Sunday, January 29, 2006
Chinese New Year? Somehow the festive mood didn't get into me... Feels like it came too early, or perhaps unprepared for it...? Anyway, warmest of wishes to everyone, either laughing their way to the bank or just enjoying the holidays.
Things are pretty quiet around here, my family went back to Malaysia like we always do every year to celebrate CnY and also for the reunion dinner, so its kinda my first time spending CnY here in Singapore. So its just me and the house now, I kinda got used to it already somehow.
Back in 2002, when I was studying for my 'O's, my family went to Korea. Although I felt a little sore missing that trip, I liked the peace which came along to help with my studies. Then it was during my 'A's when they went to Thailand this time. Come to think of it, I spent most of me nights at the airport, morning at home to sleep and afternoon in the school's library.
But this time is a little different, couldn't bookout early enough to go with them, also partly by my fault. If only I got 70 and above... The other times because I had to study, no part played on my part.
Everywhere's kinda closed, I kinda forgot that. Went downstairs to a closed coffeeshop, I couldn't get me breakfast. Then I went a little further to a 24hr coffeeshop, no lunch too. 24hr eh? So it was just me, my tv, com, piano, ps2 and CnY snacks. I grew bored of it, decided to check out central.
Century was closed, Tm look closed by kinda open. Went to the basement, ate Mos Burger, even Ntuc was closed! Oh well, decided to walk around, but there was nothing much to see but shutters everywhere. At least the arcade was open, and I saw a pair of love birds there. Guess who? Haven't seen both of them in a while, somehow, I felt glad, for them of course! My wish for them is to stay happy!
Grabbed a cup of Cap from Starbucks before I strolled home. I thought during the festive season all the shopping centres would be bustling with crowds, but what I saw was clear roads. Everyone with their families in the cars, going from place to place to see their relatives, how nice!
Another 2nights and 3days left before I take over the appointment... Somehow, feels like...
I miss the fireworks I used to play back in the Kampung, also the rural life over there... With all the chickens running about, open padi fields, dark skies litted with stars and of course all my distant relatives too... How peaceful! Next year, I wouldn't be there too... The year after next too... Wonder when...When...
10:17 pm;
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Sunday:
Ate breakfast at around 4pm, my uncle called me asking me why I needed the popular card later. So I went to meet him and Edmund at TM's ntuc. I got what I wanted and also ate dinner by myself, didn't feel like all the usual dinner family gathering. I met my vscb junior, Edmund in his Tekong book in attire.
LoL. What a small world. Well he spent quite some time talking and asking me stuffs, leaving his girl friend by the side all alone. Poor girl, I can tell you that no girl will do that for you unless she really really a very good friend, otherwise... So I chased him away and went on my way. Seems like my previous life is catching up to me, is it a sign?
In the car, on the way back, my Dad talked to me about our past, when I was still a little boy. He said I was the most independent, unlike my sisters who would cry at the lost of sight of our parents. There was this time when he and I went to Malaysia by train, we waited at the train station for our aunt to come pick us up. Because it was lunchtime and we were hungry, my Dad told me to stay put and look after our luggage so he could go buy A&W.
Can you imagine asking a 5year old kid to look after our stuffs? I can't! Even when I had to look after our stuffs! My Dad said he would look for that photo he told me to stand by myself and took, with the A&W in the background. Kinda looking forward to it!
Monday:
Woke up terribly, had a bad night. I woke up many times, with different nightmares at everytime. What is it trying to show me? Don't have time to think about it for now...
Here we go again! As soon as I changed to my pt attire, the rain started to come pouring down! Joy to the World! So 4BX only, at the wing common area. Went in our pt attire, had fried maggi mee for breakfast, the rain gave us some time after that, delaying our COC parade. It was never meant to be I guess, SM had to change the venue to the normal one even though we were all in position already!
Can you imagine we still have do to arms drills in OCS! Frankly, its redundent. The weather was good though, so it wasn't that bad. Then came all that lectures, my gosh! During lunch, saw Kenny in his navy no.3, not bad at all. Nice of him to ask about my leg, he's practically having his holidays there!
The night was allocated for studying. The recreation room was relatively empty, to my surprise, nevertheless, I wouldn't fail to turn up no matter what. I managed to fall asleep even though my buddy was stuck like glue to his bourne book.
