few more days before we come to the end of the 1st quarter of 2014. Have been really busy creating a history: mastering German in a short frame of two months. When the company offered a German speaking scheme, I didn't think much of it when I sent in my application. I just thought, 345 is coming to an end, the next step for me is to be 380 trained, why not just try and apply for this, at least I can secure my long flights in the future. During the interview, I didn't think I'll have a chance to get through. Most of the German flights are operated on a 380, but I wasn't trained at that time. I have zero knowledge and background about German. But surprisingly, out of 200+ who submitted their application! out of the 60+ who was selected for interview! I'm one of the 15 who were chosen for this scheme.

It was tough, really tough. Two whole months of intensive course, mon to fri, 9 to 5. Even during the weekends we will break into groups and meet up for study group. That was how serious our batch is about this whole German thing. I was the first person to breakdown in my class, that was how stress I was. But I'm proud to say, I became the MVP of the class. There were so much bonding in this batch, i loved every one of them. Maybe because majority of them are mature (age 26-41), there wasn't any cliques or politics in class. Everyone was helpful towards each other, not selfish to share their notes and methods of learning.

Now that the course has ended, I'm missing the times I have spent with each and everyone of them. Rally happy that we are still in contact through group chat and 1/3 of us are even continuing the German course at our own expense! So now all of us are wearing the uniform with a German flag on our name tag, besides having to make German announcements on board, we have to brace ourselves for any German passengers who cannot speak English.

Next up is my 380 training. I have just done my first 380 flight to shanghai, and even got to fly with my sec school close friend! It was a bonus to me, having the privilege to work with her and even got to catch up with her over the night and flight. Being a senior on the flight has its advantage, I am forgiven for the unfamiliarity of the aircraft as I can make up for it with my work efficiently. Haha.

Just the first quarter of the yr, I've achieved quite a number of this: got to see my close friend get married (considered an achievement?),  got my open water certification, got my German A1 qualification, got trained for 380, and got to catch up w a long time old friend.

Now that all the trainings are over, it's back to normal flying life, it's time to earn the bucks back. 2 months of grounded time is a big hole to my pocket. But good thing, rostering department has been good to me so far.

What's in for me in the next coming months, is for me to finish up my leadership management course, and my German course. It wouldn't be easy, but I'm sure I'll pull through.

Duncan has been asking me to go for my advance diving course. Really tempted to, but need to earn the bucks before making any future plans about it. Also, I'll need to find a new diving partner.

Till then, I shall be looking forward to May, when I'll fly over to LA to visit my brother, and June when the Lees will have our first holiday together since 15 years ago.

Of course, in the midst of all these, I hope to make more new friends, and better if I can find someone to share my ups and downs with. That'll be a bonus. I know.

First post of the yr, it's gonna be about my best friend's wedding. 

Yesterday was pamela's wedding, and i was honoured to be her maid of honour. Despite having been involved in so many weddings, this is actually the first wedding that i actually know both the bride and the groom, and organised a hen's party, had get together sessions w the sister and brother team, and made a speech. Really awesome and fun loving bunch of people, and i am really lucky to be part of this. 

There were a few hiccups before and during the wedding day itself, but the couple was surprisingly calm in handling the situations, taking them all in as they come along. And also, pam was confident that the bridal party are capable enough to handle everything. I am proud to say, i have managed and carried out my duties well enough to be deemed as a maid of honour. 

It's not easy letting someone step into ur life, and furthermore, spending ur whole life w him. I must say, people who are married are brave people, and i am envious of this bravery of theirs. They are willing to let themselves carry another responsibility, and input changes to their lives. 

I am now in bintan, on an open water diving course trip. This is something that has never ever crossed my mind as something i will do. So when kenneth asked if i'm interested to join him, i was a bit reluctant at first. Then i thought, why not try something new. So here i am, having difficulty learning and performing the necessary skills required to pass the course, but at least to me, i can say, this is something i have tried and done before, and it is a sense of achievement for me. 

Tmr is the last day of the course and trip, i am the slowest student of the whole group, but that's not gonna stop me from plucking up the courage to overcome my fear of removing the mask from my face underwater.

Likewise, i'm gonna use this to motivate myself to pluck up the courage to move on with life however hard it may seem to be, just like how i did what i'm gonna do tmr to pass the course.

Cheers.