The Return: 2 Years in Etihad

Today marks my 2nd year anniversary in Etihad! Thus, my return in the cyber world. Yes, I do check my e-mail everyday, I check my Facebook, my Friendster and all other social network but unfortunately, I have failed to update my blog.

It has been a year since I have last shared my experiences in flying and in general, my life. And now, I don't even know how to begin. 

Well, I've been promoted to work in business and first class cabins. It's so much better than working in Economy. It's a bit more stressful because I have to make sure that all my guests are happy. But then again, it's better than handling hundreds of people. I like it because it is more personal, you can actually have a good conversation with the passengers. So far, I have not had a problem with premium cabin guests, which is good.

I've flown to more destinations. Let's see: New York, Brussels, Dublin, Melbourne, Milan and a few more I don't remember. I've flown to New York several times. I even had the chance to attend a friend's wedding. I'm happy to announce that we will start flying to Chicago on September, which means I have a good chance of seeing my cousins there. =)

There's only 2 layovers I have not done with Etihad, Bejing and Casablanca. One of which I will be doing tomorrow, Casablanca.

I've had 2 vacation leaves since my last blog. I spent half of my first vacation leave in Los Angeles and the other half in the Philippines. And on the second one I just decided to spend it all with my family in the Philippines, in my province with my beautiful and handsome nieces and nephew.

Unfortunately, I have stopped taking beautiful photos. Not totally, but I only have a few good shots these days.

I have come to enjoy the partying here in Abu Dhabi but it only lasted for a few months. Now, I'm back being a home buddy especially that I have my own TV and PS3 in my room. *grin* I still occasionally drink with my friends but only in our apartments. I got tired of all the clubbing.

I cut my hair really short! After a decade of having a long hair, I suddenly felt bored with it. So, I decided to chop it off. Plus the fact that I always get lazy to put it on a bun for a flight. Now, I just have to wash and blow dry and viola, good to go!

My parents came to visit me here. But it was only for a few days. We went to Dubai, Grand Mosque and went to a dinner buffet Shujah Yacht Cruise. They'll most probably go back here on October-November to watch F1 Grand Prix. I got my dad and myself tickets already. =) As for my mom, she'll like the shopping. Ahihihi.

As for those who are asking how to apply, you can send your resume/CV at www.etihadairways.com Currently, Etihad has stopped hiring in Asian countries. They are more focused on hiring eastern europeans and arabic speakers. But I'm pretty sure they will start hiring all nationalities again soon. I guess, they are just trying to balance crew members nationalities especially that we have opened new destinations such as Athens and Istanbul. Best of luck for those who are applying!

So, what else? I think that's about it. So, thanks for visiting my blog! I'll try my best to update it more often.

Busy Bee

I am a busy bee!.. or when I'm not, I'm just really exhausted from work. So pardon me if I am not able to update my blog. I am 

only human. I need my beauty sleep. LoL!

Recap

Second Half of Feb:

• Geneva flight with Queenie, Jennifer and Charity. I was lucky enough to have 3 other Filipinas in the flight. The layover was about 30 hours, so we had time to rest and at the same time go around. I wanted to go to the Alps, but there was not enough time. Maybe next time I would be able to get the 50 hours long layover.

Charity . Me . Queenie

Jennifer . Myself . Charity

Swans in the middle of the Lake

Shadows

Beautiful Swan

• Finally, after 8 months here in Abu Dhabi, I've crossed out one of the "things to do in UAE", desert safari. Dune bashing, sand boarding, camel rides, wearing abayas, belly dancing, ATVs! Sheesha? LoL! Don't smoke so, X!  I was just fun and exciting. What made it more fantastic was the great company I had. Ruth, Jeca, Patrick, Mike, Edsel and Karen. Thanks for the fun day guys! Oh, I would recommend that 7 people in a group for a desert safari. You'll all be in one car and you can shout, scream, laugh throughout the dune bashing. LoL! If not, you'll have to share the car with strangers. LoL!

Karen . Peaches . Jeca . Ruth

Sand Boarding

Sheik and Sheikas! LoL!

ATV Ride

The Belly Dancers!

Camel Up-Close

Dune Bashing

• My birthday was coming up and I was suppose to spend it here in Abu Dhabi. Oh, wait, no not in Abu Dhabi. In the sky, to Jeddah! Wah! How horrible right? So, a few days before my birthday, feeling down and all because of my schedule, went to the mall alone, and bought myself a birthday present. LoL!