Tuesday:
The 7km run was quite bad, the
'meesiam' from breakfast really kicked up quite badly. I was holding back a right stitch all the way, making it hard to get some speed on the run. Altogether it was 4 big rounds and 2 small ones of the route, making us climb that Stairway to Heaven 4 times! Mathematically, that's not 7km.
Looks like the next week's bookout timing will be extended. Before the lecture began, Keith whipped out the clip on the Thunderbirds, a group of top acrobatic flyers fyi. Inspiring, but made me think of the missed prospect I could have if only my dad...
Spent most of the day flipping through the books that matter, and some of the slides available to us. My buddy was totally relaxed, still reading his bourne book, man! Unbelievable as it seems, but I like it when the place is so empty, you know what I mean.
Wednesday:
Straight to breakfast, that's the way I like it! They came just moments before we left, always wanted to ask what they are actually going through here. The lectures lined up one after another, most of the guys were frantically flipping through the notes while others already gave, either sleeping through the breaks or just leaving it to be.
There was this Maj, a lady to specify, practically just murmuring to herself. Made it so tough for many to stay awake in order to avoid filling up the slots for the next 2 guard duties coming. However, the other civilian presenter, also a lady was very pro-active. We could really see she was very well-prepared and knows her work well.
A quick dinner before we all faced the test at CAI. And so it began, it was now or never. I took all the time given to me, but some of the questions really shocked me, because I didn't read it anywhere off any of the books. And so the final results was Saturday morning, I got 8 short of 70 for Friday night. So its going to be Singapore this year...
But I'm really glad that its over...
26/01
0400, up and ready. Draw the lousy, rusty M16. Rushed here and there, so we could set off at 0600. The goal was 12km in 2hr 45mins, technically, its supposed to be 4km in an hour. It started out quick, like a fast march, probably because the front guys were all long legged. It stressed the shin a lot, even had to jog sometimes to cover up the space between me and the man in front.
After the whole thing, the reason I managed to complete it is because of all my friends. Their help, encouragement and constant pushing prevented me from falling out. The route march can be summed up as double quick time march or short jog.
I cramped my whole leg, the thigh, calf, shin and hamstring, suffered blisters all over the strategic places on my sole. I didn't encounter them at all before during Bmt, why now? After all that, we resumed our normal programme. It was only then I found out I was going to take over Cadet Wing Commander(CWC) next week! So
suay until like that, cannot make it man!
Straight away I had to take up the role, because all the commitee had a 'special' lunch with Dy Comd. It was pretty confusing, especially with all of them not returning on time for the excursion. The accounting of strength is going to be a big headache, must take note of it. Loaded onto the bus after they came back. Instead of my usual rest on the bus, took time out so that Raymond could brief me about the roles and responsibilities.
Our first stop was Bukit Chandu, a place quite off the road and out of sight. It was a hill where we used to read about in our history textbooks about the Malay Regiments who fought bravely with the Japanese during WW2. The short video experience was kinda realistic, felt a little jittery. Had to bring my group of the guys around too and coordinate the events. Pretty tough, especially trying to lead leaders-to-be.
We left to our second and last stop, which was actually just beside Jalan Bahtera camp. This was the place where I had my first camping during primary days, I still have the shirt they gave us for it too, but its a little small to wear it now. Looks pretty much the same, just a few new buildings and I still remember the flying fox and the abselling.
Back to why we went there, LTA Shirley told us about the historical background of the beach, we could see Malaysia pretty easily. The place where we stood now is actually the closest distance between Singapore's and Malaysia's borders. It was also where the Japanese harboured for the invasion. After that, we went to a training shed where everyone shared whatever history background they knew about Japan's invasion of Singapore.
Once back, attended the EODD with the committee members, gonna be very busy next week. So this is how the appoinment holders feel, always behind from the rest in terms of admin time. Oh well, the bright side of it is that I just gotta do it for 3days and its all over in terms of appointment duty for me.
27/01
Woke up, felt really sick. Decided to give the MO a visit, and he gave me 5 different medications, to treat my flu, cough, sore throat, slight fever and diarhoea. Consider the odds of them coming at one shot, well at least I didn't get the one thing that has been spreading around, sore eyes.
