The horrid part

So I am going to be travelling the world. So be it. The only drawback of this prosperous adventure ahead of me is the fact that I am about to take circa ten vaccinations! To be honest, this massive amount of vaccinations scares me to death. Although there is only one obligatory vaccination to be taken before leaving to Dubai, I've decided to take them all in my home country. In that way, I wouldn't have to worry about needles while in Dubai. Given that I am a complete needle-freak and that I am extremely opposed to this kind of "medicine" I am left with nothing but surrender. Yesterday was my first encounter with the Yellow Fever thing and the Hepatitis A thing. I am good with weird, I really am, but needles, you can tell, is one of my biggest phobias. After a little stumble and a rumble and a tumble I was finally qualified to get my vaccinations. Let's just say, not every doctor takes their job professionally and shows up for a meeting, and let's just say the vaccinations are damn pricey - the first obstacle conquered by arranging a visit in a different clinic and the second, well... I was rescued by my sister. Luckily, no sooner did I sat on the sofa than I realised it was all over!
So here I am, as you can see, safe and sound, with a sticking plaster on each arm. Next week I am having three more injections and the week after that, two last injections. My right arm is now aching a little but let's just hope I'll live...

Cabin Crew English

Hello there, me again. This time I wanted to share with you the book on English language used by Cabin Crew. This book is my recommendation for those who are to be working up in the sky in the nearest future. I suggest that you focus on the audio part and phrases. Nevertheless, you may still find dealing with different cultures and the multiple varieties of English or let's say Englishes a little bit irritating, especially in the beginning. If only the English used by other-than-native speakers sounded like English! However hard it might be for you to understand the incongruous varieties of English you may hear, do not give up. After two weeks or so, and after your ears are more or less familliar with constant bubbling, you will get used to the varieties of English and even start to appreciate them (the more the marrier). To end this oh-how-long prologue, I just wanted to point out that varieties of English were always of my greatest admiration, to the point that they are actually part of my education. I think I can just leave you with the book then:

Terence Gerighty with Shon Davis (2011) "English for Cabin Crew". HEINLE Cengage Learning

No errands

As my authoritative online resources say, I am leaving to Dubai in 32 days, solo! As a result, torn between my good old alter ego and the imminent, microcosmic New World I am running errands like crazy nowadays to convince myself I am ready for the unknown. This weekend, however, has been utterly unhurried. Although the wanderlust is perpetually somwhere out there, I still manage to make the best out of every moment. Endless meetings with my soulmates, like this one here, how can I cherish thee more...?

Dubai pa(ni)cking

As many of you probably already know I am flying off to magical Dubai very pronto! Boring and predictable as I am, I happen to contemplate the contents of my suitcase relentlessly since I received my Golden Call (which was the confirmation of my success in getting the job of Cabin Crew). Thus, regardless of the entire 35 days which are left for me to get my butt together, I've already created the list which is pretty much a compilation of what I could find online plus my invaluable friends' plentiful suggestions. Hereby, I would like to present you with a list of things I want to be in my UAE destined suitcase. Along with the list comes the fact that I must actually pack this suitcase (two of these, to be more specific) at some point. Well, I think I'll just stick to what the advertising campaign slogan of my favourite sports brand says: JUST DO IT!

DOCUMENTS

e-Ticket
travel documents i.e. passport and two copies thereof (one black&white and one colour)

employment visa (original and copy)

all the original medical documents and additional reports (if applicable)

vaccine book

contract

8 passport size photographs

dependants' birth certificates (originals plus copies)

latest education certificate (original and copy)

list of emergency/contact numbers to relatives

cash (Forex; apparently you can survive first two months on approximately 2000 AED but I think it is just common sense, or me being super-provident, to have more)

*note: it is advisable to have digital copies of all the documents on your flash drive just in case

TRAINING:

full business attire (for day one exclusively)

black pants (no denim/leather/skinny, and you'd better take two as you will be wearing these for approximately two months non-stop)

black shoes (flats/low heel; smart shoes for men; you can take two as, again, you will be wearing these every day during your training)

invisible socks - you don't want your feet sweaty during your training (I suggest the ones with silicone grip)

black cardigan (it might be chilly in some buildings)

black handbag (to match your uniform)

all kinds of hair accessories (pins, clips, elastics, doughnut)

notebook and stationery (add some colour markers and post it notes as they come in handy while learning)

CLOTHING

clothing for all seasons (smart, casual, sleepwear, underwear, beachwear, gymwear, jackets/blazers, sweater/hoodie/cardigan/jersey, denim/jeans, dresses/skirts/shorts so... pretty much a bit of everything)

shoes (smart plus one pair closed toe heels for ladies, slippers, sneakers, flats, sandals, boots)

headwear

*note: packing-wise, it is good to use those vacuum bags for clothes - they will save you plenty of space

ACCESSORIES

sunnies

if you wear glasses bring an extra pair as it is important for flying

reading glasses

contact lenses (bring with supply)

jewellery

handbags

beach towel

FLYING

pantyhose - as many as you can, there is never too much (supposedly the compression hosiery is popular among the Cabin Crew so I might get me a pair of these as well)

hair accessories - again (pins, clips, elastics, doughnut)

impeccable make-up (blush, red lipstick and red/transparent nail polish are the key elements)

modest watch (gold/silver bracelet or black/brown strap)

lunch box

TOILETRIES

sunscreen (above all!)

