Saturday, May 30, 2015

Atlantis



Welcome to The Atlantis! From my perspective. After knowing that there is The Beach within Aquaventure Waterpark, I easily ditched the swimming pool, water rides and slides for the real thing. The little waves and clear sea made my heart flutter and had huge hearts coming out of my eyes (think emoji). I was a Happy Waterbaby, seeing me frolicking and jumping in the beach. I really am the happiest when in the water and that too helped me wash away the dizziness forming in my head. It's beautiful, given that it's part of the Atlantis Hotel. And don't even get me started on the Dubai Marina backdrop (heart eyes emoji!)


Aquaventure



Last week's adventure with the fambam was at Aquaventure, in Atlantis Hotel, The Palm Jumeirah. It's about time to visit this waterpark after a year of living in Dubai. It was a wet and fun (roller coaster ride fun) family day on what would be my last Friday in Dubai. Yes, this has just happened a weekend ago but why does it already feel like a long memory? I am currently typing this in my new "apartment" (my very own accommodation) with my newly made Korean friend and flatmate Miri, who is such a sweetheart. I am finally based here in Doha to join Qatar Airways!!! (I still feel like I'm floating and dreaming that I pinch myself everyday.) I want to make myself believe that I'm finally 'living the dream' but everyday I just thank the Lord for this moment and ask for His continuous guidance on this journey I have embarked on.

Leaving Dubai, which is one of my favourite cities in the world, has become a home. Ultimately, saying goodbyes is never easy especially with family, friends, familiarity and my cousins I left back 'home'. But a wanderlust is always home, wherever she goes.

Well, everything we choose to do entails sacrifice. Working hard to keep back the tears and stay focused right now. I may be on a short blogging hiatus as I want to put my attention on our training which will commence tomorrow, InshaAllah! I might have left Dubai as a resident and working migrant but I will always be home when I arrive. Here's to a new adventure!

Monday, May 4, 2015

Those times I 'tried'



I feel it's about time to share (or rather express myself) on what I've been really up to in fulfilling my dreams. I've been reiterating (and even ranting) over and over on my dreams to fly. I sure am not the best candidate, the smartest girl or the prettiest face out there. Not to mention my middling in height. However, there is something wild in me that couldn't be tamed. Could this be the thing they call 'Passion' or in other words 'Calling'? I don't know.

 
Etihad
When I first came to Dubai last year, I knew I had a better chance of getting into the most prestigious Middle East Airlines and took it! Not knowing all the challenges, obstacles, hurdles and tedious processes that come with it. After receiving an email from Etihad inviting me to an Assessment Day, I was soooooo over the moon! Having with me a huge heart and will, I even made a list on 'why I think God wants Etihad for me'. But during those times, I was just convincing myself  to be brave and confident. I travelled all the way to Abu Dhabi, for the first time, solo. And what I expected to be a whole day's event for me was cut short. It was over even before I knew it. In short, I didn't make it past the first stage. It was just the first. And the most devastating rejection I've had experienced. But (in time) all wounds heal. My trip to Abu Dhabi was not a failure. I was reunited with my cousin I'd barely even see in the Philippines; my feet have taken me to the Grand Mosque which made me realize how vulnerable I am, how there is a greater God; and the whole experience is in itself a realization of who I am, what I'm capable and what I'm made of.

 
Qatar Airways
Fast forward towards the end of the year, and what a way to end that year! I had another amazing opportunity to go and tryout for both Qatar Airways and Emirates. Call me the girl who attended every Open Day/Assessment Day there is or the 'most experienced' Assessment Day attendee... After Etihad, I now know better that I can do better. I remember preparing well for Emirates upon receiving an email for their Open Day. And by preparing well, I meant buying myself a new G2000 Blazer, borrowing a black corporate skirt from my cousin's and getting a manicure. Since QR and EK happened almost simultaneously and within the same month, it has been a whirlwind of events!

Qatar Airways was special to me. It has been the wild card amongst my applications. Believe it or not, I only found out of their Open Day on a Facebook Ad few days before them hosting the recruitment event in Dubai. And I said, why not? I won't lose anything by trying, but more likely gaining. With that said, Qatar Airways was the second recruitment event I 'auditioned' for and those things I've supposedly set aside for EK was unconsciously preparing me for QR. I was one of the many (hundreds) of hopefuls who lined up, waited and showed up for less than a minute to score the recruiter's approval.


Emirates
And by fate, God's grace, and the universe conspiring - I have been invited to Qatar Airways' and Emirates Airlines' Assessment Days! Getting through the day, stage after stage, already felt like winning! Another thing that makes me proud to be part of an event like this is to know that I was the only Pinay in a room of people from basically all over the world! It's not everyday you get to experience something like this. To successfully complete all those stages was a blessing. And a blessing is something that is freely given. Therefore I reflect - what have I that I didn't receive? What we do with our blessings is our gift back to Him. But God won again in the gift giving game, for these were early Christmas gifts :)

Before all of this even happened, I was in darkness, deep in the dumpster, stuck in a rut (maybe even hopeless). I too felt like it's not happening to me, but I can't just sit and mope. So I created and paved the way myself. My being hard headed and stubborn have paid off and brought me to life's unexpected surprises. It's moments like these that keep me alive. I might not be the best, but the fact that I have the guts to stand up with the rest of hopefuls and like-minded dreamers prove that time is not to be wasted, that I'm up for any challenge that pushes me to be BETTER. I know there is something in me that is in constant search to be satisfied. Hunger, maybe?


To close this already long post, I am fortunate to have made it up until the final interview with Emirates... and currently (still) waiting for the golden email from Qatar. (Inshaallah!) I would love to share how the Assessment Days went for each I've attended in detail, if it's something you - my readers hope to see. A dream is a dream. Therefore, I can't make myself stop. These are the things I have been excited for 2015.  And in all things, to God be the glory!


<<p.s. As of posting, I have already filed my resignation 
from my employer and currently waiting for the next steps to fly to Doha! InshaAllah>>