Joined in the lecture with Yong Qiang, after which our instructors came in, with a big issue at hand. Those guys, of all the places to do it, how dumb can they get? Well that caused a big 'hoo
haa' to everyone, where a thorough inspection of the bunk was implemented, what trouble.
Had to dumb all our stuffs onto the bed, and later keep everything again for inspection again. I also had to see SM because I was next week's retail ic for Navex, lots of nonsensical stuufs. The mood was pretty bad by the end of the day.
Fortunately we had the school's CnY celebrations to lighten up the mood, something like the one we had for Christmas. The steamboat was nice, so were the girls on the stage, the fun and games were commendable too. At the end of it, everyone were feeling good.
Before those Friday night people could go, we had an EODD which included the previous CWCs and CFCs. It took quite a while, but they managed to bookout around 10plus. I was still in my civilian clothes when the officers on course conducted the bunk inspection, that really sucked.
Managed to wash most of my stuffs and also checked my bag for next week's super detailed field pack inspection. Tomorrow morning, wonder how life would be...
28/01
Woke up at around 0500, everyone pushing each other in order to bookout exactly at 6am. Breakfast was just scrambled eggs only, with milo. Managed to leave camp at 0615, got a ride from Vincent in his cool car.
Home at last, but an empty one. CnY is tomorrow, feels as though its just like a normal festive holiday.
9:15 pm;
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Monday:
Monday blues, disease passed around very quickly. Did 1.5km run only, porridge was so plain, horrible. Gathered at the cadets' mess for LO. Actually summed up as useless, the ten house rules, three good and bad traits of oneself, feedback to CPT Seah, tennis ball game, Li Yan's superb pole dance along with Yong Qiang, Siva, Thiam Chye and Zheng Nan.
Did you know the human eye sees 30% reality and 70% interpration?
Had our interval training, kept away from the 1st lane throughout. Emerged unscathed, thankfully. In the evening, we had some time for Wits discussion and also for ourselves. Got my no.3 in shape, nothing much, just trying to complete short term goals at the moment.
Tuesday:
The 3km run was okie, surprisingly. OL part II, much better than yesterday's. A little celebration for the January babies, the fun part was the construction of our own planes using available items. The mini runway to test the plane, actually we could have won, just that our thrower wasn't Ivan. Very amusing to see everyone's design, and also how they crash and burn!
A lecture more relevant for the ADA people, the rest of the time was for project discussion. Had some time to almost complete the material. Wanted to use the gym, but it was closed, what a waste of time. Spent a great time at the recreation room, but the end was a little misunderstanding.
Whenever we talk, doesn't everything goes well? It's just that how you interpret the words you see over the internet, gives you the wrong idea of what it wasn't to be...I've thought of what I want to be already! It'll stay with me till I return back to my studies...Wednesday:
As we headed to the dining hall, the sky was split into two with an almost distinct straight line of dark clouds, what a view! Breakfast was sumptuous, with curry noodles, chicken patty and hard-boiled egg. Nice! Got our hands on the P226, a pistol fyi. 1.072kg when fully loaded, kinda like CS's terror glock.
First was an introductory lecture on the specifications of the weapon, then the hands on technical aspect like loading/unloading, stripping/assembling, shooting postures, etc. It was fun, at least a break from our normal routine, time also flew by.
An area inspection of the bunks, before a lecture on being a vehicle commander. It was conducted by a retired officer, his pronunciation very funny. Break as bake, Rover as lower,Using as choosing, Recce as Lackie, Vehical as Wehical, Peace as preach.
Had time to do some work, but wasn't much in any mood. If I were to be so unlucky to get arrowed, I make sure of the best I can do, not like those before.
Thursday:
Finally changed to the white polo tee for the admin attire, looks much better! We saw them again, with their different pt attire, hmmm...
Went for my IPPT category test with Marcus and Thaim Chye while the others did their 7km run. We waited at the stadium for Hotel wing to come, but found it a little odd with all the construction stuffs at the side on the track.
SM was looking for us, and informed us of the change in venue to MPH. Did our 2.4km run at the parade square and I got a surprising timing, so my silver had to return to me. Must be because of that 3km and 5km runs man. A refreshing bathe was truly welcomed after that!
