Friday Flyers in NYC

Many months ago I held a Flight For Control contest, and Jeremy Carlisle was the winner. But in reality, I was the real winner. I won the opportunity to meet a fantastic group of people in N.Y. at our Flight For Control Book party last Saturday.

From left to right in the front: Robert, Eyal, me Cecilie, Molly

Up the stairs: Yossi, Natan, Jeremy

In the beginning...

Jeremy had received five books as his gift. He just didn't randomly gift them out to others, but gave it great thought and this is what he sent...

1. Natan - best friend, classmate.  All of my success in flight school is the reflection of him and my instructor as they are both very patient and he has helped me in countless ways.

2 - Robert - My CFI. Former pilot in the Israeli Air Force pilot and current ATP.  He is a very tough and thorough but also very patient. He knows what I need to succeed and has been a tremendous asset to my aeronautical education.

3 - Chaim (pronounced "Hi!" - Eem Altogether) - Friend, Recently graduated from Vaughn College of Aeronautical Science in the ATC program hoping for an opening in the field. In the mean time, he is taking lessons from my flight instructor to work towards his PPL and I believe ATPL.

4 - Yossi (pronounced "yuhsee") - Aviation fanatic, world traveller, and whether it's relevant for this or not, his cousin is also an ATP for the same airline as you.


5 - Evan (Kisseloff) - the sole survivor of the PA airplane crash that I wrote about from The Long Island Newsday that I picked up the Friday evening after. (Ironically, after having come back from JFK to meet you at the gate.) 

Jeremy put a great deal of thought into his selection. And the power of giving continued...

Natan's family hosted the party in their home. A home filled with love and extended family, as Grandmothers from both sides of the family live with them. Lori and Roy Hoffman, Natan's parents, also had thirty people living with them because of Sandy. They opened their doors to strangers who were homeless Who does that? The Hoffmans.

The Party:

Let me tell you a little more... Cecilie, from Norway, flew into town to join us. And she met her 3rd cousin, Molly, whom she had not seen since she was a one-year-old. And guess what? We were whisked away in a LIMO!

The party had started and who should Join us? Alex from Brazil! He was on Skype on the cell phone. How in the world can you ride a limo in NY, while in Brazil? Technology. You've got to love it. And you have got to love Alex too. While he couldn't make it to the party in person, he was actively supporting the party, and with us all the way. Check out his Aviation Center. Using creativity to bring his message to the world via video. He is currently studying hard for his tests.

Special Guests...

No... this is not our little biscuit. But his twin from across the country... Coco. The night was filled with great food, a musician and wonderful people~ 

Sushi in the form of a plane. Oh...and it was so good!!!

Amazing Magic by Mike

Does the world get any smaller?

I met Jeremy because of his reaching out after reading Flight For Control. 

He wrote the most heartfelt letter. We never know what strikes a note, but there were many life connections with Jeremy, myself and my novel. Airline crashes, sitting at the deathbed of those we love, and even a cat named Princess. The list goes on. Jeremy also had a great grandmother that he was very close to and her name was Karlene. Her and her family came from Darmstadt, Germany.

What I did not know, is that all these fabulous flyer friends found each other on Facebook! I met Jeremy via Twitter, then was connected to his friends. I met Cecilie, and Alex on Twitter. And Marc Medely, which I am so sad to not get a photo and is an amazing man: the host of the Reading Circle, principal, lover of aviation, met me for a bowl of soup in a little cafe before the party.

Sometimes we think social media is a time sucker, but in relationship the people I have met, who have rolled into life-long friends... I am grateful. 

Jeremy defines friendship.   
He and Natan had sent the most beautiful fruit basket when my husband was in the hospital.

I cannot thank Jeremy enough. Natan and his family went overboard. This group of friends are amazing people. Cecilie coming from Norway... and Molly ordered a book and said, "Cecilie sent me." 

My team. My friends. My strength when skies grow dark. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. You are the best!!! And all Fabulous Flyers.

For more photos and a great recap of the party, 
please check out: Jeremy's Flight Deck. 

Where have I been the previous few days? On a ladder until the very early hours in the morning. I usually get up at 330-0500. Lately, I'm going to bed at those hours. Photos tomorrow! 
 

Enjoy the Journey...

XO Karlene 

Oh...and Sandy? What was NY like? Manhattan was alive and bustling. Strength is the word I give to the people of New York. They are survivors.