Who Needs Sleep???

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

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)

DGE

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...

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

BusinessFirst. International. Dublin.

Hoboken, no jokin'

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...

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

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???

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.

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

German and American Cultural Differences

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

ORD

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

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

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

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!

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???

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

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

"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!

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

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!

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

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!

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.

Laviators!

Reserve dreams do come true!

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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!!!

Happy time in the fridge :)

Separate But Equal

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

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

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

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

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!

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...

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!

New service beginning this summer.

Now I really really have to be a speaker.

Munich Fail

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!!!

Millennium Park, Chicago, Illinois

COUCH!!!

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

It's Alive!!!

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

America... *expletive* Yeah!

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

Bretzel mit Senf

Philly soft pretzel, spicy mustard.

So close, yet so far away.

Yo quiero Germania.

12 Steps Not Needed

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*

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

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

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

Henry J. Tillman

With Love, Crew Scheduling

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

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

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!!!

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

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 ?