Next was an introduction to missiles at CAI, then ADSD at the examination hall. I couldn't take it for the last lecture before lecture, lucky Guo Xiong was there to nudge me a little. After lunch, we went for another excursion, this time to 201 Sqn. We thought we could rest a little on the way there, but who knows the place was just at NTU's side gate.
The place is definitely restricted, and even had a sign 'Lightning Prone Area'. The place was on a high ground and exposed totally, no wonder. The welcome brief was in a small stuffy room because the aircon was down. Everyone was just frantically fanning themselves and choking each other with their carbon dioxide. I liked the 'fighting ground', pretty cool. I asked a lot of questions, so much that it looked I was ready to sign on for that.
We chilled at the officers' mess, waiting for our buses to bring us back to camp. The young CPT and MAJ really impressed me. Left at around 1645, back to camp. Spent $3 rather than to risk signing extra, so I dropped by the barber along with a lot of the guys.
The CWC wasted a whole lot of time for the RO, he don't even know the details clearly himself. Can understand why the rest of the guys were so restless, with such people leading them, it's so clear.
Friday:
Runners and main group, different procedures to follow. Took the 5km run and completed it with a shorter time from the previous attempt. So now the whole wing only has 5 failures left, still not good enough to push for nights off.
Joined the main group later for the P226 weapon test. Pretty simple, had some time back in bunk to catch back my breathe before we went for a canteen break. Was a little reluctant to break my $10 bill because my wallet was already full of $2 notes. We visited the library for the first time, not bad at all, just like the gym.
Lunch was great, spagetti with chicken wings. Uncle gave us more because we were already the last wing to eat lunch. Gathered onto the bus, headed out for Murai camp, home of the UAV. Ivan and I went there once before when we were still in FEP because of a dispatch. Remembered sleeping on the van throughout the journey, travelling from base to base.
The place was an eye-opener, just that the place had a stench, must be from the chicken farm. We rushed back to camp, apparently for nothing. The earliest RO we had, gathered to play soccer at the court, since don't know when I actually kicked one. Managed to notch some in, but had a fair share of some losses too. It was fun, but tiring.
Tomorrow's activity would be a big rush, also must wake up much earlier than usual...
Saturday:
Live Range Day. Was up by 0445, a quick breakfast and help loaded all the stores. Because there were too many people, I got kicked out of the advance party. Oh well, I joined the main party, and we buses to the range! Totally awesome!
The shooting was trilling, especially the part where I expended all ten round in like a few seconds. They had to finish up all the ammo, so I did them a big favour. One handed, cool postures like those on the movies, which made me realise all those shows you see are all fake. It's not that easy to hit the target especially with them jumping all over the place or rolling or sliding around. Entertainment industry = No reality.
A whole lot of rush to clean our pistols, send arms and clean up the area. This time the instructors really checked, by the time we booked out it was almost half past three. Turn off.
Hitched a ride on Ying Xiong's car and finally home.
Went out with Serene, PeiYun and PengWee to marina square to eat and shop. Girls will be girls, oh well. After eating we spilt up and the both of us went walking around suntec. Passed by ML and saw Rashidah, she's finally getting engaged, congratulations to her! Bought ice cream at Ben and Jerry, stationed outside the 7-11 in City Link Mall, luckily we caught the last train if not...
5:09 pm;
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Tuesday:
AceCombat totally rocks, totally highly recommended with a black box. Only thing it lacks are the flares to avoid incoming missiles, other than that,
perfecto! F-22A Raptor is the one, no doubt about it. How I wish my dad became an American citizen in the first place...
Why does it always rain whenever I go back? Oh well... Poor AO Alvin, went knocking and waking everyone up one by one to draw lots for the duty personel on weekends and public holidays, I got the XX again! Lucky!
Had trouble falling asleep, eyes and mind can't seem to settle down...
Patience, just that little bit makes a lot of difference, so many times has it happened. I must... I will...Wednesday:
Lectures and more of them came our way. The guys were saying that one of the female lecturer was like a bamboo pole, and was like almost talking to herself, pretty hard to grasp what she's saying. I thought she was sweet, perhaps a little intimidated having 83 guys in front of her.
