Direction.

Direction.  

In my job, direction is something I am always thinking about....but in the same way, it's something I don't think about at all.  The direction I'm going in doesn't matter, because gate H1A in Chicago looks the same as K10 in Atlanta.  Airports are airports are airports.  The direction of the plane is guided by someone else, and I am just along for the ride.  My life goes in 40 different directions at any given time, and I have learned very avidly to roll with the punches.  

But in my life, I would like to think that the direction I'm going is decided by me.  Sure, it has had its bumps and bruises along the way..but we are only human, right?  I've been thinking a lot recently about where my life is headed.  5 years? 10 years? 20 years from now?  I like to think that I "know" what my life will look like by that time, but the truth is...no one knows.  Well, besides the big man upstairs.  I read a post today about twentysomethings and how our lives are "suppose" to look by the time we're 25.  Married, baby on the way, 2 bedroom house with a picket fence.  But is there really a "standard" on how or what or where we should live our lives?  According to society, there is.  When did we forget about our own goals and desires and start thinking about what society thinks our goals should be?  

People ask me all the time if I regret moving to Paris, or if I regret becoming a flight attendant.  I am certain the look on my face when asked is somewhat grotesque...because I cannot imagine what my life would look like today if I had not done those things.  What direction did that decision have in my life?  Goodness....I can't imagine my life without going there.  Think of all the wonderful friendships and experiences I would have missed out on.  Think of how much "growing up" I did in Paris.  And how it molded me into the person I am today.  He has and (I fully believe) will continue to put the people in my life that need to be there.  

If there's anything I've learned...it's that life will fall into place, exactly how God intended.  We can ask Him through prayer for understanding, and grace, and compassion to help us grasp what he is doing with our lives...but he is truly the only one who knows the direction we are headed.  

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

SkyRest

Just in case you weren't weighed down with a million carry-on items....you could always bring this along...ya know, just in case you wanted to annoy the person next to you.  

Not to mention that it has to be stowed in an overhead compartment for taxi, take-off and landing.  

Silly Skymall.  

Way Overdue

I just realized that I never posted about my lovely visit to Sacramento this summer!!! Ah!  I have been missing Ashleigh something terrible lately...and my crazy schedule is awful for planning Skype dates.  She was in the States this summer for about a month, and was spending a few days with her family in Sacramento, then heading up north for the rest of her time to the summer camp she loves and adores and to see her friends there.  Since it was easier for me to visit her in Sacramento at her grandmother's house..I planned to pop over to California after Holly's wedding the middle of July.  

Holly's wedding was a success.  Held in a beautiful Episcopal church in Fort Worth, TX, her ceremony was short and sweet and everything you would want in a wedding ceremony.  Her flowers were gorgeous, the food delicious and the band played some classic hits.  (minus Love Shack but we won't go there...)

Her cake. It was almond and strawberry!

The girls. 

Then, I jumpseated to Sacramento because all of the flights were full...(4 hours in a jumpseat = not so comfortable.  free ride = one happy camper) 

Flew right over Lake Tahoe. So beautiful!

I arrived into Sacramento and her uncle was kind enough to come pick me up from the airport along with Ashleigh and her cousin Carla.  I met Carla in Paris for a brief couple of days during her visit, so it was funny we were seeing each other again!  We drove around a quick tour of downtown Sacramento, showing me all the highlights before we pulled up to a precious house a couple of streets over from where Reagan lived during his term as governor.  A neighborhood which her aunt will then explain to me as the "fab forties." 

It was, as always, so good to see Ashleigh.  I kept looking around and pinching myself wondering if I was really here.  If we were really sitting together...having conversations...enjoying each others company again.  It was mind blowing.  I only had 36 hours so we had to make the best of it!  The weather in Sacramento was amazing.  It was the middle of July and we were able to swim in the warm sun during the day, but cool enough to where we needed a light sweater at night.   The breeze blew through the orange trees and the sky was bright blue with not a cloud in sight.   

Her grandmother's pool is where we spent most of our time.  Catching up on almost two years of missed time.  We've had several skype dates but its nothing like the real thing.  It was just fabulous.  

Typical. 

We had dinner with her family one night, and her uncle cooked pizza with a gluten-free cauliflower crust (that healthy California livin') the next.  Her aunt took us shopping so Ashleigh could get her usual American goodies then it was back to the pool for some qt in the warm Cali sunshine.  

Our visit was too short (as I'm sure all future visits will feel), but my days off always end with a vengeance, and so I took the 11 pm Jetblue red-eye back to New York's JFK airport.  The gate agent kindly asked if I wanted an exit seat...so I took it.  Then I get on the plane and realize it's the exit seat that doesn't recline :\ and I am instantly pissed off.  But, it is a free ride all the way across the country so I bit my tongue, changed the channel on my screen to food network, and tried to get some shut eye.  

Serendipity and Sephora

I have beginning to enjoy New York more, now that it isn't 95 degrees and the middle of summer.  I'm beginning to feel my way around the city...slowly but surely, and as I get to know it, I am more inclined to venture out of the fine borough of Queens on my days off.  Paige and I have had the same days off lately, which makes it more fun to wander around and have someone to lunch with.  

