Philippines, here I come!

Alright. So, I believe most of you know that I'm going to the Philippines soon, in fact, it's as soon as next Friday (3rd of August, 2007).

Why? After completing a semester long of Foundation in Engineering in the University of Nottingham, why am I wasting such time and money?

The main reason is... one word, INTEREST. Before, I thought that having PERFECT eyesight was one of the most basic criteria to be a pilot. Perfect eyesight in this sense means that you do not have the need to wear glasses or contact lenses.

Oops, my mum is calling. Be right back!

(Few hours later...)

Back! Haha, back from Satay Kajang in the town. Hm, I thought satay in Kajang was bad but, not too bad! My family with a 8-year-old nephew and Bahraini cousin had 150 sticks of satay consisting 120 of chicken and the other 30 of beef. Really, not that bad after all!

(My youngest brother, WeingJing with his 22 satay sticks in hand and my cousin from Bahrain, Abdullah)

Okay, back to the reason. My vision is 100 200 for time being; I really have to wear glasses, or else, anything as beautiful as an angel will look like sh*t to me (sorry angel, no offense!). Fortunately (or not), there are some candidates with higher power compared to mine, studying NOW in the institute. By the way, I'm enrolling in Clark Institution of Aviation. It's the only branch from Oxford, UK. So, I guess that answered your question "Why Philippines?". Sorry, outta topic (again!). I've always wanted to live free, have all the freedom in the world but when I found out that I need to wear glasses, my hope on being a pilot fades away gradually.


The story goes like this...


About a month after National Service (First Batch Fourth Series, 2007), I was enrolled in the University of Nottingham taking Foundation in Engineering. After finishing a semester, I planned to convert my course to Foundation in BioScience (I was interested in the Human Genome Project). Since the BioScience students were having the same subjects as the Engineering students except for their slightly simpler Math, Mr. Terence had no problem releasing me, at the same time, Dr. Chin and Dr. Sandy both too, had no problem accepting me. Dr. Sandy mentioned that my credit for Engineering Math could be transferred as credit for Business Math (Math that the BioScience student taking). Everything seemed so smooth. Before that happened, I would have to fill up a Convert Course Form first and submit it to the Engineering Faculty Office. At the same time, I was having my finals and most of the students were waiting for the historical day 711 to arrive! July 11 - the day of all-the-hectic-and-boring lectures (and last final paper) ended.

I was supposed to have my sweet semester break for about two months before my second semester (of Foundation in BioScience) starts in September but, my cousin delivered a suprising news to me. A new license was introduced, the MPL (Multi-crew Pilot License). To get this license, you can take up this aviation course only at Clark, Philippines (the only branch from Oxford, UK). None of the requirements say that a candidate must have perfect eyesight. In fact, either near or far sighted one is, he or she can still take this world-recognized license on one small condition - have a spare of spectacle with you. That's it! That's the only condition for those who are near or far sighted! I've discussed this with my dad and he agreed to let me take up this aviation course in the Philippines. He said that wasting a semester time and tuition fees of RM 6, 500.00 are worth it. Or else, I would have to continue on my studies up to at least Degree level, taking about three to four years and then most probably Master as well. Altogether, take up to more than half a decade. That's insane when you finally realized that after all your studies, they do not guarantee employment.

This institute guarantees you a job of starting salary of two to four grand. Sorry, forgot a tiny detail, two to four grand US dollars. That's just starting salary! You will receive raise in payment based on experience! In this case, based on the number of hours. All of these just take a year time only! Just a year and I could be a pilot, working, and the rest of you (my fellow friends) might be in your first year degree. How wonderful! I mean, wonderful that I can work, not that you'll still be suffering studying.


Well, I guess that's it for now. Maybe another post later? Well, I don't know about it...


Hopefully, everything goes as planned! May your gods bless me. (That was meant to be a sarcasm... I'm a free-thinker...)

Oh yeah, I met ShirYin at Satay Kajang. First time meeting officially. Took a picture together as a memory. She's cute, I know.