Turning 25 in style!

Hi guys!

WOW!!!! What a birthday to remember!!! I started the day off with 2 mimosas at Ab Fab Salon & Spa and a fancy Audrey Hepburn-inspired updo for my party dress. It was such a relaxing morning and a GREAT way to kick off my birthday!


Mmmmm! Another, please!!! :-)

"You see us, Rockford, WE HAVE IT ALL!!" This is my best friend Bambi & I, getting cozy in the windowsill of our fabulous apartment we rented out for the night in downtown Rockford. This apartment is called 'Jackson's Urban Retreat', and it's right above the popular restaurant Brio!

It is SO modern and so fancy! We felt like the luckiest girls in Rockford above it all staying in such a posh space downtown!

My Mama was my guest of honor! I am SO glad she got to come, I truly had every girl there that I could have ever wanted!! :-) THANK YOU, Mama, for having me... 25 years ago ON THIS DAY!!!

My best girlfriends all came to celebrate my 25th with me! From left; Bambi, my sister Amy, Me, my girlfriend from college Bethy, my other girlfriend from college Julie, and my best friend from my old job Jami! We all drank a signature cocktail that Bambi mixed up for us: raspberry mojitos! They were SOOO good!
CHEERS to my best friends & being 25!!! What a GREAT 25 years its been so far! :-)

Thank you so much for celebrating my birthday with me! I can't imagine wishing for anything that could POSSIBLY make my life any better than it is now!!!

CHEERS!
-Lisa :-)

Next stop: THE ISLANDS!! (And my birthday...)

Hi guys!

Just thought I'd do a quick update from my home sweet home in Rockford, IL. I am SO enjoying my 10 days off this month... I've gotten to do dinners with my family every night, drinks with my best girlfriends in the evening (AND in the afternoon sometimes too... ha), and I squeezed in a quick but fun getaway to Chicago last weekend to visit my roommate from college. I've eaten at all my favorite places... Granite City, Beef a Roo :-)... and I've caught up on all my shows I've DVR'd since I've been gone. Also, my 25th birthday is TOMORROW so I've been running around planning the mini girls' party I'm hosting tomorrow night at a fun apartment we're renting out in downtown Rockford called "Jackson's Urban Retreat". I can't WAIT! I'm even starting my day off tomorrow with a new haircut and a mini bottle of champagne my hair dresser Micheal is letting me enjoy while he snips up my bob and styles it! ;-) How fun that will be!

I've definitely been keeping myself busy while I've been home, but at the same time, I am SO ready to go out on another trip because I want to fly more. LUCKY ME... I've already been assigned my next trip (or, VACATION as I like to call it...)... and it's to... DRUMROLL, please...

GUAM, the PHILIPPINES, and HAWAII!!!!!!!

No joke. My first tropical trip... and apparently the hotel we stay at in the Philippines is right on the beach. I leave for paradise next Wednesday morning at midnight and it's a 6 day trip as of right now. (But, we all know how the LAST 6 day trip turned out in Budapest... I was extended for the full 18... and I LOVED it!) You better believe I'll throw in a couple extra sundresses just in case. :-)

This is SO exciting... I can't WAIT to update my blog more often when I am there. I'm sure I'll be taking hundreds of pictures! Stay tuned!

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend... next time I write I'll be a quarter century old! Scary, huh??? :-)

CHEERS to another 25 YEARS (and more...)!! :-)

-Lisa :-)

How to pass the time on our LONG deportee flights to El Salvador...