Saturday was one of those days.  My friend Olga (from North Carolina) was coming into town, with her mother (who was visiting from the Ukraine), but we weren't meeting up until 5:30.  So after I got back from Toronto at 9am (on my day off...that's another story in itself), Paige and I ventured into the city for a little Serendipity and Sephora.  Tenee and I have been telling Paige about Serendipity for awhile now, and how quintessential it is....not to mention forcing her to watch the movie to make that "connection."  Mom and I went to Serendipity on our visit to New York City in 2008, and it was such a special treat! Just across the street from Bloomingdale's, you can't miss the ever-growing line out of the door!  

And I've looked at the new Marc Jacobs eyeshadow palette now 3 times trying to justify spending $60 on 6 eyeshadow colors.  I figured if I had looked at it 3 times, pulled it out of a magazine to remind myself, and tried it on every time I passed a Sephora....maybe I should probably just buy it.  So-that's just what I did.  And I LOVE it.  

Tiffany lamps inside Serendipity.

The MORE than giant menu.

Chocolate Blackout Cake-we split it and we still couldn't finish it. 

The "young" chicken sandwich. Roasted chicken sautéed with almonds and butter on a raisin bread served with house made russian dressing?  Why, hello delicious.  

I left Paige at the Sephora counter while she was getting her skin "matched" for some new foundation.  It was already 4:45 and I was meeting Olga and her mother near the entrance to the 9/11 memorial site at 5:30.  Thinking it would be a quick ride down, I hopped down into the metro at Lexington and 53rd planning to take the E train straight to the World Trade Center.  Well, it had other plans for me as the E was down for the weekend (per usual) so I had to take the 6 train to Canal, then switch to the R train to Cortlandt Street.  Turns out, for the rest of the year, the R isn't stopping between Canal and Court Street.  Well ......*choice words*......perfect. Already 5:25 I hop out of the metro onto Canal Street -HUGE mistake on a Saturday and am immediately bombarded with asians wanting me to buy Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Coach bags...ahhhhhh I hate that street on ANY other day, much less a Saturday!!! If you can't afford to have the real thing-don't buy it!  You are not fooling anyone.  I had no choice but to take a cab if I wanted to make it on time.  I had until 5:50 to get there, so I spent 10 minutes trying to get an empty cab on crazy Canal Street, saw some people getting out of one...ran over and told the guy to step on it.  10 minutes and $10 later....I made it just in time.  I was what New Yorkers called:  fashionably late.  

We passed through security at the memorial, walked down a long winding path and entered into a quiet garden in the middle of Manhattan.  When I was here in 2008, I remember my mom and I peeking through construction fences down near Wall Street and peering into a giant hole in the ground.  They were still clearing out wreckage, and now.....it seems like none of that ever happened.  

In the distance you can hear water falling and the occasional sway of the Oak trees lining the pathway.  Visitors are hushed, remembering the tragic events of the day.  Nearly 3,000 names line the edges of the waterfall, each representing a person or a family lost that fateful day.  The 30 foot falls circulates water into what was the foundation of the twin towers, into what is seemingly a rather small space, considering the height of the buildings.  Did you know that the World Trade Center complex had its own zip code?  10048.  

The new World Trade Center will be the tallest building in the United States at a stout 1,776 feet tall.  It reminds me of The Shard in London...and doesn't seem very original, but-the mirrored sides reflect off the skyline and at certain times of the day, you can see the reflecting pools bouncing off the building.    

The "survivor tree" is this Callery pear tree that was planted in the 1970s  in the World Trade Center plaza.  The tree was reduced to an 8 foot tall stump in the wreckage at Ground Zero.  It was taken to another New York City park and nursed back to health and grew to be 30 feet tall and was returned to the WTC site in 2010.  

After our visit to the memorial site, we took a walk down Wall Street and hopped on the Subway to Times Square which was a bit overwhelming for her mom.  Small town Ukraine doesn't even compare to busy, bustling, loud, bright Times Square.  People were swarming the area, taking photos from every corner.  Since I have quit taking pictures in Times Square, I just see how many people's photos I can photo bomb.  It's quite fun actually.  I did ask some really sweet French girls if they would snap a photo of the three of us.....asking me if I was French and after telling them that I was american receiving the all so welcome comment, "You speak French very well."  Why, "merci...merci beaucoup."  

Here Kitty Kitty....

Skymall magazine find of the day:

A cat toilet.  I really don't think this needs any explanation at all.  

Skymall

I began composing my second France post, and realized that I wanted to wait until I received the photos that Didou took on her camera before I posted them.  

Which brings me to my second topic of interest this week:  Skymall Magazine

There are so many very interesting things in the seatback pocket in front of you in an airplane, I felt that I just must share some of my favorites.  Then it turns out there are too many to name all at once, so I think I will post them in a series.  The first?  

Doesn't everyone need a life size verson of a yeti beast in their front yard?  

I know I sure do.  He's got just the right amount of hair, the sweetest face, and feet that are just the perfect size for my garden.  And....the best part?  He's a mere $249.99!  

Paris Paris Paris!!!!

So it may come as a surprise (or actually, not really) to many of you that I decided a couple of months ago that I would try and get to Paris at some point in August.  Didou and Padi have been emailing me asking me when I am coming for a visit.... and I certainly hope they were serious because their wish came true!  I was able to get 7 days off the end of this month, so I listed myself on several flights out of JFK and a couple out of DFW and was just going to cross my fingers and hope for the best.  

