It's Always Sunny Above the Clouds

Scheduling Nightmares

2012-01-29T10:22:00.002-05:00

For the first time in a long while, I had a nightmare about crew scheduling.

Bastards.

I dreamt I was on a month of company business - that's what they call flight attendants on special assignments like teaching at the training center or working at the duty desk. And without my knowledge, scheduling put a late LHR on my line. I saw it, suited up and showed up at 10:40 in the morning instead of at night and had a total breakdown in the crew room. Completely lost it, lying on the floor, screaming, crying, carrying on, and was quite a mess over being "forced" to fly a trip. Part of the insanity stems from not being able to tell scheduling no. If you choose to refuse a trip, you are thereby choosing to turn in your company issued badge and manual (resigning, quiting, etc). It. Was. Awful. (Off the record, you can call in sick; however, that can lead to disciplinary action if abused). Thankfully in my present to near future, I'll be safe and sound downstairs at the training center. Where at the moment, I belong.

Benjamin David

2012-01-28T17:34:00.003-05:00

Well, this Benjamin David most certainly be an important person for me to re-activate my account on the book. He's the first of my close friends' offspring; a big congrats to Allison and Brian. When I first decided to delete the book, I knew I would miss his arrival. And I did, someone had to text me. But I don't miss the book and I'm kind of glad I did it and proud that I'm sticking to it. So now if you want to talk to me, you have to do it the old fashion way - via email. Or even snail mail! Imagine that.

Of Monsters and Men - Love Love Love (Live on KEXP)

2012-01-19T10:17:00.001-05:00

Here's a sweet video of my new favorite band! This is the slow, girly song; the rest of the EP is most enjoyable and I highly suggest you check them out!

Things I Should Not Be Doing in January...

2012-01-13T10:39:00.003-05:00

January has historically marked the beginning of "real" winter. Some climatic event takes place between Christmas and New Years that means I have to pull out my long puffy coat, my real gloves, and my various hats and scarves. January means its cold outside, especially at night, meaning I get to wear my slowly enlarging fleece and sweatpants collection.

But this January hasn't been cold here in New Jersey. I went bike riding down the D&R Canal for two hours - I was fine until the very end when my toes got cold. I've been sleeping with the windows wide open, and NOT in any piece of fleece. I went to work in just my turtle neck, uniform polo, sweater, and vest. VEST. January isn't supposed to be vest season... In looking to next week's forecast, the cold is approaching but there might not be snow this year. I welcome the cold, and would like to send the snow to NY/VT for a ski trip next month, please.

Resolving and Resoluting

2012-01-05T10:21:00.004-05:00

Last year, I made five new year's resolutions... or is it New Year resolutions... New Years' Resolutions... Proper capitalization and punctuation aside, I'm quite certain that they're going to remain the same for this year but my priorities have changed.

For 2011, my top goal was to be the best instructor that I could be. I seized as many opportunities as the department threw at me, challenged myself to be before a crowd in a different way, and cheer on the flight attendants in a professional, positive, and constructive manner. There are a few skills that I know I need to work on - such as how (non-east coast) people perceive me (I apparently come off as a raging Yankee bitch'o'saurus to mid-westerners and foreigners), and how to get a class to go from disinterested to engaged. But this year, 2012, I'm thinking this is headed down the list. While instructing will continue to make me grow as a person, in light of everything that went down in December - read - my grandfather died - there are other things I want to accomplish.

This year's top goal is going to be making sure I spend time doing the things I want to do, which is studying German, continuing to write, and reading. I want to continue pursuing my dream of being a German speaker. Spend some quality time with Rosetta and her rocks, continuing to take German class in the city. Come April, I'm headed back to the Deutschland for a few weeks and I'm hoping to squeeze being there for a month out of my two weeks of vacation; the most unnerving part about that is packing. I can't tell you the last time I wrote personally, in my journal. I love writing, even if it is just for me. There are also four titles on my Kindle left unread and it is unacceptable to watch the movie instead.

My other goals were personal - I want to continue to be conscious of maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle. I flew two trips in December, and I felt fat and unhealthy. I haven't been to the gym in I can't tell you how long, and have let my diet go. I have the slow cooker, a George Forman, an empty freezer, and the skills to plan a successful diet. For 2012, I'd also like to add giving back as an important part of "healthy lifestyle". I found a soup kitchen that's nearby and am looking forward to adding volunteer to who I am and what's important.

I want to make sure I continue to actually live in my apartment and make this my home as best as I can. Last year, I bought a $500 couch that I practically live on, new bedding, and even hung up a bulletin board in the kitchen all by myself. My next project is to hang shit on the walls in my sitting room; the current project is making a wall collage of my Europe pictures. I'm also thinking of some sort of decoupage project of all the greeting cards I've been given over the years.

And lastly, most certainly leastly as well, is to be credit card debt free. Meh, I'm sure I'll get there eventually.

So, in short, here's a manageable list of goals for 2012:

1. Studying German. Reading. Writing.

2. Healthy lifestyle: diet, exercise, volunteering.

3. Best instructor I can be (perhaps I should start by learning the new program I have to teach next week...)

4. My home

5. Finances. (does this rule out my $30 manicure every two weeks...? love that gel!)

Who Needs Sleep???

2011-12-30T12:06:00.003-05:00

Current sleep pattern:

12 or 1 am - 6 am, up for about 30-50 minutes, out of bed by 11 am

Necessary sleep pattern for teaching (coming this January):

9:30 pm - 5:30 am

I'm sensing some severe turbulence in my future mornings...

Ego Boost

2011-12-29T12:26:00.003-05:00

Coming home from Belfast yesterday, we had a lot of kids. Lot o kids. Children children everywhere. And as it was after Christmas, most were foreign kids headed to the states for holiday and we all know foreign kids are, in general, better behaved than American brats.

When working in economy, you encounter the same passengers repeatedly during the service. There was this one mom, blond, sitting in between her two girls that were close in age, somewhere around 7. The little girl on the aisle was blond as well, big soft brown eyes with an air of endearing nonsensicalness around her; in an I'm just happy to be here kind of way. Her sister seated at the window was a bit more concerned about life, had big sloppy brown curls, and the cutest green glasses I've ever seen. Whenever I'm serving kids, I always address them individually with the pleases and thank yous. And as soon as I saw a fellow four eyes at the window, I made sure to compliment her on her specs. It's hard being a little kid in glasses; glasses still aren't cool and as a 27 year old professional, I still feel geeky and uncool in my glasses. Her eyes lit up, and a thank you spilled out of her mouth. And if those little green glasses came in my size, I'd rock 'em.

And for the record, that's Christmas in Ireland (as in the island, not exactly the country) three years in a row ;)

Passion Pit - Tonight, Tonight (Smashing Pumpkins Cover)

2011-12-17T10:43:00.000-05:00

DGE

2011-12-15T08:24:00.001-05:00

I've heard it too many times to ignore it; it's something that I'm supposed to be. Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection: the lovers, the dreamers, and me.

4/16/1928 - 12/15/2011

Via iPhone

Remembering...

2011-12-11T21:34:00.002-05:00

My first trip back was to Dublin. As many of you know, Ireland holds a special place in my heart, and I was excited to finally go see the Garden of Remembrance. If it was good enough for the Queen, I figured it was a sight I should see as well. You can imagine my surprise when I googled the directions from the crew hotel, only to find out it was that dirty, sketchy, blocked off park I'd been walking right by for the past three years! Well, at least now I can say I've been.

I'd been talking about wanting to go to the garden with one of the other girls on the crew, and we decided to walk into town together. We walked past the Garden, down O'Connell, across the Liffey, around Trinity. We had decided to part ways at Grafton; my fellow stew was making a left down Nassau. And in that very moment, I turned to her and said, "I just got shit on by a bird," only to look down and find the evidence. Bird shit. Obvisously, she did not leave me in my time of need and so we addressed my situation in the BK Lounge. My coat and scarf are currently at the cleaners.

I'd also like to take this opportunity to say that this was NOT the first time I've been shit on by a bird. In Dublin. The other time I was walking around Temple Bar near the Hard Rock Cafe. Lots of Remembering on this trip...

Via iPhone

A View From the Top

2011-12-03T14:48:00.000-05:00

BusinessFirst. International. Dublin.

Hoboken, no jokin'

2011-11-30T02:07:00.002-05:00

Alyssa (me): I don't know how to talk to straight guys!

K (BFF for reals): Tell him your a flight attendant!!!

And if you're wondering, it works.

Its Coming...

2011-11-23T10:44:00.003-05:00

I just ordered new inflight shoes...

My return to the friendly skies, it's coming...

teaching two more classes and I'm so there.

Christmas in Dublin for the third year in a row???

