Closing this chapter

Over the past 2 and a half years I have received some amazing messages and feedback in my inbox about how helpful the tips and blogs have been to help you through the recruitment process not only with Emirates but other airlines and travel industry jobs aswell.

I am reflecting on this journey with Emirates beaming with joy. This job has created so much opportunity for me to expand my knowledge and to meet some incredible and influential people.
As my time is now ending in my career in aviation, I feel I am so blessed to have been granted this position.
In my travels I hold some special memories but the most special by far has been meeting my beau, Omar.
In all honesty, it has not been an easy journey flying - I have really struggled sometimes with the lack of sleep and stress it has put under my body. Not only that, but suffering from a health issue that flying has exacerbated and made working at 38,000 feet that bit more challenging.
Fortunately, Emirates were incredible support in helping with my recovery back into good health. My partner Omar has made such a positive influence in my life and trust me, good relationships here go a long way! It has made all the difference in my lifestyle here in Dubai.

With life taking it's course, it's time for me to close a chapter in my book. I will be staying in Dubai moving back into the health and fitness industry, focusing on my own wellness and building a stable life with my partner (Inshallah!)
So goodbye to Emirates - C'est la vie!

To everyone still wishing to apply or going through the application process, don't give up. This is an incredible job to travel, meet new people, expand your horizons and do the unimaginable.
To those on their way over starting their position now, stick in there. Come in with ZERO expectations and just simply experience it for what it is.
Will you find out the job isn't so glamorous? YES
Will you be fatigued and exhausted in every possible way? YES
But will you have amazing stories to share with your loved ones? YES!

Please send through any questions still, my mail is all linked so I won't be forgetting about this blog. A new blog awaits :)

Fly safely

B xxxxxx

So you're moving to Dubai?

I just checked in on my emails after some time and had a few requests to continue blogging.

I do enjoy it but at times I think 'Is my life interesting enough to post about?'

I mentioned this to my boyfriend and he rattled off so many funny stories and crazy events and travels that I get up to, it was nice to hear because sometimes I forget what an adventure this is! 

Before elaborating on the above topics, which I will definitely be doing so soon, I have had some questions thrown to me by readers about living and moving to Dubai.

Moving your whole life over from another country to start fresh here in Dubai is tough, stressful and can be a daunting process. I remember frantically organising documents and thinking 'Is this all worth it?'

There are a lot of things to finalise before you shift to the desert but once you get here I assure you so many of the things you may had initially lost sleep over will be far from your concerns.

If you are fortunate enough to have your accommodation provided by your employer then there's one less thing to worry about, to be honest it was a massive relief to know my apartment was waiting and ready for me.

If you are moving here without a place, know that location and type of accommodation make a huge difference to price in Dubai. Do your research and find a good agent to get you something in your budget.

Cost of living in Dubai is really depending on your lifestyle. 

It can be notably higher due to the cost of housing and retail. 

YES Dubai is a tax free environment but note that you're moving to a new country and in order to be set up and comfortable the first few months in your new surroundings it is harder to minimalist costs. 

Dubai has a lot of great and exciting things to see, which a lot involve costs to travel and enjoy the activities. Ensure you don't live beyond your means here because it can be very easy to get caught up in the exciting Dubai lifestyle of extravagance. 

Living in a new city be aware of costs for transportation and utilities before all else, as it can be a misery trying to settle yourself somewhere on an inadequate salary. 

Ladies, I have read your questions about clothing attire in Dubai.

I honestly believe you CAN wear what you like here (within reason) it all depends on what you're comfortable with.

I feel I do dress more modestly most of the time here in Dubai as opposed to how I would dress in the Australian Summer heat. 

My point is mainly because I would rather not be 'stared at' or be deemed as wearing anything inappropriate as this is an Arabic country where the locals and many surrounding countries are Muslim and modest dress is respected.

There are exceptions where to the gym, the beach and night clubs/bars where it is acceptable to wear your bikini, shorts and short dresses. You will notice that even in the malls some people will dress in the above, however the malls do in fact have a dress code for females to wear modest attire ie: no beach wear, cover shoulders, cover knees etc. I have heard that indeed people have been asked to cover up in the mall if they were not following the dress code.

This doesn't mean you need to rock an abaya but just be sensible and take note of your surroundings.

Alcohol in Dubai can be purchased with an alcohol license. It actually is a very simple process to obtain this by providing a few documents and paying a small fee. This license also is meant to allow you to obtain alcohol in your home.

You will find that you can buy drinks in bars and clubs without providing this licence where the alcohol must be drunk on site. 

Being drunk in public in Dubai is not tolerated and there is zero tolerance for drinking and driving in Dubai.

If you go out, cabs are very easily accessible and cheap to get your way home.

Dubai can be a fun and eye opening place to experience people from all walks of life and live amongst them in a busy and fun multi-cultural City. My main tip is to continue your interests and hobbies here when you move in order to help you feel settled and at home.

Enjoy it! 

Boston

A very light passenger load headed to Boston.

These flights really enhance your spirit and outlook on the role of being cabin crew.

There's time to work and also time to rest.

I joined the crew out for a drink and dinner after landing at a beautiful seafood restaurant on the Waterfront in Boston named Legal Harborside.

Myself and the crew were super impressed with the food, it's a favourite for crew to head there together to have a drink and dinner after the long haul flight from Dubai.

Due to my lack of adjusting well to the local time, I was awake at 3:30am this morning.

My plan was to go to North End Yoga this morning for an Ashtanga LED class.

