Always the first day of school

I had to make myself get out. Go for a walk. Attempt to get out of this spiral depression. Depression is taking hold, wrapping its arms around me. Something that I thought I wanted no longer seems so clear, so right. The phrase "watch what you wish for" now seems to becoming true. Is this really what I wanted? Is this really right for me?

I feel as though every time I get that "call" I am returning to the first day of school. I always hated the first day of school as a matter of fact, the first day of school traumatized me. I always cried. Even when I went to college the first day I cried. I find myself crying now. The unknown, who will be your class mates. What will the teacher be like, mean or nice? Every time I meet the new crew, these are the emotions that are looming. Mean or nice?

What am I doing here? I am crying now.

One of the "Five"

In our inflight training the instructors always told us that the flight attendants are all so nice and then they would laugh and say "well except for about five flight attendants". This was kind of a running joke through out training, these "five" flight attendants who weren't so nice and miserable in the job. I met one of the "five" the other night. The flight started out as any other, introductions, what position we would be working on the aircraft.....the usual stuff. "Mary" (not her real name and one of the "five") asked if I wanted to trade positions with her so she could work with her friend in the back of the aircraft. I agreed. For me, it doesn't matter which position I work, I am there to do a job, be part of the team. From this point things turned from OK to disaster. I am not sure what "Mary's" issue was, but from almost running me over with the beverage cart, snapping orders at me, refusing to bring me meals that customers ordered to threatening to write me up, she was without a doubt a miserable human being. I will admit, she shook me to my core. I realized, sadly, that everyone out there is not always going to be so nice, there will be other "Marys" that I will encountered and I must be better prepared emotionally next time.

Here is a fact about this career, you must be extremely adaptable. In most jobs you work with the same people day in and day out, you know what to expect. Being a flight attendant, you are working with different people all the time and you never know who and what you are going to get. I hope I can recover from this altercation with "Mary". I am fortunate that the two other flight attendants were there for me. One had previously had her own run in with "Mary" on another flight. Time will heal but I will now have my guard up just a bit more....not what I was planning on when I signed up for this but neccessary for survival!

Austin, Texas

Christmas Tree

Rotunda

Texas State Capitol

George W

I should have been writing my reflections from the beginning of this adventure but alas, with the holidays I was sidetracked. I went online (airline lingo not computer lingo) December 14 and since starting my “retirement” career, I have traveled to Maui, San Diego, Newark, Las Vegas and now I am in Austin, Texas. I love Austin. As I wandered from the hotel this morning, I found this wonderful bike-hike-running trail directly behind the hotel (Radisson in case you are wondering). Off I went and quickly found, well 3 miles later that I had most likely gone to far in one direction and was a bit lost. I need to better learn how to use maps on my iPhone! I caught a glimpse of the Austin skyline and it looked somewhat far off in the distance. Deciding it was best to back track, I found the trail that I have veered from and found my way back to my hotel. So many Austinites were out running and biking and the trail along the river is lovely! The trail is tree-lined with little wooden bridges and a stand that rents kayaks! Back to the hotel, a quick change and off to the state capitol. I believe (unbelievable!) that this is the first state capitol I have visited! After a short wait in line, off for my next adventure. The capitol is still decorated for Christmas and which includes a Christmas Tree that is actually called a Christmas Tree. I am loving this place! I next find a portrait of George W. Bush and take a photo of the portrait so as to send it to my mom and sister (they are thrilled). I wandered through the various hallways and took the stairs all the way to the top of the rotunda!