Happy New Year´s Eve from Sao Paulo!

Our hotel, the Renaissance Sao Paulo, has an internet cafe and gives crew members free access... so here I am! The keyboard is a little different since it is set up for Portugese (sp?) so bare with me. Needless to say I am having a blast! Where do I begin?

I guess I´ll start out with the flight. It took us about eight hours and 40 minutes to get here from New York (going home tonight will take about ten!) and we´re flying a Boeing 777. The flight was long, but we get rest breaks where we´re allowed to sleep if we want. That sleep made all the difference! We arrived here yesterday morning about 10:30 and hit the ground running at about 1:00, by the time we cleared passport control, got on the bus, made it to the hotel and changed. The smarts ones slept a while and the rest of us went out right away. I hung out with three other flight attendants, two of which have been here frequently and one of them was a Portugese speaker. The two that had been here before had some shopping to do, so the other flight attendant and myself went along to see the sites. Of course, everyone was getting ready for the big celebration tonight... New Year´s Eve is one of the biggest holidays in Brazil, even bigger than Christmas.

We went to several pharmacies looking for this hair product and then went to this store called Extra. At first appearance, it seemed like a Super Wal-Mart... but in the end it was really more like a Mega Wal-Mart. They had EVERYTHING! From groceries to toiletries, tires to tools, computers and printers, even washers, dryers and ovens. Did I mention refrigerators? How about the housewares section and then the clothing section? This place was huge. Truly ONE STOP shopping. And it was all high quality, not like Wal-Mart. This is where ALL the locals shop. It was really cool. I woud like to find the GAP or something like it. I love American stores in other countries. They always have different things. Oh, and we had lunch while at Extra, too.

After that we returned to the hotel for some much needed rest. We had planned to meet as a crew at 8pm for dinner. Here´s a good time to talk about the hotel. It is beautiful and the rooms exquisite. They are decorated using modern contemporary styling (my favorite) and are nicely appointed. The bathroom has a large soaking tub with seperate, free standing glass shower. Talk about royalty. And this takes the cake: the bathroom even has one of those ``butt-day´´ things. You know, the thing that ``gently washes´´ your ass, um, bum... I don´t know how to spell it, and I think butt-day is fun anyway. (This is what happens when you take someone from Gardnerville and put him out in the world! Some things should not be done.) So enjoyed a nice bath (my whole body, not just my ass) in the soaking tub. It was very nice to relax and gives those very tired muscles a break. It was nice to step into my own personal robe after the bath. And then sleep!

We went to dinner at this resteraunt called Angelica´s Grill. Apparently this resteraunt is very typical of Brazil, and very popular. It´s almost like a buffet, but they bring everything to you. There is a large salad bar you help yourself to with everthing from salad to sushi, even boiled Quail eggs. Then they bring the food on. The entire time you sit there, they bring out meet -- filet mignon, roast beef, prime rib, pot roast, chicken drums, breats, thighs and hearts, lamb, sausage, etc. They also bring out rice, fried yucca and plantains, fried polenta, onion rings and french fries. This place is a real artery clogger! The price? 40 reillas, or about $12. I can´t begin to tell you how inexpensive it is here.

After dinner we had planned to go to a club called the Kremlin. It was closed, as well as three other clubs we checked into. We ended up at O Malley´s, a typical Irish Pub. There we drank and smoked cigars and had a good `ol time until about 3:30 in the morning. I smoked about ten cigarette sized cigars flavored like coffee and cream from Holland, as well as drinking four Schmirnoff Ice´s and shooting two Sambuca shots. I was tipsy to say the least. Hey, I had to celebrate the new year then, because we leave tonight at 11:35 so I´ll be in the air when the clock hits midnight. We had a great time.

I got up this morning about 9:30 and readied for my ten o´clock appointment for a pediure and manicure. They are so cheap... both set me back about ten dollars... total, not each! And that brings me here. I am having lunch at the Cyber Cafe and writing in the blog. I am going to do a little sightseeing after this around the hotel, and then this afternoon we´re meeting at about four to watch the New Year´s parade. Between now and then, I´ll need to get some much needed sleep for our ten hour flight home. We arrive in New York tomorrow morning at about six. From there I will head home to Vegas.