I listed myself in business class and in coach, obviously preferred business class, but would sit in coach if I absolutely had to.  One of the giant perks of my job is being able to fly for extremely cheap.  No one can ever tell me that I did not enjoy the benefits of my job.  If I were to quit today, I would be completely content in the fact that I used my flight benefits wisely.  (Which, explains the reason why I am never in New York.)

The night I went to JFK in hopes of taking the 5:15pm flight out, I looked online and the flight had been oversold by 10.  (Whyyyyy do they do that in the first place?)  So I had lost all hope and began chipping away at my fingernail polish out of nervous habit.  Everyone had boarded the plane and there were still two standby passengers ahead of me.  She called them both, then I heard my name. Eeeeeek! And a business class seat at that.  YES, I was in.  

It was hard for me to get excited about coming to France, because I had no idea that I was going to be able to even get here.  I couldn't let the anticipation build because I didn't want to be disappointed.  

But as I rounded the corner to my favorite place in Paris, Place de la Concorde ...and I saw that beautiful Tour Eiffel (my, she is a beaut), the Louvre to my back, those magnificent fountains and the Arc de Triomphe shining in the distance I couldn't help but pinch myself in awe that I was here.  I never dreamed I would be back so soon.  My goal was just to meet the family in the south, but since I was able to get away a day early, and dearest Rozy said she would have me at her place one night, I had the chance to spend the entire day in Paris.  I didn't want to run around from place to place all day....so the Champ de Mars or the Arc de Triomphe didn't make the list.  Montmartre certainly did.  As well as my favorite shoe store, of course.  

The sun was shining bright and almost reflecting off the pavement.  It was hot...so hot that it was one of those days that if I had still lived here, I would have hated.  One of those days where I would have escaped to the movie theater just for some air conditioning.  

But I couldn't keep my mind off of little Marie-Cesare and my excitement to see her.  And the rest of the family of course, but that little girl had changed my life, and I wanted to know how hers had changed since I've been gone.  

I ate crepes and macarons and visited my favorite boulangerie in Montmartre, Coqueliquot, for my favorite sandwich:  beurre, jambon and gruyere.  On a freshly made baguette.  It was a delightful day.  I sat on the steps of the Sacre-Coeur and enjoyed people watching, I entered the Sacre-Coeur for a quick rest inside the magnificent and breathtaking church, then walked over to the Place de Tertres where the same artists were painting creation after creation.  I headed down to my favorite crêperie, where I learned (the most heartbreaking news of all) that it had been turned into a Starbucks!!!! ZUT!!!!! Right there on Place de Tertres...there it was: a nasty, public, chain coffee place where drones of people were getting Grande caramel macchiato's instead of piling into the small café's nearby to get a quick café au lait and enjoy the ambiance.  OH MY it was just seriously saddening.  

I wandered down through Abesses, through my favorite book store and to the metro to meet Rozy. We went for a quick drink with some of her coworkers and then wandered around for awhile, got my luggage and headed out to hers.  We found some sushi along the way for dinner.  Turns out, Rozy has a full out cute little apartment!  Not really just a room, but she has a separate bathroom INSIDE her room, a CLOSET, and a garden!!! Not too shabby!!! 

I was shattered and had not slept in about 28 hours, so I didn't make it too late...but we had breakfast in bed the next morning and I was off to the train station to head down to Provence!  

Rules and Regs

 If your purse is so expensive that you would rather get off the airplane than follow the rules and put it in an overhead bin or underneath the seat in front of you....maybe you should get a life.  Or a new purse.  Or a private plane.  Or maybe, just a reality check.  

#laterpost

Written on the 25th...posted on the 30th...oh well, at least you are reading!! haha...

July the 25th.... a day that I will never forget.  It was the gloomy day that I left Paris last year.  I remember getting up around 4 am, with no sleep.  I couldn't sleep that night tossing and turning wondering whether I was making the right decision.  Whether leaving my wonderful Paris was the right thing for me or not.  What was I going to do when I returned stateside?? Where would I go?? What kind of job was I going to get?? I was full of questions, externally you couldn't tell...but internally my stomach was twisted in knots.  

One hell of a year later, I can say that I am fully content with where I am.  Do I wish I was still in Paris?  Every day.  Do I love being here around my family and being able to see them often?  Absolutely.  Do I wish I could be in two places at once?  Of course.  Could I be in Paris and the States at the same time?  I wish...and only in a perfect world.  

The good news is...is that I am trying to potentially get to Paris next month!! Well, moreso Provence than Paris....but since my job makes it easy to pop over to France I figured why not?!!  Now if only I can get my mother to come along as well!  

It is wonderful and so welcoming that they would even invite me to come and stay with them in Maillane.  I am so grateful and so fortunate to have found such a wonderful family....how many times have you heard that??  And how many more times will you hear that??? Probably countless.  

I Think I Will Move To Australia.

I'm having Alexander's terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.  Ugh.  I am so over today!  I got called this morning around 5:30am for an 11:00am Washington DC turn.  A DC turn from JFK is about a 35 minute flight, so this turn should have taken maximum 2 1/2 hours...start to finish.  (Nevermind the fact that I appreciate the 5 hour heads up...but crew scheduling couldn't have just let me sleep in til 7???)

I arrived at the airport like a good reserve FA at 10 am for my sign in which is always one hour prior to departure time.  The flights delayed until 12.  I go down to the crew room and luckily I score a recliner and try to take a quick nap, setting my alarm in time to get up.  Delayed til 12:30.  Delayed til 1.  Delayed til 1:18.  Delayed til 1:44.  Delayed til 2:05.  

