My 22nd year of priveleged existence & More than a month of flying…

Few days from now, will be my 22nd year of existence in the world already! (January 25) I’ve been keeping a daily Journal spontaneously for 6 years now, After more than a month of flying, I’ve realized that I had so many good experiences that I would love to go back to, I’m glad I love taking pictures!!! (For remembrance), but how can I ever forget my 1st layover in Trivandrum, India – It was such a nice experience, the hotel was nice (beachfront rooms) the breakfast buffet was great… Then, (Dec.16’2006) Vienna, Austria- I wasn’t that prepared when I went there, I have no scarf & gloves with me because I wasn’t expecting the climate will be extremely cold! It’s also the day the ATM machine had taken my card because I entered wrong pin! I’ve also been to (Dec.23-24’2006) Cochin, India- Take lots of pictures, went to spa & ate in an Indian restaurant. Bahrain- night stop in Intercontinental Hotel, It was less than 4 hours stay and as usual I didn’t sleep, I take pictures instead… (Dec.30-31’2006) Kuala Lumpur- We just stayed in Pan Pacific Airport hotel no much scenery for picture taking but I enjoyed my duty free shopping there, bought lots of groceries & perfumes… (January 3-6’2007) Finally, I got Manila flight! After 3 months of being away to my family… When we landed NAIA, I’m so excited to go to our hotel (Crowne Plaza Galleria) because my family is waiting in the lobby… Though I’m so sleepy & tired due to 9hrs flight from Doha to Manila, still my Manila stay are worth it… 1st night went to mall & had a body massage at Fitness First then sleep for awhile went to Antipolo Church with my family to attend mass at 4am & also had breakfast… Then went to my dentist, Optical shop had a contact lens upgrades, beauty salon, groceries & went shopping again! After Manila, I had a 4 days off & Standby before my flight to (January 11-12’2007) Bangkok, Thailand- Went to Mall & went to spa for Jetlag massage, Sleep at around 2am woke up around 5am, since I can’t sleep anymore, I used the Hotels’ Steam bath & Sauna then Swimming all by myself! I went to the spa again for foot massage.. Since they don’t accept Qatar Riyals, I withdraw money from the ATM machine & forgot my ATM card! (Here we go again) After spa walk around again & bought some groceries & ate at Thai restaurant.. Arrived Doha at almost 1am of January 13, still have my Doha-Dubai-Doha turn around departure at 8:30pm later evening! Then arrived Doha at 12:30am of January 14 still have my double sectorflight! Doha-Abu Dhabi-Doha- Kuwait-Doha! My pick up time is 11:30am! Spent 3 hours in Abu Dhabi Duty free, bought some perfumes then, Arrived Doha at 11:50pm It’s my 1st time to spent my entire week flying without sufficient rest.. Thank God my double sector was delayed so they just cancelled my next morning flight to Riyadh or else I won’t be able to sleep again & 

I don’t know what will happen next…   Despite of sleepless nights, turning day into night & having abnormal sleeping patterns, I honestly feel so lucky & privilege having all these things so I might as well share it with you… I’m exploring different countries & being paid to do it, and because only few jobs offer the chance to work in a different environment every day, with different scenery, surrounded by different faces, Try many cuisines all over the world, shopping in different destinations & take lots of pictures in different scenery, having discounts in some business establishments- restaurants & shops including duty free with our I.D, But the biggest benefit of all is walking through the airport in uniform, head held high, pulling wheeled flight trolley, and having people look admiringly at you… If you fly internationally as a flight attendant, the world will be your playground, you can go virtually anywhere on vacation!

International Career, More Blessed life: Worth waiting for…

It was April 25’2006- when I submitted my resume at International Placement Agency through email they replied after 2 days saying that I should proceed to Physical Screening and Initial Interview, April 27’ 2006- I went to the Agency wearing corporate attire as required, they checked my skin, teeth, height & weight, luckily I have no noticeable blemish & my weight are proportioned to my height. I passed the physical screening and scheduled me for interview. April 28’ 2006- I visited Our Lady of Manaoag in Pangasinan, May 3’2006- I went back to Agency for the interview, a foreigner personnel interviewed me, Ms. Jasmine told me that they will call within 4-6 weeks if I will be short-listed. Weeks has passed and I haven’t receive any call, but I didn’t lose hope, I also applied to other Airlines such as Etihad Airlines, they called me for assessment at Hyatt Hotel in Roxas Blvd, but I arrived late afternoon and it was closed already! but that didn’t discourage me!

