Hello my blog, my longest friend. its been so long since i last visited you. Im sorry that i did not update you about what has happened all these while. The last post was 2011, i did not realize i skipped the entire of 2012 without a single post. Dear blog, you have been with me for as long as i can remember. a memory of all my life's battles. a testament to the growth of all these years. 2012 was one of my most trying year. i finally managed to pass my bridge watch keeping competency and is now officially an appointment holder, a Navigating Officer. A goal that almost felt so impossible, so diminished 4 years ago. So many major exercises, so many assessments. i almost couldn't breathe. The first few months were more ridiculous having to sail 2 teams due to lack of manpower The learning curve wasn't exactly a curve, it was more like a steep sloop that runs straight up. Makes me realize, the reason we are put through all these hardship is so that we can defend those we ...