And Don't Forget Your Deodorant!

I frequently make fun of my best friend Mo for the absurd amounts of deodorant that she slathers practically all over her side, from elbow to waist. I will be the first to admit that she never smells of BO and I'm glad that I have friends who aren't European in their daily hygiene.

Earlier this week, I was in Orlando visiting the Mouse. As we all know from my constant lamentations, Jersey did not have a typical summer and I don't even remember being constantly uncomfortable for days on end. I was, however, constantly uncomfortable in Orlando. It was outrageously hot and humid there and I sweated up a storm. Day one we went to Typhoon Lagoon, where everyone smells so you don't really notice it over the stench of chlorine. Day two we went to Hollywood Studios and whilst standing in line for Rockin Rollercoaster, I noticed some body odor. Not horrifying, just unclean and in need of some pit stick. I started sniffing around to make sure it wasn't too close by when it dawned on me. THE SMELL WAS COMING FROM ME. THE LIFESPAN OF MY DEODORANT HAD MET ITS UNTIMELY DEMISE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY. AND I WAS HORRIFIED. At the end of the day, we made a Publix stop and I invested in a new kind. I'm convinced you have to change brands every two sticks. The next day at Magic Kingdom I noticed a change in coverage - like there actually was some - but by the end of the day with that much constant sweating... it's just gross. In climatic situations such as Florida's, there really isn't anything else you can do but deal. I now, however, vow to never make fun of Mo again because putting on that much deodorant is simply being nice to others. Go hygiene!

5 Words

Recently, in one of the blogs I follow, someone had given the blogger five words and she had to expand on them. I too wanted to join the fun and thought it would be a cool way to get to know more about me. Here goes it:

Security: SECURITY??!!! SEH-CUR-ITY!!!! When we first started flying LHR's, the reserve bus as I like to call it, there was this MadTV skit that we would perform over and over: Bon Qui Qui. She works at the King Burger and has an attitude like no other. And also provides endless hours of fun when deliriously tired.

Cousin: Cousin Larry! Perfect Strangers! TV used to be so much better in the 1990's.

Reality: This one threw me for a loop; when is this word not paired with TV? Reality... My reality? My reality is that next month I won't be sitting reserve and will get to experience what my life will be like. My biggest (best?) character flaw is I fail to see people for who they really are as opposed to all their greatest qualities and people they're striving to be... when in reality, they're not.

Generous: Me, when I tip. I tip too much. I'm generous with my time; just ask Mo how many times she's been to my house. I'm generous with my love and have been known to give it away too freely. I suppose that's just a part of being young too.

Sleep: My favorite past time. Sophomore year of college, it was lights out at 11 every night. I don't know anyone who got as much sleep as Colleen and me that year. It was glorious. Coming off trips, I've been known to pass out for 12-14 hours. I love naps, like a two hour nap every now and then... yum! I learned to nap freshman year and it is an important skill to have. I'm still working on my sleeping on the plane skills, but usually during crew rest I can catch a few zzz's.

Full Time V. Part Time

Full time aviators work an average of 80 flight hours a month. That's what normal people do in two weeks. Part time at my airline, with full benefits, vacation and sick time accrual is only 40 flight hours. Which is what the working stiffs do in ONE WEEK. Thus far in my flight attendant career, I have been a full fledged reserve with average line values of 80 hours. For the next bid month of October, I have been awarded a job share with a senior flight attendant. Who holds Honolulu. For those of you in the industry, you know how exciting this is. For those of you who aren't, I guess the best way to describe my new work life is part time and with a real schedule. I'm going to know exactly where and when I'm going and I'm most likely only going to do three trips max. I'm only going to go to work for (at most) nine days in October and will more than likely be the happiest person on the plane for those very few trips. I have no idea what we're bidding, but you can bet your bottoms that I'll keep you posted! The fact that I will not be sitting reserve in October blows my mind, and I feel freedom in a way I haven't since I was in college.

This Week

Thursday: So glad my faux dinner plans didn't materialize. I slept for 12 hours instead.

Friday: Airport alert at 3, called for SNN at 6:32. Got paid two hours to sit in the crew room, and the value of the trip. At least it was a beautiful day in Ireland.

Sunday: Landed at 11, in my car by 11:35, and at church with my friends in Bridgewater in time for the Gospel. It doesn't count if you miss the Gospel.

Monday: SURFING. Successfully. Three times.

Tuesday: Deutsch. Ja.

Wednesday: Its raining. Again.

Tomorrow: I go on call for the next three days. Then on Sunday, I'm off to Florida!

Is it October yet? I'm ready.

Olde To Jet Lag

So I picked up a Heathrow for Tuesday, even though I do try my hardest to boycott the airport hotel. This was my first trip back to work in almost a week, and we got in super early. I was in my room, in the bed by 8 am local time. I did not get out of aforementioned bed until 4:30 pm! I never sleep that late! When I realized what I had done, I jumped out of bed and headed down to the gym for my 45 minutes on the treadmill and had dinner with the crew at 6. I was back in my room before 9, and asleep again til 1:30. I watched some tv, then tossed and turned til 5 when I really started to nod off again. Promptly at 6:15, the person in the room next door started to blow out her hair. Did I mention we had the door to create adjoining rooms? Awesome. At least I only had to work B zone aisle home and flight time was a mere 7 hours and 5 minutes. I also took one of those water soluble vitamins chock full of B-12 and was rip roaring and ready to go for the last service, passing out of the documentation, and my excessive drive home. I was running at full steam til about five and now my eyes lids are flying at half mass. Earlier this week, I had briefly contemplated dinner plans for this evening. I don't know what makes me think I'm okay to do something social after trips. Could I have powered through it? Yes, and I've done it before. But there's no way I could have driven more than 15 minutes or had any sort of adult beverage of fun. I'm still coming to terms with the crap that is reserve and trying to negotiate the fact that there are always going to be things (the Labor Day festivities) and events (my Grandmother's birthday) that I'm going to miss. And still adjusting to the constant brain fog of jet lag.

Oh, and that movie quote???

Totally Sister Act.

View From the Top

I see your movie quote madness Flying Pinto, and I raise you! However, there's no prize for guessing the right answer... just the satisfaction that you indeed are correct.

"I guess I've always been upbeat, optimistic, perky. My mother used to say that girl is pure sunshine. She'll either grow up to be a nun, or a stewardess. Coffee?"