TBD

International Foods

2011-11-12T16:36:00.001-05:00

I was out on Long Island at my grandfather's local supermarket, when I stumbled upon this as part of the international foods aisle... right in-between Asian and Mexican.

Apparently there's high demand for salad cream (yum!), Irish breakfast tea, digestives, and for a mere $8.99 a bottle of black currant juice... in Suffolk County...

Do You Have A Blog???

2011-10-28T20:16:00.003-04:00

I. Am. Famous.

I walked into the new hire welcome to EWR class earlier this week to introduce myself and welcome everyone to the Garden State. It was so exciting to see the new hires and to have the opportunity to talk to them. The next thing I know a woman in the front row was like, " do you have a blog?"

I've never been recognized from the internet before! It was pretty cool!

I told her that I was indeed TheLysser, and told gentleman questioner to google it.

I was a bit taken aback. I knew I had followers and fans, and that my friends read my blog all the time to keep up with my fast paced, whirlwind lifestyle. But to meet a stranger who knows me?! It was pretty cool. Maybe it'll be like that when I meet TheFlyingPinto ;)

Ich wohne in Irland.

2011-10-25T13:49:00.002-04:00

Last night, I dreamt I lived in Ireland. I think I need to start flying soon.

Four more days of teaching this month, 10 for November (the other 6 events are training), and then I'm hitting the friendly skies in December.

And possibly January.

Do I hear February??? ;)

San Juan, Puerto Rico

2011-10-19T13:21:00.000-04:00

German and American Cultural Differences

2011-10-17T10:31:00.004-04:00

Carousel in the Englischer Garten, Munich, Germany

Caro-Suess-el, Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios, Florida

Notice how the only similarity is the sheer look of joy on my face ;)

The Happiest Place On Earth!

2011-10-14T08:49:00.001-04:00

"Be Yourself" PSA with Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj

2011-10-11T12:01:00.001-04:00

Such a wonderfully comedic message about being true to who you are from my bestie in the 8th grade. And I FINALLY figured out how to share videos on my blog. Winning all around.

Oktoberfest

2011-10-04T14:38:00.004-04:00

I was on the fence for quite some time about whether or not I would be attending Oktoberfest this year. Its one of those bucket list items, something that everyone should experience and I just wasn't sure whether or not I could make it happen. About a week before we left, the instructors had training and were all together for lunch and I had brought the topic up for general discussion. One of my collegues said she'd be more than willing to go. We began researching flight loads, hotel rooms, booked one 24 hours in advance, got on the plane Sunday night and were drowning in Hofbrau liters Monday afternoon. Win.

Oktoberfest and this mini-impromptu vacation was one of the best things I've ever done for myself. A friend of mine recently pointed out that I can fly anywhere, for free. I don't take advantage of this enough, nor do I always keep how ridiculously amazing that is in mind. I'm so thankful for an amazing career that lets me do things like go to Munich for two days and drink my face off. My friend S and I had an amazing time. We drank and went on all the rides Monday, did the Mikes Bikes tour Tuesday (which is a MUST for anyone who's never been), had a few more beers and were back on the plane Wednesday morning. First class both ways, of course!

Just before entering our first tent - and to the left, the best photo bomb EVER

One of my favorite beers on a carousel! Can you even believe it?! A carosel that's a bar?!?!

He was my favorite part about the Hofbrau tent - he just spun round and round

Random Aussies whom with we had beers... Silly Face's favorite show is Jerseylicious...

Lower Manhattan

2011-09-29T18:19:00.001-04:00

View from Exchange Place, Jersey City about 6:30 pm

You Know You're a Flight Attendant When...

2011-09-29T14:22:00.000-04:00

...your purse is transporting a ginormous bottle of booze. Holler beer from Belgium.

ORD

2011-09-14T08:52:00.003-04:00

When I do get the chance to fly, I like to make the most of it. Part of my job at the training center is doing line checks, collecting safety related data in regards to the FARs (federal aviation regulations). I like going to Chicago for the day; the city is easily accessible, the food's good, the people are eerily nice and friendly and the weather was stunning! Tuesday was just two Jersey girls on another "coast" eating "pizza"... and here's the snap shots of our four hours in the loop!

Deep dish @ Gino's East - veggie with pepperoni and spinach

Delish, but still not what we'd call 'pizza'

GINORMOUS Marilyn Monroe facing the Wrigley Building on Michigan Avenue

Piece of the World Trade embedded in the Tribune Building

And of course, us and the Bean

Stonehenge

2011-09-13T23:12:00.003-04:00

Being downstairs has its disadvantages; it means for the most part, I don't fly. Having just taught 777 Transition class, I longed to be going somewhere and got my wish! My friend Kristy made plans with a few air marshalls (just like Santa, they do exist!) to go out in London and see Stonehenge. Done, I was there! And here's the proof!

Beers on the bus go round and round, round and round!!! All through Londontown :)

This is the view when you first walk up to Stonehenge

We left Victoria Coach Station at 2:30, which was an hour past scheduled departure. It took just over two hours to get out there. We were given an hour to walk around and listen to the audio tour; an hour is more than sufficient. And then it was three more back. It was cool, I enjoyed it. I don't know if it's something I'd want to do again. I much prefer Ireland and the Cliffs, but that should come to no surprise to any of you. It was so wonderful to get away for the weekend, be with my friends, and remind myself what my silly lifestyle is all about ;)

And That's What It's All About

2011-09-11T15:43:00.004-04:00

I stole this opinion column from the Minneapolis' StarTribune. I've flown with the author; he looks like Minnesota. He also made me tear up with this:

The radio crackled in my headset as we passed over a tranquil Lake Calhoun. Downtown Minneapolis drifted outside the cockpit window. The landing gear was down.

Everything was as it should be. Outside, the skies were clear and the air was refreshingly less humid than it had been the previous month. I briefly looked down at the passing homes and schools of south Minneapolis.

School was back in session, and bright-yellow buses were busy transporting children, as they would on any other Tuesday morning. But this wasn't any other Tuesday morning. This was Sept. 11, 2001.

As I was completing what would be another uneventful flight, there were four other airplanes whose final destiny would be anything but normal.

That day has forever changed our lives, whether because of enhanced screening at the airport or, heaven forbid, the loss of a friend or family member in the attacks on domestic soil. We all have stories about what we were doing on 9/11.

Most, like mine, aren't anything to write home about, but everyone remembers where they were when American Airlines Flight 11 hit the World Trade Center's North Tower, and what happened afterward is something to write about.

It's what we did after 9/11 that changed America and its people.

Maybe you watched the television with disbelief. Maybe you cried for the loss of fellow Americans. Maybe you called your parents and told them you loved them. Maybe you held your children extra long before they went to bed that night. Maybe you thanked a police officer or firefighter. Maybe you bought a traveling soldier dinner before your flight home.

But what did you do two years afterward? What did you do eight years after 9/11? I don't think people will ever forget that dreadful day, but it has definitely slipped into the back of our memory bank.

For someone like me, an airline pilot who is constantly dealing with airport security and working with federal air marshals, I am reminded of our post-9/11 world on a regular basis.

But for the insurance salesman driving around Kansas or the schoolteacher struggling with a lack of funds, telling your kids you love them one more time before they go to bed or thanking the police officer for what he does after he just wrote you a citation may not be the first thing on your mind.

This past week, just seven days short of the 10-year anniversary of 9/11, I was sitting in Terminal B at Newark's Liberty Airport, waiting for my flight home. I noticed a group of TSA officers wearing honor guard regalia.

With them was a U.S. Army master sergeant. I learned that the master sergeant was escorting a fallen soldier on a final flight home. I didn't ask for the soldier's name, or even if the soldier was male or female. I honestly didn't know what to say.

After the airplane arrived, the honor guard and master sergeant went outside. I stood at the window, along with many other passengers, watching in silence as the honor guard stood at attention while the fallen soldier was loaded on to the airplane.

Through the tears in my eyes, I looked out at the New York City skyline, and it all hit me. Ten years ago, when I was flying over that school, where kids were playing outside -- maybe, just maybe, one of those kids was this soldier who gave everything for our country.

So, when you see a soldier at your regular lunch spot, tell the manager that you'll take care of his or her bill. Call your parents and tell them you love them.

Thank police officers for all that they do. And when you come home from work today, hold your kids for a few extra seconds. As a matter of fact, that was the first thing I did when I got home from that trip. I forgot about the bills, forgot about the oil change the car needed. I held my little daughter in my arms for as long as she'd let me.

After today, we each have one day less. Make the most of it.

* * *

Paul Holte, of Rosemount, is a Boeing 757/767 first officer for a major airline.

