Got My Accomodation Details Today!

Not gonna lie, I'm shitting myself!

I had my leaving party for work yesterday, it was really good fun - I'm gonna miss these guys loads!

I met some soldiers as well and I'm sure the one I was speaking to the most dropped something in my drink. Kinda scary. I left my drink with him and went to the toilet, came back, had a few sips and the next thing I know I can't stop being sick. My friends had to ring my Dad to come and get me from the city and when I got in the car I passed out. I only had three glasses of wine and two vodka/cranberries which is nothing! BUT I managed to not lose my passport or my phone or my bankcard! Success! The next day (yesterday) I was dying, I didn't feel like myself and I couldn't stop being sick. My Dad had to go in to my bedroom and clean my sick up hahaha, bless him.
I'm fine today though! 
So lesson of the year - never leave your drinks with anyone! Bad bad bad idea!

Anyway I only have three days left in the UK and at the moment I'm waiting on my Dad's iPad being delivered so I can set that up for him. My brother's wife is currently in labour so I hope he or she makes an appearance before I leave! How exciting!

I have a few things to do before I leave. I need to go to Lynne's house and get some clothes that I've left there, I need to post HMRC my tax refund form, I need to make sure my Dad is confident in the use of his iPad before I leave - sort his PayPal/Skype/eBay out etc. I need to visit friends and family, finish packing and throw stuff away which I can't take with me. I need to go and get my DVD from Sarah's house. I lso need to go and enquire about my vaccinations from the Doctors. Aaaaaahhh! But I'm so lazy! lol!

Anyway, Emirates sent me my accomodation today! I live in Talal Behole Building, Al Nahda 1. So that's good! I live right next to the airport and shopping mall! Perfect! I'm so pleased I didn't get Sarab, so so pleased. A guy I speak to on FaceBook who already lives in Dubai sent me some photos of Talal, it's lovely! I'm also speaking to a few ladies who join on the same day as me and they are going to live in Talal too, just a few doors away from me! Woohoo! So that's great!

I've also decided that I'm taking two pieces of hand luggage and my hold luggage. I will argue with check-in if they say anything that I've been given a first class luggage allowance (Despite flying Economy) therefore I'm entitled to first class hand luggage too! Hmph! lol.

I'll keep you all updated over the next couple of days xx


UPDATE: I would like to welcome Thomas Ethan Woods in to the world! 10lb1oz! Woohoo :D xx

One week exactly

How exciting. Well technically... TECHNICALLY in Dubai it's only six days left what with the time difference, but because '7 days' is like a landmark in the timescale of things I will keep this here.

I picked my seat for my flight yesterday - 27G represent! I'm right-handed and I'll be writing things down throughout the flight so I needed some space for my elbow. The aircraft they send to my airport is a 777-300ER so the seating arrangement in Economy is 3-4-3. So far I have the middle row to myself, the aircraft is pretty empty and I'm on the wings. Did you know that if your plane crashes you're less likely to die or have a serious injury if you're sitting along the wings? That is why I sit in the wings on any flight I'm a passenger on!

Today I got my Dirhams from ASDA as it had a currency exchange in it (Damn you Walmart - taking over the world and ruining local high streets!). I got £200's worth which is something like AED1100 or something? I dunno. I got back to the car and tried to make sense of that this weird currency was before my eyes. I must get that packed in to my hand luggage bag because it'll go missing otherwise, everything in this house goes missing - I'm sure the walls swallow our stuff up.

I ordered my Dad an iPad on contract today with Three. Really good deal, I used to work for them so I know a good deal when I see one! Anyway it comes on Monday and it's a 16GB iPad Mini in Black, no upfront cost, only £19.99 a month for 24 months and for that you get the iPad as well as 5GB of data. That's more than enough data for my Dad but I'll be watching how much he's using when I'm in Dubai cos I'll be the one paying for it. I've got my eye on him! I thought I'd get him it as he's crap at using his phone and he always seems to buy Android stuff... and he can't understand Android! So hopefully iOS will be a bit easier for him. He had a go of my iPad and seemed to like it so we'll see! I also needed to have something to pay for on a month by month basis out of my bank account so my credit score doesn't get wiped with me being out of the country for a few years.


