as a cabin crew...

Ep.15

“I put all my genius into my life, I put only my talent into my works.” – Oscar Wilde.

Me for CX

Have been living my past 8 months as a cabin crew made me look back and think what influence that this job gave to me. Lots of my friend and my acquaintances asked me, wondering how wonderful life would be to be able to hop from place to place in a nick of time. I wouldn’t say that this job is for those who were “crybabies”, coz it took lots of courage and adaptation ability to become one. Mentally, you should be as hard as a rock. I would rather say, enroll to this job by having a thought that it would be an easy and laid-back job is a totally wrong motivation.

Since I became a cabin crew I realize some part of my life is changes. I try to list it out (take a deep breath) and here we go…

Madame Tussaud Hong Kong

Ep.14

“Exploration is really the essence of the human spirit.” – Frank Borman

Skyscrapers vs. us

A little bit flash back. During my first 4 days in HK, I manage to find an explorer girl out of my classmates, Riani, and we agreed to visit one of the most favorite places in Hong Kong, Victoria’s Peak and Madame Tussaud. On 30^th of July 2011, Riani and I start our day trip at 10 or 11 am. As we’re living in Tuen Mun, New Territories, we will take the 962 bus to the Jardine House Station in Central (or you can take any MTR and get off at Central Station), which costs us HKD18.80 per trip per each person.  We met Val and Doni near the bus station and it seems that they also had the same plan for today, so we decided to collided as a group to take the trip together.

New York and Philies.

Ep.13

“You don't choose your family.  They are God's gift to you, as you are to them.” -Desmond Tutu.

JFK – New York, United States of America. (plus Philadelphia)

At the Brooklyn Bridge

YES! New York! Big Apple! US of the A! Which is on of the most famous places in the whole world on the 5^th of October 2011. Who doesn’t know NYC the heart of the USA. The busiest city of USA. (enough already!) I am extremely happy to have JFK flight as my first long haul flight. It’s not only because of the port that I would love so much to explore, but also for another reason: to meet my aunt, whom I never been seen for almost 10-11 years. She’s living in Philadelphia, 2 hours by bus from NY, together with her husband and 7-year-old daughter (read: my little cousin that I have never been met since she was born). I emailed her right away, subjected “ella is coming to town”. She was also super excited as she planned to apply for an off day during my visit. She even allowed her daughter to ditch school to go around with me during my stay. We planned this and that, I bought some (read: loads) of the things on the list to be given to her. (AH I love Hong Kong where imitation is legal everywhere).

Colombo : The Land of Tea

 Ep.12

“Success is not a place a which one arrives but rather with which one undertakes and continues the journey.” – Alex Noble.

CMB – Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Me at the inner part of Ganggaramaya Temple

On the 24^th September 2011, I was rather had a mood swing by that time. Knowing that most of my classmates got two long hauls (most of them got either London or Toronto already) and me? I got Colombo. When I look at my roster and see HKG-SIN-CMB-BKK-HKG, it was like I saw a thunder struck in the middle of clear day. Excited? yeah so-so. Disappointed? a little bit. And I know just the best way to pump up my spirit : open my mozilla firefox > google > type: place of interest COLOMBO! And as you know already, google never let us down, within few seconds (thanks to the fast internet connection here in my apartment) it shows some places that really interests me.

O...saka

Ep.11

And my first operating flight is....

KIX- Kansai, Osaka

Welcome to Kansai

And it is the time for my very first operating flight. I finally start my version of traveling the globe. My feeling at that time?? A very very mixed up one. As I was the only most junior crew at that time. Trying to back tracking all the safety and emergency procedures. Trying to remember all that i have learnt from the training school. Super nervous to even meet up and have no idea how to blend into the whole flying team. Well I guess it is one of the most indescribable feelings in my 22 years of existence on earth.

All about Osaka.

I packed my overnight bag. Full of the very crucial standard loadings.

Induction 28/2011 vol.2

Ep.10

“The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.” -Walter Bagehot.

Waiting for emergency drill practical test.(those who were not in the picture might be doing the test 10 metres from us)

The first week of my new life in Hong Kong is quite melancholic. I could say it because I got to adapt with all the new routines and being far away from family, boyfriend and friends is another shape of torture (even though I managed how I could finally deal with it and enjoy my days here in Hong Kong within 2 weeks). There was a time when I was staring at the ceiling of my apartment, wandering “am I choosing the right path”, questioning my choice. But then, I remember all the efforts  and all that I do in order to get into this place. I gather up my senses and get back on the right track with the same determination, just a little bit stronger one (keep telling myself that I can’t be a crybaby and whine about everything).

Induction 28/2011 vol.1

Ep.9 

Induction 28/2011

“Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going” –Jim Rohn.