ORD Sit Time

2011-08-19T20:28:00.001-04:00

Recently, I had some sit time in the O'Hare airport. Normally, I'm running to the blue line or my hotel van; it was a bit of a treat to see what the other terminals had to offer. There's the standard food stuffs that seem to be in all airports - Starbucks, McDonalds, Johnnie Rockets. They have a kiddie playground which if Newark ever gets, I'll transfer (I think PHL has one too). And then I stumbled upon a series of posters, what I can only compare to academic style, describing the glories that is city planning, urban design, what it means to be part of a region, all things geographically Chicago: everything that consumed my time on the banks of the old Raritan. Things, unfortunately, I hadn't thought about or considered in quite some time but loved every one of those thirty minutes I spent standing there in awe, learning.

Big Girls Need Big Toys!

2011-08-16T11:52:00.001-04:00

This weekend, I invested in a sweet mountain bike. It's nothing too expensive or overly fancy. It is, however, a big deal for me because this is my first investment in athletic equipment... and now I have a bike in my bedroom. I'll get hooks soon enough, and then it'll hang in the hallway. The best part is that it hasn't stopped raining since I bought it...

Bueller???

2011-08-02T16:17:00.001-04:00

I'm sitting in the gate area, waiting for my flight to begin boarding as these others are getting ready to close the aircraft door. The gate agent just paged for the two Wongs... Wongs... Wongs... followed by a series of Buellers. This gate agent just paged for Bueller. Oh, Ben Stein, did you ever think while you were working for President Nixon that you'd be movies and quotable over pa's around the world???

I'm not sure if this was the highlight of my 15 hrs in Vegas, or if it was being picked up - literally - by a ginger from Holland to see if I could find his friend with a white hat on the dance floor in some club at Palazzo. Yes, picked up as in elevated above his head. Had his name been Patrick, then it would have just been another day, another dude ;)

Days Off

2011-08-01T12:25:00.002-04:00

Teaching July was a treat. I loved being in the training center and living a "normal" life. Now that we're in between bid months, classes won't resume until August 3; therefore, I have five days off.

I came home for the weekend. My mom and I went down the shore and parked it on the beach for the day; it was glorious. Some light shopping yesterday, and today I had planned to return to the shore. I ran my errands in the morning and was filling up at Super Wawa when my best friend Kristy called to say that scheduling gave her a two day Vegas trip and asked if I wanted to go.

Yes. I want to go.

I'm gathering up all my things here, and making my way back up to Bayonne to shower and pack and head to the airport. Vegas baby, Vegas.

Medical Emergency Fail

2011-07-27T20:51:00.001-04:00

"Did you page to see if there was a doctor on board???"

"Yeah, and no one rang their call bell so I guess we're not going to India or Tel Aviv."

Happy Birthday!

2011-07-23T19:13:00.002-04:00

Today would have been my grandmother's 83rd birthday. She was an amazing woman, and the reason why I know all the words to this song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSFLZ-MzIhM&feature=related

RIP - JLE

July 23, 1928 - January 30, 2010

Traffic

2011-07-22T16:07:00.001-04:00

The best part of my place is the 15-20 minute commute to the airport. Not today.

This morning it took me an extra 40 minutes to get to work because there was an accident on the turnpike bridge. And now, whilst I should be opposite rush hour, the other side is cruising west no problem and I'm parked, for the second time today on the turnpike. Grr. Is this what normal people experience??? I'm not a fan. I'm working the next two days, normal people's weekend - aka days with no commuters.

Via iPhone

Oh Chicago, how I adore thee!

2011-07-21T12:53:00.000-04:00

With my cool new (ish) job in the training center, I now get to do check rides. Before I found out my fellow instructor friend Emily was moving, I picked Chicago. Its a quick flight and a cool place to visit. I landed early, around noon, and headed straight to the blue line, which is the L from O'Hare to the loop. Got off somewhere in the loop, had lunch, sweated profusely through Millennium Park, had ice cream, little bit of window shopping, and then back to the airport for an on time departure at 5. I had a great date with myself! I missed you Emily! It's hard to believe we were just there shivering in the freezing cold four short months ago!

Too Much Time At The Office

2011-07-19T19:44:00.003-04:00

Today, I flew in from Orlando; I was there with the fam. Went back to my place, tried to get some work done online, and was so incredibly unsuccessful that even after being on the phone with the HelpDesk for 40 minutes, I had to go back to the crew room. I got a bit of computer work done, and then met my bff J, where we sat in the terminal lounging and talking as though we were in our living rooms. We sat and watched the planes roll by, push back, take off. Oddly enough, it felt like home.

I've never second guessed my career choice, or the people around me who have become my best friends; perhaps too much time at my office is a good thing for me ;)

Ready? OKAY!

2011-07-07T20:04:00.003-04:00

Today was my first day back in the training department after my flying hiatus. I got to evaluate doors, and at the end of the day my friend was telling me that she thought I was so hilarious. What did I say? Well, before a flight attendant begins, I tell, verbatim:

Okay, take a deep breath!

This is us,

here we go!

Whilst being all smiley and projecting as many happy thoughts as possible. Knowing me, knowing that I'm a cheerleader through and through, to her, it sounds a lot more like... READY??? OKAY!!! Complete with head nod. What can I say? Its who I am.

Recently, someone asked me why I went downstairs; wouldn't I just rather fly? Yes, I do love to fly. But I'm good, really good, at what I do. Three cheers to that!

Duke says hi.

2011-06-21T16:49:00.001-04:00

Laviators!

2011-06-21T12:12:00.000-04:00

Reserve dreams do come true!

2011-06-20T14:16:00.001-04:00

Saturday, I was out in the city with my bff J and managed to pick up a Shannon trip using my phone; a rare occasion indeed. Yesterday, J had alert that began about two hours before my check in and texted me asking if I had been drafted. Scheduling hadn't contacted me and I was due to leave my apartment in 20 minutes. I popped on the computer to find I was removed from Shannon, and given a domestic pairing. One leg to LAX, 18 hrs, one leg to HONOLULU for 22 hours, red eye back to LA, nap over, and one leg home getting back after 10 on day 4.

Winning.

At the moment, I'm lounging in bed gathering up the discipline and desire to go work out here in Los Angeles. This is wonderful. I was kind of glad to have been drafted even though I do love Ireland; lately work has lost it's luster. Company morale is so low, and I'm beginning to find myself feeling homesick out on the road. Being given this trip has to be one of the better things that's happened to me on reserve, and for that I'm thankful.

Snap shots of Waikiki beach to come!!!

Via iPhone

Irish Bikini Win!

2011-06-08T15:38:00.001-04:00

Here's a snap shot of the bikini I bought in Dublin, with the bottoms that were a touch too big along with the solution - red/pink bottoms from the good old Target that match just enough and fit perfectly for intense aquatic activity. Now I have cute lounging bottoms and beach volleyball approved bottoms :)

Peter Pan and Londontown

2011-06-04T13:40:00.001-04:00

To announce on The Book that I was headed to London, I decided to used a quote from Hook. "Lost, lost, lost. I've lost my marbles." I love all things Peter Pan - the Disney classic, Hook, Finding Neverland. Now that I have a Kindle, I've downloaded some classics and I'll let you guess which was first.

I only picked up this London trip because I couldn't get on the Dublin I wanted. I was pleasantly greeted by a flight attendant who's been on cola and leaves for the past three years - she remembered me. In conversation about what she's been up to for the last three years, I was granted quite the reality check. What is it that I've been doing for the past three years? One thing's for sure - I haven't been hiding in Neverland. I've been flying international since April 2008; I began my German journey January 2009; I was hired by the training dept in October 2010 and moved into my own place the next month. I'm quite pleased with where I am in life and my career - after all, what else is there to do besides collect seniority? I can see where I want to end up next, and I can begin to make little moves in preparation. Most importantly, I have these blissful moments of clarity when stop and smell the roses, to enjoy the where and when of now.

Old People Are Cool

2011-05-30T14:50:00.001-04:00

This passenger is holding up his
flight log book containing his lifetime of flights. He had asked our captain to sign it where he had listed EWR - GLA B757, and he was happy to do so. The captain spent quite a bit of time reading through it and was amazed to see all the cool destinations and HRM Air Force missions he had flown during WWII. What a treat on Memorial Day.

Love, Lovers, and the Lack Thereof

2011-05-24T23:23:00.003-04:00

The following is an excerpt from "Are You Somebody?" by Nuala O'Faolain:

What can I do but take my chances? I was thinking incoherently, coming out of the chapel into the midday light. And what else can I do? Look after my teeth, listen to all the music I can, and keep going. Keep working on my escape tunnels out of the past. Keep hoping to break through to the here-and-now. To be just myself, like the cat, which is so perfectly and unself-consciously a cat and does not know it will perish. What can I do, when everything is so various and so beyond me, but cling on, and thank the God I don't believe in for the miracles showered on me?