He got me a lovely St. Christopher necklace today, it has my name engraved on the back. Apparently it's to keep me safe on my travels... I'm in no way religious... at all... but it's a nice gesture and I'll see if my uniform shirt will hide it once I'm in Dooby. I can't add any more necklaces to my collection because I'll look like Mr. T.

I had a nice catch-up with my old best friend from high school today, she's so lovely, I'll really miss her. I really hope she lives a happy life as she's been through a lot. Anyway, I was there for a couple of hours and we chatted over tea and cake - perfect!

Today I also watched Episode 9 of Ultimate Airport: Dubai. If you haven't seen any of the episodes - open YouTube and watch them! Dubai Airport is amazing, I'm so pleased that Marhaba staff are meeting me when I land because I would get lost for sure.

I'm gonna read some more of my cabin crew book that Lynne bought me, and if I find any funny quotes or extracts, I'll get them on here soon. I hope you are all having a lovely morning/afternoon/evening/night! Speak soon xx

I got my flight ticket and visa!

YEAAAAAAAHHHHHHH BOY!

I am very excited. They were on my portal this morning, but my bloody printer doesn't work does it! Of all times to fuck up, today it fucked up massively. So I need to get these printed asap. I think I'll do it on a card-type paper, photo quality glossy paper perhaps. Just so it won't crease or anything when I'm carrying it, 'cause I hate it when stuff like that happens.

I got my suitcases back from Lynne and Mark's house today so tomorrow I will re-pack... and re-pack... and probably re-pack again! And I NEED NEED NEED to get this booklet bound at the bloody binding person's shop!

I said I was going to post some things from that book I was reading didn't I?
So here they are (so far):

"Right Potential Flyers! The criteria for a flying job follows a general pattern. They want to weed out the no-hopers, the dulls, the stressers, and the drips. They want the good-looking (that's important), the approachable, the physically perfect, the capable and those with just a smattering of fun about them, but not too much, as that may be difficult to control in the long run. You must be in good general health, with no obvious hideousness about you, and your weight must "be in proportion to your height". Now, here is a mine field of slimming versus healthy weight balance. They will not consider you if you are too plump, they worry if you are too skinny. Plump is better because you can slim and be happier. Skinny scares them because it implies that you stress about your weight. 

You must be able to swim! You must be able to pull together a touch more than a doggy paddle to satisfy them. You need to be able to swim in case of 'Ditching'. Now, we don't want to scare you in any way, but there is the slimmest, skinniest chance, in fact a chance that is positively skeletal, that an aircraft you work on may ditch in to water, the sea, or a lake, or reservoir somewhere. Now despite that you are watching "Lost" on TV, there is no Estee Lauder concession on a desert island! So unless one of the survivors found a make-up bag in the wreckage, the lip gloss looks a bit lame! And none of them have greasy hair! Must be a little salon tucked away in the jungle. But anyway, the airline will want you to be able to swim. If you can't, well... you are going to ave to learn or never fly at all.

Most airlines will ask for a photo of you, sometimes a couple of pictures. They will probably state they require a full length photo and a heat and shoulders shot. I've heard all sorts of tales of blurry holiday snaps, bikini shots, gay boys in Gran Canaria arms around each other, with an arrow and 'that's me!' written on. I mean, come on. Show some class. Do your best, don't rush them and don't fuck it up. What an insult. If you are too dumb to know that those photos are an insult, then you are too dumb to fly. So forget it, get a job repping for 18-30's and try again. Still, you make the rest of us look good. So make yourself gorgeous and send in those photos, the really good ones.

When you are asked to write a covering letter along side your application, put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and make it your best work. This is you. YOU. The real person behind the picture, not trapped within the confines of a rigid application form. Let them know how much you admire their organisation, their professionalism, their punctuality, and their good reputation. Tell them how much you look forward to meeting their Interview Team, with the hopes of learning even more about the airline. Tell them generally why you feel you are good enough to be a member of their Cabin Crew. Briefly outline the skills that you have, which make you ideal to be entrusted with their passengers, and therefore millions of pounds worth of their revenue. Don't babble on, and don't get above yourself. Check and double-check your spelling. Get the edge over all the other thousands of application forms they will receive, by making it easy for them to like and respond to you.

