. I got my turn around 2:15 already. This time, it was not by 5's but by 3's. I was with Abbie from PAL and Teresa from Sales.

The panel was composed of ladies from Northwest. I didn't catch their names even if I tried so hard to remember them. I was so nervous! They looked intimidating! yikes!

Questions they asked me:

Introduce yourself

Why do I want to be a flight attendant knowing that I will be having a major career shift?

Did I file for a leave just to attend this screening?

After the interview, we were told to wait again for Monday for any communicaton if we passed this stage.

Highlights:

The panel were nice after all.

Abbie became my batchmate.

I also met 2 applicants, Karyna and Alain, who also became my batchmates.

August 29, Friday

I woke up 8 pm. I got my phone and saw that a lot of text messages and one of them was from my friend Louie. He had his final screening that day. His message came in around 6:30 pm. He was asking me if TRI had called me because he already got a call. And that he was to go to a testing center in Intramuros to take the Pyschometric and IQ exam on Saturday. Boo. I didn't get a call, yet!

I was devastated!!! It was already 8pm. I assumed that I didn't pass and that no one would call me anymore. After all it was already 8pm!

I was nearly breaking down at the office. I could barely eat my breakfast of dinuguan and puto (my fave!) at the office.

9:18 pm TRI called!

I was sooooo relieved!

I was sooooo thankful!

Finally, a call!

August 30 - EXAM day!!!

Coming out from a stressful day (night?) at work, and having had no sleep, I was not in a good shape to take any exam! But I had no choice. So off I went to Intramuros, which by the way is so far from my office at Eastwood.

The exam started around 9 am with a NWA IQ exam composed of 50 (or was it 60) questions that we had to finish in 12 minutes. Can you imagine!? The questions were not hard. But with the pressure of finishing it in 12 minutes and with my slow functioning brain due to lack of sleep, I was only able to finish half of it. BOOO!

The pyschometric exam was not hard at all. In fact, it was hilarious! It was composed of three parts. There was an essay, abstract reasoning and an exam that asked us to rate ourselves in relation to some weird questions/situation. Some questions went like these:

Do you throw plates when you are angry?

Do you have a tendency of wanting death when you have a problem?

HAHA

Of course, with this type of job, who would want a Flight attendant who is suicidal and a war freak, right?

We were told that TRI would post at their website by Tuesday the list of successful applicants who can go on to the Final Interview.

Highlight:

I did not expect anything anymore.

I have already accepted the fact that I was not able to finish the IQ exam. BOOHOO! Such a shame!

Surprise surprise when I saw my name on the list! I was scheduled for final interview on September 4, Thursday.

September 4 - Final Interview, Manila Peninsula

My interview was at 3, but I started my grooming preparations at noon and was at the venue by 2. I wanted to be there early so I can familiarize myself and not be nervous. I was a nervous wreck! I wanted to faint. I realized how stiff the competition were when I met applicants who had flying experiences already. Some were from Gulf Air, Etihad, Viva Macau, and Cebu Pacific. While I was seated outside, I overheard some applicants who were already finished with the interview discussing about how one interviewer asked them about certain situational questions. In short, I didn't have any clue on how to go about it since I didn't have any flying experience.

While waiting, I met Jay, another applicant. He was very helpful and reassuring that I can do it and that I will pass.

It was then my turn. My name was called to enter the room. With a nervous smile, I went inside and greeted the panel - all six of them (2 Japanese, 1 American and 2 Filipinos!).

Questions asked were:

Introduce yourself

What would be your biggest challenge when you become an FA?

What are your strengths that would make you a good FA?

Why would we hire you?

If you were to rank these: (and why?)

- Teamwork

- Customer Service

- Safety

Did you file for a leave just to come here?

Have you ever encountered a serious customer service challenge in your current job?

Everything happened so fast. I was trembling after the interview. I couldn't even open the door of the hall after! haha I've never had such a difficult interview ever. Though their questions were nothing out of the ordinary, I found it difficult because I had to convince the panel that I am what they are looking for. I had to admit that I didn't have any useful flying experience that they might be looking for so I just used my customer service experience in my current and previous job. I also answered all their questions with all honesty and highlighted all the strengths that I have that I thought are qualities of a good flight attendant. I had to sell myself.

Highlights:

Jay became my bactchmate! None of the previous FA's that I met that day (except Jay) were hired. So having a previous flying experience is not always an advantage. I also met Miko, who also became my batchmate. He was also as nervous I was. LOL

September 8, Monday

I was cleaning my room when I heard my phone ring. I thought it was from Dad or Mom as I wasn't expecting any call from Ms Joyce that day. I assumed that they would call on Tuesday as advised. Ms Joyce informed me that I passed and was invited for a briefing with NWA on the 10th. Hurraaay! I was so happy! It was Mama Mary's birthday but I was the one who received a gift from Her.

A lot of things happened after that call. I went to a couple of briefings, hurrying to provide all the additional requirements that they required, had a scare when I was getting my medicals (okay I only have a minor scoliosis), and had a tiring experience while having my US Business and Crew visas approved (the consul was nice by the way! he didn't ask to many questions). But everything happened for a reason and all's well now. All I have to do now is to prepare myself with the upcoming training in the cold weather of Minneapolis. I heard it's going to be tough, but with my crazy-fun batchmates, I think I'm going to have a blast! Wish me LUCK!

Coming up...

2008-10-01T11:58:00.000-07:00

Traveling in STYLE

2008-09-05T11:52:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had difficulty locating your luggage in a sea of black/navy blue/ red trolley bags? And your only remedy is to put colorful ribbons to make it stand out?

For someone who travels a lot or someone who will soon travel a lot, something unique, fun and stylishly chic is needed to spruce up a boring luggage! I found these at: Travelchic and Travelingchic! I so want to own some of these! Check out these fancy makeup bags, luggage tags, sleeping masks, tassels and chains and even umbrellas!

(photos from Travelchic.com and travelingchic.com)

My fave travel quotes

2008-09-02T14:25:00.000-07:00

Belle Curves

2008-08-27T12:39:00.000-07:00

by Balenciaga

by CK
by Proenze Schoeler
by Diane von Furstenberg
by Prada

Some photos of HOME

2008-08-22T13:24:00.001-07:00

My 3 day trip to Bukidnon was a blast! Too bad it was such a short trip. Nevertheless, I super enjoyed the food, and of course, the company of my parents and sisters. I had a fabulous time!

Highlights:

homemade pizzzzza

homey
basil from the backyard
LECHON!!!!!!
my fave ube and choco-caramel cake

purple flower from the garden
my fave beef stew
fresh shrimps from sarangani
birds of paradise
pink bells