June 23’2006- After more than a month of waiting, while my family and I are on the way to St. Jude church in Manila, I received a text message from IPAMS saying that I should report at IPAMS to pick up my Qatar Airways assessment! The messages are still in my cellphone! =) After we visited the church I received another text message from Cebu Pacific, they invited me for exams on June 26 7:30am at Training and development Center, Pasay. The exam was so hard, it’s like entering a prestigious university. It’s strictly time pressure per exam, it includes English proficiency, Analogy/Abtracts, Problem reasoning with explanation, reading comprehension, Psychology & mathematics!!! I spent 4 hours there, we were 24 taking exams then only 3 Passed, including myself, but down to 2 because the other applicant has a tattoo in her arms. So we were just 2 who passed that morning. Thank God!

I solemnly pray and offer Novena to Mother Perpetual & St. Rita (St. of Impossible.) I really want to be a Flight Attendant, My story started when I was 5 yrs old, (1990) my first trip to Singapore, California then Hawaii. Seeing and knowing the Perks & advantages of flight attendants that was enough for me! I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up, and with my almost yearly travel abroad, I have never deviated from that dream! Finally my chance came. I’m 21, old enough and just graduated a 4 years degree of B.A Communication Arts last April 1’2006.

June 30’2006- Qatar Airways workshop & Assessment held in New Manila, QC. The Flight attendant recruiters are British, Egyptian and Indian national (No Filipino). First they orient us, some discussion, Question & Answer, etc… Then they gave us comprehensive English Proficiency exam, while taking the exam they called the applicants by number, one by one… (I still recall my badge number 42!) Then they once again measure the height, weight, teeth and they will ask you some personal questions to test communication skills, They even asked if I was wearing contact lens, I replied yes, because I’m near sighted. After the exam they will check the papers then divide us to 3 groups for group dynamics, they gave us 3 situations & problems, on where we must contribute our ideas and point of views while the recruiters are evaluating us. The time has come, they will already announce the chosen applicants, I was Chosen!!! I was the last number announced! 42! Thank God! Out of 50 applicants that morning I was one of the 8 who got chosen!!! My heart is pounding, my hand is shaking, it’s like I want to cry! While other applicants who already have experiences and currently working at Philippine Airlines & Cebu Pacific and some already applied more than 3 times already but got rejected, I can’t believe I was chosen immediately… It was one of the memorable days of my life! Then I went home and pray, it’s such a big help!

July 2’ 2006- (Sunday) After filing out the application forms given by the international airline, We went to the International placement Agency for my Panel Interview, Then Executive Interview! It’s like a Ms. Universe pageant Q & A with more than 1 interviewer. Sensing how determined and serious I was, they closed the interview saying that the decision will be out within two weeks because the authorities when they’re back in Qatar will still approve it! The following day, an unfamiliar telephone number registered my cellphone, I missed the call and didn’t bother to call back, but then the next day July 3’ 2006,the exact time when I was reading a prayer book, the same number called me. If I’m not mistaken her name is Ms. Feyolla- an Egyptian. She said, “Hi, Estrellita!? If we will accept you, we would like you to know that colored hair is prohibited” I said “Oh, no Problem!” She said, Ok, great! Have a great day”.

A week came, and another week. It’s really hard to wait! Most especially when you didn’t know yet what you’re waiting… I was wondering why it took almost 3 weeks already, what went wrong, A time comes that I couldn’t stand the suspense any longer – I called the Agency to know if the results are out already! Finally, July 19’ 2006 (Wednesday) out of my despair – I received a text message that I should call the Agency regarding Qatar Airways application, I was inside the car that time, so I used my cellphone to call them, This was the big moment! They informed me the schedule of orientation & requirements that I should bring because I’m already accepted as FLIGHT ATTENDANT to an International Airline! I had finally received the answer I wanted to hear – I got the job!

*** “Prayer is a big help, keep believing, just have faith, don’t’ lose hope in achieving your goals in life, don’t let yourself be distracted because you know yourself better!!! Always remember that Everything’s happen for a reason, Time will come that it’s your time to shine so Dream big! & you’ll go far!” –Star

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