DOOH!!! Just remembered I had a blog!!!

So, ok.. it's been like more than two months since my last post, and I must say, I had nearly forgotten I had a blog to update! So I can say that my attempt in keeping an up-to-date blog failed miserably during the past weeks. So here's a little update, together with a little promise to start updating a little bit more often... yes, something like New Year's resolution in mid-November!!

I must say that lots and lots of stuff happened during the past two months. I had a look at my last post and it seemed so long ago! Ye I still had to do my last observation flight to Corfu, something which I did, and which was yet another great experience for me. And yes, I can't wait to be flying on the line! Then I had a short break in Malta, a weekend which I really enjoyed. Next week I should be back there for a couple of days and I'm really looking forward to see my family... especially that cute little nephew of mine!

Anyway, back in Belgium, September was very busy with simulator sessions. Sometimes, I had up to five missions in one week. It was getting tiring, and stressful. But mission after mission, I made it through and my dream of flying in the skies was slowly slowly coming true.

But dreams... well... the word says it all... they're dreams, and they can have the tendency not to become real, and we really have no control over them. But it gets so disappointing, when you beleive so much in a dream, and then everything gets shattered in an instant. I'm not talking about my dream to become a pilot... But yes, other dreams I had, seem to have faded away, and I had no control over it. It did shatter me, and the past weeks weren't at all easy. For some time, I was also feeling bad about being here... and ye I did feel that even my pilot dream was getting shattered at some point... it wasn't an easy time at all.

A week or two ago, I received a card from someone with a short poem and I felt the words were impressive, especially given the circumstances I was facing... I actually thought of writing it down here so here it goes...

Son,
When problems overwhelm you,
Here's a little poem for you to remember...

Carry On

Carry on as I would, Son.
Lay your problems down to rest.
Put all bad times behind you,
And strive to be your best.

Carry on with confidence,
Your hands now hold the reins.
Don't think your talents won't compare,
For my blood runs through your veins.

Carry on with honesty,
You know what's right and fair.
Just call on me when problems strike,
You know that I'll be there.

Carry on the dream, my son.
Let your conscience be your guide.
Remember when you feel alone,
I'm standing by your side.

(Shelley McDaniel)

Obviously, I don't think I have to say who sent the card... quite obvious... but I found the words really impressive... as well as encouraging.

Anyway, show must go on ey... it's not easy but in some way or another, show must go on...

At the end of my simulator sessions I had the checkride, and luckily, I made it through, and perhaps, it was my first achievement in this career. I was glad about it, and it was a boost for me as well. And then came exams, which of course, as with any exams time, is not a very great time! So yes, studying and stress and bored and whatever... so far I had half of the exams and I made it through. Next week, I have the remaining half, so yes I'm still studying and I'm actually quite fed up about it! But hopefully, it will be over in a couple of days time.

So yes, that's about it, a little update finally which brings me to the present day. Next week, if all goes well with exams, I'll have a short break in Malta, which I'm obviously looking forward to! I need a little break, and I need to see my family as well. After this short visit it's seven months away from home, so I do need to spend some time in Malta. Ye, I should be leaving for my flight training in Arizona. I'm looking forward to it but the idea of being away for such a long time is a bit like, worrying as well. But anyway, time will pass and it will be over before I know it!

Anyway, I better conclude now because it's late and I need to get some sleep. But at least I managed to bring my blog a bit up-to-date. I'll try not to let two months pass before writing something again :-p

Well.. I think I'm going to have quite a lot to write about in Arizona... ;-) you're soon cleared for take-off Johnny!!

Till next time!!