Pilot Wings

At the end of January I embarked on one of my most ambitious journeys yet -- I flew from Charleston, SC to Lafayette, LA by myself with three children under the age of five. Needless to say it was exhausting, but 100% feasible. I looked like a small traveling circus and received many looks of encouragement and pity in the airport, and the one question I kept getting was, "Where are you going?!"

To which I would reply, "It's my grandmother's 90th surprise birthday party and I HAVE TO BE THERE."  

Thanks to beaucoup frequent flyer miles that Keith earned working in the tax industry, we all flew for free. (Talk about a major blessing, one of many the Lord has given us over the past few months.) So off we went, and while the task seemed daunting, I was excited. 

You see, I love the airport.

I love the way it smells.

I love the hustle and bustle of travelers and often wonder where everyone is flying off to. What are their stories? How are they feeling?

I love seeing the planes take off and land.

I. love. it. all. 

As someone who one day hopes to be an aviator, I was anxious to see a female pilot. She didn't have to be flying my plane...I just wanted to see one in the flesh. This may sound weird, but women only make up approximately 5% of commercial pilots, so my desire was a long shot. 

I am sad to report that I did not see any women pilots in the Charleston, Lafayette, Atlanta, or New Orleans airports. Which wasn't that big of deal, but something happened that made me feel incredibly confused, and if I'm being honest a little angry. 

On our flight from New Orleans to Atlanta, I asked a flight attendant for some pilot wings for my kids. The older two love flying and really wanted some so that "they could fly their own planes when we got home." As she pinned the wings on Gavin, she said, "Here are your pilot wings!" and then she turned the Arabella and said, "And here are your flight attendant wings!" 

This. 

This here pushes my buttons. Now, the flight attendant was incredibly sweet and I'm sure completely unaware of what she had said, but I immediately noticed. So, because Arabella is a girl she should limit herself to being a flight attendant, but Gavin is a boy and this means that he should be a pilot? 

What the actual WHAT? 

Maybe it's because I want to be a pilot myself and am well aware of the statistics of women flying in this "man's world", or maybe it's because I don't like my children being placed in a box. Whatever it was, it had me bothered, and I exited the plane with more determination than ever. 

Determined to continuing pursuing my goal of being a licensed pilot. 

Determined to support my kids in whatever they want to do. 

Determined to be aware of my words and not to place judgment on others.

It was a harmless comment, but one that I will always remember. Not in anger, but with fondness...because while stereotypes exist, it is an empowering and beautiful thing when you can utterly shatter them.

Take Flight

I am an incredibly passionate person, almost to a fault. I am the person with so many goals, dreams, and interests that sometimes it is overwhelming and exhausting. I blame it on my slightly OCD/ADD, Type-A personality, and for a long time I tried to hide it. Wanting to accomplish so much and often times failing takes a lot of energy and can be embarrassing, but it hasn’t stopped me from going after what I want. Now that I’m 30, I’m embracing it.

I don’t know exactly what happened, but combine my 30th birthday with my recent miscarriage and I believe you get a  quarter life crisis massive wake-up call.

What the hell am I doing with my life? 

It’s like I’ve woken up from putting myself and my desires last (Please don’t misunderstand this. I don’t put everything regarding myself last, but since becoming a mother my world has revolved around my kids, as it should…to an extent…but that’s not entirely healthy. I’ve almost lost myself and who I am separate from them), so I have decided to pursue one of my “I’ve always wanted to do that” goals.

It may surprising, but I’ve always wanted to become a licensed pilot.

In the words of my mother, “I thought only men did that?! Isn’t it dangerous??”

Well, yes, it’s a male-dominated industry with only 6% of women being pilots, but that only encourages me to go for it. I don’t know why more women aren’t working in aviation, but I hope to change that.

And yes, of course it has risks (as do most things) but in my opinion it’s no more dangerous than driving my SUV on the streets of South Carolina with the often reckless, erratic drivers.