The conversation then went on to about girls (what else can guys talk about?). Just to cut short everything, I can tell you that looks does matter. Yes stop deceiving yourself. It does. Accept the reality. In order for you to actually get together (to be attached, not to be friends), there will be some physical attraction. Otherwise, you won't even get to know each other, and eventually get attached.
Do let me know on your views on this, especially for ones supporting the opposition stand.After lunch, we went on a 'excursion' to Chong Pang camp (spelling unsure). The organisation of the visit was poorly done, going from one place and back again for lectures, introductions and show-&-tells. My flight took the more
'chui' bus, but I spent most of the travelling time sleeping.
The rest of the night was to ourselves, Hurray! Packed the field bag, ate CNY goodies courteousy of Samuel. I kept forgeting that I had already brushed my teeth, so when I snacked from someone's bag of goodies, I had to brush my teeth again. Guess that night was the most times I brushed my teeth.
Had a surprise fire drill, and we cleared it within 3mins, hope CPT Seah keeps her promise of not indenting lunch on Saturday!
Thursday:
For the 5km run, became the road marshaller. Before the run started, a flock of birds delicately flew over me. Kinda like how those air raids were done during WW2. Fed mosquitos, 100% kill ratio of 1hit 1kill. LoL. Took over CDO, praying for a smooth time, don't want to mess it up and sign extra.
Picked up Cpt David at the office, worried to learn of many people had already rolled to 130BWC. Pretty interesting lecturer, and boring content. It even touched on the Eqn of Continuality and Benoulli's Effect, Physics of Fluid from JC man! Everything returned to MR Soo already.
My day as the SDO was quiet, only the lunch hicup proved a little trouble. Jun Ting, my CDS, didn't return to replace me so I could get my lunch. It took me some time to get someone to stand by for me, so in the end I had only 5mins to eat. Ate halfway and had to leave already, the signing in by Jun Ting wasn't properly done too, almost got 2 extra man! Luckily I managed to sort it out with Master Steven. Thanks to Tian Cai for covering, did a fast march there, pretty tiring.
Had my dinner as probably the last cadet in OCS in the deserted dining hall. It was very peaceful, the people there were very nice too. I also had some luxury with the time because the guys were having admin time back at the wing. Spent a little time on the phone with Liwei, the duty room was as silent as I wished it could be.
Did my rounds, slept on the upper bed leaving poor Alvin AO doing his admin stuff at the computer.
Friday:
Earlier than usual, had to wake the wing up. Did my reporting of parade state and 5BX. Finally handover, wash my hands off all issues! Thankfully, all went well. Do it once, Do it Good!
Back with the flight guys, feels great. The lesson on risk management was cancelled because we were taught that during the CLT. Replaced it with the POI, better for now so next time would be less hectic. The next one was by a pilot, touching on the career path of the pilot trainees.
Out of 80 people going per year for BWC (my next training phase), only around 50 make it. And out of the 50, only 10 fighters, 20 helis and 20 transport. The other things he touched on was that two of the best from the course would be sent to Canada or USA for special training. Eventually, the rest of the fighters will go to France for the A4SkyHawk training. Competition will be tough, but I want to be part of it. I'm already all fired up for BWC!
Tough times don't last, tough men do.
Field pack inspection was good, no flaws but the rest of us just did the pushups together. Flight/Wing integrity? @.@ not that 20 meant a lot anyway. So what's the point in excellence? I sense a flaw in the definition of unity. Spent time at the recreation room, morale booster man! There actually is a television, unbelievable!
Saturday:
We could already sense bookout from the moment the 5km run ended. My status kinda ended already, so I had to run or see the MO. Wasn't sure whether my ankle could take it, so I participated. You wouldn't know until you try right? And so I managed to meet the mark, thankfully. If not must re-run!
The core value lecture was poorly organised, wasted time waiting for the technical difficulties faced. Watched the front part of Tears of the Sun as part of the lesson. Hate it when they do this, makes me want to finish the movie up somehow. Dont you? Today's value was Ethics.
We returned to do some area cleaning, had an inspection and off we were. Hitched a ride from Ying Xiong, what a small world it is! His mother actually opens a store at 800+ there, which is so near to my home. Almost as if I took a cab home like that! Good to be home.
