Crazy Christmas and TRUE LOVE! =)

At the end of November, I was scheduled for a 3 day trip over Christmas... and actually, it worked out pretty well for me. The trip started on the 23rd, with the first overnight in LA. Luckily my parents kinda like me, so Mom picked me up from the airport and brought me home for the night instead of making me stay in the hotel (which, I found out the next day, was without power, and my pilots had to fight to be moved to another one).

On Monday we didn't have to be at the airport until 3pm, so I got together with Tina in the morning and we hung out for a couple of hours. =) Tina went to high school with us in PNG, and is working in Fiji with YWAM. She is just back in Cali for a few weeks to see her family over the holidays. As always, it was great catching up!!! The last time we got to hang out was last year when I was in Fiji...

us in Fiji last year

and now!

Monday afternoon we were scheduled for a Boise turn, and then overnight in Oakland (where they love to send me, especially for holidays!!). On the way to Boise, I had a bunch of passengers who had just come back from a bowl game in Hawaii - Boise State vs. East Carolina. That takes some dedication... going all the way to Hawaii for a football game. Wow. Must be nice! =) The next leg, from Boise to LA, there were some rowdy black guys sitting up front... They had just come back from Hawaii too, except they were there playing. They were four guys from the football team, and needless to say, they kept me entertained during the flight!

two of the guys with their coach

We had a two and a half hour sit in LA before flying to to Oakland. I was a little thrown off when we got there because they didn't give me my usual room, and put me on a completely different floor! ;-) That was Christmas Eve... It wasn't feeling like Christmastime at all...

On Tuesday (Christmas) I woke up at 5am to catch a shuttle to the airport to catch a 6:45am flight on JetBlue to Long Beach. See, we were scheduled to leave from Oakland at about 1pm to fly to LA, but it was just a deadhead. That just means that we're on the flight, we don't work it, but we get paid for it. Sweet huh? That also meant that I didn't technically have to be on that flight, as long as I could make it to LA myself by the time we had to fly out. Soooo... I went home again! What a blessing to be able to be at home on Christmas, even if it was only for a few hours. Our family continues to grow... Abi has been with us for awhile, and then Maria for the last couple years... this year we had another Maria with us. =) We had to initiate her, as it was her first Christmas in America!

Abi and I

Abi, Chris, and me... Chris accused Abi and I of acting like little girls!

Mommy making us breakfast =)
Dad finally grew some hair and it made him crazy

After hanging out at home, we flew the Boise turn again in the afternoon, and then back to Tucson that night. No drama, everyone was cool, no crazy stories to tell. That was a blessing. =) My pilots were very chill and relaxed, which was awesome. I had flown with the FO before, but it was my first time meeting the Captain. On our last flight of the day, we only had 20 passengers back to Tucson. We arrived at about 11:30pm, and I had the next two days off. There are no flights back to LA that late, so I was going to sleep on a couch in our crew lounge and catch the first flight in the morning to go home again. Well, I walked out of the gate, looked across the terminal, and saw a bunch of people waiting for an apparently delayed flight. I looked on the board, and it was the LA flight!! It was been delayed for FOUR HOURS. I went over just as they were boarding, and asked the gate agent if I could jump on. After a little drama with that, I got on the plane and called Dad up to let him know I was coming! I'd be getting in late, and they didn't think the train would still be running (I had parked Mom's car at the park & ride station in Norwalk so I could get home the next day since everyone would be at work). Anyway, I told Dad it wasn't a big deal, and I could just sleep in our crew lounge at LAX... Everyone had to work early the next day - Dad would have to be up at 4am or so. When I landed, I had messages from him saying he was on his way to pick me up and to call him!! It was SO NICE that he would sacrifice sleep to come and pick me up, just so I could come home. An act of true love, for sure. =) When I asked him why, he said, "you're not sleeping at the airport on Christmas night when you can come home to your own bed." Awwwww... =) I think he loves me. =) We finally got home around 1:30am and when I went into my room, Maria sat up and looked at me like I wasn't really there... She said out loud, "am I dreaming?" It was the cutest thing. =)


