Perth like heaven 22 Feb to 03 March

22 Feb was a special day, not so much because of my navigation flight but it was the day I was reunited with my wife. She came to visit me for a week plus. We haven't seen each other for 8 months since I left for my training. It was a pity that I couldn't pick her up at the airport when she arrived due to my navigation flight. After the flight, I was so eagered to meet her, catch up on the lost time and I called her up to find out she was safe and sound in Perth.

When I finally met her, I had this strange feeling as though I just left her not long ago like a day b4 she came and find me. That 8 months of separration had shink to just a day. And for the next few days when she was around, life seemed more normal to me as that of a married life. I get to spend time with her, have a hand to hold or shall I say, get dragged behind with her walking pace... do grocery shopping at big supermart. All these were so familiar to me.

Our holiday started with a day trip to the south. We went down to Busselton and Margaret River. Tasted some good wine and had some nice food. That was the longest trip I made so far in Perth and I was glad I had my usual passanger with me this time. The only shortfalll was that the car wasn't a mini.

The next few days was just sensational as we went to places and relaxed while spending time with each other. Celebrated our first anniversal and her birthday in Fremantle, an town full of history. I was glad she visited Hope Perth and got to know the people that I associate with. That made her less worried that I was still full on for God and had not backslided a single bit.

There is a saying that goes: 'All good things had to come to an end' and there no exception for this holiday we had together. Sadly, the time came that she had to leave me. I wished she could stay longer until I grew tire of her so I wouldn't feel so sad that she leaves... hee. After she left, life was back to normal, back to reality. All I could hope for in midst of my sadness was that I look forward to reuniting with her when I finish my course here...

All the best to Gavin...

It was sad to learn another 116 hero had to go. His name: Gavin (aka mr incredible) and he happened to be my roommate for a brief period. Got to know him better then and found out he was nice fellow, always offering help to me when he saw I needed one. I applaused his courage to go thru the review and the waiting. Though I have been through that myself but it was different. I had it at the beginning of the course and he went through that in the mid stage. Having come that far and had to go through all the trials was not an easy thing. I didn't understand why things had to turn out this way but I knew God had a better plan in place for him. Hope that one day he would be able to see the wonderful works of God in his life. I regretted not sharing my faith more with him. I took for granted that he would make it through and I would have more time in that way. Perhaps God was teaching me a lesson of seizing the opportunity.

So Gavin, if you are reading this, this is for you: though you are not around, I will still be praying for you, for your career. I always hold on to this verse in the bible and I want to share it with you, Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. With that, go for your dreams if you are really sincere about becoming a pilot, let nobody or barriers stop you from becoming one. All the best to you...

God's wonder works again for my P-check

Very thankful to God once again that my P-check 2nd attempt went well with MS. I thought I was not going to make it after failing to perform the Pilot Force Landing on the first attempt. MS, the well respected assistance chief instructor, same fellow that send me up for solo, was gracious enough to give me a second chance to perform my PFL and I did a good job the second time round.

Rejoining was my most feared area as I tended to fumble in such area. I had problem with my traffic awareness from the last p-check. This time round, it was runway 24 and I was a little more comfortable and confident of that circuit entry. It all went well apart from not slowing aircraft down sooner. Instructor was quite happy with my rejoining and my circuit. Though I misjudged the height for one glide approach, I was able to do a better glide approach-landing. I think God was with me throughout the flight and Holy Spirit guided me through. In the end, I passed though it was with minimal standard. At least I was given a chance to progress and continue to improve on my deficiency.

On the hindsight, I think God was amazing to let me go through the first attempt in which I failed and had to do 2 repeated sorties with my instructor. It was opportunity for me to learn more things as I see it now rather than remedial lessons I had to go through becoz I cannot fly the aircraft well. There was even one sortie which I was giving the opportunity to practice my rejoining exercise, something that was unconventional. With that, I appreciate more what were the things to look out during rejoining.

Hence, I knew God was all along with me. Though I failed the first time, I knew it was Him that made me go through it so that I could have more practices, ACFI stopped the assessment after my first bad landing was not so much that I was incompetent but he knew that I had lost my composure after the rejoining circuits and I couldn't bring out the best in me had I carry on with circuits. Hence I am thankful that I had such a good assessor that looked out for my welfare...

So all I can say after all that happened, I am glad I had God and MS...

Nice fireworks that ended up with fire...

It was australia day, 26th Jan. I had a nerd party organised by my caregroup and it was not worth mentioning... All I can say is that I didn't win the best nerd award.. Thank God....

After the party, we headed down to mill point to enjoy the breezy night with fireworks colouring the sky. It was an event everyone was looking forward to. The unfortune thing was that, though it was windy, it was hot air blowing at our face... temperature was recorded at 33 degrees C. It was like hair dryer air blowing at our faces. The firework was a letdown as many said it was not as spectacular as previous years. However, what was impressive was the lightning works caught in the background while the fireworks were presented. It was amazing that God spiced up the firework show with traces of lightning. One interersting fact was that we couldn't tell whether the firework presentation had ended as the barge containing all the firework explosive caught fire and there were still small firework going off irregularly amidst the fire.