Sunday:
Went to play pool with Ridzuan, then we did some shopping at NTUC to bring in camp. Bought FFX, finally but don't have the time to play. It was nice to meet up again.
Accompanied my sister to help her with the CNY gift for her future-in-laws. I saw a book by the SPI, read about the Tekong incident, so that was what happened. I wasn't really affected by anything though. But when I took the cargo lift to meet up my sister in B1, I went from 3 (I pressed down) to 4 then to don't know where. The screen showing the floor in the lift was showing an asterix. I checked the panel, but it showed no light on the level. I pressed to confirm, but it won't light up. I freaked out, and I was also holding my breathe (the lift stinks).
Thankfully I ended in B1. Can't describe...
Oh I met my secondary school History teacher, Mr Khoo. The one who recommended me to be a prefect but I rejected because I was in love with being in the band. He still remembers that I was in the band too! Had a catching up chat, exchanged numbers and spilt. I ate dinner with my family with my sister's boyfriend at Cartel.
Back to you know where... Once you get used to it, you're immuned.
3:31 pm;
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Sunday:
By 10am I was already up, just thinking about tonight sickens me. Breakfast was fine, lunch was better, the usual chicken rice. Met up with Hwaee for a while and just slacked the rest of my time. Shufen came by to pass me a gift, thanks, but don't have to bring your sister too right? That wasn't part of the plan!
The time came, sianz... Even the sky was 'crying' on my way back. Parents insisted on buying dinner for me despite having no appetite. Before I stepped into camp, Kiong Wee called me asking me out tomorrow to go ice skating. Felt even worst, like rubbing salt into the wound, not that he did it on purpose, so I don't blame him. The outing, not only I like the activity but also had people whom I would love to hang out with.
Spent the night packing up for tomorrow's tranfer. Kinda sad, if not given my current situation, I would have chose to stay on in Charlie, and not go to ADA like most of the other guys.
Monday:
No 5BX for me, they went two rounds, clockwise then anticlockwise. With LTA Isaac, running extra is guranteed. LoL. Transferred to AirWing, very troublesome. Spent the day doing adminstration stuffs and also briefs by Master Steven (funny guy) and our WSM.
Boring day I could say, went back forth between Charlie and AirWing, did the ceremonial rehearsal, leg hurt like crap. The OCS song is quite nice, especially after hearing the recorded song played on the PA system. Its like I can already visualise myself on the Commissioning Parade ground, ready to receive my rank. Truly inspiring! The song also burns me to go pick up that trumpet again, oh man.
For tomorrow's field camp, was appointed the section commander. We drew maps, compasses, and a whole lot of other things. Practically rushing from point A to B, very taxing on my leg. All I can say is that the organisation and planning is extremely poor. Was very agitated, totally lost my mood.
Lucky for Jonathan, I should have rested at home too, rather to risk my ankle around.
Tuesday:
The dreaded field camp, actually meant for the commanders to 'teken' us only. Supposed to get a turnout for the initiation, but only Hotel and part of Charlie was disturbed. We were lucky the seniors forgot about AirWing. The ceremony was to remove the white band we wore during the first two weeks, thus all sorts of leniency by the instructors also cease to exist from now on. The breakfast queue was like a train, luckily we were the first few.
With status, became a SK warrior, shifting planks and poles, pushing the tonners' trailer, filling 20 sandbags and setting up the areas. What nonsense, I should be resting my leg, who's going to pay the LD with it breaks?
Spent the whole day at that particular place, made new friends and exchanged our presentation topics. Walked to a nearby checkpoint where they had to think of ways to cross the river to collect all the stores. We witnessed three teams attempting to cross, two of which coming out was commendable ideas, the rubber float and the one which looked like a mini 'sampan'. But I was still surprised to see many of them considerably wet.
Walked back to the gathering point, after going merry-go-round with the poor directions given to us by Hotel's WSM. Unloaded more stores, ate dinner, powder bath. The night was all dark before they whipped out the lamp, only the moon providing us with some light, truly spectacular!
So somewhere in the middle of Lim Chu Kang, I spent the night in the wilderness, just like how Ridzuan did when I was training to be a specialist. Wondering if they'll turnout us tomorrow... Closed my eyes at 2215.