OK- Nick would KILL me if he knew I'm posting this picture of him, but it's too funny to not share. :-) Normally, a Ryan flight attendant would get fired for even 'appearing as if sleeping' on a live flight- but of course, for the hundreds of illegal aliens we are transporting back to their countries, we aren't allowed to have any interaction with them whatsoever and have NOTHING else to do. We are on the planes before them and are instructed to stay up in 'A ZONE' for the entire flight, and the only 2 people that are allowed towards the back of the planes VERY quickly are the flight attendants that are responsible for the 2 aft doors. Even so, those 2 'chosen people' (ha!) MUST be escorted down the aisle by at least 3 prison guards just so no 'alien' leans over too far, says something derogatory, or tries to get away with anything unimaginable.
Which leaves us to do.... much of nothing. We are there to arm and disarm the doors only, and everything in between is completely up to us. There is no such thing as a 'boarding position', no greeting, we don't do the safety demo, there are NO beverage or meal services... We basically just nap, eat, read magazines, and watch movies while the prison guards watch over the passengers. Let me just tell you- this job is getting harder and harder with EVERY trip. It is just BRUTAL at times. Hahahahaha. :-)
CHARLIE- is my favorite mechanic that stays with the plane from the minute it leaves Rockford until the day it comes back- which can sometimes be up to 10 days! We saw him every day last week, and he got such a kick out of my job as a flight attendant on these deportee flights. He would lean over and see me kicking my feet up, reading magazines, watching movies on my laptop with Nick, and taking pictures- and he would get up and go out of his way to serve ME beverages and meals just so he could make me the MOST comfortable. Ha! "Can I get you anything, darling?" It's COOKIE TIME! We really put these aircraft ovens to use and baked about 4 dozen cookies one afternoon on our way back from El Salvador. They made the entire airplane smell delicious and REALLY put the meaning of "Service with a Smile" back into the airline industry! (The plane was empty of passengers by this time- can you imagine anything more torturous for these illegal aliens than smelling fresh baked cookies and not being able to have one? Ha! Maybe we SHOULD do it next time while they're on the flight just for punishment...)
All different varieties too- chocolate chip, double chocolate, peanut butter, and sugar!

We even had time to hop off the plane and venture off to DUTY FREE... Nick found the best deals of us all for a bar he is constructing back home! $12 ABSOLUT 100 proof, and Crown Royal for about $15. NOT BAD!

Posing on the ground in El Salvador... Can't WAIT to get back home!
Gorgeous ocean line! On our way back to San Antonio, TX and we just KNOW we're going back to the states... Feels GREAT! Be home in 4 hours...
WOW, what a TOUGH day on the job. We are REALLY in need of some relaxation after movies, magazines, COOKIES, and naps. I tell you- I just don't know how I put up with this labor sometimes... Ha!

CHEERS!

-Lisa :-)

World's most dangerous airport runway: Tegucigalpa, Honduras!

I SURVIVED. Not once, but TWICE! The first time we flew to Honduras was on Wednesday, and we just got back from there again today. I had heard some 'rumors' about how difficult the landing is supposed to be at Tegucigalpa, but I had NO IDEA how it would feel being strapped into my jumpseat awaiting the final approach. What makes this airport so unique (and dangerous) is that it is LITERALLY smack dab in the middle of civilization, in between thousands of houses and also mountains on all sides. The way the planes angle in forces them to do a turn, and quickly descend as soon as possible so they have enough room to brake and stop the plane on the abnormally short runway.

This is the approach towards the airport... I'm not kidding, we were on the ground not 3 minutes after this picture was taken. And there isn't a runway in sight!

On Wednesday when we did this for my first time, Captain Theresa was landing there for the first time. As an extra precaution, we had the Captain, First Officer, In-Flight Relief Officer, and another experienced Honduras-landing Captain ALL IN THE COCKPIT to coach her along on how to do it. You CANNOT land at this airport without another experienced pilot in the cockpit with you! Let me tell you... Theresa absolutely NAILED it! It was SO awesome. I was peeking out my little window next to my jumpseat and all I saw was houses, billboards, greenery, and then immediately the wheels hit the ground. I grabbed my thighs so hard, and was SO thrilled that we landed! The BEST part was when she put the brakes on and came to the quickest stop I've ever felt in a 757. Everyone clapped when we stopped and my adrenaline was just RUSHING! It was so GREAT!
Just in case you don't believe me... this is the insane landing that several people have camped out by the airport to catch on film. WHAT A RUSH!