Never (repeat: never) in my wildest dream had I thought that one day I will move to Hong Kong. First of all, I don’t speak the language, I like the city though (visited HK a year ago *will be in other stories, gosh! how many stories do I have?* Anyway, on the 26^th of July 2011, after a very uncertain itinerary, me and all of the Indonesian  Induction 28/2011 (coz we’re meeting another 5 Hong Kong crews later in HK), came to the airport. We came there with our super big luggage, dolled up in business attire, all the training material in hand, all the family and significant others ready to wave their hands to us, and we’re ready to go, BUT still without any ticket, itinerary, neither working permit. (Gotcha! How do we make it pass the guards?)

the.beginning.vol.5

Ep. 8

EF staffs : Shitta, Liza, Amel, Me, Anne, Sarah, Dewi, Nisa, Lily

“Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it” – Don Williams

A week or so before 7^th July 2011, I have finished my final project for my university thesis *I’m thinking to write a blog about it now*, been busy with my routines and haven’t heard a bit from CX. Worry? Damn yeah! I even consider to take a job vacancy offered by RCPP at that time. I also check a forum for flight attendant wannabes (www.forumpramugari.wordpress.com) and I can tell some of them got the same “6 weeks waiting in the dark” card, and still haven’t got any idea about the recruitment result as well. I was just telling myself like “Oh my God, I know you’ll give me the answer in the perfect timing.” (a little desperate “calm myself” prayer).

the.beginning.vol.4

Ep. 7

"Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try." -NN

I want to jump! Horray! It was just another step closer to my dream. I called my boyfriend right away. And go straight to the carnation room. I was given a bundle of form that I should filled in. It turned out that I have sufficient performance in my English test last time (Yes!), so I don’t have to be re-test for English. I filled the visa application form in front of my high school senior and we did a chit-chat about our own interview while we’re filling our visa application. Considering that I have previously visited Hong Kong last August and the expiry date of my passport and ID card is more than sufficient, I wish for the best upon my visa application. Visa, please be granted!

MLA Blackbox Competition 2010

I booked the medical check up date for 23^rd May 2011 (I actually want to book right on the 18^th, but due to my period, I have to book it on 23^rd  instead, and see how God made it for me). However, I was a little bit confused when I was not asked to fill in the pre employer contact, while every body does. I asked to three different ladies about this case, and three of them said that “just fill what has been given to you”. Well, what can I do?

the.beginning.vol.3

Ep. 6

"A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work." 

 - Collin Powell

Soon as I got my control of myself back, I spread the news to my boyfriend, then to my dad. It’s not because I want to, (coz it’s not fixed yet) but it’s rather because I need those original documents, which he held. Amazingly, he is very cooperative and he volunteered to take me to the final interview himself. (God? Is this another present from You?). Phew! What a day… It was almost 6 hours recruitment process in English. I was tired yet, that was super fun! And also not to forget, I was still shaking on my way home and I still pray more than ten times Thank You prayer.

I spent the days towards the final interview by working, still spreading the news, and super happy for the opportunities that God has made happen upon my life. I don’t know what happened to me, but at the mean time, I was still working on my final project paper, and I do really amazed how God arranged my timetable to fixed it up in every time slots and I finally can get it done on time. It was like a smooth sailing until I do think “is this right? Why does everything is in place? Is something bad gonna happen after this?”. That was just my negative thinking side of mind. 

Me and My Dad when we go fishing together..

On 17^th May 2011, my dad picked me up at the time, which made my heart thumping with anger, because he was almost made me late! The interview was scheduled on 11.00 and he picked me 10.20, and Jakarta traffic is such a mess, and it was on public holiday! (what a perfect coincidence).

the.beginning.vol.2

 Ep. 5

After going for a short lunch with new friends (the other person from my GD 1, we discuss and introduce ourselves more properly), we’re headed back to the hotel and soon after I realize that the crowd that I saw the moment that I came in the morning has diminished significantly. I went to the toilet with my new friends, and I pray once again (it seems like it was the day I beat my own record for praying so many times at a day, even within hours). The androgyny cool lady from CX called out our name one by one and put us in 5 groups of 10. As far as I count, there were only 5 groups, so I assume 50 left. (for the time slot). She instructs us to follow a lady, and this lady leads us to the meeting room at the other floor. And so Group Discussion 2 began.