My yoga practice lately has been mainly consisting of the Ashtanga series and practicing Mysore. This enables me to have my own practice on layovers where I can roll out my mat in any hotel room and get it done. 

I got up walked the chilly streets this morning at 5:30am headed to the class. Directions were easy and I found it in perfect timing.

The studio was huge! So many rooms and floors, very deceiving from the outside.

I rolled out my mat and participated in a sweaty and challenging LED class which was super busy for a 6:15am time.

I felt great practicing here amongst the locals in Boston. The teacher gave great adjustments and her voice created a focused environment. 

After the session, I got lost heading back to the hotel but luckily finding some beautiful spots in small parks and courtyards along the way.

A thought came to mind while walking back, this thought and my post on Instagram as followed;

Like the old saying goes 'Stop and smell the roses.'

Time is forever ticking and it cannot be spent longing for the next hour, day, month or year.

Appreciate and be thankful for you being wherever you are right in this very moment, don't escape emotions or hard feelings by wishing for the next day to wake. Feel all that you can because whatever you're feeling is oh so right. 

December to March.

A recap from my travels and life in December 2014 to March 2015.

I honestly have the worst memory, each flight becomes harder to differentiate from the crew that I worked with to the destinations visited. Maybe this is just something that all crew experience.

I felt it a lot in the beginning. I remember coming down the lift from my apartment heading to work, another crew came into the lift and asked me where I was off to today. I remember opening my mouth to answer the question however I stuttered, completely lost and dumbfounded as to where I was going and how long for.

It is true that you lose a sense of time and physical awareness of where you are. Hell I remember being in Munich and thinking I was walking the streets of Frankfurt.

December came fast, in between flying and keeping up a lively social life Christmas arrived.

I had a few days off before Christmas and was able to celebrate in my friends apartment upstairs from mine at the time.

Being in Dubai over Christmas was nice as it was still great weather like the Australian Summer however the feeling of loneliness and longing to be with close friends and family was a little hard. I am usually not the biggest fan of Christmas and we never celebrated it too intensely back home but as always, I feel everything a lot more when I'm separated from my support network, especially on special occasions. I guess my life and emotions become exacerbated because I do live my life high and low, up and down (Well, when flying you literally do!)

A beautiful memory in December was on Boxing Day, I flew to Milan.

I ventured out on my own as the other crew weren't interested in going out.

It was freezing and I was keen to sight see and do some shopping.

Whilst I was in awe looking at the beautiful Duomo it started to snow. It was such an incredible and emotional sight for me I started to cry. I felt an overwhelming feeling of gratitude and appreciation for where I was, right there and then to see such an incredible sight.

Some other highlights from layovers over this time include a very crazy layover in Mauritius- on a boat, free booze and bikinis. You do the math!

And again, some of the same crew I was fortunate enough to be with on an Amsterdam layover, full of sex shows, seedy bars and sex museums. 

But, it wasn't all fun and games - there was a lot of jet lag, missing home and running myself down due to lack of sleep. 

I did indeed Graduate in March which was a step forward. We made it through our 6 month probation and what an incredible 6 months that was. 

Filled with excitements, dissappointments, wins and losses. Regardless of those times; I was officially part of the crew.

Back to Blogging!

I can't believe I've been in Dubai for nearly a year now!
I've traveled many destinations and have experienced so much in a short amount of time.

To think I came to Dubai having the idea of maybe staying only for a year with the company, I have no question in my mind about leaving.
There is still so much to do and explore.
I feel like my journey has still only just begun!

Right now I'm currently typing this quick update from my hotel room in Houston.
To bring you up to scratch with recent events, I was able to move out of my desert accommodation and into the city. Lucky me! I have been in Downtown Dubai for a few months now and just last week have been approved to move into one of the nicest apartment blocks the company provides us with my best friend. Very exciting times!

I've been loving my life in Dubai whilst living Downtown. The convenience of having an amazing yoga studio close by has been a tremendously positive impact on me.
Additionally, having The Dubai Mall just 2 metro stops away is fantastic... Yet a little dangerous :)
With the job we are fortunate enough to have quite a few days off some rosters which helps being able to unwind after long haul flights. Sometimes it doesn't seem enough however if you're able to manage your sleep life can be a lot easier on you.

Flying has been an eye opening experience, working with people from so many different backgrounds, cultures and contrasting ideas to your own is a challenge yet an incredible way to learn about yourself and the world around you.
I find myself being more patient with others and myself which then helps me in my role as cabin crew.

I am thinking of doing a few shorter blog posts with some travel photos and notes with each month at a time to catch up so I can start blogging again from here now.

Thanks for reading and keeping the blog alive 🌺🌻

Exploring Dubai

Finally decided to go out and explore a bit of Dubai that I hadn't seen yet with a few girls from my batch.

We visited the Creekside, The Gold Souk and wandered through markets.

Another two days off before Singapore on Thursday for the weekend.

First stop, Munich!

Feeling well rested after my first layover to Munich.

A 6hr flight over, along with me was one of my batch mates.

For our first 2 flights we are additional crew so observing service and procedures is the main goal.

I felt I learnt a lot and am feeling confident for my second flight (a turnaround to India which is meant to be challenging!)

Munich was beautiful, unfortunately I didn't get to see too much in the 24hrs I was there due to the fact it was a public holiday there and not much open.

The streets were lit at night, plenty of people cycling past and the metro crowded.

I enjoyed a dinner (PORK!) with some of the crew and came back to the hotel early to rest, I was exhausted.

I felt the layover allowance was quite generous and enough to have some left over.

My one and only picture from Munich; enjoying a delicious pastry on the street. :)