The Birthday Gift

March:

• my birthday. Crew control just loves me. I was called from standby to do a Manila and lucky me my dad was in Manila, he was suppose to go home to our province already but yeah, I convinced him to stay one more day, well actually two days, in Manila. I'm my daddy's little girl. Ahihihi! We had dinner in Dampa a.k.a. seafood market. Yummy yummy food. Seafoods are my favorite! Crabs, shrimps, baked mussels! *drools* A simple dinner with my dad and sis-in-law, Joanne, yet it seemed like the perfect birthday. My mom, siblings and Dave were not with me but it did not matter, the thought of being in Manila on my birthday was just awesome! I'm still thankful I was able to spend it with family. And oh, the sweetest/nicest crew I've ever flown with. The captain was kind enough to allow me to be dropped off infront of our condominium since it was on the way. The cabin manager had a "debriefing"/surprise for me and they gave me a gift. And when I arrived Abu Dhabi, Jean and Ruth had a cake for me.

Yummy food!

flightmates

birthday cake

• Singapore-Brisbane adventure with Ruth + Grace and Kat. Ruth and I have been requesting Singapore-Brisbane for the last 4 months and we finally got it. It was sooo fun! In Singapore, we went to Sentosa Island, Merlion's Park, Espalande, Clark Quay, Orchard Road, Sim Lim Plaza and other more places. We even had the chance to visit my cousin in their lovely condominium and slept there overnight. In Brisbane. Just when we arrived, Ruth's aunt picked us up from the airport and straight away went to Gold Coast! The Spit, Surfer's Paradise and then off to Toowoomba where Ruth's aunt lives. I can't really express my thoughts into words right now, so I'll let the pictures do the explaining. LoL!

Ruthie . Gracie . Me

Merlion

the most fun thing we did in Sentosa!

Gold Coast

Mandy . Peaches . Ruth

Surfer's Paradise

I scream for ice cream! LoL!

with my cousin's family

Jump shot!

C Clinic

Clark Quay

The Hard Pancakes

Merlion's Park and Esplanade

The Surfer

To be continued...

The Greatest Love Story

I know it's been a while since I've posted something in my blog. But this was just something I had to post. It's not related about my travels and adventures but it's definitely worth sharing.

Team Hoyt

I first saw the video at my high school batchmate, Issa's multiply site. I cried when I first saw it and on the second time and third and fourth.... There's so much to learn from their story. I hope that by posting this blog/video, I will be able to contribute to the goal of Team Hoyt and to inspire and touch the heart of someone as much as it did to me.

www.teamhoyt.com

Stress-Free

I guess I am lucky with my roster. Another standby that turned into a Manila flight. I almost did not want it because my parents nor Dave was in Manila. But, in the end, I'm still thankful God gave me the flight. I had to feel how it is being home again. After 15 days of Leave, going back to Abu Dhabi was like starting all over again.

It was the day after Valentine's Day and a few days after a good friend's birthday, Rosy. Since my parents were not around, and apparently, there was a rally in Makati area. The only people that I was able to bug was Rosy and Katsy. My aunt and cousin from Chicago was also in the Philippines but because of all the fuss in Makati, we were not able to meet one another. And so, Rosy, Katsy and myself went to Glorietta, I bought a new set of MAC brushes, a pair of havaianas and a birthday gift for Rosy. After which, we went to TGIF and had dinner. According to Rosy, everytime I arrive and meet them up, she commits the sin, gluttony. All we do is eat, eat and eat like there is no tomorrow. LoL! It has only been 2 weeks since we went out together but it seems like we never ran out of stories to tell one another. This and that, who and what, where and when. Work, love, life and of course, gossips! LoL! We wanted to watch a movie but Katsy had to go home early and Rosy was going to meet her cousins so maybe next time. Oh, this is my first manila flight that I slept in the hotel room alone. I was convincing Ate Joanne, my brother's wife, to stay with me in the hotel but she was tired and lazy to commute. LoL! I was planning to go to the Mall and have my hair and nails done the next morning but I decided not to and just rest in my room.

A stress-free Manila flight. Eveything was just spur-of-the-moment. No important appointment or date. No to-do list. It was nice. Different from the usual Manila flight I have. Being called on standby isn't that bad. Though I was not able to see my family or Dave. I was able to bond with my friends.

My Favorites

Meet the dogs of my life. I love them so much and they love me back unconditionally. I was so glad I was able to spend time with them again during my vacation leave. If only I could bring one of them here in Abu Dhabi, staying here would be so much easier. At least I wouldn't feel alone at times.

Choknut, the number 1 dog of my life. She's my dog. Not really, she's my mom and dad's dog but she loves me more! LoL!

Twix, my brother and his wife's dog. Husband to my Choknut! Hahaha!

and of course, Lala, she's the pup of Choknut and Twix. My mom gave her to Dave and so she's our new baby.

Peewee is Lala's brother. He's now with my sister-in-law's family. (L-R Peewee and Lala)

Oh, all photos are taken by mwah. with my 400D. bwahahaha. yes, i love my new toy!