Me and Rosi

(DING!)

the.beginning.vol.1

Ep. 4

I was almost graduated this time, there is no Singapore Airlines recruitment, neither does Emirates. I keep on doing my routines. Working on my final project, doing my part time job, dating with my boyfriend, and so on…and so on…A package of shock came from God in the early March’s Sunday morning, while I was doing my part time job on story telling at the mall. It seems that Cathay Pacific is recruiting soon. I read it on my senior’s facebook wall and I was like AAARRGGGHH…as on that day I was doing my part time job at the mall, I look for the newspaper that my senior’s mention (just to double check if it was only prank or not), and there it is, the advertisement about the grand recruitment which will be held in the middle of May and those who wants to apply should submit the application documents before 9^th April, 2011. Finally, another chance!

"Dreams are necessary to life." - Anais Nin

As soon as I got back to the office, I prepared all the documents that are needed, scanned all certificates that I considered would be useful and considerable for the industry, got all the soft copies and I sent it to the stated email for Cathay Pacific.

behind.the.scene.vol.3

Ep. 3

There was a quote that says “Road to success is always under construction”. I do believe in that phrase. As I put my name in Emirates mailing list, on 27 March 2010 (my sixth semester), Emirates sent me an invitation to attend their recruitment in Indonesia. Unfortunately, I’m still hesitating to go. I still have my study and my responsibility to finish my study (remembering what daddy has gone through to put me in that school). So, with a broken heart, I didn’t attend the recruitment. And yes, I regret it, for since then, Emirates haven’t come to hold any recruitment in Indonesia yet again.

BUT, I guess God has another plan for my life. Another better, greater, and even spectacular!

 

"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them. " -Walt Disney

By the date of 4^th December. 2010, I tried my luck to attend the walk in interview of Singapore Airline. Although it was stated clearly that they required any applicant to have their degree certification (I was on my 7^th semester, and of course I don’t have my bachelor certificate yet), I came. And that was the first time I got my shock. Many pretty girls, smart looking, great appearance, and yet SAME dream. We are (no doubt) each other’s contender. And that is the point where I realize that to become a flight attendant is everybody’s dream job as well, that’s not only my desire. The moment before I entered the room, I was praying to God (it become my signature same prayer that I always asked to God). “God, if this is for me and destined to be mine, please put me through all of the process, but if it isn’t, please failed me on the initial process so that I won’t expect so too much on this”. (God Lord Jesus is always GOOD to me, as for me, He always answer my prayers in his own way). As expected, I failed the recruitment in just a few steps, within a few hours. I was a little bit hurt, but at least God gave me the answer.

Well, knowing it was me that we are talking about, one failure doesn’t stop me to get my dream. On 19^th April, 2011, another Singapore Airline recruitment was held. This time, I was less nervous than before. I came to the same venue as on December, waited, pray (the same prayer ever), got to the registration table, weighted, measured, BMI calculation, waited, introducing ourselves (10 person at a time and only 4-5 will proceed), group discussion, and if you’re successful, you’ll have to come the day after to proceed the recruitment process. And AGAIN, I was failed, I do really think that my to be achieved bachelor degree certificate is a real big deal for them. So be it, rejected, gone home, and surprisingly, I was not that “down”. (God worked on it that time).

One thing that I forgot to mention is, I still do not tell anyone of my family member except my aunt (my truly supporter) and my big brother (I need him to take me to the venue). I don’t want to tell my grandma or my dad, coz it was still, uncertain. I do still working on my dream, as hard as I can, collect all the info and I believe that one day, God has His own better plan that will come just on the right time.

“ Don’t ever give up on what you really really want, success doesn’t mean that u have never failed, it’s the matter how you get up in every failure. Keep on believing and have faith within.” -Me

behind.the.scene.vol.2

Ep. 2

"I like dreams of the future better than the history of the past."

- Thomas Jefferson

I’m on my last semesters of my study at Pelita Harapan School of Hospitality and Tourism, and I’m now about to take this up to the next level. I think it is the right time to start realizing what I’ve been dreamt.

After completing my six month on job training at The Ritz-Carlton Pacific Place Jakarta, I am fortunate enough to get a part time job as a course consultant at EF English First Karawaci. There, another phase of my life begun.

behind.the.scene

Ep. 1

"We all have our own life to pursue, our own kind of dream to be weaving. And we all have some power to make wishes come true, as long as we keep believing."      -Louisa May Alcott

It is merely about my dream to become a flight attendant. Being a cabin crew or flight attendant or stewardess or whatever you named it, is my dream. I have been craving it since I was a little girl. It started simply because I’d like to travel the globe. It is amazed me how do people manage to just stay at one place (read: country) for the whole of his/her life and just travel for holiday (well they even pay a lot of money to do so). And so be it…

 

"Without dreams, there can be no courage. And without courage, there can be no action." 

 - Wim Wenders

I decided that I want to travel the globe and get paid for doing it. The journey starts when I was about to enter high school (when I was about 16). So, I told my dad that I want to continue my study in a school of hospitality.