I have always been fascinated with aviation, and this isn’t my first time trying to join the industry. From my attempt at joining the Air Force at 18 years old, to my three job offers to be a flight attendant in my early 20s, I’ve always been this.close to being around the beautiful machinery that amazes me so much. On my previous blog, My Dolce Vita, I wrote many times about this love:

March 19, 2010 – One of my favorite things about living in the Charleston area is the opportunity I have to see military planes flying. I usually see about one a day, but if I’m lucky I see more than I can handle. Working near the airport is another plus, as I get to monitor the construction of Boeing’s new site. I have an odd fascination with aviation, the Air Force, WWII, and WASP. (I actually joined the AF after high school. No, seriously I did.) And while I hate the alarming amount of obnoxious drivers here, I adore the sky. I have many crazy goals, and one of them is to learn how to fly and become a licensed pilot. I don’t know if it’ll ever happen, but until then I’m content watching these big, beautiful planes from the ground below.

I also documented my two failed birthday discovery flights (here and here), in which the weather prevented Keith and I from flying, as well as few other mentions of my love of aviation.

So instead of living another year saying “I’ve always wanted to do that”, I’m just going to do it.

On January 18th I took a discovery flight at a local flight school, and confirmed what I’ve always thought: I absolutely adore flying. While I was incredibly nervous, it was breathtaking soaring over the coastline and staring out at the Atlantic Ocean.

Since taking my first flight in a small aircraft it’s all I can think about. My head and heart are ready to start taking lessons, and I’m so thankful that this will happen in only a few weeks! I plan on flying two times a week, and should earn my Private Pilot License by the end of summer.

I am wrapping up my Master’s degree in May, and will continue my wedding videography business as projects occur. My longterm goals?

Get all of my certifications and become a commercial pilot and flight instructor.

Have an office in the sky.

Raise my kids around aviation (they already love it!).

Fly my family around the world.

My plate is full but not boiling over and I am thrilled to begin this endeavor. I know some of you probably think I’m crazy, and that’s okay. To sound ridiculously young…you do you, I’ll do me.  I am blessed to have a husband that supports my goals and dreams and encourages me to chase them! (Thanks, mais!)

What dreams do you long to accomplish? 

What’s stopping you from chasing them?

I’d LOVE to know what YOUR wildest dreams are!

A Sporty Miscellany Monday

~ Tonight is the BCS Championship game and this Louisiana girl is so pumped! LSU will be taking on Alabama (again!) in New Orleans, and while I think it's ridiculous that Alabama even made it to the championship game, I am looking forward to watching LSU beat them again. ;) For argument's sake, let's say Alabama does win. So, LSU beat them once, they would have beaten LSU once...this win would not make them the best team in college football. There was no playoff system to put Alabama in this position, and therefore Nick Saban's whole It's-just-like-when-the-Patriots-beat-the-Giants-in-regular-season-but-the-Giants-beat-the-Patriots-in-the-Superbowl analogy is invalid. :D

LET'S GEAUX TIGERS!!!!!!!!

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What's harder than beating Alabama twice?

Beating LSU once.

(I heard this on facebook and couldn't resist sharing... :) )

~ In other sports news, did anyone watch the Broncos/Steelers game last night?!?! While I'm not a fan of either team, I am a fan of Tim Tebow. And that game last night was seriously ah-mazing! 

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I am SO happy that the Broncos won and I sincerely hope they do well in the rest of the playoffs. I'd love to see a Saints/Broncos Superbowl, and even though I do love Tebow, this Who Dat would be cheering for BLACK AND GOLD! :)

~ Speaking of the Saints...can I just say WHO DAT?!?!? I am SO happy that we beat the Lions and are heading into the next round of the playoffs! Brees, Sproles, Graham and the rest of the guys did an awesome job on Saturday and I am so proud. It truly was the perfect end to my birthday! :) On our immediate to-do list is 1) We beat the 49ers 2) Brees is named MVP, which he so rightly deserves!!!!

The footage is old, but the chant is the same. LOVE.

~ Saturday was my birthday, and just like last year my Discovery flight was cancelled. :( Legally we could have flown, but it was a very cloudy day and our visibility would not have been great for my first time up. We're heading back to the flight school on Thursday so (God and weather willing!!) this prego can finally fly a plane! :D

 Planes :)

My doctor's note. I love how he states "as long as there is another pilot on board", then I can fly the plane! Lol well duh!!! LOVE my doc. :)

 Me, my sweet man and Baby Gavin on my 26th. 

(That little black fur ball at the bottom is Abigail)

I'd wish I could say that I'm sorry that this turned into a sports post, but I'm kinda not.

