Saccharine Changes

Before I hopped into this flying profession, every single thing is far from my reach. Everything involves monetary concerns. I only shop at thrift stores/ukay-ukay and even if they're already that cheap, I won't give in until I can buy for less than a hundred pesos. Bench, Penshoppe, and other local brands are familiar yet stranger to me. I find them expensive or at least impractical. I can't buy a good pair of shoes right away, I need my mom's consent first and 1,000 pesos for shoes meant a whole lot to me. Even 500 pesos pair of shoes would still make my eyebrows raise. Or even if I know the value-for-item is very reasonable, I cannot still afford it. I frequent cardinerias/cheap eateries to cater my grumbling stomach. Of course I'm very much satisfied with the food they sell - cheap + delicious. Very homemade taste. 

Before I still need to save, save, save before I could buy what I want - one at a time. I don't even step into these branded stores, never. For what? For salesladies to look at me from head to foot, all the more if I come out empty handed. Dining out means saving a lot first and from the menu I will select the cheapest. 

But I was happy no less. I believe that I'm still blessed because my family supports me with whatever I wanted to buy, though of course I don't ask much. I know my limits and theirs, too.

Now... At the moment I stepped into this awesome job, everything changed. 

All the doors of branded and signature items opened up for me. I can pay a visit anytime and I can come out with purchases of anything I want. Dining at fine dining restaurants is like a decision of a whim. No need to save up and I can even bring my friends with me.

Shopping in high end stores is like shopping in street markets. Filling in the shopping bags - no not bags but trolley! - is easy peasy. Aside from a trolley almost about to burst, hands are also full with  heavy shopping bags. And as if that's not enough, more items are still looking for to purchase. Like one time in Delhi, I shopped like crazy in this shopping stretch. I already have a looot but seeing my wallet still with money, I still scouted for more items. I really, really, really want to consume all the rupees I have with me but my body cannot coordinate anymore. I am so effin' tired. For the first time I literally experienced "shop till you drop."

If Parisian (shoes), Bench, and Penshoppe are hard to afford before, now I already own a big Mango bag and I'm still planning to buy one, lots of Vincci pairs, and thick folds of foreign branded clothes.

It's all so surreal... Like a dream...

This month is my 5th flying month and I can't wait to buy every girl's dream bag: Louis Vuitton! Can you believe that?! And no we're not talking about the small speedy one, it's something bigger than that of course! 

Oh my, I never thought all these will be possible.

Fine dining, heavy shopping, and world tour... ALL THE TIME.

Thank You, Lord. Thank You so much.

Haste is Waste

What's up with these people who push you to get married ASAP?! Love, wedding and marriage are three different things. 

Love is why you two decided to tie the knot. 

Wedding is the fancy, glittery celebration of the union.

Marriage is where reality sets in that after the one-day celebration, it takes more than love and romance to make things work.

Thank you.

What Went Wrong With Them?

Being too busy made me miss so many things with regards the blogosphere, especially among my followed blogs. Recently I just knew that there is a big clash among my favorite fashion bloggers and more than just exchanging of harsh words, physical altercation already took place. That is so sad and too much. Totally too much.

For heaven's sake, why? I find it so shallow for people to fight over fashion, fame, let alone insecurities. Human as we are, we take care of our ego more than ourselves as a whole. We want everything to land on our hands. We will do whatever it takes, sometimes even having the necessary to hurt others. Until we find ourselves in a pit of dilemma, shame, and sorrow - all of which are self-caused. Much as we count how many heads to blame, in the end only one person is responsible: our self.

As for this whole shebang, it seems like a lot beyond virtual explanation has already taken place and everything has blown out of proportion. I know nothing, not even a percent, of what has truly happened so I don't know who's statement to affirm. Certainly they have their own reasons why they did what - be it valid or not. Perhaps out of frustration, envy, personal agenda, or just simply wanting to stand out above everyone else.

It's saddening because fashion blogging should be something so light and fun. It's just a soul's creative outlet of her fondness to clothing thus not to be taken negatively to the next level - the level of hatred and humiliation. Fashion is and must be fun, no more no less. They should be style sisters, beyond superficiality, as they share the same interest and have one common goal - to stay fashionable and share the fashion fun to others.