Wednesday:
Bang! Boom! Sirens wailing, instructors shouting and cadets scurrying. Total darkness, absolutely chaos.
"Take your time, nevermind, its okie, your whole platoon is waiting for you in pushup position."
With a loud hailer and a low perfectly calm voice, "Down, Down Down, Down, Down Down...".
"On your back, on your belly, on our back, on your belly, on..." (Non-Stop)
"You see LTA xxx, I want you all to leopard crawl there and come back, now move". (Mind you the ground is all full of big sharp rocks)
"Jumping jacks, 80 counts of 4." (With rifle)
"Push up position change, jumping jacks position change, crunches position change..." (Change and change and change...)
When all hell broke lose and finally calmed down a little, set off to another campsite. Every section had to turn turns on having a injured man, so carrying the person was imminent. Walked about 3-4km before reaching. Once at the training shed we stationed previously for the Chemical Defence package, more leopard crawling and nonsense, before finally some rest. Time was from 0317 to 0600.
Woke up for breakfast, then set off in a convey of tonners to do our map reading/identification hands on tutorial. We were brought to many places, relating the land features we saw to the ones on the map. I like the one which was at the Puyan Reservoir, where we were already at the end of Singapore, could see Johor across the sea and the Tuas Link. Ever wondered why the bridge on our side is higher? Think about it!
Suddenly it turned cat. one, all went into tonner which dropped us deep in the vegetation. Had lunch with the rain pouring down on us, just like the field camp I had back in BMT. Returned to wingline to get more stores, fill up 15 jelly cans. Collected dinner from the dining hall and set off. The driver went by the other way, giving us a fresh breath of civilisation.
West is totally not where a East guy should be, especially one who must know his location. The place we passed seemed familiar, the KFC at Nanyang Community Centre. Kinda resembled the place when I was out with Liwei.
Once back in the bounderies of Pasir Laba camp, morale low again. Unloaded and waited for them to set off for the night activity, while we walked back to last night's last resting area in the rain. Rather to be dry then wet, I whipped out the Gotex jacket. Waited till around 2350 before we packed up and returned to wingline to wash up everything.
Tired, washed up and read through my phone. Seems like only when I'm away all the things come looking my way and vice versa. Talked to Liwei for a while before turning in at 0200, had to wake up by 0400, don't know for what reasons.
"If you want to learn biking, go ahead. But please try not ride one once you get your license. Don't play with death like that."Thursday:
Did the two bar presentation rehearsal before the actual one, where LTA Isaac Ho and Wei Shun gave us our airforce rank. This is finally when we all go our separate ways. Changed and returned to Charlie to dekit. Now we are officially AirWing cadets.
A welcome brief by CPT Seah, followed by the long awaited lunch (we didn't have breakfast). Went to the cadets' mess for a get-to-know session, some team building games to establish relations and build bonds. Satay Beehoon for dinner, changed to civilian to attend a function organised especially for us. Changing to civilian but not actually booking out...
Had a lot of fun there, the mixing around, cheering, drinking of endless Tiger and stout. During the arm wrestling matches, the loser team had to drink a whole jug of beer and so was the Dress-Him-Up competition. Tze How wasn't Tze How, Zheng Nan wasn't Zheng Nan, dressing up of Zi Rong aka Tiger, laughed till I teared. The reason we won both were mainly because of Zheng Nan, with him outspeaking the other flights of our 3G soldier. A beer parade to end the joyous ocassion, only to find out the whole school had a blackout!
"So that's how guys learn to take up beer during NS..."It totally sucked, couldn't bathe because the toilet was too dark, couldn't sleep well because the fan was down. We were already tired enough, so I slept at around 2200. Woke up in cold at midnight to find our room brightly litted and the fan at full power. Put on a shirt, switched off the light and recovered into the warmth of my blanket. "Be strong, that was the last and final advice I gave to you."