I should have already been home by now.  

Finally the plane arrives due to a staffing issue they had in Columbus this morning, which is where the plane was coming from.  I quickly try and grab a bite to eat....some soup that I have had in my bag for forever-because heaven forbid I pay for overpriced airport food.  I spill the soup down my shirt (thanks granny for that lovely trait).  I had my Tide pen (which I swear by).  I tripped going into the plane.  Catering did not give us enough ice or water.  We sit on the tarmac another 30 minutes waiting on ice.  There were 3 babies and about 14 children who couldn't speak English.  The oxygen mask came apart when I did my safety demo.  The pilots were Chicago crew and not very good at communicating.  We had bad turbulence and I spilled water all over a passenger being jostled around (yet another reason why you should wear your seatbelt).  My fellow flight attendant was a HOT MESS.  She was messy and lazy and didn't help at all.  She spilled a coke on the floor and failed to clean it up!!! HELLO STICKY GALLEY?!  

We arrived in DC to a ton of angry angry passengers wanting to board and get to New York.  Many of them making 6 pm international connections, per usual.  By this time we were working on 4:45pm and I wasn't so sure they were going to make it.  We waited another 15 minutes for the fuel tank to be refilled because DC couldn't get their act together.  We closed the door and were ready for departure and had to sit on the tarmac another 23 minutes because of a ground stop at JFK.  The man beside me in row 18 was getting heated....taking his frustrations out on me. 

What was I suppose to do??? Nothing.  I just listen to their frustrations, try to make up some bs excuse, and just nod my head.  Because I don't want to be here and I hate delays just as  much as you do!!!!!!!!!! That's what I really wanted to tell him.  "I should have taken Delta."  Well then WHYYYYYY didn't you take Delta??? It is a GROUND STOP.  No plane anywhere in the continental United States is getting in or out of JFK airport if there is a ground stop!  "Is my checked luggage going to make it???"  I don't have a tracking device on your luggage, lady.  I don't know! People don't realize that flight attendants know just as much as you do as the passenger.  In fact, you may know more.  Yes, we can guide you safely through an emergency situation and serve 15 drinks at one time, but as far as operations, and baggage, and connections....you know just as much as I do.  We finally pulled into JFK around 6:30....crazy, tired, angry passengers in tow.  

I stepped in a giant puddle on my way to the bus home and my metro card I just put $40 on yesterday fell out of my pocket somewhere between JFK and home.  

I think I'll move to Australia.  

JFK Connections

So most of the time I don't do things that weigh heavily on my conscience.  I just don't put myself in situations that require it.  But here lately, I can't get something that happened about a month ago off my mind.  

I worked a flight into JFK airport from Raleigh, NC.  There were a TON of kids on the flight....so many in fact my captain asked me if I had fun babysitting.  Included on the flight was an asian family of 2 adults and 5 children.  I noticed them during the flight, but most of them were sleeping so I didn't pay much attention.  We arrived at JFK around 9:15 (already delayed 2 hours) and got everybody off the plane.  I did forget one tiny detail, everyone on the flight was connecting to international flights. That's what happens at JFK, its one of those airports that operates at all hours of the day and night because there are so many international flights leaving at night and so many red eyes and international that arrive super early in the morning.  This particular family was trying to make a 10pm flight to Hong Kong.  

Everyone deplaned and I soon followed, so tired and ready to go back to Kew Gardens and get some much needed rest and relaxation.  I saw the family in the terminal and asked them if they needed help finding their way around (mistake #1) and in their broken English and my hand directions, I led them quickly towards the exit.  They were headed to Terminal 5, which required they take the Airtrain. The Airtrain at JFK wasn't close (Airtrain is the train between the 8 terminals at JFK) and it was a good 15 minute walk from where we were in the terminal.  They walked with me and to my dismay the Airtrain had quit operating that evening around 9:30.  I'm not as familiar with JFK as I am LGA so I asked the Airtrain personnel how we were suppose to get  to different terminals, as I had to reach terminal 5 where the city buses connect.  

The employee told me that we were to go back downstairs and outside and that there would be an alternate shuttle connecting the terminals.  Downstairs outside is a parking garage, so I told the family to stay put and I would go upstairs and ask again.  The employee had disappeared (of course) so I had to ask one of the guys cleaning up the parking garage and he directed me in the right direction.  

We approached the front of the terminal and I again told the family to wait there and I would go inside and ask.  At this point, I felt like I was mother goose with all my little ducklings following behind, chirping in my ears.  The woman inside told me to take the shuttle bus marked "All Terminals".  So, that's just what we did.  It pulled up, we hopped on (with 50 other people) and off we went (mistake #2). Then I realized, we were not going to the other terminals.  We were going to the rental car facility and the Airtrain station at Lefferts Blvd. Station.  The exact opposite of where they needed to go.  At this point, we were pushing 9:45pm.  The asian family had made their way to the back of the bus and I stayed right by the door as to remain inconspicuous.  I felt like I was on a wild goose chase.  The moment I realized we were going the wrong way I was mortified with embarrassment and hoping the asian family didn't notice anything was wrong.  I didn't care where I was, I knew at the next stop I had to get off the bus.  I had to get where they couldn't see me.  