What has gone wrong? Why do they have to hurt one another? I understand one is only defending themselves but saying too many harsh words in defense doesn't make her any different at all. I understand anger can provoke a person to say such but... I guess being mindful of what you say doesn't hurt and maturity means not to stoop down on anyone's level just to be heard.

I sound so affected and indeed I am because I admire them all, their creativity and stylish personalities. Which is why I feel disappointed more so sad with all these fiasco. Everything has gone overboard and the exchange of bashing has gone further. They are already hurting each other in worst ways - emotionally and physically.

May all parties be lighted and may realization take place that in the end, after all these, nobody wins.

To Dream While There is Light

Travelling is so addicting. Seeing one beautiful place would make you want to visit more. This is the list I've compiled of places someday I want to visit. They're not included in Saudia destinations so it would take me tons of savings and proper preparation. 

Nobody would disagree that traveling is one of the best things on earth. Enjoying marveling around and appreciating God's perfect creations is beyond comparable. Beautiful places on earth are endless. Even one country offers a lot to visit, then how much more the world?

Something New

I am now flying as an international flight attendant of Saudi Arabian Airlines - and I still can't seem to believe it. Everything happened so fast. Though it took two full years before this dream became a reality. First off, my weight issues. I used to be 75kg and now I'm 59kg. Wow. But I still need to exert more effort regarding weight department. Losing weight is a battle and the Lord only knows how much struggle I was/am into to beat all the odds. Diet pills, non-invasive treatment, diets, exercise, dietitian consultation, 100% dedication. Only God can tell how much I have worked hard for this. 

Losing weight is hard - physically, emotionally, and even monetarily. My family spent a lot on this and I still am, of course since now I'm already employed. Like a hell lot. But it's all worth it. Think of London? Geneve? Whole world? Ain't that worth it?

I applied and got hired when I was 25, I'm now 26. The one and only job, the one and only company I applied for. I felt like I had it all at 25, well actually the funny thing is, it's a week before my 25th year existence ended. Prestigious job, strong company, loving family, supportive friends, and the world. Just as I was humbly sinking in that thought I took aback and realized, oops, it's not what I am thinking. Because in the first place, I am loveless, for more than a year now. AND I AM HAPPY. :)  

Two years of toil and waiting but I still say it's all so fast because a week after I had medical tests and a day after I had my POEA orientation, I was told right away I have to leave the country ASAP! Like the following day! Zooom! My parents were in Zamboanga that time and hours before my first ever international flight they arrived. It was a tear-jerking moment for me. Totally. And the rest is history.

I arrived here in Jeddah last April 4, 26 days before I turned 26. We had our rigid training for two months and immediately we already started flying. We were on standby for a month. My first flight was 4 legs round trip and with God's grace I flew with my long lost friend. The last time we saw each other was when we were 16 and now we're both 26. Imagine?! It's been 10 years. I had a great time with her and she was sooo excited because finally she already has a (personal) travel buddy - soon in God's time. 

After that I wasn't called to fly for like 4 days and I felt down because most of my batch mates were already having layovers (hours of stay), domestic and international. Some were already called for London, New Delhi, and Frankfurt. But lo and behold, I got the magic call to operate Singapore with 73 hours layover. OMGEEE!! Imagine that!!

Singapore is a golden flight of Saudia, it's more special than London or Paris. Because it's only operated by the seniors, those flying beyond 4 years. The flight schedules are so rare and the layovers are so long, 73 or 98 hours that's why only seniors get this flight when they bid for it. But there I was, just 4 days flying without any domestic pairing/layover.

My co-crew were stunned and amazed because I'm the most junior. The other junior (line holder/not standby) is already four years flying and it's her first time to fly to Singapore. One Syrian FA is already 7 years in the industry but it's as well her first time. And there I was, four days old in this high thing. :D So just imagine the huuuge smile in my heart.

I'm now 6 months old flying and I'm super loving it. With all the highs and lows, with all the difficulties in working up there, I still come home and sleep with a warm smile. :)