I´ve had a great time here and will fill you in on the rest when I get home. I guess now no one will ask me, ``Why New York?´´

This is gonna be one hell of a New Year's Eve!

Why? I just got a call from screw schedule and they are sending me to Sao Paulo, Brazil tonight! I can't believe it! We don't fly there from Boston... they are sending me first to New York and then south... deep south! I am so excited! Although I really will be in the air when the clock strikes midnight on December 31, on my way back to the states, it will still be a blast. I have a 35-hour layover there. Hopefully the crew will be nice and take me to some cool places. If I can find an internet cafe there, I will be sure to let you know how it's going from the road.

Happy New Year to you all!

Happy Birthday Dad!

So you're wondering, "How did he end up in El Paso?" On Christmas day I was originally planning to go to Reno. I was going to leave Boston about 3 in the afternoon, but with that storm headed in, I decided to leave early and get out before I couldn't get out at all. Instead of going to Reno via Chicago, I went via Dallas. When I was in Dallas, I passed a flight to El Paso and suddenly realized I could go there for a day and still make it home to spend some time with my parents. So I went to El Paso instead of Reno. This was on Christmas day.

Yesterday, the 26th, I flew from El Paso to Reno and arrived about 10:30 in the morning. I hung out all day with my mom and ran into Brian at the mall doing a story on after Christmas shopping. Last night my parents, Brian and I met up with Jim and Cathy and had dinner at the JT for my dad's birthday, which is today. Then we came home and had cake and ice cream and I got to open my Christmas presents.

Today I am flying back to Boston. My flight leaves Reno at 11:44 this morning and I'll arrive in Boston about midnight... I have some lovely airport appreciate time in Chicago - some three hours of it! If this all sounds tiring, it is! I will prolly sleep my way across the country and won't be able to sleep at all tonight. That's the way it goes! So there's my Christmas tale. It was completely worth it! I got to see my family when I didn't think I'd get to. That, is a true Christmas present.

Merry Christmas everyone!

I made it to El Paso today to spend Christmas day with Beth and her family, and I will be flying to Reno in the morning to meet up with my parents. I hope you all have a wonderful day!

Hello from Boston!

I just returned from another trip to the Caribbean. It's a nice change from the cold weather in Boston and the cold weather we've been having in Las Vegas lately. I am on-call the next two days, but hope to be able to fly to Reno on Christmas Day to spend a day with my parents before returning to Boston. Beth is in El Paso for Christmas with her family. Brian and Rene are in Las Vegas with her family for the holidays. It's so wierd being all spread out... growing up isn't always a fun thing!

Beth and I received some very sad news the other day... our kitty, Mokey, is in the early stages of kidney failure and won't be with us much longer. We knew there were problems, but thought they could be fixed by some magic pill. Unfortunately, she only has a few months left with us. That breaks our hearts. She has been so loving... always cuddling and full of affection. I just don't know what we'll do without her, especially Beth since Mokey is her companion when I'm gone. I guess I am in mourning for both Mokey and Beth. I am just so sad. She's so cute... I dread not having her soft little body to hold and cuddle, those big brown eyes and her little bat ears.

We'll just have to cherish the next few months as much as we can, and hope that she can go happily and peacefully -- and without pain. I love my little kitty...

I had another flight lesson cancelled today due to weather...

And people think it's always nice in Vegas. Huh! It's the damn wind, as usual. Today we had sustained winds of over 30 miles per hour, and gusts that topped 50. Not a nice day to be flying in a small airplane. Hopefully we'll have better luck tomorrow.

I am home through Friday! Then I am on reserve through Christmas Day. Beth is going to spend Christmas with her family in Texas, and I hopefully will be able to fly to Reno for a couple of days. I only have the 26th and 27th off, so if I can fly home on Christmas Day, then I'll be able to see my parents for a day. It's a long way to fly for one day, but more than worth it. I haven't seen my mom since August, and my dad even longer before that. My brother and Rene will be here in Vegas so mom and dad will be childless for Christmas. I hate growing up!

