12 1/2 hours to Korea

(written: 6/9/11)

We felt like we are in the movie Speed with Keanu Reeves. When we were called to board, we actually boarded a transit bus that had us packed like sardines with our carryons. This bus drove pretty much on the tarmac (that’s the runway right?) It was crazy. There were even stop signs out there. It was all pretty surreal. It drove us to this other terminal where we eventually boarded the plane. I should just chalk it up to being LA.  Some official lady told Cynthia and me that we didn’t need our passports or tix so I handed mine to Er. Somehow Er and the kids got to the front of the line and I fell close to the back. When I stepped onto the plane they asked for both things I didn’t have. Where’s E? Probably in his seat already. I ended up standing there by myself while Cynthia and the guys showed the other flight attendant where Erwin was so she could chk my passport. 

The plane was huge and the flight staff was bee-utiful! Super straight 3 piece suits with scarves and matching hair accessories. Each one had their hair up in the same tight bun.  Their presence along with their service was pristine.  On our seats were a pillow, a purple blanket wrapped in plastic, a blue plastic pouch and a little bottle of water. The pouch was so cute. Opening it we found a toothbrush and toothpaste and folded paper slippers. Slippers came in handy when it was mid-flight, super dark, with tons of stuff on the floor by your seat and you have to go to the bathroom but can’t find your black flip-flops.

The kids were now so excited … we were finally on our way. On our way to a 12 ½ hr flight mind you.  They didn’t quite get that part. As a mom, I was not excited. As soon as we were up in the air the staff promptly gave the kids little pouches with a toy and a coloring book and a crayon.  Cute! Then we were given peanuts to confirm we were on an airplane I presume. What seemed like a few seconds later were the drinks.  After that, a few minutes later we were served dinner.  (maybe an hour or more) Chicken, Beef or BimBap-bibbityBobbity Boo.  No, really I don’t know since the thing is not in front of me.  The third was a Korean Noodle Dish with it's own instructions sheet.   So, Erwin got the Korean food. When he was packing his plate up for the flight attendant to clear he got the nice little sheet stuck in the folding tray. lol...i was dying! It ripped. lmao! He just looked at me. I told him to fold it quickly and keep it for my album. haha!!  I asked for the chicken dish but my brother-in-law took the last one leaving me with not that great beef and noodles.  Abby was already asleep. The food wasn't great but not that bad either. The roll was fabulous with the butter. Yum!

The one thing I loved besides the impeccable service was the in flight entertainment. The TV screens on the back of each seat had numerous movies, new and old. I got to watch “No Strings Attached” with Ashton Kutcher. He cracks me up! But unlike some big Filipino guy that I am married too, I didn’t laugh out loud. Er decided to watch an episode of Friends and would randomly belt out a huge HAHAHA!

Sleep, which is all I wanted. Just some sleep. How hard could it be? I brought ear plugs so Er or any other snoring neighbor wouldn’t ruin my slumber. The lights in the cabin were all turned off.  Ethan is entrenched in his video games with Uncle Ritche or Dad. Abby is OUT like a light. Oh no! Mama who was up till 430 the same morning packing cannot sleep on this flight cuz Abby wants to lay down and sit up and lay down and sit up and stretch. But she is by the window and there is a stranger in the seat in front of her and it’s like 1 in the morning or something insane like that.  She is sound asleep and nothing wakes this chick up. So what does she do when there is an obstacle in the way of her stretching, sitting, lying?? She kicks! Uh huh! So now, I’m whisper-screaming empty threats while trying to contain her…”If you don’t stop it right this instant I’m going to spank you” “You are going to make that man very very mad” “The pilot is going to get very very mad at you” She can’t hear a word I’m saying! Not cuz I’m too quiet, cuz she is ASLEEEEP! Kills me. So with 2 hours of sleep on this fabulous 12 ½ hr flight I enjoyed a movie and a half, a steaming hot wet rag, dinner and breakfast, a few random glasses of fresh fruit juice and the refreshing stretching and quiet peacefulness of being in the bathroom BY MYSELF! I swear. It was a highlight.