Thursday, August 25, 2005
This week's been REALLY tiring.Monday: 1st day of HTZ Inflight Training. Met my class main instructor, T., for the first time. A very nice lady. She offered to give us revision of the topics we studied.
I also received my textbooks and manuals. This is just part of the whole package. I expect more notes to come during the HTR Emergency Training next week. I'll be receiving 2 more sets of Japanese Language textbooks and tapes during hte last week of training here in Singapore. Have to pack ALL OF THEM and bring over to Japan. Nice.
Tuesday: Lessons, lessons, lessons.
Wednesday: Lessons, lessons, revision for tests.
Thursday: Route Information and Traffic tests. Have to score at least 80% for each. It's one of the prerequisites for Japan training. Quite easy, but I made a couple of stupid mistakes.
Conclusion: Super tired after every day. Our schedule says that our lessons end at 1615hr. Hah. The average time we're let off is 1800hr. We have a lot of delays and the local instructors don't follow the clock so closely like the Japanese sensei.
So looking forward to the day when I leave for Japan. Going to make a countdown chart later. Sigh. Dozing off now... Oyasumi~~
A Lone Fighter stayed home at Thursday, August 25, 2005
Monday, August 22, 2005
I'm getting used to the following, some by choice, some by reasons I can't fight.1) Waking up early at a fixed time every morning. I set my alarm clocks and mobile phone alarms at 0545hr. Don't need to even change the time. This morning, I woke up at 0900hr. It's my off day. Usually, I'll sleep until early afternoon around 1400hr. But my biological clock seemed to have changed slightly. Not going to complain much about this change because it's good for my health and I do indeed sleep earlier every night.
2) Not spraying perfume before leaving the house. Ever since I started my training, I stopped using perfumes, unless it's my offday and I'm going out to meet my friends. It's a company rule that we're not to wear perfumes when on flight duty and as trainees, we're expected to follow that as well. So now, my daily 'scent' is the hairspray I so generously use.
3) Not checking my mobile phone every now and then. I switch off my phone completely when I reach the airport. I don't even leave it on at the silent mode, with vibration alert. I think I sent less than 10 SMS last week. I'm actually enjoying the peacefulness of being 'phoneless'.
4) Spending a lot less time in front of the TV. I only watch the news, a couple of variety shows now. Feel good about this. I admit that I'm quite a potato couch previously. I'll watch shows even though I think they're rubbish and crap. Now, I watch only those I like and are willing to spend my previous rest time on them.
5) Dressing up in full business attire everyday. I prefer to wear my jacket rather than to hold it. Some girls carry their jackets with them to the airport, then put it on before going in for training. I could do that too, but prefer not to. Reason?? It'll mean that I'll have only one hand to hold on to the railings on the bus (if I can't get a seat). I don't know why, but balancing on the bus has never been my forte.
6) Having people call me Lavine. It's weird at first because I'm so used to answering to my Chinese name. Now, the instructors and bacthgirls all know my by Lavine. My crew nametag will bear the name Lavine in future. And the namestnad I have in class now also reads Lavine. Even my JAL employee identity is YE LA, which is Ye, my surname, and LA for Lavine.
7) Eating my meals regularly. Yes, I mean very REGULARLY. I wake up at 0545hr, drag myself to the bathroom to wash up. then it's the usual routine of showering, changing, putting on my contact lenses, and the skincare stuff. Will then eat my breakfast and read Zaobao at the same time. I make sure I finish it by 0630hr, then it's time for makeup and hair. Lunch is always at 1300hr. Nobody wastes any time at all when it comes to lunchtime. Chomp, yum, back to class by 1350hr. Will back back home by 1830hr. Then it's shower, TV news, and dinner. Dinner is always big because it's been so long (it seems) since lunch. I know it's bad to have a heavy dinner, but can't help it once I see the hot, steaming rice... Chomp, yum, a bit of TV, revision, bedtime. Oyasumi.