So, lucky chosen people, you have an airline interview coming up. You may have to travel to it, but the cost of that is your own affair. Well, they can't be paying for every nugget to come and be interviewed - can they? It would cost a fortune. Most candidates won't be suitable, and they only take a few from each interview day. Right, so you have all the details and the directions, so make sure to get it all clear in your head. Get prepared, as there is a lot to it, and a lot at stake. Your appearance is of the utmost importance. You must look immaculate. No roots in your hair, watch the nails, and for god's sake ladies, carry an extra pair of stockings.So, in your largest handbag, put your directions, and all the paperwork and invitation for the interview, and check everything they ask for on the list is with you. They may need another CV, and it's certainly something you can pass on to them again. 

Fully charge your mobile phone and put it on silent so you don't forget and make a SERIOUS mistake, when it rings during your one to one interview. When you leave the house, make sure you are immaculate. Absolutely immaculate. We cannot stress this enough. Shoes polished, make-up flawless, and hair perfect - off the face and wisp free. Take a clothes brush in the car. Take an umbrella. Take breath freshener. Be your best. It is worth the effort. Allow loads of time to get there, loads! Way overcompensate for accidents and road works. DO NOT BE THE DICK WHO COMES FLAPPING THROUGH THE DOOR AFTER THEY'VE STARTED THE DAY. If you have to be there two hours early, so be it. You will be nervous, of course, crapping your pants in stationary traffic. You will be judged poorly if you are late. This is their first experience of your time-keeping. You cannot be late for check-in as Crew. You just cannot be late in aviation. This implies you will be.

Take your passport. Take your make-up and a hairbrush, mini hair spray and perfume, and nail glue if you've been tempted by the fake nail thing. You never know when one of those things is going to ping off and take somebody's eye out. Take money in change, for the day will be long, and there may only be a vending machine. Take a little cereal bar to keep you going. Take note paper and spare pens, about five. That way, those norks who forgot one will look humble next to your generosity when you smile kindly and say "Oh, no problem, I have a spare, take mine..."

Bed time for me and Oscar-dog, speak soon! xx

In the single digits now!

The day is getting closer guys and gals! I got my car back from the garage today with a brand new axle - wooooooo! High fives all round!


Today is the 5th November - Bonfire Night/Guy Fawkes.

"Remember, remember, the fifth of November

Gunpowder, treason and plot

I see no reason why gunpowder treason

Should ever be forgot!"

"Guy Fawkes night is the annual commemoration of the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot - when fourteen individuals planned to blow up the House of Lords during the State Opning of Parliament on 5 November 1605."

So there were lots of pretty fireworks lighting up the night sky as I drove myself and my sister home from McDonalds and the cinema after watching 'Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa' - honestly one of the funniest films I've seen at the cinema. Worth a watch!

I got my International Driving Permit today! and my US Visa photos, too.The permit cost £5.50 and the Visa photos cost £7.00(!!!) from a little photo booth in ASDA. My Dad was rushing me to get the photos taken but I wanted a re-take... and another re-take... and another re-take! Until I was happy. :D I think I can drive anywhere in the world (along with my UK driving licence of course) except for Iraq, Brazil and two other countries I've never heard of in my life - as well as Saudi Arabia. SO anyway I also got my flying licence photos printed as well as a few more for Immigration/HR when I land in Dooooooobles.

I'm going to get my suitcases from Lynne's house tomorrow so I can do some more packing. I bought some more shoes today whilst I was in Newcastle (naughty!) so I need to find a way of squeezing them in.

I have a question for you lovely people - it's part rhetorical, part genuine. Is it weird that I really don't like talking about my move to Dubai with anyone? Maybe it's me being modest/humble, and I'm quite a reserved person anyway when it comes to my life. I dunno. Anyway, as I said tommorrow I'm going to get my suitcases from Lynne's house (and fingers crossed a delightful cup of tea!) and I need to go and get my Prepare for Takeoff booklet bound, and I need to order some contact lenses too. A year's worth! I'm meant to be at the opticians tomorrow you see as they gave me a three month trial supply of new contact lenses as my other ones were bugging me. Anyhow, last week I enquired about how much a year's supply would be - their response was "It'll be £158.50! Bargain!" and bargain I thought it was!

