katanadventures

[katanadventures]

Brussels in a day.

I recently got back from a very quick trip to Brussels. The currency is Euros. They speak mostly French although some also speak Dutch. You can definitely get by though cuz most people that I encountered knew English, but appreciated my attempts at speaking French. A for effort! Google maps is accurate to go by for directions. Like any city, watch your wallet and phone and don't be foolish.

Here's my suggestions to get a good feel for the city on limited time.

Where to stay...

I stayed at the 2GO4 Hostel (http://www.2go4.be/qualityhostel/grand-place.asp) in their location in the Grand Place. I spent about 20 Euro per night for a bed in a shared room with 12 people mixed. You get your own sheets and towel. It's clean and the location is a stone's throw from where everything is. It was also easy to get to and from the airport via the train (about 8 euros one way). You have access to a nice lounge where you can meet people as well as a kitchen if you wanna save money on meals and cook for yourself. The supermarket is a block away. The location alone was worth it. The only downside is you gotta check in at a different location before going there but it's not far and the person at the desk was super helpful. Plus there's free walking tours that pick you up at the hostel which brings me to my next topic...

What to do...

If you like me have limited time and resources, I cannot stress enough or highly recommend Viva's Tours (http://www.vivastour.com/brussels/?gclid=CjwKCAjwxJnNBRAMEiwA8X_-QRyYStc4bn_WECYcVcBz6yLjYqaQJ2CpoDghUXsmj3JqC_NPHOJKxxoCmK8QAvD_BwE). It's a free walking tour that enables you to see all the usual tourist spots with the historical background and fun facts. Plus they share their recommendations on where to eat, drink, and be merry. Many of which I'll be sharing the highlights here. They have 3 types of tours. I went on the city center tour and the sablon district tour. If short on time do the city center tour. But do all of them if you can! Protip: This company is non profit. They don't receive funding from the government and rely solely on donations at the end of the tour. My suggestion is to tip generously. They are worth it.

I was walking around by myself without purpose just to get a feel for my surroundings and stumbled upon this nice gem. Go to Think Twice ( http://thinktwice-secondhand.be) and shop at this consignment store. The day I walked in everything was no more than 4 euros. I picked up cute vintage handbags and a skirt that were 4 euros each. Definitely a steal and will be getting more unique items from them in the future.

What to eat...

BREAKFAST : Get a Belgian waffle! But don't be tempted by the toppings you see in the stalls. Eat like a local and get it as is (1 Euro!) and pair it with a coffee or hot chocolate. Protip: never ask a guy with toppings on his waffle for directions. That man will do you wrong cuz only tourists eat like that.

LUNCH : Cheap eats that hit the spot. Mitraillette sandwich and fries from Fritland (http://www.fritlandbrussels.be/acceuil). It's not the best in Belgium but it is the best in the city center. They get a fresh delivery of potatoes in the morning and they don't freeze them. Protip: Never call them "French" fries or order such things with ketchup. They have so many sauce options, you'll survive one day without.

DINNER: Carbonnades de joues de bœuf à la flamande (Beef Cheeks flemish style which is that its cooked with trapist beer) at Nuetnigenough (http://www.nuetnigenough.be). There was a wait as the place is quite small, but it's worth it. You can just tell they know their stuff and it comes with sides. The waiter will even suggest some beers to pair with your meal if you ask. This will be your most expensive meal for the day, but I got by with spending about 20-30 euro depending on the beer you order with your meal.

Where to drink...

Delirium Cafe (http://www.deliriumcafe.be). Guinness world record holder for the most beers.They have over 3,000 types of beer on the menu! Protip: Never drink the same beer twice. Gotta catch em all!

Eat chocolate, all of the chocolate...

Walk into every store and try all the samples they offer you. Buy if you want but literally every piece I had in Brussels was mouth watering amazing. Buy the supermarket brand as long as it's made in Brussels. They know the secrets that even the cheapest chocolate there is still amazing! <3 God bless the chocolatier!

[katanadventures]

Pulse check.