Speaking of revision, I've yet to memorise the airlines, airports and city codes. Will be starting my inflight training tomorrow. Our cabin crew manager Mr. N. warned that it'll be harder than the Japanese language lessons we've had for the past 2 weeks. Ouch. Then it's going to be REAL TOUGH this time, considering what we went through for the language lessons.
Taihen desu. Ganbatte ikenakya...
A Lone Fighter stayed home at Monday, August 22, 2005
Saturday, August 20, 2005
Had my first major, career-determining test today. It was the listening and roleplay tests which involved the items I learnt during the 2-week Japanese Language Training lessons. The listening comprehension part was easy, but I can't really say so for the roleplay. Even though we've had plenty (Yes, PLENTY) of practice in these 2 weeks, I still find my performance not as good as I hoped it to be. I didn't have much trouble with the pronunciations and accent, but the problem is with my speed. I was speaking too fast AGAIN, as usual.Keeping my fingers crossed that I won't get penalised too severely for that mistake... felt good about the accent part though.. Hahaha!!!
Will start my Inflight training next Monday. This portion of training will be taken over by our own local instructor and I can't slack on my hair and makeup anymore. For the past 2 weeks, I always have this mentality--- It's ok if my makeup smudge a bit; It's ok if I cross my legs at the ankles in class as long as I don't cross at the knees; It's ok if I munch on some sweets 'secretly'.
One of the instructors, Miss M. was in the office when we went to greet them before leaving. She 'reminded' us that from next week onwards, we have to be prim and proper. She also said that she noticed that some of the girls had makeup and lipcolors that are not of the standards required. Well, honeymoon period's over.
Looking forward to next Saturday. First reason-- we're supposed to get our 1st pay that weekend. My 1st JAL paycheck!!! Second reason-- it'll mean that the 4th week of training is over and I'll have only 2 more weeks of SIN training.
I need rest, a lot of it.
A Lone Fighter stayed home at Saturday, August 20, 2005
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
It was just this morning that I blogged about the high figures of fatal airplane crashes. Now, 2200hr, I just read from Yahoo News that there's been another fatal crash in Venezuela. This sucks...Tomorrow will be my 11th day of training, and my class will be exchanging rooms with the other class. Heard that the other room is extremely cold and most of the girls are freezing in there.
Call me kiasu or kiasee, but I'm going to bring a scarf tomorrow. I can't stand extreme cold temperatures. My fingers will start to get numb and the veins on the back of my hands will be super red... That's when I know I need warmer air. I'm going to bring all the necessary items to keep myself free from flus and fevers and any other sickness. Can't afford to take MC or be blowing my nose non-stop in class.
Was doing the worksheets Ootani Sensei gave me last week. Should have done that earlier, but I was busy arranging my newspaper cuttings. Hmmmm, must start to prioritise stuff.
I spent my offdays out again. Argh!!! Offdays are supposed to be spent at home, slacking and snoozing away. Sigh. I'm going to remain indoors on my next offday. NO WAY am I going to go for another gathering or shopping session. Starting to realise that my body is not holding out as well as I'd like it to. Falling ill in this job is NOT AN OPTION. Staying healthy is one of my job responsibilities. Ouch...
A Lone Fighter stayed home at Tuesday, August 16, 2005
This is weird-- I'm receiving messages via Friendster about guys wanting to know me, because I'm an aircrew. Shallow...
I've been doing newspaper cutting since last Dec (before I even had the thought of applying for a crew job). I was planning on applying for CAAS or an airline after graduation and thought that having some current aviation industry knowledge would be good.
The habit continues to now. Noticed that there're quite a lot of fatal accidents lately. I used to watch news reports on aircraft accidents like they were any other news reports. Can't do that anymore.
To the public, the fatalies and casualties figures are--- simply a number. But to those families and companies concerned, it's a scar forever.