This final passage in her book moved me to tears. Here's this stunningly beautiful woman who's lived - and it still living - a life so full of passion, travel, education and learnedness yet her heart cries out for something more. She knows this, she knows she should be thankful and fulfilled, grateful for this life and all her experiences - good, bad, ugly, indifferent. And yet. That's just it - yet. Her heart cries out for something more and it pains me so.

Dirty

2011-05-21T14:17:00.002-04:00

Yesterday was my last day of vacation. I stayed in my pajamas for most of it, watched a movie in the middle of the day, went for a walk, and then had a friend over. Still unshowered and mildly stinky. And it was glorious. That's how you know who your true friends are - the level of stank they'll tolerate.

So now I'm all clean and ready to go back to work. I'm flying with my best friend, we're off to Edinburgh, Scotland.

Then I'm off for two days - one of which will be a dirty day. Sigh :)

Swinging Through the PHL

2011-05-17T16:20:00.002-04:00

On my way home from vacation, I opted to fly from Orlando to Newark and then down to Philly as opposed to taking the train (my car was at my parents' house). This was the first time I can recall in my entire life that my father wasn't waiting for me either at the gate, you know, back in the day when that was allowed, or on the other side of security. I understand - the man was at work and as soon as I landed he was en route. As I was making my way out of the terminal, I stopped to go to the bathroom and was greeted with the most glorious of airport bathrooms that I have ever seen in my life! Each stall was HUGE - all were handicapped size with a changing table, sink, and enough room to fit a frat party. It was as if all my years of complaining about the horrors that are airport bathrooms finally paid off and someone heard my prayers. Had I not been in a rush, I would have snapped a million pictures, but as soon as I was curbside, there he was. Next time... There's always a next time.

Irish Bikini Fail

2011-05-15T23:20:00.001-04:00

Having shopped all over the states and Europe, I have come to find that Irish/British clothing fits me best. It's curvy-er, cut bigger/differently in differing proportions and is more often than not, of higher quality. I discovered bathing suits at Debenhams two summers ago and fell madly in love. I bought two that year, one last season, and another at the beginning of this season. So pumped.

A few weeks ago I was in Dublin, just shopping about and fell hook line and sinker for this little blue and white number. I tried it on and this bikini made me feel beautiful. For $80 USD, I figured I'd treat myself - Happy Birthday to me - and hold on to that feeling of utter grace and beauty.

Which I did, til I unpacked it here on vacation and saw I bought the bottoms a size too big. It's not the end of the world - it fits just fine. The size smaller would have just fit more snug and been more appropriate for intense aquatic activity. Perhaps I'll invest in them as well because it's a really sweet suit and I love it. Certainly suits it's purpose.

Via iPhone

Moderately Impressed

2011-05-14T09:23:00.000-04:00

My current suitor took me out to birthday lunch, and when we were walking back to my car he pulled me in the opposite direction. The next thing I knew, we were at a florist shop and I was holding these. I love them. They smell amazing, are so beautiful. The best part is I didn't get them as an apology. Happy Birthday to me, from a *moderately* impressive suitor.

How To Introduce Yourself 101

2011-05-06T19:18:00.002-04:00

First Officer: Hi, I'm Paul.

Flight Attendant: Hi, its nice to meet you. I'm Alyssa.

Paul: You look like my ex-fiancee.

Alyssa: Awesome. She's your ex for a reason.

Paul: No no, its a good thing.

Alyssa: Oh. Well, you look like Minnesota.

And yes, Paul actually commutes out of the MSP. He was rather Marshall-esque, surprisingly enough. He was a sweet, genuine person and we had a lot of fun tearing it up in Dublin.

Ah, its good to be out online.

Exhaustion Is Cute!

2011-05-01T22:17:00.003-04:00

April was my first *real* full pull teaching in my own base, balancing living in my humble abode, family obligations, and quality time with my peeps.

I. Am. Exhausted.

My schedule went something along the lines of teach for six days, off one, teach one, off one, teach six, off one, teach one. Off six - that was Easter. Teach two, off two. Fly, because its now May. Don't get me wrong - I loved every minute of being in the classroom and evaluating the "students". There were so many rewarding moments clearly depicting, in my mind, how valuable the skills of a teacher truly are. I'm looking forward to the break and flying again; I get such cabin fever.

Totally looking forward to feeling jet lagged all the time; its a whole different type of exhaustion.

There's no place like home!!!

2011-04-12T10:02:00.001-04:00

Happy time in the fridge :)

Separate But Equal

2011-04-04T10:04:00.002-04:00

As I've mentioned before, my favorite part of clearing customs and heading on my merry way is all the people waiting on the other side for their loved ones: the men holding flowers and teddy bears, kids with the "we're proud of you / welcome home daddy" kind of signs, the more often than not Latin mothers who are already weeping even though the flight they're waiting for doesn't land for another 20 minutes. Prior to 9/11, these were scenes at the gate; I have very fond memories of being collected at the gate by various people throughout my life. Last night, I got to pick up my sister Hilary at the gate and it was a pleasure to do so.

HOWEVER. Like everyone else, I still had to go through security which is a slight less painful experience when cruising through the employee line. There were a few pilots and flight attendants in line, and we were all waiting patiently. Along comes some guy, who's not a crew member just an airport employee, who took his bin of personal belongings and cut the line! The pilot behind me totally called him out on his rudeness and this guy just didn't care. The employee line is there for us so we don't have to cut in front of passengers, not so we can cut in front of each other. We all have to go through security, we are all equally employees of the airport. So wait your turn!!!

Life Isn't Fair

2011-03-30T19:46:00.003-04:00

I managed to score a HAM from reserve open time, was somehow then bumped and now have airport alert. HOWEVER, THE SAME TRIP AND POSITION WAS PICKED UP BY ANOTHER RESERVE... HOW IS THIS FAIR???

*huffs* I didn't want to go to stupid Hamburg anyway.

You can find me hanging out in the rec room tomorrow at 16:30.

Spoiled Rotten

2011-03-29T15:40:00.003-04:00

This past trip was the first one all month that I wasn't flying with friends or totally cool kick ass people that I hung out with on the layover. I was so spoiled, this trip almost felt like work...

I'm off tomorrow, and on call another three days and then its back downstairs (across the street?) teaching for another month. I like this back and forth and getting to be a real person with a semi-normal lifestyle every now and again.

And then I fly May!

Nothing Gold Can Stay

2011-03-27T12:11:00.002-04:00

This weekend I went home to my parents' house only to find the remains of a brick of Kerry Gold butter from Ireland.

Seriously, Mom?

"I got it as a St. Patricks day gift! See, there's cheese too! Dubliners."

I asked her if she wanted me to bring her back another, as I'll be in Shannon tomorrow. No, she's good; its like a special treat, she says. "Maybe when you sit reserve again in May."

#500

2011-03-22T12:00:00.002-04:00

And the #500 reason I love being a flight attendant is...

South American hotel breakfast buffets :)

I just got home from Bogota, and the hotel breakfast buffet was far superior to that of the Marriott... and we all know how I feel about the Marriott.

Cheers to having flown for a full four years, making it to four continents (yes, this one counts too), and I'm having the time of my life.

Bazinga!

2011-03-20T19:45:00.001-04:00

I just got off a Belfast, and as junior as the trip is (I believe it's the most junior trip internationally) I surprisingly enough was not the youngest person on the crew. The first officer was also only two years older than me, and practically two years junior.

So the galley girl who's maybe 27 and a 1/2 decides shes going to pull a fast one on the fo on our way back to the states. We had all hung out on the layover and were rather certain he could take a joke.

Galley Girl whips up a mix of red wine, tomato juice, cranberry and a dash of fudge for consistency, proceeds to pour it on a maxi pad and stick it to the lav moments before the fo comes out to use the litter box. I had to leave; I'm no good at going the distance for a joke. She gave him gloves and got him a trash bag so he could go fish it out! Not for one minute did he ask her to do it but rose to the occasion, much to the chagrin of Galley Girl who laughed her tail off! At the end of the flight, the first officer said thank you, he was glad to see that people here can still play jokes and are fun to work with. He was a sweet guy, great crew, awesome trip and I love it!

In the words of Sheldon, BAZINGA!!!

Via iPhone

Jet Lagged...

2011-03-14T22:58:00.003-04:00

I worked a BFS trip that got me in on Saturday; I taught a flight attendant class on Sunday. So it should be no surprise that I woke up at ten this morning and failed to get in the shower before 12:45. Nor should I be surprised that I gorged myself on pizza and soda for lunch and ran to the city to hang out with my bestie Kristy. She got a massive new hair cut - its all gone! Then we had drinks and a mani at the Beauty Bar which was awesome! Followed by Korean fried chicken. That's right - Korean fried chicken. And lots of it. I'm home now, with plans of writing and reading before bed only to do it again tomorrow. Inter Milan is playing at Bayern Muenchen tomorrow night; had J and I known we would have arranged to go to the game. We're settling on watching it state side and I'm hoping to meet some immigrants ;)

BFS again Thursday??? We can only hope.