I hopped off quickly at the next stop and ran away into the darkness.  They saw me get off and motioned "do we need to get off too?" I said no, and kept on running.  I turned back and they were making everyone get off the bus.  They began to follow me but I just couldn't bring myself to tell them I had led them in the wrong direction (mistake #3).  I was heartbroken.  I eventually lost them but couldn't sleep that night wondering if they had made their connection and were flying over the ocean on their way to Hong Kong.  I surely hoped so.  

My mom always tells me I have a gentle heart, and I hate having my feelings hurt, or someone being mad at me.  And it's true.  This story is a prime example.  It was my fault they probably weren't on their way home, and I knew it.  I helped them as much as I could, or just as much as I guess they could have figured out on their own....but I still think about them often.  Strangers...people I don't know... but every now and then, they cross my mind.  

I guess it's just part of the job.  

Please Turn Off And Put Away All Electronic Devices

Electronics are the bane of a flight attendant's existence.  How many times a day do I say, "Can you power that down?" "Please power that down." "We can't leave the gate until you turn that off." "Sir, I'm going to need you to power that completely down." It's gotta be a million...no...a million and one.  And if you turn it on before you are suppose to, or you tell us your headphones are "off," or you text under your leg, or your laptop fan is still running under the seat....we know!! We are not stupid, we know.  

So imagine my surprise when I read on the news lately that the FAA is considering allowing the use of electronic devices during takeoff!  Will it make my job easier? Absolutely.  Will it egress the ease and timely manner that we take off?  Of course.  Is it safe for all passengers to use electronic devices during takeoff?  Absolutely not.  

The majority of all airplane accidents happen during taxi, takeoff, and landing.  The most recent being San Francisco bound Asiana airline that crashed during landing today.  Prime example.  If those passengers had been preoccupied with movies on their iPads, texting as we reenter cell phone service zones, or jamming to the newest tunes on their iPods...they wouldn't be alert and conscious of what's really going on around them.  They wouldn't be able to hear the captain or flight attendant as they make announcements of what's going on or directions for an emergency landing.  

Granted, they wouldn't lift the ban on all electronic devices, just some (which then begins the question of where do you draw the line...).  As of now, we require that any device with and on/off power switch be powered down...including kindles and e-readers.  Does an electronic device create interference with air traffic control?  Directly, no...but it does create a buzzing in the captain's headset.  Too much buzzing = not being able to hear air traffic control.  

It would make my job easier, sure.  But if we did have to make an emergency landing and half the cabin wasn't paying attention, or after landing a million devices began launching into the cabin hitting other passengers over the head....just another thing to have to worry about during landing.  It's just not good!  I would rather tell passengers a million more times to turn those blasted electronic devices off, than have the risks of having them out and on.  

So when your flight attendant asks you to put on your seatbelt, put your bags under the seat in front of you, and TURN OFF the electronic devices....DO IT!  We don't just ask you to do those things for fun or to see who does it and who doesn't....we do it for YOUR safety.  So that in the million and one chance that your plane does have to make an emergency landing because something drastically wrong happens....you will be as safe as possible!! 

So pay attention to your surroundings and fly safe! 

Quality vs Quantity

Where does all my best material come from?  Ashleigh of course!  This one is no exception.  You should really follow her here, but then, why would you need to read my blog?! ha! 

"There is magic in long-distance friendships. They let you relate to other human beings in a way that goes beyond being physically together and is often more profound."

Gee...I absolutely, 100% believe that will all my heart.  My friendships with mes amies just across the ocean are some of the deepest, most profound, enriching friendships I've ever had in my life.  And although we may only talk once every couple of months, and send snail mail back and forth to each other, it makes the quality of our friendship that much more beautiful.  It's not about quantity, or how many friends you have on facebook (as much as my sister might seem to disagree) but about quality.  Even my college friends are now long distance relationships but when we do have the opportunity to get together....man, is it a good time.  I'm talking good time.  I love those crazy girls and always will.  

So to all my friends in their respective corners of this huge world who still read this scattered blog, I love you and cherish the relationship we have....no matter how often we are able to talk!  

...........Leading up to the fact that Ms. Laura Bottomley is coming to New York in 2 weeks!!!!  Eeeeeeeek!  It will have been almost a year since I've seen her face, but her parents live here in Manhattan and I have reserved two entire days off for us to catch up and relive old times, and make new memories here in New York City!  AND....oh my goodness...YES! It gets better!! Ashleigh is coming to the States in July!!!!! I think I might faint.  She's not going to be quite as easy to catch, she will be visiting her family in Sacramento for a few days then heading up to Michigan to visit the camp she cherishes so much.  But ONE WAY OR ANOTHER (yes, believe it) I will see my lovely Ashleigh while she's here! 

Yet just another reason why I love my job.  

Joyeux Anniversaire!

I have been out of the swing of blogging....I know.  Everyone and their brother's mother's cousin has been asking me when I am going to pick up blogging as a regular task again and I am happy to say very, very soon!  I got a new iPad for my birthday!!! :) And as soon as I get the keyboard to go with it, I hope *fingers crossed* that I will be able to blog where I have internet and free time and fill you in on my crazy life.  

This birthday has been amazing.  I spent my 21st birthday in New York City back in 2008 with my mom, and it felt good to be in the Big Apple again this year for the big 2-6! Wow, yes, I said it I am ANCIENT.  26! Geez!  I wish I was turning 21 again.  Would I do the past 5 years of my life over again? ABSOLUTELY.  Without question, YES.  Every. single. second.  

