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?)

Ah! Remember my final defend regarding my final project? The university announced the result just on 20^th oh July 2011. Of course I passed (otherwise I wont be here) with an A result in my pocket, present it to Daddy with proud that I’ve made the right choice and responsible in doing so. And look at the timing? Just perfect as God always made for me. (it is so true that “His time is the most perfect time”) So where were we just now? Right! The tickets!

Ind 28/2011 complete with our trainer

We met each other again at the departure hall of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport Terminal 2D. And had a ground staff waiting there with a list (that was the itinerary, yeay!!). He ticked our names and let us passed the guard. We went inside, checked our baggage in, transfer here and there for the overweight one (we got 50kgs limit for the luggage, but it seems so hard to pack everything in, especially when we’re about to move to another country). We have to stick a sticker on our chest that we’re the new joiner of CX and they said that our working permit will be given to us upon our arrival in Hong Kong (and if it was disapproved, we will send back directly with our luggage to home sweet Indonesia).

CX 718 CGK-HKG 8.20. After the check in process, we went out again and meet those who took us to the airport. We bid farewell to them. (Ah! My big brother is gone for Sydney just 2 days before my departure to Hong Kong. He will be there for a long time. *I guess*). I had my Grandma, Auntie, Mom and Dad, Boyfriend and my friend also came to give me a farewell package. Crying here and there, advises from moms, hugs, tears, but what we can do is a little nod again and again just to ensure them that we would take care of ourselves, for me I ensure them that I will make it count, and I will live well as this is the path that I chose. Even when we’re already passed the immigration, we still receive some phone calls. Most of them are supports and good luck wishes. And I suddenly feel so blessed that I got so many people that care for me (just realize it at that time!). And off we go to Hong Kong.

Our war zone 2 months after this picture taken

Still fresh on my memory that we were seated in the aircraft according to our family name. I was seated next to Krisma (He is Sutandar and I am Susantio) on the 69 A and B. We chat a little bit, very eager to see what the cabin crew will do one after another tasks (in fact we have been given a paper of observation task to fill in). We were treated as other passenger and the Inflight Service Manager at that time is SUPER COOL. She even allowed us to visit the galley, to see the preparation, even welcomed us to ask any question that we’re curious about, giving out some tips and introduce us to one Indonesian Purser on that flight. She even helped us filling up our observation paper task.

Maiden Flight as Pax

4 hours and 50 minutes later, we finally touched down in Hong Kong International Airport. We were the last group of passenger that disembarked from the aircraft. ISM gave us permission to take pictures inside the aircraft, along with her and the rest of the crews. It was such a pleasant first impression for me on how senior CX crews welcomed and treated their junior (found it very lucky later, coz not every one is like those in out maiden flight).

We’re finally got the working permit chopped on out passport just before the immigration counter, all of us got it. Someone has been waiting for us, guide us through the still summer and the hottest time at Hong Kong and YES! We were still in our business attire (read: shirt+pants+suits), which made us melt like an ice cream. I dragged my 3 big luggage along and (I’m not kidding) there was a truck waiting to load all of our big suitcases and bring it directly to the apartment we will staying in for the next 2-3 years. The flat is on the sharing basis by 2 person, and the flat mate is pre-assigned based on sex  (of course!) and (once again) family name. My flat mate is Afri, a nice and habit-wise same with me (we go along well together so far).

Me and Afri

Luggage

View from my room

On the way to the apartment, melting and sweating, the lady keep talking about the transportation system in HK, how to get to the city, how to pay bills, where to eat, what’s there near the apartment, all the things that we need to know. Handling over the keys, rules and regulations, more paper to read, more and more paper to read (at this point I realize that sometimes human’s brain capacity is not enough to receive such many information in the same time). And after we arrived? Can we go directly to our unit and rest? NO!! The lady tour us the whole phase of the apartment (called Gold Coast) and bring us to Hendri and Krisma ‘s unit to teach us how to set the internet service. Well, besides the loads of information that we should take, we still have to deal with the heat of summer sun! Melting and sweating all the way, I finally arrived at my apartment at 4 pm. Finish? You wish! I directly do the paper-rock-scissors thing to decide which room to whom. And I won the big room! (yeaaahh!) I unpacked my things, took some picture to show my family and boyfriend back in Indonesia, try to contact them by setting up the internet line ASAP. I finished up this and that at approximately 8 pm.

Well that was just a beginning, the next 3 days (which I was always start my day by waking up at 6am) we got to do the drill:

1. Come to CX City to meet another 5 classmates from Hong Kong , familiarization with the office, got our body measured up for the uniform fitting, dental charting, get LOADS of reading material regarding the training and the induction training schedule.
2. Go to the Cheung Sha Wan to make the Hong Kong ID and do the grooming class in Causeway Bay, on what color should we use to complement our uniform. I felt that i look like a Christmas tree with my green eye shadows and blood-red lipstick. (and they ask us to go on our own to make us familiar with the transportation system). I also use this opportunity to plan my Blackberry connection.
3. English Service Language class where we learn some abbreviations, aviation basic service language (which is more or less is the same as in the hospitality industry) workshops here and there.

I spent everyday doing the workshops from 8 to 6 in the afternoon, exhausted (after a full day fighting with drowsiness in the classroom) and after bath and dinner, all I got is just a mere few hours to skype with my boyfriend, fall asleep while skyping and wake up again the next morning to face another tough day. That was the routines of  my first few days in Hong Kong.

When we finally get out CX ID *please spot the big book we hold

“Endurance is not only about bear the hardships, but also about conquer it and turning it into glory” -Me