Stuttgart Win!

2011-03-10T12:56:00.001-05:00

New service beginning this summer.

Now I really really have to be a speaker.

Munich Fail

2011-03-08T17:33:00.002-05:00

I tried to see my new favorite band in Belfast, but due to the changing bid month that certainly does not coincide with the calendar month, it didn't work out. I specifically bid to have a random Thursday off to make it to the Munich show; its sold out. I've been googling the crap out of it, but the tickets aren't even for resale. There's room for them to add another show the following night! But I have no control over their tour schedule. So now I have five days off in a row and no reason to venture east.

Venture west?

Having travel benefits is such a drag ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCcUXEC5_eU

Cool Beans!!!

2011-03-07T09:20:00.004-05:00

Millennium Park, Chicago, Illinois

COUCH!!!

2011-02-22T20:39:00.001-05:00

Bought a couch today. It's going to come live with me next Tuesday. Eff yeah, so pumped.

It's Alive!!!

2011-02-18T18:38:00.001-05:00

My TravelPro roller has been restored! Just in time to go back out online in two weeks!!!

America... expletive Yeah!

2011-02-17T09:05:00.001-05:00

Pizza, Chestnut St, Old City at drunk o'clock. Deliciousness.

Bretzel mit Senf

2011-02-16T15:10:00.000-05:00

Philly soft pretzel, spicy mustard.

So close, yet so far away.

Yo quiero Germania.

12 Steps Not Needed

2011-02-12T21:40:00.004-05:00

Hi, my name is Alyssa and I'm a recovering fly-aholic. Its been two weeks since my last trip, and another two weeks had elapsed between that trip and the one prior. I have another two weeks of hard ground time before I return to the line.

I'm so excited, you have no idea. Not that I don't absolutely love the new job in the training department, because I do. Everyday I leave work and come home (I can't even believe it! I go home at the end of the day!!) knowing that I empowered a co-worker by showing them that they had the knowledge and skills to perform all the duties asked of them that we, as high speed aluminum tubing safety specialists, hope to never use. I just really love flying too.

Tonight, I finally hung up my bulletin board in my kitchen with my 365 pictures of Ireland calendar and I've just spent the last hour flipping through my photos of the past three years, looking for the best to sit and reflect on while I enjoy my morning cup of joe. There's snapshots of Berlin and Cologne, and Rome and Honolulu and all these places that I love and the ones that hold my heart captive. The alluring hopes and desires that scheduling will be good to me, and that I can pick up good Irish trips are beginning to whisper sweet nothings in my ear and I'm pumped that in two weeks, I'm back out online.

So look out kiddies, ready or not here I come ;)

News Update

2011-02-08T20:20:00.004-05:00

I worked guest ISM to MUC. It was effing awesome. I met a friend for lunch, went into town with the crew and had a beer as big as my head, then dinner with the crew, and back to the EWR. It was one of the most amazing trips I've flown in my life.

February thus far rocks my socks. Even Cleveland rocks ;)

My latest goal in life is go to see The Naked and Famous in Belfast, N Ireland.

I'm so there. Pumping my fist like whoa. Jersey represent.

#1 in the hood, G.

Planes, Trains

2011-01-21T12:03:00.001-05:00

I'm sitting on an Empire Service Amtrak train, headed from Penn to upstate where one of my oldest friends will collect me for a weekend of skiing and shenanigans. I know the conductors for NJ Transit are only out during the day/night and work in shifts like normal people. I couldn't help but ask the Amtrak conductor if they had layovers. And they do. So whilst the airlines might not be hiring, you can gain a similar experience collecting the tickets on the train around the country. I guess it's kind of like working for a regional carrier, only there's more room in the cabin!!!

Via iPhone

Quote of the Day

2011-01-15T08:45:00.002-05:00

"The saying "Getting there is half the fun" became obsolete with the advent of commercial airlines."

Henry J. Tillman

With Love, Crew Scheduling

2011-01-12T23:18:00.002-05:00

I was to go on call for three days. After the whirlwind holiday season I had, I thought I'd let the pieces fall where they may and see what happened. And this is how it went down.

Sunday I was assigned airport alert from 10:35 to 14:35... Instead of calling me in the crew room, scheduling rang my cell at 14:15 to tell me I had been assigned the two day IAH trip that checks in AFTER my alert ends. I sat for 4 hours, got paid for two, and worked to IAH. I went to sleep right away, and hit the breakfast buffet in the morning prior to our departure. I made it home sometime after 7 and had no desire to do anything.

The next morning, I woke up with an agenda! I accomplished NOTHING I had planned, as scheduling called to tell me my day off had been rolled so I could work to Mexico City, layover for 14 hours, and deadhead back. Sweet. At least a bunch of my cool flight attendant bff's were headed down too. We hung out the night we got in, had a lovely breakfast buffet together and then it was back to Newark.

I got on the plane at 14:00... flight time was 4 hours... I got off the plane at 21:30.

Just like Fight Club, we're not going to talk about it.

I'm back in the bay now, in my happy pants and I'm not leaving til Friday. I'm ordering my groceries on line and that's that.

Blizzard Watch 2011

2011-01-11T11:06:00.002-05:00

Last winter, we had three blizzards and for every one of them I was safe at home. This season, I had 4 day Dublin over Christmas which became a 6 day due to the weather in Newark. Being snowed in in Dublin was awesome, I love that layover and our Christmas hotel is right off Grafton Street (the usual hotel closes for a few days over the holiday).

At the moment, they are predicting 10-12 inches of snow for the NY metro area starting tonight and scheduling is sending me to Mexico City for an overnight. I don't mind that they rolled my day, its just that there was MUC and SNN in there and I would have MUCH preferred them to roll me for Europe and then I'd have the weekend off. On the sort of bright side, I'm scheduled to return tomorrow at 19:45, and I hope with all my heart I make it back. Upon my return, I'll be off for one day, in the training center Friday, off Saturday because I was rolled, reserve for a day, three days downstairs and THEN 4 off to go skiing in Vermont.

I kind of wanted to be left alone because I wanted to mop. Can you even believe it??? I wanted to wash my floors. Clean my apartment. Pretend like I live here, cook myself a meal. No worries, I'm sure there will be more snow this season...

Bucket List #27

2011-01-08T11:59:00.002-05:00

It was right around this time last year that I decided I was going to vacation in Germany and go to German language school. That was probably one of the most amazing experiences of my life; moreover, I turned 26 there and had a wonderful birthday. And a special thanks to the three of you who were there to celebrate ;)

So this year I decided I'm going to turn 27 in Peru.

Machu Picchu.

Hiking the Andes with my cousin Allie and Aunt Pam, the anticipated altitude sickness and lack of general hygiene. This is going to be an epic journey outside of my little Alyssa box by challenging myself physically and mentally.

Oh, I'm game.

E-A-G-L-E-S... EAGLES!!!

2011-01-06T21:00:00.002-05:00

A few weeks ago, I was on a layover during the very important Eagles/Giants game. The Eagles had defeated the Giants at home and with the intense rivalry, many thought the Giants would pull through on their home field. And the did for a while.

So I'm out to dinner with a friend in Belfast when I hear one of the waiters talking about the game. I went flying over to him and asked what the score was - 7-3 Giants. This Northern Irish boy is of course a Giants fan. I'm dining, socializing with my friend who I hadn't seen in months and much to my chagrin, this waiter keeps walking by announcing the score! The last I hear, Giants are totally kicking ass and its half time.

I continue my evening out on the town in Belfast, and return home to find that the Eagles did indeed win by scoring 4 touchdowns in the last 7 minutes of the game - 3 of which were in the last two minutes! It was the game of the season!!! My dad found it on the NFL channel, so I actually watched it and was amazed at how exciting it was.

And wouldn't you know two weeks later I'm back in Belfast???

All's I had to say to the waiter was how about them Eagles and he knew. Oh, he knew. And since I've been state side the Giants have ended their season as the Eagles will go on to the Packers this Sunday. Awesomesauce.

Daft Punk

2011-01-03T14:21:00.003-05:00

Since I know you don't read this, and even if you did I doubt you'd say anything to me, I figured this was a reasonably safe way to put it out there.

This is the song that popped up on my Pandora when I was getting ready for work; I know its your favorite band and it made me think of you.

Thank you, yet again, for everything and I hope our paths cross again soon. Alas, it won't be this week as I'll be on the island east of yours for the next four days. But hopefully soon, kid.

