A moment of self-doubt

Weight and balance.

Trigger limits.

Maximum all out weight.

Turn-around time.

Safety assessment report otherwise known as SAR.

So many terms.

So much stuff to understand.

Endless question marks hovering over my head at meetings and discussions. I swore my head was going to burst any minute at those moments.

"Learn well. If I can do it, I'm sure you can too."

So said my previous boss who gave these parting words to me just before he left for greener pastures. I was determined to make good on that statement, to show everyone that I can do it.

To make those who mean a lot to me feel proud of me.

The passion in me has not waned. But my ego has taken a slight bruising nonetheless.

Which I admit is perfectly normal and I have come to terms with it. It is not the first time and it isn't definitely going to be the last either. I am just not sure how long this is going to last and it freaks me out thinking of it sometimes.

Committment...

Fort Canning Park on a Sunday afternoon.

Made my way up a long flight of steps to Fort Gate where something beautiful was about to take place.

A blessed union of two individuals who are deeply in love with each other.

I have never attended an outdoor wedding solemnisation service and what I witnessed for the next few moments was something magical, something beautiful.

Vows made by these two individuals, pledging lifelong committment to each other.

Sticking by each other's side no matter what happens.

Making decisions together.

Vows that are easy to say, but taking loads of effort to keep.

Couldn't help but see the orange setting sun after the solemnisation, framed by the greenery of Fort Canning and complementing the skyline of the financial district.

It was a beautiful sight.

If only she was around to share in this moment with me.

Exhilaration

The piper warrior II lay parked at the hangar, along with a few others.

It seemed small and flimsy and I wondered if it was actually safe to fly in that.

The cockpit measured no more than 2m X 2m and it was a kind of a squeeze getting inside.

After a few minutes of explanation of the various controls and external parts of the aircraft from the pilot instructor and the mandatory ground checks, up we went.

It was a totally new perspective flying while seated in the cockpit, looking over the northern part of Singapore. The turf club at Kranji, the flats at Sengkang, the reservoirs and the area around Seletar airport seemed like a mish-mash from up there.

The experience of being up in the air, taking over the controls even for a few seconds is something I will never ever forget.

It made me realise how small and insignificant we all are, that no matter how big, how grand, how lavish our buildings, our roads, our houses and our hills and mountains are, they all look so tiny and vulnerable from high up.

He makes his way back home in the still of the musty and humid night.

The weather is atrocious but he has a feeling of warmth inside.

He holds the silver-coloured envelope with the card inside close to his heart, thinking fondly about the person who passed it to him just moments earlier.

Just like her, he too hopes sincerely for the best between the two of them.

Hoping this will be the start of something meaningful and long-lasting.