Being Happy Is A Choice

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