However, after all that had happened, I still think it was enjoyable watching some 20min of decent fireworks. The picture will tell you what I meant...

All that jazz with steve

Thinking of starting my own podcast. Since I have the time at hand and podcasting is something easy to do. The only two problem I foresee is that I don't have such good voice like those of the newcaster and my fans (if I have any) will have to bear with my low and monotonus voice. The second problem is of a bigger one. See, I got this roommate that makes all the funny noises and play computer games all day long with the speaker blasted. So to have some peace in the room is pretty rare. Guess I can only wait for the rare occassion when he is not around to do my podcast.

Jazz is something I am always interested so I think it will be good to do a podcast on that. Some ideas that I have is that I will do a study of some famous jazz musicians and introduce them and their music. I can also include some movie recommendation related to jazz in the podcast. So for a start, I shall not be too ambitous and just do a modest podcast of the jazz songs that I like.. Watch out for the first podcast.. will definitely keep you guys posted.

Wrapping up the happenings of 2006

Just want to note down the significant events that happened during 06. Really thankful that God has brought me thru 06 though there were moments of trying times as well as good moments.


25th Feb - This is the most significant day for gelene and me to remember for the rest of our lives. It was our wedding day. It was a once in a lifetime thing. Still remember the tekan session in the morn by the ladies, the mini convoy that bought us from places to places, the surprise worship session held in brother's place, the burkill hall outdoor matrimony and how I fumbled upon my marriage vow in mandarin, the dance we presented to our guest in which we lost our dance step after 2nd bar of the song but hardly anyone knew, the song desafinado I serenaded to my wife and the wonderful scarlet hotel we stayed after the wedding. It was certainly the most fun filled day of my life and the most exciting day ever...

3-5 March - Went for a mini honeymoon at bintan over the weekend. Since I was doing my ground school training, can't afford to take long leave and go for proper honeymoon. So got to settle for a mini honey. After check-in at the resort, still remembered gelene doen't like the furishing and requested to change but the manager said that it was the best they had. We went there to enjoy massage and also had a sumptous dinner on the second night. Even got musician serenaded while we enjoyed our dinner. They could play all kinds of music and hounored my request and played quando quando quando... Though this was a mini honeymoon, we had lots of fun time. Can't wait for the real honeymoon to come...

Early May - Good news for my wife as she was accepted by UA to join them as a cabin crew.

27th May - This is the saddest day I have encountered so far. I haven't lost someone so close, my mother-in-law passed away after 3 months of struggle with lung cancer. It was all so sudden. It all started out with intense coughing and she was admitted to hospital for a medical checkout slightly earlier than her scheduled checkout and doctor found out that the cancerous cells had suddenlly spreaded much. Her health deteriorated from that day on. Though there was periodic recovery, she never got better to a stage of not using pure oxygen to breathe. I suppose God hands was at work and in control of the situation though the outcome was not what we desired. All we can say is that glory be to God as He had prepared a place for her, a place much better than on earth. I am sure I'll meet her one day in that special place.

2nd June - Shortly after mother-in-law passed away, gelene departed for Chicargo to undergo UA training. Another sad day for me as I saw her leaving into the custom area for check-in. It would be a long while before I can see her again as I won't be around when she came back. It was the first time that I felt I would be missing her badly.

6-8 June - ATPL exams... Within these 3 days, we had completed all the 7 subjects... Airlaw, Human Performance, Instruments, Radio aids, Met, Navigation and Met practical. It was an achievement for me to go thru such intense examination.

10-11 June - Attended Kawan Melaka Hope Singapore church camp. I gave a testimony on how God led me to go to the camp despite lots of difficuities. I thought initially I wasn't able to go as my passport was held by Singapore Flying College for the australia visa processing. Turned out that there were some adminstrative complication that deplayed the submission of the passports and the passports were all returned to us for that weekend and hence I could make it for camp. The camp was about friendship and I learned how to treasure my friends well.

6th July - Gelene came back from training and I am still not yet gone!!! I was so happy to see her again.
11th July - 2 phase of training in Jandakot Perth.
05th Oct - Cleared my 1st solo (sortie 109)
30th Nov - After 3 weeks of waiting, sponser replied with addition 5 hours
15th Dec - After all the struggles, finally cleared 2nd part of solo check (sortie 111)

A pink birthday celebration

A few weeks back, our caregroup living waters combined with bathseda to give a surprise birthday celebration to sister pey bin. As she likes the colour pink, we decided we should all wear pink clothes or at least associate with pink for that day. I haven't got a pink clothes to wear over here so I became a little creative. Think you guys would know from the picture how creative or stupid I looked?? haha.. but I had lots of fun having ppl laughing and applauding my appearance. It was the pinkishest day I ever encounter...

Night safari in the college

Not too sure what animal was this... maybe a wombat? hopefully not a rat. It was spotted just right outside my accomodation building. What was amazing was that it was not too bothered about me taking the photos. Looked cute to be kept as a pet. Hopefully I will be able to see this creature more often.