Graduated, and I'm officially a bird

Feels nice to take a break from the hectic schedule for a little while. I think we all deserved this one-week break, after working so hard for 3.5 months. Can you imagine perfect attendance for the whole training period, we'd attend classes diligently no matter how we're feeling or how exhausted we might be and spent most weekends preparing for tests. Travelling to Changi every day, waking up at 6am to do my hair and make up, spending 9 hours studying, had become a norm for me. I think that kind of discipline is what they want to instill in us, and I have to say, it was successful. Sure, it was difficult to adjust at first, I remember how tired I used to be every day after school, but it gets better, it really does.

It's Day 3 of my one-week break, and I've been enjoying myself, doing everything I've missed out on and catching up with those who matter and rest as much as I can. I think my body and soul deserve all the rest it could get.

I still can't believe it. I can't believe all 20 of us got through this phase, finally. I can't believe we have completed our training successfully, and managed to graduate as a batch. It wasn't an easy ride, and I'm so proud of us all. There's no one else who'd understand the things that we went through better than each other. I still reminisce the days we've spent in training school, somehow it keeps replaying in my head. I guess I'm not over the blues... no matter what, it's still sad to leave the people you spent every single day with. For the period of 3.5 months, these are the people I see on a daily basis and spent most of my time with.

Training school, it was an eye-opening experience. I'm not allowed to go into details in regards to what we do, but emotionally, it has taught me a lot about perseverance and toughened me up. I can safely say that it's the most difficult thing I've ever done in my life- and no, being a flight stewardess is not just about serving coffee and tea, not even close. Training has shone a new-found light for me in regards to the aviation industry and has shown me that we as cabin crew, have an important part to play in the business and in terms of how people perceive us.

Perhaps it's because the standard of the industry in the company I'm working for is high, and the pressure pushes us to work harder than the rest, and there's a certain pride in knowing that fact. I chose this, I knew it wasn't going to be easy, it sure as hell wasn't, but it was worthwhile. The training was so intense, there can't be anything as detailed as what I've learnt here. We have exams for every single phase of training, with a very high passing requirement, if that isn't an indication of how serious the training is, I don't know what is. There still isn't another airline that I'd rather work for. If it isn't this, it wouldn't be anywhere else. So the struggling and suffering was worth it.

Being so young, sometimes it gets overwhelming. The number of times I cried was uncountable, but did I get out of here stronger? I certainly did. Surprisingly, never once have I regretted my decision. I'm happy to be here, and I've never felt a bigger sense of accomplishment than when I graduated from training school. The happiness it has brought me was greater than anything I've ever done in my life, even getting a diploma can't compare to this.

Change. I've changed so much over the past few months. Actually this whole year has been all about change. I believe it's for the better. I'm thankful to have the love from those around me to always keep me grounded. Change is a constant, but I know I'll always be the same plain ol' Jane that my family, Luke and friends will always remember.

Now that this phase has come to an end, it's time for the next ordeal.
Nervous? Yes. Afraid? Of course.

Ready? No..... But it has to come no matter what. It will come and I will have to face it. Will it be tough? Maybe. But everyone has to start somewhere. I'll probably make a thousand more mistakes before I finally perfect it all, so I guess there's no point in being afraid. I'll welcome every challenge with open arms, and I hope that life will constantly be an eye-opener and I hope that I'll continue to grow with every changing phase. There's just so much in this world to see, to learn and to experience. This would be a good start, and I'm excited for the future.

Come what may.

Thank you, God.