I LOVE TO FLY!!!!!!

Cheers!

-Lisa :-)

The scenic San Antonio Riverwalk!

Ahhh... another day off after a long day of traveling! This random Tuesday afternoon in October, Nick and I were lucky enough to have a 24/7 off beginning in the morning and not ending until Wednesday morning before our first U.S. Marshall flight out of San Antonio. We asked the concierge for suggestions on where to grab a late lunch, and the shuttle took us to 'Pappadeaux', a southern-style seafood kitchen that was just 5 minutes away from the hotel!
We felt like 'goin all out', so we ordered FRIED ALLIGATOR and FROG LEGS for our appetizer! SO delicious! We laughed the entire way through the meal. We started with the frog legs (on the right), and they tasted just like a chicken wing with a little more spice. I have to admit though, it was a little strange pulling the bone out of my mouth and putting it on my plate as if it was a Hooters wing... but you and I BOTH know it wasn't...

The fried alligator tasted JUST like a chicken nugget. Couldn't tell if I was at a nice seafood restaurant in San Antonio or KFC! Ha! (No offense, Pappadeaux... I absolutely LOVED the restaurant, regardless!)

We also got an order of fresh fried shrimp and fries to split for our 'meal' that was butterfly cut and perfectly cooked as well. And, the waiter was SO nice to us... he knew it was our first time there and loved talking to us, so he comped us the frog legs for free! What a great guy! (And what a fantastic restaurant... I guess there is one in Arlington Heights, IL if anyone is in the area and feels like being adventurous like we did. It is soooo delicious and such a FUN TIME!)

So later that afternoon (around 5pm) when Veni got back from her flight, we all met up and hopped the local bus downtown to the San Antonio riverwalk. OH. MY. GOSH. Absolutely gorgeous. About 20 minutes away from the hotel, a $1 bus fare to get there, and worth a million bucks! SO much to see...

Who's that girl on the bridge??? Hahaha :-)

They had these boat tours that were so cute and FULL of people. Everyone that floated by would wave at us, and one tour guide that saw the 3 of us profusely taking pictures pointed us out as a 'tourist attraction' as being 'JUST TOURISTS!' Hahaha!
This was around a bend that was so gorgeous... believe it or not, these are ALL HOTELS that line up along the riverwalk. I SO wish we were staying in one of these! Too bad they're so far from the airport, because otherwise I bet we would... Hyatt, Marriott, you name it, it's on the San Antonio Riverwalk.
Ahh! SO we stopped to take pictures, of course, and these 3 photography students stopped us from a Texas University to have our picture taken for a project they were completing. They were making a documentary on 'San Antonio life'... little did they know we're NOT from San Antonio, but they took some AWESOME pictures of us that are some of my absolute favorites from the night!
They're emailing the rest of them to Nick...
We moved onto the 'Five and Dime' store with all sorts of fun stuff! Texas souvenirs, cowboy hats, and cheap trinkets! I loved it!
And above the 'Five and Dime' is COYOTE UGLY... We peeked in and, sure enough, there was a whole troop of girls dancing in cowboy boots on the bartop and stools and guys were hootin' and hollerin' at them. I DO love that movie- it's just like the real thing! SO cute & fun!
Oh.... and Texas is FULL of Mariachi bands. Hahaha- serenading tables at all hours of the night! SO much fun! And so romantic too...
We kept on our walk and saw more dinner boat tours... serving caesar salads, rolls, drinks, and simple appetizers! How fun would that be?? All the passengers sit at a long dinner table on the boat! How fun!
This is on the bridge right across from the Marriott. There was a man on the balcony above us that was sitting and reading a paper and TOTALLY loving life. I wonder how much he paid for that room? What an amazing view! Worth it, I bet.
This was a little romantic restaurant on the riverwalk all lit up by lights that I thought would be a PERFECT date spot! How fun! There WERE alot of couples out that night walking hand in hand and all dressed up for dinner- I loved it! I hope the locals appreciate it and take advantage of it!
The Hard Rock: San Antonio. A staple... one of the nicer ones though, for sure! Such a view!
We did another stroll around as we decided on a place for dinner... this Five and Dime really caught our eye! We made 2 stops!
I thought these were SO funny... 'the Hillbilly BRIEF case'... What a funny gag gift!
A view from the upper deck of the Five and Dime, looking at Coyote Ugly and the upper level of the Mexican restaurant we ate at called 'RIO RIO the Original.' Such a beautiful 70 degree night!
Mmmmm.... Strawberry MARGARITAS!
And a Homemade MARGARITA on the rocks... FOR ME!!!
Ahh... Nick, will you foot the bill to take your two dates home in a horse drawn carriage???? Probably not. It was a good idea though! Ha!
What a fantastic city this is! I LOVE San Antonio, Texas! I hope I get to come here again! :-)