dental care (toothbrush, toothpaste, tongue cleanser, dental floss)

make-up (whatever you are using, but I would take me some good primer)

skin care (cleansing, face masks and whatever you do to yourself)

antiperspirant and some fragrance (not too heavy and I mean the scent not the weight)

brush, washcloth, safety razor

hair accessories (shampoo, conditioner, sunscreen, hairspray)

nail polish (red and transparent, plus some good top coat)

sticking plasters/corn plasters

a few packs of tampons as apparently it is not easy to obtain them in Dubai

hair dye if you dye your hair light shades as, again, it might be difficult to find one in Dubai (or just opt for a visit in a hair salon as I am planning to do)

*note: it is advisable to take a three-month supply in case you cannot find your favourite in Dubai (or just be open-minded to innovation)

**note: supposedly a lot of girls experience severe hair loss in Dubai due to I have no idea what... Terrified as I am, I've learnt that one of the solutions is to install a water filter in your shower

ELECTRONICS

laptop

iPad/iPod/etc. (plus chargers)

cell phone

adapter/plug

camera

hair dryer/straightener/curler

electric shaver/toothbrush/whatever you are using

*note: it is advisable for you to download Skype/VPN in your home country in advance as you cannot download it in the UAE, you are allowed to use these in the UAE though

MISCELLANEOUS

some extra coat hangers

some photos of your family to chill you in those nostalgic moments when you are on your own

vitamins/supplements/medications/whatever you are taking (I am not taking any at the moment but I would take some calcium, vitamin C, aspirin and melatonin to help me turn in when I need to)

*note: you will be given the list of prohibited/controlled drugs on the portal

Some information about living in Dubai as Cabin Crew

So I got this idea the other day: why not jotting down and sharing with you this magnificent journey that I am about to start, especially with my future colleagues or those who just want to have a sneak peak of what life of a flying attendant looks like. For some time now I've been reading various blogs about life in the sky and found myself totally mesmerized by some while not that very excited about the others. Anyway, there is some useful information to be shared with those of you who are interested. Today it is going to be about Dubai and what to expect while working for its airlines. The above three pages are taken from here and it is pretty much the information available for everybody who commences their journey with the Emirates Airline. The thing is, not everybody would bother to read all the documentation, contracts and other useful notes provided. Really, for your own sake, please do scrutinize everything - it will be so much easier for you! Nevertheless, these three pages are simply interesting so feel free to have a look.

What's more, I am also planning on sharing some tips about the whole joining process, packing, training and so on. Some things are already 'checked' so I have my feedback but as I am not yet in Dubai I might probably have some speculations/doubts as well:)

So stay tuned for more wonderful people and thank you all for reading!

Miraculous oils

It's been some time since I "discovered" the power of these natural moisturizers. Now my collection of cosmetic oils: coconut, apricot kernel, argan, sesame seed and rosehib seed oil to name just a few, has been enriched with these two: raspberry seed and borage seed oil. Why do I prefer cosmetic oils to popular moisturizers? Because they are free from chemical substances which the cosmetics today are literally packed with! These oils are all natural and raw. Whilst you apply them all you smell is a nice, delicate scent. On the contrary, while I was applying certain body lotions or face moisturizers I just couldn't bear the smell, it was so chemical and irritating! If you like it natural, once you try them I doubt you will come back to the stuff you had been using before. The only drawback of using these oils is the fact that they may soak in slower but if you apply them and then do something else (like your make-up for instance) you'll be set and go. 

The advantages the oils have over the popular moisturizers are in plenty! You can apply them everywhere, on your body, face or even hair! Plus, there is a variety of natural oils you can choose from! Each oil has different features and can hepl you with different skin problems etc. 

As for me, I have chosen the raspberry seed oil due to its moisturizing, firming anti-bacterial and sebum regulating effects. Moreover, it prevents acne, reduces wrinkles and has natural sunscreen. How cool is that?

The borage seed oil, on the other hand, is best used for dry, sensitive, mature and acne skin. Quite a variety, huh? It also has cleanses your skin, purifies your pores and has some peeling effect. If that is not enough, borage seed oil soothes inflammated or irritated skin!

Why then yield to the ongoing fad and buy stuff with traces of natural oils when we can use the very oils?

It's happening

...So I attended this open day in February.

...So I was chosen for an interview, which was scheduled for Valentine's Day!
...So I received the Golden Call at the end of April.
...So I got my Final Approval status in the beginning of May.
...So I am moving to Dubai in late July!

For those interested in the whole process of applying for this post I must say: never give up! Lucky as I was to be approved at my first try, I saw people trying many times to get this job of their dreams. My decision to attend an open day was one of my best friend's doing, she commanded me that I should try - could you believe this? And by saying that I was pretty damn lucky to be appointed I mean it as I have never dreamt to become a member of cabin crew, especially in such prestigious an airline which the Emirates Airline certainly is. However, as you can see above, there are not so very many days left for my leaving to Dubai and each day brings mixed feelings but they are certainly good feelings! I would say there is a lot, like A LOT of excitement, a pinch of melancholy of course, but there is also this certainty that wherever I go I would be protected and happy, above all happy. I know this feeling comes from above and I just couldn't be more thankful for that. Also, thank you all beautiful people who are making this journey happen, the timing couldn't be better!