I had asked if I could sit reserve in LA again after my days off... I didn't think they'd let me on Friday, because I was the only person on call from 4am-4pm, but thought we looked ok for the rest of the days... But I was told no, "we need you in Tucson." Needing me in TUS = sitting around not getting called. Well, as I expected, I did get called on Friday morning, at 5am after getting maybe 2 hours of sleep. I just flew a local - TUS-LA-Boise-Denver-TUS. Been on call all weekend and no one has been called... But they NEED me, right? Even though there are six other people here not getting called? Yeah, it's getting old. And the thing that's a bummer is that it doesn't look like I'm going to get transferred out of here. I ended up putting in a transfer to LA, where I would still be on reserve, but at least I would be on reserve at home where I have friends, family, and puppy dogs to keep me company. =) (I mentioned that I was thinking about Fresno, but found out that they cut back the schedules there and I would still be on reserve there as well.) My schedule for next month stinks, and I'm very frustrated about that. I'm having a hard time making lemonade out of these lemons!

On call for two more days, through the 1st, and then hoping to go home again for two days... Let the fun continue...!

...HOME...

I love being home. Is it because it's the holiday season? Mom's fresh delicious home cooking? My puppy dogs? Family? Being with friends that I've known more than a few months? My own bed, my own room, and my electric blanket??? Or is it comfort... familiarity... safety...? Whatever it is, I love being home. I was off last week from Wednesday through Friday, and was blessed enough to have Crew Support let me be on reserve at LAX Saturday through Tuesday this week... So extra time at home! I love my job. So much flexibility! It doesn't always work out to my advantage, but this time it did. =)

Southwest brought me to LAX from Tucson on Tuesday evening. I walked on the plane, being my cheery self and said hi to the pilot and flight attendant that were greeting passengers as they boarded... They were a little caught off guard, and asked why I was so happy to be on the flight... I told them I was always like this! They asked why I wasn't working for them, and I said that Southwest didn't want to hire me... I applied and never heard from them. My energy and enthusiasm are not easily communicated on paper! I was fortunate enough that SkyWest took a chance on me. =) Anyway, Mom took the day off on Wednesday so that we could hang out! In the morning we baked cookies... (when I say we, I mean Mom)

For lunch, Mom and I met up with Dad and Chris at my favorite spot, Souplantation... It was wonderful, because it was just the four of us!!! I honestly cannot remember when we did something as a family, without anyone else, and it was so nice. Don't get me wrong, I love the people that live with us, and I love it when friends can come out with us or meet up with us, but it being just us four was different. A rare occasion, for sure. I loved it.
Thursday morning, my roomie Morgan flew in from Tucson. Dad had worked it out with his friend Dave to get us in to Disneyland for free... =) The three of us met up with Dave at noon and began our adventure in the Happiest Place on Earth!
The lines weren't long... we waited about 20 minutes at the most for a ride, so that was nice!! I thought I had dressed warmly enough, but even after I put on the extra long sleeved shirt I had brought, I was still freezing. Then we did a really smart thing: went on Splash Mountain. Morgan got to sit in the front, and I hid behind Dad. He was wearing a pullover that dried quickly, brilliant! Fortunately, I didn't get tooooo wet, but was still very cold. So Mom, being the saint that she is, said she'd bring us coats and coffee. We took the monorail to Downtown Disney and went to Tortilla Jo's...
We had a fun server, Joey, who Mom and Dad had met last time they ate at Tortilla Jo's back in September... He even remembered them (not hard to forget someone like Dad... especially since he had called me up last time they were there, then called Joey over and made him talk to me on the phone!!!). Mom and Dad left to go to a meeting, so it was just Morgan and I for the rest of the evening. After awhile we jumped on the monorail and went back into Disneyland. We were going to go on It's A Small World, but the usually 10 minute wait was 45 minutes, so we went to find Mickey instead...
On Friday Morgan hung out with us for the day and then we took her to the airport that evening. Saturday I was on call, but crossed my fingers hoping I wouldn't have to fly, because some of the girls I went to Biola with were getting together for brunch! It's always great to see them and catch up!
Saturday night, Abi called and asked what we were up to... Then said that they were having a surprise party for his old roommate, Pete, who had just graduated. Maria and I went and had a great time! Africans are crazy!! Especially entertaining was Linda... 6'5", played for Biola and was on the Nigerian basketball team in the 2004 Olympics... she was getting her dance on!!! That was another great time of catching up with people I hadn't seen in forever.
On Friday, Crew Support had scheduled me to fly on Sunday morning. I went up to Oakland, their favorite spot to send me, and back, then sat reserve at the airport until 5:00pm. I got to fly with some awesome guys based in Fresno, they were so cool!!! The kind that make flying not feel like work. =) When I was walking through the cabin doing my passenger count, people kept telling me happy birthday... I told them it wasn't my birthday, and then asked if the Captain had made an announcement about it or something. They said yes! So when I went back up front I asked him if he said it was my birthday in his announcement, and he goes, yeah, I thought you would like some more attention. =) Hilarious! It made up for my lack of happy birthdays from my passengers on my real birthday in July!

