I completed my first week of flight attendant training with United without quitting, crying or wanting to throw myself out the window. This place is hardcore. Intense is an understatement.

Classes began promptly at 7:30 Monday morning. We had classes all day long until 6:00 p.m. when we were released to go to dinner in the cafeteria and retreat back to our rooms, but not before being assigned about 12 hours of online homework which was due by Saturday. Needless to say we were all panicking. Tu esday was one of the longest days of my life. We woke up at 5 in the morning and weren't back in our rooms until after 7 or 8.


I love my roommate, my classmates and my instructors. They are all amazing and I am having the experience of a lifetime. Even though training feels a little like Barbie Boot Camp at times, I am enjoying every minute. I'm working hard, studying even harder and so thankful for this amazing opportunity. Only one percent of all the people that apply for this position make it through the many selection processes and actually get offered a place at the training center. Can you believe that? I am one of the 1% chosen for this coveted career. And I feel even more blessed to be apart of the fabulous company of United Airlines. The people of this company are what make it the second most profitable airline in the world.

Friday night a bunch of us finally had a chance to relax and go out to a bar around the corner. We had so much fun it was like one big family. We really needed that night out, away from all the stress and pressure of training. Today we went to the airport and spent the day in the hangers observing the Boeing 737 (United's smallest aircraft) and doing our safety checks throughout the cabins. Then we got the opportunity to do a walk-thru of their largest aircraft, the extravagant B747 which is two levels and is used for our international flights. Let's just say first class is like paradise in the 747. AMAZING! Our first exam is on Monday so studying my butt off is what I will be doing for the next day or so. Tomorrow my posse is going out to the city to check out apartments and hang out downtown. It is our first day off. :) I'll let you know how the test goes if I get a single moment to breathe. Miss all of you!

I wrote this blog on the plane ride to Chicago last Sunday, Sept. 16th. I am just now getting a chance to post it because I haven't had a moment to sit and rest. So here it is:

Sept. 16, 2007

It’s a strange feeling, staring out the window of a plane and looking down on the home you are leaving behind. The moment I boarded the plane and got a little teary-eyes when the ticket lady told me to have a good flight, I knew I was in trouble. Including takeoff, the first half hour of my flight was spent gazing out my window as tears streamed down my face. For the past month I knew I was leaving but it never really sunk in until I was actually in the air on my way to an unfamiliar city, with unfamiliar people, hundreds of miles away from everything I love and cherish. Maybe it is because I have been so busy with packing, shopping and all the sweet goodbyes.

I only teared up three times during those goodbyes…saying goodbye to my boss, hugging my friend Vinita for the last time, and leaving Becca after I dropped her off at her house. I thought that was the last of my emotional release. That is until I reached the airport this morning and was sitting in the terminal, listening to my ipod, watching random people pass me by, when I had time to reflect on how much my life was about to change in a matter of hours.

It was hard for me to leave Peanut this morning. I think he knew I was leaving because he hid under the blanket when I tried to say goodbye. L Seven weeks away from him is going to be hard. But I am excited about training. And I am doing what I set out to do. I set out to finish my degree and I did it. I set out to travel the world as a flight attendant and I am doing that as well. I couldn’t be happier. And I wouldn’t have been able to do it without all the love and encouragement from all of my friends and family. So this blog is dedicated to them, for never giving up on me and always believing I could achieve great things, even if they seemed impossible. Thanks for everything!