The departure.

Hearing: Boarding music

Relief swept through me as i passed through the barriers at immigration and a smile awoke on my lips. I'd finally left. I was away and free. Yes i still had a hell of a long flight ahead of me but i was going home.

My 'deportation' wasn't so bad. I still didn't get my passport or ticket in had till i was to go through immigration. Thankfully i had a friend there who helped to keep my spirits up.

It is so hot right now, the APU is not working and we don't have a ground supply Air Con. I can imagine what the crew are going through; the heat is enough but we're delayed because our flight time will make us arrive into Sydney airport before curfew.

So I've said my "goodbyes" or "see you's" to my friends... a few way more difficult than others. To my closest friends Oli, Tomas, Manju, Elaine and Komora thankyou for making this experience and chapter in my life memorable, warm and......bearable. I will miss you deeply and i hope to see you all again. I wish you best of luck and happiness, stay in touch.

So for now goodbye from a stiflingly hot aircraft,

Always
VP

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Feeling pensive

Hearing: Say it right - Nelly Furtado

I think that maybe just the act of packing and moving causes some melancholy. I think it must be natural that this comes with change. I'm packing (or trying to - I'm a horrible procrastinator) and most of my stuff is on the floor or on my bed. Hardly any of it is in my suitcases. Why I'm feeling pensive though i cant pinpoint and its bugging me. I should be happy - elated and packing with enthusiasm. Maybe I'm just tired.

Ive been running around today and yesterday trying to get everything done, and I'm almost done. It hasn't been pleasant. I'm even more broke due to the number of taxis Ive had to take but at least the chunk of the work is done. I just have one more trip into the office tomorrow morning and that's it. If this resignation run around they call "procedure" has given me anything its a reassurance that I'm doing the right thing. My final pay is still proving to be tricky, the ticket is worked out - though i wont get it or my passport back till I'm at the airport the day of my departure (told you - its deportee style). Ive handed back my uniform and everything else though what on earth they are going to do with it is beyond me. The uniform is fitted and has been worn for 2 years, they cant possibly give it to someone else surely?? I'll be getting charged for a missing skirt and scarf btw... :(

Hmmm - i should get back to it, enough procrastinating. Ive made my coffee put in the laundry, read Trays blog, emailed friends...maybe i could put some movie on my laptop while i work...i wont watch it or anything, it'll just be background noise....I'm hopeless, i know.

VP

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Last layover and flight

Hearing: CNN news

I was called off standby to do this Paris layover and so my Cochin turnaround was cancelled. The new hotel here is worse than the old one which i didnt think was possible. I mean its nice and clean but theres no tea/coffee facilities in your room (only in the crew lounge where i am now) and no free breakfast like our previous hotel. Also its in the middle of nowhere, the last one was near a village which you could at least take a walk in but this one is just surrounded by airport and if you want to do anything you have to take a shuttle to the airport...drab. Hmmm didnt mean to start out with that.

Ok so anyways, its my last flight and ive been taking photos with a friend of mine who also got pulled from standby onboard. Ive been noting every "last" and each time getting a mix of relief and sadness. I still believe im doing the right thing though. BTW i asked my company for a reference letter and the answer i got was "we dont give reference letters just employment letters" and then when i asked for that they said "you can get it from HR when you leave." Gee how nice, wonder what they would have said if i hadnt resigned yet.

So after i arrive back from this layover i have to return all "company property" and get signatures etc before handing over my ID/license/passport etc to HR. They are meant to give me my final payment for last month, this month and 2mths basic pay for the 2 yrs ive been with them. I expect to be screwed around till the last possible minute before i get my due pay as they did the same to a friend of mine - gave him a cheque at the airport!!! What use is that?? But i'll keep my fingers crossed that i get it sooner as im flat broke at the moment since ive paid off my credit cards. Also i'll probably have to double check that they have processed my repatriation ticket...

Off to try and get some food.
VP

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