I mentioned in my last post that some changes might be coming, and the biggest change I am considering is transferring to another one of our domiciles (bases) - Fresno. If I did transfer to Fresno, I could probably have a line (which means having a set schedule for the month), rather than being on reserve (on call) all the time. Since Tucson is a senior base for us, it is more difficult to get a line. In Fresno I would have a chance. With a line in Fresno, I could live back at home in Orange County and just commute... and in case you're wondering, I would fly to commute, not drive. =) I have to stay in Tucson through the end of February, when the lease for our apartment runs out (or pay for my part of it, if I leave before then). I am praying about it. I have really enjoyed being back in California for more than just a couple days, and in talking to people I've met up with in the last couple of weeks who are based in Fresno, it sounds like it could be a very good thing... But it depends on the number of lines there as well. Sooo... we'll see what happens in the next couple months... I'll keep you posted. =)

Fun Randomness

I am a P to the max!!! You know, the Myers-Briggs test... aka Kiersey Temperament Sorter... aka the Jung personality test... So this is me:

ESFP - "Entertainer". Radiates attractive warmth and optimism. Smooth, witty, charming, clever. Fun to be with. Very generous. 8.5% of the total population.

Take Free Jung Personality Test
personality tests by similarminds.com

The "P" part of me is the spontaneous, last minute, non-planner. Ok, so I was on call last Saturday through Tuesday, and hung out in Tucson (i.e., I didn't get called)! I did have a two day trip right before that, with an overnight in Phoenix. I got to have lunch with Cliff, a friend from high school who lives in Phoenix!!! and then flew four legs of simple pie... much turbulence all day = no beverage service. I tried, believe me. I couldn't stand up in the aisle so I was literally kneeling, going through the aisle trying to see what people wanted to drink... and then my FO (First Officer) called me and told me to sit down! =)

Ha, I digress. So I had planned to go out to Colorado Springs on Tuesday night if I didn't get called, and hang out there for my days off this week. Well. My friend Jason, who is an amazing guy and also a Flight Attendant for SkyWest, happened to call me up on Monday afternoon. Long story short, he had Tuesday and Wednesday off so I convinced him to fly to Tucson on Tuesday morning then fly with me to Colorado Springs. Since we're Flight Attendants we can do stuff like that. =) I think it's awesome. He used to be based in Co. Springs (just transferred to Salt Lake City) so said he needed to get some stuff he'd left at his old place anyway. Flight loads looked good so we decided to rock and roll! I picked him up in the morning, and we hung out at my place. I got him to sign up on eHarmony, so we could see if they matched us, just for the heck of it! (Ok, if you don't know, I will admit it now, I signed up on eHarmony awhile ago simply because I was curious about what the personality profile would say about me... I like learning things about myself... and anyway, it's kinda funky cos they keep sending me matches, whose profiles I can read, but I can't communicate with them or see their pictures unless I decide to pay for a subscription... which I can't bring myself to do!! I know, so embarassing! Interesting though!) Yeah, so they haven't matched us... guess that's a no go Jason! =( We grabbed some yummy food from Rubio's, came back to my place, got our stuff, and headed out to the airport for our flight to Denver. SO fun flying with someone else!! Especially someone as cool as Jason. We are dorks! We hung out in Denver long enough to get a latte from Starbucks before catching our 14 minute flight to COS, where we flew First Class. WOW! ;-)

My days in Colorado Springs were so refreshing! Isaac and Clara Ring (MKs from Ghana and PNG) were awesome and opened their spare room and futon to me, letting me crash at their place. I hung out with Jubz, a new friend of mine, and spent quality time with Clara, had some great talks! Wednesday night Jubz and I went to church with Luke Skrobot... a solid message about being in the desert and what to do when you're there (how about both literally AND figuratively??). On Thursday Clara and I took on a huge task of doing some serious Christmas cookie baking for her music students. It was crazy! Lots of fun though, talking, laughing, and catching up with Isaac and also Keren, another friend from PNG/high school. I love catching up. =) And I love that I can do it more freely now with my job. A huge blessing.

me and Luke being crazy!