Last night one of my passengers took me aside and commented how he flies a lot and he couldn't help, but notice my smile and how I must love what I do. I responded, "I've learned life is too short to commit yourself to people and things that you don't love." I met and worked with a fellow flight attendant who commented on how she noticed I'm a happy person. The truth is I'm a pretty sad person who daily reaches into the well to find just enough joy for the day. It requires a daily dose of a 30 second dance party in the morning to counteract and singing a few love songs to the sky to shake off the deep loneliness I experience. I will say it helps to actually love what I currently do. It's a balancing act to make every flight a safe one, live this flight attendant lifestyle, and still be present and available to my friends and family but I'm getting the hang of it. I'm still struggling and if I had to be honest, I'm failing at finding time for God. It's been hard to make it for mass and other things that I refill my heart like adoration. I barely know what day of the week it is or where I'll be that night. Life moves so fast. I'll try harder to be better. I miss the peace. Gotta find that again. Here's to balancing everything. Here's to the struggle that is living and breathing. Here's to making each moment count.

[katanadventures]

Happy moments.

Think of the time when you were the happiest you've ever been. That matters. When I'm feeling the loneliest I've ever been, I try really hard to remember, not minimize, and allow myself to feel everything in that happy moment again. That was significant. That happened and no one can take that from me.

[katanadventures]

Letting go.

The hardest part is that I have to kill a part of myself daily. It's the part that was most hopeful. The part that imagined future adventures. It's the only way to continue on and live in the present. To die to that future. It is true, my heart died with you and continues to. She was my favorite part of me. It's the hardest part.

[katanadventures]

Joyful joyful.

I'm currently happy. I have been living the dream the past couple months. I have my independence flying around every which way. But I have a confession. I still have a huge part of me that weeps. I cry on a semi weekly basis. I tear up in my jumpseat when I think about the conversations we had or when an old lady holds my hands in hers when giving me her drink order. I ugly girl cry mid shower when I realize I'm in one of the places we talked about going together on an amazing road trip that never happened. I have been getting awful nightmares on a fairly frequent basis that leaves me feeling those familiar feelings of depression and unwilling to face the day. It requires so much mental energy to reset my mindset when I wake up like that. I think it needs to be said that these emotions are ok. I feel guilty sometimes for feeling this way when I've been showered with so many blessings lately. So when I say "these emotions are ok", I say that for my own benefit. I share this with you all to say I'm learning and trying to internalize that it's ok to sometimes not be ok when things are ok. Lol. This is an amazing life I am living, but it's ok to grieve the life I hoped for. It's a life I accidentally came across and I've decided to commit to at the moment. I am grateful. I am mostly happy and at times sad. Bittersweet. My favorite oxymoron. Life is more than just emotions and I don't let them rule me. I acknowledge them and am trying to find a way to live with the decisions I've made to get me here. It's a struggle. Hold on to the joy, dear self. Love lives.

[katanadventures]

Small steps.

"Lord, I’m not praying for miracles and visions, I’m only asking for strength for my days. Teach me the art of small steps. Make me clever and resourceful, so that I can find important discoveries and experiences among the diversity of days. Help me use my time better. Present me with the sense to be able to judge whether something is important or not. I pray for the power of discipline and moderation, not only to run throughout my life, but also to live my days reasonably, and observe unexpected pleasures and heights. Save me from the naive belief that everything in life has to go smoothly. Give me the sober recognition that difficulties, failures, fiascos, and setbacks are given to us by life itself to make us grow and mature. Send me the right person at the right moment, who will have enough courage and love to utter the truth! I know that many problems solve themselves, so please teach me patience. You know how much we need friendship. Make me worthy of this nicest, hardest, riskiest and most fragile gift of life. Give me enough imagination to be able to share with someone a little bit of warmth, in the right place, at the right time, with words or with silence. Spare me the fear of missing out on life. Do not give me the things I desire, but the things I need. Teach me the art of small steps!" -- one of my favorite authors of all time, Antoine de Saint-Exupery

[katanadventures]

My Thursday started in a relaxing morning in Puerto Rico and ended in getting stuck in traffic for almost 2 hours because of the celebrations for the PR baseball team returning home, missing my initial flight to LGA, getting hassled by PR TSA, barely able to make the red eye to JFK (it was fully booked and myself and my friends took the last 3 seats available, getting to my place at 345 am, quickly unpacking/packing, changing into my uniform, and speed walking to my 5am showtime at LGA. Life is certainly far from boring.

[katanadventures]

My Thursday started in a relaxing morning in Puerto Rico and ended in getting stuck in traffic for almost 2 hours because of the celebrations for the PR baseball team returning home, missing my initial flight to LGA, getting hassled by PR TSA, barely able to make the red eye to JFK (it was fully booked and myself and my friends took the last 3 seats available, getting to my place at 345 am, quickly unpacking/packing, changing into my uniform, and speed walking to my 5am showtime at LGA. Life is certainly far from boring.