I just found out going to New York might be more fun than anticipated! American announced Summer service only from New York to Rome and Barcelona starting in June! What a blast. I have long wanted to go to Italy, more than any other European country. I hope I get the chance! I was also looking up different layovers New York crews enjoy. Here's a sampling: Sao Paulo, Zurich, Paris and Tokyo, among some other layovers in the Caribbean I haven't stayed at like St. Maarten and St. Thomas. It will definitely be fun, but definitely different. Boston is a small base. There are about 400 international flight attendants in Boston and over a thousand in New York. Talk about being a number!

Hello from London!

I needed to send an e-mail to one of my instructors and thought I would jot a quick note here. The weather is rainy and fairly cold, but not too bad. I went to Harrod's today looking for their signature Christmas balls, and of course, they are out. Hopefully I will be back before Christmas and they'll have more. Bumber! Found some great fall colors and looks at the Gap... will be sure to check those out stateside. I got some great Christmas ideas for myself.

Whew...

I PASSED! What a relief. I am so glad this semester is behind me, and I got all As! What a way to come back to school (a little self pat on the back). If only they could all be that good. I have enrolled in classes for next semester, including ground school for my instrument rating, ground and flight school for my commercial rating, College Algebra (YUCK!), more cooperative work experience and Aviation Law. It should be another fun semester. Now I get to enjoy a few weeks off... the past three or four have been very stressful. I've been a prisoner in my own home. Uh, I said a few weeks off, right? Not quite. Off from school, but I must jump a jetplane today and fly to Boston to live my other life again.

Gulp.

The big test is tomorrow morning...

Although more confindent than before, I am still very nervous! I'll keep you posted.

Well... New York may be in my future. My friend Edie and I (I commute from Vegas with her to Boston) put in for a transfer to New York last month. Edie got a call this morning from Crew Mannning, a devision of Crew Scheduling, and was told there was a transfer available if she wanted it. She said yes. It prolly won't be for a while before one comes up for me... you must have the EXACT same qualifications as the person you are going to replace. That means, since I am a purser, that other person must be, too. This is what the company calls a mutual lateral transfer. The person Edie is replacing in New York will be replacing Edie in Boston. Complicated, but it all works. The company could put out a regular transfer in the next few months which anyone can put in for...it's awarded based on seniority.

Why New York? There is so much more flying there! New York crews fly to deep South America, like Brazil and Argentina, they fly to Tokyo, and they fly to more places in Europe like Zurich. It sounds like it would be a lot more fun. Boston is a great base but we don't fly to a whole lot of international destinations. The downside... those New York attitudes. Not rude, just rough. And it's so much more fast paced there. I have three other friends there who all like it, so there shouldn't be a reason why I won't, either. If I don't...I'll go somewhere else.

The light is getting brighter and brighter!

I have finished everything for school, except (it's a big exception), I am still studying for my FAA written exam. I take it on Thursday. I am really, really nervous about it. But, I have the next three days to study, study, study for it without worrying about any other school assignments or tests. That's a huge relief! I finished my semester project I had for this one class yesterday. That was a relief, too. It was an 11 page paper on the Boeing 777. It wasn't difficult to do, but none-the-less it cost valuable time. Funny how school does that. But...I am just about done with my first semester back to school, and it feels really good. Added bonus: I'm almost a pilot!

The website has been updated with two new recipes from Coca-Cola.com and a December, 2002 calendar.

Howdy!

Well, the light at the end of the tunnel is starting to flicker a little less. I have completed the required 30 hours of flying for my one class, and have turned in several other things due by next Friday. I still have a paper to write, a couple of tests to take and then the FAA test to study for and take, but I am nearing the end of the insanity. I haven't been filling well though, which adds to the frustration of it all. I have been sick for a little over a week now, fighting my allergies as usual. Beth has been sick, too, although worse than I have. I think I am over the worst part, and she is nearing the end, too, but what a pain in the ass. We both are making appointments to see an ear, nose and throat doctor, since our allergies seem to be worse than ever before.