Isaac and Clara... and our delicious, raw food dinner!

me and Keren

Colorado is beautiful, but can I just say, I love the weather in Arizona! More change may be on the way in the next few months... We'll see what God tells me about it... stay tuned!

Breakfast with Dad

One of my favorite things to do when I'm at home...

Mmmm... breakfast at Ruby's on the pier in Seal BeachThe surfers were out... but there wasn't much surf

I am alive! Yay! =)

I know, it has been awhile since I wrote... I have had some people ask what's been going on! Just travel as usual! At the beginning of the month, I got to go to Kansas City, Missouri with my roomie Melissa! She said that her family was going to do an early Thanksgiving, and invited Amelia (another friend from our FA training, who is based in Milwaukee) and I to come home with her. It was fun... except for the COLD!


Oakland seems to be my place to go this month... every time I've had a trip with overnights, I've gone to Oakland. I have even gotten the same room at the hotel each time, so it feels like home! (Not quite... but some familiarity!) ;-) That's where I was on Thanksgiving... and in San Jose the night before that. No turkey for me! Although one of our Captains did have Melissa and I over for a late Thanksgiving dinner last Saturday. YUMMY!

One of the funnest nights we had in Tucson this month was our Nintendo night! Our neighbours, Kyle and Dennis (brothers) have an old school Nintendo (NES), so Morgan, Melissa and I went over to their place and played. SO FUN. =)

Look! It's Arizona!

On a flight from Oakland to Salt Lake City last week, I had some passengers who were truly an encouragement to me. I was talking with a Tongan man sitting in the last row, and we were talking about the South Pacific and Papua New Guinea. When I told the man I had lived in PNG, I saw the woman in the row in front of him kinda perk up. When I started to come back up the aisle, she said that she had overheard me say that and asked what I was doing there. I saw she had a Bible open on her tray table, and I started to ask if they were Christians... That's when her husband spoke up and said, "We're Christ followers." I thought that was awesome! I knew what context I could talk to them in, knowing that they were Believers, and told them that my parents were there working with Wycliffe Bible Translators. (Let me digress for a moment, and just say that I hate saying that my parents were missionaries. You say the word "missionary" and all of a sudden all these preconceived ideas come with it... usually negative. Judgmental, 'holier than thou' mentality, trying to change culture and make everyone wear white to church, weird, etc etc etc. So usually, unless I know the people are Believers and are going to have a better understanding of what really goes on with missions, I say that my parents were with a linguistic organization, which is completely true. And sometimes people think that's a little weird, but usually they think it's cool too.) Ok, so when I told this couple my parents were with Wycliffe, they said they knew a family who worked with Wycliffe in Africa. The husband asked me some pretty pointed questions about my work and where I was getting teaching and fellowship... That has been one of the hard parts about this job, with traveling so much and working on Sundays as well. So I was honest with them and shared that it has been a struggle. I was also encouraged by the wife, as she told me she could see a different attitude and presence in me, from when they walked on the plane to watching me come down the aisle with the beverage service. I told them that when I had started this job, I prayed that the people I came in contact with would be able to see Christ in me... She said she could. What a compliment. A little while later when I returned to do a trash run, they handed me a small hardcover book, a devotional. They wrote a long, encouraging note on the first page along with their card. They said they would be praying for me. Wow!!! I was amazed at how much God blessed and encouraged me through them.

I was on call Saturday and Sunday... and just hung out in Tucson. Tried out a new church and liked it a lot. Simple, but solid. If I'm in town next week, I'm gonna go back and try them out again. I flew on Express Jet, my new heroes =) from Tucson to Ontario last night after I was off call. All of our flights into LAX were oversold, so I thought I'd try Express Jet. I met the Captain of the flight when I was at the gate seeing if I was going to make it, and he said he'd make sure I got on. They took care of me, and it was awesome!

Mom took today off work so we could hang out, and it's been great!!! I love being at home. =) Can't wait till next time.

Bogey has been cracking us up all day!!!

Who are better listeners: 1st graders or passengers?