Digital Love by Daft Punk

Last night I had a dream about you
In this dream I'm dancing right beside you
And it looked like everyone was having fun
The kind of feeling I've waited so long

Don't stop come a little closer
As we jam the rhythm gets stronger
There's nothing wrong with just a little little fun
We were dancing all night long

The time is right to put my arms around you
You're feeling right
You wrap your arms around too
But suddenly I feel the shining sun
Before I knew it this dream was all gone

Ooh I don't know what to do
About this dream and you
I wish this dream comes true

Ooh I don't know what to do
About this dream and you
We'll make this dream come true

Why don't you play the game ?
Why don't you play the game ?

Shits and Giggles

2010-12-16T21:09:00.004-05:00

Recently, I got a promotion at work and moved into my own little place. I'll fly for a few more months, but as this transition takes place in my life... I'm less forthcoming about sharing it with all you. Having just deleted all my exes off facebook (and one totally threw a hissy!), I'm a bit less inclined to share my shenanigans with random cyber strangers or people who I don't actually talk to in real life. Moreover, I keep getting corporate reminders that anything said online is like saying it in person. While I refuse to say negative things about my company (for the record, I never even mention my airline), in my new position (which I feel funny talking about) I don't want any info out there or things I say to be misread.

I do, however, have this little story to share.

I recently worked the two day domestic trip - its on our Boeing 777 and not all domestic flight attendants are qualified to work this particular aircraft. I made friends with the crew, most of which I'd never worked with before. The service manager and I started joking around, referring to the aisle as a catwalk/run way... and before I knew it, just prior to landing I was working that catwalk, did a spin and stuck the landing like the gymnast I never was. I know none of the passengers were paying attention to me, but my burst of laughter that followed was hard to miss. Its just fun to work with cool people who are in it - the job, LIFE - for the shits and giggles. Lord knows that's what I'm after.

My Bathroom...

2010-11-09T22:07:00.001-05:00

This is what my bathroom looks like when I refuse to wash my hose after a trip and keep buying new ones... For a month...

Yay for Bon Qui Qui Juniority

2010-10-14T16:05:00.003-04:00

Per the Federal Aviation Administration, flight attendants are required to carry a pen with them at all times. This is a federal law - I have to have a pen. So when passengers ask me for one, I usually just smile and tell them to make friends with their neighbors... like any good kindergarten teacher would.

So this particular flight, I was the door greeter. I personally said hello to just about every single passenger and created warm fuzzy feelings of happiness as the customers boarded the plane - all without my Costa ham & cheese toasty, small latte extra shot. There were a few memorable people who got on the plane, the elderly couples who I jokingly told the husbands to behave themselves, Penn State fans who I told had to go change their shirts. I just like to create a warm, friendly atmosphere as people enter my work space that will last all the way across the pond. So there was this one couple who I recalled having a jovial conversation with who were seated in the middle, rear of the aircraft. I poured a few of their cokes during the first round of service.

The section 8 cabin crew was pretty tight - we were all the same juniority, same age, similar backgrounds and stages in life. We worked really well together and had a blast sitting around talking to pass the time during our Atlantic crossing. At one point, close to when we were getting ready to set up for our pre-arrival service, I went for a walk and was unfortunately too slow making my way back to the aft galley and was stopped by some foreigner asking about forms for landing. As I was now running to the galley to retrieve them, this lady who I had pleasant report with earlier asked me if I had a pen for her to fill out her visa information with, and I quickly told her no, but to make friends with her neighbor. So I went back to the original passenger, handed him the form he needed, and as I was passing her seat I heard, "and there goes that rude bitch." Clear as day, loud enough for the surrounding 4 rows to hear.

I was floored.

I'm not one for confrontation, and I wish all of you could have met the other stews I was flying with because that title, while belonging to no one, most certainly wasn't mine. And aren't we all adults here? Who speaks like that about others in public??? I let it go immediately, I wasn't interested in lowering myself to her level. My co-workers felt differently and she was confronted in a professional way, to the effects of which I cannot quite relay. Something along the lines of is there a problem here? I'm not here to argue, but that behavior is not tolerated.

SO of course I posted this on MyFace.

Responses ranged from of course! to you're a sweetheart! to I had her on my flight last week.

Needless to say, I'm most certainly looking forward to my three day weekend, courtesy of scheduling granting my personal drop for tomorrow.

My new haircut?? Nah, my new suitcase

2010-10-12T12:53:00.000-04:00

En Fuego...

2010-10-07T20:00:00.002-04:00

On Tuesday, I was good for one day. Request to fly, my call out line (that I forgot I even held this month!) started at 3 and because all the airport alerts had been assigned, I thought I was in the clear to go ahead and plan my weekend. Wrong.

Luckily, I was up and showered with my bag packed and a set of uniforms clean by 2:30 and when I logged into the crew communication system to see what was going on, low and behold there was an assignment! 777 LHR, BusinessFirst. I had 20 minutes to throw on the monkey suit and book it out the door to make it on time, which I did. I didn't have my usual hour in the crew room to run around and talk to everyone, but being on time, getting food and to the gate was far more important.

The trip was uneventful at best. Two of the other girls and I spent the day in Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, as well as a quick stop in Harrods. Then it was off to Churchhill's Arms for Thai. Before we went to take our naps, I told the first officer where we had planned on going for dinner and he actually met up with us there on a whim! I had the punang curry and it wasn't nearly as good as the green. The pad Thai looked good; I might try that next time. After dinner we sat around and had a few beers, stopped at the grocery store and were back in the rooms by 9:30.

I was excited to be back so early because Ferris Bueller's Day Off was supposed to start at 10, which is perfect because I like to go to bed at midnight. I passed out even before the movie started! Lights on, tv blaring, contacts in, at the very least I had my pj's on. Unfortunately for me, I was rudely awoken at 2 am by the fire alarm, which was the loudest, most obnoxious noise I've ever heard in my life! It was so awful that I threw on my jacket, grabbed my key and went outside. Only to find all my crew members had changed, grabbed their passports and ids.

While I'm standing there, in my slippers. And hair like you wouldn't even believe.

There was a guy out there in just his boxers, and I was amazed at the number of people wearing the hotel robe. I found that to be a bit unacceptable; not that I've ever worn a hotel robe but now I'm really really not going to wear one!

Come to find out the next morning, some drunk hit the glass plate that covers the alarm. Awesome, drunk British dude. But I must extend a thank you, because we did get crew rest coming home! A whole glorious hour and fifteen minutes in the bunks :)

You don't even have to ask - juniority holds first break!

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things!

2010-09-27T20:03:00.002-04:00

We finally got that new crew hotel for our long LHR layovers! Its a reasonably nice hotel somewhere in Kensington, and I just love being in central London again. I would have liked to have followed Pinto's example of doing a layover on less than $50 USD, but I wasn't quite dressed to spend much time outside; it was rather breezy and I didn't have a jacket. I did, however, manage to wonder around our new 'hood and find the coolest pub ever! The building is covered in ivy and vines and foliage, with various flags flying from the rooftop - UK, Irish, and something else. I wish I would have taken a picture but I already felt like a poorly dressed American tourist. Inside is a classic pub, with a lovely bar and great beer selection. But if you continue around the bar to the right and keep heading to the back, all of a sudden you're in a Thai restaurant! That's decorated like an English butterfly garden! So I got myself a Guinness and a table, ordered green curry with prawns and gorged myself on some of the best Thai I've had in a while. I can't wait to take crew members and enjoy it with others.

RIP TravelPro

2010-09-23T20:00:00.001-04:00

Today as I was coming back from Heathrow, I noted that the handle on my roller was a bit abused. I don't usually use the handle on the side to pick up my bag so after three and a half years of flying around the world, abuse is saying it nicely.

So just now, at this very moment, I was bringing my bag upstairs to un- and re- pack for my trip to who knows where tomorrow, and bam! Gone. The handle broke. I pitched a mini melt down for dramatic effect, seeing as I don't have a back up suitcase. My father promised to glue it and bring my beloved roller that I've had for as long as I've been flying back to life. My game plan is to invest in a new roller tomorrow to have just in case.

I'm Going Home

2010-09-21T09:57:00.002-04:00

When I first transfered to the international base, the very first trip I picked up was LHR 777 aft galley. On that trip I made career long friends with a few people on the crew and we spent the layover wondering around the city and stuffing our faces with fish and chips and mushy peas. Oh how I love mushy peas. For those of you who've been following me for quite some time know that I love London; I forced myself to fall in love with this capital city because I knew I'd always be there or that this trip would be floating around open time so I might as well embrace it and enjoy. And I have. I was there for the good - our first crew hotel in Bloomsbury - and the bad - Camp Marriott for Crews. And now, I'm headed to our new crew hotel! I'm not really sure where it is, but it'll be good. I even have errands to do already; I have to exchange a shirt at Primark and my father has requested I bring home coffee. I hope I can find raisin bakes too!