I was reading through the emergency evacuation list I had and a lot of thoughts ran through my mind. For the crew on those accident flights reported--- did they have a chance to shout out those evacuation commands? Did they know that it'll be their last flight when they reported for duty that day??
Perhaps all they wanted was a chance to say Goodbye. But... was their last wish fulfilled?
A Lone Fighter stayed home at Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Sunday, August 14, 2005
ZX just called me on the phone and said that it's been quite long since we met. Ehhhhh.... We met on National Day for steamboat, remember?? Hahha...Ok, to make you guys have a 'newer' image of me--- got this from my batchgirl JM's blog... (Oops)
That's me trying to adjust my namebadge.
And acting cute...A Lone Fighter stayed home at Sunday, August 14, 2005
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Ok.. Finally managed to have some time to blog. Just finished my 7th day of training today, excluding the offday I had on National Day. Didn't manage to eat the dimsum breakfast at Crystal Jade on Tuesday. By the time we reached, the restaurant was already full and MM had to take a queue number, which is no where near the current number. We decided to just go over to Coca and have steamboat. Met with several ex-colleagues and my captain last time gave me a 10% discount. Yippee!!!Then it's back to training on Wednesday. We have a Japanese language sensei who flew in from Japan to teach us the inflight Japanese we need to know before flying over for training. I was expecting something very tough and confusing in these Japanese Language classes because the managers stressed so much on their importance. But it turned out (so far) that the stuff we're to learn (in this current stage) is quite simple and easy to grasp. Maybe it's because I've had some Japanese language background. Maybe it's because the pace is slow. Maybe it's because I simply love what I'm learning.
So it's easy?? Of course not. We have to repeat over and over again the few phrases we learn in each chapter. Grammar is not a problem, and the phrases are all standard and easy to understand. What's challenging is the pronunciation and accent. Even a simple "Arigatou gozaimasu" can take half and hour. And the "tsu" consonant almost made a few girls go bonkers. I'm still trying to keep my "~masu" short and sharp.
There're quizzes everyday and roleplays where the sensei will record down our voices on a tape and give scores accordingly. I repeat--- EVERYDAY. So don't let me hear anyone commenting that being a CA is an easy job with good money. If it's so damn easy, why is the acceptance rate so low??!!
Argh!! People just don't understand what we have to go through. Waking up everyday at 0545hr, shower, makeup, get the hairbun and fringe in place, stockings, business wear, and then out the house. All of those grooming requirements are watched by the managers and instructors, who are always around in the office or airport premises somewhere.
You can call us fake bimbos who know nothing but to dress up nicely and serve drinks & meals on a flight. If I ever hear someone comment that--- I'll challenge that fellow to an emergency evacuation procedure run-through, in both English and Japanese. We'll see who's the bimbo or himbo then.
Guess I'm being too heated up in this post.. can't blame me... I'm sleeping about 6 hours a day and the rest of my awake hours are spent in situations which require my complete attention and perfect posture. I can't just fall flat on the bed and sleep straightaway 'cos the guilt of not revising my Japanese will carry over to the next day and make it a worse one.
Being happy is a choice. But I'm afraid I'm not in a position to choose right now.
A Lone Fighter stayed home at Thursday, August 11, 2005
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Phew. Finally finished the orientation part of my 6 week training. Having my off day on Tuesday, National Day!!! Will be meeting with ZX, MM and AL for a dimsum breakfast at Crystal Jade in the morning. Promised AL last time that we'll meet up with him when he comes back from Manchester for his summer break. Been nearly 2 months since he got back and this gathering is long overdued.Can't afford to stay and walk along Orchard Road the whole day like I used to whenever we have a gathering. I'll just have breakfast, then hop down to Kino and grab a couple of items, and then to Muji, and back home to rest. My eyes, legs, and back desperately need a good amount of pampering.
Will blog about what my training was about when I return from the gathering this afternoon.