One of the things I really like about my job is being able to talk and connect with my passengers. Some of them are cool. Some of them are... not. In talking to one of them this week, after I told him that I used to teach 1st grade, he asked me, "So who are better listeners? 1st graders, or your passengers?" I answered that it was definitely the 1st graders... apart from a handful of them, who were just that, a handful =), they listened. They were usually respectful. But they knew that had to be. Passengers just decide they don't need to listen, for the most part (although I did have one woman who was so cute this week!! She listened and watched intently as I made each announcement, told me I was adorable, and gave me a big hug as she got off the plane).

So can I vent for a minute? There is a flow to our flight... towards the end, when we are beginning to descend, we get some chimes that tell us how much time we have left and that we need to make our descent announcement and then check to make sure people have listened and followed crewmember instructions, AS STATED BY FEDERAL AVIATION REGULATIONS!!! Sooo many times, people still have their tray tables down, or their carryons out in their laps, and then get pissy at me when I ask them to put their tray tables up or stow their carryons, as I've just asked them to in my announcement. But this is what really gets me. The Captain turns off the seatbelt sign during the flight, right? Then the good ones, like the one I flew with today, will give the passengers a head's up when he's going to turn the sign back on... so get off your butt and go to the bathroom now... or forever hold your pee!!! So today, the landing gear is already down, which means we're about 5 mins from landing, and I have to be in my seat in the brace position. Well, guess what? The man in 2A decides that's the perfect time for him to get up and use the lav... WHY?????!?!?!?! We've made a million stupid announcements saying "stay in your seat with your seatbelt fastened until the sign is off at the gate." So then, the next flight, I've made the announcement to remain seated until we've landed, etc. I've done my walk through to make sure everyone is doing what I've just asked. So then I look back and see a woman standing in the doorway of the lav. I walk back to see if she is alright, and yeah, she's just standing there putting on her makeup. What the !!!!!!!! Why people, why??!?!

Ok, that's enough venting for tonight... I really do like my job, I promise. =)

The Capital

Last Friday morning I started a two day trip with four legs of flying, and ending up in Burbank. After our third leg we had a couple hours in San Francisco, so I went into the terminal to grab some lunch. I walked past the shoe shine place, where the guys are usually bumping their music while they wait for customers. I saw several men wearing suits and taking pictures of each other there... They looked like a team of some kind, and I had the feeling that they were Pacific Islanders... I wondered if they were from PNG, but thought that was probably just wishful thinking. I caught the eye of one guy who was getting his shoes shined, so decided to go and talk to him. I asked where he was from, and he asked me, "what do you think?" Before allowing me to guess, he proceeded to tell me that he was from a small country called Papua New Guinea, at which point I busted out the Pidgin! Wantoks!!! I was so excited. So were they, when they found a white girl in SFO who could speak their language. =) I talked with them for awhile and found out that they had just flown in from Sydney and were on their way to Chicago for the Boxing World Championships! It made my day to meet them, and of course, we had to take some pictures together. =) Wanbel stap!

That night we had an overnight in Burbank. Rosie and Eisley came and met me for dinner!! As always, it was great to catch up with an old friend and classmate from high school, and Rosie was an encouragement to me. The next morning we only flew two legs, and got back to Tucson just after 11:00am. At 1:00pm I got on a flight to ATL and then eventually Washington DC! It was funny, because when I thought about going to DC, I mainly thought about who I was going to see. I hadn't seen anyone for more than ten years. As I was flying in, I thought about where I was actually going and what there would be to see there. =)

I stayed with Brady, who had come to PNG in 1995 and lived with our family for about a year. Sunday morning we woke up early and went to meet Mr. Evan Paki, the Papua New Guinea Ambassador to America, for breakfast. It was our only chance to get together with him, as hewas flying to Boston at 11:00am. Definitely a privilege for us that he would take the time with his busy schedule!

After breakfast, Brady and I went to church, and then spent the rest of the day walking around Washington DC and looking at many of the different monuments and memorials...

Brady and I at the Lincoln Memorial

Sitting in front of the Capitol

Washington Monument
The WWII Memorial... they named all the places where the war was fought
Vietnam War Memorial
Lincoln Memorial

On Monday I took the metro and met up with Carol Madison, an amazing woman of God! We spent the afternoon together and it was just refreshing! We have known the Madisons for many years and they have been great family friends of ours. I didn't think I would be able to see her husband, George, because he was out of town and wasn't supposed to get in until later that evening, but he ended up catching an earlier flight in! It was crazy to see Zach and Hannah too... I can't believe how big they are!! (You have no idea how old that makes me feel to say that... ) =)

Dad, sometime we will have to go to DC together so you can teach me more about the history of our country... I can't wait!!