Take me to New York? Nah. Londontown bound.

Oops...

2010-09-20T16:08:00.002-04:00

I lost a unam.

A unam is an unaccompanied minor. For my first trip back, I wanted to go to Dublin and to do so, I had to work the purser position - the service manager - meaning I was in charge of making announcements, selling duty free, and responsible for the delivery of the unaccompanied minor. She was older, about 14, and had flown by herself before and lied to me when she said she knew the rules. Obviously she missed the part when I told her not to go running off the plane upon our arrival, and that I would come and collect her. I was seated at door 1, we use door 2 for deplaning and by the time I was out of the bathroom, she was long gone. I gave her passport and information to the gate agent so she could find her and get her out of the country... only to discover as we were leaving immigration that she made it out of the immigration hall without her passport and the gate agent had yet to locate her. Awesome. So now not only have I lost her, but apparently the Irish government just lets anyone come waltzing into their country. I so desperately wanted to ask one of the agents the following morning what happened but it wasn't anyone who had dealt with the situation initially and I certainly was not going to rat myself out. So 14 yr old Samantha, who runs away and can't follow directions, where ever you might be, I hope someone who you know collected you at the airport and that Ireland beefs up their immigration policy... like requiring passports...

Band Aid!

2010-09-16T17:30:00.000-04:00

I have a band aid! And a pedicure! And a cute little scar on my ankle involving a boat, champagne, and glass...

Guess who's going back to work tomorrow??? Sans heels of course ;)

Fan Mail: Skirts

2010-09-13T12:43:00.003-04:00

I received this email over the weekend and would like to pose this question to all of my fellow flight attendant followers. I also forwarded this to my flight attendant best friend who's on a layover in the UK (oh international juniority!) and will post her reply as soon as I can, along with my own. So have at it kiddies!

Hi, I have a question - I fly pretty often and I noticed that many of
the female flight attendants seem to dress very provocative. Whether
its the high heels, extremely short/tight skirts,
tight/revealing/lowcut blouses or all of the above!
Do they dress like this on purpose - to entice the men? I happen not
to mind because it gives me something to look at when bored :) but
just curious why they do it.

Of course I have seen plenty of FA who don't dress this way but my
question is on the ones who do.

Eagerly awaiting your response

Rick

Doctors Orders...

2010-09-07T14:49:00.002-04:00

I saw the doctor day - it appears I'm out of commission for yet another week. It was indeed an appointment, he didn't know Lisbon is in Portugal. Things are healing up nicely, it just takes time to get things back to 100%. I'm hoping to be back in the air by the 17th, so we'll see.

Job share request is in... we'll see.

Dinner, courtesy of the Barefoot Contessa

2010-09-06T19:03:00.001-04:00

Now that I'm semi mobile, my mother put me to work and I made shrimp scampi for dinner with a simple recipe from the Food Network. There were zucchini floating around in there too but were not present for this particular snap shot. Thus far, I've also made lemon squares and zucchini bread.

Can you tell I'm ready to go back to work???

Lies

2010-09-02T12:29:00.002-04:00

The battery light on my dash, when illuminated, isn't lying. I thought it was; I was down the shore before my surgery when it first shined it's ugly orange light in my face. I figured with the rain and excessive salty air, there was nothing to fear. I haven't been driving much since then, but the past few times when I have been on the road - bam - there it is. The battery light. Usually it would turn itself off after a bit. Not the case today. So at the moment I'm stranded at the post office waiting for the tow truck. Awesome. There's a pizza place in this shopping center and I practically have a library in my trunk so I'm fully stocked with provisions and activities. This just isn't exactly how I pictured my Thursday...

Via iPhone

As it would turn out, I have a bad alternator. The shop I took it to actually put in this now bad alternator about a year and a half ago - half a year over the warranty. The whole thing is going to cost me $400 for a "new" (they don't make new ones for my car, only re - somethings... so technical, right?) part and labor. I told him time wasn't too important... its not like I'm going back to work just yet. I suppose the light on the dash should have been my first clue...

Itching

2010-08-30T13:41:00.002-04:00

My foot has finally begun itching. I know that this is good and all, as it is a sign of healing, but I want to take my wooden back scratcher and scratch the &*%$ out of it. Rip me a new one... perhaps digging out a fresh layer of skin with my nails would feel a bit better than leaving the one I have on now???

At the moment I'm down the shore at J's house. Yesterday her, her father and his friend went out to 'shred the gnar' or surf for you non-beach dwellers. Waves were totally kicking with Hurricane (?) Danielle. Don't tell my mom, but I totally went too! I double bagged my sneakered foot and gimped my way out onto the sand with a chair and sat on the beach. I figured if J's dad, a doctor, said it okay then should she find out, I can't get in trouble. And let me tell you, it was glorious. The sun was beginning to set, the sand cooling down... well worth being forced back to crutches that evening.

As for today, it's been kind of awful sitting here looking at the ocean a block away... I'm itching to hit the beach too. For those of you not in the big dirty, the sky is a perfect cloudless blue and it's lets get in the water hot - perfection.

Next week? Maybe? C'mon Doc!!!

Alyssa Hates Crutch.

2010-08-29T14:09:00.001-04:00

Good news - I'm in sneakers and hobbling around with ONE crutch. I was trying to go cold turkey, but that really isn't an option when I can't put weight on my whole foot.

On my next 'date' with Doctor, I'll have to express to him that while I'm glad that he moved all my spots on my heel it was rather inconsiderate that he did the ball of my foot at the same time. Both parts are essential to walking, thus cramping my style. My crutch free style!

Hammock!

2010-08-28T19:41:00.000-04:00

The treehouse got a hammock and I gimped up here all by myself :)

Like Justin, Been Sitting Here...

2010-08-28T17:14:00.002-04:00

I've been sitting here for just over a week now. I'm still 100% crutch-ified and am not mobile on my own two feet. My best friend did come all the way from Rome to visit me; I got to go outside! I practically killed her with her allergies. Oops. I'm still a little sad that I can't go down the shore - no sand and no submersion for the foot. I'm surprised at how much I miss work; I miss my peeps.

It would have been nice of you to come and visit me too. Oh, and yes, that's my passive aggressive nature at its finest.

I found a language school! I'd like to get all excited and tell you all about it but I'm waiting to see if my jobshare request is approved for October.

Waiting to heal, waiting for September to come, waiting waiting waiting.

However, two boxes showed up for me today... I wonder what's inside! :)

Shopping Via the Internet

2010-08-25T15:08:00.002-04:00

I may not be able to carry things while hobbling around on my crutches. This also impedes my ability to shop in the real world. So today, I decided that if there are things in this world I need - such as season 2 of How I Met Your Mother and 3 of Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia - that I shall make them come to me! Thank you on line shopping forums for making my dreams come true.

AND hopefully I'm drugged up enough to not remember ordering anything and will be pleasantly surprised when everything arrives :)

Prognosis? I still can't put weight on my foot. But I most certainly bathed today!

I Hate Feet

2010-08-24T20:07:00.001-04:00

So here's a snap shot of my fathers fine bandaging work. It doesn't hurt for him to remove the old dressing or apply the ointment - thank God. I just can't do it myself...

I still can't walk without crutches but I'm healing.

Dating a Doctor

2010-08-24T11:44:00.004-04:00

I have great admiration for doctors and nurses. Mostly because the sight of blood or gore makes me queasy. Super queasy. Prior to my surgery, the nurse was having a difficult time putting the iv in my hand and I started seeing stars and needed a cold wet rag for my forehead, like a weenie. I can't help it! I get that woozy feeling and it's game over.

So last night I had a 'date' with a doctor... I'm pretty sure the preferred word is 'appointment' considering his office staff arranged it, he's seen me in a legally drug induced state, and my father was there. Anyway, on my big date with the doctor, he removed the dressing and was trying to get me to take a look at the wound. I started to peer around at the bottom of my foot and bam! Guess who's seeing stars?

My only conclusion from all this is that I either a) simply HAVE to date a doctor who can deal with my ability to faint at the sight of blood and can be a man about it or b) at the very least, date someone who can deal with gore, regardless of his degree. Just another thing to add to my list of deal breakers ;)

Yous Guys

2010-08-23T18:04:00.003-04:00

I know you got married last weekend. Congratulations. It's something that I know you've wanted for a very long time and a person you've searched your whole life for, and I truly wish you both the best.

I know you put in a offer on a house - that's awesome! I hope its up to your standards, I know you wouldn't have put in the offer it if wasn't, but moreover, I know you'll make it into a wonderful home for you and your significant other to share. Enjoy your vacation and happy birthday.

I'm still hopped up on vicodin.

