Like Winning the Lottery

       The only thing I know is that my suitcase is indeed heavier than me. I know, I better get used to having them wherever I go : the  Delsey cabin bag and the Samsonite suitcase. I packed a few stuff just in case I will fly to anywhere tonight. Airport stand by gives you more chances but is more tedious than staying at home. Out of twenty of us waiting at the lounge, more than half of us did get on a flight. Pursers, SFS, FG1s and Grade2s. Newbies like me got there just to rehearse I suppose. Being inside a huge building where reading signs is a must to avoid looking stupid, I sure found my way to the right place just in time. You have no idea how many times I knocked myself over with the heaviness of the things I carry while trying to look immaculate in my uniform. With a gazillion of ways to kill boredom with the four-hour waiting I decided to divide myself in two. Half of me was actually watching BBC news and the rest  was reading Joel Osteen's  book. There were times though that felt like I fell asleep. Only when they started calling out names that I did manage to pay attention to the real world.

     From the look in their faces I couldn't hardly tell if they were thrilled to be called or they wished to just stay. I think somehow flying a lot  gives people a neutral facial expression. They certainly managed to perfect the Art of camouflaging any unwanted facial movement just to avoid being questioned later on. I was comfortable seated in front with my book as my body was positioned facing the TV while there were four other crews sharing the same corner. And guess what all of them were called out, except me.

" Ms. Blah blah blah... staff Number blah blah blah...." 

and so Ms. Blah with Staff Number Blah Blah will come forward to know which part of the world they are going to send her in.

I saw that Blah liked it. She wanted to go.

 then after another forty-five minutes...

" Mr. Mohammed Blah blah... staff number Blah blah....

Same thing,  he rejoiced from his seat and went immediately forward and hurriedly went to the Briefing desk.


While there were some who made some obvious hesitation to leave. Like the lady after being called, stayed at the loo like she just wanted to sleep there. She flew a lot perhaps during the week. Maybe she just wanted to have the entire day only in one place. But what to do... Call of duty.

  I was enjoying reading Joel Osteen with his amazing advice on Life and God. I put the book down several months ago in exchange for Twilight. Now I know why I was put on-call for the entire month. I have so many things that I need to finish. 

   Being called, having your turn is like winning the lottery. It could be based purely on luck, chance and good vibes. I know if I did hear my name today I will certainly feel like I won America's Next Top Model. That Big deal. Earning my wings is like having them finally being attached to your body but for some reason they remove it to undergo Service maintenance and that tends to get the best of me. But looking at the brighter side, I got to know more about other people in the building. The tall blonde guy who showed me the way to CCSC, the guy from CCSC, the caring driver from Route 10, and the people from I.T.

    Although I missed flying to London tonight, it was not so bad after all.

    I realized a lot of things that made me appreciate my life even more: the opportunities life is presenting me every time, the lessons, the funny moments and things I still discover about myself.