Love is in the air... or the polyester!!!

I have never been given numbers or asked for my number more in my life than I have in the last 5 months... I think there's something in the polyester. Last week, my passengers in row 8 were cold. I told them I wasn't cold... but then again, I was wearing polyester. The guy in 8A said his jacket was polyester, so I asked him, "Do lots of people give you numbers too??? I think there's something in the polyester." That cracked him up.

It is interesting to me... and I think it's hilarious. If you have known me for awhile, you know I haven't been one to attract men by my looks. Not saying this to put myself down, but I am not Miss Cosmopolitan by any means, and I know this. During our Flight Attendant training, they talked to us about safety and security, and said that we would attract people. Yeah, everyone else, not me! Then I got to Chicago. "What does your husband do?" "Do you have a boyfriend?" "Are you married?" "Do you have kids?" "Can I get your number?" "Let me give you my number..." Now, if you haven't gotten that kind of attention your whole life, it is flattering... at first. Then you get to know what's coming. You can see it. Sometimes you want them to talk to you, sometimes you don't. I started listening to music and doing Sudoku on the train to the airport in Chicago. =) That helped. But you can't do that walking around the airport, or on the plane... A couple of times, ramp agents at the different airports we go to have asked me for my number. Then you always see them again. I have had a few passengers give me their numbers. Or guys that I have sat with when I am flying as a passenger - not for work. What's the common factor? Polyester.

So last night, we were in LAX, about to fly the final leg of our trip back to Tucson. There were about four ramp agents standing on the tarmac, waiting for things to get finalized so we could close up and leave. One of them comes up the stairs, and says to me, "we were wondering if you have a boyfriend." I looked past him and down to the other guys... one was standing there looking hopeful, fingers crossed. It was hilarious! When I told him I didn't, I looked past him again and shook my head... there was jumping up and down. Wow. Cracked me up!

Yesterday I flew with two AWESOME guys - estan muy guapo! My Captain was Andy Leyva, and my First Officer was Juan Rrrrrrubalcava (you gotta roll the r). Flying with guys like them makes you feel like you're not working (until you have issues with the passengers), but then when things do come up you're more relaxed and you know the guys got your back. We got to LAX and Andy bought us dinner at La Salsa at the airport. We had some fun conversation and I got to practice my Spanish with them. =) They told me I had "ojos bonitos" and they were like "el mar." Wow! Such compliments! ;-) We had a great time, and working together and laughing so much always makes the time go by way faster.

On my way home last night, I was flattered once more by a guy who pulled up next to me, kept looking over at me, and cut around other cars to stay next to me... bumping his music and cracking me up! In his case, he couldn't see the polyester... but he could sense it!

Home, Santa Monica, & Venice

Venice Beach, that is! My roommate Morgan had an overnight in LA on Monday, a nice long one, so I went and picked her up from her hotel. We decided to go to Santa Monica, and after finding a sweet parking spot (I love it when the meters already have money in them!) we walked to the Santa Monica Pier. Hadn't been there before, just seen it in movies, so it was new and exciting for both of us! We even when on the ferris wheel! It was a gorgeous California day -- sunny and perfect weather. This is the beautiful thing about our job... travel, overnights, sights to see, things to do, new food to eat! On the pier we found my favorite coffee spot, The Coffee Bean, so I introduced Morgan to that. =) It hit the spot, as usual!! =)

After the pier we had some time so went to Venice Beach, and were blessed with another awesome parking spot! (For those of you who haven't been to this part of LA, parking is a PAIN to find... then usually is super expensive.) We saw lots of funky people, and things we couldn't take pictures of unless we paid them... except this guy... he happily posed for us!

