Monday, March 31, 2008

See you in May!

Alright guys! Heading to the airport in a couple of hour time. Still can contact me in taiwan through my mobile. But no prank calls or don't call to tell me a joke or something like that. I make sure you will pay for that few DOLLARS of talk time. Best way is to message me and wait for me to call back.

Auf Wiedersehen!

Thursday, March 27, 2008

The final battle

Past few days have been listening to high ranking officers giving us motivational talks and giving us thanks. The push for the final battle begins in a few days time. Today we all did a reflection. A reflection of the days that have flew by probably faster than the concord.

1 year 6 months begin with training in BMTC before joining my current unit. Much have been done since then for example Army Open house and Bilatral exercies. Ops duties are part and parcel of a combat unit. Of course we have to stand up and respond to the call at the sacrifice of time spend with all love ones.

Training no doubt is tough. Injuries never seems to be recovering. My sprained ankle and knee hurts most when aggrivated. But can never avoid to aggrivate it because i need my legs to walk, to run. So endure through the pain.

With so much encouragement and good comments coming from people all the way from the top. And i really mean the TOP! A reputation built from zero to something takes no mean feat to built. As the final battle begins soon.

I begin to wonder, has all that i gone through the past 1 year and 6 months. is it all worth it? all the sacrifices made in and out of camp. 36 days is a long trip. Of course i am always looking forward to the R&R, a chance to see taiwan in its asian glory as a high tech city.

I will leave it up to the day when the jet aircraft touch terra firma in Singapore to tell the answer to all. The final battle... Let's see what all comes down to. All i know for now. I am just a citizen soldier.

Auf Wiedersehen!

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Take it with a pinch of Salt

Let's take it with a pinch of salt, leading two seperate lives as one is difficult. Everyday is like treading through a minefield. I will never know when i step on a mine, big or small.

Quietly, i saw it coming. Didn't want to say it out because of my promises. Gave the trust but was betrayed. For those who still don't know me well, whenever i am committed into something, I make sure i see it right to the end. I will get pissed and/or annoyed easily when i don't see it finishing. And also trust is one thing that is hard to gain from me. Never one day i will simply give my trust to people just because they need it. Either you earn it or you find it somewhere else.

Seriously, i have to admit my actions have a part to play in all that has happen, i don't hold blame to anyone for it. But its hard to accept apologies and forgive. Give me some time. For now, there is a void inside me. 2 in fact.

At the end of the day, I will take it with a pinch of salt. I leave for taiwan with a few questions in my mind answered. A little unsettled still, hard to give it all up, all the hopes and dreams I will still hold dear to me, let it linger in my mind perhaps as a source for motivation during the tough 30 odd days there but work will still go on. Be brave and strong as there are more things in life awaits me! =) Thanks Joel for being there when I am most down and out. Truely blessed to have this friendship, brotherhood. God will continue to bless us!

Auf Wiedersehen!

Friday, March 14, 2008

Missing everyone!

What have been a month to relax and prepare for taiwan became a very busy moment for all. I shall spare the details.

All i know is that i truely miss sleeping on my bed over night at home even though i do get time off every now and then to rest and do a little laundry and ad-hoc work at home. Not forgetting to perfect that Disney classic "A Whole New World" for my dearest. Balancing time between Suky and family too! Aww... I miss you so much!

Sorry to Joel and Eddie, shall meet up with you guys someday, hopefully before taiwan. Thanks for the appreciation phone call. Your backside is safely guarded. =)

Shots from the Singapore Airshow is out! Got a few decent shots of the Black Knight's formations with the classy grainy effect from traditional Film. It does give me the feeling of F-16's are aircraft from the 70's - 80's. All are done in manual focus because of the slow Auto Focusing my lens has. But still all shots turn up clear and sharp.

Auf Wiedersehen!

Saturday, March 01, 2008

Survivor Tekong

It was a mad dash for home and to book into camp by 9pm last sunday. Anyway, I was at the Singapore Airshow 2008. The flying display was damn cool especially the Black Knights. Compared to the previous airshows, this time round we are closer to the flying display so my cam can capture it up close. Pics are currently being sent for processing. Down side was the long waiting for buses to get in and out of the venue. Not a good plus point. Unless you intend to take the limo taxi for $45 to any destination of your choice or the additional $8 surcharge on top of the prevailing rates for normal taxi.

So we have to book in early to make final preparations for the so-called last oufield in Singapore. Lots of things to pack especially food into my LBV. haha! Moved out to seletar for harbouring 1 night before we are troop lift to changi beach for assualt boat ride to tekong. So we were preparing, waiting and eating in a public area. Certainly raises a few eye browns for the civilians to see a large group of NS guys. haha! Anyway after a long wait, higher HQ got fed up because the waves of boat are taking too long so we route march to SAF Ferry Terminal for fast craft ride over. But i certainly do enjoy lying down on the grass patch seeing aircraft taking off especially the beautiful 747 and 777's.

Embark on 2 missions without re-supply of water and other essential items for 3 days. Until FIBUA village we get our re-supply. Saw the recruits doing FIBUA training. Walking past them with our shagged out faces scaring them how tough it was our mission but actually we just woke up from a short nap. LOL. So when doing our last misson the recruits kept looking at us building up obstacles, enjoying sips of 100 plus and bottles of cordial eating tibbits. Sure remind me of those days were commerical items are forbidden.

Exercise cut and we return back to BMTC parade square. Making a mess at the boot washing point, flooded with sand and mud. Enjoy the use of Staff toilet at one of the coy (hey! it was a forbidden ground during BMT k!). See recruits doing their 5BX with run in the early morning when i just lie down on the bench sleeping. Canteen break for the famous Roti John, but it was close. Bump into my friend who is a perm staff at BMTC.

Attended Touch 2008 by NUS Piano Ensemble after book out at UCC. At the invitation of a camp mate's girlfriend who will be performing. Overall the concert was very nice, enjoy it very much. Most of the repertoire are transcribe pieces so it gives a different feeling to the pieces as compared to the original composition.

Going to take a good rest for the next 3 days.

Auf Wiedersehen!