CHEERS!

-Lisa :-)

San Antonio forecast this week: 89 & Sunny :-)

What a perfect way to spend a lazy Tuesday afternoon... laying by the hotel pool in San Antonio, TX! I had no idea I'd love the 'lone star' state so much...




Not a cloud in the sky! What a great feeling to be in warm, summery weather again in the beginning of October! I hope I get more of these flights in the middle of winter...

CHEERS!
-Lisa :-)

6 Day San Antonio, TX DEPORTEE trip!

Hi guys!

I feel like it has been forever since I've updated Five Cabin Checks. I apologize... I noticed my page views have gone WAYY down this past week! Ha! But when I was home for 5 days, I had NO INTERNET connection whatsoever at my apartment, and I also didn't have that much 'travel-related news' to report since I was HOME for the first time in 18 days... but I VERY MUCH SO enjoyed my time in Rockford, saw my family, hung out with Philippe, ate at Beef-a-Roo :-), and most importantly caught up on some sleep!

Before I knew it though, I was called for another 6 day trip... and here I am, sitting in my hotel room in San Antonio, TX after a LONG last couple days of flying U.S. Marshall flights taking deportees back to their countries (or, 'illegal aliens', as I like to say, because it is a funnier term! Ha! ALIENS!).

I left Rockford on Monday morning at 10am and was commercialed in on an American Airlines flight down to San Antonio, TX. I met up with my fellow flight attendant buddy and trip partner, Nick Brady, at the Holiday Inn and we took the bus into Chicago together- so fun. We grabbed a quick (yet expensive! $15!) lunch at O'Hare and boarded the plane for Dallas around 12:45pm. We landed about 2 hours later, then had a quick layover and went onto San Antonio. The minute we got off the plane, the 89 degree warm Texas air welcomed us and it felt SO nice! I LOVE San Antonio! The hotel shuttle was waiting for us and took us to the 'La Quinta Inn & Suites' near the airport- nothing like the Corinthia in Budapest, but still nothing to complain about. :-)

We met up with some other crew members in the lobby that were going out to dinner later so we checked into our rooms, changed, and went out for a fabulous chinese meal at P.F. Changs that was SOOO rewarding after a long day of traveling! Of course at the end of a Chinese dinner, it's tradition to hand out fortune cookies... and guess what mine said? (AFTER I told the ridiculous story about the one I got during flight attendant training that said, "You are a traveler at heart, there will be many journeys"... I cracked open my new one)... And it said, "It is sometimes better to travel hopefully than to arrive."

SERIOUSLY??? Is this not the job meant for me or WHAT!???

Going out to a quick burger dinner with my crew at the Texas chain 'Whataburger'... and will be back tonight to upload pics from the last couple days of my trip! It's been a great one so far and I can't wait to share! Five Cabin Checks is BACK!!!!!!

CHEERS!
-Lisa :-)