in 18 days!
The idea of being a jetsetter fascinates me when I was young. Back when I was in college, my friends will tease me, because I will come to Manila for enrollment, and run back to the airport after a day or two, to catch the first plane to Iloilo. Nowadays, the "province-hopping" has been upgraded to country hoping. And for a 24 year old such as myself, it has taken it's toll on me, never knew it can actually be quite tiring.
I had a scheduled leave to New York with my parents on Oct. 20. But before that, I had 2 Londons back to back, where I plan to buy my "pasalubongs" to my family and friends in New York. But during my first London, an hour before we were supposed to leave for Dubai, I found out that my grandfather passed away. It was a very sad experience for me and actually kind of depressing. I was already dressed up for work, and I just wanted to cry my heart out, losing both of my grandparents, less than a year's time. I knew I couldn't push through with my other London, and I just have to go home and be there.
After arriving in my flat at 5:30 am, I packed my things to catch the 9:45 am flight to Manila. I didn't even dare take a nap, for I was sure I wouldn't be able to wake up in time. And thank God, my cabin crew manager's secretary was pretty nice, and was able to process my Emergency Leave right away.
Tuesday: I arrived in Manila at 11:00 pm.
Wedndesday: Not having enough sleep, (after a flight, I usually have 10-12 hours of sleep, to re-energize myself) but I still manage to renew my driver's license the next day with my mom, have my much needed haircut then went back to the wake.
Thursday: My mom, brother and I went to Glorietta, park the car there so that my mom and I do not have to hassle ourselves with the parking in POEA. Besides the fact that it was my first time there, I also wanted to avoid driving in Ortigas because I haven't drove in 6 months!
Friday: We had the birthday mass for my grandfather and heard later on the news in Glorietta. It was really sad, considering that we went there, a day before it actually happened. I can't imagine that someone can be that evil, to plot something like this. :( On a lighter note, I got to see my sister. :)
Saturday: After we buried grandpa, we had lunch and went to the airport, to go back to Dubai and from there to New York. We were on standby, all three of us, my dad, my mom and me. Thank God, that all 3 of us got in, considering that Manila flights are always full! :)
Upon arrival in Dubai, we had to part ways, because I had to exit in Dubai since I haven't packed for New York.
Sunday: By 2:00 am, I was back in my flat. Luckily, I was able to throw some stuff in suitcase before hand, so all I have to do is arrange it a bit and I was ready to go. I grabbed a few hours of sleep, and left the flat by 6:30, to catch the 8:30 flight to NY. I am so excited. At last, a vacation after all these months of hard work. Hehe. :)
Phew, that has been the busiest week I've ever had since I graduated from college. In NY, I had loads of fun, meeting up with my friends in high school and in college as well. We had a blast there! And my parents and I were able to go to Boston and Rhose Island. We had a tour of Harvard, MIT and Yale. Shucks, I want to study again and get my MBA. But maybe in another lifetime or later on, who knows? :)
After 10 days in the States, my parents and I went to Dubai before they go back to Manila. We tried out the Desert Safari the next day, since they will only be spending 2 whole days here. We had our own version of "Dubai", the Filipino movie, where we had a 15 minutes roller coaster ride on the sand. I almost vomited because it was really long! The roller coaster ride normally does not go beyond 5 minutes, but it feels like an hour. So, imagine having to spend it 3x longer! My brother and my sister will totally enjoy this. But I have a feeling I will be doing this twice more before they even arrive. I've got friends who might visit me. Weeehhhh! :)
The next day, we went to the Mall of Emirates. My mom was so lost, where to go window shopping first! But since, their baggages were already full, she didn't have any space where to put in the new stuff she will buy! Haha! But ma, till next time. :)
So, here i am, after 18 days of absence, I am back at work. I already did a Bahrain turnaround, which was such a breeze! 50 passengers going there, and only 42 going back. to top that, it was only a 55 minutes flight! :)
I will post pictures as soon as I get the chance to organize them. I am still a bit busy trying to swap my flights, because for this month, I am full of turnarounds! And to think, I am supposed to be 2nd to top bid, where my ranking is pretty high. Supposedly on paper, I get to have almost all my requests given to me. Hopefully, next month, when I am on top bid, they will be given. :)