Back to flying... I completed my marathon of solo cross country flights earlier in the week. My first flight to Mesquite was alright, although there were several issues, all of which I learned from. I'll give the skinny...the coordinates in the GPS for the Mesquite airport (67L) were incorrect, and the GPS had me tracking to a little town about three miles north of Mesquite that had no airport. That's why you never navigate with one tool, and my flight plan proved to be correct. The fuel guage for my right fuel tank kept going from full to zero and back to full (this plane has always had issues evenly feeding fuel from each tank, like it's supposed to). Although that airplane has always had fuel issues, the fuel guage never did that before. The weather was forcasted to be improving, and actually got significantly worse. And because of that, I was forced to alter my flight plan and get clearance from Nellis Air Force base to change my route of flight and altitude (I was flying, legally, in Nellis' air space.) Once I finally made it to the airport in North Las Vegas, I thought I was home free. Think again.

The winds had picked up a little, but nothing significant. However, when I was just about to touch down, the wind shifted dramatically so I had a tail wind straight on my tail. Not good when landing. You always want to land and take-off into the wind. Result? I ballooned. I got three landings for the price of one and one very stressed, fast beating little heart. The wind had picked up my airspeed significantly and made me wonder if I was going to stop in time before I got to the end of the runway. Here's some perspective: the runway is five thousand feet long, I only need about two thousand to land and stop. I almost didn't. The airplane was so unstable when I was just over the runway I didn't know what would've been worse, powering up for a go around or land. My instructor said either would have been fine. He also said I was probably never in danger, but most certainly learned a lesson well: be ready for change, any change.

After all that, I was nervous about my whirl-wind cross country the next day. I thought, "If I only flew some 120 miles round trip today, to one airport, and had all the problems I did, how on earth am I going to make it 238 miles and to three airports tomorrow?" It couldn't have been better. My route of flight took me from North Las Vegas airport to Bullhead City, AZ (Laughlin), did a touch and go, and then on to Lake Havasu City, AZ. There I stopped and refueled, closed one flight plan and opened another. Then, I took off to Kingman, AZ, did a touch and go, and then flew back to North Las Vegas. No problems... the navigation was flawless and the weather was as forecasted. My fuel still had issues, which is why my instructor and I planned a fuel stop, even though I ordinarily wouldn't have needed one. In all, I was airborne for 3.2 hours, and by myself! It made me realize that being in a small plane that long was just fine, and made me even more anxious to fly up to Gardnerville, about three hours from Vegas. Oh the possibilities!

Happy post Thanksgiving, everyone! I hope the triptephane (sp?) has worn off.

My Thanksgiving was alright. Edie and I never made it to Neptuno's in Boca Chica. My friend Maria, who lives and works in Santo Domingo, ended up with a family commitment she couldn't get out of (no, they don't celebrate Thanksgiving there). But we did go out for dinner as a crew to one of my favorite local's places, Lumi's Park. It is an open air resteraunt serving traditional Dominican food like Mofongo (fried, mashed plantains flavored several ways, garlic is my favorite), Pechuga de pollo con ajo(pounded flat chicken breast served with garlic, rice and beans) and Sancocho (a delicious soup with a runny beef gravy like broth). The food is all very delicious. Everyone tends to round out the meals with the locals favorite, either an el Presidente (beer) or jugo de naturale (natural juices - my favorites: papaya and passion fruit). We had a nice time.

It's good to be home, though. Before I left, Beth and I started decorating the house for Christmas. While I was gone, Bethany about finished up the task, and the downstairs looks beautiful. I love the holidays! Today I am going on my ever elusive solo to Mesquite, I hope. The weather has grounded me before, and still could today, but it looks better than in the past. I really need the hours and am getting anxious. The semester ends next Friday! My days will be filed with flying (I hope) and lots and lots of studying for my FAA written exam. Plus, I still have other shool stuff to do, but none too hard nor time consuming. The light at the end of the tunnel is starting to shine brighter, although it flickers every now and then.