A Lone Fighter stayed home at Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Saturday, August 06, 2005
Going to leave for my 3rd day of training in a few minutes' time. The past 2 days have been quite tiring, especially mentally. Everything is new and all the girls are still trying to know one another better. Well, I certainly hope it's going to get more exciting and fulfilling for all of us...Waking up early in the morning to makeup, tie my hairbun (which I'm still struggling with) and spraying tons of super-strong hairspray is becoming a large part of my life, not to mention getting used to being stared at by public in the airport and on the bus.
Who said dolling up is easy??!!
A Lone Fighter stayed home at Saturday, August 06, 2005
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Finally back home after a long day of training. Here's what happened:0800hr: Left house to take feeder bus to central to take another bus to the airport. Met with 2 other batchgirls on the bus.
0905hr: Reached airport, waited for some other girls to arrive before heading up to the airline office where our training will be conducted.
0950hr: Mr. G had a short briefing with us about the things to note for today, including the schedule, the various managers and in-charge, and the basic manners to observe.
1000hr: 7 management level personnel came in to give us a short welcome session. They include the VP & Regional manager, Asst Regional manager, Admin manager, Station manager, District manager (Freight & Mail), Passenger Traffic, and the most 'relevant' manager- the Cabin Crew Section manager. The trainees did a short self-introduction after the welcome speech from the VP, Mr. T.
1125hr: Company Regulation. Miss J taught us the basic greeting phrases that we're to say to the other colleagues and managers when we're going for lunch, going home, comng back from lunch, or when an instructor enters the room. And we practised that quite a few times when we had our airport observations in the afternoon.
She also went throught the grooming and appearance standards required by the company. Basically the 'Don'ts' as a CA in JAL.
1225hr: Lunch Break
1335hr: Cabin Crew Session. Mr. N, Miss J and Miss M were there. All the trainees had to do the self introduction speech again. Mr. N emphasized the importance of punctuality and hard work again (he did so in the morning).
1445hr: Airport Observation. Mr. G took us on a 'tour' to the various JAL offices in the airport Terminal. We had to say the standard phrases whenever we step into a department to meet the staff and managers there. Can't remember how many times of "Konnichiwa! Douzo Yoroshiku onegai shimasu" I've said today.
1530hr: Returned to the training room and handed in our employee forms for documentation.
1600hr: Appearance check. Miss M and Miss S briefed us on the grooming standards again. Miss M also demonstrated how to tie a hair bun, which we have to do everyday. Later, we changed into the JAL uniform (not complete one with jacket, but with vest) and took a photo for our cabin crew pass which will be issued to us when we go for the Japan training.
Courtesy of JM1745hr: Finally, the first day of training comes to a close.
A Lone Fighter stayed home at Thursday, August 04, 2005
Here I am, dressed in a long-sleeved pink blouse, knee-length skirt, hair neatly (I hope) tied in a ponytail, and in the process of waiting for my concealer to rest so I can pile on the foundation. Thursday morning at 0720hr. Nice...
Will be leaving the house at around 0800hr to start my first day of JAL training. 'Nervous last night?' you may ask. The answer, surprisingly, is no. I was MORE nervous for my interviews than I was last night. I used to be going through my introduction speech days before the interviews. Last night, I was simply lying in bed, trying to fall asleep so I won't be dozing off in class today.
Will blog more tonight when I come back. Hopefully I'll still have the energy and time to list down what happened in training.
A Lone Fighter stayed home at Thursday, August 04, 2005
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Just came back from my Sec 2 gathering at Raffles City's Cafe Cartel. Nice turnout. Caught up with everyone's happenings and lives. Quite a few have graduated and are starting out in the workforce.Talking about the school days were fun yet sad at the same time. There's simply no way I can go back to the innocent and pure NY girl that I once was.
Sigh...
A Lone Fighter stayed home at Tuesday, August 02, 2005