Until I checked online. I checked the website from which I usually order my lenses and they said that a year's supply of lenses would be... drum roll please!....... £58.50

My optician would have made £100 from me! For nothing!

So I'm not going to my appointment tomorrow and I'm ordering online instead, just to piss them off!

I need to have a shower and I need to have some delightful blackberry crumble. Tomorrow I will post some extracts from a new book I'm reading (the one Lynne got me - pictures are in a post below!) it's so funny, but so useful to aspiring Emirates (and any other airline really) Crew!

Speak soon my beautiful readers xx

Day of The Dead

Good evening everyone! Finally on my laptop so I can post some lovely photos rather than using my iPad/iPhone to do so. How are you all?

Yesterday was the 

also known as, the Day of the Dead! My in-laws-but-not-in-laws have a yearly celebration and last night was this years! I was also presented with a beautiful going away present.

I had so much fun. I'll let the pictures do the talking and add a few words for each. Enjoy!

This dress was bought by my Marine boy for my birthday - it's beautiful! The print is gorgeous.

 

This is the leaving gift I received from my in-laws-but-not-in-laws (let's call them Lynne and Mark, that's easier!) isn't is BEAUTIFUL?! Emirates playing cards, an Emirates sick bag haha, a DVD, a book and Benefit make-up. Mark's wonderful sister and brother-in-law, Jill and Adam, bought me a fabulous mirror from Paris - I will be returning these favours once I'm seeing the sights the world has to offer! Beautiful gifts! Thank you so much, truly thank you!

Day of the Dead decorations and some wonderful Mexican food!

I took these photos after a few glasses of wine... I love wine.

This is Prince, Lynne and Mark's lovely little pooch. Meggie also made an appearance last night (Jill and Adam's dog)

We played a quiz where we had to write 'Vivo' (alive) or 'Muerto' (dead) for each famous person. I won! But I guessed pretty much all of them. Not bad! I had to deduct a point for apparently Googling the answers but I was just on FaceBook haha. I won a bottle of beer! We also played Aztec Bingo and Adam won that and won a lovely sugar skull fridge magnet.

Pinata! In the shape of a skull! It was good fun but really cold! Mark killed the pinata...

and made sure it was definitely dead!

More wine... more selfies...

These four people are four of my most favourite individuals in the whole world, and I'm going to miss them very much!

Feliz dia de los muertos!

xx

Finished My Job At the Airport!

Good evening everyone! Today I finished working for the airport and it was rather emotional! I couldn't wait to get out of there though. No more bag searching, body searching, x-raying bags etc. I'm going to miss my colleagues terribly but I'm meeting up with them all on the 10th to say goodbye. So I handed my ID badge in to the manager and I have to bring my uniform with me when I fly out to Dubai just to hand it back to them so I'll have to take a quick detour to the office downstairs after check-in.

I had a brief cry on the way home in the car. I felt quite proud of myself for sticking through work - the amount of times I wanted to quit and never come back, you wouldn't believe. But I persevered and I'm pleased I did. Now I'm ready for this whole new chapter in life and I can't wait. I handed a card to Jane, a good friend at work, and she was nearly in tears. And I left a card for everyone downstairs. Someone had scribbled all over my party invitations which was stuck on the wall in the upstairs staff room (there are two) and wrote that it was cancelled! So I ripped it off the wall and replaced it with a piece of paper which said that the party was still on and to take no notice of the little bastard who wrote on it. Hmph! Anyway I took a couple of pics of me at work in my uniform just to mark the occasion of leaving.
                                  

So I got home and taxed my car (booo!) and decided I'd buy my Dad an iPad to keep in touch whilst I'm in Dooby. Had a nap, woke up to this:

He's such a cutie pie!  Speaking of cutie pies, my Marine boy has been talking to me today. I decided that I'll email him as often as possible and we can FaceTime and he can call me from the ship. We've done this for nine or ten months once before, what's another six. We're also meeting up in Dubai in a couple of months for a catch-up (no naughty business before you think that!)  He's asked for a photo of me when I get my EK uniform so he can put it on his wall. I'm taking his official military photo with me to Dubai, I'll put it on my desk.

"No one will hurt you as long as I'm around".

xx