Beach trip on Thursday! Who knew there was a beach in New York?  #manmadebutitwilldo 

Dinner on the patio at Austin's Steak House last night.

The late night cake Tenee made for me! :) And yes, I know it says 62....inside joke.  

From our beach trip Thursday..... 

Celebrating in Soho Monday night! 

I got a lot of wonderful cards for my birthday from friends all over the world, and besides my mother's sappy card, this one from her best friends is hands down my favorite.  

I was especially nostalgic and homesick for Paris, as my last two birthdays have been spent 'round a blanket with French wine and yummy pastries in front of La Tour Eiffel.  I'm not sure any birthday or year of my life will come close to those years and long summer nights in Paris......they were wonderful.  Birthday dinners with the Lachaize family were such lovely evenings I began to look forward to them.    I am such a lucky, lucky girl to have an experience most only dream of.  Who am I kidding?  I'm still living a life that most only dream of...and I don't take that for granted-I love every minute of it!  I am looking very forward to going home next weekend to actually celebrate with my family-for the first time in 3 years!  

Ashleigh shared this picture with me through her Tumblr and its too perfect of an image not to share.  I spent many evenings around this carrousel with my sweet Marie-Césare.  

So here's to 26!! No promises, no 26 things to do in my 26th year....I am just going to enjoy it.  The good, the bad, the ugly, the sad, the wonderful, the impressive, the awe-inspiring, the beautiful, the crappy,  the loving, and the takes-your-breath-away.  Embrace, celebrate, and enjoy my blessed and wonderful life!!! 

Never Stop Traveling

Borrowed from my dearest Ashleigh: 

Tu Me Manques Ma Belle.

Missing Paris....and missing Marie-Césare with a crazy ache in my heart tonight!  

Airport Holidays

Hope everyone had a Happy Easter!  

Holidays in the airport are interesting.  Especially on Easter Sunday.  I wasn't expecting to work, as I was working an at home standby shift and my roommates and I were planning to go to church and lunch, as most of the Christian population does on Easter Sunday.  But alas, we all got called in and my flight out was to Atlanta at 10:45 which means I had a 9:45 sign in time.  (Turns out line holders don't like to work on holidays after all...can you imagine?!)  Since I hadn't flown anything but a turn to Montréal in a week I was happy to grab my bags and head towards Laguardia.  

The airport was crazy quiet.  No craziness, no lines at security, and only 14 people on my flight....now that's a good day!  I wasn't sure whether or not I should wish people a Happy Easter or not since not everyone celebrates, so I waited for an Easter greeting and reciprocated depending upon the passenger. We only had about 30 minutes between flights in Atlanta, so I stayed on board and chatted with my FA 2 (on our CRJ aircraft we have 2 flight attendants versus only having 1 on the Embraer) and the ground crew in Atlanta.  The gate agent was French so we had a quick conversation before it was time to board a full flight headed to Chicago.  

Chicago was CRAZY.  The airport was packed with families trying to get home all in one piece with all their luggage.  We were boarding an American flight to deadhead back to New York (deadhead=we fly as passengers but still get per diem hours/it's terrible) but we were upgraded to first class on a 767 so it wasn't as bad as it could have been.  We went through all of the safety demo videos and compliance checks, as we climbed into the atmosphere I dozed off for a few minutes.  What did I wake up to?  

A giant Easter bunny asking me if I wanted a hot towel.  

Okay, so it wasn't a giant easter bunny but it might as well have been.  This apron she was wearing was a GIANT pink bunny face with fuzzy, floppy ears where the *ahem* chest was and a grinning embroidered smile.  Yikes...how creepy.  After realizing I never answered her question and embarrassingly was staring at her front side, I cleared my throat and gave her my most unsincere, "I like your apron?"  Since she wore it for the outlandish compliments I'm sure she didn't mind.  

The worst part about her apron?  When she turned around to head back to the galley there were two white puff balls at the end of her bow ties.  Now that is doin' too much.  

Paris vs. New York

As my roommates will probably agree, you are going to get so tired of me comparing Paris and New York but there is no holding back.  They are so alike and so different in their own ways...it's hard not to constantly compare.  

Over the past few weeks I have realized how small of a city Paris actually is!!  Or maybe just how large New York is??  In Paris I could hop on the metro at the very end of the line and be at the other end of the line in 45 minutes...maximum.  We are talking clear across the city!! In New York, I guess the network is extended over a larger amount of land, so it takes forever to get from one end to another.  If we take the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) which is about three blocks from our house, we can get to Penn Station (the middle of the city) in just under 15 minutes.  If we take the bus or subway (I still call it a metro no matter what city I'm in...) it takes at least 45 minutes just to get to Rockefeller Plaza or Times Square.  

The subway in New York is way more ratchet and gross than the metro in Paris. Built around the same time as the metro, the subway feels a hundred times older.  France obviously puts more money and time into it's public transport.  (surprise, surprise? NOT.)  It's not as clearly marked nor as user friendly.  I remember when mom and I came to New York for my 21st birthday and we only rode the subway once...it was so complicated!  Having figured out Paris first has really helped in figuring New York out.      Positive:  it runs 24 hours.  Negatives: the delays and construction are not announced or put on a screen before you descend to the platforms so you are either surprised after you wait 30 minutes for your non-existent train or surprised that you must get off before your destination and take a connecting "shuttle bus" because a section of the subway is under construction.  Try that at midnight??? No fun.  

