Swirling DustClouds of Dominating Thoughts: May 2008

Recurrent 2008

Last year I did everything perfect.

This year I barely passed.

What was the problem? I didn't study enough. Actually, I didn't PRACTICE enough. I knew my prepared cabin announcement and I did fairly well on the final exam. (I missed 3 out of 50 questions). I even answered my scinero question perfectly.

But when it came time to go through the entire thing one on one with my instructor??? I flopped.

We had to prepare the cabin for a water landing on the CRJ 900 as the forward flight attendant. I stumbled through the NTSBO (which is basically the briefing from the captain when there is an emergency and we have time to prepare for an evacuation).
Then I stumbled through the first half of my duties. I redeemed myself for the rest of it and managed to pass this portion of the test. However, he called it "weak".

The second portion was an unplanned water evacuation on the CRJ 900 (my most highly qualified aircraft). I kept forgetting to turn on my emergency lights, I couldn't get the commands right and it didn't even occur to me to check the lav.
I failed.

He told me to come back the next morning early for one more chance.

My friend, Savanna failed the same portion. We felt pretty low as we drove back to David's house (that's where Savanna rents a room and I used to rent it with her when I was based here in Fresno right after new hire training 2 years ago).

So what did we do?

What every girl does to lift her spirits. We went shopping. I was also feeling pretty brave and decided to eat half a candy bar. Wow, I didn't get sick. Maybe dairy again someday?

After that we all went out to pizza (no, I wasn't THAT brave!) When I say "we all" I mean everyone who pretty much lives at David's house....Matt (a pilot) and his girlfriend (Jasmine), David, Savanna and I. Of course I don't live there anymore. There was one person missing...another pilot named Rob.

Once back home, David made us practice the unplanned water evac until we had it down pat! I was exhuasted! He kept saying..."That was good, Okay, do it again".

The next morning we both aced it!

We spent the rest of the morning going over CRM (crew resource management), evacs and security with the pilots. Then it was all over.
I was happy to have passed. Next year I will be more prepared.

Savanna and I treated ourselves to a nice lunch at a Japanese restaurant where the cook your food in front of you. Then we stopped over at a friends house (another flight attendant who was in our recurrent class) to talk and hang out.

Don't Worry

I have much to worry about...as usual.

Michael is in the hospital again. Another attempt to end his life.

Kaytee broke down at school again, saying she wanted to die. She feels that if her dad dies it will be her fault because she yelled at him. Of course I'm trying to convince her it's not true.

I am scheduled for my annual recurrent training this Monday. I have so much studying to do.

But, I am singing Bob Marley's "Don't worry about a thing... cause every little thing gonna be alright."

Please God, no more drama?

Heartbreak for China

My heart is breaking for China.

Today's earthquake has killed so many people. I am in shock. I can't comprehend it. I think about how big China is and want to cry.

I think about the people I saw and the people I met. How beautiful their faces were. How they love Americans and made me feel welcome. At first many seem sad, busy or even angry, until I smiled and tried to speak to them. All of a sudden their scowl fades and relaxing into a huge grin.

The children were so cute with bare butts showing...(toddlers don't wear diapers, they have slits in their pants). I hate to think that some of these people might be dead now.

I think of how hard everyone was working. Building and repairing structures. Did the earthquake destroy all their efforts? I think about their living conditions and how bad some of them had it. Now I am wondering if they even have that now?

Our hotel was traditional and by American standards would be considered "shabby" but I knew I was living in a palace compared to those around me. I had a bed, a shower and a western toilet.

We walked by a school that was several stories high. Did it fall?

I feel sad.

Lord, please bring comfort to those who are broken. Please let folks work together to show love and compassion.