Morgan and I went back to her hotel for a little while, and then Mom called me to say that Dad's plane had arrived. Dad had finally used the travel benefits and went to Las Vegas for a men's retreat for the weekend. He didn't know I was home, so I got to surprise him. =) That was fun. =)

So let me back up. I got back to Arizona from my trip on Saturday night, and there were no flights that late to LA. I had the next three days off, so decided it would be a good idea to go home again. I decided not to take the first flight out on Sunday morning, but wait for the 8:30 flight. I checked the loads the night before and it looked alright, so I stuck with it. I didn't sleep much, or well, and when I got to the airport I asked the gate agent how the flight looked. It was full, with 5 revenue standby's. I'm a non-revenue, so last priority in that case. I was bummed, and I called Mom to let her know what was up... as always, she said she would pray that I could still get on. I waited, and the gate agent called my name, and gave me a boarding pass for seat 1D! First class! =) Actually, the first class part wasn't really a big deal, because it was a little United Express/SkyWest plane... but still... I would have taken any seat at that point! I called Mom and let her know... the prayers of a righteous woman...! I really wanted a latte, so when I knew I was on the flight, I went to buy one. I thought I heard the woman in front of me order exactly what I wanted... a sugarfree vanilla nonfat decaf latte... which is unusual... most people ask, what's the point? So I asked her what she had gotten, and when she told me I said, great! That's exactly what I want. She then told the girl behind the counter that she wanted to buy another one, exactly like she'd just had!!! It was SO NICE! Wow, what felt like it was going to be a frustrating morning was turning into a good one... Yes, God is good.

I got into LA around 10:00, and Mom and Maria picked me up. We went to church, then got to meet up with Heather and Steve afterwards at Red Lobster for a late lunch. =) I always love seeing them. Sooo refreshing. Maria even finished her lunch!!! Shocking!

I had talked to Abi Saturday night after I got home from my trip, and I told him I was planning on coming to California Sunday, and asked him if he was going to/could come by. He said that he would... He actually did!!! He didn't back out! ;-) I love Abi, and loved seeing him again. What else I loved was the Golden Spoon he treated us to that night...!

I have said it before and I know I'll say it again many times... it was so nice to be at home, see family, friends, visit my favorite spots, and RELAX! Thanks everyone for making it another fun time!

Why do you look familiar to me...?

That was a question that I wanted to ask one of my passengers on my last trip, but didn't. If he was an actor like I thought he was, I didn't want him to feel bad that I didn't know his name! Oh yeah... I have a manifest of passenger names! That didn't strike anything for me... "Boothe P"... both he and his wife were "Boothe P". He was sitting there, sleeping much of the time, and I just knew he had played a character that I hated! But I couldn't figure it out. Two legs later, sitting in my jumpseat for takeoff, it hit me. 24!!!!!! He was the vice president that tried to overtake Wayne Palmer on 24!!!!!! I had an actor from 24 on my plane! Powers Boothe. Of course! (If you're wondering who he is, check out this picture.)

It had been a crazy trip for celebrity spottings... First, on Thursday, a bunch of us were super excited to see the cuteness and dimples of Mario Lopez, sitting by gate 83 in Denver talking on his phone... going to Birmingham? Hmmm... a couple of the girls got a picture with him. The next day the hip hop group, Three 6 Mafia ("I gotta stay fly-y-y-y-y-y-y-y-y till I die-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah.....") were running through the airport (again in Denver), having fun and shouting while trying to get to their flight on time. Then Powers Boothe was on my plane the following day, and the flight after that I had Dennis Kucinich, a US Congressman and Presidential candidate, as a passenger.
It was interesting... But ya know, even though they're famous and we idolize them like crazy, they're just people like you and me. I think most of us know that, really, but some of us can still get starstruck. =)

It was a crazy three day trip! We flew for 23 hours... an amount we're lucky to fly in a four day trip. I flew with Tammy, our only female Captain in Tucson, and Ken was my First Officer. I had flown with Tammy twice before but it was my first time flying with Ken. Overnights in Bismarck, ND (not exactly the happening town, but cold!) and El Paso, TX. What tripped me out about El Paso was that I could see Mexico from the hotel... that is always a weird thing to me, since I grew up on an island, and you really couldn't see any other countries unless you flew to them. (Guess you can't really see it in the picture... but I will leave it anyway! =) The mountains and the stuff on the other side of the freeway is Mexico.)

On our last leg of the trip, from Denver to Tucson, we had a bunch of military guys. I get so caught off guard when they call me "ma'am". =) They kept things interesting! One of them was making "wand fingers" while I was doing my announcements and cracking me up, it was terrible. When we got in, I was definitely glad to be done, and happy to be back in Tucson!!