If it weren't for the price difference (one way is $5.75 for the LIRR and $2.50 for a subway/bus ticket) we would take the LIRR all the time.  And the buses are so old....there are a few electric ones circulating around but the chance of getting on one in Queens is slim to none.  

There is no walking from The Louvre to the Notre-Dame in 30 minutes time.  It takes about an hour to walk from Times Square to the Metropolitan Museum of Art...maybe more if you stop and enjoy the scenery around you.  And another hour to get from Times Square to Battery Park...and that's hustling!  Public transportation is necessary in a city like New York to get around....why doesn't the city of New York put more money/ANY money into it??  I need to research it.  

Despite such a negative review, I'm loving New York and discovering a new city and new people.  I love my roommates and my apartment.  I love our neighborhood, I love Queens and the different personalities it brings to the table.  I love my job and the people I work with.  I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity in my life to live in not one but two incredible cities such as Paris and New York.  Most people only dream!  Too bad Paris was first because New York.....................

I am still waiting to be impressed!!! 

Paris: 1 / New York: 0

No pots.

Just cooked soup in the oven. Yep, that just happened.

Welcome to the Big Apple

The past 5 weeks of my life have flown by almost as fast as Paris flashed before my eyes.  I have been through a rigorous training with the largest US regional carrier (with whom-shall-not-be-named) and made some friends that I am certain will be lifelong.  Training was 24/7 all day, every day.  We dressed to the nines every morning and the first week began with a grand pep in our step.  Mornings began with Texas shaped waffles, and ended with a Texas sized lack of energy.  If we weren't at the flight academy learning training drills, ditching how-to's, and serving classmates pretend cans of soda...we were at the hotel turning conference rooms into our "aircraft" and spouting off questions and answers until the wee hours of the mornings.

One of our first days...seems like forever ago!

Texas shaped waffles at the hotel breakfast bar.

This is how we spent our 4 weeks...

Okay..so maybe we had a litttttle fun! ;)

After preflighting many a fire extinguisher, yelling commands at the top of our lungs, and evacuating our classmates in the dark with cabins filled with smoke in under 90 seconds....we received our long awaited silver wings last Friday, March 1st.  I've never wanted anything so bad in my life, and am thankful that my friends were also willing to do whatever it takes.  It helped to have a group of people in it together, who were willing to study long hours, pay attention in class, and collaborate on our drills to help each other through.  All for one and one for all!  

These girls helped me through it!  It helps that we were all transferred to New York City together, and that New York City was none of our first choices.  We had a few days of IOE (in-flight operating experience) all over the United States then we were set free in the friendly skies on our own!

Tenee, Kim, me, Paige, Brittany.

Brenda and Kim. Purple day!

Magdalena and Barbie

Graduation day!

Graduation day!

Hotel before graduation!

After graduation we were able to spend 24 hours at home, so I flew back to Nashville, unpacked, did some laundry and repacked.  I saw my family for just a short while and before I knew it I was boarding the CRJ to the Big Apple.  I was able to pack 60 pounds in my suitcase with no questions asked (a first).  I was able to pass security lines at BNA with great ease.  And a ticket in first class.....my crew ID was golden.  It will be awhile before I will take that for granted.  

Upon descent we passed my favorite leading lady, the Statue of Liberty, and I remembered the New York skyline all too well.  I met up with Paige and we took our bags to the hotel where we were staying for 3 nights-on the company's bill.  3 nights to find a place to live and get settled in a brand new city?!  Much less, the most populated city per square foot in the United States?  We weren't sure how it would pan out but with just our suitcases, our uniforms, and bright shiny smiles on our faces we set out to face the challenge.  

Our base tour was held Sunday afternoon at 4pm, and didn't finish until around 8pm.  We toured JFK and LGA.  Crew rooms, liquor deposits, form deposits, crew cafeterias, and luggage rooms were all covered in our tour.  All walking around the airport in our navy blue polyester uniforms with shiny new wings gave us a sense of confidence, a sense of belonging, even though we all felt like fish out of water.

A fellow flight attendant and tour guide bid us farewell around 8 pm that night, and we were set out with 5 days off and a mission:  to find a place to rest our heads at night and leave our permanently packed suitcases while in the city.  Monday came with gusto and we were online and on our phones all day trying to find somewhere to accommodate 5 friendly flight attendants with extremely strange schedules.  Nothing.  Tuesday was okay with a few bites, we went to look at one apartment that was inconveniently in a sketchy part of town.  Wednesday we were starting to panic and began to set out on foot to the area of Kew Gardens in Queens...the supposed flight attendant and pilot capital of NYC.  We knocked on a few doors, chased down a few fellow flight attendants and toured a few crashpads.

Crashpads are a funny thing, and for those who aren't in the airline business are not even aware they exist.  A crashpad is a house, owned or run by one person who charges a small monthly or weekly rent fee for airline employees.  In each room are bunk beds stacked high all along the walls...could be 6, could be 20.  There could be a dresser or cubby for all your things, and if you're lucky...a closet.  Some are nicer than others, some are simply a place to lay your head while you're here for 8 hours waiting for your next flight.  Common spaces are shared...such as the living room, dining room, kitchen and laundry.  Rules are strict and you must be quiet coming and going.  Some even go as far as to say that if you are there more than 10 or 12 days a month, you cannot live there.