I love sports. 

:)

Happy Monday, readers!

2011's 30 Before 30 Update

At the beginning of the year, I embarked on a journey to accomplish 30 things before I turn 30 years old. I created this list on my 25th birthday, and then revised it mid-year. With 2011 coming to an end, I wanted to talk about what I accomplished, what I'm working on, and what the "tentative" plan is for 2012. (Although, sometimes I don't know why I bother making plans when I know all too well that things will definitely may change)

First up: Accomplishments/Attempts 

#4 - Go sailing/learn to sail

I will sadly say that this is all that I've accomplished in 2011. Sailing was such a fun experience and I am so happy that we were able to do this. Keith and I did attempt to scratch #2 (fly a plane) off in January, but thanks to the windy weather we were forced to reschedule.

Then there was that whole New York City trip that was planned for September that would have knocked off #23 (walk the Brooklyn Bridge) and #24 (attend a Yankee game in NYC), but that trip was postponed. :( 

I did have the best of intentions of taking 4 items off this year, but as it turns out that didn't happen. Instead of pouting about it, I am hopeful that 2012 will be different. Here's my little plan as of now.

2012 Plan

#9 - Read the whole Bible. I've already started my reading plan and hope to finish by the end of November 2012. I am currently working my way through a Beth Moore Bible Study, and want to do more next year. If anything these studies should only enrich my growth during this time. :) 

#10 - Go on a mission trip. As I may have mentioned in yesterday's post, I will be going to the Philippines! I'll spill the details as I find them out. :))))

#2 - Fly a plane. Keith and I will once again attempt to fly a plane on my birthday, January 7th. I will be 31 weeks pregnant, but I've already received approval from my doctor and the flight company! I am SO excited about this and can't wait to finally get up in the air! (I feel like singing "Anything you can do I do betterrrr...in heels....and pregnant!!! Bahahah, joking of course)

#12 - Meet my weight loss goal. Before becoming pregnant, I was that girl who had a good 5-10 pounds to lose before being "happy" with myself. (Remember my Weekly Health Updates?) Once Gavin is here I will have much more to lose, and I am claiming that I will accomplish this in 2012. With a little luck and a lot of discipline, I am confident that I will reach this goal. This past summer Keith and I purchased the Insanity workout, and that is what I'm going to do.

#5 - Graduate from college. The original date was May 2012, but due to a few class not being available until the fall (and Gavin arriving smack dab in the middle of the semester) I am going part-time in the spring and will finish in December 2012. BUT, I won't be attending commencement until May 2013, so this one might not be "technically" scratched off until I walk across that stage in 2013. Not sure how I feel about scratching this off before I wear that cap and gown...we shall see.

# 17 - Spend the day with Beluga Whales. This attraction is only available at the Atlanta Aquarium, and since I don't know how long we'll be living in ATL I figure I need to knock this one out during 2012. 

#30 - Get accepted to law school. That's right -- I am going to be taking the LSAT in June and then applying to school at the end of the year. A few of the schools I'm interested in have rolling admissions, so I anticipate hearing back from them by the end of 2012. Holy. moly. AH!

So, that's the plan! Hopefully I will be much more successful in 2012 than I was in 2011 in completing these tasks. I know that I will have a newborn/infant in tow for most of the year, and these 7 things will definitely make life a bit more interesting. :)

Any list makers out there? Any x before x-ers? How are you guys doing in accomplishing your goals? I'd love to hear about it!

Our Almost Flight

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Last week I shared my 30 Before 30 list and was hoping to scratch "Fly a plane" off this weekend.

Unfortunately, it didn't happen. :(

Keith and I headed to a local airport on Saturday morning, only to discover that the winds had picked up a bit too much and our instructor suggested that we reschedule. Had this been flight training we would have absolutely flown. However, because it was a Discovery Flight he wanted us to have the best experience possible.

So while we didn't get to fly, we did get a mini-lesson, some great information about flight school, and a few pictures.

Sitting in the plane :)


KC and I in front of our would-have-been plane

We were very impressed with the flight instructor, Ricky, and the school in general. He was extremely knowledgeable and very nice, and Keith and I will most definitely be rescheduling this flight. I have always had a love for aviation, but after leaving the flight school on Saturday I'm pretty sure my husband's interest in flying was raised tenfold. :)