[katanadventures]

I’m currently on day 3 of a 4 day trip flying up and down the east coast writing from Atlanta. If you look on my company profile it says I have 2 months of service under my belt. It’s already been 2 months and only now that I somewhat feel like I got this. I’ve always felt confident that my passengers would have a safe flight with me regarding emergencies, but when it came to service I felt like a bull in a china shop. My first few flights I got frazzled with first class as they threw their coats at me and I guessed at the end of the flight who’s coat belonged to who. I struggled remembering the drinks they wanted. It’s little things that in the long run don’t mean anything, but I felt a little stupid and incompetent. I know that’s not true, but I felt what I felt and hated it. I even messaged my ISS after a particularly difficult flight where a first class passenger essentially told me I sucked and I had to check in with him, “it gets better right? =(”?

But I’m not one to roll over and take it. I picked up extra flights when I could for the sole purpose of following the principle, practice makes perfect and would volunteer to work first class till I got my routine down. I asked advice from more experienced coworkers who gave me their little tips. I wasn’t ashamed to admit I was new, ask questions, and open to constructive criticism. I vented to my friends from initial training and swapped horror stories. After all that, I’m happy to say I took my greatest weakness and turned it into a strength. I’m going to happily fly around for the next two days feeling confident in the skills I’ve acquired. Fly first class with me, you’ll be safe and sound and I’ll refill your glasses till you blissfully pass out into a boozy slumber. Good night, my babies.

This experience has taught me a great lesson/reminder. Work hard, stay humble, seek wisdom, and know you’re not alone.

Peace out, I gotta fly! And when I get back, I’m leaving to enjoy a short break, exploring and enjoying Puerto Rico with a few flight attendant friends from initial training. There’s gonna be bad days, but at least I can shake them off at some sunny destination of my choosing afterwards. The perks far outweigh the bad. My ISS was right, it does get better. ;D

[katanadventures]

I miss my Lola.

There was a little old lady in first class that I was taking care of and everytime she asked for something she'd hold my hands like my lola would. I had to take a moment in my galley to fight back tears cuz I missed her a lot. All that from a touch. <3

[katanadventures]

There's not enough time.

I don't cry as much when I'm awake anymore. I'm weakest in my sleep. It catches me when I'm asleep. I cry in my dreams where I'm mad that I didn't have enough time. Instead now, when I wake up crying I have taught myself to remind my heart that I had enough time to love and to (at least now) accept that he loved me. At the very least I have that.

[katanadventures]

____ in a day...

I started testing out my flight benefits last week. I was scheduled 5 days in a row off so I took the liberty of celebrating my cousin's 30th birthday in San Diego, but it left me wondering what to do with my 2 extra days. I racked my brain and decided to fly off to Hawaii because I've always dreamed of it but never thought I'd be able to because of the price tag and the time. Now that I'm a flight attendant, buying a ticket isn't a problem anymore. Go big or go home! But the question was, would it be worth it to experience Honolulu in a day? Answer: YES! YES! A MILLION TIMES YES! XD The experience was so fun that I've decided to go on a at least one trip every month to experience a place I've never been to before in a day. The write up for San Diego and Honolulu is coming up probably tomorrow and plans are in the air for Houston in 2 weeks. Follow along here! =) #katanadventures #allinaday

[katanadventures]

Ever get surprised by your own heart? Like here I am living life and it hits me like it was yesterday. I miss you all over again. I have to forcefully close my eyes and remind myself, "it's ok, heart, we'll be reunited one day. This can't be forever."

[katanadventures]

My first house “warming” gift arrived today ... a heated blanket! … from me! I’m so thoughtful. I love me so much #thegoldengirlsarethebest #sophiaismyspiritanimal

[katanadventures]

I supposedly live with other people, but because we're all flight attendants and pilots I have yet to see them. It's like I live in this big place all by myself. Sweet.

[katanadventures]

I wear makeup everyday and I've been looking for something that doesn't require me rubbing the heck out of my eyes. This is awesome. I've been using it all week. My makeup comes right off and my skin feels moisturized without feeling greasy and I love that it's 100% natural. I sound like a commercial. Burts Bees has not paid me to say these things, but if they want to, they can send me more of their products. I'll gladly accept them. Haha.

[katanadventures]

🐼🐼🐼 airlines.