Friday:
Late for fall in, the CFCs got it. Lecture on CA2 on Paracounsellors by Master Steven. He shared his experience of his search and rescue operations with us on the Super Puma. The worst was him fishing out a pilot's helmet only to find the pilot's head in it too. (Shall leave out the description he gave us)
Next was the Maj inculcating us on the extra two values that the AirForce has. It included a group discussion with Yong Kok and Colin. After lunch, went to the CAI to go through some programmes on the RSAF roles and function and also about radion stuffs. It seems as though I need all my physics lecture notes to help me with all that calculations involving frequency and stuff. Kinda rusty but still can make it, miss studying...
Returned to wingline, CWC and CSC talked to us, shocked to find out I was tomorrow's CDO, must do from Saturday 7am to Sunday 7am! Weekend BURN...! Might as well don't bookout?Cleaned the bunk in preparation for tomorrow's standby bed, buddy MIA. Dinner was a bun with two sausages, one chicken patty, a slice of cheese, baked beans. Erm excuse me, doesn't it suit more like breakfast? Battery extremely low, sianz.
Luckily we did the weekend/holidays duty draw, and I got the normal days! But three people with no integrity didn't own up, one of which is the first day of Chinese New Year. Please no! Not fair at all! Luck don't always shine on you.
Saturday:
IPPT cat. test, wanted to just sit out but she insisted me on seeing the MO. Fine. So I got a week's of excuse lower limb, well I got to thank her actually. At least this time he gave me some cream to apply rather than just panadols.
On my way back, saw them heading out for lessons already, caught up with them in the CA2. During the WITS briefing, everyone was fighting hard with the enemy within, the most deadly of them all, the 'Z' monsters! In order to avoid weekend/holiday duties, people resorted to drawing pictures, calculating some maths, eating LOTS of sweets (going to get diabetes soon) and writing rubbish.
Next was the motivation lesson, which the lecturer did point out a good point. Instead of fining people $500 for littering, why not reward people for bringing them litter? Sensible but inapplicable. On our way to lunch, sang the bookout song, distubing the girls who were serving the first two weeks of their BMT (confinement time) who were already there. LoL!
Rushed to bookout early, but by the time we were out, it was 15mins behind the actual time. Got a ride from a friends, reached Tampines central by 1600, went with Jordan to buy games, got myself AceCombat5! Way fun and realistic! Spent my time going through the tutorials and several missions already. Can't wait for S211 to come... Please hurry okie!
"Don't be hopeful on anything you have on me..."
12:27 pm;
Sunday, January 01, 2006
Saturday:
Decided to spilt it from the rest because my sister took a lot of pictures so I'm posting a portion of them, kind of a brief orientation too.
Morning same time (0545), same thing (water parade), same place (parade square). This time there were two other 'me's. Jonathan and Joo Hoo also kinda have the same problem as me, so we three were like limping together.
We had water polo for morning activites, the instructors won again, not without a lot of controversy. Breakfast was
'tahu goreng' by the pool, a welcome change to our routine life. It was a great laugh, also a great way to end the two weeks spent together on a high note. I'm going to miss my army friends, sadly and also all the future MOs to be.
Some time to change and prepare for the parents' visiting day to commence. As early as 0750, the first parents were here already. Mine came at around 0830, and so it began.
-------------------------------------My Room Tag--------------------------------------
--------------------------My side of the room, Da Bed------------------------------
-----------------My desk facing the parade square and echo wing-------------
------------------------------My Room mate Timothy--------------------------------
----------------------------------My Buddy Jonathan---------------------------------
----------------The Balcony: Looking over @ my future home, NTU------------
-------------------------The Officers's Creed and OCS's Logo---------------------
--------------------The Tower - 256 Steps in total, 60m in Height---------------
----------------------------------The OCS Dining Hall---------------------------------
-----------------------------------The Mess. Duh.-------------------------------------
--------------------------------------Wing Line----------------------------------------
----------------------------------Charlie Signage--------------------------------------
------------------------------The 5m Confidence Jump------------------------------
This pool also represents the old pool back in the old OCS where my father was trained and certified to be a lifeguard, so yeah he wanted to take this picture. The top stand doesn't look 5m right? Try looking down when you're about to leap off from it.
And so we went to eat some nice lunch at Keppel before dropping my sisters off to where they needed to be and I went home. To get my downloads in order and my foot fixed. A sad way to spend New Year's Eve, rest at home so I can go on for next week's field camp.
1:14 pm;