All Hopped Up

2010-08-22T13:15:00.001-04:00

I had minor foot surgery on Friday. I was sent home on crutches (only fell twice!) and vicodin. I'm out on sick leave for just over two weeks, and will return to yet another reserve line. I'm hoping for my job share request to be granted for October, but that's another consideration for a different day. At the moment I'm planning on putting together 6 days off next month and going on vacation - but where to? Suggestions? Ideas thus far: Lisbon, southern Italy, Greek islands. Bring it! I've got plenty of time to plan.

Left Coast Envy

2010-08-08T13:11:00.003-04:00

A few days ago, I picked up the long SNN layover with my good friend Lady Craver. There are currently three different SNN trips in the system - regular with 24 hours, the long which is over 30 hours, and then the four day with 48 hours. My friend Justin happened to be on the four day, on day three when I arrived at the layover hotel at 8 am on the long 3 day. He happened to be in the lobby getting ready to go on the big Cliffs of Moher tour so I decided to forgo my very precious sleep and join him!

Cliffs of Moher has to be on the most amazing places I've ever been in my life - it was stunning. I loved every minute of it and have truly fallen in love with Ireland. It never ceases to amaze me when these foreign destinations make the transition from places I've heard of once in a book to making me feel like home inside. I'm curious to see if the east coast of Ireland can ever get there too... ;)

New Found Glory

2010-08-06T21:26:00.002-04:00

bored, walking on the board

New Jersey Shore

if I come to New York

can I sleep on your floor?

been living out of a suitcase

on the motel floor

and running up the tab

at the corner store

at the corner store.

so barely walking on the boardwalk

anymore

when summer gets along

your hair gets too long

picking up the habit

so long before 4

when July is gone

I'll be 24

and not anymore

New Jersey Shore

And then,

not anymore

Moves

2010-08-01T13:51:00.003-04:00

So yesterday I hung out with a college friend of mine - let's call him Dr. A.H. He finishes up with med school and begins his residency sometime in the spring of next year. I was lamenting to him that everyone else is doing all these big kid things like getting married and buying houses; meanwhile neither of us have a significant other, nor prospects of one. Then again, our standards are a bit high - he wants someone who cooks and I want to be a kept woman, you know, those ones that do lunch. But we're also in places in our lives where its not exactly practical to settle down. His next "semester" is in Orlando and I find out on August 15th if I've been granted another job share and can start planning my move! It wouldn't be fair for either of us to pay mortgages on houses we don't live in or date people we don't actually see on a semi-regular basis. Someday. Maybe its sooner than I think...

My Apology... with Texts From Last Night

2010-07-23T12:29:00.006-04:00

Dear Maureen,

(FYI: 609 is my flight attendant bff J, and incorporated in this letter of apology explaining my/our so called life/ves is/are our texts from yesterday. aa = airport alert)

I lied to you. I know how you feel about knowing where I am for piece of mind and I told you yesterday that I would let you know where they send me. I usually make my antics known on Facebook but this particular day of scheduling shenanigans, there just wasn't time.

I came in from Shannon, as you know and failed to take a nap. I vegged out a bit, watched a movie, had dinner, talked to you before I went to bed.

(609): Gosh darn aa at 630 am

(856): I fear the scheduling wake up call...

I tried to sleep but couldn't in my crazy hot as Hades bedroom; I moved it to the couch downstairs. Scheduling called at 12:20 or so with a one day trip checking in at 5:45. I tried to sleep til 2:50, but I was up every half hour. I finally got up, dressed, packed a lunch and in my car at 3:25 and hit the road.

(856): And my check in is at 5:45...

(609): See you there sugar pie. I'm sorry

I made it out of my town and once I got on the highway, I noticed my check engine light was illuminated. Awesome. Called the house, woke up my father and turned around to pick him up and drop off my car. I started driving to the airport in the Taur-nasty while he caught a few zzz's. Its pretty sweet to get dropped off curb side to start your day.

I went downstairs and checked in for my trip: deadhead to Boston, work to Houston and deadhead back to Newark. My first thought was get released from the second dead head and catch the 12:38 to PHL. Seats available! Score.

(609): Did you make it? I'm waiting for the bus

(856): I'm in the crew room. I'm gate 128

(609): Ok. Deadhead to bos? Jerk stores

(856): Oh yes

I went got some coffee and headed to my gate. So I sit there, enjoying my cup of joe and cinnamon roll from some bakery in J's home town - gotta love the shoebies who bring my mom treats! We chatted briefly about how lovely it was for me to have gotten my personal drop and J's early release to days off so we could lounge and bake ourselves on the beach. We briefly discussed how after this we were headed to the outlets in AC on Friday, and then a weekend of partying and sun in the OC. J was pretty excited because this is her last weekend home before she moves to the city.

Got to BOS no problem, but my phone wouldn't let me check in or list myself for the PHL flight. Thankfully the gate agent took care of me. The crew I worked with had all been assigned this off of the couch yesterday; one of the girls had been sitting for 5 hours by the time she got assigned this trip. They had come into BOS late the night before and weren't legal to work the scheduled time of departure at 5:30 so it was delayed over 3 hours which was enough time to get me there. Then we were all scheduled to deadhead back to EWR on the noon. The flight was uneventful. I had forgotten how absurd American passengers are, not having flown domestic in I can't tell you how long. (I know I did I MEX turn a while back, but there weren't that many Americans on it to notice a difference). Landed in IAH at 11:20, which was just enough time to get released from deadhead and make to the other side of the terminal to my gate.

(609): Shannon 4 day. Crew rest now then rolling me 3 days. F*** me

(856): Nnnnnoooooooo!!!!

(609): Oh but yes. They released me early from aa... Damnit

(856): Not worth being sick? I'm sch a bad influence

(609): Too late. The aa phone rang and that's what they told me. Crew rest now 4 day tonight it would be sick after assignment

(609): Rolling 3 days?! WTF

Got to my gate, checked in for my flight. Called J to see how she was. Sometimes its just hard when scheduling owns you. I ended up on the jumpseat to Philly, which was fine with me - it meant I was going home. My dad picked me up and I said to him, "so how many more airports do you think we can make it to today?"

The reason it was so important to make that Philly flight is because everyone was at the house: parents, sister, aunt and uncle, and my grandfather. Had I landed in EWR, I would have had to take the train home and that would have easily taken 3 hours. And today, July 23, was her birthday. It was important to me to be home with everyone.

So I'm sorry I didn't tell you that I was in BOS or IAH. I'm also sorry that J got rolled and missed her weekend home. But I'm safe, and she has 5 days off when she gets back.

Moreover, you're in Florida and should have spent Thursday worrying about Florida things. I cannot WAIT to hear about your trip.

BRING ME BACK SOMETHING FRENCH!

Love always,

Alyssa

It's Always Sunny Above the Clouds

Scheduling Nightmares

Benjamin David

Of Monsters and Men - Love Love Love (Live on KEXP)

Things I Should Not Be Doing in January...

Resolving and Resoluting

Who Needs Sleep???

Ego Boost

Passion Pit - Tonight, Tonight (Smashing Pumpkins Cover)

DGE

Remembering...

A View From the Top

Hoboken, no jokin'

Its Coming...

International Foods

Do You Have A Blog???

Ich wohne in Irland.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

German and American Cultural Differences

The Happiest Place On Earth!

"Be Yourself" PSA with Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj

Oktoberfest

Lower Manhattan

You Know You're a Flight Attendant When...

ORD

Stonehenge

And That's What It's All About

ORD Sit Time

Big Girls Need Big Toys!

Bueller???

Days Off

Medical Emergency Fail

Happy Birthday!

Traffic

Oh Chicago, how I adore thee!

Too Much Time At The Office

Ready? OKAY!

Duke says hi.

Laviators!

Reserve dreams do come true!

Irish Bikini Win!

Peter Pan and Londontown

Old People Are Cool

Love, Lovers, and the Lack Thereof

Dirty

Swinging Through the PHL

Irish Bikini Fail

Moderately Impressed

How To Introduce Yourself 101

Exhaustion Is Cute!

There's no place like home!!!

Separate But Equal

Life Isn't Fair

Spoiled Rotten

Nothing Gold Can Stay

#500

Bazinga!

Jet Lagged...

Stuttgart Win!

Munich Fail

Cool Beans!!!

COUCH!!!

It's Alive!!!

America... *expletive* Yeah!

Bretzel mit Senf

12 Steps Not Needed

*News Update*

Planes, Trains

Quote of the Day

With Love, Crew Scheduling

Blizzard Watch 2011

Bucket List #27

E-A-G-L-E-S... EAGLES!!!

Daft Punk

Shits and Giggles

My Bathroom...

Yay for Bon Qui Qui Juniority

My new haircut?? Nah, my new suitcase

En Fuego...

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things!

America... expletive Yeah!

News Update