We looked at a pretty nice crashpad run by a Delta flight attendant that afternoon, then, by some grace of God, we looked at a nearby actual apartment and we all pretty much fell on the floor as soon as we walked in.  The hardwood floors were beautiful, the walls freshly painted, the kitchen appliances were already installed, there were two huge rooms, a living room and a bathroom...and four fairly decent sized closet for New York City standards.  We tried to keep our cool while the landlord was showing it to us but we could barely hold it in.  Two of my friends were willing to sign a one year lease so as soon as we got out to the sidewalk we huddled together and gave a quick girly squeal.  It was decently priced, would be our own personal space, and the location between JFK and Laguardia couldn't be more perfect.

We applied for the apartment 20 minutes later and went for a beer at the local bar.

Shocked after seeing the apartment.  

We waited around Thursday for the landlord to call us....as we chewed at our fingernails and ate every piece of chocolate in sight waiting in anticipation.  Friday morning he called and said we got the apartment and for them to come sign the lease! We were so excited!!!! We signed checks, and were at our new home in Kew Gardens by 2:30 that afternoon.  Our first night was interesting as we didn't have towels, cups, sheets or a bed.  I was smart and brought a roll of toilet paper from the hotel so at least we had that covered - after all - this isn't my first rodeo.  We piled our clothes up as high as we could and slept the first night on the floor under our company issued all weather coats and scarves.  The next day we wandered around the neighborhood, tried to find a decently priced mattress (with no luck) and were saved by Uncle Ducky (Brittany's uncle who lives in New York City) who took us to Wal-Mart in Jersey.  There we were able to get decently priced air mattresses, a few cleaning supplies and some groceries to get us started.  When I say bare minimum....I mean... bare minimum.

Sleeping on the floor the first night...don't judge!

Date night with Uncle Ducky for sushi! 

The next day we all began work!  We had to learn how to preference for trips, press our uniforms, and pack like pros.  I was lucky and had a trip my first day on the job.  It was a 4 day with 3 nights spent in Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina.  I was pleased as punch since it gave me a significant amount of time as well as time away from base in which I was being paid per diem.

I met my crew at the gate we were departing from at the one and only LGA.  They seemed pretty cool and totally nice...especially for it to be my first trip.  The captain assured me that anything I needed or any questions I had...I could ask.  We spent those four days flying continuously between Raleigh, New York and DC.  I believe there was a turn to Detroit tucked in there somewhere but I'm not exactly sure when it happened.  I'm still not even really sure what today is.

I'm gonna be honest...my first flight out was a disaster!  I forgot to shut the cockpit door before the passenger entry door, my safety demo was a complete mess, I inverted the zones on the weight and balance form, and I spilled water on an executive platinum member.  You never spill anything on an executive platinum.  Luckily I learned from my mistakes and the second time out was much better!  I was flying one of our smaller jets, so I was the only flight attendant on board.  On our next step up aircraft there are two flight attendants on board...but I almost prefer to be by myself.  It made me nervous at first, but it's nice not having to work with someone or answer to anyone else....or have to gossip with someone else in the galley.  I can do it my way, at my own pace, and it's great.

Passengers are funny, crazy, and blissfully insane.  If I have just made an announcements about keeping your seatbelt on....then WHY on this earth would you take it off?  What is the deal that people can't leave their electronic devices for 10 minutes while we take off into the wild blue yonder.  Do people not realize that if it is left on it could interfere with air traffic control and cause you to die?!!? Why do people feel the need to push their flight attendant "I need you" button just to ask you to throw away their trash?  No, you cannot fit your giant Louis Vuitton suitcase into our tiny jets' overhead bins.

One of my favorite things thats happened was this past Sunday evening and it was my first trip to Montreal.  Montreal is English and French speaking, so as people boarded the plane I gave them my friendliest "Hello!  Bonjour!" to see what people responded to.  That way, I knew when I served them drinks I would know whether they spoke English or French.  Surprisingly, most of the cabin spoke French so I put that fact in my back pocket to save for later.  I did compliance checks, my safety demo, close the passenger entry door and began a couple of PA's.  No one watches the safety demo and everyone is still too into their cell phones at this point.  I faced the cabin (as all good flight attendants do during PA's) and gave it my best shot.............in French.  As soon as I blurted out: "Bonjour!  Bienvenue à bord de notre vol aujourd'hui à Montréal. Je m'appelle Maggie et je parle un peu de français ... mais il faut être patient.  Aujourd'hui le temps de vol est......" Everyone who was French speaking looked either up or craned their necks into the aisle at the same time and gave me their full attention.  Funny how that works.  I chuckled out loud over the interphone.

Needless to say the flight was successful and the overnights in Montreal are quickly becoming my favorite.  The most comfy bed I've ever slept in (certainly beats an air mattress...) and French speakers everywhere?? You bet!

Flights get easier and easier, although first class passengers still really freak me out.  Everything has to be just perfect and a lot of times our flights are so short we don't have a lot of time to make everything perfect!  I usually don't bid for first class trips, although if there are only a few options I would rather fly than not...so I'll bid and hope for the best!!

Had our first official day OFF in New York yesterday and I'm happy to say that we spent it getting to know our new city!  Can't wait to share!

My new home! 

Before sunrise over Montreal.